CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN IS?! BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE Hiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii „„„„„ 3 1924 028 805 717 Overs li^2 5\\ ©J The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://archive.org/details/cu31924028805717 BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY ILLINOIS By PROF. J. H. G. BRINKERHOFF ILLUSTRATED B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 1909 PUBLISHER'S PREFACE. All life and achievement is evolution; present wisdom comes from past experience, and present commercial prosperity has come only from past exer- tion and suffering. The deeds and motives of the men that have gone before have been instrumental in shaping the destinies of later communities and states. The development of a new country was at once a task and a privilege. It re- quired great courage, sacrifice and privation. Compare the present conditions of the residents of Marion county, Illinois, with what they were one hundred years ago. From a trackless wilderness and virgin prairie it has come to be a center of prosperity and civilization, with millions of wealth, systems of inter- secting railways, grand educational institutions, marvelous industries and im- mense agricultural productions. Can any thinking person be insensible to the fascination of the study which discloses the incentives, hopes, aspirations and efforts of the early pioneers who so strongly laid the foundation upon which has been reared the magnificent prosperity of later clays? To perpetuate the story of these people and to trace and record the social, political and industrial progress of the community from its first inception is the function of the local historian. A sincere purpose to preserve facts and personal memoirs that are deserving of preservation, and which unite the present to the past is the motive for the present publication. The work has been in the hands of able writers, who have, after much patient study and research, produced here the most com- plete biographical memoirs of Marion county, Illinois, ever offered to the public. A specially valuable and interesting department is that one devoted to the sketches of representative citizens of this county whose i^ecords deserve perpetuation because of their worth, effort and accomplishment. The pub- lishers desire to extend their thanks to these gentlemen who have so faithfully labored to this end. Thanks are also due to the citizens of Marion county for the uniform kindness with which they have regarded this undertaking, and for their many services rendered in the gaining of necessary information. In placing "Brinkerhoff's History of Marion County, Illinois," before the citizens, the publishers can conscientiously claim that they have carried out the plan as outlined in the prospectus. Every biographical sketch in the work has been submitted to the party interested, for correction, and there- fore any error of fact, if there be any, is solely due to the person for whom the sketch was prepared. Confident that our efforts to please will fully meet the approbation of the public, we are. Respectfully, The Publishers. AUTHOR'S PREFACE. In writing a history of Marion county it is necessary that the author pre- sent a brief outHne of the history of the state of which the county forms a part, in order that the reader may refresh his memory of the conditions and difificulties to be met and overcome by the men and women of an age which de- manded the' best and bravest and called for, not only an indomitable spirit, but a body as well, inured to privations and hardships, inseparable from a pioneer life. The youth of today can hardly realize, surrounded as they are by every conve- nience and many of the luxuries of modern life, the utter lack of conveniences and comforts that faced the pioneer of a century ago in the then wilderness of Illinois; and brave, indeed, was the man who with his family traversed the woodland and the plain to literally hew out with the axe the home which he must defend with the rifle; upon which he also must largely depend for sustenance. Yet it is of these we must write, if we are to preserve the records of our people and trace the character of the men of today back to its foundation in the lives of those who have gone before, and instill into the life of coming gener- ations that love of liberty and independence which characterized the fathers and made the hardy American pioneer the noblest work of the Creator, unsung he- roes and heroines whose bones rest peacefully in the soil their energy con- quered, and left a rich heritage to succeeding generations. J. H. G. Brinkerhoff. INDEX Act of Establishing Marion County 39 Alma Township 198 Alma, Village of 199 Attorneys i'^^ Black Hawk War 61 Brubaker, Hamlet of 200 Cabot, Henry 17 Cahokias IS Casey, Col. L. P 129 Carrigan Township 177 Centralia, City of 191 Centralia, Development of . . 141 Centi-alia, Township of 188 Chance, James 124 Churches 142 Church, German Evangelical 859 Civil War 67 Clark, Gen. George Rogers. 23 Conquest, of Illinois 22 County Courts Created 49 County Seat, Donations for 44 County's Population 40 DuQucin 19 Early Cabin Home 108 Iflarly Funerals 112 Early marriages 110 Early Modes of Dress .... 107 Early Settlement 117-857 Early Settlers 103 Early Sports 105 Egypt 115 Eighteenth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry 69 Eighty-eighth Regiment. ... 88 Eightieth Regiment Volun- teer Infantry 87 Elections, First 43 Execution, First Legal 38 Farming, Modem 855 Fifty-first Regiment, Com- pany A 84 Financial Condition in an Early Day 54 First Explorers 19 Fort Chartres 21 Port Massac a^ Fort Sackville 30 Fort, the Last French 25 Fortieth Illinois tnfantry. . . 76 Forty-eighth Infantry 79 Forty-ninth Regiment 81 Foster, Uncle Hardy 123 Poster Township 156 Garrison at Fort Gage .... 28 Geology of Marion County . . 133 Gibault, Rev. Father 30 Grant's Old Regiment 73 Haines Township 154 Hamilton's Surrender 34 mini 17 Illinois, Admission to the Union 35 Illinois County 34 Indian Confederacy 18 Indians, Depredations of . . . 37 luka Township 204 luka. Village of 206 Jail, a New 48 Jolliet, Chevalier 19 Jones, John Rice 36 Judiciary and Attorneys... 125 Kaskaskia 18 Kinmundy, City of 202 Kinmundy, Township of . . . 201 LaPont, Doctor 30 Licenses Were Cheap 45 Location of Marion County 113 Marion County in 1823 39 Marquette, Father 19 Meacham Township 208 Mexican War 65 Mineral Resources 114 Miscellaneous 213 Ninety-eighth Infantry 89 Odin, City of 183 Odin, Township of 180 Old Forts 20 Old Fort Gage 22 Omega, Village of 208 Omega Township 206 One Hundred Sixth Regi- ment 100 One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment 89 Patoka Township 173 Peorias, The 18 Phelps, Frederick 124 Physical and Statistical Pacts 35 Pioneer Lawyers 125 Pioneer Ministers 37 Pioneer Physicians 112 Ponce De Leon 17 Pontiac, Chief 19 Proclamation, The 29 Public Schools 13G Raccoon Township 171 Railroads 134 Romine Township 212 Sale of Public Lands 55 Salem, City of 167 Salem Township 163 Schools of Present Day 140 Sandoval, City of 185 Sandoval Township 180 Settlers' Cabins 108 Sixth Cavalry 101 Sixty-first Regiment 85 Sixty-second Regiment .... 85 Soldiers, Pay for 51 Stevenson Township 210 INDEX. Sucker State 115 Thirty-first Regiment Volun- teer Infantry 73 Tonti Townstiip 158 Trees, Native 851 Twenty-first Regiment Illi- nois Volunteers 73 Twenty-second Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry 70 Village of Vernon 176 Vincennes, The Capture of. 30 Watts, Amos 60 Ware, Malachi 122 Wrestling 105 Young, Samuel 117 Adams, John M 454 Abernathy, James R 535 Andrews, Truman B 734 Andrews, Seymour 627 Andereck, W. J S39 Anderson, A. M 788 Arnold, James W 407 Arnold, Joseph T '606 Atkins, Joseph W 408 Atkins, Richard M 380 Bachmann, Adam H 436 Baldridge, George P 833 Ballance, John H 393 Barnes, A. C 664 Bassett, Elmer 612 Bass, Reuben J 458 Bates, Francis M 682 Bauer, F. H 706 Baylis, Jacob A 567 Beckett, Charles A 725 Benson, James 742 Blankinship, Charles E 587 Bledsoe, B. Louis 439 Boggs, Franklin G 501 Boles, William 644 Bostwick, Landon M 576 Boyce, George R 540 Boynton, Frank A 270 Bradford, Frank 426 Branch, Levi 710 Breeze, Jacob D 666 Breeze, Owen 749 Breeze, Sidney 679 Brigham, Robert 448 Brinkerhoff, J. H. G 611 Bronson, Horace 684 Brown, Douglas C 630 Brubaker, Edgar F 507 Brubaker, Eli 373 Brubaker, Jacob 343 Brubaker, Noah 344 Bnins, Rev. John H 656 Bryan Family 411 Bryan, William Jennings... 215 Bryan, J. E 415 Bryan, Silas L 820 Buenger, Rev. John 361 Bundy, Charles E 451 Bundy, William K 256 Bundy, William F 592 Burt, Charles V 764 Burnett, William H 849 Carr, Scott M 455 Carrigan, Samuel R 804 Castle, J. E 327 Clark, Henry 721 Clark, Samuel S 813 Cole, John 751 Combs, Lewis 522 Conant, John B 320 Conant, W. S .■.- 300 Connell, Zachariah A 785 Cope, Allen 560 Copple, Eli 672 Copple, Elmer B 670 Copple, Jacob 647 Copple, Samuel G 533 Cox, George 295 Cozad, Joseph A 801 Craig, James K 531 Craig, Benjamin D 391 Cutchins, Milton 342 Dace, James M 476 Daggett, Christian M 815 Davis, Henry T 812 Davis, John L 662 Dean, Charles 550 Dew, Charles P 650 Dickey, Thomas K 578 Dobbs, William H 645 Donovan, John P 282 Downey, George W 640 Drapar, William L 330 Dunlap, W. W 741 Dwight, Samuel L 628 Eagan, A. 1 379 Eagan, Gustin L 625 Eddings, John F 348 Edwards, Thomas M 826 Elrod, William 738 Embser, Jerome N 563 English, Boyd M 737 Evans, H. D 243 Evans, Obediah F 249 Farthing, William H 424 Feltman, Carlos A 253 Fisher, Alexander W 605 Fitzgearald, Charles E 732 Foster, Harmon 405 Foster, Henry C 613 Foster, Thomas J 590 Fowler Brothers 670 Fowler, Reuben G 668 French, John R 367 Fyfe, George S 608 Fyke, John J 428 Gaines, Hazel G 338 Garner, E. P 514 Garrett, Benjamin 374 Gifford, Chester B 728 Gillett, Homer 726 Gllmore, A. C 832 Glore, Charles A 792 Goodale, W. B 696 Gragert, Henry 357 Graham, Samuel H 536 Graham, S. D 302 Gray, John H 467 Gray, Abner S 572 Gray, William H 546 Green, Jonathan A 616 Green, Nancy 352 Green, Philip 352 Griffin, William 570 Grissom, Fred 306 Hahn, Lewis 356 Haley, James Lloyd 277 Hall, Henry R 638 Hamilton, Alex 351 Hanks, James S 541 Hanna, James B 353 Hargrave, Thomas M 565 Harmon, James K. P 827 Hartley, William A 680 Hatch, John W 756 Hays, Elijah M 505 Hays, Hamilton N 272 Haynie, D. D 238 Headley, David 805 Heaver, George J 46] Heavers, Jacob Hefter, J 778 Heser, Henry 770 Hershberger, David 460 Hester, David M 486 Hester, Milton P 674 Hills, W. Durand 842 Hiltibidal, George W 471 Hizlip, Harrison G 503 Hodges, Isham E 472 Holstlaw, Daniel S 339 Holstlaw, D. W 701 Holstlaw, Richard J 416 Holt, Charles H 240 Holt, Henry G 402 Holt, Luther 483 Holt, Samuel M 397 House, Chauncey 772 Howell, James F 288 Huddle, Benjamin 830 Huddleston, Charles S 753 Huff, Nathaniel G 334 Huggins, Earl C ' 284 Hull, Hon. Charles E 224 Hull, Samuel 225 Hunter, James 636 Idleman, G. A 280 Ingram, William C 298 Irwin, Walter C 223 Irvin, Thomas E 573 INDEX. James, O. A 260 Jennings Family 600 Jennings, Charles E 603 Jennings, Z. C 464 Johnson, William T 581 Jollite, Samuel A 750 Jones, Eli W 585 Jones, James R 530 Jones, J. T 258 Jones, Samuel W 409 Jones, William A 542 Jourdan, Joseph 819 Joy, Thomas L 633 Joy, Verne E 685 Kagy, Shannon 366 Kagy, Levi Monroe 421 Kelchner, Henry P 607 Kell, Charles T 368 Kell, William R 304 Kilpatrick, John A 810 Kimberlin, James Henry . . . 293 Kline, Calvin B 532 Knight, George R 762 Knight, J. F 635 Kugler, Daniel 758 Lacey, Winfield S 519 Lambert, Robert L 392 Lamblin, Frank P 72U Lane, Thomas M 705 Larimer, John W 442 Lear, I. D 776 Leckrone, William 510 Lederman, Emile R 771 Legreid, Severt 795 Leonard, Walter 779 Leseman, William H 553 Lewis, James B 246 Library, Centralia Public. 802 Livesay, Alfred 641 Livesay, Harvey R 746 Livesay, Jackson L 719 Loomis, Frank 459 Lovell, Samuel W 538 Lucas, Amel 59 ' Luttrell, Thomas G 843 March, John S 400 Martin, Benjamin E., Sr 234 Martin, Gen. James S..... . 433 Martin, John C 276 Martin, John E 429 Martin, Robert 317 Martin, William J 363 Mattinly, Roland W 362 Matthews, Leander C 307 May, Harvey D 371 Meador, Simeon W 569 Meagher, Thomas F 712 Merchants State Bank, Cen- tralia 778 Meredith, Theodore F 730 Merritt, Thomas E 489 Merritt, Charles D 264 Merz, Wilfred W 290 Michaels, M. W 447 Miles, Cella M 802 Miller, Charles 739 Miller, Franklin P 691 Moehlmann, Henry W 372 Morris, Ira C 599 Morris, William 377 Morris, Samuel 399 Morrison, Col. Napoleon B. . 676 Morton, James S 586 Mundwller, George 511 McBride, H. S 733 McClelland, Andrew J 774 McColIum, Metta 509 McKee, Robert M 798 McLaughlin, Joseph K 463 McMillan, Henry 789 McNicol, James 618 McQuinn, Robert T 221 Neeper, Andrew 558 Neal, Thomas B 479 Netherton, Clark B 775 Newman, William D 715 Nichols, David F 396 Noleman, Prank P 759 Norfleet, Benjamin P 477 Norris, G. E 580 Orr, Hiram 332 Owens, Sallie 349 Pace, H. T 236 Parkinson, Joseph C 508 Parkinson, William K 484 Parrill, A. J 566 Patton, Thomas A 480 Peddicord, A. M 432 Peddicord, Andrew M 596 Petrie, D. S 768 Perrlne, George H 807 Pigg, James B 333 Phillips, Samuel P 490 Pittenger, Col. George L 686 Porter, Albert G 619 Prusz, Prank 736 Prather, Joseph A 452 Puffer, Samuel 521 PuUen, Burden 707 Purcell, Francis M 364 Purdue, James P 370 Quayle, J. R 266 Quick, Albert E 731 Raines, William F 790 Rainey, George S 318 Randall, Alfred J 717 Reed, Lewis H 659 Reese, Francis M 376 Reese, George B 383 Reichenbach, Jacob J 747 Reinhardt, Julius 660 Rennie, J. A 389 Rhodes, Henry L 658 Richardson, James R 469 Robb, Francis M 617 Robb, Mary A 381 Robinson, Elbridge 583 Robinson, Roden 359 Rodgers, Benjamin F 528 Rogers, Prank A 252 Rogers, Tllman J 609 Rogier, William B 575 Rohl, Robert 698 Rohrbough, Calendar 621 Root, Joseph P 649 Rosborough, J. F 754 Rose, Wiley 555 Ross, J. W 791 Ryman, Herbert D 589 Sanders, Charles C 512 Sanders, Samuel 724 Saxer, Arnold 783 Schmelzer, John 667 Schultz, John M 493 Secor, P. D 643 See, Charles M 809 See, Henry William, Sr 523 See, Orcelas 388 See, Michael 404 Seley, A. M 690 Schaffer, Joseph H 606 Shanafelt, Andrew 498 Schanafelt, Samuel A 354 Shirwood, George 850 Shook, Samuel 653 Simcox, George B 313 Simer, William J 526 Singer, Oscar 468 Sisson, George W 699 Skipworth, J. W 544 Smith, Alex. C 799 Smith, Benajmln M 268 Smith, John 525 Smith, June C 766 Snodgrass, John A 711 Soger, John 838 Songer, A. W 285 Stevenson, Noah R 346 Stonecipher, John S 324 Stonecipher, Jesse 846 Stonecipher, Thomas 816 Storer, B. W 697 Storment, S. A 315 Storment, William T 384 Stratton, George W 557 Spiese, Wilfred 387 Swalley, M. V. B 360 Schwartz Brothers 418 Tate, J. W 786 Telford, Erastus D 311 Telford, J. D 445 Touve, Jacob 784 Trenary, G. H 278 Tubbs, Harriet 551 Tufts, C. D 632 Utterback, Jeter 218 INDEX. Van Patten, Martin 793 Vasel, Harry A 723 Vawter, John H 443 Walker, Joseph H 594 Wallis, Matthew S 693 Walton, Orvllle T 615 WarfieM, Bowie C 796 Warner, Harry M 76S Warner, Perry W 357 Warren, Henry 273 Watts, Edwin L 729 Wells, George C 518 Well, Matthew B 845 Welton, Edwin L 654 West, Charles H 297 Wham, Henderson B 474 Wham, William 431 Wilkinson, William T 554 Wild, Samuel R 744 Williams, John P 516 Williams, A. R 262 Williams, T. W 243 Wilson, George C 556 Wilson, Lucian 663 Wilson, William G 336 Wright, Newton 829 Wright, Thomas J 781 Wilson, Richard 562 Woodward, H. N 494 Woodard, W. R 515 Woods, Johns 713 Wooldridge, William C 836 Wooldridge, James R 840 Wyatt, John H 487 Young, William J 322 RELATED ILLINOIS HISTORY. mini, "the river of men," a title of the confederacy of Indian tribes, occupying the territory now included within the limits of the state, which is known by the slightly changed name, Illinois. Many evidences of an earlier occupation than that of the red men are to be found within the borders of the state, especially along the watercourses, in the form of earthworks or mounds, many of which were built with the exactness of modern science, and give undisputable evi- dence of a civilization, crude though it may have been, that evidenced constructive abil- ity of no mean order, since its traces remain although the people who wrought are lost in the darkness of the receding centuries. The mound builders were, but are not, and the works of their hands are eloquent with the silence of the ages, and the red child of the forest and plain who occupied the land when the white man first viewed the inland empire, void of all save savage life, were as ignorant of who their predecessors were as we are today, and conjecture is useless, as it must prove to be only conjecture still. The reliable history of Illinois begins with the discovery of the Indian occupants of the soil by the white men in the year 1673. AH before is myth and mystery, the traditions of the tribes or the imaginary events of their people as told by their sages and medicine men. Shortly after. Columbus had made known the practicability of a westward passage to what was thought to be the Indies, but was soon discovered to be a hitherto unknown land, the powers of Europe planned to lay claim to all they might be able to grasp and hold, with an exquisite disregard of the rights of the occupants and of each other. In 1498 Henry Cabot, sailing under a commission from Henry VII of England, laid the foundations upon which was builded the English claim to Illinois, although no thought of the vastness of the territory claimed had occurred to the discoverer or his sovereign. France based her claim to what is now Illinois on the discoveries and explorations of Verrazanni, who in 1525 explored the coast from Florida to New Foundland, claiming all territory included within those points westward indefinitely. In 1 5 13 Ponce de Leon discovered Flor- ida, and as he was an adventurer acting un- der a grant from the government of Spain, he, in the spirit of the times, laid claim to all territory north, south and west, that Spain might be able to seize and hold, and thus setting up a right to all North America from the lakes to the gulf, which shadowy claim overlapped the claims of both England and France, which in turn overlapped each oth- er. No very serious attempt was made, how- i8 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ever, by Spain to contest the rights of Eng- land and France to any part of what is now Illinois. The grant, by patent, in 1606, and by charter, in 1609, by James I of England, to a company for the purpose of colonizing Virginia, reinforced England's claim and as the grant extended from the forty- fifth degree of latitude on the north to the thirty-fourth degree on the south and extended westward to the Pacific Ocean, it included the territory of the mini, although the same territory was claimed by the French as a part of their new France. In 1 67 1, France made a treaty with the Indian tribes of the West, by which the ter- ritory west of the Alleghany mountains was to become French territory, thus reinforc- ing the claim of France to that which Eng- land also cla;imed, but as the English made no attempt to explore or occupy the North- west, France took possession without the use of the sword; although the English never admitted the French title to be good. To the spirit of the enthusiasm which filled the soul of the French missionary priests, and chevaliers, is due the first exploration of Il- linois, a passion for the conversion of the Indians was the motive which induced the heroic spirits of Marquette, Jolliet and their co-laborers in the labors, perils, and hard- ships of a life, devoid of all, that to the most of mankind is regarded necessary to exis- tence, regardless of summer's heat, or win- ter's cold, facing the icy blast that swept over almost boundless prairies, or the heat- burdened winds, dangers by flood, dangers from a lurking, savage host, with their lives in their hands, these heroes of the Cross blazed the way to the present greatness of Illinois. INDIAN CONFEDERACY. When the first white men visited Illinois it was inhabited by five tribes of Indians, which formed the confederacy of the Illini, viz: the Mitchiganis, a tribe that had been admitted to the confederacy from the west side of the Mississippi river and have left their impress on the nation in the name of a great state — Michigan. The Kaskaskias, a powerful tribe, occu- pied the northern portion of Illinois and roamed as far south, perhaps, as the present city of Shelbyville. Their name is perpetu- ated in the largest river of the state, namely, the Kaskaskia, or Okaw, and also in the first capital of the state, now only a memory to be spoken of more fully with the organization of the state. The Peorias have their name perpetuated in the city of Peoria, about which site the tribe held sway. The Ameri- can bottoms and eastward were the hunting- grounds of the Cahokias, and for them is named the village and creek of Cahokia and also Cahokia mound. Southeast of the Ca- hokias roamed the Tammarois, probably holding what is now Marion county, as their territory. They are remembered in the name of the flourishing little city of Tamaroa, in Perry county. Our state perpetuates the name of the confederacy, and one of our principal rivers also is called from it — the Illinois. The confederacy, if ever strong, had lost BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 19 its power, to a great extent, at the time the white men invaded their territory. Having been a prey to the more wariike, and fiercer tribes, to the eastward, ten or twelve thou- sand is perhaps a just estimate of the num- ber of Indians within the boundary of IIH- nois, at the time the French explorers first ■set foot on the soil; about 1679. Membre estimates about seven or eight thousand souls at the principal villages; this number ■dwindled until only a remnant remained and they confined in the southern portion of the ■state. The Kaskaskias drifted to the junc- ture of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi, under the leadership of their Mission priest, who had gained considerable influence over them. This migration took place about the year 1700, and within forty years the remnants •of the other tribes had been absorbed by them. A numbering of the tribes in 1736 •shows only about six hundred warriors, and because of the murder of the great chief, Pontiac, at Cahokia, by an Indian of the mini, this number was almost extinguished. In 1778, Hutchins gives the total number of the fighting men of all the original tribes of the mini at three hundred. In the year 1800, according to Governor Reynolds, only about one-half that number remained with Du Quoin, a French half-breed, as chief. The name of Du Quoin is perpetuated by the prosperous city of that name in Perry ■county ; after Illinois became a state and the government of the United States took the Indian lands by treaty, the miserable rem- nant of the mini was removed to the Indian Territory, and the new state of Oklahoma may yet furnish even a president from the blood of the Illini. FIRST EXPLORERS. Father Marquette, the chevalier, JoUiet, and five other white men, were the first to explore any part of Illinois, as far as au- thentic history gives us proof. Marquette was a Jesuit priest, and while yet a young man, joined the colony of new France in what is now Canada. He was filled with a zeal for the conversion of the Indians that amounted to a passion — such a passion as makes heroes of men, even though the re- ward be suffering and death and an unknown grave. Jolliet was American-born, of the city of Quebec, and was also educated as a priest, but became a trader, then an explorer, and while still a young man, cast his life with Father Marquette. Together they dis- covered the "Father of Waters," and for a considerable distance followed its winding. On their return they followed the Illinois river and thus traversed a considerable portion of Illinois. Marquette died in the summer of 1675, and other hands took up his work. In the spring of the same year a mission was estab- lished and has had a continued existence A mission was also founded in 1693 at Starved Rock and the records of the church are still preserved. But the field of research is too rich to be further explored in a work of this character. Suffice it to say, that the French, in an early day, left the impress of their lives and character of the history of II- 20 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. linois, and it is doubtless due to their treat- ment of the Indian that the soil of Illinois was not reddened by the white men's blood until after it had passed out of their control. Illinois was claimed by the French, and also by the English. Under the name of Louisiana, the French claimed the Missis- sippi country and all lands watered by its tributaries, in the name of Louis XIV, bas- ing their claim on the explorations of the Chevalier, La Salle, who in 1682, set up a cross and under the flag of France, took pos- session of the country in the name of his sovereign, and added this vast but indefinite territory to new France, thus surrounding the English from Nova Scotia on the north, in a great arc, to the mouth of the Missis- sippi, and these conflicting claims later in- volved the colonies in three wars, and were only definitely settled by the expulsion of the French from Canada. Under the name of Virginia, after the "Good Queen Bess," Illinois was claimed by the English and made their claim good with the victory of the English over the French in the last of the French and Indian wars, in which the colony of Virginia bore a considerable part, both in men and money, and in the last of which a Virginian learned the art of war against the French, and who afterward, with French aid, was to defeat the aggressions of the British crown and give to the world a new nation, born' of a new idea of human liberty and human responsibility in a repub- lican form of government. THE OLD forts. A^^hen war broke out between France and Spain, Boisbriant was sent to the Illinois country to aid in its protection from the Spaniards who might attack from the south- west, where they had flourishing missions and considerable settlements, and the inter- vening so-called Great Desert was not reck- oned a barrier awful enough to deter an at- tack from that quarter by men to whom the spirit of adventure was the very life. Bois- briant began the erection of Fort Char- tres, which for many years was the strongest fortress in America. Fort Char- tres was built on the east side of the Mississippi, seventeen miles northwest from Kaskaskia. The company of the west, which had succeeded to the commer- cial rights of the Louisiana territory, built their warehouses near the fort also. Fort Chartres, as described in 1770, con- sisted of an irregular quadrangle, the sides of the exterior quadrangle was built of stone, two feet two inches thick, and four hundred and ninety feet long and, being built only for defence against Indian at- tack, was more than strong enough to re- sist any assault, except by artillery. There were two portholes in the faces and two in each bastion, around the inside, three feet high, ran a banquette, upon which the men could stand and fire at the foe through the loopholes, with which the walls were pierced. Within the walls, occupying the square, was the commandant's house, ninety-six feet long by thirty feet wide and was divided into a kitchen, a dining room , a bed chamber, one small room and five closets for the serv- ants, and beneath a cellar, and here all the pomp and stilted etiquette of the French BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 21 court of that day were strictly enforced, as far as the circumstances would permit. Also within the walls was the commissary's house, an exact copy of the commandant's; also a storehouse and guardhouse, each ninety feet long by twenty-four feet wide. The store- house was divided into two large rooms and was built over a large vaulted cellar, a large room, a bed-room and a closet for the store- keeper. The guardhouse consisted of a guard-room for oflficers and soldiers, a chapel, a bed-room and closet for the chap- lain, and an artillery storeroom. Within the bastion was a prison, a bakehouse and a powder magazine. The soldiers' barracks consisted of two rooms each, twenty-five feet square, with a narrow hall or passage between. About forty families lived in the village nearby at the time of the transfer of Illinois to the English; also the parish church of St. Anne, under the care of a Franciscan friar. These, with the excep- tion of three or four families, removed across the Mississippi river to live under the flag of France, rather than remain under the rule of the English, whom they hated with an hereditary hatred. Fort Chartres, in 1756, was nearly one- half mile from the bank of the Mississippi. By 1760, the river had washed away the bank and was now within eighty yards of the fort. A sand bar had formed and was now an island, covered with a growth of young cottonwoods, and the main channel, forty feet deep, was between it and the fort. In 1772 the American bottom^ was covered many feet by a great freshet, and the west wall of the fort and two of the bastions were carried away by the flood, and Fort Char- tres was abandoned by the British garrison, and the seat of government was removed to Fort Gage, which occupied a bluff opposite Kaskaskia on the east bank of the Kaskas- kia. The remains of Fort Chartres are but faintly to be traced, and now stand about one mile from the Mississippi, that fickle stream having again sought a passage to the west of the then sandbar island. A heavy growth of timber now stands where in 1772 rolled the turbid waters of the mighty river, and where once the pioneer, the soldier, and the savage mingled their joys, their sorrows, and their fears, peaceful fields lay smiling in a sunny silence or wrapped in the ever-changing robe of nature's handiwork. From 1763 until the War of the Revolu- tion, the history of Illinois contains nothing of grave importance, but continued much in the same condition as before the treaty of Paris. The Indians, under the guidance of the priests, were partially tamed and thor- ougly over-awed and were a sneaking, thiev- ing set of vagabonds, but too cowardly and too lazy to be of any serious moment and as north, east, south and west of the lUini tribes were fierce, powerful tribes, the Illini sought the protecting nearness of the white man. The scene of the white man's activity had shifted from the Peoria region, to the mouth of the Kaskaskia and a church had been erected on the point of land between the Mis- sissippi and Kaskaskia rivers and the French BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. town of Kaskaskia became the seat of gov- ernment, and the center of all social life as well, while along the river to the north, French settlements were established at Prairie Du Pont and Cahokia, near which it is thought the first grist and sawmill was built — crude affairs, no doubt, but sufficient to grind com and cut plank to supply the few wants of the settlers. In 1775 active hostilities broke out be- tween the English colonies and the mother country, and the county of Illinois of the colony of Virginia, was to be involved before the conflict was brought to a close, although a bloodless campaign, yet one filled with hardship, privation and suffering, an account of which reads like a romance of the heroic age. THE CONQUEST OF ILLINOIS. Old Fort Gage was built on the top of a bluff, some two hundred feet above the Mis- sissippi and on the east side of the Kaskas- kia, about one-half mile from and over-look- ing the town of Kaskaskia. The town was built on a tongue of land east of the Missis- sippi river and west of the Kaskaskia, and a short distance above the juncture of the two rivers, and the town was under the di- rect command of the fort. The fort was built of huge logs of native wood, squared and built upon an earthwork. It was two hundred and eighty feet by two hundred and fifty-one feet, oblong in form and of sufficient strength to withstand any attack likely to be brought against it. In 1772 only one officer and twenty men composed the garrison. To such a state of fear had the Indians of the mini been reduced that they rather re- garded the white man as a protector from the fierce tribes of the north and east, than as an enemy, and thus the savage of America, the peasant of France, the trader and the chevalier dwelt together, and over all the tolerant rule of the priest, which was more the rule of a father than of a master. It is true that a foreign flag — the English — waved over them, but the English rule was not felt so far from English power, and English domin- ion was but an empty name, so far as the people were concerned. From Kaskaskia two trails led, one to Detroit in the far north and distant hundreds of miles, with a wilderness of forest and prairie land between, over which only the god of silence reigned. The other led from Kaskaskia to Fort Vin- cennes on the Wabash, distance about one hundred and fifty miles direct, but by the trail considerably farther. Both trails crossed what is now Marion county, but slight indications of either trail now re- main. The French in Kaskaskia had two well-trained companies of militia in 1772, which, with the twenty men in Fort Gage, was the total military strength of the Illi- nois country. But the Treaty of Paris, in 1763, had forever extinguished the French claim to the territory, for the possession of which so much French energy, toil, suffer- ing and privation had been freely bestowed ; and never again were the Kaskaskians to see the Lillies of France wave its protecting folds over them as the symbol of their coun- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 23 try. They had accepted British dominion in good faith, and were, outwardly at least, con- tent. Rumors of a struggle between the English colonies, nearly a thousand miles to the east of them, and the mother country reached them, but they were secure, for a wilderness lay between and not even an echo of the war- was likely to reach them to alarm their fears or disturb their calmi In 1778 a Frenchman, M. de Rochblave, was in com- mand at Fort Gage and not a British soldier was on duty, and the military was French- men and Breeds, but under the English flag, acting under the hair buyer of the English army. General Hamilton's orders, when such orders reached them, which was at infre- quent intervals, and this was the situation when General George Rogers Clark began the march for the conquest of Illinois. GENERAL CLARK. General Clark was born in Albemarle county, Virginia, November 19, 1752, and enjoyed only such opportunities to acquire an education, as the counti-y afforded in that part of Virginia. He studied surveying and practiced his profession as opportunity of- fered until the breaking out of the Dun- more's war, when he enlisted as a staff offi- cer, and served in that capacity until the close of that war, taking part in the cam- paign on the Scioto river during which un- fortunate campaign he conducted himself so gallantly as to attract attention, and for which conduct he was offered a commission in the British army, but the spirit of revo- lution was in the land and the war cloud threatened, the storm that was to burst into action at Lexington and to rage over the colonies through long, weary years, until the sun of liberty rose resplendent over the field of Yorktown, and young Clark refused the offered commission, that his native land might benefit by his patriotism should she ever need his brain or brawn. The spirit of military adventure led him to the fron- tier, as Kentucky was then, with the expecta- tion of finding that adventure in the struggle of that dark and bloody ground, with the hostile tribes then conducting a merciless warfare with the settlers. He found the Kentuckians greatly excited over the ques- tion as to whether they belonged to Virginia or as a body of land sharks maintained, be- longed to North Carolina. Clark was instru- mental in calling a conference of the settlers, and a paper was prepared setting forth the grievances of the pioneers, and Clark and Gabriel Jones were appointed to lay the same before the Virginia legislature, and they started on their perilous journey, but before reaching the capital they learned the legislature had adjourned and Jones returned home, but Clark continued the journey and visited the Governor, Patrick Heniy, who was sick in Hanover county, Virginia. Gov- ernor Henry approved of the action of the Kentuckians and gave Clark a letter to the council. When the legislature met in the fall of 1776, Clark and Jones presented their petition, and in spite of violent opposition by the land speculators, succeeded in having the county of Kentucky formed, with boun- 24 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. daries coinciding with those of the present state, Virginia also presented the new county with five hundred pounds of powder (noth- ing now, but then a pearl of great price), to the pioneers, as not only their living, but their life depended upon the use of powder and ball. Clark was placed at the head of the Kentucky militia and believing the Brit- ish at Detroit and Vincennes, as well as Kas- kaskia, were inciting the Indians to rav- ish and murder, sent two men — More and Dunn — as spies to ascertain the truth of the reports. They reported great activity among the militia and Indians. Clark also believed that the fear of the "Long Knives," as the Americans were called, and which fear had been instilled into the French and Indian mind by the British emissaries, who related tales of the fierce atrocity of the American soldiery could be easily overcome by actual contact and just treatment, began to plan for the conquest of the Illinois country and to wrest it from the grasp of the English, and making it a part of the commonwealth of Virginia, in fact, as it had been in theory, since the close of the last French and Indian war. General Clark again visited Governor Henry and captivated that brilliant man with the plans he had formed and also secured the powerful aid of Thomas Jefferson, and Messrs. Wyth and Mason, who pledged their aid in securing a grant of three hun- dred acres of land as a bounty to each man who should take part in the projected cam- paign. And as the success of the expedi- tion depended upon all knowledge of its ob- ject being kept from the British, all pro- ceedings were taken with the avowed object of protecting the Kentucky frontiers. Gov- ernor Henry gave Clark one thousand two hundred pounds depreciated currency, and an order on the commandant of Fort Pitt for ammunition, boats and other necessary equipments to forward the enterprise, and also gave him two sets of instructions, one open and public, the other secret and known only to Clark and those close to him. The first set of instructions authorized Clark to raise seven companies of militia of fifty men each, for the defense of Kentucky. The secret intsructions were as follows: "Lieutenant Colonel George Roger Clark: "You are to proceed with all convenient speed to raise seven companies of soldiers, to consist of 50 men each, officered in the usual manner, and armed most properly for the enterprise; and with this force attack the British force at Kaskaskia. It is conjec- tured that there are many pieces of cannon and military stores to a considerable amount, at that place, the taking and preservation of which would be a valuable acquisition to the state. If you are so fortunate, therefore, as to succeed in your expedition, you will take every possible measure to secure the artillery and stores, and whatever may advantage the state. For the transportation of the troops, provisions, etc., down the Ohio, you are to apply to the commanding officer at Fort Pitt for boats, and during the whole transaction you are to take especial care to keep the true destination of your force secret; its success depends upon this. Orders are therefore BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 25 given to Captain Smith to secure the two men from Kaskaskia. (Evidently More and Dunn above refered to. — Editor.) "It is earnestly desired that you show hu- manity to such British subjects, and other persons as fall into your hands. If the white inhabitants of that post and neighborhood will give undoubted evidence of their at- tachment to this state, for it is certain they live within its limits, by taking the test pre- .scribed by law, and by every other way and means in their power, let them be treated as fellow-citizens, and their persons and prop- erty be duly respected. Assistance and pro- tection against all enemies, whatever shall be afforded them, and the commonwealth of Virginia is pledged to accomplish it. But if these people will not accede to these rea- sonable demands, they must feel the conse- quences of war, under that direction of hu- manity that has hitherto distinguished Amer- icans, and which it is expected you will ever consider the rule of your conduct, and from which you are in no instance to depart. The corps you are to command are to receive the pay and allowances of militia and to act un- der the laws and regulations of this state now in force as to militia. The inhabitants of this post will be informed by you that in case they accede to the offers of becoming citizens of this commonwealth, a proper gar- rison will be maintained arnong them, and €very attention bestowed to render their commerce beneficial ; the fairest prospects be- ing opened to the dominions of France and Spain. It is in contemplation to establish a post near the mouth of the Ohio. Cannon will be wanted to fortify it. Part of those at Kaskaskia will be easily brought thither or otherwise secured as circumstances make nec- essary. You are to apply to General Hand, at Pittsburg, for powder and lead necessary for this expedition. If he can not supply it, the person who has that which Captain Sims brought from New Orleans can. Lead is sent to Hampshire by my orders, and that may be delivered to you. Wishing you success, I am your humble servant, P. Henry." It will be seen from the above that the campaign was to be of such a character that the men themselves were not to know more than that the service was to be on the frontier and against the Indians and British, as they well knew the British were secretly in league with the Indians and furnishing them with the munitions of their cruel and treacherous warfare. THE LAST FRENCH FORT. Clark succeeded in raising three com- panies, whose rendezvous was Corn Island, nearly opposite the present city of Louis- ville, then a wilderness. A part of one company deserted, but many of them were induced to return, and with some additional recruits were formed into a fourth company. Some seven or eight families with the troops afterward founded Louisville in 1780. The four companies totaled one hundred and fifty-three men and were captained by Jo- seph Bowman, John Montgomeiy, Leonard Helm and Howard Harrod. On the 24th 26 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. day of June, 1778, as the Httle army which was to wrest the empire of Illinois from the Britton's hand were descending the Falls of the Ohio, a total eclipse of the sun oc- curred, and the little band took it as an omen of success, and that they were to forever dim the lustre of the British arms in the Illinois. The voyage down the Ohio was in keel boats, with a double row of oars. Working clay and night, they ar- rived at an island near the mouth of the Tennessee river, where they landed and had the good fortune to meet with a party of eight American hunters, who had been at Kaskaskia a few days before ; Clark induced them to join the expedition and one of them, named John Saunders, undertook to guide the force to Kaskaskia. On the evening of the same day they ran their boats into a creek about a mile above Fort Massac, which at that time was not garrisoned but was abandoned and falling into decay. Fort Massac was the last of the French forts built in the chain of forts extending from Quebec to New Orleans like a great bow around the English colonies. It was built by Lieutenant Massac, in October, 1758, after the taking of Fort Duquesne by the English, but relinquished when the Illinois country was ceded to Great Britain after the fall of Quebec. There is no proba- bility that the English ever garrisoned it, and at this time it stood a silent monument over the dead dream of a French empire in the new world. On the next morning the little army took up the line of march for its objective point, the seat of empire in the Il- linois. The men were without uniform, each clad in his own, in the style of the back- woods of that day, and armed with the rifle or musket, as circumstances had de- creed. With ax and hunting knife at their belt, an undisciplined force, yet all domi- nated by a master mind and a master pres- ence in the person of Clark. Kaskaskia was distant about one hundred and twenty miles, with an unbroken wilderness between. There was no trail from Massac to Fort Gage and each man carrying four days' supply of food, they set tlieir faces to the northwest and plunged into the forest that had never echoed to the tread of the white man's foot. Through forest dark, dense and tangled, across glades of inten^ening prairie lands which were often covered with reed-like grasses higher than the head of the tallest among them, over hill and through valley, often without water for hours, save only that which each man carried, under the blaz- ing of a southern Illinois summer sun, with- out transportation of any kind, no horses, no wagons, no tents, no baggage, no artil- len- ; this band of heroes led by a hero, pressed on. ^Vhen in the confines of what is now AA'^illiamson county the guide, Saun- ders, became confused and lost his bear- ings and the troops believing he was be- traying them, were on the point of wreaking summary punishment on him for his sus- picioned treachery, when he recognized a point of timber which he said marked the way to Kaskaskia. The little band pressed on with clothes ragged and soiled with the wear of the BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 27 march and faces scratched and bruised by brambles and briar, footsore and weary with the labor of forced marching and want of proper rest, with only the sod for a bed, and the canopy of heaven for a covering when at night they lay down for a few hours' sleep in strict silaice, not a shot being fired for fear its echoes might be heard by some prowler and the news of their approach car- ried to the enemy, they arrived in the evening of July 4th at the Kaskaskia -river, about three miles above the village. So secretly had the expedition been planned and so well had the secret been guarded that not a whis- per had reached the ears of Rochblave, who was in command at Kaskaskia, and who never dreamed of any attack from the Americans of Virginia, by way of the Ohio, as no trail led that way, and one hundred and twenty miles of wilderness, unbroken, was thought to be a barrier sufficient to deter any foe. As soon as the night grew dark enough to cover the movement of the troops, Clark divided his command into three divisions of about fifty men each, and marched silently to the feriy, about a mile above the village, where boats sufficient to carry two divisions across the river were secured, while the other division was to at- tack Fort Gage, on the blu£f. The division whose duty was to take the fort silently crept up to the works and were admitted, b)'^ ruse, and found the command- ant in bed by the side of his wife, and the first intimation he had of a foe within a hun- dred miles was the demand for his surren- der, which demand was instanly complied with. The two divisions which crossed the river surrounded the town and arrested the authorities. Within fifteen minutes every street was secured and runners were sent through the town, warning the inhabitants to keep within their houses, none being al- lowed to appear on the streets under penalty of death. Thus, without the firing of a gun, without the shedding of one drop of blood, an empire was added to Virginia, which was destined to become one of the brightest stars in the galaxy of states. By daylight the next morning every in- habitant had been disarmed and all were in deadly fear of the terrible Long Knives, which the British emissaries had taught them to believe were devils in human form, and which the harsh orders of the night, to keep within doors on pain of death, seemed to confirm. Captain Helm commanded the division that captured the town, and the after- ward celebrated Simon Kenton, that division which took the fort. As the morning ad- vanced, the people requested permission to go to the church for prayer, General Clark granting them this permission, and when the whole town had assembled, he took the opportunity to address them and allay their fears of personal violence. He assured them that they came not in a spirit of vengeance, but as friends, to relieve them from the thralldom of the British yoke, and assured them that the rumors that had reached them of the alliance between France and the colo- nies were true, and told them if they would accept the American rule, they should be 28 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. treated as brothers, and have all the rights of Americans. Gladly were the terms ac- cepted, and beyond doubt faithfully ob- served, as the dominion of England was most cordially hated, and today, Illinois has no more loyal citizens or truer men and women than the descendants of those who covenanted fealty to the American cause with their captor, George Rogers Clark. THE GARRISON AT FORT GAGE. From July 4, 1778, until February 7, 1779) Clark, with a portion, at least, of his followers, remained as the garrison of Fort Gage, cultivating the most friendly rela- tions with the inhabitants of Kaskaskia. The Americans freely mixed with the peo- ple, and friendship sprung up that later had an influence in procuring enlistments from the ranks of the Kaskaskians into the ranks of the army, which Clark was in contem- plation of raising, with a view of capturing Fort Sackville, on the Wabash, about one hundred and thirty miles to the east, and north from Kaskaskia. Clark found a few Americans at Kaskas- kia, and they, too, aided in cementing the friendship of the French to the American cause. He learned that at Cahokia was an- other party of Americans dwelling in amity with their French neighbors. On the 5th of July he sent a detachment of thirty men, un- der Captain Bowman, to that settlement, and there the American party was strong enough to persuade all the villagers to take the oath of allegiance. The position of Vincennes, on the road to Detroit, made it important that that post be held by the Americans. Clark was assured of the friendly spirit of the French inhabitants of that village. The British, with singular lack of judgment, had withdrawn most of their troops from the west, and Vincennes was held by only the local militia, and that was favorably inclined toward the Americans, and would not make a very strenuous resistance. Pierre Gibault was the priest of the parish at Kaskaskia ; he was much beloved by the inhabitants of the French settlements, over which he was the cure, and was to them, indeed. Father Gib- ault. He was favorably disposed toward the Americans, and the just treatment of the French by Clark made this broad-minded man a partisan of the Americans. He as- sured Clark that, as there was no British force at Fort Sackville, that he could per- suade the French at Vincennes to cast their lot with the Americans, and, accompanied by Dr. Jean Baptiste Lafont, who was to act as civil magistrate or agent, he journeyed to distant Vincennes, with a small company of followers, one of whom was a spy in Clark's employ. A proclamation was prepared to the people of Vincennes, reciting the fact that Governor Hamilton had issued orders to various ofificers to assemble savages and conduct them, and to furnish them with sup- plies, and incite them to assassinate the in- habitants of the frontiers, and that these or- ders were being carried out, and that the murder of women and children called for vengeance. It seems to be a fact that Gov- ernor Hamilton ofifered a bounty and paid BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 29 bounties for the scalps, not only of men killed in battle, but of women and children as well. THE PROCLAMATION. The proclamation, in full, was as follows : "George Rogers Clark, colonel commanding the troops of Virginia at the Falls of Ohio and at the Illinois, etc., addresses the inhabi- tants of the Post of Vincennes. The inhabi- tants of the different British posts, from De- troit to this post, having, on account of thei-r commerce and position, great influence over the various savage nations, have been con- sidered as persons fitted to support the tyr- annies which have been practiced by the British ministry from the commencement of the present contest, the Secretary of State for America has ordered Governor Hamil- ton, at Detroit, to intermingle all the young men with the different nations of savages, to commission officers to conduct them, to furnish them all necessary supplies, and to do everything which depends on him to ex- cite them to assassinate the inhabitants of the frontiers of the United States of Ameri- ca which orders have been put in execution at a council held with the different savage nations at Detroit, the 17th to the 24th day of the month, June, 1777. The murders and assassinations of women and children, and the depredations and ravages which have been committed, cry for vengeance with a loud voice. "Since the United States has now gained the advantage over their British enemies, and their plenipotentiaries have now made and concluded treaties of commerce and al- liance with the Kingdom of France and other powerful nations of Europe, His Ex- cellency, the Governor of Virginia, has or- dered me to reduce the different posts to the west of the Miami with a part of the troops under my command, in order to prevent longer responsibility for innocent blood. According to these orders, I have taken pos- session of this fort and the ministrations of this country and I have caused to be pub- lished a proclamation offering assistance and protection to all the inliabitants against all their enemies and promising to treat them as the citizens of the Republic of Virginia (in the limits of which they are, and to pro- tect their persons and property, if it is neces- sary, for the surety of which the faith of the government is pledged provided the people give certain proofs of their attachment to the states by taking the oath of fidelity in such case required, as prescribed by law, and by all other means which shall be possible for them, to which offer they have voluntarily acceded. "I have been charmed to learn from a let- ter written by Governor Abbott to M. Roche- blave that you are in general attached to the cause of America. In consequence of which, I invite you all to accept offers hereafter mentioned, and to enjoy all their privileges. If you accede to this offer, you will proceed to the nomination of a commandant, by choice or election, who shall raise a com- pany and take possession of the fort and of all the munitions of the King, in the name of the United States of America, for the Re- 30 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. public of Virginia, aiid continue to defend the same until further orders. The person thus nominated shall have the rank of cap- tain, and shall have the commission as soon as possible, and he shall draw for rations and pay for himself and company from the time they shall take the fort, etc., into pos- session. If it is necessary, fortifications shall be made, which will be also paid for by the state. "I have the honor of being, with much obedient servant. "G. R. Clark.'' THE CAPTURE OF VINCENNES. Father Gibault and Doctor Lafont, with this proclamation and several letters from French Kaskaskians, proceeded to Vin- cennes to make what was to prove a blood- less capture of Vincennes, which was ef- fected in a few days by their explaining the advantage to them and by persuading them, as Frenchmen, to join with their brothers on the Mississippi. The entire population, with a few exceptions, and they British emissaries, took the oath, the few adherents of the British immediately leaving the vicini- ty. The oath subscribed to by one hundred and eighty-two inhabitants was as follows: "You make oath on the Holy Evangel of Al- mighty God to renounce all fidelity to George the Third, King of Britain, and to his suc- cessors, and to be faithful and true subjects of the Republic of Virginia as a free and in- dependent state and I swear that I will not do or cause anything or matter to be done which can be prejudicial to the liberty or in- dependence of the said people, as prescribed by Congress, and that I will inform some one of the judges of the country of the said state, of all treasons and conspiracies which shall come to my knowledge against the said state or some other of the United States of America in faith of which we have signed, at Post Vincennes, July 20, 1778." Father Gibault and party, with a few of the inhabitants of Vincennes, returned to •Kaskaskia early in August and brought the oath of Vincennes and soon the French vil- lagers were rejoicing over the news that the ^^' abash country was with them in the sup- port of the Americans against the British This condition was of but short duration. Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton, late in the fall, retook Vincennes, and again became a menace to American interests in the Illinois country, but owing to the lateness of the sea- son deferred operations until the next spring and dispersed the Indians and many of his troops, but the victory of the soldier of the Cross, Father Gibault, was not empty, but bore fruit in the reception of Clark by the French in his taking of Vincennes. Clark now saw that he must act before the British could gather an overwhelming force in the spring and attack him at Kas- kaskia, and sent word to the French of Vin- cennes to expect him, with what troops he could raise. They kept the expected attack from the British, and welcomed Clark when his worn and exhausted soldiers arrived. When Clark marched his little army from Massac to Kaskaskia, across the glades and BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 31 timberlands of Southern Illinois, it was sum- mer time. Soft winds wafted the perfume o C flower-sprinkled prairies, and the fragrance of the woodlands about the marching troops, the water of the streams was comparatively low and the swamp lands were firmer to the tread of their moccasin-clad feet. The can- opy of sky and cloud was covering enough by night, and while the blazing of a June sun was far from soothing to spirits or temper, it was not to be compared to the hardships to which the troops on the march to the capture of Vincennes were to en- counter. On the morning of February 7, 1779, General Clark, with his little army partly made up of re-enlistments from the men who marched from Massac to Kaskaskia, and partly of recruits from among the French of the settlements, set out upon the march to retake Fort Sackville and Vincennes. They crossed the River Kaskaskia, or Okaw, as it is more frequently called, in Marion county, and followed the old trail, as most writers affirm (and we see no good reason to think they are mistaken) ; passing through what is now Washington county and through the southern part of Marion county eastward, crossing many creeks and flatlands, at this time submerged under the water from one to four or five feet; during a February, in this most changeable climate, carrying their ac- coutrements in packs on their backs, except- ing the ever-ready and often necessary rifle, which was is hand all day and at hand all night, wet oftimes to the neck, by the icy waters of a February thaw in southern Illi- nois, the water-soaked ground, with mayhap a water-soaked blanket for bed and bedding, they crossed the Little Wabash in a canoe they made for that purpose, on the 13 th of February, having built a scaffold on which to put their baggage to keep it out of the water. They proceeded as rapidly as the ex- hausted condition of the troops would admit, many of whom seemed to be unfit to march a step farther. At the crossing of the Little Wabash, Clark cheered them on, and called to his aid an Irish drummer, celebrated for his fund of droll and comic songs, the sing- ing of which, at a time when the men were chilled almost to freezing by the icy waters through which they had been wading, some- times for an hour, up to their armpits, would put new life into the men, and again they would struggle on. What a picture ! What melody can equal the living picture of this band of heroes or the song of this wild Irish- man's singing? The painters of the picture have passed away. The song of the singer is stilled forever, but truly their works live after them. The party, on the i8th, heard the morning gun of Fort Sackville, at Vincennes, and when they reached the Wabash, below the mouth of the Embarrass river, they were ex- hausted, destitute, and starving — literally starving, with no means of crossing the river, which was overflowed and was several miles wide. On the 20th of February, a par- ty of French, in a boat, was hailed and came to the little army. From them Clark learned that the French of Vincennes were true to the oath of Vincennes, which they had taken 32 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. the previous summer, and that the British garrison had no knowledge of the approach of the expedition, indeed, had no knowledge that an expedition had even been planned, much less had they thought it possible that men would undertake so hazardous an expe- dition, and one which, if undertaken, must, as they thought, result in the death of every soldier from the hardships of the march. And now, with the facts before us it seems, to us they accomplished the impossible. By wading and rafting, they managed to cross to the highlands, below Vincennes. Clark immediately sent the following notice to citi- zens of Vincennes : "To the inhabitants of Post Vincennes: Gentlemen: Being now within two miles of your village, with my army, determined to take your fort tonight, and not being willing to surprise you, I take this method to request such of you as are true citizens, and would enjoy the liberty I bring you, to remain, still, in your houses. Those, if any there be, that are friends to the King, will instantly repair to the fort and join the hair-buyer general, and fight like men and such as do not go to the fort, and shall be discovered afterwards, they may de- pend on severe punishment. On the contra - ry, those that are true friends to liberty shall be treated as friends deserve. And once more I request them to keep out of the streets, for everyone I find in arms on my arrival I shall treat as an enemy. "G. R. Clark.^' Clark's army, consisting of one company from Cahokia, commanded by Captain Mc- Carty, and one company from Kaskaskia. commanded by Captain Charleville, and were composed of French, and the rest, about seventy men, were Americans of his old command, in all not over one hundred and seventy men, were made to appear to the villagers' minds as much greater by this pe- culiar note, and to still further deceive them and to make the garrison believe a large force was about to attack them, Clark marched his men back and forth among some mounds in the prairie, changing the flags, so that the British believed many times the true number of fierce Kentuckians were about to assail them, as the British only knew them as Kentucky bordermen, and had no thought that more than half were Illinois French. At about sunset on Febru- ary 23d, Lieutenant Baylay was sent with fourteen men to make an attack on the fort. He led his men to about thirty yards of the fort, where they la}' concealed behind a bank of earth, protected from the guns of the fort. Every one of the Americans was an expert rifleman, and whenever a porthole was opened a storiTi of bullets whistled in, killing or wounding the men at the guns, so that none would work the cannon. At nine in the morning of the 24th, while his men were eating the first breakfast they had had for several days, Clark sent the following note to the British commandant: "Sir : In order to save yourself from the impending storm which now threatens you, I order }'ou immediately to surrender your- self, with all your garrison, stores, etc. If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 33 such treatment alone, as is justly due a murderer. Beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession, or hurting one house in town, for, by heaven, if you do, there shall be no mercy shown you. "G. R. Clark" This note may seem brutal to modern minds, but when it is remembered that it was addressed to a man who was paying a boun- ty to the merciless savage as a reward for the murder, not only of the American men, but of helpless women and innocent chil- dren, it is not too harsh. Governor Ham- ilton was deeply impressed by this note, it is certain, by the meek reply returned by him, which is as follows: "Governor Hamilton begs leave to ac- quaint Colonel Clark that he and his garri- son are not to be awed into any action un- worthy of British subjects." About midnight, of the 23d, Clark had cut a ditch near the fort, and in it, secure from the guns of the fort, the riflemen lay, with watchful eye and unerring aim. They poured in a steady fire, and in fifteen min- utes had silenced two pieces of artillery and killed every gunner approaching them or had driven them away from their guns, horror- stricken, at the certainty of death or of wounds, if but the smallest portion of their person was exposed but for an instant. This terrible fire was kept up for eighteen hours. This incessant fire convinced the garrison that they would be destroyed, and Governor Hamilton sent Clark the following note : 3 "Governor Hamilton proposes to Colonel Clark a truce of three days, during which time, he promises, that there shall be no de- fensive work carried on in the garrison, on condition that Colonel Clark will observe, on his part, a like cessation of offensive works, that is, he wishes to confer with Colonel Clark, as soon as can be, and prom- ises that whatever may pass between them two and another person, mutually agreed on to be present, shall remain secret until mat- ters be finished, as he wishes whatever the result of the conference may be, it may tend to the honor and credit of each party. If Colonel Clark makes a difficulty of coming into the fort, Lieutenant-Governor Hamil- ton will speak to him by the gate. "Henry Hamilton." February 24, 1779. Clark replied : "Colonel Clark's compliments to Governor Hamilton, and begs to say that he will not agree to any terms other than Mr. Hamilton surrendering himself and garrison at dis- cretion. If Mr. Hamilton wants to talk with Colonel Clark, he will meet him at the church, with Captain Helm." A conference was held and Clark de- manded a surrender, otherwise he threatened to put the leaders to the sword for the gold paid for American scalps. He was in earn- est and the garrison so understood. In an hour Clark dictated the following terms of surrender, which Hamilton accepted: 34 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. "First — Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton agrees to deliver up to Colonel Clark, Fort Sackville and all the stores, etc. "Second — The garrison to deliver them- selves as prisoners of war, and to march out with their arms and accoutrements. "Third — The garrison to be delivered up by tomorrow, at ten o'clock. "Four — Three days are allowed the gar- rison to settle their accounts with the inhabi- tants and traders. "Fifth — The officers of the garrison are to be allowed their necessary baggage. "Signed at Post Vincennes, this 24th day of February, 1779. "Agreed to for the following reasons: First, remoteness from succor; second, state and quantity of provisions; third, the unan- imity of the officers and men in its expedi- ency; fourth, the honorable terms allowed, and lastly, the confidence in a generous ene- my. "Henry Hamilton. "Lieutenant-Governor and Superintendent." On the 25th, this surrender took place. Fifty thousand dollars' worth of arms and stores were turned over to Clark. Governor Hamilton, Major Hay and some other offi- cers were sent under guard to the capital of Virginia, seventy-nine prisoners were pa- roled and sent to Detroit. Thus ended the conquest of Illinois, for Vincennes in the hands of the enemy, could control, and the conquest was completed by Illinois troops for liberty, honor and glory of Illinois. The heroes of that day sleep in the soil of the land they loved and their descendants loving it as well as they, stand ready to protect it under all circumstances, with a devotion as heroic as animated their fathers. ILLINOIS COUNTY. In 1878, all the country embraced in the triangle formed by the great lakes on the north, the Ohio on the east or southeast, and the Mississippi on the west, was known as the Illinois county, and John Todd was ap- pointed by the Virginia legislature as "County Commandant." By act of con- gress, September 6, 1780, all states holding waste or unappropriated lands, in the west- ern country, were requested to relinquish all claims to the same to the United States. On January 2, 1781, Virginia made a cession of her claims to the Illinois territory, under cer- tain stipulations, which were accepted, and the Northwest Territory was formed. By the Ordinance of 1787, provisions were made that not less than three, nor more than five, states should be formed from this territory: "The eastern state shall be bounded by the Mississippi, the Ohio, and the Wabash riv- ers, and a direct line drawn from Post Vin- cennes north to the boundary line between the United States and Canada." This includ- ed Illinois and Wisconsin of today. The ordi- nance provided for a governor, a secretary and a court composed of three judges. The governor and the judges, or a majority of them, had power to make laws, subject to approval by Congress, until a General As- sembly should be organized. The Governor BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 35 was also commander-in-chief of the militia, with the customary powers of such com- mander. On February ist, General St. Clair was appointed Governor of the Northwest Ter- ritory, after the revision of the Ordinance of 1787, and its acceptance by Virginia, St. Clair was re-appointed, and the seat of government was established at Marietta, Ohio.; In the spring the Governor visited Illinois and established a county, named after himself, and was the first county estab- lished in what is now Illinois. It covered about one-fourth of the present state, and embraced the present county of Marion. The St. Clair county boundary was as follows: ■"Beginning at the mouth of the Little Mich- ilnakinack river, thence running southerly in a direct line to the mouth of the little river above Fort Massac, upon the Ohio river; thence with the said river to its junc- tion with the Mississippi, thence up the Mis- sissippi to the mouth of the Illinois river, to the place of beginning, with all the adja- cest islands of said rivers — Illinois and Mis- sissippi." At this time the entire population of Illinois was estimated at two thousand. The same year that St. Clair county was or- ganized, a belief in witchcraft was prevalent among the French inhabitants of the Bot- toms, as the flatland between the Mississippi river and the bluffs is called, led to the hanging of one negro and the shooting of another for being witches. Singularly enough, the belief confined the evil power to African negroes, and not even the negro of American birth was capable of becoming a witch. This delusion never made much headway, as the good sense of the better edu- cated French and of the Americans put a stop to such utter foolishness. In 1795, St. Clair county was divided, and the southern part was called Randolph county. Marion was still a part of St. Clair Coun- ty. These two counties were the only organ- ized counties in Illinois. In 1800, what is now the State of Ohio was cut off from the Northwest Territory, and the rest of the Northwest was erected into the Indiana Ter- ritory, and Gen. W. H. Harrison, afterward President, was appointed Governor, with Vincennes as seat of government, and Illi- nois sent delegates to the territorial assembly at Vincennes. In 1809, Indiana Territory was divided, and Illinois Territory was cre- ated, its eastern boundary, as now, but ex- tending north to the Canadian line. Ninian Edwards was appointed Governor. At this time Illinois contained about twelve thou- sand people. In 18 12, Illinois was made a territory of the second-class and three new counties formed from the original St. Clair, viz: Gallatin, Johnson and Madison. New counties were rapidly formed : Edwards, in 1 8 14; White, in 181 5; Jackson and Pope, in 1816; Crawford, in 1816; Bond, in 181 7; Franklin, Union and Washington, in 18 18, all carved out of the original St. Clair. WHEN ILLINOIS WAS ADMITTED TO THE UNION. ■ In 181 8, Illinois was admitted into the sis- terhood of states, but from the time of the close of the Revolution to the admission of 36 BRINKERHOFF'S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. the State, much interest to the citizens of Ma- rion county took place. The settlements were growing away from the Missisippi, farther and farther toward the interior, and a tide of immigration had set in, mostly from Virginia and the South. Indian depre- dations continued until the victory of "Mad Anthony" Wayne broke their spirit, after which only widely scattered murders were committed, but some of these were most cruel and were generally swiftly and ter- ribly punished. The first lawyer in the country was John Rice Jones; the second, Isaac Danielle, and the first regular minister of the Protestant faith was James Smith, a Baptist preacher, from Kentucky, who came in 1787, to New Design. Before his advent, in fact, in 1781. the families of J. Moore, Shadrack Bond, Robert Kidd, James Garrison, Larkin Ruth- erford and J. Piggott arrived and settled near the New Design. In 1785 they were joined by the families of Captain Joseph Ogle, Joseph Worley aend James Andrews. In 1786 they were joined by James Lemon. Sr., James McRobirth, George Atcheson, and David Waddle, and they, or descendants from nearly every family, had much to do with the development of Marion county, and many of their descendants now reside within its borders. None of the above were mem- bers of any church, but had been trained up by moral and religious parents, and had been taught to regard with reverence the day set apart to the Lord's service. They met on Sundays at the various houses alternately, and services were conducted by Shadrack Bond, Jimes Piggott, and James Lemon. who read the Scriptures, especially the Psalms, read sermons from books, and sung hymns. No prayers were offered at these meetings, but order and morality were pro- moted. When Smith came, in 1787, he preached much to the people and was very successful in his labors ; many of the leading pioneers were converted, among whom were James Ogle and James Lemon. Elder Smith went back to Kentucky, but returned again in 1790, and many more became deeply in- terested in the Gospel. On May 19th, Mr. Smith, with a Mrs. Huff and a Frenchman, on going to the lit- tle village, were fired on by a party of Kick- apoo Indians. Mrs. Huff was wounded. Smith's and the Frenchman's horses were wounded. Smith threw his saddlebags in the brush and crawled to the edge of the bluff, where he prayed while the Indians were murdering Mrs. Huff. The French- man made his escape. Smith, who was a large, portly man, was captured, and loaded with spoils, was forced to rapid marching, and soon grew fatigued. The Indians held a consultation and some proposed to kill him. He opened his coat and dared them to shoot, pointing upward. The supersti- tions of the Indians were aroused, and as they had found him praying, they thought he must be a great medicine man that held converse with the Great Spirit. They took him to their town on the Wabash (probably Prophets' Town), where some French traders, from Vincennes, interceded and pro- cured his release, the people of New Design paying one hundred and seventy dollars ransom. The second minister was Rev. BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 37 Joseph Lillard, who came to Illinois in 1793. He formed a class and appointed Capt. Jo- sephus Ogle class leader. Several of the de- scendants of Mr. Ogle now reside in Marion county. The next preacher who visited Illi- nois was Rev. Josiah Dodge, who was on a visit to his brother, Dr. Israel Dodge, who was the father of Governor Dodge. Mr. Dodge preached frequently for the people, who were without a minister (Smith and Lillard both being in Kentucky), and in February, he baptized James Lemon and his wife, Catharine, John Gibbons and Isaac Enoch, the ice in Fountain creek being cut that the ceremony might be performed. Governor Reynolds says these were the first persons ever baptized in Illinois (See Pioneer History). For the next two years there was no min- ister in Illinois. The Methodists and Bap- tists were not organized, but united to hold prayer meetings from house to house. At these meetings sermons were read, the Scrip- ture was also read, prayers offered, and hymns of praise sung to the God whom they worshiped in their sincere, though primi- tive way and in whom they implicitly trusted. In 1796 the first Protestant church in Illinois was established by Elder David Badgley and Lay Elder Joseph Chance, with twenty-eight members. The church was also called New Design church. Mr. Chance left numerous descendants, many of whom reside in Marion county; some have lived here more than sixty years and are among those who helped make the country what it is. This family will be more fully treated in the chapters devoted to the county after its organization. William Riggs came in 1803, and was long a local preacher in the Metho- dist church. Benjamin Young came to Illinois in 1804 as a missionary and was the first Methodist circuit rider under the direction of the conference, and from this time on there were supplied by immigration, minis- ters enough to meet the growing demand for religious teaching. DEPREDATIONS OF INDIANS. The War of 1812, so-called, was ushered in as early as 1807 by Indian depredations in the northwest, and in consequence, the settlements of Illinois were in constant alarm and required constant vigilance on the part of the settlers. Soon after the establish- ment of the Illinois Territory, Ninian Ed- wards, of Maryland, was appointed Gov- ernor. He was a lawyer, and had been for some years living in Kentucky, where he had become Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals, and upon the recommendation of Henry Clay, President Madison appointed him Governor of the new territory. He was reappointed in 181 2 and served until the state was admitted in 1818. He was then elected one of the first Senators from the state, Jesse B. Thomas being the other. In 181 1 the Indians became more trouble- some and Governor Edwards used his utmost power to protect the settlers, but their safety was largely dependent upon themselves. Companies of rangers were formed and captains chosen and self-pro- 38 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. tection was the entire object of all military organizations, which were indeed of the very loosest sort, and no man was a soldier or ranger save from choice. But by con- stant watchfulness and prompt action, the Indian murders were kept to an increditably small number, under the circumstances. Until 1799 the public lands could not be sold in tracts of less than four thousand acres. In 1799 General Harrison, after- ward elected President, was elected delegate to Congress, and succeeded in having a bill passed permitting tracts of four hundred and twenty acres to be sold, and afterward this amount was reduced to forty acres as the minimum amount of public land that could be sold. The reduction of the amount of land that could be bought from the pub- lic domain was an important factor in the growth of the territory, and immigration was greatly stimulated. In 18 10 the census returned 12,282 inhab- itants in Illinois, and this nurnber increased so rapidly that in 181 8 the population had in- creased to such an extent that the territory was admitted into the Union as a sovereign state. In i820the census gave Illinois 55,211. The act admitting the state was passed April 18, 1818. A convention was held in Kaskaskia, and a state constitution was framed, which was adopted August 26, 1818, and ratified by Congress on the 3d of December following. An election for state officers had been held in the meantime and Shadrack Bond was chosen Governor, and Pierre Menard, Lieu- tenant-Governor. Governor Bond was in- augurated on the 6th of October, 1818. Kaskaskia was chosen capital of the new state, and a new era was thus entered upon by the people of what was soon to be one of the great states of the American Union. The counties of Alexander, Clark, Jeffer- son and Wayne were formed in 1819, and the county of Marion was a part of Jeffer- son as then formed. The first Legislature also selected Vandalia as the capital of the state and the government was moved to that place in 1820. In 1821 the counties of Law- rence, Greene, Sangamon, Pike, Hamilton, Montgomery and Fayette were formed. The state now had twenty-six counties all east and south of the Illinois river, and con- fined to the southern half of the state, except Pike, which embraced all of the state west and north of the Illinois. Pike county was more than one-third of the state in extent, had a population in 1823 estimated at seven or eight hundred, and Chicago, then a vil- lage of Pike county, had about twelve houses and about seventy inhabitants, and now, only eighty-eight years after, that same village of Pike numbers its people by millions, and its commercial transactions af- fect the markets of the world. The first legal execution in the new state took place at Belleville on the 3d day of August, 1 82 1. The circumstances leading to the hanging were as follows : On March 8, 18 19, on an occasion of a gathering of a large number of people at Belleville, a scheme was proposed to have a sham duel between Alonzo C. Stuart and Timothy Bennett. Everybody, save Bennett, understood it to BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 39 be a hoax, for the pui-pose of getting a laugh at Bennett's expense. The seconds, Jacob Short and Nathan Fike, pretended to load the rifles, but did not put bullets in them, but Bennett, suspicious of foul play, slipped a bullet in his gun. The piincipals were placed forty yards apart, and at the word "fire," Stuart was shot in the breast and killed. Bennett broke out of the Belle- ville jail and escaped, but was afterwards captured and excuted after due trial. Thus a foolish practical joke caused the death of two good citizens, as citizens go, and the remorse and regret of many others. At the court convicting Bennett, John Reynolds was Judge, W. A. Beard, Sheriff, and John Hay, Clerk. Edward Coles was elected Governor in 1822; there were three other candidates, and the votes were so nearly equally divided that out of 8,606 votes cast, Coles received only 2,854 votes, yet he was elected by a plurality. This campaign was on the slavery issue, and although the Ordinance of 1787 prohibited slavery, yet it kept agi- tating the politics of the state from time to time. Coles was anti-slavery, as was one of the other candidates. The administration of Governor Cole was a good one, although somewhat troublous on account of vigorous opposition to his plans for public improve- ments. In 1825, General LaFayette visited the state, being entertained at Kaskaskia, and later at Shawneetown. During the year 1823, Edgar county was formed, January 3d; Marion county, January 24th; Fulton, January 28th, and Morgan, January 31st. MARION COUNTY IN 1 823. Marion county was erected from the north half of Jefferson county, of which it formed a part. The bill creating Marion county was introduced by Zadoc Casey, Rep- resentative from Jefferson, who was instru- mental in having it named after his father's revered and beloved commander of the Rev- olution, under whom he had served in the Carolinas. The full text of the act creating the county is as follows : AN ACT ESTABLISHING MARION COUNTY. "Section i. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois represented in the General Assembly, That all that tract of country lying within the following .boun- daries, to-wit: Beginning where the base line intersects the third principal meridian; thence north along said third principal meri- dian twenty-four miles; thence east along the lines dividing townships four and five twenty-four miles to the range line dividing ranges four and five east ; thence south with the said range line twenty-four miles to the base line; thence west to the place of begin- ning, shall constitute a separate county, to be called Marion. "Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That for the purpose of fixing the permanent seat of justice for said county, the following per- sons are appointed commissioners, viz: An- drew Bankson, William Hicks and John G. Fitch, which said commissioners or a major- ity of them, being first duly sworn before 40 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. some judge or justice of the peace, in this state, faithfully to take into view the con- venience of the people, the situation of the settlement, with an eye to the future popu- lation, and the eligibility of the place, shall meet on the second Monday in May next, at the house of James Roberts, in said coun- ty, and proceed to examine and determine on the place for the permanent seat of jus- tice, and designate the same; provided the proprietor or proprietors of the land shall give to the said county, for the purpose of erecting public buildings, a quantity of land not less than twenty acres, to be laid out in lots and sold by the county commissioners for that purpose; but should the proprietor or proprietors of the land refuse or neglect to make the donation aforesaid, then, and in that case, it shall be the duty of the com- missioners to fix on some other place for the seat of justice of said county, as convenient as may be to the inhabitants of said county, which place being fixed and determined upon, the commissioners shall certify under their hands and seals, and return the same to the next county court, in the county afore- said, which court shall cause an entry thereof to be made in their books of record. "Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That until public buildings shall be erected for the purpose, the courts shall be held at the house of James Young, in said county. "Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That the said county shall constitute a part of the second judicial circuit, and circuit courts shall be holden therein at such times as may hereafter be fixed by law. "Sec. 5. Be it further enacted. That an election shall be held at the house of James Young on the second Monday of April next, for one sheriff, one coroner, and three county commissioners for said county, who shall hold their offices until the next general election, and until their successors be qualified, and that James Roberts, Joseph Hensley and Joshua Piles be judges of said election; provided, that said judges may ap- point their own clerk and that said election shall in all respects be conducted according to the provisions of an act regulating elec- tions, passed at the last session of the Gen- eral Assembly. "Sec. 6. Be it further enacted, That the citizens of Marion county shall vote for senators and representatives to the General Assembly in conjunction with the citizens of Jefferson and Hamilton, at such precincts as may be laid off by their county commis- sioners agreeable to law. "Sec. 7. Be it further enacted, That each of the commissioners appointed to fix the county seat of Marion county shall re- ceive a compensation of two dollars per day for each and every day they may be neces- sarily employed in perfomiing that duty. "Approved January 24. 1823. "Edward Coles, Governor." THE county's population. There were only about five hundred inhab- itants in the county when it was established, as the record of a census of the county, taken in 1825, by R. C. Chance, and filed with the BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 41 county clerk November 26, 1825, shows the total population to be five hundred and fifty- seven, of which two hundred and seventy- three were white males, two hundred and eighty-two white females, and one negro man and one negro woman slaves. There were one hundred and four heads of families, including five widows. The heads of families in the county were as follows : Samuel Huff, Isaac McClelland, Eli Mc- Kinney, James Martin, Samuel Martin, James Young, Mathew Young (son of Samuel), Aaron Hicks, Ebenezer Daggett, Henry Lee, Dorcas Tully, Christiania Tul- ly, Malachi Ware, Michael Radcliffe, Wil- liam Carrigan, D. R. Chance, Henry Walker, William Taylor, Simon Albert, Richard Piles, William Albert, Hardy Fos- ter, Thos. Neal, John S. Davis, Thos. Ful- ton, William King, Darrington Baldridge, William Pursley, John Davidson, Samuel Davidson, Green Depriest, John Warren, Robert Nichols, James Piles, Henry Mc- Donald., Jesse Griffin, William Gunnerson, John W. Nichols, William Marshall, Joseph Hensley, Isam Watson, Robert Snodgrass, John Wilson, John Phillips, John Edington. Montgomery Ingram, Nathan Huff, Jesse Nichols, Zadock Phelps, Henry C. Nichols, Rufus Ricker, Leonard P. Piles, Mark Tul- ly, John Tully, William Nichols, Thomas Ash, Robert Nichols, George Kell, William Gaston, Henry Rodes, Jacob Fulfer, Mary Caleton, William Ingram, Cowles Dunham, Isaac Fulfer, William Baldwin, Patrick Cowen, David Fulton, Abram Romine, James Goudy, Rosana Fulton, John Boucher, Chatsworth P. Black, Samuel Eblen, John Eblen, Israel Jennings, Caswell Wan- teres, Robert Bandy, Dorcas Bandy, J. P. Gaines, Jacob Albert, Samuel Shook, Lethe Dunkin, Nathaniel Litterell, Alfred Ray, Henry Ware, William Tully, Pegg Brack, Thomas How, Solomon Allen, Benjamin Vermillion, Frederick Phelps, John Little, Thomas Parkinson, Daniel Phelps, Wiley Burton, G. Burton, Lodrick Phelps, John Coles, Robert Man, Polly McKinney, Charles Radcliffe, Josiah Fykes and Rogers. At this time there were but one hundred and seventeen voters in the county. Money was scarce and stock low in price, a good cow not being worth more than from six to ten dollars, and horses from twenty to forty dollars; hogs at two cents per pouiid were considered well sold, and grain in propor- tion. Of the entire population, only one was a mechanic — G. Burton, who was a black- smith — -all the rest were farmers and more or less hunters, both as a pastime and as a means of adding to the family larder. IS SQUARE IN SHAPE. Marion county is a square of twenty-four miles on each side and has for its west line the third principal meridian of the United States survey, from which the ranges, every six miles east and west, are aiumbered. Its south line is the base line of the government survey from which the towns are numbered every six miles north and south, and con- tains sixteen townships, six miles square, of 42 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. thirty-six sections each, each section being one mile square and contains six hundreil and forty acres, so the township contains twenty-three thousand and forty acres and the county, three hundred and sixty eight thousand six hundred and forty acres, near- ly every acre of which is susceptible of culti- vation, and would support a population of many times that now dwelling within its borders. The towns are in all government surveys and are numbered north and south from the base line and the ranges east and west from the principal meridian, so that the southwest township is town one, north, and range one, east. The town north of this is town two, north, range one, east; the next north is town three, north, and range one, east, and the next town still furher north is town four, north, and range one, east, which is the northern town in range one, in Marion county. Then again, beginning at the base line with town one north, and range two, east, until we reach town four, range two, east, when again the numbers begin on the base line with town one, north, and range three, east, and so on until town four, north, and range four, east, is reached, which is the town lying in the northeast corner of the county. The county is, therefore, one of the few in the state that is a perfect square. The sixteen school, or government survey townships, are the same in boundary and extent as the civil towns, ex- cept townships 2 north, i east, which is di- vided north and south through the center into the towns of Odin and Sandoval, each, three miles wide from east to west, and six miles long from south to north. The county is about two-thirds timber land and one-third prairie, and the soil is well adapted to all the productions of the central temperate zone. Corn is grown in considerable quantities, and wheat was, until within a few years, extensively raised, but for some reason a comparatively small acre- age is now sown. The timber land was thickly covered with a magnificent growth of oaks, white, black, red; of hickory; wal- nut, and maple, with numerous other woods in lesser quantities, but these forests have now largely disappeared and the timber of today in this county consists mostly of elm, sycamore and such other wood which the pioneer regarded of no value, but which the present owners hold as an item of consider- able value. Small fruits thrive and produce abundantly, so much so that the Illinois Cen- tral and the Chicago & Eastern Illinois rail- ways run fruit cars, and even trains, during the season, to carry these products of the garden and field to the markets of Chicago. In some parts of the county vegetables: beans, peas, beets, cabbage, etc., are raised for shipment and usually bring fair returns to their producers, while strawberries flour- ish to such an extent that Centralia, in the southwestern part of the county, is known far and near as the "Queen of the Straw- beri-y Belt." While several canning fac- tories consume the product of many hun- dreds of acres planted to tomatoes, beans, corn, etc., all of which industries will be more particularly described under the head of the several townships. The county government was at first under the system of County Commissioners or, as they were called, coun- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 43 ty judges. It will be remembered that An- drew Bankson, William Hicks and John G. Fitch were appointed commissioners to se- lect a county seat and that an election was held on the second Monday in May, 1823, and that all the voters of the county cast their votes at one polling place, viz: the house of James Young, at which election, John Edington, Benjamin Vermillion and John Walling were elected and constituted the first Board of Commissioners. They re- ceived this certificate of election: "We do hereby certify that John Edington, Benja- min Vermillion and John Walling were duly elected County Commissioners for the county of Marion, at an election held at the house of James Young, on Monday, the 14th of April, 1823. Given under our hands this day, above written. "James Roberts, "Joseph Hensley^ "Joshua Piles, "Judges." "William Marshall, "Aaron Hicks, "Clerks." The three commissioners took the oath of office, which was administered by Rufus Ricker, whom they in turn appointed Clerk of the Commissioners' Court, or in other words, the County Clerk. Ricker-filed his of- ficial bond with Jesse Roblertis as bondsman. William Marshall was appointed County Treasurer, his bondsmen were Jesse Roberts and John Edington, and the bond was in the penal sum of two thousand dollars, which was quite enough when we consider that the total value of all the property in the county was less than fourteen thousand dollars at this time. The same parties also went on the bond of Jesse Wade, who was appointed constable for East Fork. William Marshall was recommended to the Governor as a fit- ting citizen to be appointed justice of the peace for the east fork of the county, and John Walling for the Middle settlement. The county was divided into two districts, known as the North and South districts. The dividing line was as follows : beginning where Crooked creek crossed the third prin- cipal meridian on the west line of the county, thence up the said Crooked creek to the range line between towns two and three, thence east to the east line of the county. In that day there was always present at the humble fireside of the settler a spectre of dread, and although no Indian troubles were at that time existing near the county, yet well they knew that some thieving band might at any time commit some overt act, hoping to escape to their towns in northern Indiana, Wisconsin or Canada unless over- awed by a show of military preparation for pursuit and punishment. The County Com- missioners ordered that all citizens subject to military duty be organized and divided into two companies, one in the North district and one in the South district; also than an election of officers be held on the 28th day of June, in the South district at the house of Joseph Hensley, and that Dornton Bald- ridge, Samuel Huff and Samuel Martin act as judges ; and on the same day, in the North district, at James Roberts' with Mark Tully, 44 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Aaron Hicks and William Nichols as judges. Unfortunately no record of the re- sult of these elections is obtainable at the present day. Samuel Huff and John Wilson were appointed overseers of the poor for the South district and William Nichols and William Davidson, in the North district. The first order for making an assessment for a tax levy was also made on the second day of June, 1823, and the assessor was ordered to list for taxation horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, distilleries, pleasure carriages, indentured servants and slaves, and that he extend the tax at one-half of one per cent, at this first meeting of the Commissioners, viz : on June 2, 1823. The commissioners to select a county seat, made their report. It was in ful as follows: "Marion Co., 111., May 13, 1823. "We, the commissioners who were ap- pointed by the legislature of the state of Il- linois, to fix the seat of justice for the coun- ty of Marion, after being duly sworn, ac- cording to law, have proceeded to view the situation of the county, and after examin- ing the donations offered, have decided that the permanent seat of justice shall be fixed on the east half of Section 11, in Town- ship 2 north. Range 2 east, the land of James Roberts, who donated thirty acres, to the county for that purpose. Signed by John Fitch William Hicks." donation for county seat. The deed conveying the thirty acres of land to the county was not made until June, 1826, the title to the land in the meantime having passed to Rufus Ricker and Mark Tully, who completed the gift by making the following deed: "This indenture made this 6th day of June, A. D. 1826, between Rufus Ricker and Lydia, his wife, and Mark Tully and Suky, his wife, all of the county of Marion, and state of Illinois, of the first part; and John S. Davis, Leonard P. Piles and Benjamin VeiTnillion, County Commis- sioners for the county aforesaid, witnesseth : that in conformity with an act of the legis- lature of the state of Illinois, passed at the Third General Assembly of the state, en- titled 'An Act Establishing Marion County,' approved January 24, 1823, that the parties of the first part have given, granted, bar- gained and confirmed and by these presents do give, grant, bargai'i and confinn unto the said parties of the second part. County Com- missioners for the county of Marion, and to their successors in office, for the use and benefit of said county of Marion, in con- formity with the laws of this state making donations for county seats, all that tract or parcel of land situate and being as follows, to-wit: commencing at a stake standing at the northeast quarter of section 11, in range 2 east, town two north, thence south seventeen chains and thirty-two links to a stake standing on the southeast quarter of said section 11, thence west seven- teen chains and thirty-two links, thence north seventeen chains and thirty-two links, thence east seventeen chains and thirty-two links, to the place of be- ginning, containing thirty acres of BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 45 land, together with all and smgular the hereditaments and appurtances thereunto be- longing or in anywise appertaining, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and re- mainders, rents, issues, and profits thereof, and all the estate, right, title, interest, claim and demand whatsoever of the parties of the first part, either in law or equity, of, in and to the above bargained premises, with the said hereditaments and appurtenances, to have and to hold the said piece of land to the said parties of the second part, for the use and benefit of the said county of Marion, and to the sole and proper use and benefit of the said county forever — and the said parties of the first part, for themselves, their heirs, executors and administrators, do cove- nant, grant, bargain, promise and agree to and with the said party of the second part, and their successors, the above bargained premises in the quiet and peaceable posses- sion of the party of the second part and their successors in office against all and every person or persons lawfully claiming or to claim the whole or any part of the above mentioned premises, will forever warrant and defend. "In witness whereof the said parties of the first part have hereunto set our hands and seals the day and year above written. RuFUS RiCKER (Seal), Lydia Ricker (Seal), Mark Tully (Seal), Her L. S. SuKY X Tully. (Seal). Mark. "Signed, sealed and delivered in the pres- ence of John Davidson and William Omel- vany. This deed was acknowledged before Leonard P. Piles, justice of the peace. This deed is recorded in Book A, pages 14, 15 and 16, by Rufus Ricker, the first clerk and recorder of the county." When the report of the commissioners was received on the 13th of June, 1823,. there was no delay on the part of the county board, but they immediately accepted the offer of James Roberts, and ordered that the seat of justice for the county be known and designated by the name of Salem. It is generally said that the name Salem was given to the county seat by Mark Tully, but from the records it appears that the name was chosen by the county court. Mr. Tully may, however, have suggested the name to them, and as he was a man of influence in his day, may have impressed the name upon the minds of the commissioners. The clerk was instructed to advertise the sale of thirty lots, a part of the thirty acres promised. The advertisement was to be in the Illinois In- telligencer, and the sale was held on the 2d of March, 1824, and brought the county nine hundred and eighty-six dollars and fifty cents, in state scrip, worth three hundred and twenty-eight dollars and eighty-three cents in money, the state paper having at that time depreciated to that extent. WHEN LICENCES WERE CHEAP. At this meeting the following business was transacted : Jesse Roberts received a li- cense to keep a tavern for one year, for 46 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. which Hcense he paid the sum of four dol- lars, and the board fixed the following rates : each meal, twenty-five cents; keeping horse all night, fifty cents ; single feed, twenty-five cents; lodging, twelve and a half cents; whiskey, half pint, twelve and a half cents; rum, twenty-five cents. T. Baldridge also got license for one year for two dollars per year. Rufus Rick was also allowed eighteen dollars, state paper, worth about six dollars in specie, for books, stationery, etc., supplied the county. This seems to be the extent of the business done at this first meeting of the County Commissioners of the new county of Marion. The court, as the sessions of the commissioners was in name and in fact, then adjourned to July 7, 1823. At the second, or July term, of the county court, which met pursuant to ad- journment, the question of a courthouse re- ceived the attention. of the court, and a con- tract was entered into with Aaron Hicks to build the same at a cost to the county of four hundred and ninety-nine dollars. The speci- fications called for a log building, without windows, twenty by thirty feet, one and one- half stories high, with a log partition, seven inches thick, of hewed logs, and extending to the roof, with good hewed or sawed joists enough for two loose plank floors, with two good doors, one through the partition, and the other through the wall, with good iron hinges and lock and key for the outside door ; to be covered with boards and weight poles (spelled polls), the cracks to be well chinked and daubed — all to be completed by the first day of June, 1824. The contract was let to the lowest bidder and Hicks won. The courthouse was completed according to plans and specifications, and received by the commissioners on the tenth day of April, 1824, and was used as a courthouse until August I, 1837. The first public road laid out by the com- missioners was petitioned for by Domton Baldridge. It began at the county line near William Carrigan's and led past Samuel Eb- len's, Israel Jennings' and Benjamin Ver- million's, in a direct line to Crooked creek bridge, near Gillmore's, and had been viewed by John Bandy, Samuel Huff and William Taylor. Domton Baldridge was ap- pointed supervisor of said road and William Pursley supervisor of the northern part of the Vandalia and Golconda road as far south as William Marshall's, and Samuel Martin of the south part to the county line. L. P. Piles was made supervisor of the Vincennes road from the east county line to the ford of the creek, and Aaron Hicks from the ford of the creek to the west line of the county and also of the road from William Mar- shall's to Crooked creek. As treasurer of the county, William Marshall made the first assessmient of the county in 1823, for which work he received the sum of three dollars. The amount of taxes levied was seventy- three dollars and forty-four cents. The collector's commission was four dollars and sixty-nine cents, leaving a balance to be turned into the treasury of sixty-eight dol- lars and seventy-five cents, which, with twelve dollars from licenses and fines, made up a total revenue for the county BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 47 of eighty dollars and seventy-five cents. William Marshall resigned as Treasurer and Assessor December i, 1823, prob- ably because the duties and responsi- bilities of the office far exceeded the very scanty pay received for the same. The first board did not fill out their full term. John Walling was succeeded by Aaron Hicks in October, 1823, and when John Ed- ington resigned in January, 1824, Leonard P. Piles was elected to fill the vacancy, the election being held February 2, 1824. When William Marshall resigned as assessor and treasurer, John S. Davis was appointed to fill his place, and for his service in making tax lists, he received ten dollars, and for his service as treasurer he received ten dol- lars and twenty-four and one-half cents. Truly a scanty recompense, but when it is re- membered that that salary, small as it was, was equal in value to about fifteen acres of land, it does not appear so small. The second board of commissioners was composed of Benjamin Vermillion, Leonard P. Piles and Aaron Hicks, and they were elected to serve from 1824 to 1826, or two years, but a vacancy was caused by the death of Hicks, in 1825, and John L. Davis was elected to fill out the remainder of the term. The taxable property for the year 1825 was sixteen thousand four hundred and sixteen dollars, and the estimated tax for county purposes was eighty-two dollars and eight cents, just think of it — eighty-two dollars and eight cents to run the county of Marion for one year, only eighty years ago. The third board was elected to serve from 1826 to 1828, and was composed of the fol- lowing gentlemen : John Edington, William King and C. P. Black. Edington seems to have been quite popular, and to have re- ceived the suffrages of his fellow-citizens whenever he would consent to run for office. There seems to have been a necessity at this time for a jail and the board contracted with William Davidson and Henry Ware to build one at a cost of two hundred and seventy dollars. The county was also divided into two election precincts by the board at this meeting, the precincts to be the same as those before provided for the justices of the peace, and were called the North precinct and the South precinct, and the South precinct was again divided in 1827 into Walnut Hill and Romine pre- cinct. The tax list for 1826 providing coun- ty revenues for 1827, showed a total value of all property in the county of twenty-two thousand two hundred and sixty dollars, and produced a revenue of one hundred and eleven dollars and thirty cents. The tax was collected in full. It may be wondered at that, with so small a revenue, a court- house and jail had been erected, costing many times the entire tax, but we must not forget that all the lots in the county seat be- longed to the county, and the public build- ings were paid for from the proceeds from the sale of lots from time to time. The fourth Board of Commissioners served for the years 1828 and 1830, the term being two years. It was composed of Hardy Foster, William King and L. P. Piles. They ordered ten more lots sold, 48 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. which was done, and the money turned into the county treasury. A NEW JAIL. The fifth Board was elected in 1830 to serve two years and was composed of Hardy Foster, H. W. Higgins and Abraham Ro- mine. During this term a new jail became a necessity and the board entered into a con- tract with W. Tully to build one for five hundred dollars. This jail, as described by several old citizens, who remember it well, was constructed of logs, laid closely togeth- er and about twelve feet from floor to ceil- ing. It was of one room and was covered with great, hewed logs for a ceiling, there were no doors or windows cut in the walls, but a trap door in the ceiling, which was reached from the outside by a ladder or stair. A ladder was let down through the trap door for the descent of prisoners, and then the ladder withdrawn, and the prisoner was secure, no breaking out by anyone likely to be placed therein. The building was then covered in the usual way, with clapboards and poles. During the term of this board the North Fork precinct, in the northwest part of the county, was established June 4, 1832, and the poling place fived at the house of Eli Jones. During this administration, the first bridge of any size was built and paid for partly by the state, which gave one hundred dollars, and partly by a loan sub- scription of seventy-nine dollars advanced by twenty- two citizens, ranging from one dollar, given by James Beaver, the smallest subscriber, to thirteen dollars, by A. L. Miles, the largest. The sixth board was composed of Hardy Foster, Abram Romine and James J. Richardson, who served in 1832 to 1834, and there is no record of any action by them out of the routine business of the county. The same may be said of the seventh board, composed of Hardy Foster, Abram Romine and James Gray. The latter resigned November 28, 1835, and Mark Tully was chosen to fill the vacancy, to the close of that term, ending in 1836. The eighth board, 1836 to 1838, was com- posed of Mark Tully, Isaac McClelland and Benjamin Vermillion. A new courthouse was ordered by this board to be built, and Mark Tully took the contract for six hun- dred and fifty-five dollars, and was, by the contract, to have it finished by August first, 1837, but for some reason, now unknown, failed in the performance, and in March of the following year (1838) surrendered his contract and was excused from paying any penalty for the non-performance of the same, so it may be assumed that the reason was a good one. Nathaniel Adams then completed the building. The total cost of the building was seven hundred and ninety- nine dollars and forty-three cents. This building is still standing and is in a good state of preservation, being occupied by Mr. Clarence Mills as a residence. It is about thirty-eight by forty feet, two stories high, with a "hip" roof, it is of frame construc- tion and if built now would cost at least three thousand dollars. It was moved from the public square to where it now stands, to BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 49 make room for the present courthouse in 1849 or 1850. The old courthouse was bought by Mr. Scott, who moved it to its present location. The sale of city or town lots, and the money realized from the sale of the court- house, kept the county treasury well sup- plied with funds, despite the small tax levy, and in 1838 the county board ordered that three hundred dollars of the county money be loaned out at twelve per cent on well se- cured notes on four months' time. Up to the year 1838, there had been no delinquent taxes, but in that year the following list was returned as not collected : Samuel Forkman, fifty cents; John Simpson, sixty-two and a half cents ; Abner Farthing, sixty-five cents ; W. Woods, sixty-seven and a half cents ; L. Farthing, thirty-seven and a half cents; Asa Ballard, twenty-five cents; W. Gault- ney, fifty cents; Isaac Barr, twelve and a half cents; M. C. Wells, two dollars and eighty cents; H. G. Burrow, thirty-five cents; John Saunders, one dollar and thirty cents; John Carter, thirty-seven and a half cents; James Homes, twenty cents, and Leven Wootener, one dollar and twenty cents, making a total of nine dollars and ninety-two and one-half cents, not collected. The probability is that owing to the small amounts and the remoteness of the delin- quents from the collector's office, they were never called upon by the collector, as the ex- penses would be as great as the returns. The legislature in 1837, changed the terms of the County Commissioners from two to three years and provided that 4 there should be one elected eveiy year, and that the commissioners elected in 1838 should be one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years. W. H. Haynie was elected for three years, Abram Romine for two years, and Mark Tully for one year. From this time until about 1849, the various boards seem to have attended to only the ordinary business of the county, which certainly was well conducted, as the county was kept out of debt by them and all bills were promptly paid ; during all this time there had been but a small increa.se in the population of the county, as there were millions of acres of what was called government land in Illinois and much in Indiana, and there were no special inducements for emigration. COUNTY COURT CREATED. The constitution, which was adopted in 1848, .abolished the County Commissioners as a court and created the county court, con- sisting of one judge and two associate judges. The first election under the new constitution was held in November, 1849, and Samuel Hull was elected the first county judge of Marion county, with R. M. Elliot and Alfred Ray as associates, to serve for four years. In 1852 Elliot resigned and Hardy Foster was elected in November of that year to fill out the unexpired term. The precinct of Raccoon was organized in 1851, with a polling place at the house of James Guilford. The second county court, pre- sided over by Durham Tracey as judge, and so BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. with Hardy Foster and L. A. Spittler as as- sociates, was elected in 1853 for four years. This court, during its term, let the contract for a new jail to D. W. Norris, of Carlyle. This jail was built of brick, two stories high, and had cells for prisoners, and living rooms 'for the jailer and family, and was one of the best and finest in the state, and was used until 1884, when the present jail was built at a cost of sixteen thousand dollars. It cost the county three thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven dollars and was completed in 1854 and received on the first day of December of that year. This court also, during their term of office, caused a detailed statement of the financial condition of the county to be prepared, in which it appeared that up to this time the monetary afifairs had been conducted in the same careful manner, as were those of any county in the state. In July, T857, the court contracted with Joseph A. Miller for the building of a new courthouse at a cost to the county of thirty- five thousand dollars. Miller fell down on his contract and used inferior material. The court then annuled their contract with him and employed Messrs. Moore & Morrow, of Salem, to complete the work for twenty- six thousand, one hundred and fifty dollars. The court took charge of all the material on the ground, but in the meantime a new court had been elected and the third county court, composed of B. F. Marshall, judge, with J. P. Rogers and Isaac McClelland as asso- ciates, made the contract with Moore & Morrow. A part of the work already done was torn down and the house built in such an honest way that it stands today as a mon- ument to the skill and honesty of the con- tractors. It is still the courthouse for Mar- ion county, and though out of style, is yet a substantial building, and but that modern conveniences and comforts are lacking, would stand a century. The building was turned over to the county in April, i860. The total cost was thirty-five thousand, one hundred and four dollars and seventy-five cents, only one hundred and four dollars and seventy-five cents more than the original contract, notwithstanding the failure of Miller to fulfill his contract. Twenty-five thousand dollars, in ten per cent, bonds, was issued by the authority of this court at the December tenn, and then an additional five thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars was ordered borrowed at a special term of the court in i860. The county brough suit against the or- iginal contractor. Miller, for non-fulfillment of contract, and recovered judgment for eight thousand one hundred and twenty-five dollars and fifty cents, but it was only a paper recover}-, as the money could not be collected for the good and sufficient reason that Miller was not worth anything finan- cially. During this term of the county judges the first case of capital punishment took place, a full account of which will be gi\-en in its appropriate chapter. The fourth county court, 1861-1865, '^^'as composed of John M. Oglesby, judge, with Daniel J. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 51 Doolin and J. P. Rogers as associates. J. P. Rogers died on March 24, 1864, and J. P. Huff was selected to fill out the term. PAY FOR THE SOLDIERS. In 1865, in February, the county court ordered that thirty-seven thousand two hundred dollars be issued in ten per cent, county bonds to pay a bounty of three hun- dred dollars to one hundred and twenty- four volunteers who enlisted under the call of the government of the United States to suppress the rebellion. Under this bounty the quota for the county was filled. Dissat- isfaction with the couny court system of county government had developed and had been steadily growing and petitions were circulated early in 1865 and presented to the court, asking that the question for or against township organization be submitted to the voters. The proposition was ordered submitted in September, and at the ensuing election in November was lost. A heavy debt now burdened the county, bearing in- terest at the high rate of ten per cent., which at that time was not unusual. The first foreigners, so far as the records show, to be naturalized in the county, took out their papers during this four years' term of the county court. They were three Irishmen, viz : Dennis Rooney, John Cleney and William Steward, and one German, Jacob Heyduck. They all made useful and exemplary citizens. At the election in 1868, James S. Martin was elected judge and D. P. Snelling and J. W. Primmer associate justices. Judge Martin was appointed United States pension agent, and in May, 1869, resigned. Judge W. W. Willard filled out the unexpired term of General Martin. In 1868 the County Treasurer was author- ized to borrow five thousand dollars for bridge construction in the county. This was the fifth county court. The precinct of Alma was organized by this board at the March term, 1867. Marion county was now divided into sixteen ejection precincts as follows: Centralia, Sandoval, Odin, Patoka, Alma, Central City, Walnut Hill, Raccoon, Haines, luka, Romine, Omega, Meacham, Kimmundy, Foster and Salem. Tilman Raser was elected judge and with John H. Gray and J. W. Jennings constituted the sixth county board and only routine business was transacted by them. The proposition to adopt township organization was again sub- mitted and this time carried. The state constitutional convention, held in 1870 reinstated the old system of coun- ty boards, which were discontinued in 1849, and at the expiration of the term of the sixth board, James W. McClure, Robert McM. Wham and J. McClelland were elected at the general election in November, 1873, but did not take office until after the meeting of the legislature, because of the very defective law, which defects required legislative action. They served only three months when their offices were made vacant by the election of the first Board of Super- visors, which election was held April 22, 1874. The board, at their last regular meet- ing, appointed Hon. T. E. Merritt, William 52 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. Walker and S. L. Dwight to divide the county into townships. Of these commis- sioners, Walker is dead, Dwight is af pres- ent serving his second term as circuit judge, and Merritt, after serving the people of his county for twenty-one years in the legisla- ture of the state as representative and sena- tor, is still living in Salem, enjoying the love and respect of his fellow-citizens. The commissioners reported that they had divided the county into sixteen townships, to be called, respectively, as follows : Township i North, Range i East, Cen- tralia. Township 2 North, Range i East, Odin. Township 3 North, Range i East, Carrigan. Tovraship 4 North, Range i East, Patoka. Township i North, Range 2 East, Raccoon. Township 2 North, Range 2 East, Salem. Township 3 North, Range 2 East, Fredonia. Township 4 North, Range 2 East, Foster. Township i North, Range 3 East, Haines. Township 2 North, Range 3 East, Stevenson. Township 3 North, Range 3 East, Pleasant. Township 4 North, Range 3 East, Kimmundy. Township i North, Range 4 East, Ro- mine. Township 2 North, Rage 4 East, luka. Township 3 North, Range 4, East, Omega. Township 4 North, Range 4 East, Meacham. These names remain to the present time with the exception of Fredonia, which is now Tonti ; Pleasant, which is now Alma, and Odin, which was divided into two town- ships, the east half of which is still called Odin and the west half is called Sandoval. This division took place about ten years ago. The first Boai^d of Supervisors, from 1874 to 1875, organized by electing Eras- mus Hull chairman, was composed of the following members, viz : Salem, E. Hull; Centralia, E. S. Condit and J. Mc- Clelland; Odin, John Robinson; Carrigan, A Steel; Patoka, J. Hudspeth; Raccoon, James Snow; Fredonia L. M. Bisel; Foster, J. W. Arnold; Haines, Robert McM. Wham. Centralia, owing to its population, was entitled to two members at that time, and at the present has three members of the Board of Supervisors, and Salem is entitled to two, who will probably be elected in April, 1909. The county debt was now about seventy thousand dollars and a feeling that the af- fairs of the county could, and would be more economically administered by a Board of Supervisors than by three commissioners, was the motive actuating the voters in mak- ing a change, although experience has not proven the truth of the notion. The court- house debt, i. e., debt for building and debt for bounty during the last year of the Ciril war, the first incurred under the administra- tion of Judge Marsall, and the second under the adminstration of Judge Oglesby, were both necessaiy measures and reflect credit BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 53 on the gentlemen who were responsible, yet earlier years of the county will prove they grew burdensome in the minds of the interesting. The first revenue was from people and the authorties made strenuous the lots in the city of Salem, which, efforts to pay off the indebtedness, and that as will be remembered, was a part of object was accomplished by heavy taxation the thirty acre donation made the county and for a short period. The debt was paid, by James Roberts, but conveyed to the but much complaint was made of the bur- county in 1826 by Rufus Ricker and Mark densome tax, but the credit of the county Tully. The first sale of lots took place was maintained. The county out of debt, March 2, 1824, and was as follows : and the affairs were well managed generally Leonard B. Farr $15.50 but with the change in the per cent, of val- William Maxwell 48.25 nation, made in the revenue law of 1900. John G. Fitch 34-00 the county did not receive revenue enough to Aaron Hicks IO-75 meet running expenses which had largely in- Chance Lee 33-25 creased and the county again began to ac- Leonard P. Piles 7.75 cumulate a debt, which was put by the offi- D. R. Chance 2.50 cers at about forty-five thousand dollars, William Baldwin 8.50 but as it was no officer's special duty to go Benjamin Allen 8.25 over the books to ascertain the amount, it The following were paid for as shown : was only an estimate. In 1907, the new James Piles, March 9 $ 9.00 County Treasurer and J. H. G. Brinkerhoff Joseph Hensley, March 12 10.50 went over the books and found the John Wilson, March 20 18.25 debt to have been above eighty thou- John Phillips, April 20 13-75 sand dollars, but in 1903 the Board William Maxwell, April 24 48.25 of Supervisors had submitted a propo- Aaron Hicks, May 27 32.50 sition to the voters for a special tax Chance Lee, May 27 99-75 of forty-two cents on the hundred dollars William Davidson, June 2 29.38 of valuation to pay the debt and this tax has John Harrington, June 2 6.62 so rapidly reduced the debt that it is certain There was a total of four hundred thirty- that the spring of 1909 will see the last dol- six dollars and seventy-five cents. The taxes lar paid and the county out of debt, besides collected for the year 1823, the first year of for the last four years the county revenues the county's existence, were sixty-eight dol- have been ample to meet all necessary ex- lars and seventy-five cents; received for pense, thus the county again is out of debt licenses, twelve dollars, making a grand and that without any hardship having been total of five hundred seventeen dollars worked to the taxpayers. and twenty-five cents. From March 2d to A resume of the revenues of the June 7th, the Treasurer paid out five hun- 54 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY. ILLINOIS. dred fourteen dollars and forty-one and a half cents, leaving two dollars and eighty three and a half cents in the treasury. It might be well here to state that in that day in Illinois a coin worth twelve and a half cents was in circulation. Its proper name was a shilling, but it was known by the pio- neers as a "bit," and it is quite common, even to this day, to hear the expression "two bits," meaning twenty-five cents, or "six bits," meaning seventy-five cents, hence the half cents in the reports of that day. I A SMALL BALANCE. For the first ten years the County Treas- urer's report shows a small balance in the treasury, except the report for December i, 1828, which shows the county in debt nine- ty-one and one-half cents, which he had overpaid. When the books were examined in 1833 a balance of twelve dollars and nine and one-half cents was reported in the hands of the Treasurer. The total receipts for the first ten years of Marion county's existence were as follows: Sale of lots in Salem $1,273.77^ Taxes 1,063.44 Licenses and fines 403.70 Estrays sold 120.08 Balance on hand, December i, 1833 i2.og}i Total revenue, from all sources $2,860.97^4 During the same time the expenditures were as follows: Erection of Public Buildings . . $ 769.00 Running Expenses of County . . 2,079.90 Total $2,860.97^^ From this report it will be seen that the expense of the county administration aver- aged two hundred seven dollars and ninety-nine cents per year, truly a modest beginning, but perhaps ample for the day, and the people of that frugal time. The population of the county increased as shown by the census report as follows : Assessed Wealth Year Population Value Per Capita 1823 550 $ 14,690 $ 26.50 1830 2,125 7S>65o 35.60 1840 4,742 238,080 50.20 1850 6,720 482,790 71.80 1862 12,789 1,654,140 129.85 1870 20,622 3,453,098 167.45 1880 23,691 4,452,424 187.93 1890 24,341 10,707,057 444.43 1900 30,446 i3>3S3>485 438.57 1908 18,919,430 Of the population of the county in 1900, fourteen thousand one hundred and sixteen were residents of the nine incorporated cities and villages, and the rest country residents, nearly one-half therefore dwelt in the cities and villages. It will be noticed that from 1880 to 1890 only a increase of six hun- dred and fifty inhabitants for the ten years, this may be accounted for by the heavy im- igration from the county to newer fields, farther west, during that decade. The above table shows a steady increase in values and per capita. In 1900 is shown a slight fall- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTYj ILLINOIS. 55 ing off of the per capita tax, but owing to a change in the system of assessment, it is more apparent than real. The true value is many millions more than shown by the assessors' books. PHYSICAL AND STATISTICAL FACTS OF THE COUNTY. The original field notes of the survey of the county give only about three thousand acres of swamp land in the county, and that is not really swamp, but low lands which could be and indeed, most of it has been, drained and forms the most fertile farm lands. These same notes give a total of three hundred and sixty-four thou- sand nine hundred and sixty-five acres in the cotinty. In accord with the act of Congress, of March 4, 1854, the county has sold of the swamp lands at from one dollar and fifty cents to two dol- lars and fifty cents per acre. In 1824 the records show ownership of only one thou- sand and forty acres, the rest all being public domain, on which the settlers "squatted," i. e., settled without title. The law of 1852, granting to the Illinois Central Railroad Company, all unsold lands in the even num- bered sections on each side of the said road, six sections deep, or in width east of said road, and the same amount west of the same, it was found that not over one hun- dred and sixty-five thousand acres, in round numbers, had become the property of indi- viduals, but by the close of 1865, all the lands in the county had been entered. The last was eighty acres entered by John W. Clark, April 28, 1865, it being the east half of the northwest quarter of section 25, in township I north, range 4 east, or in Ro- maine township. The first sale of land after the county was formed was by Rufus Ricker and Lydia, his wife, who conveyed by deed, to D. Baldridge, eighty acres, being the east half of the northeast quarter of section 33, township I north, range i east (Cen- tralia). The price was four hundred dollars and the deed is dated March 18, 1823. This land is near the city of Centralia, and is worth in the neighborhood of one hundred dollars per acre. In the same year the west half of the northwest quarter of section 15, town I north, range 2 east, was sold for one hundred and ten dollars. This land was farther from settlements and not much improved. There is no record of any land sales in 1824 and only two in 1825; one eighty-acre piece, which sold for one hundred dollars, and another which brought three hundred dollars. Only one piece was sold in 1826, it being twenty-four acres, now a part of the city of Salem, which sold for one hundred dollars. There were six sales in 1827, three of these being in section 11, town 2, range 2, two of these were eighty-acre pieces and sold for one dollar and twenty- five cents per acre, the third was twenty acres and brought five dollars per acre. Two sales of land in what is now Centralia township, one eighty, at two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and another eighty brought three dollars and seventy-five 56 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. cents per acre. And one eighty in Meacham brought one dollar, eighty-seven and one- half cents per acre. In 1828 only one sale is recorded. It was the same eighty acres in section 29, town .1, range i, which had been sold in 1825 for one hundred dollars, now it brought two hundred dollars. Only one sale is on record for 1829, it being eighty acres in section 28, town i, range i, and brought four dollars, thirty-seven and one-half cents per acre. In 1830 there were three sales: ninety-six acres near Salem for five hundred dollars and seventy acres also near Salem, sold for two hundred dollars, and an eighty- acre piece in section 27, town i, range i, was bought for two hundred dollars. In 183 1 but three sales are of record, the same eighty in section 29, town i, range i, which already had been sold twice was sold again at three doUai'S and seventy-five cents per acre. Eighty acres in section 17, town i, range 2, brought one dollar eighty-seven and one-half cents per acre and eighty acres in section 9, town 2, range 4 (luka). This was the first land sale in this township and the land brought five dollars per acre. There was only one sale of land in 1832, eighty acres in section 11, town 2, range 2, which sold for two hundred dollars. In the first ten years of the county's ex- istence there were only twenty sales of land, and only fifteen hundred and sixty acres had been transferred; the lowest price paid was one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre and the highest, five dollars per acre. Land sales were of rare occurrence until after the build- ing of the Illinois Central Railroad and the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, which were projected about the same time and which not only opened a way for the emigrant to come into the county easily and speedily but by furnishing transportation for products of the farm, added an impetus to sales of land. In 1850 there were only four hundred and forty acres of land that changed ownership at an average price of four dollars and ten cents. Other property was low also, as the report of a few sales will show. Some ar- tcles sold high because of the scarcity of manufactured articles. At an administra- tor's sale, held by Hardy Foster, administra- tor of Henry Whatley's estate, the following articles were sold at the price named: one bay mare, fifty-two dollars; one colt, twenty- nine dollars; one bed, seventeen dollars and twelve and one-half cents ; one saddle and bridle, ten dollars and twelve and one-half cents ; one beadstead, two dollars and twelve and one-half cents ; one skillet, two dollars ; one pair of saddlebags, one dollar and eig^hty-seven and one-half cents; one razor, fifty cents; one bottle castor oil, fifty cents; one butcher knife, twenty-five cents. This sale was held on the 20th day of January, 1828, and is the first of record in the coun- ty, of administrator's sale. At another sale, held in March, 1828, hog-s were sold at one dollar and twenty-five cents each : one sow for three dollars and twenty-five cents; a plow for four dollars ; an ax, one dollar and fifty cents; hoe, seventy-five cents; spinning wheel, one dollar; loom, eleven dollars; a counterpane, two dollars ; quilt, ninety cents ; well rope, se\'enty-five cents ; j^oke of steers, BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 57 eighteen dollars; a cow, five dollars and sev- enty-five cents; a heifer, two dollars and fifty cents; a cart, five dollars, thirty-seven and one-half cents ; three chairs, one dollar and fifty cents; smoothing ii'on, fifty cents. It will be noticed that no guns or other weapons were sold. Yet every household was well supplied in that day with imple- ments for hunting and defense, and though this list of articles is small, it comprises the articles found among the wealthiest citizens. On Monday, August 2, 1824, was held the first election for county officers, of which any record can be found. There seems to be only a partial return made, as the vote for commissioner is about twice that for cor- oner. Mark TuUy, for Sheriff received fifty- five votes ; H. C. Nichols, for the same office, received thirty-eight votes; Samuel David- son received thirty-four votes for coroner, while for commissioner, three to be elected, Benjamin Vermillion received fifty-three votes ; Israel Jennings, forty-three votes ; Aaron Hicks, fifty-one votes; Leonard P. Piles, fifty-five votes ; J. W. Nichols, thirty- nine votes; James Piles, forty-three votes. The following abstract of the vote was made out : "I, Rufus Ricker, Clerk of the County Commissioner's court, and Joseph Hensley, Justice of the Peace for said county, state of Illinois, do hereby certify that the above is a correct abstract of the votes for the officers above mentioned, as returned of the poll book. Given under our hands this 7th day of August, 1824. Rufus Ricker." Justice of the Peace Hensley failed to sign this crude insti^ument and it as a record is thus incomplete and might have led to questioning the legality of the officers' ten- ure of office, but it seems that in that day the office was not worth contesting for, and the lack of Hensley's signature was unno- ticed. The first circuit court was held in the house of James Young. John Reynolds, one of the associate judges of the supreme court of Illinois, presided as Judge, Rufus Ricker was Clerk and Jesse Roberts was Sheriff. Court was opened April 29, 1823, and the following were impannelled as a grand jury : Benjamin Vermillion, foreman, Leonard Piles, William Nichols, William Davidson, James Young, Mark Tully, William Pursley, William Marshall, James Martin, Thomas Welch, Gidion Burton, John Wilson, John Bundy, Dornton Bald- ridge, Thomas Neal, D. R. Chance, Mala- chi Ware, William Albert, John Phelps, Samuel Davidson, John Edington, Nimrod Phelps and John Walling. The grand jurors were sworn in and retired, but soon returned into court with the fol- lowing report : No business. Whereupon the grand jui-y was discharged. Doubtless the shortest session of any grand jury in the state. NOT so MANY TRIALS IN THOSE DAYS. There seems to have been no trials at this term of court and it therefore adjourned. The second term opened October 30, 1823, and was presided over by Thomas Reynolds, Chief Justice of the supreme court. Mark Tully served as Sheriff. The grand jury at 58 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. this term returned six indictments for as- sault and battery. Fighting seems to have been a favorite pastime with the settlers, and in the early days no weapons were used save those furnished by nature, but all that na- ture furnished were used, fist and feet, bit- ing, gouging, kicking, hair-pulling and any other method of getting the best of an ad- versary were permissible, and not often did the vanquished resort to the law, although forty-nine indictments for assault and bat- tei-y were returned in the first seven terms of court, but this is but a small proportion of the fights that took place in the same time. The first divorce was granted to Henry Whatley from Elizabeth Whatley, Septem- ber 27, 1827. The charge was the Scriptural one, and the decree prohibited the defendant from re-marrying for two years. The trial was by jury. On the 27th of September, 1 83 1, John G. Edmonson and William Fos- ter were tried on an indictment for forgery, and the following jury found both guilty: Benjamin Vermillion, Joseph Hallowell, William Tully, James Davis, Andrew Tay- lor, Marcum Lovell, Wilkins Tatum, Jona- than Williams, Jr., Illis Branson, Isaac Anderick, Thomas Taylor and W. S. Booth. They were sentenced to receive twenty lashes, i. e., to be whipped, and to be confined in jail twenty-four hours, and to pay a fine of one dollar each. They were whipped in public on the 28th day of September. A special term of circuit court was called for December, 1835. and during this term the first mur- der trial was held, William Burton be- ing tried for the murder of James Gray. The jury evidently thought the killing jus- tifiable and acquitted Burton. Justice of the Peace W. D. Haney was tried for palpable omission of duty and was fined five dollars at the March term of the court. John Dillingham was indicted for larceny and was tried in March, 1837. He was con- victed, was sentenced to three years in the penitentiary, one month in solitary confine- ment and two years and eleven months at hard labor. This was the first penitentiary s>_ntence from the county. In 1839 the following citizens were fined for gambling: James Bowman, Martin Crouch, John Purs- ley and Henry C. Nichols. They were fined ten dollars each in September of 1839. G. W. Pace was also indicted for selling liquor on Sunday, and was fined fifteen dollars. Joseph Brasell was murdered in September, 1 84 1. William Fatharll was indicted for the crime, but escaped and fled from the state, whereupon the Governor published the following proclamation in the State Journal, March 4, 1842 : "proclamation by the governor. "Tii'o Hundred Dollars Reward. "State of Illinois, ss. "Whereas, It has beeri represented to me that William Fatharll is charged with the murder of Joseph Brasell, of Marion county, in this state. Now, therefore, I, Thomas Carlin, Governor of said state, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do oflfer a BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 59 reward of two hundred dollars to any per- son or persons who will apprehend the said William Fatharll and deliver him to the sheriff of said Marion county, provided the said Fatharll shall be apprehended after the date of this proclamation. "In testimony whereof I have set my hand and caused the seal of the state to be annexed, at Springfield, this 2d day of March, 1842. By the Governor. "(seal) Thomas Carlin. "Lyman Trumbull, Secretary of State." "Said William Fatharll is represented to be about five feet seven inches high, thirty- five years of age, and to have dark hair, in- clined to be rather thin on the crown of his head, dark yellow eyes (just what this means is beyond us. — -Ed.), sandy beard and whiskers, a scar some- where about his nose, also one on his throat not easily seen unless his head is raised, to be rather dark complex- ioned, with heavy downcast countenance, and not much inclined to talk when sober. He had on when last seen a white fur hat, a blue frock coat with brownish hunting shirt over it, and had a rifle gun with percussion lock, and tame catskin shot bag, spotted black and white. The Illinois Sentinel, Vandalia; The Reporter, St. Louis; The Democrat, Chicago, will please publish two weeks and send their bills to office of Sec- retary of State. "March 4, 1842." He was never caught, and the case was removed from the court docket in March, 1844, with leave to reinstate. James White was tried for the murder of Andrew J. Applegate at a saloon about half a mile south of Salem, on the i6th of April, 1 86 1. An inquest was held by the coroner, W. H. Fraser. Only two witnesses, W. H. Smith and Heniy C. Thompson, were heard, and a verdict to the effect that the deceased came to his death by a stab from a knife in the hands of James White on the morning of April 16, 1861, in the grocery owned by Benjamin Crane, one mile south of Salem, 111. White was arrested the same day by a citizen and turned over to the sheriff. White had a preliminary hearing before B. F. Marshall, and John W. Merritt, two jus- tices of the peace, and was by them re- manded to jail without bond, to await the action of the grand jury. White made a very short statement, in which he said : "My name is James White, I am nineteen years old, I have no family, and have lived in this county six months." The testimony of Smith was most full, he said : "I am twenty-seven years old, I live in Clinton, DeWitt county, Illinois, and came here last Monday. I never saw the prisoner until yesterday, the i6th of April, when I met him at the grocery south of town. (In an early day saloons were always called gro- ceries by the people. — Ed.) Myself, the de- ceased, the prisoner, Mr. Thompson and one Willis Albert, were in the grocery, about sunup. Albert Thompson and myself were sitting on one bench, the prisoner was sit- ting on another by himself, the deceased was lying on a third bench, all in the same room. Albert tried to wake the deceased 6o BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. up. Deceased did not like it much. Albert left him and sat down on the bench. The prisoner then told the deceased to get up, but he did not get up, then the prisoner took an iron poker and punched the deceased gently and told him to get up. Deceased now arose and had some conversation with us of no importance. Deceased was angry because he had been waked up. Deceased and the prisoner had some words, half angry, half in good humor. I thought it was their way of talking together. They talked some time when Thompson told them to shut up and sit down. They sat down on the same bench. Deceased said the prisoner had been trying to impose on him. The prisoner denied this, but said from this on he would. They both rose up, and deceased said he would as leave die as not, and began pulling off his coat, but whether it was all off or not I don't know. Deceased stepped up towards the stove and stood there ; the prisoner stood near, facing him, and told the deceased not to hit him. The next thing I saw was the prisoner drawing a knife from the left breast of deceased. There was blood on the knife and on the deceased's clothes. The prisoner then jumped over the counter and took a double-barreled shot gun, pointing it towards the deceased. After the deceased was struck he stood up a few seconds and then fell forward on the floor; he was dead from the wound. The prisoner took a cloth and wiped the blood from his knife and put it in its sheath, and told Thompson to take the ke}- of the grocery. The prisoner then said : 'Let us all go out,' and we all went out, and he locked the door after us, leaving the deceased on the floor. The prisoner left the key on a pan in the blacksmith shop, then went away. The knife with which the killing was done was a bowie-knife, silver mounted; the blade was six and one-half to eight inches long. All this took place in Marion county." Thompson's testimony was about the same, the only difference is that he says that he saw the prisoner stab the deceased twice, and closed his testimony by saying : "I know this man killed the deceased." \Miite broke out of jail but was soon re- captured and a special grand jury was called at a special July term of the circuit court and found a true bill against \Mrite for murder, signed Amos W^atts, State's Attor- ney. Amos \Vatts was afteiTvard elected cir- cuit judge. Watts lived at Nashville, but was State's Attorney for the whole judicial circuit, as the law then did not provide a prosecuting attorney for each county. Hon. Silas L. Bryan was Circuit Judge, J. O. Chance was Circuit Clerk, T. J. Black was Sheriff. Judge Bryan was the father of ^^' J. Bryan, late candidate for the presi- dency. J. O. Chance was for many years clerk of the Appellate Court at Mt. Vemon, Illinois. The petit jury that tried ^^^hite was composed of some of the best citizais of the county, and some of them are still living, honored citizens of the countv. It is not strange that murder was the out- come of the conditions. It is evident that the night before the murder had been spent BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 6l by the party in the bar room. As they were some of them, asleep at sunrise, doubt- less a night of debaucheiy was followed by a morning- of half sober bravado. White, though so young, must have been a har- dened criminal, or else have been rendered reckless by drink. The proprietor, it will be observed, was not present, which points to a crowd of debauchees too drunk to go home, the night before. The whole tragedy points to a moral for young men, which it would be wise to heed. White was the first man tried in the new court house for a se- rious crime, and was defended by Hon. T. E. Merritt, of Salem; still active in his pro- fession, and Governor Henry Warmoth, of Louisiana, then a young attorney of Salem. There have been many killings in the eighty years of Marion county's history, most of them in self-defense or justifiable homicide, and about some of them hangs much mystery. In 1863 Willis Black, who was a Deputy Sheriff and keeper of the jail, in company with two Deputy United States marshals, was killed near the south line of Salem township. It is said that he, in company of the marshals, went to arrest a deserter from the army, when near the farm of John Cunningham they met the deserter, who fired, striking Black in the forehead, killing him instantly. The deserter fled but the marshals were so badly frightened they whipped their horses, and with the dead body of Black lying in the carriage drove as fast as they could to Centralia, and thence to Salem. If any steps were ever taken to capture the un- known deserter they came to naught, and even the name of the murdei'er is unknown. Crime is always on the frontier, for to the obscurity of the frontier the criminals of older communities go to elude capture. Yet in all Marion county not more than a half- dozen criminals could be found in the first thirty years of her history, and today the proud record is that in proportion to popu^ lation she ranks with the best as a law abid- ing, peace-loving community, whose people believe in the supremacy of the law and the protection of the state. MARION COUNTY IN THE BLACK HAWK WAR. The Black Hawk war was the first war that called forth the militia of Marion county. Although there was no time from its first settlement until the close of the Black Hawk war that the settlers were safe from Indian attack, although from the small number of Indians in the vicinity the danger was not so great as in other parts of the West, but being on the Kaskaskia and Vin- cennes trail, was likely to be visited by rov- ing bands, who were only kept from murder- ing the inhabitants by a wholesome fear of a swift and sure revenge by the whites. Black Hawk was born in 1767 in the Sauk village and ranked equal to such In- dian leaders as King Philip, Brandt, Logan and Tecumseh in his desire to obliterate the whites, but while beyond doubt he was a great man, his military talents fell below the high powers of those great chieftains, and ranked with those of the lesser leaders of 62 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. the red men. He was eloquent in the coun- cils of the warriors. Like all Indians he was grave and solemn in manner. He was ambi- tious to be known as a great war chief. The only road to fame in the Indian mind is the path of war, and not until he has proven his prowess by killing an enemy may he sit among the warriors of his nation in the council room. This rank may be shown by painting a bloody hand on his blanket, which entitles him to the esteem of the whole tribe. In 1810 and 181 1 there was a g;eneral uneasiness among the Indians of the Northwest Territory, fostered by the British agents acting under orders from Quebec. The Sacs were invited to visit the Prophet (Tecumseh's brother) at Prophets- town, and were there filled with the resent- ment against the Americans. A body of Winnebagoes had murdered a few whites, and a knowledge of this act excited the Sacs under the leadership of Black Hawk, to do likewise. A part of his band joined a band of Winnebagoes and attacked Fort Madison in 181 1. The Indians failed in the attack, and Black Hawk, who had led the Sacs, thirsted for white blood to efface the shame of failure. In 18 13 British emmissa- ries arrived at Rock Island with a large quantity of goods and persuaded Black Hawk and five hundred warriors to go with Colonel Dixon to Canada. At Green Bay they joined the assembled bands of Ottawas, Pottawatomies, ^Vinnebagoes and Kicka- poos, under the leadership of Colonel Dickson, as it can hardly be said that he commanded them. Black Hawk and this band took part in the bat- tles of the Raisin River, Lower San- dusky and other places, but he was not content with the small amount of plunder received, thinking the fighting out of pro- portion with it. He, with a small band of warriors, withdrew and returned to Sauk Village at Rock Island, where he remained in apparent peace until 1831, with the ex- ception of a fight on Quiver river settlement, Missouri, in which one white man and one Indian were killed. It is not certain that Black Hawk was present at this skirmish. Early in the twenties the government had se- cured, by various treaties, title to the village and whole country of the Sacs and Fox tribes. Black Hawk and his band re- fused to remove, but determined to remain in possession of their ancient village at or near the junction of the Rock river with the Father of Waters. In 1828 some of the land had been surveyed and sold, a part of which was in the village itself. The Indians re- sisted the settlers' taking possession, which led to some disturbances. The Governor, understanding the Indian character and knowing that they would soon be on the warpath, made no delay, but is- sued a call for seven hundred men from the militia of the state. The call was issued on May 26, 1831, and Beardstown on the Illinois river, was the appointed place of ren- dezvous. The call was promptly answered and men who were familiar with Indian warfare, and whose proficiency with the rifle had been acquired by long practice, promptly volunteered to protect the northern settlers. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 63 These were men who knew but Httle of military tactics, but were accustomed to care for themselves in all circumstances. They were mounted on their own horses and equipped with their own arms. After eight days' marching they arrived within a few miles of the Sacs Village, where they united with the United States troops under General Gaines and encamped for the night. The next morning he marched against the In- dian village, but found it deserted. Black Hawk having crossed the Mississippi during the night. General Gaines sent orders to Black Hawk to come to Rock Island at once and make a treaty of peace, or as an alter- nate he would cross the river and attack him at once. In a few days Black Hawk, with twenty-eight of his chief men, appeared, and on the thirtieth of June, 1831, signed a treaty of peace, after a full council with Gov- ernor John Reynolds and General Gaines. This closed the Black Hawk war of 183 1. But in a few months new troubles with Black Hawk began. During the winter of 1 83 1 and 1832 it became evident that the treaty signed in June was not regarded by the Indians. Black Hawk and his band were restless and were evidently preparing for a raid. A chief of the Winnebagoes, whose village was about thirty miles up Rock river, crossed the Mississippi, and joined Black Hawk and his band. He made them believe that all the Indians on the Rock river would join them, and that they, thus united, could defy the whites. Black Hawk was deceived and decided to recross the Mississippi, and early in 1832 appeared on the east side with his warriors. Many of the Sacs and Foxes joined him and formed a determined and somewhat formid- able band. He first assembled them at Fort Madison on the Mississippi, and afterwards marched up the river to the Banks and en- camped April 6, 1832. The settlers were greatly alarmed, a general panic ensued, the whole frontier from the river to Lake Michi- gan was in a ferment of excitement and fear. Many settlers abandoned their homes and fled. The Governor called out a large num- ber of volunteers on the i6th of April, who were to operate in conjunction with the United States troops under General Atkin- son, who was in command of the forces at Rock Island. The volunteers were com- manded to rendezvous at Beardstown, on April 22d. This sketch of the Black Hawk trouble has been given because of Marion county's part in the settlement of the difficulty. A company was organized in this county and was ready to march June i, 1832. The of- ficers were : William M. Dobbins, captain ; Dr. Frazier, first lieutenant; Stephen Yo- kum, second lieutenant; Jesse M. Wade, or- derly sergeant; Judge Samuel Hull, ser- geant. Each man furnished his own horse and arms, which consisted of a rifle, some of which were flint-lock, hatchet or ax, where one was owned, and the hunting-knife. There was not a sword or pistol in the company. Officers were expected to fight the same as the men. Each man carried a sack of pro- visions of his own or neighbor's providing. On the day of their departure they assem- 64 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. bled in the court-house square in Salem and were addressed by Rev. Simeon Walker upon the awful solemnity of the oc- casion and admonished them to acquit themselves like American soldiers. Upon their arrival near Beardstown they were placed in a battalion under Major John Dement and placed in a brigade un- der General Posey and were known as Posey's brigade. They were ordered to Rock Island and on the third night reached Rock river and camped. The next morning while making an early march they were met by a courier who informed them that the Indians were near. Thirty men were sent before breakfast to reconnoiter and ascertain the enemy's strength. They soon obsei'ved three Indians running away from them and apparently dropping something from time to time on the ground. Two or three of the soldiers followed the running Indians, when a large body of savages rose up and disclosed an ambush, cutting off the detachment. A fight took place in which five men from the Jefferson county company were killed. The Indians then attacked the camp, but were re- pulsed with considerable loss. The Indians destroyed many of the horses belonging to the troops. That evening the whites were reinforced and took the offensive, pursuing the Indians. A part of Posey's brigade fought the battle of Bad Ax where the In- dians were badly defeated. Cholera now broke out among the troops and General Scott, who had arrived, scattered the troops to save them from the scourge. All the sol- diers from Marion county lived to return. but have long since passed away, the last survivor. Judge Samuel Hull, having died October 27, 1890. He lived honored and respected by every citizen of the county, who for many years kept him in office as one who was thoroughly trusted and who never betrayed that trust. He was the father of E. Hull, late of Salem, deceased, of John Hull, formerly president of the Illinois Southern Normal School, and Dr. Darwin Hull, of Bloomingotn, and grandfather of Senator C. E. Hull, of Salem. The following is the roster of the men from Marion county in this war: Dudley Mayberry, William McGee, Joseph Fyke, Samuel Hays, Isaac Copple, David R. Chance, John McGuire, Edward Young, William Gaston, Bird M. Simpson, Stephen Yokum, Benjamin Allen, Daniel Myers, \A'illiam Hadden, John F. Jones, Thomas Chapman, Samuel H. Craig, Willis Smith, James Richardson, King brothers, John B. Ules, John Eagan, John Phelps, Cal- vin Piles, Tod Phelps, Hamilton Fathing, John F. Drapar, William M. Dobbins, Jesse M. Wade, Dr. Frazier, William Hill, Samuel Hull, N. B. Nelms, Leven Wright, Asa Warren, James Davenport, Green Duncan, Young P. Barbee, William Craig and David W. Allman, almost all of whom have descendants now living in the county. The Winnebagoes made a treaty in September, 1832, by which they sold to the government all their lands south of the AVisconsin river and west of Green Bay. The price paid by the United States was BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 65 $70,000, in seven equal installments, schools for the children for twenty years, besides a liberal gift of oxai, tools, etc. A few days later (September 21st) the Sacs and Fox tribes sold to the government what is now the state of Iowa, for which they received twenty thousand dollars a year for twenty years, forty kegs of tobacco, forty barrels of salt, gunsmith and blacksmith shops ; also six thousand bushels of corn, mostly for the Black Hawk band. These treaties settled the Indian troubles forever in Illinois and only now and then was life in danger fi-om the Indians and then only as by any other criminal. The last Indian murder in this county was of an Indian by ah Indian near where the Shanafelt school house now stands and no proof being had as to who did the killing, the guilty party escaped punishment, yet the thought lingers that if the victim had been a white man they could have found the mur- derer.. MARION COUNTY IN THE MEXICAN WAR. Marion county furnished men for Com- pany C, Sixth Regiment, Illinois, for the Mexican war. The requisition for raising a company of infantry was received at Salem on May 2, 1847, which in four days' time was organized and reported for duty. On May 17th, the company marched from Salem, and on the 19th arrived at Alton, and were mustered into the service of the United States May 21st. On June 17th, they left Alton and arrived at Fort Leaven- 5 worth June 29th, were equipped with arms the next day, and were inspected by Col. E. W. Newby. On Independence Day the troops had a general parade, listened to the reading of the Declaration of Independence and were addressed by the chaplain of the fort. The first division of the Illinois Sixth Regiment was composed of com- panies B, C and E, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Boyakin. The regi- mental officers, as far as Marion county is interested, were Henderson P. Boyakin, who enlisted as a private in Company C, but was elected from the ranks to be lieutenant colonel at Alton, in June, 1847; Daniel Tumey, surgeon by appointment of the President; Assistant Surgeon Thomas B. Lester, of Salem; Drummer Thomas W. Pace, of Salem. The company officers were Vantramp Turner, captain; Isham N. Haynie, Salem, first lieutenant; Leven Wright and Benjamin F. Marshall, Salem, second lieutenants and first sergeants was Jesse M. Wade and the sergenats were: Lougin J. Wnorouski, James S. Martin and Joseph Wham; the corporals were: James N. Barr, James Nelson, Dwyer Tracey and James M. B. Gaston, while Cornelius N. Breese and William N. Haynie were musi- cians. The privates mustered out were: James G. Anglin, Nathan Adams, James S. Anderson, Richard S. Allman, George W. Ashton, Peter Burkhout, Augustus W. Beasley, William Beasley, Joseph A. Bar- bee, Alexander Bundy, W. Bundy, Isaac Bundy, Barney L. Blackburn, H. P. Cox, Milton Cucthin, James M. Chasteen, James 66 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. W. Denton, Andrew Elliott, William Els- ton, Marshall French, James McD. Hills, Dennis G. Jones, Jasper N. Jones, William Jackson, Edward King, Thomas B. Lester, John J. Lester, \\'illiam J. Lester, Lewis Lature, James A. Marshall, Hamilton Mc' Colgan, Jacob C. Mefford, William C. Mor- gan, Joseph F. McGuire, George W. Mid- dleton, Ira A. Millison, Pleasant Middle- ton, John McGregor, Thomas Neel, Wil- liam C. Neel, John R. Nelson, James Par- ker, James L. Pen-yman, Thomas G. Pet- tus, William C. Roach, Samuel Rainey, William E. Rolan, George D. Richie, Wil- liam F. Songer, Solomon Smith, William Smith, John Tully, John S. Torrence, Charles Thomas, Joseph R. Tyler, John P. Vaughn, John McM. Wham, Robert McM. Wham, Benjamin M. Wham, Daniel A. Winn, Joshua B. Walsh, Elijah Wallis, John W. White and John Winn. Companies B, C and E left Fort Leaven- worth July 9th, with a wagon train of thirty-three wagons, thirty others having been sent on before. The destination was Santa Fe. The route led across what was then known as The Great American Desert. Following generally the Santa Fe trail, their way led to Shawnee Camp, thence to Lone Elm, Bull Creek, Rock Creek, Coun- cil Grove, Diamond Springs, Cottonwood Creek, Turkey Creek, Plumb Point, Big Bend on the Arkansas, Pawnee Rock, Man's Ford, Seminole Springs, San Miguel, to Santa Fe, where they arrived on Sunday, the I2th day of September. There they vi^ent into camp and remained until Febru- ary 9, 1848, when, by order of General Price, they started on the march to Albu- querque, then a town of Mexico, eighty miles from Santa Fe, where they arrived on the 14th of February. On this march they passed San Philipi on the Rio Grande. Al- buquerque was a town of about one thou- sand inhabitants and was the headquarters of the Mexican general, Armego, whose rep- utation as a bandit, desperado and guerrilla was well established. They remained here until the close of the war. On the loth of July they received orders from Washington that peace had been de- clared between the United States and Mex- ico, and on July 20th, they received march- ing orders to return home, and started on the homeward march, July 25th, and ar- rived at Fort Leavenworth on the loth of September, 1848. They had marched more than two thousand miles through a barren counti-y, infested by a savage, treacherous foe, had been often without water, and had to depend largely for subsistance upon the skill of their hunters. The only fire possible was that made from dried "bufifalo chips." and were two months and three days mak- ing the march from Santa Fe to Fort Leav- enworth. Now, only sixty years later, the journey may be made in two days with all the comforts of a modem parlor. The death list, during the term of service, was as fol- lows: James Baxter died at Fort Leaven- worth, July 14, 1847; J- ^V. Collins died on march to Santa Fe, July 14, 1847; J. Wadkins died at Fort Leavenworth, July 15. 1847; Robert Easley died on march, BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 67 August 5, 1847; William Brasel died at Fort Leavenworth, August 19, 1847; Wil- liam W. Jones died at Santa Fe, Septem- ber 29, 1847; F- L. Cheeley died at Santa Fe, November 22, 1847; James Cooper died at Santa Fe, February 4, 1848; William H. Bass died at Santa Fe, January 11, 1848; J. H. White, died at Santa Fe, January 22, 1848; U. Vaughn died at Albuquerque, April 25, 1848. The following were discharged before the final muster out of the company, on October 13, 1848: Jesse Ray, at Las Vegas, January 9, 1848; Zachariah Young, at San- ta Fe, January 11, 1848; James M. Cox, at Albuquerque, April 11, 1848; Lorenzo Mi- nard, Albuquerque, April 11, 1848; An- drew Ray, Las Vegas, June 8, 1848; John Bethard, Las Vegas, June 8, 1848; John M. Whitlock, Santa Fe, August 14, 1848; Hartwell G. Wilson, Las Vegas, August 18, 1848. Thomas W. Pace was appointed ■drum major on March 6, 1847. John T. Damon, second lieutenant of Company E, died at Santa Fe, December 28, 1847. James Reed was transferred to Company B, June 2.^, 1847. The following were mus- tered out October 14, 1848, at Alton, they being Marion county men enlisted in Com- pany E: Corporals Randolph C. Goddard and Augustus K. Askey, and Privates John W. Bullock, Elijah Bums, Walter M. C. Damon, Richard Epperson, William E. ■Goddard, Samuel Springs and Joseph Springs. The folowing died : A. J. Camp- bell, at Fish Creek, July 20, 1847, and Franklin J. Brown, at Santa Fe, Septem- ber 27, 1847. Those discharged were: Jackson Lyman, at Fort Leavenworth, July 27, 1847; W. O. Buckner, at Las Vegas, April 26, 1848; W. Stephen- son, at Las Vegas, April 26, 1848. Of those who enlisted from Marion county, ''^11 but a very few have responded to the roll call from the other side. The only one known to be living in 1908 in Marion coun- ty is \\^illiam Bundy, an honored citizen, enjoying the respect of his fellow citizens and the well earned fruits of a good life. Of the soldiers of the Mexican war, many rose to distinction in after life. Isham N. Haynie was adjutant general during the Civil war; B. F. Marshall was elected to county office and was for many years cash- ier of the Salem National Bank; James S. Martin was colonel of the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the Civil war; D. Tracy was Circuit Clerk of the county for several years, and others filled important places in life, as will more fully appear in other chapters. Lieut.- Col. Henderson F. Boyakin was a law- yer in Salem, and died January 11, 1849, and sleeps in the cemetery at Salem. In life he was very popular with his fellow cit- izens and has several namesakes among the sons of those who marched to Mexico, across the plains, and the given name of Boyakin is a monument to his worth and a token of the esteem in which he was held by the soldiers of the Mexican war. MARION COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. Marion county furnished her full quota during the Civil war, no less than fifteen hundred and sixteen having enlisted in the 68 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF M ARION COUNTYj ILLINOIS. several regiments called out in defense of the Union of states. One out of every eight of the entire population being in the field. The first enlistments from the county were in the Eleventh Regiment of Illinois Volun- to Vicksburg, arriving May i8th and partic- ipated in that campaign until the surrender, July 4, 1863. On February ist, it started on an expedition on the Yazoo river and engaged in tw^o skirmishes, losing four killed teers. This regiment was called into sei-vicHj|faiid nine wounded at Liverpool Heights, under the proclamation of President. Lin- coln, April 16, 1 86 1, and was mustered in at Springfield, April 30, 1861, for three months, by Captain Pope. The regiment re-enlisted July 30, 1861, for three years and was mustered out at Baton Rouge, Louisi- ana, July 14, 1865, having served four years, two months and fourteen days. This regiment served in Missouri and Kentucky until early in 1862. On the 7th and 8th of January it had its first "brush" w'ith the enemy under the celebrated Jeff Thompson. It was in the campaign against Forts Henry and Don- elson and at the latter fort during the siege and final capture lost three hundred and twenty-nine men, in killed, wounded and missing, out of five hundred men en- gaged, seventy-two being killed and one hundred and eighty-two being wounded. On April 6th and 7th, at the battle of Shiloh the regiment lost twenty-seven men in killed and wounded, out of. one hundred and fifty engaged. It was in the skirmishes at Jackson, Tennessee. The regiment was re- turned to Cairo to recruit in August, 1862, and returned to the field in Northern Mis- sissippi, April 23, 1863. The One Hundred and Ninth regiment was transferred to the Eleventh, increasing the number of men by five hundred and eighty-nine and was sent February 5th, and on March 5th, lost one officer and eight men killed and twenty-four wounded, twelve missing, in the skirmish at Yazoo City. The roster is as follows: George C. McKee, major, term expired July 30, 1864; Benjamin H. Pearson, chaplain, resigned January 18, 1863; First Lieuten- and Robert Jehue, killed March 5, 1864; Second Lieutenant John Parkinson, com- missioned, returned ; Sergeants : Charles A. Roper, died November 18, 1861; William Parkinson, promoted to first sergeant, discharged June 7, 1863; John Parkinson, promoted to first sergeant, dis- charged September 16, 1864, term expired; Corporals: John S. McWilliams, mustered out July 29, 1864; Martin A. Smith, mus- tered out July 29, 1864; Byron Parkhurst, wounded six times, died May 10, 1862; George Crabtree, wounded, discharged No- vember 26, 1862; George Copple, promoted to sergeant, term expired September 16, 1864; Privates: Charles Beal, discharged August 16, 1864, term expired; John Baggs, wounded, discharged August 18, 1862; Si- las Baltzell, discharged June 7, 1863 ; David L. Browder, veteran, died March 5, 1864; W. H. Carpenter, wounded, dis- charged August I, 1862; William Copple, wounded, discharged July 20, 1862; David Copple, term expired August 16, 1864; BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 69 Simpson Copple, promoted to sergeant, teiin expired August 16, 1864; John R. Copple, killed at Clinton, Mississippi, July 7, 1864; A. J. Crabtree, promoted to corporal, term expired August 17, 1864; James Cain, lor, mustered out September 16, 1864; Fred- erick Thurston, killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862; Joseph Wooley, no record; Zadock C. Williams, discharged February 14, 1862; Christopher Whitlow, died September 6, killed at Vicksburg, July 2, 1863; Georg^(p86i ; Henry H. Waymen, veteranized, pro- \A'. Elfretz, veteranized, transferred; Elijah Hayes, killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862; James Huston, died October 22, 1861 ; William A. Hartley, wounded, discharged November 26, 1862 ; Green Hodges, mus- tered out October i, 1864; James A. Frea- zier, mustered out September 16, 1864; Elijah Jolliff, veteranized, promoted to corporal, transferred; John R. Rell, wound- ed, discharged November 26, 1862 ; James H. Kerry, killed at Shiloh April 6, 1862; John O. Kittsapper, mustered out Septem- ber 16, 1864; William C. Myers, disability, discharged, January 5, 1862; John E. Mc- Neil, discharged August 16, 1864; Charles Neeham, killed at Fort Donelson, February 15, 1862; Henry Nichols, veteranized, pro- moted to corporal, transferred; John M. Posted, died November i, 1861 ; Joel Pitts, transferred October 27, 1863; Allen Roper, veteranized, transferred; Jesse W. Roper, discharged August 16, 1864; Enoch Rush, killed at Fort Donelson February 15, 1862; Isaac Rush, died October 17, 1861 ; Henry- Smith, veteranized, transferred; Jacob Smith, discharged August 16, 1864; Benja- min J. Sweeknerd, promoted to sergeant and first sergeant, veteranized, transferred; John Shaw, veteranized, promoted to sergeant, transferred; Henry Taylor, mus- tered out September 16, 1864; David Tay- moted to corporal, transferred. The follow- ing were recruited into the regiment ; James Camron, mustered out July 14, 1865 ; George AV. Garber, promoted to corporal and transferred to the Third Colored Cav- alry, regular army; William R. Watkins, promoted to corporal, mustered out July 14, 1865. In Company M was George Rowell, who deserted May 10, 1862. In Company I was William Butler, term expired with regiment. In Com- pany K was recruit James Smith, who deserted May 18, 1862. Out of the few men from Marion county in this regiment, eight were killed in battle; six were wound- ed and six died, making a heavy total for the small number of men enlisted. One man, Jackson Budd, was in the Twelfth Regiment and died of wounds, March 12, 1862. In the Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry there were a few men. The regi- ment was organized at Anna, Illinois, first for thirty days in state service, by then Capt. U. S. Grant, and was mustered into the United States service by Capt. T. G. Pitcher, of the regular army. May 28, 1861, was in Missouri and Cairo, Illinois, was at the taking of Fort Henry, February 6, 1862, and, as a part of the First brigade, com- manded by Col. Richard J. Oglesby, 70 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY-^ ILLINOIS. marched to Fort Donelson, February ii, 1862; was in the three days' fight at the taking of that fort, losing many men in killed and wounded; was in the battle of Shilqh, April 6th and 7th; was in the advance on Corinth.-*, The regiment was recruited and re-organ- ized at this time and ordered into the depart- ment of Arkansas, where they served until the close of the war, and was mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, December 16, 1865. The Marion county men were : Capt. Joseph T. McCormick, resigned November 16, 1 86 1 ; First Lieutenant Bedford Wi- mer, resigned November 17, 1861 ; Privates Jonathan DaVis, no record; George Davis, wounded, discharged, August 25, 1862; Jacob J. Gaissman, veteranized, corporal, mustered out December i6, 1865 ; Michael McDermont, killed at Fort Donelson Febru- ary 16, 1862; Milo Wager was a recruit in this regiment, no record. After the regiment was re-organized, the follow- ing privates were in Company B : Peter Bell, mustered out December 16, 1865; Samuel L. Wisher, mustered out December 16, 1865; and in Company D : E. L. Stan- berry, deserted July 4, 1865 ; John P. Whit- low, mustered out December 16, 1865, as corporal. The Twenty-second lUinois Volunteer In- fantry was organized at Belleville, Illinois, May II, 1 86 1, and mustered into the sei-vice of the United States for three years at Caseyville, by Capt. T. G. Pitcher, United States Army, June 25, 1861. Company G, of this regiment, was raised in Marion county and a few men also were in other companies. The regi- ment was at Bird's Point, Missouri, and a part of it took part in the disastrous bat- tle of Belmont; were under General Grant in Missouri, in the early part of 1862; were at Tiptonville, under General Payne, where they intercepted and captured four thou- sand prisoners after the fall of Island No. 10, among whom were two general officers; were in the skirmishes at Farmington, May 3d, 5th and 9th; were at the siege of Cor- inth, and afterward guarded the Memphis & Charleston Railroad until August 26th, when they fell back to Nashville by forced marches, where they arrived September 11, 1862; was in the severe, two days' battle of Stone River, losing many men. Out of three hundred and forty-two men going into bat- tle, only one hundred and forty-three were able to answer roll call, the rest, one hun- dred and ninety-nine, being killed or wound- ed. It was in the battle of Chickamauga, September 19th and 20th, under General Sheridan, losing one hundred and thirty- five officers and men, out of less than three hundred engaged. The regiment took part in the storming of Missionary Ridge, with a heavy loss. On March 6, 1864, full ra- tions were issued the regiment for the first time in six months. They had been on the march or in isolated places and kept out of touch with the commissaiy, so that it was impossible to keep them supplied, the mountains of East Tennessee being the scene of their operations during that period (winter of 1863 and 1864); was with Sher- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 71 man in the Atlanta campaign and in the bat- tle of Resaca, where it had twenty men killed and wounded. On June 10, 1864 the regiment was ordered to Springfield, Illi- nois, to be mustered out. The recruits and veterans left were consolidated with the , Forty-second Illinois Volunteers. The men from Marion county in this regiment were: Major Probst Enadies, resigned Januaiy 16, 1862; private, Company A, Thomas J. Bor- ing, discharged to enter the regular army; captain. Company C, William A. Greary, discharged July 7, 1864, term expired; first lieutenant, Andrew J. Walsh, dis- charged July 7, 1864, term expired; sec- ond lieutenant, James Stansifer, honorably discharged February 27, 1864; sergeants: Stewart R. Smith, mustered out July 7, 1864; Charles W. Davis, died of wounds November 8, 1861 ; Corporals Thomas D. Stevenson, mustered out July 7, 1864; Jacob R. Cozart, discharged, disability, January 8, 1863; Reuben J. Hoffman, wounded at Chickamauga, mus- tered out July 7, 1864; John W. Young, promoted to sergeant, died from wounds received at Chickamauga, January 10, 1864; Wagoner James Ryan, deserted De- cember 2, 1861 ; Privates John Albert, mus- tered out July 7, 1864; Marshall Butcher, died at Annapolis, March 17, 1863; Philip Benedict, wounded at Belmont, transferred to Vetem Relief Corps; Frank C. Burdick, promoted to first sergeant, discharged for promotion; A. H. Denny, deserted Decem- ber 7, 1862 ; Frank Dosh, mustered out July 7, 1864; Thomas Foley, mustered out July 7, 1864; Benjamin Galloup, deserted April 24, 1862; Elder N. Hoffman, mus- tered out July 7, 1864; Robert H. Johnson, died at Corinth, October 20, 1862; James Jackson, disability, discharged February 20, ^1862; Moses Lampay, mustered out July 7, 1864; Fred Meinher, transferred to Veteran Relief Coips, September 20, 1863; Edward McKinney, mustered out July 7, 1864; Paul Nerderkam, deserted October 13, 1862; James Morrow, de- serted December 2, 1861 ; John Rapp, disability, discharged March 7, 1862 ; Abraham Sinerly, disability, discharged April 4, 1863; John Taylor, died at St. Louis, October 9, 1862 ; Frederick Voght, transferred, veteranized; Edward Ward, mustered out July 7, 1864; Michael Wholon, mustered out July 7, 1864—. was wounded at Stone River; Bern- hard Winkler, disability, discharged De- cember 17, 1861 ; WilHam Wilkins, mus- tered out July 7, 1864; James C. Young, mustered out July 7, 1864; Recruits George W. Davis, left sick on field; William H. Killen, disability, discharged June 15, 1862; Michael O'Shaughnessy, mustered out July 7, 1864; Gotleib Voght, killed at Stone River December 31, 1862; Henry White, disability, discharged May 14, 1862; Com- pany G, Captain James S. Jackson, honorably discharged May 12, 1863; First Lieutenant Solomon Smith, resigned April 17, 1863; Second Lieutenant Edward J. Jackson, resigned November 27, 1861 ; Joseph C. Murphy, resigned July 15, 1862; John G. Beasley, term expired 72 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. July 7, 1864; First Sergeant Arch A. Hamilton, reduced, dismissed June 13, 1862, for disability; John C. Morgan, killed at Belmont November 7, 1861 ; Corporals George W. Russell, died of wounds July 9, 1864; Robert H. Mallory, died of wounds January i, 1863; Clinton B. Hall, died of wounds, April 8, 1863 ; Isaiah Lear, wound- ed, discharged September 26, 1862; Charles McElwane, deserted December 2, 1861 ; Musician Barton \Y. Barnes, reduced, mus- tered out July 7, 1864; Privates Jonas Brim, discharged October 28, 1862, for dis- ability; James R. Britt, corporal, killed at Chickamaugua Septernber 19, 1863; John Beley, veteranized, disability, discharged June 22, 1865; Charles Blessing, trans- ferred to gunboat; James Burge, killed at Chickamauga September 19, 1863; George W. Blankenship, taken prisoner, mustered out January 6, 1863 ; Benja- min F. Crossnan, veteranized, mustered out December 16, 1865; Samuel W. Cunningham, died of wounds February 15, 1863; Mathew R. Cunningham, muster- ed out July 7, 1864; Michael Dawson, de- serted April 25, 1862; John W. Day, veteranized, transferred to First U. S. Engineers; William W. Elliott, discharged to be made assistant surgeon of Fifty- first Illinois; Oscar B. Fuller, mus- tered out July 7, 1864; Leonard A. Fuller, mustered out July 7, 1864; Charles Fincham, deserted April 25, 1862 ; William Gray, mustered out July 7, 1864; Michael Hogan, mustered out July 7, 1864; John Hensley, died of wounds March 16, 1864; James A. Honeycutt, veteranized, de- serted December 15, 1864; Francis M. Hensley, mustered out July 7, 1864; William Houchen, mustered out July 7, 1864, was a wagoner; Lafayette L. » Jones, mustered out July 7, 1864; Thomas K. Jones, wounded, discharged Decem- ber 31, 1861; John R. Kell, sergeant, wounded, discharged July 12, 1862; John J. Kennison, discharged to enlist in the Fourth regular cavalry; John Cline, disability, dis- charged February 18, 1862; Charles Kook, wounded, discharged August 29, 1861 ; 'Commodore P. Lackey, transferred to Veteran Relief Corps, September 6, 1863; Joseph Myers, mustered out July 7, 1864; Jonas Myers, mustered out July 7, 1864; John Morrissey, killed at Bel- mont, November 7, 1861 ; Hugh Mc- Elwee, disability, discharged, April 19, 1862; Francis M. McCarthy, died at Bird's Point, November 7, 1861; Rob- ert P. H. Pitcher, dishonorably discharged; Uriah Phelps, mustered out July 7, 1864; Milton Phillips, disability, discharged November i, 1861 ; Daniel Quinn, mustered out July 7, 1864; James M. D. Russell, mus- tered out July 7, 1864; Dennis Ryan, trans- ferred to Veteran Relief Corps May 3, 1864; Frank Strickland, disability, dis- charged Februarj' 16, 1863; Charles Tat- ham, disability, discharged April 28, 1863; Samuel G. Tate, discharged, en- listed in Fourth U. S. Cavalry; Ja- cob M. Thumb, deserted September i, 1862; Jacob Van Patten, died of wounds February 28, 1863; John E. White, mus- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 73 tered out July 7, 1864; John M. Wilson, mustered out July 7, 1864; Adam Wim- berly, disability, discharged November i, 1861 ; Joseph ^^^ilkinson, mustered out July 7, 1864; Samuel Young, disability, dis- charged January 31, 1862. The following recruits were added to the muster roll : John Adams, killed at Belmont, November 7, 1861 ; George Anderson, deserted May 24, 1862; Denis Bloomer, deserted May 24, 1862; George Cunningham, wounded, dis- charged August 13, 1863; Isham E. Hodges, mustered out July 7, 1864; Thomas Huggins, wounded, discharged May 29, 1863; Abram Kessle, deserted April 25, 1862; Hezekiah Lassaler, under age, dis- charged September 30, 1861 ; Hiram Lype, discharged, enlisted in Fourth regular cavalry; Alvin S. Raney, disability, dis- charged October 2, 1863; John M. Raney, detached; Mathew Raney, killed at Bel- mont November 7, 1861 ; William D. Russell, discharged June 5, 1862; Wil- liam Spouts, veteranized, mustered out June 27, 1865; Patrick Whalen, no record. Two privates were in Company H, viz. : Mathew M. Gaston, and David A. Goree, both mustered out July 7, 1864. The Twenty-first Regiment Illinois Vol- unteers, Grant's old regiment as it is known among the "boys of '61," was organized at Mattoon, Illinois, May 9, 1861. Warren E. McMackin was the lieutenant-colonel; he was taken prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga, was exchanged and served until mustered out, December 8, 1864; Alohzo L. Mills was a commissary ser- geant in this regiment ; Joseph Wham, afterward paymaster in the regular army, was first lieutenant in Company G, and was mustered' out of the regiment December 16, 1865. Major AA'ham is now on the retired list with rank of major; Fritz W. Brown was second lieutenant in the same company, mustered out December 16, 1865; George A. Trinor was sergeant, mustered out July 5, 1864; CoqDoral John Myers, veteranized; Charles S. Burrough, mustered out July 5, 1864; Samuel Lonnon, died at Baltimore, Maryland, March 20, 1865 ; John Barmes, musician, mustered out July 5, 1864; Henry H. Davenport, disability, discharged Sep- tember 16, 1861 ; Lucius C. Gardner, missing since the battle of Chickamauga ; George W. Hamilton, disability, discharged May 30, 1863 ; James R. Richardson, mustered out July 5, 1864; T. A. M. Richardson, disa- bility, discharged September 16, 1861 ; George W. Richardson, mustered out July 5, 1864; Robert and John Shugart, both mustered out July 5, 1864; Samuel W. Shultz, veteranized; David L. Shultz, wounded, mustered out July .5, 1865 ; John F. Watson, missing since bat- tle of Chickamauga; Joseph W. Wham, veteranized; Garrett J. Gilman, mustered out December 16, 1865; John W. Myers, mustered out June 14, 1865; Daniel \\'. Harley, discharged September 27, 1864; John F. Newson, died September 20, 1863; Francis L. Wham, died in Andersonville prison, July 24, 1864, grave No. 3910. There were a number of men from Marion county in Company K, of the Thir- 74 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ty-lirst Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infan- tr}'. The regiment was organized at Cairo, Illinois, September 8, 1861, by Col. John A. Logan. Captain Pitcher, U. S. A., mus- tered it into service. It was brigaded with the brigade of Gen. John A. McClernand, and took part in the battle of Belmont, No- vember 7, 1 86 1, served in Kentucky, and Febniary 6th occupied Fort Henry in Ten- nessee; was in the three days' fight at Fort Donelson, February 13th, 14th and 15th; was at Pittsburg Landing and the siege of Corinth, after which it was at Jackson a short time, reinforced General Rosecrans at Corinth in October, but arrived too late for the battle; went after the enemy to Ripley; spent the rest of the year 1862 in camp in Mississippi. On January i, 1863, the regi- ment was in the First Brigade, Third Di- vision, Seventeenth Army Corps. Gen. J. E. Smith commanded the brigade, Brig.- Gen. John A. Logan, commanding with Maj.-Gen. J. B. McPherson command- ing the corps. On the 15th it started on a tour through Tennessee and Mississippi, and May ist went to the assistance of Gen- eral McClernand at Thompson's Hill. The soldiers had nothing to eat the night before and were without rations. Notwithstand- ing this lack of food, they marched twelve miles in three hours and saved the day by repulsing the enemy's right flank. On the next day they crossed Bayou Pierre and on the third day caught up with the enemy and again defeated them; continued the pursuit of the enemy, skirmishing every day, until the 1 2th, when they made a stand at Ray- mond, but were driven to Jackson, where they were defeated on the 12th, after a se- vere fight. Again at Champion Hills they defeated the enemy and arrived before Vicksburg on the 19th. They were in the charge on Fort Hill and lost two officers and eight men . killed and forty wounded. The fiag of the regiment was shot to pieces, not less than one hundred and fifty-lJiree shots striking it. On the 5th of January, 1864, the regiment veteranized, and on Feb- ruary 3d started on the Meridian campaign ; were sent home March 19, 1864, on veteran furlough, but returned to the front in May and joined Sherman at Actworth; was in the Hood campaign and took part in the March to the Sea. The regiment took part in thirty-one battles and skirmishes, several of which lasted two or three days. The Marion county men in the Thirty-first were as follows, all in Company K: Captain A. S. Somerville, dismissed May 28, 1862; First Lieutenant Henry T. Snider, resigned April 24, 1862; Henry C. Lewis, mustered out July 19, 1865; Second Lieutenant Pink- ney K. Watts, resigned August 8, 1863; Sergeants John A. Vanhiming, killed at Bel- mont, November 7, 1861 ; Robert L. Car- penter, veteranized, mustered out July 19, 1865; Benjamin F. Brookes, trans- ferred to Veteran Relief Corps, Oc- tober 27, 1863; Musician John M. Bemiss, deserted Januai-y 11, 1863; Privates \\'il- liam P. Barnet and Charles R. Bamet, no record; John W. Boswell, transferred; Ja- cob R. Bell, A^eteranized, mustered out July 19, 1865; Wesley Blalock, no record: BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 75 Samuel D. Billings, promoted to chief mu- sician; James Brofield, mustered out May 31, 1865; Patrick Cooney, veteranized, wounded and was not at muster out on that account; George W. Campbell, died March II, 1862; Larkin Donoho, discharged Janu- ary 8, 1864; William Denney, terni expired, mustered out January 28, 1864; Jacob Gurick, killed at Fort Donelson February 15, 1862; John Hutchcraft, killed at Kene- saw Mountain June 2"], 1864; David Kisner, veteranized, promoted to sergeant, mustered out July 19, 1865; WiUiam H. Lewis, no record; Henry C. Lewis, veteranized, pro- moted to first lieutenant; Aaron Mosby, veteranized, mustered out July 19, 1865; Andrew M. Peddicord, veteranized, mus- tere out July 19, 1865 ; Benjamin F. Patter- son, veteranized, mustered out July 19, 1865 ; Elijah Rector, discharged June 30, 1862; Samuel E. Sanders, veteranized, mus- tered out July 19, 1865; Walter Simon; Ed- ward Teets; Thomas Waterhouse, missing in action July 22, 1864. The recruits of Company K were : James H. Branch, mus- tered out July 19, 1865 ; James Kelley, de- serted June 13, 1862; John Laflin, disability, discharged April 17, 1862; James N. Mills, mustered out July 19, 1865 ; Martin V. Mil- ham, mustered out July 19, 1865; John Phelps, died June 30, 1865 ; Leander Skeen, transferred; William Weaver; Pinkney K. Watts, promoted to second lieutenant. Six men from Marion county were in the Thir- ty-third Regiment, viz. : Quartermaster Simeon Wright, resigned August 22, 1864; First Assistant Surgeon Nathan W. Abbott, was mustered out for promotion; Quarter- master Sergeant Elmer Washburn ; Commis- sary Sergeants Samuel Tilden, mustered out November 24, 1864; Luther H. Prosser,. mustered out November 24, 1864; Musician J. B. Sanders, mustered out August 12, 1862. There were also fifteen men from Marion county in the Thirty-fourth Regi- ment, Company I : Musician Heni-y Lego,^ veteranized, mustered out July 12, 1865; Privates Chris Backman, veteranized, mus- tered out as corporal July 12, 1865; George Fleming; William H. French, vet- eranized, mustered out July 12, 1865; Ja- cob Heglem, veteranized, mustered out July 12, 1865; John F. Heglin, veteranized, mus- tered out July 12, 1864; Henry Houghtail- ing, mustered out September 12, 1864; Adam Kuhler, veteranized, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps December 21, 1864; Levi Lower, mustered out September 12, 1864; George Robbins; Peter Saur, veteran- ized, mustered out as corporal July 12^ 1865; Nels Yonson, veteranized, mustered out as corporal July 12, 1865; Recruits Nelson W. Manning, mustered out July 12, 1865; Samuel Scott, mustered out July 12, 1865; George W. Wells, rhus- tered out July 12, 1865. A few men from Marion county were in the Thir- ty-ninth Infantry, known as the Yates Phalanx. They were: Quartermaster Sergeant Stewart W. Hoffman, pro- moted to quartermaster; Captain Adol- phus B. Hoffman, tenn expired December 30, 1864; First Lieutenant William Lamb, killed in battle April 2, 1865; Sergeants 76 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. William Abbott, disability, discharged Au- gust 27, 1862; Barney Mulvaney, disability, discharged July 27, 1862; Coi-porals George Babbit, term expired, discharged October II, 1864; George Brown, disability, dis- charged (no date) ; John Bras, veteranized, mustered out as sergeant December 6, 1865; Christopher Comson, veteranized, promoted to quartermaster sergeant; P. Dwight, veteranized, disability, discharged as first sergeant June 7, 1865; John Harrison, died of wounds at Point Look- out (no date) ; Dennis Kane, died at Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, November i, 1861 ; William H. Lamb, veteranized, promoted to first sergeant; Owen Loughram, veteran- ized, promoted to sergeant, killed October 13, 1864; Ebenezer Morse, sergeant, mus- tered out December 6, 1865 ; James Nelson, term expired, discharged October 11, 1864; James Stout, veteranized; wounded, dis- charged October 18, 1864, Albert Stanton, veteranized, mustered out December 6, 1865. The Fortieth Illinois Infantry was com- manded by Stephen G. Hicks, a Salem law- yer, who responded to the call of the Union early in 1861. The regiment was accepted July 25th and went into camp at Sandoval, Illinois, August 5th; was mustered in Au- gust 10, 1861, seven hundred strong; was ordered to Illinois Town (now East St. Louis) by the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad and crossed to Jefiferson Barracks. Here they were armed with the old rifled muskets from the arsenal at Harper's Ferry and sent to Paducah, Kentucky. It was bri- gaded with the Ninth Illinois, Eighth Mis- souri and Twenty-third Indiana and was under the command of Colonel, after Gen- eral, W. H. L. (Lew) Wallace. The Fortieth was at Paducah, Ky., almost all the time until after the taking of Fortieth was at Paducah almost all gaded with the Forty-eighth Indiana and Forty-sixth Ohio, and the brigade placed under the command of Colonel Hicks, Lieut.-Col. Boothe commanding the regi- ment; was ordered to Savanah, Tennessee, March 6, 1862, and soon established a per- manent camp at Pittsburg Landing; took part in the terrible battle at that place on April 6th. Nearly half of the regiment was killed or disabled; Colonel Hicks was wounded through the left lung and shoul- der; Captain Hooper was killed. On the 2d of June the regiment went to Corinth; on the 7th moved to Chaville, then to La- grange; during the month of July scouted and took Holly Springs; reached Memphis on the 2 1 St of July and went into camp at Fort Pickering. Here Colonel Hicks was discharged on account of his wounds with honorable mention. He was afterward rein- stated at his own request. At the end of four months he was ordered to Holly Springs, thence to Salem and Springhill, Lagrange and Grand Junction; Janu- ary 9th relieved the garrison at Davis Mills and spent the rest of the win- ter there. Lieut.-Col. Boothe resigned Januai-y 13th and Adjutant Ray on January 26th. Major Barnhill succeeded to the lieutenant colonelc\' and returned to BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 17 the regiment from detached service January 15, 1864; took part in the battle of Mis- sionary Ridge and went into winter quar- ters at Scottsville, Alabama. The regiment re-enlisted January i, 1864, 345 men strong. During the two years and five months the regiment had been out there were 261 deaths, seventeen discharged, six transferred, missing in action and desertions, seventeen. The regiment was with Sherman on his March to the Sea. Took part in the Grand Review at Washington and was mus- tered out July 24, 1865. Colonel Hicks, at the close of the war, returned to Salem, where he died on December 14, 1869, never having regained his health after being wounded, but suffered continually until his release by death. He sleeps in East Lawn cemetery at Salem, and the "Boys" he com- manded are fast being called to sleep at his side, and soon the last will be gone and only the unfeeling type will tell their story. The roll of Marion county men is : Stephen G. Hicks, colonel, detached when regiment was mustered out; James W. Boothe, lieutenant colonel, resigned January 13, 1863; Surgeon Samuel W. Thompson, resigned June 3, 1862; William M. Elliott, resigned Febru- ary 22, 1864; Sergeants, Major Samuel J. Winans, killed at Missionary Ridge, No- vember 25, 1863; Samuel B. Stokely; Mu- sicians John Chapman, discharged August 26 (term expired), 1864; Isaac Young, killed at Griswoldville, Georgia, November 22, 1864. Company B : Captain William T. Sprouse, resigned August 4, 1863 ; John Perkins, mustered out July 24, 1865; First Lieutenants, Joshua Goodwin, resigned May 31, 1863; Benjamin E. Baldwin, mustered out July 24, 1865; Second Lieutenant \\\\- liam R. Lynch, mustered out as sergeant July 24, 1865; First Sergeant Benjamin F. Davidson; Sergeants Robert Perkins, George W. Mitchell, Ellis Neal, disability, discharged at Memphis; Corporals John T. Lyons, given sick furlough November i, 1863, never returned; Henry H. W'olf, tenn expired, discharged August 9, 1864; Wil- liam Lynch, veteranized, promoted; James M. Keaton, veteranized, promoted sergeant, sergeant-major; Thomas F. Rogers; ^Tames J. Brown; Charles M. See, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1864; Privates John Arnold, veteranized, discharged June 23, 1865 ; George Arnold, veteranized, died at Marietta, Georgia, of wounds; Thomas S. j\nderson; Lorenzo D. Almon, discharged, tei-m expired August 9, 1864; William Bar- nett, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865; John A. Clayton; McCager Clayton; William Craig, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865; John W. Climer, veteran- ized, mustered out as corporal July 24, 1865; Fred Dietz, discharged December 11, 1 861; Samuel Ellison; William F. Eagan, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865 ; Wesley French, transferred; Wilson Gard- ner, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865 ; Naum W. Gibbs, disability, dis- charged; John C. Gill, term expired, dis- charged Aug. 9, 1864; Calvin Gamer, vet- eranized, mustered out July 24, 1865 ; Ellis S. Gibson, transferred; William T. Hamil- ton, transferred; Henry D. King, disability, 78 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. discharged March 23, 1863; John R. Hicka- son, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865 ; Bruce H. Hatton, veteranized, mus- tered out July 24, 1865; Francis M. Haley; John F. Jarrott; John L. Jones, veteran- ized, mustered out July 24, 1865; Albert C. Johnson; David Jones, veteranized, mus- tered out July 24, 1865 ; George W. Love- less; Silas Lock, died September 16, 1861 ; \A^illiam C. Lock, disability, discharged No- vember 2, 1863; Henry W. Lape; Robert P. Manion, term expired, discharged Au- :gust 9, 1864; Richard Markle, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865; James Mc- Daniel, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865; Henry D. Mahon, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865 ; Calvin A. Mor- ris, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865; James A. Nebins, discharged Decem- ber 3, 1861; Robert G. Nance, promoted; Solomon Osborne, term expired, discharged August 9, 1864; John Perkins, veteranized, promoted first lieutenant ; Amos Parks, vet- ■eranized, died in hospital of wounds ; David K. Prewett, veteranized, absent on sick list from May 28, 1865 ; Joseph W. Powell, vet- eranized; Charles Pearson, mustered out July 24, 1865; Jacob Parks; Riley Pies- grove; George W Rogers; Samuel Reed; Amos Rees; Joseph H. Schafer, veteran- ized, mustered out July 24, 1865; Samuel B. Stokeley, veteranized, pro- moted; Conrad S. Whitman, died Sep- tember 18, 1863; Rilew Walsh, term ■expired, discharged August 9, 1864; Clinton Wolf, term expired, discharged August 9, 1864; Isaac Young, pro- moted. Recruits: James J. Ball, term ex- pired, discharged December 25, 1864; Miles Chapman, died of wounds August 12, 1864; John W. Doolin, mustered out July 24, 1865 ; Thomas Evans, mustered out July 24, 1865 ; Joseph J. Gardiner, mustered out July 24, 1865; Charles Gardiner, mustered out July 24, 1865; Bodkin D. Henly, mustered out July 24, 1865; Calvin Marvon, mus- tered out July 24, 1865; Asahel O. Trum- ble, mustered out July 24, 1865; Silas Wil- liamson, mustered out July 24, 1865; Cul- breth Webb, mustered out July 24, 1865. Li Company H were : Captains Samuel D. Stewart, honorably discharged November i, 1862; Thomas G. Kelly, mustered out as first lieutenant April 5, 1865; First Lieuten- ant Henry Blessing, mustered out July 24, 1865 ; Second Lieutenant Luther Scott, mus- tered out July 24, 1865; Corporals John A. Parkson, term expired, discharged August 9, 1864; William R. Green, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865; George H. Straight, disability, discharged August 9, 1864; Thomas G. Martin, veteranized, mus- tered out July 24, 1865; Musician Obediah F. Evans, wounded; Privates John L. Birge, veteranized, killed by accident while on furlough; Chaney Boughton; Henry C. Caseloth, term expired, discharged August 9, 1864; Amos Conklin; J. B. Caseloth, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865; M'illiam T. Evans; Edmond Fouche, vet- eranized, killed at Griswoldville. Georgia, November 22, 1864; John M. Green; Hugh M. Parkinson, term expired, discharged Au- gust 9, 1864; Harden C. Rines, veteranized. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 79 transferred to Veteran Relief Corps ; Milton G. Rudd; Theodore Sexton, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865 ; James J. Wat- son, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865; Recruits: John G. Burrow; John Ekleman, veteranized, deserted May 12, 1864; John Evert, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865 ; William M. Fi-ench, vet- eranized; Silas S. Gibson, veteranized, transferred; John Hamilton, veteranized; Thomas G. Johnson; William C. Jarrott; John McCabe deserted ; M. B. Phillips, vet- eranized, died at Lookout Mountain Octo- ber II, 1864; A. M. Smith; transferred from One Hundred and Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry and all mustered out July 24, 1865 ; Thomas J. Cor- der, Ora Chapin, Charles C. Mendenhall, William A. Ralston, James C. Ralston, John C. Whitaker. In Company I : Second Lieutenant J. W. Blackburn, mustered out July 24, 1865 ; Privates : William Beard, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865 ; Alfred Beard, disability, discharged Febru- ary 16, 1863; W. T. Perry, veteranized, deserted March 15, 1865; F. H. Perry, vet- eranized, mustered out July 24, 1865; B. C. Tate, term expired, discharged August 9, 1864; S. Shadden, term expired, dis- charged August 9, 1864; Recruits: Elijah Beard, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865 ; John W. Blackburn, veteranized, pro- moted; James F. Pickett, disability, dis- charged February 17, 1863; George Shock- man, veteranized, mustered out July 24, 1865 ; Adolphus H. Tate, veteranized, mus- tered aut July 24, 1865. In Company K: Second Lieutenant George A. Miller, mus- tered out July 24, 1865; Sergeant Felix G. Ross; Musician Benjamin Martin; Privates: P. Mannon, veteranized, killed at Kenesaw Mountain June 27, 1864; Miles Allen, vet- eranized, mustered out July 24, 1865; Thomas Chapman, discharged January 13, 1862; John Chapman, promoted; Daniel W. Chapman, term expired, discharged August 2-j, 1864; John W. Cain; W. L. Dillon, vet- eranized, mustered out July 24, 1865; Henry Fisher, disability, discharged Janu- ary 27, 1864; Josiah Gibson, veteranized, died of wounds August 14, 1864; William R. Meeks, veteranized, disability, discharged July 2, 1864; George A. Miller, promoted. The following recruits were unassigned: William H. Ashley, James Davis, Thomas L. Knight, J. K. P. Stanford, Charles Scott, Joseph H. Slook, James B. Wood. One company of the Forty-eighth Infan- try was made up almost entirely of Marion county men. The regiment was organized at Camp Butler, September, 1861, by Isham N. Haynie, a Marion county man, and num- bered nine hundred men; arrived at Cairo November nth, and was soon at the front; was in the following battles, twenty-four in number, and several of them lasting two or three days; Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, three days ; Shiloh, two days ; before Corinth eight or ten days ; Black River ; Jackson, six days; Missionary Ridge, two days; at the siege of Knoxville several days ; Resaca, three days ; at Dallas four days ; New Hope Church, six days; before Kenesaw Moun- tain twenty-three days ; Sandtown, seven 8o BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. da)-s ; Decatur, die day ; Atlanta, three days, and at the siege of that place twenty-nine days; Jonesboro, one day; Lovejoy, two days; Fort McAllister, one day; at the siege of Savanah and Duck River about twenty days; South Edisto, one day; Columbia, two days, and Bentonville, one day, and every day of this number were more or less exposed to the enemy's fire. The regiment soon became seasoned, and proved their fighting grit in every emergency. These Marion county men were in Company F: Surgeon William Hill, resigned April 27, 1862; Isaac Bundy, chaplain, resigned Au- gust 24, 1864; Commissary Sergeant Wil- liam A. Bookins, mustered out August 15, 1865; Hospital Steward Thomas Williams, promoted to surgeon Sixth Tennessee Cavalry, October 4, 1862; Captain Mil- ton H. Lydick, resigned October 12, 1864; First Lieutenants: Alexander L. Wellman, term expired ; John A. Barr, mus- tered out August 15, 1865; Second Lieu- tenants: John R. Daily, dismissed by court martial October 16, 1862; Benjamin F. Keeler, mustered out August 15, 1865; Ser- geants: William Procise, died at Centralia, Illinois, November 24, 1863 ; Robert F. Mc- Neill, died at Centralia, Illinois, April 13, 1862 ; Richard Breeze, disability, discharged May 8, 1862; Corporals: George Terry, mustered out November 9, 1864; Archibald B. Scott, disabilty, discharged May 6, 1862; William Richardson, disability, discharged June 23, 1864; Frederick F. Benson, vet- teranized, wounded, discharged; William G. White, died at Chattanooga July 28, 1864; Nathaniel A. Winks, mustered out Novem- ber 9, 1864; William A. Hervey, mustered out November 9, 1864; Musicians: Allin G. Ball, died at Centralia, Illinois, December 1-5, 1864; August Walters, mustered out November 9, 1864; Privates: William Adams, mustered out August 15, 1865; Na- than Adams, disability, discharged January 31, 1862; Thomas J. Adams, died at Sa- vannah, Tennessee, April 11, 1862; T. Burke, veteranized, died at Indianapolis, In- diana, Januaiy 24, 1864; Gideon Bolton, disability, discharged February 21, 1862; ^Villiam A. Brookins, veteranized, pro- moted sergeant; William Breeze, disa- bility, discharged January 11, 1862; John F. Butler, veteranized, killed at Atlanta July 28, 1864; George H. Chorgel, vet- eranized, disability, discharged June 25, 1865; Peter Dougherty, mustered out No- vember 9, 1864; Phillip Davidson, died at Cairo, Illinois, December 14, 1861 ; William Evans, discharged September 2, 1862; James M. Fyke, died at Centralia, Illinois, October 19, 1861 ; Richard C. Farthing, veteranized, mustered out August 15, 1864; Thomas R. Falkner, veteranized, mustered out August 15, 1864; Conadus Gray, died at Camp Butler, Illinois, November 25, 1861 ; Jacob E. R. Garish, died at Camp Butler, Illinois, December 16, 1861 ; John Henshil- wood, veteranized, mustered out August 15, 1865; Henry L. Heart, veteranized, mus- tered out August 15, 1865; Allen H. Hays, disability, discharged February 21, 1862; Henry Hothen, mustered out November 9, 1864; Benjamin F. Keeler, veteranized, BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. mustered out August 15, 1865; John W. Lonnon, veteranized, mustered out August 15, 1865; John McBride, mustered out November 9, 1864; Samuel B. McNeill, discharged May 8, 1862; John C. Meredith, veteranized, mustered out Au- gust 15, 1865; Pembroke Mercer, pro- moted; William E. Purcell, promoted; Robert W. Prosise, deserted Decem- ber 7, 1863 ; Thomas Phillips, disability, dis- charged July 22, 1862; Mathew Pender- grass, mustered out November 9, 1864; Charles Ruff, mustered out October 5, 1864; Dougald Rose, mustered out November 9, 1864; James Sloss, disability, discharged September 26, 1862; James Shaw, mustered out November 9, 1864; William Tate, dis- charged May 8, 1862; Thomas Tucker, vet- eranized, mustered out August 15, 1865; Henry Vischman, deserted April 4, 1862; George Williamson, veteranized, died at Rome, Georgia, October 4, 1864; Wil- liam H. Winks, died at Savannah, Tennessee, March 31, 1862; Preston Willey, disability, discharged October 14, 1862; Recruits: Nathan A. Adams, mustered out August 15, 1865; Willis Alex- ander, mustered out August 15, 1865; Wil- liam H. Burge, mustered out August 15, 1865 ; Christ M. Chrise, killed at Jonesborxj, Georgia, September i, 1864; William D. Farthing, mustered out August 15, 1865; Adolphus Grote, mustered out August 15, 1865 ; Frederick Grote, mustered out Au- gust 15, 1865; James Huckleberry, died at Rome, Georgia, October 11, 1864; Charles Kirkpatrick, discharged May 18, 1862; 6 Nicholas Lewer, mustered out August 15, 1865; James W. L. Monds, veteranized; John Rimmer, mustered out August 15, 1865; John Reno, died at Camp Butler, April 12, 1864; Samuel Shook, wounded, discharged May 17, 1865; John C. Sands, mustered out August 15, 1865; William H. Sabin, mustered out August 15, 1865; George Seibel, mustered out August 15, 1865; William Schroeder, died at Scotts- boro, Alabama, April 2, 1864; Thomas Tay- lor, mustered out August 15, 1865; Preston Willey, mustered out August 15, 1865; Peter E. Warren, mustered out August 15, 1865; James K. Warren, died before At- lanta, Georgia, August 12, 1864; John B. Welch, deserted June 22, 1865 ; Daniel J. Wilson, mustered out August 15, 1865; John Crutchfield was in Company K and mustered out June 27, 1865. The Forty-ninth had men in seven of its companies from Marion county. The regi- ment was organized at Camp Butler by Colonel William R. Morrison December 31, 1 861 ; was ordered to Cairo in February, 1862; was in McClernand's Division at the capture of Fort Henry; lost fourteen men killed and thirty-seven wounded at Fort Donelson on February 13th. Colonel Mor- rison, who was in command of the brigade, was severely wounded; was present at Shi- loh, losing seventeen killed and ninety-nine wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Pease, after- ward colonel, was wounded at this battle; was at the siege of Corinth; was moved to Bethel, June 14th, and placed in John A. Logan's First Division; was afterward 82 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. placed in the Fourth Brigade, First Division, Sixteenth Anny Corps, under Maj.-Gen. S. A. Hurlbut; was in General Steele's expedition to Little Rock, joining the army at Brownsville, Arkansas ; was at the capture of Little Rock, Novanber lo, 1863. Three- fourths of the regiment veteranized January 15, 1864, and on January 27th moved to Vicksburg; was with General Sherman in the Meridian campaign; was sent on the Red River expedition and took part in the capture of Fort DeRussey, March 14th, and the battle of Pleasant Hill, April 9th. Re- turned to Illinois June 24th, for veteran fur- lough. Those not veteranized remained in the field commanded by Cap. J. A. Lo- gan, and took part in the battle of Tupelo, July 14 and 15, 1864. The veterans re- joined the regiment at Holly Springs; were in the pursuit of Price through Missouri ; Arrived at Nashville, Tennessee, in time to take part in the battle at that place on De- cember 15th and 1 6th; was ordered to Pa- ducah to muster out non-veterans, and did garrison duty until mustered out Septem- ber 9, 1865. The muster roll contains the names of the following Marion county men : Phineas Pease, colonel, term expired Janu- ary 9, 1865; Frank J. Burrows, adjutant, was on detached service when regiment was mustered out; Surgeon Stephen F. Mercer, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; First As- sistant Surgeon James A. Black, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; Commissary Ser- geant William Branson, reduced to ranks; William E. Farrow, veteranized, second as- sistant surgeon, mustered out January 9, 1865; Corporals: Fred Sternberg, mustered out January 9, 1865; Zeh. John, mustered out January 9. 1865; Recruits: Alexander Ross, deserted December 6, 1864; William Stork, mustered out September 9, 1865; John W. Brokaw, killed at Fort Donelson February 13, 1862; Emery B. Harlin, pro- moted to assistant adjutant general on staff of General Palmer ; Sergeants : Thomas O. Hess, discharged August 26, 1863; Albert Marsh, transferred to gunboat February 21, 1862; Oscar W. Brokaw, veteranized; Cor- porals : John Wilson, died at Cincinnati of wounds March 14, 1862; Charles O'Neill, disability, discharged June i, 1862; Wil- liam S. McKinney, died of wounds August II, 1862; Mathew R. Kell, died a prisoner in Andersonville March 7, 1865 ; grave No. 18; Musicians: Ephraim Williams, died a prisoner at Andersonville July 13, 1865, grave No. 3254: Marion Richardson, veteranized, mustered out September 9, 1865; Wagoner Timothy Baldwin, killed at Shiloh April 6, 1862; Privates: James Bradshaw, transferred to gun- boat, February 21, 1862; Isaac Y. Barten, veteranized, mustered out September 9, 1865; John G. Burggraf, veteranized, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; Edward Cuming, transferred to gunboat February 26, 1865; William Clemens, veteran- ized, mustered out September 9, 1865; Fred B. Eavin, mustered out Janu- ai-y 9, 1865; William E. Farrow, pro- moted; Reuben A. Grunendike, trans- ferred to Veteran Relief Corps November 29, 1864; William Holmes, disability, dis- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 83 charged November 28, 1862; Henry A. Higgins, disability, discharged February 10, 1863; Carlin L. Mitchell, died at Camp But- ler January 16, 1862; William Peters, mus- tered out January 27, 1865; Thomas M. Smith, disability, discharged July 22, 1862; Wesley Simmonds, disability, discharged September 27, 1863; Eben Taylor, dis- ability, discharged September 28, 1862; Jonathan J. Thomas, died at St. Louis May 16, 1862 ; Ira C. Wiggins, deserted April 14, 1863; Recruits: Samuel D. Alexander, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; James W. Alexander, died at Memphis, July 10, 1864; James M. Butler, died at St. Louis Novem- ber 29, 1864; Henry Elefritz, mustered out September 9, 1865; James Ellis, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; James Finley, died at Salem September 3, 1864; John M. Hewet, mustered out September 9, 1865; Andrew Langdall, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; James H. McBride, mustered out September 9, 1865; Charles P. Oyler, dis- charged to be captain in One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Colored Regiment, United States Regulars ; James PuUen, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; Edward Washburn, died at home October 8, 1865; Charles J. Wel- don, disability, discharged September 13, 1863 ; James Winks, mustered out Septem- ber 9, 1865 ; Vincent P. Williamson, mus- tered out September 9, 1865 ; Clement M. Williams, wounded, mustered out Septem- ber 9, 1865. Company F, recruits : George W. Crabtree, mustered ■ out September 9, 1865; Thomas C. Drake, died at Memphis March 29, 1865 ; John C. Holt, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; Arthur C. Leonard, died January 9, 1863; Samuel Meyers, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; John W. Shelton, mustered out September 9, 1865; William V. Shelton, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; Jesse West, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; Andrew Wadkins, died at Memphis July 2, 1864. In Company G, Jonathan Mills, mustered out September 9, 1865; Re- cruits : George W. Smith, died at Paducah, Kentucky, April 24, 1865. In Company H, recruits: Jacob Branch, mustered out Sep- tember 9, 1865; Julius Jahr, mustered out September 9, 1865; George Krebs, died at Paducah, Kentucky, June 27, 1865 ; John Margolf, mustered out September 9, 1865; Daniel Morganstarr, mustered out Septem- ber 9, 1865. In Company I, recruits: Ja- ques Chancy, died at Memphis May 6, 1864; James O'Donnell, mustered out July 18, 1865 ; Hiram M. Miller, mustered out Sep- tember 9, 1865. In Company K, privates : Jesse Hughes, veteranized, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; Garrick McCart, died at Camp Butler February 13, 1862; recruits: Clark Anderson, mustered out July i, 1865 ; Burrell J. Blanton, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; Jerome Brookmann, died at Pa- ducah, Kentucky, April 8, 1865; Henry H. Coil, mustered out September 9, 1865; Ed- mund N. Creekmur, mustered out Septem- ber 9, 1865 ; Elzy D. Davenport, mustered out September 9, 1865; James P. Estes, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; William E. Ellis, mustered out September 9, 1865; Eli L. Foster, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; James Garrison, mustered out September 9, 84 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 1865; Stephen Gossett, mustered out Sep- tember 9, 1865; Albert Green, died at Pa- ducah, Kentucky, March 20, 1865; Gillam Harris, mustered out September 9, 1865; WiUiam T. Keen, died at Memphis June 17, 1864; Elvis Keen, deserted September 4, 1863 ; Marshall McLain, deserted Septem- ber 4, 1863 ;. Alfred H. Meador, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; Daniel W. Morris, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; Larry L. Nichols, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; Benjamin B. Nichols, mustered out Sep- tember 9, 1865 ; Rufus Place, mus- tered out September 9, 1865 ; William J. Phillips, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; Charles E. Short, mustered out September 9, 1865; Benjamin F. Scott, mustered out September 9, 1865; Bartholomew Wood, mustered out Septem- ber 9, 1865 ; William J. Wiggins, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; Lafayette Wiggin- ton, mustered out September 9, 1865 ; Isaac W. Waters, mustered out September 9, 1865; James Widger, mustered out Septem- ber 9, 1865 ; unassigned recruits with the regiment: German O. Ball, rejected; John Conners; Frederick Just, deserted February 28, 1864; James Pearse. Company A of the Fifty-first Regiment enlisted in Marion county. The regiment was organized at Chicago, Illinois, the day before Christmas, 1861, and on the 14th of February was ordered to Cairo, and from there went to Missouri ; was at Island No. 10, April 7th, and pursued the enemy the next day, thus forcing the surrender of four thousand prisoners with their commander, General Mackall ; was in the battle of Stone River on the 31st day of December, 1862, and suffered severely, losing in killed, wounded and missing, fifty-seven men; lost ninety men out of two hundred and nine at the battle of Chickamauga, Septem- ber 19, 1863; was at Missionary Ridge, November 24th, anS lost one-fifth of the men engaged, or thirty out of one hundred and fifty; was mustered in as veterans Feb- ruary 10, 1864; was in a skirmish at Rocky- face Ridge May 9th, and at the battle of Resaca on the 14th, losing twenty-three men in the two fights. One officer and twenty- three men were lost in almost continual skirmishing up to July ist; lost two offi- cers and fifty-four men killed and wounded at Kenesaw Mountain between July ist and November 30, 1864. The regiment was active in skirmishing with the enemy, losing in killed and wounded ten men. At Chatta- nooga the regiment received one hundred and ninety-two drafted men. On Novem- ber 30, 1864, in the fight at Franklin, it lost fifty-three killed and wounded, and ninety- eight missing; lost one killed and five wounded at Nashville, December 15th and 1 6th. The regiment was in no more battles but was marching and doing garrison duty until mustered out, September 25, 1865, and was paid off and discharged at Camp Butler, Illinois, October 15, 1865. Com- pany A: Corporal H. York, veteran- ized, absent, sick, mustered out Sep- tember 25, 1865; Privates: John H. Long, Richard Bates, Richard Baursfield, \^'illiam Comwell, veteranized, mustered out Sep- BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 8S tember 25, 1865; William Douglas, vet- eranized, mustered out September 25, 1865; Daniel Gulley, veteranized, mustered out September 25, 1865; Charles Miller, killed at Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864; George Reappel; Frank Reitter; Samuel Wickersham, disability, discharged April 6, 1862; Thomas Wickersham; T. York, veteranized, killed at Franklin, Ten- nessee, November 30, 1864; recruits: John Briley, discharged November 27, 1861 ; T. Green, transferred to Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry, November 24, 1861 ; Moses Oak- ley, transferred to Thirteenth Illinois Cav- alry November 24, 1861 ; Peter Walven, mustered out September 25, 1865. Two men, either drafted or substitutes, were xinassigned in the Fifty-third Regiment, Company K, Daniel Brown and George Rush, both mustered out May 8, 1865 ; and Michael Craw, a veteran, was a private in the Fifty-fourth Regiment, Company E. A few men were in the Sixtieth Regiment. They were: Shad- rack Kelley, Company D, disability, dis^ charged February 23, 1865; James L. Kel- ley died July 28, 1864, member of the same company. Three were in Company E: Lawrence Burke, killed at Atlanta, Georgia, August 6, 1864; Richard Hangle, missing in action March 19, 1865 ; Levi Reese, died at Chattanooga May 27, 1864. Two were in Company F, both veterans and both mus- tered out July 31, 1865. They were: James George and James Willard. Five were in Company G, all recruits ; John H. Gains was discharged for disability November 3, 1862. The other four were all mustered out July 31, 1865, and were: Davis Fitzgerald, Mah- lon C. Parker, Elijah Rector, and. Jesse Ran- kin. In Company I was George W. Smith, veteran, who died at Wilmington, North Carolina, March 25, 1865; and two recruits, William Bolen and William H. Graham, both of whom were mustered out July 31, 1865. Six men were in Company F : Henry Ginnett, who was discharged (because he was under size) September 26, 1862; Daniel Hitour, William Phipps, George White, mustered out July 31, 1865 ; Henry Walton, transferred to engineer battalion, veteran- ized July 29, 1864; Martin R. Wood> pro- moted to captain in Fifth Tennessee Mounted Infantry, January 31, 1865; John Ungles, recruit, mustered out July 31, 1865. Six men from Marion county were in the Sixty-first regiment. In Company H were: Robert M. Followell, veteranized, mustered out September 8, 1864, and Edward Galla- gher, who deserted August 18, i86i2. In Company K were James Craig, mustered out September 8, 1864; Charles Avery (no rec- ord), and Alfred M. Summers — one recruit, David L. Canfield, unassigned, mustered out May II, 1865. The Sixty-second Regi- ment had men in Companies E, F and G. The regiment was organized at Anna, April 10, 1862, and reported at Cairo on the 22d, at Paducah May 7th, and at Columbus June 7th; moved into Tennessee with Ditz- ler's Brigade, guarding the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, with headquarters at Kenton; were sent to Jackson, thence to Grand Junction and Holly Springs; skir- 86 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. mished more or less daily to the 20th; fol- lowed Forest twenty miles that day and re- turned to Jackson next day, December 20th. Van Dorn captured one hundred and seventy men of this regiment and paroled them at Holly Springs. The regiment was placed in Lawler's Brigade and pursued Forest from December 31th to February 3d, when they overtook him too well posted at Clif- ton to attack; returned to Jackson; were transferred to Arkansas, and by a successful skirmish September 10, 1863, forced the enemy to retire, evacuating Little Rock; were sent to Illinois on veteran furlough, and returned to the field November 25, 1864. Those who did not veteranize were discharged at end of term. The regiment was then consolidated into seven companies and were stationed at Pine Bluff until July 28, 1865, then sent to Fort Gibson, in Indian Territory, where it remained serving on the frontier until mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, March 6, 1866. This regiment, although active all the term of its sei-vice, took part in no great battle of the war. The Marion county men were : First Lieutenant L. L. Humphries, promoted to captain, mus- tered out March 6, 1864; Sergeants: Jones 5. Hoover, discharged April 29, 1863; Adolphus Mertins, promoted; Corporals: William Moore, mustered out March 6, 1866; Gersham Perkins, died July 4, 1862; James M. Randall, veteranized, mustered out March 6, 1866; Privates: Thomas AU- mon, discharged March 7, 1864; William H. Dobbs, veteranized, mustered out March 6, 1866; Dudley Halsey, mustered out March 6, 1866; James Kinder, mustered out March 6, 1866; J. Kitts, veteranized, died at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Aug. 18, 1864; Charles Miller, discharged December 3, 1863; Alexander Massy, veteranized, mustered out March 6, 1866; A. J. Thomas, veteranized, promoted; J. H. Tucker, died at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, August 30, 1864; Silas M. Wallace, mustered out March 6, 1866; R. G. Wilburn, mustered out March 6, 1866; J. M. Smith, veteranized, mustered out March 6, 1866; Recruits Errol Allmon, died at Little Rock, April 19, 1864; John Garren, mustered out March 6, 1866; Eli Garren, mustered out March 6, 1866; Wil- liam Garren, mustered out March 6, 1866; Charles Griffith, mustered out March 6, 1866; William Kinder, mustered out March 6, 1866; Oliver Leclair, mustered out March 6, 1866; William Marsland, mustered out March 6, 1866; James McKinney, mustered out March 6, 1866; John L. Sanders, dis- ability, discharged January 31, 1866; John \y. Sanders, mustered out March 6, 1866; Francis M. Turbiville, mustered out March 6, 1866; Philip Wolf, died at Pine Bluff, Ar- kansas, March 5, 1865. The above were all in Company E, and the following in Com- pany F : Robert S.Bundy, Columbus J. Cray- croft; David Hobbson, who died at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, July 18, 1864; Company G, Capt. Jas. L. Garetson, resigned April 20, 1864; Sergeant James H. Lerry, reduced, sent to St. Louis Military Prison; Privates Edward W. Booth, disability, discharged September 8, 1862; John Rice died at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, September 15, 1864. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 87 The Eightieth Regiment Illinois Volun- teers was organized at Centralia, Illinois, and mustered in August 25, 1862, and im- mediately went to the front. It partici- pated in the battle of Perryville, Octo- ber 8, 1862, losing fourteen killed and fifty-eight wounded; March 20, 1863, in a brigade fifteen hundred strong, with two guns, while on a scouting expedi- tion, was attacked by the celebrated John Morgan, five thousand strong, but repulsed them. They were attacked at Dug's Gap, and at Sand Mountain, but in both engage- ments repulsed the enemy, at the latter place capturing two guns, with a loss of only two killed and sixteen wounded from the Eightieth; at Blunt' s Farm again re- pulsed the enemy, but on May 3, 1863, the regiment surrendered to General Forest, who with a vastly superior force cut them off. The personal effects of officers and men were taken from them, including blankets, money, watches, etc. The officers were sent to Libby Prison, the men to Richmond, Vir- ginia, where they were exchanged June 23, 1863, and sent to St. Louis; from St. Louis they were sent to Nashville, Ten- nessee, and on November 24th and 25th, took part in the battle of Mission- ary Ridge. The regiment went through the Atlanta campaign and participated in most of the fighting. They lost twenty-five men killed, and sixty wounded, and captured one hundred and fifty prisoners during the campaign; were engaged in the battle of Nashville, December 15 and 16, and took three guns and one hundred prisoners. Only four of the officers captured by Forest ever returned to the regiment. The regiment was mustered out June 10, 1865. The mus- ter roll had on it the names of the follow- ing Marion county men : Colonel Erastus N. Bates, mustered out June 10,1865; Major James Cunningham, mustered out June 10, 1865; Quarter-master Sergeant H. C. Gray, mustered out June 10, 1865 ; Musician Milo Wager, mustered out June ID, 1865; Privates, Company A. Samuel B. Keeler, died at Chattanoo- ga of wounds, July 8, 1864; Casey Redburn, died at Mumfordsville, Ken- tucky, November 22, 1862; Company C, Captain Henry Zeis, promoted ; Wagoner Andreas Burgdorf, captured by enemy Jan- uary 21, 1864, and mustered out June 10, 1865; Privates, James Bailey transferred to Veteran Relief Corps, September i, trans- ferred back; Henry Booth, mustered out June 10, 1865; Mathias Bostwick, de- serted June 9, 1863; Jan. B. Pulcher, wounded, mustered out June 10, 1865; David Eggberry, mustered out June 10, 1865; William Evans, mustered out June 10, 1865; James Franks, mustered out June 10, 1865; Louis Hirschberger, transferred to Veteran Relief Corps, May i, 1864; John Horn, killed at Dug's Gap, April 30, 1863 John Isherwood, deserted June 9, 1863 Joseph Jones, deserted June 9, 1863 Joseph Gollatching, deserted September 4, 1862; Fred Muehlheims, disability, dis- charged October 14, 1863; Frantz Osburg, disability, discharged August 21, 1863; William Rothemeier, disability, discharged BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. March 29, 1865; Thomas Schaefer, Cor- poral, deserted June 9, 1863; Carsten Schmidt, died at Mumfordsville, Kentucky, November 26, 1862; Ferdinand Volk, de- serted October 3, 1862; Company F, Ser- geant, Robert Christy, disability, discharged May 17, 1864; Corporal John W. Michaels, mustered out June 10, 1865; Privates Israel Ballinger, died November 15, 1862; Mat- thew Cox, disability, discharged November 14, 1863; Daniel H. Moyer, mustered out June 10, 1865 ; Charles McVey, disability, discharged February 16, 1865; Robert Pugh, deserted October 8, 1862; William R. Shelton, mustered out June 10, 1865; Company H, First Lieutenant James A. Mc- Farland, mustered out June 10, 1865; Ser- geant Thomas A. Patton, transferred to Veteran Relief Corps, May 2, 1864; Corpor- als James L. Patton, mustered out June 10, 1865 ; James C. Boggs, died April 18, 1863 ; Musician William McFarland ; Privates Asa J. Buffington, disability, discharged March 27, 1863; Thomas P. Davis, mustered out June 10, 1865; Elwood Sanders, died Janu- ary 31, 1863; Lemon Fonts, died May 10, 1865; Josiah Harris, disability, discharged February 27, 1863 ; John T. Kell, disability, discharged April 17, 1864; John W. McPherson, disability, discharged July 22, 1863; Joseph Patton, mustered out June 10, 1865; Albert Richard- son, died November 18, 1862; Hen- ry Sanders, disability, discharged No- vember 7, 1862; W. H. H. Smith, died April 19, 1863; Isaac Smith, disability, dis- charged February 5, 1863; Edmon H. Short, mustered out June 10, 1865 ; Com- pany I, Corporal David Forbes, disability, discharged February 8, 1863 ; Privates John W. Adkins, deserted October i, 1862; Lem- uel A. Adkins, deserted October i, 1862; George W. Bridenbecker, disability, dis- charged March i, 1864; Richard Briden- becker, disability, discharged January 12, 1863 ; Henry C. Gray, promoted Quarter Master Sergeant; Charles Hubbard, de- serted November 13, 1862; John Lee, dis- ability, discharged January 12, 1863; John Logan, died at Chattanooga April 20, 1865; Joseph Shook, transferred Veteran Relief Corps, March i, 1863; Peter Shell, mus- tered out June ro, 1865. A few men also in the Eighty-eighth Regiment were from Marion county. Com- panies B, C and H, each had a few men from Marion county. The regiment was organized in Chicago and mustered in Sep- tember 4, 1862. Its first battle was Perry- ville, October 8, 1862, was at Stone River to 25thof November, at Missionary Ridge, in the Atlanta Campaign of 1864, during which time he took part in two bat- tles, Rocky Fall Ridge and Resaca December 31 to January 3, 1863 ; September 19 and 20, 1863, at Chickamauga; 23d Adairsville, New Hope Church, Pine Moun- tain, Mud Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Smyr- na Camp Ground, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, also Franklin and Nash- ville; mustered out June 9, 1865. Company B, Corporal Owen Brown, died at Nash- ville, Tennessee, February 2, 1863; Privates Justin Colbum, mustered out June 9, 1865; BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 89 John B. King, mustered out June 9, 1865 ; Horace B. Kunne, disability, discharged April 29, 1863; Frank P. Roe, mustered out June 9, 1865 ; Company C, Privates Thomas Carigan, disability, discharged January 29, 1863 ; Andrew Lander, disability, dis- charged September 4, 1863; Charles Reib- ner, deserted July i, 1863; Company H, Sergeant Charles W. Graham, reduced, de- serted February 3, 1863; Corporal Webster Braman, mustered out June 9, 1865; Pri- vates Albert Arrowsmith, wounded, dis- charged March 10, 1865; Newell Burr, transferred to engineer corps July 27, 1864; Lewell3Ti Cunningham, wounded and taken prisoner at Stone River, died at Annapolis, Maryland, February i, 1863; James M. Elrod, mustered out June 9, 1865 ; Samuel McCoy, captured at Chickamauga; David Partlow, mustered out June 9, 1865; Sam- uel Robertson, wounded at Danville, Vir- ginia, died January 5, 1864, while a prisoner of war; Jackson Prout, mustered out June 9, 1863. In the Ninety-eighth Infantry, six Marion county men were enrolled, as follows : Com- pany C, Recruit James Kent, transferred; Company F, Recruit Thomas W. Lanbert, transferred; Company H, Private J. A. C. Reid, killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863; Company K, Recruits Levi L. Ren- frow, discharged May 29, 1865; George W. Renfrow, transferred; George W. Melrose, unasisgned. Corporal Chris C. Estes was in the One Hundred and Tenth Infantry, mustered out June 8, 1865. The One Hundred and Eleventh Regi- ment was composed mostly of Marion county men, and was mustered into the service of the United States at Salem, Illi- nois, September 18, 1862. At the time of muster the regiment was eight hun- dred and eighty-six strong, officers and men. The regiment went into camp in the fair grounds, called Camp Marshall, and remained there until October 31, 1862, when it numbered nine hundred and thirty, officers and men; marched to Tonti, on the Illinois Central Railroad, and took train to Cairo, Illinois ; reported to Gen- eral Tuttle, and was ordered to Columbus, Kentucky, next day; reported to the Post Commandant, General Davis, and went into camp. The winter of 1862 and '63 was passed here, and learned the art of forag- ing at the suggestion of their colonel, James S. Martin. On Januaiy 12, 1863, Colonel Martin was made post commander, and Lieu. Col. Black commanded the regiment. While at this post the measles broke out in the regiment, and thirty-eight men died from that disease. It was moved to Fort Herman, Tennessee, arriving there March 13. May 28, Major Mabry commanding the regiment (Colonel Black being on duty at Columbus), was ordered to repoii; with the regiment to Colonel Martin, who was then in command of the pogt at Paducah, arriving at Paducah May 29th, they went into camp and remained until October 31, 1863, when Colonel Martin was relieved of the command of the post by General Sher- man, and ordered to report with the 90 BRINKERtlOFF's HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. regiment to him at Florence, Alabama. \\'hile in camp at Padutsib, sixteai men died from disease. The regiment got to Gi'avel Springs, where they were ordered to go into camp instead of proceeding to Florence. During this march two men were wounded and four missing in skir- mishes with the enemy. On November 7, 1863, the One Hundred and Eleventh was as- signed to the Second Brigade, Second Divi- sion, Sixteenth Army Corps, and immedi- ately set out for Chattanooga; went into camp at Pulaski, Tennessee, November 1 2th, and remained there until February 25, 1864, when it was ordered to Decatur Junc- tion, Alabama; arrived opposite the town and found a strong force of the enemy in possession; on May 7th, moved up the river to the mouth of Limestone creek, six miles. The enemy evacuated Decatur, and the regiment took possession. Captain Clark, who had been absent on detached duty, rejoined his command March 9th, and was killed the same day by the accidental discharge of a pistol. The regiment was ordered on March i6th to report to General Logan at Huntsville, Alabama, and on March i8th arrived and went into camp; moved to Larkinsville, Alabama, March 19th, and was placed in the First Brigade, under Gen. Giles A. Smith, Second Division Gen. M. L. Smith, and Fifteenth Army Corps, Gen. John A. Logan commanding. The regiment remained at Larkinsville until May I, 1864, when it started on the At- lanta campaign, and lost seven men killed and eight wounded in skirmishes on May loth, 12th and 13th. On the 14th the One Hundred and Eleventh charged the enemy at Camp Creek; the charge was a hazardous one and the situation of the regiment seemed so desperate that General Logan expressed great concern for its safety, but the enemy was driven from their position and the works were held until reinforcements arrived. The commanding general highly commended the regiment for its action during the engagement. Until May 25th, were maneu- vering against the enemy under General Johnston, who had begun falling back; on the 25th, 26th and 27th were in stubborn skirmishes, losing five killed and fifteen wounded. Among the latter was Lieut. Col. Black. On June ist they withdrew to Dallas; skirmished June loth at Big Shanty, and 24th near Kenesaw Mountain June 27th. In this charge Captain Andrews was killed. Captain Walker was severely wounded. The other losses were six- teen wounded and one missing. They moved by easy marches toward Atlanta, when on July nth, they were within nine miles of that place engaged in cutting the railroad and destroying the enemy's source of sup- plies. On July 20th the One Hundred and Elevetnh led in the advance against Atlanta, being under fire all day. Colonel Martin was placed in command of the brigade, and Major Mabry in command of the regi- ment. In the battle on the 22d, against Atlanta, the loss of the regiment was eighteen killed and forty wounded, eighty-five men were also missing. Among BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILIJNOIS. 91 the killed were Captain McGtiiFe, I^ieutenant Larimer, and Lieutenant Shull. Major Mabry was wounded, and Captains Foster and Gray and Lieutenants Davis and Young were among the captured. The . regiment was now under the command of Captain Jolliff, and on the 28th of July, 1864, engaged the enemy with a loss of ten wounded, one missing. From the 8th of September to the 4th of October the One Hundred and Eleventh remanied in camp at East Point. From the 4th of October to the 29th were in pursuit of General Hood, and camped November 5th on line of Chat- tanooga & Atlanta Railroad, and remained there until November 13th, and on the 15th started with Sherman to the sea; was in the assault on Fort McAllister, and the colors of the One Hundred and Eleventh were the first planted on the works. Two were killed, one of whom was Lieut. G. W. Smith, and fourteen wounded, among whom were Lieutenant Lewis (mortally) and Captain Foster (severely). Went through the campaign in the Carolinas with the loss of one man, thence to Washington, where they participated in the Grand Re- view. The regiment was in seven battles and nine skirmishes, losing forty-two men killed, one hundred and forty-eight wounded, eighty-seven missing and one hun- dred and ninety-one died of disease. James S. Martin, colonel, brevet brigadier general, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; Joseph F. Black, lieutenant-colonel, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; William C. Stiles, adjutant, mustered out June 7, 1865; quartermasters: Benja- min F. Marshall, resigned April 27, 1864; H«nry Siinpsoa, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; First Assistant Surgeon J. K. Rainey, mus- tered out June 7, 1865; Second Assistant Surgeon Thomas S. Hawley, resigned June 24, 1863; Chaplain James B. Woolard, re- signed April 14, 1865; Sergeant Major Richard Atkin, promoted first lieutenant. Second Alabama; quartermaster sergeants: Peter A. Simmons, promoted to first lieuten- ant, United States Colored Troops ; H. M. Cantine, reduced to ranks ; Charles A.' Neff, mustered out June 7, 1865; hospital stew- ards: William E. Middleton, disability, discharged August 27, 1863 ; Thomas M. Kelly, mustered out June 7, 1865; musi- cians : Harris P. Weir, sick, absent at mus- ter out; Abraham Earnhart, mustered out June 7, 1865. Company A, captains: Amos A. Clark, killed March 9, 1864; Jacob V. Andrews, killed in action June 27, 1864; Robert Martin, mustered out June 6, 1865; first lieutenants : John K. Morton, died Oc- tober 3, 1862; Ezekiel Williams, mustered out June 6, 1865; Second Lieutenant Wil- liam Woods, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; sergeants : Thomas Ray, mustered out June 6, 1865; John T. Oden, mustered out June 6, 1865; A. C. Smith, mustered out June 22, 1865 ; W. H. H. Adams, promoted to first lieutenant. United States Colored Heavy Artillery to date from June 8, 1863 ; corporals : Isaac Washburn, mustered out June 6, 1865; Allen Straight, mustered out July I, 1865, was captured; William Rush, killed at Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864; C. R. Newman, died in prison, a prisoner of 92 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. war; John W. Ray, mustered out May 24, 1865; William Walker, mustered out June 6, 1865; Edwin F. Loomis, mustered out June 6, 1865; H. H. Davenport, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; musicians : Hugh Moore, mustered out June 6, 1865; John W. Coll, died at Mound City, Illinois, Januai-y 25, 1863 ; privates : E. R. Allen, disability, dis- charged March 23, 1865; M. G. Boils, mus- tered out June 6, 1865 ; J. Bundy, died at Fort Heirman, Kentucky, April 22, 1863 ; William Burgess, mustered out June 15, 1865; Patrick Ball, died of wounds at Pa- ducah, Kentucky, July 5, 1865; Abraham Concklin, mustered out January 13, 1865 J. E. Cooper, mustered out June 6, 1865 M. H. Carr, mustered out June 6, 1865 Henry Clay, transferred; J. W. Doughty, mustered out July i, 1865 ; A. Dodson, mus- tered out June 6, 1865 ; Josiah Duncan, dis- charged March 18, 1863 ; William Devlin, sick, absent at muster out ; William A. Daw- son, was prisoner, mustered out June 6, 1865; John R. Duncan, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; George Evans, mustered out June 6, 1865; Jesse J. Fonts, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Andrew C. Finn, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Henry Fraka, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; G. W. Forbes, deserted October 31, 1862 ; A. W. French, mustered out June 6, 1865; James Gibson, died at Paducah, Ken- tucky, June 26, 1863; Levi Gibson, mus- tered out June 6, 1865; John H. Goodrich, mustered out June 6, 1865; John A. Gil- more, mustered out June 6, 1865; Amasa Hamlin, mustered out June 6, 1865; J. H. Hamilton, mustered out June 6, 1865; John Hicklin, transferred to Veteran Relief Corps March 24, 1865; Jacob Heaver, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Erastus Hull, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Urustus Hill, died at Fort Heimen, Kentucky, April 29, 1863; Thomas J. Holt, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; William L. Holmes, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; W. S. Johnson, killed at Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 23, 1864; John Kline, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; John King, disability, discharged January 9, 1864; Thomas M. Kell, promoted to hos- pital steward; S. W. Kell, killed in battle February 12, 1865; Hugh Morton, mus- tered out June 6, 1865 ; A. M. Morton, mus- tered out June 6, 1865; Thomas B. Morton, died at Rome, Georgia, July 10, 1864; B. M. Morton, died in Marion county, Illinois, November 23, 1862 ; W. M. Morton, mus- tered out June 6, 1865 ; J. W. Morton, mus- tered out June 6, 1865 ; J. B. Myers, died at Paducah, Kentucky, July 22, 1863; John Morrison, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; J. A. McConnaga, mustered out June 6, 1865; J. Manchester, disability, discharged June 16, 1863; S. A. Newman, mustered out June 6, 1865; O. J. Nave, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; J. B. Pai-vis, mustered out June 6, 1865; T. B. Parkinson, mustered out June 6, 1865; B. M. Parkinson, mustered out June 6, 1865; J. R. Parkinson, disability, discharged March 28, 1865 ; ^^' E. Porter, mustered out June 6, 1865; Edward Riley, mustered out June 6, 1865; J. ^^^ Smith, transferred to Veteran Reserve Coi-ps De- cember 28, 1864; H. Sims, died at home February 5, 1863; ^^^ C. Smith, mustered BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 93 out June 6, 1865; W. B. Smith, died at Camp Butler, Illinois, April 11, 1865; W. K. Stonnent, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; G. W. Snodgrass, killed at Resaca, Georgia, May 14, 1864; H. T. Walker, mustered out June 6, 1865; W. H. Ward, died at Rome, Georgia, July 31, 1864; J- P- Wooters, dis- charged March 18, 1863; John Whitman, mustered out June 6, 1865; J. H. Wyatt, mustered out June 6, 1865; James Wilson, discharged for promotion, killed at Fort Pillow; W. Wood, mustered out June 6, 1865, commissioned second lieutenant; D. L. Ward, died at home March 31, 1864; George Watson, discharged March 5, 1863; recruits: Robert Church, transferred; Thomas J. Green, transferred, was prisoner ; Richard Lewis, mustered out June 6, 1865; Scott G. Muzzy, discharged for promotion. ( "ompany D, captains : John Foster, honor- ably discharged May 4, 1865; Robert W. Elder, mustered out June 6, 1865; First Lieutenant W. H. Ballance, mustered out June 6, 1865; Second Lieutenant G. C. Sheppard, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; ser- geants: Anderson Anglin, deserted Janu- ary 25, 1863; A. W. O'Bryant, was pris- oner, mustered out July i, 1865; Henry B. Jones, was prisoner, mustered out June 12, 1865 ; corporals : J. A. Arnold, absent (wounded) at muster out of regiment; Da- vid Headley, mustered out June 6, 1865; Francis M. Jones, died at Moscow, Tennes- see, November 6, 1862 ; Eli W. Jones, mus- tered out June 6, 1865 ; Jeptha Headley, died at Atlanta, Georgia, October 18, 1864; James A. Arnold, discharged August 20, 1 863 ; Robert M. Lambert, died in Confed- erate prison November 4, 1864; James T. Jones, mustered out June 6, 1865; Wagoner Christopher Jones, mustered out June 6, 1865; privates: Henry L. Allmon, dis- charged August 20, 1863; John-M. Arnold, absent (sick) at muster out; Joseph D. Bor- ing, mustered out June 6, 1865; John L. Cole, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; William L. Chance, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Hil- leiy D. Chance, mustered out June 6, 1865; Joseph A. Cole, died at Fort Heiman, Ken- tucky, April 20, 1863; Noah Cruse, mus- tered out June 6, 1865; James N. Christie, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Benjamin Doolen, mustered out June 6, 1865; Peter M. Dents, mustered out June 6, 1865; John Elliott, absent (wounded) at muster out; Stephen French, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Thomas J. Foster, mustered out June 6, 1865; Newton Finch, died at Columbia, Kentucky, April 25, 1863; Isaac Graves, died at Chattanooga June 15, 1864; William C. Goldsborough, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; James M. Green, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Eli Headley, mustered out June 6, 1865; William Holt, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Hardy F. Holt, died at Fort Heiman, Kentucky, May 11, 1863; Isaac Himes, mustered out June 6, 1865; James M. Hen- sley, was prisoner of war, mustered out June 12, 1865; Alexander M. Hensley, trans- ferred to Veteran Relief Corps March 18, 1865; William M. Hensley, mustered out June 6, 1865; Thomas J. Hensley, died at Atlanta, Georgia, October 16, 1864; Wil- liam E. Houston, mustered out June 6, 94 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 1865; Hiram Hamilton, mustered out June 6, 1865; Andrew J. Howington, mustered out June 6, 1865; Joseph G. Knight, sick at muster out of regiment; James Knight, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Wesley C. Law- rence, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; David Lee, sick, absent at muster out of regiment; Simon V. Meador, mustered out June 6, 1865; Richard R. Morse, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Lewis Myers, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; James W. Morse, died at Fort Heinman, Kentucky, May 10, 1863; Stephen Neavill, died of wounds at Mos- cow, Tennessee, November 24, 1862 ; 'George Orgon, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Vernal F. Prewett, mustered out (was pris- oner) June 6, 1865; John O. Parsons, was prisoner, died November 23, 1864; Abra- ham Pool, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Wil- liam H. Pool, mustered out June 6, 1865; William Purdue, missing in action July 22, 1864; Abram C. Parker, mustered out June '6, 1865 ; Dennis N. Ray, mustered out June •6, 1865; John V Settle, discharged March II, 1865; Ebenezer Sackett, died at Fort Heiman, Kentucky, April 24, 1863; John A. Smith, died at Marietta, Georgia, Octo- ber 7, 1864; Abi"aham Stine, transferred; David M. Shipley, transferred; James M. Thomas, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Joel L. Walton, mustered out June 6, 1865; re- cruits : Edward H. Lee, died at Annapolis, Maryland, December 24, 1864; Salem Neff, ■died of wounds at Dallas, Georgia, May 28, 1864; George W. Ray, transferred to Vet- eran Relief Corps, March 18, 1865. Com- pany E, captains: Joseph McGuire, killed in action July 22, 1864; Lewellen W. Cas- tellow, mustered out June 6, 1865; First Lieutenant John R. Smith, mustered out June 6, 1865; second lieutenants: William J. Young, honorably discharged May 15, 1865; James J. Craig, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; First Sergeant Jesse Delton, re- duced to ranks, transferred to Company G; sergeants: John R. Smith, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Elijah D. Rawlings, died at Jeffersonville, Indiana, July 25, 1864; James B. Eddings, mustered out June 6, 1865; corporals: Francis M. Smith, mus- tered out June 6, 1865 ; James F. Breeze, killed at Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864; Elvin C. Clock, died at Paducah, Kentucky, May 10, 1863; Jacob W. Fyke, mustered out June 6, 1865; B. N. Bosswell, died of wounds at Resaca, Georgia, May 22, 1864; John R. Smith, mustered out June 6, 1865; Francis M. Bums, mustered out May 26, 1865 ; Edward J. Young, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; musicians : Isaac A. Beaver, died at Columbus, Kentucky, January 16, 1863; Fanning L. Beasley, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; privates : James M. Alderson, mus- tered out June 6, 1865; John A. Alderson, mustered out June 6, 1865; Bluford M. Al- derson, died of wounds August 4, 1864; John Barry, died at Atlanta, Georgia, Oc- tober 20, 1864; ^^'illiam F. Buford, absent (sick) at muster out of i-egiment; George Beard, mustered out June 6, 1865; Empson Brownfield, mustered out June 6, 1865; William H. Beard, paroled prisoner, mus- tered out July I, 1865; George H. Beard, mustered out June 22. 1865; James M. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 95 Beard, mustered out June 22, 1865; Hiram Blair, mustered out June 22, 1865; Joseph Bostwick, mustered out June 22, 1865 ; Arthur Babbs, killed at Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864; Jacob Beard, disability, dis- charged January 29, 1863; Wesley Cock- rell, disability, discharged November 7, 1863 ; James Cockrell, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; William T. Coleman, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Larkin T. Craid, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; James H. Clock, died at Paducah, Kentucky, May 13, 1863; James Craig, mustered out June 6, 1865; James P. Chapman, mustered out June 6, 1865; Oran H. Daggett, killed at Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864; William Donoho, died at Columbus, Kentucky, January 26, 1863 ; William P. Furguson, died at Colum- bus, Kentuck)', January 10, 1863; Powell H. Furguson, died at home February i, 1863; Charles Foster, mustered out June 6, 1865; James Granger, mustered out June 6, 1865; John B. Holliday, killed at At- lanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864; Henry J. Hardin, mustered out June 6, 1865; John B. Harris, mustered out June 6, 1865; George W. Haynie, mustered out June 6, 1865; Henry C. Harris, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; William C. Henson, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; William B. Henson, died of wounds at Resaca, Georgia, May 16, 1864-, Jesse C. Henson, transferred; William D. Isbell, disability, discharged January 26, 1863 ; John H. Jones, mustered out June 6, 1865; James G. Johnson, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Horatio S. Jeeter, mustered out June 6, 1865; Leonard B. Jones, mustered out June 6, 1865; John W. Knight, mus- tered out June 6, 1865; Thomas Keel, mus- treed out Jmie 6, 1865; Urich Knight, killed at Dallas, Georg-ia, May 29, 1864; John W. Kilts, mustered out June 6, 1865; James W. Luse, died at Columbus, Ken- tucky, January 26, 1863; William Loch, died at Mound City, Illinois, January 19, 1863; Andrew H. Metts, died at Columbus, Kentucky, January 21, 1863; Josiah Martin, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; John J. Martin, died of wounds July 23, 1864; Elihu Myers, mustered out June 6, 1865; David L. May- berry, mustered out June 6, 1865; John B. Middleton, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; A. J. Morgan, died at Columbus, Kentucky, January 28, 1863; Charles A. Neff, pro- moted to quartermaster; James A. Prewett, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Francis M. Room, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Tillmand Rogers, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Thomas H. B. Ray, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; N. V. D. Rawlings, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Robert M. Smith, mustered out June 6, 1865; Isham Simmons, discharged Janu- ary 29, 1863 ; John H. Smith, deserted Feb- ruary 21, 1863 ; William Torrence, mustered out June 6, 1865; Marion D. Vickroy, ab- sent (sick) at muster out of regiment; Wil- liam Vaughn, discharged February 25, 1863 ; Cyrus VanDusen, died at Mound City, Illinois, Februai-y 3, 1863; John W. Wheeler, killed at Jonesboro, Georgia, Au- gust 31, 1864; George W. Weaver, mus- tered out June 6, 1865; recruits: James H. Isbell, July 24, 1865, to date from May 30, 1865; Daniel W. Myers, 96 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. mustered out June 6, 1865; Aaron Mc- Endree, mustered out June 6, 1865; John W. Middleton, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; James T. Smith, died at Columbus, Ken- tucky, November. 30, 1862. Company F, captains : Abner S.Gray, discharged January 13, 1865; WiUiam H. Carpenter, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; First Lieutenant Wilham C. Darvis, honorably discharged May 15, 1865; Second Lieutenant George C. Ed- wards, mustered out June 7, 1865; ser- geants : James D. Gray, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; Andrew C. Mitchell, died at Anna- polis, Maryland, December 22, 1864; Benja- min Fanner, killed at Atlanta, July 22, 1864; Jefferson Belcher, mustered out June 7, 1865; corporals: Benjamin Harrison, died at Columbus, Kentucky, January 16, 1863; George W. Griffin, mustered out June 22, 1865; Henry Betcher, mustered out June 22, 1865; John N. Hawkins, mus- tered out June 22, 1865 ; Harvey B. Nichols, mustered out June 22, 1865; David Moore, died at Columbus, Kentucky, January 26, 1863; William C. Williamson, sick, absent at muster out of regiment; Wiley Carter, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; musicians : Har- lin P. Beach, mustered out June 7, 1865; John M. Johnson, died at Columbus, Ken- tucky, June 17, 1863; Wagoner John Car- ter, Jr.; privates: Fenwick S. Alexander, transferred; Jesse Altom, was prisoner, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; Richard Atkins, promoted to sergeant-major; William L. Becher, mustered out June 7, 1865; Levi Belcher, was prisoner, mustered out June 7, 1865; Daniel Britt, died at East Point, Georgia, September 30, 1864; George W. Bi-atcher, died at Paducah, Kentucky, June 8, 1863; John Bush, died at Kenesaw Mountain, July i, 1865; Benjamin E. Car- ver, disability, discharged October 29, 1864; William Carter, mustered out June 7, 1865; John S. Chandler, died of wounds at Resaca, Georgia, May 16, 1864; Chakes C. Chan- dler, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; William Dexter, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; George P. Edwards, mustered out June 7, 1865; John Gaultney, mustered out June 7, 1865; Alfred G. Gaultney, mustered out June 7, 1865; William A. Green, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; Thomas B. Gray, died at home March i, 1865; Cyrenus M. Howell, mus- tered out June 7, 1865; Charles G. Hurt, killed at Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864; William Jackson, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; Edward Kinney, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; William Kissner, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; Irven Laswell, killed at Re- saca, Georgia, May 14, 1864; George W. Lewis, died at Chattaooga, November 22, 1864; Noah Linton, died at Mound City, II- linois,February 13, 1864; Augustus McCon- nic, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; John T. Mc- Donald, transferred; Absalom Moore, mus- tered out June 6, 1865 ; John Mulcahi, dis- charged on account of wounds February 15, 1864; Lorenzo L. Newman, was prisoner, mustered out June 7, 1865; Robert Neil, mustered out June 7, 1865; Henry H. Nichols, discharged July, ; John R. Nelson, died at Columbus, Kentucky, Januaiy i, 1863; Abel E. Peddicord, mus- tered out June 7, 1865; Isaac F. Ptomy, BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 97 killed at Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864; James J. Sinclair, mustered out June 7, 1865; James R. Slaton, died at Paducah, Kentucky, January 9, 1864; Robert Strong, absent (sick) at muster out of regiment; Thomas J. Tabor, mustered out July 6, 1865 ; Charles \A'. Tabor, mustered out July 6, 1865 ; Edward Tune, mustered out July 6, 1865; Samuel Tune, mustered out July 6, 1865; Traverse M. Waldron, died May 29, 1863 ; Peter White, died at Pulaski, Tames- see, Januaiy 10, 1864; Abraham J. Wil- liams, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; William R. Wickersham, died at Paducah, Kentucky, April 20, 1864; Benjamin M. Wilson, died at Columbus, Kentucky, April 12, 1863; James Williamson, died at Morehead City, North Carolina, February i, 1865; Recruit, John H. Adams, absent (sick) at muster out of regiment. Company G, Captain Ruben W. Joliff, mustered out June 6, 1865; Sec- ond Lieutenant John W. Stover, killed in action. May 14, 1864; First Sergeant Jo- seph M. Post, died of wounds received at Resaca, Georgia, May 31, 1864; Sergeant Henry M. Gaylord, died at Paducah, Ken- tucky, May 16, 1863 ; corporals : William Collinsworth, mustered out June 6. 1865 ; Andrew T. Stover, wounded, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; John A. Snidei", died at Fort Heiman, Kentucky, May 10, 1863 ; William Williams, absent (sick) at muster out of regiment; William R. Snider, mustered out June 6, 1865; privates: Abner J. Alexan- der, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Samuel C. Alexander, died at Columbus, February 7, 1863; Louis Ahlborn, discharged; Paulinus 7 F. Agnew, mustered out June 6, 1865; Gib- son Burton, died at Big Shanty, Georgia, of wounds, June 24, 1864; George W. Burnett, died at Columbus, Kentucky, January 28, 1863 ; Samuel W. Billingsley, deserted Oc- tober 19, 1862; Joseph Brown, killed at Kenesaw Mountain, June 24, 1864; Jasper N. Castleberry, disability, discharged Janu- ary 4, 1865; James H. Courtney, died while prisoner of war at Lawton, Georgia, Octo- ber 25, 1864; John R. Finn, mustered out June 6, 1865; Washington I. Haskins, mus- tered out June 6, 1865; William Hawkins, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; James H. Isbell, transferred; Daniel W. Myers, transferred; Aaron McEndree, transferred; David Mc- Endree, transferred ; John W Middleton, transferred ; John R. Nelson, transferred ; John Schade, mustered out June 6, 1865; John C. Shook, died at Columbus, Ken- tucky, January 24, 1863; Joseph Tapping, mustered out June 6, 1865; James G. Tap- ping, mustered out June 6, 1865 J James H. Taylor, died at Mound City, Illinois, Janu- ary 18, 1863; John J. Wallace, died of wounds at Atlanta, Georgia, November 11, 1864; Granville Wilbum, died at Resaca, of wounds. May 24, 1864; John A. Yandel, mustered out June 19, 1865 ; recruits : Jesse Dayton, discharged December 11, 1864; M. P. Glassford, transferred. Company H, Captain George E. Castle, mustered out June 6, 1865; first lieutenants: Andrew J. Lariner, killed in battle, July 22, 1864; Rob- ert M. Lovell, mustered out June 6, 1865; Second Lieutenant James L. Gibson, mus- tered out June 6, 1865; sergeants: George 98 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. A. Jennings, mustered out June 6, 1865; William H. Harrison, discharged February 7, 1864, for promotion in One Hundred and Tenth United States Colored Troops; John H. Craig, discharged April 4, for promotion in One Hundred and Eleventh United States Colored Troops; corporals: James L. Rogers, mustered out June 6, 1865; Henry C. Farson, mustered out June 6, 1865; David F. Kell, discharged on account of wounds, January 28, 1865 ; James E. Castle, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Wilson S. Lari- mer, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; William Southward, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; John Lewes, disability, discharged January 10, 1863; musicians: John J. Piles, mus- tered out July 13, 1865; Richard Thatcher, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Wagoner, Samuel S. Clater, mustered out June 6, 1865; privates: J. H. Adams, died at Huntsville, Alabama, June 12, 1864; H. F. Bosworth, killed at Resaca, Georgia, May 14, 1864; D. C. Bryant, died at Fort Hei- man, Kentucky, April 19, 1863 ; John J. Bloys, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; George W. Blackburn, mustered out June 6, 1865; Benjamin Brown, deserted December 30, 1862; Alfred R. Bryan, prisoner, mustered out July I, 1865; John T. Bibb, mustered out June 6, 1865; Charles E. Baker, dis- charged May 25, 1864, commissioned sec- ond lieutenant United States Heavy Ar- tillery, Colored Troops; James J. Brown, mustered out June 6, 1865; James S. Chandler, mustered out June 6, 1865; Henry K. Cantine, discharged April 19, 1865 ; James B. Clater, mustered out June 6, 1865; Lewis Daggett, died at Paducah, Kentucky, October 13, 1863; William T. Day, died in Andersonville prison of wounds, August 27, 1864; grave No. 7013; Lyman Daggett, died in Confederate prison, October 7, 1864; James Evans, mus- tered out June 6, 1865 ; Jonas Erwin, killed at Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864; James Foster, mustered out June 6, 1865; Robert Foster, transferred; Albert Getty, died at Columbus, Kentucky, February i, 1863; William J. Hays, mustered out June 6, 1865; Quintilton H. Hays, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Mansel W. Hays, mustered out June 6, 1865; George W Hoskins, died at Paducah, Kentucky, June 5, 1863; Thomas M. Ingram, mustered out June 5, 1865; J. Jordan, wounded, absent at mus- ter out of regiment; Isaac Johnson, mus- tered out June 6, 1865 ; Joseph W Jimeson, mustered out June 6, 1865; J. G. Knight, died at Fort Heiman, Kentucky, April 13, 1863 ; Hugh M. Kell, died at Chattanooga, November 15, 1864; James Knight, mus- tered out June 6, 1865 ; Washington J. Lut- trell, mustered out June 6, 1865; Thomas G. Luttrell, mustered out June 6, 1865; Daniel R. Lovell, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Samuel W. Lovell, mustered out June 6, 1865; Thomas E. Lewis, mustered out June 6, 1865; Willis S. Leewright, mus- tered out June 6, 1865; Henry Moore, pro- moted to second lieutenant. Second Alabama Volunteers, June 23, 1864; John McMur- ray, was prisoner, mustered out July i, 1865; John Myers, was prisoner, mustered out July I, 1865; Samuel Puleston, mus- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 99 tered out (was prisoner) July i, 1865; Jo- siah Piles, mustered out June 6, 1865; W. W. Porter, died at Resaca, Georgia, of wounds, May 20, 1864; John B. Patterson, disability, discharged; Absalom Parrell, mustered out June 6, 1865; McDonald Phillips, mustered out June 6, 1865; Samuel Rush, died at home, November 6, 1864; John Rush, mustered out June 6, 1865; Isaac Southward, mustered out June 6, 1865; Thomas Southward, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; Peter A. Simonson, pro- moted to quartermaster-sergeant; John R. Taylor, disability, discharged February 17, 1863 ; William B. K. Toland, died at Rome, Georgia, September 15, 1864; Ira VanDu- sen, died in Andersonville prison, Novem- ber 27, 1864; John Wise, died at Fort Heiman, Kentucky, May, 1863; J. H. Wat- son, wounded, absent at muster out of regi- ment; F. F. Watson, disabilty, discharged February 17, 1863 ; W. Watson, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; H. M. Wilson, mustered out June 6, 1865; John Webb, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; L. Wilson, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; S. E. White, mustered out June 6, 1865 ; C. S. Wilson, mustered out June 6, 1865; recruits: A. E. Blackburn, trans- ferred ; John A. Clayton, transferred ; Isaiah T. Dillon, transferred; David L. Tucker, transferred. Company I : Second Lieuten- ant David Nichols, mustered out June 7, 1865; corporals: Jacob R. Phillips, mus- tered out June 7, 1865; Joseph C. Wilton, mustered out July 27, 1865 ; privates : H. A. Allen, died at Fort Heiman, Kentucky, May 18, 1863; Harvey F. Bassett, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; I. T. Boatwright, died at Columbus, Kentucky, February 12, 1863; T. M. Corzine, died at Columbus, Kentucky, January 20, 1863 ; J. Clemens, died at Mari- etta, Georgia, of wounds, August 18, 1864; Squire Gaultney, absent (sick) at muster out of regiment; Newton Hensley, died at Columbus, Kentucky, March 29, 1863; James W. Moon, mustered out June 7, 1865; John G. Quick, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; George Sloat, mustered out June 7, 1 865 ; Nathan Smith, mustered out May 30, 1865; J. Wickenhouser, mustered out June 7, 1865; recruits: Fenwick J. Alex- ander, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; John Mc- donald. Company K: Joseph Schultz, captain, mustered out June 7, 1865; First Lieutenant I. H. Berry, mustered out June 7, 1865; Second Lieutenant Frederick Siple, mustered out June 7, 1865; First Sergeant M. C. Rogers, died at Fort Heiman, Ken- tucky, May 5, 1863; sergeants: John B. Brasel, deserted December 6, 1865 ; John M. Chitwood, mustered out May 5, 1865 ; E. O. Warner, died of wounds August 13, 1864; corporals : H. H. Spitler, died at Colum- bus, Kentucky, February 17, 1863; W. S. Wilkins, died at Columbus, Kentucky, Janu- ary 21, 1863; Richard S. Hultz, disability, discharged January 26, 1863 ; Charles S. Wilkins, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; John W. Alexander, mustered out June 7, 1865; John Guilkey, mustered out June 7, 1865; John F. Michaels, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; Musician J. W. Spain, mustered out June 7, 1865; privates: W. S. Alexander, mustered out June 7, 1865; W. H. Allen, lOO BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. mustered out June 7, 1865 ; Henry Albert, mustered out June 7, 1865; Reuben Albert, mustered out June 7, 1865; Marion Almon, mustered out June 7, 1865; John H. Bur- rows, discharged for promotion July 8, 1864; Z. Beasley, mustered out June 7, 1865; Josiah Bryant, absent (sick) at mus- ter out; H. M. Chitwood, deserted January 27, 1863; Joseph Craig, died at Paducah, Kentucky, July 9, 1863; J. R. Davenport, mustered out June 7, 1865; George E. Daniels, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; A. Earnheai't, promoted to principal musician; J. T. Eraser, deserted February 6, 1863; Temple Oilman, mustered out June 7, 1865; A. Hults, died at Larkinsville, Alabama, April II, 1865; Abner C. Harney, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; C. Harratt, killed at At- lanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864; Andrew Hite, deserted January 27, 1863; Charles Hadden. mustered out June 7, 1865; Joseph M. Jus- tice, died a prisoner at Annapolis, Mary- land, December 18, 1864; Michael Kalcher, mustered out June 7, 1865; W. S. Kagy, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; H. J. Luttrell, killed at Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864; W. McCartan, killed at Fort McAllister, Georgia, December 13, 1864; Isaac P. Mar- tin, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; John Mar- tin, mustered out June 7, 1865; A. G. Mc- Cartney, died while prisoner of war, about Febi-uary 17, 1865; J. D. Meek, mustered out June 7, 1865; D. O. Malcolm, died at Cleveland, Tennessee, February 2, 1 865 ; J. A. Morgan, died at Columbus, Kentucky, January 28, 1863 ; J. McCollom, died at Co- lumbus, Kentucky, March 22, 1863; A. G. Morris, mustered out June 7, 1865; Jere- miah Parks, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; A. L. Riley, mustered out June 7, 1865; E. Stonecipher, deserted December 5, 1862; W D. Singleton, mustered out June 7, 1865; W. H. Schanafelt, prisoner of war, died at Lawton, Georgia, October 24, 1864; B. S. Stribling, mustered out June 7, 1865; Wilburn Stonecipher, deserted December 5, 1862; John R. Schultz, died of wounds, June 3, 1864; David Schultz, mustered out June 7, 1865; H. C. B. AA'ilkins, mustered out June 7, 1865 ; J. H. Wilkins, died at Co- lumbus, T therein, and thus buried it. This made such an impression on his mind that at the first opportunity he bought in St. Louis a metal- lic coffin, so that in case of his death the family might be spared the worry of procur- ing a coffin for him, well knowing that in the event of the death of any other member of the family he would be able to provide. Malachi AA^are came to Marion county from Kentucky in 1818. He had seven chil- dren, one of whom married Mathew Young, the boy who, in 181 1, camped with the In- dians on Crooked creek. They were married when Mathew was not quite nineteen and Miss Ware fourteen. This was doubtless the first wedding in the county, but long be- fore the county was formed. Their son, John Young, who died in 1905, was beyond doubt the first white child born on what is now Marion county soil. The writer was well acquainted with all the parties, and as minister officiated at the funeral of all three. James Roberts came to the county in 181& and settled on section 11, where Salem now stands, and gave the county thirty acres of land as a county seat, but as told already, sold to Rufus Ricker and Mark TuUy, who made the deed of gift to the county. James Roberts went back to Indiana but his son Jesse remained and became Marion county's first Sheriff. "Black Bear," or Benjamin Vermillion first settled at Walnut Hill about 1818, afterward moved to Salem township and improved a farm. He was an eccentric character. Very dark complexioned and famous as a bear hunter, hence the nickname of "Black Bear." He left Marion county and went to ^Missouri in the thirties, where he died. His life was a busy one, and not- withstanding his eccentricities was a useful one. He was regarded as a just man and fearless in the discharge of duty. He was a member of the Illinois Rangers who did so much to prevent lawlessness and to protect the settlements from the Indians in the set- tlement period of the state. One of the characters of this period was AA'illiam Taylor. He was a bully of the neighbor- hood and delighted in the rough and tumble fights of the period, and carried many scars as a result of his frequent battles, but like almost all the bullies of his day was a peace- able neighbor and not at all quarrelsome, and only showed his fighting proclivities when meeting fighting men or overwrought by some injustice to himself or some weaker party. The advent of Samuel Shook BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 123 marked an era in the annals of the county. He came in 1820 and located in the Walnut Hill settlement. He was a Baptist preacher, and so far as can be ascertained was the first regular minister to locate in Marion county. He died shortly afterward, leaving no family. He was said to be a good man with ideas of a more liberal character than many preachers of that day entertained. The founder of the Foster family in Alarion county was "Uncle Hardy" Foster, as everyone called him. He was a unique character, "good as gold." He originally came from Georgia in 1821, stopped a few years in St. Clair county, and when Marion county began to be settled came to the then wilderness to hunt bears and bees, which was his favorite occupation. With one companion, James Jones, he struck up a camp on the Mt. Vernon and Vandalia road which was but a track through the county, and hunted bears and bees most vigorously. He afterward settled on a farm which he "hewed from the forest," and be- came one of the leading citizens of the county, filling many offices and left a monu- ment to his memory in the name of Foster township. His companion, Jones, also set- tled in the county, and both have a large number of descendants in the northern part of the county who are "good citizens and true." Another of the original characters among the early settlers was "Nickname" John Boucher, so called because he never called anybody by the right name, but nick- named all his acquaintances. He had a small mill run by water and ground both wheat and corn for his neighbors, some of whom lived fifteen or twenty miles away. This was not the first mill in the county but was perhaps the best equipped at that time. It is told of him that, wishing to catch his horse one day, he wore himself out chasing the animal but without avail, so he concluded to "crease" the horse and so be able to catch him. To crease an animal is to fire a rifle ball so as to just touch the top of the head and "stun" them, so that they may be caught before they recover. When Boucher fired the horse fell as was expected, but when Boucher got to him the horse was dead. He had "creased" the animal too well. Boucher left no representatives in this county, or at least none are known now. It is thought he moved away at an early day. During the years 1819 and 1820 several families settled in different paits of the county. In the first mentioned year one ^^''elch settled in Walnut Hill and lived there on a farm several years. His family con- sisted of eight children. He went to Fulton county in the early thirties and died there some time after. John Wilson was one of the first settlers in what is now Raccoon township, and Abraham Romine in what is now Romine township. A more extended notice will be given these families under the head of their respective townships. Isaac McClelland, the founder of the large and influential McClelland family, was born in Pennsylvania but came to Illinois by way of Ohio and stopped a short time at Kaskas- kia. But in 1820 he came to Marion county and stopped at the home of Israel Jennings. 1^4 BRINKERPIOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. He came on foot and brought all his posses- sions with him. He remained at Walnut Hill until he married Sallie Welch New Year's day, 1824, when he went to town- ship 2 north, I east, where he and his wife settled on section 32. The place is now known as the Martin farm. He af- terward returned to ^\'alnut Hill and then to Central City, where he died March 19, 1881. Frederick Phelps settled in Carrigan township in 1820. He died in 1845. Major Samuel Davidson settled in the same township in 182 1. Mary Tully, of whom mention has been made before, was born in Tennessee in 1791. He emigrated to Indi- ana, then to Illinois, and settled near Salem in 1 82 1. He had a family consisting of a wife and four children of his own and two stepchildren, having married a widow with two children. Nine more children were born to them after coming to this county, one of whom. Uncle Ander Tully, still lives in Salem. All the others have passed be- yond. Thomas Fulton also came to the county very early, about 1822. In 1821 Samuel Gaston, a native of South Carolina, settled in Marion, twelve miles southwest from Salem. He had eight children. In the year of 1826 he went to help raise a cabin for a neighbor, ten miles away, and took cold and fell ill with winter fever (pneumonia) and died. His children were prominent in Marion county and left numerous descendants who are among the best citizens of the county. A Mr. Jamison came from Tennessee in 1821 and settled in luka township, on what is called from him Jamison creek. He commenced making im- provements but was killed by the Indians in 1823. In 1822 Samuel Huff came from Logan county, Tennessee, and settled in the Walnut Hill neighborhood. He had eight children, several living to a very old age and leaving a numerous progeny behind, all of whom are highly respected by their fel- low citizens. James Chance came from Tennessee at an early day and settled in Salem. He was the first blacksmith in the town. William Purs- ley settled in what is now Tonti township in 1822 and died shortly after, leaving a widow whose life was full of incidents, some of which will be given under the head of Tonti. Cornelius Dunham, of New York, William Tully, of Virginia; David Fulton, of Tennessee; and Letitia Duncan all came to the county before 1824, as did also John W Nichols and Robert Nichols. William Marshall taught school in 1825 in this county. He lived northeast of Salem for a time, then bought the William Nichols im- provements. He was a man of some edu- cation and a splendid fiddler, or violinist as we now call them, and he was in demand at all gatherings for miles around. He was a Justice of the Peace, County Svirveyor and served one term in the Legislature. He died in Carrigan township, leaving a large family. John Eddington and James Chance settled on a farm in Carrigan township in 1823. Chance served two temis as Sheriff and bore a stainless reputation. He left a large family at his death, Januai-y 5, 1866. BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 125 Jeremiah Gilmore came in 1824 and died a citizen of the county. He seems to have left no representatives in the county. Mathew Cunningham came from Ken- tucky in 1824 and settled on a fai-m near Walnut Hill. The county line divided the farm, most of which was in Marion county, but the house was just over the line in Jef- ferson county. There were nine children, one of whom was prominent in the develop- ment of the county. We refer to Hon. John Cunningham, who was a merchant in Salem and a dealer in stock for many years. He was a member of the Legislature and lived to an old age. Mathew moved from Walnut Hill to Romine township, but died in Salem at the residence of his daughter in May, 1878. His wife, the mother of John Cun- ningham, died of cholera in 1834. John Bundy, founder of the Bundy family in Marion county, was 'a North Carolinian, having first settled in Jefferson county, but moved to Marion county shortly after. Three of his sons were in the Mexican war, one, Isaac Bundy, afterward was a Metho- dist minister for many years. One son, William Bundy, is still a resident of this county and is honored by all as an upright citizen and a Christian gentleman. John Bundy left several descendants, among whom are his grandsons, W. F. Bundy and John Bundy, both distinguished mem- bers of the bar of the county. Reuben Chance, who at the age of twenty years came to this county in 1825, was an influential citizen and his life was worthy of emulation. He died in 1880 at his home near Old Bethel camp ground. His wife, Catherine, died in 1877. There were ten children in this family; one son, J. Oj Chance, was twice elected Clerk of the Su- preme Court; another, S. S. Chance, after serving the county in the Clerk's office for nearly fifty years, is now living in Salem, retired from active cares of life, a citizen known to all and by all beloved. After the year 1825 immigration increased rapidly and many families settled in the county and as far as possible they will be traced in the sketch of their respective townships in which they settled. Marion county, while to a considerable extent is a mining county so far as the southwest portion of the county is concerned yet on the whole it is to the farm that we must look for the real value of the country's products. JUDICIARY AND ATTORNEYS. As has been stated the first court was held in the house of James Young May 29, 1823, Judge John Reynolds presiding. He was of Irish parentage, born in Pennsyl- vania, February 26, 1788. His father moved to Tennessee when John was six years old, and in 1800 emigrated to the Illinois coun- try. At the age of twenty John Reynolds 126 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- went back to Tennessee to attend college, and stayed in college two years. He studied law two years with John Campbell, at Knoxville, Tennessee, and was admitted to practice in 1812 at Kaskaskia. The examination was con- ducted by Judges Thomas and Sprigg, of the United States Territorial Court. In 1814 he opened an office in the county seal of St. Clair county at that time Cahokia. The first General Assembly of Illinois as a state met at Kaskaskia and John Reynolds was chosen by them as one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the state. Judge Reynolds was elected Governor in 1830, and went to Con- gress in 1834; he served in that body seven years. In 1846 he was elected to the General Assembly and chosen speaker in the house. The writer remembers the vener- able Governor as he appeared in the last year of his life. A picture from the past thrown by the camera of the years on the then present. He was always a Democrat of the Jackson stripe and died in that faith at Belleville, Illinois, in May, 1865, in his seventy-eighth year. The next Judge to hold court was Thomas Reynolds, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who was also presiding justice of the circuit courts under the then constitution. James Hall, a scholarly man and a graceful wi-iter, presided at the April term, 1825. Judge Walters presided at the October term, and Hall again at the April term, 1826. The judges who have presided since 1826 were as follows, given in order as they served: Thomas C. Brown. Judge Brown held all the courts in Marion county until 1834, except the September and October terms, which were held by Theophilus W. Smith, on account of the sickness of Judge Brown. In 1835 Judge Alexander F. Grant presided. He was succeeded by Jeptha Har- din. From 1837 to 1847 Walter B. Scales presided over the Marion county circuit court. He was succeeded by William A. Denning and he in 1850 by Samuel S. Marshall, one of the great judicial lu- minaries of Illinois. He resigned in 1854 and was succeeded by Downing Baugh, who in 1856 was succeeded by Edwin Beecher. Beecher served only a short term and in 1857 Sidney Breese, the Webster of Illinois, occupied the bench. Judge H. R. S. O'Mel- veney was Circuit Judge from 1858 to 1 86 1. In 1 86 1 Silas L. Bryan was elected Circuit Judge. He sei-ved twelve years. For a sketch of Judge Bryan, see special biography. The circuit court was presided over from 1873 by Judge Amos Watts or William ^^^ Snyder, or George W. Wall, who composed the three judges of the third judicial circuit under the law creating the appellate court. Since which time Judge Benjamin Burroughs, \\'illiam H. Farmer. now on the supreme bench; Judge S. L, Dwight, Judge Rose and Judge Ames have served. The state's attorneys for this county number many able men among them. The first was Henry Eddy, who served from 1825 to 1827; again in 1832 and 1834; \Mlliam Gatewood, 1827 to 1832; Walter B. Scates BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 127 and Eddy 1833; John Dougherty 1835 and 1836; Samuel S. Marshall 1836-1838; Wil- liam H. Stickney 1838-1842; Willis Allen 1842; Richard Nelson 1843; Willis Allen 1844; Henry W Moore (pro tem) 1845; Benjamin Bond, ,1846 (pro tem); Samuel B. Marshall (pro tem), 1847-1848; Henry Rawlings, 1849; Robert Wingate one term, 1850; W. R. Parish (pro tem) one term; 1850; LeeTurney, 1851 ; James C. Robin- son, 1 852- 1 85 7; P.P. Hamilton (pro tem), 1857; Amos Watts, 1858-1864; P.P.John- son, 1865-1868; John Michan 1869- 1872; James S. Jackson 1873-1877; W. W. Far- thing, 1 877- 1 880. W. D. Farthing was succeeded by Eugene Stoker, he by C. E. Jennings for several terms and he by June C. Smith, whose term is just expired and W. D. Farthing is again taking the office for a term of four years. During the first half century of the coun- ty's existence the Prosecuting Attorney was elected or appointed for the entire circuit and traveled over the circuit with the Judge and during that time may men who after- ward became famous in state and national affairs filled the office and no county in the state has had abler men as public prosecu-' tors than Marion. Among the lawyers who were of the Marion county bar, none were more profound than Sidney Breese, after- ward a Supreme Judge and perhaps the greatest the state ever had. He attended the first court held in the county and for several years after was a regular attendant. Lyman Trumbull afterward a United States Senator from Illinois, was also a practition- er at the bar of this county. Finney D. Pres- ton also belonged to the Marion county bar. W. H. Underwood afterward, Judge, a writer on law, and ranking with Breese and Marshall, practiced here. W. B. Henry Edward S. Wilson and John A. McCler- nand and afterward eminent as Judge and as a general officer in the Civil war. Judge Joseph Gillespie, an intimate associate of Lincoln; Robert Wingate, of Missouri; Richard S. Bond, Daniel White, W. H. Gray, W. A.J. Sparks, Gustave Van Hoor- beke, Fred A. Lietze, Darius Kingsbury, Alexander White and Harvey P. Buxton, W. N. Parrish and Aaron Shaw, lawyers of note, but foreign to the county, all practised here, riding the circuit in the early day. Of the Marion county lawyers, Gen. I. N. Haynie was one of the most noted. He was born in Tennessee November 18, 1824, He came with his parents to this county in 1830, began the study of law in 1844 and was admitted in 1846. He was a lieutenant of Company C, Sixth Regiment of Illinois, in the Mexican war. In 1850 he was elect- ed to the Legislature. He took a law course in the Louisville University and took the highest rank in his class in 1853. In 1856 Mr. Haynie was appointed Judge of the court of Cairo, Illinois, and removed to that city. When the War of the Rebellion broke out, he organized the Forty-eighth Infantry and was given a colonel's commission by Governor Yates. He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh. In 1862 he was made a brigadier general by President Lincoln, and afterward adjutant general of Illinois which 128 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- office he held at the time of his death which occurred at Springfield, March 20, 1865. Stephen G. Hicks, a Georgian by birth, was a lawyer of ability. He served as a private in the Black Hawk war; was a captain in the Third Regiment Illinois Vol- unteers, during the war with Mexico, and was practicing law in Salem when the war between the states broke out. He organized the Fortieth Regiment and was made its colonel. He was severely wounded at the battle of Shiloh and was brought home to Salem, where he remained until July, 1862, when being partially recovered, he returned to his regiment and remained in the field until the close of the war. He was born in 1807, and died in Salem from the effect of his wounds, December 14, 1869. He was buried in East Lawn cemetery, wrapped in the old flag of the Fortieth Regiment as he requested. Basil B. Smith was born in Ohio, June 27, 1829; studied law with General Haynie and was admitted in 1856. He was a fine lawyer and ranked high in his profession, the last years of his life being clouded by a mental break-down. Dewit C. Jones prac- ticed a short time here, but removed to Chicago in 1875. Thomas F. Houts came to this county ir' 1840 with his parents and studied law with Col. H. P. Boyakin in 1842. His education was mostly obtained in the schools of Il- linois and as a student of Rev. W. F Boya- kin in Salem. He fonned a partnership with General Haynie, who was then enter- ing the practice of his profession at Salem. In 1856 Mr. Houts was licensed as a Meth- odist preacher and for some time served in that connection, but later united with the Church of God, and preached for that people until his death about 1907. His body was brought to Salem for interment. He was said to be at his prime the most eloquent speaker in the Southern Illinois circuit. W. B. Adams located at Centralia in 1858. He was a good lawyer, but his ac- cidental death in 1-863 ^^t short his career. Richard S. Nelson, bom in the Isle of Wight, was a lawyer at Centralia from 1859 to his death in 1865. His forte was chan- cery law, in which branch he was thorough- ly equipped. E. S. Bates and George A. Sanders were law partners at Centralia for some years when the firm was dissolved. Bates going to Chicago and Sanders to Springfield. Bates was State Treasurer two terms. W R. Hubbard, J. O. Chance, J. A. Norman, T. E. Huddle, M. T. Peters, \^^ \V. Willard, P. P. Hamilton, ^^■ H. Brazier, J. G. Lemon, A. B. Goddon and H. P. Boyakin were all lawyers and were for a short time resident attorneys of Salem. Gen. James S. Martin and Benjamin F Marshall both practiced a short time in Sa- lem, but retired to enter the business field in which they were eminently successful. Both are dead, but their memory is green in the minds of their many friends. Til- man Raser practiced law in this county also from 1857 to his death in 1881. William Stoker opened a law office in Salem in 1845, but was compelled by an af- fection of the eyes to cease practice for a BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS- 129 time, but in 1854 he opened an office in Cen- tralia and until his death a few years ago was ranked as the dean of the Marion county bar. He was a Mexican war veteran and for a few years practiced at Louisville (from 1848 to 1854), Illinois. His son, Eu- gene L. Stoker, was Prosecuting Attorney of the county, and afterward removed to Chicago, where he died. Michael Schaffer, born in Pennsylvania in 1821, graduated at Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg in 1846. He studied law, taught school and followed a commercial pursuit until 1853, when he was admitted to the bar. In 1857 he was associated with Silas L. Bryan and contin- ued to practice until 1876, when he was ap- pointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Utah Territory, which office he filled with distinguished ability. In 1879 he re- turned to Salem and resided here until his death. Henry C. Goodnow practiced law in Sa- lem from 1859 until his death. Mr. Good- now was a fine lawyer and took great pains to prepare his cases. John B. Kagy came to Salem in i860, and was admitted to the bar in 1861. He was contemporary with H. C. Goodnow, and often on opposite sides, these two, at one time, leaders of the bar, fought battles at law that crowded the court-houses with citizens to witness the giants in combat. Mr. Kagy died a few years ago full of honors. H. C. Feltraan came when a child with his parents from St. Louis and studied law with John B. Kagy, but did not long prac- 9 tice, but turned his attention to business pursuits. He was for years grand scribe of the Grand Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Illinois. He died in 1908, at Salem, Illinois. James S. Jackson, of luka, was born in Kentucky in 1831, and learned the black- smith's trade, and from his coming to the county in 1850, to the breaking out of the Civil war, worked at the forge. In 1861 he was chosen captain of Company G, Twenty- second Illinois Volunteers, and served until March 12, 1865, when he was mustered out. The following November he was elected County Clerk, and while Clerk studied law and was admitted to the bar in June, 1866. He was State's Attorney one term and served one term in the state Legislature. For many years prior to his death he was par- alyzed, and passed his time in a wheel chair, always cheerful and always ready to converse with friends. He was of a poetic temperament and loved to quote Shakes- peare, his favorite author. Col. L. F. Casey was a native of Jefferson county, Illinois, and was educated in Illinois schools. He studied law with Judge Scates in 1842, and was admitted in 1848. He practiced his profession in Mt. Vernon un- til 1852, when he went to Texas and opened an office in Shelbyville. From 1854 to i860 he was Prosecuting Attorney for seven Texas counties. In 1866 he removed to Centralia, Illinois, and formed a partnership with S. L. D wight. Colonel Casey was a member of the Illinois Legislature in 1846- 1847. He was a brilliant man and a first 130 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- rate attorney. While in Texas he was elected to the State Senate and served as senator four years. He died about fifteen years ago, after some years of poor health. Capt. S. L. Dwight, now Circuit Judge, was a private and rose from the ranks to the captaincy of Company I, Sixtieth Illinois Volunteers. His biography appears else- where. Suffice it to say here that he is now serving his second term as Circuit Judge, which speaks more for his ability than pen of mine can utter. S. A. Frazier, of Centralia, was born in Indiana in 1845, but came to this county in 1850. He attended the public schools of this county, and in 1864 entered Northwest- ern Christian University at Indianapolis, Indiana, and took a three years' course. In 1868 he entered the office of W. L. Stoker as a student, and was admitted to practice in 1869, and for two years he practiced with his teacher, and in 1871 opened an office for himself. He has confined himself mostly to chancery and probate law, in which he has attained an enviable reputation. He still keeps an office in Centralia. J. J. Schoolfield, now of luka, is a native of Maryland, but studied law in Kentucky with John Tierbur. He was admitted in 1866, and practiced at Brookville,Illinois. In 1872 he moved to luka where he still re- sides in the full possession of his faculties, and still in active practice. Captain School- field served throughout the war between the states on the losing side. He was a good soldier, and like all good soldiers, surren- dered in good faith, which faith he has kept. and none in Marion county will more quickly resent an insult to his country's honor than J. J. Schoolfield. John F. Donovan, who was brought from New York City in childhood to Sparta, Illi- nois, where he grew to manhood. He was admitted to the bar in 1874, and at once opened an office in Kinmundy, where he still continues to practice his profession. He has served as Mayor of Kinmundy, and several times been appointed postmaster. W. E. C. Lyons was a student of law in the office of Gen. I. B. Jones, of Sparta, and was admitted in 1874. He served as City Attorney of Centralia for a short time, but gave up the practice of law to enter the commercial world, in which he has been successful. C. E. Jennings was born at Walnut Hill, January 7, 1855, graduated at the old State College at Irvington, Illinois, and graduated in 1878 from the Union Law School of Chi- cago. The same year he formed a partner- ship with his uncle, Silas L. Bryan, which continued until the death of Judge Bryan in 1880. Mr. Jennings has been several times elected State's Attorney of the county, and is regarded as one of the deepest students of law at the bar. He is still in active practice. John E. Bryan was bom in Salem, July 4, 185 1. He received his education at the Salem high school and studied law under the Hon. T. E. Merritt and S. L. Bryan. He was admitted by the Supreme Court at Mt. Vernon after passing the required examina- tion. He served several terms as Master in Chancery, and at present conducts an ab- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 131 stract office in connection with his law busi- ness. John J. Raser, Meigs R. Myer, WilHam R. Burton and G. Pierce Duncan each prac- ticed law in this county for a short time, but removal or death made their connection with the Marion county bar too brief to require more than passing notice. They were all gentlemen of good attainments, and had their connection with the bar at Salem been of any length, would doubtless have attained a high place among the lawyers of Marion county. Henry C. Moore began the practice of law at Central City in 1863, but in 1864 was elected Circuit Clerk, and re-elected in 1868; was appointed Master in Chancery in 1879, and has not since engaged in the practice of his profession. He still resides in Salem. Dwyer Tracy, W H. Mason, Ural Mills and Jackson C. Doughty all were licensed attorneys but never practiced at the bar as such as a profession, but were in business in other lines. The present bar in active practice is led by the venerable lawyer and statesman, Hon. Thomas Emmit Merritt, the oldest, both in years and length of practice at the Marion county bar. Mr. Merritt was born in New York City, but emigrated with his father's family to Belleville, Illinois, in 1841, where he received his first schooling. In 1844 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked seven years as a painter in a carriage factory. In 1851 he came to Salem and studied law with P. P. Hamilton, but did not pass his examination until 1863, when he was admitted. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1868, and from that time for twenty-two years he served the district as a legislator two terms of four years each in the Senate. Mr. Merritt by his energy, talents and fluency of speech, has won for himself a reputation that is not confined to his own state, and still in the active practice of his profession is an effect- ive force and a foeman to be feared. The lawyers composing the present bar are a "high toned", scholarly set of Ameri- can gentlemen, and beside those already named, are \\'. F. Bundy, F. F. Noleman and J. J. Bundy, of Centralia, and all rank with the best in the state. These gentlemen are all in the prime of life, and are citizens any city would be proud to claim. W. F. Bundy served one term in the Legislature, but the duties of his profession were more alluring than political preferment, and he declined further office. The other two, while active in their party, have never as- pired to office. June C. Smith and C. F. Dew, both of a younger set, and Mr. Mur- phy and Mr. Jonas, still younger, are rapidly making reputations for themselves, as is also Mr. Garrison. Mr. Smith is just retir- ing from the office of State's Attorney, and Mr. Dew from that of City Councillor of Centralia, in which offices both so conducted affairs as to reflect credit upon themselves. Mr. Garrison is rapidly working up a fine practice, and stands high in his profession. Mr. Rodenberg, a scholarly young lawyer, is United States Commissioner, with his of- fice at Centralia. Ex-County Judge Patter- 132 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- son, of Sandoval, is another good lawyer, who is quietly and effectively building both a good practice and reputation. The members of the bar residing at Salem other than T. E. Merritt, C. E. Jennings and J. E. Bryan, who have already been men- tioned, are all of a later admission to the bar. Of these the first in point of admission is D. D. Haynie, a brother of Gen. I. N. Haynie. He is just retiring from the office of Circuit Clerk, and has associated with him a young attorney, Mr. Lloyd Haley, and from this union of talent and energy a strong legal reputation will doubtless be erected. L. M. Kagy, a farmer boy of Marion county, studied law and graduated in the same class at the Chicago law school with W. J. Bryan, with whom he was a room- mate. Mr. Kagy is a hard-working, con- scientious lawyer, who has attained the top of the ladder in his profession; he is attor- ney for all the railroads passing through the city of Salem, and as a lawyer versed in corporation law ranks high. Two years ago, finding his practice too great, he formed a partnership with Edward Vandevert, who is, though young, a good lawyer. George W. Smith, also a member of the bar, has superior qualities of mind, and as a lawyer ranks high. He was for many years attorney for the city of Salem, and as a criminal lawyer has succeeded in saving his clients in several notable cases. John S. Stonecipher, present County Judge, has been also very successful in the practice of his profession. He, like Mr. Frazier, of Centralia, delights in chancery and probate law. Both Smith and Stone- cipher have good practices and bid fair to build still better in the future. Still younger in the profession is ex- County Judge Charles H. Holt, still a young man. He received his education in the Sa- lem high school and studied law at Chicago. When yet almost a boy he was elected County Judge and served two terms, since which time he has advanced so rapidly in his profession as to be ranked among the best. E. D. Telford, another Salem boy, grad- uated in the Salem high school, then took a classical course in McKendree College, after which he spent some years in the depart- ments at Washington, and while working as a clerk studied law at the law school at Georgetown University and graduated with the honors of his class. He returned to Sa- lem in 1905 and begun the practice of law. He was elected City Attorney in 1907, and still holds that office. He is a hard worker, a good student and is fast growing into a good practice. Earl Huggins, of Kinmundy, is also a young lawyer with a good knowledge of law, and is fast growing into a good prac- tice. Such is the personnel of the bar of Marion county, and no county in the state can boast of a brainier, cleaner or more gentlemanly set of lawyers. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- GEOLOGY OF MARION COUNTY. 133 The rock formation of Marion county so far as are indicated by out croppings are of the upper coal measures, known as the upper sand stone formation and overlies the Shoal Creek limestone. A strongly cement- ed calcareous sandstone appears in some places, very compact. At other points the form is of mud stone, or calcareous state, generally full of fossils, and in some points appearing as areno-calcareous pudding stone or as higher class of limestone. Only at few places does this lime stone appear of any considerable thickness and within a short distance varies to only an accumula- tion of calcareous matter. There is no strata proper, but it seems to be very irregular, at one point it is found as a solid formation, but within a few feet it appears as floating blocks or thin slabs or slate of calcareous formation. One coal bed at least underlies the whole of the county; in many places, three have been found by boring or mine sinking and there is but little doubt that other beds are still lower. We quote from the state geological reports, the following formation in the northwest part of the county as developed by well sinking to the depth of ninety-two feet : Soil and clay fif- teen feet; hardpan, fifteen feet; blue clay mixed with sandstone pebbles, pieces of coal and wood, thirty feet; pieces of limestone, containing fossils, two feet; shales, thirty feet. North of East Fork there are no out- cropping rocks in this county, but on East Fork and on Crooked creek, further south both on the west side of the county, we find the same general formation of argillaceous and arrenaceous shales with sandstone inter calations a slate formation of at least one foot in thickness. These slates are calcareous and strongly fossilliferous. Below this for- mation there is a third coal formation. Near the mouth of Jim creek there is a deposit of about three feet of argillaceous slaty shales, with concretions of kidney ore, then about one and one-half feet of coal, capped by a layer of argillaceous rock. It resembles the concretionary limestone found farther up the East Fork. Along Jim creek in many places of its lower course, the same slaty formation is found just above the coal, cropping out and large pieces have tumbled from the bank. The coal is only about eighteen inches thick. Wells dug in the prairie lands are too shallow to reach the rock, yet beyond doubt the same formation exists under the whole western part of the county. Coal has been dug up in section 27 in Foster township, the vein being about eighteen inches thick; the same vein, doubt- less, is found in section 26, also in section 25, near the old mill. Here it has been found in the bed of the creek, the vein being about eighteen inches thick. These coal out-croppings are found in most of the west and north parts of the county, but are of little commercial value, but at a depth of from five hundred to one thousand two hundred feet there is 134 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS- beyond doubt valuable deposits which time and necessity will alone develop. We are assured that coal exists by mines being de- veloped on every side in this region, as well as within its limits. Along Crooked creek there is the sandstone formation and slate on both sides of the creek. The upper coal vein has been found and from Salem, where the mine is eight hundred and eighty-nine feet deep to Junction City, where it is some- thing over five hundred and fifty feet deep on the north of the creek with about the same as the latter depth, south of the creek. A second or third vein has been discovered and is the vein which is being mined. Sandstone crops out in Salem township, along Crooked creek, and several quarries have been opened but none are of any great commercial value as yet. Sandstone also crops out along Raccoon creek, in the south- west part of the county, and on Horse creek and ,on Skillet Fork, the same general formation as in the west part of the county on Skillet Fork. The rock does not crop out in the north half of Town 2, or in Town 3, north, but from the middle of Town 2, to the county line the out-cropping grows bolder as the surface becomes more and more broken and rough ; the outcrop of sand stone at places is ten or more feet thick. No where in the eastern two tiers of town- ships has any effort been made to sink a shaft for coal except in Kinmundy, where a commercially valuable vein has been opened. In other places we have mentioned the recently discovered oil sand strata and the opening of at least one well producing oil, but as the discovery has just been made nothing is known only that a vein of oil sand is in at least the southern part of Town 2, north, range i, east. In one section in the north tier of sections in Town 4, range 3, natural gas has been discovered and has been used in one farm house both for fuel and light for at least ten years. This, as well as mining, will be spoken of under the head of the townships in which the mines are located. CHANGING THE GAUGE OF A RAILROAD. When the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, now the Baltimore & Ohio, Southwestern, was built, its gauge was established at six feet, or fifteen inches wider than the stand- ard gauge, on which other roads were built. This proved to be a serious handi- cap to the road, as all transfers from and to other roads were impossible, except with the Atlantic & Great Western, which en- tered Cincinnati over the C. H. & D., which had four rails to accommodate the wide trucks of the A. & G. W. and the O. & M. At terminals cars had to be unloaded and contents transferred by hand necessitating great delay and expense. It was concluded by the company that the gauge must be BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 135 changed to the standard. J. L. Gris- wold was general superintendent and Thomas D. Lovett chief engineer and to them all the credit for the successful ac- complishment of the change of gauge of the entire road from St. Louis to Cincinnati in one day is due. The change was made, commencing at midnight Saturday July 21, 1 87 1. Although the fine calculations and provisions of every detail had been planned, occupying months, one of the first orders given was that the entire rolling stock should be concentrated at three points, i. e., East St. Louis, Vincennes and Cochran, Li- diana, on or before midnight of the 21st. This was absolutely necessary, otherwise equipment left on the line could not be moved to the various repair shops on its own wheels. This was not difficult with passenger equipment and empty freight cars but to get loaded freight cars to the termi- nals, unload them and get them to the near- est concentration point required prompt handling and careful calculation. The next important point was to evenly distribute experienced track layers over the entire line. Twenty men trained to this work were placed on every five mile section. Every workman was stationed at his post so that promptly on the stroke of twelve, midnight, the track was cut in seventy places, between St. Louis and Cincinnati. Previous to this the inside spikes for the narrower gauge had been driven partly in and the inner spikes at the joints, centers and quarters of the track had been drawn. Certain of the track gang finished loosening the rails, others threw the rail into the new position, where a single blow on the partly driven spikes held it fast while others fol- lowed driving in the outside spikes. It must be remembered that both rails had to be moved, as the shifting of the track fifteen inches to one side would have put out of service nearly every platform, station, wa- ter .tank and other accessory on the entire line. Where the track was straight, the re- laying was comparatively simple, but the O. & M. was an exceedingly crooked road and as compared to the pi'esent Baltimore & Ohio, Southwestern, like the letter "S" is to "L" This complicated the relaying as it necessitated the shortening- of eveiy rail in every cuiwe on the line, which was nearly half the rails in use, either by cutting the rails or replacing them with new ones of the right length and in addition to this relaying of the main track every frog, switch and crossing had to be changed. While upward of one thousand five hundred men toiled in the pale light of a July night changing the gauge. At the three concentration points. East St. Louis, Vincennes and Cochran, where the equipment was being changed to fit the new gauge, were busy centers. Three master mechanics, Harry Elliott (since pro- prietor of the Elliott Frog & Switch Works of East St. Louis. Mr. Elliott died in 1908.) was in charge at East St. Louis; Archibald Thompson at Vincennes and J. D. W. Potts at Cochran had charge of this work at their several stations. Enough four foot eight and one-half inch trucks were in readiness for one-half the equipment and 136 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- forty new Baldwin locomotives stood in the round houses ready for their initial trip over the relaid track. And the entire work of relaying was finished at about 8 o'clock a, m., July 22d. This was considered one of the great engineering feats of that day and would tax the capacity of the engineers of today. Note the O. & M. now the B. & O. S. W., passes east and west through the county near its middle line. To Prof. J. E. Whitchurch we are indebted for facts relat- ing to the change of gauge of the O. & M. PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF MARION COUNTY. Until the year 1854 there was no really free public school system in Illinois. That year the Legislature inaugurated a system providing by state and local taxation for sufficient revenue for the support of free schools. The Federal government had pro- vided that one section in each township be set apart to be sold for the use of common schools, but as most of this land was sold at an early day at the then low price, the money obtained when at interest brought but little revenue, so until 1855 whai the new law began to operate, the custom was to eke out the term by subscription, each patron paying so much, usually five cents per scholar per day, and as the pupils were few and money scarce, the inducement for a qualified teacher was not strong. When the new law went into effect the supply of competent teachers was limited and at first the requirements for a certificate were very low and often made lower by the commis- sioner as the chief school officer of the coun- ty was then called in order to get teachers enough to supply the districts, besides at this time owing to the completion of the Illinois Central and Ohio and Mississippi railroads, and the building of other roads, an unprecedented influx of emigrants to the state was constantly increasing the demand for more and better teachers. Marion coun- ty took the lead in this demand and at a meeting of the Southern Illinois teachers, held in Centralia in 1868, a resolution was passed stating the needs of the Southern Il- linois counties and praying the Legislature to provide for them by establishing a southern normal school. The southern nor- mal was chartered the next year and county normal schools were also provided for, for the fitting of teachers for the common schools. Many changes were made in the laws pertaining to schools at this session of the Legislature and the laws as amended took effect July i, 1879, in accord with the constitution, as no emergency clause was at- tached. It provided for the safe keeping of all school money; made the Commissioner County Superintendent and required him to examine all books and accounts of the Town- ship Treasurer yearly, to visit schools, and advise with teachers and school officers. It BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- IS? made the school month a calendar month, and required teachers to have a certificate before making- a contract to teach and for- bade school directors making contracts with the district or to do any business except at a regular or special meeting. Graded schools in cities were placed under boards of education of not less than six members and a president, all of which was a great improvement over the law of 1854. The Marion county teachers and school boards gladly accepted the chance thus af- forded to improve the schools, and a rapid advance was begun, and the people remem- bering the early struggle for education they themselves had had, resolved better things for their children. They had been forced to be content with a few months of school, kept in an old abandoned log cabin by an untrained and often unlearned teacher, be- ing often forced to walk three or four miles each way to and from school, with rude slab seats, few books and no accessories. They resolved that their children should have better teachers, better books, Ijetter houses, better equipped and at least the necessary helps to make school life not only successful, but comfortable. The old school building of logs chinked and daubed, some- times with oiled paper for windows, warmed, if we may call it warmed at all, by a fireplace at one end, floor of puncheon, i. e., logs split and hewn, where the earth was not used as a floor, clapboard door, hung' on hinges made of wood and ill-fitted in place, benches of split logs supported by •pins driven in augur holes at the ends for legs and desks of hewn logs, supported by pins driven into augur holes of the logs forming the side of the house, roof of clap- boards held in place by logs placed thereon, through which the sky might be seen and through which the rain beat or the snow sifted as there was nO' ceiling to intervene. The teacher could by dint of hard study keep ahead of the pupils and if he could read, write and "cipher" or "do sums" to the single rule of three (now known as sim- ple proportion) he was fully competent if he had the further and more important quali- fication of being able to thrash the boys and girls. The teacher at Christmas times was expected to treat the school by giving them cheap candy and not to do so was to lower himself in the estimation not only of the pu- pil, but of the patron as well. And this worse than silly custom is, we are sorry to say, kept up yet in some districts of our county, and is a pretty good evidence of lack of proper school progress in that district, If the teacher refused to "treat" the larger boys would scheme to lock him out of the school-house and often a fight ensued to the utter destruction of the term's usefulness, and the elders always sided with the pupils. In my early life I passed through such scenes in Illinois both as pupil and after- ward as teacher. Under such conditions as these, the fathers and mothers of Marion county received their schooling, and being clear-headed the majority of them hailed the better day with rejoicing and resolved to give far better than they had received. In order that the present generation may 138 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- appreciate their advantages, let us draw a picture. Let us visit a school of sevaity-five or even sixty years ago. The house has al- ready been described. Let us enter the school on a winter morning, the slab benches ar- ranged on either side of the middle aisle, filled with boys of all sizes, from little tots of six years, to stalwart young men of twenty on one side and girls of like ages on the other; a huge fire in the open fire place at one end burns one side of the body while the other freezes. The struggle to keep warm, to leani the lesson and to com- mit some sort of mischief occupies the pupil. The teacher's desk is in the middle of the room and the teacher sits by it in calm dig- nity, "monarch of all he suiweys," as we enter, and every pupil cranes his neck to see who it is, and satisfied in that respect, re- turns to his former occupation. No attempt at quiet is made, but everyone studies in a loud droning whisper and the hum of thirty or forty pupils studying fills the room, but teacher or pupil is not disturbed; they are used to it. Suddenly up goes a hand and a voice cries aloud, "May I go out?" The teacher nods and the pupil goes out, slam- ming the creaking door. Soon another comes to the teacher with a dirty finger on the page, pointing out a word to be pro- nounced, the teacher giving the pronuncia- tion. "May Bill Jones and me git a bucket of water?" Permission being given, out goes the boys with shout and clatter. The fire by this time needs replenishing and the teacher sends a couple of boys out for wood. The little tots one by one are called to the teacher's knee and the alphabet from A to Z is conned, and then the class in reading is called and ranges in a line on the floor. The text-book is anything from the old first reader to the Bible, and perhaps only two or three books to a dozen pupils, but the book is passed from one to the other until all have read and then they pass back to the seats and the lesson is done. "Sums" are done on slates and copied in blank books. Spelling is next and the class stands up in a long row and spells from head to foot, turning each other down when a word is missed which is not often, for whatever the old system failed to do it did make spellers and every school boasted of one or more that could spell every word in Webster's old blue-back speller. Geography was taught by singing the facts to be learned in a dreaiy singsong monotone, having the facts arranged in a rude rhyme, the effect was ludicrous in the extreme, but neither pupil nor teacher saw anything out of the way or funny in it. But reader, if you are too young to have visited a "loud" school, as they were called, you have missed the best representation of pan- demonium that the ingenuity of man ever devised. A "loud" school was nothing more or less than a school in which every pupil was permitted to study his lessons out loud. Lnagine, if you can, thirty or forty boys and girls of all ages, each studying his les- son and perhaps each a different lesson in a loud tone of voice with perhaps a class trying to recite to the teacher, all at the same time. Yet incredible BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 139 as it may appear, this kind of school was not infrequent, but a change is at hand and the boys of the old log school-house, with its laide and inadequate equipment and incompetent teacher demands something better for their children even though at more cost to themselves. So with the bet- ter laws, the old regime passes. Neat school buildings replace the cabins, trained teachers take the place of the incompetents, new furniture, adequate equipment, new and more scientific methods, gentler and better discipline, no more loud schools, no more singing geography, no more haphaz- ard recitations, but a mind-training process has superseded and the school of today, while not perfect, is in Marion county as good as the best. The first school in the county was taught in 18 1 9 in Walnut Hill prairie, by Jeffer- son Dow, who was followed by Arby An- drews from 1823 to about 1830. In 1823 Isaac Barr taught in Tennessee prairie. The first school taught in Haines township was in 1827 near where W. D. Hill now lives, with Thomas Cohom as teacher. Alexan- der Kell taught the first school in Salem in 1828. Stevenson township had no school until 1833, when Otho Davenport opened one in a log house on the Vincennes road. William Haddon taught the first school in Omega township in 1838. Schools in- creased with increasing population until the year 1846, when the first report of school statistics were made to the Secretary of State. This report was as follows: Whole number of school-houses in coun- ty, thirty-seven; whole number of schools, thirty-two; whole number of children un- der twenty-one, one thousand eight hundred and thirty; whole number of scholars en- rolled, nine hundred and ' sixty-six ; total amount paid teachers, seven hundred and sixty dollars; average monthly wages paid teachers, twelve dollars. The average monthly wages paid teach- ers today is for males, fifty-four dollars and eighty-five cents, and for females forty- three dollars and seventy-three cents, and as will be seen from the contribution of Supt. J. S. Kniseley, an effort is being made to raise both wages and the standard of ex- cellence of Marion county schools. Marion county has sent more students to the South- ern Illinois Normal than any county outside of the one in which the school is located, and has more teachers of normal training than any county in Southern Illinois. With a well equipped township high school and a city high school in Centralia; with a four- year course accredited high school in Salem, a good high school in Sandoval, Odin and Kinmundy, and fine rural schools, Marion need not go outside her own borders for any save technical education and her sons and daughters have only to use the means at hand to be well rounded American citizens. 140 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS- MARION COUNTY SCHOOLS OF THE PRESENT DAY. By Supt. J. S. Kinseley. The year 1909 has begun to unfold her pages and reveal each succeeding day that which she has in store for us, and we find that Marion county comprises one hundred and twenty-four schools districts, one hun- dred and twelve one-room country schools, three two-room schools, two three-room schools and six with five or more rooms. Two new districts have been formed in the last year, one in Stevenson and the other in luka township. The highest enrollment in any one room is eighty-seven, the lowest is nine. The highest wage paid to any male teacher is one hundred and sixty-six and two-thirds dollars per month, the lowest is thirty-three and one-third dollars. The highest wage paid to any female teacher is seventy-seven dollars and fifty cents and the lowest thirty dollars per month. The total number of boys and girls between the ages of six and twenty-one years is ten thousand three hundred and sixty-nine. The total number enrolled in school is eight thousand one hundred and three. The to- tal number between twelve and twent}'-one years who are unable to read and write is thirteen. The amount of tax levy for the support of schools for the past year is one hundred and eleven thousand one hundred and twenty dollars. The amount of bonded school debt is sixty-two thousand nine hun- dred. The amount of interest received on township fund by the various township treasurers is nine hundred and seventy-sev- en dollars and twenty-three cents. Amount paid teachers the last year is sixty-nine thousand five hundred and seventy-four dollars and fifty-five cents. Total expendi- ture of the year ending June 30, 1908, is one hundred and one thousand seven hun- dred and six dollars and ninety-two cents. The average monthly wages for males is fifty- four dollars and eighty-five cents; for females forty-three dollars and seventy-three cents. Beyond any doubt our schools are above the average of those of Southern Il- linois and our teachers the most loyal to the profession of any county in the state. The counties of Central and Northern Il- linois, in which land is assessed at one hun- dred and fifty dollars to two hundred dol- lars per acre, higher salaries with a much lower rate of levy are maintained, which of course tends to draw from us some of our best teachers. The salaries paid to our teachers at present have not kept pace with our material growth and the advance in the cost of living. In Centralia many of the grade teachers are receiving forty dollars per month, but are compelled to pav twenty dollars per month for board. After laun- dry bills, clothing, school journals, reading circle books and the expense of attending the annual institute and teachers' meetings deducted, nothing is left for the remaining months, when the pay ceases. How can BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS- HI the country teacher who' receives but forty dollars per month and pays ten dollars of it for board for six months of the year lay up any money and support a family on one dol- lar per day ? Can he afford to attend a nor- mal school in order to advance and become more useful as a teacher to the district un- der these conditions ? "Chill penury freezes the genial currents of the soul," and we are compelled to bear with poorly prepared teachers because of a condition established by a custom. Why should our country schools be the last part of our educational system to receive attention ? Now our state normals supported by public taxation are supposed to furnish practical training for our country school teachers and high school graduates, who expect to teach school in the countiy in order that the country home life may become more vigorous and more at- tractive for the boys and girls who are to receive the impress of the teachers' life and work fresh from these institutions. Better schools cost more to be sure, but farms have increased in value, and farmers have been receiving good prices for their products, im- proving their farms, improving their stock, improving their bank account, not satisfied with the seed corn or seed oats or other seed save only the best, let us not be satis- fied with anything less than the best schools for our boys and girls. "The best product of the farm" good as our schools are, they can be made better, and with a devoted corps of teachers Marion county must come to the front. THE DEVELOPMENT OF CENTRALIA. Dating from March 13, 1852, when the Illinois Central Railroad received its mu- nificent grant from the state of Illinois, events and conditions were conspiring to the location and history of Centralia and yet Centralia and its present location were not in this formulative period considered, and the final site, platting and formation of the city of Centralia by the Illinois Central Railroad Company was the direct result of inability of the said company to satisfactor- ily deal with individuals owning the sec- tion of land north of Centralia and which is now partially occupied by the village of Central City, through which Crooked creek passes. The Illinois Central intended to put their shops and build their city on this location owing to its favorable geographi- cal situation, but when the owners were approached their ideas of value failed to co- incide with those of the railroad company officials, therefore, they laid out the city of Centralia, placed its shops and proceeded to build the town. Centralia has since that time, until quite i-ecently, been pre-eminently a railroad town these interests being first represented by the Illinois Central for division points of both the branch and main line, later the J. S. & E. purchased by the Chicago, Burlington 142 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- and Quincy Railroad, then the Southern Railway, then the Illinois Southern. The growth of Centralia since its fifty- five years of existence has been of the con- ■sei"vative order, the city itself being largely settled by German immigrants, necessarily poor, partook of the necessarily slow Ger- man character, while the surrounding coun- try, to a very large extent, has been settled with the easy-going Tennesseeans and Ken- tucky people, largely satisfied with existing conditions. With the gradual development of the lo- cal resources, principally coal, and the adap- tation of farming to the soils, possibilities have added a more American and aggres- sive feature to the population and quick- ened the pulse of the business life of Cen- tralia, doubling the city's population in the last five years, with the reasonable pos- sibility of a like increase within the next period of time. Naturally the growth and development of the city involves the intimate association of characters who have by their efforts and brains to the extent of their talents, been more or less instrumental in this result. The natural growth and development, seemingly slow at times, has reflected the character of those depending upon the trade for their sustenance and fortune, and with the admixture of a per cent, of personal and civic pride, has evolved a city from out the prairie over which the Indians camped and the wild animals roamed. The result of any municipal improvement can scarcely be attributed to any business or commercial organizations, but rather to the necessity as demanded and to the nat- ural unanimity of action on the part of the citizens on all public questions. This spirit is manifested in the many beautiful reli- gious and educational structures which in many instances have cost much money and would do credit to a city of much larger size. The value of these institutions can scarcely be measured in dollars and cents; they will forever remain as monuments to the Christianity and education and higher civilization of the community. CHURCHES OF MARION COUNTY. Mount Moriah church is the oldest con- gregation in the county. It was organized as a Free Will Baptist church in 1829. For eight years it was in name a Free Will Bap- tist, but in 1837 it renounced the name and joined in the reform movement, now known as the Christian church, or Church of Christ. For many years this church was under the leadership of such consecrated men as El- ders William Chaffin, David R. Chance, Samuel Shook and Charles Drennen. These men, like many other preachers of pioneer times, underwent hardships and dangers un- complainingly, for the truth's sake. Here the late J. A. Williams united with the church in which he was so -long to labor, and whose BRINKERHOFF-'S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 143 doctrines he was to so faithfully exemplify during a life of ninety years. Among the preachers who have labored with this church regularly in the earlier years of its history were Reverends White, Brinkerhoff, Phil- lips, Nance, Simer, Boles and others have been preachers in charge in later years, with others who are not recalled. The first house was log; since its decay three other frame buildings have been occupied. The second frame was a very large building and was partly wrecked by a wind storm, but was repaired and used until about five years ago, when it was torn down and the present neat chapel built. This congregation maintains a good Sunday school and is in a healthy condition. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF SALEM. The Christian church at Salem was or- ganized by Elder John A. Williams in the parlor of his home December 18, 1866. The organization was very small, but immediate- ly bought a small frame building that had been used by the Cumberland Presbyterians as a house of worship. They paid two hun- dred and fifty dollars for it and repaired it at a cost of one hundred and fifty dollars. This house was used until the summer of 1879, when it was sold for one hundred dollars. The congregation immediately began the building of a new house of worship. It was of brick, thirty-four by fifty feet, with a tower ten feet square in front. This building cost two thousand five hundred dollars. It was completed and dedicated in February, 1880, Elder H. R. Trickett preaching the dedicatory sermon. Elder John A. Williams preached for this church regularly once a month for many years. Besides Elder Wil- liams, John W. Manehan, John Bradley, Elder Hite, Elder Henry, J. H. G. Brinker- hoff and others preached for this church until Brother Mosely was employed as resident pastor. He was followed by J. F. Rosborough, and he by Elder Black ad Clark Braden, and for the last four years F. O. Fannon has been preacher to this peo- ple. In 1906 the congregation resolved to build a new church and sold the old build- ing for four hundred dollars and accepted plans for a new building, which, complete,, cost twenty-two thousand dollars, including a fine pipe organ ; one-half of the cost of the organ was donated by Andrew Carnegie. The new church is one of the most beautiful structures in Southern Illinois. It is of buff pressed brick, with basement under the en- tire building, an auditorium and assembly and class rooms, minister's study and choir room on first floor, with kitchen, dining room and parlors above. The congregation now numbers two hundred and thirty nine communicants. THE CENTRALIA CHURCH. The Christian church at Centralia was or- ganized at Central City December 31, 1856. by Elder John A. Williams, with only eight members. They were Jacob, Harriet and Simpson Frazier ; Daniel Myers ; James and Jane McCartney; Margaret Whitton. and 144 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- Louisa Hawkins. But when it became ap- parent that the center of business would be moved to Centraha, it was advisable to move the location of the church, and a commo- dious frame house was built in the new city, into which the church moved its church or- ganization. During the Civil war the church sustained serious injury by the bitter polit- ical feeling that existed at that time, and did not fully recover for many years. At this time the membership was seventy-five males and eighty-five females, a total of one hun- dred and sixty. In 1866 their building was burned and for several years they met in a rented hall, with the inevitable consequence of growing weaker and weaker, but in 1872 a new house of worship was built on the same lot on which stood the old church. This building is also of wood and cost two thousand four hundred dollars. It is still used, but plans have been accepted for the building of a new church at a cost of thir- ty thousand dollars, which will be begun in 1909. The church was reorganized February 19, 1870, from which time the church has steadily grown, until today, under the lead- ership of James F. Rosborough, it is one of the strongest as well as the most united churches in the county. Besides J. A. Wil- liams, many of the strong preachers of the past generation labored with this church. Alma Christian church was organized April 28, 1867, by Elder John Ross, with fifteen members. This church grew stead- ily for a time, but in 1872 a bitterness de- veloped over opinions that for many years retarded the growth in numbers as well as in spirituality. In 1875 Elders Hawley and Johnson held a meeting, adding thirty-five members to the congregation and doing away with much of the ill feeling, which happily has now entirely passed away, and the church, having passed through trouble, is now growing strong. Little Grove church stands just south of the county line in Jefferson county, but most of its membership is in Marion county. This church was organized about 1841 and has constantly and consistently maintained the cause of the Master and has preaching once every month, after the mistaken idea of most country churches. Level's Grove church was organized by William Chaffen sixty years ago. It was first known as Bee Branch, and built a small log house, which was set on fire by a forest fire and destroyed. The church then held meetings for a time in the Omega school house, and later built the present neat frame on the Omega road about a mile east of the original site. This church has grown in num- bers and is one of the best country churches, quietly doing good. It maintains regular preaching. Harvey's Point church, on the Salem and old Foxville road, was established about forty-five years ago by Elders Mulkey, James Snow and William C. Hill. This con- gregation built a large frame church on the spot where Captain Harvey was killed many years ago, hence the name, Harvey's Point. This congregation is now weak in point of numbers by reason of withdrawals of mem- bership to unite with other congregations of BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 145 disciples. The old house was torn down some years ago and a small, neat church built in its stead. Preaching is had part time. The Christian church at Patoka was or- ganized on the fourth Lord's day in May, 1875, by Elder Samuel Hawley, of Odin, Il- linois. This church for five years after its organization dragged along seemingly with- out making much progress. On the fourth Lord's day in May, 1880, it was reorganized by Elder J. D. Morgan, of Odin. At this time the total membership was twenty-nine males and eleven females. From this time they began to grow. A Sunday school was organized, and in about 1882 a church build- ing was erected, and in 1905 an addition was built, making it one of the neatest of the smaller churches in the county. The pres- ent membership is one hundred and ten. and regular preaching is maintained. A fine Sunday school is kept up, equipped with all necessary helps. Several of the members are acceptable speakers and every Sunday is meeting day with this church. ODIN CHRISTIAN CHURCH. regular preaching has been kept up. The last year the pulpit has been acceptably filled by Shorland Fannon, eldest son of Rev. F. O. Fannon, who, though young in the work, successfully led them to a better work. The church now numbers about one hundred and seventy members and is in good working condition, with an active Sunday school and a live Endeavor Society. The Turkey Creek Christian church was organized in 1867, but has not progressed much, either in point of work or of mem- bership. It is a country church and has preaching only occasionally. Sandoval Christian church was first or- ganized by Elder A. Martin, with a mem- bership of forty, but for several years lan- guished and almost died, but a faithful few held together, and about twenty years ago employed Elder Boyer to hold a meeting in which one hundred and seventeen additions to the church were received. The congre- gation immediately began to build and have /since been housed in a beautiful modem frame church home. They now number over two hundred and keep a resident minister. On the first Sunday in March, 1878, James M. Hawley organized the Odin Chris- tian church, with sixteen members, in Smith's Hall. In the fall of 1879 they built a neat frame church, thirty-two by forty- four feet, at a cost of two thousand dollars, and on the first Lord's day in January the congregation occupied their new home. Many noted ministers have preached for this church, and during the last fifteen years 10 OTHER CHRISTIAN CHURCHES. Within the last twenty years churches have been organized and houses built at sev- eral points in the county. Twenty-one years ago a few brethren living in what is known as the Young neighborhood resolved to or- ganize and build. Preaching had been held in the schoolhouse near for more than forty years, but no regularly organized body ex- 146 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- isted. In August, 1883, Elder Brinkerhoff laid the cornerstone, with appropriate re- marks, and the present neat chapel, known as Young's Chapel, was built. Between Christmas and New Year, 1883, Elder J. A. Williams held a short meeting and organ- ized, with about twenty members. Elder Brinkerhoff was engaged to preach for them once each month, and held this relationship for six years. Elder Morgan, of Ashley, preached a while also for them, and they have steadily grown to number about eighty members. This church has been a great blessing to the community and is still active in the work. About 1886 N. G. Huff, an elder of Old Mt. Moriah, but who lived about six or eight miles from his church home, prevailed on Elder Brinkerhoff to visit the Huff school- house once a month and preach for the peo- ple. After a year of this work they resolved to organize and build a church. They were organized in the school-house in the spring and numbered forty-two members, mostly from Mt. Moriah and Harvey's Point churches. They immediately selected a site and built the Gaston Grove church. The last of August of the same year Elder Brinker- hoff held a ten daj^s' meeting and added forty-two more, all by immersion, thus doubling the membership. This church has always prospered and is alive in all good works, and although it has lost at least fifty members by removals to Salem and else- where, it is still a strong country church, with one of the best Bible schools in . the county. Within the last few years churches have been built in Kell, in Donoho Prairie, at New Union and at Scutchfield Prairie, also at luka. Each is young and has but a small membership. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AT KINMUNDY. In 1900 the congregations at Centralia and Salem loaned their pastors. Rev- erend Smart, and Reverend Rowe, to the little band of disciples at Kin- mundy, to hold a meeting and or- ganize a church. The result was so en- couraging that a church was organized and the present beautiful brick church was built. From that time the church has been har- monious and constantly growing. Elder F. O. Fannon has for the last five years served them half time and has made it the leading factor in church work in Kinmundy, num- bering about two hundred members. This paper ought not close without a brief sketch of the one man whose labors for more than sixty years were largely the factors that made this grand result possible. We refer to that grand old soldier of the Cross, John A. Williams, who was born in Shelby county, Indiana, July 31, 181 8, and came to Marion county, Illinois, at the age of six- teen. They settled near Walnut Hill and made a farm out of the timber land one- half mile east of the village. Mr. ^^'illiams was converted at Mt. Moriah church and be- gan to preach occasionally as early as 1846. He was ordained as a minister in 1850 and began immediately to preach the word regu- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 147 larly, often going on horseback from fifty to one hundred miles to all parts of Illinois, from Shelbyville to Cairo and from the Mississippi to the Wabash, planting the good seed everywhere. For more than sixty years he preached constantly. Mr. Williams was gifted with superb physical powers, being over six feet tall and of fine physique. His mental powers were far above the average and his sermons were clear, logical and con- vincing. His manner was winning and his knowledge of the Bible profound. He died at the home of his daughter at Sailors Springs, Illinois, November 4, 1907, and was buried at Salem' after the body lying in state in the beautiful new church one day. The funeral sermon was by Elder Brinker- hoff, assisted by Elder Roseborough. After the sermon an opportunity was given any to speak, when from the immense congrega- tion, gathered from many congregations of Southern Illinois, about twenty pronounced eulogies on the life of one they had loved so well. His funeral was one of the largest and most impressive ever held in Salem. Truly "his works live after him." THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH. The Methodist Episcopal church South in Marion county was the outgrowth of politi- cal animosities engendered before and dur- ing the Civil war. Political intolerance split churches and even families into warring fragments. Many of the Methodist faith felt themselves aggrieved at the attitude of the church, among whom was Rev. J. W. Wescott, a minister of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He withdrew from the Meth- odist Episcopal church and called a conven- tion to meet at the court-house in Salem June 22, 1864. The following ministers were present at the meeting : J. W. Wescott, Thomas L. Middleton, William Findley, James B. Gray, Thomas Deeds and William Layson, and lay brethi-en, Thomas Borring, Arthur Foster, Thomas Smith, Charles Smith, James M. Charleton, John J. Holt, J. C. McConnell, Elijah Wernberly, Isaac Misenhammer, Mordecai Smith and a few others. This convention organized under the name of the Evangelical church. The first class was organized in Romine Prairie at the house of John J. Holt. Rev- erend Wescott was present and led the exercises. The second class was organized at Old Union. The third at Mount Zion church on North Fork, and the fourth at Harmony. The first coun- cil was held at Mt. Zion church in Septem- ber, 1864. The council divided into districts. The Salem disti'ict embraced all the county except the Romine church, which was in- cluded in the Xenia district. As most of the members of Evangelical church had come out of the Methodist Episcopal church, they, in 1867, changed the name to Methodist and were received into the connection of the Methodist Eiscopal church. South, with all the privileges of the conferences, by Bishop David S. Daggett. Eighteen societies were organized in the county and for a time kept pace with other churches, but as the pas- sions of men subside the necessity for sep- 148 BRINKERI-IOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- aration of forces seems to be less apparent and the church today seems not to have the vigor of earlier times. No mention of any Methodist Episcopal church can be found of record before the year 1830, although it is probable that preachers of that denomination had now and then preached to the people in passing through, but in that year the Grand Prairie Mission was formed, taking all the territoi"y between the AVabash and the Kaskaskia rivers, and all Illinois south of Vandalia to Maysville, except that part embraced in the Mt. Vemon circuit, which covered a small portion of the south part of Marion county. In 1830 Simeon Walker was sent to this mission field and preached the first sermon by a Methodist minister ever preached in Salem. In 1831 he organized the first Methodist church in the county at the home of a Mrs. Jones. At this time S. H. Thomp- son was the presiding elder. In 1832 Phillip T. Corder took the work at this point and the next year James Graham was sent and the name changed to Salem mission. These men not only preached at Salem, but at Sandy Branch, Walnut Hill and Fosterburg, then flourishing, but now decayed and gone. James Harsha was the next circuit rider and as there was no church-house he preached like his predecessors in private houses. Phil- lip Moore succeeded Harsha in 1835, and in time was succeeded by Justice R. Ryman, with James H. Dickens as his colleague. Sa- lem was then a village of about fifteen fami- lies and the Methodist Episcopal church at this place was at a low ebb, but the old log court-house was bought and for many years this was the only church on the circuit. This year witnessed an increase of about two hundred in the entire circuit, about twenty of whom were to the Salem body. The old court-house was used until 1850, when Isaac Groves was sent to the circuit and the first Methodist Episcopal church house was built. It was a frame and stood where the new Episcopal church now stands on W^est Main street. It was dedicated by James Leaton, and was used until 1865, when it was re- moved to make room for the new church, which was commenced that year. The first Methodist Episcopal Sunday school was or- ganized in 1850 in the new frame church. In 1 85 1 the AA'alnut Hill circuit was formed, embracing the south part of the county. In 1856 conference was held in Salem and Sa- lem was made a station, with Rev. Thomas A. Eaton in charge. During this year a protracted meeting was held, at which one hundred conversions were reported. In 1858 T. F. Houts, who had left the law for the ministiy, was in charge. In 1865 Rev. Jo- seph Harris was pastor, and to his zeal and energy is largely due the removal of the old frame church and the building of a large new brick church, which was used until 1906, when it was torn down, the lot sold and the erection of the splendid new stone-faced church, on land purchased just north of and facing the court-house square. During the two years of the building, the Rev. J. G. Tucker, in charge, was the head and fount of the enterprise. It stands a monument of beauty and will last for generations. It cost about thirty thousand dollars. As near as we can ascertain, Centralia had BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 149 no Methodist preaching until after the for- mation of Walnut Hill Circuit, and probab- ly not earlier than 1854, when the church at Centralia was org-anized, and was a part of the \A''alnut Hill circuit. The first house of worship was in what is now called South Town and was a small frame building. It was afterward moved to South Poplar street and used until 1865, when it was sold and a good brick house erected on the corner of Broadway and Elm streets. This building- cost about six thousand dollars, and at that time was the best church house in the coun- ty. In 1 90 1 the quarterly conference' ap- pointed a committee to build a new church and were empowered to sell the old one. The old church was sold in 1903 and on July 28, 1903, a contract was entered into with S. Legried, a Centralia contractor, for the erection of a new building at a cost 01 about thirty thousand dollars. It is a beau- tiful structure of mottled brick trimmed with Bedford stone, and handsomely finished in- side, with Sunday school rooms and all con- veniences. The congregation is large and composed of many influential people. The building was dedicated in 1904. METHODIST EPISCOPAL AT KINMUNDY. In the summer of 1858 a local minister of Salem preached a few sermons at Kin- mundy. James Woollard was the first reg- ular pastor, and he was followed by G. W. Waggoner, and he by John Thatcher, all acceptable preachers. The first class was formed during the pastorate of Woollard and consisted of nine members, four males and five females. It may be of interest to know who they were, so we give their names : Waller Hensley and wife, Samuel Lawrence and wife, George Marsland and wife, Malinda Sprouse and William Blur- ton. The Kinmundy circuit was formed in 1863 and P. P Hamilton was the preacher, and by his efforts the frame meeting-house was built, which was torn down about four years ago to make room for the present beautiful structure. The first church was dedicated by T. F. Houts. Elias Neil was the first superintendent of the Sunday school, which was organized in 1862. From that time until the present the church has had a steady growth and now numbers about two hundred communicants. The new church cost about ten thousand dollars, and is an ornament to the city as well as a monument to the zeal and liberality of the members. Odin and Sandoval were for many years ' one charge, and in each place is a neat church building, and at each place there is at present a congregation of over one hun- dred members, but no important informa- tion that is reliable is obtainable. Patoka circuit, formerly called Foster- burg circuit, was cut off from the Salem cir- cuit. Originally five neat chapels were on this circuit and all still exist. In some places, however, preaching is had only occasionally and the buildings are not all properly kept up, but in all Sunday schools are maintained. In the village of Patoka there is a good church building and regular services held. The circuit is in fairly prosperous condition. ISO BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS- There is a good parsonage at Patoka and in former years this circuit maintained one of the best camp meeting grounds in the coun- ty, but of late years the camp meeting has disappeared as the necessity has disappeared for their use. Fosterburg is no more, but the Patoka circuit is active and doing a great work in its particular field. The luka circuit is the remainder of the original Salem circuit. It has four appoint- ments and they are all supplied from luka. They maintain four church houses and four Sunday schools. The membership of this circuit is about three hundred and fifty. There is at present in the county about twenty-two church buildings, valued at about two hundred thousand dollars, and a membership of about twenty-two hundred (estimated). The circuit rider, who in an earlier day braved all danger that he might carry his message of peace and love, is only now a name. No more in this county is he to be seen with saddlebag and Bible journey- ing from appointment to appointment, heed- ing not the summer's heat, nor the winter's cold, but now the preacher comes to his ap- pointment with horse and buggy, preaches and drives home again. The old way has given place to the new ; may the new prove as effective as the old. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The Presbyerian church never was strong in this county, only a few congregations ex- isting until the union a few years ago. One at Kinmundy, one at Salem that was dis- solved twenty years ago, one at Centralia and later one near or at Foxville are all, so far as we have been able to find, and no data is at hand as to their history. EPISCOPAL CHURCH. There are a few Episcopal churches in Marion county. One at Centralia, St. John's Parish, was organized October 31, 1858. Bishop Seymour, of the Springfield diocese, visited the parish as early as 1878 and confirmed a class of nine. This church, never large, has, however, continued to ex- ercise all its duties and functions to the present time. Salem, church was organized about five years ago and is known as St. Thomas mis- sion. It is supplied by a rector from Car- lyle. This mission has just completed a beautiful though small stone church on Main street on the lot where the Methodist Episcopal church stood. CATHOLIC CHURCH. There are but five Catholic churches in the county and only two of these have resi- dent priests. The Centralia church is quite strong and has a large, beautiful church building and school and parsonage. A priest is located here and the church is in a flourishing con- dition. Sandoval also has a fairly strong congre- gation, a good church and parsonage and a resident priest. BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 151 Kinmundy, Patoka and Salem have but small buildings and only a few adherents. They have services by priests from other charges once a month. CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Marion county belonged to the Illinois Presbytery and the first preaching was done by Jonathan Brittain. It was preached in the house of Abner Stewart about 1830. David Campbell followed in 1833 and preached in the barroom of Ricker's Ho- tel in Salem. These two men preached for several years in the county, but the man who organized nearly all the Cumberland Presbyterian churches was Rev. W^illiam Finley. The first church organized was at the house of James Eagan, September 7, 1840, by Wlliam Finley. It was called Mt. Carmel, afterward Kinmundy. In 1842 they established a camp meeting grounds near Kinmundy known as Mt. Carmel camp ground, and out of the meetings held there grew most of the congregations of the coun- ty- Good Hope church at Omega was organ- ized by William Finley November 9, 1844, and the same year Bethel was organized and the Metcalf or Old Bethel camp ground was long a noted point in church history. The Salem church was also organized by William Finley in 1846. This congregation, largely through the efforts of Mr. Finley, built the first house of worship of the church in the county. This church grew rapidly and was the strongest congregation of Cumber- land Presbyterians in the county, and in 1901 built a beautiful brick church, the first of the beautiful churches in Salem to be erected. A congregation was organized at Patoka and one at Vernon. Neither was ever strong. In 1905 the congregation at Salem, and as far as we know, all in the county, voted to unite with the Presbyterian church and drop the name Cumberland. The Old Bethel church built a beautiful new church two or three miles north of the old one and virtual- ly now has two houses, although they are two congregations. BAPTIST CHURCH IN MARION COUNTY. To the Baptists belong the honor of hav- ing the first preaching in the county and they were also the first to organize and build a house of worship (Mt. Moriah, now Christian, in Raccoon township). The va- rious kinds or classes of Baptists somewhat confuse, as the earlier records often do not say just what branch of the church 'S meant. Of the eighteen Baptist churches that have been organized in this county. Bethel, Union, Marshall Creek, First Sa- lem, Zion Hill and Patoka are connected with what was known as the Vandalia, and sometimes Centralia, Association, while Harmony, First Centralia and Odin were in the Louisville Association. Pleasant Grove, Bethel and Zion were in the Salem As- sociation, while the Second Centralia and Second Salem were in the Mt. Olive Asso- ciation. The last two are colored churches and the Salem church has disappeared. 152 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS- Bethel Baptist church is the oldest Mis- sionary Baptist church in the county. Rev. J. M. Peck and James and Moses Lemen organized this church at the house of Col- onel Jolliff in May- 1832, with fourteen members. Rev. Samuel Shook was the first preacher in charge. I. Anderick was the clerk and James Joliff, who had organized the Sunday school two or three years be- fore, was made deacon. After some years the congregation moved the house from Central City to the country, about half way from Odin to Centralia, where the organ- ization is still kept up, although the mem- bership is not large. This church has preaching still and has sent out to other fields many workers in the hai-vest. The Union church was organized about 1834. This church never built a church home, but held sei'vices in a school-house north of Sandoval in Carrigan township. No reliable information of the formation of this church can be obtained and the organ- ization is virtually abandoned. Marshall Creek Baptist church, located seven or eight miles northwest from Salem, was organized about 1835. John Wright, who was visiting here, obtained the consent of Revs. Arnot and Boyakin to hold a meet- ing here, and Morgan Nichols and wife, al- though not church members, opened their little log house tO' hold the services in. A meeting lasting about -sixteen days was held and an organization formed by Rev. Na- than Arnot. This church continued to grow and is now in good condition, both as to numbers and spiritually. They have a very good house and are active in Sunday school work. First Baptist church in Salem was or- ganized in the old log court-house by Revs. Arnot and Boyakin. After years in the old court-house they moved to a new brick church, the first brick building in the coun- ty. The lot was owned by Mr. Lester, who had bought the Ricker property. He offered a lot to the first Baptist minister who would settle in Salem, and Rev. Boyakin received it. Mr. Boyakin was one of a committee to locate a female seminary. Miss Rand of- fered five hundred dollars for this purpose, and it was located at Salem. The church property was deeded to the seminary trus- tees in 1 84 1. Elder Boyakin held a meet- ing in this building about this time and nine of the seminary young ladies were added to the church. The church continued to wor- ship in this building until it was destroyed by a storm in 1844. From this time until 1858 the Baptists worshiped mostly in the Cumberland Presbyterian church, until 1858, when they built a frame church on the old church lot. (This lot is in the east part of town two blocks south of Main street and two east of Broadway.) This frame was burned on the night of January 28, 1865, from! an over-heated stove. The Christian church, the hall of the Southern Female College and the Circuit Court room were tendered the congregation as a place of worship. On the 26th of March, 1870, the congregation resolved to build again, and on October 21, 1871, services were held in the new building, but the church was not BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 153 dedicated until the fourth Sunday in Sep- tember following. G. J. Johnson, D. D., of St. Louis, delivering the sermon. Judge Si- las L. Bryan was long a member of this church and by his death in 1880 the church suflfered a great loss, both from a financial and spiritual point of view, as he was a most devout man and truly a God-fearing Christian. To this church belongs the honor of instituting the first Sunday school in 1832. Reverend Peck organized the school and donated a number of books from the Baptist Publication Society as a nucleus for a library. From 1843 to 1858, while without a church of their own, the Baptists united with the Methodists and Presbyterians in a union school, but from the time the new church was built to the present they have maintained a school of their own. This church has suffered loss by wind and fire and the loss of many members, who mo\'e(l farther west, yet it has kept the faith and bravely struggled on, and now, with greater Salem, have come new members, bringing new cheer and the promise of a brighter day. Pleasant Grove church, situated about a mile east of where Foxville was, is one of the old churches of the county, and one of the stronger ones among the country churches. It was established in 1840 and has built two log and two frame houses, each an improvement on its predecessor. It is an active, zealous church and is keeping pace with the growth of the community in which it is located. The Centralia Baptist church was organ- ized in 1859 by J. P. Hungate in the Chris- tian church building. During the Civil war it virtually was out of existence, but was reorganized in 1864 by I. S. Mahan, who was appointed by the Baptist Home Mis- sionai-y Society for that purpose. A three thousand dollar house was built and the church soon became the strongest in Cen- tralia, but in 1873 the pastor resigned and for fifteen months the church had no preach- er and the church scattered until it was the weakest. In March, 1874, a minister was again employed, and from that time to this the church has not ceased to grow. The old church building has been replaced by a handsome modem brick and is today one of the strongest and best Baptist churches in Southern Illinois. Zion Hill church was organized in i860 and is today an active country church, not large, but full of good works. The Bethlehem church, generally known as the "Nation," was organized in 1867. It, too, like Zion Hill, is a country church that has kept up its organization and wor- ship, and while not large in point of num- bers, the congregation is faithful and zeal- ous. A Baptist church was organized in Pa- toka in 1867 and struggled along until in the eighties without a house of worship, which greatly retarded their growth. After the building of their church they began to grow, and now have a good congregation. Bethel church, five miles east of Foxville, like Zion Hill and Bethlehan, is a country church and keeps up its services. Its mem- bership is quite large and they have preach- ing regularly. 154 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. The Second church of Salem was a col- ored church, but has gone out of existence, as there is but one family of negroes in the city. The Second church of Centralia is also a colored church, and since its organization in April, 1867, has been varied in its experi- ences. It is still in existence and doing a good work among the colored people of the city. The Old School, or Primitive, Baptists have five congregations in the county. Lib- erty, five miles northwest from Kinmundy, is probably the oldest. Summit Prairie, five miles north of Salem; Turkey Creek, two miles south of Odin; North Fork, three miles west of Patoka, and Pleasant Grove, five miles south of Salem. None of these churches are strong in numbers and some of them have only occasional preaching, while others have regular preaching once a month, and all are connected with the little Wabash Association. Note — The Reverend Boyakin mentioned in these notes died in the early fall of 1908, at the age of one hundred years and a few months. During the summer of 1908 he journeyed from Kan- sas, where he had lived many years, to Illi- nois, where he delivered an address before a meeting of Baptists in the central part of the state. On July 4th he delivered an ora- tion at his home in Kansas. This remarkable man was one of the gifted Boyakins of this county, who are remembered by the older citizens. HAINES TOWNSHIP. Haines township, the southern township of the third tier from the west and num- bered town I, range 3 east of the third principal meridian, was named for Edmond Haines, who was one of its earliest set- tlers. Originally it was mostly timber, but much of it has been cleared up and is cul- tivated farm land. The extreme western part is the watershed between the Wabash and Kaskaskia rivers. It is a high prairie ridge extending in the general directions north and south. This prairie is called Ro- mine Prairie, after the first settler, Abram Romine. This township was a favorite game country. John Boucher settled in the township as early as 181 5, and built a mill. This is the same Boucher who creased the horse as told in the county section. James McDaniel and Jeptha ]\Iount settled in the south part of the township and Green De Priest in the north part from 18 18 to 1820. In 1824 David Fulton came from Tennes- see and settled on section 2. He was ninety- four years old when he died in 1877. Wil- liam Hill, with a company of about thirty, moved from South Carolina in 1808 and settled in Randolph county, and in 1825 came to Marion county and settled in BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 155 Haines township. He was a soldier in the ^^'ar of 1812 and in the Black Hawk war. He was married to Jane Hill, his second cousin, in 1819, and they lived together over sixty years. His children, James, Sam- uel, \\'illiam and Robert, all now dead, were all honored citizens of this township. His son, James McD. Hill, was born on section 2 in 1827, and lived and died within a half mile of the same spot. He died about ten or twelve years ago and his son, W. D. "Pete" Hill, lives on the same farm. Mary ^^■ ilkins and her husband settled in this township in 1829. She lived to be about one hundred and two years old, and died never having seen a railroad or a train of cars. She left numerous descendants, many of whom still live in this township. She died in 1882 or 1883. Ruber Chance was an early settler, but the exact date of his locating here is not known, but it was in the twen- ties. Jeremiah Fields came about 1830 and Millington Easley and Thomas Wil- liams settled in 1827, and about the same year Durham Tracy came to the township. He was a very prominent man in the af- fairs of the county, and was County Judge several terms. He was a very intelligent man, fairly educated and well liked by his neighbors. In 1829 Isaac Charlton came by wagon and settled in the north side of the township. He died in 1875. Joseph Stonecipher and wife with ten children came from Tennessee in 1834. He settled on section 22 and was the founder of the nu- merous Stonecipher family in this county. The next year Joseph Wham came from Tennessee in a wagon he himself had made, and drawn by a couple of yoke of oxen, and settled in section 5. He and three of his sons sei-ved in the Mexican war and all lived to return. Robert McM. Wham was the last surviving son. He died about four years ago. Benjamin died soon after his return from Mexico from disease contracted in the service. John Blackburn came to Marion county in 1833. He had a family of eleven children and his descendants are about two hundred in this and neighboring counties. John Storment came in 1836 and Jarett Purdue in 1838. He was born in Tennessee in 1799 and died in 1874, and his family consisted of himself, wife and eight children. They came in two ox-carts. The family is now numerous and stand high in their township. James Telford settled in 1836 on section 19 and William Beasley on section 2^ in 1839. The first sermon preached in the township was by John Benson. The early preachers were David R. Chance and William Chaf- fin, Christian; Reverend Pritchet, Baptist; AV. F. Boyakin, Missionary Baptist. There are now several churches in the township. Doctor Middleton was the first practicing physician. David Fulton, the first wheel- right, Thomas Cahorn the first school teach- er. He was from Philadelphia and taught in log school-houses in 1827. The first grave yard was in section 2 and is known as the Fulton graveyard. The Wham grave- yard was laid out in 1841 by Joseph Wham and Mrs. Wham was the first buried there. ^56 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Old Foxville was for many years the only "town" in Haines. Fox (S. M.) Haines laid it out and hence called it Foxtnwn. The first house was built in 1867 and the first store was opened in 1868 by John Palmer. It was a post-office and it is said the name selected was Romine City. James Martin was in Congress and when the name was to be given Martin had forgotten, but he knew "Fox" Haines well and called the office after him, Foxville. Since building the C. & E. I. Railroad a dozen years ago, Cartter, near the north side of the township, and Kell, near the south line, have grown on the line of the road and Foxville is a mem- ory only. Cartter is but a small village of two stores and a shop or two and a dozen houses. Kell is a thriving little town of three or four hundred people and is a good busi- ness point. It has several stores, a bank, shops and three churches, and is growing steadily. FOSTER TOWNSHIP. Foster township is the northernmost of the second tier of townships, east of the west line of the county. Its survey numbers are town 4, range 2. This township is drained by both the north fork and the east fork of the Kaskaskia and many tributary creeks. The first settler in the township was Hardy Foster, after whom the township was named. He was born in Georgia, but had moved to St. Clair county, Illinois, in 18 14, and in 1823 came to this county and settled on section 17. In 1831 he moved to the northwest corner of the township and made improvements on section 8. He built a stage stand about halfway between Salem and Vandal ia on the road connecting the two places and kept the stand many years. In 1833 a post-office was established and he was made postmaster and held the office at the time of his death in 1863, or thirtv years. He was prominent in the early af- fairs of the county; was a Justice of the Peace many terms and a member of the Legislature one term. He put up the first horse mill in the township in 1833. This mill was operated until 1850. The next settler in the township was a widow Jones, who with her family of four children, all about grown, came to the town- ship in 1826. Her sons were Eli ^^^, Jo- seph A., and Samuel B. Her daughter soon after they settled here married J. F. Holt, son of Harmon Holt, the first settler of Pa- toka township. This was the first marriage in the two townships. The Jones family was very numerous in this township many years, but is now somewhat scattered, al- though a good representation still remain. Andrew Foster located on section 21, in 1833, and lived in this township until his death. Moses Garrett, a Georgian, settled on sec- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 157 tion lo in 1831, and Isaac Nichols in 1830 settled on what is now known as the Cald- well place. The first teacher, Thomas Moon, came from Xew York and settled on section 16. The school-house stood near his cabin on the same section. He died about thirty-five years ago, in Missouri. In 1836 Mark Cole, Jonathan Green and the Doolens, Jesse and Daniel, settled near the north fork. They each improved farms and raised families and their descendants are still residents of this and adjoining townships. Ross Jones came from Salem to this township about 1836. M. Smith settled in this township in 1831, and died on the farm he settled, near the north fork, some years ago. John Arnold, the founder of the numerous Arnold family, came from Georgia in 1844, and settled near the town- ship line, between Foster and Kinmundy. He put up a horse mill and run it many years. He lived to be very old and died about twenty years ago. The first death in the township was that of Elizabeth Morris, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Morris. She was buried in a box made of puncheons, split out of logs and dressed, and made into a rude coffin by the neighbors. She was buried on the old Hardy Foster place in 1827. The first child born in the township was Sallie, daughter of Hardy Foster. She mar- ried William Doolen. On March 6, 1854, Fosterburg was laid out by Hardy Foster. William Doolen built a house and put in a stock of general mer- chandise the same year. The year before, Samuel B. Jones, William Eagan and A. H. Foster had put up a saw-mill, which they run many years. \A^illiam Ritter and James Arnold afterward built another mill, near the same place. Daniel McConnel, S. B. Jones, Thomas S. Jones and J. W. Arnold were the store keepers. At one time Fos- terburg was one of the most promising towns in the county. It had three stores, a blacksmith and wagon shop, a mill, Metho- dist Episcopal church, physician, Dr. Wil- liam WHiile, and was a post town. Now nothing remains of this village. The town house since built is all that exists of Foster- burg. The following letter from our esteemed friend, Edward J. Doolen, gives an inter- esting sketch of Foster township: "Foster township was named for Hardy Foster, who was a member of the Legisla- ture, County Judge, and a prominent man in general. Old Fosterburg was laid out and named for him. This old village is now but a memory, but it was once the center of a great tract of country. Here was the "manse" of the Methodist circuit rider; here dwelt the Justice; here was the sing- ing school, the spelling school, prayer meet- ing, preaching and all things social. On the common, now covered by an orchard, men as raw volunteers were marched and counter-marched by Captains Waddell and John Foster, and by William Crowder, once a colonel of Tennessee militia. The site of Hardy Foster's house which was a log one of a story and a half and which after being ^58 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. torn down and rebuilt is now doing duty as a bam, is occupied by the residence of his son, Harmon Foster. I have seen many men who when young hauled grain and drove turkeys to St. Louis and Belleville from this place. "On North Fork creek about eighty yards from the bank and a half mile of Patoka and Foster town line can be found the faint outlines of an old well, dug about the year 1818. Where the house stood can yet be seen. In plowing over the spot last spring I found many pieces of dishes of the blue flowered style. This was the residence of Mrs. Mary Jones, grandmother of Foun- tain, M. L. and E. W. Jones, and from whom all of the name of Jones in our town- ship descended. She was born March i, 1771, and died Christmas day of 1847. I have seen two of her sons, and in tracing lines of descent of different families I find that she is the ancestor of nearly all in Fos- ter township. She is buried at Sandy Branch I have seen her grave; it is well kept and well marked. Within a few rods of this old house site an Indian trail crossed the creek. It is yet very distinct in as many as three different places in the course of a mile. It lies in a southwest direction and passed very near the Doolen school-house. Northeast of the school-house about three- fourths of a mile is a stone of considerable size, hollowed out basin-like, where the In- dians made meal. I have seen many per- sons who played around this old Indian mill. I myself have searched for it. It is in a small tract of woodland; it is supposed the creek (Bear creek) changed its course and buried it. It is more than likely the trail led by this spot. The early settlers of this township were southerners; Foster, Holt, Mrs. Jones, Arnold, all originally from Georgia. Foster and Holt both married daughters of Mrs. Jones. At the present time no less than nineteen grandchildren of this woman are living. Later came others from Kentucky and Tennessee. "Edward J. Doolen. "Vernon, Illinois, August 25, 1908." We wish to thank Mr. Doolen for his let- ter and say if others had done likewise, every township might have had a better rep- resentation. TONTI TOWNSHIP. Tonti township was named from the Chevalier De Tonti, a contemporary of Jol- iet, and was one of the early French ex- plorers of Illinois. It is north of Salem and its survey numbers are town 3 north, range 2 east. It has no towns within its borders and is crossed in the southeast cor- ner by the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central Railroad, having one station, Tonti, a hamlet of four or five houses, a store, a saw-mill and a fruit warehouse. The first settler of Tonti township was BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 159 William Pursley, who settled on section 14 in 1820, but did not enter any land until 1823, in which year he entered the west half of the northwest quarter of section 14. He deeded the land to his wife, who was Miss Lydia Little. She was the heroine of the rescue of Thomas Higgins in his des- perate encounter with the Indians. The fol- lowing is an account of the fight as given by Governor Reynolds in his pioneer history of Illinois: "Thomas Higgins was bom in Barren county, Kentucky, in 1790. He came to Illinois with his relatives in 1807, and lo- cated on Silver creek, near the Bradsley's. He received a very limited education, as his parents were in humble circumstances, and he himself was not much in love with a school-house. He possessed a good mind, but would, in defiance of danger or any- thing else, employ himself in harmless mis- chief, yet he was as brave a man as ever existed. He was in his manhood, very strong, muscular and active. He was not so very tall, but compactly fonned for great strength and activity. During the whole ■War of 18 1 2 he was actively engaged on the frontiers in defending the settlements. I personally knew him to be a member of the company commanded by Capt. William B. Whitesides, in most of the war. In 1814 he joined another company and was one of the party under command of Lieut. John Journey at Hillsfort, situated six or eight miles southwest of the present town of Greenville in Bond county. Journey had eleven men in his corps, and on the 20th of August, 1814, Indian signs were discovered near the fort, and next morning at day- break, Journey and party mounted and went out to reconnoitre the country. They had not marched far before they entered an am- buscade of a large party of Indians. The warriors fired on them and Journey and three of his men were killed instantly, Wil- liam Burges and John Boucher wounded, Boucher slightly. The horse of Higgins was shot in the neck and fell to the ground, but soon rose again. Higgins remained a moment "to get a pull at them," as he said. He took deliberate aim at an Indian and shot him dead. He then mounted his horse and was about to return to the fort, when a familiar voice hailed him from the grass, and said, "Tom, you won't leave me?" Hig- gins hollowed out to him to "come on." "I can't, my leg is smashed to pieces," an- swered Burges. Higgins dismounted in- stantly and was getting the wounded man on his horse, but the horse scared' and ran off. Higgins told Burges to limp off on three legs and he would protect him. Bur- ges crawled off through the grass and saved himself, while Higgins was left behind to fight the most bloody and terrible battle that ever the same number of men — three In- dians and one white man — were engaged in. Higgins had loaded his gun, as soon as he had killed the Indian, and was ready for the enemy again, but all at once three Indians made their appearance near him. He saw a small ravine close to him and ran for it, so he could defend himself against so many Indians. While he was running, he dis- i6o BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. covered for the first time that his leg failed him; he was wounded at the first fire but did not know it at the time. One of the In- dians was a very large and stout man — as large as Higgins. The others were small and not so courageous as the large one. Higgins was satisfied he must receive the fire of the large Indian, and attempted to dodge it, but the bullet lodged in his thigh, and he fell, but rose instantly. By this time the other two had also fired at him, and both balls hit him. He fell, badly wounded, but soon again was on his feet, with his loaded gun in his hand. The Indians threw down their guns as they had not time to load them again and rushed, whooping and yelling on Higgins, with their spears, toma- hawks and knives. When they advanced near him, he presented his gun at them and that kept them off a while. Higgins often told me that the large Indian was as brave as a lion, he could not daunt him or intim- idate hifn in the least, but when the two small ones came near him they quailed under his furious looks. They could not look him in the face, "but the large Indian could look the devil in the face," as Higgins expressed it. The bold Indian was rushing on him, and he shot him dead. It is supposed that the large Indian did not believe Higgins's gun loaded, or he would not have rushed on certain death. The Indian had a great sol- dier (Higgins) to contend with; When the other Indians saw their main man killed, it made them more fierce. They raised the war whoop louder and rushed with greater vigor on poor wounded Higgins, who had in his body four Indian balls, and had lost much blood, was weak and almost exhaust- ed, had an empty gun and no other weapon. He was near many Indian warriors besides the two pressing on him, who were armed with spears, tomahawks and knives, and were strong, having lost no blood, nor were they wounded as Higgins was. They gave Higgins many flesh wounds, as his shirt and body were literally cut to pieces. One of the Indians threw a tomahawk at him, cutting his ear nearly off, and laid the bone of his head and side of his neck entirely bare. This blow knocked him down, and when they rushed on him with their spears, he kicked them off. When one of the In- dians presented his spear at the breast of Higgins, while he was stretched on the ground, he caught the spear and the Indian pulling it, raise Higgins up by it. Then it was that he took his gun and literally knocked the brains out of one of the In- dians. This blow broke the skull of the In- dian and likewise Higgins's gun. It was shattered to pieces, and the barrel was bent. Then he had 'but one Indian to fight, but he was nearly exhausted. During most of this fight, it was in sight of the fort, and a woman — a Mrs. Pursley, became excited, and said she could not stand to see so brave a man as Higgins murdered by the Indians. She mounted her husband's horse, and start- ed to his rescue. The men in the fort could not see a woman go alone and followed her. As soon as the Indian fighting Hig- gins saw the rangers coming, he fled. They found Higgins prostrated on the ground, BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. l6l nearly dead, cut and mangled, and almost torn to pieces. Governor Reynolds states that Higgins never fully recovered and that he received a pension to the full amount of the law. Such a woman was the first white woman to live in Tonti township. Some of her de- scendants still live in this county. In 1823 William Marshall settled in the east part of Tonti township. He was a farmer, teacher, Justice of the Peace and a fiddler. It is told of him that he would walk to the home of a bride-to-be, perform the marriage cere- mony, and then take his fiddle, play all night for the wedding dance and often the fee was not more than "two bits." Marshall was the first County Surveyor. In 1838 he moved to near what is now Fairman in Carrigan township, where he died. John Eddington also came to Tonti in 1823. William Nich- ols also settled in the northwest part of the township in 1823. He owned one slave and moved to Missouri in 1826. William Mar- shall bought his place, which afterward was owned by John S. Martin, who was an en- terprising, intelligent man of considerable means and who owned at his death about two thousand acres of land in the neighbor- hood of this farm. The Nichols land is still in the Martin family. John S. Martin was the father of Gen. James S. Martin, who commanded the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Infantry in the Civil war. John S. Martin died at Alma in 1865. Thomas Allmon came from Tamessee in 1827. He was the founder of the Allmon family in this county and from him is de- II rived the name of the Allmon peach, noted in this county, as one of the most perfect of cling peaches. John Davidson was a set- tler in 1828 and lived in this and Carrigan township many years. Robert Nichols im- proved a farm in this township in 1823 and lived on it until he died in 1836. He was the eldest of eighteen children, several of whom lived in this county. Britton Smith came to Tonti in 1827. When he came to the township, there were only seven families in the township, he mak- ing the eighth. They were the Widow Pursley, a sketch of whom is given above, William Marshall, Thomas Allmon, John Eddington, Ross Jones, John Davidson and Robert Nichols. Mordecai and Britton Smith came to Salem in 1829 and their fa- ther, Abraham Smith, followed them tO' Ma- rion county in 183 1 and settled in Tonti township, where he died in 1854. Britton was a stage driver on the Vincennes and St. Louis route a long time. He afterward married and settled on section 5, where he died. Israel Jennings moved from Wal- nut Hill and settled on section 31 about 1831. James Black, of whom mention is made in the county section, settled on section 17, in 1 83 1. He raised a family of ten chil- dern and the Blacks and their descendants are allied to many of the best families in the county. Charles Purcell came from Tennes- see in 1832 and settled on land in section 2. He died here in 1846. He raised a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, one of the sons, Thomas, still 1 62 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS- living on the old home, enjoying in old age the fiaiits of a well spent life. J. D. Gray, a Methodist minister located on section 17 in 1840 and was the first min- ister settled in the township. Lemuel Bal- lance came in 1836 and was the founder of the Ballance family of this township of whom there are but few left. Gen. Josiah Woodward came from Ohio in 1840 and settled in Tonti, but afterward went back to Ohio. His son, Charles, who died a couple of years ago, lived on the place until about 1902 or 1903. William Woodward, of Sa- lem, and Jay Woodward, of Tonti, are the grandsons of General Woodward. The first school-house was a log structure built in the heavy timber on section 10. Wil- liam Marshall was the first teacher. The Baptists built the first church near the school house quite early in the forties. It was of logs and was long since replaced by a neat frame church known as Fredonia. Cubbage Chapel, a neat frame church, was built aft- erward on the Fredonia road by the Metho- dist people. Both have good membership and have exercised a wholesome influence. Moriah church is also in this township and has exerted a good influence in its neigh- borhood. It also is a Methodist church, but when not in use like the others is open to any respectable minister. The Borden farm in this township is one of the notable things of the county. Mr. W. L. Borden, son of Gail Borden of con- densed milk fame and a successor to his father in the business, purchased a tract of about one thousand acres of land and im- proved it with fine buildings as a sort of summer home. Here he built dwellings for himself and for his help ; ibuilt barns, mills, poultry houses, carriage houses, etc., so that approaching one thinks he is surely coming to a village. Mr. Borden spent over one hundred thousand dollars beautifying the Borden farm and as he once said to the writer, "just for the satisfaction of having a place where he could retire for a few months each year and rest and be free from business cares. The place is 1 still kept up by his heir. During the building of the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad through this township, a sen- sation was caused by findingi the dead body of a man hid in a shock of fodder, by a farmer. The circumstances were these: During the winter the farmer had oc- casion to haul out fodder to feed his stock. Approaching a shock of fodder he observed a pair of boots sticking out from under the shock and thought some one had hidden them there and was congratulating himself upon finding a good pair of boots. Imagine his horror upon pulling them out of the fod- der to find the dead body of a laborer. The dead man was supposed to have been killed by other laborers on the railroad and hid- den in the fodder. The mystery was never cleared up. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. SALEM TOWNSHIP. 163 The first settler in Salem township was also the first settler in the county, as has been related in the sketch of the county. His name was Capt. Samuel Young, and from him is derived the numerous families of Youngs in this part of the county. He was a widower when he came to the county and had a large family. James Young was his eldest son, and was a married 'man, and soon the old man turned over to him the cares of the farm, while Captain Samuel put in his time hunting and fishing, and in other backwoods occupations. He was an 01-iginal character and like all backwoods men, he had a strong aversion to anything that smacked of style, which in his later years, was sometimes seen in the travelers on the highway from Vincennes to St. Louis. It is related of him that being in Salem one day he saw a couple of young men who offended his sense of taste by their slighting remarks. They were easterners who were going to St. Louis. Young hastened home and getting his gun watched for the youths and as they arrived about where Ike Shanafelt's house now stands, confronted them with his gun and made them dismount and dance a horn- pipe for the amusement of the backwoods man, which he made them keep up until well-nigh exhausted, when he permitted them to proceed on their way, while the old man went chuckling home,, but he who laughs last laughs best, and the old man was not done with dancing. The youths on arriv- ing at Carlyle related the circumstance and learning of the intention of a couple of trav- elers to journey to Vincennes, prevailed on them to pay the old man in his own coin, which they did by watching for him, and at the muzzle of a pistol made the old man give a half-hour exhibition dance in the middle of the road and then rode away leaving the old man in doubt as to who had the best of it. The history of Salem is largely the his- tory of the county for the first few years, so far as civil history goes. The township was about half timber and half prairie, but now is largely cleared and in cultivation. The main watercourse is Crooked creek, which flows southwest across the township from section 24 to 31. The Baltimore & Ohio .Southwestern Railroad runs about two miles south of the north line of the town- ship, and nearly parallel to it, while the old Vincennes road parallels the railroad, about a half mile north. The C. & E. I. Rail- road enters the township at the northeast corner, bends to the west about one mile to the city of Salem, and then bends to the east, passing out of the township near the south- east corner of section 24. The Illinois Southern enters the township on the west near the southwest corner and runs to the city of Salem, its northern ter- minus. The Chicago branch of the Illinois Central crosses the northwest corner of the township, but has no station in Salem town- ship, but Tonti in Tonti township is only three miles from the city of Salem, and 164 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. gives good shipping facilities, by that road. It is said that a narrow pohcy held to by the citizens of Salem when the road was being built prevented the Central coming to Sa- lem. If such was the policy of the fathers it is certainly not of the sons for when the C. P. & M. was projected, Salem citi- zens gave eleven thousand dollars cash and the right of way through the township as an inducement to deflect from a straight line, so as to touch Salem, and they also gave the right of way to the Illinois South- ern, when it was extended from Centralia. The next comers after Young and his sons-in-law Snodgrass and Piles, did not settle in this township for some years. James Roberts was the first; he came from Indiana in 181 9. He brought his wife and four children, two sons, Jesse and' William, and two daughters, both married, one Mrs. John Walker, the other Mrs. William Frost. This family made the second settlement and Roberts having selected section 11, began improvements, where the city of Salem now stands, thus increasing the population by eight adults. Roberts sold his holdings to Rufus Ricker and Mark Tulley in 1824 and moved back to Indiana with his entire fam- ily. Mark Tully, who came to the township in 1 82 1, was the second son of an Irish emi- grant and wife and was born near Harpers Ferry, Virginia, then went to Tennessee, thence to Indiana and from there to Illinois in 1 82 1. He first settled about three miles west of Salem, in the neighborhood of the Youngs. He brought his wife and four children of his own and two step-children, having married a widow. Nine more chil- dren were born to them after coming to this county, one of whom is still living in Sa- lem, and is well known to almost every citi- zen of the county, who has been here any time. We refer to Mr. Ander Tully, Esq., and from him we get most of the facts per- taining to the family. Mr. Tully soon after his settlement moved to a place north of Salem and in 1824 in partnership with Ru- fus Ricker bought out James Roberts and confirmed the deed of gift of thirty acres of land made by Roberts to the county in 1823, in consideration of the county seat being located on his land. Ricker and Tul- ly and their wives signed the deed in 1826, Mrs. Tully signing by mark as Suckey Tul- The Tully family by their number unites in strains of blood more or less closely most of the old families of Salem, among whom are, the Hulls, the Bryans and the Ogles, and through their children, many others. Mr. Tully was a man of fine character and was endowed with the clear brain and kind heart of his Irish forefathers. He was the first Sheriff of the county and for many years was one of the guiding spirits of the destinies of the new county. He was left the second of five children when quite young to the care of his mother, made a widow by the unprovoked murder of his father. The story as I have it from Mr. Ander Tully is as follows : Shortly after the War of the Revolution the elder Tully and his wife emigrated from Ireland to Virginia and settled a few miles BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 165 west of what is now Harper's Fen-y. They possessed but httle of this world's goods, but with cheerful braveiy proceeded to wrest fortune from the hand of destiny. Mr. Tul- ly was employed as a teamster for the pro- prietor of a store, a day's journey from the ferry, and was accustomed to take trips lasting three or four weeks with a five horse team and an immense freight wagon, there being no other way to transport produce from or goods to the country store of his employer. On these trips Mr. Tully would camp by the wayside to feed and cook meals or pass the night, often not seeing a person for days unless chancing to meet a traveler like himself. On one occasion he was re- turning with a load of salt, driving his five horse team (two teams and a "spike" leader, driven by a single line, the driver riding one wheel horse) when noon overtook him about six miles from his journey's end and he stopped to feed and rest his team. While so resting a settler passed going to the store and spoke to Mr. Tully and passed on. Ar- riving at the store he told the proprietor his team would be in soon as he had passed it some miles back. The settler did not return that way, but went home by another route. The storekeeper looked for the team's com- ing, but it had not appeared at sundown. He waited until nine o'clock, then thinking Tul- ly must have broken down, got another man, and taking lanterns with them started to look for the team and driver. When they arrived at the place where the friend had seen Tully taking the noon hour rest, they found the wagon and team with the best horse missing and a worn-out horse in its stead. A search of the ground showed evidence of a struggle and blood stains. They followed the track marked by blood drippings to the ferry, which was of the flat- boat kind, held in place by a rope across the river and a lunning pulley propelled by pol- ing. The ferryman had been absent during the day, but his wife on being asked said a man and woman in a one-horse wagon ac- companied by a man on horseback, were ferried over by her that afternoon, and be- ing asked if she noticed anything about the buggy, she said there was blood dripping from the rear end, but as it was a daily oc- currence for hunters to have a deer or bear just killed, she thought nothing of it. She in- dicated the way the trio went. A posse was obtained and pursuit made the next day and on the morning after a pole with a man's head stuck on it was standing on the river bank. The murderers were the notorious Harpe brothers known throughout the West as Big Harpe and Little Harpe. The head was that of Big Harpe. Little Harpe and the woman escaped. Little Harpe was killed in New Orleans years after and confessed be- • fore he died that he and his brother killed Tully, and thus concluded Uncle Ander. My father has told me many times of the death of my grandfather and from that time the ferry was called Harper's Ferry. Mrs. Mark Tully died in Salem in 1857. Mr. Tul- ly retired to his farm in Tonti township and lived a retired life until his summons came in 1869, October 17th, when he slept the last sleep. 1 66 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. Rufus Ricker came in 1819 from Indiana most probably with Mark TuUy, as they were friends and associates in business, he and TuUy buying out Roberts, as has been mentioned before. He was popular and took prominent part in the affairs of the new county. He was the first postmaster, being appointed in 1825. After several years he went to Iowa. The first marriage in the township was Samuel Young's daughter, Patsy, to Jacob Albert, a soldier of the sec- ond war with Great Britain. Abia Lee, a Justice of the Peace, perfonned the cere- mony. This wedding was in 1816. The first child born was a daughter of this cou- ple, and the first male child was John, a son of Matthew Young, who at the age, of nine- teen married Miss Sarah ^^^are. John, or Farmer John Young, as he was called, lived and died within a few hun- dred yards of where his father and mother began life together. John lived to a ripe old age, and died in 1906. Several sons and daughters of Matthew and Sarah Young are still living in the county, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Matthew's wife survived him three or four years, but died about eighteen years ago. The writer knew them well in life, and in death, as minister, laid them to rest as well as their eldest son, John Young. The first death in the township was William, son of Robert Snodgrass, and Jane Snodgrass, his wife, which occurred in 18 16. The de- ceased was buried at Young's graveyard in section 16. This was the first grave- yard in the county. A rude log hut was built in 1824 near James Young's on section 16 as a school-house, and as it was only used in summer it was not even chinked and daubed. The first teacher was William Hadden, who taught the three "R's" "Readin', Ritin' and Rith- metic." Preaching was at private houses as often as possible and by 1825 the passing preacher became a regular preacher, leaving his appointments sometimes months ahead, and today there is one preacher who had preached every year on the same Sunday in the year for forty-four years. We refer to Elder J. D. Morgan, of Odin, and the place is at Young's this township. The celebrated Lorenzo Dow, Thomas Cole, Leonard Mad- dux and Elder Patterson were among the first preachers and often the funeral sermon of a deceased friend was preached a year or more after interment. Those of today can- not know the toil and hardships these early soldiers of the Cross had to bear that the message might be brought to those hunger- ing after the bread of life. The preaching day was "norated" abroad and when it ar- rived the neighborhood met at the house where the preaching was to be, coming for miles on foot, in oxcarts, wagons and on horseback. The preacher at the hour of service arose and lined the opening hymn, sometimes reading the entire hymn first and then lining it. This was necessary, as per- haps the only hymn book in the audience was that carried by the preacher. The man- ner of lining was as follows : The preacher would read, say, BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 167 "From Greenland's icy mountains To India's coral strands," and then call the meter, long, common, or short, and start the hymn. After these two lines were sung, he would read the next two: "Where Afric's sunny fountains Roll down the golden sands." All immediately sang these lines and thus alternately reading and singing, the hymn was finished, nor was the effect so grotesque as one might think, as practice rendered the singers adept at beginning at the right time with right tone and pitch. Often in my young days in Illinois I have listened to this kind of singing and thought it excellent. James Roberts built the first mill. It stood on Main street near the place where Mat Marshall's house now stands. It was a horse mill, but passed into the hands of Mark Tully in 1823 and after running it some years he made it into a steam mill. No trace of it now remains. The township is now fairly dotted with fine farms, good houses and barns, large orchards, and all that goes to make rural life worth living. Schools are plentiful, with good school houses and the best equipments and a fine corps of teachers. What a change a few short years have brought about. Where the wild Indian whoop was heard a few years ago is now heard only the hum of quiet in- dustry and the silent arches by nature built has given place to the homes of men. May they be happy homes of virtue, love and peace. THE CITY OF SALEM. The city of Salem, county seat of Marion county, is within a mile or less from the ge- ographic center of the county, that is, the northeast comer of the city is within less than a mile of the northeast corner of the township, which is at the exact center of the county. The original town was an exact square around which was an alley, twenty- feet wide. The city inside of this alley was divided into four squares by two principal streets at right angles to each other and crossing each other at what is known as the bank corner. Each square was again divid- ed into four equal square blocks by streets fifty feet wide, the two principal streets, Broadway, running north and south and Main street, running east and west, being one hundred feet wide. The blocks in turn were divided into eight lots each fifty-six by one hundred and twelve feet. Block three in square one was reserved as a coun- ty square and is still, and forever must be by the terms of the gift, the court-house square. The land within the twenty foot bordering alley, was donated to the county in accordance with the act of the Legislature BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. creating the county, by James Roberts, who was the owner by right of squatter sov- ereignty and entry in 1819. Although he did not deed the land, but left that to his successors in title, Rufus Ricker and Mark Tully, who confirmed the gift by deed dated June 6, 1826. The Commissioners acting for the county were John S. Davis, Leonard P. Pyles and Benjamin (Blackbear) Ver- million. The first house in Salem was a log house built by James Roberts ; it stood on the south side of Main street, east of the square, but was not in the original town. It is still standing, having been repaired and weather- boarded and now has the appearance of an old frame house. The second house was built by Mark Tully as a stopping place for the Vincennes stage, which route was in use as early as 1820. This house was built about the time that Ricker and Tully bought Roberts out and stood as the homestead of A. R. Bryan until his death, with, how- ever, many improvements and additions it has sheltered three generations and still stands a commodious and substantial build- ing. The first store, was kept by Martin Hill. It was in a small frame building about the middle of the block west from the court- house, and north of Main street; it has dis- appeared. Hill kept a few groceries and no- tions, perhaps the entire stock was brought from St. Louis by one wagon. The next store stood where the National Bank now stands. Thomas Higgins was the propri- etor, and was the first to sell dry goods in Salem. The first church was built by the Presby- terians. It stood northeast from the court- house, near the old creamery site. It was sold to the Colored Baptists, and is now gone. It was built in 1846. The first school-house was built in 1840, and stood in the same part of the town as the Presbyterian church. It was built in 1840. It was a small frame building and stood many years, and has only disappeared with the last decade. It must not be in- ferred that the children received no educa- tion from 1823 to 1840, but during those seventeen years school had been kept at such times and places as teachers and patrons could make convenient. The city did not graw rapidly. Indeed, it was only the county seat and a stopping place for stage coaches for many years and consisted of some half a dozen houses. By 1837 the hamlet had grown so that the subject of incorporating was agitated and a meeting was called for July I, 1837, to consider the advisabihty of incorporating Salem as a town. The meet- ing was held in the store of Col. W. N. Dobbins, and Uriah Mills was elected as chairman and Thomas Ray as clerk. They were both sworn to do the duties of their offices to the best of their abilities. The minutes of the meeting as preserved among the county records are unique, and are here copied verbatim : "On motion of Col. W. N. Dobbins, W. D. Haynie explained the object of the meet- ing and on motion of N. B. Nelems, the house proceeded to ascertain by vote the sense of the meeting. Whareuppon William D. Haynie, Jas. Marshal, N. B. Nelems, BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 169 William N. Dobbins, Uriah Mills, W. H. H. Barens, John Harner, George W. Pace and Thomas Ray, voting in favor of incorpor- ating the said town. No opposition voats. We certify that thare ware nine voats in favor of incorporating the town, as above, and none against." "Uriah Mills, Pres. "Thomas Ray, Clerk.'' We have preserved this unique document in wording and spelling that modern meth- ods -may be compared therewith. Just what was accomplished by the meeting it is diffi- cult to see, as no further action seems to have been taken and there is no evidence that the town was legally incorporated at that time, nor was any further action taken until' the spring of 1854, when a proposition to organize as a village was submitted to the voters. The proposition was carried by a vote of seventy-six to thirteen against. An election was called and the following five trustees was elected : Thomas Day, B. F. Marshall, S. W. Cuningham, T. O. Lef- fingwell an Samuel Hull. W. W. Jennings was chosen constable. Salem remained un- der the village charter until 1865, when it was made a city by special act of the Legislature. W. E. McMackin (afterward lieutenant colonel of General Grant's regi- ment) was elected first Mayor. In 1829 Salem contained five families, viz., those of Rufus Ricker, Mark Tully, James Chance, James Pyles and Martin Hill. Ricker was Clerk of the Court and postmaster; Tully was Sherifif, Chance was a blacksmith; Hill a storekeeper, and Pyles a farmer. Today Salem has three thousand five hundred people, three rail- roads, three miles of brick paved streets, about ten miles of granitoid sidewalk, a large three-story school building, two bank buildings, the finest in Southern Illinois; four hotels, two steam flouring mills, steam brick-making plant; two large and six me- dium dry goods houses, the larger carrying a thirty thousand dollar stock, the others from six thousand to ten thousand dollar stocks ; three millinery stores ; one china store; two clothing stores, each with large stock ; one machine shop, four butcher shops, two furniture stores, one of which is the largest establishment of its kind south of Springfield ; ten grocery stores, one poul- try house, two jewelry stores and two drug stores. The city is lighted by electricity, the city owning its own plant. Until 1905 the city's growth was very slow, the census of 1900 giving it but one thousand six hun- dred and forty-two inhabitants, but in 1905 the C. & E. I. Railroad removed their re- pair shops from St. Elmo to Salem, a com- pany of citizens buying and giving to the company a strip of land one thousand feet wide and two miles long for yards. The company also made Salem a division head- quarters with offices of superintendent, en- gineer, freight and dispatcher's headquar- ters of the division, thus doubling the pop- ulation in less than a year. Salem still needs two things to make it an ideal city: water- works and good country roads leading to the city limits. Both are being agitated and both will come and that, too, in the near fu- ture. 170 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Salem also boasts of the largest seed- cleaning establishment in the state if not in the world that makes an exclusive busi- ness of handling Red Top seed. Thousands and thousands of bushels are handled every year. The seed is said to be shipped to Eu- rope and there used in making an excellent dye for fabric coloring. The Salem mine, now being rebuilt after the fire of last December is, as has been stated, one of the deepest in the state, nine hundred and one feet to the bottom of the sump. The vein is four feet and six inches thick, but of an excellent quality, burning without clinkers and giving an intense heat, and is equal to one and one-half times the unit of other coal. The city cemetery, known as East Lawn, is situated in the eastern part of the city and contains about twenty acres. It is beautifully located and well cared for and speaks well for the people's remembering their dead. A small soldiers' monument oc- cupies the circle in the center of the ceme- tery. It was erected by the Woman's Re- lief Corps to the memory of the deceased soldiers of the Civil war. The cemetery as a burial place dates back to 1830, and a man by the name of Hammers is supposed to have been the first interment. The oldest new-spaper in the county is published in Salem. It is the Weekly Her- ald-Advocate, owned and published by Senator C. E. Hull. As Centralia had her mystery of hidden skeletons so Salem also had her mystery, but in the case of Salem the mystery was speedily cleared away. About twenty-four years ago, when the excavation for the basement of the present Cutler & Hays building was being dug, the workmen dug out of an old abandoned well the skeleton of a woman, which was covered by the debris that had accumulated in the old well. As an old house had been standing many years on the spot the report started that someone had been murdered and thrown into the well years before. Great excitement prevailed and the wiseacres be- gan to tell of this one and that one who might have been murdered, drawing largely upon their imaginations, and dark hints as to who the murderers were, filled the minds of the ever-increasing crowds. People from the country around flocked to town day after day until the excitement grew so great it was thought best to clear up the mystery, as some of the best citizens were coming under the suspicion of the unreasoning throng. It was quietly let leak out that the whole thing was a grewsome joke and the perpetrators confessed to having hid the skeleton in the well the night before its dis- covery. The jokers were Dr. G. S. Rainey, now chief surgeon for the C. & E. I. Rail- road; W. S. Slack, now proprietor of the Salem Marble Works, and Dr. Will Mc- Mackin, since dead. The crowd of excited citizens vanished and everybody said, "I knew it was some joke of Doctor Rainey's." BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS.' RACCOON TOWNSHIP. 171 Raccoon township is the sotithernmost of the second tier of townships, east of the third principal meridian. Its survey num- bers are town i north, range 2 east. The name is taken from one of the denizens of the forest with which one-half of this town- ship was once covered. Its principal stream also bears the same name. Small glades of prairie land project into this township among which Walnut Hill, Romine and Tennessee prairies form most of the open land. Little prairie is wholly in this town- ship and was little more than an open glade amid the forest. Much of the timber land has been cleared and nothing remains in many places to show that a forest ever oc- cupied the soil, but instead of the forest, or- chards of apple, peach and pear trees greet the traveler's eye. Tennessee prairie, so called because settled by Tennesseeans, is in the northwest and extends to Little prairie, to which it is connected by a narrow strip. Like all settlements of Illinois, the 'first set- tlers chose the timber land; first, because they found it more convenient to build and for fuel ; second, because they were used to timber and loved its 'protection from the summer sun and the blasts of winter ; third, the flies with which the prairie was infested, especially the green-heads, rendered it al- most impossible for horses to work during the heat of the day. The first man to settle on Tennessee prairie was Alfred Ray. He was a good citizen and left several representatives, who are good citizens of the county. Two fam- ilies of North Carolina settled in this town- ship near Walnut Hill. Their names were Sherwood and McKinney. John Adams came from Kentucky in 1828 and settled in Raccoon township. He, his wife and six children came in one wagon. The children all are dead, but several grand- children still live in various parts of the county. John Wilson settled on section 32 in 1819. He also had six children; all are dead, but a few grandchildren represent the family. He was from North Carolina. Jb- siah Fyke, a veteran of the War of 1812, one of General Jackson's Tennesseeans, at the battle of New Orleans, settled in section 17, in 1830. He was the first Justice of the Peace in the township and sei-ved in the Black Hawk war. Several of his descend- ants still reside in this township and a few in other townships of the county. Samuel Hays was the founder of the large and influential Hays family, and in 1828 he settled on section 32, near what is now the Bundyville school. He was from Alabama and had a large family of seven boys and two girls, all of whom are now dead. Elijah, the fifth son, was a man of an exceptionally large mind and lived until a few years ago. His widow, of whom mention is made in the sketch of Odin township and the Dead- mond family, still lives on the old home farm at the age of ninety-one. Elijah Hays was an original Free Soil man and was one of the two men living south of Springfield, 172 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. who votetl for John G. Bimey for Presi- dent in 1852. The descendants of Samuel Hays are numerous in the southern part of the county and rank with our best people. John Bundy, from North Carolina, set- tled in Jefferson county in 1819, but moved to Raccoon township soon after and made a home in section 6. He had eight children. Three of the boys were in the Mexican war and one, Rev. Isaac Bundy, was a well known Methodist preacher for many years. The children are all dead but one, William Bundy, who still 'lives, a sturdy representa- tive of a stock that made the wilderness blossom as a rose. In 1822 Samuel Huff settled on section 31. He came from Tennessee and was a noted character in the early days. He was one of the celebrated Illinois Rangers, who did so much to protect the frontier settle- ments from cutthroats, who flocked to the new settlements to hide from justice, as well as from the Indian depredations. His home was always the home of the traveling preacher, who at that time was to be found ever on the road doing his Master's work and preaching the ^^'ord as opportunity of- fered. One of these itinerant preachers who stopped at the Huffs was the celebrated Lo- renzo Dow, who preached from a wagon on the text "The End of All Things Is at Hand; be ye, therefore, sober and watchful unto prayer." This trait of keeping the preacher seems to run in the family and was kept up by the sons and daughters, more especially by his daughter, Cynthia, and her husband, Mr. Mercer, whose home was the preachers' home, where an old- fashioned welcome awaited every one who came in the name of the Lord. The Copple family came from Indiana in 1835, and the founder, Andrew Copple, has numerous representatives in this and other townships. The Telford family came in 1 83 1. The father, Joseph Telford, brought his family from South Carolina in a four- horse wagon. He made his home in section 33, where he cleared a farm. This family is also represented by numerous descendants who are active citizens and public-spirited men. The Radcliffs, Boggs and Morrison fam- ilies next came and settled in this township. The settlers of this township were from the first a church-loving and a church-going people and the first thought after the home was built was a meeting-house. The first meeting place was either at Mt. Moriah or Antioch, but both places claim the distinc- tion. Certain it is they are the oldest churches in the county and were built at the same or about the same time ; Antioch by the Methodists and Mt. Moriah by the Baptists. The Moriah site was a camp-meeting ground, and was used before the church was built, and is beyond doubt the first land set apart for religious purposes in the county. It was first a Baptist congregation, but at an early day decided to call themselves Christians, by which name it is now known. The first church built here was a small log cabin, eighteen by twenty-two feet, unchinked. Other and larger houses were built from time to time until now this historic ground BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 173 is occupied by a neat frame chapel, about thirty by forty-five feet. It stands on the original site and is surrounded by ten acres of church land, a part of which is used as a burial ground. This is the oldest graveyard in the township and perhaps the second in the comity. The first grave dug was for an Indian child who was drowned, and was buried by the white settlers. This spot had been used for burial purposes by the Indians and a few graves were scattered about when the whites came. Both of these churches still flourish and are regarded with venera- tion in their neighborhoods. A coal shaft was opened in 1846, in sec- tion 4. It did not amount to much and was abandoned. A stone quarry was opened on section 21 in 1834 by B. J. Crane. The stone is a soft sandstone, which hardens by exposure to air, but is of inferior quality, and was only used for neighborhood pur- poses. It has not so far developed any com- mercial value. The old Vincennes trail passe through this township. And across its glades and through its forests, Clark and his men marched on their famous expedi- tion to conquer Vincennes. The first school was taught by one Jeff Dow, near the pres- ent site of the Bundy school. It was taught in an old log cabin. The first school-house was erected in section 18, in 1832. It had a chimney and fire place and no floor, but mother earth. The first teacher in this prim- itive school-house was Robert Mayberry. Samuel R. Martin built the first mill. It was a horse mill and answered the needs of the settlers for a time. This was very early, but the date cannot now be ascertained. It was in section 15. Later, in 1832, John My- ers built a horse mill on the same section. It was a twenty-bushel mill. Next Joseph Baldridge built a tread mill, run by oxen, with a capacity of forty bushels per day. This mill was on section 20. In 1848 a post- office was established at Raccoon, at the home of John Parkinson. It was afterward moved a short distance southwest, where it continued with a short intermission until it was superseded by the Rural Free Delivery system. Raccoon township has always been a township of religious people. The Covenant- ers were at one time strong, while Christian, Baptist, Methodist, each has several strong organizations, and perhaps no township in the county has so many places of public worship nor so many appointed preachers. PATOKA TOWNSHIP. The name Patoka is of Indian origin, evidently, but its significance is, so far as the writer is concerned, lost. It is the fourth township north from the base line in the west tier of townships and borders on Fay- ette county on the north. Its survey numbers are town 4 north, range i east of the third principal meridian. The Illinois Central ^74 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Railroad passes from north to south across the township, about two miles from the west line, and has two stations in the township, Patoka, toward the south side, and Vernon on the north. Harmon Holt was the first man to settle in this township and he settled on section 14, in the winter of 1826. At that time the township was an unbroken wilderness, part timber and part prairie. Harmon Holt re- mained on this tract until his death a few years later. He left a widow and six chil- dren, four of whom were daughters and two sons, one of whom owned the old homestead until his death less than twenty years ago. Henry was sixteen years old •when his father came to the township. The next spring John Cole and family settled near the Holt cabin, but did not stay long, and went to Arkansas and until 1829 these two families, the Holts and Coles, were the only inhabitants of the township. In the latter year Jeptha Meador came from Ten- nessee and settled near Holts, on section 14. He raised a family of eight children and his son, Stephen, lived on the original farm many years. There are quite a number of his descendants living in the vicinity. The next accession to the little colony was Stephen Hopkins, who settled on section 13, but he was a "mover" and did not stay long in any place, but was continually changing places. At last he went to Fayette county, where he died. Ignatius Anderson came from Clinton county about 1833, ^"d settled in the edge of the timber, near Flat Creek, close to the Fayette county line on the west, but after- ward sold his improvements to William Brown, who on the 3d of February entered the forty-acre tract that he had bought of Anderson. It was the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 6, and was the first piece of land entered in the town- ship. The second piece was the forty that his father had improved and had lived on seven years before its entry. Henry Holt married a daughter of Jesse Nichols in 1832 and had a family of ten children, all of whom but one we believe is dead. Henry Holt and wife lived to a good old age upon the same place where they be- gan life together in 1832. The farm generally known as the old Walton place was first settled by Joseph Meador in 1830, but in 1832 he sold it to a man named Epperson, who lived there sev- eral years and improved a farm on Flat creek. He afterward went to Missouri. Labon Gallion also settled forty acres in section 4 in 1832. He did not enter the land until 1836. Gallion afterward moved to Fayette county. Ayers Conant settled on section 11 in 1830. He was a man of some education and was the first Justice of the Peace in the township. He also was af- flicted with the moving worm and moved to Missouri and back in a few years and finally died in Foster township. Young Edwards located in the township in 1 83 1 and Levi Stiles in the same year, Stiles improving the old Peter Smith place, but after living here many years, moved back to Tennessee. He afterward returned BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 175 to Carrigan township. Then he moved to Missouri, then to Texas, then back to Ma- rion county, where he died. Solomon Cross settled in this township on section 23. His wife died soon after, and her death was the first in the township. Martha Holt was the first child born in Carrigan. She was the daughter of J. F. and Elizabeth Holt, and afterwards married William Ea- gan. The Altom family was founded by John Altom, who came from Tennessee with his father to Clinton county in 1842. He moved to this county and settled in Patoka town- ship. He died in the village of Patoka in 1877, leaving a large number of descend- ants. The first school-house in the township, like those in other townships, was built of logs. It stood on section 14. Isom Finch was probably the first teacher. From then to now what a change! The little log school- house of that day is replaced by neat frame buildings, the old slab benches have been re- placed with patent folding desks ; the old blue-back speller and McGuffey's reader by a dozen books if no better, at least more at- tractive; the untrained teacher, half farmer, half backwoods man, by more or less trained teachers and with sanitary surroundings. Verily, the change is great and surely for the better. Patoka as a village, like all the cities, towns and villages in the west tier of town- ships, owes its existence to the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad. The village was laid out on Independence Day, 1854, by Clark and Brigham. C. F. Jones laid out an addition May II, 1855, and the railroad another the same day. The beginning of the village was the building of a station house by the Il- linois Central Railroad, which was used as a boarding house by them for their work- men, while the road was building. A man by the name of Crawford was the boarding boss. Cyrus Walker built the first house in Pa- toka in 1854 and kept a small general store in it. It afterward was a part of the Walk- er brothers' house. Mr. Walker succeeded Crawford as boarding boss and when the road was built became the first agent at Pa- toka. He was instrumental in getting a post-office established, even before the road was completed and the mail was for a while carried from Fosterburg. As Walker wanted the post-office established that he might get his own mail regularly, he submitted the proposition to the Government that he would carry the mail for the proceeds of the office. Walker could not, under the law, be both postmaster and mail contractor, so he obviated this difficulty by securing the ap- pointment of a farmer by the name of Alex- ander Rodman to be postmaster, who kept the office in Walker's store, Walker doing all the work of the office as well as candy- ing the mail, but the completion of the road soon stopped this inconvenient way of get- ting mail. Walker also built the first pure- ly business house in 1856 and to this build- ing moved his stock of goods. This build- ing was afterwards occupied by and known as Dr. E. M. Beach's building. Walker was 176 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. a public spirited man and built many build- ings and was prominent in building up Pa- toka, keeping his interest in Patoka active until his death which occurred in 1872. In 1855 Richardson and Gray opened a produce store in Patoka. It was the second business venture. They sold feed, flour, meal, etc., and as the crops of 1854 in this section were almost a total failure, they sup- plied the farmers with feed. Later in the same year, Williams & Ress- ner built the third business house. All these business houses were on the west side of the track, Walker's residence alone being on the east side. Patoka grew rapidly the first few years, but then for many years ceased to advance, but in the last three or four years seems to be imbued with new life. In 1857 Snider and Harrison opened the first blacksmith shop. Snider also repaired guns. They put in a steam engine and manufac- tured many kinds of farm implements. Cy- rus Walker built a grist mill in 186 1. It was only a two burr mill, but the next year he enlarged it, but sold the machinery in 1865, and moved the building to the site of the Patoka Milling Company. It was remodeled and was then one of the most complete mill properties in the county, and under the firm name of Walker & Sons, was operated until 1873, when they were succeeded by the Pa- toka Milling Company. The first saw-mill began operations in 1863. Its owner was Alexander Wickersham. Later Squire Fan- ner and Jesse Altom opened a saw-mill, the first of which has long since ceased opera- tions, and the other is still working. Patoka has six churches : the Methodist Episcopal, the Methodist, South, the Chris- tian, Baptist, Presbyterian and Catholic, the latter two congregations being small. They all have good church houses, the Christian church building having been recently en- larged and improved and is perhaps the best equipped. The Anci-ent, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and other lodges flourish, the Odd Fellows having just completed a fine two- story building with an elegant lodge room in the upper story. Patoka has as intimated in the preceding lines begun to take on new life. A fine two-story brick school-house was completed in 1907. A cannery of large capacity went into operation in 1908. A brick and tile works also was started a year or two ago and in 1908, the Patoka Register was started by Mr. Huntoon, who is making it one of the most readable papers of the county. There are stores and shops as well as a bank, so that all things necessary may be supplied at home. VILLAGE OF VERNON. Vernon is the most northern village in the county, being less than a mile from the Fayette county line. It is a station on the Illinois Central Railroad, and was laid out BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 177 by D. W. Murfin in 1872. The first build- ing was a large hay barn, built by T. K. Dickey in 1872. The next year Murry & Harris opened a general store. Later three or four other stores were opened and all are still doing business. A good school- house has been erected and also a Methodist church. A neat station-hous'e was erected in 1880, before that time an old box car served as station. Vernon long enjoyed the dis- tinction of being the home of the oldest man in the county, Uncle Frank Binion, who died in 1907, aged one hundred and seven years. Vernon is the home of more veterans of the Civil war than any community of like size, known to us, and its quiet companionship of comrades who are only awaiting the call to come up higher is blessed with old ties and remembrances of the long ago, but the waiting will soon be over, for the Grand Army is passing with the vanishing years. CARRIGAN TOWNSHIP. Carrigan township, named after the pio- neer founder of the Carrigan family, is the third township north of the base line in the west tier of townships of the county. The main line of the Illinois Central Railroad traverses the west side of the township north and south. It is drained by the East Fork of the Okaw or Kaskaskia river, which flows in a southwesterly direction across the township, near the middle. East Fork is one of the largest streams in the county and en- ters the township near the northeast corner and passes out at section 18. Davidson creek, in the southeast part of the township, drains the waters from that part into the East Fork. Along these creeks was original- ly a heavy growth of fine timber, but it has been largely cleared, although much of the land is covered with a "second growth," which will be of great benefit to the people. The first man to locate in the township was a man by the name of Jones, who in 12 1 8 19 squatted in section 21, but who sold out his partly finished cabin to Frederick Phelps in 1820, and left the country. Sam- uel Davidson came to this township with Phelps. Phelps was a native of Tennessee, who had moved to St. Clair in 18 17. The next year he moved to Clinton county, where he married and moved to Carrigan townshp in March, 1820, where, as above stated he bought Jones's claim and settled in section 21. In March, 1822, he entered the first tract entered in this township, viz. : west half of the northwest quarter of sec- tion 21, town 3 north, range i east. Mr. Phelps was a very conscientious man, a de- vout member of the Baptist church and a good manager and very industrious, and amassed considerable property. He reared a family of ten children to manhood and womanhood. He died September 2, 1845, re- spected by the entire community. His wife survived him several years. One son, Sam- 178 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. uel Phelps, will be remembered by the older citizens of the county, as the genial host of the Phelps House in Salem, many years ago. Samuel Davidson was a native of Virginia, but his father moved to Lincoln county, Kentucky, when Samuel was a small child, and there he was raised and lived until 1820 when he moved to Clinton county, where he stayed one summer and then moved to Carrigan township and built a cabin on sec; tion 36. He broke and planted twenty acres in corn the first year. This was considered a very large crop at that day and as there were no domestic animals within miles of him and fences were no bar to "varmints" which abounded all around him, he raised this crop without fencing, it. When he start- ed from his Kentucky home he had a family of ten children. His daughter Betsy was married to- Louis Weathers; she sickened and died on the road, when her bereaved husband went back to his old home in Kentucky. All the other nine lived to be married and make homes for themselves in this county. The sons were William, John, George and Samuel, Jr., three of whom were grown when the family left Kentucky. Wil- liam was the eldest and lived on the original farm. He was a prominent man, having been twice elected Sheriff of the county and once a member of the Legislature. He was married three times, but left only two chil- dren, a son and a daughter. He died in 1847 from the effects of a fall from a wag- on. The daughters of Samuel Davidson, Sr., married as follows: Maria married Charles Jennings and was the grandmother of that great American, William Jennings Bryan; Ann married Israel Jennings; Sallie married Robert Carrigan and Nancy, James M. Carrigan; Susan was the wife of Stew- art W. Faridee. Samuel Davidson, Sr., was a man who ranked high in his old home in Kentucky. He was a major in the regiment of Col. Dick Johnson, during the War of 1812, and saw much service on the frontier, with that fearless commander and was doubtless, with Johnson's command at the battle of the Thames, where Tecumseh was killed by Colonel Johnson. He died on the farm he had improved in 1848, full of years and honors. His wife died about 1838. Joel Davis, the third man who settled in Carrigan township, was a Tennessean and remained a Tennessean about half the time, as he moved back and forth to Tennessee and Marion county several times. It seems that when he had been in Illinois a year or two he "hankered" after Tennessee and when he had been in Tennessee a while he longed for Carrigan township and would pull up stakes and move, when the desire seized him. He died, however, in IlHnois, in what is now known as Fredonia Prairie, leaving a widow and family. Zadock Phelps was another eccentric character and seemed never to be content long in any place. He came with Davis and built a cabin on the J. M. Carrigan farm, cleared a "truck patch" and then sold it and started another home, built a cabin, cleared a "truck patch" and again sold, and this he did no less than eight times, starting eight BRIXKER1;I0FF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 179 farms in Carrigan township. Of course with this restless disposition, he did not accumu- late much property, but evidently enjoyed moving. He was married twice and had a large family of children with each wife and even in old age his roving disposition did not leave him, so he moved to Washington county, Illinois, where he died and at last remained in one place. James Chance, supposed to have been an emigrant from St. Clair county, settled in this township about 1822 or 1823 and lo- cated near the center of the township, and made improvements. He was a first class citizen and lived in this township until 1866, when he died. He was twice elected Sheriff of the county. He was married to a daughter of Robert Nichols, and raised a large family. His widow survived him many years. Robert Carrigan, a Georgian, settled in 1830, on section 26. The father of Robert Carrigan settled in Clinton county in 181 7, and Robert was the man who as a lad led the St. Clair Rangers across the country to the home of the older Jennings, when they rendezvoused at the Jennings homestead to drive out the Goings gang. He died in 1834, leaving a widow and three children, John S., Samuel R., and Nancy J. His widow afterward married a Mr. Huff. In December following the death of Rob- ert, his brother, James M. Carrigan, settled in this township. James M. raised a family of ten children, but all are now passed away, excepting one, William, who still resides in the township. John M. Carrigan married one of the Davidson family and a few years ago his wife and Mr. Huff were the three last representatives of pioneer days, but they now rest from their labors and their works do follow them, and may be seen in the happy homes of Carrigan. Mr. Huff, who married the widow of Robert Carrigan, was an over-religious man and so austere and stern that he was disliked by his step-chil- dren, but nevertheless they treated him with due respect and grew to manhood and womanhood with more liberal views than their step-father possessed. One son, Sam- uel R., was Sheriff of the county at the time of the death of Frank Leonard, an ac- count of which will be given in the sketch of Salem township, and made heroic efforts to save the life of the unfortunate man. Samuel R. Carrigan is still living in Car- rigan township amidst his broad acres, be- ing the largest land owner in the township, having more than fifteen hundred acres and is still a hale, active business man, taking great interest in all the public affairs of his township, and of the county. Zadock Phelps, Sr., an uncle of Squatter Zadock and father of John, built a cabin near the spring in section 17. He died some years later while on a visit to Lawrence county, leaving a widow and seven children, all of whom are long since dead. Daniel Phelps also settled in this township in 1824. He was something like his cousin, Zadock, Jr., and never seemed satisfied to stay in one place. He died in this township many years ago. A large family, consisting of a father, mother, nine grown daughters and three i8o BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. grown sons, came to the northern part of the township from CHnton county in 1825 and made the second land entry in the town- ship. It was the southwest quarter of sec- tion 5. Here he improved a fine farm, and built a horse mill the year he entered his land. One son, Wiley Burton, and a man by the name of Joe Davis, were the first blacksmiths in the township. Gideon Burton and his wife were both extremely large peo- ple, almost giants. They were from Tennes- see and were first class people. Burton died in 1835 on the farm he settled. The first preaching in the township was at the cabin of Samuel Davidson, by itiner- ant ministers of the Methodist church, who made the cabin of Major Davidson a stop- ping place. The first child born was La- vina Phelps, July, 1821, and the first death was the wife of William Davidson in 1829. The first school-house was built in 1833 on section 26. It was a small log affair, not fitted as a school-house. R. M. Carrigan was the first teacher. Three years later a bet- ter cabin was built and the first teacher in the new building was J. Williams. It was fairly comfortable and was used until 1849, when it burned down. In 1850 another school-house was built in the place of the burned one. It was of hewed logs and is still standing or was a few years ago, and is used as a sort of plunder room by Wil- liam Carrigan. Fairman is the only railroad station in the township and is a hamlet of a half-dozen houses, a store and school-house. The place was originally called Hogback and "Hog- back" John Wilson, one of the best of men, formerly had a saw-mill here. John Pules- ton also kept store here and when the post- office was established, was the first post- master. They both moved away and later Leander Mathews did a flourishing business here, but later moved to Sandoval, and then to Kinmundy. There is still a store here, but much of the business is diverted to Sandoval, Odin and Patoka. Carrigan township is strictly a rural community made up of the best type of Americans. The farms are large and productive, and where a few years ago stood a cabin in a clearing, now stands comfortable and even luxurious homes amid smiling acres, generously re- sponsive to the husbandman's toil. School- houses well appointed, are at convenient distances apart, and everything bespeaks a prosperous community, unfretted by the mercenary strife engendered by city life. ODIN AND SANDOVAL TOWNSHIPS. These townships were one until 1896, and therefore their history is one until that time, and will be treated as one, but the cities of Odin and Sandoval will be given separate- ly. The township is mostly prairie, with a skirt of timber land in the south side. It is a beautiful land, slightly undulating and sloping toward the watercourses by which BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. i8i it is drained. It was early settled by an enterprising and industrious people, and their descendants, with additions from other states, render it a thickly settled and pros- perous community, with fine farms, in a high state of cultivation, with many fine and substantial buildings and large orchards set to apple and other trees. To the traveler from older communities it is hard to realize that little more than a generation ago this beautiful township was almost without a white inhabitant. The Illinois Central Rail- road, both main line and branch, crosses this township, the main line running almost due north about one mile from the west line of the tovmship, through the thriving city of Sandoval, and the branch from the junction just north of Crooked creek in an almost northeast direction through the city of Odin. Both of these cities are also on the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Rail- way, which runs almost due east and west about two miles south of the north line of the township. These little cities are rivals, each of the other, and maintain such an even race, both in the number of inhabitants and material prosperity, that one cannot say which is in the lead. This township is next north of Centralia in the west tier of town- ships in this county. Crooked creek runs southwest through sections 36 and 35 and is the drainage outlet for the larger part of the township, while the East Fork drains the extreme northern part of the township. A native of Virginia, Thomas Deadmond, was the first settler in these townships. He arrived in the timbered part of the town- ship near the southern line in 1827, intend- ing to go farther north to settle, but as it was late in the year and the weather was ex- tremely cold, he detennined to camp for the winter, and set to work to construct a shelter for his family, which he did by cut- ting small logs and building a shed cabin, the roof sloping to the north and all the south side open. Before this open south side he would drag logs with his team and so inaintained a burning log heap before the cabin all winter, which served the dou- ble purpose of keeping the shelter warm and was a suitable fire for his wife to do her cooking on, and in this primiitivq manner the Deadmonds spent the first winter in their new home. The greatest drawback to the shed as a habitation was smoke, which at times, when there was a strong south wind, filled the shed to almost suffocation, but then the family could adjourn to the other side of the burning log heap and thus keep warm, although covered only by heav- en's canopy of blue, but provided with plen- ty of the hides of animals for beds and bed- ding, they of that day feared not to sleep on the ground and in the open, and as to smoke, who has not seen the old-fashioned fireplace when it was smoking. The early pioneers were used to smoke and were not inconvenienced by it in moderation. Mr. Deamond remained on the land where he passed the winter in section 28, township 2 north, range i east, but did not enter the land, which he had improved, until the 12th day of January, 1837, or ten years later, when he entered the west half of the south- 1 82 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. east quarter of section 28. He was for a number of years a Justice of the Peace and lived and died on the land where he camped in 1827, respected and honored by his fellow pioneers for his sterling worth. Mr. Dead- mond raised a large family, some of whom are still living, among them Mrs. Denisha Hays, of Raccoon township, who in her ninety-first year is an active, alert old lady, taking an active interest in affairs of family and church, of which she is an enthusiastic attendant. Two years after Deadmond's set- tlement Silas Barr came to the township from Tennessee and in 1831 entered the east half of the southeast quarter of section 27. This was the first land entry in the township and is in the Odin side of the township. James N. Barr, who was born in Tennessee, lived on this same tract vi'hich his father en- tered. Isaac G. Barr entered, in 1836, for- ty acres and made himself a farm in sec- tion 26. Isaac McClelland was born in Pennsyl- vania and went to Ohio and from there to Illinois and settled at Walnut Hill about 1818. He married Sallie Welch. For the next few years he partially improved three or four places in Centralia township, but in 1830 he settled on section 32 (the San- doval side of the township) and lived there many years and raised a family of six chil- dren. In 1839 Jonas and Jacob McClelland, and in 1840 Alexander and Henry McClel- land came to the township and improved farms. Samuel McClelland settled in 1830 near Silas Barr and lived there until his death. He left eight children, four sons and four daughters. Isaac McClelland bought the improvements that Isaac Smith had made in section 32 and then entered the land. Three brothers by the name of Wel- burn settled here in an early day. Two of them died here and the other went to Texas. James Adams, Thomas Pigg and John Hill were also early settlers and all raised fami- lies and have descendants now living in the county, and are respected for their honest worth. All the farms were for many years confined to the timber, but Bluford Dead- mond ventured out into the prairie and picked oul? a farm near the center of the township, which he improved, but afterward sold out and went to Oregon. The first school was taught in an empty cabin that stood near Silas Barr's home, in 1834, and was taught by Peter Wilbum. The first school-house built stood near the ^McClelland graveyard and was built of logs, with puncheon seats. The oil industry is at the present time get- ting considerable attention in the southem part of this township, where a compam- of Salem capitalists and business men and two plucky women have struck oil and are now boring the second well. Other parties have thus far failed to strike oil, but boring is still being vigorously prosecuted, no less than four or five companies being engaged in the work. The oil is struck at a depth of less than six hundred feet, but doubtless a deep- er well will develop a more abundant sup- ply, but we must lea^'e the chronicle of the success or failure of the oil fields to a fu- ture historian. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 183 In the southern part of this township one of the most profound mysteries was devel- oped in the year 1896, known as the Mc- Clelland mystery. Some years before Mr. McClelland and his youngest son disap- peared from the county, but as Mr. Mc- Clelland, who was a widower with no home ties, had once or twice before gone without saying much if anything about going, and after a year or two had returned, and as he had said to some of his relatives that he was going away and not coming back, nothing was thought of their absence, especially as it was thought he had money enough to take care of himself, and it was only regarded as an eccentricity on his part. There was a pond on the old McClelland place, which was owned by other parties, and in 1896 it had become somewhat filled up and the own- er resolved to clean it out and make it deep- er during a very dry spell. While the work was being prosecuted the workmen found two skeletons staked down in the bottom of the pond, with stakes driven crossways over the bodies. Much excitement resulted and much discussion resulted as to whose bodies they were, some from the first declaring they were the bodies of McClelland and his son, and this seems to be the settled opinion of those best qualified to judge from the size of the skeletons, age and teeth and the filling of some of the teeth, and the settled convic- tion was arrived at that the McClellands had been murdered and the bodies disposed of in this unique manner. Suspicion pointed her unreasoning finger toward several parties, mostly of kin to the missing men, and some of them men grown old in the paths of right and who stood as high in the county as any men living in her borders. Indictments were found against several parties, among whom was another son of the elder McClelland. One or two were tried, but the state utterly failed to make a case, whereupon the indict- ments were quashed and the McClelland mystery is still as deep a mystery as ever, and bids fair to so remain until the trump shall sound and the grave give up her se- crets. The two little cities, each of which gives its name to one-half township, which is clothed with the powers of a civil town, now demand our attention. CITY OF ODIN. The thriving little city of Odin is situated in the east side of township 2 north, range i east, and about two miles from the north line of the township. It is at the crossing of the Illinois Central branch and the Bal- timore & Ohio Southwestern railroads and is the product of these roads, hence was not built until the roads were. The first building was put up by one John Hill, as a saloon, and with Hill as a saloonkeeper ab- sorbed much of the hard earnings of the railway laborers. It stood south of the rail- roads and near the ti"acks. The Illinois Cen- tral built their depot in 1856 and in i860, 1 84 BRINKERI-IOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. April 5th, laid out the town, it being on a railroad section. The house of the section boss, David Dudy, of the Ohio & Mississip- pi Company, was the first dwelling erected. The first store building was erected by P. Z. Stone, who opened a general store about 1857 or 1858. James Garretson was the first postmaster and hotel-keeper. He built the first hotel in 1859 and called it after him- self, the Garretson House. It was after- ward called the Hartley House. It still stands, but at present is not used as a hotel. Before i860 one De Schan, Branson and Lester, and George Craig had opened stores and were doing a country trade and supply- ing the railroad men and passengers from one road waiting for a train on the other. During the years of the war between the states, 1862 to 1864, the town grew very rapidly, many refugees from the South making it a stopping place and many a per- manent home. A woolen mill called the Odin Woolen Factory was built in 1867. It was of brick and two stories high and manufac- tured jeans and flannel. It was destroyed by fire in 1879, and was never rebuilt. There was a sawmill in connection, which did not bum at that time and was operated for some years by W. E. Smith, but it finally was de- stroyed by fire. In 1863 a large hay press barn was built by A. M. Woodward & Co., and it was afterward enlarged until it was one of the largest press barns in the coun- try, but it, too, was destroyed by fire in the nineties. It may be well to state for the in- formation of the younger generation that until about 1870 hay was pressed into bales only in barns built for that purpose with presses built in them, and these presses were massive pieces of machinery with a heavy weight arranged like a pile driver, which was drawn to the top of the barn and fell into the press and beat the loose hay solidly together until two hundred or three hun- dred pounds were beat into a bale, when an immense screw operated from below com- pressed the bale, which was then "baled" or bound with hickory hoop-poles being passed around them and nailed together. The hay had to be hauled to these bams loose and was much labor and expense. The invention of the modern portable hay press killed the hay barn press, but has been a blessing to the farmer. In 1863 Captain Pierce built a two- burr grist mill. It changed hands frequent- ly and the firm of Morrison & Smart ran it from 1873 to 1880, and then sold to James Warren, the owner when the mill went out of business. Odin has a commodious two- story brick school building and has a corps of six teachers and takes pride in maintain- ing a first class school. The Methodist Epis- copals and Protestant Methodists each have a church in Odin, as also have the Christians and Presbyterians, although the latter is not used of late, only occasionally, as no minis- ter is in charge. Odin Masonic lodge No. 503 was instituted in 1866, under dispensa- tion from the grand master. E. B. Wilcox was the first worshipful master; E. Sid- well, senior warden, and O. F. Ball, junior warden. It was organized with only eleven members. It is now in a flourishing condi- tion. The Modern Woodmen also have a strong lodge in Odin, with about one hun- dred members. In 1886 a stock company BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. i8s was formed under the name Odin Coal Com- pany, to sink a shaft and mine coal, which was successful in striking a fine vein of coal at a depth of seven hundred and fifteen feet, with a vein of about seven feet in thickness. After undergoing the usual ups and downs of such stock companies, Messrs. Morrison and Secor, with perhaps a few others, ob- tained a controlling interest, since which time it has been so successfully handled as to prove a valuable and profitable property. Some few years ago electric mining and haulage and electric lighting was installed. The dynamo of the mine also furnishes electricity for lighting the city. During the life of the mine it has been singularly free from fatalities, but few accidents of serious character having occurred. The railroad crossing of the Illinois Central branch and the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern is con- trolled by an interlocking device controlled from a tower built so as to give the operator a view of both tracks. CITY OF SANDOVAL, ODIN TOWNSHIP. The city of Sandoval, like Centralia and Odin, was laid out by the Illinois Central Railroad Company on their own section of land. It is at the crossing of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern and Illinois Central Railroad main line, and is about one mile from the west line of the township and two from the north line, and, like Odin, gave its name to the west half of township 2 north, range i east, when the township was divid- ed. The survey and laying out of the city was on May 11, 1855. Two other addi- tions were laid out the same year. Welcome Martin, as early as 1853, put up a frame store house on the Ohio & Mississippi right of way just west of the right of way of the Illinois Central Railroad, and sold goods to the railroad laborers and the general pub- lic. The first boarding house or hotel was kept by J. B. Crawford, the original build- ing afterward making part of the Sandoval House. The city has a fine public school building, in which there are employed six teachers, and also maintains a primary room west of the Central tracks, and like all Ma- rion county towns, is proud of her schools. The Catholic church has a good church building and parsonage and maintains an organization in Sandoval. The Christian and Congregational churches have each a fine house of worship, while the Methodists have a good, comifortable church house. There religious bodies each maintain a resi- dent minister and are full of good works. The Baptist Brotherhood has recently built a neat little church in the south part of town. Sandoval has one of the finest parks in the county, and here every year the an- nual reunion of the old soldiers and sailors is held in a three days' session, and Sando- val spares neither energy, time nor money to make the reunion a success. As yet they 1 86 BRINKERI-IOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. have not failed, but, on the contrary, each year the success has been more and more pronounced, until the Sandoval reunion at- tracts attention from all parts of the state. In 1877 the St. Louis Sandoval Coal and Mining Company began sinking a shaft at Sandoval. After reaching a depth of one hundred and fourteen feet the company went into bankruptcy. The property was sold at Sheriff's sale and bought by the San- doval Coal and Mining Company, a com- pany composed mostly of Salem men. The new company began work on the shaft in Januai-y, 1879, and reached a vein of coal five and one-half feet thick in September of the same year at a depth of six hundred and three feet, being one hundred and twelve feet less in depth than the Odin mine, four miles further east, showing the "dip" of the coal vein to be eastward about twenty- eight feet to the mile. The companj^ was involved in long and expensive litigation growing out of the bankruptcy of the St. Louis Sandoval Company, but after years of legal contest the Sandoval Coal and Min- ing- Company established their right to the property. The cause was carried to the high- est tribunal and the Sandoval company's leading attorney, Judge Michael Sheafer, of the Supreme Court of Utah, made such a strong and learned argument that it is rec- ognized as an exposition of mining law. The company's stock was purchased January i, 1903, by Thomas S. Marshall from the holders, who thus became the teompany. The original shaft was in the eastern part of the city on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, but an air shaft was sunk on the Illinois Central Railroad in the southern part of the city about a half mile from the original shaft. This was now turned into a hoisting shaft with a steel tipple and ma- chine mining implements, and was consid- ered one of the best equipped mines in the state. The old works at the original shaft in the meantime burned down, but were im- mediately rebuilt. The mine at this time was employing over three hundred and fifty men and taking out as much as ten thou- sand tons per da}'. The vast expenditure necessary to thus equip the mine, with other causes, involved Mr. Marshall, and he took voluntary bankruptcy. The mine stood idle some time, but was recently sold to Mr. Middleton, who is running it to its greatest capacity and is not only giving work to a great number of men, but making it a suc- cess financially. The Sandoval mine was for many years, while controlled by the San- doval company, under the superintendence of John Robinson, then of H. R. Hall, and later of C. E. Hull, and was one of the best paying enterprises in the county, and it bids fair to become so again. The Sandoval mine had several quite serious accidents re- sulting in the loss of life, all of them per- haps the result of carelessness on the part of the victims or of some fellow workman. In the years from, about 1890 to 1895 there was a series of barn burnings in the western part of the county, confined to the townships of Sandoval, Odin, Carrigan, Tonti and Salem. Several of the most val- uable barns in the county were burned, evi- BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 187 deiitly set on fire, but the incendiary invari- ably escaped detection, and these burnings occurred so frequently that a feeling of dread and uneasiness prevailed over the en- tire community. At the time there lived one McKibbon near Sandoval. McKibbon was a fanatic on political subjects, and although in many respects a bright man, was un- doubtedly insane on the subject of equality of wealth and had brooded over the unequal distribution of wealth until he was an anai'- chist on that subject and thought to bring about equality by the destruction of prop- erty, but with subtile cunning he kept his thoughts and feelings hid from all but a chosen few, who, like himself, were lawless in thought and also in action when safe to be so. McKibbon was the head center of the clique and managed to escape even sus- picion until he approached a youth in San- doval whom he thought he could control. The young man fell into McKibbon's views, but after studying over the matter revealed the plot to burn the store of John Robinson to his mother, who advised him to go to the marshal and tell what he knew. This the young man did and was advised to carry out the plot and keep the officers advised. A committee of safety was formed and for weeks kept watch armed to the teeth, but so secretly was this done that none but the watchers ever suspected even the organiza- tion of the committee. They at last were rewarded by catching the anarchists in the act of trying to blow up Robinson's store. McKibbon was tried and found guilty, but the jury so misconstrued the law that they fined him five hundred dollars. The fine was paid after some time by McKibbon's rela- tives and he disappeared from the county. Barn burning ceased with the arrest of Mc- Kibbon and farmers now and for many years past have slept at night with no vis- ions of burning barns and tortured stock confined therein. Sandoval is a center for the strawberry industry. The celebrated Wai-field berry was originated here by Mr. Warfield, from whom it received its name. The Sandoval Packing Company's tomatoes, canned here, are the best on the market, the soil being peculiarly adapted to the raising of tomatoes to perfection. The smelting works in the eastern part of town is also an industry of great importance to the city and is one of the live industries of the county. In 1908 the Marion County Coal Company opened a shaft at Junction City, so called, in the south part of the township, and at the depth of about five hundred and sixty feet struck a fine vein of excellent coal. In this mine pe- troleum oil seeped in considerable quanti- ties and led to the opening of the first oil well, which struck oil at the depth of ifive hundred and seventy-eight feet. Other wells are being bored, but to Sandoval belongs the honor of having the first oil well in the coun- ty, but whether or not it will prove a com- mercial success can only be told by the pass- ing years. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. CENTRALIA TOWNSHIP. Centralia township was first settled at AA'alnut Hill in the southeast part of the township by Joseph Hensley, probably as early as 1816 or 181 7. He planted an or- chard on what was later know^l as the Cap- tain Creed place. This was the first orchard in the county and was set out about 18 17. Captain Hensley was fairly well educated and a stump speaker of considerable force, and often addressed the settlers in behalf of his party. He was a Whig in politics and a zealous partisan. In 181 8 he built a horse mill to supply the settlement about the hill, which by this time had several families, among whom were the Vermillion, McKen- ney, Jennings, Ricker, Taylor and Huff families. The first land entered in the town- ship was the west half of the southeast quar- ter of section 28, since owned by the Cop- pie family. Vermillion was a ranger in 181 2 and later moved to a farm just out of Sa- lem, and is the same known as Black Bear Vermillion. He was foreman of the first Grand Jury of Marion county. He moved to Missouri later, where he died. The sec- ond land entered was the west half of the northeast quarter of section 34. This entry was made by Daniel McKinney and was dat- ed February 21, 1820. He had made some impi-ovements as a squatter, but having sold to Charles Jennings in January, entered the land to make the title good. Israel Jen- nings entered the west half of the northeast quarter of section 34 as the third entry. It must not be thought that these three farms were all that were being improved in this part of the county, but many settlers picked out forty or eighty acres and began im- provements, intending to enter the land as soon as possible thereafter, and these claims were rarely disputed or jumped by others (It was not considered healthy). Israel Jen- nings was from Kentucky and lived to a good old age. He was twice married and raised a large family. He served one term in the Legislature. He was a man of vigor- ous intellect, shrewd judgment and sterling honesty. At his death he owned over, a thousand acres of land, leaving a goodly heritage to his children, both of material things. and of the better things of character. His son Charles entered eighty acres in sec- 27 August 24, 1 82 1. He had bought the McKinney place in 1820, where he took his bride when he married, and where he con- tinued to live until his death. Rufus Ricker entered eighty acres in 182 1, but in 1823 he moved to Salem, where, with Mark Tully, he bought out James Roberts, and they car- ried out the contract between the Commis- sioners to select a place for a permanent county seat by deeding to the county thirty acres of land in section 11, township 2, range 2. AVilliam Taylor came to the Hill settle- ment. He was a tough customer in a fight, but not disposed to be quarrelsome with his neighbors. Mr. Taylor entered eighty acres in section 30 in 1823 and had improved or settled on the west half of the southwest quarter of section 29. One Daniel \A'hite. of BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 189 Clinton county, jumped the claim of Taylor by entering the eighty upon which Taylor had built a cabin and fenced a small tract. This eighty was a very desirable piece of land and Taylor was not disposed to give it up. White knew nothing of Taylor's rep- utation, but was soon to learn from the man himself, for Taylor went to see White, and his ferocious aspect, with face scarred by many battles, one ear gone, and a double row of teeth, which he could champ like an enraged swine, soon convinced White that Taylor was entitled to the land, especially as Taylor told him he would have the land or eat White, blood raw. White and Tay- lor went before a Justice of the Peace and White made over the land to Taylor, who paid the entry fees. Samuel Gaston, in 1818, settled at the Hill, but was just over the line in Jeffer- son county, but afterward the family be- came active citizens of Marion. Samuel Shook, a Baptist minister, and probably the first preacher to settle in the county, settled here in 1820. In 1823 he entei'ed eighty acres of land in section 23, which is still in the family. Thomas Kell came from South Carolina and settled at the Hill, but just south of the county line. Here he opened a small store, but afterward was as much interested in Marion as in Jefferson county. The first school-house was built in 1821. It was made of logs and stood east of the Jennings place on the edge of the prairie. This school- house had a dirt floor for several years. Wil- liam Carrigan was the first teacher and he began teaching before the house was chinked and daubed. Bird M. Simpson taught the second term and John S. Davis the third. This school-house was also used as a meet- ing house and ministers of the Baptist faith frequently preached to the people there. In those days the settlers would go many miles to "meeting," and whenever a preacher "norated around" that there would be preaching, he was sure of an attentive and large audience. Absalom Frazier came in 1839 and entered land and contracted to have a carding mill built in section 17, but nothing was done until the next year, when his son, Simpson Frazier, came from Indi- ana, when the mill was built. The machin- ery was shipped to Shawneetown by river from Indiana and thence hauled by oxen to the mill site. The mill when set up was op- erated by oxen or horses and was operated until about 1855, when it fell into disuse. It will be observed that the settlement of Cen- tralia township was confined to the south- east portion, nor did other parts of the town- ship receive much attention from the settlers until the Ilhnois Central Railroad was pro- jected, when the eyes of the immigrants were turned to that part of the county through which it was to pass, and many set- tlers took up land along the proposed line, and Central City, in the northwest part of the township, was started, and but for the lack of foresight of the holders of the land at Central City, there would be today no Centralia. Central City is near Crooked creek, and at that time was selected by the railroad engineers as a division end, but the 190 BRINKERHOFF S PIISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. land owners refused to grant such conces- sions as the raih"oad demanded, and as the officials said asked exorbitant prices for land, thinking the road mtist build shops, etc., near water. It will be remembered that the act of Congress gave each alternate section ■of land for some distance on both sides of the road to the company as a bonus, so when they could not get land on which to build on such terms as they thought right, they went one mile farther south and laid out the city of Centralia on their own section and pumped water to their shops from Crooked creek. From the earhest settlement ■of Illinois by the Americans after Clark's conquest there had been a class of very un- ■desirable citizens hovering on the borders near Vincennes, Shawneetown and also at Cave-in Rock, on the Ohio, and a regular channel by which these cutthroats and rob- bers conducted their nefarious barter was kept open, with stations along the way, so that property stolen in the eastern settle- ments was sold in the west, and that stolen in Randolph and St. Clair counties was sold in the east at Vincennes or Shawneetown. In 1816 an attempt to make a station for these thieves at Walnut Hill was made and several families of these undesirable people -settled or rather squatted near Walnut Hill, but their neighbors soon suspected that •something was wrong, as counterfeit money was put in circulation and many mysterious strangers were seen to visit them. Word was conveyed to the Rangers of St. Clair ■county, whoin 1819, under Captains Thom- as and Bankson, marched secretly to the home of John Carrigan, who lived in Clin- ton county near Carlyle. As the men from St. Clair county did not know the way across the country to Walnut Hill and as the expedition was secret, they must have a guide, and a young son of Carrigan's was appointed to conduct them to the home of Israel Jennings, which he accomplished without any one seeing them. It was early in the night when they arrived at the Jen- nings homestead and young Carrigan was dismissed, and he rode home through the wilderness in the night. A lad of about twelve, alone in the darkness, bravely fac- ing a ride of thirty miles through a track- less wilderness filled with wild beasts and at any moment in danger of meeting law- less men, who, if they knew his mission, would not hesitate to murder him, but of such mettle were the pioneers of our coun- ty made. Young Carrigan, with his father, soon became citizens of Carrigan township in this county. The rangers, after reaching the home of Jennings, divided into three parties of fifteen men each, and quietly sur- rounded the cabins of the outlaws and cap- tured them without resistance, as the out- laws perceived resistance would be useless. The captured cutthroats were known as the Goings gang, and consisted of ^^'illiam, John and Pleasant Goings, Theophilus W. Harring, Tarleton Kane and John Bimber- ry and others who were not at home, but presumably out on an expedition and not caught. The above named, however, were told that they must leave the country within a given number of days, under penalty of BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 191 death, and to impress upon their minds that the edict must be obeyed they were all lashed to saplings and given an unmerciful whip- ping. By the appointed time all had depart- ed and none ever returned. This procedure may seem to us of the present day extremely harsh, and when we reflect that the law was solely in the hands of the rangers in such remote places, and that they were organized by authority for the protection of the fron- tier, where the law could not reach the of- fenders, and above all that it was effective, we must, however, reluctantly give our ap- proval. THE CITY OF CENTRALIA. The following sketch is furnished the ed- itor by ex-Mayor S. A. Frazier, to whom we hereby acknowledge our indebtedness. The county of Marion was formed and its boundaries defined by an act of the Leg- islature of the state of Illinois, which be- came a law on the 24th of January, 1823. Centralia is situated near the southwest cor- ner of the county, near the center of Seven Mile Prairie. Central City, older by about two years than Centralia, is located at the point where the Illinois Central Railroad en- ters Seven Mile Prairie from the north, about one mile distant from the northern limits of the corporation. In the year 1850 the inhabitants of Seven Mile Prairie could have been counted on one's fingers. They were located, with the exception of a half- dozen families, at the edge of the wooded land which surrounded the prairie, and all lived, excepting perhaps an equal number of families, in one-story log houses. There is not, so far as the writer knows, a house now standing in Seven Mile Prairie which is a fair sample of the average residence of the time alluded to. The house was one story in height, the open space between the logs being chinked with small blocks of wood and daubed or plastered with clay. The chimney was on the outside at the end of the building and was composed of a framework of logs and sticks, lined in the lower portion with clay and stones and in the upper portion with clay alone. The roof and often the doors were made of clapboards riven from the trees of the forest. The floor was often made of puncheons split from logs and hewed on one side. It need not be stated that this kind of flooring was never tongued and grooved, and the floor was never air-tight, except when the floor was laid on the ground. Usually these houses contained but one room, in which the family performed all the various offices of indoor life-. Here they dressed, talked over the family and neighborhood affairs, received company, courted and were given in mar- riage and married. Here also the women attended to those never neglected duties of the time, knitting, spinning and weaving, duties which have since almost lost their places among the household arts. The ques- 192 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. tion occurs : Were these people happy amid such rude surroundings and with such pri- vations of the conveniences of hfe? We may truly answer, yes. So emphatically true is it that life does not consist in the aboundance of our possessions. Ask those who lived at that time and they will tell you they were happy in those days, and will probably add that the good old times were better than the present strenuous period. Their happiness we may not gainsay, but as to those times being better than this pres- ent time,' that does not follow. This is an- other question and one open to very serious question. In 185 1 the Illinois Central Railroad was sureyed and located, and Seven Mile Prai- rie, in which they had been no marked im- provement, began to exhibit more anima- tion. Unknown faces were less rare than formerly and citizens showed more anxiety to increase their landed possessions. In 1852 the work of grading was begun and many foreigners appeared upon the scene, some of whom remained in the country and were valuable additions to its population. The change wrought in the appearance of the county and the habits and pursuits of the people was wonderful. Where before there had been a sort of Rip Van Winkle sleep, all was life, industry and activity. New in- dustries became available and old ones were stimulated by better prices and a home mar- ket. The people began to put the good old times behind them. Central City supple- mented Walnut Hill as a commercial me- tropolis of the region. That part of the city of Centralia known as Jones, Eheninger,Mc- Clelland and Spear's addition was laid out in the summer of 1853. In the autumn of the same year A. P. Crosby's addition was laid out. In 1853 Centralia proper was laid out by the Illinois Central Railroad Com- pany, and some lots were sold, but no deeds were executed until after the passage of the law of January 14, 1855, authorizing the railroad company to lay out towns and sell town lots. The first house built in Centralia was the one-story frame house fronting north on the west side of the last railroad crossing but one in South Centralia, in the east end of which McCord & Davenport sold merchan- dise ; the west end of the same building was used for a residence ; the next building erect- ed in our city was a one-story frame about ten by twelve feet in extent across the street north from McCord & Davenport's, in which Thomas Douglas, afterward of Sandoval, sold dried herring and liquid refreshments. The first house built in Centralia still stands, but the second and third, which were imme- diately across the railroad, east from it, be- ing the one-story part of the Hoskins prop- erty, built by Joseph Hensley, have long since vanished. The Illinois Central Railroad Company commenced the erection of their round- house, shops and hotel in November, 1853. It was the desire of the railroad company originally to erect their buildings at Cen- tral City, and with that object in view ne- gotiations were entered into with O'Mel- veny and Gall, the then proprietors of the BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 193 land, but failing to agree upon the price to be paid for land on which to ei'ect buildings and sidetracks, the present site was fixed upon. The work of erecting the buildings once commenced was pushed with vigor un- til they were fully completed. The first house built in the city of Centralia as laid out by the Illinois Central Railroad Com- pany, was the two-story frame building still standing at the southeast corner of Walnut and First streets. The next house built was a bam, which stood on the present site of the Market Block, on Chestnut street. The roof was better adapted to secure perfect ventilation than immunity from moisture, and in consequence the boarders slept on rainy nights with umbrellas stretched over their heads. The first store in Centralia was that of McCord & Davenport, the sec- ond that of A. P. Crosby, both located in South Centralia. The next store was that of J. M. O'Melveny, which stood east of the present site of the Centralia House, but the building was moved by the Illinois Central Railroad Company without any interrup- tion to the business of the occupant to the present site of Saddler's Block. The next store opened was that of Kohl & Warner. In November, 1854, the first regular train over the Illinois Central Railroad passed through Centralia. The first school-house erected in Centralia is a two-story frame building that originally stood near the southern limit of Jones, Ehminger, McClelland & Spear's ad- dition on the east side of the railroad. It was afterward removed to the present site of the Welcome Hall in the south part of 13 the city. It was again removed, this time across the street immediately east, where it now stands, transformed into a residence. The upper story was originally designed for an Odd Fellows' Hall, but for some reason was never used by that order. The first school-house erected in Centralia proper was a small frame building, which stood on the ground where now stands the one-story building occupied by the Star Laundry. The school-houses, still in use, known as the East Side and West Side, school-houses, were built in 1861. The brick school-house in South Centralia, being- the same now known as Welcome Hall, was built in 1862. The first house of worship erected in our city was the Methodist Episcopal church built in Crosby's addition in 1854. It stood on the southwest corner of the block on which the brick now stands and fronted to the south ; its first pastor was R. H. Manier, who was also the first resident minister who ever preached in Centralia. He came here in 1855. The house was afterward re- moved to the northeast corner of Poplar and Fifth streets. In 1864 and 1865 the society erected a brick building at the south- east corner of Broadway and Elmi streets. In 1856 the Christian church erected a house of worship, which was afterward burned down, on the ground occupied by the pres- ent Christian church. The present building was erected in 1872. In 1856 the first Pres- byterian church was erected. The next church built was the Romarr Catholic church, in 1858. The building was afterward increased in size. The United! 194 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Presbyterian church was built in 1862, the building being sold afterward to the Epis- copalians. The First Baptist church was erected in 1864, the German Evangelical church in 1865, the Second Baptist church (colored) was built in 1871 and the Second Methodist Episcopal church (colored) in 1873- The first physicians to take up their resi- dence in our city were G. W. Hotchkiss and C. W. Dunning, who opened an office here in the spring of 1854. Next came J. M. Gaskill and J. L. Hallam, who opened an office in South Centralia in July, 1854. Our first lawyer was W. W. O'Melveny, who came here in 1854. The next was W. Stoker, who came in June following. H. K. S. O'Melveny opened an office in Central City in 1853. N. R. Stickney was the first Justice of the Peace. He was elected in 1855 and assumed the duties of the office the following December. The city was incor- porated under a special act of the Legisla- ture, which was passed February 22, 1859. The formal incorporation was March i, 1859. The charter was amended in Feb- ruary, 1 86 1, and further amended Febm- ary 16, 1865. The first officers of the city were : Mayor, Mathew C. Kell. Aldermen : First Ward, J. J. Dimick and J. G. Cormick ; Second Ward, Samuel Storer and D. H. McCord; Third Ward, James Cunningham and G. V. Johnson; City Marshal, A. H. Seley ; Street Commissioner, E. Probst ; City Surveyor, S. Frazier; Treasurer, James Wilson; Assessor, A. H. Crosby; Police Magistrate, Edwin S. Condit; City Clerk, Lewis Bunce; Attorney, George C. McKee; Collector, A. H. Seley. All these officers, with one or two exceptions, have joined the silent majority. At the Presidential election of i860 the vote for the Democratic electors was 147 against 197 for the Republican electors. In the Centralia precinct in 1864 the Demo- crats polled 133 and the Republicans 405 votes; 1868, Democrats 269, and Repub- licans 544, and in 1872 Democrat and Lib- eral vote was 271 and O'Conner and Re^ publican 453. Until 1856 the polling place was at Walnut Hill. In the fall of 1856 D. A. Burton pub- lished the first newspaper in Centralia. It was called the Enterprise, and died after an existence of two months. The next paper was the Rural Press, edited and published by M. L. McCord. It struggled along for two years and then suspended. Then H. S. Blanchard tried the newspaper venture, but without success. J. D. G. Pettijohn started the Egyptian Republic November 3. 1859. This paper lived until after the strenuous Presidential campaign of i860, but went out of existence in 186 1. A Mr. Fuller then issued a few numbers of a paper the name of which is not remembered by any one in Centralia as far as can be learned. The Com- mercial, published by E. P Thorpe, issued its first number in April, 1867, and survived six months. On May 28, 1868, the first number of the Centralia Sentinel was issued, with E. S. Condit and J. W. Fletcher as editors, but it is said Mr. Condit's editorial connection with the paper was only nominal. BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 195 At the expiration of a year J. W and F. W. Fletcher became the editors and publishers. In 1869 J. C. Cooper bought the interest of J. W. Fletcher and the Sentinel was pub- lished by J. C. Cooper and C. D. Fletcher tmtil 1872, when L. C. Wilcox purchased the interest of J. C. Cooper. On January I, 1875, it passed into the hands of J. W. and F. W. Fletcher, who were succeeded by J. W. Kerr, and he by T. L. Joy. The latter took charge October 20, 1888. It is now a daily as well as weekly. The Centralia Democrat was first pub- h'shed on November 7, 1867, by W. H. Mantz. Afterward Isaac McClelland be- came nominally a co-editor and publisher with Mr. Mantz. In October, 1870, the of- fice was partially destroyed by fire, but the press soon after came into the possession of S. P. Tufts, by whom it was i^epaired, and from the 9th day of February, 1871, the Democrat has been published by Mr. Tufts and his son, who succeeded as editor his father at the latter' s death some years ago. It is now published both as a daily and weekly. Centralia was not surpassed in patriotism by any city in the state during the late war. No less than six companies were organized and sent forward from our city, besides con- tributing a great number of recruits to com- panies organized at other points. The first company was organized April 19, 186 1. It was Company C of the Eleventh Illinois In- fantry, commanded by A. L. Rockwood as captain. The next was Company C of the Twenty-second Illinois Infantry, command- ed by E. Probst. Other companies were organized and commanded, respectively, by Captains Noleman, Cormick, Sommerville and Cunningham. During the war a hos- pital was maintained by our city for the benefit of sick and wounded soldiers, and many of our ladies are remembered to this day with gratitude by our country's brave defenders scattered over the land, for the kindness with which they were cared for in our city. No other single industry up to the pres- ent writing surpasses or indeed equals the railroad interests of our city. Centralia has been from the first a railroad town, being the headquarters of a division of the Illi- nois Central Railroad and containing as it does shops with facilities for carrying on every variety of railroad work, and the ac- commodation of hundreds of employes. During the month of May, 1876, the IIH- nois Central Railroad Company had two hundred and sixty-two men in its employe who resided in Centralia, to whom the sum of fifteen thousand seven hundred and nine- ty-five dollars was paid in wages for that month. The monthly payroll is now much larger. Next in importance is the coal industry of Centralia. A shaft was sunk at Central City in 1857 to the depth of one hundred and ninety feet, passing through ten inches of coal at the depth of fifty feet and another seam of coal twelve inches thick at one hun- dred and eighty feet. At one hundred and ninety feet the shaft was discontinued and a boring made one hundred and eighty feet. 196 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. to a total depth of three hundred and sev- enty feet, without, however, finding other seams of coal. In 1857 and 1858 the Illi- nois Central Railway Company sunk an ar- tesian well near the machine shops in Cen- tralia to the depth of eight hundred and fifty-seven feet for the purpose of securing a supply of water for their shops. The re- port of the strata passed through in boring that well, though subsequent events have shown it to be unreliable, did much to en- courage our citizens to thoroughly test the question of the existence or non-existence of coal in the vicinity in paying quantities. In the fall of 1869 some citizens of our city organized a stock company under the name of the Centralia Coal and Mining Company, for the purpose of testing and setting at rest once for all, either by failure or success, the coal question. The first and only board of directors consisted of F. Kohl, R. D. Noleman, M. C. Kell, E. S. Condit, H. D. Kingsbury, J. L. Hopkins, H. Kurth, C. D. Hay and J. C. Cooper. A contract was en- tered into with two of our citizens, James Wilson and Thomas Warren, to do the bor- ing. They commenced work about the 20th of February, 1870, and continued at inter- vals until about the 20th of April, when the work was abandoned at a depth of two hun- dred and nineteen feet, having passed through six inches of coal at a depth of eighty feet. The Centralia Coal and Mining Company failed to set the coal question at rest. On the 2ist of January, 1873, F. Kohl, Esq., requested the citizens of Centralia to meet at the City Hall January 25, 1873, to consider the propriety of organizing a com- pany to establish a nail mill, at which time and place the meeting was held and the project discussed. The conclusion was ar- rived at that the proposed nail mill would be more certainly successful if fuel could be obtained without the cost of transportation. At a subsequent meeting, held Februaiy i, 1873, it was decided to organize a company to be incorporated under the general incor- poration laws of the state, to sink a shaft to a depth sufficient to determine with certain- ty the question of obtaining a home supply of, coal. The company was styled the Min- ing and Manufacturing Company of Cen- tralia, Illinois, and was organized in April, 1873, with a capital stock of fifteen thousand dollars. The capital stock was twice in- creased, to the amount of five thousand dol- lars each time. The work of sinking the shaft was begun May 14, 1873, and was prosecuted with varying hopes of success. At the commencement many had strong faith in the substantial correctness of the report of the Illinois Central Railroad Company's boring, but as our hopes based upon it were one by one dissipated. Prof. Engleman, of the Illinois Geological Survey, was appealed to for encouragement by the leaders of the enterprise and did much by his letters and, as the events proved, by his accurate knowl- edge of the geology of the region, to inspire confidence. Finally, on the 28th of Septem- ber, 1874, at the depth of five hundred and sixty-four feet, a vein of coal was reached, which proved to be seven feet in thickness BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 197 and of excellent quality. At about 12 o'clock noon on the 29th the cannon announced the good news to oui- citizens; their pluck and energy had been fitly rewarded. Many of them met, as if by common consent, at the City Hall, where the enterprise had been organized, and made arrangements for a grand celebration of the event on Saturday, November 7, 1874. On the day appointed our citizens and many of the citizens of neighboring towns as well as of the sur- rounding country, turned out, and a grand gala day was had. Our business interests and mechanical arts were all represented in the procession which that day paraded through our city. Our coal mine has since became and will ever remain one of the in- stitutions of our city. In her coal interests Centralia has a permanent industry. Among the other institutions of our city it is proper to mention the First National Bank, organized in 1865, one of the sound- est banking institutions in the state ; the gas works, erected in 1868, and the Union Fair, organized in 1869. There are also many carefully conducted industries in our city, which in time will develop into enterprises of greater magnitude and will prove to be productive industries in our city. Centralia now has a state bank, also both banks are on a solid basis and do a large, though safe and conservative, business. For several years the Illinois Central Railroad was the only railroad connecting Centralia with the outside world, but about twenty-five years ago a new impetus was given the little city by the building of the Jacksonville road, and about the same time also the Southern, the first extending south- east and northwest, the latter more nearly east and west, yet tending to the north. The first extended from Jacksonville to Centra- lia and then southeast, the latter from St. Louis, Missouri, to Evansville, Indiana. The Jacksonville is now a part of the Burlington system, which absorbed the Jacksonville and extended it south from Centralia, tapping the rich coal deposits of Franklin, William- son and other counties. These roads do a large business and add much to the material prosperity of Centralia. A fair estimate would place one-fourth of our population di- rectly dependent upon the various railroads. Shortly after the building of the Southern the Centralia & Chester Railroad was built. Its northeast terminal was Centralia for a number of years, but was subsequently ex- tended to Salem, which is now the northern terminal of the once Centralia & Chester, but now Illinois Southern Railroad. The coal mining industry now occupies the in- dustry of many hundreds of men and fur- nishes thousands of tons of coal per day, the output of three extensive mines. The boring for oil on the Bundy farm has de- veloped a water supply of hitherto unsus- pected source, but as to whether it can be of any practical benefit to the city or not it is too early to predict. Centralia has a factory for the manufacture of envelopes, with an output of millions of envelopes of every va- riety. A township high school building of great architectural beauty stands at the east 198 BRINKERHOFF'S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. side of town. A Carnegie Libraiy graces the close of the year 1908 the number of in- the public square, and many other evidences habitants is about twelve thousand five hun- of a rapidly growing city may be found. At dred and is rapidly increasing. ALMA TOWNSHIP. Town 3 north, range 3 east of the third principal meridian, is Alma. Who suggested the name is not known, but whoever it was evidently had a sweetheart. Big creek and Dumb's creek drain the township ; the water from the first named flowing into the Kas- kaskia, from the latter into the Wabash. Grand Prairie in the north. Summit Prairie in the center and a very small prairie in the southeast is called from a spring there, Red Lick. This township was originally mostly prairie and is now mostly cultivated, and like Stevenson, has fine farms and farm buildings and many orchards. The Illinois Central, Chicago branch, passes across the northwest corner of the township, while the Chicago & Eastern Ilhnois Railroad crosses it from north to south, leaving the township at the northwest comer of Steven- son township, just touching the southeast corner of Tonti. This railroad was original- ly the Chicago, Peoria & Memphis. It enters the township in section 3 and bends to the west and passes out as stated. Marshall Wantland settled on section 35, and his brother, John, on 36, in 1826. They were from Tennessee. It is told of John that he carried a spade and wandered over the country for a radius of thirteen miles, digging here and there and examining the soil, but concluded that section 36 was the best, so settled there. Both moved to Omega township and later Marshall went to Texas and John to Saline county. James Beard, another Tennesseean, with his wife and two children, settled in section 23, but stayed only about ten years, when he moved to Missouri. A Tennesseean by the name of James Chance, a blacksmith, settled in Salem in 1822. He had a large family. He was elected Sheriff and served for eight years. He settled in section 11 at the expiration of his term of office and remained until 1835 when he moved to Tonti township, where he died in 1863. Mrs. Letitia Duncan, the widow of a soldier under Jackson at New Orleans, who died in the hospital after the battle, brought her ten children, settled in Tennessee Prairie about 1818, but in 1833 she located in Alma, where she died in 1846. Mark Tully's brother William came from Vir- ginia about 1825, and after remaining in Salem about ten years settled on section 35. Aterward he went to Texas. Peter Bretz and Robert Phillips both came from Ohio about the same time. Bretz had six chil- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 199 dren and Phillips had nine, among whom were Israel and John, so long and well known in the east side of the county. J. P. French came from St. Clair county in 1838, and after living in Tonti township until 1855, moved into Alma. The township was first named Pleasant, but later changed to Alma. The Baptists built the first church in the township in 1848. It stood on the line between sections 35 ad 36. It was a small frame house. The first preacher of this church was N. R. Eskridge. There are now three Methodist churches, one Bap- tist and one Christian church, besides reg- ular union services are held in the town hall. The first school was held in an old aban- doned cabin and was taught by Isaac Kagy. The cabin stood on what is known as the Wantland (Marshall) place. It was a sub- scription school and the subscriptions were paid in produce, which in turn was bartered at Rate's store. In 1842 the first school- house was built on the site of Pleasant Grove Methodist Episcopal church. It was of the pioneer type, log cabin with clap- board roof, held on with roof poles. There are doubtless men and women now living in the township who remember the old school-house of seventy years ago. William 'Tully built the first horse mill in 1836, and John Beck kept the first store. He failed and went out of business in a short time. He began his store-keeping in 1 85 1, at the house of Squire Siple. On section 35 the early settlers estab- lished a burying ground. It was used about fifteen years and then closed "for burial pur- poses. It was called Mound Graveyard. This township was among the first to in- troduce imported stock and has ever since kept the best blood obtainable. Berkshire hogs were introduced in 1841 ; Durham cattle in 1840 by the Hite brothers; English draft horses by John Cunningham in 1852, and Southdown sheep by Thomas White in 1856. The first doctors were Thomas L. Middle- ton, William Haynie, Doctor Baker, T. B. Lester and John Davenport, and they trav- eled many miles in every direction. Their names will be found as the first physicians in several townships. The post-office at Alma, established upon the completion of the Central Branch Railroad, was the first in the township. In 1841 John Hammers opened a coal mine six feet under ground by stripping, that is, by removing six feet of surface to a coal vein two feet thick, but when the rail- road brought coal to Alma the mine was abandoned. VILLAGE OF ALMA. The village of Alma is on the northwest corner of the township on the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central Railroad. It was first laid out by John S. Martin, in 1854, and the Martin, French and Tilden addition was platted about the same time. 200 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. It was named Rantoul, after an offi- cer of the railroad, but another town in the state had appropriated that name, and it was changed to Grand Mound City, but in 1855 the name was changed to Alma. Doctor Hutton built the first store house in 1853, and was the first postmaster. Smith and Hawkins conducted the first blacksmith shop and John Ross the first grist and saw mill. Jefferson Hawkins was the first Methodist preacher; John Ross, the first Christian preacher, and was instrumental in building the first church in which he preached several years and from which he was buried, by the writer, about eighteen yeairs ago. The Methodist Episcopal church was built -in 1871. The first school-house was burned and the second was built in 1866 and 1867. It was a two-room build- ing, but it is not now used. Some of the members of the Christian church conceived the thought of a Christian college at Alma. The Rosses and others gave land and money and a good two-story school-house, or col- lege, was built and a college opened, but after a few years' struggle the property was sold three years ago to the district for public school purposes. Alma has grown frorn a hamlet to a vil- lage of two hundred or three hundred in- habitants and is incorporated as a village. It has many business houses and enjoys the trade of a large part of this, Tonti and Fos- ter townships. On the 28th day of Decem- ber, 1908, fire broke out in a large hay barn and destroyed the entire business part of Alma. Several stores, warehouses, shops and restaurants were burned and as all were of frame, the loss was total, but with true American grit, the ashes were hardly cold before the debris was being cleared away and preparations for brick buildings were under way. In the spring of 1908 the large fruit cannery of Doctor Shrigley's was burned, also quite a serious loss to the business of the village. Alma is one of the chief fruit shipping points of the county. Thousands upon thousands of baskets of tomatoes, peaches and other fruits are an- nually shipped, while the Alma gem melon requires two or three cars per day during the season, and are the only rival of the Rocky Fords on the markets. BRUBAKER. The station of Brubaker on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad is an active little hamlet. It contains two stores, a saw-mill, blacksmith shop and the Alma town house. It was laid out by E. E. Brubaker, who built a two-stoi-y store room upon the completion of the railroad in 1895, and he has con- ducted a flourishing business ever since. Much pi-oduce is also shipped from here, and also live stock. The railroad company BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 20 1 just after the Chicago & Eastern Illinois took charge opened an extensive ballast- burning experiment and acres of clay was dug and mixed with coal and burned, but for some reason the work was stopped, and all that remains is a considerable body of water, forming an artificial lake. Red Lick Prairie is also the scene in which is laid the "Stories of New Egypt," by Frank Spittler, Esq., and the tale has a foundation in fact, which is as follows : About 1830 or 1835, two brothers with a small amount of money were journeying westward from Vincennes, when they fell in with a third young man, who had about nine hundred dollars on his person. When in the vicinity of Red Lick, the older brother killed the young man and the brothers appropriated the money and buried the body. They settled near Red Lick Prairie and the older brother became an ac- tive member of the band of cutthroats and horsethieves, with headquarters at Cave-in- Rock, and operating all over Southern Illi- nois, and his house was a regular stopping place for the thieves and their plunder. The suspicions of the rapidly increasing population were directed to the elder brother and he disappeared. The younger brother lived in the township and reared a large and respectable family. Such is the tale handed down by the old men and women at the fireside a generation ago, and doubtless there is some truth at the foundation of the story. It is impossible to say how much. KINMUNDY TOWNSHIP. Town 4 north, range 3 east, is known in civil law as Kinmundy. Its north line is also the dividing line between Marion and Fayette counties. The watershed between the Kaskaskia and Wabash rivers extends from Alma through this township, the west side being drained by the East Fork, and the €ast side by the Skillet Fork. The prairie of Alma extends through this township, while heavy timber was originally along the above streams, making the township about half timber and half prairie. The first settler was John W. Nichols, who settled on Howell's branch in 1823, but went north in 1827, but soon returned and died. Henry Howell came in 1826 and set- tled near the Nichols claim, where he died after several years' residence. He raised a large family, one of whom is still living. Abner Stewart came to the township in the latter part of 1828, and in 1829 entered the first land entered in this township. His cabin stood in what is now the corporate limits of Kinmundy city. He built a horse mill, and after three years moved to Mis- souri. In 1828 three brothers by the name of Gray, James, Joseph and William, came to Kinmundy. (These settlers were all from 202 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. Tennessee.) James Gray settled on section lo, but died in 1835, leaving a widow and eight children. The widow entered eighty acres of land in section 10, February 13, 1837, and in the fall forty acres more. She lived until 1844. Her son, the late James H. Gray, lived until about 1899, and died one of the wealthiest citizens of the county. He lived and died on the old homestead. Joseph Gray settled three or four places in the township, but died in 1844. William Gray built a home on section 21, but sold out and went to Missouri in 1833. Isaac Eagan, a single man, came to the township with James Gray in 1828. He drove stage for several years, but married and bought the William Gray place of Abner Stewart, who had bought it of John Eagan, who had bought it of Gray, two sales before any one had title but Uncle Sam. Abner Stew- art entered the land in 1837, the same day that the widow Gray entered her eighty. Hugh Eagan came in 1829, but afterward bought the Ross Jones claim north of Sa- lem, where he died. Harrison Eagan, a noted Cumberland Presbyterian minister, was his son. John Beardin came in 1838 and located in Kinmundy. All these settlers came originally from Tennessee. The first school-house was built in 1837, and Samuel Whiteside was the first to teach in it. Although schools had been taught in cabins before this date. The Baptists built the first church. It was of hewed logs and was in the Howell neighborhood. The Cumberland Presbyterians, however, held meetings frequently in private houses. CITY OF KINMUNDY. Kinmundy, a city of about fifteen hun- dred inhabitants, is situated on the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central Railroad. It was laid out in April, 1857, on section 22, which brings it near the center of the town- ship. W. T. Sprouse laid out the city. Isaac Eagan laid out an addition in 1858. Other additions have been laid out from time to time. In 1895 the Chicago & Eastern Illi- nois Railroad, then the Chicago, Peoria & Memphis, was built through the township, and passed through the western part of the city. The city and township are said to be named after a Scotchman, who was a stockholder in the Central when it was built, and visited this part of the county. W B. Eagan built the first house in 1857, in which he kept a general store and was the first postmaster. The house was two stories and Eagan lived above the store. Eagan had kept a country store two or three years at the old homestead before Kinmundy was laid out. The Illinois depot was built in 1856, and like most Illinois Central depots BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 203 of that day, was a big bam-like structure. Later a neat little depot was built and the old one used as a freight room. Kinmundy, like nearly all towns along the Illinois Cen- tral, is built on both sides of the railroad, and the crossing is dangerous, and deaths from being struck by trains are too oftai the result of this building of the towns. Several deaths at Kinmundy have resulted, among them that of Miss Cammerer, daugh- ter of Dr. and Mrs. Cammerer, about twelve years ago. Miss Cammerer was walking with her mother, and stepping around the end of a car standing on the track, was struck by a fast train, the mother barely es- caping the same fate. About the same time an entire family, except one child, were killed at the crossing at Alma. At the south side of the town Willis Wilbum built a small store room and sold goods for a time, in 1855. He built a hotel south of the present depot, about the same time. Doctor Skil- ling kept the first drug store, and Dr. W. W Elliott was the first medical practitioner. Henry Eagan was the first "village black- smith". In 1858 Sprouse built a saw and grist mill, but it was moved away in a short time, but he buit another in 1864, and in 1868 Songer Brothers built the present brick mill. It too, was moved away. An- other mill was built in 1877 and passed into the hands of C. Rohrbough, but it has long since gone out of business. The first bank was the W. T. Haymond & Company's bank, organized in 1870. The capital stock fully paid in was forty-five thousand dollars. This bank was a good business proposition, and was a stable insti- tution. On the death of Mr. Haymond in 1899 a National bank was organized and is at present one of the safe banks of the coun- ty. There is a private bank called The War- ren Bank, doing a good business. The building of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad gave an impetus to busi- ness of Kinmundy, and several good brick business houses were built, but an extensive fire in 1904 destroyed about one-half of the business part of the town. It has, however, been rebuilt. A short time later another fire destroyed a large part of the remainder of the town. It too, has been rebuilt. Kinmundy has six churches, the Metho- dist Episcopal, and Christian churches are fine, modern structures ; the others are old style frame buildings, and are used by the Cumberland Presbyterians, Presbyterians, Methodist Episcopal, South, and Catholic. The schools of Kinmundy are good, with energetic teachers, and a high school course of three years, but the building is old and unsuited for modern school purposes. 204 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. lUKA TOWNSHIP. luka township lies along the east line of the county and north of Romine. Its sur- vey numbers are township 2 north, range 4 east. It was a part of the Maguire pre- cinct until 1873, when township organiza- tion was adopted. Skillet Fork is the prin- cipal stream. It passes north and south near the middle of the township, and Ful- ton, Jamison and Dumb's creeks drain into it. This township was about three-fourths timber, but is now cleared up and less than one-half is in timber. Ramsey's prairie on the east, projects into luka from Clay county, and Romine prairie on the west from Stevenson township. The part of Ro- mine prairie in luka was first called Bone prairie, on account of the many bones of animals that littered its surface. About 1820 Patrick Conner, a noted hunter and trapper, located in this township, which with Romine on the south and Omega on the north, made it a hunter's paradise. Mr. Jamison settled on Jamison's creek in 1821, but he was killed by the Indians in 1823. A man by the name of Tadlock, built a cabin on the Vincennes road in 1823, but left no record of his life in the minds of the people. Leonard P. Pjdes, a Tennesseean, settled in the township in 1822. He was a man of much force of character and was for many years active in the forming of the new county and directing its affairs. After seven years' residence he moved to Missouri, as this county was settling up too fast, and game was getting scarce. He died in 1872. Some of his grandchildren still live in this county. In 1825, Jesse Tinkler moved here from Indiana, and Solomon Smith, wife and six children came in a four horse wagon from Tennessee, in 1829. He died in 1846. He first stopped near Salem, but soon moved to luka. George and Ann McGuire and eight children came from Tennessee in 1829. They stopped one winter in Tennes- see prairie, then settled in luka, on section 8. They both died in 1833, ^^s. McGuire of cholera. Thomas L. Middleton, bom in North Carolina but raised in Tennessee, came to Illinois in 1831, in a six horse wagon, and was nearly lost in crossing the Ohio river. He settled first in Haines township, but came to luka in 1834. He was a preacher and a doctor, and devoted to the chase. He died in 1876, seventy-seven years old. He had four sons and four daughters, now all dead, but several grandchildren and great- grandchildren are living in the county. One of the sons, B. F. Middleton, long pre- sei-ved a gun with which his father killed forty-seven deer out of fifty-one shots, a rec- ord that one might well be proud of. John B. Middleton came from Tennessee in 183 1, but this family was unfortunate, as most of their children died young. Eight of them are buried in the Fulton graveyard. Denning Baker in 1832, and Thomas Chapman in 1838, came to luka. Chap- man died in 1872. He had twelve children, ten of whom grew to manhood and woman- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 205 hood. Rolling Mattingly, a hatter, and Jesse Breese, who was a maker of wooden mould boards for plows, and was also a hunter, James Songer, the father of the Songers of Kinmundy, settled here veiy early. He was a miller. Between 1830 and 1842 the Litterells, Daggetts, Eblins, Youngs, Hollidays and the Cheeleys settled in this township, all well known names of respectable families in the township. The first school was a select school taught at old Stringtown by Cynthia Coopei% in 1841. The school-house was an old log cabin. The first school-house was the Cooper school in section 8. It was built of unhewn logs, and had a puncheon floor. The first school taught there was by Samuel Dewel, in 1845. The first graveyard was the McGuire burying ground, but it has not been used for more than fifty years. Doctor Middleton preached the first ser- mon in a log cabin a short distance northeast of the village -of luka. The luka cemetery now occupies the ground where he preached, and he is buried within a few feet of the spot on which he stood when he preached the first sermon delivered in the township. WilHam Finley, the most active of the early preachers of the Cumberland Presby- terians, often preached in luka township. Preacher Middleton built the first mill, and ground com for the settlers. The mill had a capacity of ten or fifteen bushels per day. The first church built in the township was a Cumberland Presbyterian church. A. B. Taylor was the first blacksmith and John McGuire owned the first grocery store. Frederickton was laid out in 1840 by Robert Shields, and in ten years had one hundi-ed inhabitants. It was a stage stand, and the largest and best business point in the township. Being a stage point toughs from older settlements drifted there. James Fisher built the first house, and F. D. New- ell was the first storekeeper. The first post- office in the township was established here in 1845, with John Lawson as postmaster. After the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad was built the town began to die, many of the houses were moved to Xenia, and others torn down, and today not a vestige of Fred- erickton remains. Greendale, a flag station on the Ohio & Mississippi, now Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern, Railroad, was a post- office established in 1873, but now nothing is left of Greendale but a side track and a house. On the completion of the Ohio & Mississippi, now the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, which runs through the township east and west, about two miles south of the north line and nearly parallel with it, a town was laid out on sections 17 and 18, on land owned by D. J. and Alfred Middleton, and in honor of the family, was called Middleton. The post-office was called New Middleton. The town was laid out by Songer and Camp in 1856. Jerry Allmon built a small frame house the same year, and kept a store in it. James A. Middleton opened another store soon after. Ned Young kept a boarding house about this time, and a man by the name of Coon opened a hotel. In 1858 James S. Jackson, afterward a lawyer and a captain in the 2o6 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment, opened a blacksmith shop. The Fyke brothers built a sawmill in 1859. Harrison Eagan was the first Cumberland Presbyterian preacher, and T. L. Middleton the first Methodist Episcopal minister. L. L. Morgan and T. L. Middleton were the first doctors, and Mary Finch the first teacher. Miss Mina N. Lear taught a se- lect school in 1859. Solomon Smith was the first justice. In 1857 a post-office was established with P. E. Cutler, founder of Cutler & Hays, of Salem, as postmaster. In 1867 the Legislature changed the name of Middleton to luka, at the request of the sol- diers who had been in the battle of luka in the Civil war, and thus the township also got its name. There are a Cumberland Presbyterian, a Methodist Episcopal and a Christian church in the village. The first was built in 1863, the second in 1877 and the last in 1895. In 1866 Collens Brothers built a brick mill of fifty barrel capacity. This mill has changed hands several times but in all changes the luka flour has maintained its excellent reputation. luka is the greatest point for shipping ties in the county, the av- erage being about one thousand per month. Outside of the village of luka there are three churches in the township, a Cumber- land Presbyterian, a Methodist Episcopal and a German Lutheran. The village has good schools, a bank and a dozen business houses, and numbers about eight hundred inhabitants, wide awake and industrious, and with a justifiable pride in their beautiful little village. OMEGA TOWNSHIP. Town 3 north, range 4 east, is known in the civil law as Omega. Why the name of the last letter of the Greek alphabet was given to this township is hard to imagine, unless for its sound, for Omega is not the last place by any means. It is a well watered tract, the streams being Skillet fork. Dumbs creek. Bee branch. White Oak creek and Mountain branch. In this town- ship Skillet Fork has made bottoms of low land, which often overflows and thus en- riched there is no more fertile lands in the county than are found in Omega. The township was well timbered, only one-fourth being prairie, but like the other townships, is largely cleared and where the native wood shaded the ground are now fine farms. Henry T. Pyles, of Tennessee, came to this county in 1820 and settled in String- town in luka. In 1829 he married Rachael Tinkler and the next year settled in Omega township. He raised a family of nine chil- dren, of whom three are still living : Josiah, at Odin, Lidia Jones at luka and T. B., edi- tor of a paper at Fountain, Colorado. Marcum C. Lovell came from Kentucky BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 207 with his father in 1829, and stopped at Wal- nut Hill Prairie, where he married Polly Hensley, daughter of Joseph Hensley, first settler of that section, in 1831, and moved to this township; where he died in 1879. His wife, Polly, had died in 1873. Four of their children still live in the county : Wood- son and Mrs. Frances Farson in Omega, Mrs. Julia Lacey in Meacham and Mrs. Mary Hammond in Salem. Daniel Lovell moved to this township in 1832, and David England the same year; Thomas T. Jones in 1834, Thomas C. Smith in 1837. Henderson Hensley came in the same year. Nicholas Van Dusen, of Massachusetts, moved to Ohio, then to Illinois and in 1840 settled in this township. The late Henry A. Van Dusen, the noted Christian preacher, was his son. Andrew Beard and his brother, John, came in 1840, and John Wantland from Tennessee, first settled in Red Lick Prairie in 1826, and in 1841 moved to this township. Thomas Chapman also settled in this township in 1841. Black- burn Brown, son of Alexander Brown, who was living at Stringtown as early as 1831, came to Omega in 1845, and died here in 1908, about ninety years of age. There are no railroads touching Omega and the township is strictly an agricultural one. Henry Piles built the first house in the township. John Porter and Mary E. Lovell were married by Squire Samuel Hensley in 1837. This was the first wedding. The first death was a young daughter of Richard Pyles. She was the first person buried in the Mil- lican graveyard. Small stores were opened by Charles O'Neal, Wesley Beasley, Levi Rollins and Captain Elder. They were small and kept only the necessaries. Most of the business was barter. The first school was taught by William Hadden in the Lovell school-house. This was a log house with an opening on the north side to admit light. It stood on sec- tion 20. A log cabin with a dirt floor next served as a school-house. It stood on section 27. A subscription school, was taught here two terms by Silas Litterell. He charged two dollars per pupil per term of three months. The Presbyterians, Methodist Episcopal and Christians now have churches in the township and each has a large number of communicants in the township. All of the early preachers of the county preached in this township, among them Doctor Middle- ton, Joseph Helms, Cyrus Wright, John A. Williams and David R. Chance. A small water mill was built on Lost creek, and was the first in the township. The next mill was on Skillet Fork, and was both grist and saw mill, and sawed the first lumber cut in the township. Both are now only a memory. The first crime was that one so peculiarly attached to rural districts, horse stealing. Reuben and Robert Black stole a horse from Richard Claflin. They were caiight, but one broke out of jail, and was retaken while trying to cross the Illinois river. He had 208 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Stolen a gun to pay the ferryman and this late as 1874, since which time 'only a few led to his re-arrest. Both were sent to the penaJ offenses have occurred in the town- penitentiary for eleven years. This was as ship. VILLAGE OF OMEGA. In 1856 Timothy Baldwin laid out the village of Omega, and built the first house. Dr. Lewis Rogers was the first doctor and Captain Elder the first store-keeper. Ralph F. Baldwin was the first postmaster. He was appointed when the office was estab- lished in 1855, before the village was laid out. A frame school-house was built in 1856 and William Duncan taught the winter term and Kate Elder the spring term. The village of Omega is a good point for a country store, two being there at present, but the village has not grown and has now less than one hundred inhabitants, but some day a railroad will be built through Omega, which will make it one of the good shipping points of the county. MEACHAM TOWNSHIP. 4-4 in the Government survey, the north- east township in the county is Meacham. A little more than half of this township is beautiful level prairie land, slightly undu- lating in a very small part. The prairie is all cultivated and a good part of the timber land is cleared and in good farms. A small part of the timber, like that of Omega, is somewhat broken and hilly. The Chicago branch of the Central Illinois crosses the northwest corner, but has no station in the township. Kinmundy and Farina in Fayette county are its markets for the larger part, al- though some produce is taken to Clay coun- ty station on the Springfield branch of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern. The first settler was Cornelius Dunham. He came with his family from New York in 1823, and located on section 13, but in 1836 he went to Iowa, leaving his family behind. The family afterwards went to Wisconsin. The prairie was first occupied by a man by the name of Ingram. He located near a point of timber since known as Ingram Point. This was about 1824. John Chesser located a farm in what is now known as Schrutchfield's Prairie. It was then called Chesser's Prairie, but he only lived there one year, and in 1833 sold to Terry Schrutch- field, and the name changed to that of the new settler. One Wright also located in the same prairie about this time. Schrutchfield BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 209 lived in Xenia about ten years, having came from Indiana in 1823. His son, John Schrutchfield, inherited the same farm and occupied it many years. Felix G. Cockrell, of Morgan county, Kentucky, came to Meacham with his wife in 1837. They had two children at this time and had six more born to them here, seven of whom reached maturity. Mr. Cockrell lived on the farm where he first settled until his death about eighteen years ago, near ninety years of age. Two of the sons are still living, Hon. James Cockrell and Claybum Cockrell, both of this county. Mrs; Cockrell died in 1865. Mr. Cockrell married again in 1868, and three children were born to them. William Orender settled a claim in 1837, but sold it to John Deremiah, who with his brother, Thomas, entered in section 3, in 1837. John Orender located on what is known as the Svvitzer place, but sold his claim to Switzer in 1838. All the Orenders moved to Fayette county, where all the fam- ily died. George Neal and his father-in-law, William Chaffin came to Meacham the same year, 1837, as did also John Meacham and his wife, Nancy, and her son-in-law, and her single daughter, Henrietta Lilly. They came from Tennessee in 1837. Henrietta married William Deremiah soon after their arrival. Meacham's house was the voting place for the precinct and thus his name at- tached to the township. John W. Nichols was in early life some- thing of a wanderer. He was bom in Ten- nessee and came to Kinmundy in 1823. At 14 that time his nearest neighbor was five miles away. After four years he went to Wiscon- sin, where he married, and the next year re- turned to Marion county and lived just north of the city of Kinmlmdy. This was in 1828. The next year he moved to Fayette county, and after a short stay moved to Salem, and in 1837 he entered land in Meacham, where he made himself a home and Avhere he lived many years, and where he died at a ripe old age. In 1839 a Mormon, who had been driven out of Missouri, came to Meacham. His name was George W. Orman, and he preached at his home to such of his neigh- bors as would come. John Schrutchfield was converted to that faith and joined the Mor- mon church, but the doctrine was not ac- ceptable to the people and there were no more converts. A post-office was established if. 1840 on the Salem and Ewington road and called Mount Liberty, but when an office was es- tablished at Kinmundy, it was discontinued. The township is now served by rural routes. Felix Cockrell built a horse mill in 1844, •Andrew Shields a blacksmith shop about 1835. The Elder graveyard was the first burial place. It is still used occasionally as a place of interment. The first semion preached in the township was at the house o i Nancy Mitchell in 1837, by William Chaffin, a Christian preacher. The Methodists built the first church in 1840. It was of logs hewn by Wesley Oliver. A^'■illiam Blundle was the first preacher. During the Civil war politics 2IO BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. divided the church, and it went down and for a time there was no church in the town- ship, but school-houses were used. Now churches have been built and the spiritual needs of the people are cared for by visiting ministers. The first school was taught by Hiram K. Farris at the Farris school-house. William Deremiah was the second teacher, at the El- der school-house. These schools were taught early in the thirties. In 1839 the Cockrell school-house was built and the first teacher was Miss Susan Jones, afterward Mrs. "Buck" Pace, of Salem. Meacham now has good school-houses conveniently located to meet the needs of an increasing population; The township is purely agricultural and ranks with the best in the county. STEVENSON TOWNSHIP. Samuel E. Stevenson was the leading cit- izen of this township at its formation, and his name was given to it. About half and half timber and prairie, but the timber has been cut away and now perhaps not more than one-fourth is timber. It, like Haines, on the south, and Alma on the north, is good farm land, and the township has many fine farms. Its survey numbers are town 2 north, range 3 east of the third principal meridian. Near the west side about half way north and south is an elevated prairie, from which a splendid view of nearly half the township may be had. The Baltimore & Ohio South- western Railroad runs across the north part of the township from east to west, about two miles south of the north line. There are no towns or villages in the township. About 1815, a man by the name of Dumb, settled in the north part of the township on a small creek, which has since borrie his name. John Davidson settled the Daniel Holstlaw farm in 182 1 and shortly after Thomas Fulton settled in the south part of the township. Richard Holstlaw, with his wife and eight children, came from Indiana in 1830, and settled on the old state road, but he died three years after, but the family left their impress on the township in after years, through the son, Daniel, who left eleven children, who have been prominent in both this and luka townships, one of whom, D. W. Holstlaw, has just begun a term as State Senator, being elected in November, 1908. About 1800 William Middleton left Vir- ginia and settled in North Carolina. On April 15, 1831, he left there and came to Ma- rion county, Illinois, arriving in Stevenson township the middle of May the same year. He brought thirteen children with him, the fourteenth, James, did not come with his father. Joel H. settled in this township. The rest scattered in after years. He left a nu- merous offspring. Samuel Gaston came to Walnut Hill prairie in 1819, but died in 1826. He was a soldier of the Revolution. He came from BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 211 North Carolina to Kentucky, thence to Ma- rion county. His son, Wilham, married Ra- chael Huff, and from them all the Gastons of this township sprung. William moved to Raccoon township in 1833, and later to Ste- venson. He went to California in 1849, ^"d died there in 1865. The widow lived in Stevenson township until her death in 1899, at tlie age of ninety years. David R. Chance first settled in Haines township, but went later to Iowa, and after a few years returned and settled in Steven- son township. Mr. Chance was a leading preacher of the Christian church, among the early settlers. His children scattered some going to Iowa, some to Missouri, Texas, and one to Jefferson county. James P. Rogers came from Georgia to Illinois by wagon in 1818 and stopped' two years at Carlyle, and in 1820 came to Wal- nut Hill prairie. In .1834 he came to Ste- venson and settled on section 32. He died in 1863. James Rogers, of Stevenson, and Mrs. V. L. Harper, of Salem, are his surviving children. William Hix Huff came a single man to this county in 1839, and the next year mar- ried Mary Grain. He died in 1863. Nine children survived him, of whom Green, Hen- derson, and Mrs. Libbie Brazel yet live in Stevenson, and George and Mrs. Harriett Gaston live in Haines township. Mrs. Huff herself is still living in Stevenson township, very feeble, in her ninty-first year. Reuben Chance was born in Kaskaskia, Illinois, in 1805. He moved to Ridge Prai- rie, St. Clair county, and to Haines township in 1 83 1. He went to Iowa in 1834, but re- turned in 1843, and settled on section 14, in Haines township. Of his children S. S. Chance, of Salem, for many years a faithful county officer but now retired; Mrs. Eliza- beth Metcalf, widow of Joshua Metcalf, and Rachael, wife of James Hanna, both living in Salem township, are the only living. J. O. Chance, who was Clerk of the Supreme Court, died at Mt. Vernon. The Brubakers, Eli, Noah and Jacob came in 1842, and Israel Warner came the same year. The Brubakers are still a large fam- ily in this township. Samuel Stevenson came in 1846, and was at his death in 1899, the wealthiest man in the township. His brother, Noah, still lives in the township. Joel Middleton was the first blacksmith, and was a fine workman, making knives and forks, as well as plows, with wooden moul- boards. He built his shop in 183 1, and worked at his trade about twenty years. The doctors who first practiced in the township were Middleton and Hall. Richard Holstlaw bought a mill of John Sutton, and set it up on his farm. It was of about fifteen bushels capacity. The first church was built by the Baptists, on Dumb's creek, but the first preaching was at the house of Mr. Breese in 183 1. There are now a Christian church, Gaston Grove; Methodist Episcopal church. Rabbit Grove ; two Presbyterian churches, old and new Bethel, and Summit Prairie Baptist church, and Romine Prairie German Baptist church in the township. The first school was kept by Othy Daven- 212 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. port in 1833. The school-house was a log- cabin on the Vincennes road, only three months of school being kept. Banister Switch on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, near the middle of the township east and west, is a flag stopping place for local trains. About 1869 a large hay barn was built here by L. G. Porter and Eli Brubaker, but they sold to John Boyn- ton in 1875. It was blown down Jn 1880. Mr. Boynton rebuilt a barn thirty-four by eighty-two feet, with an ell twenty-four by thirty feet, and baled hay for several years. It is now gone, burned down we believe, years ago. A town house was built near the switch. The farmers of Stevenson township are a forehanded set of men, and are alert to im- prove their farms and their stock and have organized horse companies to improve the breed. The county home and farm is lo- cated in this township about seven miles southeast of Salem. It consists of a one- story frame front about fifty feet long and thirty deep, with two wings each about sixty feet long, extending back in the form of a capital U, surrounded by a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres. It is well kept and the farm well tilled, but the buildings are old. and but poorly calculated to serve the pur- pose of a county home. There is in addition a small house or two in the rear that may be used besides barns and other outbuildings. H. C. Pigg is the present superintendent. The Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad crosses the southwest corner of the town- ship. ROMINE TOWNSHIP. Town I, range 4 east, is known by the name of Romine. It lies as its numbers in- dicate, in the southeast corner of the county. A portion of this township is rough, broken land, and nearly all was originally heavily timbered. A small section of Doiioho Prai- rie lies within this township. Skillet Fork is the principal stream. It takes a meander- ing course across the township from near the middle on the north to near the east line on the south. A sn^all branch on the west is known as Paint Rock. The soil in the low- lands is very good, that of the hills not so productive. Most of the timber of value has been cut off and now nothing remains of the once magnificent forest but "tie" timber, and coal props. The township was named after Abram Romine, one of the early settlers. It is said that a man named Adams was the first white man to live in Romine, but no trace of him remains. Joseph Helms and John Dillon came to the township in 1826. Helms located on section 28 ; Dillon did not enter any land and left the township. Wil- liam Brewer, of Kentucky, brought his fam- ily in 1827 and settled on section 29. W. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 213 P. Byers, born in Virginia, moved to Ken- tucky and then to Tennessee, where he mar- ried Nancy Sutton and in 1827 moved with his family to Marion county and settled in Romine. He left eleven children at his death in 1873, a few of whom are still liv- ing. William Donaho settled on the strip of prairie extending into this township from Haines and his memory is kept alive by the name of the prairie where he first settled. Ellis Branson came from Tennessee and set- tied on section 30 in 1838, in Haines, but moved into Romine in 188 1. Ephraim Meadows moved by ox teams from Tennes- see in 1829, bringing his wife and six chil- dren to Romine. He was the first County Surveyor and a man of character. Joseph Stonecipher, the founder of the numerous family of Stoneciphers of this county, came with his mother and sister from Tennessee in 1840. They traveled by ox team and settled on section 31. The first school was taught at tiie home of Benjamin Litteral, with Henry Darnell as teacher. Another very early school was taught in a miserable lo^ hut by Thomas Cohorn. He "boarded round" and received ten dollars per month. The fiirst school- house was a log house with a sawed plank floor. It was near the Stonecipher home. The first church was on Donaho Prairie and was built of logs. There are two Baptist, one Methodist Episcopal and one Christian church in the township. This township, on account of the rough, hilly character of a portion of its territory, was a favorite hiding place for criminals in past days, but it is fast becoming settled so thickly that the hiding places are disappear- ing and the law-abiding element is largely in the ascendant and crime is not as frequent as in the more populous centers. The peo- ple are a virtuous, industrious class of farm- ers, who are content to live at peace with each other and the world. There were two post-offices in the township until the estab- lishment of the rural free delivery, which now supplies the best mail facilities to the people. There are no towns in the township and the only industry is agriculture and the day is not far distant when this township will lead in farm products. MISCELLANEOUS. The first wall paper ever brought to this county was brought here by the late Martin Buckhout. It was bought in New York in the forties and shipped to New Orleans, thence up the river to St. Louis and by wa- gon to Salem. This was in the late forties. The first piano brought to Salem, if not to the county, was brought by river to Shaw- neetown from Virginia by Bryan W. Lester, grandfather of Ed., Harry and George Lester and of Mrs. J. W. Finn, of Salem, as a present for his daughter, the late Mrs. 214 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. Herron, and brought from Shawneetown (to which point it had been brought by river), by John Earnhardt, father of Abe Earnhardt, with a two-yoke ox team. Mr. Earnhardt was ten days making the trip. This was about 1835. The Salem company that struck oil in a well near Centralia in December last shot their second well January 23, 1909, and the indications are' that it is a paying oil well. Salem was a stage stopping place from about 1824 to 1854, when the Ohio & Mis- sissippi Railroad was built. Many drivers lived in Salem, among whom he last living were "Crook" Garner and "Sandy" Nelm. The first died about fifteen years ago and the last in 1906. They drove stage when only one house was on the road after they left Salem until they reached Carlyle, and that stood on what is known as the mound, about half way between the two points, and was a stage stand. The soldiers of the Black Hawk war were expected to furnish their own horses and arms and all equipments, and these were listed with the officer in charge, and if lost, or destroyed were charged to the govern- ment, and paid for upon proper certificate being made. The following is a list of the losses of Marion county men : Capt. W. N. Dobbins, horse wounded, rifle lost; First Lieut. Steven Yocum, lost one U. S. halter; Second Lieut. , horse killed ; John F. Draper, lost U. S. halter; Hamilton Farth- ing, lost one rope; William S. Booth, lost halter ; Joseph Gray, horse killed ; Ben Allen, lost halter; David W. Allmon, horse lost; Welles Chandler, horse killed; Samuel Craig, horse wounded, lost halter; Green R. Dunkin, lost U. S. kettle; Green Fields, horse killed, lost U. S. coffee pot; Nathan Fields, lost U. S. frying pan ; William King, lost U. S. camp kettle, horse killed; James Lovell, horse killed; Henry McDaniels, horse lost ; John McGuire, lost U. S. halter ; Dudley H. Mabry, horse killed, lost rifle, also U. S. halter; Norflit B. Nelms, horse killed; Calvin Piles, horse killed, lost hal- ter; John Phelps, horse killed, lost halter; J. J. Richeson, lost halter; Wellers Smith, horse killed; Bird M. Thompson, horse killed; John B. Uhis, hor^e killed; James Williams, horse killed ; Levin Wright, horse killed, lost halter; Edwin Young, horse killed. When a soldier's _horse was killed the soldier was immediately discharged by the colonel or other officer. It was two Ma- rion county men who made the trip through the swarms of savages after the fight at Kellogg's Grove for help. One was David Allmon. The name of the other is unknown to the writer, nor have I been able to ascer- tain it. They bade their comrades farewell, as none expected them to get through alive, but on foot they made the journey to the camp of the troops, more than twenty miles, in safety, and carried word of the fight and brought reinforcements to the defeated and discouraged detachment. HON. W. T. BRYAN. BIOGRAPHICAL. WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN. By Prof. J. H. G. Bkinkerhoff. William Jennings Bryan, son of Silas L. Bryan (see biography) and Mariah Eliza- beth (Jennings) Bryan, was bom in Salem, Illinois, March 19, i860. As a boy he was not different from other healthy, hearty American boys, fond of play and fond of good things to eat, but rather given to seri- ous sport than to mischief. Among his earli- est ambition was the desire to become a min- ister, but in early youth that desire was lost in the ambition to become a lawyer like his father and as that ambition seemed to be permanent his training was directed to that end. When William was six years old the family moved to a large farm just outside of the corporate limits of Salem, and here he studied, played and worked until ten years old, his mother, a remarkably strong- minded, clear-headed. Christian woman, be- ing his teacher, his guide and task-master, his work being such chores as fall to the lot of boys in well regulated, prosperous farm homes. At the age of ten years he entered the Salem public school, which he attended five years, but was not particularly bright in his studies; his examinations show thor- oughness rather than brilliancy, but his in- terest in the literary and debating societies was early developed and remained while he attended the school and still abides, as is shown by the Bryan oratorical contest held annually in this school, and for which Mr. Bryan provides a first and second prize of ten and five dollars respectively. In 1872 his father made the race for Con- gress, and William, then twelve years of age, became much interested in the cam- paign, and from that time on he cherished the thought of some day being a public man and a leader of the people. At the age of fourteen he united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Salem. While at Jacksonville he took membership with the First Presbyterian church, and upon his removal to Lincoln, Nebraska, he placed his letter with the First Presbyte- rian church of that place, and where his membership still remains. At fifteen years of age he entered the pre- paratory department of Illinois College, at Jacksonville, and for eight years was a stu- dent in that college, spending only his vaca- tions at home. Mr. Bryan while at college was not a great admirer of athletic sports, but took a mild interest in base ball and foot ball, and was rather an enthusiastic runner 2l6 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. and jumper, and in a contest open to stu- dents and alumni, three years after his grad- uation, he won the medal for the broad standing jump, twelve feet and four inches being the distance covered. While at the preparatory school the first year he entered a prize contest and de- claimed Patrick Henry's great speech, and ranked near the foot. The second year he de- claimed "The Palmetto and the Pine," and stood third. The next year as a freshman he tried for a prize in Latin prose and di- vided the second prize with a competitor. The same year he gained second prize in declamation. In his sophomore year he took first prize with an essay, and in his jun- ior year first prize in oration and was there- by made representative of his college in the intercollegiate oratorical contest at Gales- burg, in 1880, where he received the second prize of fifty dollars. That great orator. Gen. John C. Black, was one of the judges and marked him one hundred on delivery. At the close of his college life in 1881, Mr. Bryan stood at the head of his class and de- livered the valedictory. This much is given for the encouragement of young men, show- ing that improvement only comes with ef- fort, and to persevere, though the first at- tempt finds you near the foot. In the fall of 1881 Mr. Bryan entered Union Law College at Chicago, and spent much of his time in the law office of Lyman Trumbull. After graduation he returned to Salem for a short time, and won his fee in the county court of Marion county. July 4, 1883, Mr. Bryan began the prac- tice of law in Jacksonville, Illinois ; he had desk room in the office of Brown & Kirby, and now came the real test, waiting for busi- ness. The first six months were trying and he was forced to draw upon his father's es- tate for small advances, and at one time he seriously thought of seeking new fields, but the beginning of the year 1884 brought clients more frequently, and he felt encour- aged to stay in Jacksonville, and now feeling that he could see success, on October i, 1884, he was married to Miss Mary Baird, of Perry, Illinois. In the summer of 1887 business called Mr. Bryan to the West, and he spent one Sunday with a classmate, A. R. Talbot, who was located in Lincoln, Nebraska. So greatly was he impressed with the opportunities of the growing capital of the state that he re- turned to Illinois full of enthusiasm for the city of Lincoln, and perfected plans for re- moval thither. In October, 1887, a partner- ship was formed with Mr. Talbot, and during the next three years a paying prac- tice resulted. As soon as Mr. Bryan settled in Lincoln he identified himself actively with the Demo- cratic party, of which he had been a mem- ber in Illinois, and to the principles of which his whole being was bound, and made his first political speech at Seward, in the spring of 1888. Soon after he was sent as a delegate to the state convention, and in the canvass of the First Congressional District he made many speeches in favor of J. Sterling Mor- ton, and also spoke in thirty-four counties in favor of the state ticket. Mr. Morton BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 217 was defeated by thirty-four hundred, as the district was strongly RepubHcan. In 1890 there was but little hope for the Democrats in the First District, and Mr. Bryan was nominated without opposition. W. J. Con- nell was the Republican nominee. A chal- lenge to conduct the canvass by a series of joint debates was issued by Mr. Bryan and accepted by Mr. Connell, and at the close Mr. Bryan won by a plurality of six thou- sand, seven hundred and thirteen. Mr. Bryan was elected to Congress again from a new district which had been formed when the state was re-apportioned in 1891. The Republican state ticket carried the district by six thousand, five hundred, but Mr. Bryan was elected by one hundred and forty plurality. During the four years he was in Congress, he was very active, taking part in every important debate and speaking many times. He declined to run again for Con- gress but later permitted his nomination for the Senate, but the Republicans carried the state and Thurston was chosen Senator. The Democratic National Convention convened at Chicago July 4, 1896, and for four days a battle of giants ensued over the monetary plank in the platform. Speeches were made for and against the free silver coinage plank by such men of master minds and national reputations before the conven- tion as Senator Tillman, Senator Jones, Senator Hill, Senator Vilas, ex-Governor Russell. Senator Tillman favored the ma- jority report of the committee, which fa- vored the free coinage; all the rest opposed. The debate was closed by Mr. Bryan in support of the majority report in a speech which rang so true and was such a master piece of oratory that the convention was swept off its feet and brought to Mr. Bryan the nomination for the Presidency on the fifth ballot on Friday, July loth. After a most remarkable campaign he was defeated by William McKinley being elected. Four years later Mr. Bryan, greater in defeat than other men in success, was again the choice of the Democratic party for the Presidency, and again suffered defeat, Mr. McKinley being re-elected. In 1904 the Democratic party nominated Alton B. Par- ker, of New York, for President, and he led the party to the most crushing defeat ever suffered by any party since the days of John Quincy Adams. In 1908 the Democratic party again nom- inated Mr. Bryan, and the Republican party William H. Taft and again the decision was against the former. Thrice defeated yet with each defeat growing greater, ad- vocating great principles which he sees his political opponents adopt, he stands today the greatest living American. When in 1906 and 1907 he took a trip around the world, he was received every- where with such ovations as are seldom ac- corded to any, and were never before to a private citizen, and his welcome home in the city of New York was a demonstration of love and respect from Americans to an American that has never been equalled in the history of the nation. Mr. Bryan may never be President, but he has made an impress on the nation for good that can 2l8 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. never be effaced and from his life the peo- ples of the world have received an uplift that will be felt to bless generations yet un- born. In his life of moral purity, in his sin- cere Christianity, and in his addresses on the duties and responsibilities of life he has given a new impulse to many a youth for better things and if his work closed now the one address "The Prince of Peace," will stand a monument, more enduring than chiseled marble or moulded brass, standing forever as it must in the higher aims, purer thoughts, nobler impulses and grander lives of the men and women of the America of the future. JETER C. UTTERBACK. Prominent among the leading journalists of southern Illinois is the well known and highly esteemed gentleman whose name fur- nishes the caption of this article. As editor and proprietor of one of the influential pa- pers in his part of the state he has been a forceful factor in moulding sentiment in his community and directing thought along those lines which make for the enlighten- ment of the public and the highest good of his fellow men. Jeter C. Utterback is a native of Jasper county, Illinois, where his birth occurred on the 8th day of August, 1873. His father, B. C. W. Utterback, a Kentuckian by birth, was the son of Thomas Utterback, who was also a native of the Blue Grass state, and a member of one of the oldest pioneer families of Grayson county. In an early day Thomas Utterback became prominent in the afifairs of his county and stood high in the confi- dence and esteem of his fellow citizens. In 1836 he migrated to Illinois and settled in the northwestern part of Richland county, where he also became a local leader and a man of wide influence. He was a farmer by occupation, and in due time accumulated a large and valuable estate in the county of Richland, in which he spent the remainder of his days, dying a number of years ago, deeply lamented by the large circle of friends and acquaintances who had learned to prize him for his sterling worth. B. C. W. Utterback was reared to matu- rity in Richland county, and, like his father, followed agricultural pursuits for a liveli- hood. In the early seventies he disposed of his interests in the county of Richland and removed to Jasper county, where he contin- ued farming and stock raising until 1878, when heturned his land over to other hands and took up his residence in Newton, where he is now living a life of honorable retire- ment. Nancy Ann Hinman, who became the wife of B. C. W. Utterback in January, 1856, was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, where her father, Titus Hinman, a native of Ohio, settled in an early day. She bore her husband ten children, seven of whom sur- vive, namely : Eva, wife of George E. Hut- son, of Dundas, Illinois; Thomas H., As- sistant State Librarian, who lives in the city of Springfield ; Hester, now Mrs. T. C. Chamberlin, of Newton; Charles C. resides in Salem; Albert L., of Caney, Kansas, BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY. ILLINOIS. 219 where he holds the position of postmaster; M. T., of Newton, and Jeter C, whose name introduces this sketch. Jeter C. Utterback spent his early life in the town of Newton, grew up under the sturdy and invigorating discipline of an ex- cellent home environment and while still a lad laid his plans for the future with the object of becoming something more than a mere passive agent in the world of affairs. In due time he entered the schools of his native place and after attending the same until completing the prescribed course of study, in 1889 began learning the printer's trade in the office of the Newton Mentor, where he made rapid progress and soon became quite proficient, besides obtaining a practical knowledge of other branches of the profession. After mastering the trade he worked for a short time in Webb City, Mis- souri, and then accepted a position in the office of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, where he continued until 1891, when he came to Salem, Illinois, and entered the employ of Mrs. Belle C. Johnson, editress and man- ager of The Republican, with whom he continued until affecting a co-partnership with his brother, T. H. Utterback, for the purchase of a paper four years later. The Republican under the joint manage- ment of the Utterback brothers, continued to make its periodical visits about one year, when the plant passed into the hands of G. C. Harner, the subject going to the town of Carrollton, where he followed his chosen calling until his return to Salem in 1896, when he again became interested in The Re- publican, buying the paper that year from his brother, who in the meantime had suc- ceeded Mr. Harner as editor and proprietor. On becoming sole proprietor of The Repub- lican Mr. Utterback infused new life into the paper and it was not long until its influ- ence began to be felt throughout the county, not only as an able political organ, but as a clean, dignified and popular family paper, through the columns of which appeared all the latest news, also much of the best liter- ature of the day, to say nothing of the numerous productions from the pens of local writers. Since assuming control he has enlarged the paper as well as added to its interest and popularity besides purchasing new machinery, presses and other appliances and thoroughly equipping the office until the plant is now one of the most valuable of the kind in Marion county, and in all that con- stitutes a live up-to-date sheet The Repub- lican compares favorably with any other lo- cal paper in the southern part of the state. Mechanically it is a model of the printer's art, and politically is staunchly and uncom- promisingly Republican, being the official party organ of Marion county, while its in- fluence in directing and controlling current thought in relation to the leading questions and issues of the day has brought it promi- nently to the notice of party leaders through- out the state. As an editorial writer, Mr. Utterback is clear, forceful, elegant, at times trenchant, and in discussing the leading questions be- fore the people he is a courteous but fearless and formidable antagonist. On all matters 220 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. of public policy he occupies no neutral ground, but fearlessly and honestly advo- cates what he considers to be for the best interest of the people and regardless of con- sequences. In addition to its prominence and influence as a party organ, Mr. Utter- back has endeavored to make his paper answer the purpose of an educational factor and such it has indeed become, as its con- tents, both political and general, tend to improve the mind and cultivate the taste rather than appeal to passion and prejudice, after the manner of too many local sheets. In recognition of valuable political ser- vices as well as by reason of his fitness for the position, Mr. Utterback in February, 1907, was appointed by President Roosevelt, postmaster of Salem, the duties of which responsible position he has discharged with commendable fidelity, proving an able, cour- teous and truly obliging public official. At the time of his appointment the office was in the third class with a salary of $1,700 per year, but since then the business has in- creased to such an extent that it is now a second class office with fair prospects of advancing. Since the establishment of a post-office at Salem many years ago, no young man was appointed postmaster until the honor fell to Mr. Utterback, and to say that he has been praiseworthy of the trust and dis- charged the duties as ably and faithfully as any of his numerous predecessors is to state a fact of which all are cognizant, and which all, irrespective of political alignment, most cheerfully concede. The high esteem in which he is held as an editor, public servant and enterprising citizen, indicate the pos- session of sterling manly qualities and a character above reproach, and that he is destined to fill a still larger place in the pub- lic gaze and win brighter honor with the passing of years, is the belief of his friends and fellow citizens, based, they say, on the able and conscientious manner in which he has fulfilled every trust thus far confided to him. Mr. Utterback, although a young man, has achieved success such as few attain in a much longer career, and the hope the peo- ple of Salem and Marion county entertain for his future seems fully justified and well founded. Mr. Utterback is a splendid type of the intelligent, broadminded American of today, and personally as well as through the me- dium of the press he is doing much to foster the material development and intellectual growth of his city and county, besides exer- cising an active and potential influence in elevating the moral sentiment of the com- munity. He holds membership with the Pythian Lodge of Salem, and has labored earnestly to make the organization answer the purposes which the founders had in view, exemplifying in his daily life and con- duct the beautiful principles and sublime precepts upon which the order is based. He is a believer in revealed religion, and while subscribing to the Methodist faith is not narrow in his views, having faith in the mission of all churches and to the extent of his ability assisting the different organiza- tions of his city, although devoutly loyal to the one with which identified. Mr. Utterback owns one of the most beau- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 221 tiful and attractive homes in Salem, which is a favorite resort of the best social circle of the city, and within its walls reigns an air of genuine hospitality which sweetens the welcome extended to every guest that crosses the threshold. The presiding spirit of this attractive domicile is a lady of intel- ligence and gracious presence who presides over the family circle with becoming grace and dignity, and whose popularity is only -bounded by the limits of her acquaintance. The maiden name of this estimable woman was Charlotte B. Merritt, and the ceremony by which it was changed to the one she now so worthily bears as the wife and helpmeet of the subject was solemnized on the 2nd day of November, 1898. Mrs. Utterback is the daughter of Hon. T. E. Merritt, of Salem, ex-Senator from Marion county, and a man of influence and high standing both politically and socially. Mr. and Mrs. Ut- terback have one child, a son, Tom C, who was born October 17, 1901, and for whose future his fond parents entertain many ar- dent hopes. ROBERT T. McOUIN. In the pursuit of his business career Mr. McQuin has displayed unfaltering devotion to the principles he has learned to cherish and his honesty and integrity have earned him a place among the representative and staunchest citizens of Marion county, Illi- nois. Robert T. McQuin was born in Johnson county, Indiana, October 16, 1853, the son of William I. McQuin, a native of Kentucky who went to Indiana when a young man. He was a carpenter by trade. He moved from Indiana soon after our subject was bom, locating at Oconee, Shelby county, Il- linois, where he lived for three or four years. Then he moved to Salem, Illinois, in July, 1859. The first work he did here was on the Park Hotel, which was built in that year by Amos Clark and which was known then as the Clark House. William I. McQuin continued to live in Salem, where he was regarded as a man of integrity and influ- ence, until his death in October, 1899. The mother of the subject of this sketch was known in her maidenhood as Mary E. Stur- geon, who was a native of Kentucky and a woman of many estimable traits. Her moth- er lived to reach the remarkable age of nine- ty-seven years. One of her brothers was a policeman in St. Louis, Missouri. She died in April, 1908, in Denison, Texas, where she was living with her son, Edwin S. Mc- Quin. The father and mother o'f the subject were the parents of nine children, five of whom are living. Their names in order of birth follow: Tarlton, deceased; William F., deceased; Robert T., our subject; James S., who is living at New Castle, Indiana, and is secretary and treasurer of the Hoosier Kitchen Cabinet Company, which is doing an extensive business all over the world ; Sarah E., deceased; Agnes, deceased; Ed- win S., living at Denison, Tex., being a con- ductor on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas 222 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Railroad Company's lines: John T., a car- penter, living in St. Louis; May lives with her brother in Denison, Texas. These children all received every advan- tage possible by their parents, who tried to raise them in a wholesome home atmosphere, setting worthy ideals before them at all times. Robert T. McQuin, our subject, lived with his father until he was twenty-five years old. assisting with the work about the place and attending the public schools of Salem, in which he diligently applied himself, and re- ceived a fairly good education. When twen - ty years old he began working as a harness maker and two years later commenced the shoemaker's trade, following this with much success until 1881, when he launched into the shoe ■ business for himself, having con- tinued the same ever since with satisfactory results, building up a large and extensive trade by reason of his honest business prin- ciples and his uniform courtesy to custom- ers. His trade extends to all parts of the county and his store is well known to all the citizens of Salem and surrounding towns for his patrons have learned that he handles the best grade of footwear in the market and always gives good value. He augmented his business in 1889 by adding a complete stock of harness and by doing a general line of re- pair work. He now handles a full line of harness and similar materials. He manufac- tures most all of his heavy harness and some buggy harness, being recognized as the lead- ing dealer in this line in Marion county. Mr. McQuin was happily married to Jen- nie Slack, October 16, 1879, the refined and accomplished daughter of Frederick W. Slack, who lived in Salem at that time. Her family were natives of Kentucky. It was rather singular that this family moved from Kentucky to Oconee, Illinois, and then to Salem simultaneously with the McQuin fam- ily ; however the last move was made a few years after the McQuin family came to Sa- lem. Two children have been born to the subject and wife, namely : Maud, who is the wife of Dwight W. Larimer, in the abstract business in Salem ; Ralph is the second child and a student of the Salem public schools. Mr. McQuin has been twice honored by being elected City Council of Salem. He is associated with his brother-in-law, W. S. Slack, in the monument business in Salem, which is also a thriving business, the firm name being R. T. McQuin & Company. Our subject is a Modern Woodman in his fraternal relations and he belongs to the Presbyterian church, having been a consist- ent member of the same for a period of thir- ty-four years in 1908. Mrs. McQuin also subscribes to this faith. Our subject has been a deacon in the church and is now a ruling elder. Mr. McQuin has ever been known as a loyal citizen and has done his share in aid- ing the march of progress and development in this county, and during his residence in Salem his characteristics have won for him recognition as a man of upright dealing and by his many virtues he has won the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 223 WALTER C. IRWIN. One of the progressive and well known business men of Salem, Marion county, Illi- nois, is the subject of this sketch, who has spent his life in this vicinity, a life that has been very active and useful, for he has not lost sight of the fact that it is every man's duty to aid in the upbuilding of his county in all lines of development while he is ad- vancing his own interests, and because of the fact that he has ever taken an interest in the public weal, has led an honorable and consistent career, being at present one of the best known druggists of the county, the pul> lishers of this work are glad to give him proper representation here. Walter C. Irwin, of the Salem Drug Com- pany, was born in luka, this county, in Oc- tober, 1866, the son of Dr. J. A. Irwin, a native of Johnson county, Missouri, who came to luka at the close of the war, having been a .surgeon in the Confederate army un- der General Price's command. He was at the battle of Wilson's Creek, near Spring- field, Missouri, and also the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, in addition to many other smaller engagements. He successfully prac- ticed his profession from 1865 to 1905, and is now living at St. Augustine, Florida, where he went in 1905 on account of his health. The mother of the subject was Mary Dubbs, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Illinois in 1865. She was a woman of many praiseworthy traits and passed to her rest in 1894 at luka. Four children were born to the parents of our subject, named in order of birth as follows : Walter, subject of this sketch; Byrdie, the wife of Charles A. Bainum, cashier of the First National Bank at Bicknell, Indiana; J. Max is practicing medicine at St. Augustine, Florida; Maggie Alice died in 1880. Walter Irwin was reared at luka, where he attended the common schools, later tak- ing a course in Lincoln University at Lin- coln, Illinois, which he attended for two years, making a brilliant record as a student. After this he attended the Business Univer- sity at Lincoln for one year, having grad- uated from the same. He then returned to luka and was engaged in general merchan- dising and the drug business until 1894. when he came to Salem and embarked in the drug business. While at luka he was postmaster under Cleveland and resigned to come to Salem, and his father was appointed postmaster in his place. Our subject has been in Salem ever since, with the exception of two years spent as a traveling salesman, whai he resided in Bloomington, this state. The Salem Drug Company was organized August 26, 1907. Prior to that time Mr. Irwin owned the store, having established it in 1904, and with the exception of the two years noted he has been continuously identi- fied with it, building up an excellent trade with the people of Salem and the entire coun- ty, as the result of his unusual knowledge of this line of business and his courteous and impartial treatment of cutsomers. Mr. Irwin was married in 1892 to Maggie Stevenson, who was born in Stevenson 224 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. township, this county, the accomplished daughter of Samuel E. Stevenson, now de- ceased, for whom the township was named, lie was a prominent citizen of the county for many years. One son, a bright and interesting lad, has added cheer and comfort to the home of our subject, who bears the name of Eugene E., and whose date of birth occurred November 5, 1893, while the family was residing at luka. Mr. Irwin has prospered as a result of his well directed energies and has considerable business interests besides his drug store, among which may be mentioned a half inter- est in the Fibernie Sweep Clean Company, manufacturers of a preparation for cleaning floors, carpets, etc., the main office being lo- cated at Salem with branches in Springfield, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee, and Fort Smith, Arkansas. The business of this con- cern is growing at a rapid stride. Mr. Ir- win is a stockholder and director in the Sa- lem National Bank. He is also proprietor of the White Foam Company, which manu- factures a preparation for cleaning fabrics without rubbing and which at present prom- ises to become in immense demand. Our subject is also a stockholder and director in the Oleite Manufacturing Company, of St. Louis, which manufactures leather dress- ings. Mr. Irwin has served in a most acceptable manner as a member of the Salem Board of Education. In his fraternal relations he is a Mason, a member of the Knights of Py- thias, the American Home Circle, Ben Hur and the Eastern Star, and Mr. and Mrs. Ir- win are members of the Presbyterian church. They live in a modern, comfortable and nicely furnished home, which is presided over with rare grace and dignity by Mrs. Irwin, who often acts as hostess to numerous admiring friends, and every- one who crosses its threshold is made partaker of the good will and hos- pitality that is always unstintingly dis- pensed here, and because of their genuine worth, integrity, uprightness and pleasing manners no couple in Marion county en- joy to a fuller extent the esteem and friend- ship of all classes than our subject and wife. HON. CHARLES E. HULL. One of the notable men of his day and generation, who has gained success and rec- ognition for himself and at the same time honored his county and state by distin- guished services in important trusts, is Hon. Charles E. Hull, of Salem, who holds worthy prestige among the leading business men of Southern Illinois. Distinct- ively a man of affairs whose broad and liber- al ideas command respect, he has long filled a conspicuous place in the public eye, and as a leader in many important civic enterprises as well as a notable figure in the political arena of his day, he has contributed much to the welfare of his fellow men and at- tained distinction in a field of endeavor where sound erudition, mature judgment and talents of a high order are required. £ S<^^...^^(LJi_ BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 225 Aside from his honorable standing in pri- vate and pubHc hfe, there is further pro- priety in according him representation in the work, for he is a native son of Marion county, which has been the scene of the greater part of his hfe's earnest labors, his home being in the beautiful and attractive little city of Salem, where he it at present the head of a large and important business enterprise, and where he also commands the esteem and confidence of all classes and con- ditions of the populace. Mr. Hull belongs to an old and highly esteemed family that figured in the early history of Kentucky, to which state his great-grandparent, John Hull, emigrated from New Jersey in 1788. Here Samuel Hull was born in 1806. About the year 181 5 the Hulls disposed of their interests in the South and migrated to Illinois, settling at Grand Prairie, Clinton county, where John Hull died in 1833. Before his death he sent his son, Samuel, into what is now the county of Marion to a place near the site of Wal- nut Hill, where he, in 1823, at the age of seventeen, attended the first school ever taught in the county. At this time Marion was created from Jefferson county and the young man remained here, marrying in 1831 Lucy, the daughter of Mark Tully, the founder of Salem. He was made Recorder in 1833, which office he held until 1837, when he was made Sheriff, filling the latter position by successive re-elections six terms, the most of the time without opposition. Later in 1849 he was further honored by being elected County Judge, this being un- 15 der the old law which provided for two As- sociate Judges, but Mr. Hull's knowledge of law together with his fitness for the position enabled him to discharge his judicial func- tions without much assistance from the hon- orable gentleman who occupied the bench with him. He proved an able and judicious judge, and during his incumbency of four years transacted a great deal of business and rendered a number of important decisions, but few of which suffered reversal at the hands of higher tribunals. Shortly after re- tiring from the bench he was appointed by President Pierce postmaster of Salem, and four years later he was reappointed by President Buchanan, holding the position during the latter's administration, and in this, as in the other offices with which he was honored, proving a capable and popu- lar public servant. Samuel Hull was a pronounced Demo- crat and influential member of the party un- till the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he became a Republican and a great admirer of President Lincoln, whom he supported in the election of i860, and for whom he ever afterward entertained feeling of the most profound regard. He was a prominent fig- ure in the affairs of Marion county for over eighty years, during which period he be- came widely and favorably known, and his influence was always on the side of right as he saw and understood the right. During his later years he lived a life of hon- orable retirement at his beautiful rural home near Salem, having purchased the land from the Government shortlv after coming 226 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. to Marion county, building with his own hands in 1831 a double log house, which still stands — the oldest building in Marion county. This sterling citizen and faithful official lived to a good purpose and his mem- ory is cherished as a sacred heritage not only by his immediate family and friends, but by the entire community, all with whom he was accustomed to mingle, feeling his death as a personal loss. He reached a ripe and contented old age and it is a fact worthy of note that he and his faithful wife and helpmeet died the same night after a mutually happy and prosperous wedded ex- perience of fifty-nine years. Samuel Hull and wife were held in high esteem by near- ly every citizen of Marion county, their cir- cle of friends and acquaintances being large and their names familiar sounds in almost every household in both city and country. He served in the Black Hawk war, besides participating in many other exciting strug- gles during the pioneer period, as he was a leader among his fellow men and always stood for law and order, sometimes, too, at his personal risk. The land which he en- tered and improved and on which he spent the greater part of his life is now owned by his grandson, Charles E. Hull. This piece of land, now within the city limits of Sa- lem, has the unique distinction of the few- est transfers, it having been transferred by purchase from Samuel direct to Charles. Erasmus Hull, son of the aforementioned Samuel and father of the subject of this sketch, was born August 31, 1832, in Ma- rion county, Illinois, and spent his entire life near the place of his birth, having for many years been identified with the town of Salem, and a leader in its business and financial interests. He was a merchant and banker and in addition to achieving marked success in those capacities he was also an enterprising man of affairs, public spirited in all the term implies and wielded a strong influence in behalf of all measures and movements having for their object the ma- terial advancement of the community and the social and moral welfare of the people. A leading spirit in the organization of the Salem Bank, in 1869, and one of the orig- inal stockholders, he was a member of the board of directors from that time until his death, and to his mature judgment, sound business ability and familiarity with finan- cial matters were largely due the continued growth and signal success of the institu- tion. He was also interested in the Ma- rion County Loan and Trust Company, the predecessor of the bank, and always kept in close touch with the finances of the state and nation as well as with general business affairs, on all of which he was well in- formed and on not a few was considered an authority. Mr. Hull was the first Supervisor of Sa- lem township, also ChaiiTnan of the County Board for a number of years, besides serv- ing a long time as School Director. In these different capacities he discharged his official duties faithfully and effectively, tak- ing a leading part in educational matters and using his influence in every laudable way to promote the prosperity of the com- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 227 ■munity and the happiness of the people. In addition to his mercantile and financial busi- ness he was quite prominently interested in the manufacture of flour and lumber, be- ginning- to operate a mill in 1853, and con- tinuing the business with encouraging suc- cess as long as he lived. He also conducted a. large packing house in Salem before the •days of trusts and combines and built up an important and far-reaching industry, buying nearly all the hogs in the adjacent country and shipping his meats to the leading mar- kets, where they commanded good prices. He was a man of brain and of practical ideas, combined with solid judgment, wise foresight and he seldom failed in any of his undertakings. In politics he was an un- swerving Democrat, and an influential worker for the success of his party and its candidates, though not a partisan in the sense of aspiring for office. He discharged his duties of citizenship in the spirit becom- ing the progressive and broad minded Amer- ican of the day in which he lived, while the ■deep interest he manifested in his own lo- cality made him a leader in all laudable en- terprises for its advancement. His career, which was strenuous, eminently honorable and fraught with great good to his fellow men and to the world, terminated with his lamented death on the i6th day of June, 1896, in his sixty- fourth year; his taking ■off, like that of his father, being keenly felt and widely mourned in the town where he had so long and creditably lived, and where his success had been achieved. Eefore her marriage Mrs. Erasmus Hull was Dicy Finley. Her father, Rev. William Finley, a well known and remarkably suc- cessful minister of the Cumberland Presby- terian church, came to Marion county in an early day and for many years labored zeal- ously to disseminate the truths of I'eligion among the people and win souls to the higher life. During the years of his activ- ity, he traveled extensively throughout Southern Illinois, preaching and organizing churches, and it is said that the majority of Cumberland Presbyterian societies in the central and southern portions of the state were established by him, while others and weak congregations were strengthened and placed upon solid footing through his ef- forts. Mrs. Hull bore her husband three children and departed this life on May 16, 1903, beloved and respected by all with whom she came in contact. Of her family one of the children died in infancy, Mrs. Mary Bradford being the second in order of birth, and Charles E. Hull, of Salem, the subject of this review, the youngest of the number. On his father's maternal side the subject dates his family history to the earliest set- tlement of Illinois, his great-grandfather, Mark Tully, migrating to what is now Ma- rion county, while the feet of savages still pressed the soil and settling near the site of Salem, where there was no vestage of civili- zation within a radius of eight or ten miles, his rude cabin having been the first human habitation where the thriving seat of justice now stands. He moved here from Indiana and entered a tract of land from which in BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. due time he cleared and developed a farm, and later when the county of Marion was set off and organized, he donated ground for the seat of justice, which was surveyed and platted in 1823, and to which he gave the name of Salem. In honor of the town in the Hoosier state from which he came. He took an active part in the county organiza- tion, was its first Sheriff and held a number of offices from time to time, and to him be- longs the credit of keeping the first tavern in Salem, which appears to have been quite well patronized, while the town was being settled and for eighty years thereafter, being kept after his death by a daughter. He also erected a mill, the first in Salem, which was highly prized by the pioneers for many miles around, although a primitive affair equipped with the simplest kind of machin- ery, and originally operated by means of a s\yeep. Later it was somewhat improved and operated by horses or oxen in what was called a tread, but after the lapse of several years the original structure was remodeled, a large addition built, and new and im- proved machinery installed, and steam power introduced, this being the first mill in the county to be run by steam. Mr. TuUy was a true type of the sturdy, strong willed pioneer of his day. He was energetic, pub- lic-spirited, distinctively a man of affairs, and to him as much perhaps as to any other, is the town of Salem indebted for the im- petus which added so materially to its growth and prosperity. As a leader among the pioneers of his time, he did a work that few could accomplish and wielded an influ- ence which had a decided effect in establish- ing the social status of the community upon a high moral plane. After a long and useful career he was called from the scenes of his earthly struggles and triumphs in the year 1867, leaving a number of descendants, some of whom still live in Marion county, and are among the substantial and respected people of the communities in which they re- side. Hon. Charles E. Hull was born Novem- ber 7, 1862, in Salem, and spent his early years like the majority of town lads, assist- ing his parents where his services were re- quired, and during certain months pursuing his studies in the public schools. While a mere child, he evinced a decided taste for books and his progress in his studies was so rapid that he completed the high school course and was graduated at the early age of fourteen, standing among the best stu- dents in the class of 1877. Actuated by a laudable desire to add to his scholastic knowledge he subsequently entered the Southern Illinois Normal University, at Carbondale, where he took the full classical course, which he finished in three years, one year less than the prescribed time, graduat- ing in 1880 with the class honors. Shortly after receiving his degree from the above institution Mr. Hull engaged in merchandising at Salem, continued to the present time a business established by Sam- uel and Erasmus Hull, in 1853, and since that time his life has been very closely iden- tified with the business interests and general prosperity of the town, in addition to which BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 229 he has conducted several mercantile estab- lishments at other points and become a prominent figure in the pubHc life of Marion county, and the state at large. Possessing sound sense, well balanced judgment, and a natural aptitude for business, his mercantile experience soon passed the experimental stage and within a comparatively brief pe- riod he built up a large and lucrative patron- age, and became one of the best known and most popular merchants of the town. Ad- vancing with rapid strides and outstripping all of his competitors, he was soon induced to project his business enterprises into other parts, accordingly, as already indicated, he established stores in various towns and vil- lages of the county, and at one time had five of these establishments in successful op- eration in addition to his large general mercantile house in Salem, all of which proved successful and in due season made him one of the financially solid and reliable men of Marion county. After some years he closed out two of his stores but he still retains the other three, two in Salem and one in Kinmundy, and enjoys a well merited reputation as one of the most enterprising and successful business men in the southern part of the state. In addition to his large mercantile inter- ests Mr. Hull is connected with other im- portant business enterprises, having been a director of the Salem bank since 1895, and cashier of the institution during the years 1906-7, and in 1889 he organized the Salem Creamery, which he operated for a period of fifteen years, during which time he did an extensive and lucrative business, using as high as twenty thousand pounds of milk per day, and making a brand of butter for which there was always a great demand. By rea- son of indifference on the part of the farm- ers in the matter of supplying milk, Mr. Hull disposed of the creamery at the expira- tion of the period indicated, the better to de- vote his attention to his other interests, which have become important and far reach- ing in their influence, adding much to the material prosperity of the city and to his fame as a leading spirit in business circles. Among the various enterprises of which he is the head, is the Salem Brick Mill, which, under the firm name of Hull & Draper, has become one of the successful industrial con- cerns of the place, also the Hull Telephone System, established in 1898, and of which he is sole proprietor. This important and much valued enterprise, one of the best of the kind in Illinois, extends to all parts of Marion county, connecting all the towns and villages and numerous private residences, besides having connection in the adjoining counties, thus bringing Salem in close touch with all the leading cities of the state and nation, and proving of inestimable value to the people as well as to the business interests of the various points on the line. Under the personal management of Mr. Hull, who has operated the plant ever since it was estab- lished, the system has been brought to a degree of efficiency second to no other. Since the year 1894, Mr. Hull has owned The Salem Herald Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Marion county, the histoiy of 230 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. which dates from 1853. The paper origin- ally was established by John W. Merritt, and since the above year has been the best patronized and most successful sheet in Ma- rion county, and one of the most influential in Southern Illinois, being the official organ of the local Democracy, and a power in the political affairs of this part of the state. Un- der the management of Mr. Hull it has steadily grown in public favor, and now has a large and continually increasing subscrip- tion list, a liberal advertising patronage, and with an office well equipped with the latest machinery and devices used in the art pre- servative, and its columns teeming with the news of the day as well as with able discus- sions of the leading questions and issues upon which men and parties are divided, it promises to continue in the future as it has been in the past, a strong influence in politi- cal affairs and a power in moulding and di- recting opinion on matters of general in- terest to the people. Aside from the various enterprises enu- merated, Mr. Hull for a number of years was quite extensively interested in the San- doval Coal and Mining Company, of which he was general manager until disposing of his shares in the concern, and he is now and long has been one of the largest holders of real estate in Marion county, being an en- terprising and up-to-date agriculturist. In the midst of his numerous and pressing du- ties, he finds time to devote to other than his individual affairs, being interested in the community and its advancement and in all worthy enterprises for the good of his fel- low men. Ever since arriving at the years of manhood he has been a leading factor in public matters, and in a material way has been untiring in his efforts to promote the prosperity of Salem and Marion county, tak- ing an active interest in all movements and measures with this object in view besides in- augurating and carrying to successful issue many enterprises which have tended greatly to the general welfare of the community. In political matters and kindred subjects he has not only been interested but has risen to the position of leader. He has been a life-long Democrat, and since his twenty-first year has exercised a strong influence in the polit- ical affairs of Marion county, and became widely and favorably known in party circles throughout the state, a prominent figure in local, district and state conventions, he has borne a leading part in making platforms, formulating policies ; as a campaigner, he is a judicious adviser in the councils of his party, a successful worker in the ranks, and to him as much if not more than to any other man in Marion county, is the party in- debted for its success in a number of ani- mated and exciting political contests. In 1896 Mr. Hull was elected to repre- sent the Forty-second Senatorial District, composed of the counties of Clay, Washing- ton, Marion and Clinton, in the Upper House of the State Legislature, in the cam- paign of which memorable year he ran far in advance in his home town of any other can- didate on the Democratic ticket, receiving more votes than were polled for William Jennings Bryan, the popular head of the na- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 231 tional ticket, and the idol of Democracy. Mr. Hull's career in the General Assembly- was eminently honorable, and he took high rank as an industrious and useful member, who spared no effort" in behalf of his con- stituents, besides laboring earnestly and faithfully for the general good of his state. In 1904 he was renominated by his party, and in the ensuing election his Republican competitor withdrew from the race, it being evident that he would be overwhelmingly de- feated. The district that year was com- posed of the counties of Marion, Clay, Clin- ton and Effingham. In the senate he be- came the minority leadei", and in addition to serving on a number of important com- mittees, took an active part in the general deliberations of the chamber, participating in the discussions and debates, and to him belongs the credit of leading in the fight for a direct primary, also of being the only mi- nority leader who ever succeeded in holding his party together on minority legislation. Mr. Hull's senatorial experience is replete with duty ably and faithfully performed, and such was the interest he manifested for his district that he won the confidence and good will of the people irrespective of po- litical alignment, all of whom speak in praise of his honorable course and the broad enlightenment spirit which he displayed throughout his legislative career. As already stated he is a familiar figure in the conven- tions of his party, both local and state, and for a period of twenty-eight years he has not missed attending a Democratic national convention. For several years Mr. Hull owned and occupied the place where Mr. Bryan was born, but after the campaign of 1896 he sold it to Mr. Bryan, between whom and himself the warmest friendship has ever prevailed. The two were classmates when they at- tended high school, since which time they have labored for each other's interests, and as stated above, their attachment is stronger and more enduring than the ordinary ties by which friends are bound together. Mr. Hull has served the people of his city as School Director, and for a period of two years he was president of the Inter-State In- dependent Telephone Association, besides being for a number of years a member of the executive committee. He also served for a series of years on the executive commit- tee for the operators on the scale of agree- ment, with the United Mine Workers of America, a position of great responsibility and delicacy, as is indicated by the fact of his having devoted one hundred and twelve days in one year to the settlement of wage scales and of disputes between the contend- ing parties, besides having been called upon repeatedly to adjust differences and har- monize conflicting interests, which arose from time to time, between the two organi- zations. The domestic chapter in the life of Mr. Hull dates from May 10, 1883, when he was happily married to Miss Lulu Ham- mond, the accomplished and popular daugh- ter of Hon. J. E. W. Hammond, the latter a prominent merchant and influential politician of Marion county, Illinois, who 232 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. sei-ved in the Legislature, on the County Board of Supervisors, and for many years was one of the public spirited men and rep- resentative citizens of Salem. On her mother's side Mrs. Hull traces to the Lov- ells and Hensleys, who were among the earliest settlers of Marion county, as is men- tioned elsewhere in this volume. Senator Hull's beautiful and attractive home on North Broadway, the finest and most de- sirable private dwelling in the city, is brightened and rendered doubly attractive by the presence of two intelligent and in- teresting daughters, namely: Lovell, born January 8, 1888, and Louise, whose birth occurred on the 31st day of May, 1897, these with their parents constituting a happy and almost ideal domestic circle. Senator Hull's fraternal association rep- resents the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks', the Knights of Pythias, Lide- pendent Order of Red Men, and the Modern Woodmen, in all of which he has been an active and influential worker, besides being honored with important official positions from time to time. In the midst of his many strenuous duties as a business man and public servant, the Senator has not neg- lected the higher obligations which man owes to his Maker, nor been unmindful of the claims of the Christian religion — -to which deep and absorbing subject he has devoted much profound study and investi- gation, and in the light of which he has been led into the straight and narrow way which leads to a higher state of being here, and to eternal felicity beyond death's mys- tic stream. Subscribing to no human creeds or man-made doctrines, he takes the Holy Scriptures alone for his rule of faith and practice, and as an humble and consist- ent member of the Christian, or Disciple, church, demonstrates by his daily life the beauty and value of the faith which he pro- fesses. He has been identified with the re- ligious body since his young manhood, and for more than twenty years has been the able and popular superintendent of the Sunday school, besides filling other official stations. Mrs. Hull is also a faithful and devout Christian, an active member of the church, and deeply interested in all lines of good work under the auspices of the same. Since her fourteenth year she has been the accom- plished organist of the congregation in Sa- lem, as well as an efficient and enthusiastic teacher in the Sunday school. Senator Hull is a liberal contributor to benevolent enter- prises, and it was through his initiation and influence that the present handsome temple of worship used by the Christian church, was erected, his contributions to the build- ing fund being twenty-five dollars for every one hundred dollars contributed by the con- gregation. In addition to his munificence already noted, the Senator has given largely to various worthy objects of which the world knows nothing, in this way exempli- fying the spirit of the Master, by not letting the left hand know what the right hand doeth, or in other words, doing; eood in secret in the name of the Father who hath promised to reward such actions openly. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 233 Senator Hull is a splendid specimen of well rounded, symmetrically developed, vi- rile manhood, wfith a commanding presence and a strong personality, being six feet in height, weighing two hundred and thirty- four pounds, and moving among his fellows as one born to leadership. He is a notice- able figure in any crowd or assemblage, and never fails to attract attention, not only by his powerful physique, but by the amiable qualities of mind and heart, which show in his face, and always make his presence pleas- ing to all beholders. He has directed his life along lines which could not fail to ef- fect ' favorably the physical as well as the mental man, having from his youth been singularly free from thoughts which lower and degrade self-respect, and from those in- siduous habits which pollute the body and debase the soul, and which today are prov- ing the destruction of so many young men of whom better things have been expected. Mr. Hull is a total abstainer in all the term implies, having never tasted, much less taken a drink of any kind of intoxicants, nor used tobacco in any of its forms; neither has he ever taken the name of God in vain. He is pleasing and companionable, a favorite in the social circle, and a hale and hearty spirit, whose presence inspires good humor, and who believes in legitimate sports and pas- times and in the idea that fret and worry are among the greatest enemies of happi- ness. With duties that would crush the ordi- nary man, he has his labors so systematized that he experiences little or no inconveni- ence in doing them. He believes in rest and recreation and is an advocate of vacations, and he invariably takes one every summer, but not in the manner that many do, by locking his oflice and hieing away to the seaside, lake or forest, to spend the season in tiresome sports. His vacations, which are always enjoyable, are spent in the hay- field, where he finds the recreation condu- cive to good health and a contented mind. Personally Mr. Hull is a gentleman of unblemished reputation, and the strictest in- tegrity and his private character and im- portant trusts have always been above re- proach. He is a vigorous as well as an independent thinker, a wide reader, and he has the courage of his convictions upon all subjects which he investigates. He is also strikingly original and fearless, prosecutes his researches after his own peculiar fash- ion, and cares little for conventionalism or for the sanctity attaching to person or place by reason of artificial distinction, tradition or the accident of birth. He is essentially cosmopolitan in his ideas, a man of the peo- ple in all the term implies, and in the best sense of the word a representative type of that strong American manhood, which commands and retains respect by reason of inherent merit, sound sense and correct con- duct. He has so impressed his individuality upon his community as to win the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens and be- come a strong and influential power in lead- ing them to high and noble things. Measured by the accepted standard of ex- cellence, his career, though strenuous, has been eminently honorable and useful, and his life fraught with great good to his fel- lows and to the world. 234 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. BENJAMIN E. MARTIN, Sr. It is safe to venture the assertion that no one attains eminence in business or any pro- fession without passing through a period of more or less unremitting toil, of disappoint- ments and struggles. He who has brought his business to a successful issue through years of work and has established it upon a substantial basis, and yet retains the ap- pearance of youth, who .has in his step the elasticity of younger days and shows little trace of worry or care that too often lag the footsteps of the direction of large affairs, must be a maii possessed of enviable char- acteristics. Such is a brief word picture of the worthy gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch, as he now appears, after a long, active and prosperous business career, the peer of any of his contemporaries in all that enters into the make-up of the suc- cessful man of affairs or that constitutes a leader in important business enterprises. Therefore, by reason of the fact that Mr. Martin has attained worthy prestige as a business man, and also because he was one of the patriotic sons of the North who went forth on many a hard fought battlefield to defend the flag in the days of the Rebellion, and also because of his life of honor, it is eminently fitting that he be given just rep- resentation in a work of the province as- signed to the one at hand. B. E. Martin was born in what was for- merly Estillville, now Gate City, Virginia, February 27, 1845, the son of John S. Mar- tin, also a native of Virginia and the repre- sentative of a fine old Southern family. The father of the subject was Clerk of the Court in his home county for a period of twenty- four years. He moved to Illinois in 1846 and entered government land near Alma, the land that Alma now stands on. He laid out the town of Alma and there went into the mercantile business, in which he remained until the breaking out of the Civil war. He died in that town in 1866. He was a man of unusual business ability and became well known in his community. The mother of the subject was Nancy Brownlow, a native of Virginia. She dide shortly after she moved to Illinois. She is remembered as a woman of gracious personality. Seven chil- dren were bom to the parents of our subject, four sons and three daughters, named in ol- der of birth as follows : Eliza, deceased ; Mrs. Nancy Bradford, of Greaiville, Illinois;. Emily, deceased; Robert; Mrs. Kate Ben- nett, of Greenville, Illinois; Thompson G.. of Salem; B. E., our subject, being the youngest. The father of these children was. married three times, his first wife being Ala- linda Morrison, of Estillville, Virginia, to whom three children were born, two dvins^ in infancy, the one surviving becoming Col. James S. Martin, now deceased, who lived to be eighty years of age, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. The sec- ond wife was the mother of the subject of this sketch; the third wife was Jane See, to whom one child was born, who died in the Philippine Islands. B. E. Martin, Sr., was reared in Alma, this state, remaining there until he was six- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 235 teen years of age, attending the local sehool. When only sixteen years old he could not re- press the patriotic feeling that prompted him to shoulder arms in defense of the nation's integrity, consequently on July 25, 1861, he enlisted in the Fortieth Illinois Volunteer in- fantr^^ He was in many skirmishes and en- gagements, having fought in the great bat- tle of Shiloh, where his regiment lost two hundred and forty-seven men in the two days' fight, and he was in several small en- gagements as they advanced on Corinth. His brother, Thomas G., was in every en- gagement and skirmish in which this regi- ment was involved, never being sick a day, and never missing a roll call. He enlisted in 1861 and at the expiration of his term of three years re-enlisted as a veteran and served until the close of the war. Our sub- ject had three brothers and one half-brother in the army. After his career in the army Mr. Martin went into the dnig business at Greenville, Illinois. He later went to Olathe, Johnson county, Kansas, where he engaged in the same line of business from 1867 to 1869; then he returned to Marion county, Illinois, and resumed the drug business here, in which he remained a short time. Selling out his stock of drugs, he began selling agricultural implements, adding the lumber business in connection with his brother. He made a success of all the lines in his vari- ous locations. In 1877 he established his present business, that of wholesale seeds, in which he has quite an extensive trade, hav- ing become known as the leading seed man in this locality, consequently his trade ex- tends to all parts of the country. He uses the most modem and highly improved ma- chinery for cleaning seeds. Our subject was united in marriage in November, 1866, to Florida Cunningham, who was born and reared in Salem, the daughter of John Cunningham, then a mer- chant of Salem. He was a man of honest principle and influence in his community. Eight children have been born to the sub- ject arid wife, one of whom died in infancy, the others are now living in 1908. They are: Mary, the wife of Charles T. Austin, of Indianapolis; B. E., Jr., who is engaged in the general mercantile business in Salan ; Bertha is the wife of John Gibson, living in Manila, Philippine Islands; Nancy is living in Salem; John C. is cashier of the Salem National Bank ; Edith and Gena. The subject has achieved success in an eminent degree owing to his well directed energy and honesty and persistency. He is a stockholder and director of the Salem Na- itonal Bank. He owns a modern, comfort- able and nicely furnished residence. Mr. Martin has served as Supervisor of Salem township. He discharged the duties of this office with his usual business alacrity and foresight. He is a Democrat and has always been active in politics. In his fra- ternal relations he affiliates with the Ma- sons. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, also the Gid- eons. He is an honorary member of the Woodmen, and he is well and favorably 236 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. known in lodge circles, business life and social relations, being" regarded as one of the most trustworthy and substantial citi- zens of Salem and Marion county. Before closing this review it would not be amiss to quote the following paragraph which appeared in a Salem paper some time since under the caption, "A Remarkable Record" : "There resides in this city four brothers who have a record which is remarkable and doubtless without a parallel among, their fellow countrymen. They were all soldiers in the Civil war; two enlisting in the Forti- eth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 1 86 1, and the other two in the One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment of this state in 1862. They participated in every battle in which their respective regiments were engaged, were never in a hospital, and none of them ever received the slightest wound, notwith- standing they were in the thickest of fights where thousands were slain or wounded. At the battle of Shiloh nearly three hundred of the Fortieth Regiment were killed or wounded, but 'Tom' and 'Ben' were among those who came out without a scratch. These four brothers with the remarkable record are James S., Thomas, Robert and Benjamin E. Martin, honorable, substantial citizens of Salem." H. T. PACE. A happy combination of characteristics is possessed b}- the honorable gentleman of whom the biographer now essays to write, for he has shown during his long residence in Salem, Marion county, Illinois, that he is a man of rare business acumen, foresight and sagacity, at the same time possessing lauda- ble traits of character such as integrity, in- dustry, sobriety and kindliness; these, com- bined with his public spirit and model home life, have resulted in winning for Mr. Pace the unqualified esteem of all who know him. H. T. Pace was bom one and one-half miles south of Salem on a farm, February 3, 1850, and, believing that better opportu- nities awaited him right here at home, he early decided to cast his lot with his own people rather than seek uncertain success in other fields, and, judging from the pro- nounced success which has attended his sub- sequent efforts, one must conclude that he made a wise decision. The subject's father was George ^V Pace, a native of Kentucky, who came to Jefferson county, Illinois, when a young man, but soon after locating here he moved to Marion county, where he engaged in farming, later in the furniture business, having spent many years in this; he also learned the tailor's trade and conducted a tailor shop for a time soon after coming here. He was a man of considerable force and influence, honest, hard working and hospitable, who spared no pains in rearing his family in the best pos- sible manner, always holding out high ideals and lofty aims. He was noted as a great story teller as well as a kindly, neighborly man. He was born December 18, 1806, and passed to his rest June i, 1867. He was one of the oldest pioneers of Marion county, be- ing one of the best known and most beloved BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ^Z7 men in the county and familiarly called "Un- cle George." The mother of the subject, whose birth oc- curred on the same day of the month as that of her husband, December i8th, in the year 1808, was known in her maidenhood as Ta- bithia J. Rogers, a native of Tennessee, the representative of a fine old Southern fam- ily, and she "crossed over the mystic river" to join her worthy life companion on the other shore February 26, 1881, at the age of seventy-three years, after closing a serene and beautiful life of the noblest Christian at- tributes and wholesome influence. One of the most commendable traits in our subject was his devotion to his mother, with whom. he lived until her death, joyfully administer- ing to her every want and sacrificing much in his own life that she might be comfortable and happy. Nine children were bom to the parents of the subject, only three of whom are living at this writing, 1908. The living are: O. H. Pace, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, at the age of sixty-eight years ; Mrs. O. E. Ti-yner, living at Long Beach, California, at the age of sixty years; H. T., our subject. The parents of the subject were married May 13, 1830. H. T. Pace remained under his parentai roof-tree during the lifetime of his parents. He attended the common schools in Salem, where he diligently applied himself and re- ceived a good education. However, thirst- ing for more knowledge, he attended college at Jacksonville, Illinois, for a short time. The stage having allurements and he having nat- ural talents as a comedian, he traveled for three years with some of the best companies on the road as a black-face comedian, win- ning wide notoriety through this medium. Tiring of the stage, he went to Denver in 1880, where he clerked for a while in a jew- eh-y store, later worked as a Pullman con- ductor between Denver and Leadville over the South Park Railroad. In 1884 Mr. Pace came back to Salem and has remained here ever since prospering in whatever he has un- dertaken. The harmonious domestic hfe of the sub- ject dates from 1884, when he was united in marriage with Alice H. Andrews, the ac- complished and popular daughter of Samuel Andrews, who sacrificed his life for his country, having met death in the Union lines while fighting in defense of the flag. At the time of their marriage Mr. Pace was sup- posed to be on his death bed from a sudden and serious illness. The married life of this couple has been a most ideal one and has re- sulted in the birth of seven children, five of whom are living. Their names follow : Claude S., of Salem, engine foreman at the Chicago & Eastern Illinois shops; Effie Jenella, Lynn Harvey, Ned R., Gladys D., Lowell died in infancy, as did also the last child, Mona. After his marriage Mr. Pace went into the piano, business, which he has since con- ducted for twenty-five years, the greatest success attending his efforts, his house being- known throughout Marion county, and his trade extending many miles in every direc- tion, as a result of his skill in managing this line and his uniform fairness and courteous- 238 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ness to customers. His piano parlor is one of the popular business houses of Salem. Mr. Pace keeps a modern and up-to-date line of musical instruments, talking machines and similar goods. Fraternally Mr. Pace is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen and the Eastern Star, being the ^Vorthy Patron in the latter order. Mr. Pace is now the only member of this worthy family in Marion county, and he is one of the oldest native bom residents of Salem. Among his interesting collection of relics and curios is an old clock which his father and mother bought when they firsr went to housekeeping. In all the relations of life our subject has been found worthy of the trust imposed in him, being a man of rare business ability, force of character and possessing praise- worthy qualities of head and heart which make him popular with all whom he meets, and he is today regarded by all classes as be- ing one of the staunchest, most upright and representative citizens of Marion county. D. D. HAYNIE. For the high rank of her bench and bar Illinois has always been distinguished, and it is gratifying to note that in no section of the commonwealth has the standard been lowered in any epoch of its history. To the subject of this review, who is at the time of this writing, 1908, the popular and influen- tial Clerk of the Circuit Court at Salem, Marion county, we may refer with propriety and satisfaction as being one of the able and representative members of the legal profes- sion of the state. He prepared himself most carefully for the work of his exacting pro- fession and has ever been ambitious and self-reliant, gaining success and securing his technical training through his own deter- mination and well directed efiforts. He not only stands high in his profession but is a potent factor in local politics, his advice being often relied upon in the selection of candidates for county offices and he has led such a career, one upon which not the shadow or suspicion of evil rests, that his counsel is often sought and heeded in im- portant movements in the county, with grati- fying results. D. D. Haynie was born in Marion county, Illinois, November 22, 1848. His father was William D. Haynie, a native of Norfolk, Virginia, where he was born August 29, 1798. He came with his mother to Winchester, Tennessee, when he was ten years old, and remained there until he reached young manhood. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, having performed gal- lant service in the same, after which he re- turned to Kentucky, settling near Hopkins- ville, where he married Elizabeth B. Frost, and where he lived for several years, finally in 1832 moving to Salem, Illinois, bringing three slaves with them, which they later lib- erated. They lived in Salem, developing the primitive conditions which they found, for many years, rearing eleven children, namely: Abner F., deceased, having died in 1850; General Isham N., who died in BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 239 1868, having been adjutant general at the time of his death, formerly colonel of the Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; William M., died in 1855 ; Rebecca was the wife of James Marshall, who moved to Texas and died there about 1857; George W., quartermaster of the Forty-eighth Illi- nois Volunteer Regiment, who died in 1891, when seventy years old; Mary and John B., both died in infancy ; Elizabeth is the widow of Hon. B. B. Smith, who was one of the first and best lawyers in southern Illi- nois, and who died in 1884, his widow now residing at Mount Vernon, Washington : Martha J., now deceased, was the wife of Dr. Thomas Williams, of Jacksonville, Flor- ida, dying in Philadelphia in 1906; Sarah C. is the wife of L. L. Adams, of Spokane, Washington; D. D., our subject, was the youngest of the family. Our subject made his home with his father until he died in 1870, the subject's mother surviving until 1884. They were people of excellent qualities of mind and heart, and spared no pains in giving their children every advantage possible, and the wholesome home influence in which they were reared is reflected in the characters of the subject and the other children. D. D. Haynie attended the common schools when a boy, making rapid progress. Being ambitious and thirsting for all the book learning possible, he entered the State Normal at Bloomington, Illinois, after a course in which he made an excellent record, he returned home and clerked, but believing that his true life path lay along the higher lines of the legal profession, he begun the study of law and was admitted to the Salem bar in 1871. His success was instantaneous and he soon built up a good practice. His unusual attributes soon attracted attention and he was appointed clerk in the Pension Agency located in Salem, which position he held with much credit for a period of six years. He then devoted some of his time to farming with gratifying results, at the same time continuing his law practice which had by this time been built up to a very large practice. He has continued with great suc- cess ever since he first began practice in 1885. During this time he has served his county and city in many official capacities. He was twice elected president of the City Board of Education, and afterward was a member of the same for two terms; during his connection with the same the educational interests of the city were greatly strength- ened. He was elected Police Magistrate in 1904 and elected Circuit Clerk as a Repub- lican and is serving in this capacity in 1908, making one of the best clerks the court has ever had. In all his political and official career, not the least dissatisfaction has arisen over the manner in which he has handled the affairs entrusted to him, and he has by this consistent record gained a host of admiring friends throughout the county. Mr. Haynie's happy and haiTnonious do- mestic life dates from August 26, 1875, when he was united in marriage with Emma J. McMackin, the accomplished and cultured daughter of W. E. McMackin, who was lieutenant-colonel of Grant's Twenty-first 240 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Illinois Regiment, and a well known and influential man in his community. One bright and winsome daughter was born to the subject and wife, who was given the name of May E., and who is now the wife of William W. Morrow, of Oklahoma City. The subject's wife was called to her rest January 21, 1878, and he was married the second time, this wife being in her maidenhood, Maggie Bobbitt, daughter of Joseph J. Bobbitt, who was a soldier in the Eighth Kentucky Regiment. She proved a worthy helpmeet and to this union the fol- lowing interesting children were born: Edith M., now living in Spokane, Washing- ton; Donald C, of Salem, Illinois, is clerk for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Rail- way Company. The subject's wife died in April 1890. The subject then married Rose M. Haley, the daughter of Rev. J. L. Haley, a well known Cumberland Presbyterian minister, the date of the wedding falling on July 14, 1 891. No children have been born to this union which has been a most harmonious one. Fraternally the subject has been a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows for thirty-seven years, having occupied the chairs of the same, and he has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity since 1879, ^ chapter member. The subject in his political activity had occasion to become intimately acquainted with Governor Oglesby, Gen. John A. Lo- gan, Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, Governor Tanner and most of the noted men of the state. Mr. Haynie delights to recall reminis- cences of his great grandfather on his father's side, who was named Donald Camp- bell, who migrated from Scotland to Nor- folk, Virginia, where he bought up all the land between what was then Norfolk and the wharf, which is now known as Campbell wharf. Mr. Campbell died in February, 1795. Mr. Haynie has in his possession a copy of Campbell's will executed February 2, 1795. Donald Campbell's father was Archibald Campbell, who survived his son and died in 1802. There are many descen- dants of the Campbell family living today in Philadelphia and Virginia. CHARLES H. HOLT. The biographical annals of Marion Coun- ty, Illinois, would be incomplete were there failure to make specific mention of the hon- orable gentleman, whose name introduces this review, who is one of the county's ablest and most distinguished native sons for he had the sagacity early in youth to see that better opportunities waited for hin) right here on his native heath than other- where, consequently his life labors have been confined to this localit)- rather than in distant and precarious fields, and judging from the eminent success he has here at- tained he was fortunate in coming to 1;his decision — to remain at home. Judge Holt has been prominently identified with the in- dustrial, material and civic progress of the CHARLES H. HOLT. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 241 community, having ever stood for loyal and public-spirited citizenship, having been a potent factor in bringing about the wonder- ful development in this favored section, con- tributing his influence and energy in the transformation which has mgide this one of the leading counties of the state, with its highly cultivated farms, thriving towns and villages, its school-houses, churches and all other evidences of progress and culture, and he is today not only one of the leading attor- neys and among the most highly honered citizens of Salem, the beautiful and thriving county seat, but is recognized as one of the foremost men at the bar in the state. In all the relations of life he has been faithful to all the trusts reposed in him, performing his duty conscientiously and with due regard for the welfare of others often at the sacri- fice of his own best interests and pleasures. Charles H. Holt was born near Vernon, Marion county, Illinois, October i, 1868, the only child of William H. Holt, and Sarah (Parsons) Holt, the former a native of Union county, and the latter a native of the state of Ohio. They were married in Ma- rion county. The mother of the subject was called to her rest in November, 1892. Wil- liam H. Holt is living in 1908, and making his home with the subject in Salem. The father was a soldier is the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantr>', having enlisted under Col. James S. Martin, who afterward became a general. Mr. Holt served gallantly for three years, or until his enlistment expired, his princi- pal services being with Sherman on his 16 march to the sea, and his campaigns around Atlanta. William H. Holt has been a use- ful and industrious itian, scrupulously honest and he yet exercises considerable influence in his community. He and his worthy life companion spared no pains in giving their son, our subject, every possible advantage and encouragement to make the most of life, and many of his sterling attributes and noble traits of character may be traced to the wholesome home influence and uplifting environment in which he was reared. Henry Holt, grandfather of the subject, was one of the first settlers of Marion county, having come here from Tennessee, and participated in organizing the county and many of the county offices were indebted to his sound judgment for their early development. He was a public-spirited man and did an incal- culable amount of good in furthering the interests of his community. Like many of the hardy pioneers of those early times, he possessed many sterling qualities and won the admiration of all who knew him. Charles H. Holt, our subject, attended the country schools during the winter months while living on his father's farm and later the Salem high school, from which he graduated in the class of 1889. Being an ambitious lad from the first he applied himself most assiduously and outstripped many of the less courageous plodders of his day, making excellent grades. After leaving the high school he engaged in teaching with marked success for one year, then, thirsting for more knowledge, he entered Northwest- ern University at Chicago, taking a prepara- 242 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. tory course the first year. Believing that his true Hfe work lay along legal lines, he spent three years in a law office in Chicago and then located at Kinmundy, this county, and while living here, where his success was instantaneous, he became popular with his party, which nominated him for the respon- sible position of county judge, and he was subsequently elected by a handsome majority in 1898, serving two terms with entire sat- isfaction to his constituents and all con- cerned and in such a manner as to reflect great credit upon his ability, manifesting from the first that he had unmistakable judi- cial talent and a profound knowledge of law in its variegated phases. In 1904 Judge Holt removed to Salem and at the expiration of his temi of office resumed the practice of law, with a well equipped and pleasant suite of rooms in the Stonecipher building. He has one of the largest and best selected libraries to be found in Southern Illinois. Not only does the Judge keep posted on all the late judicial de- cisions and court rulings, but he is a well read man on scientific, literary and current topics, so that his conversation is at once animated and learned. The Judge is a strong and influential ad- vocate of the principles embodied in the Democratic party and is well fortified in his convictions, always ready to lend his influ- ence and time to the furtherance of his par- ty's interests and assist in placing the best men obtainable in the county offices. He has served as chairman of the Democratic Central Committee of Marion county, dur- ing which time he displayed rare acumen and sagacity in the management of the par- ty's afifairs. Although Mr. Holt's extensive legal prac- tice occupied the rnajor part of his time, he has considerable business interests which he manages with uniform success. He is a stockholder in the Salem National Bank, and also in the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of St. Peter, Illinois. Judge Holt's happy and harmonious do- mestic life dates from 1897, when he was united in marriage to Frances W. Fox, the accomplished and cultured daughter of Dr. Jesse D. Fox, of Kindmundy, this county. Doctor Fox was one of the county's most noted physicians and best known citizens, who died about 1881. The following chil- dren have blessed the home of the subject with their cheer and sunshine: Dorothy F.. who was born in May, 1898; Ward P., bom in October, 1900; Frances S., who was bom in October, 1904; Charlotte, whose date of birth occurred September 29, 1906. These . children are all bright and winsome, giving promise of successful future careers. The Holt home is a model one, the residence being modern, commodious, well furnished and invaded with the most wholesome at- mosphere. Our subject in his fraternal relations is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, having occupied the chairs in both. He is truly a strong and prominent character, and owing to his individual personal traits, which are highly commendable, his past BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 243 record, which is unmarred by a shadow, his pleasing address, kindly disposition, upright- ness and public spirit, the future augurs still greater honors for the subject, for he has gained the undivided esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens throughout Marion and adjoining counties, and such a worthy character is seldom left alone by the public when services of a high order are constantly being sought. H. D. EVANS. H. D. Evans was bom in Marion county, this state, September 30, 1866, the son of O. F. Evans, Police Magistrate, and a native of this county. The mother of Mr. Evans was Lucy J. Tingle, a native of Kentucky, who came here in 1850. The subject's parents are still living in 1908. They became the parents of nine children, four sons and five daughters. H. D. Evans attended school in Salem, re- maining under his parental roof until he was twenty-two years old. He then went to To- peka, Kansas, in 1888, and learned the car- penter's trade, at which he worked twelve or fourteen years, remaining in Topeka three years. He finally returned to Salem and worked at his trade for two years, when he went near Terre Haute and continued at this trade, and was there married to Nannie Maddock, the daughter of William Mad- dock, of Atherton, Indiana, on March 7, 2894. Two interesting and winsome chil- dren have been born to the subject and wife, as follows: Gladys Marie, whose date of birth occurred June 24, 1895, and Gretchen Irene, who first saw the light of day on Au- gust 19, 1899. After his marriage Mr. Evans came to Salem. Moving on a fai-m, he remained there one and one-half years, when he moved to Salem and engaged in contracting and the lumber business for four years, after which he went on the road for two and one-half 5'ears, selling paints and varnishes. He is now a member of the drug firm of Evans & Harmon, which owns stores at luka, Illinois, and Moorhouse, Missouri. Mr. Evans is a wide awake, energetic business man of sound judgment and mod- ern business principles, and he has always succeeded at whatever he undertook. He faithfully served the city of Salem as Alder- man several years ago. He is a Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and both he and his wife are members of the Chris- tian church, and are well and favorably known to a host of friends in this commun- ity. T. W. WILLIAMS. Among the strong and influential citizens of Marion county, the record of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of the section, the gentleman whose name appears above occupies a prominent place, and for many years has exerted a beneficial 244 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. influence in the community in which he re- sides. T. \\\ WiUiams, the well known Justice of the Peace at Salem, Illinois, was born in Silver Springs, Wilson county, Tennessee, May 22, 1837, the son of W. G. Williams, a man of sterling worth and influence, who was born and reared at Silver Springs. He came to Illinois in 1845, locating in the northern part of Marion county which is now embraced in Kinmundy township, where he developed a farm, making a com- fortable home and a good living during his residence there. Thomas Williams, father of W. G. Williams and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to Illinois with the family in 1845. He was a North Caro- linian by birth and a fine type of the true Southern gentleman. He followed farming all his life. He died in Kinmundy. W. G. Williams died in 1904, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. The mother of the subject was Mary Morning, a native of old Virginia and a woman of many estimable traits. She passed to her rest in 1852. Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Williams were the parents of nine children as follows: Elizabeth, widow of R. G. Williams, who now lives in Foster township, Marion county; T. W., our subject; Othnial, who is living at Raleigh, Saline county, Illinois, was a soldier in the Civil war; Joseph died while in the Union army; G. H. also died in the Union army; George M. was killed while in the Federal ranks ; Henry N. also died in the Union army; Carroll died in in- fancy; Mary Jane is the wife of John Car- man, living at Kinmundy, this county. The subject's father married the second time, his last wife being Martha Boczkie- wicz, and by this union five children were born as follows : Piety Smith, now de- ceased, who lived in Hamilton county, Illi- nois; W G., Jr., who is living in Hamilton county; F. O., who is also a resident of Hamilton county; John V., is a Baptist min- ister, living at Galitia, Saline county, Illi- nois; Priscilla died at the age of ten years. T. W. Williams, our subject, was raised on the farm and attended the common schools where he diligently applied himself and received a fairly good education. After he reached maturity he bought and sold live stock, making this business a success from the start, having much natural ability as a trader. He lived on the farm for twenty- five years. He also made a marked success later dealing in live stock and grain, becom- ing widely known not only as a man of unusual industry but also of scrupulous honesty. Having taken a lively interest in politics and becoming well known throughout the county he was sought out by his political friends for positions of public trust, having first served as Deputy Sheriff in 1890 of Ma- rion county for a period of two years, with the greatest satisfaction to all concerned and reflecting much credit upon his innate ability as an official. In 1893 he became Deputy Circuit Clerk, in which capacity he ably served for five years. Mr. Williams was BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 245 postmaster at Kinmundy, Illinois, in 1885, during Cleveland's first administration. He had previously been living on his farm, but he then moved to Kinmundy and from that town to Salem in 1900 for the purpose of assuming the duties of Deputy Sheriff. In all of his official career not the shadow of suspicion of wrong has rested upon him, and he has given uniform satisfaction to all con- cerned in whatever place he has filled. He was the Democratic nominee for Sheriff in 1894, but was defeated by a Republican can- didate. Mr. Williams' early life was devoted very largely to school teaching, having won a lasting reputation throughout Marion county as an able instructor and his services were always in great demand. He followed this line of work from the time he was twenty-one until he was forty years old, having taught not only in Marion but also Hamilton and Saline counties. He has given his time to the duties of the office of Justice of the Peace, to which he was elected in 1900. He is also engaged in the hotel business, being the present proprietor of the Williams House, which he has managed for ten years. Owing to the courteous treat- ment and excellent accommodations which the traveling public finds at this house, it has a liberal patronage and has become well known to those finding it convenient to stop at a well kept hostelry. The domestic life of Mr. Williams began when he was united in marriage with Juliet Boczkiewicz on March 27, 1859. She was a representative of a highly respected and well known family of this county. By this union the following interesting children have been bora: Henrietta, the wife of George M. Hargrove, of Fayette county, Il- linois; Annetta, deceased; Alfe, the wife of W. W. Newis, of Salem; W. W., of Cen- tralia, this state; Walter, of Ashland, Cass county, Illinois; T. S., of Salem. These children have received good edu- cations and careful home training which is clearly reflected in their lives. Mrs. Williams was called to her rest in 1 88 1, and Mr. Williams was married again in 1884 to Nannie L. Williams, a daughter of T. C. Williams, of Kinmundy, a well known family of that place. There have been no children by this union. Fraternally Mr. Williams is affiliated with the Masonic order, having belonged to this lodge since he was twenty-five years old. He is a member of the Baptist church, and judging from his sober, upright, well ordered daily life one would conclude that he believes in carrying out the sublime pre- cepts and doctrines embraced in both the lodge and the church to which he belongs. Mr. Williams is a man of striking personal- ity, portly with a proper poise of dignity to his military bearing which makes him a con- spicuous figure wherever he goes. He is a pleasant man to meet, always kind, affable, well mannered and congenial; these com- mendable traits coupled with his industry and genuine worth make him a favorite in Marion county and wherever he is known, and he justly merits the high esteem of which he is the recipient. 246 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. JAMES B. LEWIS. Few men in Marion county occupy as prominent position in public and political affairs as the well known and deservedly popular gentleman whose name introduces this article. His has indeed been a busy and successful life and the record is eminently worthy of perusal by the student who would leani the intrinsic essence of individuality and its influence in moulding opinion and giving character and stability to a commu- nity. James B. Lewis, editor and publisher of The Marion County Democrat, and one of the leading journalists of southern Illinois, is a native of Nicholas county, Kentucky, where his birth occurred on the 14th day of November, 1852. His father, O. M. Lewis, who was born and reared to manhood in the state of New York, migrated about 1835 to Ohio where he spent the ensuing ten years, and at the expiration of that time removed to Kentucky where he made his home until his death in the year 1862. O. M. Lewis was a man of fine mind and superior intel- lectual atainments, having enjoyed excellent educational advantages in his native state, graduating when a young man from Alfred Center College. After finishing his educa- tion he engaged in teaching, which profes- sion he followed with marked success in Carlisle and Maysville, Kentucky, until the breaking out of the war with Mexico, when he resigned his position and entering the army served throughout that sti-uggle while still in his minority. Later when the na- tional sky became overcast with the ominous clouds of approaching Civil war he was among the first men of Nicholas county to tender his services to the national govern- ment, enlisting in 1861 in Company H, Eighteenth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, in which he soon rose to the position of cap- tain, and as such served with a brilliant record until August, 1862, when he was killed while bravely leading his men in the battle of Richmond, Kentucky. This was one of the bloodiest of the war, the Eight- eenth Kentucky, a veteran regiment, losing two-thirds of its men, while the losses of several other regiments were almost if not quite as great. Mr. Lewis is said to have been the most popular man in his regiment, and was almost idolized by his own com- pany, during his entire period of service. The Grand Army Post at Carlisle, Ken- tucky, where he enlisted, is called the O. M. Lewis Post in his honor. Although a man of scholarly tastes and habits, and for many years devoted to his books and studies he inherited the martial instinct also being descended from fighting stock on the ma- ternal side, his mother having been a Law- ton, a relative of the late General Lawton, one of America's most distinguished heroes, who lost his life in the Philippines. O. M. Lewis was born on August 30, 1824, mar- ried in 1850 to Elizabeth Mann, of Nicholas county, Kentucky, and became the father of eight children, only three now survive, namely : Mrs. Louisa L. Davidson, of Pa- toka, Illinois, James B., of this review and Mrs. Anna J. Burns who lives in Fresno, BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 247 California. In September following her husband's death, 1863, Mrs. Lewis, with her three children, moved to Marion county, Il- linois, and located about two miles east of Patoka, on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which had been purchased by Mr. Lewis some years previously. In 1865 she became the wife of George Binnion, of Mar- ion county, who was also a soldier during the war of the Rebellion and the son of Francis Binnion, the second marriage result- ing in the birth of two sons, Daniel H., and Frank. At the time of his death, which occurred in the month of July, 1907, at the remarkable age of one hundred and seven years, Francis Binnion was the oldest man in Marion county, if not in the state. James B. Lewis spent his childhood in the state of his birth, and when eleven years old was brought by his mother to Marion county, Illinois, with the subsequent history and progress of which his life has been very closely interwoven. At the proper age he entered the public schools of Patoka, where he pursued his studies until completing the common and high school branches, the training thus received was in Milton, Wis- consin, where he earned an honorable record as a close and painstaking student. On quit- ting college he turned his attention to teach- ing, but after devoting several years to this field of work and finding it not altogether to his liking he discontinued it and took up the study of medicine. After a course of read- ing under the direction of competent local talent he entered the Eclectic Medical Insti- tute at Cincinnati, where he continued his studies and researches until receiving his de- gree in the year 1878, following which he opened an office in Patoka and in due time built up an extensive practice which proved as successful financially as professionally, and which earned for him an honorable reputation among the leading physicians and surgeons of Marion and neighboring coun- ties. Dr. Lewis brought to his chosen calling a mind well disciplined by intellectual and professional training, and it was not long until his practice took a very wide range, embracing not only the town and a large area of adjacent country, but not infre- quently were his sei-vices sought at other and remote points for treatment of difficult and critical cases in which a high degree of ef- ficiency and skill were required. He con- tinued his professional business with encour- aging success until the fall of 1884 when he was elected Clerk of the Marion Circuit Court, and the better to attend to his official functions here moved within a short time to Salem where he has since resided. Doctor Lewis discharged the duties of the clerkship with credit to himself and to the satisfac- tion of the people, and during his incum- bency of four years won the esteem and confidence of all who had business to trans- act in his office, proving a most capable, ju- dicious and obliging public servant. In February, 1889, shortly after the expiration of his official term he established "The Mar- ion County Democrat," which he has since conducted, and which under his able busi- ness and editorial management is now one 248 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. of the best and most influential local papers in the southern part of the state, in many respects comparing favorably with the more pretentious sheets of the larger metropolitan centers. The political creed of The Demo- crat is indicated by its title, and as a party organ it has had much to do in moulding opinion, formulating policies and directing public affairs, the doctor being an elegant and forceful writer, a courteous but fearless antagonist and in discussing the leading questions and issues of the day he wields a trenchant pen and makes his influence felt not only on these but on all other matters which the enterprising journalist is supposed to bring to the attention of the public. The Democrat office is well equipped with the latest modern machinery and appliances for first class work in the art preservative, and in its mechanical make up the paper is fully abreast of the times, all that constitutes a first class newspaper being systematically arranged and a model of neatness and typo- graphical art. Aside from its political phase it is designed to vibrate with the, public pulse and in addition to the news of the day, its columns teem with much of the best current literature and it has also became the medium through which the productions of a number of rising local writers are given publicity. In brief The Democrat is a clean and dig- nified and interesting family paper as well as a popular and influential political organ, and its steady growth in public favor be- speaks for it a future of still greater prom- ise and usefulness. Not only as an editorial moulder of opinion does Mr. Lewis make his influence felt in directing the affairs of his town and county, but as an enterprising public spirited citizen, with the welfare of the community at heart, he has ever been interested in whatever makes for the benefit of his fellow men, encouraging to the extent of his ability all worthy measures and takes the lead in movements having for their ob- ject the social, intellectual and moral ad- vancement of those with whom he mingles. On the 1 2th day of September, 1877, Mr. Lewis was united in the bonds of wedlock with Mona L Quoyle, daughter of Capt. T. H. and Rebecca Quoyle, of Salem, the mar- riage being blessed with six children, four of whom are living, the other two dying in infancy. Anna L., the oldest of the family, is the wife of E. H. Barenfauger, a con- tractor of Salem. Orin M., the second in order of birth is associated with his father in The Democrat office and has achieved honorable repute as an enterprising and capable newspaper man. Before entering the field of journalism he served four years in the United States navy, having visited nearly every country of the old and new world, and completely encircled the globe while with the squadron under the command of Robley D. Evans or "Fighting Bob," one of the most distinguished admir- als of his time. Thomas O., the second son, is a locomotive fireman at the Chicago & Eastern Illinois yards in Salem, while Owen W., the }'oungest of the number is also con- nected with the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railway, holding the position of store keeper at Salem. In his fraternal relations BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 249 Mr. Lewis is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, belonging to the lodges of those organiza- tions in Salem and manifesting a lively in- terest in their deliberations. While not actively engaged in the practice of his pro- fession he is fully abreast of the times on all matters relating to medical science, being a close and diligent student and an untiring investigator, and by keeping in touch with the trend of modern thought maintains not only his interest in the healing art, but the honorable position to which he attained while devoting his entire time and attention to the ills of suffering humanity. During the entire period of his residence in Salem as a physician, public official, edi- tor, as the center of his family circle and as a citizen he has made good his title to the honored name inherited from his ancestors, besides adding to its luster by a strict adherence to duty in every relation to which he has been called. OBEDIAH F. EVANS. The history of the loyal sons and repre- sentative citizens of Marion county, IlHnois, would be incomplete should the name that heads this review be omitted, for it is emi- nently consistent that a record of his labors and achievements, and a tribute to his worth and high character as a business man, public official and entei-prising, broad minded citizen be made at this place. Obediah F. Evans, the present efficient Police Magistrate of Salem, Illinois, is a native son of this county, having first seen the light of day here on March 23, 1844. His father was James Evans, who was a grand- son of W. W. Evans and the son of Obediah Evans, Sr. James Evans was born in West Virginia, December 7, 18 19, and with his father emigrated to Marion county, Illinois, in 1830, settling near Salem, being one of the sterling pioneers that did so much for succeeding generations. In 1838 he was married to Kizzire Morrison, daughter of Joseph Morrison, of Revo- lutionary fame. To this fortunate union nine children were born, four sons and five daughters. When the national govern- ment was in need of loyal sons to save it from disruption, this patriotic father and three sons enlisted in its defense, he on Au- gust 9, 1862, and the sons on August 25, 1861. The father returned home in 1865 after gallant service, leaving two sons be- hind him who had sacrificed their lives on the altar of their country, having fallen in battle, one at Shiloh and the other at Frank- lin, Tennessee. The third son, Obediah, our worthy subject, was only seventeen years old when he enlisted. After perform- ing conspicuous service and conducting him- self with as much bravery and martial spirit as the older members of his regiment, hav- ing borne the brunt of battle at the momen- tous and sanguinary conflict at Shiloh, Ten- nessee, toward the close of that great engagement he was struck by a canister and seriously wounded so that his discharge from the aiTny was a necessity, greatly to ^.so BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. his regret. After the war Mr. Evans re- turned to his home in Salem. James Evans was called from his earthly labors October 24, 1898. The subject's mother, a woman of beautiful Christian character and numer- ous commendable attributes, was called to her rest in 1877. Grandmother Evans was the third person to be buried in the cemetery at Salem, her death having occurred in 1834. Joseph Morrison, grandfather of the subject, on his maternal side, died at the age of seventy-six years in 1836. He is buried at Mt. Maria church, seven miles south of Salem. The ancestry of the subject were numbered among the best and most in- dustrious people of their day and generation. Our subject's domestic life dates from November 10, 1863, when he was married to Lucy J. Tingle, the accomplished and genial daughter of Lloyd Tingle, a well known citizen of Henderson county, Ken- tucky, and to this union nine children have been born, namely: Charles E., bom Sep- tember 8, 1864; Harry D., president of the Salem Drug Company, of this city, whose date of birth occurred on August 30, 1866; Nellie Grant, wife of J. W. Asbury, of O'Fallon, Illinois, was born in 1868. He is a school teacher, and they are the parents of five sons and one daughter. Carrie Belle, the fourth child, is the wife of Ed. F. Mu- nier, of Springfield, Missouri, who is a ma- chinist. She was born in 1870 and is the mother of two sons and two daughters, ohe pair of twins. Ida Frank, the fifth child, who was born March 23, 1873, is the wife of W N. Hufif, living on a farm south of Salem, he being a carpenter by occupation, and they are the parents of seven children,, three sons and four daughters; Anna Lee, who was born in April, 1876, is the wife of T. M. Lutz, who is engaged in the railway mail service at St. Louis, Missouri, and they are the parents of two boys ; George G., who was born in 1881 is in the United States, army now (1908) located at Camp Keeth- ley, Philippine Islands; Lucy Blanche, who was born in 1883, is the wife of W. F. Peri- man, a machinist employed by McMackin & Vursells Hardware Company at Salem, Illinois; Marshall J., who was bom in 1887, is single, living in Salem and a carpenter by trade. These nine children are comfortably situ- ated in life and they received every care and attention possible by their solicitous parents, and as a result of the wholesome home en- vironment and the uplifting influence that was always thrown around them, all of the children have made honorable and useful men and women. The subject has twenty- six grandchildren, seven sons-in-law and daughters-in-law and one grand-son-in-law. Neither Mr. Evans nor any of his children has e\-er lost a child, a most remarkable record for such a large family. In rearing his family Mr. Evans did not think it at all irksome to work fourteen hours a day, if necessary. Our subject was engaged in farming and stock buying for several years after his mar- riage, and he was engaged in buying horses and mules for the firm of Evans & Daven- port, the latter an old resident of Salem and BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 25r an uncle of Hon. W. J. Bryan. Mr. Daven- port practiced medicine for a number of years. After this Mr. Evans went on a farm south of Salem and bought timber land, having cleared over three hundred acres of heavily timbered land and marketed it. In 1898 he retired from the farm and moved to Salem and again engaged in buying horses and mules. In whatever he engaged the result was always the same — gratifying suc- cess. He was a very successful agricultur- ist, keeping his farm up to the high stand- ard of Marion county's valuable farms, and he is regarded as one of the best judges of horses and mules in the county. In 1900 Mr. Evans was elected Justice of the Peace and he filled this office with entire satisfaction to all concerned, his decisions having been at all times fair and impartial and seldom if ever being reversed at the hands of a higher tribunal. In the same year Mr. Evans began to deal in real estate, open- ing up a nicely furnished office in which he also soon added insurance and since that time he has devoted the major portion of his time to the office, building up an excellent business and becoming widely known for the unusual fairness of his deals and the public has been pleased to put explicit con- fidence in him when any matters of these lines are to be transacted. Recognizing his innate ability as a judi- ciary and because of his former record of honor and his poularity, the friends of Mr. Evans elected him Police Magistrate of the city of Salem in 1906, having been elected on the Citizen's ticket for a term of four years. Our subject affiliated with the Re- publican party up to 1884, but becoming dis- satisfied he turned Prohibitionist for one year, directing his efforts to the success of this party, after which the Union Labor party was organized in Marion county and he cast his lot with them until 1891. At this time he helped organize the Populist party. He became Chairman of the County Central Committee, Chairman of the Con- gressional Committee, and a member of the State Committee. In 1896 when Bryan was first nominated for President he felt there was no longer need of the Populist party and he has since been a Democrat. In 1898 he was Chairman of the Populist State Com- mittee. In 1890 he was elected Justice of the Peace as a Democrat and served four years. He is a great admirer of Mr. Bryan, having known five generations of this fam- ily. Mr. Evans is a man of exemplary habits, temperate in all things and a man of good repute. He says his motto has long been, "Meet life with a smile," and "Always say no at the right time and in the right way and you will always be a success." With this end in view he has made life not only pleasant for himself and family, but also to those with whom he has come in contact, being regarded by all who know him as a pleasant, kind, affable, honest, public-spir- ited gentleman of the highest type, and a better, abler or more widely known and popular man than Mr. Evans could not be found within the borders of Marion county where he has spent his eminently useful life 25^ BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. and where he has done so much for the bet- terment of civic, educational, moral and re- ligious movements. FRANK A. ROGERS. In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extrava- gant praise, yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts , which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life — a life characterized by per- severance, energy, broad charity and well defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon Mr. Rogers by the people who have known him so long and well. Frank A. Rogers, the present popular County Treasurer of Marion county, was born in Omega, this county, April i, 1871, and while still a young man has left the in- delible imprint of his strong personality upon the locality where he has spent his life. The father of the subject was \^'■illiam A. Rogers, a native of Tennessee, who came to this county in 1854. He was engaged all his life in agricultural pursuits, and he was a man of great influence in his community, and was Supervisor of his township for fif- teen years, also Justice of the Peace for twenty years, and he was chairman of the County Board at the time of his death, Feb- ruary 24, 1 89 1. The subject's mother was Rebecca Chapman in her maidenhood. She was born in Omega township, this county, November 25, 1846, and is still living in 1908 on the old homestead. She is a woman of refinement and gracious personality which has won hosts of friends. To Mr. and Mrs. William A. Rogers the following children were bom : Leva, who died in infancy; the second in order of birth was our subject; Luther A., living at Welling- ton, Kansas ; Giles N., of luka, Illinois ; Daniel C, deceased; Leo Delbert, of Poca- hontas, Iowa; Paul, of Omega township. The subject's father was twice married. His first wife was Minerva Jane Craig. Frank A. Rogers lived at home until he was twenty-one years old, assisting with the work about the farm until he had acquired sufficient education to begin teaching. Be- ing an ambitious lad he always applied him- self diligently to his text-books and conse- quently outstripped most of the common plodders that made up the roll of contem- poraneous school-fellows in his neighbor- hood, and he has since greatly added to his early foundation in educational matters by coming in contact with the world and by sys- tematic home study. But few men are to be met with in the state of Illinois who are any better informed on current topics of a gen- eral nature than INIr. Rogers, for he has al- ways been a close student of the trend of events, politically, scientifically and in other leading issues. He followed teaching for a period of seventeen years in Marion county, during which time he established an envied reputation as an instructor and his sei-vices were in great demand. He was not only BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 253 popular for his superior text-book learning, but his kind and pleasing personality, his peculiar insight in the characters of his pu- pils, which made it easy for him to control and properly direct each pupil, made him popular with all classes of people. Mr. Rogers always took a deep interest in political movements, being a stanch advo- cate of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, with which he has been affiliated from the time of attaining his ma- jority, and he has ever lent his aid in fur- thering the party's cause and is well forti- fied in his political convictions, while he is essentially public-spirited and progressive. Being animated with the laudable ambition for political preferment and his general popularity having been long ago well estab- lished, it is not strange that his fellow citi- zens singled him out for offices of public trust, and he held the office of Supervisor of ' Omega township for two terms. He was also chairman of the County Board and County Board of Review in 1903. He was nomi- nated for County Treasurer on the Demo- cratic ticket August 4, 1906, by a majority of eight hundred and was easily elected over a strong opponent the following November, and is serving the duties of the office with great credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, not only his constituents but members of other parties as well, being generally regarded as one of the best officials the county has ever had, especially in the Treasurer's office. The subject has made his home in Salem since December, following the election. The subject's happy and harmonious do- mestic life dates from September 25, 1892, when he was united in marriage to Lillie M. Kagy, who was born April 7, 1875, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William B. Kagy, a well known, highly respected and influ- ential family of Marion county. Mrs. Rogers is a highly cultured and accom- plished lady of pleasing manner and many commendable attributes of mind and heart and she presides over their comfortable and cozy home with grace and dignity and she is popular among the best class of Marion county's estimable women. The following bright and interesting chil- dren have come into the home of our subject and wife, thereby adding cheer arid sunshine to the family circle: Herschell, born June 28, 1894; Hazel, born October 5, 1897; Ver- non v., born April 15, 1902, surviving only till October 4th, the same year; Rolla, who was born August 5, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are both held in high esteem for their friendly manners, wholesome domestic life and upright public lives which have resulted in winning and retaining the friendship of all who know them. CARLOS A. FELTMAN, M. D. He whose name initiates this paragraph is a representative of one of the old and honored families of Marion county, Illinois, ■254 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. where he has lived from the time of his .birth and where he has gained personal prestige and success in one of the most noble and exacting of all vocations to which a man may devote himself, being engaged in the practice of his profession at Salem and con- trolling a large business as physician and surgeon, while he has gained precedence by reason of his devotion to his profession and his marked ability as an exponent of ad- vanced and practical medical science, at the same time establishing a record of honor. Dr. Carlos A. Feltman was born in Salem, Illinois, September ii, 1856, the son ■of Charles Feltman, a man of much sterling- worth and influence in his community who was born in Strausburg, Germany, and was one of the earliest German settlers in Marion ■county, Illinois. He was a successful baker for many years and later was engaged in the mercantile business at which he was equally successful, having built up an ex- ■cellent trade with the surrounding country districts. He spent nearly his entire life ih Salem and passed to his reward in 1875. The subject's mother, who was a woman of many admirable attributes, was known in her maidenhood as Mary Appel. She was born in Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, and she passed to her rest in 1888. The parents of the subject were married in St. Louis, Missouri. They received a fairly good education and were people of refine- ment and high character, having reared their children, of whom there were eight in num- ber, in a wholesome atmosphere which modified and deeply influenced their subse- quent careers. Following are the names of their children: Emil, deceased; Ellen, who married R. E. Fletcher and who died in Grand Junction, Colorado; H. C, deceased, was a prominent attorney at law and was grand scribe of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at the time of his death; Wil- liam W. is deceased; the next in order of birth was Carlos A., our subject; Lenora, deceased ; C. E., who is with the Eli Walker Dry Goods Company, of St. Louis, Mis- souri; R. B., who is in the mercantile busi- ness at Grand Junction, Colorado. Doctor Feltman remained a member of the home circle until he reached manhood, having attended the common schools in Salem until he finished the prescribed course. Being a diligent student he made excellent grades and received a good education. He went into newspaper work, believing that journalism offered peculiar attractions. He worked as a printer for three years. In the meantime he felt that his calling was in another direction, the more praiseworthy art of medicine, consequently he began studying during spare moments and finally entered the Louisville Medical College at Louisville, Kentucky, where he remained one term, after which he attended the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, from which he graduated with high honor in 1882 in the same class with Dr. M. D. Foster, the present Congressman from this district. Our subject showed from the time he first entered medical college that he had a peculiar aptitude and unusual talents for this line of endeavor and his subsequent life. BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 255 which has been remarkably successful, shows that he would have made a grave mistake had he adopted any other profes- sion as a life work. Doctor Feltman returned to his native community after graduation, beginning practice at Salem. His success was in- stantaneous and his ability became so gen- erally known that he was selcted to the im- portant post of United States Indian Physi- cian at Fort Apache, Arizona, during Presi- dent Cleveland's first administration. He was eminently successful in this new field, but he finally desired to return to his native state, and in 1888 began practice at Beards- town, Illinois, which he carried on with the greatest success for a period of fourteen years, building up a very large practice and becoming City Health Officer, also a mem- ber of the Board of Education. He was also Secretary of the Pension Board under Cleveland's second administration, also Cor- oner of Cass county from 1896 to 1900; later County Physician of Cass county. Af- ter filling all these positions to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, showing pro- nounced innate executive ability as well as superior medical skill, in 1900, greatly to the regret of his large patronage. Doctor Feltman moved away from Beardstown, lo- cating at his old home in Salem. Useless to say that his practice was large from the first, for he had long ago firmly established a reputation here. He is a member of the Board of Education at Salem and is County Physician. He was nominated by his party for Coroner in 1908 and his nomination was regarded by not only the Democrats, but members of other party affiliations as well, to be a most fortunate on. He was elected at the ensuing election by a large majority over his opponent. The domestic life of Doctor Feltman dates from January i, 1888, when he was happily married at Salem to Mayme E. Fulks, the refined and accomplished daugh- ter of T. Charles Fulks. She received a fairly good educational training and is a representative of a well known and influ- ential family. Two interesting children, who, in their youth, give promise of successful and happy future careers, have added cheer and sun- shine to the cozy home of Doctor and Mrs. Feltman. Their names are Blanche and Mabel, nineteen and seventeen years old, respectively, in 1908. They are both apt students and of winsome personalities. Fraternally our subject is a member of the Masonic Order, the Woodmen and the Independent Order of Foresters, and hisf daily life would indicate that he believes in carrying out the sublime precepts of each. He is a strict Presbyterian in religious faith. However, he is not a member of any church, although all his family subscribes to the church in Salem. Doctor Feltman is of a public-spirited na- ture, genial personality, uprightness of prin- ciple and habits of industry. He is re- garded by the people of Marion county as one of their ablest and most eminent citizens. ;56 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. WILLIAM KELL BUNDY. The life of the early settlers in any com- munity has ever contained much to interest and entertain us. There is something ro- mantic about the iniggedness of their lives and the uncertainties they had to face which holds a fascination for us today. The family of the subject of this sketch were among the earliest inhabitants of the county in which they lived, and the hardworking lives they lived were much more eventful than the life of the average farmer of today. William K. Bundy was born in section No. I, Centralia township, Marion county, Illinois, on May 4, 1827, and was the son of Frederick and Mary Bundy. His mother, whose maiden name was Wilson, was bom in North Carolina, coming from the region of the famous Blue Ridge Mountains. Fred- erick Bundy was the son of Jonathan Bundy, of Tennessee, who came to Marion county, Illinois, as early as 1825 or 1826, settling near Walnut Hill, where "he soon afterward died. His wife belonged to a well known family of Tennessee named Dorcas. They had four children, all sons — Robert, John and William, who settled in the vicin- ity of Walnut Hill, and the father of the subject of our sketch, Frederick Bundy, who settled in section No. i, "Centralia township. Frederick Bundy's father-in-law, John Wilson, married in his native state of North Carolina. He was a farmer who on becom- ing attacked with the western fever, went westward to Illinois. There he settled north- east of Salem. On the death of his first wife he married a widow named Jones. Their maiTied years must have been happy ones, for upon a third matrimonial venture he espoused another widow named Kelley. After a long and active life he died on the farm. The children by his first wife num- bered seven. In regular order they were: Mary, Nancy, Jane, Margaret, Samuel, Dorrington, and Sylvester. Mary, the eld- est daughter, was the mother of the subject of our sketch. The children born to John Wilson's second wife numbered three. Frederick Bundy, living in a different period from ours, had no chance to go to school. His education had to be self-ob- tained. He did not fail to sieze the oppor- tunities which came his way, and so became a remarkably well informed man. At the time the family came to Illinois the journey was made in the old time cumberous team wagons. The family of the mother of our sketch also arrived by means of the same mode of travel. Centralia township at the time Frederick Bundy settled there in 1826, was as yet in its original wild state. As may be supposed, wild game and beasts of prey of many varie- ties abounded there, particularly wolves. He remembered the howls and blood-cur- dling "ki-yiings" of the timber-wolves, to which he lay awake listening on many a night inside of the rough log-cabin which he had built with his own hands. In time he cleared the land and erected for himself a suitable home, and otherwise much im- proved the property which embraced four hundred acres. For years he carried on an WILLIAM BUNDY. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 257 active farming business and raised consid- erable amount of stock. Frederick Bundy was politically a staunch Democrat, and in those days he had to go over to Salem at election times to record his vote. In reli- gious life he was a member of the Christian church. His wife died in February, 1848, and the demise of the inseparable companion of his life's journey was a great loss. He died in the fall of 1849, having, however, married secondly Elizabeth Walker, and leaving a son by that marriage. He had eight children by his first wife, the eldest of which was the subject of this sketch, William K. The others were: Alexander, who married first Margaret Breeze, and afterwards another member of that family, and who is a farmer in Washington ; Nancy Jane, deceased, first married James Harper, and afterwards Reuben Alderson; Dorcas married Sydney Harmon, both of whom are dead; Jeanette, who married, also died; John joined the One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment, Company H, at the outbreak of the Civil war and died while in the service of his country ; Robert was also in the Civil war, enlisting in Jefferson county, Illinois, and died of small pox during his term of service; Sallie, another daughter, married Thomas J. Hollowell and lives in Washing- ton with her husband. The life of William Kell Bundy, the sub- ject of this sketch, has been an adventurous one. In early life he received the limited education afforded at the only available local institutions of learning — the subscription schools. He remained at home doing nec- 17 essary work on the farm until 1847, when at that martial period he enlisted in Company C, No. I , United States army for the Mexi- can war. His military career began by his being sent to Alton, Illinois, and later to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and later par- ticipated in the march across the desert to Santa Fe. He was on the march sixty days, which was a tedious one. Later he took part in the advance upon old Albuquerque, the Mexican capital. Here he remained until 1848, where he did guard duty, and finally marched back. On his return he re- mained with his father superintending the old homestead until the latter' s death, at which time he bought forty acres of it, on which he lived for fifteen years. In 1863 he changed to his present abode in section No. 6, Raccoon township. At different times the area of his land increased until he had at one time three hundred and fifty acres; the greater part of which he has since divided among his children. All the improvements on the place have been the fruits of his labor and supervision. He has principally raised stock on the farm, cattle, horses, sheep and hogs, and has also evinced an interest in the fancy and finer breeds. William K. Bundy married first Eliza- beth, the daughter of Isaac and Sarah Mc- Clelland. Isaac was an early settler in Ma- rion county, Illinois, near Walnut Hill. He followed the occupation of farmer and stock dealer. On the death of his first wife, Mr. Bundy married a second time on October 20, 1887, Mildred Annie Gaines, of Sumner county, near Nashville, Tennessee. She was 258 BEINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. the daughter of Henry Gaines. Her mother's own name was Marian Bradley, of Nash- viUe, Tennessee. They came to Marion county, Ilhnois, in 1850, and settled in Ste- venson township. There Henry Gaines and his wife farmed during the remainder of their lives. He died in 1850, and his wife in 1856. They had eight children, of which Mildred Annie, the second wife of William K. Bundy, was the seventh. Of the others. Hazel married C. Tracy; P. D. is a farmer in Stevenson township ; Josephine, the third, is dead; Martha is also dead; Henrietta E., the widow of Sidney Charlton, lives in Odin township; Agnes is still on the farmstead and is single; Z. T. lives in Jefferson county. The second marriage of William K. Bundy has given him the following chil- dren,' seven in number. Mary Rebecca, the wife of John French; Sarah Jane, who is Mrs. Robinson, living at Sedalia, Washing- ton; Elizabeth, who married John Lamont, since deceased, lives in Oklahoma; Joseph- ine, who married George West, of Odin township; Isaac M., who is a farmer in Rac- coon township married Sarah Johnson; Fred, who lives at home and is unmarried, went through the Spanish-American war as a member of Company G, Third Regiment U. S. another child, Catherine died young. Though now in his eighty-second year, William Kell Bundy possesses a mind of un- usual transparency. He is still well able to review in detail the memories and exploits of a long and varied career. In politics the subject of our sketch is a life-long follower of the Democracy. His first vote for a presidential candidate was recorded years ago when it went to James K. Polk, who figured in an eventful election. In religion he is a member of the Christian church, in the interests of which he has ever been active. He is now in the mellow period of a long life which has always been at the service of home and country. He has ful- filled the duties of a long life; he is sur- rounded by an affectionate circle of sons and daughters; he has the friendship and good wishes of a host of friends. Is not this as much as any of us can hope for in the even- ing of life. J. T. JONES, M. D. The physician who would succeed in his profession must possess many qualities of head and heart not included in the curricu- lum of the schools and colleges he may have attended. In analyzing the career of the successful practitioner of the healing art it will invariably be found true that a broad-minded sympathy with the sick and suffering and an honest, earnest desire to aid his afflicted fellow men have gone hand in hand with skill and able judgment. The gentleman to whom this brief tribute is given fortunately embodies these necessary qualifications in a marked degree and by energy and application to his professional duties is building up an enviable reputation and drawing to himself a large and re- munerative practice, being recognized as one of the leading physicians of this locality and a man of honor and integrity at all times. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 259 Dr. J. T. Jones was born in Foster town- ship, Marion county, Illinois, August 26, 1861, and "his sober wishes never learned to stray," consequently he has preferred to remain on his native prairie rather than seek uncertain fortunes elsewhere. His father is Eli W. Jones, a native of the same township .and county. Grandfather James Jones was an early pioneer of Marion county and a man of many sterling qualities which have outcropped in our subject to a marked de- gree. He was a Southerner of the finest type. His residence was used in an early ■day for the purpose of holding church ser- vices, he being an active and ardent Metho- dist. He is living at this writing, 1908, in Foster township on a fine farm where he lias become influential and widely known. He was Circuit Clerk from 1872 to 1876. He makes his home at present in Vernon. He was a soldier in Company H, Twenty- «ixth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he served through the war, having inarched with Sherman to the sea and lost a leg in the final battle at Bentonville, North Carolina, the last battle fought by Sherman. He was in many hard fought battles of the Army of the Tennessee, being in the Fif- teenth Army Corps, and in all he took part in about thirty engagements. After the war he returned to his farm. The maiden name of the mother of the subject was Mary Ryman, a native of Pennsylvania. Her father was Dr. J. R. Ryman, who was an early Methodist minister, later becoming a physician. He came to Marion county when a young man, and was at one time Circuit Clerk of the county and also School Commissioner, being one of the founders of the Western Christian Advocate at St. Louis, Missouri. He died about 1877. The mother of the subject is living at this writing. Three children were bom to these parents, our subject being the only one now living. The subject's maternal grandmother was Martha Dickens, a daughter of Samuel Dickens, a pioneer Baptist minister. Doctor Jones spent his boyhood on his father's farm, attending the country schools at Fosterburg, and when the family came to Salem in 1872 he attended school in in Salem in 1872 he attended school in Salem from 1872 to 1878, graduating from the high school here in 1878 with high honor. After leaving school he clerked one year in a store at Vernon, but believing that his true calling lay along medical lines rather than the mercantile, he began the study of medicine, making rapid progress from the first. He entered the St. Louis Medical College in 1880 from which he graduated in March, 1884, having made a brilliant record for scholarship. He lo- cated first at Warsaw, Missouri, practicing there with eminent success until 1889, when, much to the regret of his many friends and patients, he left that town and came to Ver- non, Illinois, where he remained, building up a lucrative practice, until 1907, in which year he came to Salem, having moved his family here a year previous. Doctor Jones took a post-graduate course in the medical department of the University of St. Louis in 1906. He has been very successful in his 26o BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. practice in Marion county, having a large business at present and he is often called to other localities on serious and important cases where his superior medical advice is sought by local practitioners whose skill has been baffled, and his counsels are always followed by gratifying results. The domestic life of our subject dates from April 25, 1891, when he was united in marriage with Carrie E. Bennett, who was born and reared in Salem, the accom- plished and refined daughter of J. J. Ben- nett, an early pioneer of Marion county and was the first president of the Salem Na- tional Bank, which position he held until within a few years of his death. Mary Oglesby was the maiden name of the sub- ject's mother, who was the first girl baby born in Salem. Her great-grandfather, Mark Tully, entered land on which the city of Salem is built. He gave the site where the court house stands. This family was one of the best known in the early history of the county. Our subject and wife have two children, a bright boy and a winsome girl, the former, Don Paul, having been born January 28, 1892, and the latter, Nellie, was born May 22, 1895. Doctor Jones has been thrifty and has accumulated a fair competence as a result of his well directed energies. He owns a valuable and highly improved farm in Fos- ter township, and has numerous real estate holdings in Marion county. He is a member of the county, state and national medical associations, and he belongs to the Masonic Fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen, the Sons of Vet- erans and the Yeomen. The home of Dr. and Mrs. Jones is modern, cozy, nicely furnished and is pre- sided over with rare grace and dignity by the latter who is often hostess to warm friends who hold her in high esteem. This worthy couple is regarded by all classes as meriting the confidence and regard which are unqualifiedly proffered to them. O. A. JAMES. The subject of this sketch is not the example of a man whom the inscrutable caprice of fortune or fate has suddenly placed in a conspicuous position in the busi- ness world but he has attained to the same through careful preparation during long years of toil and endeavor, for he realized early in his career that success comes to the deserving, and that to be deserving, one must be industrious and persistent, so he forged ahead, surmounting obstacles that would have daunted and diverted the course of less courageous spirits. O. A. James, the popular and efficient assistant cashier of the Salem State Bank, who has, while yet a young man, left the indelible imprint of his personality upon the people with whom he has come in con- tact, was bom in Salem, Illinois, in 1879. He is the son of Joshua L. James, a native of Middle Tennessee and the representative BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 261 of a fine old Southern family. He came to Il- linois in 1853, settling in Williamson county, where he lived for twenty-five years, having been reasonably prosperous during that time and becoming known as a hard worker and a man of the best habits. He then came to Marion county, settling near Alma, where he also remained a quarter of a century, de- veloping a good farm and making a com- fortable living by reason of his habits of industry and economy. Desiring to spend the remaining years of his life in the city and enjoy a respite from his arduous agri- cultural pursuits, Mr. James moved to Salem in 1902 and he has since made his home here. The grandfather of the subject on his paternal side was John Wesley James, a native of Tennessee, and an excellent farmer who passed to his rest about 1893 after a long and honorable life. His death occurred in Williamson county, this state, where he spent the major part of his life. Joseph L. Wnorowski, the subject's grandfather on his mother's side, was born in Russia and received his education in the city of Moscow. He came to America when thirty years old, finally settling in Salem, Illinois, where he spent his remaining years, dying about 1890. The subject's mother was known in her maidenhood as Sophia E. Wnorowski, who was born and reared in Salem where she received a common school education and developed many praiseworthy character- istics. She is living at this writing (1908). Six children were bom to the parents of the subject, five of whom are still living, named in order of birth as fol- lows : Mrs. Florence Brasel, of Cartter, Illi- nois; O. A., our subject; Mrs. Berdie E. Stroment, living in Salem, this county ; Guy L., of Wooden, Iowa; Mrs. Jesse Brasel, living at Terre Haute, Indiana. These children all received a good com- mon schooling and were reared in a home of the most wholesome atmosphere, conse- quently they have developed characters of a A'ery commendable type. Our subject attended the common schools of Salem, from which he gradu- ated in 1897. But being amibitious for more learning and to become a teacher, he later attended the Carbondale State Normal School for some time. Not yet satisfied he entered Austin College at Effingham; then took a course in the Eastern State Normal at Charleston, thus gaining a splendid edu- cation, for he made a brilliant record for scholarship in all these institutions. After leaving school he began teaching, which he followed in a most successful and praiseworthy manner for a period of five years, having taught three years in Marion county public schools, one year as principal at Central City, Illinois, and one year as principal of the high school at Kinmundy, in all of which he showed that he not only had acquired a great fund of serviceable knowledge which he had a penchant for readily and clearly dispensing, but that he possessed the other necessary prerequisites of head and heart to make a first class and a high grade educator, and his reputation 262 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. had overspread the bounds of Marion county, causing his services to be in great demand, when, much to the regret of pupils and school boards he gave up his teaching and accepted the position as assistant post- master at Salem the duties of which he at- tended to in a most able manner for a period of two years, when he resigned to become Deputy Circuit Clerk, having been appointed for a period of four years, and here he again displayed his great innate ability as a careful and painstaking business man by handling the duties devolving upon this po- sition with all dispatch and alacrity and in a most satisfactory manner to all concerned, when after a year in this office he tendered his resignation to become assistant cashier in the Salem State Bank, which very respon- sible and envied position had been proffered by the heads of that institution after they had carefully considered the names of many young and talented business men for the place, believing that Mr. James was the best qualified to handle the work in this con- nection, and the praiseworthy manner and wonderful technical skill he has displayed in this responsible position since taking up the duties of the same, shows that the man- agers of this institution were wise in their decision and selection. Mr. James is still thus connected with the Salem State Bank and has given entire satisfaction and in- creased the popularity and prestige of this already popular and sound institution. Mr. James is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and the Wood- men, in his fraternal relations, and he is a faithful and consistent member of the Chris- tian church. He is known to be scrupu- lously honest, courteous and a gentleman of the highest address and honor and owing to the fact that our subject is yet quite a young man and has achieved such a place of honor and trust the future augurs great things for him. AUGUSTIN ROBERT WILLIAMS. By reason of numerous rare innate quali- ties, together with his pleasing personal qualities, together with his pleasing personal address, his honesty of purpose and his loyalty to his native community, Mr. Wil- liams has reached a conspicuous round in the ladder of success in his chosen field of endeavor and justly merits the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him. A. R. Williams, the popular and well known teller of the Salem State Bank, Salem, Illinois, is a native of Marion county, ha^■ing first seen the light of day in the city of Salem on December 15, 1875, the son of Rowland H. A'A'illiaras, a native of New York City, who was born near Delaney street. He early decided to leave the con- gested metropolis and seek his fortune in the freer and less trammeled A\'est, and consequently in casting about for an oppor- tunity to properly get his initial start in the business world he decided to try Ohio and soon set out for Columbus and finally lo- cated near that city, then in about 1870 he came to Salem, Illinois, where he elected to BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 263 remain, being impressed with the superior prospects of the place. He was proprietor of the Salem Marble Works for a number of years and at the time of his death, which oc- curred on December 10, 1890, he was post- master of Salem, this important appoint- ment having been made in recognition of his valuable services and his unflagging loyalty to the principles of the party then in power. He also showed his loyalty to the Union by enlisting in the Eighty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Regiment, serving with credit throughout the war between the states. The grandfather of the subject on the paternal side of the house was Robert Wil- liams, a native of Wales, he and his good wife having settled in New York and later coming to Ohio. His wife, late in life, came to Salem where she died. The grandmother of the subject on his maternal side was a native of Tennessee. She, too, died in Salem where she had lived only a few years, having been called to her eternal sleep shortly after the war. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Margaret Keeney, a na- tive of near old Foxville, Illinois, this county, the daughter of A. W. Keeney, who moved from Indiana to Marion county where he settled on a farm, but moved to Salem during the Civil war. He had a son killed in the battle of Shiloh and this caused him to desert the old farm homestead and move to Salem. He was associated with Seth Andrews in the Salem Milling Com- pany of Salem for many years. The last few years of his life he lived in retirement. He passed away July 2, 1890. The mother of the subject, a woman of many praise- worthy traits, is still living in 1908. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rowland H. Williams, one having died in. infancy. Frank L. Williams, the living brother of the subject, was bom in Salem May 25, 1881, and is a well known con- tractor. A. R. Williams, our subject, spent his boyhood in Salem attending the local schools, having graduated from the Salem high school in 1893, after making a splen- did record for scholarship. Mr. Williams was with Cutler & Hays in the mercantile business, during which time he added very much to the prestige of the firm and won scores of customers from all over the county by reason of his courteous treatment and conscientious work, and the fact that his ser- vices were so long continued by this firm is a criterion that they were eminently satis- factory in every particular. Desiring to bet- ter fit himself for a business career which he soon determined should be his life's chief aim, he entered Brown's Business College at Centralia, from which he graduated with distinction in 1906. The unusual ability of Mr. Williams was soon known to the business people of Salem and when the State Bank became in need of an efficient and reliable teller, no one worthier of the place could be found than our subject, consequently he was en- treated to accept this important post, which he did on December 26, 1906, after resign- 264 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ing his position with Cutler and Hays, much to their regret, for they well knew that they would have much difficulty in fill- ing the place of such a valuable man. Mr. Williams has shown rare business ability in handling his new position and has given entire satisfaction to his employers from the first, having become known as one of the most trusted and thoroughly efficient bank tellers in this part of the state. A. R. Williams was married to Miss Olive M. Peters, of Sandoval, Illinois, October 25, 1908. She is a daughter of D. M. and Lydia (Neff) Peters. Fraternally Mr. Williams is a member of the ancient and honorable order of Masons, a member of Cyrene Commandery No. 23, Knights Templar, of Centralia, also a member of the Indepaident Order of Odd Fellows at Salem; he is also a member of the Wood- men and the Modem American Fraternal Order. Mr. Williams is strong in his religious convictions, being a faithful member of the Presbyterian church. CHARLES D. MERRITT. The subject of this sketch is the repre- sentative of an old and influential family which has been identified with the history of Marion county from the pioneer days and he is a worthy scion of such noble ancestors as he can claim, for all the years of his manhood have been characterized by an un- faltering devotion to his country's good and his interest in the improvement of his native locality has been repeatedly shown by the aid he has given to plans for the general improvement and advancement. His name is a synonym for integrity in business af- fairs, and his life history proves conclusively that success may be won through persever- ance, strong determination and diligence. Charles D. Merritt was born in Salem, Illinois, where he now resides and where he has spent his entire life on September 2, 1863, the son of John H. Merritt, a native of New York City, where he was bom in 1830 and where he made his home until 1850. He was a printer by trade and was very adept in his art. The grandfather of the subject was John W. Merritt, who was born July 4, 1806, in New York City. He was a lawyer by profession and achieved considerable notoriety as an able member of the bar. He came to Illinois about 1850 and located in Salem and where in Novem- ber, 1 85 1, he estabhshed The Salem Advo- cate, which he successfully managed for a few years, after which John H. Merritt, father of the subject, managed the paper with continued success for a number of years and then disposed of it. In 1876 he es- tablished The Marion County Herald and in 1879 he purchased The Advocate again and consolidated the two papers under the name of Herald-Advocate, which he con- tinued to successfully edit up to the time of his death, Febmai-y 3, 1888. After the consolidation, which rendered this fearless exponent of the people's rights one of the BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 265 strongest papers of its kind in this part of the state, the property increased gradually in value and had a wide patronage, for it was ably managed and Mr. Merritt's edi- torials were always eagerly read, especially when great issues were before the local peo- ple for settlement, for they knew that his ideas were always of great weight and that he was ever ready to defend the rights of his locality. Grandfather Merritt, after a long and eminently useful life was called from his earthly labors in 1879. The Merritt family is of French descent. The grandmother of the subject was known as Julia DeForest in her maidenhood. She is a native of one of the Eastern states, where she was bom Feb- ruary 14, 1808, and she passed to her rest sometime before her husband. The mother of our subject was formerly Mar- garet Bumgardner, who was born in Ohio, November 16, 1837. She is now living in Salem and is known as a woman of high culture and many commendable traits. Seven children were born to the subject's parents, two of whom are living at pres- ent. The names of these children follow : Willis, who was born in i860, died in 1893; Frank, who was bom in 1862, died in infancy ; Charles D., whose name appears at the head of this sketch ; Fred, whose date of birth was 1865, lives in Salem; Harry, de- ceased ; Omer, who is also deceased ; Maude, who was bom in 1876, died in 1879. These children were given every attention and ad- vantage possible by their parents. Charles D. Merritt, our subject, has spent his entire life in Marion county and he received his primary education in Sa- lem, having made a good record in the local cshools, completing the prescribed course. When only sixteen years old he took a position with C. R. Rogers as a delivery boy and drove the first delivery wagon ever driven in Salem. From this he went into his father's newspaper office in 1881 and he has been identified with the printing business ever since. At this writing he is conducting one of the best, most extensive and modern job printing offices in this part of the state, having established this plant here in 1897, since which time he has been doing a lucra- tive business. When his father died in 1888 our sub- ject became editor and proprietor of The Herald-Advocate, which he successfully conducted until, he sold out in 1892 to Charles E. Hull, the present proprietor. Mr. Merritt not only understands the minute and great art of wielding the printer's ink, but he also understands handling the edi- torial end of a paper, although his work has been very largely in the mechanical de- partment. Our subject was united in marriage on October 11, 1887, to Carrie Hall, the daugh- ter of Henry R. Hall, a well known family of Sandoval, Illinois, and four children have been bom to this union, named in order of birth as follows: Dean, who was born June 12, 1889;. Hall, who was born Octo- ber 4, 1891 ; Fay, who was born November 4, 1894; Margaret, whose date of birth oc- curred March 25, 1901. These children are 266 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. all bright and give every promise of sucess- ful futures. Mr. Merritt has always been a public- spirited man and he has been favored with many offices of public trust, having filled the office of City Treasurer of Salem for one year and City Aldemian for two years, and while in these capacities he rendered the city valuable services, discharging his du- ties with the same care and detail as if it had been private affairs and he secured many things that were beneficial to the resi- dents of this place, having been instrumental in no small degree in securing the present splendid and up-to-date electric light plant, in fact, it will be remembered that Mr. Mer- ritt was the Alderman who made the motion that gave to Salem its present lighting fa- cilities. He is now a director of the Salem School Board and he also served for four years as a school director some years ago. He takes an active interest in school affairs, and during his incumbency in these offices he did much to strengthen the present effici- ent system. Our subject belongs to the following lodges, in which he takes a just pride : Free and Accepted Masons, Blue Lodge and Chapter, the Salem Eastern Star; the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Subordinate and Encampment, also the Rebekahs, the Improved Order of Red Men at Odin, Illi- nois; also the Modern Woodmen of Salem and the Modern Americans at Salem. He sei-ved as assistant grand scribe of the Grand Encampment of the Odd Fellows of the State of Illinois for two years. At the annual session of the Grand Encampment at Springfield, November i6, 1908, he was ap- pointed for another term. Mr. Merritt is an active Democrat and has always done what he could in furthering his party's principles. His name is indel- ably associated with progress in the county of his birth and among those in whose midst he has always lived he is held in highest es- teem as a result of his upright life and fidelity to right principles. J. R. QUAYLE. The subject has always sought to in- culcate in the minds of the young the higher things of life; the beauties of mind and soul known only to those who are willing to de- vote themselves to a career of self-sacrifice, hospitality, persistency and uprightness, and during the long years of his professional life Mr. Quayle succeeded in carrying out the principles in his daily life that he sought to impress upon others. J. R. Quayle was born in Peoria county, Illinois, December 5, 1859, the son of Rob- ert Quayle, a native of the Isle of Man, a full blooded Manxman. He was an influ- ential and high minded man, whose sterling traits are somewhat reflected in the life of his son, our subject. He migrated to America about 1856, locating first in Henry county, Illinois, where he farmed. After living there for a short time he moved to Peoria county, later to Marion county in BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 267 January, 1866. He was a hard worker and made a success of whatever he undertook. He was called from his labors in Septem- ber, 1879, while living in Marion county. He was a great Bible student and he read and talked the Manx language fluently. James Quayle, grandfather of the subject, was. bom, reared and spent his entire life on the Isle of Man, and his death occurred there. His wife was a Miss Harrison, who reached the remarkable age of ninety-six years. The mother of the subject was Ellen (Corlett) Quayle, also a native of the Isle of Man, where she, too, was reared, and where she married Robert Quayle. She was a woman of many estimable traits, hav- ing led a wholesome life and in her old age was the recipient of many kindnesses at the hands of her many friends and neighbors. She made her home on the old homestead near Vernon, Marion county, until her death, September 6, 1908, where the Quayle family moved in 1866. This family con- sisted of the following children, named in order of their birth : Elizabeth, who died in 1880; J. R., our subject; Anna, the wife of Nathan Roberts, of Patoka, this county; Thomas E., who lives in section 12, this county, on a farm; James C, also a farmer in Patoka township, Marion county; Kate, who is the wife of J. C. Bates, of Patoka township ; Mollie, who makes her home with her mother; Mona, the wife of G. I. Arnold, of Foster township, Marion county. These children are all comfortably situ- ated in life and received good common school education. They are all highly re- spected and lead such well regulated lives as their parents outlined for them in their childhood. J. R. Quayle, our subject, attended the country schools east of Vernon until 1880, working at intervals on his father's farm. He was always a close student and made the most of his opportunities. After complet- ing the course in the common schools he \vas not satisfied with the knowledge he had gained and entered school in the University at Valparaiso, Indiana, taking the teachers'' course, also a commercial course. He made a brilliant record at this institution for scholarship and good deportment. Believing that teaching was his proper field of activity Mr. Quayle began his first school in 1878 and he taught the major part of the time up to 1906 with the greatest success attending his efforts, during which time he became widely known not only in Marion but adjoining counties as an able instructor and his services were in great de- mand. He was not only well grounded in the text-books employed in the schools where he taught but his pleasing personality made him popular with his pupils, the vari- ous phases of whose natures he seemed to understand and sympathize with, so that he inspired each one to do his best in the work at hand, and many of his pupils have since won distinction in various lines of endeavor, all freely admitting that their success was due in a lai-ge measure to the training and influence of Mr. Quayle. The teaching of our subject was confined to Marion county 268 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. with the exception of two years which were spent in Fayette county, where he also be- came popular. Mr. Quayle has been twice married. His first wedding occurred January 8, 1889, to Lyda E. Livesay, the accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Livesay, a well known family of Patoka township, Marion county, and to this union four children were born as follows: Guy, born in 1891, died at the age of seven years; Gladys E., born in 1892 ; Fanny, now deceased, who was bom in 1897; Roberta, who was born in 1900. The subject's first wife was called to her rest in June, 1906, and Mr. Quayle was married December 15, 1907, to Ida M. Quails, daughter of Alfred Quails. She is a member of an influential family of Salem and was born and reared there. Mr. Quayle has been an influential factor in politics in his county, always assisting in placing the best local men available in the county ofifices and his support can always be depended upon in furthering any worthy movement looking to the better interest of the community and county. In 1883, 1888 and 1889 he was Tax Collector of Patoka township, having been easily elected to this office and performed the duties of it in a most satisfactoiy manner. He was chosen by his friends to the responsible position of Supervisor in 1901 and 1902 and elected County Clerk on the Democratic ticket in 1906, and is now, 1908, serving his first term. He is said to be one of the ablest men in this office that the county has ever had, being careful and painstaking as well as congenial and friendly so that all his con- stituents are very highly pleased with his record. They predict that he will become a very potent factor in local politics in the near future. Mr. Quayle is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Eastern Star, the Rebekahs and the Woodmen. He takes a great deal of interest in lodge work and his daily life would indicate that he believes in carrying out the noble precepts of these commendable orders. Mr. Quayle is not only a public-spirited and honorable man in his official and busi- ness life, but he leads a most wholesome home life and sets a worthy example for his children and others, delighting in the higher ideals of life as embraced in educational, civic and religious matters. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and no people in Marion county are the recipients of higher respect and genuine esteem from their many friends than they. BENJAMIN M. SMITH. In studying the interesting life histories of many of the better class of men, and the many of the better class of these, and the ones of unquestioned merit and honor, it will be found that they have been compelled, vei-y largely, to map out their own career and furnish their own motive force in scal- ing the heights of success, and it is such a BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 269 one that the biographer is pleased to write in the paragraphs that follow. Benjamin M. Smith, the well known cashier of the Salem State Bank, was born in Central City, Illinois, December 11, 1877, the son of Samuel J. Smith, a native of St. Clair county, Illinois, and a gentleman of many sterling traits who became a man of considerable influence in his community, some of whose commendable characteristics are inherited by his son, our subject. Samuel J. Smith came to Marion county when a young man and was engaged in the milling business of which he made pronounced suc- cess, having been in the county several years when the Civil war began, and he continued in this business during the progress of the Rebellion. He took much interest in public affairs. He was County Treasurer and County Clerk for twenty years and Deputy County Treasurer for four years. During his long official record he conducted the af- fairs that were entrusted to him in a manner that reflected great credit upon his ability and in a way that elicited much favorable comment but no criticism from his con- temporaries and constituents. He was called to his rest April 5, 0:906, after an emi- nently successful and useful life. The subject's grandfather, Benjamin J. Smith, who was a native of the old Pine Tree state (Maine), is remembered as a man of unusual fortitude and courage, hav- ing been a composite of the usual elements that go into the makeup of pioneers. He came west in early life and was one of the first settlers of St. Clair county, Illinois, of which county he was at one time Sheriff, one of the best, in fact, that the county ever had. He was an active business man all his life, having been in the commission busi- ness in Chicago for a number of years, where he became well known in the business circles of the city in those days. He was born in 1801, and after a remarkably active career, reaching a venerable> age, passed to the silent land when in his ninetieth year. The mother of the subject was in her maidenhood Mary E. Martin, who was bom in Ohio on a farm near Wellsville. She is in many respects a remarkable character, benign, affable and her influence has always been wholesome and uplifting, so that even in the golden evening of her life she is a blessing to those with whom she comes in contact. She is the mother of three chil- dren, namely: Irene, who died in infancy; Irma, a woman of fine traits; and Benja- min M., our subject. Thus after a resume of the subject's worthy ancestors we are not surprised that he has achieved unusual distinction in his community, and to him the future evidently has much of good in store. Benjamin M. Smith attended school in Salem, graduating from the high school where he had made a splendid record for scholarship and deportment. Feeling that he was destined for a business career, and following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, he early began preparations to enter the industrial field, and in order to prepare himself more thoroughly took a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business 270 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. College at St. Louis, Missouri, standing in the front rank of his class when he gradu- ated in 1900. Mr. Smith has been actively engaged in business since he was sixteen years old and he showed at that early age that he was destined to the highest success. He seems to be best fitted to the manage- ment of banking institutions, although he turns everything into success that he under- takes. He has been cashier of banks for seven years in 1908. He was cashier of the Haymond State Bank, now the First National Bank at Kinmundy, Illinois, for two years, during which time the business of this institution greatly increased. Then he came to Salem and became associated with the Salem State Bank of which he is a stockholder and director and one of the or- ganizers, in fact, one of the moving spirits of the institution. Mr. Smith was also a director in the bank at Kinmundy and is still a stockholder in the same. Both these institutions recognize his unusual industrial ability and peculiar aptitude for managing the affairs of a banking concern and the of- ficials are not reluctant to give him all due credit for the great work he has done in placing these banks on a firm foundation and making them among the solid and well known institutions of their kind in this part ■of the state. Fraternally Mr. Smith belongs to the Masonic Order, Knights Templar; also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen and the Eagles, and one would judge from his con- sistent daily life that he believes in carrying out the sublime principles and doctrines of these worthy orders. In politics our subject is a loyal Democrat, but he has not found time to take an active part in political af- fairs. However, he believes in placing the best men possible in local ofifices and his support can always be depended upon in the advancement of any cause looking to the development and betterment of his com- munity and county. Mr. Smith has preferred single blessed- ness and has never assumed the responsi- bilities of the married state. Our subject is a very strong character in every respect and although he is yet quite a young man he has shown by his past excel- lent and praiseworthy record that he is a man of unusual industrial ability and the future will doubtless be replete with honors and success for him. FRANK A. BOYNTON. Through struggles to triumph seems to be the maxim which holds sway for the ma- jority of our citizens and, though it is un- deniably true that many a one falls ex- hausted in the conflict, a few by their in- herent force of character and strong men- tality rise above their environments and all which seems to hinder them until they reach the plane of affluence. It is not the weaklings that accomplish worthy ends in the face of opposition but those with nerve and initiative whose motto is, "He never BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 271 fails who never gives up," and with this terse aphorism ever in view, emblazoned on the pillar of clouds, as it were, before them, they forge ahead until the sunny summits of life are reached and they can breath a breath of the purer air that inspires the souls of men in respite. Such has been the history of Frank A. Boynton and in his life record many useful lessons may be gained. Mr. Boynton was bom four miles east of Salem in Stevenson township, April 18, 1 86 1, the son of John Boynton, a native of Haverhill, Scioto county, Ohio, who came to Illinois about 1859, settling on the farm on which his widow now resides. John Boyn- ton was a prosperous and influential farmer all his life. He ably served as school di- rector of Stevenson township for many years, and after a very successful and useful life he passed away in 1900. The grandfather of the subject on his pa- ternal side was Asa Boynton, who was a native of Haverhill, Massachusetts, who mi- grated to Ohio in an early day and settled on the French "grant" in Ohio, and the place where he settled was named Haverhill, after the Massachusetts town from whence he came. He was, like many of the early pioneers, a man of sterling qualities, brave and a hard worker. The subject's mother was Eliza Copen- hagen, born near fronton, Ohio, on the land where the town is situated. Her people came from Virginia, having been among the fine old Southern families who migrated from that state to Ohio in the early days. She has made her home on the old home- stead in Stevenson township from that time to the present day, and there she is held in highest esteem by a host of acquaintances and friends. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Boynton, six of whom are living at this writing (1908). Their names are: Asa died when fourteen years old; Frank, our subject; Elmer, of Salem, Illinois; Lucy who passed to her rest in 1905; Loren K., of Ruleville, Mississippi; John Ellis, who lives with his mother in Stevenson township; Delmont, who lives in Stevenson township on a fann joining the parental homestead ; Ida, who lives with her mother. Frank A. Boynton, our subject, spent his boyhood under the parental roof and re- ceived his primary education in the Bru- baker school in Stevenson township. He worked on the farm during his young man- hood and he has always been identified with farming interests ; he now owns a fine farm, highly improved and very productive, lo- cated in the northern part of Stevenson township. It consists of over five hundred acres, and no more choice land is to be found in this locality. He went to Wheeler, Jasper county, Illinois, in 1891, and was a storekeeper and ganger there where he re- mained for two years, making a success of his enterprise, but he returned to his farm in Stevenson township and in about 1903 came to Salem and is now engaged in the real estate and loan business with offices in L. M. Kagy's law office. He helped organ- ize the Salem State Bank of which he is a heavy stockholder and director. He operated 272 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. a threshing machine for twelve years with great success in Stevenson township, and he has been a stock shipper the greater part of his hfe. Thus we see that Mr. Boynton has been a vei-y busy man, and also one that had unusual executive ability else he could not have carried to successful issue so many ex- tensive enterprises. Our subject was married in 1892 to Anna Stevenson, daughter of Samuel E. Steven- son, a well known family of Stevenson township. One winsome child was bom to this union, Gladys. At the time of his mar- riage Mr. Boynton was living on his farm. His first wife was called to her rest Febru- ary 16, 1897, ^^^ O'UT subject was again married May 17, 1906, his last wife being Ethel Stevenson. No children have been bom to this union. Mrs. Boynton presides over their modern, commodious, beautiful and elegantly furnished home on South Broadway with rare grace and dignity, and she is frequently hostess to numerous ad- miring friends of the family. Possessing the executive skill and pleas- ing personality that our subject does, it is not surprising that his friends should have singled him out for political preferment, consequently he has been honored with nu- merous local offices, all of which he has ably and creditably filled to the entire satisfac- tion of all concerned. He has served as Clerk of Stevenson township and later served two terms as Supervisor of that town- ship. He is now city Alderman from the Second ward of Salem. Useless to say our subject is a loyal Republican, and he was at one time the nominee of his party for Sher- iff, and at another time for Treasurer, but was defeated. He, however, made a most ex- cellent race, being defeated by only a few votes, although the county is strongly Demo- cratic. He is, indeed, a public-spirited citizen and witholds his co-operation from no move- ment which is intended to promote public improvement. What he has achieved in life proves the force of his character and illus- trates his steadfastness of purpose. He is now one of the men of affluence and his advancement to a position of credit and honor in the business circles of Marion county is the direct outcome of his own persistent and worthy labors, and it would be hard to find a more popular or congenial gentleman in this section of the state than Mr. Boynton. REV. HAMILTON N. HAYS. In giving the following biographical memoir of the gentleman whose name ap- pears above, the writer aims to avoid ex- tra\'agant praise, but his life was so full of good deeds and was so replete with honor and success that it will be necessary to em- ploy periods that are somewhat ornate in dealing with the same ; for although the seal has been set on the final chapter in his inter- esting life record by the angel that summons us all from this terrestrial sphere, his influ- ence still pervades the lives of those with whom he came in contact, and he still lives in the hearts of those left behind. MR. AND MRS. HAMILTON N. HAYS. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 273 Rev. Hamilton N. Hays was bom in Rac- coon township, Marion county, September 28, 1848, the son of William C. and Delilah (Crawford) Hays, both natives of Tennes- see, who came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1858, and lived here awhile when they went to Texas where they died. The subject was educated in the home schools. Being an ambitious lad he applied himself in a most assiduous manner and was enabled to teach school very successfully for several years in Marion and Jefferson coun- ties. He also read law and learned black- smithing and farmed in Raccoon township. For many years he was a minister in the Christian church, and never failed to keep ari appointment regardless of weather con- ditions. On March 6, 1871, Mr. Hays was happily married to Nancy Jane Bingaman, the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Hen- dricks) Bingaman, the mother a native of Tennessee and the father of Pennsylvania. The subject's wife was born May 4, 1842. Her father married three times, first to Mary Cox, by whom he had seven children, namely: Polly Ann, William Cox, Peter H., Henry R., John A. J., Rosamond and an infant. He had no children by his second wife. The children by his third wife, Eliza- beth (Hendricks) Bingaman, who first mar- ried Samuel Hays, became the mother of four children, namely: Allen K., Hen- dricks, William J. and Mansel. The father and mother of Mrs. Hays were the parents of the following children : Nancy J., Adam L., David S., and Charles P. 18 After a busy and well ordered life, replete with success and happiness. Rev. Hamilton N. Hays passed to his rest, December 26, 1906. The subject and wife were faithful mem- bers of the Christian church. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton N. Hays, but they out of their kindness of heart, reared a daughter whom they gave as good care as if she had been their own. She was the daughter of Adam Bingaman, now the wife of George Williams. They live with Mrs. Hays on the old homestead. Reverend Hays was a prominent man, highly respected and well known. He was a successful business man, being regarded as one of the leading farm- ers of Marion county, and he was admired for his sterling character, his habits of industry and sobriety, kindness and generosity, and no man in the county had more friends than he. Mrs. Hays is a woman of many estimable traits and stands high in her community, being affable and possessing rare tact and judg- ment, so that it is with no little degree of pleasure that we give such worthy people representation in this work. HENRY WARREN. Prominent among the energetic, far- sighted and successful business men of Marion county, Illinois, is the subject of this 274 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. sketch, whose Hfe history most happily il- kistrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an hon- est purpose. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points in his career and have led to desirable and creditable suc- cess. His connection with banking institu- tions and various lines of business has been of decided advantage to the entire com- munity, promoting its welfare along various lines in no uncertain manner, while at the same time he has made an untarnished rec- ord and unspotted reputation as a business man. Henry Warren, the widely known bank president and gallant Civil war veteran of Kinmundy, Marion county, Illinois, was born in this county in 1845, the son of Asa Warren and his mother's maiden name was Sina Howell. Grandfather Howell was sup- posed to have come from Virginia, settling with the pioneers in Marion county, Illinois, in a very early day, and spending his life on a farm doing much for the upbuilding of the community. He entered land from the government on which he spent the re- mainder of his life and on which he reared his family. He lived to be more than eighty years of age. He was a member of the old Hardshell Baptist church, as was also his wife. One of the first log churches built in this community was erected on his farm, of which he was one of the principal supporters. The major portion of his neighbors were Indians when he first came to this county, and the woods and prairies teemed with wild game of nearly all species and varieties. There were but few settle- ments in the county at that time. The green flies were so thick and aggressive that people could not cross the prairies in the day time during part of the year. He man- aged this farm until his death which then fell to his heirs. All of the second genera- tion of Howells have passed on to their rest. Asa Warren, father of our subject, came from Termessee to Illinois when a young man and entered land from the government. He sold out in time and moved to Texas where he died when fifty-five years of age, being survived by four children, three of whom were boys. He was a man of much influence, integrity and force of character. He was a gallant soldier in the Mexican war, having served until peace was declared after which he returned to Illinois. He fol- lowed farming all his life. Both he and his wife belonged to the old school Baptists. The subject's mother was called to her rest at about the age of forty years. She was a kindly and good woman in every respect. Henry Warren, our subject, was reared in Marion county, Illinois, having attended the common and district schools, part of the time in old log school-houses with their primitive furnishings. He worked most of the year on his father's farm during his school days. He was about twelve years old when he accompanied his father to Texas, and he returned from the Lone Star state to Illinois one year after his father's death, the home place in Texas having been sold. Then our subject worked out as a farm hand, sometimes receiving only eight dol- lars a month, continuing as a farm hand for BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 275 twelve years. He then rented land for two years. Then he married and boug-ht eighty acres of land which he improved and made into a good farm on which he lived for about thirty-eight years, which were prosperous, in the main, and during which he laid up a competency for the future. From time to time he added to his original eighty until he finally had eight hundred acres, all of which was in cultivation and kept in a high state of improvement and efficiency. He drained this large tract of land and securely fenced it with wood and wire. Substantial and modern buildings, a large dwelling, two barns and other out buildings were erected, and the place, which Mr. Warren still owns, is one of Marion county's model farms. While he still looks after the farm he keeps it rented. When our subject gave his personal attention to this place i.t was in somewhat better condition and he devoted him time largely to grass and stock. Mr. Warren moved to Kinmundy in 1896 and one year later opened under the most favorable auspices what is known as the Warren Banking Company's establishment, which met with instantaneous success and is today regarded as one of the most sub- stantial and safest institutions of its kind in this part of the state. He is president of the same, having filled this position with much credit to his ability and the satisfac- tion of the many patrons of the bank since its establishment. His son, Henry L., who was made cashier at the organization of the concern, is still ably attending to these duties. Mr. Warren owns the substantial building in which the business of the firm is conducted. He also owns a large, com- fortable, modern and elegantly furnished dwelling house besides other buildings on the same street where he lives in Kinmundy. He deserves much credit for the wealth he has amassed partly because of the fact that he started life empty handed and has made it unaided, and partly because he has not a single dishonest dollar in his possession, hav- ing always been scrupulously honest in his dealings with his fellow men. During the last panic and bank depression his was the only bank that kept open in the county. Mr. Warren was first married in 1867 to Mary C. Nichols, a native of this county, the accomplished daughter of Robert Nichols, and to this union the following children were born : William, born October 6, 1868, now a farmer and minister in Jef- ferson county, Illinois, to whom two chil- dren were born; Harry L., bom September I, 1 87 1, is living in Kinmundy associated with his father in the banking business, and who is married and the father of one child; Charley W., bom March 21, 1874, is as- sistant cashier in the bank, being niarried and the father of one child, Lowel F., bom October 27, 1897. Mr. ^Varren's first wife passed to her rest in 1903, and the subject was again married in 1906, his last wife being Ida Shriver, a native of Marion county and the daughter of William Schriver, who was a native of Ohio. One child has been born to this union, May Margaret, whose date of birth fell on January 14, 1908. Mr. Warren was one of the patriotic de- fenders of the flag during the dark days of 276 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. the sixties when the fierce fires of rebellion were undermining the pillars of our national government, and he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served with credit and distinction to the close of the war and was honorably discharged. He draws a disability pension of twelve dollars. One brother, Larkin A. Warren, was also a sol- dier, having been a member of Sixth Mis- souri Cavalry. He died at New Orleans while in the army, after having served out his first enlistment of three years, and it was toward the close of the struggle when he was attacked by a disease while in line of duty from which he did not recover. Our subject is a loyal Republican and in religious affiliations is a liberal subscriber and supporter of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Warren's methods are progressive and he is quick to adopt new ideas which he be- lieves will prove of practical value in his work. Indolence and idleness are entirely foreign to his nature and owing to his close application to his business and his honorable metho4s he has won prosperity that is richly merited, while he enjoys the friendship and esteem of the people of Marion county. JOHN C. MARTIN. The subject of this sketch is a native son of Marion county, Illinois, and a represen- tative of one of its sterling and honored families. He is known as a young man of fine intellectuality and marked business acumen. He is cashier of the Salem Na- tional Bank, one of the most substantial in- stitutions of its kind in this part of the state. John C. Martin was born in Salem April 29, 1880, the son of B. E. Martin, Sr., a sketch of whom appears upon another page of this volume. Our subject attended the schools of Salem in his early youth where he applied himself in a most assiduous manner, having made excellent records for scholarship and general deportment, and as a result of his well ap- plied time to his text-books he received a good education which has subsequently been broadened and deepened by contact with the world and systematic home study. After finishing the prescribed course in the home schools he spent two years at Jacksonville, Illinois, one year at the Jacksonville College, and one at Brown's Business College, hav- ing stood high in his classes in each. At the early age of twenty-eight years, a period when most men are just launching into a career or tentatively investigating the world that lies before them in order to test their potential powers, Mr. Martin had al- ready shown that he is a man of marked ex- ecutive and business ability. He assumed the responsible and exacting position of cashier of the Salem National Bank in April 1907, whose duties he is faithfully perform- ing to the entire satisfaction of all con- cerned. He is a stockholder in this institu- tion, which is popular with all classes of business men in Salem and throughout Mar- BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 277 ion county, where it has long maintained a firm reputation for soundness owing to its careful management and the unquestioned integrity and sci'upulously honest characters of the gentlemen who have it under control. Fraternally Mr. Martin is a loyal mem- ber of the Masonic Order, the Woodmen and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. The daily life of the subject would indicate that he believes in carrying out the noble precepts of these praiseworthy orders. JAMES LLOYD HALEY. Among the enterprising and successful members of the legal profession in Marion county, Illinois, who deserve especial men- tion on account of their efficiency and recognized character and genuine worth, none more deserve to be given just represen- tation than the subject of this sketch, who, while yet a young man, scarcely more than one-third of the years alloted to human life, having passed over his head, has stamped his individuality upon his commu- nity in a manner that will be permanent and has gained for him wide prestige and re- sulted in splendid success attending his ef- forts, so that he stands today as one of the best known and most promising of the younger professional men of his locality. James Lloyd Haley was born in Steven- son township, this county, near New Bethel church, September 27, 1880, the son of Rev. Alonzo Haley, a native of Mississippi, who came to Illinois in 1857. He was bom in 1836 at Holly Springs, Mississippi. He settled in Jefferson county after coming here and he passed to his rest in 1888 at Walshville, Montgomery county, after an active and veiy useful life in the ministry of the Presbyterian church. The subject's mother was known in her maidenhood as Martha Wolverton, a native of Tennessee. The parents of the subject were married in 1850, and soon thereafter began ascending the Mississippi river in a boat. They landed at Cairo, Illinois, where their boat sunk and they lost all except the clothes which they wore at the time. The subject's mother, a woman of strong personality and beautiful Christian character, passed to her rest in March 1881. Our subject is the youngest of a family of twelve children, only five of whom are living at the time of this writing, 1908. They are: Mrs. Oscar Marshall, of Salem; Mrs. Charles Barlow, of Walshville, Illi- nois ; Mrs. D. D. Haynie, of Salem ; Thomas F., of Patoka, Illinois; James L., our sub- ject. James L. Haley was reared in Salem and attended the schools there, completing the course and making a splendid record for scholarship. He soon determined that his talent and calling lay along the lines of the legal profession, and he consequently set about preparing himself for this line of work at which he has so admirably succeeded. He read law with D. D. Haynie, making rapid progress from the first and giving unmis- takable evidence of rare innate ability in Z78 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. this work. He was admitted to the bar in Kentucky on April 20, 1906, and was ad- mitted to the bar in Ilhnois in March, 1907, and has been practicing ever since, his suc- cess having been instantaneous. Our subject learned telegraphy and worked for seven years in nearly every sec- tion of the United States, covering the in- terval between school days and his study of law. He thus became well acquainted with the outside world and thereby greatly strengthened his education. He was a can- didate for state's attorney in 1908, but was defeated at the primaries. He is a meinber of the Anchor Aerie 1828, Fraternal Order of Eagles. In politics he is a Democrat and he still holds membership in the Order of Railway Telegraphers, Missouri Pacific Di- vision No. 31. He is also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Salem. Mr. Haley has been admitted to practice in the local, state and federal courts, the name of the firm in which he is a partner being known as Haynie & Haley, which is regarded as a particularly strong one. The Haley family is of southern stock. At the commencement of the war between the states the family divided on the slavery question, the father of our subject sympa- thizing with the Federal government, while the other members of the family remained in the South and cast their lot with the Con- federacy. No communications have passed between them since that time. The firm of Haynie & Haley occupied a handsome suite of rooms in the new Salem National Bank the latter part of 1908. Their library is one of the best, most complete and up-to-date in Marion county, and the prac- tice of this firm is rapidly growing, so that they are not only called upon to take all kinds of local legal matters, but are often- called to other localities to handle difficult and important cases. James Lloyd Haley is a man of rare busi- ness acumen, foresight, sagacity and persis- tence. Coupled with this is a pleasing per- sonality and courtesy of manner that win him friends wherever he goes, and make him popular with all classes, so that the fu- ture to such a man is unquestionably bright. G. H. TRENARY. The enterprise of the subject has been crowned by success, as the result of rightly applied principles which never fail in their ultimate effect when coupled with integrity, uprightness and a congenial disposition, as they have been done in the present instance, judging from the high standing of Mr. Tre- nary among his fellow citizens whose un- divided esteem he has justly won and re- tained. G. H. Trenary, the influential and popu- lar superintendent of the Chicago & East- ern Illinois Railroad Company, with offices at Salem, Illinois, was born February 9, 1867, at Lafayette, Indiana, the son of Ran- dolph B. Trenary, a native of Ohio who came to Indiana when a boy. He was a lo- comotive engineer, having run an engine BRINKERHOPF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 279 during the Civil war and he followed this profession all his life, becoming one of the best known railroad men in his community. He died in February, 1904, at Stone Bluff, Indiana. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Mollie Nor- duft, a native of Williamsport, Indiana, and the i-epresentative of a well known and highly respected family there. She passed to her rest in 1873. They were the parents of four children, three boys and one girl, namely: Charles W., of Kansas City, Mis- souri; G. H., the subject of this sketch; Evendar H., who died in 1888; Elizabeth, the wife of Charles Mallett, of Stone Bluff, Indiana. Our subject attended the common schools at Urbana, Illinois, leaving school when in the eighth grade for the purpose of begin- ning the study of telegraphy at Urbana. Becoming an exeprt at this exacting profes- sion he followed it together with that of agent at various stations for thirteen years with great satisfaction to his employers who regarded him as one of' the most efficient and reliable men in this line of work in their employ. He spent four years at Og- den, Illinois; one year at Urbana, one year at Waynetown, Indiana ; one year at Cham- paign, Illinois ; two years at LeRoy, Illinois ; three years at Veedersburg, Indiana; one year at Hoopestown, Illinois. From 1896 to 1899 he was chief clerk to the general superintendent of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company at Chicago. For five years our subject held the responsible position of superintendent at Brazil, In- diana, from 1899 to 1904, since which time he has been superintendent of the Illinois division of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois road, with headquarters at Salem. The offices of this road were located here in De- cember, 1906, having been removed from St. Elmo, this state. This road employs about five hundred people in all departments. The local offices occupy the entire third floor of the Salem State Bank building and is the busiest place in Salem. Mr. Trenary's private office is also on this floor. Every- thing is under a splendid system. Mr. Trenai-y has jurisdiction over all transportation, a very responsible position, indeed, and one that not only requires a superior talent along executive lines, but a clear brain, sound judgment and steady hab- its, but he has performed his duties so well that the company deems his services indis- pensable. This road has a departmental di- vision system. Our subject was happily married in De- cember, 1884, to Beulah R. Glascock, the refined and accomplished daughter of H. J. Glascock, an influential and highly respected citizen of Ogden, Illinois. The commodious, modern, cheerful and model home of the subject and wife has been blessed through the birth of the six children whose names and dates of birth follow in consecutive order: G. W., born April 12, 1886, lives in Salem; Nell, born December 30, 1887; Genevieve F., born March i, 1893 ; Robert F., born October 22, 1895; H. Kenneth, born Januaiy 29, 1901 ; Randolph Bryant, born January 26, 1904. 280 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. These children have received every care and attention, been given good educations and each gives promise of bright and suc- cessful futures, exemplifying in their daily lives what a wholesome home environment and careful parental training can do in de- veloping well rounded and highly cultivated minds and bodies. Mr. Trenary moved his family to Salem in December, 1906. He has been honored by being chosen alderman for the city of Salem. Although a loyal Republican and well fortified in his political beliefs and anx- ious to see the triumph of his party's prin- ciples, Mr. Trenary has never aspired to positions of public trust at the hands of his fellow voters. However, his support can al- ways be depended upon in the advancement of all movements looking to the public weal in his community whether educational, moral or civic. In his fraternal relations, the subject is a member of the Masonic Order and the Mod- ern Woodmen, and one would soon conclude by a knowledge of his consistent and gen- tlemanly daily life that he believed in carry- ing out the sublime precepts of these commendable organizations. Both Mr. and Mrs. Trenary are members of the Christian church. They are pleasant people to meet, and their cozy home is often the mecca for numerous admiring friends who seek the cheerfulness and hospitality so freely and unstintingly dispensed here. No better or more popular people are to be found in Mar- ion county and they justly deserve the high esteem in which they are held. G. A. IDLEMAN. The subject of this sketch is one of those men who have met with success along the line of his chosen calling and he is today one of the prosperous and respected mer- chants of Salem, Marion county, where he conducts a modem and attractive store, hav- ing built up an extensive and lucrative busi- ness by reason of his peculiar adaptability for this line of work, his honesty of business principles and his courteous and kind treat- ment of customers whom he numbers by the scores. G. A. Idleman was bom in Marion county, Ohio, in 1844, the son of Jacob J. Idleman, a native of Virginia, who moved with his parents to Ohio when he was a small boy. He devoted his life principally to agricultural pursuits, but he also devoted much time and labor along a higher plane of action, that of Methodist minister, becom- ing known as an able expounder of the Gos- pel and a man of good deeds wherever he went. He engaged in ministerial work for forty years, having worked hard on his farm during the week and preached on Sun- day, and to show that he was an extraor- dinarily sincere men and desirous to do good for the sake of being true to the higher life as outlined by the lowly Nazarene, he never accepted a cent for his ministrial labors in all those forty years, merely preaching for the love of the work and the good he could do, which was an incalculable amount. He was called to his reward by the Good Shep- herd whom he had so faithfully followed, in BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 281 1887, while living on his farm in Marion county, Illinois, where he moved in 1865, settling two miles south of Salem where he resided the remainder of his life. The grandfather of the subject was Jacob Idleman, also a native of Virginia, and also a farmer who was known as a man of in- tegrity and many sterling qualities. He reached the advanced age of eighty years, dying in Marion county, Ohio, where he had removed in an early day when the country was wild and unsettled. The subject's mother was Hannah Jones, whose people came from Pennsylvania. Her people lived to be very old, her mother having reached the remarkable age of ninety years. The subject's mother, a woman of gracious per- sonal qualities, is still living in 1908, on the old farm homestead south of Salem at the still more remarkable age of ninety-four years. Ten children constituted the family of the parents of our subject, four having died in infancy and two having passed away after reaching maturity. Those living are: G. A., our subject; Samantha, the widow of E. W. Thompson, of Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. Callie M. Kell, the widow of William Kell, living in Salem ; Mrs. Belle Sipes, who lives on a farm near Omega, Illinois. G. A. Idleman, our subject, spent his boy- hood days in Marion county, Ohio, where he received a common school education and where he remained until he was twenty years old, having assisted with the farm work while going to school. He came to Salem, Illinois, in 1865 with his parents, and has continued to make this his home. He farmed until he was thirty years old, thereby getting a good start in life. Since that time he has been engaged from time to time in various lines of business. He has been in the mer- cantile business here for a period of twenty- five years, most of the time in business for himself, but part of the time he was asso- ciated in business with others. He has been engaged in the grocery business for the past eight years, since 1900, and which he still conducts, having built up an excellent and lucrative trade as the result of courteous treatment to customers and his expert knowledge of the mercantile business, hav- ing always made this line of work pay, not only yielding him a comfortable living, but enabling him to gradually increase his busi- ness and at the same time lay up an ample competency for his old age. His customers are not confined to Salem and vicinity, but he is well known throughout Marion county, having always given his customers entire satisfaction as to the quality of goods he handles and to price, consequently he seldom loses a customer. Mr. Idleman built his present store building on First South street, which is one of the neatest and most sub- stantial stores in Salem. Mr. Idleman was united in marriage in 1870 to Mattie Clark, the representative of one of Salem's well known families. To this union one child has been bom, Mrs. Lydia M. Hubbs, of Chicago. The subject was married again May 14, 1902, to Agnes Ray, the daughter of Riley Rose. She was born and reared in Salem. They ha\e no 282 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. children. Their home is a commodious and nicely furnished one in the most de- sirable residence district of Salem, and is frequently the gathering place for numerous friends of the family. Our subject has sei^ved his community in a most efficient and commendable manner as assessor of Salem township, having been the first Republican assessor ever elected in this township. In his fraternal relations he belongs to the Red Men, of Odin, Illinois. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Our subject has ever taken an active interest in the wel- fare of the community and gives an earnest support to every movement for the public welfare. A man of fine personal traits, he is highly regarded by all who know him, and he is counted one of Salem's most pro- gressive and worthy business men. JOHN F. DONOVAN. The gentleman to a review of whose life and characteristics the reader's attention is herewith respectfully invited, is among the most progressive professional men of Mar- ion county, Illinois, who by energy and cor- rect methods has not only achieved success for himself, but has also contributed in a very material way to the commercial, indus- trial, civic and moral advancement of his place of residence. In the course of an honorable career he has established himself in a liberally remunerative enterprise and won the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. John F. Donovan was born in New York City November i, 1847, the son of William and Mary Donovan. The lineage of this family, as the name implies, is traced to Ireland, the father of the subject having been bom there. He was a longshoreman, and was called from his earthly labors when, our subject was young. The mother of the subject was also bora in the Emerald Isle, and passed away comparatively young in life. They were Roman Catholics and peo- ple of sterling qualities and fine traits. They became the parents of two children. John F. Donovan, our subject, was placed in the Juvenile Asylum in New York City, \\here he remained for about five years, or until he was twelve years old. He was then bound to a farmer in Randolph county, Illi- nois. After remaining in his new home for about eighteen months he took a leave of absence and never returned. In 1862 our subject, feeling that he could not conscientiously stand idly by and see the nation in the throes of rebellion, enlisted in 1862 in Company I, One Hundred and Tenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he sei-ved for six months, when, greatly to his regret, it became necessary to drop his name from the company's roll on account of physical disability ; but he later re-enlisted in Company C, Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry, at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and served with dis- tinction until the close of the war, taking part in many hot engageiiients and famous battles. He was honorably discharged. His BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 283 regiment was sent to Little Rock, Arkansas, after the grand review at Washington, and was finally mustered out at Springfield, Illi- nois, in August, 1865. x\fter his career in the army Mr. Donovan came to Centralia, Marion county, Illinois, where he remained for about six years, then came to Kinmundy, where he has since re- sided. He was always a close observer and a diligent student, and early in life decided that the law should be his profession, con- sequently he began the study of the same and was admitted to the bar in 1874, since which time he has devoted himself almost exclusively to the practice of law, winning a great reputation throughout this and adjoin- ing counties as a learned, able and careful exponent of this profession, never erring in his cool calculating manner in drawing or presenting a case, whether criminal or civil, and he is also known as an orator of no mean ability. His success was instantane- ous and his office has always been filled with clients. Our subject was appointed postmaster of Kinmundy, first in 1877, having served in a most acceptable manner for eight years and was removed by President Cleveland. He was re-appointed in 1902 and is still ably serving in that capacity. He has been mayor of Kinmundy at different times for fifteen years. He was instrumental in organizing the Marion County Grand Army of the Re- public, being at the head of the Reunion As- sociation. He has served as inspector general of Illinois on the national staff, also on the department staff, also chief mustering officer for Illinois. Mr. Donovan was presi- dent of the Southern Illinois Emigration and Improvement Association, also officer of the day of the Southern Illinois Reunion Association. He has held various offices in the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Donovan was united in marriage No- vember 3, 1880, to Ellen King, a native of Marion county, the daughter of John B. and Rebecca J. (Evans) King, a highly re- spected and influential family whose people were from Ohio. Her father was a soldier in the Civil war, from Illinois, having been a member of Company A, Eighty-eighth Chicago Board of Trade Regiment, in which he served throughout the war. Mr. and Mrs. Donovan have no children. In his fraternal relations our subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, having filled all the chairs in the local lodges, and he has been representative of these lodges in the grand lodges. Mrs. Donovan is a member of the Presby- terian church. Mr. Donovan is a man of distinct and forceful individuality, of marked sagacity, of indomitable entei-prise, and always up- right in his dealings with his fellow men, loyal and faithful to every trust imposed in him, public-spirited, and in manners courte- ous and kindly, easily approachable. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trast and confidence of the business world, and his activity in industrial, professional and civic lines and financial circles forms no unimportant chapter in the history of Mar- ion county. 284 BRINKERHOFF'S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. EARL C. HUGGINS. Coupled with Mr. Huggins' innate ability as an attorney, his unusual clearness of per- ception, analytical tact and soundness of theory is his courteous manners, persistency and unswerving integrity, rendering him one of the strong young attorneys of this locality and one of the successful prac- titioners of this county, and to him the fu- ture is particularly bright owing to his nat- ural ability and past splendid record. Earl C. Huggins, whose law and insur- ance office is located in Kinmundy, Illinois, was born in Marion county, this state, Sep- tember 9, 1877, and, unlike many of his early companions and contemporaries, who sought precarious fortunes in other fields, most of them finding merely the will-o'-the- wisp of success, Mr. Huggins preferred to remain on his native heath, believing that greater things awaited him right here at home than could be found otherwhere, and, judging from the success which has attended his efforts, such a decision was a most for- tunate one not only for himself, but also for the people of this vicinity. He is the son of Steven D. and Lena (Crundwell) Huggins, well known and influential family for many years in this county. Grandfather Huggins was a Kentuckian, having come to Illinois, settling in this county on a farm which he purchased, and on which he remained dur- ing the rest of his life, dying here at the age of seventy-five years. His widow, a grand old lady of beautiful Christian character, is still living in 1908, at the advanced age of ninety years. She is a faithful member of the Presbyterian church. Stephen Huggins, father of the subject, was born in Marion county, this state, at- tending the public schools here, working on his father's farm until he became of age, when he was married, after which he farmed for a time with much success, then moved to Kinmundy and followed teaming, later en- gaging in the coal mining business in this vicinity, being still interested in mining. His residence is in Kinmundy. Mrs. Lena Huggins, mother of our sub- ject, was brought to America from England when a child, and her people eventually set- tled at Salem, this county, where her parents died when she was young. She attended the public schools in Salem, where she remained until the age of sixteen. After the death of her parents she was taken into the family of \Vily Cunningham, who was a soldier, hav- ing been killed in battle during the Civil war. After the death of Mr. Cunningham his widow married again, her second hus- band having been Mr. Samuel Jones. They moved to Stevenson township, Marion county, where our subject's mother re- mained until her marriage. The following children have been bom to the subject's parents: Roy, whose date of birth occurred March 21, 1876, is a pain- ter by trade, living at Granite City, Madi- son county, Illinois; and Earl C, our subject. Earl C. Huggins received his eai'ly edu- cation in Kinmundy, graduating from the high school here in 1897, after making a E. C. MUGGINS. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 285 brilliant record for scholarship. Following this he clerked in the post-office for one year, then he acted as clerk in a grocery store for a period of one year, being an effi- cient clerk in both, but believing that his true calling lay along more worthy planes, he began the study of law under Judge C, H. Holt, at that time a resident of Kin- mundy, being County Judge at the time. He made rapid progress in his studies and en- tered the Illinois Wesleyan University, Col- lege of Law, from which he graduated high in his class in 1903, having won a record as one of the ablest pupils that ever passed through this well known institution. After leaving the law school, Mr. Huggins fornied a partnership with his former instructor, Judge Holt, the partnership being a particu- larly strong one, and continuing in a most successful manner until August, 1904, when the judge moved to Salem, the county seat. Since that time our subject has continued the practice of law with his office in Kin- mundy, but the volume of business has been very large for one man to handle. However, Mr. Huggins has ably dispensed with it all and is keeping his usual large number of clients, his business extending well over Marion county and invading surrounding counties, being general in its nature. He is known as a very careful and conscientious worker. Although Mr. Huggins does not aspire to positions of official preferment, he is at present serving very efficiently as city attor- ney of Kinmundy, being in his second term. In politics he is a loyal Republican, and his influence can always be depended upon in placing the best men in the county offices and in support of all movements looking to the development of the community at large, whether political, educational or moral. Fraternally our subject is affiliated with the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pyth- ias, having filled the chairs in the latter, and one would judge from a study of his daily life that he advocates the sublime principles of these praiseworthy orders. A. W. SONGER. Our subject possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution; his close application to business and his excel- lent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is today his. Mr. Songer was one of the brave sons of the North who offered his services and his life, if need be, in the suppression of the great rebellion during the dark days of the sixties, which render it fitting that he should be given conspicuous notice in the present historical work. A. W. Songer, the well known and popu- lar president of the First National Bank of Kinmundy, Illinois, was bom in Clay county, this state, November 2, 1832, the son of Frederick and Jane (Helms) Songer, a sterling pioneer family of that locality. Grandfather Songer was a native of Vir- ginia, a fine old southern gentleman. He 286 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, eventually moving to Indiana where he spent the balance of his days. His marriage occurred in Virginia and most of his family were born there. He was called from his earthly career when about sixty years old. He was a Lutheran in his religious affilia- tions. Eight children were born to this family, one of them having become a soldier in the Black Hawk war. Grandmother Songer, a woman of many strong attributes, survived her husband until she reached the advanced age of eighty years. Grandfather Helms was also a native of Virginia, who moved to Louisville, Kentucky, and from there to Tennessee, where he worked at his trade of blacksmith. Charles, one of his sons, moved to Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his life, having lived many years near Indianapolis. The balance of the family were early settlers in Illinois and from here scattered to the western states, principally to Nebraska and Texas. One of them was a soldier in the Black Hawk war and another fought in the Mexican war. The Songer family, represented by the great-grandmother of our subject, was from Germany. The great-great-grand- father of the subject died in Germany, his widow coming to America shortly after his death, one of her children dying on the ocean on the way over. She settled in Virginia. The father of the subject remained in Virginia until he was about twenty-two years old. He received only such education as the public schools afforded at that early day. However, he became a well informed man. He was a carpenter and builder of considerable note. He lived for some time in Indiana, where he was married, later moving to Illinois about 1821, settling in Clay county, where he remained until 1835, when he moved to Marion county, entering about two hundred acres of land from the government which he transformed into a fine farm through his habits of industry and skill as an agriculturist, living on this until 1 872, in which year he moved to Kinmundy, where he died at the age of seventy-three years, owning an excellent farm which he left as an estate. He became a man of considerable influence in his community. He was an active and loyal member of the Methodist church as was also his wife. He was a Justice of the Peace for a num- ber of years. For a time he owned and successfully operated a saw and grist mill. There were ten children in this family, seven of whom lived to maturity. A brother of our subject, Samuel T., was a soldier in the Civil war, a member of Company G, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, having served for three years, engaging in all the campaigns and battles of his regi- ment up to the date of his discharge which was at the termination of his enlistment. He is living in 1908 and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he takes a just pride. William F., brother of the subject, was also a soldier, having per- formed conspicuous service in the Mexican war. He was at one time State Representa- tive in Oregon, in which state he still re- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 287 sides as also does Samuel T., another brother of the subject, living at Ashland. A. W. Songer, our subject, received his early education in the common schools of Illinois. Being a diligent student and am- bitious from the start he has become well educated. He remained on the home farm assisting his father with the work about the place during the months that he was not in school until he was twenty-one years old. Learning the carpenter's trade, he followed this for three years, then in 1861, when he felt his patriotic zeal inspired as the result of our national integrity being at stake when the fierce fires of rebellion were rag- ing in the Southland, he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Regi- ment, having been mustered in as second lieutenant and was soon promoted to first lieutenant and consequently served as an officer of that regiment for four years and five days when he was honorably discharged at the close of the war in 1865, after having taking a conspicuous part in the follow- ing engagements : Perryville, Kentucky ; Stone River, Tennessee; Chickamaugua, having been captured at this battle and was taken to Libby prison, where he remained three months, when he was sent to prison at Macon, Georgia, later to Charleston, South Carolina, thence to Columbia, South Carolina, then to Wilmington, North Caro- lina, where he was exchanged, after having been a prisoner seventeen months and eight days, and thirty days thereafter he was mus- tered out of the service at St. Louis, Mis- souri. After the war Mr. Songer returned to his home in Illinois and worked at his trade for a time. He then came to Kinmundy and entered into the milling business in which he continued with the most gratifying results until 1907, becoming known throughout the locality as one of the leading men in this line of business. He sold his mill and de- voted his attention to the banking business in which he has been eminently successful. He had been connected with the State Bank of Kinmundy for some time, becoming president of the same. It was consolidated Avith the First National Bank, becoming the First National on August 26, 1906, the date of the consolidation, since which time Mr. Songer has been president. This is one of the solidest and most popular institutions of its kind in this part of the state and its prestige was greatly strengthened when Mr. Songer became its head for the public at once realized that their funds would be en- tirely safe in his hands owing to his con- servatism, coupled with his peculiar business sagacity, and since then the business of the First National has grown steadily. The domestic life of our subject dates from 1868, when he was united in marriage with Margaret C. Nelm, of Cairo, Illinois, the daughter of Norflett and Lydia (Dick- ens) Nelm. Her paternal ancestor, Dick- ens, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, which rendered the wife of our subject eligible to the Order of Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. The grand- father of the subject's wife was a Bap- tist minister. Her father was a soldier in BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. the Black Hawk war. One of her brothers, N. B. Nelm, was a soldier in the Civil war, having served until the close of the war. Three children have been born to the sub- ject and wife as follows: Mary E., born December 25, 1871, is the wife of J. T. Brown, of Marion county; Frederick is married and living in Kinmundy. Neither of them have children of their own. The third child of the subject and wife died in infancy. Mrs. Songer was called to her rest Sep- tember 9, 1907, after a most happy and har- monious married life and one that was beautified by Christian character and many kind and charitable deeds which made her beloved by all who knew her. She was a loyal member of the Methodist church, and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, of which order Mary E. ( Songer) Brown was also a member. Mr. Songer, as might be expected, is a consistent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post 255, known as the Hix Post. He is now commander of the same. In politics he is a Republican and is well grounded in his political beliefs, his influ- ence always being felt for the good of his party and in support of the best men pos- sible for local offices. He has never aspired to positions of trust and emolument at the hands of his fellow voters. However, he has been Alderman of the city of Kinmundy several tiines. His efforts have proven of the greatest benefit to his fellow men of Marion county as well as to himself. JAMES F. HOWELL. Examine into the life records of the self- made men and it will always be found that indefatigable industry forms the basis of their success. True there are other elements that enter in — perseverance of purpose and keen discrimination — which enable one to recognize business opportunities, but the foundation of all achievement is earnest, per- sistest labor. This fact was recognized at the outset of his career by the worthy gen- tleman whose name fonxis the caption of this article and he did not seek to gain any short or wondrous method to the goal of prosper- ity. He began, however, to work earnestly and diligently in order to advance himself in the business world, at the same time do- ing what he could for the welfare of the community at large, and as a result of his habits of industry, public spirit, courteous demeanor and honorable career he enjoys the esteem and admiration of a host of friends in Marion county, where he has long maintained his home and where he is known as one of the representative citizens of the great state of Illinois. James F. Howell was born in Marion county, this state, March 25, 1840, and he has elected to spend his entire life on his na- tive heath, believing that better opportuni- ties were to be found at home than in other and distant fields of endeavor. He is the son of Jackson D. and Agues (Gray) How- ell. Grandfather Howell came to Illinois from Tennessee in 1825, settling ni this BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 289 county, having taken up land from the gov- ernment, eighty acres at the time of his com- ing. He afterward bought one hundred and twenty acres more from the government, a part of which was timbered and a part was on the prairie. He cleared the timber land, this being the part he first purchased, clear- ing and farming the timbered land first. There were not any settlements on the prai- rie at that time, all the settlements there were then being in the timbered lands. The first Monday in May each year was wolf day. All the settlers gathered on that day and made a general drive, often taking large numbers of prairie wolves. There were also large numbers of deer at that time and our subject has helped kill as many as forty or fifty at one time. Grandfather Howell lived on the land he secured from the government during the rest of his life, being known as. one of the strongest characters of those pioneer times. He reached the age of eighty-five years, his wife having been called to rest at the age of fifty. There were ten children in this family, all of whom lived to maturity and reared families of their own. The subject's grandfather was the fifth in order of birth. Two of these children lived to be ovei- eighty years of age. The others lived to be about seventy. The subject's father obtained what little education he could in the district schools of this county ; however, there was but little op- portunity for schooling at that time. He worked on his father's fartn until after he reached maturity, then he pre-empted land, and lived on it, finally owning three hundred and sixty acres, mostly prairie land, on 19 which he carried on general farming. He made his home on this land during the rest of his life, owning it at the time of his death. He died while on the road home from Cali- fornia. His remains were brought to Kin- mundy and laid to rest. He was a man of fine personal traits and exercised much in- fluence in the upbuilding of his community. There were ten children in this family, six of whom lived to maturity. Mr. Howell's first wife was called to her rest at the age of forty-one, and he was again married. To this union two children were bom, one liv- ing, in 1908. The mother of the subject was bom in Tennessee and was brought to Illi- nois by her parents when about six' years old. James F. Howell, our subject, was born about one and one-half miles from where he now lives. The home he owns and oc- cupies is the fourth one in which he has lived since leaving his father's old home- stead. Our subject now owns twenty-six acres of the original purchase by his father from the government. He has always de- voted his time to agricultural pursuits, own- ing at this writing one hundred and six acres of as good farming land as may be found in the county, being kept in a high state of productiveness, general fanning be- ing carried on in a manner that stamps the subject as one of the foremost farmers in this locality. Mr. Howell was married in 1858 to Isabel J. Robb, who was bom in the township where she has always lived, being a repre- sentative of a well known and highly re- spected people. Her people came from Ten- 290 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. nessee, being among the earliest settlers in this county. Mrs. Howell was called to her reward February 3, 1907, at the age of sixty-six years, after a harmonious and beautiful Christian life. The childi-en born to this union are named in order of birth as follows: Arminda H., born June 18, 1859, is the wife of H. A. Brown, and the mother of eight children : Reufinia E., born February 24, 1861, is the wife of Benjamin Garrett and the mother of five children; Leander, born April 24, 1863, who became the father of four children, is deceased; Ida M. and Nettie, twins, were born September 23, 1866, the latter dying when four years old, the former becoming the wife of G. C. Warner; Charles H., born January 24, 1869, is married and has three children: Samuel E., born January 12, 1871, is married and has one child; Ellis M., born January 12, 1875, is married; Eva M., bom November 14, 1877, became the wife of Lloyd Perrill and is the mother of two chil- dren: James E., bom August 5, 1880, is married and has one child. He now lives in Roumania, in the employ of the Standard Oil Company. The subject has been twice married, hav- ing been united in the bonds of wedlock with his second wife February 20, 1908, his last wife being Martha Anglin, a native of this county, her people having come from Ten- nessee in 1839. The maternal grandfather of the subject's wife came from Ireland and her father's people from Scotland, first set- tling in Alabama, later moving to Tennessee and then to Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Minerva Howell, an aunt of the subject by marriage, was born in Tennessee in 1829. Her people were from old Virginia, who lat- er came to Illinois when she was one year old, her father settling in Marion county, later moving to Williamson county, Illinois, where he died when about seventy years old. Mrs. Howell remarried. She became the mother of eleven children, four of whom lived to maturity, two of them living in 1908. Her husband died at the age of seventy-six. He was also born in Tennes- see. James F. Howell is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in his political relations he affiliates with the Democratic party. The subject's first wife was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. In matters pertaining to the welfare of his township, county and state, Mr. Howell is deeply interested, and his efforts in behalf of the general progress have been far-reaching and beneficial. His name is indelibly asso- ciated with progress in the county of his birth, and among those in whose midst he has always lived he is held in the highest esteem by reason of an upright life and of fidelity to principles which in every land and clime command respect. WILFRED W. MERZ. The career of the subject of this review has been varied and interesting, and the his- tory of Marion county will be more interest- BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 291 ing if a record of his activities and achieve- ments are given prominence, and a tribute to his worth and high character as a business man, a public-spirited and enterprising, broad-minded citizen, for although he is yet a young man he has shovi^n by his persist- ency and eminently worthy career what can be accomplished by the young man who has thrift, energy, tact, force of character and honesty of purpose, and representing as he does one of the best and most highly es- teemed families of the country, whose an- •<:estors did so much in the pioneer days to prepare the country for the enjoyment and success of succeeding generations, Mr. Merz is peculiarly entitled to proper mention in this work along with other leading and hon- orable citizens of Marion county. Wilfred W. Merz, the popular and effi- cient agent of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company, also of the Wells, Fargo & Company Express, at Salem, Marion county, was born at this place February 13, 1872, being the eldest child of Nicholas Merz, who is a member of the .Council of Al- dermen of the city of Salem, and an influen- tial and highly respected citizen who has lived in Salem practically all his life. Nicho- las Merz's parents were born in Germany and migrated to America in early life, and soon established comfortable homes in the new world and lived to a ripe old age. The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Elizabeth A. Smith. She was bom at Decatur, Illinois, and died at Huey, Illinois. Sarah S. Ritchie, the maternal grand- mother of our subject, is a native of Giles county, Virginia, born March 22, 1828, and at present resides near Shattuc, Illinois, in her eightieth year. Her first husband was John H. Smith, who was born September I, 1 83 1, at Chillicothe, Ohio, and died at Metropolis, Illinois, October 2, 1888. He was the father of nine children (the mother of our subject being. the eldest), only one of whom is living, John Lewis Smith, of Car- lyle, Illinois. Nicholas Merz by his first wife is the father of five children, of whom four are liv- ing in 1908, and whose births occurred in the following order : Wilfred W., our sub- ject; Nellie, the wife of Richard Ellington, of St. Louis ; John L. , living in Chicago ; Nona died in Chicago, July 8, 1905 ; Orval Nicholas living in Salem, Illinois. To Nicho- las Merz and his second wife one child was born, Mabel, who is living with her parents in Salem. These children received a fairly good education and are comfortably located, each giving promise of successful careers. Wilfred W. Merz was reared in Salem, having attended the city schools where he applied himself in a most assiduous manner, outstripping many less ambitious plodders until he graduated from the high school as salutarian with the class of 1900, having made an excellent record for scholarship. After leaving school Mr. Merz farmed on his father's place for two years, making agriculture a success. He then left the farm and accepted a clerkship with the mercantile firm of Cutler & Hays in Salem in whose 292 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. employ he remained for one and one-half years, giving entire satisfaction as a sales- man and by reason of his adaptability for this line of work and his courteous treat- ment of customers did much to increase the fimi's popularity and trade. In 1893 Mr- Merz entered the railroad business with the Baltimore & Ohio, and was assistant agent at Salem during 1893 and 1894. On January 16, 1895, he was ap- pointed agent for the Chicago, Paducah & Memphis Railroad Company at Kell, Illi- nois. This road later passed into the control of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois in 1907, and after about eight months of acceptable service at Kell, Mr. Merz was promoted to the position of agent at Salem for the Chi- cago & Eastern Illinois road, and he has since been their faithful employe at this im- portant post, with the exception of five months as agent at Tuscola, Illinois, from January to June, 1904, and as assistant cash- ier of the Salem State Bank from October, 1904, to October, 1905, which position he held with honor and resigned the same to re-enter the railroad service. He is regarded by the company as one of ^ the most conscien- tious and reliable agents in their service. Since the division was established at Salem in 1905, this office has become one of the most important along the company's line. Mr. Merz was happily married August 24, 1897, to Nettie Kell, daughter of J. M. Kell and wife, a well known family of old Foxville. Mrs. Merz is a representative of one of the oldest families of Marion county, and one of a family of nine children, seven of whom are yet living, Maudie and Robert dying in infancy. Her father and mother are still living at the time of this writing, the mother, being one of ten sisters all of whom, are living in 1908, a most remarkable record. Her father, John M. Kell, was a soldier in the Union ranks during the war between the states and was one of a family of twelve children, one of his brothers being killed in the last skirmish of the Civil war after a service of three years. Mrs. Merz's grandfather, on her maternal side, was Robert Wham, a well-to-do pioneer of Marion county who rendered distinguished services as a soldier in the Mexican war. He had a brother, French L., who died in Andersonville prison. Mr. Wham passed away January ID, 1905, at a very old age. Mr. and Mrs. Merz are the parents of three bright and interesting children who have added cheer to the cozy, modern and nicely furnished home which is so graciously presided over with rare dignity and grace by the subject's. wife, the names of their chil- dren being as follows: Robert W., born July 6, 1898; Helen Louise, born Februaiy 6, 1900; Gladys Roberta, bom June 6, 1902. The fact that the birth of these children all occurred on the sixth of the month is a singular coincidence. Mr. and Mrs. Merz own their own beauti- ful home on East Main street. Both are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and are known as among the best members of the congregation with which they have always been popular. The subject BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 293 has spent his entire life in Salem where he is well and favorably known, having gained and retained undivided respect of all as a result of his sober, industrious and honor- able career. He is always to be found on the right side of all questions looking to the betterment of his community and may well be said to represent Marion county's best citizenship in every particular. JAMES HENRY KIMBERLIN. Upon the roll of representative citizens and prominent and influential business men of Marion county consistently appears the name which initiates this paragraph. He has been a resident of Salem for many years, during which time he has gradually won his way into the affections of the people, for he possesses those sterling qualities of char- acter which commend themselves to persons of intelligence and the highest morality, so it is no cause for wonder that he has achieved so high a position in the general estimation of all who have come in touch with him. For many years he was a pro- fessional man, gaining wide popularity in this manner, but he is now rendering effici- ent service at the Salem post-office. James Henry Kimberlin was born in Richland county, Illinois, January 18, i860, the son of W. O. Kimberlin, a native of In- diana, having been born February 2, 1826, near Scottsburg, Scott county. He left In- diana and came to Richland county, Illinois, in 1856, settling on a farm where he be- came known as one of the progressive agri- culturists of that community and made a comfortable living until the year 1884, when he was called from his earthly labors by the "grim reaper". His widow, who was Hannah E. Reed, born near Salem, Wash- ington county, Indiana, October 31, 1825, a woman of many praiseworthy traits, is living on the old homestead there at this writing (1908), being eighty-three years old, yet able to do her own house work. Her long life has been one of self-sacrifice for the good of her family and others so that now in her serene old age she can look back over the years without cause for regret. The father of our subject was a soldier in the Union ranks during the great Civil war, having been a member of Company F, Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was with Grant at Vicksburg and was in many other important battles. He was in the hospital service for some time, also did general duty at New Orleans, having re- mained in the service up to January 12, 1866, when he was discharged at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and arrived home Febru- ary 2d, following which was his fortieth birthday. He had two brothers killed in battle during this war. Their names were Daniel and Jacob. Another brother, Isaac M., went through the service in the Seventh and Eleventh Missouri Volunteer Infantry, having been a member of Company G. Dr. H. L. Kimberlin, another brother of the subject's father, who is now living at Mitchell, Indiana, was a Government Re- porter on Governor Morton's staff. 294 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. The paternal grandfather of the subject was Jacob Kimberlin, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who came to Indiana when a young man. He devoted his life to farming and died about 1871. He was well known about Greenfield, where he operated a toll gate, subsequent to the war. The subject's ma- ternal grandfather was Joseph Reed, of Scotch-English ancestry. Eight children were born to the parents of the subject, only two of whom are now living. George W., the subject's only living brother, is living at Noble, Richland county, with his mother on the old farm. Among the papers held by the Kimberlins is the original land grant by the government for their old homestead made to Joseph Reed and signed by President Franklin Pierce. James Henry Kimberlin, our subject, spent his boyhood on the parental farm in Richland county where he performed his part of the work about the place from year to year after he reached the age when he could be of valuable ser\nce to his father. He attended the neighboring schools in the meantime where he applied himself in a manner which insured a good education. After leaving school and working at vari- ous minor employments for several years he finally accepted a position as commercial traveler which he followed with marked success for three and one-half years, giving entire satisfaction to his employers, when, much to their regret he was compelled to tender his resignation on account of tem- porary ill health. After this our subject took up the study of ophthalmology, which he decided should be his life work, conse- quently he made rapid progress in this work,^ having attended the Northern Illinois Col- lege of Ophthalmology at Chicago, from which institution he graduated with high honors with the degree of Fellow of Optics in 1892. He at once began practice and his success was instantaneous, having prac- ticed at Olney, Shelbyville and Salem, hav- ing established his business in the last named city in 1900, since which time he has been a resident of this city. His work in this line was always considered first class and he achieved wide popularity in the same. Mr. Kimberlin was, however, induced to give up his profession to become deputy post-master of this city, which position he is filling to the entire satisfaction of all con- cerned, showing that he has rare executive as well professional ability. Mr. Kimberlin was united in marriage to Eva Myers, November 19, 1903, the daugh- ter of the late Theodore Myers, of luka, Illi- nois, and the accomplished representative of a well known family. One child, a bright and interesting lad, bearing the name of James Henry Kimberlin, Jr., was bom to the subject and wife May 4, 1905. Mrs. Kimberlin is one of a family of five children. One child died after reaching ma- turity. Theodore Myers was a farmer, and was a soldier in the Civil war. In his political affiliations our subject is a strong Republican, and he is a well informed man on political and all current questions. He is a Protestant in his religious belief. He is recognized as a man of sterling integrity BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 295 and of strong convictions as to all matters affecting the best interests of the community and is always found on the right side of every moral issue. GEORGE COX. In the field of political life, teaching and the railroad business in Marion county, Illi- nois, the subject of this sketch has won dis- tinction, and today is numbered among the leading, influential and honored citizens of Salem. He has figured prominently in pub- lic affairs, ever lending his influence in the development of all worthy causes looking to the development of the locality at large, be- ing an advocate of progressive measures. He is now filling the position of Deputy County Clerk and the promptness and fidelity with which he discharges his duties have won for him the favorable criticism of leading representatives of both political parties. George Cox was born in Parke county, Indiana, July 11, 1848, and came to luka, Illinois, September 4, 1868. His father was Alfred Cox, a native of Ohio, who migrated to Indiana when a very small boy. Joshua Cox, grandfather of George Cox, was a na- tive of Hamilton county, Ohio, who mi- grated to Indiana at a very early date and entered land when the United States land office was at Vincennes, he being compelled to go to Vincennes to make his payments, making the trip on horseback, and it was his custom to camp and hunt on the way. Grandfather Cox was a farmer of great ability for those early times. His widow survived him several years. George W. Overpeck, grandfather of the subject on his mother's side, was born in Pennsylvania. His father and mother having died in early life he drifted to Hamilton county, Ohio, and died in the spring of 1867, having been survived several years by his widow. They spent their lives on a farm. The father of the subject is now a resi- dent of Illinois and makes his home among his children here and at Shattuc, this state. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Mary Overpeck, a native of Ohio. She passed to her rest in April, 1902, at Shattuc, Illinois, at the home of her daughter. Both the father and the mother of our subject were the oldest representa- tives of their respective families. Following children were bom to them, seven of whom are living at this writing, 1908, named in order of birth as follows : George, our sub- ject; Mary Jane, wife of P. B. Anderson, of Shattuc, Illinois ; Sally Ann, wife of H. C. Brown, of Vandalia, Illinois; John, of CHnton county, near Huey, Illinois; Amanda, deceased ; Perry, of luka township, this county; Warner, of Decatur, Illinois; Eva, deceased; Julia is the wife of Milton Andrews, of Ouray, Colorado; Libby is de- ceased as are also the last two children born to this couple. George Cox was reared on the parental farm in Parke county, Indiana, and attended the common schools there, also the graded schools by working mornings and evenings 296 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. to pay his tuition, as his parents were poor and could not defray the expenses of an edu- cation for our subject, but he was possessed of an indomitable will and forged ahead despite obstacles winning definite success in after life as a result of his energy and per- sistency. After completing the course of study laid down in the graded schools he at- tended school at Rockville for a time, after which he taught school with great success for several years, becoming known as one of the able educators of the county and his services were in great demand. He con- tinued teaching until his health failed. He then went to railroading, locating. in luka September 4, 1868, as indicated before. He attended school that winter at Xenia, Illi- nois, passing the examination for teacher's license. He then took a course in the Wa- bash Commercial College at Vincennes, In- diana, after which he returned to railroading first as brakeman, then a freight conductor, later as passenger conductor on the old Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, now the Baltimore & Ohio, Southwestern Railroad. During all these years of railroad service he would at times return to teaching school in both Indiana and Illinois. In 1880 our subject moved on a fai"m in luka township and for twenty-one consecutive years taught school during the winter months, farming the re- mainder of the year. He made a success of whatever he undertook whether it was farm- ing, teaching or railroading. In the latter he won the confidence of his employers who regarded him as one of their most valuable employes. In April, 1908, Mr. Cox became Deputy County Clerk, which position he is holding with much credit to his innate ability and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. When teaching school our subject was principal of the luka schools. He was of- fered many important positions as a teacher but declined as he desired to teach near home and live at home. Mr. Cox was united in marriage in 1879 to Mary E. Young, the talented and accom- plished daughter of W. J. Young, of luka township, one of the pioneers of Marion county. Mr. Young was an influential citi- zen and served as a lieutenant during the Civil war. One child was born to the subject and wife who died in infancy. Mr. Cox still owns a valuable farm of eighty acres in which he takes a great inter- est, having improved it up to a high stand- ard of Marion county's valuable farms, it ranking with the best of them. It is located four and one-half miles southeast of luka. An excellent residence and several substan- tial out buildings stand on the place. Mr. Cox has been a candidate for County Superintendent of Schools at different times but was defeated by a few votes. In poli- tics he is a Democrat. In his fraternal re- lations he is affiliated with the Masons at luka and is an honorary- member of the Modern ^Voodmen. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cox are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church and both belong to the Eastern Star. T ""^ X-^^'^ 1 ) j h L-; i WEST HOME. Kinmundy, Illinois. C. H. WEST. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 297 CHARLES H. WEST. The early pioneers of Marion county, Illinois, have about all "crossed the great divide." Year by year their numbers have continued to diminish, until of the hundreds who settled here in the twenties and thirties only a few of them remain. There are, how- ever, many men and women now living in the county, who, though coming here in what might be properly termed the second period after the pioneers, have borne well their part in making this a prosperous re- gion. They are no less worthy of praise in the part they bore in the labors and priva- tions of this early period than are their par- ents. Among these is the subject of this sketch, who has spent the major part of his mature years in the county where he has become widely known and where his labors have benefited alike himself and the commu- nity at large. Charles H. West was born in Delaware county, Indiana, October 27, 1845, the son of George and Elizabeth (Brammer) West. The father of the subject left Pennsyl- vania when a young man, and settled in Delaware county, Indiana, and came to Illi- nois in 1865, in Jo Daviess county and in 1869 came to Marion county where he re- mained the balance of his life, having reached the advanced age of eighty-three years, after a life of hard work in agri- cultural pursuits. The subject's mother, a woman of many fine qualities and a worthy companion of her noble husband, lived to be seventy-three years old, and was in her religious belief a member of the old school Baptists. There were seven children in this family, six living to maturity. Samuel, the oldest brother of the subject, was a soldier from Indiana in the Union lines and was killed at Marietta, Georgia, where he was buried. A brother of the father of our sub- ject had a son, John T. West, who was also a soldier in the Civil war, having been in a Pennsylvania regiment. Charles H. West, our subject, came with his father to Marion county in 1869. He attended the public schools in Delaware county, Indiana, where he worked on his father's farm during the summer season, having remained a member of the family circle until he was thirty-one years of age. He then leased his father's farm in this county for a number of years, and after his father returned to Illinois he purchased the same which he has managed with the greatest success for a period of twenty- five years, developing it into one of the lead- ing farms of the community and gathering from its fertile fields from year to year bounteous harvests. Mr. West owns at this writing, 1908, twelve and one-half acres in Kinmundy in one section of the city and also a ten-acre orchard in another section of the city, also forty acres one-half mile east of the town, containing a fine orchard, all well located and good land. He also has excellent prop- erty in the central part of the town, and fifty acres of horticultural land, which is very valuable owing to the large and choice varieties of trees on it. This property 298 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. claims much of his attention since Mr. West dehghts in horticultural work, being well versed in its various phases. He owns a modern, large, nicely furnished and alto- gether one of the most desirable residences in Kinmundy or vicinity. All this he has made himself practically unaided as a result of his genuine business sagacity, persistency and honesty. Mr. West was united in marriage in 1877 to Rose N. Dillon, a native of Marion county, whose father was from Kentucky: her mother's people being from Ohio. Three children have been born to this union, named in order of birth as follows : Harry T., who was born in 1878, is married and has two children; Maud L. is the wife of A. G. Porter and the mother of one child ; the third child died in infancy. Mr. West is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and their auxiliaries. In politics he is a Republican and is an Alderman in the City Council of Kinmundy, which position he fills with great credit. In township and county affairs Mr. AVest takes an active interest and when his judg- ment approves of any measure that is ad- vanced he is not hesitant in giving his ap- proval and active aid. In many ways he has given his time and service for the general good. He has a wide acquaintance and the favorable judgment the public passed upon him in the early days of his residence here has been in no degree set aside or modified as the years have gone by. WILLIAM C. INGRAM. Standing in an eminent position among the industrial representatives of Marion county is the subject of this sketch, who is recognized as .one of Kinmundy's lead- ing citizens, having for many years been interested in the local flouring mill the repu- tation of which has spread all over this lo- cality as a result of his able management. In this regard he is controlling an exten- sive and important industry, for the product of his mill is large and the annual shipment of flour made to the city markets bring in return a very desirable income to the stock- holders of the company. His success has been won entirely along old and time-tried maxims, such as "honesty is the best policy" and "there is no excellence without labor." William C. Ingram was born in Indiana in 1848, the son of Samuel and Minerva A. (Powers) Ingram. Grandfather Ingram is supposed to have been bom in Kentucky and moved to Warrick county, Indiana, where he engaged in farming and where he spent the balance of his days in honest and use- ful toil ; there raising his family and passing from his labors into the great beyond, after reaching a very advanced age. His faithful life companion also lived to an advanced age. They reared a large family, all but one of whom lived to be men and women and reared families of their own. A number of their sons were gallant infantrymen in the Union ranks during the war between the states. The Ingram lineage is from Eng- BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 299 land, and were early settlers in Kentucky, having come there in the brave days of Daniel Boone when ■ the principal tasks of the pioneers were the clearing of the pri- meval forests and the banishment of the wary red men. Samuel Ingram, the father of the subject, was reared in Indiana, and was almost wholly without educational advantages. His date of birth is recorded as 1824, conse- quently his boyhood was during a time when schools had scarcely been established in the Hoosier state. He devoted his life to agri- cultural pursuits of which he made a suc- cess being a hard worker. He left Indiana in 1854 and moved to Edwards county, Illinois, but came on to Marion county, land- ing here April 6, 1857, and bought a farm on which he remained and greatly improved, living there in comfort until 1866, when he moved to Kinmundy, still working his farm ; continuing this for ten years when he sold out and retired from active work. He is still hale and active at this writing (1908), having attained the ripe age of eighty- four. As a result of his well spent life his old age is happy, for it is free from want and worry and pervaded with no unpleasant memories or regrets and compunctions over a misspent past, for his life has been one of honor and industry, most worthily lived. There were eight children in his family, six of whom are now living and have families of their own. The mother of the subject, a woman of beautiful Christian character, passed to her rest at the age of seventy- eight years. This fine old couple were al- ways devout Methodists. The great-grandfather Powers of the subject spent most of his life in Indiana,, living to an old age. He was a Democrat and a Baptist. Grandmother Powers died in middle age. One of Mrs. Ingram's brothers, John Powers, was a soldier in the Civil war. William C. Ingram, our subject, was brought to Illinois by his paraits when six years old and to Marion county three years later, having been placed at once in the pub- lic schools here where he received his edu- cation, and in other similar schools of this state. He worked on his father's farm and for others as a farm hand until he was twenty-one years old, when he rented a farm and worked it on his own account for two years, making a good start in this way. He then purchased a fann of one hundred and fifty acres in this county on which he re- mained for a few years when he went to carpentry and farming, later purchasing a saw mill which he successfully operated for twenty-five years, which he recently sold. He has also owned two other saw mills, and has been known as one of the leading mill men of this locality for many years Some time ago he came to Kinmundy and pur- chased an interest in the Songer flouring mill which has been in operation for forty years, the subject now owning forty shares in this mill and is a director in the same, which has a wide reputation for the excellency of its products, customers not only coming in per- son from all parts of the county, but many orders are constantly pouring in from ad- joining counties and distant cities. The sub- ject's son is also a part owner in the milL 300 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. He also owns and controls thirty shares of the capital stock. Our subject has also been a merchant, and owing to his honesty in business, his natural ability and his discriminating fore- sight, he has always made a success at what- ever he undertook, so that today he is re- garded as one of the financially substantial men of the county, every dollar in his pos- session having been honestly earned by hard work. Mr. Ingram was united in marriage in 1869 to Mary R. Gray, a native of this county, daughter of James H, and Susanna Jane (Hannah) Gray. They were from Tennessee and lived on a farm. Her father was president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Kinmundy at the time of his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-seven years. In their family were ten children, seven of whom lived to maturity, but were short-lived people. Six children were born to the subject and wife as follows : Jane who was born in 1 87 1, died when two and one-half years old; Charles H., who was born in 1874, is now living in Oklahoma and is the father of six children : Nellie A., who was born in 1876, is the wife of M. E. Huston, who lives at Maroa, Illinois, and is the mother of one child; Isaac D. was born in 1879 and is now associated with his father in the mill, is mar- ried and has three children; Robert L., who was born in 1880, is living in the state of Washington, is married and has one child; AVilliam G., born in 1882, died at the age of twenty-one years. The subject's first wife passed away in 1883. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. South. Mr. Ingram was married a second time, the date of his last wedding occurring in 1888. Nancy I. Gray (nee Booth), who was then the mother of two children, was his second choice. W. H. Gray, a sketch of whose life appears in this work, is her son. Her other child is dead. There has been no issue by the subject's last union. Mr. Ingram is a member of the Ma- sonic Fraternity and he attends the Metho- dist church, of which his wife is a faithful member. In politics he supports the Re- publican ticket and he takes a keen interest in public affairs, though he has no ambition for the honors or emoluments of public of- fice, preferring to give his attention to his own business afifairs. \Y. S. CONANT. Marion county, Illinois, is characterized by her full share of the honored and faith- ful element who have done so much for the development and upbuilding of the state and the establishment of the institutions of civ- ilization in this fertile and well favored sec- tion. Among these worthy native sons the name of the subject of this sketch is properly installed. A\'. S. Conant was boni in this county, September 22, 1854, the son of AA'illiam R., and Fannie (Swift) Conant. Grandfather Conant was a native of Massachusetts, who BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 301 moved from that state to Georgia aiid then to Ilhnois, setthng in Marion county, com- ing here in an early day and being the first school teacher in the county. He entered land here and famied for some time, having passed to his rest about 1840, at the age of about fifty years. His wife died within one week of her husband. Grandfather Swift was a native of Tennessee, who moved to this county about 1830, entering land here which he developed into a farm and where he reared his family. He died a short dis- tance from where he first located, having moved to the former place, his death occur- ring about 1870, when he was about sev- enty years old. His widow survived him about ten years. She was a Presbyterian. There were five children in this family, all of them living to maturity. The father of the subject was bom in Georgia and came to Illinois with his par- ents when he was but a boy. His father being a teacher, he received some education, but the father of the subject was a hard- working man and did not take time to prop- erly improve his education. He was always a farmer. He entered land which he later added to by purchase until he had a valu- able farm of two hundred acres, which he left at his death. The mother of the sub- ject died when shei was two years old, in 1856, his father having died at the age of forty. He was a Democrat in political be- lief. W. S. Conant, our subject, had the ad- vantage of a common school education, and having applied himself in a diligent manner he became fairly well educated, not leaving the school room until he was nineteen years old. He worked on his father's farmi until he was twenty, when he went to work on his own account. He farmed with his brother- in-law, then rented a farm and so continued for four years. He then bought a faim in 1881 of three hundred and twenty acres. It was unimproved prairie land, but the sub- ject devoted seven years of hard work on the place and developed a fine and well im- proved farm. He still owns this place. He thai bought a residence property, and in time sold that and purchased the farm where he has since resided, which consists of twenty-four acres on which there is a modem and substantial i-esidence together with convenient out-buildings. The subject carries on general farming in a most suc- cessful manner, skillfully rotating his crops so as to keep the soil in good productive condition. He also devoted much time to stock-raising, being a good judge of all kinds of live stock, especially cattle and horses. He frequently feeds for the mar- ket, but is now selling his stock for other purposes. He raises a good class O'f horses. For six years he engaged in buying and sel- ling live stock in connection with his farm- ing and made this business a success in every particular. Our subject was united in marriage in November, 1877, to Agnes I. Morgan, daughter of J. B. and Martha (Doolen) Morgan, who came to this county at an early day. There were two of the Doolen brothers who went through the Civil war, and are living in 1908. Six children have been bom to the sub- 302 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ject and wife, as follows: Martha, born in 1880, who died in infancy; Gracie; Flor- ence, who was born in 1881, died when three years old ; William, who was bom September 22, 1885, died whai six years old; George, who was born July 8, 1887, is a farmer, married and has one child; Clarence C. was born July 14, 1894; Lewis was born in 1897, is single and living at home. The subject is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, in his fraternal relations, and also a Modern Woodman, be- longing also to the Royal Neighbors, having filled all the chairs in an able manner in the Woodmen. In his religious affiliations he subscribes to the Methodist Episcopal church. South, as does also his wife. Mr. Conant is a loyal Democrat although he does not find much time to devote to polit- ical matters. SAMUEL D. GRAHAM. The enterprising citizen whose name heads this article needs no introduction to the people of Marion county. He has been for some time prominaitly identified with the financial and industrial interests of the community where he resides and always manifesting an active interest in the pub- he welfare. His long life has been a most active and useful one in every respect, and has resulted in the accumulation of an ample competence for his closing years as well as in much good to his fellow men and the community at large, where he has many warm friends. Samuel D. Graham was born in Rush county, Indiana, in April, 1836, the son of Hezekiah and Sarah (Smith) Graham. Grandfather Graham was bom in Scotland and came to Pennsylvania in the seven- teenth century. Both he and his brother, Isaac, came from Scotland and both fought in the Revolutionary war. Grandfather was a captain and he had his eyes burned by the explosion of a gun in the hands of one of his own soldiers and eventually lost his eyesight from the efifects of it, having been blind for twenty years before his death. He never drew his pension although it was al- lowed. It is in the hands of the govern- ment yet. He was about eighty years old when he died, leaving eight children living out of a family of nine, all of whom lived to maturity, five of whom moved to Ohio, where they made homes and reared families and where they died. Grandfather was dea- con in the Baptist church for forty years, and he and Grandmother Graham were Baptists and always lived the Christian life. Grandfather Smith was a native of Penn- sylvania, who moved from there to Butler county, Ohio, after the death of his first wife. He and our subject's father were married by the same minister and with the same ceremony. In Grandfather Smith's family there were seven children, who lived to maturity. The youngest daughter by this marriage, Rebecca McClelland, was the mother of Gen. George B. McClelland. There was no issue from the second mar- BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 303 riage. Grandfather Smith Hved to be well advanced in years. After his remains had been buried twelve years, they were taken up for removal and it was found that his body was petrified. Grandfather Smith was a Revolutionary soldier and one of his sons- in-law, Oren Davis, was with him as a sol- dier, and his son, Charles was in the Black Hawk "war. The father of the subject left Pennsyl- vania when twenty years old. He did not have early school advantages, but in time became educated and a well read man through his own persistent efforts, being particularly well informed on historical mat- ters and events. He settled in Butler county, Ohio, buying timbered land which he cleared and developed into a good fai-m, living there for about twelve years, when he moved to Rush county, Indiana, in 183 1, remaining there until his death, which oc- curred at the age of seventy-two years, his date of birth having occurred on August 6, 1799. His wife was bom in October, 1800. He was twice married, his- first wife being the mother of our subject. She died at the age of thirty-seven years, having given birth to eleven children, sevai of whom lived to maturity. The father was married again, there being born to the last union ten' children, all of whom, lived to maturity. The father and mother were Baptists. The former spent his entire life on a farm, leaving a farmi and a goodly share of money to his heirs, and also left land in Iowa, all of which shows that he w^as a thrifty and prudent man of affairs. Hezekiah Graham, father of the subject, in addition to his own family of eighteen children took four 01-phan boys and one girl and kept them until they reached ma- turity and in addition to these he was al- ways hunting and finding homes for other orphan children, and his own smoke-house and granary were always open to the poor and needy. He believed with the great philosopher, Henry Drummond, that "The greatest thing a man can do for his Heavenly Father is to be kind to some of His children." Samuel D. Graham, our subject, had but little opportunity to attend school, having spent altogether less than six months in the school room. He worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-six years old, then hired out as a fami hand for ten years, dur- ing which time he saved his earnings and bought a farm in Fayette county, Indiana. He lived there for ten years, then sold out and bought another farm in Union county, Indiana, and sold this at the end of two years, when he moved to Illinois, settling in Marion county, buying a farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres of improved land, near Kinmundy in 1882. In 1903 he bought his splendid modern residence and two acres of ground in Kinmundy, where he has since resided. He sold his farm here and bought a farm in Butler county, Missouri, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres of improved bottom land on which his son resides and success- fully manages. Since coming to Kinmundy our subject has lived in peaceful and hon- 304 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. orable retirement, conscious of a well spent life, which has been a very active one and has resulted in success in an eminent degree.' He always benefited himself in his land deals and was an unusually good farmer, keeping his farms well improved and in a high state of cultivation. Our subject was married in 1870 to Mrs. Rhoda E. Prichard, nee Patterson, a native of Union county, Indiana. Her father, Alexander Patterson, was born December 7, 181 5, and came to Ohio when fifteen years of age, later to Union county, Indiana, where his father had purchased an eighty- acre farm. He lived and died on that farm. Mrs. Graham became the mother of three children by her first marriage, all of whom are deceased. One Oif the oldest brothers, James M. Patterson, was a soldier during the Civil war from Indiana, and was killed at Winchester, Virginia, in the battle of September 19, 1864. Her people were of Scotch-German descent. Her grandparents on her father's side were married Septem- ber 6, 1798. Grandfather Patterson was born April 14, 1769, and Grandmother Pat- terson was bom July 29, 1776. The following children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs. Grahami: Hai-vey McClel- land, born August 23, 1871, was accident- ally killed in 1904; William H., was bom in 1873, is living on a farm in Missouri, is married, but has no children living: Tillie Alma, who was born December 15, 1878, died Januaiy 28, 1879; Katie L., born May 6, 1880, is the wife of Melvin Hamilton, and is living' in Indiana. They have two children living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Graham are active members of the Baptist church. Our sub- ject is a loyal Democrat, but seldom takes much interest in political affairs, however, his support is always for the good of the community in all questions. Our subject has been a great reader, hav- ing read the Bible through not less than six or seven times, besides scores of other good books and much pure literary matter. He relates that he has been acquainted with not less than five hundred of the Grahams and that he never knew or heard of • one of them who ever used intoxicants of any kind or character, and but few of them who ever used tobacco., and about one-half of them are church people. WILLIAM R. KELL. The subject of this life record is one of the oldest pioneer farmers of Marion coun- ty, having spent his long and useful life within the borders of the same and assisted in its development is eveiy way possible, for while seeking to advance his own interests he never lost sight of his obligations to his neighbors and fellow citizens. His life rec- ord should be an inspiration to the younger generation, for it has been one of sterling worth and led along high planes of honor. William R. Kell was born in Haines town- ship, Marion county, Illinois, October 30, 1835, the son of Thomas and Mary L. (Lit- tle) Kell, both natives of South Carolina. Thomas Kell came to Illinois in 1822 with BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 305 his parents and they settled first in Rome township, Jefferson county. Thomas Kell was the name of the subject's grandfather, who was also a native of South Carolina, in which state he married Margaret Gaston. He got government land is Rome township, Jef- ferson county, this state, about four hundred acres in all, in prairie and timber land. He died there, but his wife died in Haines town ship, Marion county. Twelve children, all of whom are deceased, were born to the grandparents of our subject, namely: Wil- liam, Jane, John, Samuel G., Martha, Alex- ander, Thomas, father of our subject ; James died in Walnut Hill, Illinois; Eliza, Riley, Martha, and Matthew Cannon. Mary L. Little, mother of our subject, was the daughter of Samuel Little, of South Carolina. He first married Mary Luke and his second narriage was to a Miss Ei'vin. Two children were bom to Samuel Little and his first wife, and eleven children by the second wife, all deceased except one. Thom- as Kell, father of our subject, was reared on the old home place, remaining at home un- til he was about twenty years of age. He received a meagre education in subscription schools. After his marriage he located in Haines township, Marion county, becoming well-to-do, owning about eight hundred aci'es of land. He handled much stock, espe- cially horses and mules. In politics he was a Whig, later a Republican. He held some of the minor township offices. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. He died July 26, 1892. Twelve children were born to the parents of our subject, namely: Wil- liam, our subject ; Mary A. lived in Haines 20 township and was the wife of William Tel- ford; Margaret J., who married James Mor- ton, is deceased; Samuel W., who was a sol- dier in Company A, One Hundred and Elev- enth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was killed during a skirmish February 12, 1865, in North Carolina ; John was a soldier in Com- pany E, One Hundred and Thirty-Sixth Il- linois Volunteer Infantry, having enlisted for three months ; Thomas C. died at the age of four years; Martha, who married W. J. Shook, is deceased ; James C. is deceased ; Alexander P. lives in Mexico; Charles T. lives in Haines township; Mathew C. lives in Haines township; Esther E. is the wife of John Little, who lives in Monmouth, Illi- nois. William R. Kell, our subject, received only a limited schooling, but he was ambitious and by home study and close ap- plication he fitted himself for a teacher, and taught school while a young man for twen- ty-two months, teaching one term after his marriage. He remained at home until he married, when he came to his present home is Haines township in section 29, which was a new place, but the subject has always been a man of thrift and he soon had the wild land transformed into an excellent farm, having brought it up in all modern improve- ments until it is now ec]ual to any in the township in this respect. It is highly pro- ductive and has made the subject a comfort- able living. He has a very substantial dwelling, an excellent barn, and his place not only shows prosperity, but excellent management. Mr. Kell married Sarah Keeney on April 3o6 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. I, 1858. She was born in Haines township, the daughter of A. W. and Martha (Farris) Keeney. Her father was a native of In- diana and her mother of Tennessee. They came to Marion county, lUinois, at an early day and farmed in Haines township, later moving to Salem, Illinois, where Mr. Kee- ney engaged in the milling business and where he and his wife both died. Eleven children have been born to the sub- ject and his first wife, namely: Mary, the wife of W. F. McNeiley, living in Raccoon township; Sarah Jane, the wife of Finis Gaston, lives in Haines township, this coun- ty ; Edward E. lives in Kell and married Ella McMeans ; Margaret E. is the wife of John F. Gaskill, living in Kell; Lena Ann is the wife of Valandingham Brownfield, living in Kell; George lives in Haines township; Thomas F. died in infancy; James H. is a carpenter living in Haines township; Boyd R. married Maud Williamson and they live in East St. Louis; William N. died when ten years old; Arthur W., who married Mary Jones, is a carpenter living in Cen- tralia. Mrs. Kell died August 14, 1883. Mr. Kell chose as his second wife Mary E. Pur- due, a native of Haines township and the daughter of William C.and Martha (Keele) Purdue, natives of Tennessee, who came to Marion county in 1838. They first settled in Raccoon township and later moved to Haines township. Three children have been born to our subject as a result of his second marriage, as follows : The first child died in infancy; John C. is living at home ; Eliza- beth L. is also living at home. The above named children were educated in the home schools. Mr. Kell is a loyal Republican, having first voted for John C. Fremont. He has been Highway Commissioner and also a member of the School Board. He is a faithful mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. In his fra- ternal relations he belongs to the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, Romine Lodge, No. 663, at Kell. He is also a member of the Modem Woodmen of America, Camp No. 5284, at Kell. Mr. Kell has been prosperous owing to the fact that he has led a busy life and has been honest in his dealings with his fellow men. He is held in high favor by all who know him and has always been influential in his communitv. FRED O. GRISSOM. The subject of this sketch is regarded as one of the public-spirited and representative citizens of Kinmundy township, Marion county, Illinois, who has ever upheld high trusts in a most worthy manner. He is essentially a man of the people, a true American of the period in which he lives and possessing the esteem of his fellow citi- zens, it is but just that on the roster of Marion county's men of ability and worth his name be given due prominence. Fred O. Grissom was born March 9, 1876, in Meacham township, Marion county, the son of J. W. and M. J. Grissom, natives of Ohio and Illinois, respectively. BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 307 The father of our subject is a Civil war veteran who at this writing, 1908, is sixty- four years old. He located in this county in the early sixties, residing on a farm for many years, having improved the same and made a comfortable living by habits of in- dustry and economy. About twenty-seven years ago he moved to Farina, this state, and engaged in business. The subject's mother was born in Marion county, the ■daughter of Silas Parrill, who was one of the earliest settlers here. He used to do all his marketing at St. Louis. He lived to the advanced age of eighty-eight years, having died on the farm which he settled when •quite a young man. The subject's parents were married December 20, 1867, and three ■children were born to this union, namely: Charles F., Fred O. and Louis E. The first born died when six years old. Fred O. Grissom remained a member of the family circle until he reached maturity, having attended the common schools at Farina, Illinois, where he diligently applied himself and received a fairly good education. The business career of Mr. Grissom began January i, 1894. He learned the printing business in the office of The Farina News, where he worked until August 23, 1898, when he located in Kinmundy, having pur- chased The Kinmundy Express, and he has been engaged in active newspaper work ever since. Although he met with misfortune twice, his newspaper plant having been des- troyed by fire on two different occasions, nothing daunted, he has forged ahead and is •enjoying a liberal patronage. Mr. Grissom was married on January 19, 1899, to Jennie A. Bascom, the refined and accomplished daughter of Rev. S. B. and C. M. Bascom. She was born in Ramsey, Illinois, November 25, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Grissom's home has not been blessed with any children. Mrs. Grissom is a member of the Metho- dist church, and in his fraternal relations, our subject is a member of Clipper Lodge No. 413, Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a Democrat, but he has never held public office, being contented to lead a quiet life and do what he can towards placing right men in the local offices, but he has never aspired to positions of honor or emolument at the hands of his fellow voters. However, he has the interest of the public at heart and is known as a man of industry, honesty and loyalty to right principles. LEANDER C. MATTHEWS. The subject has spent his entire life in this county and he has always had deeply at heart the well-being and improvement of the county, using his influence whenever pos- sible for the promotion of entei-prises cal- culated to be of lasting benefit to his fellow men, besides taking a leading part in all movements for the advancement of the com- munity along social, intellectual and moral lines. Leander C. Matthews was bom South of Salem, in the edge of Jefferson county. May 3o8 BRINKERI-IOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 25, 1848, the son of Andrew J. and Hulda (Swafford) Matthews, natives of Tennessee and IlHnois, respectively, and both repre- sentatives of honorable and well known families in their own communities. Our subject remained under his parental roof until he reached man's estate and at- tended the district schools in his native com- munity and in Centralia, where he applied himself in a careful manner and received a good education. Mr. Matthews early decided to devote his life to a business career and he has bent every effort to this end with gratifying re- sults. He commenced a general business in 1883 at Fairman, Marion county, Illinois, where he remained ten years with much success at- tending his efforts. He is at this writing engaged in the hay, grain and implement business in Kinmundy, this county, and is conducting a thriving business, his trade extending to all parts of the county and penetrating to adjoining counties, in fact he is one of the best known dealers in these lines in this part of the state and the able manner in which he conducts his business and his courteous treatment with those with whom he deals insure him a liberal income from year to year. Mr. Matthews was united in marriage Oc- tober 8, 1873, to S. Elizabeth Lydick, who was bom near Odin, this county, December 24, 1854, the refined and affable daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Sugg) Lydick, a well known family of that locality. The following family has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Matthews: Lillian, Baby, Hallie, Hulda, Carl. They have all gone to their rest except Hulda, who is the wife of Albert C. Dunlap, of Champaign, Illinois. In his fraternal relations Mr. Matthews is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Kinmundy, also of the Knights of Pythias of this place. In politics he is a loyal Democrat and takes a vital interest in his party's affairs, however, he has never aspired to positions of public trust. Both he and his wife are members of the Chris- tian church, and our subject is regarded as one of the substantial church workers of Kinmundy, and he has long taken an active part in all religious affairs. He is a man of large public spirit and enterprise, and per- sonally is of the genial and sunny type, pleasant to meet and makes friends readily. He likes a good story and enjoys a good joke, and because of these qualities of com- mendation and genuine worth Mr. Mat- thews has won a host of warm friends which he retains, being popular with all classes in his community where he maintains a home that is comfortable, substantial and pleasant in all its appointments and which is regarded as a place of generous hospitality and good cheer. JOSEPH T. ARNOLD. The subject of this review, who is the owner of a fine landed estate in Marion county, Illinois, in his successful career as a husbandman must l^a^■e clearly demon- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 309 strated what an aiterprising and industri- ous man can accomplish when he has good common sense and honesty of purpose to control his energy, and as a result of these praiseworthy qualities he stands today as one of the substantial citizens of the vicinity of Kinmundy. where he is well known. Joseph T. Arnold is a native of this coun- ty and he has preferred to spend his life here. The date on which our subject first saw the light of day was May 12, 1857. He is the son of John W. and Nancy (Jones) Arnold. His grandfather, John Arnold, was bom in North Carolina in 1795 of English stock. Great-grandfather Ar- nold was a Methodist Episcopalian, who preached the gospel in a most able manner for a period of forty-five years. His mother was a very pious woman and from her the subject's grandfather was taught Christianity. He was brought to Georgia by his parents when six years old, where he remained until he was ten years of age. When about twelve years old he was taken by his parents to Tennessee. In two years they moved to Alabama. He saw General Jackson with his army of some two thou- sand men pass by his door in 1812 when living in Huntsville, Alabama. He was in the army himself for a short time. When twenty years old he went to school for the first time for one month only, but he learned to read and write ; that was the extent of his school days. When twenty-one years old he married Elizabeth Webb and moved to Illinois and after two years here moved back to Alabama and from there to Louisi- ana; then returned to Alabama where he remained for a period of twelve years, after which he moved to Illinois again. He reached, the remarkable age of ninety-three years. There were five of his sons in the Civil war, all in Illinois regiments; one of these was killed in battle, the others served their time out and were honorably dis- charged ; one of them was wounded in bat- tle and was crippled as a result during the balance of his days. Grandmother Arnold lived to be about eighty. Grandfather Jones was a native of Geor- gia, who came north and settled in Illinois. TwO' of his sons, Eli and Machak, were sol- diers in the war between the states in Illi- nois regiments. Eli Jones had a leg shot off. Both the Jones and the Arnold fami- lies settled in Marion county upon their ar- rival in this state, where they took up land and developed farms, both being known as people of thrift and sterling qualities. Grand- fathei" Jones died in this county at the age of seventy-eight years and his good wife lived to be up in eighty. These worthy peo- ple reared a large family, all of whom inher- ited longevity to a marked degree. John W. Arnold, father of our subject, was reared largely in Illinois. He had but scant educational advantages, but he be- came a well read man, and having devoted his life to farming, became one of the lead- ing agriculturists in his community, having remained in Marion county, where he owned five hundred acres of very produc- tive and valuable land, most of wlhich was prairie. There were nine children in his 3IO BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. family, seven of whom are living in 1908, all but one of them living in Marion coun- ty, and all have families of their own. These ■children were given every advantage possi- ble by their parents, and as a result of the fine home training which they received they are all well established in the affairs of life and have the best reputations possible. The parents of the subject were faithful mem- bers of the Methodist church. The father was a loyal Republican and his influence was always in support of the principles of this party. He passed away at the age of sev- enty-one years, and his faithful life com- panion lived to be seventy-six, when she, too, joined the "innumerable caravan". Joseph T; Arnold, "our subject, was edu- cated in the public schools of his native com- inunity, where he applied himself in a most diligent manner and received a fairly good text-book education, which has since been very greatly supplemented by coming in contact with the world and by home read- ing. He worked on his father's farm dur- ing the crop season tintil he was twenty years old, when he went to farming on his own account, at which he was veiy success- ful, having rented a part of the land, the balance being given to him by his father, and with the exception of two years he has been engaged in active farming ever since. For a period of two years he was engaged in the mercantile business, owning one-half inter- est in a general store, which he disposed of in 1803. One brother and a nephew now own the old farm on which the family was reared, it never. having passed out of the hands of the Arnolds. Our subject is the owner of two hun- dred acres of highly improved land, on which he carries on general farming with the most gratifying results. It is located about seven miles out from Kinmundy. Al- though he now resides in Kinmundy, he oversees the management of his farm, which has been developed until it is equal to any in the township, being well fenced and well drained and otherwise up to the standard of modem fann properties. A substantial and commodious residence and several good out- buildings are to be found on the place. Mr. Arnold owns a beautiful residence property in Kinmundy, where he makes his home. Our subject was united in marriage the first time in 1877, to Lizzie Chance, the daughter of a well known family in Marion county, and three children were bom to this union, the first, Emery L., having been bom in 1880 and died in Alaska in 1903. He was a member of the Signal Corps and is supposed to have been drowned while in ac- tive service. He was highly commended by Brigadier General Sully, the commander of the corps. The second child of the subject is now living on his farm in Marion and has one child, Daniel. The third, Edson, died when four years old. The subject's first wife was. called to her reward in 1897, and Mr. Arnold was again manned, in 1900, his second wife being Mrs. Hattie Green (nee Robb), a native of this county, whose BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 3" parents were also natives of Marion coun- ty. One child has been born to this union, Vivian Helen, having been born in 1902. Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the W^oodmen and the Rebekahs, as is also Mrs. Amoldy. She is a member of the Eastern Star. He has been Junior Deacon in the first named order. Mrs. Ar- nold is an active worker both in the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. They are both faithful members of the Methodist church. Our subject has been steward of the same, also Sunday school superintendent, and both the church and Sunday school have been greatly benefited by his able and faithful services. Mr. Arnold is a Republican in his po- litical beliefs and never loses an opportunity to aid his party in any way possible. He held the office of Supervisor of the town- ship two years, being elected in 1904. The township that he was elected in produces a strong Democratic majority, which was overcome by the popular estimate of his fel- low citizens, and he could have held the of- fice longer, but declined further honor in that line. ERASTUS D. TELFORD. Only those who come in personal con- tact with the gentleman whose name appears above, the popular and well known City At- torney of Salem, Illinois, can understand how thoroughly nature and training, habits of thought and action, have enabled him to accomplish his life work and made him a fit representative of the enterprising class of professional people to which he belongs. He is a fine type of the sturdy, conscientious American of today — a man who unites a high order of ability with courage, pa- triotism, clean morality and sound common sense, doing thoroughly and well the work that he finds to do and asking praise of no man for the performance of what he con- ceives to be his simple duty. Erastus D. Telford was born in Raccoon township, Marion county, April 23, 1874. J. D. Telford, whose life history is embod- ied in another part of this volume, who has long been a well known and influential char- acter about Salem, is the father of our sub- ject. Samuel G. Telford, who lives in Haines township, and who was bom in 1827 in this county, and who is still making his home two and one-half miles west of where he was born, is the subject's grandfather. His great-grandfather was James Telford, a native of South Carolina, who settled in Marion county in 1822, died in 1856. Our subject's father was the first Republican Sheriff of Marion county, having been elected in 1882. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Ann Wyatt, a native of Tennessee and the rep- resentative of a fine old southern family. Her father sold all his possessions in that state and came to Illinois in i860, settling on the farm now owned by J. D. Telford, father of the subject of this sketch, to whom and his worthy and faithful life companion seven children were born, all living at this 31^ BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. writing, named in order of birth as follows : Dr. A. T., of Olney, Illinois; Erastus D., our subject; Ula, of the United States Life Saving Station of Chicago ; Omer, who lives on a farm three miles west of Salem; Oran is living at home; Erma, who is still a member of the family circle; J. D., Jr. These children were reared in a wholesome home atmosphere and were given every ad- vantage possible by their parents. E. D. Telford has lived in Salem for twenty-six years, or since his father moved here. He worked on the parental farm un- til he was twenty-one years old, where he received valuable training in the out door life of the country, not the least advantage of which was the acquisition of a robust con- stitution which is a necessary prerequisite for the battle of life in any field of endeavor. He attended the public schools in his neigh- borhood and later graduated in 1890 from the Salem high schools where he made a splendid record, for our subject early de- termined to secure a good education and fit himself as best he possibly could for life's ardent duties. After leaving school he decided to teach and consequently followed this line of work with marked success for a few years, during which time he became widely known throughout the county as an able instructor. But not being satisfied with the education he already possessed, and with the routine and somewhat obscure work of the teacher, he gave up his work and entered McKen- dree ■ College, a denominational school at Lebanon, Illinois, from which institution he graduated with high honors in 1897, with the degree Bachelor of Science. Having decided to make the profession of law his life work, Mr. Telford in the fall of 1898 went to Washington City and entered the law department of Georgetown University, where he made a brilliant record and from which institution he graduated in 1900. In the meantime he had been appointed to a po- sition in the United States Treasury depart- ment, his unusual talents having attracted the attention of authorities in this depart- ment. Mr. Telford remained in the Treas- ury department, where he gave the greatest satisfaction to the higher officials and where his work was very creditably and faithfully performed until April i, 1906, when he re- signed and returned to Salem, Illinois, for the purpose of engaging in the practice of law, and, useless to say that his success was instantaneous, and he at once had a large clientele, his office being sought by clients with a wide range of cases, and his fame soon overspread Marion county, extending to other fields, consequently he was fre- quently called to other localities on import- ant cases and his cool, careful, determined manner in presenting his arguments before a jury seldom failed in bringing a verdict in his favor. Mr. Telford was soon slated for political preferment, leaders in his party being quick to detect unusual ability as a public official in him, consequently in April, 1907, he was elected City Attorney of Salem, which posi- tion he now very creditably fills to the satis- faction of the entire community. At the BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 313 primaries in August, 1908, he was nomi- nated by the Repubhcans for State Attorney for Marion county. Mr. Telford's domestic life dates from November i, 1900, when he was united in marriage with Coral M. Wright, the accom- plished daughter of William Wright, a well known and influential citizen of Lincoln, Nebraska. The following bright and inter- esting children have come into the cozy and pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Telford, bringing additional sunshine : Elbridge Wright Telford, whose day of birth oc- curred September 29, 1901 ; Dorothy Mar- garet, who first saw the light of day on August 18, 1905. Mr. Telford has been a careful business man as well as a successful attorney, and he has accumulated rapidly, now being a stock- holder in the Salem National Bank, also the Salem Building and Loan Association. He is the owner of a modern, substantial and beautiful residence on North Broadway. In his fraternal relations, our subject is a member of the ancient and honorable order of Masons, the Blue Lodge and the Royal Arch Chapter; also a Modem Woodman. And both he and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episco- pal church. Mr. Telford is one of the sub- stantial and popular men of Marion county, and his home which is presided over with rare grace and dignity by Mrs. Telford, is the center of a genial hospitality. He is liberal in his support of all religious and charitable movements, and no one takes a greater pride in the progress of his commu- nity. GEORGE B. SIMCOX. The subject stands as the exponent of one of the extensive noteworthy enterprises of the city, where he maintains a real estate business, which is pre-eminent in the honorable bearing and careful methods em- ployed, and in the discriminating delicacy of treatment which the nature of the business renders expedient, and he has thus retained as his own the respect and confidence of the community, even as has his noble father, the latter having likewise assumed a position of priority in the business and social life of Marion county, where he still resides at an advanced age. George B. Simcox was born in Kentucky in 1864, the son of W. K. Simcox, now living at Patoka, Illinois, a native of Penn- sylvania, who migrated from the old Key- stone state to Illinois in 1866, locating at Patoka, where he has since resided. He was in the mercantile business of which he made a success, but he is now living retired, hav- ing reached the advanced age of eighty- three, and his good wife that of seventy-eight. They are held in high esteem in their neighborhood where their latter years have been so honorably and happily spent. Twelve children were born to them, seven of whom are still living. They are: Anna M., the widow of Dr. T. N. Livesay, 314 BRINKERHOFF'S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. and she makes her home near Patoka ; Rob- ert A., of Patoka; John L., also of Patoka; Bettie, the wife of Dr. W. W. Murfin, of Patoka ; Mary A., the wife of A. T. Eaghn, of Henton, Oklahoma; Joseph W., of Pa- toka; George B., whose name appears at the head of this review. Mr. Simcox spent his boyhood in Patoka, Illinois, where he received a common school education, having applied himself closely to his books. When about eighteen years old he went to railroading and was subsequently in the employ of various roads. Longing for more varied experiences than could be gained at home, he went to the Southwest and his rise in the railroad business was rapid there owing to his natural ability, carefulness and personal address, conse- quently he soon became conductor on the Mexican National Railroad in Old Mexico, holding this responsible position to the satis- faction of the superior officials when only twenty-one years old. After following the railroad business for ten years he returned to Salem, Illinois, in 1895, and has been in Marion county ever since. He first launched in the mercantile business in Patoka, where he was doing nicely and building up an excellent trade, when he lost heavily by fire after two years in this line. Then he went into the real estate and newspaper business at Patoka, in which he made a success and became known as the moulder of public thought and opin- ion. Being thus able and popular with his fellow voters, he was soon slated for local political offices, and held every township office in that township. He was appointed Deputy Sheriff in 1902 and served with great credit for a period of four years. In- deed, all his duties in an official capacity were attended to with the greatest alacrity and good judgment. He was nominated by the Democrats in 1906 as a candidate for sheriff, but was defeated. In 1906 Mr. Simcox went into the hard- ware business in Salem, in which he re- mained for eight months, when he sold out to C. W. Vensell, and since then he has been interested in the real estate business, making a specialty of city lots and booming special sales, and his efforts have been crowned with gratifying success, for he has the confidence of the public and conducts his business along safe and conservative lines. Mr. Simcox was united in marriage May 24, 1896, to Florence Wasem, of Patoka, the cultured and refined daughter of Jacob E. Wasem, a well known citizen of Patoka. Two bright and interesting children have been bom to this union, namely: Maude Ellen, whose date of birth occurred August 13, 1897, and Minnie May, who was born November 24, 1903. Our subject in his fraternal relations be- longs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Centralia Lodge No. 493 ; also the Marion Lodge No. 525, Knights of Pythias; also the Modem Woodmen of America No. 761, of Patoka. He also be- longs to the Order of Railway Telegraphers. Our subject has always taken a great in- terest in political matters and public affairs. BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 315 and he was chairman of the Democratic Central Committee during two campaigns, and he is now a member of the County Ex- ecutive Democratic Committee of Marion county. In public office he has been found most loyal to the public good, and in his business affairs he is ever straight-forward and trustworthy. S. A. STORMENT. The horologe of eternity has marked off sixty-eight years since the birth of the gen- tleman whose name appears above, who has chosen to remain in his native county of Marion, where his life has been blessetl with success and reasonable comfort. While our subject has lived to see great changes, dur- ing which he was not slow to take advan- tage of the many and varied opportunities offered in a business way, thereby laying up an ample competence through his relations with agricultural interests, - he was always ready to do what he could in advancing the general good of the county, whose welfare he had at heart, and his life has been un- selfish, honorable and worthily crowned by success and the esteem of his fellow citizens. S. A. Storment was bom near Kell, Mar- ion county, Illinois, January 26, 1840, the son of John and Margaret (Kell) Storment, whose people were natives of South Caro- lina. John Storment was a farmer and country merchant, having made a success of both and won the undivided respect of his neighbors. He was called from his earthly career June i, 1849, and his faithful life companion has been at rest some forty years at this writing. Our subject remembers when there were only three houses on the great Romine Prai- rie from Carter to Kell. It was in such times that the father of the subject settled here, being one of the pioneers of the coun- ty. He bought land for one dollar and twen- ty-five cents per acre from the government and he entered two hundred acres, which he developed by hard work and careful man- agement into a very valuable farm, on which he established a comfortable home. Ten children were born to the subject's par- ents, five of whom lived to maturity, the others having died in infancy; the subject of this sketch being now the only survivor. S. A. Storment spent his boyhood and early manhood on the parental homestead, which he worked during the summer months and attended the country schools dui'ing the bad weather of the winter, when farm work could not be carried on, until he received a fairly good education, considering the prim- iti\^e methods of schooling in those days. ^\'hen twenty years old he began to farm for himself and bought a farm near Kell consisting of eighty acres, and later pur- chased eighty acres more, on which he lived for more than twenty years and tilled the same with the greatest success attending his efiforts. He then sold his fann and bought three hundred acres in Stevenson township and resided upon the same about twenty-five years. 3i6 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. Mr. Storment, after laying up consider- able money from his skillful farming opera- tions, moved to Salem October 15, 1907, since which time he has been leading an in- active life and spending his old age in com- fort as the result of his earlier years of fn.i- gal and economic living. He still owns eighty acres in Stevenson township, having sold the balance of his land, a portion of which is now owned by his children. Our subject was united in marriage Jan- uary 26, i860, to Emily Harriet Mount, a daughter of William Mount, who came to this county from Wilson county, Tennessee. The subject has a family of which any one might justly be proud. It consisted of thirteen in number, only one of whom is now in the silent land. They are all com- fortably situated in reference to this world's affairs, and all honorable, and have been given evei-y advantage possible by their fond parents, who reared them in a most whole- some home atmosphere and uplifting influ- ences, so that they have gone out to bless humanity by their worthy and useful lives. Their names, in order of birth are: Abigal E. is the wife of Preston Watson, living near Carter, Illinois, and they are the par- ents of these children, Albert, Estell, John, Lawrence, Lulu, all living, and Charley, Walter and Myrtle, all deceased; John C. Storment lives in Pomona, California, hav- ing married Mattie Jeffries, of Rockford, Illinois, and their family consists of Bertha, Frank, Arthur, Robert, all living, and Edna and Harold, both deceased; W. S. Storment is a successful real estate man in Salem, he married Mollie Young and they have the following children : Hershell, Irene. Charles M. Stoonent, the fourth child, married Hat- tie Easley and is living in Salem. Their children are Otis, deceased; Paul and Edith, living. Charles M. is proprietor of the East Main Street Hotel. Mary, the fifth child of the subject, is the wife of John W. Har- rington, of Slapout, Marion county, and the mother of these children : Elmer, deceased, and May, living; Albert C. Storment, who married Maggie Wade, has one child, Lov- ell, and is living at Salem; Fred A. Stor- ment, who married Carrie Vemer, is living at Salem. They have one child dead, Fred v., and one living, Louise; Robert R. Stor- ment is deceased ; B. F. Storment, who mar- ried Maggie Kagy, has two children, Lo- rene and Lucille, is living in St. Louis. Ida Belle is the wife of L. J. Bell, living at Til- den, Illinois, and the mother of two chil- dren, Grover and Ernest Bell; L. J. Storment, who married Jessie Click, has one child, Eugene G., and is living in Chicago; Nona is the wife of Frank Gaskell, living near Salem, Illinois, and the mother of these children, Gladys, Glen, Fern and Roscoe Earl; Orville StOTment, who married Ma- bel Harper and is the father of one infant child, is living at Tuscola, this state. Our subject was a school director for fif- teen years at Old Hickory Hill school near his farm and of his district in Stevaison township, and he took an active interest in educational affairs. He is not a member of any lodge or church, but is liberal in his views and no more honest or upright man BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 317 than he could be found within the borders of Marion county, where he has spent his long and useful life. ROBERT MARTIN. It is signally consonant that in this work be incorporated at least a brief resume of the life and labors of Mr. Martin, who has long been one of the influential citizens of Marion county, and through whose loyal efforts the city of Salem and surrounding locality have reaped lasting benefits, for his exceptional administrative capacity has been directed along lines calculated to be for the general good. A man of forceful individu- ality and marked initiative power, he has been well equipped for leadership, while his probity of character and his genial personal- ity have gained for him uniform esteem and friendship in the city where he has so long made his home, and of which he is regarded by all classes as one of its most distinguished citizens in connection with the business world. Robert Martin was born in Estilville, now known as Gate City, Scott county, Virginia, April II, 1839, the son of John S. Martin, also a native of Virginia, and a man of rec- ognized ability, being the representative of a fine old Southern family, noted for its high ideals and unqualified hospitality, his ancestry being Scotch-Irish. John S. Mar- tin was County Clerk for a period of twenty years or more, and he held many other county offices, including a judgeship, and he won universal praise for the able manner in which he discharged his every duty to the public. He was called from his earthly labors in 1865 while living at Alma, this county. The mother of the subject was a Stewart before her marriage, a woman of rare mental equipoise and culture; she passed to her rest soon after the family came to Illinois in 1846. Our subject spent his early boyhood on his parental farm at Alma, having been only five years old when the family came here. He attended school at Alma and Salem. He also attended the Southern Illinois Female College at Salem, which institution ceased to exist soon after the war. He gained a liberal education which has stood him in such good hand during his long and emi- nently active and successful business career. Our subject was one of those loyal sons of the North, who, when the tocsin of war sounded calling loyal sons to defend the old flag, offered his services, enlisting in Company A, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, one of the fa- mous regiments of the state, which was or- ganized at Salem. Mr. Martin was then twenty-one years old. The company left Salem and went to Columbus, Kentucky, and from there to Paducah, that state, later to Pulaski, Tennessee, and from there marched to Chattanooga, where it united with Sherman's army and remained with the same through its historic march to the sea, and also its strenuous campaigns, having participated in the battles at Atlanta and 3i8 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. many other notable engagements. After re- maining with him until the close of the war, he took part in the grand review at Wash- ington City, after a very commendable ser- vice of three years. He was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, where he came soon after the review in Washington. After his career in the army, Mr. Martin launched in the grocery business at Salem, in which he remained for one year, when he sold out and went into the more lucrative ^rain and lumber business, in which he has been engaged for a period of forty-one years ■during which time an enormous volume of business has passed through his hands, and he has become widely known as one of the leading men in these lines in Southern Illi- nois, being recognized by the leading dealers ■throughout this and adjoining states as well as remote parts of the country as a man of the highest business integrity and acumen. 'He is still conducting a large lumber yard, and carries on a very extensive and thriving business, numbering his customers by the thousands, not only from Salem and vicin- ity, but throughout the county and to remote parts of the country. He owns a beautiful, modern and well furnished residence in one ■of the most desirable portions of Salem. Our subject was happily married in 1867 to Alice Scott, a native of Vincennes, In- diana, a woman of affable personality and rare refinement, the daughter of a highly respected and influential family. Three children have been bom to this union, one •of whom has passed away. They are: Mabel Dora, the wife of W. H. Parsons of Salem; C. C. Martin, of Salem, and John Lewis Martin, formerly of Salem, now de- ceased. These children received every possible at- tention from their parents, being given good educations and careful home training. Mr. Martin assisted in the organization and became one of the first directors and stockholders in the Salem State Bank. He is also a director of the Salem Building and Loan Association, and his sound judgment and able advice is always carefully weighed by the other members of these organizations in their deliberations, for Mr. Martin has a reputation among local business men for remarkable foresight into all business propo- sitions. Having always been interested in educational affairs, he served as a member and also as president of the School Board of Salem for several years, but he is not at present connected with the board, but during the time that he was the schools of Salem were greatly strengthened. In his fraternal relations Mr. Martin is a meinber of the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen. He has been a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist church since he was thirteen years old. GEORGE S. RAINEY, M. D. Good intellectual training, thorough pro- fessional knowledge and the possession and utilization of the qualities and attributes es- sential to success, have made the subject of BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 319 this review eminent in his chosen calling, and he stands today among the enterprising and successful physicians in a community noted for its high order of medical talent, while at the same time he has won the con- fidence and esteem of the people of Marion and adjoining counties for his upright life and genial disposition. Dr. George S. Rainey was born in Salem, Illinois, May 18, 1849, ^^nd he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rainey, Scotch-Irish people of the best ancestry as far back as it can be traced. The father was a Kentuckian, who came to Illinois as early as 1832, settling in Marion county on a farm which he transformed from a practically wild tract to a highly improved and produc- tive farm. When the doctor was two years old, his father moved on a farm near Wal- nut Hill, Marion county. He was a man of many sterling qualities, like those of most pioneers, and he became a man of consider- able influence in this county, being known as an honest and worthy citizen in every respect. He was called from his earthly labors in 1868. The subject's mother, a woman of praiseworthy character, was known in her maidenhood as Margaret Cunningham, and was also a native of Ken- tucky; her father, a man of unusual forti- tude and sterling character, moved to Illi- nois in 1824. Seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rainey died in infancy. Their other children are: Dr. J. K. Rainey, the oldest child, died in Florida; Matthew was a surgeon in the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the Union Army, and was the first soldier from Marion county to fall in the Civil war, having lost his life at the battle of Bellmont while a member of the Twenty-second Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry ; Dr. A. H. Rainey, of Cen- tralia, Illinois. Our subject was a mere lad during the war between the states, but he felt it his duty to sever home ties and offer his services in defense of the flag, consequently he en- listed in the Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry when he lacked two months of being sixteen years old, but his bravery and gallantry were equal to that of the oldest veteran in the regiment. He served in the campaign around Petersburg, Richmond, and was at the surrender of Lee at Appa- mattox, thus being in some of the bloodiest engagements of the war. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned home and assisted his father with the farm work, attending the neighboring schools, complet- ing the high school course at Salem, stand- ing in the front rank of his class, for he was a diligent student and made the best use possible of his time. Believing that his tal- ents lay along medical lines he began study- ing for a career as a physician. He graduated in medicine in 1875 at the Louis- ville Medical College. He at once began practice in Salem, his success being instan- taneous, and he has been here ever since, having always had a very large practice in this vicinity and throughout the county. Dr. Rainey has taken a post-graduate course in the New York Polyclinic Institute of Physicians and Surgeons, having spent 320 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. the winter of 1888 in the school just men- tioned. Dr. Rainey has also taken special courses in medical colleges in St. Louis and Chicago, consequently he is today and has been for many years at the head of his pro- fession, being so recognized by the eminent practitioners of medicine in other parts of Illinois. He has also been connected with the Baltimore & Ohio and Chicago & East- ern Illinois railroads as surgeon ever since he has been in practice. The subject has been a member of the United States Pension Board of Salem for twenty-five years. The doctor is at all times patriotic and ever ready to serve his country, consequently when the war with Spain broke out he offered his services and was commissioned a surgeon in the United States army, but the war terminated before he saw active service. Doctor Rainey's happy and tranquil do- mestic life dates from 1878, when he was married to May McMackin, the cultured and accomplished daughter of Col. W. E. McMackin of the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Colonel McMackin was for many years one of the best known and most influential men in his community. To doctor and Mrs. Rainey one son has been born, Warren R., who, in 1908, is a student in the medical department of the Northwestern University at Chicago, where he is making an excellent record. Doctor Rainey is the owner of a large and fine fruit farm which is very valuable, and he takes a great interest in it and horticul- tural subjects, devoting considerable time to the culture of fine fruits. He has been in general practice ever since his graduation, and as indicated above, not only stands high in his immediate community but also with his fellow practitioners at large, being a member of the County, State and National Medical Association, also of the American Railway Surgeons of America. Fraternally he is a loyal member of the Masonic Order and carries out its subHme doctrines in his relations with his fellow men. He is a Presbyterian in his religious faith, and in politics he is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Repub- lican party, with which he has always been affiliated. Though never animated with ambition for political preferment he has ever lent his aid in furthering the party cause, and is well fortified in his political convic- tions, while he is at all times public-spirited to an extent of loyalty. JOHN B. CONANT. This venerable pioneer and representative agriculturist of Kinmundy township, Ma- rion county, Illinois, has lived on the farm which is now his home practically all his life, and thus he has witnessed and taken part in the development of this section of the state from a sylvan wild to its present status as an opulent agricultural and industrial com- munity. He eai'ly began to contribute to the work of clearing and improving the land of its primitive forests, later assisted in estab- MR. AND MRS. J. B. CONANT. BRINKERTIOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 321 lishing schools and better public improve- ments and facilities, while his course has been so directed as to retain for him the un- qualified approval and esteem of the com- munity in which he has so long made his home, until today he is regarded as one of the most substantial and influential citizens of the township, deserving of the greatest credit from the fact that he began life un- aided and without the tender guidance of parents, being compelled to go it alone from early childhood, but such stern discipline, somewhat unpleasant and regrettable, was not without its value, for it fostered in the lad an independent spirit and gave him that fortitude and courage that has made for sub- sequent success. John B. Conant is a native of this county, having been born here Februaiy 17, 1839, the son of Airs Conant, who came to Mas- sachusetts from England, there being three brothers of the Conant family on the ship, one of whom settled in Baltimore, another in the North and one. Airs Conant, went to Georgia and joined the United States army for the purpose of taking part in the War of 18 1 2, having fought faithfully throughout the struggle, being wounded in the hand. After the war he returned to Georgia, where he settled, and married Polly Pepper, to which union eleven children were born, John B. Conant being the youngest son. Airs Co- nant and wife moved to Marion county, Il- linois in an early day while the country was still a wilderness. He partly improved sev- en different farms, selling each and moved to Missouri, pre-empting all the land he had 21 from the government. All the members of this pioneer family have passed away with the exception of our subject. The father of our subject also taught school in Marion county, having been hired to teach a subscription school four miles from home, the first term lasting three months, the second term being of the same duration; however, he taught only one month on the second term, when he stopped to put out a crop of corn. He worked too hard and drank too much water while over- heated, which caused his death in less than a week, leaving a large famaily to struggle with the wilderness and the clearing of a new country. The mother of our subject also passed away one week after her hus- band's death, leaving John B., then eight years old, to live with his older brother, Wil- liam, with whom he remained until he was fourteen years old, at which time he chose his own guardian, Mark Cole, who cared for our subject in a manly and fatherly man- ner and procured a land warrant for him, but the land was afterward sold for the lack of payment of one hundred dollars. Our subject's early education was limited to the district schools, his first school having been taught by his father, but he is well ed- ucated and he has always been a most suc- cessful farmer, beginning life with nothing, as before stated, he wisely applied his energy and managed his affairs with that foresight and discrimination that always brings suc- cess, and his farm properly consists of sev- en hundred acres of as fine land as is to be found in this locality. However, it has been 322 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. divided up and apportioned among his chil- dren, there now being (1908) one hundred and ninety-three acres in the home place, which are kept in a high state of cultiva- tion and well improved, showing that a man of thrift and excellent executive ability has had the management of it. He lives in a modem, substantial and very comfortable dwelling, surrounded by convenient out- buildings, and everything denotes prosperity about the place. Our subject was united in marriage to Mary Atkins on April 11, 1861, the daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. John Atkins, natives of Georgia and Tennessee, respectively, and to this union the following children have been born, named in order of birth : Fannie, who married Isem Lansford and had four chil- dren, one of whom is living; Ayers married Maggie Door and has four children, all liv- ing; Polly married Noble Neeper and is the mother of eight children, all living; Mar- garette married Guy Neeper and has one liv- ing child ; Eli married Vinda Owens and has six living children; Ida married Mel Gray and has three living children, one having died; Martha married Francis Reese and lias one child; May, Emmet, Hulda and Ruhe are all deceased; Ira is married to Hattie Hoovey and has one child. Politically Mr. Conant is a Democrat and he has been School Director in his township, also Road Overseer. In religious matters he subscribes to the Cumberland Presbyterian faith, although he was reared a Methodist, to which creed his father adhered. Our subject is at this writing sixty-nine years old and is well preserved, being in fairly good health. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well and the success that crowns his efiforts is well merited. He is broad-minded, liberal, progressive, public spirited and is well known and highly respected in the commu- nity which has been his home for so many years and where he has done so much faith- ful work, which has resulted in good not only to himself and family, but also to his neighbors and the community at large. WILLIAM JASPER YOUNG. The subject of this biographical review is among the pioneer farmers of luka town- ship, Marion county, where he has long maintained his home, being one of the na- tive sons of the county who have done so much to develop Marion in all her phases until she ranks with the leading counties of the great Prairie state, and now in the golden evening of his life this venerable citizen is enjoying the fruits of a well spent life and the esteem of a wide circle of friends. William Jasper Young was bom in Mar- ion county, Illinois, June 21, 1826, in Gen- tralia township, the son of Edward and Sarah C. (Duncan) Young, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ten- nessee. Edward Young grew up in Vir- ginia, and when he reached maturity he moved to Kentucky, later came to Indiana BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 323 and prior to 1826 settled in Marion county, Illinois. He was a plasterer and bricklayer, and he made his home in several different places after coming to Illinois, among them being Alton, St. Louis,' Belleville, Centralia and Salera. Later in life he settled on the farm. Edward Young was born June 8, 1803, and died June 9, 1876. He was a sol- dier in the Black Hawk war. He was, early in life, a Democrat, and he cut down the first Whig pole ever erected in Salem. However, he later became a Republican. These children were bom to Edward Young and wife, as follows : Lysander Franklin, William Jasper, our subject; Julia Ann, de- ceased; Letta Jane, deceased; James, de- ceased; Harriet, deceased; Edward, living in Minnesota ; Sarah also lives in Minnesota. Sarah C. Duncan, mother of the subject, was bom July 22, 1808, and died November 9, 1886. She was a woman of many beau- tiful traits of character. The subject of this sketch worked on his father's farm from the time he was old enough to work, and he has followed farm- ing all his life. In 1852 he came to his present farm in luka township, Marion county, having bought a part of it from the govemment or state. At that time the for- ests abounded in much wild game, such as deer, wolves, wild turkey. He has seen many a herd of deer from his cabin door. He cleared up the land and now has a model farm and modem farm buildings, all well kept, and his home is nicely and comfort- ably furnished. A glance over his well tilled and well fenced fields is sufficient to show that he is a man of thrift and rare soundness of judgment. He has in all about three hundred acres, but he now rents out the land and is practically retired. He han- dles some good stock of various varieties. April 13, 1847, Mr. Young was united in marriage with Sarah J. Songer, who was bom in Washington county, Indiana, Au- gust 7, 1828, the daughter of Frederick and Jane (Helm) Songer, natives of Virginia, but they came to Washington county, In- diana, when young and married there, and in 1828 came to Clay county, Illinois, where they lived for a time. In 1835 they came to Marion county, settling in Omega town- ship, where they farmed and where they died. They were members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. Eleven children have been bom to the subject and wife, namely: Amanda Elmira died in childhood; Marcus D. married Sarah Bobbett and they have two children, Franklin and Ada; Mary E. is the wife of George Cox, of Salem, Illinois; Emily EI- vina is the wife of William Robinson, a farmer living in luka township, and she is the mother of two children, Ernest Roy and Flo; Eliza Alice, deceased, was the wife of Perry Cox and she left two children, Wil- liam Jasper and George; Jennie is the wife of Grant Bumgamer, who lives in Texas; Douglas married Irena Buffington and they have two children, Charles and Ruth; Paul married Martha Criffield; Fred married Elva Wooden and they have three children. 324 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. Pearl, Winafred and Verl; the tenth and eleventh children of the subject died un- named. Our subject has three great-grandchil- dren. He and his good wife are now both more than eighty years old and are remark- ably bright and active people for their years and considering the long years of hard work they both have done. Their happy, pros- perous and harmonious wedded life extends over sixty years of time and they have cele- brated their golden wedding anniversai-y. They are among the highly respected and prominent citizens of the county and greatly admired and beloved by everyone who knows them. Our subject is a loyal Demo- crat. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at luka. They have always contributed liberally to- church work, also have helped out school work and all kinds of public enterprises. Fraternally Mr. Young has belonged to the Masons since 1863. Mr. Young was one of the ■ brave and patriotic supporters of the Union who of- fered his services and his life in its defense during the War of the Re- bellion, having enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Eleventh Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, August 8, 1862, and served in a most gallant manner until the close of the war. He was mustered in at Salemi, Illinois, and mustered out in Washington, District of Columbia, and dis- charged at Springfield, Illinois. He was in the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fif- teenth Army Corps, under General John A. Logan. He first did post duty at Columbus, Ohio, awhile, and then, in 1864, joined Sherman in his campaign about Atlanta, and wasi in the first battle of Resaca and in the last battle of Shiloh. He also fought at Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta ; in fact, he was in all the fighting around At- lanta. The last hard fight he was in was at Atlanta, Georgia. He was taken prisoner in front of Atlanta July 22, 1864, and after being transferred to various prisons in the South for a period of seven months, was finally paroled and later exchanged at Wil- mington, North Carolina. Mr. Young has always been a man of in- dustry and he has honestly made what he has, having been a hard worker and a good manager. He has led a life of which no one might be ashamed in any way, for it has been one of sobriety and filled with good deeds. JUDGE JOHN S. STONECIPHER. No history of Marion county could be consistent with itself were there failure to make specific mention of the honored pio- neer family of which the subject of this sketch is a worthy scion, and no better or more significant evidence as to the long identification of the name with the annals of this section of the state can be offered than implied in the simple statement that the rec- ord of this interesting and representative family has been one of highest honor for a period of sixty-five years to the time of this BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 325 writing. The subject has passed his entire life in Marion county, and has ably upheld the high prestige of the honored name which he bears. He is one of the prominent and influential representatives of the legal and industrial world of the county, and it is with much satisfaction that we offer in this work a review of his genealogical and personal history. Judge John S. Stonecipher, like scores of our best citizens in every line of endeavor, was born on a farm, the old homestead be- ing located about ten miles southeast of Salem, his birth occurring on July 7, 1868. His father was Samuel Stonecipher, a Ten- nesseean who came to Marion county, Illi- nois, about 1843, having successfully fol- lowed agricultural pursuits and became a man of considerable influence in his com- munity. He here erected a primitive dwell- ing which was the family domicile for a number of years. The tales of the pioneer days have been often told, and it is needless to here recapitulate the same, for privations, vicissitudes and strenuous labors of the early settlers have been so recorded as to make special mention superfluous, though it is well in such connection to refer to those who lived and labored so earnestly in laying the foundation for the opulent prosperity which marks this favored section of the state at the present time. Samuel Stonecipher was called from his earthly labors in 1898, while living on a farm in Haines township, two and one-half miles east of old Foxville. The mother of our subject was Susan (Ross) Stonecipher, also a native of Tennessee who passed to her rest when Judge Stonecipher was one and one-half years old. Eight chil- dren were born to the union of Samuel and Susan Stonecipher, four of whom are living in 1908. These are, besides the subject of this sketch, Alexander, a farmer in Haines township, Marion county; Joseph C, a far- mer in southeastern Kansas; M. C, a Pres- byterian minister at Troy Grove, Illinois. Samuel Stonecipher, father of the subject, was three times married. His first wife was a Miss Henderson; the second a Miss Ross, mother of the subject; and the third was Mary Chance, who died three months after her husband's death. Grandfather Stonecipher reached almost the unprecedented age of one hundred and ten years. He was reared in Knox county, Tennessee. Judge Stonecipher was reared on the parental farm, and after attending the country schools he entered Ewing College in Franklin county, Illinois, where he made a brilliant record for both scholarship and deportment, taking a two years' general course. He then attended the Southern Illi- nois Normal School for two years, and be- gan teaching school, which he continued for three successful terms, but believing that his true life work lay in another channel he be- gan reading law with Judge John B. Kagy, of Salem. After reading law for one year he attended the Valparaiso University, law department, for one year, in which he made rapid progress. He was admitted to the bar at Salem in 1891 and began practice soon afterward. His success was instanta- 326 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. neous, and his friends were not mistaken in their prediction that the future held many honors in store for him. He was early in life singled out for political preferment and served as Deputy Sheriff from 1889 to 1890, while reading law. He has ably served two terms as City Attorney of Salem, and was Master in Chancery for four years, from 1896 to 1900, having first been appointed by Judge Burroughs, and later by Judge Dwight. In 1906 our subject had attained such general popularity in the legal world that he was elected Judge of Marion county on the Democratic ticket in which capacity he is still serving in 1908, with entire satis- faction to his constituents and all concerned. He was chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee at the time of his elec- tion to the judgeship. He was selected as alternate to the Democratic national conven- tion held in St. Louis in 1904. Having become so well known in the political arena of his native community the judge will doubtless be honored by many other offices of public trust by his party in the future. Judge Stonecipher has been equally suc- cessful in industrial affairs, being something of a wizard in organizing, promoting and carrying to successful issues various lines of business, and it is due to his clear brain, well grounded judgment and indomitable energy that many of Marion county's suc- cessful industi'ial institutions owe their ex- istence. At present he is vice-president of the Salem State Bank, president of the Salem Box Company, the leading manufac- turing enterprise of Salem; he is also trus- tee of the Sandoval Coal and Mining Com- pany, now bankrupt, a large and important trusteeship. He is also a stockholder in the Salem National Bank and a director of the Salem Building and Loan Association. He was chairman of the building committee that built the new Methodist Episcopal church in Salem, one of the finest in Illinois, and it was largely due to his energy and keen busi- ness sagacity that this handsome structure, which will ever be a monument to his mem- ory as well as a pride and splendid adver- tisement to the city of Salem, assumed definite fonn. Fraternally Judge Stonecipher is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen. He has occupied the chairs in the Odd Fellows, and his daily life would indicate that he believes in carrying out the noble precepts advocated by these praise- worthy orders. Judge Stonecipher's domestic life dates from August 17, 1904, when he was hap- pily married to Amy Bachman, the refined and cultured daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Bachman, the latter the well known and influential president of the Salem National Bank. Mrs. Stonecipher received a good education, having applied herself diligently to her educational work and the success of her worthy life companion is due in no small measure to the encouragement and sympa- thy of this most estimable woman, who pre- sides over her model and harmonious household with grace and dignity. Two bright and interesting children have BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 1-^7 blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stone- cipher with cheer and sunshine. They are: Frank G., bom July 8, 1905, and Maude Louise, born July 24, 1907. Judge Stonecipher has been very success- ful in both his business and political life. He is regarded as a man of exceptional sound- ness of judgment, and when his name is connected with any business institution the public knows that the same is sound and does not hesitate to place its funds at his disposal, whether it be in a banking institu- tion or manufacturing enterprise. J. E. CASTLE. Those who belong to the respectable mid- dle classes of society, being early taught the necessity of relying upon their own exer- tions, will be more apt to acquire that information and those business habits which alone can fit them for the discharge of life's duties, and, indeed, it has long been a no- ticeable fact that our great men in nearly all walks of life in America spring from this class. The subject of this sketch, whose life history we herewith delineate is a worthy representative of the class from which the true noblemen of the Republic spring. J. E. Castle was bom in Gallipolis, Ohio, in 1845, the son of George W. Castle, also a native of the Buckeye state, where he was bora in Zanesville in that conspicuous year in American history, 1812. He came to Illinois with his family in 1861, settling at Salem. By profession he was a contractor and builder, but he was in the drug business while in Salem, and was also interested in farming, however, he did some contracting here, and in all made a success, for he was a man of much business ability. While a resident of Ohio he was for some time a Justice of the Peace, having always taken considerable interest in political and public affairs. He was called from his earthly la- bors in 1872 after an active and useful life. George Washington Castle was the sub- ject's grandfather, of Irish ancestry. He was loyal to the American government and was a captain of a company in the War of 1 812, having met his death while gallantly leading a battalion of volunteers at Fort Erie in 1812, the same year the father of our subject was bom, as already indicated. The original Castle family is related to the Newtons, a prominent and influential family of Cincinnati, Ohio. Grandfather Castle's family consisted of three children, two sons and one daughter. The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Eliza Bing, a native of Gallia county, Ohio, her people being natives of the Buckeye state. She was a woman of many praiseworthy traits, and she was united in marriage with George W. Castle about 1832. She was called to her rest in 1858 while living at Gallipolis, Ohio. Six children constituted the family of this couple, of whom our subject is the only sur- vivor. The names of these children follow in order of their birth: Dr. W. H., who died in St. Louis in 1882; Captain George E., who died in Salem, Illinois, in 1887; 328 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Eva M., who died at Tonti, Marion county, June 30, 1903; Dr. Charles E., who died at Great Bend, Kansas, in 1897; John E. died at Gallipolis, Ohio, in 1859, when eig-ht years old ; J. E., our subject, was the fourth in order of birth. J. E. Castle spent his boyhood in Gal- lipolis, Ohio, where he attended the public schools and received in part a good educa- tion, for he was always an ambitious lad and applied himself in a commendable manner to his text-books. He came to Salem, Illinois, in 1861, and in the spring of 1862, immedi- ately after the battle of Shiloh, he enlisted in the Union army, believing that it was the duty of loyal citizens of the Republic to sever home ties and do what they could in saving the nation's integrity. He was in the Fifteenth Army Corps under John A. Logan, with General James Stewart Martin in Company H, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, having been sergeant of the company of which his brother, George E. Castle, was captain. He served with distinction in this regiment, the operations of which is given in detail in the sketch of General Martin in this work, until the close of the war, and he passed in the grand review in Washington City before the President and all the generals of the army. He brought home a Confederate flag. On June 27, 1864, the subject was in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain when the whole of Sherman's army charged the forces of General Johnson entrenched on the moun- tain. He took part in two months of continuous fighting about Atlanta, July 22 and 28, 1864, being memorable dates in that city's history. On the first mentioned date. Gen- eral McPherson was killed and on this date. General James S. Martin, of Salem, was made a brigadier general. On July 28th was fought a desperate battle lasting all day, on which day General Martin's line received seven terrific charges and never moved a foot. On August 3d another hard battle was fought in the siege of Atlanta, when Sherman's army escaped from Hood. On August 31st the subject was in the capture of Atlanta, after which he went with Sherman on his march to the sea. On De- cember 14th, following the battle at Fort McAllister was fought and captured by Hazen's division, which meant virtually the capture of Savannah, as Johnson then evacu- ated this place. The army then went on to Hitton Head, South Carolina, and then Co- lumbia, Couth Carolina, was captured. At Fort McAllister our subject and his brother captured a Confederate flag and many other relics which they brought home. After his career in the army Mr. Castle returned to Salem and took a course in the high school, after which he went to Wes- leyan University at Delaware, Ohio, taking a three years' course in the sciences and making a brilliant record in the same. Upon his return to Salem he went into the hard- ^\'are business in which he remained until 1878, building up an excellent trade in the meantime. He then traveled for ten years for the Champion Harvesting Machine BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 329 Company, giving entire satisfaction to this company, the patronage of which he caused to be greatly increased. Then, much to the regret of his employers, he severed his con- nection with the Champion people and en- gaged with his brother, Captain George E. Castle, in the cattle business in Southwest Kansas, which enterprise was continued with the most gratifying results up to the time of the latter's death. Since then our subject has been farming. He has an excel- lent farm property which is kept in a high state of improvement, and which yields a comfortable income from year to year through the skillful management of the sub- ject. On this farm is to be found an ex- cellent orchard of thirty acres, Mr. Castle having been an enthusiastic horticulturist for several years. He has a substantial dwelling house and many convenient out buildings on his farm which he oversees, but does not live on. The domestic life of Mr. Castle dates from 1897 when he was united in marriage with Arabella Whittaker, the refined and affable daughter of R. H. Whittaker. The parents of Mrs. Castle were both born in Ireland. They came to Salem, Illinois, in 1852, the father of our subject's wife hav- ing been one of the civil engineers that sur- veyed the route for the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, at that time known as the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. R. H. Whittaker passed away in June, 1889, at Salem, his life companion having preceded him to the silent land in 1881. The subject's wife was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Whittaker. She is a highly accomplished woman, well educated and talented. She is an able and noted teacher of both music and painting, being the only art teacher in Salem. She is re- garded by every one who has seen her work as being a finished and accomplished artist and she has a beautiful studio in connection with her home. She reveres the memory of her parents and likes to tell of the happy days when R. H. Whittaker was station agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Southwest- ern road at Salem, which position he held for several years. He was also fuel agent for many years and had a wide acquaint- ance among railroad men. He quit railroad business several years before he died, and engaged in the lumber business in Salem, which he was engaged in at the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Castle have no children. Mr. Castle is a member of the ancient and honorable order of Masons, also the Knights Templar and the Grand Army of the Re- public. And Mr. and Mrs. Castle are both ardent members of the Episcopal church. Our subject was a member of the building committee that erected the handsome new edifice in Salem, and he takes a special in- terest in all the affairs of this church. In the modern, substantial and beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Castle which stands on Whittaker street in Salem, is to be found many curios and relics, especially of the Civil war. The beautiful art treasures of Mrs. Castle are numerous, the walls being hung with many excellent pictures, the han- 330 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTV, ILLINOIS. diwork of Mrs. Castle, and their elegantly furnished home is regarded as a place where hospitality is always unstintingly dispensed. WILLIAM L. DRAPAR. Mr. Drapar has for many years been an honored resident of Marion county, whose interests he has ever had at heart, and who has, while advancing his own welfare done much toward promulgating the civic, in- dustrial and moral tone of the vicinity. His career has been one of hard work and in- tegrity, consequently he is desen-ing of the respect in which he is held by everyone. William L. Drapar was bom in Fayette county, Illinois, October 29, 1850, the son of John B. Drapar, a native of Tennessee, who came to Illinois when a mere lad, in the days when the inhabitants wore buck- skin breeches and when the forests abounded in wild game and the hills and prairies were overrun by the red men. Grandfather Dra- par' was also a native of Tennessee, who brought his son, father of our subject, to this state, settling in Fayette county. Grand- father was a well known lawyer in his day and served as Judge of Lafayette county. Vandalia, the county seat, was then the state capital. Judge Drapar, like most pio- neer men, was the father of a large family, he and his faithful life companion becoming the parents of fifteen children, three pairs of twins. He was a Jefifersonian Democrat and a soldier in the Mexican war. He sub- sequently moved to Salem where he was called from his earthly labors at the age of fifty-six years, and he was buried at Xenia, Clay county. John B. Drapar moved to Salem in 1856. He wasi a blacksmith of extraordinary skill, and for some time drove a stage-coach on the old Vandalia line. He enlisted in the Union army during the Civil war, but never saw service. He died about 1896. The mother of the subject of this sketch was known in her maidenhood as Jeanette Abel, who was bom in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the representative of a South- ern family of honorable repute. The date of her birth occurred February 16, 1828, and she was summoned to join the "choir invisible" in 1904, while living at the home of our subject in Salem and she is buried in the cemeteiy here. The follow- ing children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. John B. Drapar: Margaret, widow of Eli- sha Ledgerwood, who is living in the state of Washington; William L., our subject ; Edwin, whO' died when four years old; an infant girl, deceased. ^^'illiam L. Drapar, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Salem where he re- ceived the customary common school edu- cation. At an early age he assisted his father in a blacksmith shop. When twenty- one he was thrown on his own resources, but being a youth of indomitable energy and courage, he went to -work with a will and has prospered all his subsequent life. He went into the milling business in 1872 at Salem and has been thus engaged since that BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 331 time, becoming known as one of the leading milling men in this part of the state, having been eminently successful in this enterprise from the first. He worked for E. Hull, father of Senator C. E. Hull, for eighteen years. Since January, 1890, he has been associated with Senator Hull in business, op- erating the Salem Brick Mill, the style of the firm being Hull & Drapar. The present building wJiach this firm occupies was erected in i860, but has since beai remod- eled into a modem and substantial build- ing. They do a general milling business and their products are known not only throughout Marion county where they have a very extensive trade, but all over this part of the state and tO' remote sections of this and other states. Mr. Drapar was united in marriage first in 1872 with Sarah J. Fair, whose parents died when she was two years old and she was reared by a family named Castle who came to Salem from Ohio at the close of the war. She was a woman of many com- mendable traits of character, and to this union the following interesting family was born: Ira and Louie, twins, born July 11, 1874. The first named is living in Holden- ville, Oklahoma, where he is Assistant Cashier of the Second National Bank. He is also City Recorder of Holdenville. He is a graduate of the Salem high school in which he made a splendid record, and he is also a graduate of the Flora Business College. For three years he was manager of -a large lumber company in Oklahoma in- which state he is very popular. Louie lives in Chicago where he has a responsible position with the Santa Fe Railroad Com- pany, which regards him as one of their most faithful and trusted employes. Leslie, the third child, was born July 28, 1878. He is also a graduate of the Salem high school. He is now living in New Mexico in the employ of the Harvey Dining Service Company. He has been a dining car con- ductor for years. He had the distinction of semng for one year as superintendent of the dining service at Yale University. He is an expert at this line of business and has gained wide notoriety among the peo- ple of this business. George, the fourth child, was born November 12, 1882. He holds the responsible position as cashier and bookkeeper of the SheiTnan House in Chicago. Babel, the winsome and accom- plished daughter of the subject and wife, was born March 5, 1890, and she is yet a member of the family circle, keeping house for her father. Mrs. Drapar passed to her eternal rest on August 15, 1894, after a useful and beautiful life. Mr. Drapar was again mar- ried on June 14, 1899, to Isabel Bell, daugh- ter of Philo Bell, of Sumner, Illinois. Mr. Bell was a stage driver on the old Vin- cennes & St. Louis line before the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was built. This wife died without issue May 3, 1907, of a paralytic stroke. She was a woman of strong char- acter and had many faithful friends. Mr. Drapar has always taken consider- able interest in political affairs. He served as City Alderman for six years in a most 332 BRINKEEIIOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. creditable manner. He was school director for five years, during- which time the local schools felt a great impetus. He was tax collector for one year, refusing to sei^ve long-er, much to the regret of every one con- cerned. Fraternally, Mr. Drapar has been a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows since 1874, occupying all the chairs, both Subordinate and Encampment. He has attended the Grand Lodges regularly ior twenty-two years. He met with the Sovereign Grand Lodge at St. Louis several years ago. Mr. Drapar has been a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church since a boy. He belongs to that class of citizens who by their support of the moral, political and social status for the general good, promote the real vrelfare of their respective commu- nities. HIRAM ORR. Now that the summertime of life has ended and the autumn winds of old age have come, the subject of this re\'\e'\\ can look backward over a career that has been well spent, resulting in good to those «hom it touched and has brought comfort to him- self. Hiram Orr was born in Licking county, Ohio, December 16, 1828, the son of Zach- ariah and Mary (Dusthimer) Orr, early settlers of the Buckeye state, where it is supposed they were bom. Zachariah was a' farmer, a Democrat, and a member of the Baptist church. He passed away in Lick- ing county, Ohio, in 1891, his wife having died there at an earlier date. Six children were bom to them, namely: Robert, living in Licking county, Ohio; Hiram, our sub- ject; Sarah, deceased; John, who is living in Kansas, a retired farmer; Cyrus, de- ceased; Eliza, also deceased. Zachariah was married a second time. When he died he had accumulated quite a competency, having been a very successful farmer. Our subject remained at his parental home, assisting with the work about the place and attending the old pioneer schools in cabins with pvtncheon floors and seats and windows where greased paper was used for panes, until he ^^'as twenty-one years old. He has since added very much to the rudiments of education he gained there by systematic home reading and study, and close observation. When of age Mr. Orr decided to devote his life work to farming and consequently bought a farm in his na- ti^'e county, having managed it in a most successful manner until October i, 1868, when he moved to Marion county, Illinois, believing that still greater advantages ex- isted here on the less crowded western prairies than in the East and where land was much cheaper, having sold his Ohio farm at good figures. Mr. Orr purchased two hundred and sev- enty-four acres of land in Stevenson town- ship on which he continuously lived, bring- ing it up to a high state of improvement, in fact, making it one of the "show" farms of this locality, the fields being well fenced BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 333 and well drained and kept in first class pro- ductive condition through the careful rota- tion of crops and the application of home fertilizers, and on this place may always be found large numbers of all kinds of live stock of the best grade, Mr. Orr having ever taken a great interest in stock of vari- ous kinds. A modem, substantial and nice- Iv furnished residence is owned by Mr. Orr and good bams and outbuildings in gen- eral are found about the place. Mr. Orr at present rents most of his land, but still over- sees it, keeping it up to the high standard of former years. In 1849 our subject was united in mar- riage with Mary Basom, who was born in Perry county, Ohio, about 1830, the daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth Emeiy, natives of New England. Three children were bom to this union, namely : Frances, who is the wife of Peter M. Mechling, a farmer living in Perry county, Ohio. They are the paraits of four children, namely : Hiram Orvil, Bertha, Frank and Fred, the last two twins ; Martha, the second child of our subject, is the wife of Marion Tolliver Stevenson, who is living in Alma township, Marion county, this state, and are the par- ents of these children, Edgar, Mabel, Orin, Roy, Edna, Claud and Lloyd. Edith, the subject's third child, is the wife of John P. Brubaker, who is also living in Alma town- ship, being the mother of two children. Ha- zel and Ada. These children received all the home training possible and were given good edu- cations, each being well situated in life. Mr. Orr is a staunch Democrat in his political affiliation, although he has never taken a veiy active part in public afifairs. He ably filled the position of School Director and his support is always to be depended upon in any issue having for its object the betterment of the community in any way. The subject and wife are kind, hos- pitable and good natured, making all who enter their home feel like they were among friends. JAMES B. PIGG. Among the early representative farmers and stock growers of Stevenson township, Marion county, is the subject of this review, who is the owner of a highly productive farm and who is carrying on his business with that discretion and energy which al- ways make for definite success. He has been a hard worker and has gained a sub- stantial foothold in life not because of help or influence of others but because he has worked for it in a most diligent manner, having overcome many obstacles that lie in his life path that would have discouraged the less courageous. James B. Pigg was born in Lincoln county, Tennessee, in Febmary, 1835, the son of James and Eliza (Brent) Pigg, who were both natives of Virginia, however, they lived the major portion of their lives in Ten- nessee where they both died. Our subject was reared on a farm in the last named state and there received a meager 334 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. education in the public schools, however, he has since become a well informed man being well read on current topics. In i860 he came to Illinois, not caring to take part in the forthcoming conflict between the states and desiring to avoid it, consequently he came north, away from the scene of active hostilities. He first settled in Stevenson township, and liking the locality so well he decided to remain here, buying the farm which he still owns. His farm consists of forty acres of good land which he has kept very productive and well improved. It is well fenced and other- wise presents the appearance of a well man- aged place in every particular. He has a good house, barn and out buildings and en- joys a comfortable living, the place pro- ducing excellent returns for the labor ex- pended on it. During the latter fifties our subject was united in marriage with Martha J. Morton, who is now deceased. Twelve children were bom to this union, namely : Eliza J., Mar- garet, Robert, William, Henderson, who is now superintendent of the Marion county poor farm. He is single, a Democrat and a prominent young man, bearing an excel- lent reputation, as, indeed, does the rest of the family. Elizabeth is the sixth child of the subject. Thomas, Joseph, Nettie, John, the other children dying in infancy. Mr. Pigg was married a second time, his last wife being Mary Stephens, who was born in Missouri. This is a happy family and all work to «ach other's interest. They are fairly well situated in reference to this world's affairs and all give promise of happy and successful futures. They have received fairly good common school educations in their native community. Mr. Pigg is a loyal Democrat and he has always been interested in his party's affairs, giving his time and influence to promote the welfare of his community in political, educational and moral affairs. He has served very acceptably as school director of his district. Our subject was at one time a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but now affiliates with no lodge. NATHANIEL G. HUFF. The subject of this sketch has long been identified with the progress and ad- vancement of this favored section of the great Prairie state, where he has maintained his home for more than the Psalmist's al- lotted three score years, having been bom within her borders, having spent his long, active and useful life here and where he has attained gratifying success in connection with the development of its resources, being one of the representative farmers and stock growers in Stevenson township and having one of the most productive landed estates in this part of the county. Nathaniel G. Huff was bom in Stevenson township, this county, Febraary 6, 1841, the son of William H., Sr., and Mary A. (Crane) Huff, the former a native of Vir- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 335 ginia and the latter of Kentucky. The sub- ject's grandfather was Samuel Huff, also a native of Virginia who later removed to Tennessee and finally came to Marion county, Illinois, settling among the pioneers on government land on what is now Rac- coon township. He later moved to Haines township, where he cleared land and made a comfortable home, spending the rest of his days there. Leonard Huff was the great-grandfather of the subject. He was bom in Germany and came to America in a very early day, settling in Pennsylvania where he spent his life and where he died. Mary A. Crane, our subject's mother, was the daughter of William Crane, who was a native of Virginia, having lived and died in Kentucky. William Huff, father of our subject, was raised in Tennessee and spent several years in Mississippi and Alabama. About April 22, 1840, he came to Marion county, Illinois, where he married and where he purchased four hundred acres of wild land in what is now Stevenson town- ship, spending the remainder of his useful and very busy life here, dying March 10, 1863. His widow, a much beloved old lady of fine Christian character, is still living. William Huff was regarded as a successful farmer. He joined the Christian church sometime prior to his death. He was twice married, his first wife having been Nancy Dukes, whom he married in Mississippi. She died leaving one child, William H., Jr. He married Mary Crane April 22, 1840. Eleven children were born to this union, namely: Nathaniel G., our subject; Benja- min F., deceased; Andrew J., deceased; James K. and George M. Dallis, twins, are both living; Joshua is living in this state at Jacksonville; Marj J. is the wife of Wil- liam Brasel; Henderson P. lives in Steven- son township ; Harriet C. is the wife of Wil- liam Porter Gaston; Virginia is the wife of John B. Brasel ; Steven A. is deceased. The subject of this sketch spent his youth on his father's farm, having remained under the parental roof-tree until he reached man- hood. He was educated in the old subscrip- tion schools and having applied himself in a diligent manner received a fairly good edu- cation. His father gave him a piece of land in this township which he at once set about improving, but which he sold in 1868 and bought his present fine farm of one hun- dred and seventy-eight acres, which lies in section 30, Stevenson township, and section 25, Salem township. It was almost all in the woods when he took possession of it, but he has been a hard worker and has im- proved the place up to its present high state of efficiency, having been enabled from year to year to reap bounteous harvests from the same through his skillful manipulation of crops. He did most of the work in con- nection with his place himself, and also on his buildings, having an excellent and well furnished house and a good barn. Every thing about the place shows thrift and pros- perity and his farm is regarded as one of the most desirable in Stevenson township. Our subject's first marriage was in 1862 to Julia A. Hill, a native of Marion county, and eight children were born to this union, 336 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. namely: Thomas, who hves in Stevenson township, married Orela Cutchin; Viola is living at Jacksonville, Illinois ; William mar- ried Frankie Evans and resides in Salem township; Seymour, who is living in Salem township, married Elizabeth Guth ; Mary A. is deceased; Laura is single and resides in Jacksonville; Osceola, who is living in Flora, this state, married Maggie Babb ; Au- gustus L. married May Stone and lives in Eureka, Illinois, being a minister of the Christian church. The subject's second marriage was solemnized November 8, 1885, to Martha E. Mercer, a native of Marion county and the daughter of Silas and Rebecca Mercer, early settlers in Marion county. The sub- ject has sixteen grandchildren and five chil- dren dead. He has two great-grandchil- dren. The subject and wife are members of the Christian church at old Mt. Maria, the first church organized in Marion county. The subject is a Jeffersonian Democrat, but is not a Bryan Democrat, believing that the old school democracy is preferable to the new. He filled the office of Justice of the Peace in a most able manner for a period of eighteen years. Mr. Huff has in his possession an old squirrel rifle over one hundred years old which belonged to his father. It has killed over one hundred deer and bear. He also has the old powder-horn and shot pouch which his father carried. Mr. Huff has a note made- in payment for a clock which was given him by his father-in-law. He also still has the clock. He has among other relics of the past a spinning-wheel and a Southern dagger, which was discovered in a layer of cane. WILLIAM GILLHAM WILSON. The subject of this sketch occupies today a prominent position in the professional world of Marion and adjoining counties and he deserves all the more credit for this from the fact that he started out in life practically empty handed, therefore has been the archi- tect of his own fortunes, relying almost sole- ly upon his own resources for the start Avhich he had and for the success which he has achieved. In an analyzation of his char- acter we find many elements worthy of com- mendation and emulation. He did not seek for fortune's favors, but set out to win thent by honest work, and the success which ever crowns earnest, honest toil is today his, and he easily stands in the front rank of attor- neys in this locality, which has long been noted for its high legal talent, and while yet a young man, vigorous and in the zenith of his mental and physical powers, he is rap- idly winning his way to a position of much credit and significance in the great common- wealth which he can claim as his native land , and while winning his way gradually up the steeps to individual success he has not neglected his duties to his fellow citizens, but has benefited very materially the com- munity is which he lives in many ways, thereby w inning and retaining the well mer- ited esteem of all classes. BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 337 William G. Wilson was born in Madison county, Illinois, in 1872, the son of John.C. and Elizabeth (Gillham) Wilson. The Wil- son family has long been prominent and in- fluential in that part of the state. Grand- father John Wilson was bora in Pennsyl- vania, but came to Pike county, Ohio, set- tling on a farm, later coming to Marion county, Illinois, in 1846, taking up one thou- sand and eight hundred acres of land on the prairie, which he developed until it became very valuable, still holding it at the time of his death, which occurred when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-nine. Both Mr. and Mrs. John Wilson were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. The latter is supposed to have come from Ken- tucky. They were the parents of a large family. Mr. Wilson was Justice of the Peace for some time. John C. Wilson, father of the subject, was born in Pike county, Ohio, and there re- ceived his early education in a log school- house of pioneer days. Leaving the Buck- eye state he came to Illinois, settling in Ma- rion county in 1852, entering land from the government. He had about seven hundred acres of good prairie land, which he devel- oped into a valuable farm and which is now known as the John C. Wilson farm. Here our subject's father lived until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-seven years. He was a man of many sterling traits of character and bore an excellent reputa- tion. Both he and his faithful life companion were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 22 Grandfather Gillham came from the At- lantic coast country and settled in Madison county, Illinois, during the earliest epoch of the pioneer days, before the state was ad- mitted to the Union, and when wild beasts and red men roamed the hills and prairies. He remained there until his death. In that locality the subject's mother was reared and was married there in the early sixties. She came to Marion county. The father was twice married, the name of his first wife being Hults. Eight children were born to this union. She passed to her rest in the fifties. The subject's mother was John C. Wilson's second wife, who bore him seven children, four of whom lived to maturity. The mother is living in 1908, at the age of seventy-four years. She is a woman of many fine personal traits and beautiful Christian character. William G. Wilson, our subject, first at- tended the district schools in Marion coun- ty, working on his father's farm in the mean- time. Being ambitious and a diligent stu- dent, he received a good common school ed- ucation. Leaving the public schools when nineteen years old he entered Austin College at Effingham, Illinois, where he made a bril- liant record for scholarship, standing high in his class. After leaving school he taught school for five years, devoting five years also to teach- ing in Champaign county, this state, where he became widely known as an able instruc- tor and where his services were in great de- mand. But, believing that his true life work lay along other channels, he began the study 338 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. of law with Schaefei- & Rhodes, of Cham- paign, under whose instruction he made rapid progress. He was then admitted to practice at Mt. Vemon, Illinois. Mr. Wil- son then began practice at Kinmundy, be- ing remarkably successful from the first, and it was plain to be seen that an attorney of unusual sagacity and innate ability had risen to command the attention, of that part of the state. He has remained in practice at this place since that time with the most gratify- ing results, having frequently been called to other localities on important cases. He is cool and calculating, never erring in his le- gal proceedings, whether handling a civil or criminal suit, and he stands high in the esti- mation not only of the public but the legal profession throughout this part of Illinois. Mr. Wilson was happily married April 7, 1896, to MoUie Poole, a native of this county and the representative of a prominent and influential family, being the daughter of Abraham and Martha (Malone) Poole. Mr. Poole was born and reared in Marion coun- ty. He was a soldier in the Civil war, being a member of the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, receiving an honorable discharge after serving for three years. Four bright and interesting children have been born to our subject and wife as fol- lows : Basil, born August 7, 1897, who is at- tending the public schools in 1908; Russell was born October 22, 1899; Ruth was born June 14, 1904; Byron first saw the light January 11, 1906. The beautiful and nicely furnished home of the subject is presided over with rare grace and dignity by Mrs. Wilson, a woman of many commendable attributes, who delights in giving her children every care and attention. Fraternally our subject is afifiliated with the Masonic Order and the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, having passed through the chairs of the latter lodge. In politics he is a loyal Republican, and he at one time per- formed the duties of Police Magistrate, with much credit to himself and with much satis- faction to all concerned. He was also Tax Collector. Mr. Wilson belongs to the class of citi- zens whose lives do not show any meteoric effects, but who by their support of the mor- al, political and social status for the general good, promote the real welfare of their re- spective communities and are therefore de- serving of honorable mention on the pages of history. HAZEL G. GAINES. Hazel G. Gaines was bom in Tennessee, January 12, 1830, the son of Henry and Mariah (Bigers) Gaines, natives of Ten- nessee, who came to Illinois, locating in Marion county in 1852, where he purchased new land and made a home and where he died. The subject's mother was a member of the Christian church. In their family were eight children, all now deceased with the exception of the subject of this sketch, one brother and two sisters, namely : Henri- etta, Anna and Zachariah. Our subject received a common school BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 339 education in Tennessee and Illinois. He rented land at home and began farming early in life, having been a young man when he came to Marion county. He was soon practically the head of the family, his father having passed away soon after establishing himself in the new country, and the subject's mother did not long survive him; but our subject early evinced those sterling qualities of heart and head that always make for success, and he did well whatever duty fell to his lot, never complaining at the obstacles and hardships. In 1859 Mr. Gaines was united in mar- riage to Chamila Tracy, the representative of an excellent family. After a harmonious married life of over forty years she passed to her rest in the nineties, after having be- come the mother of four children, named in order of birth as follows : Henry, John, Alice and Mary, all deceased. Our subject owned the homestead, having purchased it himself, and he still owns it, having at present a splendid farm of over one hundred acres, which he has improved until it is in fine productive condition. The fields are well fenced and well drained, and a comfortable dwelling, surrounded by con- venient outbuildings are to be found on the place. The subject handles some good stock from time to time, preparing them for the market, feeding much of his com on the place and carrying on a general farming business. He delights to tell of the develop- ment he has noted in this community since his family made the trip from Tennessee here, coming overland by wagon to a coun- try new and open. He still lives on the old place, keeping someone there to look after the household and other affairs. Mr. Gaines has done much for the public and the general development of the com- munity, ever being ready to aid in any way he could all causes looking to the county's development whether in a material, civic, educational or moral waj. Although he has always been a loyal Democrat, he has never aspired to offices of trust and emolument at the hands of the public, and now he is spend- ing the evening of his life in quiet and plenty, having, by habits of economy and industry laid up an ample competency for his old age, His family have all gone to the other shore and left him alone, but not necessarily lonely, for he can look forward to a time of reuniting beyond the grave and he can look backward on a life well and hon- orably spent, in which there was no evil or wanton wickedness, a life of much hard work, but not by any means devoid of com- fort and pleasure. DANIEL S. HOLSTLAW. It is with a degree of satisfaction that the biographer has an opportunity at this junc- ture to write the following biographical memoir of the well remembered citizen, whose name appears above, now deceased, who was for many years prominent in the affairs of Marion county, for the readers of this book will doubtless gain inspiration 340 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. from pemsing these paragraphs to lead more industrious, kindlier and worthier lives, seeing what the life of the subject ac- complished not only individually but gen- erically, affecting the whole community in an uplifting manner. He came to this sec- tion of the state in pioneer times and he assisted in bringing about the transfonna- tion of the county in the wild condition in which it was found at the time of his ar- rival to its later-day progress and improve- ment. Daniel S. Holstlaw was bom in Barren county, Kentucky, November 15, 1813, the son of Richard and Maiy (Smith) Holst- law, the former a native of Virginia, who came in an early day to^ Indiana, settling in Orange county and later came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1830. Richard Holtslaw took up government land and set about making a farm of his hoWings with very flattering prospects ahead of him, but his life was brought to a close August 18, 1834, at the age of forty-six years. Mary, his wife, continued to live on the farm where she reared the children and made a comfortable living, being a woman of many sterling traits and of indomitable courage. Their children were eight in number, seven of Mrliom grew to maturity and named in order of birth as follows : Henry E., Daniel S., our subject; Lucinda, John Andrew, Elizabeth Ann, Malinda H., and Richard V. All of these children have now joined their parents in the eternal sleep of the just. Daniel S. Holstlaw was sixteen years of age when he came to Illinois and located in what is now known as Stevenson township, where he spent the remainder of his long, busy and useful life, having been called to bis re\\'ard by the Shepherd whO' giveth his beloved sleep, on December 2, 1905, con- scious of the fact that his life had not been lived in vain ; that he had fought a good fight and kept the faith, as did the great Apostle, Saint Paul, in the days of our Saviour, and that there was laid up for him a reward in the Father's house which was not made with hands. Mr. Holstlaw upon coming to this county bought a claim, having that rare foresight and sagacity that penetrated into the future years, bringing them within his horoscope, and which enabled him to see the great pos- sibilities that lie ahead. This first pur- chase was added to from time to time until he owned a large tract of land, which, un- der his able management was developed into one of the best, most productive and most highly improved faniiSi in this locality. He was a hard worker, and, believing that it was his duty as well as his privilege to eat his bread by the sweat of his brow, never ignored any task that he found awaiting disposition at his hands. He split the rails that fenced his land and also- put up a log house, and, infact, did the usual work of the pioneer. But having prospered by reason of his indomitable energy and good man- agement he was soon enabled to erect a more substantial nine room house, which was comfortable, cozy and well arranged, and in which the family now resides. The subject a\tis a faithful member of BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 341 the Methodist Episcopal church and a hb- eral supporter of the same ; he and his worthy life companion both having- pro- fessed religion the same night at a camp meeting held on Tennessee Prairie. In 1862, when the local Methodist church with which they were affiliated was divided up- on the question which precipitated the Civil war this intensely religious couple united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church in which the subject remained an ac- tive and faithful member until his death. Our subject was a staunch Democrat and took considerable interest in political af- fairs, having had the interest of his commu- nity at heart and lending his support at all times to whatever proposition that present- ed itself looking to the betterment of the community whether in a political, educa- tional, religious or moral sense. He was school director at one time and materially aided the local public school through his advice, counsel and influence. Mr. Holstlaw was united in marriage with Ruth W. Middleton on June 9, 1836. She was a native of what later became CampJDell county, Tennessee, and the rep- resentative of an influential old family, the date of her birth falling on Janu- ary 23, 1 819, the daughter of Wil- liam and Sarah J. (Harris) Middleton, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of South Carolina. x\fter their mar- riage they moved to Tennessee and in 1831 came to Marion county, Illinois, locating three miles east of luka, in what is now luka township. They were sterling pio- neers and made a most comfortable living in the new countiy where they became known as honest, hard-working people. Their family consisted of fourteen children, named in order of birth, as follows: Thomas L., Lydia P., Harvey, William H., Elizabeth, John B., Joel, Martha, Jane, Sa- rah, James A., Josephus W., Ruth W., the wife of our subject; Lucy and Dicy E. Mr. Middleton was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church, having be- come well known as an able expounder of the Gospel and doing a vast amount of good in his work here. His wife was also a faithful worker in this church. To our subject and wife eleven children were bom, six sons and five daughters, named in order of birth as follows : Richard J., who was first married to Mary A. Jag- ger, and later to Rachel Berry ; John H., who married Lucy Downing; Thomas, who married Aleatha E. Hite; Hattie, who is living at home; Mary is also a member of the home circle at this writing, 1908; Sarah became the wife of Omer Squibb; Daniel W., married Clara Stevenson; Joel W., married Lucretia Stevenson; Ruth Emma is the wife of Daniel Crayton Ste- venson; Marion C. married Lelian Bru- baker; Martha A. is single and living at home; the last two children named are twins. The widow of our subject, a gracious old ladv of beautiful Christian character and praiseworthy attributes, is living on the old homestead, being idolized by her children, and much admired and loved bv a host of 342 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. friends. Many are the homes in the sur- rounding country where she has nursed the sick aaid brought sunshine and happiness. She takes a great interest in the Hves of her children, her eighteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. On the old home place, which is still well kept and in an excellent productive state, live three of the daughters with their beloved mother, the family being well known in Stevenson township and highly respected by all. In this home are tO' be found many old and in- teresting relics of the pioneer days, such as spinning wheels and machines for spinning flax, and many similar things. MILTON CUTCHIN. The memory of the worthy subject of this memorial biography is revered by a host of friends and acquaintances among whom he labored and who- had occasion to know of his personal excellencies of char- acter, having spent his energies through a long life of endeavor not alone for his own aggrandizement, but for the good of those with whom he came in contact as well, oft- en striving to make people better and hap- pier even at the neglect of his own com- forts and well-being. Such a life as that of our subject is not met with evei-y day, and it is therefore eminently worthy of em- ulation, having been singularly free from all that is deteriorating or paltiy. Milton Cutchin was born in Tennessee, June I, 1828, the son of Lemuel R., and Jane (Drenen) Cutchin, the former a na- tive of Tennessee, who came to Marion county, Illinois, about 1832, being among the pioneers of that period who have done so much for subsequent civilization. His mother died in Tennessee before her hus- band, Lemuel R. Cutchin, started for Il- linois. The subject's father took up government land in Marion county which he developed into a good faiTn, making a comfortable living on the same. He was a member of the Christian church, and a Democrat in his political belief. He was the father of three children by his first wife, namely: Milton, our subject; Leander, Susan, all three now deceased. The second wife of Lemuel R. Cutchin was Mary ^^'aJdron, by whom the following children were bom : ^^^illiam, Jackson, Martin, Mary and Ann. Milton Cutchin, subject of this sketch, was only four years of age when the family came to Marion county, Illinois. The trip from Tennessee was made in wagons and there was much difficulty in fording the unbridged streams and passing through the woods and along the poorly constmcted roads. Our subject was reared on a farm where he did his share of the work, in the meantime attending the district schools, such as those early times afforded, but he applied himself in a diligent manner and re- ceived a fairly good education. He de- ^'0ted his life work to farming at which he was reasonably successful, making a good li^'ing for his family and leaving a valuable farm as an estate. BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 343 In 1849 Milton Cutchin was married to Ruth M. Jones, who was bom in Bloom- ington, Indiana, in 1832, the daughter of Jeremiah S. and Savilla (Marshall) Jones, the father having- been bom in North Caro- lina, and the mother in Kentucky. They were among- the early settlers of Greene county, Indiana, who came on to Marion comity, Illinois, in 1840, and here the par- ents of the subject's wife spent the remain- der of their lives, rearing- seven children, whose names are herewith appended : John, Susan, David, Elizabeth, Ruth, Sarah and Hubbard. The Jones family belong to the Methodist church. Thirteen children were born to the sub- ject and wife, six of whom died in infancy. Those who survived are William, Emmett, Florida, Florence, Orella, Frank and Fred. They received fairly good common school educations and are well started on the high- way of success and happiness, following as nearly as they can the worthy example of the father, who was scrupulously honest, a man of integrity, industry and kindness in all his dealings with his fellow men, there- by winning their loyal friendship. The widow of Milton Cutchin resides on the old home farni which consists of eighty acres of valuable and well tilled land, lo- cated in Ste\^enson township. The house, bam and other buildings on the place are kept in good condition and are convenient and comfortable. Our subject was a faith- ful member of the Christian church, of which denomination Mrs. Cutchin is also a member, being a good Christian woman and highly esteemed in her community for her many praiseworthy traits of character and her kindness and hospitality. Mr. Cutchin was one of the loyal de- fenders of the Union during the Mexican war, having been a gallant soldier and never flinched from his duties on the battle- field, having made a splendid record. JACOB BRUBAKER. It is not the intention of the biographer to give in this connection a detailed history of the subject's life, but rather to note inci- dentally his connection with the various enterprises with which his name has been linked and to show the marked influence he wielded in advancing the interests of Ste- venson township, Marion county. Jacob Brubaker was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1825, the son of Abraham Brubaker, a native of the Buckeye state as was also his wife who was known in her maidenhood as Elizabeth Myers. They came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1842 and took up government land and remained here the balance of their lives. Abraham was a man of influence in his community. He passed away March 10, 1854, and his faithful life companion joined him Febru- ary 3, 1867. The number of children born to them was six. Jacob Brubaker, our subject, came to Illi- nois with his parents when he was sixteen 344 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. years of age and received his education in the pioneer schools where the advantages were very Hmited and the terms lasted only a few months out of each year, but he ap- plied himself as best he could and laid the foundation for a good mental development which he later received by home reading and personal observation. Mr. Brubaker was united in marriage to Jane Davis, who was born in Virginia. She was taken to Pennsylvania when two years of age and reared there, later coming to Illinois when she had reached maturity, remaining in this state until her earthly la- bors closed in 1895. She was a good woman, kind and gentle of disposition, and in her religious affiliations was a member of the Presbyterian church. Ten children were born to Jacob and Jane Brabaker, named in order of their birth as follows : Clifford, who lives in Stevenson township on a farm ; Lillie is the wife of M. C. Hoist- law, a farmer of Stevenson township; Ella is single; John is a fanner living in Alma township, this county; Walter, who was born February 7, 1864, lives on a farm in Stevenson township. He was reared on a farm and in 1887 went to Colorado, but returned to this county and married Laura Rodgers, a native of Marion county. He has one hundred and forty acixs of good land and he is regarded as an excellent farmer and neighbor. He is the father of one child, Blanche. Frank is the name of the sixth child of our subject, who is liv- ing on a farm in Stevenson township ; Anna is the wife of Charles Craig, a farmer on the old Brubaker homestead; Herman is a farmer in luka township; the ninth and tenth child died in infancy. Jacob Brubaker, after an eminently use- ful and active life, passed to his rest on June 30, 1908, lamented by a host of friends who regarded him as one of the leading men of the community and who will greatly miss him. In politics he was a Democrat and he served as school director of Stevenson township. He was known as a loyal citizen and a good man. NOAH BRUBAKER. We now take under review one of the sterling citizens of Stevenson township, Marion county, where he has resided for over a half a century and where his life has been spent in such a manner as to gain him an ample competence. Mr. Brubaker is one of the successful farmers in this community, where he owns an attractive farm, having so conducted his business affairs as to bring success to himself, comfort to his family and good to the community. Noah Brubaker was born in Fairfeld county, Ohio, June 26, 1824, the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Myers) Brubaker, the latter a nati^'e of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, the former a native of Rock- ingham county, Virginia. They both went to Ohio early in life, were married there and in 1842 came to Marion county, Illinois, and took up go\'ernment land, about seven BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 345 eighties in all, and at once set about trans- forming a part of this land into a home. Useless to say that it gradually grew to be very valuable property. He was able to give all his children a farm and a good home. He passed away in 1854, his widow having survived him until 1867. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Abraham was a stanch Democrat and a well known and influential man in his community. In his family were the follow- ing six children : Eli, deceased ; Lydia, de- ceased; Noah, our subject; Jacob, deceased; Susan, deceased; Amy, deceased; our sub- ject being the only one of the six children now alive. The subject of this sketch was eighteen years old when the family came to Illinois, and he well remembers making the trip in wagons, having camped out a part of the way, having difficulty in crossing some of the streams and passing some of the roads. They erected a log house after locating here and began life as the pioneers who had pre- ceded them to other parts of this locality. Noah Brubaker was educated in the pio- neer schools of that time, which he attended in Ohio and received what education he could under the primitive conditions. After coming to Illinois he helped clear up the land upon which the family settled, having done a great deal of hard work. He has spent his entire life on the farm and has therefore mastered the modern methods of agriculture. He has been thrifty and always worked hard, consequently he accumulated enough to purchase the excellent farm where he new resides, which consists of three hun- dred and ten acres. It is under a high state of cultivation and has been highly improved in every respect, the crops having been so rotated as to preserve the original strength of the soil and as a result great harvests are reaped from the fields year after year with no appreciable weakening of the soil. He has a good residence, bams and out buildings, a fine orchard and keeps good stock of various kinds which fonn no small part of his yearly income. Our subject's married life dates from 1848, when he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Catherine Hite, who was born in 1829, in Fairfield county, Ohio, the daughter of Andrew and Catherine Hite. Thirteen children have been bom to the sub- ject and wife, three of whom died unnamed. The others are: Oliver, a fanner living in Kansas, who married Millie Burris; Alice, who has been twice married, first to Alfred Brainard and second to H. A. Whitney, and she is living at Carbondale, Illinois; Lee married Malinda Vangelder, living in Ste- venson township; Leslie, a farmer living in Florida, married Helen Boyton; Ross, a farmer living in Oklahoma, married Ida Mc- Ilwayne; Noah V., a farmer, also living in Oklahoma, married Stella Crippin; Min- nie is the wife of W. A. Kniseley, and is living in Omega township on a farm; Ruth is the wife of O. D. Fulton, a salesman, who lives in Phcenix, Arizona; Arthur, who is living on the old home farm, married Delia Gamer ; Andrew, who is also living on the home farm, mar- 346 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ried Ella White. The subject of this sketch has forty-six grandchildren and sev- enteen great-grandchildren. Following are subject's grandchildren: Those born to Minnie (Mrs. Kniseley) are, Noah, LeRoy, Scott, Ethel. Those born to Ruth (Mrs. Fulton) are, Lucile and Eugene. Those born to Arthur and wife are. Opal, Doug- las, Eli Guy, Grace E. Denby, Lloyd. Those born to Andrew and wife are, Merl, Cath- erine, Ernest, Lawrence, Paul and Donald. Oliver's — Fred Brubaker, Roy Brubaker, Alice Brubaker ; Alice's — E. A. Brainard, S. L. Brainard, Alice Brainard-Bowman, Jessie Brainard-Burkhart ; Lee's children — Clar- ence Brubaker, Grace Bnibaker, Noah Bru- baker, Maud Brubaker-Garges, Bi-yan Bru- baker, Nellie Brubaker; Leslie's — Oren Brubaker, Eva Bi-ubaker-Sheahan, Carl Brubaker, Ona Brubaker, Emma Brubaker, Emil Brubaker, Carmen Brubaker, Pearl Brubaker, Quention Brubaker; Ross' chil- dren — Merl Brubaker, Ralph Brubaker, Or- ville Brubaker and Charlie Brubaker; Van's ■ — Bruce Brubaker, Pearl B. Brubaker, Bon- nie Laura Brubaker. The gi'eat-grandchildren are : Roy has one child; Ernest's — Alfred Brainard, Lillian Brainard, Louise Brainard and Herschel Brainard ; Pearl's — Brainard Bowman, Alice E. Bowman; Stewart's — Alice E. Brainard; Clarence's — Pauline Brubaker and Max Brubaker; Eva's — Helen Shea- han; Bruce's — ^Nellie May Brubaker. The subject is a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church, while his wife is a member of the Baptist church. The for- mer is a Democrat and was an efficient Justice of the Peace for a period of twelve years, and served in a most faithful man- ner as Supervisor for one year, also school Director and School Trustee. He has always been anxious to see his county develop along all lines of improvements. NOAH R. STEVENSON. In taking up the review of the life of the gentleman whose name appears above, who is one of the honored pioneer farmers of Stevenson township, Marion county, the biographer calls attention to one who has by a life of earnest and consecutive en- deavor ^^'on for himself the respect of all who have come in contact with him. While there are no startling incidents in the life story of Mr. Stevenson as here outlined, it is the record of a life true to its highest ideals. Noah R. Stevenson was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, April 21, 1835, the son of Mordica and Elner (Combs) Stevenson,, both natives of Maryland, the former be- ing the son of Daniel A. Stevenson, a native of Maryland and a pioneer settler of Fair- field county, Ohio, where he entered gov- ernment land comprising two sections. Elner Combs was the daughter of John A. Combs, a native of Maryland who settled in Fairfield county, Ohio, among the pio- neers. Mordica Stevenson first married Re- becca Comer, \\-ho was the mother of six children, nameh' : Daniel, Samuel, Joseph, BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 347 Elizabeth, Belle, Ruth, all now deceased. The following- children were bom to Mor- dica's union with Elner Combs: Noah, the subject of this sketch; William, deceased; Rebecca, deceased: David, a minister in the United Brethren church; Franklin, who is still living-. Prior tO' her marriage with Mr. Stevenson, Elner Combs married John Henthorn, becoming the mother of one son, John, who is decea.sed. The parents of the subject in their religious affiliations were members of the Hard-Shell Baptist church. Mordica Stevenson was a Democrat and took an active interest in • political affairs. He was a man of much native ability and became well known in his community. Noah R. Stevenson, our subject, was reared on the home farm, where he re- mained until nineteen years old, having re- ceived a limited education in the pioneer schools of the early days. In 1854 he came to Marion county, Illinois, and pur- chased new and unimproved land in Stevai- son township and developed a farm on which he has lived continuously ever since. He now owns eighty acres of as highly im- proved and productive land as can be found in this county. It shows that a man of modem farming methods and industry has managed it. The fields are kept clean, well drained and well fenced, and the dwelling on the place is modern, substantial and well furnished. Numerous convenient out- buildings of a substantial nature are lo- cated on the place. General farming is car- ried on and much good stock of all kinds is kept on the farm. Our subject was united in marriage in 1857 with Hannah Kagy, who was bom in Fairfield county, Ohio, the daughter of Christian and Anna Kagy, a well known and influential family, who came to Marion county in 1847, ^"d who are now deceased. Twelve children have been bom to the subject and wife, ten of whom are living, named in order of their birth as follows : Ida, the wife of Joseph Dozier, of St. Louis; Eva is single and living at home; Carrie is the wife of Peri-y Warner; Mor- dica lives in Stevenson township, and he was first married to Catherine Harmon, and second to Belle Camp; Ethel is the wife of Frank Boynton : James, the twin of Ethel, is now deceased ; Morris is deceased ; Otis is a teacher, living in Bloomington, Illinois ; Omer is living at home; Dorothy is the wife of Lincoln Kell ; Lena is married to Monta Boynton ; Grace is the wife of E. Steward, living in Hudson, Illinois. The wife of our subject, who was a woman of pleasing address and kind dis- position, passed to her rest October 9, 1904. Mr. Stevenson carries out the traditions of his family in adhering to- the policies of the Democratic party, having been more or less active in the same since maturity. He has held the office of Assessor of Steven- son township, also treasurer of the same, discharging the duties of each with rare business ability and in a manner that re- flected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Mr. Stevenson comes from a highly re- spected and influential old family, and he 348 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. is a pleasant man to meet, honest and always ready to aid in any cause which has for its object the betterment of his community. JOHN F. EDDINGS. The climate, soil and general conditions prevalent in southern Illinois are well adapted to the purposes of general farming and stock raising. One of the men who has shown by their success that they were mas- ters of the art of fanning in luka town- ship, Marion county, is the subject of this biography. However, he is at present en- gaged in other business, having gi\'en up his former life work. John F. Eddings was born in luka town- ship, Marion county, Illinois, Feburaiy 22, 1844, the son of James B. and Rhoda Ann (West) Eddings. both natives of North Carolina. They emigrated to Kentucky and Tennessee when very young, arriving in the latter state in 1842. They later came to Marion county, Illinois, and set- tled in luka township, where they remained a short time and then returned to Tennes- see, but returned to Marion county in 1855, settling again in luka township, where they remained during the rest of their lives on a farm. The death of the subject's father oc- curred Februai-y 28, 1901, and his wife died January 19, 1902. The former was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and after the Civil war he ^•oted the Re- publican ticket. He was justice of the peace for two terms. There were nine children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. James Eddings, namely: Nancy, who lives in luka, is the wife of William Nicks ; John F., our subject, was second in order of birth; Mary E., deceased, was the wife of L. L. Jones; Minerva H. is the wife of William Milbum, living in luka; James T. is a farmer living in luka township; Jesse J. lives in St. Louis; Martha Ann is the wife of William Morgan, living in Alma; William L. is deceased; Sarah, step- daughter of the subject's father, is de- ceased. John F. Eddings was reared on the home farm and educated in the common schools of the county, remaining under the pa- rental roof until he was seventeen years of age, when he showed his patriotism by en- listing in Company I, Fortieth Illinois Vol- unteer Infanti-y, serving four years in a most gallant manner. So efficient was his sen'ice that he was promoted to corporal, and then to first lieutenant. He sei-ved with Sherman's anny, having been in all his campaigns, with the exception of «hen he was wounded at Shiloh, hav- ing been shot through the shoulder in that great battle. His throat was also pierced by a bullet. He remained in the general hospital for one and one-half months, after which he recei\ed a furlough home of from fort}- to fift}- cla}-s at the ex- piration of which he rejoined his regiment and serx-ed until the end of the war. After his return from the army, he fanned a while. Selling out, he came to luka and BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 349 engaged in the real estate and insurance business, also as pension attorney which he has since been following with marked suc- cess. Mr. Eddings is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Picket Post, hav- ing been commander, adjutant and quarter- master of the same. Fraternally he is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, having passed all the chairs and he has attended the grand lodge four times. He has beai sec- retary of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, lodge No. 694, for eighteen years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Useless to add that in politics Mr. Ed- dings is a loyal Republican. He is in 1908 Supervisor of luka township, having been first appointed in December, 1903, to fill out an expired term, taking the place made va- cant by the death of William Gray. Mr. Eddings was elected in 1907 for a period of two years. Our subject has long been interested in public affairs and always did his part in furthering the interests of his community in any way he could. SALLIE OWENS. A resume of the noble work and beauti- ful life record of the estimable lady whose name initiates this paragraph, is herewith appended together with a brief outline of the life of her honored father who has joined the great phantom army. Our sub- ject is known as a woman of rare tact and foresight, having beai for many years one of the leading educators of Marion county and at present a teacher in the Salem schools where she is held in high favor, in fact, her sei-vices have long been in great demand and her life has been one which should serve to inspire young women to make efforts to accomplish something worth while. Sallie 0\\ens, one of the best known edu- cators of Salem, Illinois, was born in Logan county, Kentucky, on January 16, 1851. She is the daughter of William and Martha (Baldridge) Owens, the latter a native of Sumner county, Tennessee, and the former a native of Logan county, Kentucky. Wil- liam Owens was educated in the common schools and he later took a collegiate course graduating from Center College in Dan- ville, Kentucky. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, however he never prac- ticed. He became a well known business man, a capitalist, banker and land owner. He was the cashier of a bank in Columbus, Kentucky. Shortly after the Civil war, he removed to Louisville, Kentucky, where he remained until his death, August 24, 1869. He was bom August 27, 1820. He was a member of the Baptist church, but affiliated with his wife's church, the Presbyterian. He was a Royal Arch Mason. Mr. Owens owned much land, among which was quite a large tract near Salem, Illinois, which his daughter, our subject, now controls. He was a business man of unusual foresight and breadth of view, always honest in his 350 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. dealings with his fellow mai, liberal and did much for charity and the furthering of all w*orthy movements looking to the pub- lic good. He owned an elegant and well- furnished home, where free hospitality and good cheer ever reigned. He had an ex- cellent and well selected library for he was a great student and was a man of letters. He numbered his friends by the thousands. His wife, Martha B. Baldridge, was bom October 12, 1826, and died October 27, 1907. She was a woman of many estimable traits and beautiful character. She was the mother of three children, namely : Cora, who is the widow of William Garvan Hume, living in Louisville, Kentucky; Sal- lie, our subject; Letitia died in infancy. Sallie Owens, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools, and the high school of Louisville, Kentucky, also in a small select school of that city, which was conducted on a plot of ground donated by her father for a select school. Later she attended Bellewood NoiTnal School in Kentucky, from which she gradu- ated. Then she entered the National School of Elocution and Oratory at Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, from which she grad- uated with high honors. Being ambitious, and a great student all her life, she made rapid progress in all the schools she at- tended. After leaving school she went to St. Louis, Missouri, and taught in a private school for some time. Then Miss Owens went to St. Augustine, Florida, where she was principal of the high school for several years. She also had charge of the under graduates in Orange county, Florida. In 1 89 1 Miss Owens came north with her mother, locating at Salem, Illinois, and here started a private school, the various branches in addition to a complete literary course, including music, art, oratory and el- ocution which she conducted with great success from the first, covering a period of sixteen years. Finally failing health caused her to give up the w'ork here, much to the regret of her numerous patrons and friends. In all her work as teacher Miss Owens has shown that she is not only a very highly educated woman, but also possessing all the other attributes that constitute the success- ful teacher. Her services were always in great demand and she became widely known as an able educator. She is highly accom- plished, a fluent and charming conversa- tionalist, and there is no more popular or highly esteemed lady in Salem or this local- ity than she. The good work that she has done in educational work cannot be ade- quately measured. Miss Owens is a business woman of un- usual ability. She oversees quite a large farm that lays just on the outskirts of Sa- lem, managing it with great skill and suc- cess in evei-y particular. General farming is carried on and much fine stock is to be found in her bams and fields. Her home on west Main street, Salem, is a beautiful one and tastefully kept, being well fur- nished and a place where good cheer and hospitality reign. BRINKERHOFF'S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 351 Miss Owens was baptized in her infancy in the Presbyterian church, but she has af- filiated with the Episcopal church for many years. She is regarded as a woman of many commendable traits and praiseworthy attributes and her friends are limited only by the circle of her acquaintance. ALEXANDER HAMILTON. In Marion county, Illinois, are found many men of brawn and brain, who, with firm resolves and well defined purposes, have worked their way from lowly begin- nings to places of prominence and command- ing influence in their respective communi- ties. They have not been fortune's favor- ites, but have gradually forged to the front, overcoming every obstacle calculated to hin- der or impede their progress by the sheer power of personal force backed by a laud- able ambition to succeed. Among this worthy class may be men- tioned the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this article, Alexander Hamil- ton, Ex-Surveyor of Marion county, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, September 14, 1843, the son of Thomas S. and Anna (Dildine) Hamilton, who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio, the father emigrating to Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1828. The father of the subject was a farmer and carpenter. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. There were three children in this family, the first of whom was Alexander, our subject; C. W., who lives in Ohio on the old home farm, was the second in order of birth, and Aretae C, the youngest child, is deceased. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm in Ohio where he remained at home until eighteen years of age, assisting with the farm work and attending the neighbor- hood schools in the meantime. He later at- tended the high school of that place and took a course in Summet College. Thrist- ing for more and higher knowledge, he went to Glasgow, Scotland, and took a university course, remaining there for a period of three years, a part of that time, however, was spent away from that city. In 1870, Mr. Hamilton came to Marion county, Illinois, after he had received an excellent education and gained a knowledge of the outside world through travel, and bought a tract of land and has since been farming with marked success, being known as one of the model farmers of Marion county. He made his home in Salem for about eight years. His farm is highly improved, under a fine state of cultivation, well fenced and well stocked. He was also engaged in the milling business at one time. In 1884 he was elected and served four years as Surveyor of Marion county. He was elected again to this important position in 1892 and re-elected in 1900 and in 1904, ably serving the citizens of this county in the capacity of Surveyor sixteen years. He served as Road Commissioner in 1877 and served one term of three years. Mr. Hamil- ton is a Democrat and has ever taken a lively interest in politics. 35^ BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Mr. Hamilton's happy domestic life dates fram 1873, when he was united in marriage with Margaret Jane Shanafelt, who was born in Seneca county, Ohio, the daughter of Adam and Anna O. (Bower) Shanafelt, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter born in Ohio. Adam Shanafelt and family came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1850 and bought government land and spent their lives on a large farm which they developed. The mother of the subject's wife passed to her rest in 1907, at an advanced age of ninety- four years, having been preceded to the spirit land by her husband in 1878. Mrs. Shanafelt was a member of the Dunkard church. There were eight children in that family, named in order of birth as follows : Sarah, Jonas, Susannah, the fourth died in infancy, Jacob, Martin, Margaret Jane, our subject's wife; and Martha A. Two chil- dren have brightened the home of our sub- ject and wife, Albert D., who married Jessie Flanigan. He lives in Little Rock, Arkan- sas, and is a railway mail clerk. Three chil- dren have been born to them: Helen F., Margaret M., and Ruth, the second child, Margaret M., is deceased. Aretae, the sec- ond child of our subject and wife, married Paul Wallace and is living in Salem, Illi- nois. They have no children. Mr. Hamilton has a good farm of eighty acres, but he rents most of his land. He has built an excellent, comfortable and modern house and a good bam. Mr. Hamilton studied law and was ad- mitted to the bar, but he never practiced. He is one of the highly educated men of the county, is well posted on all current topics and is a very charming conver- sationalist. PHILLIP GREEN. In giving the following facts of this bio- graphical memoir, the publishers believe that it will be an incentive to the young who may peruse it to lead nobler lives, have higher ambitions and accomplish more for them- selves and their fellow men, for the life of Mr. Green, which has been closed on earth, but the influence of which still jjermeates the lives of those who came in contact with him, \\as led along high planes and in such a manner as to gain the respect and confidence of everyone. Phillip Green was born in Roane county. Tennessee, April 14, 1849, the son of Thom- as and Vienna (Smaley) Green, the former having died when our subject was eighteen months old, and his widow married a second time, her last husband being Thomas Nipper, a native of Tennessee. They came to Fay- ette county, Illinois, locating near Loogoo- tee, where they died of smallpox, six mem- bers of the family having died of this dis- ease within nine months. The subject of this sketch received only a limited education in the district schools. After his parents died he lived with Michael Murphy for seven years. He first married Sarah Peters, a native of Ohio. She died in the spring of 1876 and he MR. AND MRS. PHILLIP GREEN. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 353 married a second time, his last wife being Nancy Peters, of Fayette county, Illinois. Two children were bom by his first wife, namely: Mary Etta, the wife of Thomas Jones, of Foster township; Katie is the wife of Samuel Howe, of Meacham township, Marion county, Illinois. Ten children were bom to the subject by his second wife, named as follows: Thomas and Frank, twins; William, Forrest, Bertha, May, Myrtle, Le- cian, Anna and Jonathan F., the last named being a fine draftsman and artist, having many excellent drawings. He and Frank are living at home. William married a Miss Slater, of Foster township, and they live on a farm. The subject of this sketch first started to farming for himself in Fayette county, Illi- nois, and in 1884 located where he now lives in Foster township, where he has one hun- dred and sixty acres, having made all the improvements on the place himself and brought it up to a high standard of excel- lency. He was always a hard worker and a most excellent manager, always keeping his farm in first class condition and earning a comfortable living, besides saving a compe- tency all the while for his children. After a life of usefulness and honor he was called to his reward February 2, 1908. Mrs. Green also owns forty acres of land where her son lives in Foster township. She is a woman of rare business ability and she is admired by a wide circle of friends for her many praiseworthy traits. Mr. Green was a Democrat and he took considerable interest in local political affairs. 23 He ably served as Highway Commissioner and School Director. He was a member of the Loyal American lodge of Kinmundy, Il- linois, also a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He was truly a good and use- ful man and his memory is held in reverence by all who laiew him, for he was public spirited, honest and a true friend, husband and father. JAMES B. HANNA. Every county, township and community can boast of natural leaders of men among its populace, leaders in the common work and everyday affairs of life, as well as in the domain of thought. Such a one is found in the subject of this sketch, who, though well advanced in age, is still a man of phys- ical and mental vigor, almost as capable of bearing his part in the affairs of his neigh- borhood as he was in former days before time began undermining his natural forces. James B. Hanna was born in Seneca county, Ohio, October 7, 1837, the son of James and Sarah (McClelland) Hanna, both natives of Pennsylvania. Both came early in life to Wayne county, Ohio, where they were married, later moving to Seneca county, that state, where they spent the re- mainder of their lives. James Hanna was the son of Hugh Hanna, a native of Ireland, who came to America and settled in Penn- sylvania where he died. There were ten children in the family of the subject's par- ents, namely: Hugh, deceased; Samuel, 354 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. William, James, our subject; Thomas, John, Martha, Sarah Jane and Mary E. The par- ents of these children settled in Seneca county, Ohio, in an early day on a piece of wild woodland, which they cleared up, improved and made into a good farm. They were members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Hanna supported the Democratic party. He took a great interest in pub- lic affairs and contributed liberally to the church. James B. Hanna remained at home on the farm, assisting with the work about the place and attending the public schools and three terms in the Seneca County Academy and one term at Oberlin College. After receiving a good education he be- gan teaching and farming during the sum- mer months. He became known as a very capable teacher and his services were in great demand. William Hanna, brother of the subject, came to Illinois in i860, and the subject fol- lowed in 1 86 1 and went to farming on his brother's farm. In the same year James bought a farm of forty acres in Salem town- ship, and in 1862 purchased his present farm of eighty-five acres, which was then only partly improved, but he has brought it up to a high standard of modern farms, being carefully tilled and managed in such a man- ner that a comfortable living has been made from the same and a liberal competency laid up for his old age. He has a substantial and comfortable dwelling, and a good barn and other out buildings. In 1865 Mr. Hanna married Martha A. Young, a native of Marion county, the daughter of Mathew and Sarah Young. After becoming the mother of one child, Walter L., who is deceased, she passed to her rest, December 20, 1897. The second marriage of our subject was solemnized in 1 90 1 to Rachel Chance, a native of Iowa, and she is still living on the old home place. Her parents are both deceased. The subject and wife are members of the Christian church in Salem township. Mr. Hanna is a Democrat. He has been School Trustee, also Assessor and Collector of his township, serving in a most efficient man- ner in all these capacities. Because of his honesty, industry and friendly manner he is popular and held in high esteem by the peo- ple of Salem township, where he is well known. SAMUEL A. SCHANAFELT. It is always interesting to watch the growth and development of a locality, to note the lines along which advancement has been made and to ascertain who have taken part in the advancement, the work in estab- lishing a prosperous community. The sub- ject of this sketch is one who has been of much material benefit to the community of which this' book treats and his worthy life record is well worth consideration. Samuel A. Schanafelt, a prominent farmer of Salem township, Marion county, Illinois, who makes his home one and one- half miles west of Salem, was bom in Craw- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 355 ford county, Ohio, February 19, 1844, the son of David and Sarah (Orr) Schanafelt. They were both natives of Ohio, and were married in Licking county, that state. They farmed in Crawford county, the Buckeye state, until 1846, when they came to IIH- nois, settUng in Marion county. They made the trip overland and camped out at night. David bought a large tract of land in what is now Salem township. He was a good farmer, neighbor and citizen, gaining the respect of all who knew him. His death occurred May 15, 1897. Both he and his faithful life companion were members of the Dunkard church, sometimes known as the German Baptist church. Peter Schanafelt, the paternal grandfather of the subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in an early day, where he farmed and spent the remainder of his life. The subject's mother was the daughter of James and Charity Orr, who emigrated to Ohio from Kentucky at an early day. They were farm- ers and died in the Buckeye state. Mr. and Mrs. David Schanafelt' s family consisted of the following children : Cath- arine, Jacob, Susan, David, Samuel, our subject; Sarah, John, Louisa and George, five of whom are deceased. The father of these children was a Democrat and held several township offices. Samuel A. Schanafelt, our subject, was two years of age when the family came to Marion county, Illinois, and here he has constantly remained since that time. He has prospered by reason of his habits of in- dustry and economy, now owning a very valuable farm consisting of two hundred and forty acres, which includes a portion of the old home fann. He also owns another fine farm in Salem township. He is re- garded as one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of Marion county, keeping his land in excellent condition, reaping bounte- ous harvests from year to year by reason of his skillful management. His farms are well fenced and drained. He has an ex- cellent dwelling and numerous out buildings. He is an interesting conversationalist, hav- ing become well educated, attending in his boyhood days the common schools and later a select school in Salem, and later in life doing much home study. Our subject was united in marriage in December, 1878, to Anna Hershberger, the refined and affable daughter of Henry and Catharine (Snavely) Hershberger. She was born of a well known and influential family of Crawford county, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Schanafelt the follow- ing children have been born, all educated and well situated in life: Carrie Mabel, who is the wife of Lemuel Branch, who lives in Salem and who are the parents of three children, Lawrence J., Samuel E., and Claud. Lillie, the second child of the sub- ject, is the wife of Emery Jeffers and the mother of three children, Clara B., Ruth Angeline and Minnie. The third child of the subject and wife is David Elston, who is single and living at home. Our subject and wife are members of the Christian Church at Young's Chapel. Mr. Schanafelt is a loyal Democrat and always 356, ERINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. takes considerable interest in whatever tends to promote the affairs of his county along political, material and moral lines. He has been Highway Commissioner and School Director, ably serving the people of this township in both capacities. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic lodge and one would judge from his daily life that he believes in carrying out the sublime precepts of this organization. He is a capable, energetic man, thoroughly content with his environ- ment,, and the exemplary life he has led has given hirn a very extensive acquaintance and wherever he is known he is highly re- spected and esteemed. LEWIS HAHN. No class of people of foreign birth have done so much for the development of Amer- ica as the Germans, who are always thrifty, honest and hard working wherever found, and the subject of this sketch is one of that number, being a prosperous farmer in luka township, Marion county, where he has a fine farm, well kept and managed with such skill as to stamp him one of the modem twentieth century fanners of the state. Lewis Hahn was born in Prussia, Ger- many, September 22, 1837, the son of Lewis and Mary (Burned) Hahn. The subject's parents both died in Marion county. Our subject was reared in Germany on his father's farm, where he received a common school education. He came to America in 1864, first stopping in Chicago, where he worked as a laborer for five years. In 1870 he came to Marion county and settled in luka township on a tract of wild wood- land, which he transformed into a good fann by dint of hard work. His place con- sists of two hundred acres. It was one of the best farms in the community after the subject improved it. In 1863 Mr. Hahn married, while still in Germany to Wilhelmina Burned, who made an excellent helpmeet and who passed to ■ her rest in 1904 in luka township. She was the mother of the following children: Charles, Mary, Fred, Minnie, Ida, Otto, Lewis, Fred, Lizzie, John. The last four named are deceased. Our subject was married a second time, his last wife being Millie (Fisher) Gragert, whom he married in 1906. She was the widow of Henry Gragert, who died in 1902. The subject's second wife was bom in GeiTnany in 1862, the daughter of Julius and Millie (Heinz) Fisher, both natives of Germany. Both are now deceased. The sub- ject and his present wife have one little daughter, one year old, named Louisa. Mrs. Hahn came to America in 1881 and settled first in Chicago, where she lived for several years. Mr. Hahn is a Republican. He and his family are members of the Gennan Luther- an church. The subject is a good farmer and neighbor, and is highly respected by all who know him, being honest in his deal- ings with his fellow men, industrious, in- BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 357 terested in whatever tends to promote the good of his community. HENRY GRAGERT. Although the chapter of the interesting life history of the subject has been closed by the hand of death, the influence of such a life, replete with kindness, industry and honorable deeds still lives and is felt by his neighbors, friends and relatives, for Mr. Gragert was a man whom no one could find any fault with, his life having been one worth emulating. Henry Gragert, another of the sterling citizens who came to America from Ger- many, was bom in Prussia, May 30, 1836, having been reared and educated in that country. He came to America in 1870 and settled first in Chicago, where he worked for several years. He then came to luka township, Marion county in 1872 and set- tled on a piece of unimproved land, which by hard work and careful management he developed into a good farm which yielded a comfortable income. After a life of in- dustry and usefulness he was called from his earthly labors in 1902, his death having resulted from injuries received by a fall from a stack of straw. He was a faithful member of the German Lutheran church, and he was known as a good, religious man to evei-ybody. Mr. Gragert was first married to Minnie Timm, a native of Germany, who died leaving him four children, as follows : Fred, John, who died a soldier in the Philippine islands; Lena is the wife of Emil Fisher; Lewis is the youngest. After the death of the subject's wife, he married a second time, his last wife being Millie Fisher, daughter of Julius and Millie (Heinz) Fisher, natives of Germany, who are now deceased. Nine children were born to the subject and his second wife as follows: William, who is living at home; Minnie is the wife of Harry Mullen; Emil is single and living at home; Clara is the wife of Harry Biy- ant; Anna, Charles, Henry, Ernest and Al- bert are all living at home. After the accident which caused the death of Mr. Gragert, his widow remained on the farm and by heroic work has man- aged it and reared her children in a most commendable manner. Besides rearing her own nine children she has had the care of four children of her husband by his first wife. She is a woman of many sterling traits of character, possessing rare business and executive ability, soundness of judg- ment and at the same time is very kind, gentle and pleasant. She is now the sec- ond wife of Lewis Hahn, whose sketch ap- pears in full in another part of this volume. PERRY W. WARNER. The entire busy and useful life of the subject has been spent in Marion county, having been born on the farm where he now 358 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTYj ILLINOIS. resides, and he has ever used his influence wherever possible for the promotion of en- terprises calculated to be of lasting benefit to his fellow men, besides taking a leading part in all movements for the advancement of the social, intellectual and moral life of the county. Perry W. Warner, who was Democratic nominee for Surveyor of Marion county in 1908, was born April 2, 1861, the son of Israel and Abigail (Holmes) Warner, the former having been born in Fairfield county, Ohio, the son of Jonas Warner, a native of Virginia, who came to Ohio in an early day and later moved to Iowa where he farmed and where he spent the remaining years of his life. Israel Warner was reared on a farm in Ohio in which state he received a meager education in the public schools. He was first married to Lydia Bru- baker in Ohio, and in 1843 came to Illinois. They were the parents of two children, Jonas and Elizabeth, both deceased. The wife of Israel Warner died soon after they came to Illinois and he married a second time, his last wife being Abigail Holmes, who was born in Indiana. She passed to her rest in 1877. She was the mother of five children, namely : Lewis, George, Ella, Levina, Perry W., our subject, being the youngest. Israel, father of the subject, died in 1899. He was a member of the Cumberland Pres- byterian church. He was first a Republican and later a Democrat. When he came to Illi- nois he bought the farni now owned by our subject, consisting of one hundred and thirty-five acres of good land, highly im- proved, located in Stevenson township. Perry W. Warner, our subject, was born and reared on this farm, and was educated in the district schools and the Northern Illi- nois Normal College. He first taught school for some time after he left college. He taught in Marion and other counties in Illinois with great success, having become widely known as an able instructor and his services were in great demand. In 1889 Mr. Warner was married to Car- rie B. Stevenson, who was born in Marion county, this state, the accomplished daugh- ter of Noah and Hannah Stevenson. The reader is referred to the sketch of Noah Stevenson appearing in another part of this volume for a full history of the Stevenson family. The wife of the subject also attended the Northern Illinois Normal College for some time, and she taught school for several terms prior to her marriage with our sub- ject. She is a woman of many estimable traits and pleasing personality. Both she and her husband are faithful members of the Presbyterian church at New Bethel in Ste- venson township. They are both active in church work. Our subject has a modern home and numerous convenient out buildings on his fann \\-hich is al\\'a}'s kept in a high state of improvement and on which rich han-ests are reaped from year to year as a result of his skillful management. He handles a good grade of stock and is regarded as a good judge of all kinds of live stock, especially horses and cattle. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 359 Mr. Warner is a loyal Democrat and has long taken an active part in his party's af- fairs. He ably sei-vecl his township as High- way Commissioner, also was Township Clerk and was County Surveyor from 1888 to 1892, and he has been Surveyor from time to time since 1899 ^^id was nominated for this office again in 1908, and was elected at the ensuing election for a term of four years. In all his public positions he gave entire satisfaction, performing his duties with that rare foresight and careful discre- tion that has always characterized his per- sonal business. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Salem. RODEN ROBINSON. One of the most prominent stockmen and farmers of luka township, Marion county, is Roden Robinson, who was bom in this county and township near where he now lives, December 19, i860, the son of Wil- liam and Ellen (Proctor) Robinson. The subject's father was a native of Sheffield, England, where he was reared. He came to America in an early day and first settled in Ohio, and after a residence there of several years, came to Marion county, Illinois, and here engaged in farm- ing until his death, August 25, 1894, at the advanced age of eighty years. His good life companion survived him ten years, pas- sing to her rest in 1904. Four children were born to them, namely: Elizabeth, the widow of Marion C. Nicholson ; William, a prominent farmer and stock dealer of luka. township, this county ; Roden, the subject of this sketch; John, deceased. The subject's mother was a member of the Cath- olic church. His father was a Republican but neyer held office. He was a good citi- zen and a substantial farmer. The parents of the subject came to America in an old- fashioned sailing vessel. William Robinson owned at the time of his death about three hundred and twenty acres of good land. He was a type of the sterling pioneer, rug- ged, honest and a brave and good man of whom the subject is a worthy descendant. Roden Robinson was reared on his father's farm and educated in the common schools. He now owns and lives on a part of the old homestead. He has a most ex- cellent farm of twO' hundred and eighty-six acres, two miles northeast of the village of luka. It is highly improved and raises ex- cellent crops. He has a modem, comfort- able and nicely furnished dwelling and many convenient out-buildings. Our subject was united in marriage in 1888 to Rose Claggett, who was Ijorn in Marion county, the affable and gaiial daughter of J. J. and Amanda C. (Robey) Claggett, both early settlers of Marion county, having come here in the early six- ties and famied in luka township. The mother is now deceased and the father lives with his son-in-law, our subject. Five chil- dren were bom to J. J. Robey and wife, namely: Emma, the wife of W. C. Jai-vis; 36o BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS- Wallace R. lives in luka township; Rose, the wife of our subject; Fay, who married F. G. Gill, is deceased; Mamie, the young- est child, married J. H. Wimbush. Our subject settled on the farm he now manag-es about 1888. He has greatly im- proved the same, having ei'ected new build- ings and in fact, made all the improvements. He handles a great number of cattle, hogs and sheep, and often ships stock to the mar- ket. He also raises a great many mules. He is regarded as one of the best judges of live stock in the county and no better farmer is to be found than he. He is re- garded by all to be strictly honest in all his dealings with his fellow men. Mrs. Rob- inson is a member of the Presbyterian church at luka. Mr. Robinson is a Repub- lican and has ably served as highway com- missioner. He and his wife are very pleas- ant people to meet and are held in high es- teem throughout the county. M. V. B. SWALLEY. The gentleman whose name appears above is a pioneer farmer of luka township and one of the highly respected men of Marion county, where his active, useful and honorable life has been spent, at least, the major part of it, consequently he is not only well, but favorably known throughout this locality. M. V. B. Swalley was torn in Crawford county, Ohio, November 2, 1834, the son of William and Catherine Swalley, both na- tives of Pennsylvania, where they were reared and where they married. In the spring of 1834, they came to Crawford county, Ohio, and there bought govern- ment land which they improved and on which they resided until their death. They were the parents of nine children, namely: M. V. B., our subject; David, Cornelius, Abel, Anna Eliza, LaFayette, Vilvenus, Sarah, Frank. The parents of these chil- dren gave them every possible advantage. They were members of the Free Will Bap- tist church. Our subject was reared on his father's farm and received a common school edu- cation. He was compelled to help clear the land on which his parents settled and did not get to attend school a great deal, only about forty days during the winter months. Our subject was united in marriage in 1856, Nov. 30, to Lydia A. Holt, a native of Crawford county, Ohio, and the daugh- ter of Nelson and Ann (Black) Holt. The wife of the subject was bom in 1838, and after a long and noble life, passed away in 1908. She was the mother of twelve chil- dren, named as follows : William, who lives in Montana; the second child in order of birth was Rassellas and is deceased ; Samuel lives in Omega township; Julia Ann is the wife of James Rodgers ; Lewis lives in Cal- ifornia; John lives in Carlyle, Illinois; Charles lives in luka, this county; Jay and Mar\', twins; Lola is deceased: Rosa lives at home, keeping house for her father; the first in order of birth died unnamed. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 361 Mr. Swalley came to Marion county, Il- linois, in 1863 and has since bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in luka township, which he has divided among his children. The homestead is located two miles northeast of luka. He has cleared and drained the land, and it yields a com- fortable living from year to year. He has a good dwelling and convenient out-build- ings, everything about the place indicating comfort and good management. The subject is a good Democrat and has served as highway commissioner in a very creditable manner. The subject has done his share in promoting and building roads and to help along all kinds of public en- terprises, and as a result of his honesty in business and kind disposition, he is well thought of by his neighbors and all who know him. He still works his farm and his daughter keeps house for him. REV JOHN BUENGER. The mission of a great soul in this world is one that is calculated to inspire a multi- tude of others to better and grander things, and its subsequent influence cannot be meas- ured in meets and bounds, for it afifects the lives of those with whom it comes in con- tact, broading and enriching them for all time to come. He who spends his life inter- pretating the Divine Word has one of the greatest missions to perform vouchsafed to man. The subject of this sketch is one of that number and worthily wears the honor in proper meekness and reserve. Rev. John Buenger, minister of the Ger- man Lutheran church in luka township, Marion county, was born at Burg, near Magdeburg, Germany, April 17, 1869, the son of Otto and Antonie (Ruehlmaun) Buenger, both natives of Germany, having spent their lives in that country. The sub- ject's father, who was a minister, is de- ceased. He did a great work in the Evan- gelical church in Germany. The mother of our subject is still living in the fatherland. They were the parents of eight children, namely : Max, \A'erner, Sophia, Emil ; Adolph and John, our subject, are twins; Eliza and Erich, who is also a minister. He and the subject are the only ones who ever came to America. The above named chil- dren are all living. The early education of Rev. John Buenger was obtained in Germany. He came to America in 1891 and attended Con- cordia College at St. Louis, Missouri, for two years. He then went to Madison county, Texas, in 1893, where he took charge of a church. He remained in Texas for ten years. He had very difficult charges in Madison, Fayette and Fannin counties, that state, but he did much good there in strengthening the congregations of his dif- ferent charges. In 1903 he came to his present pastorate in Marion county, Illinois, the German Lutheran Trinity church. He has done a great work here, having com- pleted in 1908 a beautiful and substantial church edifice, costing two thousand seven 362 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. hundred dollars. He also conducts the pa- rochial school near the church, ably assisted by his wife, whom he married in 1894, her maiden name having been Louisa Franke, who was born in Barmen, Germany, the daughter of Henry and Jane Menkhoff, both of whom died in Germany. Henry Menk- hoff was a teacher in the old country. Six children have been bom to the sub- ject and wife as follows: Ruth, Gertrude, Hans, Antonett, Frieda and Paul. Our subject is well liked by his congregation and by everyone who has had the fortune to know him. He is an earnest and able ex- pounder of the Gospel. ROLAND W. MATTINLY. Mr. Mattinly is one of the old and highly honored citizens of Marion county, the de- velopment of which he has assisted in, hav- ing lived his long and active life within her borders, having been born three miles of where Salem now stands, February 5, 1836, the son of Roland and Nancy (Little) Mat- tinly, the former a native of North Caro- lina, and the latter of Virginia. After their marriage they came to Marion county, Illi- noise, in 1828. The subject's father was a hatter by trade. He lived for some time in Tennessee and Alabama, before coming to Illinois. He settled on a claim in section 24, in luka township, Marion county, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying September 15, 1866, his wife having survived him until 1880. She was a mem- ber of the Christian church. Her husband was a Universalist and was well posted in the Bible. He volunteered as a soldier in the War of 1812, but on account of failing health he could not go. Thirteen children were born to the parents of our subject as follows : Jenkins, Mary, Richard, Sylves- ter, Caroline, Brazile, Abigail, Anna, John, Martha Jane; Roland, our subject; Michael, who died in infancy ; Leroy. Our subject received only about nine months' schooling during his youth, but he has been a close observer and is a well in- formed man. Mr. Mattinly was united in marriage on September 17, 1857, to Mary Ann Hankins, daughter of John B. and Nancy (Pippins) Hankins, natives of Tennessee, who came to Illinois in an early day and settled in Van- dalia. Three children have been born to the subject and wife as follows : Illinois Arabella, bom October 13, 1858, is- now deceased; Alice E. was born in Madison county, Illinois; Nina is the wife of Frank Huggins, and they are the parents of nine children as follows: Charles L., William E., Frederick, Bessie, Hallie, James, Vemie, Blanch and Cle. Our subject and his good wife are mem- bers of the Christian church. Mr. Mattinly is a Republican. He is known to ever}^- one in this locality, being one of the first white children born in this region. He has a good farm of forty acres which he suc- cessfully cultivates. His place is kept in good condition and shows that our subject BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 363 has been a careful farmer. He and his wife are highly respected citizens and are especi- ally liked by the young people of the com- munity to whom they are always kindly dis- posed, and their influence on the community has always been for its good and this vener- able couple is worthy the high respect which they receive. WILLIAM J. MARTIN. A list of Marion county's prominent fami- lies would certainly be incomplete were there failure to make specific mention of the well known farmer and representative citizen, and his relatives, whose name introduces this sketch, for his life has been one of use- fulness and honor, resulting in good to everyone with whom he has had dealings whether in business or social life. William J. Martin was born in Gibson county, Tennessee, January 15, 1859, the son of Caleb and Martha J. (McHaney) Martin, the latter a native of middle Ten- nessee and the former of South Carolina. Jacob Martin, the subject's paternal grand- father, came to Tennessee from South Caro- lina in an early day and farmed there until his death. The parents of the subject mar- ried in Tennessee. Martha McHaney was the daughter of William McHaney, a native of Tennessee. She first married David Young, who died and left two children, Frances, the wife of Atlas Hammond. The second child died in infancy. Caleb Martin first married Miss Susan Batie, who died leaving the following children: Jacob, George, Amos, America, Jane, Parthene, Martha and Mary Susan. The parents of our subject married in Tennessee and in November, 1862, settled in Salem township, Marion county, Illinois. Caleb Martin was a strong Union man and left the South on account of the war. His wife, a noble old lady, is still living with her son, our subject. The subject's father farmed in Marion county, Illinois, until his death, July 11, 1888. He and his wife were members of the Christian church. He was a strong Republican. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Martin, as fol- lows: W^illiam J., our subject; Monroe, Houston, Benjamin Van Buren, John A. Logan, Sarah Ida. Our subject was about three years old when the family came to Illinois. They made the trip from Tennessee with ox teams and camped out on the way, having all ox teams with the exception of one team of horses. William J. Martin was reared on his father's farm and educated in the com- mon district schools of this county. On his farm now stands the little old school house in which he was educated. He pur- chased it and moved it on this place, which, he now uses for a store house and granary. It was built about 1850. Mr. Martin re- mained at home and worked on the farm until he was twenty-five years old. This was in 1884, in which year his happy and harmonious domestic life began, having then married Elizabeth Hershberger, who was 364 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. born in Crawford county, Ohio, the daugh- ter of Henry and Catherine (Snavely) Hershberger. (For a full history of this family the reader is directed to the sketch of David Hershberger in this work.) Four children have been born to the sub- ject and wife, namely: Minnie, born Oc- tober 3, 1886, is a member of the home circle; Claude was bom in April, 1888, and died in January, 1895; William Franklin was born December 26, 1890, and died January 16, 1891 ; Nellie Zada, born August 14, 1892, is at home attending school. Mr. Martin's highly improved and pro- ductive farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres. He has a beautiful country home, substantial, comfortable and nicely furnished, and a good barn and other con- venient out buildings, everything about the place showing thrift, good management and industry. He keeps an excellent grade of cattle and other live stock, and is regarded as a good judge of stock and one of the leading farmers of Salem township. His hogs are of good breed and he raises some fine horses. Mr. Martin also owns two hun- dred acres of his father's old farm iii this township, which he keeps well improved and the soil in good productive condition. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the Christian church at Young's chapel. Mr. Martin is a trustee in the church and a liberal subscriber to the same. In politics he is_ a Republican. In the social and pri- vate walks of life no man bears a more enviable reputation for sterling worth. In short, Mr. Martin is an honorable, upright citizen, belonging to the somewhat rare class that direct and control public sentiment without pushing himself forward and with- out incurring the ill will of those with whom they come in contact and leave the impress of their strong personality indelibly stamped upon the community, winning the friendship of all classes. FRANCIS M. PURCELL. The subject is a representative business man and citizen of Marion county, man- aging one of the largest lumber establish- ments in the county, the well known firm being F. M. Purcell & Company, doing business at Kell. Our subject was bom in Wilson county, Tennessee, July 2, 1843, the son of Hiram and Parthena (Williams) Purcell, natives of Tennessee, and a fine old Southern family. Hiram was a prosperous fanner and lived and died in Tennessee. He and his faithful life companion were members of the Missionary Baptist church. The subject's father was a gallant soldier in the Seminole Indian war in Florida. To Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Purcell five children were born, namely : Lavina, Ella : Frances M., our subject; L. B. and Hiram. The subject's father first married a Miss Jones and they became the parents of two children, Eliza and Henry. Our subject grew up in Tennessee on a farm. He remained in that state on a farm until he was twent^•-seven vears old. In BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 365 1870 he came to Jefferson county, Illinois, and engaged in farming, also the lumber business, making a success of each. In the fall of 1904, he came to Kell. Illinois, where he is now located and where he has built up an extensive business by means of his industiy, his careful methods and fair treatment of customers. He is in partner- ship with Omer V. Cummings in the lum- ber business. They supply a large scope of countr}' with lumber and all kinds of build- ing material as well as much hardware. They also handle paints, cement, lime, nails, in fact, everything that a builder uses in a house, bam or other structure. They al- ways handle a good line of material and their prices are always right, according to the statement of many of their customers. They have extensive sheds and their office is a nice place and is always a busy place. Our subject's happy domestic life began in 1866, when he was united in marriage with America Penuel, who was born in Tennessee, the daughter of Frederick and Lucinda (Jennings) Penuel, natives of that state. Eight children have been bom to the sub- ject and wife as follows : Amanda, the wife of W. W. Hay, who lives in Jefferson county, this state ; Samuel married Dora Ri- ley and they live in Carrier Mills, Illinois; Lucinda is the wife of George Snyder, liv- ing in Jefferson county, Illinois; Robert married Anna McCormick, and they also live in Jefferson county; Otis J. married Josie Hawkins; William Edgar is single; Nora is the wife of Adolphus Caldwell, also of Jefferson county; Fred is single. Mr. and Mrs. Purcell are members of the Missionary Baptist church. The fonner is a loyal Democrat. He vei-y ably serverl for six years as Supervisor of Rome town- ship, Jefferson county, this state. He was chairman of the Board of Supervisors for one year. He takes considerable interest in political matters and his advice is often sought in the local affairs of his county. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Masonic Order, the Knights Templar. Mr. Purcell owns a valuable and well- improved farm, near Kell, on which he lives, having a modern, substantial and nice- ly furnished dwelling, an excellent bam and convenient out-buildings. He is a very busy man, for he successfully conducts the affairs of his lumber establishment in town and at the same time superintends the work on the place, being an excellent judge of live stock of all kinds, and he is regarded as one of the leading business men of Haines township. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, having started in life under none too' favorable ciixum- stances, but he has been a hard worker and a good manager and success has attended his efforts from the first. He is a gentle- man of pleasing demeanor, easily ap- proached, and while not an aspirant for high political favors, he has done much in a quiet way, as already intimated, to pro- mote the good of the community where he lives. He occupies a commendable stand- ing among his fellow citizens and has a large circle of friends who have learned to esteem him for his industry and many manly qualities. 366 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. SHANNON KAGY. The memory of the worthy subject of this memorial biography is revered by a host of friends and acquaintances among whom he labored, having spent his energies through a long life of strenuous endeavor to make the most of his opportunities as well as to assist as best he could his neighbors to im- prove their condition. Shannon Kagy was born in Marion county, Illinois, May 26, 1844, and he was called from his earthly labors in 1889, after a life of usefulness and success in every particular. He was the son of Christian and Anna (Hite) Kagy, natives of Ohio, and early settlers in Marion county, Il- linois. The subject was reared on his father's farm in Omega township, and was edu- cated in the common schools of Marion county. He married Anna E. Brubaker, bom in Stevenson township, this county, daughter of Eli and Ann (Wamer) Bm- baker. Mr. and Mrs. Kagy were the par- ents of five children, namely : Myrtle, single and living at home, is one of the popular teachers of Marion county; Corwin, who lives in Oregon, married Pearl Crippen; Clark lives in Salem, this county, and mar- ried Quette Leckrone, and has two children, Donald and Harvey; Frank married Nellie Boring, living in New Mexico and they have one child, Fay ; Ellis married Ora Dru- endike. He is a farmer and has two chil- dren, Keith and Rex. After his marriage our subject moved to Nebraska, where he remained for three years, then returned to Marion county and went to farming in 1882, on the place where his widow is still living in Stevenson town- ship, three miles east of Salem. Our sub- ject remained on this place until his death. He was a most excellent farmer and always managed his fields to best advantage, reap- ing rich harvests from year to year, making a comfortable living and laying by an ample competence for his family. He raised good stock and the buildings on his place were comfortable and convenient. Mr. Kagy was one of the patriotic sons of the great Prairie state who offered their lives on the field of battle to save the Unibn, having enlisted in Company K; One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served three years. He saw much hard service, but was never wounded nor taken prisoner. Mr. Kagy was a loyal Democrat and held some of the minor public offices of Stevenson township. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church. He was regarded by everyone as a good man, honest and upright at all times and always interested in- the welfare of his community, lending what aid he could in its development at all times. Mrs. Kagy, the widow of our subject, lives on the home farm with her daughter. She manages the entire fann with skill and profit, being a womai of rare business abil- ity and force of character. She understands the proper rotation of crops so as to get the BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTYj ILLINOIS. 367 best han^ests and the maintenance of the soil to its original fertility. She also under- stands the proper handling of live stock. Her farm is regarded as one of the best in Stevenson township. The buildings are modem, and always kept in good order. She is held in high esteem by her neighbors and many friends for her many admirable traits of character and her kind heart and cheerful disposition, being a pleasant woman to meet, as is also her daughter. JOHN R. FRENCH. The subject is the obliging and well known hotel proprietor, insurance and real estate dealer of Kell, Haines township, Marion county, who has spent his life with- in the borders of the same, having been identified with the growth and taken no small part in the same. He was born Au- gust 4, 1861, the son of Gilbert W and Louisa (O'Bryant) French. John R. French's father, a native of Tennessee, came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1835. He was a native of Tennessee and the son of John P. and ( Hartman) French. John P. French was a native of Pennsyl- vania, who moved to Tennessee in an early day and in 1835 came to Marion county, Illinois, locating in Tonti township, where he devoted his life to farming, having died in the town of Alma. The subject's grand- father was a soldier in the War of 18 12. Gilbert French and his first wife were the parents of four children, namely : Angie, the wife of Mathew Organ; Louisa, who was the wife of J. N. Jones, is deceased; John R., the subject of this sketch; Amanda is the wife of J. W. Ross, of Centralia, this county. The subject's father married Mai7 Howard, and three children were born to this union, Thomas, living in Kinmundy, this county; Harry B., of Odin, Illinois; Rachel is the wife of E. W. Wilson, of Alma, Illinois. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm near Alma and was educated in the common schools. After farming for a while, he learned the plasterer's and brick layer's trade. In 1891 he clerked in a store at Alma, this county, and in 1894 he en- tered business in a general store in Alma which he successfully conducted for a peri- od of eight years, when he sold out and went back to farming, which he followed for a while, then he moved to Newton, Il- linois, and bought a furniture factory and a restaurant, ice cream parlor and bakery, all of which he conducted with great success until in May, 1907, when he came to Kell and bought the hotel here, which he has since conducted in such an able manner that it has become known to the traveling public as a comfortable and well conducted hostelry, where no pains are spared to make guests feel at home and comfortable. He has built up a good business which is con- stantly growing. He also finds time to do considerable business in insurance and real estate. Mr. French was united in marriage in 368 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. December, 1886, to Etta Sweet, who was born in Alma township, the daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Carnes) Sweet, a well known family of their comtnunity. The subject and his wife are the parents of the following children: Edward is single and living at home and is engaged in the restaurant and bakery business. He has a modem and fully equipped bakery and does an extensive business, shipping bread to many outside towns ; Cora, the second child, is living at home; Bessie is the wife of Wesley Howard; Gladys, who is living at home attending school; Clara is living at home; Clifford is a baby at this writing, (1908.) Mr. French is a Democrat. He has ably served as Justice of the Peace for eight years in Alma township and he was School Treasurer for four terms of two years each. In 1892 he made the race for the nomina- tion on the Democratic ticket for County Clerk, but was defeated, however, the re- sults showed that our subject was a popu- lar man in the convention. Mr. French helped incorporate the village of Alma. He was also a member of the first board that organized the Building and Loan Associa- tion at Alma, Illinois. Our subject is a member of the Modem Woodmen of Amer- ica, being a charter member at Alma. His son, Edward, is also a member of the Mod- em Woodmen of America at Kell. Mr. French is known to be a man of strictly honest business principles, industrious, pleasant and agreeable, making both friends and visitors feel at home. CHARLES T. KELL. This enterjprising farmer and representa- tive citizen is a native of Marion county, Illi- nois, and belongs to one of the old and high- ly esteemed pioneer families of Haines town- ship, where his parents, Thomas and Mary (Luke) Kell, settled in an early day and bore an active and influential part in the devel- opment and growth of the community (see sketch of William Kell). Charles T. was born a short distance west of the village of Kell, September 18, 1854, from which date to the present time his life has been very closely identified with Haines township, and as stated above, he now holds worthy pres- tige among the leading agriculturists and public spirited men of the section of country honored by his citizenship. Reared in close touch with nature in the healthful outdoor life of the fami, he earlv acquired a vigorous physique and an inde- pendence of mind characteristic of the sturdy son of the soil, and while still quite young he became familiar with the varied duties of agriculture and learned to appreciate the honor and dignity which belong to those who eam their bread by the sweat of the brow. At the proper age he entered the schools of the neighborhood, which he attended at in- tervals until acquiring a practical knowledge of the subjects taught, the meanwhile assist- ing his father on the family homestead and contributing his full share to its cultivation, After remaining with his parents until at- taining his majority, Charles T. entered into partnership with his brother, John M. Kell. MR AND MRS. C. T. KELL. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 369 by purchasing a half interest in a saw and grist mill at Foxville, and during the ensu- ing ten years devoted his attention to the manufacture of flour and lumber, meeting with encouraging success in the enterprise and becoming widely known as a wide- awake and thoroughly honorable and reli- able business man. Disposing of his interest in the mill at the expiration of the period in- dicated, he located on his present home farm in Haines township, adjoining the town of Kell on the south, having previously become the possessor of another tract consisting of one hundred and twenty acres in another part of the same township, both of which places he has brought to a high state of cul- tivation and otherwise improved. At the time the railroad was constructed he sold twenty acres, which is now a part of the village of Kell. As a farmer, Mr. Kell easily ranks with the most enterprising and successful men of his calling in Marion county, being progres- sive in his methods and using the latest mod- ern implements and machinery and by judi- cious rotation of crops he seldom fails to realize abundant returns from the time and labor devoted to his fields. He also pays considerable attention to the raising of live stock, which he finds quite profitable, and his domestic animals, including horses, mules, cattle, sheep and hogs, are among the finest breeds obtainable, and from their sale no small share of his liberal income is derived. Mr. Kell has not been sparing of his means in the matter of improvement, and the beautifying and rendering attractive his 24 home, the large two-story house, with its many modern conveniences, being among the most desirable country residences in the township, while his commodious barn, out- buildings, wells, fences and other evidences of prosperity compare favorably with the best in his part of the country. He keeps in close touch with the advancement in agri- cultural science, and fully abreast of the times in reducing the same to practical tests, being progressive in all the tenn implies, and believes in the latest and most approved methods of modern farming. In his political faith Mr. Kell is a Repub- lican, and while interested in the success of his party, he has never been a politician, much less an office seeker or aspirant for leadership. In religion he subscribes to the Missionary Baptist creed, and for a number of years his name has adorned the records of that church, having held the office of dea- con five years in the local congregation, to which himself and entire family belong, be- sides being otherwise interested in religious and benevolent work. He is superintendent of the Sunday school which he attends, has long been an influential leader in this depart- ment of religious endeavor, and with his wife has been instrumental in arousing an in- terest among the young people of the neigh- borhood and leading not a few of them to the higher life. Mr. Kell was married in the year 1881 to Rebecca C. Purdue, of Haines township, daughter of Richard and Caroline (Har- mon) Purdue, early settlers of Marion coun- ty and among the highly respected people of 370 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- their locality (see histoi-y of the Purdue family). Mr. and Mrs. Kell have four chil- dren, the oldest of whom, a daughter by the name of Iva May, is the wife of R. A. Jef- fries, of Haines township, and the mother of one child, Trevor Jeffries. The other chil- dren, two daughters and one son, are still under the parental roof, their names in order of birth being as follows : Myrtle, Ellis and Ethel. Mr. Kell has taken great interest in the rearing and educating of his children and they in turn have responded to his every effort in their behalf. The children all re- ceived liberal educational advantages in the public schools and also at Ewing Baptist College at Ewing, 111. Ethel graduated at the age of seventeen from that institution in instrumental music. The family is one of the best known and most highly esteemed in the county and the name which is an old and honorable one has long beai synonymous for noble manhood and womanhood and a high order of citizenship. JAMES F. PURDUE. The subject was bom in Montgomery county, Tennessee, March i, 1833, the son of Jarrut and Rebecca (Fanner) Purdue, the former a native of Georgia, and the lat- ter of North Carolina. They went to Ten- nessee when young and married there, and removed to Illinois in 1838, settling in what is now Haines township, where they took up government land. They made the trip from Tennessee in ox carts. When they settled here among the pioneers there was much wild game. They developed a good farm and worked hard. They died on the place, after becoming the parents of eight children : Margaret, Mary, Richard, Wil- liam C, John W., Jacob H., James F., our subject, and Andrew V. Jarrut Purdue was a Democrat. His wife was a member of the Baptist church. Our subject was six years of age when he came with his parents to Marion county, Illinois. He was educated in the common schools of the early days, and he has spent the balance of his life here, having re- mained at home until he reached manhood. He was married the first time in 1855, to Louisa Brasel, a native of Tennessee, and three children were bom to them : Nancy Jane, who is living in Haines township, is the wife of Zach Brasel; Joseph H. is a farmer living in Haines township; John R. is also a farmer living in Haines township. The subject's second mariage was in 1867, his second wife being Loretta Price, a na- tive of Ohio, to whom one child has been born, Louisa, now the wife of Hariy Alvis, of East St. Louis. The third marriage of the subject was to Vilinda Murphy, the ceremony having been performed in 1876. To this last mar- riage two children were bom, Tence and Hany. Mr. Purdue is a Democrat in his political relations. He has devoted his life to farm- ing and has been very successful. He is now living retired, having moved to his BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 371 neat, comfortable and pleasant home in Kell in September, 1908. He is well known throughout the county, being- a member of old and prominent families of this region in which he himself was one of the earliest pioneers. HARVEY D. MAY. By a life of persistent and well applied industry led along the most honorable lines, the gentleman whose name appears above has justly earned the right to be repre- sented in a work of the character of the one at hand, along with the other men of Marion county who have made their in- fluence felt in their respective communities. Harvey D. May, the present popular Trustee of Haines township and a well known dealer in harness, saddlery and hard- ware in the town of Kell, Illinois, was born in Raccoon township; Marion county, Oc- tober 12, 1879, and while yet a young man he has shown what properly applied energy and a business mind can do toward wrench- ing success from seeming insurmountable obstacles. He is the son of Jesse H. and Mary (Williams) May, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. Anderson May, the subject's grandfather, was also a native of Kentucky and was one of the early settlers in Marion county, Illi- nois, having settled in Raccoon township. Jesse H. May, who has devoted his life to farming and is still living in that township, is a highly respected citizen. Three chil- dren were born to the parents of our subject, Amos is a farmer in Raccoon township; Laura, who is deceased, was the wife of Orvil Prater, and they were the parents of two children, Etha and Henry, who are still living; Harvey D., our subject, was the second child. Our subject was reared on a farm where he assisted with the work about the place. He attended school in Raccoon township, having applied himself in such a manner as to gain the foundation for a good edu- cation. Deciding early in life that he de- sired to be a harness maker and dealer, Mr. May learned the harnessmaker's trade and became quite a proficient workman early in life, and he finally opened a shop in Kell, this county, establishing his present business, in which he was successful from the first and which has steadily grown, his business now extending through a wide scope of country on every hand, owing to the fair dealing he gives his customers and the intimate knowledge he has of the har- ness business. He does a general repair business and is always very busy. His shop is equipped with all the latest appliances and improvements known to the harnessmaker's art and his work is all of a high grade. Mr. May's domestic life was begun in 1903, when he was united in marriage with Ava Williams, who was bom in Jefferson county, Illinois, and is the daughter of N. A. and Jane (Rice) Williams. Mrs. May was called from her earthly labors January 14, 1908. She was a member of the Baptist church. She was a woman of many esti- 37^ BRINKERHOFF-'S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. mable traits of character, a good wife and was beloved by all her neighbors. Mr. May is a member of Romine Lodge No. 663, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He has represented this lodge at the Grand Lodge on two different occasions, and has passed all the chairs in the local lodge. Our subject is a loyal Republican and has taken considerable interest in his party's afifairs. He was elected Trustee of Haines township in the spring of 1908. He is regarded as an energetic, honest and in- fluential citizen, enjoying the respect of all who know him. HENRY W. MOEHLMANN. One of the most substantial citizens and leading business men of Haines township, Marion county, is our subject, who does high grade horseshoeing and blacksmithing and deals extensively in farm machinery, vehicles and harness at Kell. He deserves the high esteem in which he is held by the people of this community owing to the honorable methods he has always employed in conducting his business. Henry W. Moehlmann was born in New Minden, Washington county, Illinois, Janu- ary 29, 1873, the son of Frederick and Louisa (Grabenkrueger) Moehlmann, both natives of Germany who came to America about 1863. They settled at New Minden, Illinois, where the father is now engaged as wagon builder and undertaker. They are members of the Lutheran church and are highly respected in their community. Fol- lowing are the names of their children: Frederick, Emma; Henry W., our subject; August, Charles, Millie and Bertha. Mr. Moehlmann was reared at home, as- sisting with the work about the place and attending the schools in his native com- munity, having gained a fairly good edu- cation in the common schools. He early de- cided that the wagon builder's trade was best suited to his tastes, so he set about learning the same, making rapid progress; also learned blacksmithing, becoming equally proficient in this at an early age. He started in business at his present stand in Kell, this county, in 1901, and was success- ful from the first and it has gradually grown until he now does a very extensive business. He handles all kinds of harness, buggies, surries, road wagons, runabouts, wagons, plows, harrows, cultivators, double shovels, mowers, mower repairs of all kinds, hay rakes, hay bailers, lawn swings, lawn mow- ers, spring tooth harrows, land rollers, gang plows, sulky plows, manure spreaders, wire fencing, binders, binder twine, axle grease, grass seed, pumps, wind mills, feed grinders, gasoline engines, seeders, wheat drills, com planters, disc harrows, disc cultivators, all kinds of oils and stock food, in fact, a full line of farm machinery of the best grades and styles, and his prices seem to suit his numerous customers for he never loses them and his trade is constantly increasing. He hires several men to assist him in carrying on his large business. BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 373 Our subject was married in 1898 to Martha Kleine, who was born in Washing- ton county, Illinois, the daughter of Freder- ick and Louisa (Meier) Kleine. Two chil- dren have been born to the subject and wife, Hulda and Clara. They are bright and win- some daughters. The subject and wife are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Moehlmann is a good Republican but he never held office, preferring to devote his attention to his business which requires the major part of his time. He has a large shop where he does a big repair business, also horseshoeing. He has several big buildings for ware rooms in which he keeps buggies, wagons and machineiy of all kinds. Judging from the eminent success Mr. Moehlmann has gained while yet a young man, the future must necessarily be replete with larger success and fuller honors. He is a pleasant man to meet, honest in all hij business relations and one of the leading citizens of the township. ELI BRUBAKER. The man who has made a success of life and won the honor and esteem of his fel- low citizens deserves more than passing notice. Such is the record, briefly stated, of the gentleman whose name heads this review, the record he left behind being one of honor in every respect, for a more whole-souled and popular man never lived in Stevenson township where he long main- tained his home and where he labored for the general good of the community, and, although his life work has been closed by the good angel, who> has set the seal on the record of his life history, his influence still permeates the lives of those who knew him best and loved him for his fortitude, fidel- ity, honor and industry. Eli Brubaker was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, December 11, 1819, and he was called from his earthly labors in 1907, after a long and eminently useful and suc- cessful life. He was the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Myers) Brubaker, and was i-eared on his father's farm in Ohio, where he assisted with the work about the place un- til he reached manhood, attending the com- mon schools in the neighborhood until he received a fairly good education, such as the old pioneer schools of those times afforded. The school house which he attended had puncheon seats and greased paper was used for window panes. For a full history of the Brubaker family the reader is referred to the sketch of Noah Brubaker, which ap- pears in another part of this volume. The subject of this sketch came to Ma- rion county, Illinois, in 1843, ^^'^ settled among the pioneers on new land in Steven- son township, where, by dint of hard work, he made a home and developed a good farm. The old Brubaker homestead is to- day one of the best fanns in Stevenson township. Eli Brubaker was a hard worker and an excellent farmer, and he made a comfortable living. Our subject was first married to Maiy 374 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- Ann Warner January 20, 1842, daughter of William Warner, an early settler of Ma- rion county, Illinois. She ^^'as born in Lancaster county, Ohio. She passed to her rest in 1872. She was the mother of eleven children, namely: Isaac, who lives in luka, this state ; Christina, deceased ; Annie, E., widow of Shannon Kagy, lives in Ste- venson township; William is a prosperous farmer in Stevenson township; Edgar and Edward are twins; Logan is a faiTner, liv- ing in Stevenson township; Maiy Jane is the eighth child; the ninth, tenth and elev- enth child died in infancy. On February 4, 1875, the subject married a second time, his last wife being Emma Squibb, who was born in Ohio county, In- diana, the daughter of George Y. and Alary Ann (Harpham) Squibb, natives of Indi- ana, who moved to Stevenson township, Marion county, Illinois, where the mother is still living, the father having died soon after coming to this county. Mrs. Bru- baker is living on the old homestead in Stevenson township, ^vhich she manages successfully. Our subject ^^■as a member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church and a liberal supporter of the same. He was a good everyday Christian, always strictly honest in his dealings with his fellow men, a good neighbor, father and husband. In politics he was a Democrat, but never held office. The different members of his family are well settled in life and are highly respected in their respective communities. They reflect great credit upon their parents, who gave them every advantage possible, and no doubt they will ever uphold the honor of the family name which is one of the high- est integrity. The subject of this sketch was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and was ordained elder in this church in 1847. He was superintendent of the Sunday school at Brubaker chapel for the long period of over forty-two years, after which he was elected honorary superintendent for life. He was a leader in church work for many years and was foremost in promoting everything which makes for the betterment of human- ity. It was largely due to his efforts that the new and modern church edifice was erected and dedicated June 20, 1896, which he christaied New Bethel, he not only do- nating the land, consisting of four acres for the manse, but also gave freely of his ser- vices and money to the building fund. Air. Brubaker gave each of his childrai a farm. BENJAMIN GARRETT. Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages, and, as a usual thing, men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandi-y. The free outdoor life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes true man- hood and no greater blessing can befall a boy than to- be reared in close touch with BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 375 nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. Benjamin Garrett, our worthy subject, is a farmer and the son of a farmer, and his fine landed estate in Kinmundy township, Marion county, Illinois, is a model twen- tieth century farm in every particular. He was bom in Foster township, this county, in the year 185 1. Moses Garrett, father of the subject, came from Georgia in 1826, being among the pioneers who settled on wild land which he developed into a valuable farm. Like many of the early settlers, he was a man of sterling qualities, who met and surmounted all obstacles, tak- ing them as a matter of course, and never complaining at the lack of advantages of the times in which he lived. He was called from his earthly labors in 1874, at the age of sixty-nine years. He married Hannah Mor- ris, who was bom in Georgia and who died in Marion county, Illinois, at the age of seventy-five years. She was a loyal Meth- odist. The following children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Moses Garrett ;. Winnie C, Mary, Polly, James, Thomas T., — all lived to raise families ; Betsy Swift died at the age of sixty-one years; Fannie died in 1871 ; Cynthia and Benjamin, our subject, are still living. Moses Garrett was raised a Baptist and his wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Grandfather Thomas Garrett lived in Georgia, where he reared his family. They were all Democrats. Win- nie Garrett married Mark Cole, of Marion county, and they became the parents of six children. Polly married Nathan Atkins, and they were the parents of ten children, all living in this county, where both parents died. James Garrett, who died when twenty- two years of age, had two children. His wife was Frances Collins, also' deceased. Thomas Garrett married Catherine Whitesides. They are both deceased. There were seven children in their family. Fannie married Samuel Lamferd, both now de- ceased. They had one child. Benjamin Garrett married Finia E. Howe, and they became the parents of three children, all liv- ing in 1908, namely: James F., Orville and Mable. The fifth child, Betsy, married James M. Swift, both now being deceased. They were the parents of seven children. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Hannah Morris, who was bom in Geor- gia. She was educated in the common schools. Both she and her" husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Moses Garrett seiwed for a number of years as Justice of the Peace, and was commonly known as "Squire" Garrett. He was an upright man and an honorable and influential citizen. Our subject received a fairly good com- mon school education and early in life began his career as a farmer, at which he has so admirably succeeded. He is now the owner of three hundred acres of land in Kinmundy township, all but twenty acres of which are under cultivation, the amount specified being in timber. He has improved his fami and skillfully rotated the crops until it is one of the most productive and attractive farms in 376 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS- this county, showing at a glance even to the most casual observer, that a man of indus- tr)'-, sound judgment and foresight has had the management of it. A comfortable dwell- ing and numerous convenient out-buildings stand on the place. Mr. Garrett handles some fine registered cattle and is an all- around and up-to-date farmer and a most excellent and worthy citizen, a believer in progress in evei-y phase of human effort, ad- vancement and liberal education. Mrs. Gar- rett is a member of the Christian church. Our subject has faithfully served his community as Road Commissioner for a period of nine years, and while he does not take a very active part in political affairs, his support can always be depended upon in the furtherance of all movements looking to the welfare of his community, whether civic, moral or educational. Mr. Garrett is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Lodge No. 398, at Kinmundy, Illinois. He served as director of the First National Bank of Kimundy for one year. FRANCIS MARION REESE. A compilation of this nature exercises an important function in that it touches those who have made definite accomplishment in all fields of endeavor, while no record is entered that does not bear its quota of les- son and incentive, and thus it is believed that in writing the life history of the gen- tleman whose name heads this paragraph that it will be read with pleasure by the many who know him and who would be pleased to learn more of his personal characteristics which they have found to be of a high order and praiseworthy type. Francis Marion Reese was born April 10, 1883, in Fayette county, Illinois, the son of George E. Reese, who was also bom there in 1859. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Sarah Earnest, a native of Fay- ette county, this state, having been born in March, 1842. They were always regarded as among the best people in their com- munity. To them were bom the following children: James W., who married Rosa Patton and is the father of four children, three girls and one boy, the family living in Chicago, where James W. is employed as foreman of a railroad; Lulu A. married Beve Hunter and became the mother of two children, Lola and Nola, the latter being deceased; Francis M., our subject; Charles E., Samuel H., Jesse G., Otto V., and Talty T. All these children are living in 1908 with the exception of the eldest daughter. Lulu, who was called to her rest at the early age of twenty-two years. Francis Marion Reese received his educa- tion in the common schools of his neighbor- hood where he made a good record as a student, and during the summer months worked on the home farm. When he reached maturity he was united in marriage with Martha S. Conant on Ja^iuary 18, 1906. She is the daughter of James B. Conant, who resides in Marion county, a well known and highh' respected family. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 377 Mrs. Reese is one of a large family as follows : Fannie, who married Isem Landford, living in this county, and the par- ents of four children living and one dead; Ayers, who married Maggie Door, and who lives in Marion county, being the father of four children, all living ; Polly, who married Noble Neeper and who is living in Fayette county, this state, being the mother of seven children, all living; Margaret married Guy Neeper and lives in Fayette county, being the mother of one child who is living; Eli C, married Velinda Owens, and is living in Marion county, being the father of six living children; Ida married James M. Gray and is living in Marion county, the mother of three children living and one deceased ; May is deceased, as is also Emmet and Rhue; Ira married Hattie Harvey, who lives in Marion county, being the father of one child, Martha; Hulda is deceased. Mrs. Charles Conant was educated in the public schools of Marion county and is a thoughtful, frugal and industrious mother, possessing a remarkable memory and is greatly beloved by all who know her. Our subject and wife are the proud par- ents of one child, a promising infant son, born in January, 1908, and named Omer Murel. Francis M. Reese is the owner of one of the best improved and most productive farms in this township. It consists of one hundred and ten acres, all under cultivation with the exception of twenty acres. Fie is a practical twentieth century farmer, very skillful and the possessor of rare soundness of judgment for so young a man, and he so manages his farm that bounteous har- vests are reaped from his fields from year to year, and a comfortable living is realized therefrom, together with a competency to lay by. The fields are kept clean, well drained and well fenced, and the dwelling is a cozy and substantial one. The out build- ings on the place are all that could be de- sired, in fact, the general aspect of the place shows thrift, good management and pros- perity. In politics Mr. Reese is a stanch Republican and his support is always on the side of right questions and issues having for their object the betterment of the community in which he lives. Fraternally he belongs to the Yeoman lodge, and in his religious affiliations he subscribes to the Methodist Episcopal church. South. Mrs. Reese is also a member of this church. She is regarded as a young woman of many estimable and commendable traits. WILLIAM MORRIS. The subject of this sketch is one of the representative agriculturists of Kinmundy township, Marion county, and he is gladly given personal mention in this volume ow- ing to his individual worth, integrity and high standing in the community where he has maintained his home for nearly three score years, or during his entire lifetime. William Morris was born in the vicinity where he now lives on December 25, 1850, 378 BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- the son of Jesse Morris, who was born in Clinton comity, and who came to Marion county at the age of seventeen years and in 1846 took up a land warrant with his mother. He was a hard working man and always made a comfortable living, being known as not only a man of industry but also of uprightness and hospitality. He was called from his earthly labors at the age of fifty-two years. He was a Cumberland Presbyterian and a Democrat. There were eight children in his family, four of whom, two boys and two girls are living in 1908, named as follows: William, our subject; Samuel, the only living brother of the subject; Sarah, deceased; Har- riett and Lucy are the living daughters; Elizabeth, Mary and Margaret are all de- ceased. The subject's mother's maiden name was Mary ^^''hiteside, who ^^'as born in Tennes- see, who came to Kinmundy township, Marion county, Illinois, when she had reached maturity. The paternal grandfather of the subject was Thomas Morris, who came from Georgia and settled in Clinton county, Illinois. His family consisted of three sons and six daughters, as follows : John, William, Jesse — the last named hav- ing been born in 1829 ; Hannah, who married Moses Garrett ; Fannie, who married Daniel Casey; Nancy, who married Reuben Wright; Mary, who married Frank Cole; Sarah, who married William Layman; Lu- rana, who married John AVortman. All these children with the exception of two were born in Georgia and came to Clinton and Marion counties, Illinois. Sarah Young was the grandmother on the maternal side of our subject. She was born in Tennessee, and in religion affiliated with the Cumber- land Presbyterian church. William Morris was united in marriage with Elizabeth Holt, October 2, 1872, the daughter of Henry G. Holt. There were nine children in the Holt family, four of whom lived to maturity. Mr. Holt's wife lived to be seventy-eight years old. Heruy G. Holt was a man of honesty and industry,, a Democrat and a Methodist. He was at one time Supervisor of Foster township,. Marion county. Our subject faithfully performed the of- fice of Supervisor in Kinmundy township, and he was a School Director for many years, during which time the school in his neighborhood was much strengthened. He has always been greatly interested in educa- tional affairs, and has been a delegate to three state conventions. The following children have been born to- Mr. and Mrs. \A^illiam Morris : Margaret C.,. Mary E., Jessie H., Ira C, Emmet O., W. Earl, J. Esther and Bertha M. Margaret C. married J. L. Davis, who lives near Kin- mundy and are the parents of three children, two living and one dead. Mary E. married Dan Doolen, who lives in Kinmundy town- ship, and she is the mother of three child- ren. Ira C. married Laura L. Lambom and has two children. William Morris has seven grandchildren, six boys and one girl. Our subject has been a careful business man and always industrious and persistent. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 379 As a result of his well directed energies he is today one of the substantial and progres- sive fanners of Marion county, owning a fine farm of five hundred acres, mostly under cultivation. It is well improved in every respect and the crops are rotated in such a manner that the soil is kept up to a high state of efficiency and only a glance over this splendid place is sufficient to show that a man of energy, thrift and rare busi- ness acumen has managed it. Mr. Morris raises and uses full blooded heavy draft horses of the best type. He has always been an admirer of fine horses and good stock, and it is a pleasure to see his fat and well groomed stock and to look out over his fine pastures and splendid fields of grain, but still a greater pleasure to know Mr. Morris himself, to feel his hearty handshake and be the recipient of his kindly demeanor. Mr. Morris and his family are ardent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and like Cornelius of old, he is a devout man, as is all his house, and as a result of his honor- able record, his public-spirit, integrity and pleasing manners he numbers his friends by the scores. A. I. EAGAN. The subject of this sketch is a man of excellent mental endowments and upright character and has been a valued factor for more than a quarter of a century in the community in which his life has been passed, for "his sober w*ishes have never learned to stray," and he has remained here since his birth. A. I. Eagan was born on the old Eagan homestead in Foster township, Marion county, Illinois, July 9, 1862, the son of William and Martha (Holt) Eagan, the latter enjoying the distinction of being the first white child bom in Patoka township, this county, the date of her birth occurring February 22, 1828. William Eagan was born in Wilson county, Tennessee, May 4, 1823. He came with his father, Barney Eagan, from Wilson county, Tennessee, and settled in Marion county, Illinois, in 1841. Barney Eagan married a Miss Gray, of Tennessee, who died in that state, Barnet Eagan settled in Kinmundy township, where he developed a farm and where he died. William Eagan, the subject's father, had only a limited education. He lived at home until his marriage, December 7, 1844. He lived in section 9, Foster township, where he secured one hundred acres of land which he improved and developed into a most successful farm. He was a Democrat and held several township offices. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He passed to his rest March 20, 1 89 1, his widow surviving until July 5, 1897. They were the parents of seven sons and four daughters, namely: John F., who was born in September, 1845, is a farmer in Alexander county, Illinois; Catherine, whose date of birth is September 7, 1847, married to G. A. Conant, of Foster town- ship; Elizabeth, who was born February 8, 1850, died November 23, 1906; Mary, who 380 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. was born August 8, 1852, married Samuel Morris, of Foster township; James W., bom November 3, 1854, is a fanner in Okla- homa; Henry H., born January 30, 1857, is a farmer in Foster township; Arvilla, bom Februaiy 10, i860, died Februaiy 27, 1879, having been the wife of Albert Wil- hams; A. I., the subject of this sketch; Wil- liam S., born July 17, 1865, died Febmary 9, 1899; Samuel B., bom February 10, 1868, is a traveling salesman and lives with the subject; Harmon R., born March 17, 1 87 1, lives with the subject. A. I. Eagan received his education in the home schools. He has always lived in Fos- ter township, where he has carried on gen- eral farming in such a skillful manner as to insure definite success in eveiy particular. He is regarded by his neighbors as one of the best farmers in the township, and is also known as a good judge of live stock of all kinds, having for many years devoted his at- tention largely to stock raising, together with his fanning. He has also been success- ful in other lines of business, having started a store in Lester in 1891, of which he made a success. He faithfully served the people of that community as postmaster for a period of ten years. He also gave able service as Tax Collector in 1891, and as Supen'isor from 1896 tO' 1897. He has been Justice of the Peace for twelve years and his decisions are always considered fair and impartial and they have seldom met with reversal at the hands of a higher tribunal. He has long been active in politics, being a staunch Democrat. Fraternally Mr. Eagan is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 324, of Vernon, this county. He is a mxDst successful business man and is well known in the county, being admired for his industry, his interest in public affairs, and his honesty. RICHARD M. ATKINS. The Atkins family of Kinmundy town- ship, of which Richard Atkins is a represen- tative, have for several generations been interested in general agricultural pursuits, and the success they have achieved would indicate that they have always been thrifty and energetic, and the community is greatly indebted to them for much of its general advancement. Richard M. Atkins was born in Foster township, Marion county, January 18, i860, the son of Nathan Atkins, who was bom in Alabama, and who came to Foster township where he spent the remainder of his life, dying there at the age of sixty years, having been seventeen years old when he first settled here. Nathan Atkins was the father of twelve children, eight boys and four girls, named in order of birth as follows : John, Barbe, George, all deceased; Joseph \A'., Richard M., both living; Sarah F., de- ceased; Hannah C, Mary E., Cynthia C, all living; Nathan L., Moses and James, all deceased. John married Mary Edgar. George married Mary Jones, by which union two children were born, and after her death BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 381 he mamed Hulda Jones, to which union two sons have been born. Joseph married Hattie Dulin, but neither he nor John have any children. Richard married EHzabeth Lansford and they are the parents of three children, named Nathan L., deceased; Ruth F., the only one living, and Wesley L., who died recently. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Elizabeth Lansford, whose father was named Lemuel Jackson, who was the father of fifteen children, three boys and twelve girls, eight of whom lived to maturity, all being married but three. Lemuel Jackson died when fifty years old. He was a Cumberland Presbyterian. His education was lirnited to the common schools. Elizabeth Lansford was also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and her early education was also limited to the public schools. She married when eighteen years of age, and endured the hardships of pioneer life. She is still living and is in fairly good health although advanced in years. Richard M. Atkins, our subject, was raised on his father's farm, and he has al- ways followed agricultural pursuits and has made an eminent success of the same. He is at present the owner of a valuable farm of sixty acres on which he carries on general farming in a manner that insures a comfort- able living from year to year, and also enables him to lay up a competence for his old age. His farm is well improved in every respect, and he has an excellent dwelling and a good barn. Fraternally Mr. Atkins is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodge at Kinmundy. He is a loyal Demo- crat and believes in the principles of Chris- tianity and the progress of education. He is School Trustee in Kinmundy township. The pastoral life that our subject is leading is entirely agreeable to his tastes and his nature, and this, coupled with the happiness and contentment of his home life, renders existence for him truly delightful. MRS. MARY A. ROBB- Wholly devoted to home and domestic du- ties, doing through all the best years of her domestic life the lowly but sacred work that comes within her sphere, there is not much rO' record concerning the life of the av^ erage woman; and yet what station sO' dig- nified, what relation sO' loving and endear- ing, what oflfice so holy, tender and enno- bling as those of home-making motherhood. In a biographical compendium, such as this work is intended to be, woman should have no insignificant representation, and the pub- lishers are glad to give the estimable lady whose name heads this paragraph a place herein owing to the fact that her life has been one of earnest devotion to duty, and one calculated to leave its indelible imprint for good in the community where she re- sides. Mrs. Mary A. Robb was born in Fayette county, Illinois, July 28, 1852, having been known in her maidenhood as Mary A. Man- ion, daughter of Robert P. Manion, a well 382 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. known and influential man in his commu- nity. He was born in Kentucky. He repre- sented a family of nine girls and six boys, two boys and one girl deceased. The sub- ject's mother was known in her maiden- hood as Eliza Henry, a native of Ohio, and one of a family of five girls and one boy, all growing to maturity. The subject's grandmother, Mary Henry, is still living at this writing, 1908, at the advanced age of ninety-four years, her birth- day falling on the loth of March. She is a fine old lady, having always possessed a beautiful Christian character and her life has been one of inspiration to yOunger gen- erations. She lives at La Gootee, Illinois, with her only living son, K. D. Henry. Our subject received a good common school education in her native community, having applied herself diligently to her text-books and winning the praise of her teachers. When she reached maturity she was united in marriage with William W. "Robb, on December 14, 1882, by George Harpster, a Justice of the Peace, at his resi- dence in Fayette county, Illinois. To this union seven children' were bom, as follows : Samuel P., Charles F., Permelia B., Martha N., Rosa E., Lewis K., Maggie R. Samuel P. Robb married Ethel Lowe, and they have one son, named William W. Permelia and Martha live in Champaign, Illinois ; Charles F. farms the home place and is unmarried. Rosa E. is deceased. Lewis and Maggie are still members of the home circle. These children all received the most careful atten- tion and are fairly well educated, having been taught to develop their minds along such lines as would result in success and hap- piness in after life, and as a result of the wholesome home environment and careful training of the fond mother, they have de- veloped into men and women of the noblest types and have hosts of admiring friends, all enjoying the fruits of excellent and un- blemished reputations. Mrs. Robb resides on a farm of one hun- dred and sixty-seven acres which she owns and oversees with rare business ability and sagacity, so that year after year; excellent crops are reaped and a comfortable living is maintained, also a competency is laid by for the future. The soil is kept in excel- let productive condition by the rotation of crops and the employment of modern and scientific methods known to the best agricul- turists. The place is well drained and well fenced, and the Robb dwelling is com- modious and is very tastefully kept. Nu- merous substantial out-buildings are to be found about the place. One hundred and twenty acres of this farm are in cultivation, the remainder is in timber. The Robb family are all Democrats. Mrs. Robb is a faithful and consistent member of the Christian church. She is truly a noble mother and sets a Godly example be- fore the community, her chief aim being to be a good mother, and she has the undi- vided devotion of her family, all of whom give every promise of happy and success- ful futures. Mrs. Robb is a pleasant woman to meet, always congenial and kindly dis- posed. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 383 GEORGE ELDON REESE. Marion county has been the home and the scene of the successful labors of many able, broad-minded and public-spirited citizens, and standing as a worthy representative of this class and as a member of the old and influential families of this great common- wealth is the gentleman whose name appears above. He is one of the progressive farm- ers and stock growers of Marion county, where he has long maintained his home and devoted his attention to the development of a fine farm which is situated in Kinmundy township, and so well managed that it yields the owner from year to year a comfortable living. George Eldon Reese was born in Fayette county, Illinois, August 10, 1859, the son of James Reese, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, and who died when seventy-three years old, having been born December 16, 1822. Seven children were born to the subject's parents, three of whom are de- ceased at this writing. Their names are: Annie, deceased; James, deceased; John, Mahulda, Eliza Jane, George Eldon, all living; the seventh in order of birth died in infancy. James Reese was a farmer, having owned a fine farm in Fayette county, con- sisting of eighty acres. He married Martha Fogler, who was called to her rest when our subject was three months old. The Reese family moved from Fayette county to Mar- ion county in 1890. James Reese was the grandfather of our subject. He was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Fayette county, Illinois, when a young man. He passed to his rest from Fayette county, after a useful and busy life. George E. Reese, our subject, was united in marriage on August 25, 1878, to Sarah Earnest, who was born in Fayette county in 1 86 1. She received a good common school education as did also our subject in their native county. Mr. Reese left school when eighteen years old. Eight children have been born to the sub- ject and his wife, one of whom is deceased. Their names are: James W., who married Rosa Payton, and who has four children; Lulu C,. who married Ben Hunter and who has two children; Francis M., who married Martha Conant, has one son. The other children are all single; their names are Charles E., Samuel H., Jessie G., Otto V., Talta C. These children had the best ad- vantages possible and all received fairly good educations in the country schools of the district where they were raised. Mr. Reese has always been a hard worker, having devoted his life to agricultural pur- suits. He is the owner of seventy-two and one-half acres of as good land as can be found in Kinmundy township. He carries on general farming in a manner that shows conclusively that he possesses unusual ability as an agriculturist. His fields are kept clean and well fenced. He handles considerable stock from year to year of good grades. Nearly all of the subject's farm is under a high state of cultivation, and it shows that 384 BRINKERIIOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- a man of thrift and energy is managing it. He lias a good dwelling and many substan- tial out buildings. Mr. Reese has been a loyal Republican since maturity, and has always taken more or less interest in political afifairs, especially local politics. The father of the subject was reared a United Brethren, but his chil- dren were members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, North. Our subject is a man of sunny disposition, always looks on the bright side of life, being truly an optimist, .ever hopeful that the good will come instead of the bad, and as a result of such a fortu- nate disposition he makes it pleasant for those whom he may chance to meet, and he IS regarded as a most excellent neighbor. He loves his fellow man and delights in helping those in need. He has an excep- tionally nice family, a good and affable wife, and he provides everything for his family that is deemed advisable for the moral, in- tellectual, as well as their material welfare. WILLIAM T. STORMENT. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is one of the leading farmers and fruit growers of Marion county, and also enjoys the distinction of being a representa- tive of two of the old and highly esteemed pioneer families of the township in which he lives. John Storment, his grandfather, a South Carolinian by birth, moved to Marion county about the year 1838, and purchased a large tract of govern- ment land, principally in what is now Haines tOA\'uship, the patents for which bearing the signature of President Van Buren are now in the possession of the subject of this re- view. John Storment became a prosperous farmer and representative citizen and wielded a strong influence among the early settlers of Haines township, having been a man of great force of character, and deter- mination of purpose. He did much to pro- mote the interests of agriculture and will long be remembered as one of the sterling yeomen to whose labors and influence the present flourishing condition of Haines township is largely due. William K. Storment, son of John Stor- ment and father of William T., was a native of Marion county and for many years one of the progressive farmers and enterprising citizens of the township of Haines. He, too, was public spirited and a natural leader among his fellow men, stood high in the es- teem of all with whom^ he came into contact and belonged to that large and eminently re- spectable class who in a quiet but forceful way do so much for the material progress of the country and give moral tone to the body politic. At the breaking out of the late Civil war he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Infantry and devoted three of the best years of his life to the serv- ice of his country, participating in all the campaigns and battles in which his regiment was engaged and earning an honorable rec- ord as a brave and gallant defender of the Union. RESIDENCE OF W. T. STORMENT, BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 385 When a young man \Villiam K. Storment married Miss Martha I. ^^'ham, of Marion county, and in due time became the father of iive children, namely : Elmer ( deceased ; Minnie (deceased); John R., a farmer and fniit grower of Alississippi ; William T., of this review, and one that died in infancy. The parents of these children were esteemed members of the United Presbyterian church and spared no pains to impress upon their young minds and hearts tlie principles of re- ligion and the beauty and value of a living Christian faith, ^^'illiam K. Storment was not only an influential man in the affairs of his church, but was also a local politician of considerable note, having been one of the leading Republicans of his township, though never a partisan, much less a seeker after the honors and emoluments of public office. He died some years ago on the home farm in Haines township, lamented by all who knew him, leaving to his descendants the memory of an honored name, which they value as a priceless heritage. Mrs. Storment is the daughter of William Whain, one of the early settlers of Marion county and an influential factor of the pioneer period. She •is still living and enjoys the acquaintance of a large circle of friends, who hold her in the highest persona] regard. William T. Storment, to a brief review of whose career the following lines are de- voted, was bom in Haines township on the farm one mile north of Kell, which he now owns and occupies, September 10, 1867. Like the majority of country lads, he was reared to habits of industry, early became 25 familiar with the various duties of farm life and in the public schools, which he attended at intervals during his minority, received his educational training. Manifesting a decided taste for mechanical pursuits while, still young, he turned his abilities in this direc- tion to practical use by learning caqDentiy, at which he acquired more than ordinary pro- ficiency and which he followed for some years in his own and neighboring localities, a number of residences and other edifices bearing witness to his ability and skill as a builder. After a time, however, Jie discon- tinued his trade and purchasing the home farm, has since givai his attention to agri- culture and fruit growing, meeting with most encouraging success and achieving much more than local repute as a progres- sive and up-to-date tiller of the soil. In the meantime he has made many valuable im- provements on the place, remodeling the house and converting it into a first class mod- em dwelling with all the latest conveniences, including among others a heating plant that adds greatly to the comfort of the home, be- sides lessening in no small degree the ex- pense of providing fuel. The barn, which is one of the largest and most conveniently ar- ranged buildings of the kind in the neigh- borhood, is a model of architectural and mechanical skill, while all the other improve- ments are in keeping therewith, the fami consisting of one hundred and twenty-five acres of highly improved land, being one of the most valuable as well as one of the most desirable places of its area in Marion county. Mr. Storment takes a pardonable pride in 386 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- his home and has spared neither pains nor expense in making it beautiful and attractive and it is now conceded to be one of the fin- est country seats not only in Marion count}', but in the southern part of the state. Be- lieving this section of Illinois to possess the necessary characteristics for successful fruit growing, Mr. Storment some years ago planted a part of his farm in choice apple, pear and peach trees, the results in due time more than realizing his highest expectations. Encouraged by the success of the venture, he continued planting from time to time, un- til he now has one hundred and ten acres in fruit, the income from which far surpasses what he ever received from the raising of grain. He makes horticulture not only his chief business, but pursues it with the en- thusiasm and delight of a pastime. He de- votes much time to the study of the subject, reduces his researches to practical tests, and in- this way has made the business veiy re- munerative. By employing scientific meth- ods, such as proper fertilizing, spraying, pruning, etc., he never fails to realize abun- dant crops of the finest fruits raised in this part of the state, and that, too, when other orchards fail entirely or at least bear but a scanty supply and of a poor and inferior quality. Among the improvements of which he makes use is a portable gas engine for the purpose of spraying, the value of which in the saving of time as well as of insuring full yields is many hundred fold in excess of the amount the contrivance cost. Mr. Storment is not only the leading hor- ticulturist in Marion county, but as a farm- er he also occupies a place in the front rank, making use of modem implements and ma- chinery and employing only the most ap- proved methods in the cultivation of the soil. He is essentially progressive in his ideas, be- lieves that satisfactory results can only be ob- tained from the exercise of sound judgment and wise discretion and possessing the abil- ity to foresee with remarkable accuracy the future outcome of present action, he is sel- dom if ever disappointed in any of his plans or undertakings. A man of strong charac- ter and inflexible integrity, he stands high as a citizen, takes an active interest in pub- lic matters both general and local and all measures and enterprises for the material progress of the countn- and the social and moral advancement of the people are sure to enlist his hearty co-operation and support. His political views are in harmony with the principles and traditions of the Republican party, and while firm in his convictions and earnest and fearless in maintaining the soundness of his opinions, he cannot be called a partisan, nor has he ever disturbed the even tenor of his life by aspiring to of- fice or leadership. He is first of all a credit- able representative of the ancient and hon- orable calling of agriculture and as such he ranks among the most enterprising and suc- cessful men in the state, this, with the simple title of citizen, being sufficient to make him contented with his lot, as well as an example to his fellow men in correct living. The domestic life of Mr. Stonnent dates from 1892, in which year he was united in marriage with Esta Davis, of Marion coun- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 387 ty, daughter of Bloom P. and Mariah (Al- bert) Davis, both natives of Illinois, the fa- ther of JefJerson county, the mother ' of the county of Marion. Mr. and Mrs. Storment are esteemed members of the United Presby- terian church, belonging to what is known as the Romine Prairie congregation and active in all lines of religious and charitable work under the auspices of the same. Socially they are numbered among the best people of the community in which they reside and their popularity is limited only by the circle of their acquaintance. The Davis family, to which Mrs. Stonnent belongs, has long oc- cupied a conspicuous place in the confidence and respect of the people of Marion county and its reputation for honorable manhood and womanhood is second to that of no oth- er family in this part of the state. For many years the name has been identified with the Christian church of Marion and neighboring counties, Mr. Davis and his wife having been prominent members of that body and influential in religious work in their own and other localities. Mrs. Storment is the oldest of a family of four children, three sisters and a brother, namely: Maggie, who married Ernest Kell, of Marion county ; Anderson, who lives on the home farm, and Minnie, who is unmarried and also a member of the home circle. WILFRED SPIESE. As a result of the wonderful progress along all lines, we are prone to lose sight of life as it was in the days when our sub- ject lived — the days of the pioneer, not so long since, it is true, if counted by years, but when viewed in the light of invention and iinprovement seems indeed quite far removed. Among the noble and hardy men who left the older communities of the East and moved to the pioneer settlements of the Middle West was Wilfred Spiese, who de- parted this life in this county in 1882. Mr. Spiese was born in eastern Pennsylvania on the 8th day of February, 1824. He came to Jefferson county, Illinois, in 1853, and removed to Marion county in 1885. He re- ceived his early education in the common schools of Pennsylvania, and as he reached his years of maturity he turned his atten- tion tO' the milling industry, following this up to the time that he removed to this county. He was an expert miller and in all his dealings was held in high esteem by everyone with whom he came in contact. He was a highly respected member of the Universalist church and voted for the most part with the Democratic party. In 1851 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Alice Heaton, who is also a native of Ohio, bom August 14, 1830. This union was blessed with nine children, as follows: Gertrude, wife of Dennis O'Neil, and mother of three children; Florence; Wilfred, married Reba Long, to whom one child has been bom; Camila, wife of Frank Lawrence, and mother of three children; George married Sallie Pool, to whom were born two chil- dren ; Jessie is the wife of Jerome Embyser, and the mother of a family of five; Frank and Virginia died in infancy ; Edgar R. died at the age of twenty. Mrs. Spiese, by a former marriage, became the mother of two BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- children. In bringing up her family, Mrs. Spiese has succeeded in filling the place of a clear-minded and worthy mother, training her household into habits of thrift and ap- plication to work, and impressing indelibly upon them the wholesome truths that lie at the base of domestic happiness and pros- perity. Many of these traits she inherited from her father, who was also one of the pioneers of the county, having come hither in an early day and entered a claim of se\'- eral hundred acres of land. He took a prom- inent part in developing the country, having assisted substantially in the promoting and building of the roads that are now found in the neighborhood. A part of the orig- inal claim forms the homestead upon which Mrs. Spiese is now living with her son, George. She is happy and content to fill her allotted place as Providence directs, deeming it a pleasure to be a blessing to many friends and kindred as she finishes the journey of life. ORCELAS SEE. In the work of upbuilding Marion county, our subject and his ancestors have con- tributed very materially, Mr. See being a worthy successor to those of his family who blazed out the forest trails and helped the first pioneers reclaim the new countiT and has equally well played his part in connec- tion with the industrial and civic develop- ment of this section, so that the name is one which well merits a place of distinction in the pages of a com|>ilation of the province assigned to this publication. Orcelas See was born in Kinmundy town- ship, Marion county, Illinois, November 19, 1849, the son of 'Shuh M. and Mary E. (Day) See, the former having been born in West Virginia in 1809 and passed to his rest, March 8, 1857. The subject's mother was born February 14, 18 18, and passed to the other shore December 13, 1884. The subject's parents were married March 15, 1838, in Virginia, and became the parents of nine children, eight boys and one girl, of whom- Orcelas is the fifth in order of birth. The parents spent their lives on a farm and were well known in their community. Orce- las See attended the old log school-houses in his native district and also' went one win- ter to school in Kinmundy, working during the summer months on his father's farm. His education was limited, he having quit school when seventeen years old. Our subject has always worked on the farm, having begun farming for himself when eighteen years old. After his father's death, the responsibilities of the home fell upon his shoulders and he remained with his \^'iclowed mother, managing the place in a manner that would have done credit to an old and experienced farmer. He has been so successful in his agricultural pursuits that he is now considered one of the substan- tial citizens of the township, owning at this time a veiy valuable and highly im- proved fann of two hundred and thirty acres, nearly all of which is under cultiva- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 389 tion, and he has many varieties of ex- cellent stock in his barns and fields and no small portion of his income has been from this source. On this fann stands one of the finest, most substantial and elegantly furnished homes. Besides having- been em- inently successful in farming, Mr. See has taken advantages of other business oppor- tunities, and he is at this writing president of the Citizens Bank at Alma, which is capi- talized at twenty-five thousand dollars. He owns one-fifth of the stock of this substan- tial institution and it is well patronized, for as the head of this institution Mr. See has ably performed his duties, taking time from his farm and other business affairs to spend a few days each week in the bank. Our subject's domestic life dates from November 19, 1871, when he was happily married to Mary J. McCullough, the accom- plished and affable daughter of Smith and Eliza J. (Chambers) McCullough, a well known and highly respected family. Mrs. See was bom in Ashland county, Ohio, near Savannah, December 28, 1851. She received her education in the district schools and at Alma. She is the second child in order of birth in a family of five children. Mr. and Mrs. See are the parents of the following children : Charley, Lida, Emery M., who was bom September 19, 1872, and died in infancy; Charles L. was born April 28, 1874; Clarence S. was born February 12, 1878, and died December 15, 1907; Mary E., who was born May 27, 1880, is in the bank at Alma, as clerk and bookkeeper; Florence was born, October 2, 1882; Carrie was bom October 7, 1884; Gertrude E. was born March 14, 1886; Nellie R. was born November 12, 1888. All the children liv- ing are at home with their parents and as- sist in the work on the farm. Mr. See is a Democrat in his political beliefs and always takes considerable interest in his party's af- fairs, believing as he does in clean politics, he lends his influence in placing the best local men possible in the county offices. He has ably seiwed his community as School Director, School Commissioner and Hig-h- way Commissioner, at present holding the last named office. Both he and his wife are great readers and in their home may be found numerous books of a variety of subjects and many periodicals and maga- zines. Mr. See has always been interested in education and during his connection with the school affairs of the community the cause of education in the local field received an impetus that will be permanent. Our subject has followed the precepts of his par- ents who were ardent Baptists and is him- self a faithful member of this church. Mrs. See's parents \\-ere Presbyterians, but she is now a member of the Baptist church in Alma. JAMES A. RENNIE. The Irish element in America's national life has contributed much to the country's material prosperity, being felt as a potential force along industrial, commercial and agri- cultural lines, to say nothing of the import- 390 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- ant place it occupies in the arts and sciences and its influence in religious and educational circles, and in the domain of politics. A fine representative of this nationality is found in James A. Rennie, of Kinmundy township, a successful farmer and estimable citizen, whom to know is to respect. In his veins flows the blood of a long line of Irish ancestors, and it was in the fair Emer- ald Isle that he first saw the light of day. Since coming to the New World he has prospered, and while he still loves his native land he is loyal to American institutions. James A. Rennie was born in Armagh, Ireland, September 20, 1838, the son of Thomas and Mary (Stratton) Rennie, whose family consisted of three children, namely : William J., James A., and Samuel. Thomas Rennie came to America in 1847, and settled in Rhode Island, later going to Boston, then to Providence, where he re- ceived employment. He was a machinist. He later moved to Arkwright and Hope, where he did all the machine work for the factories. In the year 1850 the family moved to Peri-y county, Indiana, and was engaged to work in the cotton mills of Can- nelton. William, the oldest son, put up the first spindle frames in the mill where they were employed. Our subject received a fairly good com- mon school education. He was married in 1866 to Mariah E. Falkunbarra, of Perry county, Indiana. She was the daughter of Littleton Falkunbarra, who married a Miss Shoemaker. To this union one child was born, Mariah E., who married M. F. Elgan, of Marion county. Our subject's second wife was Eliza E. Bass, daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Davis) Bass, and to this mar- riage three children were bom, namely: Rosa, whose date of birth occurred in 1876; Gertrude R., who was born January 10, 1882, and who died October 2, 1898; Oscar R., who was born February i, 1890. Rosa married Charles Hannah, superintendent of the Salem box factory. Our subject's war record is one that mer- its praise. He enlisted as a private, but was such a gallant soldier that he became ser- geant and served as such throughout the war. He was in seventeen battles and skir- mishes. He was in the Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry under John C. \A'alker of United States bond fame. He also served under Dick Ryan, of Indianapolis, Mayor Bolt, Colonel Mullen, son of Adjutant iNIul- lin, who was shot at Dobbins Ford, Ten- nessee, under Van Cleve's division. Thomas Rennie and his sons, William and James, all enlisted in the Union army from Perry county, Indiana, in 186 1, for three years' time. William was wounded in a skirmish during the first of the war, having had his limb broken in two places. Thomas R., father of our subject, died from exposure in 1872. He reached an old age. Lieuten- ant Canoe states that James A. Rennie was as bra^•e a man as ever followed the Ameri- can flag. Mr. Rennie is the owner of a very valu- able and highly productive farm of forty acres in section 30, township 4, range 3. He is a good farmer and makes his place BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS- 391 yield a comfortable income from year to year. His fields are well tilled and in ex- cellent condition. He has a comfortable and substantial residence and a good barn, and other out buildings. Our subject has been interested in educational movements and has very ably filled the office of School Director for the past twenty-five years. Po- litically he is a stanch Republican, and he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has voted for every Republican President since then. He draws twelve dollars per month pension, under the affidavit of his discharge. In religion he is a Universalist, and adheres closely to this beautiful faith, however, he has never made profession of any religious faith. He practices the motto, "Do right to all men, because it is right," this being the substance of his creed. He was seventy years old September 30, 1908, and is hale and hearty, enjoying in a large measure life, his home and many friends. He is a great reader of both papers and books, and is much interested in the history of this country. BENJAMIN D. CRAIG. A consistent and valuable prerogative is exercised by a compilation of this nature when it enters a resume of the life history of so honored and prominent a citizen as he whose name initiates this paragraph. He has played well his part in the early and sub- sequent development and civic and industrial progress of Marion county, proving himself a man of courage, self-reliance and utmost integrity of purpose, so that he has during his entire life stood high in the esteem of his neighbors and friends. He has spent his long and useful life within the borders of his native county, and has done much to develop its interests. Benjamin D. Craig was born in Marion county, Illinois, Februaiy 4, 1848, the son of James K., and Catherine (Wilkinson) Craig. Our subject is the oldest child in a family of seven children. His early edu- cation was received in the district schools in log school-houses, with a log fire-place, pun- cheon floor and puncheon seats or split logs for benches. The desk he had to write on was made from a big saw-log. The boys cut the wood which was burned while school was in session, and the neighbors hauled the wood from the forests to the school-house with ox teams. Our subject recalls one time when they barred the teacher out and he knocked the door down with an ax. The treat was candy and a bag of apples. But notwithstanding the primitive condition of these early schools, Mr. Craig applied him- self in an ardent manner, and received the foundation for an education which has since been supplemented by close observation and by wide home reading. When he reached maturity our subject was united in marriage with Fena B. AVeese, of Indianapolis, the ceremony which made them man and wife having been perfomied on September 27, 1875, in the city of In- dianapolis. This union has been most har- 392 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- monious and happy, and has resulted in the birth of three children, namely: James Floyd, who married Grace Hackett, and who is the mother of one daughter, Helen; George Raymond, who married Mary Skin- ner, and who is the father of one child, a girl named Margie; Jennie Ethel married Arthur Curry, who travels for the Hall Safe Company, and who lives in Evansville, In- diana. They now have one son,, born November 7, 1908. Our subject's wife is the daughter of Reuben B. and Phoebe Stokley Weese, both natives of Pennsylvania, having come here from Mercer county, Pennsylvania, to War- rick county, Indiana. There are three chil- dren in the Weese family, namely : Fena B., wife of our subject; George W., and Jennie. The wife of our subject was three years old when her parents moved to Indiana. The date of her birth is recorded as May 20, 1 85 1, having occurred in Pennsylvania. She received her early education in Char- lottesville, near Greenfield, Hancock county. Benjamin D. Craig is very active in han- dling all kinds of farming implements and machinery used for up-to-date farm work, most of his stock being purchased of the P. P. Mass & Company, of Springfield, Ohio, and the Racine Saddleiy Company of Springfield, Illinois. He understands ma- chinery and always handles the best grades that the market affords, and owing to his careful buying he is enabled to sell his stock at reasonable figures, and therefore has a wide patronage. In politics he is a loyal Democrat, first voted for Samuel J. Tilden. He has never been a partisan, being con- tented to attend strictly to individual affairs and assist in placing the best men possible in the county offices, and his support can al- ways be depended upon when questions are before the public requiring definiteness of purpose in deciding them for the right. In his religious affiliations his support is not given to any special church, however, he believes in Christianity. His parents were Methodists. The parents of Mrs. Craig are also Methodists. Our subject is regarded as one of the loyal and progressive business men of his township, and owing to the fact that all of his useful life has been spent within the borders of Marion county, he is well known in every township, especially in Kinmundy, where he maintains his home, and where he is regarded as one of the sub- stantial men of the community. ROBERT L. LAMBERT. It is deemed eminently appropriate at this place to call the reader's attention to the life history of the gentleman whose name fornis the caption of this paragraph, owing to the fact that his life has always bear such as to inspire confidence and admiration on the part of his fellow citizens. Robert L. Lambert was bom in section 22. Foster township, ]\Iarion county, Xo- ^'ember 4, 1858, the son of William and Nancy (Pruett) Lambert, the former a na- tive of Marion county and the latter of Fay- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 393 ette county, this state. Nathan Lambert was the father of \A''illiam Lambert. He was a native of Tennessee and married a Miss Mann. He was among the pioneer settlers of Foster township in section 22, the vicin- ity where the subject now lives. He de- voted his life to fanning- and he and his wife died in Foster township. The sub- ject's father had little chance to go to school, but became self-educated and well informed on current topics. He prospered while living on his father's old homestead, being a good manager. He made many ex- tensive improvements in the place where he and his wife both died. He was a Democrat and well known and highly respected. Na- than Lambert and wife were the parents of three children, namely : Maiy, who first married Enoch Neville, her second hus- band being B. M. Harris, who is now de- ceased. She is living at Granby, Missouri. Robert was a soldier in Company H, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was captured July 22, 1863, and taken to Andersonville prison and later to Lauton, Georgia, in which prison he died November 4, 1864. William was the father of our subject. They were the parents of seven children, three now living and four dead. Robert L., our subject; John T., a farmer, living in Macon county ; Minnie, who married Edgar Somerville, of Carrigan township, this county. The subject of this sketch received only a limited education, not having much opportunity to attend school. His father was an invalid for sev- eral years and the subject was compelled to work in his boyhood days to help support the family. He always lived on the old place. Mr. Lambert was united in marriage May 5, 1881, with Kate Zeifang, of Lincoln, Illinois, the daughter of George and Cres- ents (Keiser) Zeifang, both natives of Ger- many. Both died when Mrs. Lambert was small. One daughter has been born to the subject and wife, Helena Maude, who is the wife of William Jones, a farmer living in Foster township. Our subject has always been a farmer and one of the best in the lo- cality. He has devoted much time to rais- ing grain and fruit. He raises excellent horses, cattle and hogs. Everything about his place shows prosperity and good man- agement. He has a good dwelling and con- venient out-buildings. Mr. Lambert has al- ways been a public-spirited man, having ably served his township as Supervisor, Road Commissioner and School Director. He is a loyal Democrat. He is well in- formed on current topics and is held in high esteem by all who know him for his honesty and industry. REV. JOHN HENRY BALLANCE. The subject of this sketch is known as a man o^f marked erudition and practical ability as a minister of the Gospel and as one who has achieved success in his calling. His prestige in the pulpit of Marion county stands in evidence of his ability and likewise serves as a voucher for his intrinsic worth of character, as he has always directed his 394 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS- energies along legitimate channels, while his career has been based upon the assump- tion that nothing save industi7, honesty, and fidelity to duty will lead to success. Therefore, the one of whom we write has \\on his way into the affections of a vast number of people in this locality, by \-irtue of his useful, unselfish and altogether Chris- tian life, whose influence cannot be ade- quately measured or properly gaged until the final opening of the "Book of Life" as related in Holy \A'rit. Rev. John Henry Ballance is a native of IMarion county, Illinois, where he first saw the light of day December ii, 1849, ^^^^ Tonti, the son of Lemuel Ballance, a na- tive of Kentucky, who first moved to Logan county, Illinois, near Russellville, later to ^Marion county. The paternal grandfather of the subject was Henry R. Ballance, who was born in Norfolk county, near Norfolk City, the county seat. He is remembered as a fine old Southern gentleman, and his fam- ily consisted of five children, two daughters and three sons. Their names were: Mor- daci, deceased; James, deceased; Lemuel, our subject's father, who is also deceased; as are also the two daughters. Lemuel Ballance was the father of the following children : Susan, who mar- ried J. H. Gray, and who was born No- vember 3, 1838; Sarah, whose date of birth is recorded as February 27, 1841, married Henry B. Jones ; Mary Jane, who was born April 5, 1847, is the wife of W J. Chance; Thomas R., who was born October 30, 1S44, is deceased; John Henry, our suljject; James was bom January 15, 1854; Martha was born December 22, 1834; Leticia waa bom December 22, 1836, neither ever mar- ried, and they are both deceased. Lemuel Ballance was a man of considerable influ- ence in his community, having owned a good ■farm in this locality, which he kept well improved. John Henry Ballance, our subject, early in life, decided that his life work should be devoted to the noble mission of savings souls, consequently he has shaped his ef- forts to this work ever since reaching man- hood. At this writing, 1908, he is a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. South, having filled the same position with honor and credit to his people since ]\Iarch II, 1874. He was later ordained as Deacon by Bishop AA'ightman. In Sep- tember, 1 89 1, he was ordained Elder by Bishop R. K. Hargrove, the copy of the original license being herewith appended : "The bearer hereof, John H. Ballance, hav- ing been duly recommended and having been examined by the quarterly conference of the Salem Circuit, Salem District, Illi- nois annual conference, ^Methodist Episcopal church, South, is hereby authorized to ex- hort according to the rules and regulations of said church, signed in behalf of said quar- terly conference, Marshall French, Secre- tary ; M. R. Jones, Presiding Elder. July 22,. 1870." Following is a copy of the original li- cense to preach, which the subject holds: "Conference recommends Rev. John H. Ballance as a regular exhorter. The bearer BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 395 hereof, John Ballance, having been duly recommended and having been examined as the discipline directs by the Quarterly Con- ference of Patoka Circuit, of Salem District of the Illinois annual conference, of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, is here- by authorized to preach the Gospel accord- ing to the rules and regulations of said church. Signed in behalf of said Quarterly Conference: John Smith, Secretary; T. B. Harbin, Presiding Elder. March i6, 1874." The mother of our subject died when he was seven years old and in November, 1861, his father was called from his earthly la- bors, after which, Mordica Ballance, uncle of our subject, was appointed his guardian and took a deep interest in his welfare. Af- ter living with each of his two married sis- ters for a while, and also with his uncle for something over a year, and as yet having no permanent home, his uncle obtained a home for him with James Doolen, residing north of Kinmundy, this county. The Doolen family was good to him and he was well cared for. He was to remain with them un- til he was twenty-one years old, but Mr. Doolen sold his fann and moved to Kansas. Then our subject found a home with J. C. Jones. They, too, were excellent people and treated Mr. Ballance as one of the fam- ily. He shared in each of these homes with their children, partaking alike of their com- forts and blessings, one of the greatest bless- ings of which was the Christian influence that was thrown around him. Mr. and Mrs. Doolen were very religious, Mr. Doolen lie- ing an active worker in the church, and while living here he was converted and later joined the church. J. C. Jones was an eveiy-day Christian, who' held family worship twice daily. Our subject lived with this family until he was twenty-one years old. He ob- tained only a limited education, having at- tended school only a short time during the winter. Our subject has also served as Justice of the Peace, having been elected under Shelby M. McCullom, governor in 1877 to 1881, and signed by George M. Harlow, Secretary of State of Illinois. He was elected Supei-visor of Kinmundy township in 1886, and served the people in a very creditable manner, to their entire satisfac- tion. Besides his ministerial work, our subject has one of the finest farms in this section of the country, consisting of two hundred and fifty acres, which are under a high state of cultivation and well improved, having been successfully managed by the subject so that abundant hai-vests have been reaped from year to year, richly rewarding the owner for his honest toil. He is regarded as an industrious and successful farmer as well as a good minister of the Gospel. A commo- dious and substantial residence, which is nicely furnished, stands on the farm, to- gether with numerous and substantial out- buildings. His work in the ministry here has been of great significance to the people of this community. He has long been called upon to marry the young and bury the deceased, having at this writing, performed over one 396 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS- hundred and fifty marriages. He married twiQ brothers and two sisters at the same time. He has supplied Patoka circuit and Kinmundy circuits, the latter twice. He has baptized and received a large number into the church. Rev. John Henry Ballance was united in marriage with Sarah F. Morgan on January 8, 1 87 1. She was born in Marion county, Illinois, in 1854, the refined and accom- plished daughter of John B. and Martha Morgan. Her father was born in Alabama and moved to Marion county when a boy, accompanying his mother. The wife of our subject was the eldest daughter of this family. Ten children have been born to our sub- ject and wife, only four of whom are liv- ing, two sons and twO' daughters, the names of the living being : Martha Lulu, who mar- ried Harry Warren, and who has one child ; George T. married Emma Garrett and has one child ; John Lemuel married Stella Mil- ler and has one child ; Josie Ballance is un- married. Our subject is a loyal Democrat and his support is always on the right side of every issue looking to the betterment of his community. DAVID F. NICHOLS. The record of the gentleman whose name appears above is that of a man who has wiorked his way from a modest beginning to a place of influence and financial ease. His life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the notably systematic and honest methods he has 'followed have won him the unbounded confidence and regard of the citizens of Marion county. David F. Nichols was born in Foster township, Marion county, December 10, 1854, the son of David and Mary J. (Fos- ter) Nichols. The subject's father was born May 18, 1825, at Gilbertsville, New York. The subject's mother was born at Carlyle, Illinois, December 24, 1828. David Nichols was the son of David Nichols, of Bloom- field, Massachusetts, where he was bom, November 30, 1779. He married a Massa- chusetts lady and both are now deceased. He was a well-to-doi farmer. The subject's father had no chance to attend school after he was fifteen years old, but he studied at home and became fairly well educated. He came west and married in 1847, in Carlyle, Illinois. Shortly after this marriage he came to Marion county, Illinois, and settled in Foster township, where he bought wild land in section 23, consisting of two hun- dred acres, and he engaged in farming the remainder of his life. He was one of the nation's brave defenders in the sixties, hav- ing enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infanti-y, and sei-ved three years in such a gallant manner that he was made a lieutenant. He was discharged on account of ill health. He died February 8, 1878. His wife died No- vember 5, 1856. Fie married a second time, his last wife being Elizabeth Jones, a sister to his first wife. She died in May, 1905. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 397 He had four children In- his first wife, namely: Celia A., born December 6, 1847, the wife of Joseph F. Wilton, of Carlyle, Illinois; Frances L., born March 12, 1850, the wife of A. S. Bassett, of Sarita, Texas ; John D., bom June 25, 1852, and died in 1872; David Fillmore, the subject. Eig-ht children were born to the father of the sub- ject by his second wife, namely: Mary J., who was bom April 19, 1859, the wife of William Underwood, of Patoka, Illinois; Sarah P., bom December 10, 1861, who re- mained single, died August 9, 1884; Har- riett A., who was bom March 30, 1864, married Thomas Quayle, Jr., of Patoka, Illinois; William E. was bom April 10, 1866, and died young; Luther and Belle, twins, were born July 4, 1868, and are now both deceased? Clara' married Floyd Hatch, of Patoka township; Minnie married James Barnes, of Washington, both of these ladies are still living. The subject of this sketch was educated in the home schools and he lived at home until his marriage, November 22, 1881, to Mary Alice Hicklan, of Clinton county, Illi- nois, and a daughter of John and Amanda J. (Cox) Hicklan, both of Clinton county. Mr. Hicklan died in 1870; his widow still lives there. One son has been bom to the subject and wife, Ankney D., who was born January 19, 1883. He was educated in the home schools, where he made a splendid record and is living at home. He attended school at Alma for two terms. Also went to school at Effingham and Greenville, but he was compelled to give up his studies on ac- count of his eyes. The subject lived on the old home place in the old log house where he was born, until 1884, when he moved to where he now resides. He has made all the improvanents on the place and has a fine home and farm, his dwelling be- ing modem, commodious and nicely fur- nished. He is regarded as one of the best g^eneral fanners in the township and his fann shows thrift, good management and prosperity. It consists of two hundred and eighty acres of good land, with a large or- chard. In 1907 he went to Cameron county, Texas, where he purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land which he still owns. He has always been a farmer, and a good one. He is a Prohibitionist and has held several township offices. He is a member of the Christian church and he is well and most favorably known in Marion county, where he has achieved great success in his agricul- tural pursuits by reason of his industry and good management. SAMUEL MARION HOLT. The subject of this review, who, though past the meridian of life many years, is still in the same physical and mental vigor that have characterized his earlier years of en- deavor and he is almost as capable in bear- ing his part in the concerns of his neighbor- hood as he was in former days. Samuel Marion Holt is a native of Ma- .398 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- rion county, having been born in Foster township, June 25, 1845, the son of John F. Holt, who was bom in Georgia in 1806, and came to Marion county, Illinois, when a young man, where he took up government land in Foster township, settling on North Fork creek among the pioneers, there being then only four families here, the first settlers of this creek being Isaac Agan, Hardy Fos- ter, John F. Holt and Moses Garrett. The subject's grandfather was Harmon Holt, "who was born in Georgia and came to Ma- rion county, Illinois, where he died at a ripe old age. He was of Irish descent. Har- mon Holt's wife was named Ibby Holt, whom he married in G€orgia. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Elizabeth Jones, who was bom in the state of Dela- ware, and who came with her parents to St. Clair county, Illinois, when five years old. Eleven children were bom to the subject's parents, five of whom are living. They are : Martha, Henry, Mary, Matilda, Harmon, Salina, Samuel M., Sally, John D., Hardy F. (twins) and Isabelle. The Indians made a treaty with the gov- ■emment to hunt in the new country which was still partly a wildemess after his par- ents had come. Our subject spent his early life on his father's farni and attended the -common schools, such as they were in those -early days. When he reached maturity he married, on July 21, 1864, Susan F. Atkins, who was born in Marion county, July 16, 1847, the daughter of John Atkins, who was born in Franklin county, Tennessee. He moved to Alabama with his parents when a boy. He was about thirty years of age when he came to Illinois and took up gov- ernment land. He was the father of four children, an equal number of boys and girls. He spent the remainder of his life here, with the exception of the last fifteen years, dying at the age of seventy-three years, in Texas, where he had gone fifteen years previous. Our subject is the father of seven chil- dren, named in order of birth as follows: Mary M., who married Eli M. Arnold, liv- ing in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and who are the parents of five children; Margaret E., who married Oscar Chance, of Salem, Illinois, and who is the mother of six children; Emma F., who married James A. Arnold, living in Fort Worth, Texas, and the mother of two children; Rhoda A., who mar- ried Ed. Jones, of Salem, Illinois, and who is the mother of two children ; John A. was married to Maud Davis, December 13, 1908, and lives at home; the sixth child was an infant, who died unnamed; Lulu B., the youngest child, is the wife of Will Harkey, who lives in Fayette county, near St. Peter, this state, and she is the mother of one son. Our subject is the owner of a fine landed estate in Kinmundy township, consisting of three hundred and eighty-five acres, of well improved land, which he has successfully managed until it is one of the most valuable farms in the township, being under a high state of improvement and thei fields well fenced and well drained. Much good stock of various kinds is to be seen in the sub- ject's barns and fields, and he always keeps good horses, cattle and hogs. He has an ele- BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 399 gant and comfortable dwelling which is nicely furnished and is surrounded by a beautiful yard and convenient out-buildings, in fact, the entire place has an air of evident thrift and prosperity. Our subject is a Democrat in his political affiliations and he has long taken an active part in his party's afifairs. His wife is a devout Christian and a faithful mother, be- ing a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Holt is not a member of the church and does not hold to any Orthodox creed, yet he is a believer in good citizen- ship, honesty and fair dealing and is highly respected for his good citizenship. The different members of the family are well settled in life and highly esteemed in their respective communities. They reflect great credit upon their parents and no doubt will ever uphold the honor of the family name, which thus far has not been dimmed by the commission of a single unworthy act. SAMUEL MORRIS. The subject of this sketch is a farmer and the owner of good tracts of land in Foster and Kinmundy townships, Marion county, Illinois, which are cultivated in the high- est style and the stock which he rears on his farms is always of the very best. He is re- garded as one of the leading citizens of this locality because of his industry and his in- terest in public affairs. Samuel Morris was born in Kinmundy township, Marion county, September 5, 1852, the son of Jesse and Mary (White- side) Morris, the former a native of Clayton county, Illinois, and the latter a native of Tennessee. Thomas Morris, the subject's grandfather, was a native of Alabama. He married Elizabeth Jones, of Alabama, and they moved to Clinton county, Illinois, where Thomas died and his wife and Jesse, subject's father, came on to Marion county in 1844, and settled in Kinmundy town- ship. They bought forty acres of land on which the mother died. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Morris were : Wil- liam, John, Jesse, the subject's father, Lou- rana, Nancy, Hannah and Sarali. The subject's grandfather, Samuel White- sides, was a native of Tennessee. He moved with his family to Marion county, Illinois, in 1830, and located west of Kin- mundy, and in Kinmundy township they both died. He was a school teacher in his early years. They were the parents of these children : Quincy, Anna, Catherine, Margaret, Selica, Harriett, and Mary, mother of our sub- ject. The father of the subject attended the local schools at his home and he remained in Kinmundy township until his death in 1 88 1. He was a successful farmer. Al- though a loyal Democrat, he never held of- fice. He was a member of the Presbyterian chuixh. The mother of the subject, an ex- traordinai-y good woman, passed away, Au- gust 2, 1872. They were the parents of two sons and six daughters, namely : Sarah, deceased; Harriett, who married Henry Jackson, is living in Kinmundy township ; ' 400 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- Lucy, who married Moses Wainscot, lives in Kinmundy township; Elizabeth, who married William Jones, is deceased; Mary, who married Thomas Jones, is deceased; Margaret is deceased; William is liv- ing in Kinmundy township; Samuel, our subject. Samuel Morris attended the schools in his native community and remained at home until he was twenty-three years old. In December, 1875, he was married to Mary Eagan, of Foster township, Marion county, the daugh- ter of AVilliam and Martha (Holt) Eagan, natives of Tennessee. Her parents lived and died on a fann in Foster township. Two children have been bom tO' the subject and wife, May, the wife of Edward Kidder, of Fayette county, Illinois, who lives on a farm and who' is the father O'f these children; Elva, Josie, Dortha, Cleo, Marjie, John. The seventh child is deceased. The eighth child is Willey. The subject's second child is named Stella. She is married to Abby Cox, living near Cairo, 111. She was educated in the public schools of the county. In the spring of 1876 our subject settled on a farm in Kinmundy township, having bought a place which he worked until 1883, when he came to Foster township and pur- chased one hundred acres of valuable land in section 12, on which he made extensive improvements until it now ranks with the best farms in the county, being well tilled the soil not having been injured, always producing excellent crops. He has pros- pered by reason of his habits of econo- my and careful management until he now awns two farms, the other in Kinmundy township, consisting of one hundred and fourteen acres. These places grow abun- dant crops of hay, wheat, corn and oats. The subject raises large numbers of cattle and hogs, also other stock, including fine horses and good sheep. He carries on gen- eral farming with that discretion and ener- gy which always abundantly rewards the toiler. He has devoted his life to the free and independent life of the farm. He has long voted the Democratic ticket, but has not aspired to office. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Morris is held in hig-h esteem by all who know him and that includes most e^'e^'yone in Foster and Kinmundy townships, as well as a great many throughout the county, where he is regarded as one of its representative citi- zens. JOHN SAMUEL MARCH. No man in Raccoon township, Marion county, stands higher in the estimation of his fellow citizens than the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch, owing to the fact that his life has been so modu- lated as to result in the accomplishment of great good not only for himself and family, but also the community at large. John Samuel March was bom February 4. 1847, in Cleveland county. North Caro- lina, the son of John and Elizabeth (War- lick) March, both natives of that county. The mother's people were natives of Penn- BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTVT, ILLINOIS. 401 sylvania, while those of the father were of Scotch-Irish descent and Hved in the old Tar Heel state. The subject's father had only a limited education. He grew up and married in North Carolina, and in 1850 went to Smith county, Tennessee, where he purchased a farm on which he lived until i860, when he sold out and came to Marion county, Illinois, and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in section 35, Rac- coon township. It was partly in timber and had an old log house and stable on it. He bought the place of Stephen D. Hays. Here he worked and made a good living, and he died on this place in 1884, his wife having died in 1878. They were members of the Missionary Baptist church. He was a stanch Republican. To them five children were bom, namely : Mary married Thomas A. McNeilly, of Raccoon township ; Mar- garet first married David Whisnant and later George Williams. They are both deceased. Peter, who married Virginia E. Hays is de- ceased, and his widow married Isaac W. Mc- Bride, of Raccoon township. He is a farmer as was also Peter March; Elizabeth Jane, who married John Watson, died in California; John S., our subject, is the youngest child. The subject of this sketch had but little opportunity to attend school. He lived at home until he enlisted in the army. His patriotic fervor led him to give up the pleasures of home and enlist December 15, 1863, ill Company E, Sixty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he was discharged March 6, 1866. He was sent to Little Rock, 26 Arkansas, where he spent the winter doing guard duty while railroads were being con- structed. He went to Pine Bluffs, Arkan- sas, and was there until July, 1865. Then he went to Ft. Gibson, Cherokee nation, Indian Territory, where he remained until his discharge. He was a private all through the service, and he nearly lost his sight. His eyes are still very bad as a result of the disease contracted during his army career. On July 4, 1867, Mr. March was united in marriage with Harriett S. McColgin, of Raccoon township, Marion county, the daughter of Hamilton and Ruth (Morri- son) McColgin, natives of Tennessee. They came to Illinois early and settled in Raccoon township, section 27, and 1878 went to Newton county, Missouri, in which county they died, Mr. McColgin in the fall of 1902 and his wife in the spring of that year. They were the parents of nine children, namely : Sarah J., who married Milton McCaslin, lives in Newton county, Missouri; Harriett S., wife of our subject ; William died at the age of twenty-one years ; John lives in Okla- homa ; Mary is the wife of John Clark, liv- ing in Newton county, Missouri; Ella, who married Thomas Grimes, lives in Okla- homa; James, who is deceased, married Laura Maffitt; Nancy Jane is the wife of Cicero Hobson, of Newton county, Missouri ; Alice, the wife of Floyd McKee, also lives in Newton county, Missouri. Hamilton McColgin was a soldier in the Mexican war, enlisting at Salem, in the regiment with Gen. James S. Martin, marching across the des- ert to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and under- 402 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. going many hardships. The grandfather of Mrs. March, Joseph Morrison was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Nine children have been born to the subject of this sketch and wife, namely : Lillian E. mar- ried Richard Fowler, of Raccoon township, this county ; Laura Belle and Flora Jane are twins, the former married George A. Mercer, of Raccoon township ; Flora married Joseph C. Parkinson, also of Raccoon township; John W., the fourth child, lives in Evans- ville, Lidiana, and is general traffic manager of the Igleheart Milling Company of that city. He married Gertrude A. Hall ; Henry Franklin, the fifth child, is station agent of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company at Cartter, this state. He married Mabel Hodges. Mary A., the subject's sixth child, who has been a teacher for the past five years,' is living at home; Minnie Ruth is bookkeeper and stenographer for J. J. Bundy, an attorney at Centralia ; James Edgar, who married Gertrude Pearl Mor- ton, is a farmer in Raccoon township; Car- rie Maude is living at home. The children of the subject are all well educated. John W. and Mary A. attended school at Alma, this state, also Carbondale, Illinois, the for- mer having graduated at Dixon, this state. After his marriage the subject lived on the old homestead for one year and went to Newton county, Missouri, where he re- mained for about eleven years, carrying on farming and mining, making a success of each. He came back to Raccoon township and bought the old home place of one hun- dred and sixty acres in section 35, on which he has made all the improvements which are extensive and show good judgment. In 1900 Mr. March bought one-half interest in the Hall and Lawrence coal mine at Chan- dler, Indiana, which he sold out after suc- cessfully operating it for four years. The subject has always been a farmer and he at present carries on general farming and raises fine horses, mules, hogs and cattle, no small part of his income being derived from his live stock. He has been supervisor and school direc- tor. He is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 721, Blue Lodge at Dix, Illinois. He has held all of the stations. He is a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic at Dix. Mrs. March is a member of the Chris- tian church. They are popular and well liked in their neighborhood, known as hon- est and kindly disposed people. HENRY G. HOLT. The subject of this sketch has had a varied and, to a considerable extent, an eventful career, throughout which he has maintained unsullied his integrity and ex- emplified a character worthy of emulation. Henry G. Holt, the venerable and well known farmer of Foster township, Marion county, Illinois, was born on the old Holt homestead in Foster township, this county, December 28, 1830, the son of John F., and Elizabeth (Jones) Holt, both natives of Georgia. They came to Lebanon, Illinois, BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 403 in an early day. The subject's grandfather, Harmon Holt, a native of Georgia, married Isabelle Foster, of Georgia, and they were pioneers near Lebanon, Illinois. They later came to Marion county, where they secured wild land and were among the first settlers. He was always a farmer. Both he and his Avife died in this county, after rearing a large family. The subject's grandfather Jones, was also a native of Georgia, who came to Illinois and settled in Foster town- ship. He was a farmer, and he and his wife reared a large family, named as fol- lows : James, Samuel, Joseph, Thomas, Ra- chel, Polly, Elizabeth and Eli. John F. Holt, the subject's father, grew lip in Georgia and came north with his par- ents to Lebanon, Illinois, and in about 1827, came to Foster township, Marion county, settling among the pioneers in section 10. The subject's grandfather got two hundred and eighty acres of land, which was all wild. On this he erected a log house, where he lived and died, having improved the place. The following children were bom to the subject's father and mother: Martha, de- ceased, was the wife of William Eagan, who is also deceased; Heniy G., our sub- ject; Matilda was married first to Martin Hopkins and second to John Cox, the latter is deceased; Polly, who is deceased, mar- ried James Arnold, who is also deceased; Isabelle married Thomas Evans, and they are both deceased; Sarah married Jackson Lansford and they arei both deceased ; Sam- uel married Susan Atkins, of Kinmundy township; Davenport and Hardy, twins. the former is living in Oklahoma on a farm, the latter is deceased. The subject's father was always a farmer and made his home with his parents until his death. He held several township offices. He was a Democrat. He was long a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. They both died on the place where the sub- ject lives. When our subject was a boy there was only one school in Foster township and he had to go two miles to attend this. It was a subscription school. Our subject re- mained at home until he was twenty years of age. He was married in 185 1 to Esther Arnold, who was born in Alabama, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Arnold. They were reared in Alabama, and came to this county in about 1846, having lived in different places, finally locating in Foster township, where Mrs. Arnold died, her hus- band dying in Texas. He was a farmer. The subject's wife passed away October 29, 1907. Four children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Holt. They were the parents of nine children, four of whom grew to maturity, namely: Elizabeth, who married William Morris, a farmer in Kinmundy township; May Margaret is the wife of Wesley Doolen, of Foster township; John F., is living on the old homestead, and he is married to Lucy McConnell; Rhoena, who remained single, is deceased. After his marriage our subject and his wife located where he now lives, having re- mained here continuously to the present time. He carries on general farming in 404 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. such a manner as to gain a comfortable liv- ing and lay up an ample competency, being considered one of the leading agriculturists of the township. He raises all kinds of grain and hay and live stock. He raises Durham cattle, Poland China hogs and a good grade of horses. He formerly raised sheep. He has never had to buy corn to feed his stock, his place always producing an ample supply. His fine farm consists of two hundred acres. He at one time owned considerably more than this. His farm is kept in a fine state of improvement. Air. Holt has always voted the Democratic ticket and was at one time supervisor of Foster township. He is a member of the Metho- dist church and a liberal subscriber to the same. He started in life in a rather humble manner, but he was thrifty and a hard- worker and success has abundantly reward- ed his efforts and has reared his family in comfort. He is known to be a man of hon- esty in all his dealings with his fellow men and is one of the best known and most in- fluential citizens of Foster township. MRS. NANCY J. SEE. It is with pleasure that the biographer adverts to the life of the estimable lady whose name appears at the head of this sketch, for she is one of the much admired of the elderly women of her community, re- siding in a comfortable home in Kinmundy township, surrounded by all that could make the golden evening of her well spent life comfortable and happy, knowing that her life has been so lived that she can look back over her long and happy career with no compunction of conscience for misspent days. Mrs. Nancy J. See was born December lo, 1 83 1, five miles northwest of Odin, Ma- rion county, Illinois. Her mother and \M1- liam J. Bryan's grandmother were sisters. The husband of the subject was Michael See, a native of West Virginia, having been bom in Mason county, March 18, 1824. Michael See, the great-grandfather, was killed by the Wyandot and Shawnee In- dians, who also killed his grandfather, both of whom were buried at Point Pleasant, West Virginia. W^illiam See, uncle of our subject's husband, was in the War of 1812. All of his great uncles were Revolutionary soldiers and stanch American colonists. Michael See was twenty years old when he left Virginia and came with his mother, four brothers and several sisters to Marion county, Illinois, his father having died when he was five years old. He was one of nine children, five brothers and four sis- ters, all of whom reached maturity, mar- ried and raised families of their own. To Michael and Nancy See nine children were born, seven girls and two boys, whose names follow: Samuel R., Virginia, Sarah A., Leander, Nancy, Florence, Cornelia, Harriett and Clara. Mrs. See has three grandchildren. Our subject lives on a valuable and at- tractive farm, consisting of two hundred BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 405 and sixty acres, which comprised the old See homestead and which is one of the most desirable places to li\e in Kinmundy town- ship. The land has been under an excellent state of cultivation and the natural strength of the soil has been preserved; A com- fortable income is realized from the crops and stock which the place produces from year to year. The dwelling is substantial and surrounded by fine old shade trees, a good orchard and all that can make life worth living. Although Mrs. See is in her seventy-seventh year at this writing, 1908, she is hale and hearty and in full posses- sion of her mental powers and it is a de- light to hear her tell of the olden times, when the country was wild and unculti- vated, of the methods of making a living in those days which were, indeed, primitive compared with those of the opulent present. She is a Democrat in principle and is a great reader, keeping pace with the progress of the years and is well informed on political, religious, educational and scientific ques- tions of the day. Mrs. Nancy J. See is one of those sterling pioneer characters, whose like is now not frequently met with. She cooked for the first men who put the railroad through Marion county. Her peo- ple were Methodists, but she is a member of the Baptist church and has always taken a great interest in church work or in fact, anything that has had as its object the de- velopment of the public welfare in any way. One always feels better after sharing her optomistic spirit and basking in the genial sunshine of her nature. HARMON FOSTER. The subject of this sketch is an enter- prising farmer of Foster township, Marion county, where he has spent his long and use- ful life, being closely associated with its material welfare. A thorough agriculturist, whose career happily illustrates what indus- try can accomplish when properly applied and intelligently directed. Harmon Foster was born in Foster town- ship, July 5, 1840, the son of Hardy and Mary (Jones) Foster, both natives of Georgia, who came north to Illinois with their parents when children, settling near Lebanon, where they grew up and married. Hardy Foster was always a farmer. They came to Marion county, this state, in 1823, and settled in section 17, Foster township. There was not a white settler at that time in the township which was named for this family. Red men and wild beasts were their neighbors. Mr. Foster put up a rail pen in which to live, later he put up a log cabin, then a comfortable house. The nearest set- tler was eight miles. He had seven hun- dred acres of land. He is described as a physical giant, over six feet tall, large, rugged and strong. He took an active part in politics and was a member of the legis- lature from 1837 to 1840, and did much toward strengthening the legal statutes of those times. He was a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in 1863, his widow surviving until 1875. Eleven children were born to them, namely: Martha, Mahala, Sallie, all de- 4o6 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ceased; John was captain of Company D, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. He was wounded at Ft. Mc- Alister, having been shot through the neck. He died in 1874. William, the fifth child, was a stock dealer who lived at Kinmundy, this county, and who is now deceased ; Annie died young; Isabelle, who married Benja- min A. Morgan, is deceased; Thomas died young; Polly was killed by guerillas in Missouri; Harmon, our subject; Bettie mar- ried Thomas Neville, of Kinmundy. The subject of this sketch attended the subscription schools and received a limited education. He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. He was married November 20, 1867, to Lucinda Hathaway, of Patoka township, Marion county, and a daughter of Leonard and Louisa (Wright) Hathaway, both natives of Tennessee, the former of Giles county, the latter of Maury county. Mr. Hath- away moved to Marion county, Illinois, in 1825, and Mrs. Hathaway followed in 1829, she coming with her parents; Mr. Hathaway came with his mother and her family. They first settled in Clinton county, Illinois, near Boulder. Mrs. Foster's par- ents married in Clinton county in 1837, in which year they located in Patoka town- ship, Marion county, first settling on the Warrington place, later he secured three hundred and sixty acres of wild land. He was a successful farmer. He died in 1875, at the age of sixty-two years, and his wife died in 1896, at the age of seventy-six. They were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Eight children were bora to them who grew to maturity, namely : Nancy, John, both deceased; James is living with the subject and wife; Lucinda, the sub- ject's wife; William is a retail merchant at Sandoval, Illinois; Joseph is living with the subject and wife; George W. died in July, 1903 ; Harrison E., who is in the dairy busi- ness at Peoria, Illinois. Four children have been born to the sub- ject and wife, namely : Mary L., wife of E. L. Stevens, of Tonti, Illinois, and the mother of five children, Clarie, Arthur, Paul, Leona and Emma; Lizzie is the wife of E. N. Norris, of Patoka, Illinois, who is a photographer, and they have four children, Ideline, Halvern, Ralph and Winfred; Flora L. is the wife of F. M. Griffin, a farmer in Foster township, and she is the mother of two sons, Marion F. and Lester W. : Arthur Hardy died in 1885. After the subject's marriage he located on his present place and built the comfortable and beautiful home in 1880, where he now resides. He has made all the improvements on the place which is equal to any in the township, producing excellent crops from year to year. He has one hundred and twenty-three acres in section 8. He has always been a farmer and is regarded as one of the best in Foster township. He carries on general farming and stock rais- ing, always owning some fine stock of vari- ous kinds. He has been prominent in local politics for many years, being a Democrat. He was Tax Collector and School Trustee and has BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 407 held other minor ofifices. He is a faithful member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. No people in this township are more popular than Mr. and Mrs. Foster, who are industrious and honest in all their relations with their neighbors. JAMES W. ARNOLD. The subject of this sketch is a citizen of Foster township, Marion county, and he is so loyal to what he considers his duty that no personal consideration will deter him from its accomplishment. It is such worthy citizens as Mr. Arnold who have made this county the productive and prosperous region that it is today. James W. Arnold was born in section 9, Foster township, February 14, 1847, the son of John Wesley Arnold, who was born in Alabama, he the son of John Arnold, of Georgia. He married Elizabeth Webb and they came to Illinois, settling near Charles- ton in 1825, where they remained for one year, when they went back to Alabama. Twelve years later they located near Leba- non, Illinois, where they remained until 1844, when they moved to Foster township, Marion county, buying land there. Later they went to Ellis county, Texas, where Mr. Arnold died in 1887, at the age of eighty- seven years. His wife died in Foster town- ship, this county. Mr. Arnold was a farmer and also owned a mill. The following chil- dren were born to them: William; Nancy, of Cairo, Illinois; John W., Joseph; Adeline, who is living in Missouri ; Margaret, Esther, Ivey, living in Oklahoma; James A., Felix, Nathan of Texas; Fletcher was killed at Atlanta, Georgia, during the Civil war. John Wesley Arnold married Nancy Jones, of Foster township, Marion county, the daughter of James and Laura Jones. He settled in section 9, Foster township, where he secured wild land and made a home. He was always a farmer and stock raiser and owned five hundred acres of good land. He was active in politics, being a Re- publican, and was at one time Supervisor of Foster township. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was born in 1820 and his death occurred in 1889. His wife was born in 1827 and died in February, 1905. Seven children were born to them as follows: James W., our subject; Mary E., who married Alexander Mussey, living near Vernon, Illinois; John I. is living re- tired in Foster township; Elizabeth married John Doolen, living at Kinmundy, this county; Joseph T. lives at Kinmundy; Eli M. is in the oil business at Shawnee, Okla- homa; Rosie E. married Isom W. Doolen, living at Vernon, this county. James W. Arnold, our subject, attended the home schools. He remained a member of the family circle until his marriage, No- vember 18, 1869, to Permelia J. Robb, who was born in Kinmundy township, the daughter of Samuel and Agnes Pruitt, who were pioneers of this county and who died here. The following children have been born to the subject and wife : Cyrus Elmer, 4o8 BRINKERI-IOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. a farmer in Foster township, who married Ann Green and who has one child, Gladys; Samuel W., living in section 3, Foster township, was married first to Jennie Green, and his second wife was Isabelle Nichols. He had two children by his first wife, Doris and Dale, and two children by his second wife, Thelma and an infant bom in 1908. Lola Etta is the name of the subject's third child, who is the wife of Cyrus Green, of Foster township, and the mother of four children. Glen, Lovell, Anna and Russell; Orin M., graduate of the Business College of Dixon, Illinois, married Laura Garrett, of Foster township, is farming and they have two children, Florence and Harold D. The subject's children were educated in the home schools, receiving careful mental train- ing, and they all give much promise of suc- cessful futures. After Mr. Arnold's marriage he lived on the old home place for two years when he bought the place where he now lives, con- sisting of one hundred and eighty-three acres. He at one time owned considerably more but gave it to his children. Besides his farming Mr. Arnold successfully oper- ated a saw mill for a while. He also managed a store at Lester, Illinois, for two years and was also successful in this venture. He was postmaster of that town, giving en- tire satisfaction to all concerned. He made all the improvements of his farm which now ranks among the best in Marion county. He has a most excellent and valuable apple and peach orchard, consisting of forty acres, also of small fruits. He carries on general C5 farming and stock raising. He is active in politics, being a Republican, and he has filled all the township offices. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his fraternal relations he is a Mason, the Blue Lodge, No. 398, at Kinmundy, Illi- nois. Mr. Arnold is well known through- out Marion county for his industry and his honesty in dealing with his fellow men. JOSEPH \\^ESLEY ATKINS. The entire life of our subject has been spent within the borders of Marion county, where he commands uniform confidence and esteem in the community in which he has lived and labored, not only for his own advancement but also that of the gen- eral public here. Joseph W^esley Atkins, better known as "Doc" Atkins, was born March 22. 1858, in Foster township, this county, the son of Nathan D. and Mary (Garrett) Atkins, the former having been born in 181 7 and the latter in Georgia in 1829. The subject's father came ^^•ith his mother Avhen a small boy to St. Clair county. Illinois, where the mother died, then Nathan came to Marion county in an earl}- da}- and secured wild government land in Foster township, where he developed a good farm and where he died in 1880, his wife having sur\-ived him until 1907. Nathan Atkins was a well- known farmer and was liked by everyone in his community. He was a Democrat, but BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 409 never held office. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The subject's grandfather, Moses Garrett, was a native of Georgia. He married Hannah Morris, of that state. He came to Illinois and bought unimproved land which he de- veloped, devoting his life to farming. He was a public man and for many years Jus- tice of the Peace' and a loyal Democrat. Both he and his wife are sleeping the sleep of the just. To them were bom the follow- ing children, Winnie, Thomas, Mary, James, Sarah, Elizabeth, Cynthia, Benjamin and Frances. The following children were bom to Nathan Atkins and wife: Moses B., deceased; John W., deceased; Thomas B., died in Texas; Margaret F., deceased; Jo- seph W., our subject; George L., deceased; Richard M., of Kinmundy, Illinois; Hannah C, of Kinmundy township; Mary E., who is single and living on the old home place; Cynthia C. is also living on the old home place; Nathan L., deceased. The subject of this sketch was educated in the home schools, remaining a member of the family circle until he was married, February i, 1881, to Harriett Doolen, of Foster township, and the daughter of Ben- jamin Doolen, one of the pioneers of Ma- rion county. He married Laura (usually called Ann) Jones, who passed to her rest March 30, 1894. In 1881 the subject located in section 2, Foster toA\'nship, where he remained for a period of five years, and in 1886 moved to where he now lives in the same section of this township. The land was then wild, but being a hard worker he soon had the land well improved and built a comfortable and substantial home and convenient out-build- ings. He now owns one hundred and forty acres of excellent land which is very pro- ductive and yields a comfortable living and he carries on general farming and stock raising. He is a good judge of all kinds of live stock and no small part of his in- come is derived from his sale of stock. Mr. Atkins has never aspired to public office, being content to merely cast his vote with the Democratic party. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Atkins is considered among the leading young farmers of Foster township and a man of excellent habits and good reputa- tion for honest dealing and clean living. SAMUEL W. JONES. The honored subject of this sketch is a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of Marion county and is personally identified with the industrial interests of this section of the state where he has spent his life, being the owner of a fine farming property in Kinmundy township. Samuel W. Jones was born in Marion county, Illinois, September 15, 1858, and he has preferred to spend his entire life within the borders of the same, where he believed he would ha^'e better advantages among the people where the Jones family had long been noted for their industry and 4IO BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. honesty, than he would have in other coun- ties of this or any other state of our great Union. He is the son of Jackson C. and Margaret (Whiteside) Jones. A history of the subject's father and mother and their ancestry will be found under the head of James R. Jones, whose sketch appears in another part of this volume. Our subject received his early education in the district schools where he applied hin> self in a diligent manner to his books and received a fairly good education, having fed a large herd of his father's cattle in the meantime. He left school at the age of nineteen and began farming, which enter- prise he has since been identified with and which he has made a great success, being recognized today as one of the leading ag- riculturists of his community. He has pros- pered until he has become the owner of a valuable farm ■ consisting of one hundred and thirty-five acres. His land is under a high state of cultivation and the soil has been kept in a very good condition through proper management until excellent crops are reaped from it year by year, the sub- ject being thus enabled to make a comfort- able living and also lay by something for the future. He has a good income also from his stock, being especially interested in the raising of Poland China hogs and Shropshire sheep, both being noted for their excellent quality, for Mr. Jones certainly understands the successful handling of stock. He has a nice, modern and com- fortable dwelling and a large number of good outbuildings, in fact everything about his place shows excellent management and prosperity. Our subject was united in marriage Sep- tember 20, 1877, to Hannah Atkins, who was bom in Foster township, Marion coun- ty, December 24, 1861, the daughter, of Nathan Atkins, who was born August 28, 18 1 7, in Alabama. He came to Illinois when a young man and took up govern- ment land, cleared a farm which he contin- ued to work the rest of his life and on which he reared a family of twehe children, eight boys and four girls, five of whom are still living. Their names are James, Moses, John, Thomas, Barbara, Margaret, George, all deceased : Joseph, Richard, Hannah, Eliza- beth and Catherine, all living. Nathan At- kins has long since passed to his rest. He married Mary Garrett, the daughter of Moses and Hannah Garrett, pioneers of this county. Our subject- and wife are the parents of three living children and one child that is dead. Their names are, Charles \"\\, M'il- liam O., deceased; Bessie C, and Mary J. Charles W. Jones married Susie Pearson, and they have one son, named Carroll G. William Pearson, the fatlier of Charles W. Jones's wife, was born in Alarion county. Her mother's name was Emiline Anglin, who was also boni in this county, ^^'illiam Pearson was the father of six children, two boys and four girls. Mrs. Hannah Jones was educated in the countiy schools of this county where she diligently applied herself until she \\-as sixteen years of age when she was married to our subject who was nine- BRINKERHOFf'S history of MARION COUNTYj ILLINOIS. 411 teen. She is a good housewife and mother, of a cheerful disposition and is beloved by all who know her for her many beautiful traits of character. Our subject, while not a member of any church, is a believer of the principles of Christianity and good government. He is a stanch Democrat and his support can al- ways) be depended upon when any measures looking to the public good are at issue. THE BRYAN FAMILY. (By Mrs. Anna Torrence.) In giving the genealogy of the Bryan family, who have long been considered among the most noted and highly esteemed of Marion county, Illinois, there are some characteristics which the reader will at once note as being particularly strong and plainly marked throughout the entire line- age. First, as a family whose veracity is never questioned ; second, they are noted for being strictly honest in every detail of social, political and business life; third, those who are Christians are very devoted, believing emphatically in a prayer hearing and prayer answering God, believing that He guides man in every right act of life. The pub- lishers of this work are glad to be able to give their readers an insight into the life records of this remarkable family and can state with all authenticity that the sketches contained herein are to be relied upon. William Bryan, the great-grandfather of Hon. William J. Bryan, was born in Eng- land and was married there, having come to America before the Revolutionary war, set- tling in Culpeper county, Virginia. Five children were born to them, namely : James, John, Aquilla, Francis and Elizabeth. James moved to Barren county, Kentucky. Aquilla went to Ohio. One of the girls mar- ried a man named Baldwin. Nothing fur- ther is known of these families at present. John Bryan, the second son and grand- father of Hon. William J. Bryan, was born in 1790. In 1807 he married Nancy Lillard, a representative of one of the finest old southern families of Virginia, and she is re- membered as a very refined and cultured woman, endowed with more than ordinary intelligence. In 1828 they moved to Cobal county, Virginia, and lived there two years. From there they moved to Mason county, Virginia, where they lived and passed to their rest and where they lie buried. To them ten children were born. The oldest, William W., was born in 1808. He mar- ried Emily Smith and about 1838 moved to Lincoln county, Missouri, near Troy. They were the parents of four children, namely: William Hamilton, John J., Callie and Vir- ginia. WiUiam W. Bryan reached an old age and died a few years ago, his wife fol- lowing him to the other shore only a few months later. William H. Bryan is an honored and respected citizen of Troy, Mis- souri, and he has a nice Christian family. Callie and Virginia are noble Christian women. John J. is deceased. John J. 412 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Brj^an, Sr., died in early manhood. Howard died in infancy. Jane, the oldest daughter, married Joseph Cheney, a wealthy hat man- ufacturer of Gallipolis, Ohio. She was left a widow with six small childixn whom she reared to be useful women and men. Their names were : Robert, Mary, Russell, Linna, Harriet and Emma. She spent the last few years of her life at various places, wherever she preferred to stay, spending seven years with the family of Judge Silas L. Bryan. The last three years of her life she lived with Mrs. Mollie Webster, one of her nieces, whom she comforted in her early widow- hood. She was the idolized aunt around whom all the nieces and nephews clustered, who regarded her as an earthly saint. She was never heard to utter an unkind word against any of God's creations. The night she was called from earth she praised God aloud with every shortening breath. Nancy Bryan married George Baltzell and moved to Walnut Hill, Illinois, where she died. Two sons were born to them, Silas L. and Russell B. Both are active business men, the former living at Ham- mond, Louisiana, and the latter at Cen- tralia, Illinois. Nancy is described as a very handsome woman, refined and cul- tured. To her early training, motherly care and prayers, Judge Silas L. Bryan owed much of his success in life. Martha Bryan married Homer Smith, of Gallipolis, Ohio, and moved to Illinois. She was left a A\-i(low with two small girls, Jane and Mar}-. She was called from earth before the girls were grown. Jane made her home with Russell Bryan and Mary with Judge Bryan's family. Jane was a suc- cessful school teacher for several years. The mother was a very devoted Christian and always had family prayers and is today a sainted mother. The youngest daughter, Mary, now Mrs. Mollie Webster, has been a widow several years. She manages a large farm very successfully, and she is a great temperance and church worker. She has been county president of the White Ribbon Anny for a number of years and is also treasurer of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in the Twenty-first Con- gressional District of Illinois. It was she who taught Hon. \\^illiam J. Bryan his little infant prayers. She taught and trained him in his first boyhood speeches. When he was in Salem once visiting his old home they re- viewed some of the scenes and incidents of their interesting childhood days. Dr. Robert Bryan was killed in a steam- boat explosion. Silas L. Bryan, father of Hon. William J. Bryan, was born in Culpeper Court House, Virginia, in 1822. He came to Illi- nois in 1842, where he lived, died and was buried. He worked on a farm at nine dollars a month, saving his money to defra}- his ex- penses at ]\IcKendree College. During the winter while at college he would chop wood on Saturdays to help pay expenses. Many of his colleagues made fun of him, but in after }-ears many of them, came to borrow money of him and to seek his legal advice. He was a man of sterling qualities, the kind that alwa\'s make for success when risfhth' and BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 413 persistently applied. He was a very devout Christian, always had family prayers, and he promised the Lord if He would prosper him to get through college he would pray three times a day the rest of his life. This promise he faithfully kept, praying morn- ing and evening at his home, and at noon wherever he happened to be. He would drop on his knees and ask God's blessings. He was a member of the Marion county bar for a period of thirty years, a member of the State Senate for eight years, and for twelve years was Circuit Judge of this judicial district. He was a member of the convention that framed the present state constitution of Illinois. He was a man of unusual tact, shrewdness, soundness of judgment and force of character, and it was from him that Hon. William J. Bryan in- herited his gift of oratory and his brilliant intellect. He imbued the boy with lofty ideals and taught him by example and pre- cept how to make a grand and noble man. Silas L. Bryan married Mariah Elizabeth Jennings, a woman of many praiseworthy traits and a devoted Christian wife and mother. She gave the best part of her life to the care of her family. She was truly "a mother in Israel." To this union were born nine children, namely: John H., Virginia, William J., Russell, Harry, Frances, Charles, Nancy and Mary. John and Vir- ginia 4ied within six weeks of each other when young. William J. was bom March 17, i860. He was taught at home until ten years of age, after which he attended the public schools for five years, during which time he gave evidence of being a most pre- cocious child and one to whom the future augured great things. He afterward at- tended college at Jacksonville, Illinois, where he made a brilliant record for both scholarship and deportment. He then studied law in Chicago in the office of Ly- man Trumbull, making rapid progress from the first. He was admitted to the bar and successfully practiced for some time, finally entering the political arena, since which time his career has been too meteoric to need reviewing here, since his record is well known to all, and is given in detail in an- other part of this volume. Russell Bryan died in early manhood. Frances has a nice comfortable home in Shaw, Mississippi, and is a jolly, whole-souled woman, loved by everyone. Charles is a very successful busi- ness man in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nancy is a quiet, refined and modest girl. She was at one time William J.'s private secretary. Mary, the youngest of the family, became a successful school teacher. She has winning ways and is a great favorite. Russell Bryan, the youngest brother of Judge Bryan, came to Salem in 1841. He was familiarly known to all as "Uncle Russ," being well known throughout the county. He was endowed with a wonderful memory. Often when dates or records of events seemed obscure he was referred to, and sel- dom failed to give the correct names, dates or places desired. He had stock scales in Sa- lem for thirty years, or since 1878, and his weights were never questioned. He never went in debt for anything, and he never had 414 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. a law suit, and as a result of his upright life he was honored and respected by all who knew him. He married Amanda L. Tully, who was always a very bright and active woman, a fine financier and business woman of unusual ability and acumen. Twelve children have been bom to this union as follows: Anna E., Alice J., John E., Lewis O., Andrew R., Mark T., Silas L., Rosa A. The ninth in order of birth died in infancy. Minnie M. was next in order; then Emma A. and Adis M. Anna chose the teacher's profession when quite young. She success- fully taught for twenty-four years, and after she became a widow and had reached the meridian of life attended one of the state normals and graduated therefrom, since which time she taught in a normal train- ing school in Chicago and later in Salem. Alice J. is a very domestic woman, and her's is one of the coziest homes in Salem. She is a natural artist and at one time was quite a cultured singer. John E. is a prosperous lawyer in Salem. He was a school teacher for many years, and has served as Master in Chancery for eight years. He is noted ioT his honor and integrity. (A fuller sketch of John E. Bryan appears elsewhere in this volume.) Lewis O. is a lawyer at Van Buren, Arkansas, and is quite wealthy. He is noted for his true philanthropy and is the poor man's friend. Andrew R. lives in Salem and is highly esteemed by all who know him. Mark T. died when six years old. Silas L. died in infancy. Rosa A. lives a mile from Van Buren, Arkansas, on a fine fruit farm. She is a woman of thrift and has a bright, interesting family. Min- nie M. is a resident of Indianapolis. Emma A. resides in Centralia, this county. Adis M. is in the real estate business at Van Buren, Arkansas, and has become noted as a politician. Elizabeth Bryan, the judge's youngest sister, married George Baltzell, and they live at Deer Ridge, St. Louis county, Mis- souri. She is the mother of the following children, namely: Anna, Albert, Florence, Edwin. The last named died while in col- lege. They are influential and highly re- spected in their community. Thus it is no wonder that this family should become so useful and influential and should be leaders of society in its various phases, when we consider how they have kept the even tenor of their way, how they were reared in "the fear and admonition of the Lord," and how they have kept the faith of their worthy ancestors, maintaining in all the relations of life that strict in- tegrity and loyalty of principle to lofty ideals and honorable records in private, commercial, professional and public life. The influence for good to humanity and the amelioration of the human race of such a noble family is too far-reaching and in- scrutable to be measured or contemplated with any degree of accuracy. Truly such characters are as "a shining light which grows more and more unto the perfect day," purifying, refining, strengthening and en- couraging the wayworn traveler on life's rugged steeps, teaching the less courageous that he who would ascend to the heights BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 415 of life where the purer atmosphere that in- spires the souls of men may be breathed, must be true, loyal, ambitious, energetic, honorable and of indomitable energy J. E. BRYAN. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch has long enjoyed prestige as a lead- ing citizen of the community in which he resides, and as an official against whose record no word of suspicion was ever uttered he has been for years an important factor in the history of Marion county, Illinois. His prominence in the community is the di- rect and legitimate result of genuine merit and ability, and in every relation, whether in the humble sphere of private citizenship or as a trusted public official, his many ex- cellencies of character and the able and im- partial manner in which he discharged his every duty won for him an enviable repu- tation as an enterprising and representative self-made man. He was for some time a prominent figure at the local bar, but desir- ing the more prosaic routine of the abstrac- ter, he abandoned the legal profession and has for many years successfully conducted an abstract office in Salem, being known throughout the county in this line of work. J. E. Bryan was born two and one-half miles north of Salem, July 4, 185 1, the son of A. R. Bryan, a native of Virginia and a fine old southern gentleman, who came to Illinois when a boy. He was a tanner by trade and after a busy, successful and hon- orable career passed to his rest in 190 1. He lived first at Shawneetown, then at Mt. Vernon, later at Walnut Hill, then at Salem, where he spent the balance of his life. The mother of the subject was Amanda Tully, whose people came from Tennessee and were among the first settlers in Marion county, having come here when the prairies were overrun by red men and wild beasts, but they were people of sterling qualities and surmounted every obstacle, winning a com- fortable home as a result of their habits of industry and economy. The maternal grandfather of the subject was the first Sheriff of Marion county. This family con- sisted of twelve children, nine of whom are living in 1908, namely: Mrs. Anna Tor- rence, who resides on the old homestead, where the mother of the subject was bom, in Salem; Mrs. Alice J. Kite, who is also living at the old homestead in Salem; J. E., our subject; Lewis O., living in Van Buren, Arkansas; Andrew R., of Salem; Mrs. Rosa Kagy, living in Arkansas; Mrs. Minnie Fisher, of Indianapolis, Indiana; Mrs. Emma Shepherd, of Centralia, Illinois; Ad- is, living at Van Buren, Arkansas. The mother of the subject, who was a woman of many praiseworthy traits, passed to her rest several years ago. Mr. Bryan's father, A. R. Bryan, was a brother of Silas Biyan, father of W. J. Bryan. J. E. Bryan was reared in Salem, and he preferred to risk his fortunes in his native community rather than see uncertain success in other fields, consequently he has spent his 4i6 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. life right here at home. He attended the common schools at Salem, applying himself most diligently to his text books and at the age of twenty began to read law, making rapid progress from the first, and in 1876 he was admitted to' practice, his success be- ing instantaneous and he soon became widely known as an able practitioner in all the local courts; but after twenty years of arduous work at the bar, during which time he built up an extensive business and won the unqualified confidence and esteem of a large clientele and of his brothers in the legal profession, he abandoned the law and opened an abstract office in Salem since since which time he has devoted his time and attention to this business with gratify- ing success as indicated above. In his fra- ternal relations Mr. Bryan is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Bryan was married in 1876 to Jo- sephine W. Pace, a native of Salem and the accomplished representative of an old and highly respected family. No children have been bom to this union. Something of the confidence which the people of Salem repose in our subject will be gained when we learn that he has been School Treasurer of Salem township for over thii-ty years at the time of this writing, 1908. He has devoted much attention to the development of the local public school system with the result that much has been accomplished toward making the Salem schools equal to any in the country. Mr. Bryan was also Master in Chancery for Marion county for a period of eight years. which responsible position he filled with great credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction to all concerned. In business he has always been successful and is at present one of the stockholders of the Salem State Bank. He has ever had the welfare of his community at heart and has always been found willing to devote his time to any movement looking to the development of the public weal, and as a result of his genuine worth, his pleasing demeanor, integrity of principal and honesty of purpose, he is to- day recognized as one of Marion county's foremost citizens. RICHARD J. HOLSTLAW. Among the best known and highly re- spected families of Marion county is found the one bearing the name that forms the caption of this article. Richard J. Holstlaw was born in this county on the 3d of April, 1837. He still lives on the farm where he was bom and during this span of life he has witnessed most wonderful changes in the progress and development of the country. ilr. Holstlaw is descended from those hardy pioneers that crossed the mountains into Kentucky and Tennessee, blazing the way through the wilderness, opening up for colonization and occupancy the rich hunting grounds south of the Ohio. This tide of immigrants gradually worked its way westward and northward, crossing the Ohio into Indiana and Illinois and blending here R. J. HOLSTLAW. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 417 with the settlers coming from Pennsylvania, New York and New England. Our subject's father, Daniel S. Holstlaw, was born near Glasgow, Kentucky, in 18 13, toward the close of the second war with England. The treaty at the conclusion of this war stimulated the westward movement and when Daniel was eight years old he came to Paoli, Indiana, with his parents. His mother, Ruth (Middleton) Holstlaw, a native of Tennessee, was the eleventh of fourteen children and came to Marion county, IlHnois, in 1833. At the age of nineteen years, Daniel Holstlaw left the Hoosier state and immigrated to Marion county, Illinois. Here he entered a claim and also purchased some land, paying seven dollars per acre. At this time the country was still in its primitive state, and the six children, o-f whom our subject was the sec- ond, became quite familiar with early day methods of getting along. Among other things that Mr. Holstlaw relates are his school experiences. The ex- pense of paying for an instructor was met on the subscription plan, and all the neigh- bors joined in to obtain the privilege of a schooling for their children. Wild game of all kinds still abounded in the forests and furnished part of the food for the settlers. One morning Mr. Holstlaw counted thirty- seven deer — after a night when the prairie was on fire, when they could be seen clearly — ^to say nothing of other game, so abundant then, but so rarely seen now. When we re- flect over to the fact that such a span of years has witnessed so great a contrast be- 27 tween the present conditions and those of that day, it seems almost a fiction. Yet one needs but to ponder over the wonderful changes of the last decade to convince him that we are even now already in the shadow of what will- come tomorrow. While now the traction engine pulls the series of break- ing plows rapidly through the sod, Mr. Holstlaw recalls the time when he followed the four yoke of patient oxen that com- posedly drew through the virgin soil the hand-made plow of hickory wood. Today the hay-loader puts the sweet-scented prod- uct of the meadow on the wagon and at the driver's feet, while then the dogwood fork, whittled by hand, was the only tool avail- able. Fur and hides were hauled to St. Louis, seventy-five miles away, and court was held in a log structure at the county seat of Salem. We shall now turn our attention to the domestic relations of our subject. In 1863 he was joined in marriage to Mary (Gag- ger) Barry. This union, though happy, was destined to be brief, for ere long the young wife was called hence, followed soon after by her infant child. On July 18, 1869, Mr. Holstlaw took as his second wife Ra- chel Barry, this union resulting in the birth of the following children : Efifie "I., who became the wife of Louis Barksdale; the son is Forrest D., the second daughter of the family, Carrie A., has become the wife of Walter K. Shook. In his political affiliations Mr. Holstlaw has adhered to the Democratic party, and he is a devoted member of the Cumberland 411 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Presbyterian church. He and his wife are well known in the entire community as ex- emplary and worthy citizens. THE SCHW'ARTZ BROTHERS. Eminent business talent is composed of a combination of high mental and moral at- tributes; although these are essential, there must be sound judgment, breadth of capa- city and rapidity of thought, justice and firmness, the foresight to perceive the course of the drifting tides of business and the will and ability to control them. The sub- jects of this review afford a striking exem- plification of this talent, in a very high order of development and of such character as to gain them worthy prestige in business cir- cles and positions of commanding influence. The Schwartz brothers, Joseph and Frank, are not only twins but their lives and interests have been so closely inter- woven, their purposes and ideals so nearly identical and their achievements of such similar character that the history of one is practically the history of both. As the name indicates the Schwartz fam- ily is of German origin, the subject's father, Bernard Schwartz, having been a native of Luxemburg, where his ancestors had lived for many generations. When a young man Bernard Schwartz came to the United States and located at Worcester, Massa- chusetts, where he worked for some years at the tailor's trade and where in due time he married Christina Lacroix, who was also of German birth. Disposing of his inter- ests in Massachusetts in 1855 he moved to Salem, Illinois, where he opened a shop and conducted a very successful tailoring busi- ness for a number of years, the meanwhile by judicious investments and careful man- agement becoming the possessor of a large amount of valuable property in various parts of Marion county, and earning the reputation of an enterprising and praise- worthy citizen. From 1868 until his death in the year 1906 Bernard Schwartz lived a life of honorable retirement, but kept in close touch with business matters, amassed considerable wealth and for a number of years was classed with the financially solid and reliable men of Salem. He was a fine type, of the successful German-American, possessed to a marked degree of the ster- ling qualities for which his nationality is distinguished, did much to promote the ma- terial interests of his adopted city and his death was deeply lamaited by all who knew him. Bernard and Christina Schwartz were earnest and devout Catholics in their religious belief and trained their children in the faith of the Holy Mother church, to the teaching of which they have been ever trae and loyal. Their oldest child, a daughter, by the name of Flora, is the wife of Mi- chael Berens, and lives in Salem ; the twins, Frank and Joseph being the next in order of birth; Christine died when four years of age and Bernard, the }'oungest of the fami- ily, a young man of fine business ability and high social standing, departed this life on BRINKIlRHOFF S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 419 the 15th day of January, 1907. Like his older brothers, Bernard Sch^^•artz pos- sessed much more than ordinary powers of mind and had reached an important and in- fluential position in the business world, when his brilliant and promising- career was untimely terminated by the stern hand of death. He was a graduate of the Salem high school with the honors of his class, after which he took a pharmaceutical course in which he became especially proficient and for a number of years served on the State Board of Pharmacy, to which position he was first appointed by Governor Tanner, and later by Governor Yates and had not death intervened he doubtless could have held the place indefinitely as Governor De- neen signified his intention of reappointing fiim a short time prior to his demise. Joseph and Frank Schwartz, to a brief re- view of whose cai-eer the reader's attention is here respectfully invited, were born on August 29th, of the year 1859, in Salem, and spent their childhood and youth in their native town. As indicated in a preceding paragraph their lives having been passed itnder similar circumstances were in most respects strikingly similar, nevertheless to a better understanding of the purposes and ambitions of each it is deemed proper to give their early lives separately. Joseph Schwartz was reared under ex- cellent home influences and during his youth received from his parents a thorough instruction in the basic principles of moral- ity and correct conduct so that while a mere ]ad he became so imbued with these princi- ples as to make them a rule by which his sub- sequent life should be governed. At the prop- er age he entered the public schools of Sa- lem and in due time completed the pre- scribed course of study graduating from the high school with the class of 1877. Ac- tuated by a laudable desire for a more thor- ough scholastic training he subsequently became a student of the State University at Champaign, where he prosecuted his studies and researches until 1881 when he was graduated with an honorable record, im- mediately after which he engaged in the drug business with his brother Frank, their place of business being the store room on the site originally occupied by the house in which he was born. By diligent attention and successful man- agement the Schwartz brothers soon built up a large and lucrative patronage and it was not long until they led the drug busi- ness in Salem, their establishment being the largest and most popular of the kind not only in the city but in the county. From the beginning the enterprise prospered be- yond their highest expectations and proved the source of an ample income which being judiciously invested in due time placed them on the high road to fortune. Frank Schwartz, like his brother, spent his early life pretty much after the manner of the majority of town lads but unlike many was not permitted to eat of the bread of idleness, during the formative period of his character when fancy paints with glow- ing colors the future and holds out to the unwary those pleasures which have no sub- 420 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. stantial foundation and which if identified invariably terminate in regret and remorse. Under the griidance of his parents he grew up to the full stature of well rounded man- hood with a proper conception of life and its duties and responsibilities and with the idea ever paramount that all true success and advancement must depend upon con- secutive toil and endeavor. After obtaining a good practical education in the public schools of Salem, he entered at the age of sixteen the drug store of D. K. Green & Son, where he clerked for a period of four years, during which time he devoted his at- tention very carefully to the business with the object in view of ultimately engaging in the trade upon his own responsibility. At the expiration of the time indicated he pur- chased an interest in the establishm^ent, which during the following year was con- ducted under the name of Green & Schwartz; his brother, Joseph, then bought Mr. Green's interest and under the firm name oi Schwartz Brothers, the business grew rapidly in magnitude and importance and, as already stated, soon became the leading establishmait of the kind in Salem, and proved to be the source from which no small part of their subsequent fortune grew. Meanwhile the Schwartz Brothers turned their attention to various other lines of business becoming largely interested in real estate, agriculture and horticulture, which with other enterprises of an industrial and financial nature paved the way to the high position they now hold in business circles, and gave them much more than local re- pute as capable, judicious and eminently honorable business men. Without follow- ing in detail the different lines of enterprise to which the Schwartz brothers have given attention, suffice it to state that all of their undertakings have been prosperous and they are today not only the leading business men of their own city and county, but occupy a conspicuous place among the leaders of in- dustry in the southern part of the state. In 1907 they disposed of their drug house, since which time they have not been active- ly identified with any particular enterprise, devoting their attention to their large prop- erty interests and other investments, being heavy stockholders in the Salem State Bank and owning extensive tracts of real estate in Marion and other counties, including one fruit farmi of one hundred and sixty acres, two and a fourth miles southeast of Salem, another consisting of eight hundred acres within a reasonable distance of the county seat, besides being associated with Mr. Rogers in the fruit evaporating business, under the firm name of Rogers & Schwartz Brothers, they do an immense and far- reaching business. They are also mem- bers of the real estate fiiTn' of Telford & Schwartz, which with loans and insurance, constitutes the most successful business of the kind in the city. They own the Schwartz Block, one of the largest and most valuable properties in Salem, and as mem- bers of the firm of Rainey & Schwartz, own Rainey Lake, also a large pear orchard which adds much to their liberal and con- stantly growing income. In addition to the BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 421 interests enumerated the Schwartz broth- ers have many other valuable hold'ing-s in both city and country, including the busi- ness block occupied by the Sweeney & Company's drug stock, a large lot at the rear of the State Bank, also quite a num- ber of private dwellings in various parts of the towm to say nothing of a vast amount of valuable personal property and bank ac- counts, comparing favorably in bulk with those of any other depositor in the county. Under the name of Schwartz Brothers, by which the firm has always been known, Joseph and Frank Schwartz have filled a prominent place in the business affairs of Salem and Marion county, and from' the be- ginning their careers present a series of continued successes which have placed them among the most progressive men of their day and generation in southern Illinois and earned them state wide reputation in busi- ness and financial circles. They are politicians of the Democratic school and alive to all that concerns the best interest of their party. Religiously they are loyal to the tenets of the Roman Catho- lic church in which they were reared and for which they have the most profound love and regard contributing liberally to its ma- terial support and by their daily lives ex- emplifying the beauty and value of the principles and doctrines upon which it is based. Joseph Schwartz was married in the year 1886 to Clara Rose, of Salem, daughter of Gordon Rose, an engineer on the Baltimore & Ohio road, and a most excellent and praiseworthy citizen. The pledges of this union are two bright and interesting daugh- ters, namely : Helen, born in 1893, and Chris- tine, whose birth occurred in the year 1905. The domestic life of Frank Schwartz dates from the 8th day of July, 1896, at which time he was united in the holy bonds of wedlock at Indianapolis, Indiana, with An- nie Trimpe, of that city, a union terminated by the death of the wife on Thanksgiving day, 1903, after bearing her husband two children, Mattie Christine and Emma Ger- trude, born in 1897 and 1901, respectively. On September 19, 1907, Mr. Schwartz chose a second wife and companion in the person of Mrs. Farmie Simpson, of Salem, a lady of many estimable qualities, who presides over his household with grace and dignity and who is deeply concerned in all of his undertakings making his interests her own ,and contributing not a little to his suc- cess. Fraternally Joseph Schwartz is iden- tified with the ancient and honorable Ma- sonic brotherhood and also holds member- ship with the Orders of Woodmen and Ben Hur, in all of which he is an active and in- fluential worker, which may also be record- ed of his brother, Frank. LEVI MONROE KAGY. In the collection of material for the bio- graphical department of this publication there has been a constant aim to use a wise discrimination in regard to the selection of 422 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. subjects and to exclude none worthy of rep- resentation within its pages. Here will be found mention of worthy citizens of all vo- cations, and at this juncture we are per- mitted to offer a resume of the career of one of the substantial and highly esteemed, in fact, one of the leaders of the industrial world of this section of the state, where he has long maintained his home and where he has attained a high degree of success in his chosen field of labor and enterprise. Levi Monroe Kagy, the popular and well known president of the Salem State Bank, of Salem, Marion county, Illinois, was bom near Tififin, Senaca county, Ohio, December 15, 1855, the son of David Kagy, also a native of Seneca county, who came to Marion county, Illinois, in the year 1859. He devoted his life to agricultural pursuits which he made successful and at the time became a man of much influence in his com- munity and well known as a scrupulously honest and public-spirited citizen. He was called from his earthly labors Februaiy 8, 1887, after a very active and useful life. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Sarah Milley. She is a woman of many estimable traits and is the recipient of the admiration and esteem of a large coterie of friends and acquaintances in the vicinity where she is still living in 1908 on the old homestead where she and her worthy life companion settled nearly a half century ago. To Mr. and Mrs. David Kagy were born only two children, Alice A. a woman of fine attributes, who is making her home with her mother; and Levi Mon- roe, our subject. The parents spared no pains in giving these children every pos- sible care and advantage and the wholesome environment of their home life is clearly re- flected in the lives of the subject and his sister. Our subject lived on the parental farm until he was twenty-five years old and as- sisted his father with the farm work, giving him all his earnings up to the time of hii maturity, and it was while thus engaged in the free outdoor life of the farm that he acquired many qualities of mind and body that have assisted very materially in his sub- sequent success in life. He attended the neighborhood schools where he applied him- self in a most assiduous manner, outstrip- ping many of his classmates, and therefore gained a broad and deep mental foundation which has since been greatly developed by systematic home study and contact with the world. After receiving what education he could in the home schools Mr. Kagy taught several terms of school in a most praise- worthy manner, teaching in the winter months and farming in the summer, having possesed not only a clear and well defined text-book training, but also the tact to deal with his pupils in a manner to gain the best results, at the same time winning their good will and lasting friendship. After reaching young manhood, Mr. Kagy decided that his true life work lay along a different course than that of farm- ing and school teaching, so he accordingly began to save his earnings in order to de- fray the expense of a course in Union Col- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 423 lege of Law at Chicago, now the North- western University, and he graduated from that institution with high honors on June 14, 1883, after having made a brilHant rec- ord in the same for scholarship and de- portment. He at once began practice at Salem, where his success was instantaneous, and with the exception of one year spent on the farm after his father's death, he has been in Salem ever since where he is now recog- nized as one of the most potent factors in her civic, industrial and social life. Mr. Kagy practices with uniform success in county, state and federal courts, and his ser- vices are in constant demand in cases re- quiring superior ingenuity and apt ability. His untiring energy, indefatigable research and persistency have made him successful where less courageous characters would have quailed and been submerged. Something of the subject's peculiar and unquestioned executive ability is shown from the fact that he was one of the princi- pal organizers in 1903 of the Salem State Bank, one of the most substantial, popular and sound institutions of its kind in south- ern and central Illinois. Mr. Kagy is presi- dent of the sarrie, the duties of which he performs in a manner to gain the unqualified confidence of the public, and the citizens of Salem and Marion county do not hesitate to place their funds at his disposal, knowing that they could not be trusted to safer and more conservative hands. He is also stock- holder in the First National Bank of Kin- mundy, Illinois. He also helped organize the Haymond State Bank of Kinmundy, and afterwards was instrumental in merging this institution with the First National Bank of that city. Mr. Kagy was appointed Master in Chancery of Marion county in 1889, and afterwards twice re-appointed. He has served as president of the Salem School Board and declined re-election. In all these public capacities he displayed unusual adroitness in handling the affairs entrusted to him. Mr. Kagy's happy and harmonious do- mestic life dates from May 18, 1887, when he was united in marriage to Alice Larimer, the youngest daughter of the late Smith Larimer, an ex-Treasurer of Marion county, an influential and highly respected citizen. Mrs. Kagy is a cultured and highly accom- plished woman of many estimable attributes and possessing a gracious and pleasing per- sonality which makes her popular among a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and she presides over the modern, cozy, elegantly furnished and beautifully appoint- ed home of the subject and family with modest grace and dignity. Into this model home two bright and interesting children add sunshine and cheerfulness. They are: John Larimer, who was born Febniary 22, 1888, now a student, in 1908, in the Uni- versity of Illinois, where he is making a splendid record; and Leigh Monroe, who was born March 15, 1901 ; a girl died in in- fancy. In 1898, during the Spanish- American war, Mr. Kagy was active in organizing a company, and was elected captain of the 424 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. same ; after much drilling it was ready to go to the front. Later Mr. Kagy was appointed by Gov. John B. Tanner, major of Pitten- ger's Provisional Regiment. Although it was fully ready to go to the front it was not called upon to do so. Levi M. Kagy was one of the twenty-two men who subscribed twenty-two thousand dollars in order to induce the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad shops to locate in Salem. The public-spirited and energetic disposition of the citizens of this progressive city can be ascertained by the statement that this sum was raised in one night. Mr. Kagy was in San Francisco at the time, but his friends volunteered to vouch for him for eleven hundred dollars, and he promptly paid the full ajnount upon his return home. Mr. Kagy always practiced law alone until January, 1907, when he took E. B. Van- dervort, of Portsmouth, Ohio, as an as- sociate. They have a splendid and well equipped suite of rooms in the Kagy Build- ing. Mr. Kagy, although interested in many industrial enterprises, gives his time almost exclusively to his law practice which is very large and which requires the major part of his time. Fraternally our subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen. He has occupied the chairs in the local Odd Fel- lows lodge, and is one of the trustees of the I. O. O. F. Old Folks' Home of Illinois, of Mattoon, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Kagy and their oldest son are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, with which he has been affiliated from the time of attaining his majority, and he has ever lent his aid in furthering his party's cause, being well fortified in his political convictions, while he is essentially public- spirited and progressive. In all the rela- tions of life he has been found faithful to every trust confided in him and because of his genuine worth, splendid physique, courteous manners and genial disposition he has won and retains the warm regard of all with whom he associates. WILLIAM H. FARTHING. The subject has long been recognized as one of Marion county's foremost business men, holding high rank among the finan- ciers of the community in which he lives and whose interests he has ever had at heart and which he has ever striven to promote in whatever laudable manner that presented it- self. The life of Mr. Farthing has been led along high planes and has been true to every trust that has been reposed in him. William H. Farthing, the well known banker of Odin, Marion county, Illinois, was born in Odin, Febiniary 2, 1869, and not being lured awa}- by the wanderlust that caused so many of his contemporaries to leave the old hearth stone he has pre- ferred to live here. He is the son of George and Susan (Michaels) Farthing, BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 425 natives of the state of Mississippi, Grandfather Farthing- was from Kentucky, having come to Marion county, lUinois, in the fifties and settled in this vicinity where he worked a fanri', and where he spent the remainder of his days having died in the seventies. Both he and his wife were Bap- tists. They were the parents of five chil- dren. The father of our subject was bom in Logan county, Kentucky, and received his education in the Blue Grass state. He de- voted his life to farming and railroading, and was about sixty years old at the time of his death. He left a widow and six children. The subject's mother is living at the age of fifty- three. Our subject was the second child in order of birth. He received his education in the public schools of Odin, but was obliged to leave school at the age of twelve years, when he commenced clerk- ing in a store in which he continued for ten years, in the meantime developing into an excellent salesman. Being economical, he was enabled at the end of that time to pur- chase one-half interest in the store from his savings. He continued in this store for an- other period of ten years, during which time the trade of the fimi rapidly increasd, cus- tomers coming- from all parts of the county, because of the reputation of the firm for fairness and courteous treatment had ex- tended to all localities roundabout. Mr. Farthing finally sold his interest in the store. He then handled real estate and other lines for two years with gratifying success. Then he purchased the bank at Odin, which had been started some time previous. Under Mr. Farthing's management it was soon placed on an excellent basis and it was pat- ronized by the local people and by the farm- ers in that locality, for Mr. Farthing's name gave the bank a sound prestige, for every- one knew that their funds would be entirely safe- entrusted to him, owing to his natural ability as a financier and his reputation for honesty in all his! business dealings. The bank is still under his management, he be- ing the sole owner. This bank was first opened for business in May, 1905. Our subject was first married on Novem- ber 15, 1893, to Effie Sugg, a native of Odin. Four children were born to this union, one of whom is living, Ira J. F., whose date of birth occurred August 17, 1898. The subject's first wife was called to her rest April 12, 1901, and Mr. Farthing was again married on September 12, 1906, to Ida A. Kell, of this county, the daugh- ter of James and Martha (McWham) Kell, natives of this county. Joseph McWham is paymaster at the present time in the United States Army. The grandfather, Robert McWham, was a soldier in the Civil war in the One Hundred and Fifty-Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served about two years and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Our subject has one child by his last wife, Mar- tha, who was born September 7, 1907. In his fraternal relations Mr. Farthing is a member of the Masonic Blue lodge, the Chapter, the Knights Templar, also the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and the 426 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. AVoodmen and Eastern Star. He has passed all the chairs in the Blue lodge and the Odd Fellows. He has been a delegate to the grand lodge of the state of Illinois. ]\Irs. Farthing is a member of the Presby- terian church. Mr. Farthing is a Demo- crat in his political relations and has al- ways been interested in his party's welfare, giving his time and influence to the work of his party in the county. He was elected and served in a most creditable manner as City Clerk, Alderman and was also presi- dent of the Town Board and is at this writ- ing Treasurer of the city of Odin. He has long been noted throughout the county for his honesty, integrity and fair dealing, and his interest in all movements tending to pro- mote the county's welfare in any manner possible, and as a result of his sterling worth his integrity and his pleasing manner, he is held in high regard by all classes and has hosts of friends. FRANK BRADFORD. The subject of this review enjoyed dis- tinctive prestige among the enterprising men of Marion county, having fought his way onward and upward to a prominent position in industrial circles and in every relation of life his voice and influence were on the side of right as he saw and under- stood the right. He was always interested in every enterprise for the general welfare of the community and liberally supported every movement calculated to benefit his fel- low men'; and although the last chapter in his life drama has been brought to a close and he has been called to a higher sphere of action, his influence is still felt for good in his community and he is greatly missed by hosts of friends and acquaintances. Frank Bradford was born in Weymouth, Medina county, Ohio, August lo, 1852, where he spent his boyhood days and at- tended the common schools. About 1865 he came with his father, George Bradford, and family to Flora, Illinois, where the father conducted the old Buckeye House and where Frank engaged successfully in farming and trading until 1879, in which year he was happily married to Mary E. Hull, the only daughter of the late Erasmus Hull, and to- this union a son and a daughter were born, the former having died in infancy ; the latter is now Mrs. Roland C. Brinkerhoff. Of Mr. Bradford's own family but two sisters survive in 1908, namely : Mrs. Minnie Bettis, of Arkansas, and Rose Lebus, of Ardmore, Oklahoma. Mrs. Bradford, a woman of many fine traits, is living in Salem in the cozy, substantial and well furnished Bradford residence. Frank Bradford was a descendant of the ninth generation of Gen. William Bradford, of Revolutionaiy fame. George Bradford, father of our sub- ject, was born in Rowley, Essex county, Massachusetts, and he was called to his rest while living in Arkansas. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Abalinda Russell, who was born in Hart- ford, Connecticut, April 10, 1823, and she BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 427 was called to her reward while living in Flora, Illinois, Febniary 27, 1872, at the age of forty-eight years. The subject's parents were of the best blood and reputa- tion and were much admired in whatever community they lived for their honest and hard-working lives. When but a mere lad Mr. Bradford united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Flora, Illinois. He was received into the Methodist church in Salem by letter on De- cember 12, 1879, under the pastorate of Rev. Fred L. Thompson and he remained in that faith, an ardent supporter of the church un- til his death. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Bradford located in Salem and entered upon a long and honorable business career of which all speak with words of praise. Being of a jolly disposition and having a kind word for everyone, he commanded, perhaps, the largest patronage of any single salesman in the community. His scrupulously honest methods and his natural ability also at- tracted scores of customers. He first en- tered the mercantile establishment of Hull and Morris. In 1880, Mr. Hull having purchased the interest of Mr. Morris and also the interest of Scott Muggy in the firm of_Atkin & Muggy, the two stocks were combined under the firm name of Hull & Atkin, and Mr. Bradford took a position with this firm which soon became E. Hull & Son, changing later to the Hull Dry Goods Company and then to C. E. Hull. Mr. Bradford remained through all these changes, having been regarded as indispens- able to the firm's business, until he went as manager for the firm to Kinmundy, where he remained for a short time building up the trade in a very substantial way, and later he was manager for Hammond & Hull in Salem. While conducting the latter busi- ness Mr. Bradford suffered an attack of ner- vous prostration and was very sick for a time. Both for recreation and as a means of regaining his health he began managing his farm, spending only an occasional day in the store; but improvement was not so rapid as was expected for the long and strenuous life in the commercial world had undermined his health so extensively that rapid improvement and even recuperation could not be expected, consequently on Wed- nesday night, February 6, 1907, when he was planning to attend a meeting of the Pythian Sisters in company with his wife, about 5 :30 o'clock in the afternoon, he was seized with an attack of apoplexy while at his home. This soon developed into paraly- sis of the left side which soon became com- plete. He remained in an unconscious state until 6 :5o the following morning, when the white winged messenger came. The funeral services were conducted at the residence Saturday afternoon following, by Rev. J. G. Tucker, of the Methodist Episcopal church and interment was made in the family lot in East Lawn Cemetery. The floral offerings were beautiful and elaborate from the many friends of the deceased and also from the Knights of Pythias and Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows lodges, the Pythian Sisters and the Rebekahs, of which 428 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. orders either he or Mrs. Bradford had been consistent members. And the great throng of sorrowing friends and acquaintances that came to pay a last tribute to their much loved friend attested as fully as was possible the love and high esteem in which Mr. Bradford was held by every one who knew him. Public-spirited and liberal he was ever in the forefront of all plans for im- provement and the betterment of Salem and his sudden calling away was a distinct loss to the entire community, for his life had been industrious, scrupulously honest and kind. JOHN J. FYKE, M. D. One of the representative members of the medical fraternity in Marion county is the subject of this sketch, who is engaged in practice in Odin, and who holds high rank in his profession, while his ability and cour- tesy have won him the confidence and es- teem of all who know him. Dr. Fyke is a successful, self-made man. Peculiar honor attaches to that individual, who, beginning the great struggle of life alone and unaided, gradually overcomes un- favorable environment, gaining at last the goal of success by the force of his own in- dividuality. Such is the record, briefly stated, of this popular citizen of Odin, Il- linois, tO' a synopsis of whose life and char- acter the following paragraphs are devoted. Dr. John J. Fyke was bom in Marion county in 1842, the son of Joshua A. and Margaret (Wilson) Fyke, the latter being the first female white child born in the coun- ty, a distinction of which anyone might be justly proud. The date of her birth was in 1822, and in 1908 she is still living, being in possession of her full faculties. It is in- teresting to hear her tell of the great development she has seen here since the early pioneer days^ — wonderful, indeed, the most wonderful progress in the history of the world, having been made during the lapse of her long life. Her people camie to Illinois from North Carolina, in 18 18, and settled among the earliest pioneers in this locality. They took up government land, and developed excellent farms. Her parents reared their children here and died here ai advanced ages. There were three boys and three girls in this family. Grandfather Fyke was reared in North Carolina and moved to Tennessee, where he spent the balance of his days. The father of the subject was bom in 181 2, an historic year in our national his- toi-y. His father was a farmer and lived to an advanced age, having reared a large fam- ily. His wife also lived to be very old. The father of our subject came to this county in 1839. His early educational advantages were limited, but he was a great reader and finally became well informed. He was a Methodist and an exhorter. He made polit- ical speeches, and was a loyal Democrat. He was Justice of the Peace for thirty years. His family consisted of twelve chil- dren, five boys and one girl having lived to maturity. Two brothers of the subject liv- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS 429 ing in Kansas City, Missouri, are practicing attorneys. The early education of the subject of this sketch was obtained in the commDn schools of this county and one year in McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois. He then com- menced reading medicine under the direc- tion of Doctor Davenport, of Salem, where he continued for three years, making a splendid record for scholarship. During this time he attended medical college, part of the time at Chicago and the balance at St. Louis, making splendid records at both places. He commenced practice in 1866, having located in Odin, where he has con- tinued practice ever since. He was success- ful from the start and his patients are now so numerous that he can hardly find time to do anything outside of his regular work. Doctor Fyke was united in marriage in 1867 to Minerva Phillipps, a native of Ten- nessee, the daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Chadwell) Phillipps. They were natives of Tennessee, having moved to Marion county, Illinois, in 1855. They settled on a farm here where they spent the remainder of their lives and where they died, both having lived to an old age, having reared a family of eight children. Three children, all boys, have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Edgar E., who was born in 1868, who is now a prac- ticing physician, and the father of three children, all girls. The second and third children of Dr. Fyke and wife were twins, Thomas Emmett and Josiah Harley, who were born in 1872. They are both living on a farm near Odin. Our subject in his fraternal relations is a Mason, having passed all the chairs in the local lodge. He is a trustee of the Metho- dist church, of which both he and his wife are faithful members and liberal supporters. The doctor is a loyal Democrat. He is a member and president of the pension board. Dr. Fyke is one of the well known men in Marion county, where his long and success- ful career has been spent, and has a pleas- ant and well furnished home in Odin. JOHN E. MARTIN. John E. Martin has spent his entire life in Salem, Illinois, having been bom here December 24, 1857, the son of Gen. James S. Martin. His mother was known in her maidenhood as Jane Elston, of English ancestry. The parents of the subject were married in Salem. To them were bom seven children, three of whom are living, namely: John E., our subject; Luther, living in Salem; and Mrs. Grace M. Webster, also of Salem. They all received the most care- ful training possible by their parents and were given good common school educations. The subject's father, whose life history is given in detail on another page of this work, passed away in 1907, after a long and busy career, and the mother of the subject, who was a woman of beautiful attributes, was called home in 1889. 430 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. John E. Martin, our subject, spent his boyhood in Salem, where he attended the common schools, making a splendid record in the same. He later attended the Claverack (New York) Military School, and a private school at Kennett Square, Penn- sylvania, which was later moved to Media, that state. He also went to school at Boon- ville, Missouri, to the Kemper Family school. In both of the latter he made rapid progress and came out well fitted for life's duties. After leaving school Mr. Martin launched in the diy goods business in Salem in which he continued with marked success attending his efforts for a number of years, finally moving his store to Sandoval, Illi- nois, where he also remained for several years, building up an excellent trade by rea- son of his minute knowledge of this line ■of business and his courteous treatment of customers, always giving them value re- ceived. In 1888 our subject assisted his father, who was State Chairman of the Re- publican State Committee, in the clerical work, and after the campaign he accepted a position with J. B. Farwell Company at Chicago, as salesman, and he remained with this firm for five or six years, giving entire satisfaction in his work. He came back to Salem about 1890 for the purpose of ac- cepting a position with the Salem Na- tional Bank which he has been connected with since that time, giving the managers of this institution entire satisfaction and handling his position in such a way as to increase the prestige of the bank and reflect much credit upon his innate ability. He has prospered by reason of his executive ability and modern business methods until he has accumulated considerable property, owning at this time valuable farming lands. He is also a stockholder in the Salem Na- tional Bank. Mr. Martin's domestic life dates from June 18, 1894, when he was united in mar- riage with Clara Merritt, the accomplished daughter of Hon. T. E. Merritt, an old and respected family of Salem. This union has been blessed by the birth of five children, two of whom are living and three deceased. Their names are: The first child died in infancy, unnamed ; James Stewart and Mar- garet Merritt, twins, are both deceased; Merritt Elston and Alice Jane are living, both bright and interesting children. Mr. Martin takes a great interest in church work, being a member of the Episco- pal church, to which his wife also belongs. He has been interested in helping build the new church on West Union street, which is one of the most attractive and subtsantial little churches in Salem. In politics Mr. Martin is a loyal Republican, always ready to lend a helping hand to promote the in- terests of his community whether along po- litical, educational, moral or religious lines. The home of the subject is nicely furnished, and presided over with rare grace and dignity by Mrs. Martin, who is often host- ess to numerous friends of this popular family. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are pleasant people to meet, always courteous and kind. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 431 WILLIAM WHAM. He of whom this sketch is written is a representati\'e of one of the honored pioneer families of Marion county, Ilhnois, where he has passed practically his entire life, and he is one nf the successful and prominent citizens of Cartter, where he is the leading merchant, being" well known to the people of that vicinity as a man of clean business prin- ciples and public-spirited, having attained prosperity through his own well directed ef- forts. William Wham was bom in this county in 1853, the son of William Wham, a na- tive of Tennessee, who came to Illinois when a young boy and settled in Marion county where he developed a good farm and always made a comfortable living. He was a charter member of the Masonic lodge, No. 130, at Salem. He became well known and influential. He passed to his rest in 1893. The mother of the subject was Lou- isa Anna Rainey, a native of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, who came to Illinois, when elev- en years old. She was a woman of many praiseworthy traits. She died some six years prior to her husband's demise. Eight children were born to the parents of the subject, four of whom are living in 1908. They are named in order of their birth as follows : Margaret is the widow_ of James Mount, of Kell, Illinois; Martha I., living at Cartter, is the widow of William K. Storment ; H. B. owns a farm near Cart- ter, Illinois; William, our subject, who spent his boyhood on a farm near Cartter, working during the summer months, and attending the country schools the balance of the year. His early life was spent in farming-, trading and dealing in stock, of which he made a success. After abandoning this he went into the mercantile business in 1895 at Cartter, Illinois, and has been thus engaged since that time, having built up an excellent trade by reason of his courteous treatmlent of customers and his natural abil- ity. His store is known throughout this locality as the place where the best goods in the market can be obtained at reasonable prices, and his trade has constantly grown from year to year. Mr. Wham has pros- pered by reason of liis well directed energy, and he has become the owner of the Park Hotel at Salem, the leading hostelry of that city, and he is also a director of the Salem National Bank. He also has a large inter- est in the Robinson oil fields in Crawford county. He was chairman of the building committee for the new building for the Sa- lem National Bank, which was erected in 1908. He also has valuable farm lands. All this our subject has attained by reason of his own unaided efforts, and every dollar he possesses was obtained in an honest man- ner. Mr. Wham was united in marriage in 1874 to Emma C. Adams, the refined and accomplished daughter of James Adams, of near Salem. Her father is a well known farmer. One child, born to the subject and wife, died in infancy. Mrs. Wham is postmistress at Cartter, which position she has creditably filled for the past fourteen years, having been appointed by Grover Cleveland and re-appointed by every Pres- 432 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ident since. She is a woman of rare execu- tive ability as well as many pleasing traits which renders her popular with all classes. Mrs. \Miam's mother, Mrs. Paulina Adams, is living at Springfield, Illinois. The father of the subject's wife is deceased. They were both natives of Virginia and scions of well known old southern families. Mr. AYham's grandfather was also named Wil- liam Wham. He was a native of Ireland, and a man of sterling qualities. Our subject is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, Chapter at Salem; and the Commandery at Centralia. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Wham are mem- bers of the Christian church at Cartter, be- ing liberal subscribers to the same. Mr. Wham was Chairman of the Board of Su- pervisors of Marion county, having been elected as an independent and was a good official, having ably disposed of the duties of this important trust in a manner that re- flected much credit upon his ability. A. M. PEDDICORD. It is interesting to study the life record of such a man as the gentleman whose name appears above owing to the fact that he began life under no favorable auspicies and has had to battle his own way through the world, but he has succeeded remarkably well and has shown how a man can "go it alone" when once his face is set in the right direction and he has. the courage of his convictions. Therefore, for this and many other reasons, not the least of which is the fact that he is one of the brave veterans of the great war of the Rebellion, efficiently serving his country during its dark days, we take pleasure in giving him a place in this work. A. M. Peddicord was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, June 4, 1841, and he was about fourteen years old when he came to Marion county, Illinois, and spent most of the time since then in Carrigan township. He is the son of Nelson and Rebecca Peddi- cord, the subject's parents having been cousins. The father died when the subject was very young and he has but little recol- lection of him. The subject's mother was born in Mason county, Kentucky, and died about fifteen years ago. There were six children in the family of Nelson Peddicord and wife, namely: Emanuel J., who first married Hester Lawrence, and they became the parents of three children ; his second wife was Sallie Hooker and they became the par- ents of five or six children ; Emanuel's third wife was Nancy Roberts ; A. E., the second child of Nelson and Rebecca Peddicord, sei-ved in the Union army in the One Hun- dred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, having remained single, and he died soon after the close of the war; F. M. mar- ried a Miss Faggin and they are the parents of five children; A. M., our subject, was the fourth child in order of birth; Sarah M. was twice married; Priscilla died when young. A. M. PEDDICORD, BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 433 The subject of this sketch was compelled to make his own way after he was four- teen years old and he has succeeded admir- ably well. When he reached maturity he was married to Eliza Britt in August, 1869, in Marion county. She was the daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Roderick) Britt. Her parents lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio and In- diana and finally settled in Marion county, Illinois, and they died here. Mr. Britt was a farmer. The subject's wife was the ninth of a family of ten children. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Peddicord: Francis M., who is forty-one years old in 1908, married Mary E. Foltz and they are the parents of seven children; Mary E. died when four- teen months old; Sarah E., who is now thir- ty-nine years, married Thpmas P. Walker, and they have three children living and two dead. As already intimated Mr. Peddicord was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, having enlisted in Company K, Thirty- first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, on August 10, 1 86 1, under the command of Gen. John A. Logan. He served in a most gallant manner for a period of four years. He was taken prisoner on the march to the sea at Meridian, Mississippi. He was in the bat- tle of Fort Donelson, was in the siege of Vicksburg and Champion's Hill. He was in Andersonville prison for a period of six months, later being moved to Florence. He contracted the scurvy while in prison, hav- ing been in prison when peace was declared. Our subject has an excellent farm con- 28 sisting of two hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in section 34, seventy-seven acres of which are in timber. The subject has made most of the improvements of his farm which now holds high rank with Marion county's best farms. It shows good management and is well stocked. He has a comfortable residence which is well fur- nished. Mr. Peddicord was Road Commissioner for two terms and gave entire satisfaction. He is a loyal Democrat. Mr. and Mrs, Peddicord are faithful members of the Bap- tist church. Our subject deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for he had little chance to attend school in his youth. The only school-house in his com- munity was built of logs, and the terms of school were very short. But he has been a hard worker and has succeeded despite early disadvantages, until today he is one of the county's most representative agriculturists and has many friends throughout the same. GEN. JAMES STEWART MARTIN. It is a great badge of honor to have the distinction of serving the government in the conflict with Mexico, assisting in the ardu- ous campaigns until the stars and stripes were unfurled on the citadel of the Monte- zuma, and also, less than two decades later to have been permitted to serve the na- tional Union in the four years of polemic struggle between the states. Among the 434 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. conspicuous figures of these great inter- necine conflicts is the well remembered gen- tleman whose name forms the caption of this biographical memoir, who, although his life history has been closed by death, his influence continues to pervade the lives of those with whom he came in contact. He was always mindful of his duty to his fellow men and ready with word or deed to assist them in the struggle up life's steep path. No man in his day and generation in this locality exercised a greater influence for the civic, material and moral uplift of the community than General Martin, for his life was that of the patriot, the Christian gentleman, the true American nobleman. General James Stewart Martin was born August 19, 1826, in Estillville, now Gate City, Scott county, Virginia, the son of John S. and Malinda (Morrison) Martin, pioneers of that part of the Old Dominion state and a fine old Southern family of great influence in their day, his father having been a man of considerable political prominence and highly educated. He sei-ved as County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, and Master of Chan- cery for about twenty years. The mother of the subject, who was born in Sullivan county, Tennessee, was a woman of many commendable attributes, noted for her broad charity and high culture, and before she was called to her rest, in 1828, she emancipated her slaves. The subject's father moved to Illinois in 1844 and settled on a farm seven miles north of Salem, where his son, our subject, resided for a period of three years, assisting in develop- ing the farm from its primitive state into a highly productive place. James S. Martin, our subject, received his education in the public schools of his native community in Virginia, making such notable progress and manifesting such a thirst for the higher learning that he was subsequently placed in Emery and Henry College, Wash- ington county, Virginia, where he made a brilliant record for scholarship. A lad -of strong patriotism from his early youth which continued to increase with advancing years, he was glad to have an opportunity to enter the army during the Mexican war, having enlisted in Company C, First Regi- ment, Illinois Volunteers, in the spring of 1847, and he made such an excellent soldier that he was made third sergeant of his com- pany. The regiment was mustered into ser- vice at Alton, then transported to Fort Leavenworth and marched across the plains to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He performed conspicuous service during the strenuous campaign against the Mexicans. After the war, while on the homeward trip, his com- pany nominated him for County Clerk of Marion county, and the people here ratified their action upon the arrival of the men at Salem. He was duly elected and in a most able and creditable manner discharged the duties of the same for a period of twelve years. He was also Master in Chancery for two terms, in which he also showed his su- perior ability in official capacity. Being an ambitious man he sought every means pos- sible' to improve himself and to be of the greatest service to his fellow men, conse- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 435 quently while holding these offices he de- voted his spare moments to the study of law, and upon admittance to the bar, July 4, 1 86 1, formed a partnership with B. F. Marshall and D. C. Jones and opened an of- fice in Salem. Owing to the great strength and prestige of this well known trio their legal business was heavy from the first and the reputation of the firm soon spread throughout this part of the state. In 1862, when the clouds of rebellion were the darkest and the lambent flames of discontented citizenship of the South were the most direful, our subject realized that every loyal son of the North should do what he could toward preserving the integrity of the Union, consequently he sought and ob- tained permission from Governor Yates to raise a regiment, with the result that the famous One Hundred and Eleventh was mustered, and Mr. Martin was selected as the man most worthy and able to command it, therefore he became colonel of the same. It was composed of seven companies from Marion county, one from Clay and one from Clinton county, the regiment comprising nine hundred and thirty men and officers, and it was mustered into service September 18, 1862, and joined General Davies at Co- lumbus, Kentucky. Our subject served in the capacity of colonel all through the war, his services showing that he was a man of much military courage and genius, having from time to time led his men into the brunt ■of the fighting. During 1863 he was in command of the post at Columbus and later at Paducah, Kentucky. From there he went to Florence, Alabama, whither he was or- dered by General Sherman, and he later went into winter quarters at Pulaski, Ten- nessee. From March 16, 1864, he served with the Sixteenth Army Corps, until the close of the struggle, having seen mudh hard service during that time, being with Sherman on his march to the sea and having led his regiment at the great battles of Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Fort McAllister and received the surrender of the commander of this fort. He was brevetted brigadier general in July, 1864, and participated in the grand review in Washington City, and was mustered out in Springfield, Illinois, in June, 1865. After the war General Martin plunged into the active affairs of civil life and won signal distinction in the field of politics and business. He launched into banking in Sa- lem, building up the nucleus of a large for- tune through his wonderful executive abil- ity. Taking an interest in Republican poli- tics after the war he was elected County Judge in 1866, overwhelming a Democratic majority of six hundred. He was nominated for Congress in 1872 and was elected over Judge Silas L. Bryan, father of Hon. Wil- liam J. Bryan. He ably served one term in Washington. General Martin was appointed Commis- sioner of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary by Governor Cullom, September 4, 1879, which position he creditably served for four years. He served as a member of the Re- publican State Central Committee for a period of nearly twenty years, and was chair- 436 BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. inan of the same during the canvass which elected Governor Fifer. He was a delegate to the National Convention in 1876, when he voted for the nomination of James G. Blaine for President. As might be expected he was an interested member of the Grand Army of the Republic and was honored in the same by being elected department com- mander of Illinois for two terms. He was largely instrumental in 1882 in organizing the Southern Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Reunion Association, of which he continu- ously served as commander. In all the offi- cial positions, General Martin conducted himself as a most able and worthy exponent of the country's good, and proved at all times to be an unselfish public servant of the most humanitarian and altruistic mo- tives and principles. The domestic life of our subject dates from 1852, when he was united in marriage with Jane Elston, of Salem, Illinois, to whom four children were bom, three sur- viving. They are: Grace M., the wife of George O. Webster; Luther and John E. A complete history of the last child named is to be found on another page of this work. The subject's first wife passed to her rest in 1889, and in 1903 General Martin was married to Margaret Savage, of Ashland, Kentucky, who, with their daughter, Daisy, a cultured and refined lady, survive in 1908. Three brothers of the subject, Robert, Ben- jamin and Thomas, are also living in Salem. Thus after a most active, useful and ex- emplary life which the kind Heavenly Father greatly prolonged he passed to his rest, November 20, 1907. The city of Salem owes a great debt of gratitude to General Martin for he aided in many ways in its upbuilding and general development as he did also Marion county, where he was for many decades held in the highest esteem by all classes, for he was universally regarded as a hero both in war and in peace, one of the component parts of the nation's substantial pillars, and the rev- erence with which the citizens of this lo- cality cherish his memory will serve as a greater monument than marble shaft or bronze obelisk. He was truly a brave and good man whose life was a continued sacri- fice for others, a benefactor in the true sense of the term. His career was fraught with untold blessings to the world, and when in common with all things human his earthly course was ended and he was called to a higher plane of action, the memory of his noble deeds and honorable achievements continued to constitute a record to which each passing year will give additional luster. ADAM H. BACHMANN. The United States can boast of no better or more law-abiding class of citizens than the great number of German people who have found homes within her borders. Though holding dear and sacred the beloved mother country, they are none the less de- voted to the fair country of their adoption. Among this class is the subject of this sketch, who for a number of years has been one of the foremost citizens of Marion BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 437 county, Illinois, where he has labored not only for his own advancement, but also for the good of the community, his efforts hav- ing been amply repaid with abundant finan- cial success and the esteem of his fellow men. Adam H. Bachmann, the well known and popular president of the Salem National Bank, was bom in Saxony, Germany, No- vember 28, 1845, the son of George Bach" mann, a man of sterling qualities, who was also a native of Germany, and who died there in i860. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Mocklin Sputh, also of the Fatherland, who was called to her rest' in 1866. Of the six chil- dren bom to the elder Bachmann, there are living the following in 1908 : Mrs. Lizzie Sputh and Ernest .Bachmann, both of Ger- many, and the subject of this sketch. These children received every care and attention possible by their parents who were people of industry and uprightness. Adam H. Bachmann left Germany in March, 1866, landing in America the fol- lowing April, having barely attained his ma- jority. He had received eight years of schooling in his native land, receiving a fairly good education for he was an am- bitious lad and diligently applied himself to his school-books and this careful founda- tion has since been greatly strengthened and built up through his contact with the world and his habits of home reading, so that Mr. Bachmann's conversation is at once learned, interesting and instructive. Our subject lo- cated at Lebanon, Illinois, shortly after coming to the New World, where he worked as a cabinet maker. In the spring of 1868, he came to Salem, this state, and engaged in the furniture business with which he has since been identified, and which was a successful venture from the first and by reason of the subject's careful attention to duty, his natural ability as a far- sighted and cautious business man, coupled with his kind and courteous treatment of customers, his trade has gradually grown all these years, his place of business being generally known as one of the safest, most reliable as well as up-to-date furniture estab- lishments in this locality. After building the business up to its present high state of effi- ciency, Mr. Bachmann turned it over to his two sons, Frank and Charley, both very able and progressive young men, who' are con- ducting a modern and well stocked store, being numbered among the leading young business men of the county, to whom the fu- ture holds unbounded success and honor, since they are not only young men of sound business principles, but also of the finest personal traits. Mr. Bachmann was united in marriage November 15, 1868, to Mary Alkire, the representative of a highly respected and influ- ential family of Lebanon, Illinois, who was bora in Pennsylvania. Eleven children have been born to the subject and wife, seven of whom are living at the time of this writing, 1908, named in order of their birth, as fol- lows : Mrs. Lizzie Kolb, of Lebanon, Illinois ; Frank, of Salem, this county; Mrs. Amy Stonecipher, also of Salem ; Maud, living at 438 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. home; Charley, Adam H., Jr., and Paulina, all live with their parents in Salem. Mr. Bachmann deserves much credit for the well defined success he has attained since casting his lot among Americans, partly be- cause he has been the architect of his own fortunes, beginning his business career ab- solutely empty-handed, and with no one to encourage or assist in any way, and partly because he has made his competency by hon- est, straight-forward business methods that no one can question. When he first landed on our shores he had a capital of only three cents and today he is the wealthiest man in Marion county. He had the insight, the rare sagacity and perceptive instinct to grasp situations as they arose and the splen- did business acumen to turn seaniing ob- stacles into ultimate sucess. Such men are born leaders in the financial world and they are not any too frequaitly met with. Mr. Bachmann is president of the Salem National Bank, president of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank at St. Peter, Illinois; besides being an extensive land owner, hav- ing nine large farms in Marion county. They are all very valuable, well drained, se- curely fenced, the soil being highly produc- tive and the buildings on each modern and convenient. Besides these he has much other real estate. Also owns about as much prop- erty in East St. Louis as he has here. Mr. Bachmann has large property interests at Mattoon and Oakland, this state. His large real estate holdings and financial loans oc- cupy the major part of his time and atten- tion, however, he finds time to assist in for- warding any movement for the betterment of his community. In fact, he is a pioneer in the development and progress of Marion county. He came to Salem, when there was only one brick house here, but he had the sagacity to note the possibilities in the place and soon decided to cast his lot here with the result that he has benefited not only himself, but also the entire community, more, perhaps, than any other man has done or is likely to do in the years to come. In other words, the wonderful things that the future held seemed to be within Mr. Bach- mann's horoscope, and he began on the ground floor, developing with the country, which is wonderfully rich in resources and possibilities. While Mr. Bachmann has been too busy to devote much time to polit- ical matters, never having entertained an ambition for political preferment, he has ever assisted in any way he could the de- velopment of the comiTLunity whether polit- ical, educational, moral or civic, and he did much in making thei city a clean and de- sirable place in which to live, principally while ably serving it as Alderman. In his fraternal relations our subject is a Mason. The Bachmann residence, which is one of the finest, most modem, substantial and beautiful in Salem, is elegantly furnished and a place where the many friends and ad- mirers of this popular family delight to gather, being presided over with rare grace and dignity by the subject's wife who is a charming hostess, congenial and talented. Mr. Bachmann is a pleasant man to meet, jovial, and at all times agreeable, never BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 439 pompous or phlegmatic. His is a well rounded character, in which the different in- terests of life are given their due proportion of attention. One line of thought or work to the exclusion of all others produces an abnormal development and makes the in- dividual narrow in his views of life. Mr. Bachmann has never followed such a course for while giving his chief attention to his business, as do the majority of men, he finds time and opportunity to take an in- terest in matters pertaining to the progress and growth of his county, state and nation, and to mingle with his friends, enlarging the circle of his acquaintance and broaden- ing his mind through the interchange of thought with others. E. LOUIS BLEDSOE. The names of those men who have dis- tinguished themselves through the posses- sion of those qualities which daily contrib- ute to the success of private life and to the public stability and who have enjoyed the respect and confidence of those about them, should not be permitted to perish. Such a one is the subject of this review, one of the leading lumber dealers in Marion county. E. L. Bledsoe, president of the Bledsoe Lumber Company, of Salem, was born in Bradford, Indiana, in 1858. His father was William J. Bledsoe, a native of Tennessee, who came to Indiana when a young man. He was a United Brethren minister. Wil- liam J. Bledsoe was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, having been a member of the Thirty-seventh Iowa Volun- teer Infantry. He died in a hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, from illness contracted while in line of duty. Two sons, William J., Jr., and James W., were also in the army, having enlisted in Company H, Twenty- fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. They fought side by side in twenty-seven battles. Both re-enlisted after their time was up and served until the close of the war. James W. was wounded twice. Both! were with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. They are both living. The father died May 5, 1867. The mother of the subject was Martha Ridgeway, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, who married the subject's father in Franks- ville, Indiana. She was a woman of many fine traits and was called to her rest in 1883 while living at Rock Island, lUinois. The following children were bom to this union : James W., of Rock Island; William J. Jr., also of Rock Island ; George B. died at Rock Island in 1906; J. P., of Davenport, Iowa; E. L., our subject; Frank A., of Rock Ist land; Mark S., of St. Louis; Mattie J., who is a physician located at Chickasha, Okla- homa. Our subject was taken tO' Iowa by his parents when about three years old. The family located at Washington, but most of the subject's boyhood was spent in Mar- shall. He received only a common school education, his course of study being inter- rupted by reason of the fact that his father frequently moved from town to town in car- 440 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. lying on his ministerial work, but he is a well educated man, nevertheless, having gained it first handed from the world. Mr. Bledsoe has been twice married, first in 1876 to Minnie Dizotell, of Eldon, Iowa, the ceremony having been performed in that city. She was born in Canada. Her father was of French lineage and her mother was Irish. After bearing the subject one child, she was called to her rest in 1901 at St. Louis, Missouri. The child bom to this union is Truman C. Bledsoe, manager of the Bledsoe-McCreery Lumber Company, of St. Louis. He m-arried Stella Farrell, of that city, and they are the parents of two children, Barbara Louis, and Truman C, Jr. The subject was married in 1903, his second wife being Lillie Mattox, of Terre Haute, Indiana. One son has blessed this union, Maurice William, who was bom on September 2, 1904. The following history of Mr. Bledsoe's railroad career, which forms the lengthiest and one of the most important chapters in his life history, is based on a sketch which the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway system issued in book form, containing a history of the road's representative em- ployes, which article shows the high regard this company had for Mr. Bledsoe. When only a lad of fifteen our subject began working as a water boy for Howell's corps of engineers in 1870. A survey was then being made from Washington, Iowa, to Princeton, Missouri, the line being an ex- tension of the Chicago and Southwestern Railway, which was later absorbed by the "Rock Island System." The lad was famil- iarly known as "Squire," which soubriquet has clung to him through life. He worked his way to 'more' important positions in this corps, having remained with them until the survey was completed and the corps was disbanded at Princeton. Our subject then returned to Eldon, Iowa, to which point his mother had moved during his absence. In the fall of 1872 he determined to become a brakeman, to which idea his mother strong- ly protested, arguing that such a life was too hazardous for her son to undertake, but the son began his career as head brakeman on a very cold night the following winter, his duties being partly to watch for dangers ahead and to watch the lights on the ca- boose. The rear cars had broken loose on this particular occasion and were running down grade as if about to crash into the section of the train ahead. There were no air brakes on freight trains at that time, and the old square draw bar was danger- ous and hard to handle. It was up grade and down grade from Eldon to Washing- ton, but the boy stuck faithfully at his post and all came out well, and from that nignt of somewhat exciting initiation to the last one on which he pulled the brakes, he proved loyal to his trust, having laid off only about ten days during his entire sei-vice. Mr. Bledsoe was a model young man and soon all who formed his acquaintance learned to admire him, and up to this writing, 1908, not a drop of intoxicating liquor has ever touched his lips or a profane word ever passed them, and up to the time of the death BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 441 of his first wife he had never used tobacco, but since that time he has been accustomed to smoke, having been greatly shocked at her demise from which he has never full)^ regained his former vivacity. His word has always been as good as his note and he has been all his life an exemplary character, which is the result of careful teachings by a Christian mother. He has always been a modest and retiring man, unassuming and never in the least pompous or found seek- ing notoriety, according to the friends who know him best. He has always been cool and calculating and this fact has doubtless saved him accidents while in the railway service, however, death stared him in the face twice during his service on the road: once when he was assisting the fireman in taking coal at Perlee, Iowa, he was caught between the cob and the apron of the schute, but the engineer, Frank Hudler, prevented the accident. At Washington, Iowa, while making a coupling he was pressed into a very close place by the giving way of a draw bar, but the rear car received the impact and rebounded away preventing an accident. In due time Mr. Bledsoe was promoted for his faithful service and wore the badge of con- ductor. When he resigned it was after nine years of freight runs on the first Iowa di- vision of the southwestern branch of the Rock Island System, his resignation taking place in 1881, which was tendered for the purpose of retiring permanently from' rail- road life, but he was induced to accept a po- sition on the St. Louis division of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, with which he remained for three years, and then resigned to accept a position as sleeping car conductor for the Pullman Palace Car Com- pany. He remained with that company for four years, during the latter part of which he was inspector of all the company's cars entering St. Louis. He had the distinction of placing in the union station at St. Louis the first Pullman vestibuled train, it being under his personal inspection. He subse- quently resigned this position tO' accept an ofifer from the Huttig Sash & Door Com- pany, of St. Louis, and in 1900 he was trav- eling representative of this firm in southern Illinois. He remained with this firm for eighteen years, during which time he ren- dered them services of the most efficient type and was the cause of their business rapidly increasing. And during his long services with the above mentioned companies he was held in the highest esteem by his employers who placed in him implicit confidence and had unqualified faith in his ability and in- tegrity. Mr. Bledsoe came to Salem, this county, in 1904 and organized lumber companies here and at Sparta, Illinois, known as the Bledsoe Company, retail yards, wholesale; the Bledsoe-McCreery Lumber Company, being interested in all of them, and by reason of his knowledge of this line of business and his reputation for square dealing, coupled with his courteous manners, he has built up a very extensive business throughout this local- ity which is constantly growing. In his fra- ternal relations our subject is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He also belongs to 442 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. a lumber dealers' association, the Con- catentatecl Order of Hoo-Hoo, and both Mr. and Mrs. Bledsoe are members of the Christian church, and they are among the popular and highly respected residents of Salem. JOHN W. LARIMER. The gentleman whose name forms the caption of this biographical review is now recognized as one of the leading organizers, promoters and all around business men and representative citizens of Marion county, Illinois, where he was born in what is now Stevenson township, May 14, 1852. John \V. Larimer's father was Smith Larimer, a native of Ohio who came to Marion county, this state, about 1846. He devoted his life very largely to agricultural pur- suits. He was elected Treasurer and As- sessor of Marion county, semng twelve years with great satisfaction to his constitu- ents. He moved to Salem in 1858. He was a loyal Democrat and was elected to office on this ticket. The offices of Treasurer and Assessor were conducted as one at that time. Smith Larimer died in Salem in 1887, at the age of seventy-six years, after a use- ful and very active life. Robert Larimer, grandfather of the subject, was a native of Ireland who emigrated to America when a boy, devoting his life to the farm. He lived to be an old man. The mother of the subject was known in maidenhood as Sarah Brown, a native of Ohio, who traced her lineage to Scotland. She was a woman of fine traits of char- acter and she passed to her rest in 1861, when the subject of this sketch was nine years old. Mr. and Mrs. Smith Larimer were the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, namely: Andrew Jack- son, who was first lieutenant of Company H, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, which was mustered largely in Marion county, and this brave young officer met his death in the great battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864; Wilson S. was a member of the same company, having gone through the war, dying in the spring of 1888; Mrs. Sarah M. Hite, of St. Louis; i\Irs. Nancy J. Moore, of Salem, IlHnois; \V. F., of Denver, Colorado; John W., our subject; Ann E. Irvin, also living in Den- ver; and Mrs. Kagy, wife of L. M. Kagy, president of the Salem State Bank. John W. Larimer, our subject, was born on the farm, and when six years old moved with his parents to Salem where he attended school and when fourteen years old went into the court house with J. O. Chance, who was engaged in the abstract business and who afterward became Clerk of the Supreme Court of Illinois. Our subject began learn- ing the abstract business at this early age, and in 1870 he was appointed Deputy County Clerk for one year under J. O. Chance, who was then Clerk. Shortly af- terward Mr. Chance and Mr. Larimer formed a partnership in the abstract and real estate business, which partnership con- tinued for about four years, when Mr. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 443 Chance was elected Clerk of the Supreme Court, then Mr. Larimer continued the busi- ness himself up to the present time, becom- ing known as one of the ablest, most ac- curate and reliable abstracters in this part of the state and his office is always a busy place. Our subject was married May 6, 1871, to Rosa Andrews, daughter of Seth S. An- drews, now deceased, formerly a representa- tive citizen of Salem. Three bright and in- teresting children have been born to the sub- ject and wife as follows : Dwight W., who is associated with his father in the abstract business ; Sarah Louise and Kathryn. Mr. Larimer has ever taken an active part in politics and as a result of his innate ability and his loyalty to his party's prin- ciples he has been chosen to positions of public trust by his fellow voters, having been elected Town Clerk in 1877. He has also been City Clerk, and he represented the old third ward as Alderman, also was honored by one term as Mayor. He served as a member of the Board of Education for four years, and in 1896 he was a member of the State Board of Equalization, serving four years. This was an elective office and Mr. Larimer carried Marion county by over one thousand votes, which speaks for his popularity in his home county. He received ten more votes than William J. Bryan. He was Secretary and a member of the Board of Directors of the Salem Building and Loan Association, having organized this associa- tion of which he has been secretary for twenty-five years in 1908, or ever since its organization. Our subject is also president of the Business Men's Association, and president of the Marion County Agricul- tural Board. Thus we see that our subject has the confidence and good will of the pub- lic who have entrusted him with these vari- ous positions of honor and trust, and that he has conscientiously and ably discharged his duties at all times goes without saying, in fact, no man in the county is more popu- lar than Mr. Larimer, who is regarded as one of the county's most valuable men and one of its foremost citizens. His business interests have been varied; he is one of the stockholders in the Salem State Bank. He is a prominent Mason, hav- ing been through all the offices in both the lodge and the chapter, being a Thirty-second degree member. He is also a member of the Knights Templar. Both Mr. and Mrs. Larimer are members of the Presbyterian- church. They reside at Walnut and Church streets in a beautiful modern home which they own. JOHN H. VAWTER. Improvement and progress may well be said to form the keynote of the character of our subject, and he has not only been inter- ested in the work of advancement in indi- vidual affairs but his influence is felt in up- building the community, where he has al- ways resided. Mr. Vawter has been a very industrious man all his life, striving to keep- abreast of the times in every respect, and 444 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. as a result every mile post of the years he has passed has found him farther advanced, more prosperous, more sedate and with a larger number of friends than the preceding. John H. Vawter was bom in Salem, Illi- nois, in i860. His father was Reuben T. Vawter, a native of Tennessee who came to Marion county about 1850, when he was yet a young man, settling in Salem, where he established a tailor shop, having always been a tailor by trade and a first class workman in this line. He lived here and met with worthy success until his death which oc- curred in 1862. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Eleanor M- Kimball, a native of Tennessee, who was a woman of many beautiful traits, who was called to her rest in 1903. Besides the subject of this sketch Mr. and Mrs. Reuben T. Vawter were the parents of another child, A. K. Vawter, now living in Oklahoma, where he is known as a man of good char- acter and much business ability. The sub- ject's mother's second marriage occurred about 1867, to William Metcalf. John H. Vawter made a splendid record while attending the common schools in Sa- lem. After reaching maturity he went into the coal and teaming business, later entered the produce business, prosper- ing at each of these, but he decided that the hardware business was more to his liking and consequently he entered this field in his home town in the spring of 1901. His suc- cess was assured from the first, and his busi- ness has rapidly grown, making it necessary for him to gradually increase his stock. which he has done until at present he has one of the most complete and carefully selected hardware stocks in Marion county. He has been in his present location ever since he en- tered the business and he numbers his cus- tomers from all parts of the county, and owing to his courteous treatment and the excellent quality of goods he handles, to- gether with the fact that they are always sold at reasonable figures, his reputation has been firmly established and gained for him not only hundreds of loyal customers, but at the same time hosts of friends. Mr. Vawter was married in 1883, to Maggie T. Garner, the refined daughter of Albert C. Garner, a well known and highly respected family of Salem, and to this union four interesting children have been bom, as follows : Lillian G., whose date of birth oc- curred in 1886; Hattie N., who was bom in 1889; Marietta's birth occurred in 1891 ; and Irene first saw the light of day in 1901. Mr. Vawter has always taken a conspicu- ous part in public affairs and as a result of his humanitarian impulses his fellow citi- zens have honored him by electing him Mayor of the City of Salem, which respon- sible office he at present (1908) holds, the duties of which he ably perfomis to the en- tire satisfaction of this vicinity, and during his administration he has done much for the betterment and material progress of the city, with the result that Salem' is one of the cleanest, most inviting and well gov- erned cities in this part of the state. He also sen-ed faithfully for four years as Al- derman. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 445 Mr. Vawter is a staunch Democrat and well fortified in his political beliefs, being at all times ready to lend his support to the party's good, and his counsel is often sought and always heeded in local conventions and elections, for the public knows that Mr. Vawter always stands for the best man pos- sible in local offices, and whoever he places the stamp of approval on is sure to be ac- ceptable to the public at large. In his fra- ternal relations, he is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen. Sa- lem is glad to number him as one of her leading merchants and among its representa- tive citizens. The record of his busines ca- reer might be summed up in the terse ex- pression that he is "above want and below envy." J. D. TELFORD. In such men as Mr. Telford there is pecu- liar satisfaction in offering their life his- tories justification for the compilation of works of this character — not that their lives have been such as to gain them particularly wide notoriety or the admiring plaudits of men, but that they have been true to the trusts reposed in them, have shown such attributes of character as entitle them to the regard of all. J. D. Telford was born in Marion county, Illinois, September 2, 1848. He is the son of Samuel G. Telford, a native of Jef- ferson county, Illinois. Grandfather James Telford, a native of South Carolina, came to Jefiferson county as early as 1822, and moved to this county in 1836, when the father of the subject was nine years old, and like most of the sturdy pioneers of that early time, was compelled to undergo many pri- vations and do much hard work in estab- lishing, a home, but being a man of sterling qualities and indomitable energy he con- quered the many obstacles that confronted him and led a useful and influential life as a farmer there, as did also his son, father of our subject, who seemed to inherit much of the older Telford's better traits, and, indeed, the family characteristics have come on down to our subject, who is carefully order- ing his life so as to carry out the early praiseworthy characteristics of his ances- tors. Samuel G. Telford spent his life on the farm, having lived on the same farm for sixty years. This was taken out of the new prairie land, but the wild soil was soon transformed into highly productive fields. He was a soldier in the Union army, having enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty- sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and ren- dered gallant service until the winter of 1864. He is still living in 1908 near Cartter, Marion county. The mother of the subject was called to her rest in 1882. Her maiden name was Mary Baldridge. She was a na- tive of Illinois, but her people came from North Carolina. James Telford was an Abolitionist and was an historic character in his day, having played an important part in the famous un- derground railway when Illinois was ad- 44^ BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, 11.UN0IS. mitted as a free state in 1818. He came to this state because he was opposed to slavery. His wife's maiden name was Kell, and she was also a native of South Carolina. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living at this writing, the father of the subject being the only one of the boys living. Samuel G. Telford and wife were the parents of nine children, named in the order of their birth as follows: J. D., subject of this sketch; Joseph, of Alma township, Marion county; Margaret J., deceased; Eva, who is^ married and living in Ashville, North Carolina; Alice, the wife of William Wyatt, of Durant, Oklahoma ; Kate, wife of Doctor Richardson, of Union City, Okla- homa; George B., who is living in Kansas; Arthur, a farmer of Marion county; Belle, who became Mrs. Arnold, is deceased. J. D. Telford, our subject, lived with his father until he was twenty-three years old, assisting with the work on the old home- stead and attending the country schools during the winter months. Having applied himself well to his text-books he became fairly well educated, and later has added to this by home reading and coming in contact with the world. The happy and harmonious domestic life of the subject dates from January 19, 1872, when he was united in marriage to Sarah A. Wyatt, the estimable daughter of John and Margaret Wyatt, a highly respected family of Marion county, natives of Tennessee, who came to Marion county in i860. The following children have been born to the subject and wife, all of whom are well established in life and give promise of suc- cessful futures: Dr. A. T., who lives at Olney, Illinois; E. D., is an attorney at Salem, this county; Ula, is a stenographer in the Life Savings Station at Chicago; Omer F. is a farmer in Marion county; Oran is a member of the family circle at their home in Salem, as is also J. D., Jr. The Telford residence is modern and always cheerful. The subject is engaged in farming and real estate, largely interested in fruit grow- ing, at which he is highly competent, having long taken an abiding interest in horticul- ture. He has two large orchards containing six thousand and five hundred apple trees of excellent variety and quality. He de- votes much of his time to the care of his orchards, which are among the most valu- able in this part of the state, and useless to add that the financial returns from the sale of his fruit are usually quite satisfactory. Politically Mr. Telford is a stanch Repub- lican and having been actuated by a laudable desire for political preferment, his friends elected him to the important office of Sher- iff of Marion county, the duties of which he faithfully performed to the satisfaction of all concerned for a period of four years, having been elected in 1882 and serving until 1886. He is well grounded in his po- litical convictions, and always lends his aid in supporting his party's principles, en- deavoring to place the best men possible in local offices. He is a well informed man, not only on political matters and current BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 447 events, but he is well read on scientific, liter- ary and diverse subjects which make his conversation interesting as well as instruc- tive, and he is generally regarded as one of the substantial men of Marion county. M. W. MICHAELS. Mr. Michaels, of this review, is one of those strong, sturdy characters who has con- tributed largely to the material welfare of the community and township in which he re- sides, being a modem agriculturist and a business man of more than ordinary sagac- ity and foresight, and as a citizen public- spirited and progressive in all that the terms imply. For a number of years he has been an important factor in promoting the prog- ress of Marion county. M. W. Michaels was born near Sumner, Lawrence county, Illinois, May 19, 1861, the son of Samuel Michaels, a native of Pennsylvania, whO' was born in 181 5, and came to Illinois when a young boy, befoi^e Chicago was known. He was a sturdy pio- neer and braved the dangers, inconveniences and obstacles of the early days, securing a wild piece of land which he transformed into a valuable and highly productive farm, devoting his entire life to agricultural pur- suits. He cam'e to Marion county in 1880 and was called from his earthly labors in Romine township, Illinois, in 1897. The mother of the subject was also a woman of the strongest mould and possessed the ster- ling qualities of the typical pioneer woman. Samuel Michaels was three times married and had a family of twenty children, eight- een of whom are living- in 1908, a somewhat remarkable record. His first wife was a Ea- kas, who became the mother of six children, all now living, as follows : Mary A., wife of W. J. Jones, of luka, Illinois; Anna, the wife of Joseph Clevy, of Pomona, Kansas ; Adiine, the wife of Isaac Williams, of Browns, Illinois; Mrs. Lafe Jones, of Cal- houn, Illinois ; Mrs. Martha Jones, of Sum- ner, Illinois; William' B. lives at Kremlin, Oklahoma. The second wife of Samuel Michaels was Mary A. Collins, daughter of William Collins, who was murdered near Lawrenceville, Illinois, in the seventies. The following children were bom to this union : M. W., the subject of this sketch; Samuel, of Gettysburg, Washington; L. G., of Franklin, Alaska; C. J., of luka, Illinois; R. B., of Centraha, Illinois; W. N., of luka, Illinois; Rose, widow of John Meadows, liv- ing in St. Louis, Missouri; Charlie, who is living in one of the Western states. The mother of these children passed to the other shore December 13, 1879. The third wife of the subject's father was Caroline Turner, a native of Illinois, who- became the mother of the following children : Cora, wife of Charles Bryan, of luka, Illinois ; Elizabeth, who was the wife of Charles Williams, is now deceased; Alvin, Ida and Minnie all live in Romine township ; Albert died in in- fancy. L. J. Michaels, brother of the sub- ject, has been in Alaska since about 1897, and has made a great success at placer min- -148 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ing, refusing fifty thousand dollars for his claims. The subject of this sketch lived with his father, assisting with the fann work and attending the neighboring schools in the winter, until he became a young man, when he went west, where he spent several years in the railroad business, gaining a fund of valuable experience and information. He finally returned home and married, Novem- ber 6, 1883, Maggie Taylor, daughter of P. A. Taylor. Both he and his wife were natives of Kentucky. Mr. Michaels went west again in 1887 with his family and worked from Colorado to New Mexico, but was in California most of the time. He re- turned to Illinois in 1897, and began farm- ing in Romine township. He made a signal success of farming, having improved a good tract of land and skillfully managed the same until he soon had not only a comfort- able living, but quite a competency laid by. Mr. Michaels is a stockholder in the First National Bank at Salem, however, he de- votes his attention tO' farming! interests principally and is known as one of the best and most painstaking agriculturists in the township and his farm shows unmistakably that a man of thrift and industry manages it. Mr. Michaels is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, also the Woodmen, and both he and his wife are members of the Christian church. The subject and wife are the parents of twO' children, namely : Clarence, who was born July 18, 1885. He is a bright young man who gives prom- ise of a brilliant and successful future. The second child, Everett, died in infancy. Mr. Michaels has always taken consider- able interest in political matters and of re- cent years has been influential in local elec- tions, being well grounded and well read in his political opinions and on political sub- jects. Having a laudable ambition for offi- cial preferment, and being a popular man in his party, his Republican friends selected him for Sheriff, having been elected to this important office in 1906, by a big majority in a county nominally Democratic, which shows that he is regarded as a strong man in his community. He also served as a member of the County Board for two terms, representing his township. He has shown himself eminently capable in all the offices or positions of public or private trust that have been proffered, giving entire satisfac- tion to all his constituents and, in fact, every- one concerned. ROBERT O. BRIGHAM. No business man of Centralia is regarded with higher favor than is the subject of this sketch, who, while looking to his own in- terests does not neglect to discharge his duties in fostering the upbuilding of the community in general. Robert O. Brigham, manager of the Cen- tralia Envelope Company, was bom in Clinton, New York, May 23, 1861, the son of Lewis and Sophia (Johnson) Brig- ham, the former having been born in Ver- non Center, New York, December 4, 1820. His parents were of English extraction on both sides of the house. Lewis E. Brigham CEXTRALIA ENVELOPE CO. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 449 was a contractor and carpenter, and was educated in the public schools of his native state. The subject's parents reared a fam- ily consisting of eight sons and one daugh- ter, Robert O., our subject, being the sev- enth in order of birth. The subject's father died in Clinton, New York, February 22, 1907, at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife was born in that city April 29, 1825. She was educated in the common schools in her native community. The parents of the subject were married in 1843 in the state of New York. The mother of our subject, an elderly woman of beautiful Christian character, is still living in Clinton, New York. Robert O. Brigham receiired his early ed- ucation in Clinton, New York, in the public schools. He quit school when fifteen years of age and went to Boston to learn the ma- chinist's trade. Here he took advantage of the Boston night schools and applied him- self with his accustomed vigor to technical drafting and the necessary commercial branches. He served his apprenticeship with the National Sewing Machine Com- pany, for which he -ys^orked for ten years, at the end of which time he was called to take charge of the Whitmore Sewing Machine Company, in the employ of which he contin- ued for one year ; the then went to Los An- geles, California, then to Denver, Colorado, and worked for W. E. Scott, machinery com- pany, having charge of the model and re- pair work, after which he worked for the J. C. Teller Envelope Opener Company, of Denver, Colorado. 29 Robert O. Brigham invented an attach- ment to an envelope machine for placing a string in the envelope and then formed a company to put such an envelope on the market. The manufacture was continued with much success until 1896, when he and two other men bought the interest of the former manager, forming the Western En- velope and Box Company. They continued for one year in Denver, but finding that they were too far west for the successful working of such a plant, they moved to Omaha, Nebraska, remaining there one year, after which they moved to Centralia, Illinois. After operating the plant for eight years in Centralia, it was reorganized, and called the Illinois Envelope Company, and moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. After one year's residence in Kalamazoo, Mr. Brigham re- signed his position with the Illinois En- velope Company and returned to Centralia and helped to organize a new envelope company with only Centralia capital. This company is known as the Centralia Envelope Company, and is capitalized for one hun- dred thousand dollars, fully paid in. This company is now only two years old and is doing a thriving business. Its capacity at the beginning was one and one-quarter mil- lion envelopes every ten hours, and has been increased to one and one-half million per day. The order for the machinery for the plant was the largest ever given at one time for a like enterprise. The view accompanying this article is of thirty of the latest improved envelope ma- 450 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. chines in the plant of the Centralia En- velope Company mill. These machines are marvels of ingenuity. The paper is cut to the proper size and shape, then taken to these machines in which they are gummed, folded, dried and counted at the rate of one hundred to one hundred and thirty per minute, according to size. The picture shows only the envelope machines. There is also a large printing department equipped with latest improved printing machinery and all the necessary equipment that goes to make a complete printing establish- ment, cutting department, box department, case department, handfold department, ma- chine shop, in fact, everything that goes to make up a complete envelope mill. The capacity of the mill, as already stated, is one and one-half million envelopes every ten hours, making it one of the largest in the United States, and one of the lead- ing industries of Southern Illinois. Its goods are known far and wide for their high quality. This mill is owned and controlled by Centralia capital. Its directors are con> posed of the following well known busi- ness men : C. C. Davis, Ferdinand Kohl, Jr., Harry Warner, F. F. Noleman, Jacob Erbes, Ed Cornell, J. G. Goetsch, R. O. Brigham, W. E. O'Melveny. Officers: C. C. Davis, president; F. Kohl, Jr., vice pres- ident; H. M. Warner, secretary; Harry Kohl, treasurer; R. O. Brigham, general manager. Our subject is particularly well fitted to be manager of such a gigantic and success- ful enterprise. His native constructive abil- ity for technical mechanics and intricate ma- chinery has eminently fitted him in this special line. His economic foresight of proper management, good machines, good workmen, good material all contribute to the success of the company. All the machinery in the plant is modern, up-to-date in every respect, and high grade work is turned out rapidly. Our subject has had a wide experience in the manage- ment of such concerns. He is the originator and inventor of many of the improvements to be found in the present highly developed envelope machine. This company under his superior management now operates thirty envelope machines, ten printing presses and ten box machines. The factory also has a complete machine shop and repair depart- ment, also a complete case department. The buildings are two stories high, built of brick and frame. The main building is two hun- dred feet long and fifty feet wide. The shipping and stock room is one hundred and thirty-five by eighty-five feet. A switch from the main track of the Illinois Central Railroad runs to the door of the big ship- ping room, all under cover of spacious sheds. The Illinois Southern tracks also run into the sheds of the shipping depart- ment. The machines of the plant are run and the buildings are lighted and heated by a one hundred and sixty-horse power steam plant and a sixty horse power engine. A four hundred light dynamo furnishes the lighting of the great plant. Eighty girls and twenty-five men and boys are constant- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 451 ly employed to operate the plant, the daily capacity of which is one million and five hundred thousand envelopes. This new but successful enterprising company was started by thirty-five of the business men of Centralia, and it is owned by Centralia people, being capitalized at one hundred thousand dollars, which was raised in a very short time. The capacity •of each machine runs from sixty-five to sev- enty-five thousand each ten hours. It is an interesting plant in every detail and one of the rapidly growing large industrial con- cerns of Southern Illinois. Robert O. Brigham was married to Min- nie G. McDonald, the accomplished daugh- ter of James and Rebecca (Nicholson) Mc- Donald, a well known family of Quincy, Illinois, to which family there were four children, Minnie being the youngest. To our subject and wife one daughter was lx)rn, who passed away when eighteen years old. Our subject is a member of Centralia lodges. Knights of Pythias and the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks. He ■served as a member of the school board for one term. In politics he is a Republican, and he was reared a Baptist, but he at pres- ent worships with the Christian Scientists, and is president of the Church Board of Centralia. His beautiful home just west of the Public Library is nicely furnished, be- ing also well filled with choicest books of an excellent variety, also a large number of beautiful oil paintings by his sister and daughter. He is a genial gentleman of good habits and modest demeanor. CHARLES E. BUNDY. Among the men of influence in Marion county, who have the interest of their local' ity at heart and who have led consistent lives, thereby gaining definite success along their chosen lines, is the subject of this sketch, being regarded as one of the leading farmers of Raccoon township, where he has a valuable and highly productive landed es- state, which he manages with that care and discretion that stamps him as a twentieth centuryi agriculturist of the highest order. Charles E. Bundy was bom in Marion county, Illinois, on his father's old homestead in the above named township, February 3, 1862, the son of George Bundy, who was born December 25, 1837, and who married Elizabeth Hiltibidal. He was born in Rac- coon township and his wife in Centralia township, the former on August 9, 1838, the son of John, known as Jack, Bundy. The subject's father grew up and married in Raccoon township and lived there all his life. He was one of the prominent farmers and stockmen. He was a Republican, was Justice of the Peace and served in many minor township offices. He and his wife were members of the Christian church. He died July i, 1904, and she died January 30, 1900. He was not only popular but high- ly esteemed. The subject of this sketch was their only child. George Bundy was one of the patriotic citizens of the Prairie state who responded to the call for volunteers to save the na- tion's integrity during the sixties, having enlisted in the Union army, August 12, 45-' BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 1862, and served faithfully in Company H, Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantiy, and he was mustered out June 19, 1865. He was a flag bearer. He met with an acci- dent while on duty in the service. While car- rying the flag, he caught his foot on a grape vine, fell and was veiy badly injured. After the war our subject returned to Raccoon township and being a hard worker he se- cured two hundred and thirty-nine acres in this township. He had only a common school education in the home schools. He has always lived on a part of the old home- stead. Our subject, Charles E. Bundy, was united in marriage October 29, 1885, to Effie Jane Prather, who was bom in Raccoon town- ship, the daughter of Joseph Prather, a na- tive of Indiana. He was one of the old and favorably known residents of Raccoon town- ship. Eleven children have been born to our subject and wife as follows : Sarah Gladys, Earl, Iva May, George Ashton, Carroll Ashton, Thomas Oren, John Guy ; Lola Elizabeth ; Ula Violet ; Paul Sherman, and Charles Deward. Our subject has always been a man of industry and has made many valuable and lasting improvements on his place. Pie re- modeled his fine home in 1908, making it a very attractive, substantial and comfortable one. He has a most excellent and valuable orchard of forty acres. He carries on gen- eral farming and stock raising with that rare foresight that insures success. While Mr. Bundy is a loyal Republican, and anxious to see his county develop along all lines, he has never aspired for public office. He is a member of the Fanners' Union. He is known to be a man of thor- oughly honest principles, public-spirited and agreeable to all his neighbors and many friends. JOSEPH A PRATHER. This venerable citizen of Raccoon town- ship, Marion county, has been a very active man in the development of this part of the Union, having spent his long life in this and her sister state on the east. He has seen the wonderful growth of the country from its wild prairies, dense forests, inhabited by red men and wild beasts to one of the rich- est and best countries in the world. Joseph A. Prather was bora in Clark county, Indiana, January 31, 1824; the son of Sihon and Elizabeth (Williams) Prather, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Virginia. The subject's father grew up in the Tar Heel state and moved to Clark county, Indiana, where he lived on a farm and where he and his wife both died. He was a Democrat and held the office of Justice of the Peace several years. He was a member of the Methodist church, well known and influential. They were the par^ ents of the follo,wing children : Louisa, de- ceased ; Samantha, deceased ; Thomas, de- ceased; John, deceased: Joseph A., our sub- ject; William, deceased; Margaret lives in Clark county, Indiana. Several children died young. Joseph A. Prather, our subject, had few BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 453 opportunities to become educated, however he attended subscription schools for a time and lived at home until he was twenty-one years of age, when he went to Floyd county, Indiana, and in 1844 married Sarah Ann Patrick, a native of Clark county, that state, where she was born December 3, 1827, the daughter of William and Nancy (Harris) Patrick, the former a native of North Caro- lina and the latter of Virginia. They lived and died in Clark county, Indiana, on a farm. There were twelve children in their family as follows : Jeremiah, Rebecca, John, Elizabeth, Mary, William, Solomon, James, Nancy, Lewis, Sarah Ann, and Eliza. They are all deceased except the wife of our sub- ject. Mr. and Mrs. Prather became the par^' ents of nine children, three deceased, name- ly: Nancy, who married Roland Warren, lives in Centralia, Illinois, and is the mother of eight children : Margaret, who is now de- ceased, having died January 24, 1908, mar- ried Lewis Patton, having become the moth- er of ten children, one of whom is deceased ; John, who married Belle Oldfield, is a farmer and teamster at Centralia, and has for children ; Eliza J., who married Thomas Shaw, of Centralia township, is the mother of eight children; Emmons R., a farmer in Raccoon township, first married Mollie Gas- ton and later Lillie Blair, of Raccoon town- ship, having had four children by his first wife and two by the second ; Etha is the wife of Charles Bundy, of Raccoon township, a full sketch of whom appears in this work; Orville, whO' is living on part of the old home place in Raccoon township, married, first Laura May, and his second wife was Annie Howard, had three children by each wife; W^illiam died at the age of seven years ; George died when two years old. The subject has fifty-three grandchildren and thirty-four great-grandchildren. After his marriage our subject lived in Floyd county, Indiana, having comle to Marion county, Illinois, in 1854, where he pur- chased two hundred and twenty acres of land in sections 29 and 32. He made all the improvements on the place, there having been but very little when he took charge, but being a good manager and a hard worker he soon developed a most excellent farm and established a comfortable home. He carries on general farming, raising all kinds of grain, fniit and stock and making a success of all that he undertakes. He is a Democrat in politics and has held some of the offices in Raccoon township, always taking much interest in the affairs of his township. He is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church at Walnut Hill. He has always been a hard working man and is still very well preserved for a man of his years, having a good business mind and able to manage the many details of his fine fai-m with profit from year to year. He is a very well read man, keeping well posted on all current topics. As a result of his life of in- dustry, honesty and kindness he has scores of warm friends and if a single enemy he does not know it. Everybody in this part of Marion county knows "Uncle Joe" Pra- ther, as he is familiarly called and eveiy- body respects him very highly. 454 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. JOHN M. ADAMS. It is pleasing to find the energy and in- dustry which characterized the old pioneer families manifesting itself in the children of succeeding generations. The subject of our present sketch was born on June lo, 1848, in Raccoon township. He was the son of Martin Adams, who was born October 10, 1820, in West Virginia, and who married Elvira Richardson, of Tennessee. Martin came with his father, Nathan Adams, and his mother to Marion county, Illinois, some time about 1835, and they settled in Racoon township, where his father got half a section of land on which he made many improve- ments. Grandfather Nathan Adams was an industrious and hardy pioneer with great powers of endurance. He was equipped with the trade of carpenter, being a skilled work- man. He had two saw and grist mills on the old-fashioned water mill system which were the first of their kind in this part of the country. A man of remarkable traits and cheerful disposition he was favorably regarded by his neighbors. His wife was a capable and amiable woman. Martin's mother died on the farm after raising a family of nine children. The children were : Nancy, Minerva, Emily, Harriet, Martin, Nicholas, Joseph, Fletcher and John, Mar- tin, as we have stated, being the father of the subject of this sketch. Martin's future father-in-law, Thomas Richardson, of Tennessee, and his wife, Sarah, having caught the pioneering spirit had also come westward. They were pio- neer residents of Raccoon township where they obtained a large tract of land and where they died. They raised the large family of twelve children, of which the eldest was Elvira, the future wife of Martin and the mother of John M. Adams. The children were named Elvira, Mary, Martha, Jannette, Eliza, John, Montgomery, McKindry, James D., Emily and George. Martin Adams, as may well be supposed, owing to the primitiveness of the times had little chance to attend school. He lived on the farm with his parents, and his education was of desultory character. Much use was found for him on the farm helping his father at his trade and working on the farm which at that time needed much attention. Upon his marriage to Elvira Richardson he moved to the farm he occupied for many years and where the subject of our sketch was bom. The family reared there consisted of seven children, four of whom are dead. Thomas, the eldest, enlisted in Company F of the Forty-eighth Regiment during the Civil war and was killed in action. The second son, Nathan, also joined the same regiment. Having passed through the war he con- tracted a severe chill at Little Rock, Arkan- sas. Upon obtaining a discharge he returned home only to die the second day of his ar- rival. John M. Adams, the subject of our present sketch, was the third. Emily, who still lives with her parents, was the next; Maggie, who was Mrs. Millard Gillette, of Marion county, now dead, was the fifth. The sixth was Ella, whose first husband was William Lydick, whose second was William BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 455 Tate, and who is now Mrs. Harvey Meisem- heimer, living with her husband in Salem township. Another member of the family, Mahalia, who was single, is deceased. John M. Adams, whose name heads this sketch, received a good sound education, living with his parents until his marriage on December 24, 1868, to Alice Ennis. On his marriage he located on another property in the township of Raccoon. In 1877 he mi- grated to Texas where he remained a year, leaving there owing to his wife's ill health. At a later period he settled in Missouri, where he spent two years at railroad work. His wife, who belonged to a Virginia family, died January 17, 1879, leaving a son and daughter. They are: Otta R., a rug manufacturer of Louisville, Kentucky, and the father of two children, Kenneth and Harry M. Adams. Clara, married Charles Clark and resides in Cheyenne, Wyoming. They have had three children : George, Alice and Verne. John M. Adams married secondly on May 5, 1880. His second wife was formerly Amanda Carr, the daughter of Elijah and Eliza (Ferguson) Carr, a history of whom will be found on another page. Three chil- dren were born to this union. Elsie, the wife of Charles Farthing, of Salem, and the mother of two children, Olive and Mil- dred. Ethel, the second daughter, married M. C. Warren, of Coffeyville, Kansas, and has been blessed with two children. Earl and Victor. The third born was Everett, who still remains in the parental home. John M. Adams was back again in Rac- coon township when his second marriage took place, and he still lives upon the land which has been his for years. A farmer for the greater part of his life, he is a skilled agriculturalist and a far-seeing man. Though now in his sixty-first year he is still as hale and vigorous as ever. He has ever taken an active interest in all questions which come up for adjustment in the life of the town and especially in educational affairs. He has been for three terms a Director of Schools in the township. In the political line John M. Adams has ever favored the Republican party, and is a man looked up to by that party in the township. He is not indifferent to church and social work, is a respected member of the Methodist Episcopal congregation, and has always been in demand in the social life of the neighborhood. He is also well known throughout the county where his friends are legion. John M. Adams's life has not been without its quota of trials and crosses. He has been able to surmount all obstacles, how- ever, and to arrive in the autumn time of life in prosperous circumstances. This he has been able to do through his inherent energy and industriousness. SCOTT M. CARR. A surprisingly large number of the folk who moved westward into portions of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois during the early part of the nineteenth century were natives of the 4S6 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. State of Virginia and of the -Carolinas. The Carr family, who came to Illinois as early as 1801, were of this stock. The grandfather of the subject of our sketch entered the state of Illinois at this period. Henry Carr was a Virginian of pioneer instincts. On arrival in Illinois he settled in St. Clair county, and here his son Elijah, the father of Scott M. Carr, was born. Elijah spent his boyhood and youth in St. Clair county assisting his father at the homestead. Af- terward he moved to Jefferson county, and finally to Marion county, Illinois. In the year 1834 he married Mary Ray, of Mil- ledgeville, Georgia, the marriage taking place on January 6th. His wife's father, William Ray, was well known in North Carolina, of which state he was a native. He mar- ried Nancy Merritt, who lived near Macon, Georgia. William Ray came in 1839 to Marion county and there settled in section 8, Raccoon township, where he obtained a large tract of land. Here on the farm their lives, which were not uneventful, were spent, and here they died. At one period of lawlessness they were attacked by rob- bers who rendered them helpless by roping them up after which they robbed them. This occurred in 1871. The children of their marriage were as follows : Alfred, Burris, William, Martha and Mary. Elijah Carr was a blacksmith by trade and had the reputation of a very industrious and efficient workman. His career was not without seeing warlike service. He joined a military company and took a hand in the famous Black Hawk war. In his boyhood he had only a limited term of schoolings and his education was therefore necessarily in- complete. However, his natural talents over- came any difficulties met with in this line and it was no bar to his success. He was twice married, his first wife bearing him six chil- dren. They are (in regular order) : Lavina, who married Ely McMeens, of Jefferson county; Frances, who was Mrs. Cubberly, and who with her husband is dead; Sarah, who married Thomas Hails, of Centralia; Robert M., who first married Nancy Grain, and afterwards Laura Dollins, and who is a traveling salesman at Carterville, Illinois; Louettie, who married J. W. Willis, a preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church ; Amanda, who is the wife of John M. Adams, of Raccoon township. Elijah Carr died August 19, 1890, and his second wife on November 13th, of the following year. The children by the second marriage are: Wil- liam B., who was born in Centraha, Illinois, April 26,1865, who married on March 4, 1896, Cora Alice Phillips, of Centralia, and who is a farmer in Raccoon township. Scott M., the subject of our present sketch, was the other. Scott M. Carr was born in Centralia on October 12, 1869. He received the best edu- cation the home schools could give him and he remained under his parents' roof until his twenty-second year. On September 8th, of the year 1892 he married Ida Alice Wooters, also of Raccoon. She was the daughter of Noah and Emily (Crane) ^^'ooters, her father being of North Caro- lina origin, and her mother a native of Rac- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 457 coon township. Noah Wooters came to IlHnois at the age of six with his parents in 1835. He died in 1881. His wife, born December 26, 1839, is still alive in Rac- coon township. He was married twice, his first wife being Martha Phillips, of Tennes- see. He is remembered as a farmer of in- dustrious habits and as the driver of the old time stage-coach from Mount Vernon to Salem, his prowess and bravery in those days being much commented on. The latter part of his life was spent in Raccoon town- ship. The four children born to him by his first wife were: Lizzie, who is Mrs. Farthing, of Odin township ; Lou, who mar- ried A. J. McClelland, also of Odin; Bell, who married Andrew Stevenson, of Odin township; Shirley, who married Nannie Southerland, and who lives in Muskogee, Oklahoma. His children by the second mar- riage were: Elmer, a farmer of Dix, Illi- nois, who married first Ida Copple, and sec- ondly, Delia Caldwell. The wife of the sub- ject of our sketch was the second. The third, John, of Odin, Illinois, married Abbie Ray, and is a farmer. Scott, of Odin, mar- ried Ollie Stater. Ellis V. is also a farmer in Odin, and he is the husband of Carrie Stater. Mrs. Carr's mother was married first to J. L. Adams. They had two chil- dren, one of whom lives in the person of Ella, who is married to E. A. Davis, of Raccoon township. Scott M. Carr has been located in his present substantial holding since the com- mencement of his married life. He and his wife started there in a small way and their present prosperous condition is the result of a hard-working career. Their family life is a happy one. Mrs. Carr has done much in the way of assisting her husband. The couple have two sons: Floyd, born June 17, 1893, and Robert D., bom July 21, 1898. The family are members of the Christian church and are firm believers in the advantages of church work. Mrs. Scott and her husband are well regarded socially and have a host of friends. In politics he is a Democrat. He has never aspired for any political office as he pre- fers to confine himself to business life. An idea of the life work of Scott M. Carr may be gained from the fact that the farm in section 17, Raccoon township, has been brought to its present state of perfection through his own efforts. He has been un- tiring in the work of improving the prop- erty, built a home and barn in 1892, and has now one of the finest homes in the district. On the farm which consisted at first of eighty and later reinforced by forty acres in section 20, Raccoon township, he has raised cattle of the Jersey and hogs of the Poland China breeds, and also horses and mules. In addition he carries on a suc- cessful general farriery business in which first class work is skillfully done. Scott M. Carr is still in the best of health, and as he is in the prime of life greater things may be expected from him in the future. He can point with pride to his achievements in his line of endeavor and his honest, frugal and active life make him a good model for the young men of the community. 458 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. REUBEN J. BASS. Mr. Bass is eminently worthy of repre- sentation in a volume of the province of the one at hand owing to the life of in- dustry and honesty which he has lived and the work he has done in upbuilding the county of Marion since coming here. Reuben J. Bass was born October 7, 1845, in Trousdale county, Tennessee, the son of John D. and Betsey (Saterfield) Bass, both natives of Wilson county, Tennessee, where they grew up and married, the subject's mother having passed to her rest in 1852. His father married a second time, his last wife being a widow, Annie Purdy, of Wil- son county, Tennessee. They moved to Smith county and later to Trousdale county, that state. He died at the age of seventy- five years and his second wife died in that county. The subject's father was always a farmer and a Democrat. He and his wife were members of the Primitive Baptist church. He had five children by his first wife, namely: Reuben J., our subject; John E., who is now deceased, lived in Kentucky ; Mollie, who married James Holt, resides in St. Louis; Elizabeth, who mar- ried W. L. Puryear, is deceased; Daniel, who lived in Trousdale county, Tennessee, is deceased. The following children were born to the subject's father by his sec- ond wife : Shelby, who lives in Wilson county, Tennessee; Maranda, who lives in Trousdale county, Tennessee; Linnie is de- ceased ; Sion D. lived in Macon county, Tennessee, is deceased ; Sidney lives in Wil- son county, Tennessee; Edward lives in Trousdale county, Tennessee; Lucy, who was the fourth child in order of birth, lives in Nashville, Tennessee. The subject of this sketch had only a limited chance to attend school. However, he gained some education in subscription schools. He was married April 26, 1868, to Annie Gaddy, a native of Smith county, Tennessee, the daughter of George and Leacy (Bass) Gaddy, the former a native of Smith county and the latter of Wilson county, Tennessee. In the fifties Mr. Gaddy came to Williamson county, Illinois, and got wild land and made a home on the same where he died. His wife died in Tennes- see. Four children were born to the sub- ject and wife as follows: Mollie, deceased; Learner D. lives at Walnut Hill, this county, having married Marvin West, a farmer; Lulu is deceased; Florence is the wife of A. T. Harmon, a farmer in Raccoon town- ship, and the mother of these children, Opal, Ruby, Anna P., Beatrice and John D. After his marriage our subject located in Marion, AVilliamson county, Illinois, living there for two years when he went back to Trousdale county, Tennessee, and on December 19, 1 88 1, he came to Marion county, locating in Raccoon township, having rented land until 1888, when he bought sixty acres in sec- tion 28, where he now lives. It was for- merly known as the Willis place. The sub- ject has prospered since coming here, being a hard worker and a good manager. He has made many extensive improvements and car- ries on a general farming business. He BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 459 raises hogs, horses and cattle. He also raises a great deal of fruit of all kinds. He is a modem fanner in every sense of the word and has one of the best farms in the township. He has devoted his life work to farming. He is a Democrat in poli- tics and in religion a Free Will Baptist. He is a member of the Farmers' Educational Co-Operative Union of Raccoon township. He is well posted on current topics and is pleasant, agreeable, honest and a fine gentle- man in every respect, consequently every- body is a friend to him. FRANK LOOMIS. Among those men of Marion county, who by the mere farce of their personality, ha^'e forged their way to the front ranks of that class of citizens who may justly be termed progressive, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, who has a fine farm in Tonti township, which he has taken a great interest in and which he has improved in a most systematic way until it is the equal of any in the vicinity where it is so admir- ably located. Frank Loomis was born in this township, March 20, 1865, the son of S. E. and Mar- garet (McMurray) Loomis, a highly re- spected family and for several generations well known in Marion county. S. E. Loomis was a native of Ohio, where he was bom October 12, 1841, and came with his parents to Marion county, Illinois, in 1846, and after a life of hard work in practically a new country, he passed to his rest in 1885. Almon Loomis, the grandfather of our sub- ject, also came to this county from Ohio, settling on the farm where Frank Loomis now lives. He was one of the pioneers in this part of the county and reclaimed the farm in question from the wilderness. He is remembered as a hard worker and a good man in every respect. He passed to his rest in this township July 26, 1893. S. E. Loomis was married in Marion covxnty, his wife having come to this country from Scotland, where she was bom. Four children were born to this marriage. Three sons are now living, namely: Frank, our subject; Byron C, and Louis L. Frank Loomis was reared upon his father's farm in Tonti township and worked during the summer months on the farm, attending the district schools during the winter months until he had a fairly good common school education. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years old, and at the age of twenty-three was united in marriage with Ida M. Martin, the affable and congenial daughter of Caleb and Martha J. (Mc- Heney) Martin. Her father was born in North Carolina, and he moved to Tennessee, later coming to Marion county, Illinois. The mother of Mrs. Loomis was born in Tonti township, this county. Ida M. was the sixth child in order of birth in this fam- ily. She was educated in the dis- trict schools, where she applied her- self in such a manner as to become well educated. Two children were born 460 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. to the subject and wife, namely: Glen M., born September 12, 1890, and Omer F., who was born April 23, 1895. They are both bright boys, and will, no doubt, make their mark in the world. Mr. Loomis is the owner of a fami consisting of one hun^ dred and twenty acres on which he carries on general fanning which yields him a com- fortable living from year to year and at the same time permits him to lay up a compe- tency for old age and to give his children every necessary advantage in launching them successfully in the battle of life. His fields are well tilled, the crops of heavy grain being rotated with clover so as to re- tain the strength of the soil. He has a comfortable and substantial residence which is well furnished and nicely kept. Many and convenient out buildings also stand on the place, and much good stock of various kinds is to be found in his fields and barns. In politics Mr. Loomis is a staunch Re- publican, but he does not take a very active part in party affairs, being contented to spend his time on his farm. Fraternally he is a member of the Ben Hur lodge, Odin. No. 226. Mrs. Loomis is also a member of this organization. He is regarded as one •of the substantial and best citizens of Tonti township. DAVID HERSHBERGER. The subject of this sketch was reared to the sturdy discipline of the homestead farm and during all the succeeding years of his life he has not wavered in his allegiance to the great basic art of agriculture. To the public schools he is indebted for the early educational privileges that were afforded him, and he duly availed himself of the same, while he has efifectually broadened his knowledge through active association with men and affairs in practical business life. He has become the owner of a fine stock farm and devotes his attention to diversified agriculture with the discrimination, energy and constant watchfulness which inevitably make for definite success and prosperity. He has spent practically all of his life in Marion county. David Hershberger, living two miles west of Salem, Illinois, was born October 20, 1865, in Crawford county, Ohio, the son of Henry and Catherine (Snavely) Hershber- ger, the former being a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he was bom February 14, 1824, and the latter of Leb- anon county, Pennsylvania, both having been reared in the Keystone state. They moved to Crawford county, Ohio, where they fanned for several years and then in 1866 moved to Marion county, Illinois, set- tling in Salem township where Henry bought a large tract of land, becoming the owner of about two thousand acres in Ma- rion county. He improved this land and it became very valuable. He died August 29, 1898. He is remembered as a thrifty farmer and a highly i-espected citizen. Both he and his wife were members of the Ger- man Baptist church, or Dunkards. Jacob Hershberger, grandfather of the subject. BRINKEEHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 461 was also a native of Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, and the great-grandfather of the subject, Henry Hershberger, was also a native of that place. Henry, the father of the subject, and Catharine Suavely were married February 10, 1848. They were vei"y active in the church and Henry was a preacher for many years, having done a great amount of good in his work. He was a Republican in politics. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, named in order of birth, as follows : Jacob, a promi- nent farmer in Marion county; Samuel, de- ceased ; Mary, widow of John Schanafelt ; Elizabeth is the wife of W. J. Martin, a prominent fanner in Marion county; Anna is the wife of S. A. Schanafelt; Sarah is the wife of C. W. Courson, who lives in Marion county; John lives in Salem town- ship on a farm'; Henry lives in Centralia, Illinois; David, our subject, is the youngest child. The mother of the subject passed to her rest April 14, 1906. The subject remained at home on his father's farm until he married. He was one year old when he came to Marion county, he was married December 31, 1888, to ■ Lida Dickens, the daughter of Eli- jah and Elizabeth (Tate) Dickens, both natives of Tennessee, but pioneer settlers of Marion county, Illinois, both now deceased. The subject's wife was born in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hershberger six children have been born as follows: Leland, de- ceased; Walter E., Lottie M., Loren D., Henry R., and Wayne D. The subject and family are members of the German Baptist church in Salem town- ship, and the subject is a deacon in the church. He is a loyal Republican, having served his township as Highway Commis- sioner in a most acceptable manner. He lives on the old home farm, this together with his own farm constitutes two hundred and eighty acres. He is regarded as one of the leading famiers of Marion county, and always keeps excellent stock. He has a beautiful home which is elegantly fur- nished, and everything about the place is kept in first class order. GEORGE J. HEAVER. The gentleman to whom the biographer now calls the reader's attention was not fa- vored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this, by perseverance, industry and a wise economy, he has attained a comfortable sta- tion in life, and is well and favorably known throughout Tonti and surrounding town- ships, Marion county, as a result of the in- dustrious life he has lived there for over a half century. George J. Heaver was born in Crawford county, Ohio, December 8, 1838, the son of George Jacob and Christena (Fritz) Heaver, both natives of Wertenburg, Ger- many. They married in the Fatherland where two children were born to them. Deciding that greater opportunties were to be found in the United States they landed 462 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. at Sandusky, Ohio, July 3, 1838, and be- fore becoming hardly established in the new country the father died December i, 1838. His widow re-married in 1841, her second husband being Levi Kline, of Crawford county, Ohio, and in 1849 they emigrated to Marion county, Illinois, locating west of Salem, where they lived until 1854, when Mr. Kline died, and his widow was again married, her third husband being George Kline; both are now deceased. The first marriage of Christena Fritz re- sulted in the birth of four children, two boys and two girls, all deceased but the sub- ject of this sketch. George J. Heaver re- mained at home under the parental roof-tree until he reached maturity. His educational advantages were very limited but he early acquired enough schooling to read and write, but being by nature an intelligent man, he has succeeded admirably well without tech- nical training. Our subject was one of those loyal sons of the North, who, when the fierce fires of rebellion were raging in the Southland, felt it his duty to forsake home ties and offer his services in behalf of the stars and stripes, consequently he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Eleventh Il- linois Volunteer Infantry, on August 12, 1862, under Capt. Amos Clark, of Salem, Il- linois, and was in camp at that place. He was called to Camp Marshall where he re- mained until October 31, 1862, when his company was sent to Columbus, Kentucky, and was assigned to the Army of the Cum- berland, later taking part in the battle at Re- saca, Georgia, and the strenuous Atlanta campaign, also in Sherman's famous .march to the sea. Our subject also came back with Sherman's army through the Carolinas to Washington City. He was mustered out here after rendering conspicuous and valu- able service, and returned to Springfield, Illinois, on June 6, 1865. He was wounded on May 13, 1864, which resulted in his be- ing absent from duty for some time. He rejoined his regiment at Rome, Georgia, af- ter he had recovered. After his career in the army our subject returned to Salem, this state, and engaged in farming. Mr. Heaver was united in marriage in 1866 to Maggie Williams, of Salem, who was born in Ohio, February 13, 1838. She was a woman of many fine characteristics, and after a harmonious wedded life of twenty-six years she was called to her rest in the fall of 1902. Four children were born to our subject and wife as follows: George W. was bom February 19, 1870; Louie C. was born September 29, 1874; William W. was born October i, 1869, died aged seven years; Charles W. was born in 1879. Mr. Heaver was in Texas for a period of eight years where he made a financial suc- cess of his labors, but he returned to this county in 1885. He is now the owner of sixty-five acres of land in Tonti township which he farmed with the greatest results at- tending his eflforts, for he understands well all the details of managing a farm success- fully. His fields are well fenced and cleanly kept. Most of the corn the place produces is fed on the farm to various kinds of stock. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 463 He has a nice and comfortable dwelling and plenty of good out buildings. His son, George W., and daughter, Louie C, live with him. In his social relations our subject is a member of the Salem Post, No. 202, Grand Army of the Republic, in which he takes a great interest, as might be expected. He is a member of the Pi'esbyterian church, a regular attendant at the local gatherings of this denomination in which he has long taken a delight. In his political affiliations he is a loyal Democrat, and faithfully served the public as Commissioner of Highways and Road Supervisor. He is regarded by every one who knows him as a man of sound business principles, honest and kind. JOSEPH K. Mclaughlin. Our subject is the present Supervisor of Raccoon township where no man is better known or is held in higher respect than he, for his life has been led along honorable lines and he has always had the interest of his county at heart. Joseph K. McLaughlin was born in Wal- nut Hill, Marion county, September 26, 1850, the son of James and Ann E. (Lyons) McLaughlin, both natives of Ireland, where they married. They came to the United States in 1845 ^"d settled in Randolph county, Illinois, later came to Marion county and in 1848 settled near Walnut Hill, about 1855 locating in Raccoon township. They were members of the Reformed Presbyterian church. The subject's father was a Repub- lican. He and his wife were the parents of the following children : Ann Eliza, Eliza- beth, Nancy, Thomas J., Joseph K., our sub- ject; Annie E., Jane, James A. and Ann- ette E. The subject's father devoted his life to farming. He died February 7, 1878, at the age of sixty-two years, and his wife died Febi-uary 14, 1908. The early education of the subject of this sketch was obtained in the home schools. In 1882 he bought his present farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres in Raccoon township. He carries on general farming and stock raising in a most successful manner, being a man of sound judgment and a hard worker. His farm is highly improved and very pro- ductive. He raises much good stock and his dwelling and other buildings are substantial and comfortable. Mr. McLaughlin was united in marriage in 1870 with Tirzah E. Morton, who was born in Raccoon township, the daughter of James and Mary Morton, a well known family in their neighborhood. Nine chil- dren have been born to the subject and wife: Charles, who married Dorothea Huff, has three children, Merlyn, Paul, Dorothea; James C. married Mora Bennett and they have two children, Bennett and Collin C. ; Harry married Kate White; Stella married Willis R. Burgess and they have two chil- dren, Buford and Nellie; Hugh Archie mar- ried Lulu Kell; Joseph is a law student at Champaign, Illinois; John is a member of the family circle and is a teacher; Walter 464 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. is also teaching and living at home; Elma lives with her parents. These children are bright and have received good educations. Mrs. McLaughlin is a member of the Presbyterian church and a faithful attend- ant upon the same. Mr. McLaughlin is a Democrat and is serving his second term as Supervisor, giving his constituents entire satisfaction in this capacity. Z. C. JENNINGS. The life histoiy oi the subject of this sketch goes back to the pioneer days, since which Mr. Jennings has been a very potent factor in the affairs of Marion county, in which he is regarded as a foremost citizen in every respect, therefore, for many rea- sons, it is deemed entirely consistent to give him conspicuous mention in this volume. Z. C. Jennings was bom February 14, 1838, in Marion county, Illinois. Israel Jen- nings, the subject's grandfather, was a na- tive of Maryland and when he reached young manhood went to the state of Kentucky and while at Marysville married Maiy Waters in 1808. In 1818 he came to Marion county, Illinois, and settled six miles southeast of Centralia, being among the very first set- tlers there, having Indians as his neighbors, and the dense woods abounded in an abun- dance of wild game. He was one of the squatters at Walnut Hill until 1827. This section was then a part of Jefferson county. It was here that Mr. Jennings entered land. which he developed and where he died in i860. His first wife passed away in 1844 and he married a second time, his last wife being Lear Sterling, of Centralia, this county. There were no children by his sec- ond wife. The following are the names of the children by his first wife: Israel, Jr., who married a Miss Davidson, was the father of eleven children ; Charles W., the subject's father; William W. left home in 1847 and went to Wisconsin. He was in the mining, mercantile and grain business, in which he made a fortune. In 1853 he went to California and engaged in gold mining, but on account of failing health and trou- ble with his eyes, came back to Marion county where he remained for several years, at one time engaging in railroad contract- ing in northern Missouri. In 1861 he en- listed in the Union army and sensed during the war, after which he settled in Marion county and in 1875 he went, to Austin county, Texas, where he lived until 1890, when he came to Alvin, Illinois, and built a modem home, having become prosperous. He first married Margaret Noleman. The date of his death was 1904. He was highly respected by all. A'nn, the third child' of the subject's grandfather, married Rufus McElwain, a farmer in Centralia township, who later lived at Salem, this county. Mary, the fourth child, who was known as "Aunt Polly," married a Mr. White. They lived near Walnut Hill where he conducted a tan- yard. John, the fifth child, died when he reached maturity. The sixth child died when young. In Marion county, in the MR. AND MRS. Z. JENNINGS. BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 465 early days, no citizen was more prominent than Israel Jennings, who was one of the largest land owners of the county. He was a faithful member of the Methodist church, and a good Democrat. In 1827 he was elected . a member of the Legislature when Vandalia was the capital of the state. He was a member of the house contemporane- ous with Peter Cartwright. He was post- master at Walnut Hill, Illinois, for many years, beginning in 1834. He was a slave- holder and owned the only male slave ever held in this county. He came here before there were any steam railroads, but during his life he noted wonderful changes, being instrun:>ental in bringing about much of the progr^s of the county. He opened a store and gave dry goods and groceries in ex- change for produce which he hauled to St. Louis by wagon, bringing back supplies. At the time of his coming to this county he had two daughters who had reached ma- turity. They were taken sick while he was away in Shawneetown on one of his usual trips and one of them died. There was no lumber in the community, so a white-oak tree was cut and a coffin hewn from it, in which to bury the young lady, whose grave is on the old place he owned. He was known to be a very eccentric man, and ten years before his death he bought a metallic coffin, which he kept in the house until his death, and he was buried in it, dying April 20, 1872. His wife died April 3, 1885. Charles W. Jennings, the subject's father, was born in Kentucky, and he came to Ma- rion county, Illinois, with his parents, set- 30 tling one-half mile from his father, where he made a home, and became owner of nine hundred acres of land. He married Mariah Davidson, a native of Kentucky, and the fol- lowing children were born to them : Sarah, deceased, married Capt. R. -D. Noleman, who is also deceased ; Josephus W., deceased, was bom October 29, 1827, lived on the old place and was educated in the district schools. He was a merchant at Walnut Hill, Illinois, until 1856, when he moved to a farm one-half mile west of that place, where he died November 20, 1890. He married Amanda Couch, who was bom January 8, 1834, the daughter of Milton and Mary (Beard) Couch. They were the par- ents of the following children : Edgar, Frank, Mary, Lizzie and Nancy. Harriett, the third child, married B. F. Marshall, who lived at Salem, Illinois. They are both de- ceased. Maria E. married Silas Bryan, who was county Judge, and lived at Salem, Illi- nois; Z. C, the subject of this biographical sketch, was the fifth in order of birth. Nan- cy married James Davenport, who is de- ceased. She is living at Salem, this county. America married William C. Stites. Both are now deceased. Docia married Alram Van Antwerp, who is deceased. She is living in St. Louis, Missouri. The subject's father was a man of excel- lent business ability and a good manager, he having become wealthy. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and in politics was a Democrat. Z. C. Jennings, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood on the old home place and 466 BRIXKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. was educated in the home schools and the high schools at Salem and Centralia. When twenty-two years old he married Mary J. Baldridge, daughter of James C. Baldridge, of North Carolina, and Margaret (Rainey) Baldridge, a native of Kentucky. At the age of nine years, James C. Baldridge came to Mai-ion county with his parents. Dorn- ton and Mary (Boggs) Baldridge, who set- tled near Walnut Hill, Illinois. James Bal- dridge and wife died in Jefferson county, Illinois. He married a second time, his last wife being Tabitha, the widow of Isaac Casey. The subject started on the place where he now lives to make a home. He first owned forty acres of land, but being progressive he added to it from time to time until he now owns a fine farmi of four hundred and twelve acres, which is in a "high state of cultivation and one of the best stock farms in the county. He has raised some high- grade horses and cattle and has made all the improvements on the place himself, be- ing regarded as one of the foremost agri- culturists of the county, holding high rank among the stockmen of this locality. Six children have been bom to the sub- ject and wife, as follows : Dr. Dwight was born September i, i860, and he graduated at the St. Louis Medical College in 1890, having previously attended the Carbondale Normal School, and he read medicine with Dr. Richardson, of Centralia, Illinois. He took up his practice at 4101 Washington avenue, St. Louis, where he has since been residing and has built up a large practice. He married Cora Locy, of Carlyle, Illinois, and three children were born to this union, Beatrice, Dorothy and Dwight L. Charles Emmett, the subject's second child, was born January 4, 1862. He is a farmer at Mosco, Washington, also a dealer in stock and grain. He miarried Angeline S. Creed, of Centralia township, and they have one son, Fred Allen. Maggie D., the subject's third child, was bom December 17, 1863, and married Lewis E. Thomas, of Centralia, Illinois. He is a carpenter in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad. Their only son, Charles, is deceased. Samuel R., who was born December 24, 1865, has always been a farmer and lived at home. Maria, who was bom January 22, 1871, died in August the same year; Harriett G., who was born October 7, 1873, married E. M. Jones, of St. Louis. He is traveling freight agent for the Southern Railroad. They have three childi'en, namely : Leona, Dwight and Grace. The subject of this sketch lived at home until 1859, and was in the lumber business with his father for awhile, then he located on his present place. During the past few years he has devoted a great deal of his at- tention to raising fruit. For two years he successfully manufactured crates and berry boxes at Walnut Hill, Illinois. Mr. Jennings has always taken a great deal of interest in politics. He ably filled the ofifice of Supervisor for four years and other minor offices in the Democratic party, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a well read man on all leading topics. BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 467 He has a substantial, beautiful and well furnished home, presided over by a most estimable helpmeet, his wife being a woman of culture and refinement. Our subject is an uncle of Hon. William Jennings Bryan. He is well and favorably known throughout the county, being regarded by all classes as a man of force of character, stability, in- dustiy and honesty. JOHN H. GRAY. He to whom this sketch is dedicated is a member of one of the oldest and most hon- ored pioneer families of Marion county, Il- linois, and he has personally lived up to the full tension of the primitive days when was here initiated the march of civilization, so that there is particular interest attached to his career, while he stands today as one of the representative citizens of Tonti town- ship, for his life has been one of hard work which has resulted in the development of a good farm which he owns and which yields bim a comfortable living. John H. Gray was born in this county January 14, 1839, and believing that he could succeed as well here as anywhere de- cided to stay in his native commrmity where he would have the added advantage of home associations. He is the son of James and Mariah E. (Nichols) Gray. Both the Gr^y and Nichols families were born in Tennes- see, being of that hardy pioneer stock that invades new and unbroken countries and clears the wilderness, developing farms from the virgin land. It was for such purpose that they came to Illinois. The parents of the subject came to Marion county in their youth and were married hei-e, having first settled in this locality during the Black Hawk war. James D. Gray, our subject's father, moved to Tonti township in 185 1. He was a man of many sterling qualities, a good neighbor and citizen, and, as already inti- mated, was industrious and a hard worker. He was also a minister of the Methodist church for many years. His family con- sisted of nine children, three boys and one girl living at this Avriting, 1908, all fairly well situated in reference to this world's af- fairs. John H. Gray, our subject, received a lim- ited schooling in his native community. However, he applied himself well and did the best he could under the circumstances. He remained at home, working on his father's place until he reached maturity. He was united in marriage in i860 to Susan Bal- lance, a member of a well known family. After a brief married life she passed to her rest in 1864. This union resulted in the birth of one child, which died in infancy. In 1866 the subject was again married, his sec- ond wife being Rebecca A. Boring, who is still living, having proven to be a most faith- ful and worthy helpmeet and a woman of gentle disposition. She was bom in 1848 and attended the district schools in her maidenhood. Four children have been born to the sub- ject and wife, three girls and one boy, 468 BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. whose names follow : Susan E., Mattie E., Etta and AVilliam A. They have received what schooling that is available in their community and are all interesting children with every prospect for future success. Mr. Gray in his political afifiliations is a loyal Democrat and has taken considerable interest in local political affairs, his support always being on the right side of all ques- tions affecting the public good. He has ably served as Highway Commissioner, giving entire satisfaction in this work, and he is known to all as a man of industry, honesty and integrity, thereby winning and retaining a large circle of friends. MRS. JUDITH SINGER. Words of praise or periods of encomium could not clearly convey the personal char- acteristics of the noble woman of whom the biographer now essays to write in this con- nection, for only those who have had the goodi fortune to know her personally can see the true beauty of her character and in- dividual traits, which have been the resul- tant, very largely, of a long life of devo- tion to duty, a life filled with good deeds to others and led along worthy planes. Mrs. Singer lives in Tonti township, Marion county, where she successfully manages a fine landed estate, exercising rare sagacity of foresight and business acumen, which always result in definite success, and as a result of her commendable characteristics she enjoys the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances in this community. Mrs. Judith Singer was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1838, the daughter of Peter and Lyda (Mildenber- ger) Beisel. The Beisel family came to America from Germany in an early day and settled in Pennsylvania, where they devel- oped farms and made comfortable homes. The parents of our subject always lived on a farm, and when her father died, Grand- father Beisel moved to Illinois, and the mother of the subject was married and came to Illinois in 1867, settling in- Marion coun- ty. She was a good woman and her home life was calculated to foster right principles in her children. The father of the subject was a man of many sterling traits of charac- ter, always bearing a good name. Judith Beisel was given every advantage possible by her parents, and while her early educational training was not extensive, she applied herself in a diligent manner and has since been an avid reader of the best gen- eral literature with the result that she is an entertaining and instructive talker, especial- ly when she elucidates on the pioneer days and the aftermath of commercial develop- ment of this section of the country. Our subject was married to Oscar Singer Januaiy 2, 1858, the ceremony having been performed in Northumberland county, Pen- sylvania. Mr. Singer was born in Germany on June 18, 1834. He was educated in the Fatherland, and came to the United States with his parents when eighteen years old, where he learned tO' be a mechanic of no BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 469 mean ability. He worked at his trade in Centralia, Marion county, Illinois, being re- garded as one of the best men in the insti- tution where he was employed. He later moved to St. Louis, where he went into business on his own account, and in which city he was living when he was called from his earthly labors on November 20, 1882. His remains were interred in the cemetei^ at Salem, Illinois. He was a good business man, honest and industrious and made friends wherever he went. He was a public spirited man, being a loyal Republican in politics. Mrs. Singer purchased an eighty acre farm in Tonti township, Marion county, in 1883, and moved thereto soon afterward, having resided there ever since. It is a splen- did place, well managed and highly im- proved in every respect, producing excellent crops from year to year and yielding a com- fortable income for the family. Mrs. Singer's home is one of the most attractive in the community. Good stock of various kinds and a fine variety of poultry are to be seen about the place. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Singer. Two boys and three girls are living at this writing, namely : Ida is the wife of Will W. Langridge, who lives in Terre Haute, Indiana; Lillie is the wife of Lewis Parks, who lives on a farm; Ollie travels for an Indianapolis fimi; Oscar married Maude Kline and lives on a farm ; Rose L. is a bookkeeper at Salem, Illinois. All these children had careful training and all re- ceived a good common school education. JAMES R. RICHARDSON. One of the sterling citizens of Marion county is he whose name initiates this para- graph, being engaged in farmiing in Tonti township. As a result of his industry, in- tegrity and genuine worth he is held in high esteem by the people of this vicinity, mainly as a result of his principal life work — the noble profession of teaching. James R. Richardson, the son of John and Sarah A. (Chandler) Richardson, was born in Williamson county, Illinois, at Bolton, December 19, 1841. The Richardson fam- ily are of Irish descent. John Richardson was born in Licking county, OhiO', and he was eight years old when his parents died. He was reared by a family named Decker, a farmer at Groveport, Ohio. He received his educational training in the public schools in the Buckeye state, which was somewhat limited, owing to the primitive condition of the public schools of that early day. He was a man of no extraordinary ability but he was a hard worker and succeeded in making a comfortable living. He came to Illinois about 1838, settHng near Peoria, where he remained a few years. He moved to St. Clair county, Illinois, and thence to Williamison county and later he came to Marion county in 1853, buying a farm in Tonti township, where he lived until his death in March, 1856. The Chandler family came from Penn- sylvania. The father of Sarah A., our sub- ject's mother, came to Ohio and engaged in fanning, but not on an extensive scale. 470 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. The mother of the subject was educated in the pubhc schools of Frankhn county. She was a woman of many estimable qualities. Eleven children were born to this couple, ten girls and one boy. Sarah A. was mar- ried to John Richardson about 1838, and she passed to her rest in 1870. Mr. Rich- ardson was a large land owner in Marion county, this state, and he was regarded as a man of many sterling qualities. James R. Richardson, our subject, was the second child in a family of eight chil- dren. He remained under the parental roof tree until he was seventeen years old. He received his education in the district schools and later at Salem. He was an ambitious lad from the start and outstripped most of his contemporaries. After finishing the public school course, he was not satisfied with the amount of text-book training he had received and consequently entered the State Normal School at Bloomington, Il- linois, where he made a splendid record for scholarship, and where he graduated in the class of 1871, with high honoi'S. After leaving school Mr. Richardson at once began to teach, first in the county schools, having soon become principal, and he was principal in several places. Becoming known as an able instructor, his sei^vices were in great demand. He was principal of the schools at A\''oodson, Franklin, Stan- ford, Morton and Marseilles, all in Illinois, and he also taught a year in Kansas. He gave the greatest possible satisfaction as an instructor, being well grounded in the texts then included in the public school curricu- lums, and he was very popular with his pu- pils, owing to his friendliness and kindness. His teaching extended over a period of twenty-six years during which time his reputation extended not' only to adjoining counties but he attracted the attention of the ablest educators of the state, receiving much laudable comment on his work in the school room. Mr. Richardson could not restrain the wave of patriotism that pervaded his whole being when, in the dark days of the sixties, our national integrity was threatened, and, believing that it was his duty to sever home ties, leave the school room and oiifer his ser- vices in defense of the flag, he accordingly enlisted in Company G, Twenty-first Il- linois A'olunteer Infantry, and was in the regiment assigned to Grant's araiy during the first part of the war. He was in the great battle of Stone River and the still bloodier conflict of Chickamauga, and many other smaller engagements. He was taken prisoner at Chickamauga, and was in prison at Richmond and Danville for six months. He effected his escape, but was recaptured, and later exchanged. After performing gallant ser\'ice for a period of three years, he returned home and entered the Univer- sity of Illinois in 1864, where he completed his education. Our subject's domestic life dates from December 25, 1876, when he was united in marriage with Sarah ^Martin \Mlliams, a highly educated woman, a native of Cass county, Illinois, where she was born March 10, 1856. She lived in Morgan county, this BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 471 state until seventeen years old. when she en- tered.the State University at Bloomington, and was a student there for several years, where she made a brilliant record for schol- arship. No children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs. Richardson. Mrs. Richardson is a faithful member of the Christian church in Salem. Our subject is a Prohibitionist in his political affiiliations. GEORGE W. HILTIBIDAL. The subject of this biographical review has well earned the title to be addressed as one of the progressive, self-made men of Alarion county, being the owner of a veiy valuable landed estate in Raccoon township, where his labors have benefited alike him- self and those with whom he has come in contact. George W. Hiltibidal was born in Grand Prairie township, Jefferson county, Illinois, March 15, 1867, the son of George and Elizabeth Bradford, both natives of Indiana. They moved to Marion county, Illinois, and finally located in Raccoon township. After building a dwelling house and making ex- tensive improvements on his fami here he moved to Grand Prairie, Jefferson county, where he died in 1869, on a farm which he had improved, and where his wife also died in 1876. He was a strong Republican and he and his wife were members of the Chris- tian church. They were the parents of five children, namely : Mary is living in Wash- ington county, this state, having married Neil Kingsley; Ella, who married Robert Birge, lives at Walnut Hill, this county; John died young; Sarah, .who married James Sprouse, lives in Jefferson county, Illinois; George William, our subject, was the youngest child. The subject's mother died when he was nine years old. He had not been to school up to that time. He then went to live with his uncle, George Bundy, in Raccoon town- ship, with whom he remained for eleven years. He then located on his present farm in Raccoon township, section 28, having secured forty-five acres known as the May place. It had an old log house and stable on it. The subject has been a hard worker and a good manager and he built his present fine substantial and modern home in 1907, and his excellent barn in 1906, and he has made all the extensive improvements on the place. Mr. Hiltibidal was united in marriage April 5, 1888, to Josie Heyduck, the daugh- ter of Jacob and Phillimina Heyduc^;, na- tives of Germany, having lived in the River Rhine country. They came to America and secured wild land in Raccoon township, which they developed and on which they made a good home where they lived until 1903, when Mr. Heyduck retired and moved to Centralia. The subject's wife was born in Raccoon township, this county. Mrs. Heyduck died in 1890. Ten children were born to them as follows : Lizzie, who lives in Decatur, Illinois ; Ricca is deceased ; Lucy is deceased; Kate lives at Odin, Illinois; 472 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Josie, wife of our subject; John is deceased, Emma lives on the old place in Raccoon township; Henry lives at Centralia; Ben- nie lives in Centralia; Laura also lives in Centralia. Five children have been bom to the sub- ject and wife as follows: George, Gracie, Esther, Bertha, Julius. The subject carries on a general farming business with great success. He is considered an excellent judge of live stock and raises some good horses. He has always been a farmer, but for many years has worked at the carpenter's trade. He has put up all his own buildings and done all his own work. He is regarded as an excellent carpenter and his services are frequently sought by those desiring to build. Our subject has faithfully served as a member of the local school board for six years. He is a Republican in his political affiliations. He is a miember of the Farm- ers' Educational Co-Operative union at Bun- dyville, Illinois. He has gained his success not through the assistance of relatives or friends, but by his own efforts. ISHAM E. HODGES. Among the sterling Tennesseans who have settled in Marion county since the pio- neer days, none have shown more worthy traits of character or been more active in the development of the county than the gen- tleman whose biography we herewith pre- sent. Mr. Hodges is the owner of a fine farm in Raccoon township which has been brought from a wild state to one of the best in the locality through his skillful management. Isham E. Hodges was born in Sumner county, Tennessee, July 30, 1840, the son of Marcus A. and Elizabeth (Marcum) Hodges, the former a native of Sumner county, Tennessee, where he grew up, made a farmer and where he died, and the latter a native of Abb3rville Court House, Virginia, who died in Montgomery county, Tennessee. They were members of the Christian church. Our subject was their only child. His father married a second time, his last wife being Susan Hodges, of Sumner county, Tennessee. She is still living there on the old place. Nine children were bom to the subject's father by his second union. He was a soldier in the Indian war in Florida in 1836, being a prisoner of that struggle. Our subject's great-grandfathers on both sides served in the Revolutionary war, being in General Starke's and General Green's command. Isham E. Hodges had little opportunity to attend school. However, he obtained some education in subscription schools of the early days. He left home when seventeen years of age and came to Marion county, Illinois, where he worked out and carried the mail from Fairfield to Salem. He also farmed in Salem and Raccoon townships. On Oc- tober 31, 1865, choosing as a life partner Frances Hays, of Raccoon township, the daughter of Elijah M. Hays, whose sketch appears in full on another page of this work. BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 473 Eleven children have been born, eight of whom are living: Effie, deceased, married Harvey England, who lives in St. Louis, Missouri. She was born August 23, 1866, and died August 8, 1883. Iva E., the sec- ond child, was born October 28, 1867, mar- ried Harvey Mercer; they live in Sadora, Arkansas, and are the parents of five chil- dren, Clinton, Sylvia, Stewart, Howard and Opal. Clara B., the third child, was born March 11, 1869, died February 8, 1892, married Charles Anderson, of Chicago, Illi- nois; John D., who was born March 21, 1873, first married Lucy White and second Lydia Kell, having had two children by his first wife, Clayton and Robert, and one child by his second wife, named Donald. He has been postal clerk for several years on the Chi- cago & Eastern Illinois Railroad. He was first on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, his first run being between Mc- Leansboro and Shawneetown, Illinois. He runs between Marion and Villa Grove. Ralph Waldo, the fifth child, was born June 6, 1874, and died October 25, 1875; Mark Ainsly was born January 2, 1877, married Indiana Stonecipher, and they have four children, Delta, Isham, Charles and Mary; Grace was born September 13, 1878, mar- ried Levi Bigham, a farmer in Raccoon township; Mabel J. wa? born August 28, 1880, married Henry F. March, station agent at Cartter, Illinois, on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, and they are the parents of three children, Everett, Franklin and Marie ; Minnie Blanche, born September 26, 1882, married Elisha Hai-mon, a car- penter of Raccoon township ; Blaine E., born November 8, 1884, who married Clara Pitts, is a farmer in Raccoon township; Dwight E., born October 28, 1886, is an operator on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Herrin, Illinois, married Nellie Dukes, and they have one child, Clara. The subject's children have been educated in the home schools, John D. and Iva went to Carbondale, and Blaine attended the agri- cultural department of the University of Missouri at Columbia. In 1865, after the subject of this sketch was married, he rented land in Raccoon township. After farming here for a while he went to Idaho, also the state of Wash- ington, also the Shoshone agency and the Red Cloud agency in Wyoming. He was in the West from 1869 to 1871. He was a clerk and did office work most of the time. After 1 87 1 he worked in the United States Pension Agency at Salem, Illinois, under Gen. J. S. Martin, from March 4, 1872, to March 4, 1873, having given entire satisfac- tion in this capacity, after which he entered the railway mail service on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad and run be- tween Cincinnati and St. Louis for three years, when he was transferred to the Illinois Caitral Railroad, his run being between Cairo and Centralia for three years, and on the northern division from Centralia to Chi- cago until April 20, 1889. During this time he lived in Centralia, from 1878 to 1880. In 1869 he bought the farm he now lives on in Raccoon township. In 1880 he built his fine brick house and made all the other 474 BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. impro^•ements on the place which is one of the choice farms of this locaHty. It con- sists of one hundred and forty acres in sec- tions 24 and 25, Raccoon township. One hundred and twenty-five acres are under a high state of cultivation. He has a very valuable orchard of one thousand apple trees, three hundred peach trees as well as pears, cherries and small fruits. He also raises much good stock, horses, mules and cattle and fine Chester White hogs. His farm is also well stocked with fine chickens, A\'hite Wyandotte and Rhode Island Red chickens. Mr. Hodges was one of the patriotic sons of the North who fought to preserve the Union during the dark days of the sixties, having enlisted July 4, 1861, in Company G, Twenty-second Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, under Capt. J. S. Jackson and Col. Henry Dougherty, having been mustered in at Casseyville, Illinois. He and his com- pany were sent to Birds Point, Missouri, and was in the engagement November 7, 1861, at Belmont, Missouri. They joined General Pope and was at the surrender of Tiptonville, Tennessee, where they cap- tured about seven thousand prisoners. They then went down the Mississippi river to Ft. Pillow and after the battle of Ft. Donelson and Pittsburg Landing, they went up the Tennessee river and were at the siege of Corinth, and, after several skirmishes, marched to Nashville, Tennessee, and oc- cupied that city until December 26, 1862. Our subject was in General Sheridan's di- vision, McCook's corps, General Rosecrans commanding. They were in the marches and battles from Nashville to Murphysboro, Tullahoma, Bridgeport, Alabama, and Chickamauga, Georgia, being wounded in the latter battle September 20, 1863, where he was shot in the thigh and sent to the field hospital at Crawfish Springs, where all the wounded men captured were paroled next day and sent to Nashville and Louisville, later to Quincy, Illinois, and then to Benton Barracks. Then the subject was on detail duty and in the commander's office until July I, 1864, and he was sent to Springfield, Illinois, and mustered out July 7, 1864. ^Ir. Hodges is a loyal Populist. He has been Supervisor of his township for two years, has also been School Director and held minor offices. HENDERSON BOYAKIN WHAM. A native of Haines township, Marion county, and having spent the sixty years of his life there, naturally the subject of this sketch is known to e\'ery man, woman and child in that section of the state. Mr. Wham has been very much in the public eye, in various capacities, having on more than one occasion been closely identified with the affairs of the township in an official way, and it may not be amiss to state, in this connection, that his constituents never had cause to regret the fact of having conferred upon him their suffrages. He is known as a devoutly religious man. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 475 Mr. Wham was born in Haines township March 25, 1848, being the offspring of Wil- liam and Louisa (Rainey) Wham, the for- mer a native of Tennessee, while the latter was born in Kentucky. The grandfather of the subject was a native of Ireland, and came to America shortly after the Revolu- tionary war, settling in South Carolina on a farm. Later he went to Tennessee, where he died, and the father and grandmother of Mr. \\'ham moved to Marion county, set- tling in Haines township, where later the former was married. The couple entered a farm of prairie and timber land in Haines township that was purchased from the gov- ernment. He broke the land and built upon it what was then considered a very com- modious dwelling. He was a very progres- sive man, and did much to develop the region. After improving his own land he did much work for his neighbors in the way of breaking the sod, using an ox team, and to him was also due the construction of many good roads. He was a Whig and later a Republican. His wife died in 1883, and he survived her ten years. He was born in 181 7, and his helpmate in 18 18. They were both devout members of the Presby- terian church for many years, but in later }'ears became members of the Methodist denomination. There were born to the couple eight children, namely: Margaret Ann, widow of James M. Mount; Martha, widow of W^illiam K. Storment, living at Cartter, Illinois; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of John R. Morrison ; Minerva, de- ceased, was the wife of Thomas J. Holt; Jerusha, deceased, was the wife of Mathew yi. Gaston; H. B., our subject; Mathew R., deceased, and William R., living at Cartter, Illinois. The early life of the subject was spent on a farm in Haines tov^rnship. He attended the common schools and later the high school at Centralia, Illinois. In 1871 he married Nancy Jane Stonecipher, daughter of Joshua and Nancy A. (Hall) Stone- cipher, both being natives of Tennessee and early settlers of ^Marion county. The sub- ject and his wife had ten children, viz. : Prof. George D., a teacher of pedagogy in the State Normal School at Carbondale, who married Edith Page, of Olney, Illinois, and who is the father of one child, John Page Wham; Nellie Eunice, wife of T. E. ^laulding, East St. Louis, has one child, Howard B. ; Phoebe, wife of E. P. Gaston, Centralia, Illinois, has one child, Helen, Edgar B., a successful merchant of Cartter, Illinois, married Anna Blair; Frederick, senior in law department of the University of Illinois at Champaign, Illinois; Charles, in school at Champaign, taking a literary course; Florence, at home; Benjamin in school at Carbondale, normal course; Wil- liam J., died in infancy; infant, unnamed, deceased. Joshua Stonecipher and wife, parents of Mrs. Wham, had fourteen children and they are all dead but five, Hiram, Phcebe, Mary, Curtis and Mrs. Wham. The Stone- cipher family is very highly respected in Marion county. William Wham, grand- father of the subject, was the father of eight 476 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. children, Joseph, John, Benjamin, William, Isabella, Ann, Jane and Elizabeth. Mathew Rainey, the maternal grandfather of the subject, also had eight children, all of whom are dead. They were: Louisa Ann, Jeru- sia, Jane, Sarah, Patsey, William, Robert and Samuel. The subject has one of the most attractive farms in Haines township. He has con- structed a spacious dwelling and ample barns. He has been a stock raiser for many years, and handles the very best grade of horses, mules, cattle and sheep. Although he is a very busy man Mr. Wham has a great love for literature, and spends much time among his books. The subject began teaching school in 1867, and spent alto- gether twenty-five years as a pedagogue. He was a successful instructor and did much for the cause of education in Marion county, and particularly Haines township. He early became an enthusiastic champion of the State Normal School located at Car- bondale, and it is a matter of record that Marion county stands first in the state out- side of the county in which the school is lo- cated in the number of students attending that institution. It is also a fact, of which Mr. Wham may feel justly proud, that Haines township, where he taught for so many years, has furnished more students for the State Normal than any other township in Marion county. He is a Republican and has been Supervisor of Haines township twice. Town Clerk one tenn, besides serving as Assessor. As an evidence of his popu- larity it may be stated that Haines town- ship is Democratic normally, but Mr. Wham received an unusually large plurality. He has rarely been defeated for public office, but when he ran for County Treasurer in 1906 he was defeated by forty-two votes. Mr. Wham has been a Sunday school teacher and superintendent for a number of years, and has taken a great interest in church work. JAMES M. DACE. Among the representative business men of Marion county is the subject of this sketch, who is at present proprietor of a well known and flourishing restaurant in Odin, and who is carrying on his line of Dusiness with that enterprise and discretion which are sure to find their sequel in definite suc- cess. James M. Dace was born in Monroe City, Monroe county, Illinois, on April 18, 1861, but was educated in the public schools of this county, where he applied himself in a careful manner and received a good educa- tion. He later took a commercial course in the Bryant and Stratton Business College of St. Louis. After leaving school, our subject devoted himself to fanning, having while attending school worked on his fa- ther's farm. This he followed with success attending his efforts until 1888, then he traveled for a period of seven years for the D. M. Osborn Company, successfully han- dling a line of agricultural implements, and BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 477 obtaining a large amount of trade for them. In 1895 Mr. Dace gave up his position on the road and opened his present business in Odin, that of conducting a restaurant. His success was instantaneous, and he has since conducted the same with much satisfaction attending his efforts, his neat, well equipped and carefully managed restaurant being known far and wide to the transient visitors to Odin, as well as to numerous local pa- trons. Here is served the very best grade of materials that the market affords and all guests are accorded the kindest considera- tion and most courteous treatment, so that a customer is never lost, but all speak in praise of our subject's place of business, which would be a credit to any town, much less one the size of Odin. Mr. Dace has long taken considerable in- terest in public affairs, his unusual talents having been recognized early by his many political friends, so that he was sought out for public ofhce, with the result that he has been Supervisor of his township for the past twelve years which position he has held with great credit to himself and with satisfaction to all concerned. In politics he is a loyal Democrat. The married life of Mr. Dace dates from 1884, when he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Lulu Charlton, a native of this county and a daughter of Sidney and Henrietta (Gaines) Charlton, natives of this county. The paternal grandfather of our subject's wife came to this county in an early day, taking up twelve hundred acres of land, which he developed and on which he raised his family and where he died, hav- ing lived to an old age. His wife, who is still living, is very old. The subject and wife have no children living. Mrs. Dace belongs to the Christian church. Our subject in his fraternal rela- tions is a member of the ancient and honor- able order of Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen, having filled many of the chairs in the latter. He at present holds offices in twO' of these lodges. He also belongs to the Red Men. Mr. Dace has always been known as a man of sound business principles, kind hearted, liberal and pleasant to all. BENJAMIN F. NORFLEET. This ^'enerable and highly honored citi- zen of Raccoon township, represents that class of noble American citizens who spend their lives in the rural districts, the great producers, on whom the rest of the world depends, and his life has been so active and carefully lived that success has attended al- most his every effort. Benjamin F. Norfleet was bom in Mont- gomery county, Tennessee, May 29, 1832, the son of Marmaduke and Malinda (Mc- Fadden) Norfleet, natives of Montgomery county. The subject's grandfather was James Norfleet, a native of North Carolina. He married in that state, but lived in Mont- gomery county, Teiinessee, most of his life. He was a farmer and raised a good deal of 47-^ 7S BRIXKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. fruit. He was noted for the fine apple and peach brandy which he made. He and his wife died in that county. They were the parents of three sons and four daughters. He was of AA'elsh descent. There were three brothers of the Norflieet family who came to America, namely: James, Marmaduke and Starkey. They settled in North Caro- lina. The subject's grandfather, David McFadden, was a native of Ireland. He man-ied Elizabeth Elliott. He came to America shortly after they were married. He came first to this countiy and in six months sent for his wife. He settled in Montgomery county, Tennessee, on the Red river. He got six hundred and forty acres of government land. He cleared a great deal of the land and built a fine home on it. He was a farmer and a successful business man. They lived the rest of their lives in JNIontgomery county and reared a large family. The subject's father and mother were both born in Montgomery county, Tennessee. The former was educated in the home schools and was a self-learned man and became a good scholar. He was a carpenter and farmer. In 1855 he went to Stewart county, Tennessee, and bought a farm there. He was Justice of the Peace, was active in Democratic politics. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Norfleet died in Stewart county, Tennessee. They were the parents of thirteen children, namely: Ben- jamin Franklin, our subject; David, a farmer in Stewart county, Tennessee ; Hen- ry A., a farmer in Stewart county, Tennes- see; George, a farmer in the same county; Virginia, who lives in the same county; Josephine L. also lives in that county; Mary Elizabeth became a resident of \Y\\- liamson county, Illinois, where she died. The rest of the children are all deceased. The subject of this sketch had only a lim- ited education, obtained in the subscription schools. He lived at home until he was twenty-two years of age. He was united in marriage October 10, 1855, to Josephine Hamlett, of Montgomery county, Tennes- see, the daughter of James and Jane (At- kins) Hamlett, the former of North Caro- lina, and the latter of Montgomery county, Tennessee, to which county the former went when ten years of age. He was a carpen- ter and cabinet maker, and he and his wife lived in that county the rest of their lives. They were the parents of eight children, namely: James, deceased; Frank is a car- penter in Marshall, Texas; Mary Jane is deceased; the fourth child died in infancy; Jackson is deceased; Josephine, the sub- ject's wife; Maria, of Nashville, Tennes- see: Margaret, of Clarksville, Tennessee. Eleven children have been born to the subject and wife, one of whom is deceased, namely: Emma is the wife of F. G. Boggs, of Raccoon township, whose sketch appears in full on another page of this volume; Mamiaduke, a farmer in Raccoon township, married Lucy Boggs ; Edgar, who is con- nected with "The Houston Post," at Houston, Texas, married Belle Clayburn; Ella died young; Jefferson, who married Minnie Brown, is a farmer at Springfield, BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 479 Illinois; Dora, who married Ira Richard- son, lives at Muskogee, Oklahoma ; Thomas M., vvho is an engineer in a coal mine at Springfield, Illinois, married Hattie Few; Sidney, a carpenter living at St. Louis, Mis- souri, married Nettie Stader; Beulah, the widow of William Stewart, lives at Centra- lia, Illinois; Benjamin F., Jr., who lives in Lexington, Kentucky, married a Miss Mc- Murphy. He is a well known professor in that city, being connected with a correspon- dence school there. Starkey, the youngest child, who married Ava Davis, is a fanner at Muskogee, Oklahoma. After our subject married he and his wife lived in Montgomery county, Tennessee, until 1865, when he went to Trenton, Ken- tucky, where he purchased a farm. He also worked at the carpenter's trade until 1870. He came to Marion county, Illinois, lo- cating in Raccoon township, on Tennessee Prairie, where he rented land for one year and bought eighty acres in section 22 and twenty acres in section 27, on which he built a house and lived there for twenty years, when he bought his present place of forty acres known as the Wesley Willis place in Raccoon township. He has worked at the carpenter's trade since he was sixteen years old, and, being thus naturally gifted, he became a very fine workman. He has worked at his trade with much success. He has been a most excellent fanner. He re- tired in 1905. He learned his trade from his father. A great deal of the time he pre- ferred to rent his land and follow carpentry. Mr. Norfleet has served as Highway Commissioner for five years, and two terms as school trustee ; also two terms as director. He is a Democrat in his political relations. Mrs. Norfleet is a member of the Christian church and the subject is a member of the Free Will Baptist church. Members of the Norfleet family are well known in Marion county and they have a modern and nicely furnished home. THOMAS B. NEAL. The gentleman whose name heads this re- view is one of the leading farmei-s in his community in Marion county, and this volume would be incomplete were there fail- ure to make mention of him and the enter- prise with which he is identified. Tireless energy and honesty of purpose are the chief characteristics of the man. Thomas B. Neal, a native of Marion county, Illinois, was born October 31, 1830. the son of Thomas and Rossanna (Walters) Neal. The former came to this county from Kentucky about 1828 and located near Owens Hill where he spent the remainder of his life, having made a comfortable living from his farming pursuits, being a hard worker and a man of highest integrity. The Walters people were born in Georgia and came from that state to this county. The father and mother of our subject were mar- ried in Kentucky. Thomas B. Neal, our subject, was reared on a farm which he helped develop from ^.8o BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. the wild country into which the father had moved, but this was an industrious family and soon a good and productive faran was developed. His early schooling was some- what limited owing to the fact that it was necessary for him to work on the farm and schools were of the most primitive type in those days, taught only a few months out of each year. Our subject showed his loyalty to the "old flag that has never touched the ground" during the forties when this country was in war with Mexico. Being unable to restrain his patriotism when he heard the call for troops to fight the descendants of the Montezumas, and he is today one of the few highly honored sur- vivors of that famous conflict in this coun- try, and it is indeed a privilege to meet and to show proper courtesy to such heroes. Mr. Neal enlisted in Company C, First Illi- nois Volunteer Regiment, and served with marked distinction in the same throughout the war. He is now remembered by his government with a pension of twenty dol- lars per month, as the result of his valor in this war. The only other living Mexican war veteran in Marion county besides our subject is William Bundy. After his experience in the army, Mr. Neal returned home and was married in 185 1 to Julia H. Chandler, whose people were from Wilson county, Tennessee. To this union eight children were born, all de- ceased but four. Mr. Neal's first wife passed away May 2, 1898, and he was married again April 10, 1900, to Manda S. Cozad. No children have been born to this union. The names of the subject's children by his first wife follow: Alexander, deceased; John A., deceased ; Etta, Delia, Rose A., de- ceased ; Cora, Charley and Ben, deceased. Our subject has six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, of whom he is justly proud. Mr. Neal owns a fine farm of forty acres in Tonti township, which he has de- veloped to a high state and which has yield- ed him a comfortable living from year to year and enabled him to lay up a compe- tency for his old age. This place shows that a man of good judgment has had its man- agement in hand, and while he is now in the evening of life he is able to still successfully manage his affairs. He lives in section 9 of Tonti township in a substantial farm house which is surrounded by convenient outbuildings, and his farm is properly stocked with various kinds of live stock and poultry. He delights to see the advance- ment of his community and county, and he fonnerly took an active part in the affairs of the Democratic party. THOMAS A. PATTON. For various reasons the subject of this sketch is deemed eligible for specific men- tion in this volume, not the least of which is the fact that he was one of the brave "boys in blue" who offered his services in defense of his country during the dark days of the sixties. His life has been one of hon- est endeavor and filled with good deeds BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 481 throughout, and now in its g^olden evening he is enjoying a respite in his serene home in Centralia township, Marion county. Thomas A. Patton was bom in Mt. Ver- non township, Jefferson county, Illinois, De- cember 8, 1837, the son of Austin and Ange- line (Thome) Patton, the former a well known physician, both natives of Virginia, of which state William Patton, the subject's grandfather, was also a native. Austin Patton grew up in Virginia, receiving only a limited education, but he was ambitious and became self-educated, reading miedicine with Dr. Frost, of Jefferson county, Illinois, beginning practice at Walnut Hill, where he located about 1830. He secured a farm of three hundred acres, but devoted most of his time to his practice, which was always large. He became widely known, and is re- membered as a very jolly man, resulting in his winning hosts of friends. Although a good Democrat, he never held office. His death occurred in 1896. His first wife died December 24, 1837, and he was married a second time to Ann Bateman, a native of Jefferson county, Illinois. She is now liv- ing at Walnut Hill. Austin Patton and wife were the parents of three children, namely: William, deceased; Mary, also de- ceased; Thomas A., our subject. Nine children were born to Austin Patton and his second wife, as follows : James L., de- ceased, was a farmer at Walnut Hill ; Li- vona J., deceased; Lewis J. is a farmfer, liv- ing at Newton county, Kansas; Joseph T. is a farmer in Harvey county, Kansas ; Iduma A., deceased ; George B. is a farmer, 31 living in Jefferson county, Illinois; Carula, who first married Bell Talbott and then Frank Gore, of Walnut Hill; Ila C., who married Willa Copple, of Centralia town- ship; Omer P. is farming on part of the old homestead in Centralia township. He mar- ried Helen Telford. Our subject had only a limited chance to attend school, having studied in a sub- scription school for a time. Living at home until he was twenty-three years old, he then started in business for himself in Centralia township, section 36, and farmed there with great success for seven years, when he bought a farm in Raccoon township, con- sisting of forty acres of new and unim- proved land on which he remained for four years, then selling it and renting near Wal- nut Hill in Jefferson county. In 1881 he bought one hundred and fifty acres in Rome township, Jefferson county, which he worked with most gratifying results until he retired in 1902, when he sold out and moved to Walnut Hill, having since lived retired. Mr. Patton was first united in mar- riage in 1 86 1, to Alena Smith, of Walnut Hill, and she passed to her rest May 19, 1 901. He married again, his second wife being Augusta Maltiraore, whom he married October 5, 1905. She was the widow of Christopher H. Maltimore, of Ohio, and she was the daughter of Benjamin F.Nelms, who married Nancy Bailey, the former was of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. Benjamin Nelms was the son of Jerry Nelms, a native of Virginia. His father 482 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. was also a Virginian. The first of the fam- ily to come to Illinois was Jerry's wife, Maiy A. He died in St. Genevieve, Mis- souri, and his wife, in 1854, came to Marion county, Illinois, and located on a farm near Walnut Hill, where she died, in 1897. He now lives at Decatur, Illinois. Mrs. Pat- ton had one daughter, Maiy L., by her first marriage. Five children were born to the subject by his first wife, namely: William L., who is living in Centralia township on a fami, and who married Cordelia Snow; Zina D. married Alta Kell, and is living on a farm in Jefferson county, Illinois; May married Oscar Breeze, of Jefferson county; Mary married Edward AVatts, of Centralia, Illi- nois ; Frank L. is a stationary engineer in the mines, now located in North Dakota. Our subject has always been a fanner, and being interested in public affairs, he has been entrusted with various local offices. He was Highway Commissioner at one time and School Director for twenty years. He has always voted the Republican ticket, hav- ing cast his first ballot for Abraham Lin- coln in i860. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been identified Avitli lodge No. 710, at Walnut Hill for the past thirty-five years. Our subject enlisted August 12, 1862, in Company H, Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Centralia, under Colonel Allen. He was sent to Louisville, and later to Per- ryville, Kentucky, being in the battle there, October 8, 1862. He was in the battle of Stone River, also at Knoxville, and at Chat- tanooga in the spring of 1863. He was picked out of a division of men to go on an expedition into Georgia. At Rome the whole number of men on this expedition, consisting of fifteen thousand, were cap- tured and sent to Belle Isle Prison, where they were held for fifteen days and paroled. They went to Camp Chase, Ohio, where they remained for ten days, when they were sent to St. Louis, Missouri, where they remained fifteen days. On July 4, 1863, they reor- ganized and went to Nashville, Tennessee. They opened up the valley leading to Look- out Mountain, and after remaining there for about forty days, they went to Mission- ary Ridge and engaged in the battle there, also at Lookout Mountain, after which they went into winter quarters in Chattanooga. The subject contracted rheumatism and could not go on the Atlanta campaign, con- secjuently he was transferred to the veteran reserve and was detailed to the hospital steamer for Washington City, District of Columbia, and was sent to City Point, Vir- ginia, to look after the sick and wounded of Grant's army. Part of the time the sub- ject was located in Washington City, New York, Annapolis, Fortress Monroe, Vir- ginia, having served in this capacity until the close of the war, and was discharged June 15, 1865, at Washington City. He re- ceived two scalp wounds and was shot through the hat once. These w^ounds have troubled him a great deal since the war. Mr. Patton is a good scholar, is well posted on current topics and is a fine con- versationalist. He is held in high esteem BEINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 483 by the people of Marion county for his hfe of industiy, his honesty and friendly man- ners. LUTHER HOLT, M. D. Although but in the meridian of life the subject of this sketch has had wonderful success in alleviating the ills and sufferings of his fellow men, and in Haines township, Marion county, he is regarded as a credit to the noble profession in which he has been engaged for more than twenty years. His boyhood days were spent on a farm, but early in life he showed a desire to become a medical practitioner, and when his school days came to an end his parents decided that the longing of his heart should be realized. Dr. Holt was born in Haines township, May 14, 1862, the son of Charles Wesley and Violindia (Wilkins) Holt. The father of the subject first saw the light of day in West Virginia, November 20, 1834, and was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Jack- son) Holt, the latter a native of South Caro- lina. Joseph, after going South, where he was married, settled in Virginia, and final- ly removed to Tennessee, where he lived until 1837, when he decided that he could better his condition by moving further west, and as a result, emigrated to Marion coun^ ty, settling at Centralia. Later he took up his residence in Washington county, Il- linois, and remained there until the death of his wife, Elizabeth (Jackson) Holt, which occurred in 1847. After this sad event he wait to Texas, and died there a few years later. The couple were survived by eleven children, Joseph, John, Eliza, Gordon W., Lee, Sarah J., Thomas J. Charles W., Nathaniel, Albert and Fletcher L. Charles W. Holt, father of the subject, has spent all of his life in Marion county, Illinois. He was only three years old when the family removed to the state, making the trip with an ox team and pack horses. When a young man he worked on farms, and was employed at times as a laborer on public improvements. He helped to grade the Illinois Central road when it was com structed, and this work was done with shov- els and wheel-barrows. Later he began farming for himself on forty acres in sec- tion 12, settling on his present farm in sec- tion 15, in 1865, which was almost an un- broken prairie at the time. This farm now consists of 220 acres of well tilled land. The mother of the subject is a native of Marion county, being the daughter of Ben- jamin and Cloanna (Brewer) Wilkins, the latter a native of Kentucky. Her. parents were early settlers of Marion county, and are both dead. The father and mother of the subject are members of the Baptist church at Pleasant Grove. Mr. Holt is a Democrat and has served in the capacity of school director. In connection with the cul- tivation of his farm, he gives considerable attention to stock breeding, raising a high grade of mules, horses, cattle, sheep, hogs. Dr. Holt, the subject of this sketch, lives on the farm with his father and mother, upon 484 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Avhich is a building which is utilized by him as an office. He received a common school education,, and in 1884 entered the St. Louis Medical College, and three years later graduated in medicine and surgery. He then returned to Illinois and began prac- ticing with Dr. A. P. Kell, at Fortville, but after a short time went to Xenia, Illinois, where for one year he practiced with Dr. Shirley. At the end of that interval he re- turned to his father's farm, and since then has conducted his practice from that place. In 1889 the subject was married to Josie Huff, who was born and raised in Haines township, and is the daughter of Thomas and Emma (Fulton) Huff. Seven children were bom to the subject and his wife, six of whom survive. They are Hallie, Althia, Edna, Earl, Edgar, Ida and Roy. Althia is dead; Edna lives with her parents, and Hallie is a teacher in the Marion county schools. Dr. Holt is a member of the Ma- rion County Medical Society, and in politics he is a Democrat. He has served as School Director, and is a stockholder in a Salem bank. He has always taken a great interest in public affairs. WILLIAM K. PARKINSON. The subject of this sketch comes from a family whose name has been linked with the progress of the township in which he lives for several decades. He was born on the loth of February, 1858, on the family farm in section 14, Raccoon township, Marion county, and was the son of Brown and Mary J. (Leuty) Parkinson. Brown Parkinson was a native of Lincoln county, Tennessee, where his wife was also born. John and Elizabeth (Clark) Parkinson, with their son Brown, came to the county in the early part of the nineteenth century from Tennessee. The elder Parkinson was bom on February i, 1782, and his wife on April 6, 1787. The following children were born to them : James, born March i, 1807, lived in Raccoon township; Mary, born Novem- ber 6, 1809, married James Morton; Cath- erine, born on August 9, 1812; Hugh, born June I, 1 8 14, married Margaret Morton, lived in Raccoon township; John, born on December 10, 1815, married Mary A. Paul and lived in Raccoon township; Elizabeth, born September 16, 1818, lived a single life; Brown, father of the subject of our sketch, was born September i, 1820; Martha Jane was born January 6, 1823. Brown Parkin- son helped his parents during their early struggle in Illinois. His education was re- ceived in the old time subscription schools and was somewhat limited. Upon his mar- riage to Mary J. Leuty he moved into Rac- coon township and began fanning on his own account in section 14, later buying land and removing to section 23. His father died September 30, i860, and his mother in the following year on July 31, 1 86 1. Brown Parkinson's mar- ried life was a very happy one. He raised a family of ten children, one of whom is the subject of this sketch. In consecutive BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 485 order they were : Elizabeth A., born Febru- ary 2, 1848, died in infancy; John, bom February 11, 1849, married Bertha Burgess, and is a farmer in Raccoon township; James T., born N6vember 27, 1850, died at the age of eighteen years; Loretta L., born January 24, 1855, married B. F. Mercer, of Raccoon township; William Knox Parkin- son, who is the subject of this sketch, came next; Azariah H., born March 13, 1853, died young; Rebecca Annabel, bom Decem- ber 29, i860, also died in infancy; Rachael Annetta, born January 21, 1863, died un- married; Charles Andrew, born March 15, 1865, was twice married, first to Ida Little, and afterwards to Bettie Stone, he is a teacher in Madison county; Joseph C, bom Febraary 23, 1869, married Flaura March and is a farmer in Raccoon township. Brown Parkinson until his death was an influential member of the Reformed Presby- terian communion. He led an industrious life, built the house he lived in, and other- wise improved the farmstead. He died on the 2 1st of October, 1883 ; his wife's de- mise occurring August 24, 1905. The couple were well known and respected, and are affectionately remembered by their old neighbors. William Knox Parkinson, the subject of our present sketch, attended the common schools and lived at home with his father until his twenty-first year. July 15, 1880, marked the occasion of his marriage to Mary E. Smith, the favorite daughter of Buckner Smith and his wife, whose maiden name was Ibbie Jane Wyatt. The Wyatts originally belonged to Lincoln county, Tennessee, com- ing to Marion county about i860. Mrs. Parkinson's father was all his life engaged in the farming business. He died in 1866. His wife, who bore him five children, sur- vived him for many years, eventually mar- rying a second time, William M. Morton. She had two children by this marriage, Oscar W. and Elvin R. Upon his marriage in 1880, William K. Parkinson left the family farm and settled in Haines township. In the year 1884 he changed to Raccoon township, there buying eighty acres of good land which formerly belonged to William Rainey. Here he was not content with the state of the property as he found it. He set about making an improvement with a will. In 1900 he built a substantial house for his family and put up a barn in 1905. All through life he has been a farmer and has had much success in his calling. His energies in that line have been principally directed towards general farming and stock raising. William K. Parkinson's family life has flown onward with the swiftness and pla- cidity of a summer stream until April 9, 1906, when an infant son but a few days old died ; his wife's death which caused him much sorrow occurring on the 17th of the same month. The other children born to their marriage were: Burgess, born April 4, 1 88 1, who died on August 4, 1900, at the family residence; Lena Fern, born Au- gust 10, 1886, still lives with her father; James Leonard, born July 7, 1896, also lives on the homestead. 486 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. In religious life William K. Parkinson is a member of the United Presbyterian chmxh, his religious activity dating back to 1879. He is a forceful and influential mem- ber of that persuasion. In politics he is a Prohibitionist and is filled with all the youth- ful vigor and enthusiasm which marks the greater majority of this newly developed party in our political arena. In past years as a tribute to his personal and public worthiness as a citizen he held different of- fices in the gift of the township. DAVID M. HESTER. Among the men of Marion county who have appreciated present day opportunities and have profited by his ingenuity and per- sistency in the business world as a result of the favorable conditions existing in the great commonwealth of Illinois, is the sub- ject of this sketch, David M. Hester, who was born in Centralia township, this county, August 16, 1 84 1, the son of Milton P. Hes- ter, of Clark County, Indiana, who married Christina Copple in 1840 in Centralia town- ship. Matthias Hester, the subject's grand- father, was born in Hanover, Gennany, and came with his parents to America. He mar- ried a Susannah Huckleberry. He was a farmer and he and his wife lived and died in Clark county, Indiana. They were the parents of twelve children. Grandfather David Copple lived near Walnut Hill, Illi- nois, on a farm. The father of the subject came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1839 when he was still single and settled near Centralia on a farm, remaining here until his death in 1905. His first wife died in 1855 and he was again married, his second wife being Martha O. Johnson, of near Mt. Vernon. She died in 1890. He was noted as a great stock raiser. In politics he was a Republican, and was active in church work. He was also a promoter of the gen- eral good of the public. There were eight children born to him by his first union, namely: David M., our subject; Julia, de- ceased, who married Mark Young, who lived in Salem township; William A. is liv- ing on a farm near Mt. Vernon; John C. is a farmer near Jefferson, Kansas; Sarah E. married A. H. Young, of Centralia; Isaac is single and living on a farm in Centralia township; Samuel M. is living on a farm in Clinton county, Illinois; Mary is single and living on the old place. Four children were born to Milton P. Hester by his second wife, namely : Ella is single and living in Centralia; Albertus V. is farming near Dallas, Texas; Carrie married Mark Anthony, who is a lumber dealer in Streator, this state; Lillian, the fourth child, is the wife of George Cams, a locomotive engi- neer, living in Centralia. As already intimated the subject's father located on a farm which he secured from the government near Walnut Hill, Marion county, in 1839, securing from five hundred to eight hundred acres. Our subject lived at home attending the common schools in the winter months until he was twenty-one BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 487 years of age. He then went to Kansas and located in the eastern part of that state, where he remained a short time. When the call for troops was issued to put down the rebellion he was one of the patriotic sons of the North who responded, having enlisted in November, 1861, in Company H, Ninth Kansas Cavalry, under General Blunt, re- maining in this branch of the service for two years. He was in many battles and skir- mishes in Arkansas and Missouri, being wounded in the left arm and shoulder at Cain Hill. He was laid up at the camp hospital for some time and came home on a furlough, but returned to the service, re- maining three years and three months, hav- ing re-joined his regiment at Duvalls Bluffs, Arkansas. He served in such a gallant man- ner that he became first lieutenant. After the war Mr. Hester returned to Kansas and resumed farming for one year then he came back to Centralia. He had a farm in Kan- sas consisting of eighty acres. Our subject married Sarah A. Young, of Salem township, in 1867. She was the daughter of Matthew and Sarah (Ware) Young. Nine children have been bom to the subject and wife, four of whom are de- ceased. Their names are: Ella, who mar- ried J. P. Rogers, of Salem township ; Rose, who married William Gaines, of Stevenson township; Mathew married Pearl Hopkins and is living in Salerh township ; William is living on a farm, having married Effie Mc- Coy; Daisy is living at home. These chil- dren received good educations at the home schools. Mr. Hester is considered one of the best farmers in his community, having made all the improvements on the excellent farm which he has owned for two score years. He successfully carries on general farming and raises some excellent stock of all kinds. He has about five hundred acres of excellent land all in Salem township. He is a loyal Republican, but has held no offices, being content to lend his influence in placing the best men available in the local ofifices, but prefers to manage his business affairs and keep out of politics as much as possible. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Chandler Post, at Salem. Both he and his wife attend the Christian church. They are both pleasant people and they have a comfortable home. JOHN H. WYATT. The subject of this sketch joined the silent majority March 20, 1886, in the forty-sixth year of his age, at a time when he was be- ginning to enjoy the fruits of a life of un-. usual activity, and great industry. The his- tory of Mr. Wyatt's career is that of a man inbued with a determination to make a suc- cess in the world, and that he forged his way to the front despite all obstacles there is no question. The greater portion of his life with the exception of three years that he spent in the service of his country during the war of the Rebellion was devoted to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Wyatt was bom in Lincoln county, 488 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Tennessee, August 15, 1840, being the son of John and Margaret (Hamilton) Wyatt, both natives of the same state. In i860 his parents moved to Marion county, Illinois, settling in Raccoon township, and at once allied themselves with the Reformed Pres- byterian church, of which they remained ac- tive members until their deaths. The father of the subject died in 1869, and the mother survived him but five years. There were born to them nine children, James, Richard C, John, Martha, David, Thomas, Ann, Robert and William. The subject was about twenty years of age when his parents moved to Illinois, and what education he possessed had been pro- cured in the old subscription schools of Ten- nessee, and all of his time outside of school was spent in doing odd jobs upon the farm. He was an exceptionally apt scholar, and before he attained his majority taught one term of school. Mr. Wyatt was intensely patriotic, and in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, One. Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served un- til the great struggle came to an end. He entered as a private, and was mustered out as a sergeant. He took part in all of the engagements in which his regiment partici- pated, with the exception of a few weeks, when he was in the hospital on account of sickness. Mr. A'Vyatt was wedded December 22, 1870, to Catherine Morton, daughter of James and Mary (Parkinson) Morton. Six children were the result of this union, namely : Mrs. Carrie Murray, widow of the late William Murray, a native of Randolph county, Illinois; Fred, who married Ola Skinner, and is the father of five children; Opal, Eva, Russell, Ruth and Donald; Ida, the third child, died in infancy; Mabel, the wife of Robert McLaughlin; John, married Anna Creel, and Iva, wife of Victor Boggs. Shortly after his marriage the subject and his wife moved to Missouri, but in 1882 came back to Haines township, and settled upon the two hundred acres upon which his widow and daughter, Carrie, now live. This land was unimproved, and the work of clearing it was a gigantic task, but un- der the skillful hand of Mr. Wyatt it was developed into one of the finest farms in that section of the state. The farm is sit- uated about two miles northwest of Kell, Illinois, and is very productive. A beauti- ful modem dwelling stands upon the farm, being equipped with all of the latest con- veniences to be found in the up-to-date country home. Both the widow and her daughter are highly intelligent and cultured ladies, and have the respect of the entire community. Mr. Wyatt had a warm spot in his heart for his comrades of the strenuous days of the civil strife, and was a most active mem- ber of the Grand Amiy of the Republic, be- ing a regular attendant of all the meetings and reunions of the post to which he be- longed. While a life-long Republican, he was not a partisan in any sense of the word so far as local politics was concerned, and always voted, as he deemed, for the best interests of the township and county in BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 489 which he Hved. The death of the subject was greatly deplored by the people of Haines township, and Marion county for they realized that they had lost a most hon- orable and valued citizen. HON. THOMAS E. MERRITT. During the dark days of the Revolution, the colonies had no defender more loyal than Ebenezer Merritt, our subject's grand- father, who served with valor until captured by the British when he was placed in an old hulk of a ship in New York harbor. In after years he was wont to say that the sweetest morsel of food he ever tasted was a rotten Irish potato, which he found in his prison. The father of our subject, Hon. John W. Merritt, was born in the city of Albany, New York, July 4, 1806, and in his early youth evinced a very decided literary taste, contributing articles to many of the most prominent magazines of that day. Entering the practice of law, he built up a lucrative business in that line in connection with J. J. Brady. Meantime he also invested in real estate and so fortunate was he in his speculations that he became independent at a comparatively early period of life. How- ever, the crisis of 1837 destroyed the value of his investments and made him a poor man once more. Deciding to seek a home in the West, Mr. Merritt came to Illinois in 1840, and settling in St. Clair county es- tablished The Belleville Advocate, which he successfully conducted from the year 1848 until 1 85 1. Meantime he also superin- tended the management of his farm and con- tributed to eastern magazines and New York papers. He also wrote and published a novel called "Shubal Darton." Coming to Salem in 1851, he established The Advo- cate, of which he was proprietor and editor for many years. In 1 86 1 he was elected Assistant Secre- tary of the Constitutional Convention and in the following year became a member of the Legislature. The State Register at Springfield having lost its prestige, Mr. Merritt with his son, Edward L., assumed editorial charge of the paper in January, 1865, and attempted to place it upon a substantial footing. The enterprise though not prudent proved a suc- cess. For some years Mr. Merritt conducted its editorial columns with great ability and during a portion of that time supplied The St. Louis Republican with its Springfield correspondence. As an editor he justly at- tained celebrity throughout the country and was one of the most successful journalists of the day. His county may well feel proud of his life and labors. He was modest, un- assuming, never ambitious for worldly dis- tinction and preferring the success of his friends to his own. In politics he was an old-school Democrat and was one of the most influential workers in his party throughout the state. He was devoted to the doctrines of the Episcopal church and was a faithful member of that denomination. 490 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. In disposition mild, he never used profanity and was also a man of temperate habits, never tasting intoxicating liquor through- out his life. He married in Rochester, New York, in August, 1827, Julia A. De Forrest, who was born in Oswego, New York, and there received a good education. Ten chil- dren blessed this union, of whom five are now living. During his residence in New York, John W. Merritt served as Alderman and aided in formulating a new plat of the Fifth Ward, which he represented in the Council. In i860 he was a member of the state dele- gation to the National Democratic Conven- tion at Charleston, South Carolina, later was present at the recall of that convention in Baltimore, Maryland, where Stephen A. Douglas was nominated for the Presidency. He was president of the first Press Associa- tion held in the state of Illinois, and was at the time of his demise the oldest Odd Fellow in Salem. AA^hile uniformly success- ful in business enterprises, he nevertheless met with reverses and at one time lost by fire two valuable blocks of buildings in Brooklyn. By his long and virtuous life he left a name to which his descendants may point with pride and when, November 16, 1878, he departed this life, he left many warm friends to mourn their loss. The fu- neral services were largely attended by the citizens of Salem and Marion county, as well as many friends from a distance. Thomas E. Merritt, our subject, was born in the city of New York, April 22, 1832. He was brought in childhood to Illinois and received a good education in the schools of Belleville. Before attaining his majority he went to St. Louis, where he learned the trade of carriage and omnibus painting in the shops of Theodore Salom, serving a three years' apprenticeship at the trade. Afterward he followed the occupa-^ tion for four years in St. Louis. He then came to Salem and in 1859 began to read law with P P. Hamilton, an attorney of this place, now deceased. In 1862 he was ex- amined before the Supreme Court and was admitted to the bar, after which he opened an office in Salem and has since made this city his home. Always a stanch Democrat, reared in the faith of that party, Mr. Merritt early became an active worker in its ranks. In i860 in Romine township, Marion county, he made his first political speech and since then has participated in every cam- paign. Until 1875 he stumped every town- ship in the county each campaign year. The first National Democratic Conven- tion that he attended was held in St. Louis when S. J. Tilden was nominated President in 1876. Later, he was seiit as a delegate for the state-at-large to the convention that nominated Gen. W. S. Hancock, in 1880, and the night before the convention met he made a speech in favor of Col. W. R. Morri- son on the steps of the Burnet House, Cin- cinnati. At the next national convention he was alternate-at-large, and as Col. W. R. Morrison, who was delegate-at-large, was appointed on the Committee on Resolutions, and obliged to give his entire time to the work of that body, Mr. Merritt took his BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 491 place in the convention. It was this assem- bly that nominated Grover Cleveland at the time of his first term. Our subject was a delegate from the Nineteenth Congressional District to the convention at St. Louis that nominated President Cleveland the second term. In 1892, he attended as a citizen the convention at Chicago which nominated Cleveland the last time. During the three campaigns in which that famous man was the presidential candidate, our subject made fifty-six speeches in Illinois, and at the time believed that his party promised more than it could fulfill. In 1868 Mr. Merritt was elected to the State Legislature and was a member of the House of Representatives for fourteen con- secutive years. In addition he served as State Senator for eight years, from 1882 to 1890, thus making a legislative experience of twenty-two years. He was a member of the joint session which elected John A. Lo- gan three times and defeated him once, also the joint session that elected Richard Oglesby United States Senator and those that elected Shelby M. Cullom and John M. Palmer. In 1875, he was a leading member of the House when the city judge of East St. Louis was to be impeached, and through his influence the measure was reconsidered and laid on the table. During the same year he secured the passage of the first coal mine bill through the legislature, which was the first act ever passed in the state in the inter- est of the coal miners. Hon. John M. Pal- mer, State Auditor and Secretary of the State, gave to Mr. Merritt the honor of passing the bill assessing the capital stock of corporations, and he was banqueted after- ward. In 1 87 1, he introduced and secured the passage of the bill compelling railroads to pay for burning property along their lines, which has since been warped by the construction placed on that act by the Su- preme Court. He was prominent in the at- tack made upon state officials for extrava- gant expenditures, and in that way saved to the tax payers of Illinois more than enough to pay the entire expaises of that General Assembly. His services in that capacity were so greatly appreciated throughout the state, that many of the papers advocated his nomination as Governor of Illinois. Another bill introduced by Mr. Merritt was that of allowing parties to sue before the Justice of the Peace for killing stock along the rail- roads. The anarchist bill introduced by him in 1887, and passed June i6th of that year, was the cause of the greatest fight of his life. Afterward it was published by Great Britain, France and Russia, while at the meeting of the United States National Bar Association at Saratoga, New York, the President gave one hour to its consideration before that body. Mr. Merritt worked long and faithfully upon the bill which finally passed, receiving one hundred and eighteen votes in the House. The Anti-Trust bill, January 22, 1889, was the first ever introduced in the state. This passed the Judiciary Committee by one majority, and the House by one hundred votes, but was hung up in the Senate by the two-thirds rule. While a member of the 492 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Senate, Mr. Merritt introduced a bill to compel insurance companies to pay the full value of the policy for destiniction of prop- erty. This he passed twice through the Senate, and it was defeated in the House. He passed it twice in the House and it was as many times defeated in the Senate. In 1868 he introduced in the House a bill se- curing the investigation of 'the proceeds for the sale of lands and other moneys connected with Irvington Agricultural College. After investigation, the State Auditor and Secre- tary of State took possession of the institu- tion, and from the wreck saved to the state a large amount of money. In 1868 Mr. Merritt introduced a resolu- tion calling upon the Secretary of State to account for the interest received by him on about three million dollars of surplus money that was lying idle in the treasury and could be used only to pay off the old state indebt- edness which was held by English capital- ists in the shape of state bonds, this money being set aside to pay the bonds as they be- came due. It had been collected from the Illinois Central Railroad as seven per cent, of its gross earnings, and was invested in United States ten per cent, gold interest- bearing bonds. The resolution introduced by Mr. Merritt was to the effect that the Governor and Attorney-General of Illinois should look after the interest of this money and report their action to the next session of the General Assembly. He passed the resolution through the House, but by a strong lobby it was defeated in the Senate. In 1872 three million dollars' worth of these bonds became due and were paid in New York in gold, to the English bondholders, the Secretary of State having to purchase the gold in New York. He notified Gould and Fisk that he would require so much gold on that day. By bulling the market, gold advanced one-third of one per cent., so that the three million dollars paid that much premium. The State Treasurer making by this deal the interest on United States bonds that this money was invested in, came out four hundred thousand dollars ahead, which was a loss to the people of the state by the defeat of the resolution in the Senate. During Mr. Merritt's entire legislative experience, covering a period of twenty-two years, it cannot be shown that he ever cast a vote against the interests of the people. As one of the delegates of the state-at-large, he attended the conventions at St. Louis in July, 1892, and at New Orleans in Febru- ary, 1893, in reference to the Nicaragua canal. At the latter place, he made a speech for Illinois before the convention. He was one of the commissioners to locate the In- stitute for the Feeble Minded at Quincy, Illinois (now at Lincoln), also the Asylum for the Incurable Criminal Insane at Ches- ter. For ten successive years he served as Alderman of Salem. From the above account it will be seen that Mr. Merritt has been one of the most prominent Democrats in Illinois, and he still occupies a foremost position among the leaders of that party. His work in behalf BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 493 of the people of the state entitles him to a high place in their regard, and his name will be deservedly perpetuated in the annals of the state as a loyal, able and eminent man. From the press of the country he has re- ceived the highest of commendation for his unwearied services in the interests of the people as well as for his great ability. The State Register said of him that, "The man who wields the keenest satire is Merritt, of Marion". The Mount Vernon Free Press paid him the following tribute : "He is always awake to the interests of southern Illinois, and no influence, let it come from what source it may, is ever able to swerve him from the path of duty to his constituents and the people generally". An- other paper says of him : "Merritt is a wit, besides he is a good fellow and everybody likes him. He never rises but he commands the attention of the House. He is a Bour- bon of Bourbons". In addition to his other services, previously mentioned, he was a member of various committees of import- ance. To him belongs the honor of having nominated both William R. Morrison and John M. Palmer for United States Senator. On the 3d of February, 1862, Mr. Mer- ritt was married to Alice McKinney, a na- tive of Jefferson county, Illinois, and a daughter of William McKinney, who was killed in battle in the Civil war. Four daughters and three sons have blessed this union, as follows: Addis D., Frank F., Clara, Harriet, Lottie, Edith and Harold. In religious belief Mrs. Merritt is a devoted member of the Episcopal church. JOHN M. SCHULTZ. No man in Marion county is more de- serving of the success he has attained in business and political circles than John M. Schultz, not alone because of the splendid results he has achieved, but also because of the honorable, straightforward business pol- icy he has ever followed. John M. Schultz, Circuit Clerk, was bom in Salem, Illinois, January 30, 1867. He is the son of Ephraim Schultz, a native of Kentucky, who came to Illinois when a young man, first settling in Alma township on a farm. He moved to Salem a short time before the Civil war, and continued to live in this place up to his death about 1895. He was successful farmer and business man and retained the well-wishes of those who knew him. David Schultz was the subject's grandfather, a na- tive of Germany. Mrs. Becky Frizzell, who is living in Foster township, an aunt of our subject, has reached the advanced age of ninety years. She is a sister to Ephraim Schultz. The subject's father was twice married, his second wife being the mother of the subject of this sketch. His first wife was a Miss Crawford, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Five children were born to his first wife, two of whom are liv- ing at this writing. The mother of the sub- ject's father was Hannah Hull, who was born in Hull, England. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Kissie Mar- shall, a native of Tennessee, who came to Marion county in an early day. She was 494 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. called to her rest twenty years ago, in 1888. Eight children were born to the father and mother of the subject, four of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Millie Siefman, of Centralia, Illinois ; Mrs. Charles. Martin, of Davenport, Iowa; Elizabeth Schultz, who is living in Salem; Joseph Schultz, de- ceased ; Christian and Maiy died in infancy. David and Samuel Schultz, of Salem, Il- linois, who were both in the Twenty-first Il- linois Volunteer Infantry, were sons of a former marriage, also John Schultz, who was killed when seventeen years old on the battlefield of Resaca, Georgia. He was in the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. William Schultz, an- other son of the first marriage is de- ceased ; also a daughter, Lydia, who mar- ried George Jennings, of Patoka, this coun- ty, and died several years ago. Hannah Belle, another daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Schultz, and sister of our subject, who became the wife of L. G. Finch, was a teacher in the public schools of Salem for several years. She passed to her rest two years ago, in February, 1906. Joseph Schultz, a brother of the subject's father, was captain in the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was afterward Sheriff of Marion county, also postmaster of Salem and Revenue Col- lector. David Schultz, another brother of Ephraim Schultz, was wagon master in the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. John M. Schultz, our subject, spent his boyhood days in Salem, attending the local schools in which he made a splendid record, receiving a fairly good education. Mr. Schultz was an industrious lad and soon cast about for the best way in which to direct his life work. He decided to be a mechanic. He is always a very busy man, for his work is satisfactorily done and his business has steadily grown, owing to the fair treatment he accords his customers. Fraternally he is a member of the Wood- men. He is a loyal Democrat, and was nominated and triumphantly elected Circuit Clerk in 1908, his election being regarded as a most fortunate one by his many friends. Mr. Schultz has remained unmarried. His sister, Elizabeth, keeps house for him. He is well known in Marion county, being in- terested in \\'hate\'er has tended to promote the interests of the county in any way. He is accurate, persistent and painstaking in his business affairs. H. N. \\^OODWARD. The subject of this sketch is a man of courage, self-reliance and of the utmost in- tegrity of purpose, as a result of which he has, during his entire life stood high in the estimation of his neighbors and friends and is therefore deserving of a place in this book. H. N. Woodward was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, in 1855, the son of Abner M. and Silvia (Scogin) Woodward. His paternal grandfather was bom in New BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 495 Jersey. He moved to Ohio and devoted his life to fanning. Like all his people, he was a Quaker in his religious affiliations. Grand- mother Scogin was bom in Kentucky, and lived to be eighty-two years old, rearing a large family of fifteen children. She was twice married. Grandfather Scrogin was bom in November in the memorable year in our country's histoiy — 1812. The father of the subject of this sketch was born in Ohio and received his early ed- ucation in the public schools there and after that he received an academic education. He left Ohio before he was twenty-one years of age and went with his mother to Iowa, and settled on a farm near Burlington, where he remained for some time. He later went South about the close of the war to the Polk plantation, for the purpose of managing negroes under the Freemen's Bu- reau, and from there he went to Mississippi, later spending two years in Tennessee, hav^ ing spent one year in Mississippi in a very responsible position, which was filled to the entire satisfaction of the Bureau. They gave him fine letters commending his course and the results of his work while there. He then bought a farm in Marion county, Illinois, in 1866, and farmed with much suc- cess for a period of thirteen years. He then formed a partnership with Colonel Morri- son, in Odin, for carrying on a grain busi- ness which partnership continued for a period of eight years, when he bought out Colonel Morrison's interests and Mr. Wood- ward retained his interest until his death. In 1886 the Odin Coal Company was put in operation, and Mr. Woodward financed the corporation. He was secretary and later treasurer of the same and always a director, having remained such until his death which occurred in 1890. He was a loyal Mason. The mother of the subject is living in 1908, at the age of eighty years. She is a fine old lady with many beautiful attributes. There are six children in this family, four of whom lived to maturity. H. N. Woodward, our subject, first at- tended the public schools in Marion county, but thirsting for higher learning he entered the University of Illinois, where he made a splendid record for scholarship. After leav- ing college he decided to continue the work which he knew the most about — farming, and he followed this until he was twenty- seven years old. He went into the grain and hay business by purchasing Colonel Morrison's business. He was successful in this from the first, more so, in fact, than at farming; however, every year he devoted to farm work added to his competence, for he was a careful and conservative manager. He has enlarged his latter line of business until he now carries on a general merchandising establishment. In 1902 the same was in- corporated since which time Mr. Woodward has been president and is the largest stock- holder, being the active manager, under whose able direction the business has in- creased to a satisfactory state and is rap- idly growing. After the death of his father, our subject 496 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. was director and treasurer of the Odin Coal Company, which position he ably retained for a period of twelve years. He is at pres- ent connected with the Marion County Coal Company, of Junction City, a corporation. Mr. Woodward was a director in the same, but is not at present. In all his business deal- ings he has been regarded by eveiy one as a man of unusual tact and shrewdness and ever fair and honest. Success seems to at- tend his efforts in whatever line he under- takes. Mr. AVoodward was united in marriage in 1883 with Agnes Ferguson, daughter of William and Eliza (Hildreth) Ferguson, natives of Ohio, where they lived on a farm. Five children have been born to the subject and wife, named in order of birth as follows: Grace, born in 1884, is living at home with her parents ; Lucile, the second child, was born in 1886, is single and living at home; Nelson was born in 1888, and is deceased; having died in 1890; Edwin was born in 1893, and is attending high school in 1908; Agnes, who was bom in 1897, is also a pu- pil in the Odin schools. Mr. Woodward, in his fraternal relations, is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Woodmen. In politics he is a Repub- lican, taking considerable interest in the af- fairs of his party, especially in reference to the local officials. Both he and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist church. The former takes a great interest in educa- tional matters. He is known as a man of industry and frugality. He has a beautiful home at Odin. SAMUEL F PHILLIPS. Among the members of the many families of early settlers who have forged to the front in the realm of public life and in their daily avocations in Marion county, Illinois, few indeed, have reached a higher standing than the subject of this sketch, whose long life has ever been associated with the prog- ress of the county, especially in the township where he resides. Samuel F. Phillips was bom October 20, 1829, in the vicinity of Clarksville, Mont- gomery county, Tennessee. His father,Jona- than Phillips, came of a well known family in the state where he resided, and his moth- er's maiden name was Sarah Fowler, who came of a family equally well connected. Jonathan Phillips' father was Samuel Phil- lips, who, together with his wife, Nancy (Crow) Phillips, bom in Virginia, were among the earliest settlers in Tennessee. The elder Phillips was a hardy and industrious farmer and he and his wife lived a long life on their farm in Davidson county, Tennes- see, where they reared a family of eight children; four sons and four daughters. The sons were David, Thomas, George and Jonathan, the father of Samuel F. Jonathan Phillips spent the early part of hig life on his father's farm, and he re- ceived a limited education in the common schools in the neighborhood of his home. When, he had reached manhood he married and in 1831 he and his wife drove in the an- tiquated vehicles of the period across the long stretches of countiy, starting from r MRS. NANCY, PHILLIPS, S. F. PHILIPS. BEINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 497 Montgomery county, Tennessee, finally landing and settled in section i, Centralia township, Marion county, Illinois. At this time he obtained one hundred and sixty acres of government land at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, which fann he added to at diflferent times until he had six hundred acres, becoming a farmer of more than average industry and he succeeded in improving and changing the appearance of the property. Though well known and widely respected in the locality, he never aspired for public patronage. In politics he was first a Whig and on the disappear- ance of the older party became a Democrat. He was a member of the Presbyterian brotherhood in religious life and a sturdy upholder of that belief. As a man and an active farmer, he was well known and widely esteemed. The date of his birth was in the year 1799, and his death occurred on April 2, 1856. His wife was born July 20, 1806, and died July 10, 1893. Her father, William Fowler, lived in Montgom- ery county, Tennessee, where he died. He had married a Miss Fyke and their union brought forth four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: Drury, Richard, Sarah, the mother of the subject of our sketch, and Mary. Jonathan Phillips and his wife reared six children, James George Washington, died 1856, was a farmer, married Margaret .Sugg, and lived at homq until his death. Another was Samuel F., the subject of this sketch. William, who married Rebecca Al- len, was a farmer in Centralia township Z2 where he died in 1859. Joseph R. died April 2, 1862. Nancy married Isaac Phil- lips and lived at Cobden, Illinois. She, as well as her husband, is dead. John P., a farmer in Centralia township, married three times: first, Vitula Cazy; second, Martha Norfolk ; and third, Ida Johnson. As a boy, Samuel F. Phillips had little chance to go to school. However, he attend- ed the local subscription schools at infre- quent intervals. The circurnstances of his youthful schooling did not affect him in after life, for he was always of an observant and intelligent turn of mind and in this way as- similated much useful information. He was of much assistance to his father in im- proving the, paternal residence, and he re- mained there in a useful capacity until his thirtieth year. In 1859 in Davidson county, Tennessee, he married the daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Chadwell) Phillips, of the same county and name, his wife's first name being Nancy Jane. This Phillips fam- ily had come to Marion county, Illinois, set- tling there in section 12, Centralia township, in 1852. The father spent his life on the farm in his new surroundings where he died; his wife died in Odin, Illinois. The children of the marriage were : Nancy Jane, the wife of Samuel F. Phillips, the subject of this sketch; Martha E., who married Noah Wooters, both deceased; Mary K., who was the wife of James Stroup, both of whom are dead; Minerva T., the wife of Di". J. J. Fyke, of Odin; Sarah B., the wife of W. D. Farthing, attorney-at-law, at Odin; George died young, at home; William H., 498 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. druggist at luka, Illinois, lives in Centralia township. He married Frances Summer- ville; Samuel D., druggist at Odin, married Jessie Lester; John G. married Laura John- son, and lives in Oklahoma. Samuel F. Phillips and his wife lead a happy domestic life and have had nine chil- dren. His sons and daughters are mostly all married and are important factors in the life of the community. William \\'. is a farmer in Centralia township and is married to Malissa Rial. Sarah E. married John H. McGuire, engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad at Centralia; they have two chil- dren, Tressa and Erma. Etta, the widow of G. W. S. Bell, lives near Centralia. Patra married John F. Guymon, of Cen- tralia, and they have one daughter, Beulah. Martha B. is the wife of Charley Whit- church, of Centralia township, and the moth- er of three children, Carl, Boyd and Harry. Allie married W. B. Carr, of Raccoon town- ship. Alphia married Joseph L. Hill, of Ewing, Illinois. Samuel T. married Nora Sutherland, of Centralia township, and has two children. Hazel, born October 17, 1905, and Samuel Howard, born March 7, 1907. Samuel T. is a fanner in Centralia township. George Robert, another son, who is at home working with his father, is unmarried. In the year i860, Samuel F. Phillips lo- cated on his present property. Since then he has striven to enhance the value of the land. It consists of two hundred and fifty acres. He principally engages in stock raising and does a general farming business. Samuel F. Phillips is a member of the Missionary Baptist church and is influen- tial in church advancement matters. In politics he gives his support to the Demo- cratic party. The first time he exercised his right to vote he recorded it for Granville Pierce. The subject of this sketch has received fitting public recognition. His record as Jus- tice of the Peace is of forty-four years' standing, and he has been a Notary Public for fourteen years. He has been associated with the Board of Trustees of Centralia township for twenty years. For sixteen years he has been Township Assessor. He is also a member of the board of township high school. He is still in harness, his seventy-nine years weigh but lightly upon him, and it is the wish of a large circle of friends that he be long spared to his affectionate family, and to the people of his township for whom he has worked so diligently. ANDREW SHANAFELT. Among the well known citizens of Ma- rion county who have finished their labors and gone to their reward, the name of An- drew Shanafelt is deserving of especial no- tice. He was a pioneer himself and the son of a pioneer. He was one of the sterling yeo- men, whose labors and self-sacrifice made possible the advanced state of civilization and enlightenment for which southern Illi- nois has long been noted. Andrew Shanafelt was born August 5, BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 499 1 82 1, ini Licking- county, Ohio, where his parents, Peter and Catherine (Cover) Shan- afelt, settled in a very early day, making the journey from their native state of Pennsyl- vania by means of a sled and experiencing many hardships and suffering on the way. Peter Shanafelt purchased a tract of heavily timbered land which by dint of hard work he finally succeeded in clearing and reduc- ing to cultivation and on which he died, shortly after becoming situated so as to live comfortably. His wife, who survived him a number of years and for some time prior to her death, which occurred in Marion county, Illinois, at the age of seventy-sevai, made her home with her children. The fam- ily of Peter and Catherine Shanafelt con- sisted of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, the subject of this sketch being the youngest of the number. Both parents were of German extraction and representa- tives of old families which immigrated to the United States in an early day and set- tled in Pennsylvania, where numerous de- scendants still live. Andrew Shanafelt was reared on the home farm in Ohio, early learned by prac- tical experience, the true meaning of hard work and grew up strong and vigorous and well able to cope with the difficulties and discouragements which life had in store for him. After remaining in his native county until 1847, he disposed of his holdings there and came to Marion county, Illinois, where for some time he labored as a farm hand, subsequently renting a farm near the vil- lage of Odin. On March 22, 1849, he was united in marriage with Katherine Johnson, of Licking county, Ohio, and two years fol- lowing that event, purchased forty acres of land near Odin, on which he lived and pros- pered until the summer of 1856, when he sold the place and bought one hundred and twenty acres, which he made his home to the end of his days and on which his widow still resides. Mr. Shanafelt labored long and diligently to reduce the latter place to cultivation and make it profitable, the land being about half timber and half prairie, on which no im- provements of any kind had been previously attempted. He addressed himself resolutely to his task, however, and after working for a number of years and experiencing many hardships and privations, finally suc- ceeded in developing a fine farm and placing himself in independent circumstances. Methodical in directing his labors and emi- nently progressive in his methods of cul- tivating the soil, he became widely known as a model farmer while in business matters his sound judgment and wise forethought enabled him to take advantage of unfavor- able conditions and mould them to suit his purposes. As a citizen he ranked high and was ever public spirited in matters relating to the material improvement of the county and the moral progress of those about him. Few men in the community were as much esteemed or showed themselves more wor- thy of the regard of the people of the com- munity and throughout a long and emi- nently useful life he discharged his every duty as he would answer to his conscience and his God. Mrs. Shanafelt, who is still living at tlie 500 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ripe old age of seventy-eight years, is a daughter of William and Rachel (McClel- land) Johnson, the former a native of Main- land, the latter of Licking county, Ohio. She shared her husband's fortunes and vicis- situdes, encouraged him by her wise counsel and judicious advice and being in every sense of the word a helpmeet, contributed not a little to the success which he achieved. Ten children were bora to this couple, three of whom are deceased, viz: Elizabeth, Wil- liam and Isaac; those surviving are Adam, a farmer of Salem township; Rachel, wife of T. M. Branch, of Salem township ; Mary, who married John R. Branch, of Marion county; Susanna, now Mrs. Riley Farthing, of Salem ; Martha J., wife of Frank Young, also of Salem; Samuel and David, prosper- ous farmers of the township of Salem. In his political views, Mr. Shanafelt was a Democrat, but aside from serving as School Director and Supervisor, never as- pired to public position. He was always in- terested in what made for the advancement of the county and the development of his re- sources, believed in enterprise in all the term implies and had great faith in the future of Marion county and the progress of its peo- ple. He lived with the greatest good of his fellow men ever in view and reached the ad- vanced age of eighty years, retaining to a marked degree, the possession of his phys- ical and mental powers. On May ist of the year 1901, he died very suddenly of heart failure, and it goes without the say- ing that his loss was deeply felt and pro- foundly regretted by the large circle of neighbors and friends with whom he had been so long associated. Since his death, his widow has resided on the family home- stead and although nearly eighty years old, she feels few of the infinnities incident to advanced age, having remarkable action, and able to attend to all her household du- ties, besides manifesting' a lively interest in the labors of the farm. She has spent her entire life within the geographical lim- its of Marion county and has yet to take her first ride behind a locomotive. Although circumscribed within a narrow area, she is quite intelligent and well informed and keeps in touch with the times on all matters of general and local interest. William Johnson, father of Mrs. Shana- felt, was taken to Ohio when thirteen years old, and grew to manhood in Licking county. He was reared a farmer and in due time married Miss Rachel McClelland, who bore him four children before he disposed of his interests in Ohio and moved, in 1842, to Marion county, Illinois. He made the jour- ney to his new home by wagon and after purchasing eighty acres of wild prairie land, addressed himself to the labor of improving a farm and providing for those dependent upon him. His first dwelling was a hewed log building with a large fire-place for heat- ing and cooking, such modern articles as stoves and carpets being unknown in the pioneer homes of those days and the good wife and mother was obliged to attend to her many duties with but few of the con- veniences now found in the humblest of households. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 501 Mr. Johnson and family lived after the manner of the typical pioneers of the early times and experienced not a few hardships and privations ere the farm was fully devel- oped and capable of producing a comfort-, able livelihood. In the course of time, how- ever, he added to his original purchase and became one of the enterprising and well-to- do farmers of his township, besides taking an influential part in the development of the community along other than material lines. He lived to see Marion county grow from a sparsely settled prairie to one of the most enterprising and progressive sections of Southern Illinois, and with strong arm and clear brain, contributed his share to- wards bringing about the many changes that are now apparent. He departed this life at the ripe old age of eighty-one, his wife dying several years later, when seventy- eight years old. A daughter, Mrs. Lavina Ross, lives on the family homestead at the present time and a son by the name of Isaac served in the late Civil war as a mem- ber of the One Hundred and Eleventh Illi- nois Infantr}', Mrs. Shanafelt being one of the seven surviving members of the family. FRANKLIN GILBERT BOGGS. The subject was born November 30, 1854, on the old Boggs homestead in Rac- coon township, Marion county, the son of James Clark Boggs, who was born in Jef- ferson county, this state, April 3, 1828, and reared, educated and married in Marion county. He married Margaret Hicklin, who was born February 23, 1834, in Lin- coln county, Tennessee. James C. Boggs was the son of Spruce Boggs, who married Martha H. Kell, Januaiy 21, 1825. They were of North Carolina. They were mem- bers of the Reformed Presbyterian church, and gave the land on which to build the church, and were active in church work. He was born May 9, 1808. They came to Jefferson county, Illinois, in the early twen- ties and were the first settlers in Rome town- ship, the north part. He got wild land here, and in those days the Indians were quite troublesome and ate most of his crop the first year. There was an abundance of wild game then. He was a hard working, rugged man, and won success despite obstacles, through his agricultural labors. He and his wife died on the place. They were the parents of fourteen children, seven of whom grew to maturity. They are all now de- ceased. Those who grew up were : Thomas, Clark, William, John, Sarah, Joseph and Hugh. The subject's grandfather, William Hicklin, was a native of South Carolina. He married Ann Sloan, of that state. They went to middle Tennessee where they re- mained for a number of years after their marriage, and they went later to Randolph county, Illinois, and then to Marion county, settling in Raccoon township, where they secured wild land in section 27, having got eighty acres of government land, which they developed into a good farm, and on which they died. They were the parents of four 502 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. children, John, Margaret, Betsy J. became the wife of T. B. Parkinson, of Raccoon township, this county; Florida A. lives in Raccoon township, the widow of Benjamin Cook. The subject's father received only a limited education. However, he was self- learned. When a young man he taught school. He was reared on his father's old homestead and lived at home until he was twenty-one years old, after which he was at different places for awhile. When he bought eighty acres of land in section 34, Raccoon township, on which he made his home until in April, 1862, when he enlisted in Company H, Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was in several engagements, among which was the great battle of Stone River. In fording the river there the troops had to wade the water up to their arm pits. The subject's father was very warm at the time, and the cold water caused him to take a severe cold, which resulted in his death on April 6, 1863. He was buried in the Na- tional cemetery at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. His wife remained on the place until her death, September 3, 1893. They were mem- bers of the Reformed Presbyterian church. Mr. Boggs was a Justice of the Peace and a Republican in politics. Mr. and Mrs. James Clark Boggs were the parents of four chil- dren, namely: William, who died single at the age of nineteen; Franklin Gilbert, our subject; Mary A., the wife of E. R. Davis, who now lives on the old Boggs place in Raccoon township; Florida married Joseph C. Telford, a farmer in Raccoon township. The subject of this sketch was educated in the home schools and lived at home until he reached the age of twenty-four years. He was united in marriage December 6, 1877, to Emma Norfieet, who was bom in Tennessee, the daughter of Benjamin F. and Josephine (Hamlett) Norfieet, who now live in Raccoon township, and whose sketch appears in full in this work. Three sons have been born to the subject and wife, as follows : Vivian O., was born December 25, 1878. He is in the mercantile business in Mounds and Dongola, Illinois, making his home in the latter town. He married Anna May Eimer, of Bellville, Illinois, and they have one son, Leland. Vivian O. was a stenographer and teacher previous to going into the mercantile business. He attended school at Carbondale, Illinois, and took a business course at Centralia. He is a bright young business man. Victor, the subject's sdneco child, was born September 30, 1880. He attended school at Carbondale, Illinois, and at the University of Valparaiso, Indi- ana, where he made a brilliant record for scholarship. He is a graduate in pharmacy. He is now in St. Louis, engaged in carpen- try and building, also real estate. He buys lots and builds on them for investment pur- poses. He married Iva Wyatt on Septem- ber 24, 1908. Earl, the subject's youngest son, was born August 22, 1887. He is a farmer and carpenter at Fruti, Colorado, where he is doing well. He attended the Centralia schools. After 1877 the subject located on his pres- ent farm in section 34, Raccoon township, where he purchased forty acres. It was a BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 503 new place, but the subject was a hard worker and soon developed a fine farm, well improved in every respect, and his home is one of the finest in Raccoon township. He does most all his own carpenter work, being naturally a skilled workman. He also owns one hundred and thirty-one acres of well improved and very productive land in sec- tions 27, 34 and 35, in this township. He has a very valuable orchard. He raises fine fruits of all varieties, and he used to raise a great many strawberries. No small part of Mr. Boggs' income is derived from his live stock. He always keeps a good grade, his Duroc and Jersey hogs being especially well bred. He has also been extensively engaged in the poultry business for the past seventeen years, raising mostly Barred Plymouth Rock chickens. He carries on a general farming, and his place shows thrift, good management and industry, being all in all one of the most desirable farms in the town- ship. Mr. Boggs is a stanch Republican and a faithful member of the United Presbyterian church. He is well read on modem topics, and he makes all his friends and acquaint- ances feel at home when they visit him. HARRISON G. HIZLIP. The subject of this sketch was a native of Virginia and a worthy type of the courte- ous, high minded and honorable class of gentlemen for which the Old Dominion state has long been distinguished. Harrison G. Hizlip was born in the year 1805, and grew to manhood in his native commonwealth, receiving the best educational advantages the country at that time afforded, and re- maining on the family homestead until at- taining his majority. When twenty-one years of age he severed home ties to make his own way in the world, and thinking to improve his interests in the West, he came to Illinois in 1826 and settled at Vandalia, where he helped lay the brick in the first capital building of the state. After a brief residence in that town he went to Missouri, where he invested his ample means in slaves, but the troublous and unsettled times pre- ceding the Civil war caused him great anx- iety, and with other slave holders he was made the object of persecution by the Union element of the country, not infrequently ex- periencing rough treatment and much suffer- ing at the hands of those fanatical disturb- ers of the peace. The war coming on and freeing his slaves, he was seriously crippled financially, but with the small residence, his fortune, which he succeeded in saving, he returned to Illinois and purchased a farm in Marion county, several of his erstwhile bondsmen accompanying him north, so greatly were they attached to him by reason of his kind treatment. Some of these ex- slaves still live in Marion county and are greatly esteemed by their white neighbors and friends, being peaceable, law-abiding and industrious, and a credit to the commu- nities in which they reside. By industry and good management Mr. Hizlip succeeded in 504 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. recuperating his fortune in part, and during his residence in the country he was consid- ered one of the successful farmers and en- terprising citizens of the township in which he Hved. After a few years, however, he discontinued agricultural pursuits and re- moved to Salem, where he lived in honor- able retirement until his death, which occurred in 1893, the meanwhile attaining to high standing as a neighbor and citizen, and wielding a strong influence in behalf of whatever made for the advancement of the community and the welfare of his fellow men. Mr. Hizlip was a Democrat in the broad- est meaning of the term, and stood ready at all times to make any sacrifice within his power to promote the interest of the party, in the principles and doctrines of which he was a sincere and uncompromising believer. A southern man in sentiment and sympathy, he nevertheless accepted with good grace the results of the war, and thereafter was firm in his devotion to the Union, and a great admirer of the free institutions which have had such a marked influence in reuniting the former hostile sections and making the American government a model of its kind. Mr. Hizlip was a man of strong and sincere religious convictions, and for many years a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, contributing freely of his means to the support of the Gospel, and by his upright and manly conduct doing much to induce others to abandon the way of sin and seek the higher life. A marked char- acteristic of his personality was his fearless- ness in his devotion to what he considered the right, although it often subjected him to much contumely and disfavor, but his sin- cerity and honesty were beautiful and in every respect admirable. During the period of disintegration preceding the great Civil strife, he clung tenaciously to his principles, and though frequently menaced with suffer- ing and death, he manfully faced his perse- cutors and in not a single instance did he yield to their threats or abandon a cause, which by nature' and training he deemed just, and for which he would make almost any personal sacrifice. Mr. Hizlip in the year 1882 contracted a matrimonial alliance with Mrs. Rachel Robbins, a widow of the late Joseph Rob- bins, and daughter of John and Jane B. (Gardner) Worthington, of North Caro- lina, who proved a true wife and helpmeet as well as an able and judicious counsellor to the end of his days, the union being without issue. After a long and useful career ex- tending over a period of eighty-eight years, the life of Mr. Hizlip came to a close in 1893, the event being deeply lamented by the people of Salem, and greatly regretted by all who felt the influence of his person- ality. Those who knew him best felt most keenly the loss which the public at large sustained, for in his death there passed from earth a man of sterling worth. A sincere Christian gentleman and a citizen who did much for his kind, and made the world better by his presence. Joseph Robbins, the former husband of Mrs. Hizlip, was a North Carolinian by BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 505 birth, and a gentleman of unimpeachable integrity and high social standing. Shortly after his marriage with Miss Worthington, he migrated to Kansas, and owing to the unsettled condition of affairs in that terri- tory, growing out of the slavery question and other political matters, he remained but a short time, removing at his earliest convenience to Parke county, Indiana, where he resided for several years as a tiller of the soil. Disposing of his interest in the latter state, he subsequently moved to Fayette county, Illinois, where he pur- chased land and engaged in agricultural pursuits, to which he devoted the remain- der of his life, dying in the year 1874, re- spected and honored by all who knew him. Mr. Robbins was a man of influence in his community, possessed many sterling quali- ties and his character and good name were ever above the suspicion of dishonor. He measured up tO' a high standard of citizen- ship, discharged faithfully and well every duty incumbent upon him, and will long be remembered for his activity in behalf of justice and right and for the influence he always exerted for the good of those with whom he mingled. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Robbins, namely: Ephraim, of Vandalia, Illinois; John, de- ceased; Perry, a mechanic of Salem; Shu- bal, also a resident of Salem; Claudie and Lizzie, the last named dying at the age of nine years. Since the death of Mr. Hizlip his widow has made her home in Salem where she has a large circle of friends who prize her for her many estimable qualities. A devoted friend and sincere Christian, her life has been filled with good, while her acts of kindness and encouragement towards the poor and distressed, and her liberality in behalf of all worthy objects for the ameli- oration of human suffering have endeared her to the large number who have profited by her bounty. ELIJAH M. HAYS. Tennessee has furnished many sterling citizens to Marion county, Illinois, and none who have come here benefitting themselves and the community alike, have stood higher in the estimation of the people than the sub- ject, for his life has been so lived that it not only resulted in good to himself and fam- ily, but to all his neighbors and the gen- eral public as well, and although it has been brought to a close by the "grim reaper," his influence still lives. Elijah M. Hays was bom January 15, 1 8 18, in White county, Tennessee. He was the son of Samuel Hays, a native of Ten- nessee, of Irish descent, who came to Ma- rion county, Illinois, in 1829, and went to Missouri on a business trip and died in that state. He married Rachel Huff, a widow, who died in Raccoon township, this county. They were the parents of the following chil- dren : Nicholas, who married Zula Crab- tree; Aley married William Hays; Mary married Nathaniel Fields; Samuel married 5o6 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Betsy Hendricks; James married Jemima Chance; Ailex married Sarah Crawford; William first married Delila Crawford and later a widow of Thomas; Elijah, the sub- ject of this sketch; Stephen D. married Nancy Evans. Our subject had but a limited school- ing in the pioneer schools. He lived with his parents and came with them to Marion county, Illinois, in 1828, the Lovell family also came with them. Samuel Hays located in Haines township. Our subject lived at home until he married, April 12, 1838, his wife being Denisha Deadmond, who was born April 12, 181 7, in Orange county. North Carolina. He purchased the farm where his wife and son Charles now live in Raccoon township, in 1837. He pur- chased two hundred acres on which was a small house built of split logs. He first built a double log house, eighteen feet square and later one eighteen by twenty- two feet. He built a chimney and fire-place between the two houses. They had no stoves in those days. He built his brick house in 1873, and made all the extensive improvements on the place. He devoted his long life to farming and was always con- sidered a most excellent one. He was a loyal Republican, but held no office. He and his wife were members of the Christian church. Mrs. Hays has lived on the old place now over seventy years. Nine chil- dren were born to the subject and wife, namely: Elizabeth J., born May 2, 1839, married James Huff, who is now deceased, but she is living at Boyd, Texas, and is the mother of four children, Alonzo, Eva- line, Emily and Esther. The second child of the subject and wife was Emily, who was born August 12, 1841, married Samuel Gas- ton. She is now deceased. They had two children, William and Lavina. George G., the subject's third child, who was bom Jan- uary 7, 1844, was in Company E, Seventieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, having enlisted January 6, 1862, and was accidentally shot through the heart, September 3, 1862. Fran- ces R., the fourth child, was born February 28, 1847, married I. E. Hodges, of Rac- coon township, a full sketch of whom ap- pears in this work : James T. was born Janu- ary 25, 1850, married Mollie Bryant, and they have two children; Charles J., bom November 14, 1852, lives on the old place. He married October 3, 1883, Lucy R. Mer- cer, who was bom in Raccoon township in 1856, the daughter of Silas Mercer, now of Raccoon township. Charles J. Hays has al- ways lived in Raccoon township, being a well known farmer. He and his wife have four children : Mary, Ivan, Roy and Una. Mary and Una are attending school at Car- bondale, Illinois. John L., the seventh child of the subject, was bom June 30, 1856, and he married Margaret Boggs. He is a farmer in Raccoon township, on a part of the old Hays place. He has the following children : Herbert, a mail clerk on the Chi- cago & Eastem Illinois Railroad, who mar- lied Dora Helms; Edith married Ernest Burt; Emest is a fai-mer in New Mexico; Edna and Elijah are attending school at Marion, Illinois: Clara and Carroll are the BRINKERHOFF.S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 507 youngest. The eighth child of the subject and wife was G. O.. who was bom August 13, 1859, ma-rried Nina Watson. He is at Kell, Illinois, where he runs a saw-mill and threshing machine. He has five sons, Otho, Redus, Frank, Oscar and Elmer. Elmer, the youngest child of the subject and wife, was born May 29, 1862. He first married Laura Boggs, and one son, Ezra, was born to this union. His second wife was Kate Easley, and four children were born to this union, namely: Everett, Gladys, Isham and Ruby. Mrs. Hays, the wife of the subject, has thirty-one grandchildren, thirty-six great- grandchildren and four great-great- grandchildren. The Hays family is well known and prominent in Marion county. Elijah M. Hays was known as a man of much native ability, was kind, generous arid had hosts of friends. He passed to his rest March 31, 1893, lamented by all who knew him. EDGAR F. BRUBAKER. The subject of this sketch, Edgar F. Bru- baker, is a man who is an important fac- tor in the farming and mercantile business in the county in which he lives. The son of one of the pioneer residents of Marion county, a man who held a record as a large farmer and merchant, and as a church worker and a prominent citizen, entitled him by birth to a place in the life of the community. He has, however, had the ad- vantages of a present-day education, and his trained brain and industrious habits have brought him success in life. Edgar F. Bmbaker, a twin brother of Edwin M. Brubaker, was bom in Alma township, on October 6, 1859, and was the son of Eli Brubaker and Mary Warner, his wife. His father, who was bom December II, 1818, and who died July 10, 1907, was universally known and respected in the com- munity. He was one of the pioneers of Ma- rion county, where he made a name for him- self. He helped to establish a Presbyterian church in Stevenson township, and was an active, conscientious, and untiring religious worker. For over forty years he held the position of superintendent of Sunday schools, after which he was elected hono- rary superintendent for the remainder of his life. He was noted and known through- out the county as a raiser and breeder of Durham cattle. His farm at one time com- prised fourteen hundred acres of as good land as there was in the county. For many years he turned his attention to the mer- cantile business in an extensive way in Sa- lem. He was a life-long Democrat and one of the most popular and important men in his section of the county. His family con- sisted of seven children. They were : Isaac B., who married Dolly Kagy, and has one child; Christian M., who married Wood- son Cheely and has eight children; Anna B., who married Shannon Kagy, has five children ; William A. married Marindy Van Gilder, and has five childrai ; Edwin M.,, the twin brother of the subject of Our sketch, married Catherine Byers and has two chil- So8 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. dreii; and Logan E. married Rachel Kag7 and has two children. Edgar F. Brubaker married Mariette Kagy, on April 3, 1888. No children have been born to them. In his youth he was educated at the common schools, afterwards attending Lincoln University, where he took a scientific course. Like his father before him, he started ex- tensively in the farming business and with much success until about eleven years ago, when he decided to go into the mercantile business in Brubaker. His venture along mercantile lines was an assured success, and his business has a turnover now of about twenty thousand dollars. In addition to his large mercantile interests, Edgar F. Bru- baker still holds about four hundred acres of land and is a breeder or Polled-Angus cattle on an extensive scale, the Polled-An- gus herd which he now has on his farm being of a remarkably good quality. In the past he has been quite a large raiser of sheep and has the reputation of being a shrewd and experienced agriculturalist. In politics Edgar F. Brubaker is a Demo- crat. In the political life of his township he has been as active as his business inter- ests could permit him to be. He has served a term as Road Supervisor, and twice as a Justice of the Peace. His reputation along agricultural lines gained him the distinc- tion of serving on the Board of Agricul- ture at the State Fair at the time of its be- ing held at Peoria, Illinois. In the social and religious life of the township and ■county, the names of Edgar F. and Mrs. Brubaker are well to the fore. Their names have rarely been absent from social and religious functions in the neighborhood. As a citizen and a representative business man, the subject of our sketch is admired and respected. He has all the qualities which go to the making of the desirable and conscien- tious member of the community. JOSEPH C. PARKINSON. No family in Marion county is better or more favorably known than the Parkin- sons, who have been identified with the growth of this locality since the early pio- neer days, and who have in every instance played well their parts in the county's his- tory. The subject of the present sketch is a worthy representative of his ancestors. Joseph C. Parkinson was born on the old Parkinson homestead in Raccoon township, February 27, 1869, the son of Brown and Mary J. (Leuty) Parkinson, the former a native of Tennessee, and the latter of Jef- ferson county, Illinois. He married in Jef- ferson county and came to Marion county, locating in Raccoon township, where he se- cured one hundred acres of land in section 23, all wild land, but he was a hard worker and cleared it, making a good home. He de- voted his life to farming, and was School Director, a Republican, and he also held several minor offices. He and his wife were members of the Reformed Presbyterian church. He died in October, 1883, and his BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 509 wife died August 29, 1905. The father of the subject was not only well known but well liked. To the parents of the subject the following children were born : John, a farmer in Raccoon township, living on part of the old place ; Luella married B. F. Mer- cer, of Raccoon township; William K. is a farmer in Raccoon township; Nettie is de- ceased; Charles A. is superintendent of the public schools at Glen Carbon, Illinois; Jo- seph C, our subject, is the youngest child. Joseph C. Parkinson lived at home with his mother until he was twenty-two years old. He attended the neighborhood schools there and got a fairly good education. He was happily married February 5, 1891, to Flaura J. March, of Raccoon township, the daughter of John S. March (whose sketch appears in full in this volume). To the sub- ject and wife seven children have been born as follows: Maude, Hattie, Harris, Roy, Helen, May and Merle. After his marriage Mr. Parkinson located on a part of his father's farm and lived on the old homestead, making a success of his farming operations until the spring of 1901, when he moved to the south line of the old homestead, where he has since resided. He owns fifty acres of the old place and twenty- six and one-half acres adjoining it, making his a very valuable and desirable farm, highly improved and one of the most pro- ductive in the township. The subject car- ries on a general farming business. He raises all kinds of grain, horses and cattle, good hogs; his cattle are Jersey and Dur- ham, and his hogs are Poland-China and Duroc Red. His fine stock is known all over the county, and no small portion of his income is derived from this source. He has always been a fanner and is considered an excellent one by those who know him. He has a comfortable home and convenient out- buildings. Mr. Parkinson has ably served his com- munity as Township Clerk for two years and School Director for three years. He is a stanch Republican, and always takes an interest in the affairs of the county, doing what he can to promote his interests, whether politically, socially or materially. He and his wife are faithful members of the United Presbyterian church. MISS METTA McCOLLUM. A woman of unusual business tact and ability is the subject of this review, and it is safe to say that she is not surpassed in Marion county, Illinois, by any of her sister- hood for soundness of judgment and she has made a success in the management of a splendid landed estate in Tonti township, and her pleasing manner has won many friends in this locality where she has long maintained her home. Miss Metta McCollum was born in Alma township, Marion county, Illinois, Septem- ber 17, 1865, the daughter of Lemuel and Margaret (Kagy) McCollum, the former having been born February 14, 1828, in Trumble county, Ohio. The great-grand- 5IO BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. father of the subject, Robert McCollum, was also a native of Ohio. He and his good wife were of Scotch-English descent and were people of much sterling worth. Lem- uel McCollum came to Marion county, Illi- nois, in 1856. He was a student of Hiram College. He was a very highly-gifted man, having both taught school and practiced medicine with marked success and he became a man of much influence in his community. He was married in Marion county, Illinois, in April, 1858, when thirty years of age. Lemuel McCollum rented a farm in Alma township and later purchased a valuable farm there. He taught school for many years, becoming well known as an able in- structor and his services were in great de- mand. Believing that he could serve hu- manity better as a physician, he studied med- icine, making rapid progress and began practice, building up a good trade and win- ning a reputation for his skill that was more than local, but he finally gave up both teach- ing and medicine to return to the quieter and more independent life of the farmer. He was called to his rest July 19, 1908, af- ter an eminently useful and successful life in which he did an incalculable amount of good for his fellow men and laid up an ex- cellent competency for his children. In politics he was a Republican, and he faith- fully served his township as Assessor for one term. The noble mother of the subject, who was noted for her friendliness and beautiful Christian character, preceded her husband to the spirit land in September, 1884. Mr. McCollum was an active member of the Christian church. Four children of this union are living at this writing (1908), named in order of their birth as follows: Selma, bom Sep- tember 4, 1859, is the wife of John Dover, who lives in Kansas; Metta, our subject, was the second child ; Elmer, who was born April 4, 1868, is postmaster at Brubaker; Edward was born February 22, 1874. Metta and Edward McCullom are now owners of an eighty-acre farm in section 25, Tonti township, which they have made themselves. They carry on general farming in a most successful manner, skillfully ro- tating the various crops so as to get the best results, and at the same time keeping the soil from growing thin. The place is under a fine state of improvement in every way, and their residence is nicely furnished, possess- ing an air of cheerfulness and hospitality. She has a very wide acquaintance in Tonti township, and the highest esteem is enter- tained for her by all. MRS. MIRIAM LECKRONE. A more kindly and affable woman than the subject would be hard to find within the borders of Tonti township, Marion county, where she has long maintained her home, and where, like Dorcas, the well known Bible character, "she hath done what she could" toward the uplifting of the community in lending her influence for BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 5" the progress of moral, educational and re- ligious movements. She is a representa- tive of a prominent and praiseworthy fam- ily. Mrs. Miriam Leckrone, the daughter of William and Margaret (McKibben) Leck- rone, having been bom in Allen county, Ohio, August 1 8, 1840. Both the Leck- rone and the McKibben families were na- tives of Pennsylvania. The father of our subject came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1864, and remained here until his death in 1887, his wife having preceded him to the spirit land in "1874. They were people of much sterling worth, and by hard work and economy always had a comfortable living, and they spared no pains in giving their children every advantage possible. Our subject married William Leckrone in 1867, in the house where she now lives. The Leckrone family came to this county from Licking county, Ohio, in 1842, and settled in the neighborhood where our sub- ject now lives. William Leckrone was a leading member of the Methodist Episco- pal church, Zion church being the one in which he kept his membership. It was built in 1869. He was a liberal contribu- tor to the support of this church in which he was an active member. He was a Re- publican in politics and faithfully served his township as Highway Commissioner in a manner that reflected credit upon his abil- ity and to the entire satisfaction of all con- cerned. He was known as a public-spirited man, and always willing tO' do what he could in furthering any movement look- ing to the betterment of the community. He was thoroughly honest and trust- worthy, a good' business man, and was well and favorably known to all. His death occurred March i, 1883. Five children were born to this union as follows: Charles W., whose date of birth occurred in 1870, is a railway postal clerk on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, his run being from Villa Grove to Thebes ; W. M., who was born in 1874, married Lot- tie McMackin, a native of Salem, and one child has been born to themi, named Eugene M., whose date of birth occurred February 14, 1908; Frank H., was bom in 1876; Ida R., was born in 1878; Julia was born in 1868. This family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. William M., is a member of the Modem Woodmen of America. He is a stanch Republican and has been Assessor of his township for one term, performing the duties of this office in a most acceptable manner. The brothers of the subject are now engaged in the dairy business. Mrs. Leckrone lives in a com- fortable and nicely furnished home, and she is known as a woman of kindly dispo- sition. GEORGE MUNDWILER. Owing to the honorable and very active career of the subject of this sketch and also because of his standing in the community in which he lives in Alma township, Marion county, it is believed that the publication of this sketch regarding his life's work will be greatly appreciated by his many acquain- tances and friends. >I2 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. George Mundwiler was born in Knox county, Ohio, May 27, 1838, the son of Christopher and Polly A. (Kepple) Mund- wiler, he being the fifth of a family of eleven children. The father of the subject was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, and the subject's mother was born in Knox county, Ohio. The parents of the sub- ject moved to Marion county, Illinois, in 1864, and bought a farm of two hundred and sixty acres of improved land on which they made a comfortable living for many years. Christopher Mundwiler died in this county at the age of seventy-eight years. George Mundwiler moved with his par- ents from Knox county to Seneca county, Ohio, when one year of age. He received his education in Ohio near Tiffin, in the dis- trict schools. He was thirty-six years old when he accompanied his parents to Marion county, Illinois. Believing that it was the duty of evei^y loyal citizen of the Union to shoulder arms in defense of the flag during the troublous days of the sixties, having enlisted in 1862 at the age of thirty-four years in Company C, Twenty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infan- try, and he served with much gallanti-y as a private. However, he did not have very hard service. Colonel Churchill was in com- mand of this regiment. Our subject was never wounded or sick during his term of enlistment. After the war he returned to his farm. Mr. Mundwiler was united in marriage in 1866 to Savilla J. King, and one child has been born to this union, Nora E., who is now Mrs. Spitler, who is the mother of three children, two boys and one girl. The second marriage of our subject was to Maiy W. Burns, April 11, 1883, and two children have been bom to this union, name- ly: Minnie M. and Van Cleveland. The former married Edgar Stevenson, and they have three children, all boys. Politically our subject is a Democrat, and while he is deeply interested in political matters, especially as they affect his own community, he does not take a very great interest in conventions or elections, prefer- ring to merely cast the honest ballot in a quiet way. The parents of our subject were Luther- ans, but he is not a member of any orthodox body, but he is a man who believes in the principles of good citizenship, good govern- ment and strict attention to his own affairs, and as a result of his honesty, integrity, in- dustry and sociable nature he has won his way into the confidence and esteem of all who know him, being regarded as one of the substantial and worthy citizens of Alma township. CHARLES C. SANDERS. The subject has seen the development of Marion county from an obscure wild prairie district to one of the leading counties of the state, and he has done his full share in promoting the industrial and civic affairs of the county, ranking today among her best known and most highly honored citizens. BRINKEEHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 513 Charles C. Sanders was born in Centralia township, Marion county, December 21, 1848, the son of Robert and Nancy (Cop- pie) Sanders, both natives of Indiana. The father came to this county a single man in an early day and married here. He was al- ways a farmer and blacksmith, having bought a farm in Centralia township which he sold and went to Missouri, where he re- mained a short time, then came back to Centralia township and bought another farm on which he lived until his death in 1855. His wife died in 1854. They were the parents of six children, namely : Cath- erine, deceased; Charles C, our subject; John, deceased; Samuel, Robert and the youngest child was a boy. The subject's parents died when he was small and he went to live with John Thomas for three years in Centralia township, also three years with John McClelland, who was his guardian until 1865. When seventeen years old our subject went to enlist in the Union army as a sub- stitute, but his uncle prevented him from en- listing. He then went to work out at different places, until he was nineteen years old. On December 28, 1867, he married Martha Jane Hudlow, who was born De- cember II, 1849, in Jefferson county, Illi- nois, the daughter of James and Roxanna (Hildibiddle) Hudlow. James Hudlow died in 1849. His widow then married Alexander Garren; her third husband was John Sprouse, and her fourth husband was George Birge. She died in 1898. Mrs. San- ders had one sister who married Thomas Groves. She lived in Indiana. After his marriage the subject lived on his father's place for a time, then he traded for his present farm in section 25, Centralia township, where he has one hundred and twenty acres. It had only a few improve- ments on it when he took charge, but being a hard worker he developed a good home and a fine farm, about half of the place now being cleared, on which highly productive land he raises corn, hay, apples, peaches, pears and much small fruit, and he also raises some good horses, hogs and cattle, and carries on a general farming business with great success, being a good manager. He has always been a farmer, but he found time to operate a threshing machine for twenty-seven years and did a thriving busi- ness. Mr. Sanders is a Democrat and he has held minor offices, having served on the school board. He is a member of the Chris- tian church. The subject and wife are the parents of six children, namely: Robert C, a farmer in Clinton county, this state, married Addie J. Cameron and they have five children, namely : Fred, Dwight, Claude, Melinda and Menzo. Mary Etta, the second child of the subject, married Elmer Satterfield, of Rac- coon township, and they have the following children : Frank, Bert, Clara, James, Sarah and Ottie. Nancy, the subject's third child, married Edgar Morrison, lives at Odin, Il- linois, and has three children, Jessie, Charlie 33 514 BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. and Maiy. Lillie, who married George Day, lives at Odin, Illinois, and has one daughter, Pearl; Edgar is a farmer in Rac- coon township, this county, who married Delle Martin, and they have two children, Ruby and Floyd; Dicey May is living a:t home. Our subject is a well known man in this county where he has many friends and bears an exemplary reputation. E. P. GARNER. The subject of this sketch has well earned the honor to be addressed as one of the progressive, public-spirited men of Marion county. His early labors were devoted to railroad work, but the latter years up to the time of this writing, 1908, were spent in the management of a grocery store in Salem, where he held high rank as a merchant and successful business man. E. P. Garner was born in Salem, Illinois, March 4, 1856, the son of Albert Garner, a native of Tennessee, who came to Illinois when a young man, settling in Salem. He drove a stage coach on the old Mayesville and St. Louis lines ; in latter years he was a stock trader and butcher. He died in Sa- lem after an active and useful life replete with success and honor. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Letitia Pace, who was born in Mt. Ver- non, Illinois. She is a woman of beautiful Christian character and admirable traits and is living in Salem in 1908, at the age of sev- enty-five years. The parents of the subject had a family of seven children, four of whom are deceased at this writing. They are: Florence, deceased; Ann, deceased; Albert, deceased; E. P., our subject; Blanche, deceased; Maggie, the wife of J. H. Vawter, of Salem; Frankie, who is liv- ing in Salem. Mr. Garner was reared in Salem, having attended the common schools until he was fiften years old. His first position was as a brakeman on the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road, on a passenger train, having followed this from the time he was nineteen until he was twenty-four years old. He then 'fired a locomotive on the same road for one year, between East St. Louis and Vincennes. Af- ter this he went to work for the Wabash Railroad at East St. Louis as a car account- ant, having followed this up to 1906, on which date he abandoned railroading and went into the grocery and meat business in Salem, which business he has handled with success, building up an excellent trade. Our subject was happily married March 8, 1883, to Janie Jackson, a daughter of John W. Jackson, of Frankfort, Kentucky, who is a brother of the late Capt. James S. Jackson, of Salem. This family has always been influential. Three interesting children have been born to the subject and wife, as follows : Garrie J., whose date of birth occurred March 17, 1884, in Salem; Sherrill P., who was born February 25, 1889, in East St. Louis; Ralph E., born De- cember 23, 1898, in Salem, is in the public BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 515 schools at Salem. These children have re- ceived every care and attention at the hands of their parents and they all give promise of ■successful futures. Our subject is a charter member of the Modem Americans, and in his religious af- filiations he subscribes to the Christian •church. Mrs. Gamer and the three boys are also members of this church. Mr. Garner was on the Executive Com- mittee of Salem township in 1880, with W. J. Bryan at the organization of the Hancock ■and English club. This was Mr. Bryan's first political act, he being only twenty years old at that time. Mr. Bryan was chaimian of the committee on permanent organization. W. R. WOODARD. The subject is now practically living re- tired in Salem, Illinois. Through his long connection with agricultural interests he not only carefully conducted his farm, but so managed its affairs that he acquired thereby a position among the substantial residents of the community. Moreover he is entitled to representation in this volume because he is one of the native sons of Ma- rion county, and his mind bears the impress of its early historical annals, and from the pioneer days down to the present, he has been an interested witness of its develop- ment. W. R. Woodard was born in Marion county, about five miles northwest of Sa- lem, August 8, 1844, the son of Charles Woodard, a native of Ohio, who came to Illinois in 1840, settling on the farm where our subject was born, and he continued to live there until 1904, developing an excel- lent farm and reaping rich rewards for his toil from year to year, for he was a thrifty man of the best type of agi-iculturist. In 1904 he moved to Salem where he spent his old age, surrounded with the comforts of life, which his manhood years, in the youth and "noon" of life had accumulated, having passed to his rest in Salem, Febru- ary 10, 1907, more than eighty-seven years old. He was at one time postmaster at Tonti. He worked in a carding mill in Salem for some time, and had the weave made up into clothes. The paternal grandfather of the subject was Joshua Woodard, who was a native of Pennsylvania and who migrated to Ohio and then to Illinois with his son, the father of our subject. He made a suc- cess of whatever he undertook, being a man of sterling qualities, like most of the pio- neers of the country of those early days. He finally went back to Ohio where he died. The mother of our subject was Ann All- m'on in her maidenhood, the representative of a fine old family in Tennessee. Her peo- ple finally moved to Marion county, Illinois, where she passed to her rest in 1884. Four children were born to the subject's parents, W. R., our subject; A. J., who lives on a farm near the old home place; Elizabeth Ann, widow of J. H. Scott, living near Tonti; Ann, who died in infancy. Si6 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Our subject was reared on his father's farni and attended the country schools in that neighborhood, having apphed himself in such a manner as to gain a fairly good education for those primitive school days. He lived on the old farm where he made a decided success at agricultural pursuits un- til he moved to Salem in 1904. He erected a house on the old homestead for himself, where he spent his years of labor in com- fort and plenty. Mr. Woodard was united in marriage in 187 1 to Mrs. Martha N. (Deeds) Nichols, whose parents came to this state from Virginia when she was one year old. She was always known as a wo- man of many fine personal traits. Four children were bom to the subject and wife, all deceased, three having died in infancy, and the fourth after reaching maturity. Our subject always took considerable in- terest in public affairs and he was ap- pointed postmaster of Tonti after his father gave it up. He has also been hon- ored with township offices in Tonti town- ship. Mr. Woodard is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Salem, and his wife is also a consistent member of this church, both ranking high in the con- gregation of the same. Our subject has spent his long and useful life in Marion county, and it is interesting to hear him tell of the early days when Salem was a small hamlet with but a few houses and much wild game was in the great forests and on the uncultivated prairies roundabout. He has been a man of good business judgment and a hard worker, consequently he has made a success of his life work which has always been carried on in an honest man- ner. He owns a good residence in Salem, where he is regarded as a good law abiding citizen, and where he has many personal friends. JOHN P. WILLIAMS. The subject of this sketch belongs to that class of men who win in life's battles by sheer force of personality and determination, and in whatever he has undertaken he has shown himself to be a man of ability and honor. John P. Williams was born in New York City, May 10, 1849, the son of Robert Wil- liams, a native of Wales, who came to America when a young man. He was a pat- tern-maker and ship carpenter of great skill. He left New York in 1853, and went to Licking county, Ohio, where he remained until his death in 1854. The subject's mother was Margaret Parry, also a native of Wales, who came to America when very young. She is re- membered as a woman of many fine traits and a worthy companion of Robert Wil- liams. She passed to her rest while living with our subject in Salem, July 10, 1882, to which place she had come four years pre- vious. Three children were born to the par- ents of the subject of this sketch, the only one living being John P. Williams. Row- land H., his brother, died in Salem, Decern- BHINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 517 10, 1890. He was appointed postmaster of Salem by President Harrison, and his death occurred after he had served only about eighteen months. Robert, the subject's other brother, died March 10, 1877, in Licking county, Ohio. These children received ev- ery advantage possible that their parents could give them. John P. Williams was reared in Lick- ing county, Ohio, making his home there from the time he was three years old un- til he was twenty-eight. He received his education in that county, having applied himself in a manner that resulted in a fairly good common school education. After leav- ing school Mr. Williams engaged in the shoe making business, which he followed for twelve years and in which he was eminently successful. He came to Salem in 1878 and worked as a solicitor for his brother who was then in the monument business, fol- lowing this in a most satisfactory manner until 1882 when he went into the life and fire insurance business, spending consider- able time on the road as a special agent in life insurance and making a marked success in this line of business. Mr. Williams was appointed postmaster of Salem, April i, 1898, in which capacity he served with entire satisfaction to the au- thorities and in a manner that reflected much credit upon his natural executive ability, un- til 1907. This appointment was made by President McKinley, and he was re-ap- pointed by President Roosevelt. After leav- ing the ofifice, Mr. Williams opened a real estate and insurance office in 1907 and has been conducting the same to the present time, building up an excellent patronage and is now doing an extensive business through- out this community. He represents eight old-line companies and the business of these could not be entrusted to better or abler hands, owing to Mr. Williams' popularity- in Marion county, his genuine worth and integrity. Our subject was happily married in 1873 to Laura A. Ruton, an accomplished daugh- ter of E. E. Ruton, a native of New York state. The ceremony which united this con- genial couple was performed in Ohio and their subsequent life history is one of the utmost harmony and happiness, and to this union six interesting children have been born, named in order of their birth as fol- lows : Margaret, the wife of James N. Chance, a merchant tailor of Salem; Lucy, the wife of William P. Morris, a wholesale cigar dealer of Salem; Frances, the wife of L. W. Fellows, a broker, of New York City; Lena, who is living at home; R. Carl, who is a train dispatcher on the Missouri Pacific Railroad at Jefferson City, Missouri ; Rowland L., who is living at home, and is assistant time-keeper for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company at Salem. Mr. Williams, in his fraternal relations, belongs to the Salem Blue Lodge, Council and Chapter, Masons, and judging from his daily life one would conclude that he be- lieves in carrying out the noble precepts of this ancient and pi'aiseworthy order. Both he and his wife are members of the Cum- 5i8 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. berland Presbyterian church. The career of Mr. WilHams clearly illustrates the possibili- ties that are open in this country to earnest, persevering men who have the courage of their convictions and are determined to be the architects of their own fortunes. GEORGE C. WELLS. The fact that the subject was one of the patriotic sons of the north who offered his services and his life, if need be, on the field of battle in defense of the flag during the dark days of the rebellion, entitles him to the high honor which is due eveiyone ot the gallant boys in blue. George C. Wells was born in Washing- ton county, Rhode Island, January 20, 1844, the son of Peter C. and Elizabeth (Stillman) Wells, both natives of the same county, in Rhode Island. He was a farmer and died in 1872, at the age of sixty-six years; she passed away in July, 1888, at the age of seventy-eight years. The sub- ject's parents had seven children, namely: Anna Elizabeth; Maria, of Alleghany county, New York; Harriett, living in Rhode Island; George Clark, our subject; Adeline, Emeline and Oscar, all living in Rhode Island. The subject of this sketch was educated in the home schools and Alford College, New York. In July, 1862, he enlisted for a period of three years in Company A, Seventh Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry, at Hopkinton, Rhode Island. He was in the army of the Potomac, Ninth Army Corps. He was in the great battle of Fred- ericksburg and was shot in the right hip, December 13, 1862, and was sent to Wash- ington, District of Columbia, where he re- mained for one month, and he was in the home hospital for one year, was then dis- charged and came home. He served six months. After the war he went to Westerly, Rhode Island and engaged as a mechanic until December 10, 1865, when he came west and located in section 4, Meacham township, Marion county, Illinois. He first bought forty-four acres of land, but being thrifty and a good manager, he gradually added to this until he owned two hundred and ninety acres. He made all of the improvements on the place and was considered one of the best farmers in the township. Our subject was united in marriage Feb- ruary 16, 1868, with Emma L. Brown, a native of Niagara county, New York, and three children have blessed this union, namely: Oscar C, who married Inez Ran- dolph. He is a farmer and poultry raiser in Meacham township, and the father of five children, Gale, Glenn, Ora, Elsie and George. Harriett, the subject's second child, is living at home; Lena, the young- est, is also a member of the home circle. Oscar Wells taught school for many years. Lena is now in the Farina high school. The subject carries on a general farm- ing business, raises Red Polled stock, Red Comb and Brown Leghorn chickens, Pekin ducks and several varieties of good live BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 519 Stock. Since 1896 Mr. Wells has been liv- ing in practical retirement, however, he still oversees his farm. He has for many years dealt very successfully in poultry, feed and fertilizers. He has held several of the township offices, and is a Republican of pronounced convictions. Mr. Wells is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, No. 426, at Farina, Illinois. He has been commander of the same, having held all the offices of this post. He is a member of the Seventh Day Baptist church' at Farina. Mr. Wells de- serves a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished. He started life poor, but being ambitious he worked hard and has achieved eminent success, being today one of the solid and substantial men of his township and well and favorably known by every one. He is remembered as a teacher of more than ordinary ability, hav- ing taught school for six years, one year in the Farina, Illinois, high school. What his hand and mind have found to do he has done with his might, and having attained a commanding position among his contem- poraries he wears his honor in a becoming manner. WINFIELD S. LACEY. Among the citizens of Meacham town- ship, Marion county, whose lives have been led along such worthy lines of endeavor that they have endeared themselves to their fellow citizens, thereby being eligible for representation in a volume of this nature, is the gentleman whose name appears above. Winfield S. Lacey was born in Morrow county, Ohio, September 30, 1849, the son of Hiram G. and Sophia (Sell) Lacey, the former a native of Ohio, who grew to man- hood there and married before leaving that county. He lived in Ohio until 1855, when he brought his family to Marion county, Illinois, settling in Meacham town- ship. He drove through the country from Ohio, bringing twenty-two head of cows with him, also three teams. He secured one hundred and twenty acres of land in sections 10 and 15. It was partly improved and had an old house, eighteen by thirty-six feet, of split timber, and there was an old log stable. These soon gave way to com- fortable and substantial buildings, and the place was put under a high state of im- provements. Being thrifty he soon bought more land and lived on this place until his death. His wife died in Farina, this state. They were Methodists. Mr. Lacey was a Republican, but never aspired to office. The following children were born to them : Gabriel S., who lives in Meacham town- ship; Mahala also lives in Meacham town- ship; Thomas S. lives in the same town- ship; Francis M., enlisted in the Union army when eighteen years old and served during the war. After the war he mar- ried and moved to Cowley county, Kansas ; Abram F., was also a soldier in the Federal ranks, who served three years. After the war he returned to his home in this county. 520 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. where he remained until his death; A. H., i-esides on the old place, and was also a soldier; Nancy married Michael Butts, and is living in Meacham township; W. S., our subject; Anthony and Catherine were twins, the former is deceased, and the lat- ter is the wife of Jacob Althon, of Clay county, Illinois; Hiram is living in Meach- am township, this county; Hugh is de- ceased; Mary is the wife of Douglas Roberts, who lives in Fayette county, Illinois. The subject of this sketch had only a lim- ited education, not having an opportunity to attend school vei-y long in his youth. He remained a member of the parental family circle until he was twenty-four years old. He was married February 27, 1873, to Nancy Hitchcock, of Harrison county, Ohio, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Hitch- cock. Her parents moved to Marion county, Illinois, in 1870, and located in Omega township, where they remained two years and then moved to Meachani town- ship, remaining here one year, then they went to Iowa, where Mr. Hitchcock died. His wife is living at this writing in Ne- braska. Seven children were bom to the subject and wife as follows : Edward, who is farming in Meacham township, married Margaret Gotshall, of Ohio; Lydia, who is now deceased, was the wife of Lon Myres ; Haman is living in Farina, Illinois, en- gaged in the hardware business, and in mar- ried to Olive A^"arren ; Oi-ville is deceased ; Hugh is also deceased; Ollie married Jesse NoiToan, and is living in Meacham town- ship; Milton is living at home. These children attended the local schools, receiving fairly good educations. After his marriage the subject bought forty acres of land in Meacham township and lived there for three years, when he sold out and bought the place where he now lives, in section 4, Meacham township. It was raw land, but Mr. Lacey was always a hardworker and a good manager, and he rapidly improved the place up to its present high state of efficiency. The subject now owns three hundred and forty acres, which he rents, being now retired. His farm is well up to the standard of Marion county's choice farms, being well fenced, and in every way in fiist class condition. He has a substantial and beautiful dwelling and a good barn and other out buildings. No little part of Mr. Lacey's income has been derived from live stock, raising an ex- cellent grade of hogs, cattle and sheep. He is also a good judge of horses and has al- ways kept some fine ones. He has devoted his life to farming, consequently he has mastered every detail of this class of busi- ness. In politics he is a Populist, but has never held office. He started in life in a small way, but he is now one of the sub- stantial men of the township, having gained all his property unaided, by his careful man- agement and hard work. The subject's first wife was called to her rest in February, 1903, and he married Rebecca Minard, of Harrison county, Ohio, in October, 1905. Mr. Lacey is known by the people of Mea- cham township for his honesty and useful life. BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 521 SAMUEL PUFFER. Prominently identified with the industrial and civic affairs of Marion county is the subject of this sketch who is one of the leading farmers of this locality, residing .on a beautiful farmstead in Meacham township, which he has improved. Samuel Puffer was born in Effingham county, Illinois, June ii, 1848, the son of John Puffer, a native of Maury county, Tennessee. He married Martha J. Gray, in Illinois. He was the son of Samuel Puffer, a native of the New England states, who came to Tennessee in an early day. About 1833 he came to Marion county, Illinois, and settled near Kinmundy. His father came later and lived with him until the latter's death. His wife died in Tennessee. He married a Miss Eagan. His second wife was a Miss Caldwell. He had two sons and a daughter by his first wife and two daughters by. his second marriage. The subject's father located in Effingham county, Illinois, about 1836, taking up government land on Fulfer creek, where he lived until about 1857, when he went to Collins county, Texas, where he secured eighty acres of land andJn 1862 he went to Bates county, Missouri, where he owned a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He died there in 1862, having been preceded to the other world by his wife in 1851. He married a second time, this wife being Lovina New- man, who died in Texas. He again mar- ried, his third wife being a Miss Degraften- read, of Texas. There were two children by his second wife, one dying when small John, who grew to maturity, lived in Mis- souri, and went to Colorado in 1890. The subject of this sketch came to Ma- rion county, Illinois, in 1862, and located near Kinmundy, where he lived until 1878, when he bought a farm of one hundred acres in Meacham township, section 7, where he has since lived. He made all the improve- ments on his farm, which is considered equal in every way to any in the county, and he has a beautiful, well furnished and comfortable home. On February 12, 1872, the subject was united in marriage with Sarah Eagan, of Kinmundy township, the daughter of Isaac and Athlina Tulley, the former of Tennes- see, where his youth was spent. They were pioneers of Marion county, first set- tling at Salem, later at Kinmundy. He was the owner of a large tract of land, part of which is the present site of Kinmundy. He died in 1874 and his wife passed away in 1888. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, of whom four are living at this writ- ing, namely: John, who resides in Kin- mundy township; Sarah, the subject's wife; Ras,"of Salem, Illinois; Harriett, widow of James Hayworth, of Kinmundy. Two chil- dren have been born to the subject and wife, namely: Myrtle, the wife of Charles E. Wenck, who lives east of Farina, Illinois; Mae, who was maried June 24, 1903, to Mark Boyd, of Meacham township, and who is the mother of one son, Richard F. Mark Boyd lives with the subject and as- sists him in managing the place. Mr. Puffer BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. has lived on his present place since 1878. He carries on general farming in such a man- ner as to gain a comfortable living from year to year and lay by a competency for his old age. His farm is well improved and he raises not only good crops of various kinds, but also excellent horses, hogs and cattle.' He has held some of the township offices, and is a loyal Democrat. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He de- served -a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished. Having startexiTn life a poor boy, he has, by hard work, achieved success. LEWIS COMBS. Eighty years have dissolved in the mists of time since the venerable subject of this sketch first saw the light of day and they have been years of failures and triumphs, victories and defeats, sorrows and joys, but withal, satisfactory as most lives of honest endeavor as his has been. Lewis Combs was born in Dubois county, Indiana, November 20, 1828, the son of John Combs, of Tennessee. His mother's name was Delila Vancouver, a na- tive of Scott county, Indiana. John Combs went with his parents when a boy to Du- bois county, Indiana, where they were pio- neers. They secured wild land which they cleared, made a comfortable home and on which they died. John Combs lived to about 1842. He came by wagon, bring- ing seven head of horses to Walnut Prairie, Clark county, Illinois, and later to Marion county, settling in Meacham township on Scritchfield Prairie, where he stayed two years and went back to Indiana, remaining there one year when he returned to Marion county, Illinois, where he remained for six years. Then he went to Missouri where he remained for two years, moving then to Arkansas, where he died. His wife died in Indiana. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Lewis, our subject; Starling; W^esley, Smith, Minerva L3rtle; the last four named are all deceased. Lewis Combs, our subject, had no chance to go to school and leam to read and write. He remained with his father until twenty years old when he began working out at various places. He first bought forty acres. of land in Omega township, Marion county, Illinois, in 1864. He sold this the following year and located where he now lives in sec- tion 35, Meacham township, then known as Miletus township. He served as postmaster for a period of fourteen years. He was married three times, first to Martha Schritchfield, a native of Indiana. His sec- ond wife was Isabelle Simonds, a native of Kentucky, and his third wife was Caroline Melton, a widow of Christopher Melton and a daughter of Charles and Rebecca Lock- hart. The latter was a native of Orange county, Indiana. The subject's wife was born in Clay county, Illinois, in 1841. Her parents located in Oskaloosa, Illinois, and in i860 went to Arkansas. Her husband in 1862 enlisted and was taken sick at Helena, Arkansas, and died at St. Louis in BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 523 a hospital in October, 1862. The family came to Clay county, Illinois, and the mother died in March, 1895. Thi-ee chil- dren were bom to them, namely : Martha, who died in April, 1862; Caroline, the wife of our subject; May, who died April 10, 1863. Our subject has six children by his first wife, namely: Frances, widow of Thomas Garner, and she lives near Salem, Illinois; Louisa married Austin Hanks, of Omega township; Logan is a farmer in Meacham township; Julia is the wife of Lorenzo Phillips, of Omega township ; Aus- tin is a farmer in Clay county, IlHnois; Samuel, the sixth child, is deceased. The subject had four children by his second wife, namely : Nellie, the wife of Frank Dravance, of Effingham county, Illinois; Ella is the wife of Henry Smith, living near Salem, IlHnois; Lee is a farmer in Omega township; Edgar died when young. Two children have been born to the sub- ject and his third wife, namely : Mae, who is the wife of Jesse Payon, a teacher of Marion county; Bessie is the wife of Loyd Hanks, of Meacham township. Mrs. Combs had eight children by her first husband, six of whom are still living, namely : Louisa, who married Allen Smith, of Clay county, Illinois; Belle is deceased; Emma married Edward Threewit, of Meacham township; Lockhart, of Sharpsburg, Illinois ; Martha is the wife of Walter King, of Meacham town- ship; Franklin is living in McCoupin county, Illinois, and he is engaged as engineer in the coal mines; James is deceased; Ellen is also deceased. The subject of this sketch purchased eighty acres of land where he now lives and first started to make a home. He kept add- ing to this by thrift and economy until he now has a farm of two hundred and sixteen acres in Meacham and Omega townships and where he carries on a general farming in such a manner as to stamp him as one of the leading farmers of the township. He has always been a stock dealer and is re- garded as one of the best judges of stock in the county. His farm has always been kept to a high standard of excellence and the soil has been so skillfully manipulated by the proper rotation of crops until it is as rich today as when he first took posses- sion of it. Mr. Combs has always been a loyal Democrat but he has never aspired to office, being content to devote his time to his work of the farm. Both he and his wife are faithful members of the Christian church. HENRY WILLIAM SEE, Sr. Our subject is the representative of an honored pioneer family of Marion county, so that a consideration of his genealogical and personal history becomes doubly inter- esting and doubly apropos in connection with the prescribed province of this publi- cation. Mr. See is one of the prominent farmers of Kinmundy township, having a finely improved landed estate of two hun- dred and forty-four acres and he is carrying 524 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTy, ILLINOIS. forwai^ his operations with that energy, foresight and careful discrimination which ever betoken the appreciative and model yeoman. Henry William See, Sr., is a native of Marion county, where he has been satisfied to spend his entire life, having been born April 30, 1849, in Kinmundy township, the son of Michael See, who married Elizabeth Allman May i, 1848, and to this union the subject of this sketch was born, the mother dying when the son was seven months old. Our subject received his early education in the district schools of his native county where he applied himself in a careful man- ner to his studies. He spent his boyhood on his father's farm assisting with the work about the place until he reached maturity when he was married to Mary Alice Black- burn June 29, 1869, in Hillsboro, Mont- gomery county, Illinois, the ceremony which made them one having been performed by a Justice of the Peace. The family from which Mrs. See came were, many of them, known as eminent lawyers, doctors and preachers. On her mother's side of the house many of the family were Baptist ministers. Mary Alice was born March 16, 1849, in Medora, Macoupin county, Illinois. Her father was George P. Blackburn, who was born in Huntsville, Alabama, May 24, 1826, and who was married February 14, 1848, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Emily E. Farrow, who was born in Mount Sterling;, Kentucky, December 9, 1830. Seven chil- dren were born to them, five girls and two boys, all of whom lived to be grown and all married, the subject's wife being the oldest of the number. Our subject and wife are the parents of eight children, named in order of their birth as follows: Harry M., deceased; Ollie E., who married James Lasater; they live in Redlands, California, and are the parents of six children, an equal number of boys and girls. Ernest B., the subject's third child, is deceased; Sabyon G. is also deceased; Mabel I. married J. R. Kelly, a Baptist min- ister of Highland, Illinois, and they are the parents of four sons; Emma A. married Dellis Malone and is the mother of one son. She lives in Taibin, New Mexico; Michael J. and Richard E. are both deceased. These children have received good educations and are fairly well situated in life. The subject has eleven grandchildren, all living but one girl. Mr. See has devoted his life to agricul- tural pursuits, of which he has made an eminent success, now owning a fine farm. No small part of his income from year to year is the result of the successful handling of stock, he being an extensive breeder of Polled-Angus cattle, and good horses. His farm is also well stocked with many fine varieties of chickens, among the principal breeds being the Black Langshan, which has often taken prizes at fairs and poultry shows. Mr. See is regarded as one of the best farmers in Kinmundy township as the general thrifty appearance of his place would indicate. He is always at work and never neglects anything about his place that needs his attention. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 525 Mr. See is a Democrat in his political relations and takes considerable interest in political affairs, always casting his ballot for the man whom he believes to be the best fitted morally and intellectually for the of- fice sought. He and his family are Mis- sionary Baptists as was also his ancestors, among whom was one minister. The Sees are regarded as people of the highest in- tegrity and are known as substantial citi- zens wherever they reside. Our subject's well improved property is a monument to his thrift and well directed efforts. He is a man of earnest purpose and upright life. JOHN SMITH. The subject of this sketch early in life realized the fact that success never smiles upon the idler or dreamer and he has ac- cordingly followed such an aphorism, de- voting his life to ardent toil along lines that cannot but insure success. The prosperity which he enjoys has been the result of energy rightly applied and has been won by com- mendable qualities. John Smith, one of the progressive farmers of Tonti township, Marion county, Illinois, was born in this locality October 7, 1838, the son of Britton and Mahala (Fos- ter) Smith. Great-grandfather Smith was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, having taken part in many of the famous battles and strenuous campaigns of the same. This old family finally settled in North Carolina, where Britton Smith was bom in 1811, on November 7. He came to Tennessee and then to Marion county, Illinois, in 1829, among the pioneers and overcome the ob- stacles always to be encountered in such a counti-y, however, he remained here only about a year when he returned to Tennes- see, but soon returned to Illinois bringing his father, having been enthusiastic of the prospects in the new country, believing that the future was filled with great possibilities. The entire family made the trip fi'om Ten- nessee as soon as they could arrange to do so and they set to work at once making a home here, where their labors were richly rewarded by mother nature, who seldom fails in just compensation for labor expended in her domain. Our subject's father was united in mar- riage in 1836 to Mahala Foster and settled in section 28, in Tonti township. His wife was the daughter of the well known Hon. Hardy Foster, who was an early settler in this county, having come here from Georgia, becoming popular and a leader in political affairs, having represented this district in the legislature. Fos- ter township was named in honor of this pioneer. Britton Smith at one time owned two hundred acres of land in this county, being one of the best known farmers in this locality and he also took much interest in local politics, having served as Deputy Sheriff of Marion county for about seven- teen years, during which time he rendered much valuable service to the public. He was a Democrat in his political faith. From 526 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. time to time he held several township offices. John Smith, our subject, was bom here and worked upon the farm, having a poor •chance to receive an education. However, he applied himself as best he could and has since broadened his intellectual horizon by general reading and travel. When twenty-one years old Mr. Smith went to Texas, where he remained a short time. In 1862 be was united in marriage with Flotiller Nichols, who passed away fourteen months after her marriage, and on October 2, 1868, Mr. Smith married Eliza- beth Smith, who was reared in this part of Illinois, and who was called to her rest in November, 1877. Two children were born to the subject, one of whom, Charles B., is living in this county. His date of birth oc- curred in 1873. Our subject was again married, his third wife being Lenora E. Coe, who is also now deceased. He was married a fourth time to Martha C. (Mea- don) Lawson, who has also been called to "her rest. Four children were born to Mr. Smith by his third wife, three of whom are living. Our subject has devoted his life principally to farming with the result that hie has achieved definite success in this field of endeavor, for he has great ability in ag- ricultural lines and is a hard worker. He at present owns eighty-one acres of land in this township, which have been developed into an- excellent farm, being veiy produc- tive and yields excellent crops from year to year. He has an excellent residence, well furnished and all the necessaiy equipments for carrying on successful farming in a general way. Although Mr. Smith has now retired from the farm, he still oversees its management. Our subject is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. South, being one of the Stewards of the local church, and is at this writing (1908) superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Patoka, Lodge No. 860. In poli- tics he is a Democrat and takes a lively in- terest in local political affairs, having served as Township Assessor, also as Township Clerk, and Township Treasurer, which office he still holds, having had charge of the same since 1885. This would indicate that he has given entire satisfaction in the dispensation of all his public duties, and is held in strictest confidence by his constitu- ents else he would not have been entrusted with so many important public offices, nor retained so long. REV WILLIAM JACKSON SIMER. This sterling and honored citizen of Omega township, Marion county, is the owner of one of the best farms in this com- munity and is a local minister of the Gospel of much popularity, having for many years performed a grand service among the people whom he has elected to serve, burying the friends who pass over the mystic river, mar- lying the young, beginning life's more seri- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 52 ous walks, and in many ways assisting in ameliorating the condition of the public at large and his character has from his youth up been unblemished by shadow of wrong, so that the community regards him as one of its most valuable citizens. William Jackson Simer is a native of Marion county, having been born here Sep- tember 9, 1849, ^^^ 'S therefore fifty-nine years old at this writing (1908). His father's name was Jason R. Simer, a Ten- nesseean, who came to Illinois when fifteen years of age and worked by the month until he was married at the age of twenty-five years to Amelia Gaston, who was born near the Marion County Home and who was called to her rest in 1866, at the age of forty years. Jason R. Simer married a sec- ond time to Ruth Carpenter in the year 1870. Seven children were born to him by his first wife, our subject being one of the number; and thi-ee children were born of the second union. Our subject worked out among the neigh- bors until he was seventeen years of age, having attended the local schools in Jef- ferson county, later the Huff school, in the meantime during the winter months, and received a good foundation for an education by diligently applying himself to his studies, and he has now become a well read man by constant home study and personal observa- tion. When twenty-five years old he be- gan to make public addresses on local po- litical issues and so well did he speak that when his name was announced to appear on a program he was always insured a large and interested audience, and his powers as an orator and his ability as a political worker were soon recognized by party lead- ers and he was invited to speak in other communities. Our subject has always been more or less interested in farming pursuits and he early in life gave marked evidence of being a man of affairs, and he began to work for him- self when seventeen years old. He now owns a fine farm of two hundred and three acres, forty acres being in timber, the rest being under a high state of cultivation. Rev. Mr. . Simer has always been an ac- tive church worker and Sunday school worker, especially so since 1880, and he is now filling the pulpit each Lord's day at Lovel Grove, Smith's Grove, Bethel in Clay county, and at Brubaker, giving a fourth of his time to each charge, all of which he has built up and greatly strengthened. Our subject has been twice married, his first wife's name being Sarah E. Easley, to whom seven children were born, four of whom are living, the family being com- posed of six sons and one daughter. His second wife was Mary Alice Farson, to whom two children were born, both living. Their names are Clay and Frank. The names of his children by his first wife fol- low : The first child died in early infancy ; Leroy, who man-ied Goldin Allen, and who had three children, two living, a son and a daughter; Hershel, who married Jennie Tate and who has four children, two sons and two daughters; Charley, who married Ama Hultz; Hugh, who married Minnie 528 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Jennings, and who has one son; Margaretta and Rolhe. Air. Simer takes a great interest in public affairs and is semng his third term as Su- pervisor of Omega township in a manner that reflects much credit upon his abihty and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is greatly interested in the cause of edu- cation, and he has taught six successful terms of school in his own neighborhood, gaining considerable praise as an able in- structor and his services were in great de- mand. He is a very versatile man on almost any topic and he is ever ready for any good work. He has a large, well arranged and carefully selected library, consisting of the best books of modem and early days on a wide range of themes among which much of his time is spent. He has always been a close student of the Bible, having an ardent desire to know and comprehend the same, being anxious to know and do the will of the Heavenly Father, and to follow His teachings at all times. In matters affecting the general welfare Rev. Simer has been most active and influential. BENJAMIN F. RODGERS, M. D. In giving the life record of the subject of this sketch the publishers of this work be- lieve that it will be an incentive to the young who may peruse it to lead nobler lives, have higher ambitions and accomplish more for their fellow men, for his life has always been led along a plane of high en- deavor, always consistent with the truth in its higher forms and ever in keeping with honorable principles. He is the scion of pioneer ancestors of the most sterling qual- ities who did much in their day for the com- munities in which they lived, and Doctor Rodgers is a worthy descendant of his for- bears, thus for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that he was one of the patriotic sons of the North, who, when the tocsin of war sounded, left his hearthstone and business to do what he could in paving the country from treason, the biographer is glad to give him just representation in this work. Dr. Benjamin F. Rodgers was born in York, Pennsylvania, in 1829, the son of Joseph D. and Mary (Hamilton) Rodgers. Grandfather Rodgers, who came to America in 1776, settling in Maryland, was a weaver by profession and a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war. He lived to be ninety-four years old, and the grandmother of the sub- ject lived to her ninety-sixth year. They were the parents of a large family. The father of the subject, who was bom in Mai-yland, moved to Pennsylvania when a boy, later to Ohio, where he spent the bal- ance of his days on a farm. There were eleven children in this family, six of whom lived to maturity. The subject's parents were Presbyterians and the father and moth- er both died at the age of sixty-four years. The subject of this sketch was nine years old when he moved to Ohio, where he re- ceived a fairly good education by attending B. F. RODGERS, M. D. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 529 the subscription schools of his community. He clerked in a store in Ohio for two years, then learned to be a shoemaker; but neither of these lines seemed to suit his tastes, be- lieving that he was capable of rendering a better service to humanity, consequently he began the study of medicine, in which he made rapid progress and he soon entered a medical college. After completing the pre- scribed course with honor, he began prac- tice in Ohio, and later located at Elizabeth- town, Kentucky, having soon gained a firm foothold. But believing that better oppor- tunities awaited him at Belleville, Illinois, he removed thereto in 1849, ^"d afterwards removed to Jacksonville, and at that place the doctor enlisted in September, 1861, in the Union, enlisted in September, 1861, in the Second Illinois Light Artillery, and so efficient were his services that he was com- missioned captain of Company K. His rec- ord in the army is a most creditable one. He was at the battle of Fort Donelson, at Jack- son, Mississippi, and was in the siege of Vicksburg. Engraved on a monument erect- ed at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in honor of Company K, Second Illinois Light Artillery, are the words : "Battery K, Second Light Artillery, Capt. Benjamin Rodgers, "Fourth Division Sixteenth Corps. "Entered Campaign About May 20, ' 1863. Served with the Division Dur- ing siege." He takes great pride in his military life 34 and relates his battery was nearer the en- emy's works than any other battery of the siege, which occupied forty-two days. He was Chief of Artillery on the staff of Gen- eral Lauman, Gen. Crocker Gresham, Logan, and was Chief of Staff of General Ranson at Natchez. He was also in the southwestern cam- paign and the battles subsequent to that. He was mustered out at Memphis, Tennessee, December 31, 1864. After the close of the war Doctor Rodgers located in Patoka, where he has practiced his profession ever since. Doctor Rodgers was united in marriage on November 3, 1848, with Mary K. Chiell, daughter of Casper Chiell. He has four children living, also fourteen grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Mrs. Rod- gers was called from her earthly labors at the age of seventy-two years. In politics our subject is a loyal Repub- lican, and he has ever taken a great interest in public affairs, having made his influence felt for the good of his community in many ways and served in a most able manner as postmaster and also Mayor of Patoka; in fact, he might be called the father of this town. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has been commander of the local post. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the lodge at Jacksonville, Illinois. No man in this part of Marion county is better or more favorably known than he, known for his professional skill, his public spirit, his integ- rity and kind heartedness. 530 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. JAMES R. JONES. During the pioneer epoch in the history of Marion county the Jones family was founded within its borders, and the name has been inseparably identified with the an- nals of the favored section of which this book deals for more than half a century, while its representatives have figured promi- nently in its development. James R. Jones was born July 31, 1849, in Marion county, Illinois, the son of Jackson C. Jones, who was born in Tennessee, near Knoxville, January 17, 1818, a member of a large family, name- ly: Jackson C, our subject's father; Willis, Joseph, Christopher, Horace, James, Hen- derson B., Young, and Mary. They have all passed to the great beyond. Christo- pher, Joseph and Henderson were all sol- diers in the Civil war, Christopher having been a member of the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Infantry, and Henderson of the Third Illinois Cavalry. Ross Jones was the grandfather of the subject. He was born in North Carolina, in 1796, and lived to the age of eighty-one years. He married Edith Barby. Our subject's mother was known in her maidenhood as Margaret Whiteside and was born on the line between Tennessee and Kaitucky, July 22, 1822. Eight children were born to the parents of our subject, three boys and five girls, namely: Francis, Tabitha, Catherine, James R., our subject; Sarah, Samuel, Anna and Mai-y. They are all deceased with the exception of our subject, Samuel and Anna. Grandfather Whiteside came to Illinois in 1833, settling in Marion county. Mrs. Jones received her early education in the common schools at Mt. Vernon, and at the public and high schools of Kinmundy, where she applied herself in such a manner as to elicit the approbation of her teachers. Mr. Jones worked on the home place during the summer months until he reached ma- turity, when he was united in marriage on September 2, 1871, to Mahala Foster, the daughter of W. W Foster, she being the only child, having been born July 21, 1851, in Marion county. Nine children have been born to this union, six girls and three boys, three of whom have passed to their rest. Their names in order of birth follow : Lizzie S., deceased; Willie C, deceased; James E., Mai-y J., Frank G. and Lora N., all living; Florence P., deceased; Rena M., and Alta A., both living. These children are all well educated and some are filling positions as teachers in a most acceptable manner. Mr. Jones carries on general farming on a fine farm consisting of one hundred and thirty-five acres in Kinmundy township. He always keeps some good stock af various kinds on the place and feeds a great deal of his com to live stock which he prepares for the market. Our subject is a Democrat in his political faith, but has not been an aspi- rant to political offices. He is affiliated with the Methodist church in which he takes a delight. He believes in education and his relations with the world of business have been straightfoi-ward and nothing savoring BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 531 in the least of dishonor has ever been as- sociated with the good name he bears or that of his family. JAMES K. CRAIG. Among the men who have been largely instrumental in developing and advancing the opulent natural resources of Marion county, Illinois, stands the gentleman whose name initiates this review and whose fine farm property, in Omega township, is one of the many attractive and valuable rural domains of this favored section of the Sucker state. James K. Craig was born in Kentucky, December 28, 1824, and came with his par- ents to Marion county, Illinois, at the age of twelve and one-half years. The father of the subject was James Craig, who was born in the Blue Grass state June i, 1784. His mother was also bom in Kentucky in April, 1787. Her maiden name was Se- villa Hanks, being a sister of Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks. They were people of fine traits of character and were known as hard workers and kindly disposed. In their family were nineteen children, our sub- ject being next to the youngest in order of birth. James Craig, the subject's father, was at one time the richest man in Hardin county, Kentucky, but he lost his land claim ty others who lawed him out of both right .and title. Mr. Craig came to Illinois in 1837 and settled in the wilderness. He took up no land for all was common ground, and he decided that he had rather not have any land as all was free to till, hunt on and use in whatever way struck the pioneer's fancy. There was no difficulty in stirring up a large herd of deer, wolves or a den of rattle snakes. The subject was often in a wolf drive with a hundred or more men and as many dogs. Sometimes a dozen or more would be bagged on a move, and sometimes not a one, but the sport was eagerly sought by the first settlers. In those days our subject hired to Alec Kockrel to work in hay harvest for thirty-two days at twenty-five cents per day and considered that he was being well paid. Hogs fattened in the woods on the mast. Fortunately the Indians had mostly disappeared and they were not to be reckoned with. Samuel H. Craig, the elder brother of the subject, captured an Indian pony at Kellogg's Grove and brought it home while the In- dians were trying to burn the settlers' houses in that vicinity. Money was very scare in those days, be- ing for the most part in small bills, called "shin plasters." There was some gold, but no silver. Our subject remembers going five and one-half miles to the post-office, bareheaded and barefooted and paying twenty-five cents, the price of postage, be- fore receiving his letter. No letter could be received until this amount was paid. He was for many years the only man in his com- munity who took a paper, a weekly, "The People's Organ," now called the St. Louis 53- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY-, ILLINOIS. Globe-Democrat. It cost one dollar per year, and it was loaned to the whole neigh- borhood to be read. The subject's mother was an educated woman and she taught her children so that they received fairly good educations for those times when school-houses were few and of the most primitive type. Every Sun- day morning she taught them the Bible with the old Calvanistic Baptist doctrine ; but Mr. Craig is now a stanch Methodist. He first heard the Rev. John Craig when a small boy. Rev. Craig was known as a powerful preacher in his day and did an incalculable amount of good. He reached the remark- able age of one hundred and three years. In early days the Craig family were promot- ers of the "Green Back" party movement, but later were all loyal Democrats. Our subject was united in marriage with Catherine Wilkinson, the daughter of Jehu Wilkinson, of Scotch descent, the day of their wedding occurring on February 25, 1847. Nine children were born to this union, six of whom are living in 1908. Mr. Craig has fifteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The following are the names of the subject's children: Ben- jamin D., James H., Elizabeth, Sarah, Ann, Samuel, Jehu, Ida and John E. James K. Craig owned at one time four hundred acres of land which he had im- proved and developed into a very fine and valuable farm, which was yielding a com- fortable income from year to year; but this land has been divided up among his chil- dren, thirty-five acres having been retained for a home. Our subject is at this writing living with Thomas M. Spyker, who mar- ried one of the subject's older daughters, Bettie, who has one child. Mr. Spyker is now fifty-three years old, an excellent farmer of good repute and he delights in caring for our aged subject who is in his eighty-fourth year. The Spykers are all Methodists, and in politics have been Demo- crats but of late years most of them support the Prohibition ticket. Mr. Craig delights to assist those in need and to promote the welfare and happiness of others, consequently the golden evening of his life is serene and happy and he can look forward to a richer reward in the great beyond than it is within the power of man to bestow. CALVIN BLAIR KLINE. The subject of this review is one of the scientific representatives of the agricultural industiy in Marion county and he is also known as a man of sterling character, while his specific knowledge concerning the line of enterprise to ^^■hich he is now devoting his attention is of both technical and prac- ticable order, for he has made a careful study of agriculture and horticulture. Calvin Blair Kline was born in Pennsyl- vania, Februan' 26, 1864, the son of Joseph S. Kline, who was also a native of the old Keystone state. To the father of our sub- ject six children were bom by his first wife, of which the subject is the second son. The BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 533 name of the first wife of Joseph S. KHne was EHzabeth Patterson. His second wife was named Martha Beam. Three children were born to this union with his second wife. Our subject came with his parents from Pennsylvania to Iowa, then to Marion county, IlHnois, in 1880, having settled on a farm in Alma township, later moving to Omega township, where he now resides. Our subject remained on the parental farm assisting with the work until he reached maturity, having attended first the district schools in Pennsylvania. He left school when nineteen years old and began farming on his own account and he has since devoted his time to this line of work continuously and as already intimated he has made a great success of this work, be- cause he started life practically empty hand- ed and today he is the owner of a fine landed estate in Omega township, consisting of two hundred and thirty-seven acres, all under a high system of cultivation, with the ex^ ception of seven acres in timber. Calvin Blair Kline was united in mar- riage on November 14, 1888, to Maggie E. Harvey, who was born in Alma, September 24, 1867, the daughter of John B. Harvey, who was bom in Virginia in 1820. His family consisted of four children, an equal number of boys and girls of which the sub- ject's wife was the fourth in order of birth. The maiden name of the mother of our sub- ject's wife was Augusta Shaffer, who was bom in Germany, and who came to Ameri- ca with her parents when she was eighteen years old. Seven children were born to our subject and wife, named in order of birth as fol- lows: Lola G., Ruby T., Loren E., Chester B., Garnet O., Lois L., and Eugene M. They are all living and are all at home at this writing and they are in school, making excellent records for scholarship. Mr. Kline is a believer in educational ad- vantages. In their religious beliefs this family adheres to the doctrines of the Meth- odist church. South, although our subject is not affiliated with any church he is a be- liever in the principles of religion. His wife's family were Methodists, most of them belonging to the Northern branch of this de- nomination, while the subject's wife be- longs to the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Mr. Kline ever advocates whole- some environment for children, believing that they should be given every possible advantage, both in religious and education- al training and in good citizenship. Mr. Kline is well known in this section and is most highly honored where he is best known, and his life has been one of earnest endeavor and well directed effort. SAMUEL G. COPPLE. Mr. Copple is one of the leading business men in Omiega township, Marion county, having successfully managed a store and carried on other lines of business in a man- ner that shows him to be a man of unusual business ability, but having the honored an- 534 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. cestry behind him of which he can boast, we do not wonder that he is a man of rare force of character, for in the genealogical history in both the paternal and maternal lines, there is much data signally germane to a compilation of this sort. Samuel G. Copple was born in Washing- ton county, Indiana, April 24, 1849, the son of Abraham and Rozan (Hanger) Cop- ple, the former having been born in Indiana April 2, 1827, and was the father of nine children, seven girls and two boys, three of whom lived to maturity, the subject of this sketch being the oldest in order of birth. Abraham Copple left Indiana in 1875, and came to Marion county, Illinois, where he farmed on a parcel of land which he pur- chased, and also rented additional land. He was called from his earthly labors in Omega, this county, February 17, 1892. He mar- ried Rosannah Hauger September 21, 1847, and they first moved to Sullivan county, In- diana, then to Marion county, Illinois, where Abraham lived for over thirteen years. His three sur\aving children are: Samuel G., our subject; Alice M., and Ma- hala M., who is now deceased. The early education of the subject of this sketch was gained in the district schools of his native county, which were taught from two to three months each year during the winter, in log school-houses, the windows of which were made of greased paper for panes. He was compelled to walk four miles to school. During the remainder of the year he worked on his father's, farm. When he had reached maturity he married Mary C. Sill, the daughter of Commodore and Sarah (Beard) Sill, of Jackson county, Illinois, and she, too, received her education in the district schools of the country which she attended three months out of the year. Sarah Beard was born in Tennessee, No- vember 6, 1820, and died at the home of her daughter, Mary C, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Commodore Sill was born in 1822 and lived to be past fifty. They were the parents of nine children, five boys and four girls, of whom four are now living, namely : Marguerite J. Sellers, whose home is in Sandoval, Marion county; Ace- nith A. Walker, of Jackson county, this state; Ransom M. Sill, living at Blue Mound, Marion county; Mary C. Copple, living at Omega, this county; Alice Sill lives in Blue Mound, also; Mahala Solomon died and was buried in Texas. The father of the subject's wife was born in Pennsyl- vania, from which state he moved to Indi- ana, then to Illinois, where he bought a farm in Marion county. Our subject and wife have only one child, a son, named Charles E., who is married to Etta Kline ; they have one son. Mr. Copple is the owner of sixty acres of good land, which is highly improved and lies in and near Omega. It is a valuable and most desirable farm. He has been in the general merchandise business for over twenty years at Omega, and he has built up an excellent trade on general lines, handling a fine quality of goods and giving his nu- merous customers the best goods possible for the money, so that he seldom loses a BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 535 customer, all of whom he treats with uni- fomi courtesy. His store is a credit to the community and would be conspicuous in a much larger place. He also manages in a most successful manner the hotel at Omega, which has become known to the traveling public as a comfortable place for transients, where generous treatment is always accord- ed the friend or stranger alike. Our sub- ject also conducts an up-to-date feed bam, and manages a telephone line, and he is re- garded by everyone as an enterprising and accommodating gentleman. Although these various lines of business occupy most of his time, he does not neglect his duty to his county or state, but his support can always be depended on in the promotion of good government and honesty in politics. Re- ligiously his parents were members of the Christian church and he has followed in their footsteps. Mrs. Copple is a member of the same, as was her mother. Mr. and Mrs. Copple set a woithy example in all religious and mortal matters before their children and the community where they live. JAMES R. ABERNATHY. The subject of this biography is a man who, by his career, has clearly demonstrated his versatility, having been engaged in vari- ous lines of enterprise and in whatever di- rection he has turned his talents he has been successful. James R. Abernathy was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, November 28, 1829, the son of H. T. Abernathy. His mother's maiden name was Martha Barnes, and her mother was formerly Elizabeth Locke. Blackstone Abernathy was the subject's grandfather. Blackstone and Elizabeth (Locke) Abernathy were the parents of eight children, all born in Fayette county, Kentucky. Grandfather Blackstone Aber- nathy was born in Virginia and Elizabeth Locke was a native of Tennessee. She was a descendant of the "Petroleum" V. Nasby family, or Daniel R. Locke. Blackstone Abernathy's father and two brothers settled in Virginia while it was yet a colony. H. T. Abernathy, father of our subject, was born in Kentucky in 1800 and his wife, Martha Barnes, also of the Blue Grass state, was born in 1801. They moved to Law- rence county, Illinois, in 1835 and bought eighty acres of timber land. The breaking was done after the land was cleared with a Carey plow which had a wooden mould- board and drawn mostly by ox teams. Wild game and ravenous wolves were very abund- ant. The woods also abounded in turkeys and deer. He became known as a "rover," having bought and sold out every two years for some time. James R. Abernathy, our subject, was the third son in a family of seven sons and two daughters. Our subject spent his early youth on his father's farm and attended for a time such primitive schools as the times afforded. He married Mary E. Abernathy, daughter of Dr. Hutchinson Abernathy, of Hopkins- ville, and to this union was born seven chil- 536 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. dren, four sons and three daughters. His first wife was called to her rest at the age of seventy-two years while living in Cen- tralia, Illinois, in 1906. James R. Abernathy enlisted in 1862 in the Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was in active service until March 8, 1864, during which time he conducted him- self as a brave American soldier and took part in many a hard fought field. He was first sergeant of Company E, and was pro- moted to first lieutenant of Company H, having been transferred. Thomas G. Allen was colonel of this regiment, and he was appointed as adjutant of the Eightieth Illi- nois Regiment to fill the vacancy of James C. Jones, who died and which position he held until his resignation was accepted. He re- ceived an honorable discharge under Gen. George H. Thomas, who commanded the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Abernathy took part in twenty-one battles, and he now gets a pension o| twenty dollars per month which serves to keep him very comfortably. Our subject has always been a great reader and is therefore a well educated man. He has been a printer since 1847, but is now working from time to time at the car- penter's trade. He is a leader in Repub- lican politics. He was editor of "The Green River Whig" for three years, published at Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and he next pub- lished "The Jackson Republican" at Jack- son, Tennessee, for about three months. The last publication he established was "The Seymour Republican" at Seymour, Indiana, which is now ably edited by Dr. . Victor Monroe. Our subject has a comfortable and substantial residence which he erected him- self in which he lives a quiet life and keeps bachelor quarters. The latch-string always hangs on the outside to his friends. Mr. Abernathy is not a member of any church or society, but he believes that man should love God with all his heart, mind and might and his neighbor as himself, the two great commands. He is a man of great breadth of character, depth of mind, and power to command men, and as a result of his fine attributes of character he has a host of warm friends. Although well advanced in years Mr. Abernathy has a keen percep- tive faculty; his eyes sparkle with the fire of youth and he is a very pleasant and in- teresting man to know. SAMUEL H. GRAHAM. One of the substantial citizens of Marion county is the gentleman to a review of whose life work we now call the attention of the reader. Mr. Graham is a man who, while advancing his own interests does not lose sight of the fact that it is his duty to lend his influence in furthering the interests of his community. Samuel H. Graham was born in Marion county, Indiana, in 1855, the son of John and Sarah Elizabeth (Oldhanl) Graham. Grandfather Graham was born in Penn- sylvania. He came to Butler county, Ohio, and then to Rush countv, Indiana, where BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 537 he died, after a busy and useful life as a farmer. He had a large family. Grand- father Oldham was an early settler in Marion county, Indiana, where he had a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He also raised a large family, some of his sons becoming soldiers in various Indiana regi- ments. The father of the subject was bom in Butler county, Ohio, and moved to Rush county, Indiana, when ten years of age, having been reared to manhood in that county. He then went to Fayette county, rented a farm and later moved to Marion county, Indiana, where he bought eighty acres on which he lived for three years, and it was while living there that our subject was bom. He then sold this farm and moved to Franklin county, Indiana, where he lived for twenty years and then came to Clay county, Illinois, where he bought a farm on which he spent the balance of his life, dying April i, 1888, at the age of sixty- four years, his wife having preceded him to the narrow house on August 9, 1881, while on a visit in Indiana. She was fifty- two years old. Fourteen children were born to this family, six boys and eight girls, eleven of them reaching maturity. The subject's father affiliated with the Baptist church and his mother was a Methodist. John Graham was a Democrat, and was School Director, and always supported the schools. Samuel H. Graham, our subject, attended the public schools in Indiana, remaining in the common schools until he was twenty years old, attending high school at Harts- ville, and later the University at Valparaiso. He applied himiself diligently and became a well educated man and commenced teach- ing on June 7, 1876, which he continued for twenty-five years and in all these years he never taught in more than eight dififerent districts. However, his services were much sought after, his reputation as an able in- structor having been widely known. After his career as a teacher, Mr. Graham for a short time engaged in agricultural business in Fayette county, Indiana, but moved to Clay county, Illinois, when yet a single man and resided with his father up to the time of his death in 1888, then moved to Marion county, Illinois, in 1890. He had been living in Clay county, this state, since 1881, and then came onto the farm which he had pre- viously bought and where he has since re- sided, his present highly improved farm consisting of ninety-nine acres. He was administrator on his father's estate in Clay county. Our subject carries on farming of a general nature and handles some good stock. Our subject was united in marriage on May II, 1890, with Eunice K. Wilkinson, a native of Iowa, and the daughter of Ste- phen and Lois (Maak) Wilkinson, natives of Ohio, who moved to Iowa, and then back to Ohio, later to Indiana and then to Van Wert, Ohio. Mrs. Wilkinson died in Ham- ilton county, Ohio, and Mr. Wilkinson at Van Wert. There were fifteen children in this family, seven of them living to inaturity. Five children have been born to Mr. and 538 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Mrs. Graham as follows: Elsie Floy, born in 1 89 1, and died the following July; Wal- ter T., who was born in 1892, is living at home with his parents ; Earl, who was born in 1894, is also a member of the family circle; Harold was bom in 1897; Roy Syl- vester was born in 1901. Mr. Graham in his farternal relations is a member of the Woodmen and the Royal Neighbors. He has been Auditor, serving with much credit to himself and to the sat- isfaction of all concerned. In politics he is a Democrat and has been County Chair- man of the Board since April, 1908; also has been Supervisor of his township and has been Town Clerk for eight or nine years; also Town Collector, School Direc- tor for fifteen years. He still holds the po- sitions of the Chairman of the Board and School Director and Supervisor. He was a Justice of the Peace for four years, and a delegate to the state, judicial and county conventions. He is also a member of the Board of Review of the county. In religion our subject subscribes to the Baptist faith, while his wife afifiliates with the Methodists. SAMUEL W. LOVELL Following is the life history of one who if for no other reason, merits recognition in this connection by virtue of his having been a life-long resident of Marion county and a representative of one of its sterling pioneer families. He has attained to a position of no inconsiderable prominence in connection with the industrial activities of the county, being a successful farmer and stock grower, while he is honored as one of the upright citizens of his native county, having a fine farm house in the township of Omega. Samuel W. Lovell was born one mile south of Omega, September 20, 1839, and was therefore sixty-nine years old at this writing, 1908. He is the son of Markham C. and Polly D. Lovell, the former having been born in Tennessee in 1801. He first moved to Kentucky and then to Illinois, in which state he passed to his reward April 5, 1880, at the age of seventy-nine years. He was the father of six children, two sons^ and four daughters, the subject of this sketch being the third child in order of birth. Four members of this family are still living. The maiden name of the sub- ject's mother was Polly D. Hensley, who was born in Kentucky in 1810, and who passed away in Omega, Illinois, in 1872, at the age of sixty-two years. Her father was Joseph Hensley, who married Lucy Covington. They owned the noted Walnut Hill farm, said to be one of the finest in the state of Illinois, if not the finest. The Hensley family came to America in 1690 from Wales and the Covingtons came from Scotland. Grandfather Hensley came to Madison county, Kentucky, at the age of twelve years in 1770, having been born in Virginia, Culpeper county, in 1758. Grandmother Hensley was five years old at the time of moving to Culpeper county. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 539 She was born in 1765. Great-grandfather Hensley was an officer in the Revolution- ary war. There were twenty-one children in this remarkable family, his first wife be- ing the mother of sixteen children and there were five children by his second wife. Samuel W. Lovell remained under the parental roof until maturity, having at- tended such primitive schools as the country afforded in those early times. When the fierce fires of rebellion were sweepnig ov-er the Southland he enlisted in defense of the old flag in the three months' service, but at the end of thirty days he came home, having taken typhoid fever and he did not re-enlist until August of 1862, when he en- listed for three years. He was in seventeen engagements and skirmishes under Gen. James S. Martin, of the famous One Hun- dred and Eleventh Illinois Regiment, under whose command he engaged in seventeen skirmishes and eight battles. The record of this regiment as given by Mr. Lovell is as follows : Forty-six killed, one hundred and forty-four wounded, eleven died in pri- son, ninety-three in hospitals and seventy- one discharged for disability, the total loss being three hundred and sixty-five. The regiment marched one thousand eight hun- dred and thirty-six miles, was transported by water six hundred and fifty miles and by rail one thousand two hundred and fifty miles, from the time our subject left Camp Marshall at Salem, Illinois, until he was mustered out at Camp Butler, at Springfield, June 27, 1865. This is according to the adjutant general's report. This regiment was in the Fifteenth Corps under Gen. John A. Logan and Gen. William T. Sherman, whom the regiment followed from Atlanta to the sea. Mr. Lovell carries the remark- able record of never having been in the hos- pital during the whole time of his enlist- ment. He is today hale and hearty, happy and jovial, and enjoys the hospitality of the old guard and friends in his nice home in Omega where he lives a serene and con- tented life with his faithful life companion whom he married November 10, 1861. Her maiden name was Nancy Hoskins, daughter of Harrison and Frances (Kain) Hoskins. Her father was born in Louisville, Ken- tucky, in 1803 and died in 1865, at the age of sixty-two years. Frances Kain was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1807, and passed to her rest in 1887, at the age of eighty years. There were five children in the family of our subject's wife's parents, three of whom are now living, Nancy be- ing the second child in order of birth. The early education of our subject's wife was re- ceived in Clay, near Xenia, Illinois. Thus they have led a happy and harmonious mar- ried life of forty-six years. No children have been born to this union. Mr. Lovell has spent most of his life in agricultural pursuits, making a pronounced success of the same, being regarded as one of the leading farmers of his community. He still owns forty-two and one-half acres of good land. In 1891 he moved to Omega in honorable retirement. He followed farm- ing until fifty-three years of age, then he retired. He has sei-ved his county as High- 540 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. way Commissioner and School Director for several terms in a most efficient and consci- entious manner. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, post at Kin- mundy, and is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association of the state. Politically he believes in good government and voted his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln in Mc- Lean county, Illinois, in i860. Religiously he is a member of the Christian church. He gets a service pension of twelve dollars per month. No one in Omega or this township is better known than our subject. MRS. NANCY C. BOYCE. This estimable lady ranks as one of the popular women of Marion county, where she has spent her entire life, having lived in such a manner as to gain the undivided re- spect and good will of all who know her. She is a woman of gracious presence and true refinement, and the family home over which she presides is a center of generous ■cheer and hospitality — one of which it may well be said, in the colloquial phrase of the early days, that the latch string is always out. Her life has been one of mingled joy and sorrow, but withal comfortable and happy and she can now at the threshold or old age look back over her career with no compunction or regrets for wrong doing of any kind. Nancy C. Boyce was bom in Marion county, Illinois, May 13, 1856, the daughter of John and Mary J. (See) Boyce. The for- mer was born in West Virginia in 1823, and died in 1872. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Mary J. French, who was born in Tennessee in 1823, and who moved to Marion county, Illinois, in 1832 with her parents, she being in her tenth year, but she in her old age could distinctly remember the primitive condition of the country and much regarding the manner in which they lived in their new home in those pioneer days. Our subject spent her maidenhood under the parental roof and attended such primi- tive schools as the times afforded for a few months in each year until she received a fairly good common school education. The subject's parents were married in 1848, and reared a family of ten children, four of whom are still living in 1908, two boys and two girls. They are Elizabeth Pownas, who lives in Oklahoma; John S., lives in Omega township, and Mason G. See lives in Arkansas; our subject is the fourth one. They are all married and fair- ly well situated in reference to this world's affairs. George R. Boyce married Nancy C. See June I, 1888, and two sons were bom to this union, both bright and interesting, namely: Charles W. and Chester E., twins, who were bom April 11. 1891. Mrs. Nancy C. Boyce is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land in Omega township, which is highly improved and under a fine system of cultivation. It has been most carefully managed and ex- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS 541 cellent crops are reaped off the same from rear to year. The crops are rotated in proper order so that the soil is not per- mitted to become thin or wash away. A good orchard and garden are also on the place, and the subject's residence is a com- fortable, substantial and elegantly furnished home. Our subject has been a woman of heroic mould, for she has struggled to raise her children and pay for the farm, but she has by rare business acumen, careful manage- ment and the exercise of sound judgment, succeeded in doing both and she is now reaping the fruits of her labors, being com- fortably situated in every respect and her sons have been given every possible ad- vantage so that it is safe to predict that they will have successful and happy futures. Mrs. Boyce has a host of warm personal friends in her community, where she is held in high esteem by everyone. JAMES S. HANKS. When it is stated that the subject of this review had made his home for more than half a century on the fine farmstead in Ome- ga township, where he now resides, there comes the incidental revelation that he is to be numbered among the pioneers of the county, although he was not of that body of stern-visaged men who blazed the trails of the early settlers. However, Mr. Hanks was among those who followed in the foot- steps of the first settler and helped carry on the glorious work which they began to such opulent issues as we see today. James S. Hanks was born in Warrick county, Indiana, August 14, 185 1, the son of Nicholas A. and Cassinda (Anderson) Hanks, being the second son in order of birth in a family of eight children, com- posed of an equal number of boys and girls. The early education of our subject was ob- tained in the district schools of his own home. He left the school room when eighteen years old and went to work for his father on the farm. Nicholas A. Hanks was born in Kentucky in 1799. His father, William Hanks, was the brother of Nancy Hanks, mother of Abraham Lincoln. Nich- olas A. Hanks died at the age of eighty-one years in the year 1880, in Marion county, Illinois. When James S. Hanks reached maturity he married his first wife, Nancy Simons, October 24, 1878, and to this union three children were born, namely : Lulu, deceased ; Ollie married Maud Phillips and lives in Xenia, Clay county, Illinois; Lloyd married Bessie Combs and they live in Omfega town«. ship. The subject's first wife passed to her rest March 10, 1885, and Mr. Hanks was married a second time, his last wife being Mrs. Laura Connelly, of Clay county, Il- linois. Her maiden name was Laura Moni- cal, the daughter of Benjamin and Eliza- beth (Allen) Monical, she being the eighth child in order of birth in a family of eight children, an equal number of boys and girls. To our subject's second marriage the fol- 542 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. lowing children were born: Fred and Guy, both living at home. James S. Hanks owns the old homestead •where he lives a very prosperous and com- fortable life, having lived here for the past fifty-five years, during which time he has noted the great progress that has taken place in the community around him, and he has so carefully managed this fann that it is as productive today as it was when he first took charge of it. He owns two hun- dred and forty-five acres, nearly all of which is under cultivation. He has a fine orchard of two acres, consisting of a splen- did variety of trees. He owns a good grade of live stock, being an especially good judge of cattle and horses which are well bred, having some horses sired from Bonny Blaze, Eclipse, Junior; also Mor- gan and Coach, all well known and much admired by all who have seen them. He also owns some fine running stock which are prize takers. He always keeps a large number of fine Poland China hogs which he prepares for market, feeding the. corn that the place produces to them and his other stock. His cattle are mostly Here- fords and Durhams. There is a vast improvement in Mr. Hanks' place compared with half a century ago, when he first began to work on it. He cleared the major portion of the same and placed it under the plow and harvester. He b'as shown by his able management of the farm and the business connected therewith that he possesses great natural ability as an agriculturist, and never neglects his oppor- tunities. He has served his county most efficiently as Supervisor of Omega township for two terms; as Highway Commissioner for one term. PoHtically he is a Democrat and always takes a great interest in his party's affairs, believing in placing the best men possible in the local offices. He cast his first vote for Horace Greeley. In religious matters his mother and wife are members of the Meth- odist church. His father was never a mem- ber of any orthodox body of believers, neither was our subject. He carries his Christianity in his deeds of kindness and good cheer and actual benevolence. He loves nature in all its forms, and is a pleasant man to meet. WILLIAM A. JONES. To indulge in prolix encomium of a life which is one of distinctive modesty and un- pretentiousness would be most incongruous, and yet in reviewing the career of the sub- ject of this sketch, who is one of the ster- ling agriculturists of Omega township, Ma- rion county, and who holds a position of unequivocal confidence and esteem in the community in which he has long lived and labored to so goodly ends, feelings of ad- miration are prompted. He is of the after- math of the hardy pioneers who laid the foundations of this civilization. William A. Jones was bom in Clay coun- ty, Illinois, April 4, 1859, the son of D. G. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 543 and Rebecca (Ferris) Jones, being the fifth child in order of birth in a family consist- ing of eleven childixn, four girls and seven boys. The subject's parents were people of many praiseworthy characteristics, and tried to raise their children to be noble men and women, giving them every advantage possible. The early education of our subject was obtained in the district schools of the county of his birth which he attended until he was nearly twenty-one years old. In the mean- time he was assisting with the farm work at home. When he reached manhood he went to- work for his father on the home place, hav- ing been given a chance to make his own way in the world. When twenty-one years old he was united in marriage on March 2, 1 88 1, to Clara Turner, the daughter of Al- fred and Sarah A. (Perry) Turner. In her family were eleven children, eight girls and three boys, Clara being the fourth child in order of birth, the date of her birth having occurred September 9, 1856, in Terre Haute, Indiana. This union has been a happy and harmonious one and has resulted in the birth of five children, four of whom are living, an equal number of boys and girls, namely: Grover C, Murry, Jessie and Georgie F. These children are all bright and are living at home, the girls being in school at this writing (1908). D. G. Jones, father of our subject, is a lineal descendant of Cherokee Indians, and the family is proud of their Indian blood, and they should be, since the Cherokee In- dians are universally regarded as the most intelligent and highly civilized and best of all the Indian tribes. Some of the ances- tors of the Jones family were Marshalls. The subject's father was called from his earthly labors in 1886. The subject's mother, a fine old lady of beautiful Chris- tian character, is living in Centralia, this state, at the advanced age of eighty years. William A. Jones is the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of well improved land, which constitutes one of the finest farms in this locality. It is well drained and well fenced, and the crops have been so rotated as to preserve the original strength of the soil. General farming" is carried on in such a way as to reward our subject with rich harvests and a comfortable income from year to year. Twenty-five acres of this land are set in orchard trees and no small portion of the income off the place is derived from them, when the season is favorable for fruit growing. Mr. Jones takes a great interest in his orchard and is one of the best horticulturists in Omega township. Mr. Jones has ably served his community as Township Commissioner for a period of six years, as School Director for four terms and as Township Trustee for two terms. He has been frequently called to adjust and appraise property. In all the capacities in which he has served the public he has given entire satisfaction and has been as conscien- tious as if he had been laboring on his own affairs. In politics he is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Gen. Winfield Han- 544 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. cock. He has ever taken much interest in the deHberations of his party and given his time and influence to its support. In re- Hgious matters Mr. Jones' parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, but he is a member of the Christian church, while his wife is a faithful supporter of the Southern Methodist church. No man in Omega township is better or more favorably known that Mr. Jones. J. W. SKIPWORTH. This venerable and highly hnored citi- zen of Centralia is eminently entitled to con- spicuous mention in this history, owing to the fact that he might properly be called a pioneer of this section, having seen and par- ticipated in the development of the same from the early days and the life he has led is one of commendation and worthy of emu- lation by younger generations, for it has been led along lines of usefulness and integ- rity. J. W. Skipworth was born in Maury county, Tennessee, September 25, 1823, therefore he is at this writing in his eighty- sixth year, hale and hearty as a boy, active and in possession of all his faculties as if he were many years younger. His parents, Hosea and Cassander (Ward) Skipworth, were both natives of North Carolina, the former having been born in 1776. The pa- ternal grandfather of the subject, Nathan Skipworth, was in the American army at the time of the Revolutionary war for a pe- riod of six years. Our subject was present at his death. Eight children were born to the parents of the subject, four boys and an equal number of girls. J. W., the youngest of the number, is the only one liv- ing in 1908. Captain Ward, the father of our subject's mother, owned and operated a merchant sailing vessel on the Atlantic ocean from Wilmington, Delaware, to Liverpool ,Eng- land. This was before the days of the Revo- lution. Hosea Skipworth, the subject's father left Tennessee and came to Illinois because he was opposed to slavery and the seceding of the Southern states from the Union. Our subject was five years old when his parents moved to Lebanon, Illinois, settling on a farm. Hosea Skipworth died at Leb- anon in 1832, his widow having survived until 1846, having died two miles south of Centralia, Marion county. Our subject's education was obtained at Centralia. He lived in that vicinity until he was sixty years old, when he moved to Centralia in 1873. He followed farming, trading and stock shipping. Our subject saw Centralia grow from a wilderness which abounded in wolves, deer, wild cats and some bear, when there were no houses except cabins in the woods, from one-half to three miles apart. The country round about was open prairie. Most of the residents of this community lived on wild meats during the winter, such as deer, prairie chicken, quail, wild turkey and squirrels. Often as many as one thou- sand prairie chickens were seen in one flock. Deer was more plentiful than cattle is now. J. W. SKIPWORTH. BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILL1X(DIS. 545 The wolves killed the sheep and pigs. The bridges were all built by the nieghbors, being constructed of heavy logs. The subject recalls the campaign of James K. Polk for President, when the wagons throughout the country were decorated with polk-berry stain and those taking part in the parades and rallies used polk-stalks for canes. The market post for all trade was sixty-five miles away, St. Louis. The hogs were fattened for the most part on wild nuts or mast. It was then the custom for several neighbors to place their hogs in one drove and drive them to St. Louis for mar- ket. Mr. Skipworth says that the amuse- ments in those days consisted principally in shooting-matches, dances or "hoedowns," also horse races. The first choice of a beef was its hide, tallow and horns; meat was the second choice. July 4th always called for a big barbecue of beeves, mutton or pork, cooked in large trenches. The Dec- laration of Independence was always read, the drum and fife were very popular and the orator of the day was in evidence. Dur- ing election times the candidates furnished kegs of whisky, which was poured into buckets, by which sat a tin cup, and each one helped himself. The bucket always bore the name of the candidate. Where the railroad yard is now located in Centralia our subject says, he once saw a thousand wild geese and as many ducks in the water. The swampy place was filled with cinders and made solid. It was 1835 when our subject came to Marion county, through which no railroad 35 was built until 1854. Coal mines were then unknown and government land and "squat- ter sovereignty" were the conditions prevail- ing here. Not one man in twenty owned his land. It was the cheaper not to own land, for then there were no taxes to pay. The first land sold for one dollar and twen- ty-five cents per acre, then two dollars and fifty cents per acre. When the Vandalia Railroad came through in 1852 the farmers bid in all their land; then came the specu- lators. This land now sells for one hun- dred dollars per acre. Mr. Skipworth was married to Martha Crabtree, daughter of William and Mary Crabtree, who lived in Jefferson county, lat- er moved to Southwest Missouri. They were the parents of four children, the subject's wife being next to the youngest in order of birth. The date of the subject's wedding was January 3, 1841. The subject's wife had three brothers in the Mexican war. Eour children were born to our subject and his first wife, namely : Julian, deceased ; John H., deceased; Ellen, living; Virenda, de- ceased. The first wife of the subject passed away April 4, 1854, and on May 29, 1855, Mr. Skipworth was married to Nellie Hos- kins. Eight children have been born to this union, namely : Louisa, who married Phillip Straus, living in Chicago ; Charles, who died in 1875 ; Rhoda married Edward Root, liv- ing in Chicago, and they are the parents of one son, Charles. The other five children of the subject and his last wife have all passed away. Mr. Skipworth ably served his commu- 546 BRINKERI-IOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. nity as School Director for a period of fifteen years. He first voted for John Crane, of NashviUe, then the county seat, Mr. Crane making the race for the Legislature from Washington county. Our subject was then eighteen years old. He cast his first vote for President for James K. Polk in 1844, and voted for Abraham Lincoln twice, but since then has voted the Democratic ticket. Relig- iously he was reared a Protestant Methodist, but is not a member of that church, and he was at one time an Odd Fellow, of the Cen- tralia lodge. Our subject has been prosper- ous during his long and active life, and he now owns three valuable lots in Centralia, on which he makes his home, surrounded by poultry and pigs, and he enjoys the peaceful retirement of his twilight of life, happy in the thought that his life has been well spent and his old age is free from regret or trouble. He is known as a man of scrupulous honesty, careful and judicious in all his dealings with his fellow men, and he enjoys wide acquaint- ance throughout the county, where he num- bers his friends by the hundreds. WILLAM H. GRAY. An enumeration of the enterprising men of Marion county, Illinois, who have won recognition and success for themselves and at the same time have conferred honor upon the community would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of the popu- lar gentleman whose name initiates this re- view. He holds worthy prestige in business circles, and has always been distinctively a man of affairs and wields a wide influence among those with whom his lot has been cast, having won definite success and shown what a man with lofty principles, honesty of purpose and determination can win while yet young in years. In both banking and agricultural circles Mr. Gray stands in the front rank of the men who honor these callings in this county and because of his industry, integrity and courtesy he is a man to whom the future holds much of promise and reward. 'William Hai-vey Gray was born in Marion county, Illinois, in 1876, the son of James Robert and Nancy lUinois Gray (nee Boothe) . James Harvey Gray, grand- father of our subject, was born in Maury county, Tennessee, and was brought to this county by his parents when four years of age. His father, James Gray, was the son of AA'illiam Gray, the great-great-grand- father of our subject. AA'illiam Gray was born in North Carolina and moved to Maui-y county, Tennessee. He married a young lady by the name of McNabb in the year of 1776. Five sons were bom to them, James, Joseph, William, John and Samuel. William Gray was a soldier in the American Revolution and was also in the Indian wars of Kentucky and Tennessee. He was a farmer by occupation. He had one brother by the name of James Gray. William Gray died when about the age of eighty-three. James Gray, great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Maury county. Ten- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 547 nessee, June 20, 1789. He married Martha Denton in the year 1808 and moved to Marion county, Illinois, in 1828, and settled the old homestead on section 10, being one of the first settlers of the county. They had four sons, Joseph, William Harrison, James Harvey and Isaac Denton. James Gray was called into the United States' ser- vice by the Governor's proclamation dated April 19, 1832. He enlisted as second lieu- tenant of Spy Battalion, First Brigade of the Illinois Mounted Volunteers. He had one horse shot from under him and was on furlough August 11, 1832, and honorably discharged August i6th, having served un- der Capt. William N. Dobbins. He also served in the Creek and Indian war and the Black Hawk war. He was a powerful man physically, having measured six feet two inches and weighing two hundred ten pounds. He was the first Justice of the Peace in Kinmundy township, which ofiice he held until his death. He also sowed the first timothy seed in this township in 1843. He and his brother Joseph furnished to the settlers the first sawed lumber, which they sawed with a whipsaw. He also taught school in a cabin in the neighborhood. The early preachers of the Baptist and Cum- berland Presbyterian denominations held meeting in his home. He died suddenly by an accident on October 3, 1835, leaving a widow and family of eight children. His widow, Martha Gray, entered eighty acres of land February 13, 1837, where they started their improvements. It was the west half of the southeast quarter of section 10, Kinmundy township. The following fall she entered forty acres more in the same section. She was born in April, 1786, and departed this life May 27, 1844. James Hai^vey Gray, the grandfather of our subject, was bom in Maury county, Tennessee, April 25, 1825, and as stated above came to this county when four years old. He began life's struggle at the age of ten by first making a crop for his mother. Full of ambition, grit and energy he was successful from the start, though so young. At the age of eighteen, it may be said, he commenced life for himself, purchasing a yoke of cattle and a horse on credit. He remained, however, on the old place putting in crops until ready to invest in a piece of land, which he did at the age of twenty-six by making a purchase of one hundred and sixty acres, partly paying therefor with money borrowed. From that time his ca- reer was onward. He rapidly accumulated property by his just and upright dealings, adding acre to acre until he could look over twelve hundred acres of land, all of which was in one body, and call it his own. He also had other valuable property. He was a man of powerful mental ability and men would go to him for advice and he was always glad to aid his fellowman. Mr. Gra}' at the age of nineteen years and seven months was married November 28, 1844, to Susanna Jane Hanna, who was born October 18, 1824, and departed this life December 24, 1862. To this union five children were born. A second marriage was contracted with Margaret Lucinda 548 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Hanna in 1863. This lady, to whom three children were born, died in 1871. In the year of 1872 Mr. Gray united in marriage with Mrs. Elizabeth Boothe, widow of Col. James W Boothe, who commanded the Fortieth Illinois Infantry during the Civil war. Before this he was first lieutenant in the Mexican war and was at the battle of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. Mr. Gray did not enjoy the advantages of an education, being too early deprived of a father and compelled, being the eldest son at home, to care for the family. He was a natural mathematician and could calculate mentally the amount of anything almost instantly. He was six feet tall, stood erect and was well formed. His temperament was bilious, nervous and sanguine. He was fitted for the execution and power to endure both mental and physical labor. Mr. Gray was one of the original stockholders of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Kinmundy, which was organized in January, 1870, soon after- wards became president, which position he held during his life. It was known as a co-partnership or private bank. The stock was held by himself, his widow and T. AV. Haymond, cashier, at the time of his death. Mr. Haymond died shortly after Mr. Gray. The bank was closed by Mrs. Gray, the only surviving stockholder, through the subject of our sketch. Mr. Gray was a man that enjoyed his home life and visitors were sure of receiving a warm welcome at his fire- side. He belonged to Kinmundy Lodge No. 398, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons, also a member of Rosedale Lodge No. 354, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In his religious views he was a Cumberland Presbyterian. In politics, he was a Demo- crat of the old Jefifersonian school. He lived on the old homestead seventy-two years, outliving all of his children. He died at the age of seventy-six years and six months on October 25, 1901. Mrs. Elizabeth Gray, widow of James H. Gray and grandmother of our subject, was born May 13, 1827, in Indiana, later com- to Illinois in February, 1858, locating in Kinmundy. Daniel Clark, the father of Airs. Gray and a blacksmith by trade, lived to be over seventy years old. Her mother lived to be about ninety-six years of age. Mrs. Gray was first married to James W. Boothe May i, 185 1. To this union five children were bom. Mr. Boothe was bom October 9, 1820, and died February 17, 1863. Mrs. Gray married James H. Gray in 1872. At this writing Mrs. Gray is hale and hearty and her mind is clear, quick and active. Since 1901 she has made two trips to the Pacific coast and is now past the eighty-first mile-stone in her journey through life. As time passes swiftly she pieces quilts and makes fancy pillows so as not to have any idle moments in her life. In her religious views she is a Cumberland Presbyterian and is a member of that church. James Robert Gray, father of our sub- ject, was born July 2, 1854, on the old homestead. He married Nancy Illinois Boothe August 19, 1875. Two sons .were born to them, William Harvey, our subject, BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 549 and James Lemon, who died when about six months old. James R. Gray departed this life September 8, 1880, after a use- ful and active career filled with good deeds. William Harvey Gray was born April 12, 1876, as indicated in a preceding paragraph. He attended the district school near the old homestead, later attending the public school in Kinmundy, and from there to St. Louis, where he completed a thorough course in banking and general business in the Bryant and Stratton Business College. After graduating from this institution he went to Raymond, Illinois, and engaged in the general mercantile business for two years, when he sold out on account of his grandfather's death and the death of Mr. Haymond, returning to Kinmundy to set- tle up the business of the Farmers' and Mer- chants' Bank, of which, at that time as stated before, Mrs. Elizabeth Gray was the sole surviving partner. He settled up the affairs of that institution, paying the de- positors in full in less than sixty days from the time the bank was closed on December 4, 1901. He then was a main factor in or- ganizing The Haymond State Bank, becom- ing cashier of the same and holding that position until its consolidation with the First National Bank on August 15, 1906. During this time he assisted in the settling up of his grandfather's large estate. After the consolidation of the banks our subject resigned, taking the active management of his real estate properties which were ex- tensive. He now owns two hundred and eighty acres of the old homestead property which has never left the control of the Gray family from the time the grandfather bought it. In all he owns one thousand acres of improved land, mostly prairie. He rents this out, reserving the control of the method of cultivation so that the soil may be kept in good productive condition. The fences are mostly of wire, the fields drain naturally and general farming is successfully carried on. Mr. Gray is one of the directors of the Kinmundy Building and Loan As- sociation, having been first elected in 1902, being elected treasurer in 1907 and presi- dent in 1908. He was married on March 20, 1900, to Mrs. Winifred Grady (nee Shultz), of Olney, Illinois. She is the rep- resentative of a well known and influential family of that place. Mrs. Grady's father, Charles Shultz, came to America from Ger- many when fourteen years of age, settling first in New York City, later coming to Olney, Illinois, where he now lives engaged in general merchandise business. Mr. Shultz was married in Olney to Sarah Eliza- beth Gaddy and ten children were born to this union, Mrs. Gray, our subject's wife, being the seventh in order of birth. The commodious and well furnished home of Mr. and Mrs. Gray has been blessed with the presence of three bright and interesting children, Elizabeth, Anna Winifred and James Harvey. One singular, interesting and enjoyable feature in the life of our subject is that for fifteen years there were four generations living under one roof, and for the past eight years, and at the present time, there are four generations living. Our 550 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. subject is the only one left to perpetuate the name of his grandfather, James H. Gray. He is a member of Kinmundy Lodge No. 398, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Salem Chapter No. 64, Royal Arch Masons; Cyrene Commandery No. 23, Knights Templar, Centralia, Illinois; Oriental Consistory, S. P. R. S., and Me- dina Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of Mystic Shrine, Chicago, Illinois. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being a trustee in the same and was treasurer of the building committee when the new structure was erected in 1905. In politics he is a Republican, and while he has never aspired to positions of public trust at the hands of his fellow voters, in matters pertaining to the welfare of his township, county and state he is greatly interested and his efforts in behalf of the general progress has been far-reaching and beneficial. Mr. Gray's name is associated with progress in the county of his birth and among those in whose midst he has always lived he is held in the highest es- teem by reason of an upright life and of fidelity to principles which in every land and clime command respect. CHARLES DEAN. Americans are not hampered by the shackles of class distinction and it is every one's privilege to build the structure of his life as he sees fit. This gives us what is often termed the self-made man, a good ex- ample of which is found in the subject of our sketch, Charles Dean, of Alma township, Marion county. Mr. Dean is a descendant of that sturdy type of pioneers that pushed westward along the highway marked out by Daniel Boone in the early days of our country's history. His father, Samuel Dean, was a native of Maryland, and his mother, Cerena (Bishop) Dean, was born in Tennessee. When he was quite young his mother died, leaving the father surviving with several children. Thrown largely upon his own resources thus early in life, the boy developed that spirit of self-reliance and energy that forms such a marked character- istic of the self-made American. In 1875 Mr. Dean was married to Sarah E. Rush, who was born in Marion county. Illinois, November 14, 1851. She was the daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Hatfield) Rush, the latter still living at the age of seventy-three years, in 1908. Mr. and Airs. Dean have become the par- ents of three children, two of whom, Dollie and Daisy, died when quite young; the third, Noah, is now a practicing physician at .-\lma. As a boy he showed a keen in- terest in his studies and manifested consid- erable aptitude for the study of natural phenomena. As he approached manhood he decided to make medicine his profession, and his suc- cess in this field demonstrated his fitness for his chosen calling. He resolved to pursue his medical studies at some school of un- impeachable reputation, and finally entered BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 551 the Iowa State Medical College, Keokuk, Iowa. Here he applied himself so vigorous- ly that he soon attracted the interest of the instructors and won the admiration of his classmates. His previous experience of four years as a teacher in the Marion county public schools, gave him a broad founda- tion for his later efforts and he finished his work with a standing of third in the gradu- ating class. Since establishing himself in practice he has joined in marriage to Miss Ester Delassus, of Patoka, a lady of most excellent culture and accomplishments. As a result of his years of hard and steady work, Charles Dean has brought his farm of eighty acres to a high degree of productiveness and has gained a wide repu- tation as a stockdealer, rivaling in this re- spect the excellent reputation of his father before him. Although a Democrat in poli- tics, Mr. Dean has never given any atten- tion to questionable political methods, stand- ing at all times for a square deal for every- body concerned. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist denomination and are held in high esteem by both neighbors and friends. AIRS. HARRIET TUBES. One of the most highly respected and be- loved of the elderly ladies now living in Omega township is she whose name intro- duces this biography, a woman whose life path, like many another, has led along val- leys and hill crests of sunshine and shadow, but it has been replete with happiness and her skies have held more blue than gray, owing to the fact that early in life she adopted principles of right living, posses- sing a beautiful Christian character and al- Avays ready to bear her just share of the necessary burdens and household duties as the years filed past, and as a I'esult of such a noteworthy career Mrs. Tubbs has always made and retained hosts of warm personal friends. Mrs. Harriet Tubbs was born in Jennings county, Indiana, July 3, 1820, and will, therefore be eighty-nine years old her next birthday. Her maiden name was Harriet Smith, daughter of Thomas and Jennie Smith, a member of a family of ten chil- dren, an equal number of boys and girls, all living to manhood and womanhood, our subject being the fifth child in order of birth. Her mother's maiden name was Jen- nie Jones, who came from New Albany, New York, where her parents spent the ma- jor portion of their lives and where their four children were born and reared. Thomas Smith, her father, was born near New Al- bany on a farm, where he grew to manhood. His father, Samuel Smith, served as a sol- dier for seven years in the Revolutionary war. In 1829 he came to Jennings county, Indiana, where he spent the last days of his life with his son and family of Thomas Smith. He lived to be ninety j^ears of age. Harriet Smith spent her youth at home, and received her education in the subscrip- tion schools of that community, where she received a fairly good education, having ap- 55-' BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. plied herself in a diligent manner, despite the disadvantages encountered, sometimes having to go through blazed trails in the woods three or four miles on the farm which her father had taken from the gov- ernment. In is interesting to hear our sub- ject tell of those early times when the coun- try was yet overrun with Indians and deer abounded in great herds, and there was also plenty of bear and other wild animals. Her father and uncle took six hundred and forty acres of timbered land, which, by hard work they developed into fine farms. This family was of Methodist faith. Preachers were very scarce and were often called "saddle- bag ministers" from the fact that they al- ways rode with a leather pouch on their saddle in which their Bible and hymn books were carried. Her .parents crossed Sand Creek in a canoe in order to attend church in the school-house where it was then held, also sometimes in the houses of the set- lers. At the advanced age of eighty-eight, in 1908, our subject's mind is remarkably clear and she reverts to these early times with much pleasure and clearly elucidates upon them. She is hale and hearty, sleeps well, eats heartily and sees and hears well, retaining to a remarkable degree all her fac- ulties, and she assists with the work in the home, that of her son, Calvin, and daughter, Ella, who live on a sixty acre farm, forty of which lie in this timber, the other part being under good cultivation, producing ex- cellent crops from year to year and yielding the family a comfortable living. Politically her parents were Republicans. When the Indians visited Grandma Tubbs in an effort to get something to eat, she al- ways gave them good measure and they al- luded to her as "good squaw." She was never stingy with them and she always had their good will. Mrs. Tubbs' husband has been dead over thirty-four years, since which time she and her son have kept the farm running and have made the living for the household. Our subject came to Marion county, Illi- nois, about forty-five years ago and settled one and one fourth miles west of Omega, on a forty acre farm. She is the mother of six children, two boys and four girls, named in order of birth, as follows : Calvin, who was born in 1842; Bula, who was bom in 1844; Mary, whose date of birth occurred in 1846; Jennie, who first saw the light of day in 1850; Ella, whose date of birth fell in 1856; George, who was born in 1859. They are all living. Bula married Wil- liam Garges, living near luka, Illinois, and has a family of three sons. Mary married Hiram Chesley, a soldier in the Civil war, who lives in Louisville, Illinois. Jennie married William Switzer, and they have four children, three sons and one daughter, Lena married Irvin Jones, and who has two children, a boy and a girl. George Tubbs married Florence Robison and they have one son, Elmer. Mrs. Harriet Tubbs has seven grandchildren and four great- grandchildren, all living in Illinois. "Grand- ma Tubbs," as she is often familiarly called in her community, is much admired by all classes and her very comfortable home is often \-isited b\ her manv friends, who BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 553 delight in showing her every courtesy and to share her optimistic mind and the sun- shine of her nature. WILLIAM H. LESEMAN. From many parts of the world people have come to enjoy the advantages of the great state of Illinois, and few have re- gretted their corning. Although the per- centage of Prussians, compared with the number of inhabitants of that country and the number of immigrants from her sister nations who have settled in the land of the free, is not large, those found in this state are most progressive and they are always regarded as loyal and law-abiding citizens. The subject of this sketch is no exception to the general rule. William H. Leseman was born in Price Ninon, near Backonen, Prussia, October lo, 1834, and when ten years of age was brought to America by his parents in 1843, first settling in Washington county, this state, but not finding conditions exactly to their tastes there, finally came on to Marion county, where they located in August of 1884, and where they soon became assim- ilated with the new conditions and civiliza- tion, developing a good farm from the un- improved soil which they secured. Our subject is the son of Henry and Christina Leseman, whose family consisted of three sons and an equal number of daughters, William, our subject, having been the second in order of birth. He is the only one of the family now living. After receiving what education he could in the common schools of this county and working on his father's farm until he had reached manhood, our subject married Catherine Dewyer June 18, 1862, and soon thereafter began to work for himself on the farm. James and Catherine Dewyer were the parents of our subject's wife. There were eight children in this family, an equal number of boys and girls, Catherine, the wife of the subject, being the youngest and the only one of the children now living. The following children have been born to our subject and wife, there being eight, seven of whom are still Hving; Eddie, de- deased; Katie, Heni-y, James, Albert, Wil- liam, Alice and Walter. Mr. Leseman is the owner of one hun- dred and sixty acres of very fertile land, lo- cated in Alma township, all under a high state of cultivation. He carries on a general farming with that discretion and energy that always insure success and as a result of his able management of the place he reaps excellent harvests from year to year, making a comfortable living, and laying up an ample competency for his old age. He keeps his fields in an excellent condition, carefully rotating his crops and thereby re- taining the original richness of the soil. He has a good and comfortable dwelling which is nicely furnished, and also a good barn, and considerable farming machinery, and good stock. All this he has made himself by his own energy and wise economy. 554 BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. In politics our subject is a loyal Repub- lican and takes a great interest in political affairs. In his religious belief he seems to favor the Methodist denomination, how- ever, his parents were always Lutherans in the Fatherland. The faith of the subject's wife's people was that of the Catholic be- lief, however, they later turned Protestant, and are now Methodists. Our subject has always been known as a man of honesty and integrity and he has many friends in his community as a result of his well regulated life. WILLIAM THOMAS WILKINSON. In the subject of this review we have a representative of one of the most honored pioneer families in Marion coUnty and one who is recognized as one of the most pro- gressive farmers of his locality, owning and operating in a most successful manner at this time three farms of great value. He is regarded by all who know him as being a most capable and energetic man, broad minded and sound in his business principles. AA'illiam Thomas Wilkinson was born in Meacham township, this county, January 21, 1859, the son of H. C. Wilkinson, who was born in Kentucky in 1825, and who passed to his rest at the early age of forty- six years, but not until he had stamped his individuality upon the community where he lived. He was the father of seven children, three sons and four daughters, three of whom are now living, the subject being the third in order of birth. Our subject's mother's name in her maidenhood was Har- riet A. Nichols. She married H. C. Wil- kinson in Marion county, Illinois. Our subject spent his early life on the home farm and attended the district schools, where he applied himself in an able manner and gained a fairly good education. Mr. Wilkinson has devoted his life tO' agricultural pursuits and he has been emi- nently successful in his chosen work, hav- ing by sheer force of individuality, business acumen and persistency won his way from an humble beginning to a place of promi- nence and comparative affluence in his county, owning three farms, consisting col- lectively of three hundred and sixty-eight acres. One hundred and forty acres is in Meacham township, one hundred and forty acres in Alma township and sixty-eight acres in Kinmundy township. All these farms are under a high grade of cultivation and yield the owner a comfortable compe- tency from year to year. They all show that the owner is a man of the best modern methods of agriculture. On each of these is located a good house and out buildings. Mr. AVilkinson has various kinds of good stock on the farms. Mr. AVilkinson married Prudence Kenedy on August 17, 1882, in Marion county,' Illi- nois. She is a native of AA^ashington county and the daughter of James P. and Elizabeth (McBride) Kenedy, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Ran- dolph county, Illinois. The wife of the sub- ject was one of a family of eleven children. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS- 555 she being the eighth in order of birth. Her parents were United Presbyterians but she worships with her husband, as do all the family, in the Methodist church, of which Mr. Wilkinson is a steward. The following children have been born to the subject and wife: Bert E. is a tele- graph operator in Wyoming in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad; Claude E., Jennie P., Charles H., Irene. Bert E. mar- ried Alice Hiddleson, living in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and they have one child. Claude E. married Stella Danison, Jennie P. mar- ried John R. Telford, who lives in Kin- mundy township. Claude is a teacher in the county schools, and he farms one of his father's places. He has a good wife and a nice home. He was educated in the Kin- mundy high school. Our subject is a loyal Democrat, and he has faithfully and conscientiously served his community as Township Collecter and as Road Commissioner for three terms. He has always taken a deep interest in public affairs and his support can always be counted on in all movements looking to the general good of the locality where he lives. Considering the hardships and obstacles of his early life he deserves a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished, for his father died when he was fourteen years old and he and John H., his brother, had to help their mother raise the rest of the children. This developed a strong independent and sturdy manhood and a frugal and thrifty mentality which is very largely re- sponsible for his subsequent success in life. Prosperity seems to have attended every worthy effort he has made, with the result that before the evening of life advances upon him he finds himself and family very comfortably situated, and the future, what- ever it may have in store for him and his, inspires no shadow of fear in his breast. WILEY ROSE. One of the fascinating features of the farming industry is the opportunity it af- fords for individual effort and experiment. One can not only till the soil in raising the usual routine of crops, but he can also specialize along certain lines and thus broaden his own knowledge by experiment and in this way contribute to the knowledge and advancement in such special fields. We make mention in this connection of the name of the subject of this brief re- view, Wiley Rose, a life-long, resident of this county. Mr. Rose has not only farmed but has devoted special attention to the raising of poultiy and has given this subject considerable thought and study. As a re- sult he has become thoroughly familiar with the business and is good authority on the various phases of the industry. Mr. Rose was born on the 12th day of September, 1857, being the son of James and Peggy Ann (Burkette) Rose, who were the parents of four children, our subject being the third. Mr. Rose was brought up on the farm, an environment which is now and always has been a most wholesome one for growing youth. He received his education in the 5S6 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- neighboring district schools, and as he grew to manhood he made up his mind to inakc farming his chief occupation. On September 7, 1879, he was joined in marriage to Serelda VVooten, who was born in Ohio in October, 1861, being one of a family of nine children. This union has been blessed with a family of six children. Nora A'l. was born on January 7, 1881, and has become the wife of William Wantland and is the mother of one boy; Gertrude A. was born on the 26th of June, 1884, and was married to Frank Schaffer, being the mother of two sons; Pearl M. was born on the 26th of March, 1886, and was joined in marriage to Miss Laura Smith; Fannie B. was born on the 8th of October, 1888, and has become the wife of Albert Smith; Elmer L. and Mormon E. are still at home, the former being born on June 23, 1892, and the latter on June 12, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Rose are members of the Cumberland. Presbyterian church, and are held in high esteem by the members of the ■congregation. They stand well in the com- munity, being most accommodating in their dealings and ready at all times to lend a helping hand to whoever opportunity af- fords. Mr. Rose has been a lifelong Demo- crat, but is most pronounced in his stand for a fair and honest discharge of all offi- cial duties. He maintains that service in public office is not only a privilege but a sacred obligation, and should not be looked upon in any other light, except the one calling for the highest integrity and con- scientiousness. GEORGE C. WILSON. The day of the pioneer in this country is gone, and we are in the midst of a settled stability and permanency. Nevertheless, as we look about us, we find a few represen- tatives of the early days, who become at once the center of interest because they carry in their minds recollections of our hardy forefathers. In this connection we make reference to one of the sturdy farm- ers of this county, George C. Wilson. This gentleman was born in Pike county, Ohio, on November 9, 1840, being the son of Samuel and Eliza (Foster) Wilson, the former having been born on April 15, 1804, and the latter on the 17th of May, 1806 The other children of the family were John, born August 10, 1828; Richard, bom August 18, 183 1 ; Harriet, born February 12, 1833; Rachel, born May 5, 1836; Sa- rah, born July 18, 1838; George, our sub- ject ; Tilton and Thornton, twins, born May 27, 1843 ; Margaret, bom September 20, 1846. In 1842 the family removed to Illinois, where George was married October 20, 1864, to Mary J. Leckrone, the daughter of Mathias and Julia (Johnson) Leckrone, the former having been bom in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1815, and the latter in Licking county, Ohio, Janu- ary 24, 1 82 1. The following list gives the children of the Leckrone family : William, born November 10. 1838; Mary J.. Decem- ber, 1840; John, May i. 1843: Harvey, August 29, 1847. bom in Illinois; Sarah, BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 557 January 25, 1852; George, July 30, 1861. Air. and Mrs. \^'ilson have become the parents of the following children : Theo- dore Edgar, a teacher, and who is now an acting Justice of the Peace, was married to a ;\Iiss Appleman; Samuel M., married to Myrtle Maxfield; Harry E. married Louise See, and is now practicing medicine at Cen- tralia, Illinois; Frank O. married Carrie Coombs and is now filling the pulpit of the Alethodist church at Bunker Hill; two children, Harvey and Emma, are deceased. Mr. ^^'ilson has followed farming all his life and has been not only successful but progressive as well. He has taken good care of himself in evei-y way, never having used tobacco or liquors in any form. Look- ing back over the vista of his years he often speaks of the little log cabin of his early days and the pioneer experiences of the times. A precious as well as interesting family relic in this home is a chair made in 1846 by his father, who was a tanner. The bottom is made of calf-skin, sewed with w'hang, and the leather is as good as new today. Mrs. Wilson takes pleasure also in bringing out a china plate given to her by her mother upon her marriage to Mr. Wil- son. Those were the days of the loom and the spinning wheel, and the old wheel now set aside as a family treasure was kept busy for many a year by the skillful hands of Mrs. Wilson herself. She spun all the clothing for the men, and has today a quilt of three colors, red, white and blue, spun by her own hands. There was no need in those days for schools of manual training, as each household was a school in itself, and one not excelled by the later day insti- tutions. No roads nor bridges were in es- istence at that time, and experiences with all kinds of wild game were quite common. Wild forests and untilled land occupied the places where the neighboring towns now stand, and Mr. Wilson speaks of the time when he had to go to Salem to vote. Doctor Wilson, brother of our subject, at one time hauled his oats to St. Louis and sold them for fifteen cents per bushel. Mr. ^^'ilson adheres to the tenets of the Republican party, and together with his wife, affiliates with the Methodist church. GEORGE W. STRATTON. It affords great pleasure and satisfaction to anyone to be able to refer to his an- cestors as worthy representatives of noble character or specific achievement. Perhaps one of the most- interesting and universally admired characteristics of many of our forefathers was their bravery and self-sacri- fice when our Republic was in danger and the great willingness on their part to stake their all in its defense. This is especially true when we find that our line of fore- fathers includes members of the Revolu- tionary troops. Viewed through the per- spective of the years that have gone by, we are almost amazed at their heroic spirit. A descendant of one of these heroes is George W. Stratton, of Alma township, this county, 558 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Mr. Stratton was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, on the last day of the year 1832. As intimated above his grand- father was an officer in the Continental army under Washington, and did valiant service in the cause of liberty and union. His father was William Stratton and his mother Mary Farley. They were devout members of the Christian church. George received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood and early be- gan work on his own responsibility. He was the second of five children and came to Marion county in 1875. He has devoted the most of his time to farming and stock raising and has succeeded in carrying out his ideas and methods to a most successful issue. On February 16, 1854, he was united in marriage to Catherine M. Alperman, and this union has resulted in the birth of the following children: Mary J., wife of Rob- ert Wright, of Oklahoma, and the mother of one child. She was again married after his decease; Elias B., deceased, married Anna Eaton, to whom were born three chil- dren; Alice E., wife of Aaron Hutchinson; Philip R. married Marie Marshall, and they are the parents of five children, two of whom are deceased; William Edwin married Dor- othy Kagy, and has a family of two chil- dren; Emma, deceased. Mrs. Stratton was one of a family of six children, she being the second in order of birth. The Stratton farm of eighty acres is one of the best kept and productive homesteads in the neighborhood and stands as a tes- timonial to what hard work and steady, intelligent application can accomplish. Mr. and Mrs. Stratton are members of the Christian church and are willing and efficient workers. No one receives from them anything but kind and considerate treatment and the social atmosphere of the home is one appreciated by their many friends and neighbors. Politically Mr. Stratton is a believer in Democracy, and ad- heres to the party's principles, though never an aspirant to public preferment. ANDREW NEEPER. Our subject has devoted his life, which has been a long and busy one, to farming in Ohio and this state, having maintained his home in A'larion county for over forty years, where he has prospered and has done much for the upbuilding of the community at large, and as a result of his honorable record, his public-spirit and his genial man-- ners, he has won a position of honor and trust in this county that will be permanent. Andrew Neeper was bom in Brown county, Ohio, August 26, 1834, the son of Thomas Neeper, who was bom December 29, 1809, in AA''estmoreland county. Penn- sylvania, and he was three years old when his mother brought him to Ohio, settling in Brown countv. There were seven children in this family, all of whom lived to matu- rity. The maiden name of the subject's grandmother was Dorcas Kerr. The maid- BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 559 en name of the subject's mother was Lucy Shelton, daughter of Thomas Shehon, who was born in West Virginia, and he came to Kentucky where Lucy was born January II, 1811. The family of the subject's par- ents consisted of eleven children, six boys and five girls, all having grown to maturity except one, and all lived in Ohio, Andrew, our subject, having been the second child in order of birth. The early education of our subject was partly obtained in Kentucky, where he at- tended ^^'oodlawn Seminary in Mason county. He later attended Antioch Col- lege in Greene county, Ohio, under the di- rection of the great scholar and eminent president, the late Horace Mann of literary fame, which college, it will be remembered, was the second college to be established in the United States to believe in the co-educa- tion of girls with their brothers, Oberlin being the first. After gaining an excellent education, Mr. Neeper began his career as a teacher, and successfully taught in common schools for a period of four years, in the meantime he followed farming. Our subject says he weighed only one and one-half pounds at his birth, could turn a summersault in a quart cup, but he has outlived many of his sturdier col- leagues, is now in his seventy-fourth year, is hale and hearty and able to carry on busi- ness aiifairs with that discretion and energy that have always characterized his life work. He is now in active work writing the history of the Keith family or the house of Keith of Scotland. This is from his wife's line- age, and the Randolph and the Pocahontas people were their ancestors in the early Vir- ginia days. This family is also related to Chief Justice Marshall of the United States. Besides this work, Mr. Neeper works daily on his fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he has well improved and suc- cessfully managed until it is one of the best in the township. It is intersected by the Illinois Central Railroad. In his home may be found a good library of as- sorted and well selected books, many kinds of periodicals and magazines, possi- bly more than can be found in the homes of any five men in the township. He lives alone at present, and rents his farm, how- ever, he oversees its management. Mr. Neeper came to Marion county in 1866, when thirty-two years old, and pur- chased land of D. C. Moore, who bought it of the railroad company which was formerly state government land. Andrew Neeper was united in marriage on February 2, 1857, to Mary Lattitia Keith, who was born in Mississippi, Sep- tember 16, 1836, and who moved to Ken- tucky with her parents where she grew to womanhood and was educated, and where she married our subject. She was a woman of many beautiful attributes of character and mind. She was called to her rest while living in Marion county, Illinois, in 1884, at the age of fifty years. Their union was happy and most harmonious withal, al- though one that was fraught with nearly all the vicissitudes of early pioneer experi- 560 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ences. To this union seven children were liorn, three having died in infancy or youth. They are : Lucy, who first married Alexan- der Lock, by whom she had one child, Mary E. Her second marriage was with William Burkett, by whom two chil- dren have been born, a boy and a girl. Thomas K., was the second child born to the subject and wife. He married Kate .Tay- lor, and they became the parents of three children, two of whom are living, one being deceased. Noble H., the third child, married Polly Conant, and they have seven children : Clement G. married Margaret Conant, sis- ter of Polly, and they are the parents of one child, a son. The other three children are deceased. Politically Mr. Neeper claims to be an anarchist, but he votes the Democratic- Socialist ticket. He was formerly affiliated with the Greenbackers. He is also a Populist party man, but none of these give the full idea to his mind, being a liberal thinker and widely read on all current questions of the day. He does not believe in war or harm to any man or child. He holds that parents have no authority to punish their children, only to teach or direct them. In his educational work he never would and never did punish a pupil, and he says he has had no occasion to do so. Religiously he has never belonged to any church. However, he is not opposed to the church in principle, but is opposed to the manner in which they are conducted. Mr. Neeper took no side in the war be- tween the states, remaining neutral, as war was opposed to his code of moral principles. He was drawn into the Ohio state militia, but never carried a musket. He is a very interesting man in his conversation, being a deep thinker and widely read, and he is honored by all who know him, for his con- sistent and well regulated life, his honesty, sincerity and genuine worth, and he has hosts of friends throughout the county. ALLEN COPE. For nearly half a century the subject of this review was a well known resident of Marion county. He was a man of many talents, having been a successful lawyer for several years prior to 1861, at which time he located upon a farm in Tonti township and turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits. He also became an enthusiastic stu- dent of horticulture and for many years was recognized as one of the leading authorities upon this subject in Southern Illinois, as well as a practical demonstrator of the same. He was one of the first citizens of Marion county to engage in the fruit business upon an extensive and systematic scale, develop- ing one of the largest and most successful fruit industries in the pioneer history of hor- ticultural pursuits in the county. Allen Cope was born near New Water- ford, Columbiana county, Ohio, August 4, 1827, where he resided until 1845. For nine years he resided at Salem, Ohio, where he was engaged in a mercantile business. In ALLEN COPE. SARAH A. COPE. BRINKERHOFF'S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 561 1854 he came to Fairfield, Illinois, where he studied and practiced law with Judge Charles Beecher. Owing to ill health he retired from the law in i860 and the following year located upon a farm in Tonti township, Marion county, where he developed one of the finest fruit farms in the county. It was here that he passed to his reward, October 24, 1907, at the age of eighty years. Mr. Cope's career as a horticulturist be- gan with his removal to Marion county. He planted forty acres of apples in the springs of 1861 and 1863, a very large area indeed for that period. It is worthy of note, too, in this connection that he was one of the first to plant largely of the Ben Davis vari- ety. This venture proved successful and as this orchard began to fail he planted again from time to time, and indeed his labors ceased only with the coming of his long rest. Mr. Cope was an active member of the State Horticultural Society and of its subordinate society, the Southern Illinois Horticultural Society. He was a member of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, and was born and reared a Quaker. Originally a Whig in politics and a strong abolitionist, it was but natural that he should become a Republican upon the birth of that party, and for many years he was an ardent supporter of its principles and an active worker in the ranks. In late years, how- ever, he espoused the cause of Democracy, believing that the latter party adhered more closely to the principles of Lincoln Repub- 36 licanism. Having been a lawyer of more than ordinaiy ability and always a student and an observer, Mr. Cope wielded no small amount of influence in his community and his opinions upon the leading questions of the day were always treated with great re- spect. He was a man of many sterling qualities, successful in business and influen- tial in his community, and was also known as a public spirited man of the most scrupu- lously honest type. Mr. Cope was united in marriage at Sa- lem April 16, 1856, with Miss Sarah A. Ray, who was born near London, Madison county, Ohio, June 30, 1834, Mrs. Cope be- ing a daughter of Jesse and Helen (Warner) Ray. The Ray family was of English de- scent, the grandparents on the Ray side be- ing natives of Virginia, who later settled in Madison county, Ohio. The Warners were of Scotch-Irish descent, the great-grandfa- ther of Mrs. Cope having been born in Dub- lin. Jesse Ray, the father of Mrs. Cope, was one of the well known and highly honored pioneers of Marion county, having secured land from the government near Salem and locating thereon in 1839. He entered seven hundred acres of land in Tonti township, the present Cope home being a portion of the original grant. Mr. Ray developed and im- proved a good farm and became one of the largest and most successful farmers and stock growers in the county. He moved from the farm to Salem in order to give his children an education, where he operated a hotel and also engaged in merchandising, in 562 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. the meantime canying on farming opera- tions. He finally returned to the farm, where he died August 27, 1859. Mr. Ray was one of those patriotic sons who participated in the Mexicon war, having enlisted in 1847. He was with his regiment until the close of hostilities and experienced many hardships and privations in the long and tedious march across the desert to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and back again, every mile of which was covered on foot. He was a man of much sterling worth and influence in his commu- nity and accomplished much for the improve- ment and development of his section of the county. Mrs. Cope was five years old when she came with her parents to Marion county. She attended the country schools and later went to Salem with the family, where she received a liberal education, having applied herself in a most assiduous manner to her studies. After her marriage with Mr. Cope, as above indicated, she resided in Fairfield, this state, for a few years, where her hus- Illinois, he invested his savings in cattle, which he drove to Ohio and sold at a liberal profit, the venture proving so suc- cessful that he decided to continue the busi- ness. During the several years following he made a number of trips to and from Illi- nois , buying cattle and disposing of them at handsome figures, and in this way laid the foundation of what subsequently became an ample fortune. After his marriage to Miss Kagy, which took place in Marion county, Illinois, in 1848, he located in what is now Stevenson township, where he en- tered a large tract of land and engaged in fanning and stock raising, devoting especial attention to the breeding of cattle, in which he met with the most gratifying success. Later he became interested in public affairs and in due time rose to a position of consid- erable influence among his fellow citizens, who in recognition of valuable political serv- ices elected him in 1866 to the lower house of the Legislature. Mr. Stevenson was one of the leading Democrats of his day in Marion county and achieved a wide reputation throughout the state as an able and adroit politician. He filled worthily a number of positions of honor and trust, won the esteem of the people ir- respective of party alignment and became one of the most popular men of his time in Southern Illinois. In connection with farm- ing and stock raising he held large interests in the Sandoval coal mines and was also a heavy stockholder in the Salem National Bank and appeared to succeed in all of the enterprises to which he devoted his atten- tion. He not only gave his children the best educational advantages the country af- forded, but also provided liberally for their material welfare by giving each a good start when they left home to begin life for them- selves. He was long a sincere member of the Baptist church, as was also his wife, and spared no pains in instructing his children in the truths of religion and the necessity of moral conduct as the only basis of a true and successful life. Mrs. Stevenson died in 1876 and her husband in the year 1899, the loss of both being greatly deplored and pro- foundly mourned by their many friends in Marion and other counties of Southern Il- linois. The children of Samuel E. and Elizabeth Stevenson, nine in number, were as follows: Clara B., wife of Hon. D. W. Holstlaw: Marion T., a farmer and stock dealer of Marion county; Joanna, widow of the late Aaron Warner, of Stevenson township, where she now resides ; Edgar, for some years one of the leading teachers of Marion county and a young man of noble aims and high ideals, who departed this life Novem- ber, 1878, in the prime of his physical and mental powers. He began school work at BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 705 the age of eighteen, soon attained an hon- orable standing as an educator, and at the time of his death was considered one of the finest and most accompHshed instructors in this part of the state. Homer R., the fifth in order of birth, married Clara Humphries and devotes his attention to farming, in which his success has been very gratifying. Van C, who married Ella Brunton, lives on the old family homestead and ' is also a suc- cessful tiller of the soil; Frank M., the sev- enth of the family, was graduated from Illi- nois College in 1886, and the year following was killed by lightning. He, too, was a young man of intelligence and culture and his untimely death terminated what prom- ised to be a useful and honorable career. Anna, who married Frank Boynton, of Sa- lem, is deceased, and Maggie, the youngest of the family, is the wife of W. E. Ii-vin, and lives in Salem. THOMAS M. LANE. The honorable gentleman whose name ap- pears above is entitled to wear the badge indicating that he is one of the brave "boys in blue," and while some casual thinker might not attach much importance to this fact, those who rightly consider the matter know that no greater badge of honor could be conferred upon a man. Thomas M. Lane was bom in Madison county, Ohio, August 19, 1844, the son of Hooper and Margaret (Martin) Lane, who 45 were the parents of four children, our sub- ject being the oldest in order of birth. Hoop- er Lane was born in Ohio, as was also his wife. The early education of the subject of this sketch was gained in Washington county, Iowa, where he was reared on a farm and labored hard as a boy and young man until 1 86 1, when on June 15th of that year, being unable to resist the call of his government for help in its hour of need, he enlisted in the Tenth Iowa Infantry, under Colonel Parsell, of Keokuk, Iowa, and was mustered into the service of the United States Sep- tember 28, 1 86 1. He was in Company D, under Captain Berry, of Boone county, Iowa. He remained with this company un- til 1863, taking part in all its engagements, when he re-enlisted at Huntsville, Alabama, and was transferred to Company E of the same regiment as a veteran, April i, 1864, by Captain York, under Captain Shepherd and Colonel Strong. Our subject made a most gallant soldier, having fought in twen- ty-eight battles and skirmishes. He was dis- charged August 15, 1865, at Little Rock, Arkansas, by Adjt. Gen. N. B. Baker. After the war Mr. Lane returned to Wash- ington county, Iowa, where he remained for two years and devoted his time to fanning. He then turned his attention to railroading in 1867, in the fall of that year beginning work on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad at East St. Louis. From there he went to North Missouri, where he was employed on the Wabash Railroad for two years. He then went to the Rock Island Railroad, run- yo6 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ning as a brakeman from Davenport to Des Moines. He was also switchman and final- ly conductor for the Hannibal Railroad, from St. Joseph to Hannibal, Missouri. He then went to the Missouri Pacific Railroad, running from St. Louis to Chamoise, Mis- souri. Mr. Lane then was employed by the C. B. & U. P., a branch of the Missouri Pa- cific Railroad; later he went to the Illinois CentaJ Railroad as yard crew conductor, which position he held for eight years in the East St. Louis yards. While thus employed our subject had the misfortune to lose his right hand on October 14, 1897. When he recovered from this injury he was placed on the detective force of this road, in which capacity he remained until 1900, when he resigned and came to Clinton county, where he bought a fruit farm, which business he followed for two years, when he sold out and came to Centralia, where, on February 19, 1902, he foiTTied a partnership and launched in the real estate business, later purchasing his partner's interest and be- came sole manager of the "Home Real Es- tate Company," of Centralia, and he now enjoys a good, thriving business. Mr. Lane became widely known during his railroading days, giving the various companies for which he worked entire satis- faction, being regarded by them as one of the most trusted and efficient employes, al- ways at his post and conscientious in his work, so that he was always highly recom- mended for his services. He enjoys the full confidence of his numerous friends. His long and wide experience in army and rail- road life has made him a reader of men and a most appreciative neighbor. He votes the Republican ticket, having first voted for Abraham Lincoln at Savannah, Georgia. He was reared by pious Methodist parents. Our subject is unassuming and open hearted and honest to the core. F. H. BAUER. All honor should be due the men who turn the ideal into the practical, inaugurate such conditions and crystalize into the probable and actual what appear to be wild flights of fancy and imagination. It is of such a man that the biographer here essays to write. F. H. Bauer, the well known proprietor of the Centralia Steam Laundry, one of the busiest places in the city, was born in Ma- rion county, Illinois, September 11, 1866, the son of Fred and Amelia (Ruple) Bauer, in whose family there were two sons, our subject being the older. Mr. Bauer was educated in the Centralia public schools and the high school. Being ambitious to receive a business education he attended the night schools in St. Louis, Mis- souri, where he made a splendid record. He began his life work when eighteen years old by entering the employ of the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad. He worked for some time as fireman and was later promoted to locomo- tive engineer, and for a period of twelve years gave entire satisfaction in whatever ca- pacity he sei-ved, and being regarded by the BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 707 company as one of the most trusted and valuable employes. After his railroad experience he turned his attention to mining- in the Joplin (Mis- souri) zinc and lead mine district, where he remained one year, after which he returned to Centralia, Illinois, and took the occupa- tion of tonsorial artist, which he pursued with marked success for a period of four years, at the expiration of which time he pur- chased the laundry plant originally known as Ormsby & Ormsby laundry, having been started in 1880. H. C. Watts bought the •Ormsby plant and run it for several years, when his interests were purchased by the ■enterprising and hustling subject of this sketch. Mr. Bauer at once proceeded to re- model the plant throughout, replacing the old worn-out machinery with latest models and most up-to-date equipment in every re- spect. He also rebuilt the engine in every part. Outside of the large cities this is one of the oldest laundries in the state and none turns out better work, for the plant is ■equipped with the best machinery obtainable and only expert employes are to be found here. Useless to say that with such an en- terprising man at the head of this old es- tablished institution that it at once assumed new life and his success was instantaneous, bis patronage having steadily increased from the first. When he first assumed charge the total income of the plant was only sixty-five •dollars per week. Mr. Bauer has increased this to two hundred dollars per week. In 1901 this plant employed only three girls; now thirteen are constantly employed. The main room of this plant is one hundred and forty feet long by twenty-four feet wide and the capacity is now over-crowded. Work is done in this laundry for all surrounding towns as far east as Wayne City and as far north as Kinmundy, west to Evansville, Il- linois, and south to Herrin. They do hotel, barber shop and family washings for more than one hundred and fifty patrons per week. The domestic life of Mr. Bauer dates from October 30, 1891, when he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Louise Jones, the daughter of a well known family, and to this union one child has been born, Wen- dell A., whose date of birth occurred Feb- ruai^y 20, 1901. Our subject was reared a German Luth- eran. He is an ardent Democrat in his po- litical beliefs. He holds membership in the following orders in CentraHa : Masons, Blue Lodge No. 201 ; Chapter No. 93 ; Council No. 28 ; Knights Templar No. 26 ; Knights of Pythias No. 26; Pythian Sisters, Lotus Temple No. 8; Odd Fellows No. 179; En- campment No. 75. He is also a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers No. 37. Mr. Bauer takes a great interest in lodge work. BURDEN PULLEN. As a member of one of the pioneer fami- lies of this country, Mr. Pullen calls for recognition in a compilation of the province 7o8 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOJS. assigned to the one at hand, and it is a pleas- ure to enter this review of his upright and successful career, for he has ever been faith- ful in the performance of whatever duty he found to be his, without thought of reward or praise from his fellow men. Burden Pullen was born in Mercer coun- ty, New Jersey, June 8, 1833, the son of James B. and Sarah (McCabe) Pullen. Grandfather Pullen, who was of English descent, lived in New Jersey and died at the advanced age of ninety-eight years. He de- voted his life to agricultural pursuits and reared to maturity a family of nine children. His noble life companion was a faithful member of the church. Grandfather Mc- Cabe, who was of Scotch-Irish blood, lived on a farm, and both he and his wife lived to advanced ages, rearing a large family. The father of the subject was reared in New Jersey, and being poor, his parents could not give him the school advantages that he de- sired. However, he made the best use pos- sible of what he had, and after leaving school learned the cooper's trade, although he never worked at it to any extent. He left New Jer- sey in 1839 and settled in Middletown, Ohio, going into the fruit and nursery business and developing into a well known and prom- inent horticulturist, the study of which he had begun before leaving New Jersey, and devoted his life to that business with pro- nounced success. He died at the age of- sixty-five years, having been survived by a widow until she reached eighty-six. They were members of the Baptist church and their family consisted of nine children. The early education of the subject of this sketch was obtained in the district schools of Ohio, where he diligently applied him- self. Desiring to receive a higher educa- tion, he later entered Franklin College in Indiana, but on account of sickness was obliged to leave before finishing the course he had hoped to take. He worked on his father's fruit farm and was with him as an associate in the business until 1856, when he came to Centralia, Illinois, then being twen- ty-three years old. He opened a nursery, becoming a horticulturist of more than lo- cal note. He bought the place where he now resides in 1857. The place consisted of seventy acres and all of it was used as a nur- sery and fruit farm. Much of his land is now laid out in city lots and has been sold. He closed the nursery branch and gradually worked all into the horticulture line, which he made a great success. Mr. Pullen's happy married life dates from December 10, 1857, when he was unit- ed in the bonds of wedlock with Lucille O. Gex, a native of Kentucky. Her ancestry was of French descent. Her grandparents on the mother's side were named Price. They were from England and her grandfather was a Baptist minister. Her father was an educated man, a linguist. He was a planter in Kentucky and a slave holder. Nine children have been born to the sub- ject and wife, named in order of birth as follows: Lucian C. is married and the fa- ther of four children : Rena is the wife of E. S. Condit and the mother of two children r Maud, who was the wife of Dr. George Ab- bott, is deceased ; Blanche is also deceased ; , May is the wife of Charles P. Marshall and BRINKEEHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 709 the mother of two children; Fred is mar- ried and has one child ; Rome B. is the sev- enth child and Bird G. the eighth, the latter married and has two children ; Lillie is the youngest and the wife of Raymond A. Beck and the mother of one child. The subject's first wife died in 1891, and he was again married September 13, in 1893, to Mrs. Anna E. Russell, of Clinton county, Illinois. Our subject is one of the original organ- izers of the local First Baptist church, of Centralia, and is the only living member of the original organization. In politics he was originally a Whig, then a Republican, but in late years a Democrat. He was a mem- ber of the State Board of Agriculture, hav- ing been vice-president of the same for twen- ty years. He was one of the Commission- ers appointed by the Governor to take charge of the Illinois exhibit at the World's Fair in 1893 ^t Chicago, and was chairman of the Committee on Horticulture and Floriculture. He spent two years in this work, having charge of and preparing the grounds and buildings for this display. He was for some time Trustee of the University of Illinois, by appointment of Governor Oglesby, hav- ing been Chairman of the Committee on Grounds. He was also Auditor of the State Board of Agriculture, having had charge of the purchasing department and a number of other departments. He has had charge of some one of these departments for the past twenty years. Mr. Pullen, besides having been a very busy man in this line, has also had other business of much importance. He assisted in the organization of the Merchants' State Bank of Centralia and was its first presi- dent, having faithfully performed the duties of this exacting position for a period of six years, and withdrew on account of physical disability. E. S. Condit, a grandson of the subject, is now assistant cashier of this bank. Mr. Pullen was one of the organizers of the Centralia Ice and Cold Storage Company, and has been its president ever since it was first organized. His son, Fred, is secretary and business manager of the same and has ably filled this position since 1898. Mr. Pullen has long taken an active in- terest in public affairs and he has served creditably as School Trustee and Director, also Township Supervisor. He was active in the District Fair Association and was the first president of the same, having been chosen by acclamation, and it was largely due to his efficient efforts that the success of the fair was due. Whatever of success has been attained by our subject is due entirely to his own industry, energy and ability. From small beginnings he gradually, by the most honorable methods, attained a prominence in his county which entitles him to be regard- ed as one of its leading citizens, his reputa- tion being that of a man of business in- tegrity, and his modern home is often the gathering place for numerous friends of himself and family. yio BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. LEVI BRANCH. There can be no greater honor than to sei-ve one's country honestly and conscien- tiously in any capacity, but when the na- tion's integrity is at stake and it becomes necessary for the citizen soldiery to leave plow and workshop and go into the conflict, risking limb and life, it is a much greater sacrifice and the honor attached thereto is higher than almost any other known to man. Of this worthy class belongs the subject of this sketch, a veteran of the war between the states, who has long led an active and useful life in Marion county. Levi Branch was born in Meigs county, Ohio, January 3, 1843, the son of Samuel S. and Elizabeth (Smith) Branch, the former a native of Vermont, of hardy New England stock, having been born there December 27, 1 80 1. He was a farmer and also a Baptist preacher. Grandfather Stephen Branch moved to Ohio when Samuel was an infant of twelve months. There were three boys and one girl in their family. He died Jan- uary 29, 1862. Elizabeth Smith, mother of the subject, was born in Pennsylvania Au- gust 4, 1806. Samuel S. Branch and wife were the parents of seven children, four boys and three girls, of whom Levi, our subject, is the sixth child in order of birth. He was the son of Samuel S. Branch's third wife. There was one son by his first wife and one daughter by his second wife. A half broth- er of the subject was also in the Union army and five of the Branch brothers were in the Civil war, all of whom returned home after their enlistments had expired. Levi Branch enlisted at Springfield, Illinois, and he left Wayne county April 27, 1863, being a mem- ber of Company M, Fifth Illinois Cavalry, under Colonel McConnell and Capt. R. N. Jessup. His first active service was in a skirmish in Missouri and he was captured near Collinsville, Tennessee, where he and three of his comrades were held for twenty- four hours and were then sent to Memphis on fictitious parole given by the colonel in the saddle. He was discharged at Spring- field October 27, 1865, after having made an excellent record as a soldier, returning to \\^ayne county and took up farming after the war. Mr. Branch was married to Clarinda Phil- lips January 3, 1864, and to this union six children have been bom, all deceased. The oldest daughter, Ida E., who was a grad- uate of the Centralia high school, died when twenty-four years of age. The other chil- dren died in infancy. Clarinda Phillips, the daughter of John and Harriett Phillips, of Waj^ne county, Il- linois, is the third child in a family of five children, all girls. Mr. and Mrs. Branch moved from Wayne county to Austin, Min- esota, in 1876, where they remained one year, then came to Rice county, Kansas, where they remained for fifteen years, and in 1892 moved to Centralia, where Mr. Branch followed the carpenter's trade, hav- ing done considerable contracting also in this city. He has always been known as a very able workman, his services being satis- factory to all concerned, for he is conscien- tious and painstaking. In politics Mr. Branch is a Republican, BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 711 but he is a great admirer of William J. Bryan, for whom he voted three times. In religion he adheres to the Baptist faith, in which he was reared, but he joined the Christian church, and is a faithful attendant of the same. He is known to be a man of uprightness and honest in all his dealings with his fellow men, and he has won many friends since coming to Centralia, where he has been very successful in his line of busi- ness. JOHN A. SNODGRASS. The gentleman whose name initiates this sketch has shown by a long life of industry and honesty that he is entitled to a place in the history of Marion county. John A. Snod- grass was born August 28, 1836, in Scott county, Indiana, the son of Samuel Snod- grass, a native of Kentucky, who was born in 1800 and who married Mira Hardy, of New Hampshire. He lived in Kentucky un- til 1818, when he went to Jefiferson county, Indiana, with his father, Hugh, where he lived until his death in 1850. He was a farmer and a member of the Christian church, also a temperance worker and a member of the Sons of Temperance. His wife died in 1851. Seven children were born to them, namely: Norma, deceased; Marion, who died in Pilot Knob, Missouri, in 1863, was a soldier in the Union army; Tirzah is single and always lived with the subject; Mary married Solomon Cutshall, a farmer at Patoka, Illinois; John, subject of this sketch ; Alonzo, a plasterer in Okla- homa, was in Company H, Twenty-second Illinois Infantry, for two years, later re-en- listing; Lambert, who is deceased, lived with the subject in Centralia. John A. Snodgrass received a limited ed- ucation in the subscription schools of the early days. He lived at home, assisting with the work about the place, until the Presi- dent's call for loyal citizens to aid in sup- pressing the rebellion induced him to enter the conflict, having enlisted in September, 1862, in Company H, Twenty-second In- diana Volunteer Infantry at Lexington, In- diana. He was sent to Kentucky and Ten- nessee, and was in the engagements at Per- ryville, Lancaster, Nolansville and Murfrees- boro, having fought seven days at Stone River. He was taken sick after that battle and was in the field hospital, later sent to Nashville, still later to Louisville, suffering with rheumatism and fever, becoming so sick that he was given up by the physicians to die. He was discharged from the army for disability, October 20, 1863, after which he returned home, where he remained until the spring of 1866, when he came to Illinois and located one mile west of Central City on a farm. He then came to Centralia township, where he remained three years, moving one and one-half miles south of Centralia, where he has remained for the past twenty-six years. He bought a home and three lots in Centralia, and in 1900 purchased his pres- ent splendid home at 1301 South Locust street. He has farmed, made brick and teamed, making a success at each. He re- tired in 1906. Mr. Sodgrass was married in 1868 to 712 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Mary Crawford, of Centralia, the daughter of Zachariah Crawford, of Kentucky, who in 1840 came to Illinois, locating two miles west of Centralia. He was a blacksmith and also owned a good farm. The subject's wife passed away in 1870. Mr. Snodgrass has one daughter, Lulu, who is the wife of Charles Phillips, of Centralia. He is now engaged in the round house of the Illinois Central Railroad. Our subject has reared two of his brother's children, John and Lizzie Snod- grass. Mr.- Snodgrass is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the post at Centralia, and his sister is a member of the Christian church. Our subject is a fine old man whom everybody likes and everybody respects and honors for his life of industry and loyalty to high principles. THOMAS F. MEAGHER. The subject of this sketch is one of the well known men of Centralia, and his resi- dence in Marion county has shown him to be a man of business ability and honesty of purpose so that he has won the confidence of those with whom he has come in contact. Thomas F. Meagher was born December 23, 1848, in Toronto, Canada, the son of James W. and Anna (Ryan) Meagher, the former a native of the county of Tipperary, Ireland, as was also his wife, where they grew up and married. He was a carpenter by trade and he came to Toronto, Canada, in 1842, and in 1865 he moved with his fam- ily to Chicago, where he worked at his trade until his death in 1869, his widow having survived until 1892. They were members of the Catholic church and they were the parents of the following children; Joseph P., who was in the United States navy dur- ing the rebellion and later a policeman and butcher in Chicago; Thomas F., our sub- ject; Harry is a painter and foreman in the Denver & Rio Grand Railroad shops in Colo- rado City, Colorado. He was cjuartermaster in the army for five years under General Miles. Maria is the widow of Samuel Pal- ing and lives in Chicago; Margaret is the widow of Jerome P. Merrill, of Chicago. Our subject went to the common schools and later educated himself. He and his brother Joseph went in the fall of 1864 to Chicago and followed the lakes for five years steamboating, and he was for three years in the wholesale house of J. W. Doane & Co., of Chicago. After this he went into the land office of the Illinois Central Railroad in Chicago. During the great fire of Octo- ber 8 and 9, 1871, he saved all the land records and books of this company. After the fire the office was moved to Centralia and the subject came here to look after the business. He continued in the land office and also traveled all over the country for this road as traveling land agent, selling land and collecting and looking after their interests in general. In 1882 he was ap- pointed Deputy Revenue Collector of the Thirteenth United States District of Illi- nois for one term. After this he returned BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY. OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 713 to the employ of the Illinois Central, with which he remained until 1884. He was re- garded by this company as one of the most tmsted and indispensable employes. Mr. Meagher was united in marriage No- vember 3, 1872, with Mary A. Lawler, who was born in Chicago, the daughter of- Mich- ael and Johanna (Phelan) Meagher, both natives of Tipperary county, Ireland. They came singly when young people to America and settled in Chicago when the country thereabout was a wilderness. He was a gardener by trade and also teamed exten- sively. He helped lay out the famous Lin- coln park of that city, putting out trees, etc. He died in 1893 and his wife died in 1898. Their children were: Mary A., the subject's wife; John, who is with J. W. Reedy Elevator Company in Chicago; Ed- ward is a street car conductor in Rochester, New York ; William is shipping clerk for a candy manufacturing firm in Chicago ; Mar- garet is single and living in Chicago; The- resa is single and operating a hair dressing establishment at 92 State street, Chicago; Sarah is the wife of J. W. Reedy, of Chi- cago. Ten children have been born to the subject and wife, as follows : Frank J. is single and living at home, clerking in the offices of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in Centralia ; Margaret is saleslady at Marshall Field's & Co., Chicago.; Mary is saleslady at Hartman's Dry Goods Company, Centra- lia; Thomas T. is a machinist on the Big Four Railroad at Mattoon, Illinois; James W. is a cigarmaker in Naples, New York; Henry Edward is foreman of The Democrat office in Centralia; Charles A., who died at the age of twenty-one years, was clerk for the Illinois Central Railroad at Chicago, also in Centralia, having died February 25, 1905; Frederick D. is a machinist in Dan- ville, Illinois, for the Illinois Central Rail- road Company; Anastacia is bookkeeper at Marshall Field's & Co., Chicago; Richard T. is a boilennaker in the Illinois Central shops at Centralia. In 1884 the subject was elected Circuit Clerk and County Recorder of Marion coun- ty, serving with much credit for a period of four years. He has always been active in politics and is a loyal Democrat. He is not a member of any church. He has made a success of his life work, for he has been a very industrious man and possesses rare business acumen. JOHN WOODS. The venerable and highly honored citizen of Centralia whose name appears above has through a long life of industry and fidelity to duty shown that he is worthy of a place in the history of Marion county along with his fellow citizens of worth. John Woods, a retired farmer, was born in Tennessee, De- cember 29, 1827, the son of Willis and Mary (Willis) Woods, both natives of North Car- olina, who went to Tennessee in an early day, and in 1828 came to Marion county, Illinois, settling south of Odin, taking up a 714 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. claim, later locating near Kinmundy, Illi- nois, just northwest of Centralia. He died in 1859 and his wife is also deceased. He was twice married, his last wife being Nellie Berge, of Connecticut. She is deceased. The father of the subject was always a farmer, a man well known and highly respected, a Democrat, but never aspired for office. He and his wife were members of the Christian church. Six children were born to them as follows: Louisa, deceased; John, our sub- ject; William, deceased; Mary, deceased; Green, deceased ; the youngest child died in infancy. Mr. Woods had little chance to attenri school, having lived at home until he was twenty years of age and assisted with the work about the place, attending subscrip- tion school a few months in the winter. He was married March 11, 1847, to Catherine McClelland, who was bom in April, 1831, in Centralia township, the daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Welsh) McClelland, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Tennessee. He came to Illinois in 1820, set- tling near Walnut Hill, Marion county, later coming to Romine Prairie and then to Cen- tralia township, north of Centralia in San- doval township. He secured seven hundred acres of land. He engaged extensively in farming and stock raising and became a prominent man in his locality. He held many local offices and spent the latter part of his life in the city of Centralia. He died in 1 88 1, his wife having preceded him to the si- lent land in 1848, and he married a second • time, his last wife being Mary J. Collum, of Maryland, who is deceased. Six children were born to Mr. McClelland, all by his first wife, namely: Alexander, who is now deceased, lived in Sandoval township; John went to Oregon in 1883 and died in 1906; Rachael married Thomas N. Deadman, and she is now deceased; Catherine is the wife of the subject; Elizabeth, who is deceased, married W. K. Bundy, of Raccoon town- ship; Rebecca J., who married Richard Col- lins, lives in East St. Louis. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Woods, four of whom are now living, namely: Isaac N., who remained single, is deceased; Willis died young; Mary F., who is deceased, married Asa Mattocks; Luella married William Ingrahm, of Centralia; Sarah Ellen, who remained single, is de- ceased; Cella Ruth married Erastus Root May 6, 1883, and eight children have been bom, namely; Lawrence, Nellie, John, Kate, Jessie, Clyde, Marie and Charles, all living. John died when young ; Susan married John Heyduck, of Centralia, an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad, and they are the parents of five children, Lawrence, John, William R., George H. and Ruby May, George, who was the fifth child in order of birth, is a farmer on the old home place in Centralia township, who married Martha Sanders, and they have four children, Buell, Myrtle, Helen and Mabel. After his marriage our subject and wife located in section 15, Centralia township, where he secured one hundred and sixty acres of land, which was entirely unim- proved, but he was a hard worker and soon BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 715 had a comfoitable home and carried on gen- eral farming and stock raising in a most suc- cessful manner. He was popular in his township and was School Director for four- teen years and held a number of minor of- fices. He was always a stanch Democrat and he and his good wife are members of the Christian church. Mr. Woods retired from active business life in December, 1898, and has since lived in Centralia. He and his wife are well preserved for their years and they can tell many interesting things that hap- pened in the early days in Marion county. WILLIAM D. NEWMAN. This venerable citizen of Centralia ranks with Marion county's conspicuous figures, having been one of the sterling pioneers from Eastern Tennessee, from whence so many men came to this state and did so much in its upbuilding, William D. New- man having been born in Blount county, that state, August 13, 1833, twelve miles south of Knoxville, the son of Louis J. and Rachael (Logan) Newman, both natives of Blount county, Tennessee, the former the son of David and Elizabeth (Phillips) New- man, also of the above named county, who came to Illinois in 1833 and settled five miles west of Richview in Washington coun- ty, where he secured three hundred acres of land, which he later added to, dealing ex- tensively in stock growing and general farming, and he became a prominent man in that locality. Daniel died in 1840 and his wife followed him to the silent land in 1852. He was a cooper by trade. Twelve children were born to them, the only one now living being Campbell Newman, in Chanute, Kan- sas. The subject's maternal grandfather was William Logan, of Tennessee, who mar- ried a Miss Edmonston, of Tennessee. They both died in that state. He was a farmer and he and his wife were the parents of four children, all deceased. The subject's father, Lewis J. Newman, was educated in the pub- lic schools and in 1854 came to Illinois, set- tling in Richview, Washington county. He was a carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade. In 1 86 1 he located in Patoka, Illinois, and lived there many years, and in 1873 went to Collins, Texas, and he died there in 1876. His wife died September 5, 1863. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. He was Justice of the Peace at Patoka and active in politics, being a Democrat. Twelve children were born to them as follows : Alexander, who formerly lived in this county, went to Texas in 1874 and died there. He was a preacher for many years in the Methodist Episcopal church. South. He was in the Thirty-first Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry. The second child was William D., our subject; Elizabeth, who is deceased, married Charles Smith, living at Patoka, Illinois; Sarah, who remained single, is deceased; Eveline, who also re- mained single, is deceased ; Lorenzo D. lives in Patoka. He is a carpenter and he mar- ried Fannie Rice. He was in Company F, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volun- yi6 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. teer Infantry; Mai'tin is deceased; Mathew C. is deceased; Henry is also deceased; George W. and Andrew J., twins, are both deceased; James lives in Dallas, Texas. William D. Newman, the subject, had only a limited schooling in the home schools. He lived at home until he reached the age of twenty-four years, and he came to Illinois in 1855, locating at Richview. He learned the carpenter's and cabinetmaker's trade with his father. He married February 11, 1858, Mary E. Gray, who was born October 3, 1840, in Tonti township, Marion county, the daughter of J. H. and Nancy M. Eddington, the former having been born in Maury coun- ty, Tennessee, in 181 7, and died in Patoka, Illinois, September 2, 1878. His wife was born in Clinton county, Illinois, October 27, 1819, and she died in 1905. J. H. Gray, a farmer, was the son of Joseph and Agnes (Denton) Gray, the former a native of Ten- nessee and the latter a French woman. They married in Tennessee and came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1820, settling near Kin- mundy. They died near the above named place. To them were born the following children : Rev. James D., of the Methodist Episcopal church; John H., Samuel, Abner, William, Martha Jane, Joseph. The chil- dren of John H. Gray and wife are as fol- lows : James D. was in Company F, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer In- fantry; Captain A. S. lives in Patoka, Illi- nois (see his sketch) ; Mary E. is the wife of the subject; Thomas Benton was clerk for Col. James S. Martin during the Civil war; Jane is deceased ; Amanda, deceased ; Henry, deceased ; Samuel died in infancy ; Albert is deceased; Alfred is deceased; Sarah, de- ceased; Hattie lives in Memphis, Tennes- see; Emma, deceased. Eleven children have been born to William D. Newman and wife, as follows : Lina, de- ceased; John A., who is in the office of the first vice-president of the Burlington Route, Telegraph Operators' Association headquar- ters in Chicago, who married Maria Wertz; Jennie, deceased; Alice, deceased; Ella, de ceased ; Nellie, deceased ; Fred, who died in Kansas City in 1904, was a telegraph op- erator, and he married Evelyn Brooks, who is the mother of three children, Claude, Floyd and Esther; Lillie, who is deceased, married Clyde Soots. She was an accom- plished musician, both in vocal and instru- mental music. Mattie, the ninth child in order of birth, is deceased; W. D. is a car- penter by trade. However, he now runs a meat market in Centralia, and he married Ethel Ralston, who is the mother of one son, Arthur, and a daughter, deceased ; Jesse B. married Mary Hollinger and they have two children, Harvey and Bessie. He is a carpenter and contractor in Centralia. After his marriage our subject and wife lived in Richview, Illinois, for three years and then went to Patoka, Marion county, where Mr. Newman engaged in the under- taking business for over thirty years, hav- ing been vei-y successful in this line of work. In February, 1901, he came to Centralia and has since that time been a successful con- tractor and builder. He is a Democrat and has long taken an active part in politics. He BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 717 joined the Masonic Order in 1870 at Pa- toka, the Blue Lodge No. 613. Mrs. New- man is a member of the Eastern Star. Mr. Newman is also a Good Templar. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and they have always been active in church and Sunday school work. Mr. Newman has a fine voice and is a great singer. He is a leader in the local church and is very prominent in church work. His past record is that of a man of genuine worth and honesty, and because of his many good qualities he is highly respect- ed wherever he is known. ALFRED J. RANDALL. Mr. Randall, real estate dealer, of 703 North Elm street, Centralia, is a man who, by his own persistent energy, ably aided no doubt, by the genial and sunny disposition which has always been his, has arrived in the front rank in his line of business, being the highest type of that which we call for want of a better name — a self-made man, and his present prosperity is entirely due to the qualities which have characterized him. Alfred J. Randall was born August 27, 1848, but a short distance from London, England's famous capital. He is a son of John and Christina Randall, his father be- ing a native of Leicestershire and his moth- er, whose maiden name was Pier, hailed from the vicinity of London. His father left school at the early age of nine years. being then apprenticed to the brick making and mason trades. In after life, in 1852, John Randall, together with his wife and two children, sailed for the shores of the United States in the sailing vessel Garrett and spent six weeks on the Atlantic voyage before arriving in New York City. They first located in Rochester, New York, and later at Decatur, Illinois, where John Ran- dall worked for the Illinois Central Rail- road, building foundations for depots and freight houses at different points between there and Centralia. In 1858 the family came to Centralia and here the father for awhile had charge of the cleaning and pol- ishing of the engines in the round house. Afterward he was for thirteen years and six months timekeeper. He was for sixteen years City Treasurer and Township Col- lector of Centralia and died in office Jan- uary 3, 1890, his wife dying the next day, January 4, 1890. He was a man well known and highly esteemed and a Repub- lican of many years' standing. He and his wife had three sons and one daughter, namely: Alfred J., our subject; Agnes Mary married Edward Farron and lives at San Bernardino, California ; Walter C. was a machinist and engineer on the Illinois Cen- tral out of Centralia for many years. He married Jennie Miller and had one daugh- ter, Ada (deceased). He and his wife live in San Bernardino, California. The other son, Charles H., was an engineer on the Il- linois Central at Centralia for many years; he is now on a railroad through San Ber- nardino, California. He married twice. 7i8 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. first to Man' Lamb, and afterward Sarah •Goddard. The subject of our sketch went to school ■only until his thirteenth year. He then started in to learn the machinist trade in the Illinois Central Railroad shops in Centra- lia. He served in the shops for four years, ■eight months and four days, and first took tip machinist work at Laramie City, then Wyoming Territory, in 1869, where he re- mained for awhile and returned home. He next worked for one year for the Ohio & Missouri Railroad at' East St. Louis, Illi- nois, and for one year on the North Mis- souri Railroad at Moberly, Missouri. Two years more were spent at work on the Iron Mountain road at South St. Louis, and one year in the Memphis & Little Rock road shops at Argenta, Arkansas. He was at Dennison, Texas, with the Missouri, Kan- sas & Texas road at different times; with the Chicago & Alton road at Bloomington, Illinois; the Louisville & Nashville road at Mount Vernon, Illinois; one year on the Cairo Short Line road at East St. Louis, Il- linois ; one year at the Weldon shops of the Illinois Central; one year as an engineer in Cairo, Illinois, and on the Water Valley, Mississippi, for the Illinois Central Rail- road; one year as machinist for the Illinois Central, and as general foreman of bridges and terminal at East St. Louis, Illinois, for one year; with the Burlington road at Beardstown, Illinois, one and a half years; with the Missouri Pacific six months at St. Louis, Missouri, and with the Tudor Iron Works at East St. Louis, Illinois, for one year as a machinist. In 1888 he returned to Centralia to live. On June 11, 1873, he married Emma Thiele, a native of Germany, whose father was Francis Thiele. Two children were bom to this union : John H., who was a con- ductor on the Illinois Central road at Cen- tralia, but had to retire on account of ill health. He married Ida Shonburg and has one son, Raymond H. He was for a term a member of the Centralia City Council and is at present serving in that position. Ma- bel, the only daughter of Alfred J. Ran- dall, married C. Gibson, a druggist of Cen- tralia. They have one son, Howard Ran- dall. In 1882 the subject of our present sketch built his house at 703 North Elm street, Centralia, and has since been in the real es- tate business. He owns one hundred acres of valuable land in Sandoval township, on which he raises a considerable amount of fruit. He also owns forty-five lots and eight dwellings in Centralia. Alfred J. Randall is very popular with the people of Centralia and with the people of the county. He was a member of the City Council for one term of two years and a Highway Commissioner for six years. He has always evinced a good deal of interest in politics and is a staunch Republican. In 1882 he joined the Masonic fraternity at St. Louis, Missouri, and is a member of No. 25 Naptahle Lodge. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having joined in East St. Louis, Illinois, in 1 87 1, being later transferred to No. 108, BRINKERKOFF'S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 719 Centralia Lodge, No. 75 Encampment. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Belleville, Illinois, having joined in Texas. He joined the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen in 1880, No. 37, Cen- tralia Lodge. His daughter is a member of the Eastern Star and Rebekah lodges, while his wife belongs to the Knights and Ladies of Honor Fraternity and Rebekah. Alfred J. Ranrall is still hale and hearty and is good for a greater and extended ca- reer in the realty line. In his everyday busi- ness life he has the reputation of being hon- orable and conscientious and always solici- tous and careful of the trusts reposed in him. JACKSON L. LIVESAY. The subject of our sketch, who is a well known figure in Centralia, is now in his sixty-third year, hale and hearty, and in a position to enjoy the fruits of an indus- trious, frugal and well spent life. Jackson L. Livesay was born in Wash- ington, Illinois, September 28, 1845, and was the son of W. E. and Emily (Good- ner) Livesay. William E. Livesay was a native of Tennessee and came to Illinois when seven years old with his parents, who were also natives of Tennessee. On grow- ing to man's estate he settled on a farm in Washington county and there married Emily Goodner, who came of an Illinois family. Both parents died in Kansas. Wil- liam E. died in 1872 and his wife in 1874. They raised eight children, five boys and three girls, the eldest of whom was Jackson L. Previous to the death of their parents the family moved to Kansas, in 1871, and there took up farming and the merchandise business. Here they remained for nine years, returning to Illinois in 1881. Our subject obtained his education in Beaucoup school in Washington county, which was an old log school-house. He left school at the age of sixteen years and a year later, in the spring of 1864, he joined, at Centralia, Company C of the Sixtieth Illi- nois Infantry, commanded by Col. William Anderson, of Mount Vernon, and Capt. Simeon Walker, now at Carbondale, Illinois, in active service. In the course of his mili- tary career during the war Jackson L. Live- say followed Sherman in his daring march to the sea, and took part in other brilliant achievements of that stirring period. He obtained his discharge in Springfield, Illi- nois, being mustered out at Louisville, Ken- tucky. He returned home in August, 1865, with the First Brigade, Second Division Fourteenth Army Corps, with Col. William B. Anderson, of Mount Vernon, Jefferson county, Illinois; George W. Evans, lieu- tenant-colonel. Upon his discharge after the war in 1866 Mr. Livesay took up a claim in Kansas, re- maining there but a short time. On his return to Washington county, Illinois, he remained there for two years, going from there to Richview for J. V. Holcomb & Co., where he remained as a clerk for one year. He and his uncle, William Shanks, bought 720 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. out Holcomb & Co., and moved the stock to Montana and Kansas, where they re- mained for eight years. They then sold out their stock and farmed for three years. They returned at this time to Washington coun- ty, and, having spent three months in Rich- view, settled in Centralia. Here Jackson L. Livesay has spent his life ever since. Dur- ing twenty years of his stay in Centralia he has held good positions with several firms, since which time he has been in business for himself for eleven years. He married Emma Ingram on June 12, 1871. She was the daughter of H. P. In- gram and his wife, Millie Tyler, of Rich- view. They had four children, of whom Emma was the second. The subject of our sketch has had nine children born to him, six boys and three girls. They are: Clyde, who married a Miss Herron and who is the father of one child deceased. Ruby mar- ried William Severns and has one son. Guy C. is still single and is City Treasurer of Centralia. Otis is a bookkeeper in St. Louis. Frank is single and works with his father in the store. Millie married Louis Weigel and lives in Centralia. Winnie B. attends the city schools. Fay and Frank, two other children, are both deceased. Jackson L. Livesay is now firmly estab- lished in a thriving business and has a mod- em and high class store, eighty feet by twenty-four, in which business can be trans- acted with comfort. It is located at 103 South Locust street. The subject of our sketch is very popular in the township and county. In fraternal circles he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and a most influential member of the local camp of the Grand Army of the Republic. In political affairs Jackson L. Livesay's sym- pathies are enlisted with the Republican par- ty, of which he is a loyal supporter. In re- ligious life he is a prominent, practical member of the Methodist Episcopal com- munion. In everyday life he is a man with whom it is a pleasure to do business, for he is strictly honest and conscientious and one who does not allow prejudices of any kind to enter into his judgments. FRANK P. LAMBLIX. The subject of this sketch is one of those men whose lot it has been to embark upon a business career at a very early age, and we find him at the age of ten years engaged in business for himself. Later he was a telegraph operator for one year on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad — an occupation in which more than one of the most successful men of the present day engaged as a means of livelihood in the days of their youth, and his was the usual rough road of the young business man, but his youthful optimism and enthusiasm carried him onward, and he is today a successful business man. Frank P. Lamblin \\as born in East St. Louis, Illinois, on April 13, 1864, the son of Frank and Victoria D. J. (Didier) Lam- blin, natives of France. When Frank P. was but a baby his father died. At that BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 721 time the family consisted of three children, two girls and one boy, of whom Frank P was the youngest. His mother, who sur- vided his father for an extended period, died in 1899, in July of that year. The subject of our sketch was educated in Clinton county common schools, but he left school at an early age and worked in the grocery and merchandise store of Au- gust Blanke, in Huey, and afterward in Mr. Baker's drug store and post-office. On July 2, 1882, he married Elsie A. Gil- lett, of Huey, Illinois. She was the daugh- ter of S. B. Gillett and Martha, his wife. They had seven children by their marriage, Elsie being the third child. Frank P. Lam- blin and his wife have spent a happy mar- ried life, their domestic felicity being marred only by the decease of two of the four chil- dren that have been born to them. The two children now living are Eugene and Nellie ; the deceased children were named Frankie and Elsie. In 1882 Frank P. Lamblin opened in the butcher business in Huey, where he re- mained as a farmer and butcher until 1893, when he joined his brother-in-law, Z. W. Evans, of Clinton, Illinois, in the photo- graphic business, where he remained for about nine months. In the year 1895 he started in the photo business in Huey, Illi- nois. At the close of the year he came to Centralia to his old place. In his earlier years, in 1887 to be exact, he spent some time in the grocery business in Webb City, Missouri. In 1899 his daughter Nellie was born in Joplin, Missouri, where he had en- 46 gaged in the grocery business. He sold his grocery business in the following year and took up the photographic business at his old stand in Centralia. Since he has located in his present place of business he has set- tled down and experienced a steady flow of prosperity. In fraternal circles he is a prom- inent member of the Knights of Pythias, being a steady attendant, and always a man who has taken an interest in Knights of Pythias work. In religion he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal faith, as is also his wife and children, where they are pop- ular in church circles. Frank P. Lamblin is a man of varied ex- perience in business life. His sterling qual- ities have marked him all through his career as a man whose ultimate success could never for a moment be doubted. He is a loyal Re- publican in politics and he is a strenuous supporter of the party he believes in. He has served two years as Councilman from the Fourth Ward, and while a resident of Clinton county was Assessor three years. HENRY CLARK. The subject of this sketch has the well de- served reputation of being one of the most liberal citizens of Patoka township, Marion county, Illinois. Although his contributions to the church and deserving charities of ev- ery description are of generous proportions, Mr. Clark dispenses these offerings without the slightest ostentation. He has seen this 72- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. enterprising municipality grow into a good- ly town from a straggling hamlet, and takes pride in the fact that he has had much to do with its material progress. Henry Clark was born in Clinton county, Illinois, July 8, 1842. He is the son of Ab- ner and Kittie (Lord) Clark, both natives of Delaware, the former having been born in 1804. The father of the subject was one of the sturdy pioneers of Clinton county, and was at one time a breeder of stock on a large scale. He was, in the early days, what was considered a very wealthy man, and the community depended largely upon him to keep the schools financed. He realized the importance of an education, and sent several young men to college, paying their expenses out of his own pocket. Upon his death he left quite an ample competency to his chil- dren, five boys and two daughters. He was a Whig and later a Republican. Mr. Clark was a man of very pronounced religious views, having all his life been identified with the Methodist church, which never had to call upon him twice for financial assist- ance. The mother of the subject was born on the line of Maryland and Delaware, and died in 1846, the widower marrying again some years later, his second wife being a Mrs. Carter, a native of the state of Delaware. Shortly after this marriage they moved to Illinois. They made the latter part of the journey on flat boats, polling up the river, and settling in Clinton county. The coun- try was very wild at that time and there were many Indians about. The town of Vandalia was then the capital of the state. Mr. Clark entered land in Clinton county, and at the time of his death in 1880 was the owner of fifteen hundred acres. The subject served with distinction al- most throughout the Civil war, enlisting in the Twenty-second Illinois Regim^ent, un- der command of Col. Dougherty and Capt. Johnson, May 22, 1861. At the expiration of three months, the time for which he had enlisted, he re-enlisted, August 20, 1861, in the Thirtieth Illinois Infantry, under P. B. Foulk, a law associate of John A. Logan. He was discharged in November, 1864. Mr. Clark was a prisoner for sixty-three days in the Andersonville prison, having been cap- tured July 22, 1864. At the expiration of the aforementioned period he was exchanged under the Sherman exchange law. He par- ticipated in the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Corinth and was in the Kentucky expedition. Mr. Clark embarked in the real estate business in Patoka in 1875, and remained in it for many years before he decided to retire from active life. He was married three times, his first wife being Eliza Fos- ter, born in Ohio March 25, 1841, and she was the mother of one child, which died young. His second wife was Anna Butler, a native of Kentucky. The third wife of the subject was Henrietta (Davidson) Nelson, who was born in Marion county, Illinois, be- ing the daughter of ^^^illiam Davidson and a niece of J. B. Lewis, of Salem, Illinois. Mr. Clark has a fine home in Patoka, where he and his wife are quietly living at peace with BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 723 the world. Mr. Clark has been a Repub- lican all his life. HARRY A. VASEL. The subject is a popular and well rounded young business man of Centralia, being highly skilled in the jeweler's art, having begun early in life to master the details of this somewhat difficult and exacting profes- sion, and he has shown what a man can do while yet young in accomplishing definite success through close application and a careful study of the line upon which he has selected his life work. Harry A. Vasel was born in St. Louis, Missouri, August 13, 1885, the son of H. G. and Lizzie ( Schmelzer) Vasel. The sub- ject's father was born in Germany, having come to America when a young man, and died September 3, 1887. The subject's mother was born in Lebanon, Illinois, Feb- ruary 28, 1855, and she passed to her rest June 7, 1896. The grandmother of the sub- ject was Mary Schmelzer, and she had largely the rearing of the subject of this sketch. His education was received at the public schools in Lebanon. When fifteen years old he decided to devote his life to the jewelry business, and accordingly set about learning the same with John Schmelzer, of Centralia. In order to get a larger knowl- edge of the mechanical work he went to St. Louis and engaged with the firm of Eisenstadt, jewelry makers and manufac- turers, having worked there for one year, giving entire satisfaction to his employers. He more thoroughly perfected his knowl- ege of this technical trade in detail. Return- ing again to Centralia, Mr. Vasel engaged with his former employer, doing the bench work in a most satisfactory manner for one year. He then went to Philadelphia and took a course in horology in order to fit him especially for fine and high grade watch re- pairing. After spending six months in the East and also taking a complete engraver's course, he returned to Illinois and worked for C. W. Kiser, at Newton, for six months, again returning to work for Mr. Schmelzer. He is known as one of the most efficient jewelers in Southern Illinois and is regard- ed by everyone as an unusually high grade workman. Mr. Vasel was united in marriage to Carrie May Fowler, October 20, 1907. She is the accomplished and refined daughter of Reuben G. and Clara B. (Dille) Fowler, a well known family of Centralia. Our subject is a member of the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks, of Centralia Lodge No. 493. Politically he is a Re- publican, and religiously he was reared in the German Evangelical faith, and was con- firmed in this church. Mr. Vasel is a baseball enthusiast and in 1906 he organized the White Sox Baseball Club of Centralia. He is a genial young man, quick of perception, and in every way shows himself to be worthy of the confidence and esteem in which he is held by his many friends. 7^4 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. SAMUEL O. SANDERS. One of the most straightforward, ener- getic and successful business men of Cen- traHa, Marion county, is the subject of this biographical review. Samuel O. Sanders was born in Marion county, Illinois, March 12, 1866, the son of Jonathan and Matilda (Grubb) Sanders, the former having been born near New Al- bany, Indiana, and died at the age of forty- four years, in 1875, the date of his birth being in 1831. Samuel O. Sanders was about seven years old when his father died and was about two years old at the death of his mother, which occurred in 1868. Our subject was reared by his step-mother on his father's farm, four miles east of Cen- tralia. Our subject received his early education in the country schools and worked on the farm: until he was nineteen years old. He then lived in Logan county, this state, for two years on a farm. From there he came to Centralia and in 1888 was united in mar- riage to Sarah L. Reavis, the date of their wedding falling on July 21. Mrs. Sanders \v'as the daughter of Harrem and Alzada (Moore) Reavis. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Sanders has been brightened by the birth of the following children, all bright and interesting: Faith G., who was eight- een years old, November 20, 1908, at this writing; Harry H., who was sixteen years old November 13th; Earl K., who was ten years, old on August 23d; Samuel R., Jr., was seven years old on November 29th ; Dor- othy G. was five years old on November 25th. Samuel O. Sanders lived in Centralia during the winter months of his boyhood, and in 1886 he began learning the marble cutter's trade with J. J. Hathaway, having worked for eighteen months for Mr. Hath- away. In 1888 our subject continued the trade started in Centralia by Mr. Hathaway, the latter having moved to Cairo, Illinois. The former conducted his business in con- nection with Frazier & Lififel, having been with them until August, 1895. In October of the same year he started into the tomb stone business for himself, which he has since continued with much success, having built up an excellent trade, which extends to all parts of the county and to adjoining counties. He gives the very best service and high grade material for satisfactory prices, consequently his customers are always well satisfied. He has erected some of the most handsome monuments to be found in Cen- tralia and Marion county. In fraternal relations Mr. Sanders is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Metropolitan Lodge No. 108. He is also a member of the United Commercial Travelers of Centralia, No. 211, and is a member of the Modem W^oodmen, No. 39 1- He is also a member of the Ben Hur Lodge, and both Mr. and Mrs. Sanders belong to the Queen City Rebekahs, No. 224, at Cen- tralia. In politics he is a Republican in national issues, but in local affairs he votes for the man who, in his opinion, will best sei-ve lo- cal interests. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sanders, are faithful members of the Christian church and are active in all good works,. BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 725 having for their object the upbuilding of the community in any way. CHARLES A. BECKETT, D. D. The subject of this sketch has shown by a Hfe of industry and rightly applied energy that he is eminently entitled to representa- tion in this work along with other men of force and character in Marion county. Rev. Charles A. Beckett was born in Clark county, Indiana, near Jeffersonville, February 8, i860, the son of James A. and Mariah (McComb) Beckett, the former having been bom in Clark county, Indiana, where he farmed when he reached maturity. His wife was also a native of Clark county. Charles A. Beckett's parents both died be- fore he was five years old. James A. Beck- ett died at Savannah, Georgia, January i, 1865, at the age of forty-five years. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and he also had two brothers in the Civil war. one of whom, Miles Beckett, lived to re- turn home; the younger brother, William Beckett, was wounded in the knee at Mur- freesboro, and died there of his wound. Rev. Charles A. Beckett went to school in the country, walking two and one-half miles each morning and evening and did the chores at his grandfather's home. He was cared for by his grandfather, Luke S. Beckett, until he was thirteen years old, at which time our subject began doing for himself. He was ambitious to secure an education, and he attended Moore's Hill Col- lege in Dearborn county, near Aurora, for one year, when he was about seventeen years of age. He had begun to learn the shoemaker's trade when thirteen years old. His father owned a fine farm of two hun- dred and ten acres in Clark county, near the site of the Pigeon Roost massacre. Mr. Beckett was converted and joined the Meth- odist Episcopal church at the age of four- teen. When our subject began learning the shoemaker's trade under his brother-in-law, Ed. Covert, he received but six dollars per month for three years. His health having failed, he returned to the farm for a year, then he came back to Mr. Covert and worked one year. He then went to work for the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad Com- pany at Jeffersonville, Indiana. This road is now the Baltimore & Ohio. Here he worked for three years in the yards, in the round-house and in the shops, also on the tracks as track man. Then he went to work for the Ohio Falls Car Company, at Jeffer- sonville, Indiana, remaining with this firm nearly a year. After leaving this plant he came to Illinois in June, 1883, stopping with an uncle, and spent some time in an effort to learn telegraphy at Noble, Illinois, on the main line of the Ohio & Mississippi Rail- road. Desiring to gain a higher education, he entered McKendree College, in St. Clair county, at Lebanon, Illinois. He remained in this school one year, when he decided to become a minister, having been consider- ing this matter for some time. The fol- 726 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. lowing year, 1884, he began preaching. He entered the Southern Illinois Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church in Septem- ber, 1885. His appointments were Albion, Rose Hill, Clay City and Noble, on the Calhoun circuit for four years. He then went to Garrett Bible Institute at Evanston, Illinois, in 1892, and he graduated in May, 1895. He then returned to Albion, Illi- nois, where he preached for one and one- half years. Then he went to Robinson, where he remained for four years as pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church. During his pastorate here an elegant church house was erected, costing about seventeen thou- sand dollars. He did this in connection with his other numerous duties. This house would now cost not less than twenty-five thousand dollars, this being the third church he as- sisted in erecting, previously having built a church at Parkersburg, Illinois, costing twelve hundred dollars ; one at Willow Hill, costing two thousand and eight hundred dollars. From his pastorate at Robinson he came to Centralia in October, 1900, where he remained for five years, the second year erecting the beautiful church building at the comer of Broadway and Elm streets, costing thirty-two thousand dollars. In 1905 our subject was appointed Pre- siding Elder of the Vandalia district, con- tinuing to reside in Centralia, where he now lives. His office is, since May, 1908, de- nominated district superintendent. In his district there are thirty-two pastoral charges, consisting of ninety-six church or- ganizations under the auspices of the South- ern Illinois Conference. He was a delegate to the general conference held at Baltimore, Maryland, in May, 1908. Mr. Beckett was united in marriage at Clay City, Clay county, Illinois, to Lou Peake, daughter of Rev. Burton Peake, of Flora, Illinois. The wedding was solem- nized October 26, 1887. They are the par- ents of a son, Paul A., who is at this writ- ing attending the Northwestern University, having been nineteen years old October 7, 1908. He is in his second year at the uni- versity and is making a fine record. There is also a daughter, now eleven years old, who bears the pretty name of Madelon Claire. Our subject is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, also the Odd Fellows, also a member of the Modem Woodmen. Our subject was honored in June, 1908, by McKendree College conferring upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He is chaplain of the Fourth Infantry, Illinois National Guard, having held this post for the past four years. This work he greatly enjoys and appreciates. In politics he is a Republican. Our subject has done a great work in the ministi-y, being an earnest worker and an eloquent and forceful speaker, so that he has endeared himself to a multitude of peo- ple and no man in Marion county is held in higher esteem. HOMER GILLETT. He who would be eminently successful must possess a definite aim and purpose, which he must pursue with perseverance. This Homer Gillett has done. He was born BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 727 in Troy, Madison county, Illinois, Decem- ber 26, 1 86 1, the son of S. B. and Martha A. (Smith) Gillett, ^\hose family consisted of seven children, four girls and three boys, of whom our subject is the oldest member. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the country schools. Leaving school at the age of seventeen years, he be- gan clerking in a grocery store for V. P. Grubb, with whom he remained for about two years, rendering efficient service from the first and giving unmistakeable evidence that he was destined for a commercial ca- reer, which he has so ably followed up. He then clerked in a clothing store in Centralia for the London Company, having remained with them for a period of eleven years, dur- ing which time he did much to increase the prestige of the firm by his able clerkship. Mr. Gillett then went to the M. Hammer clothing store with which he remained until the firm went out of business, when he went to work for M. Hoffman, with whom he remained for three years, then embarking in business for himself on Locust street, having started a grocery store, which he conducted for four months, when he sold out and opened a clothing store on March 18, 1905. His success was instantaneous, and his trade has rapidly increased until it now extends to all parts of Marion county and has necessitated a constant enlargement of his stock. He is in a building one hun- dred by twenty-eight feet. He started in the clothing business in a room nineteen by six- ty feet. His present quarters have been equipped with steam heat, and is modern in every detail. Mr. Gillett handles clothing and gents' furnishing goods, in all the very best and latest styles, and his stock is al- ways very carefully selected and sold at sat- isfactory prices, so that he never loses a customer. He is the only American clothier in Centralia. Our subject was united in marriage to Anna E. Northwood, the date of their wed- ding occurring January 2, 1883. She is the refined and accomplished daughter of Thomas and Harriett Northwood, both na- tives of Boonton, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Gillett are the parents of three children, two of whom are living, namely : Raymond T., who is a professor of music in Centralia, where he is known as a very able instructor and gifted in his art; Dwight, the subject's second child, will graduate in the Medical College of St. Louis as physician and surgeon in 1909, and he is making a brilliant record in that, school. These children have received every possible advantage. Mr. Gillett is a member of the Lidependent Order of Odd Fellows, Queen City Lodge No. 1 79, of Centralia ; also a member of the Knights of Pythias, Helmet Lodge No. 26, and the Modem Woodmen of America, No. 397. He is much interested in educational affairs and has been a member of the local School Board for a period of twelve years, still holding the position and rendering val- uable services to the cause of education in Centralia. In politics he is a stanch Re- publican and lends his aid in the support of this party's principles and in all causes look- ing to the development of his county and 728 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. State. In religious matters he affiliates with the Presbyterian church. He is a courteous and pleasant man, always agreeable and he has numerous friends, as has also his wife and children.. MRS. HELEN M. GIFFORD. It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer is permitted to call the reader's attention to the life record of the venerable but genial lady whose friends in Marion county are limited only by her acquaint- ances. Her beautiful life has been as an open sesame and one that has been influential for good to all with whom she has been asso- ciated. Mrs. Helen Gififord was born in Jericho, Chittenden county, Vermont, September 21, 1828, the daughter of Aaron and Harriet Brownell. Her parents were both born in Vermont, Aaron having been born in 1798 and Harriet in 1804. They were the parents of three children, our subject being the first in order of birth. The Brownell family came from Vermont to Illinois in 1850, set- tling in Amsville, Boone county, now called Garden Prairie. They bought a farm where they lived until their death, Aaron Brown- ell dying in 1880, at the age of eighty-two years. Harriet died in February, i860, at the age of fifty-seven years. Our subject's early education was gained in the district and select schools of Vermont. She applied herself in a careful manner and became fairly well educated. On July 4, 1855, our subject was united in marriage with Chester B. Gififord, son of William and Mary Gififord. Chester B. Gif- ford was bom in Sharon, Windsor county, Vermont, October 3, 18 15. There were four girls and three boys in this family, of whom Chester was the second child in order of birth. He was in early life a clerk in his father's hotel in Sharon. He afterwards took up railroading and eventually became conductor on the New York Central. After some years of faithful and acceptable ser- vice there, he took up railroading on the Il- linois Central Railroad as passenger con- ductor between Amboy and Centralia. He died October 11, 1887, in his home in Cen- tralia, after a life of industry and useful- ness. He and our subject had had nearly thirty-three years of happy and harmonious wedded life. Chester Gififord has one son. Mills Gifford, by a former marriage, who is now an employe of the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy Railroad. Mr. Gififord left his widow a sub- stantial and comfortable home in Centralia, where she lives alone, having thus lived ever since the death of her husband, twenty-one years ago. Although she is in her eightieth year, Mrs. Gififord is a woman of remark- able activity and soundness of faculties. She is happy and cheerful and looks to be not more than fifty-five years old. Her neat and well-furnished home shows that she is a woman of taste and refinement. She is a woman of beautiful Christian character and a faithful attendant at the Methodist Episcopal church, where she is held in high BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 729 esteem by all the congregation, as indeed, she is by all who know her. She has lived continuously in Centralia since 1859, when she came here with her husband. Her old age is serene and quiet, knowing that her life has been one of uprightness and con- scious of the fact that she will be ready when the summons comes bidding her "come up higher." EDWIN L. WATTS. The subject of this sketch is recognized as one of the leading citizens of Centralia, where he is known by all as a business man of unusual ability, a man of progressive ideas and at all times ready to do his part in furthering any interest for the public good. Edwin L. Watts was born in Clinton county, five miles west of Centralia, on a farm, November 11, 1873, the son of Wil- liam M. and Martha (Short) Watts, both natives of Illinois, in whose family there were five children, two boys and three girls, Edwin L., our subject, being the youngest in order of birth. Our subject received his early education in the common schools of his native com- munity, having applied himself in a careful manner and gained a good education which has later been added to by home reading, and by coming in contact with the world. He devoted his life to farming up to 1904, having been prosperous at this line of work, laying up from year to year a competence and making a comfortable living. But be- lieving that larger interests were to be found in Centralia, he came to this city and entered the livery business in which he was very successful for a period of two years, at the end of which he went into the im- plement business, having been associated with J. D. Breeze since 1906, the firm being Breeze & Watts, their well known place of business being 321 South Locust street, Cen- tralia. They handle a full line of imple- ments, vehicles, harness, buggies, wagons, drills, seeders, corn shellers and they deal in general stock on a large scale. Their store is always filled with customers and is one of the busiest places of its kind in Centralia. Before coming to Centralia, our subject served as Assessor of Raccoon township in a very creditable and acceptable manner for one year, during which time the interests of the township were as carefully looked after as if they had been his individual business. Mr. Watts was united in marriage to Mary Patton, November 20, 1895. She is the daughter of T. A. and Lena (Smith) Patton, a well known and influential family of this county. Mr. Watts' comfortable and cheerful home has been brightened by the presence of the following children : William R., Len- na F., Ruby R., all bright children and mak- ing good grades in the local schools. Mr. Watts is a genial and most com- panionable gentleman and has many warm and admiring friends among the res- idents of his adopted city as well as in the township where he lived so long, and the 73° BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. high regard in which he is held not only in business but socially indicates the possession of attributes and characteristics that fully entitle him to the respect and consideration of his fellow men. THEODORE F. MERIDETH. While yet a young man, the subject of this sketch has won a place of definite suc- cess in his community, because of his per- sistent effort, his honesty of purpose and the exercise of rare soundness of judgment in carrying out his life work, so that the fu- ture to such as he holds much of promise. Theodore F. Merideth was born in Car- rigan township, Marion county, June 21, 1872, the son of William and Sarah (Spit- ler) Merideth, the former having been born in Licking county, Ohio, in 1834. He came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1842 and be- came a well-to-do farmer and was an ex- tensive raiser of cattle before the stock law of 1864; he was also in the hay business just after the war. He was also in the trans- fer business at Sandoval for a while. He lo- cated south of Odin, when he came here from Ohio, where he was married and still lives in Carrigan township. The mother of the subject used to live in the home of Judge Bryan, father of W. J. Bryan, a member of the old Spitler family of this county. She was born March 3, 1845, and was called to her rest April 24, 1884. Theodore F. Merideth is the oldest of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. William Meri- deth. He was educated in the common schools and has a certificate to teach. He started in life as a coal miner, having worked in the mines in the winter and on the farm during the summer months. For many years he operated a hay and straw baler during both the summer and winter months. Mr. Merideth was united in marriage De- cember 2, 1894, to Etta McClelland, daugh- ter of Perry and Emma McClelland, both old residents of this county. He is still living at the age of sixty-eight years and his wife is now ( 1908) sixty-five years old. Five children have been born to the sub- ject and wife as follows: Robert, bom July 23, 1895; Ethel, born January 5, 1897; Harry, born September 30, 1898; Ruth, bom April 4, 1899; Mamie, born August 5, 1902. Mr. Merideth's farm, although one of the oldest in the township, having been taken on a Mexican war land grant, is one of the best in the township, for it has been so carefully tilled and well kept that the soil has not become thin, but excellent crops are reaped from it year by year. The subject does nothing but look after his farm which he keeps well improved and in a high state of cultivation. He has one hundred and sixty acres in section 9. He carries on gen- eral farming and stock raising with that rare judgment and discretion that stamps him as one of the modern and progressive farmers of the county. He has a beautiful and substantial home, surrounded by ex- cellent out buildings. He is one of the most BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 73 r industrious and energetic young men of Carrigan township, and is making a good living besides laying by an ample competen- cy for his old age. He is known to be a man of square dealing in all his business transactions and everybody speaks well of him. ALBERT E. QUICK. Among the alert and progressive men of Centralia, whose efforts have been directed along worthy lines of endeavor, is the sub- ject of this sketch, manager of the Star Laundry Company, which he has made one of the leading institutions of this nature in the county, through his close application to business. Albert E. Quick was born in Clinton county, Illinois, September 24, i860, the son of W. F. and Jane (Davidson) Quick, the former a native of Summit county, Ohio, in which state he devoted his atten- tion to farming. He moved to Illinois and died at Harrisburg, this state, in March, 1906. The mother of the subject still lives at Harrisburg. Nine children, four girls and five boys, were born to them, Albert E., our subject, being the third in order of birth. He was educated near Harrisburg, then attended Ewing College in Franklin county, this state, for one year, later taking a course in the Quincy Business College, remaining there for one year. He was well equipped for a business career upon leaving school and entering the cutlery and supply business in St. Louis and Centralia. After conducting this line of work for a period of ten years in a most successful manner he launched in the laundry business with C. L. Mercy, with whom he remained in part- nership for a period of five years when Mr. Quick re-organized and started a corpora- tion company, he being the president and manager of the Star Laundry, he having pur- chased Mr. Mercy's interests in the com- pany. He works a force of twelve girls and four men. Something of the rapid advance- ment that Mr. Quick has made in this work may be gained from the fact that when this laundry was started only one girl was em- ployed. The Star now does a weekly busi- ness of from one hundred fifty to two hun- dred dollars. Nothing but strictly up-to- date machinery is used and the plant is first class in every respect. A dry cleaning de- partment was established in 1908 and the most modern machinery for this department that could be procured was installed. This has grown to be a very successful part of the work as it uses the French dry cleaning plan for all cleaning, silks, woolen and cot- ton fabrics of the most dainty manufacture on the market, never resulting in shrinking or changing of colors in the least. Mr. Quick certainly has mastered all the details of the laundry business and all work done at the Star is first-class and high grade. His patronage is constantly on the increase. Mr. Quick's business in both the laundry and dry cleaning departments covers a large territory in Southern Illinois. He is the owner of ninety-five per cent, of the substan- yy- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. tial and elegant brick plant which he so suc- cessfuly manages. His customers always find him ready to serve them in an obliging and straightforward manner and everyone who has had dealings with him attest to his fairness and honesty of purpose. In politics he is a loyal Republican, and in religious matters he was reared in the Baptist faith and he is a faithful supporter of the Baptist church in this city. In his fraternal rela- tions he is a member of the Modern Wood- men. His standing in the business and so- cial circles of Centralia could not be better. CHARLES EDMI;ND FITZGEARALD. The subject of this sketch is one of the progressive citizens of Centralia township, Marion county, having long been in busi- ness in the vicinity of Centralia, where he is at present located, enjoying a lucrative trade in his well managed second-hand store. Charles Edmund Fitzgearald was born in Jefferson county, Illinois, October 27, 1864, the son of James T. and Mary B. (Morgan) Fitzgearald, both natives of Tennessee, hav- ing come from that state to Illinois in 1848, settling among the pioneers. James T. was called to his reward several years ago, and his widow now lives at Sterling, Colorado, now in her seventy-eighth year. They were the parents of thirteen children, six boys and se\'en girls, of whom Charles Edmund, our subject, was the seventh in order of birth. These children are all fairly well situated in life. James T. Fitzgearald, the subject's father, was a soldier in the Mexican war, and while on the march he became exhausted and lay down by a log beside the road and was given up for dead, but his brother-in-law, Mid- dleton Morgan, discovered him as he passed driving a commissary wagon and cared for James T., or he would have perished. He made a gallant soldier and performed much commendable service during that war, and his widow now draws a pension as a result of this service. While the parents of the subject were liv- ing near Fort Girard, Missouri, the Indians set fire to the home and burned up all their books and family records. Mary B. (Morgan) Fitzgearald, the now venerable mother of the subject, is a member of the famous Morgan family of Washing- ton county, Illinois. Her sister lives at Ash- ley, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. Ed. Fitzgearald, as he is popularly known, moved to Marion county with his parents when he was four years old. His early edu- cation was gained in the Centralia schools, where he applied himself very studiously and became fairly well educated. He started his business life by working on the farm and in the coal mines near Cen- tralia, which he continued to work at for some time. Twelve years ago he started in his present business in Centralia in handling new and second-hand furniture, stoves and household goods. He has built up a flourish- ing trade. He has a large stock of carefully selected goods and his prices are always BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 733 right, according to many of his customers of long standing. Mr. Fitzgearald married Emma A. Crane, July 26, 1883, a representative of a fine family, and she herself a woman of many praiseworthy traits, and to this union three children have been born, one dying in in- fancy. Maudie, the oldest daughter, mar- ried Walter Beetle, a mine employe, of Cen- tralia, and they are the parents of one daughter, Thelma F. ; Edna, the second daughter, is eight years old at this writing, 1908, and she is making a fine record in the Centralia schools. Mr. Fitzgearald is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. Queen City Lodge No. 179, of Centralia. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics Mr. Fitzgearald is a faithful Democrat and in religious matters he was reared a Methodist. He is regarded as a man of good business ability, honest in . all his dealings with the public. H. S. McBRIDE. In enlisting men of enterprise and integ- rity in furthering its general business ac- tivities, is mainly due the precedence and prosperity enjoyed by Marion county, and the firm of which the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph is a member, is recognized as one of the representative druggists of the county, being engaged in business in Centralia and enjoying an ex- tensive wholesale and retail trade. H. S. McBride was born in Decatur, II- lincis. September 5, 1869, the son of Dr. Alexander and Mary E. (Jones) McBride, the father of the subject having been born in Ross county, Ohio, June 21, 1821. His wife was born in Urbana, Ohio, April 18, 1835, and they were married in the Buckeye state and came to Illinois in 1866, locating in Decatur. They became the parents of three children, two of whom are living, H. S., our subject, and Frank A., who was born in 1875 in Decatur. . The subject of this sketch began his edu- cation at Decatur, where he attended school for two years. He was then sent to Car- thage, Missouri, remaining in school there until 1887, where he made an excellent rec- ord, and after completing his education, he returned to Decatur and worked as a drug clerk for one year in the employ of A. J. Stoner. He then went to St. Louis and worked for the P. G. Alexander Drug Com- pany for two years and while there took a course in pharmacy in the St. Louis School of Pharmacy. From there he went to Webb City, Missouri, to work for the McClelland Drug Company in whose employ he re- mained for about two years, when he moved to Mattoon, Illinois, remaining there until 1898, clerking for the Killner Drug Com- pany. He gave entire satisfaction in all these positions owing to the fact that he had an intimate knowledge of drugs and was courteous to customers. Our subject was one of the patriotic cit- izens of the great Sucker state, who felt it his duty to assist the cause of humanity when Cuba was being oppressed by the tyr- 734 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Tany of Spain, and when the Spanish-Amer- ican war broke out he enlisted in Company A, Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, un- der Capt. Joseph P. Barricklom and re- mained in service until the close of the war, having been mustered out of service at Au- gitsta, Georgia. He served at Springfield, Illinois, as first sergeant and was promoted to second lieutenant at Camp Cuba Libre, Jacksonville, Florida, September, 1898. In 1900 Mr. McBride moved to Centralia and clerked for Will J. Blythe for two years, then for L. H. Reed for four years. He then opened the Red Cross Phannacy at 204 East Broadway, an incorporated in- stitution under the state laws of Illinois, the company consisting of C. D. Tufts, presi- dent; C. E. McMahon, vice-president; H. S. McBride, secretary and manager; F. Pullen, treasurer. The room occupied is twenty- four by one hundred feet. It is large, airy and commodious. A general wholesale and retail drug business is carried on among physicians and surgeons, covering a radius -of forty miles. The house carries a large, complete and carefully selected stock, and the fixtures and equipment are modern, well arranged and up-to-date in every particular, and a very liberal trade is enjoyed. H. S. McBride was united in marriage -with Ida A. Mattock on September 8, 1895. She war reared at Mattoon, Illinois, and is the daughter of W. D. and Temperance (Hackett) Mattock. Four interesting chil- dren constituted the Mattock family, three g-irls and one boy, Ida A, being the oldest. Mr. McBride is recognized as a first class pharmacist by all who have had occasion to investigate his work. He is registered in Illinois, Missouri and Florida, and he stands at the front of Centralia's business men. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 493, of Centralia. In politics he is a Democrat and follows the teachings of his parents in religious matters, affiliating with the Epis- copal church. TRUMAN B. ANDREWS. Characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong individuality, the achievements of the subject of this sketch but represent the utilization of innate talent in directing ener- gies along lines in which mature judgment and a resourcefulness that hesitates at no opposing circumstances, pave the way and ultimately lead to achievement. Truman B. Andrews was born in Jeffer- son county, Illinois, September 25, 1852, the son of Seymour and Martha (Hender- son) Andrews, who were the parents of ten children, the subject of this sketch being the third in order of birth. When about -four years of age he went to W^arren count}-, Il- linois, with his parents, where he remained until ten years of age, then moved to Cen- tralia, where he has since remained, having been identified with the growth of the com- munity and taking a prominent part in its development for a period of over forty-six years at this writing, 1908. He received his BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 735 schooling in the Centralia common and high schools. Following in the footsteps of his father, he decided to become a merchant, and when he left school he began clerking for his father and later became bookkeeper, with whom he remained assisting in build- ing up a fine trade in the dry goods and clothing business until his father retired about 1890. Truman then went with the firm of G. L. Pittenger, who conducted a grocery store, remaining with the same for four years with his usual success. He then went to work for the Pittenger & Daves Mining and Manufacturing Company, as their assistant secretary in the office work of this extensive enterprise, with which he was identified for six years, giving high class sei'vice in every respect. Mr. Andrews then worked in the Centralia Mining and Manufacturing Company, which is operated by the same people as their secretary, re- maining as such for seven years, or until they retired from active business. He con- tinued to work or the firm that succeeded them remaining until he bought an interest in the firm of Gillett & Company, clothiers and gents' furnishers. They manage a big and well stocked store and Mr. Andrews is to be found here daily ready to wait upon his scores of customers who' know that they will here receive the most courteous consideration and always receive the full value of their money. The stock is kept well up-to-date and is carefully selected at all seasons. This store is one of the most tastefully arranged and neatly kept of any in Southern Illinois and customers are al- ways pleased to visit it where they are made to feel at ease. The domestic life of the subject of this sketch dates from December 17, 1874, when he was married to Amanda J. McClelland, daughter of John and Margaret McClelland, of Marion county, a well known and in- fluential family. To this union three in- teresting children have been born, namely: Hallie, Lois and Cinnie. Hallie married Bessie Robinett, of Columbia, this state, and they are the parents of one son, Raymond, born in 1904. Hallie Andrews is firing an engine on the Illinois Central Railroad. Lois is married to L. R. Porter, a blacksmith on the Illinois Central Railroad, of Cen- tralia, and they are the parents of two chil- dren, one boy, Emmett, born in 1905, and one girl, Lorena, who is one year old in 1908. Cinnie, the subject's third child, mar- ried George Green, of Centralia, where he is engaged in the barber business. In politics our subject is a supporter of Republican issues. He is a member of the Christian church, having been a deacon for a period of fifteen years, and is also a trus- tee of the same. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Modern Woodmen. No. 397; the Knights of Pythias, No. 26; also a charter member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, having served in many of the chairs of the last two lodges. Mr. An- drews was Township Public School Treas- urer 'or twenty years, being still in this po- sition. He is greatly interested in educa- tional matters and has always done what he could to further the interests of the local 736 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. schools. He also faithfully served as Town Clerk of Centralia for a period of six years. He has also been a member of the Centralia City Fire Department for over twenty-five years, having frequently hazarded his life day and night in order to save property. FRANK PRUSZ. A man of rare business erudition is the subject of this sketch, who has long been identified with the development of Centra- lia in business lines. Frank Prusz was born in Washington county, Illinois, September 21, 1867, the son of Henry and Mary (Shroeder) Prusz, the parents of eight children, Frank, our subject, being the only living child in 1908. Henry Prusz was born in Washington county, this state, in 1838, and he is now living in Centralia, corner of Third and AValnut streets. He followed farming until 1905, having owned a fine farm of one hun- dred and forty acres, which he left and moved to town. The subject of this sketch, who was the third child in order of birth, acquired his early education in the common schools of his native county. In his boy- hood days he worked on his father's farm and finally took up farming for himself, which he followed for ten years on his own account, having made a pi^onounced success from the first, but, believing that greater opportunities awaited him in other fields, he sold out and went to St. Louis, where he worked in a planing mill and at carpenter work for five years, having taken readily to the new line of work. He then came to Centralia and started in a shop for himself. July 10, 1895, at the corner of Third, Chest- nut and South streets. The plant now cov- ers one hundred and twenty by one hundred and sixty-five feet. It is up to date in every particular, being equipped with modern ma- chines, fifteen in number. He has eleven motors of late design and is equipped in every respect to do first class and high grade work. All kinds of boxes, barrels, egg cases, chicken coops and apple cases are manufactured here, also all kinds of mill work is done, including frames, moldings, handles, ^sash and doors, also baskets and strawberry crates, also house furnishings. The fimi of which our subject is the principal force is known as the Queen City Box and Barrel Works. It enjoys a large trade, having an output of one thousand barrels a day. The well known "Magic Cleaner," the best sweeping compound for floors and carpets known, is manufactured here. The trade of this firm extends to all parts of Southern Illinois and many points beyond, and is constantly increasing, ow- ing to the able management of Mr. Prusz and the excellent quality of the work turned out. Frank Prusz was united in marriage on April 25, 1890, to Jennie Meyer, the daugh- ter of C. G. and Minnie (Dotson) Meyer, who are the parents of ten diildren, Jennie being the fourth child in order of birth. She was bom in Washington county, this state. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 737 Our subject and wife are the parents of four children, named in order of birth as follows : Nellie M., who is living at home with her parents; Willis F. L. is a student in the Centralia public schools ; Allen W. B. is also a pupil in the local schools; Alice A. M. is the young;est living child; Edwin died in his eighth year. Our subject lives in a modern home at 333 South Hickory street. Mr. Prusz in his political relations is a Republican on na- tional issues, but locally he votes for the best man available. In religious matters he was reared an Evangelical Lutheran, but he is free and liberal in his views on re- ligion and he attends all churches. He is a man thoroughly familiar with the details of the large business which he conducts and is well known in Marion county, his pleas- ant manner winning the respect of all men. BOYD M. ENGLISH. To present in brief outline the leading facts in the life of one of Marion county's busy men of afifairs and throw light upon some of his more pronounced characteris- tics is the task in hand in placing before the reader the following biographical review of Boyd M. English, who was born in Ma- rion county, Illinois, September 2, 1875, the son of J. W and Mazina (Parkerson) Eng- lish, in whose family there were six chil- dren, four boys and two girls, of whom our subject wasi the second in order of birth, 47 and of whom five are living in 1908. J. W. English was bom in Tennessee, near Fay- etteville, and he came to Illinois in 1871 and settled in Marion county on a farm. One of his brothers was in the Civil war. The father of our subject has been in the contracting business for many years. He lives at 960 East Broadway, Centralia. The subject's mother was born in Marion coun- ty, where she married J. W. English. They are highly respected people and have done all in their power to establish their children in hfe. Boyd M. English, our subject, received his early education in the common schools. He left school when sixteen years old and engaged in the commission business at De- catur twO' years, after which he went into the barber business at Mt. Vernon, Illinois, where he remained for one year. He came to Centralia and worked at his trade for several years on Locust street for himself, the firm being known as English & Burge, which was one of the leading shops in the city and widely patronized. Believing that the barber business was not his proper calling, he launched into the real estate business in 1906 for himself, and his success was instantaneous, having ex- ceeded his expectations. He has a large business and his office is always a busy place, owing to his fair treatment of cus- tomers and his intimate knowledge of this line of work. Mr. English was united in marriage Jan- uary 16, 1900, to Edith Foster, the daugh- ter of R. T. and M. A. (McKay) Foster. 738 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. She was reared near Centralia on a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Foster are the parents of five children, two boys and three girls, of whom our subject's wife is the third child. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are the parents of two children, Madge, born January 17, 1902, and Robert Dean, who was bom Novem- ber 2, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. English live in a cozy and nicely furnished home at 841 East Broadway. Fraternally our subject is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. In national politics he is a Republican and religiously he was reared a Presbyterian and attends that con- gregation. Mr. and Mrs. English are pleas- ant people and are popular in Centralia. MRS. SARAH E. ELROD. The many friends of the estimable lady whose name appears above will be glad to learn more of her life history and that of her honored husband and their families, for she has long been well known and popular, with a large circle of friends in Centralia, and now in the golden evening of her age she is happy in the thought that her life has been led along high planes and been pro- ductive of good to those it has touched. Mrs. Sarah E. Elrod was born in Cler- mont county, Ohio, June 13, 1831, the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Grif- fith) Simpson. Both parents were born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, about twenty miles from Philadelphia. They were the parents of seven children, Sarah E. be- ing the oldest in the family. Our subject grew to maturity in her na- tive county and also acquired her early ed- ucation there. She was united in marriage to William Elrod, May 17, 1854, and they lived in Ohio until 1867, in which year they moved to St. Louis, Missouri, then to the Ulysses S. Grant farm, ten miles west of that city, where the Elrod family had charge of the Grant farm for eight years. Mrs. Elrod knew well all the Grant chil- dren, waited upon them and helped them in various ways. William Elrod passed to his rest in Centralia November 29, 1881, after a useful and busy life. Mrs. Sarah E. Elrod is the mother of seven children, as follows : Elizabeth, who married John Decker, of Orange county, New York, now lives in Cobden, Union county, Illinois, and they have two sons; Clifford married Cordelia Cole, died Sep- tember II, 1902, and two- children were born to them, one boy and one girl, Clifford, Jr., the son, being a blacksmith in Centra- lia; Mary Simpson is a dressmaker and lives with her mother in their cozy home on West Broadway: Clara M. is clerking at Parkinson's store in this city; Samuel G. is living with his mother; William Thomas married Ellen Parkin and is a railroad and express agent for the Southern Railroad at Marissa, Illinois, and they have five chil- dren; Sadie Blanche is a competent office lady at Dr. Armstrong's, one of the lead- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 739 ing physicians of this city. These children received their early education in the public schools of this city. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's mother, Han- nah Simpson, and our subject's father, Sam- uel Simpson, were brother and sister, mak- ing- Mrs. Sarah E. Elrod a full cousin of the general. The Elrod family moved from St. Louis to Odin on a farm, where they lived for three years and in March, 1881, they moved to Centralia. After the death of Mr. Elrod this large family of little chil- dren with which the mother was left to care for and provide, was a hard struggle to overcome, but she was a woman of great courage and rare business tact and she suc- ceeded in rearing her children in a manner deserving great praise. She had a few cows and sold milk to town people and in this way managed to provide for the chil- dren and keep the home together. It was a brave, heroic battle, but filled with more vic- tories than defeats. Mrs. Sarah E. Elrod, who is at this writ- ing, 1908, seventy-seven years old, is in good health and young for one of her years. She is of a family noted for their longevity, her father living to be ninety-one years old. Religiously she was reared a Presbyterian, but now worships with the Congregational- ists, where her daughters, Sadie and Mary, are Sunday school teachers. Gen. John Simpson, of Cincinnati, is a brother of Mrs. Elrod, whose honorable army record she is glad to preserve. He is a retired officer of the United States army, having been retired since 1906. He enlisted in the Fifth Ohio Cavalry, September 27, 1862, and was dis- charged May 28, 1865. He was' appointed second lieutenant of the Fourth Artillery, August 17, 1867, and advanced to the rank of first lieutenant of the Fourth Artillery on March 28, 1873. On July 17, 1875, he was appointed captain assistant quartermaster. On April 20, 1892, he was raised to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and assistant quartermastei--general. On February 2, 1901, he was raised to the rank of brigadier general, and was finally retired August 18, 1903. Gen. John Simpson studied at Fortress Monroe and Annapolis military schools, so as to fully equip himself for active and ef- • iicient service, being of the Grant lineage, he was naturally a successful soldier. Samuel Elrod, the second son of William and Sarah E. Elrod, was bom in the old log house that General Grant built. Wil- liam, the third son, and Sadie, the youngest daughter, were born in General Grant's large house on his farm west of St. Louis. The Elrod family is highly respected and has numerous friends. CHARLES MILLER. For many years Mr. Miller was a widely known railroad man, but is at this writing living in honorable retirement in Centralia, Marion county, where he is held in high favor among those of his acquaintance. Charles Miller was born in Portsmouth, 740 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. England, December 3, 1844, the son of John William and Elizabeth (Florence) Miller, who were the parents of six chil- dren, three boys and an equal number of girls, the subject of this sketch being the fourth in order of birth. John William Mil- ler was born in England in 181 5 and passed to his rest in 1866. He was for many years foreman of a large coppersmith shop in the government navy yard in England. He was a skilled mechanic and an inventor, having invented Grant's condenser, a de- vice for turning salt water into fresh wa- ter, which is used by those who travel on the ocean. He served his apprenticeship as a coppersmith under Mr. Florence, his fa- ther-in-law. When twenty-two years old John William Miller married Elizabeth Florence, who was at that time twenty-nine years old, the date of their marriage being in 1839. Mrs. Miller was bom in 1808 and passed to her rest in 1868. They were peo- ple of much sterling worth and many of their commendable traits have manifested themselves in our subject. Charles Miller received a common school education in Portsmouth, England, having attended Bowles Academy until he was six- teen years old. After leaving school he learned the blacksmith's trade and also worked for his uncle, who conducted a meat market in Portsmouth. Believing that bet- ter opportunities awaited him in America, he emigrated to this countiy when twenty- four years old, settling first in Chicago. He soon secured employment on the Illinois Central Railroad and at once gave evidence of a man of merit in the railroading busi- ness. Our subject was married in England when twenty-two years old to Diana Hyde, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Hob- bins) Hyde, in whose family there were nine children, four boys and five girls, the wife of the subject being the sixth child in order of birth. Their marriage was celebrated on August II, 1866, at Portsmouth in the Church of England, the ceremony that made them one having been performed by Rev. Baylis. Diana Hyde was also edu- cated in the common schools of Portsmouth. This union has been blessed by the birth of seven children, four of whom are living in 1908. They are: Jessie, who first married Frank Scramlin, by which union one son. Earl Walter G., was born; her second mar- riage was with Frank Jacobs, and to this union three children were bom, two daugh- ters and one son. They live in Decatur, Illinois. Mr. Jacobs is engaged in the gro- cery business. Harriet Hyde is the second child of Mrs. Jacobs and she is eight years old at this writing; Dorthy Grace is four years old and Frank Willis is now three years of age. Henry George Miller, the second living child of our subject, married Nettie Smith and one son has been born to this union, Arthur Glenn, who is a machinist and is living in Chicago ; Lillie May married George William Downing; Alice Louise is a stenographer in Centralia. These are all bright children and are being educated in the local schools. Charles Miller continued to work for the BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 741 Illinois Central Railroad, giving entire sat- isfaction from 1868. In 1889 he became overseer of the shops of this road at Cen- tralia, which position he held until June, 1908, having been recognized by his em- ployers as one of the best men in this ca- pacity they had in their employ, for he mas- tered every detail of the work and knew how to handle his men so as to get the best results from their work. On the date men- tioned above Mr. Miller retired from active connection with the shops on account of the loss of his left eye, which resulted from an accident in the shops. The Miller home is a pleasant and comfortable one, located at 218 East Fourth street, south. Mr. Miller receives a pension of thirty-six dollars and seventy cents per month. In politics he is a Republican and is an advocate of tem- perance. He was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church and he still wor- ships with this congregation, where he is re- garded as a man of upright principles and a worthy member of the same. MRS. MARGARET DUNLAP. The many friends of the estimable lady whose name forms the caption of this sketch will be glad to learn mere of her life record, and they will doubtless be bene- fited by a perusal of the same, owing to the consistent and praiseworthy life she has led. Mrs. Margaret Dunlap, wife of W. W. Dunlap, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, May 8, 1839, the daughter of Dr. John and Christina (Spraker) Cornell, the former a native of Albany, New York, and a cousin of Ezra Cornell, the founder of Cornell University, one of the leading institutions of learning in the United States. The mother of the subject was a native of Schenectady, New York, Spraken's Basin being founded by Christina's grandfather. John Cornell was born August 6, 1798, of English parentage, being the descendant of one of three brothers who emigrated from England in an early day. He first prac- ticed his profession in New York, then came to Meigs county, Ohio, in 1830, where he lived and successfully practiced medicine until his death, September 19, 1873, having been known as one of the leading physicians of that place. The mother of the subject passed to her rest August 19, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. John Cornell were the parents of ten children, six girls and four boys, all having reached maturity, having been of a hardy race. Mrs. Dunlap taught school for ten years in Ohio. She married when twenty-five years of age. She was educated in the Ches- ter Seminary, in Meigs county, Ohio. She was the eighth child in order of birth. Daniel W. Cornell, Margaret's youngest brother, was a member of the home militia •of Ohio during the Civil war. In the fam- ily of the mother of our subject were twelve children, ten girls and two boys, eleven of whom lived to reach maturity. Mrs. Mar- garet Dunlap is the mother of two children, one of whom is living, M. Alberta, who is 742 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. a graduate of the Centralia high school and who was born February 6, 1879, married Harry F. Turner, November 22, 1904, of CentraHa. They have one son, Francis D. Turner, who was born November 3, 1905. They all reside in a neat home at 320 South Poplar street. Mr. Turner is an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad. Harry F. Turner was born July 9, 1874, at Water- loo, Iowa, the son of Oliver F. Turner. His mother was Luella E. Young in her maidenhood. She is deceased. Mr. Tur- ner is a member of a family consisting of one son and two daughters. William W. Dunlap was born January 17, 1833, in Car- roll county, Ohio. In 1859 he removed to Jeffersonville, Wayne county, Illinois. He worked at the carpenter's trade until the Civil war, when he gave free rein to his patriotic feeling, and on July 22, 1861, en- listed in Company E, Fortieth Illinois In- fantry, under Colonel Barnhill, of Fairfield, Illinois. Mr. Dunlap performed his duties as a soldier in a faithful manner for a period of three years and three months. He was stationed at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, Missouri. He went out as orderly sergeant, was promoted second lieutenant, and later first lieutenant. He saw some hard service, and he was wounded in the right foot, also lost his right eye, while in a skirmish in the timber near Jackson, Mis-' sissipi, on July 12, 1862. He drew a pen- sion of twelve dollars per month. After the close of the war Mr. Dunlap returned home and resumed work at the carpenter's trade, becoming recognized as a very com- petent workman, and his services were in great demand. Mr. Dunlap was called from his earthly labors May 24, 1905, while liv- ing in Centraha. Mr. Dunlap's mother died when he was eight years old, and he was reared by his grandfather Kail, who lived in Carroll county, Ohio. Mr. Dunlap worked at the carpenter's trade all his life from the time he was sixteen years old. Al- though his parents were Democrats he was a Republican. He was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was admired by all who knew him for his up- right life and his honesty of purpose. No family in Centralia bears a better reputa- tion than the Dunlaps. HON. JAMES BENSON. The name of the subject of this review has for years been allied with the develop- ment of Marion county in many phases, for a high purpose, vigorous mental powers and devotion to duty are the means by which he has made himself useful, and the am- bitious youth O'f this locality who fights the battle of life with the prospects of ultimate success may peruse with profit the biog- raphy presented in the following para- graphs. Hon. James Benson was born February 28, 1838, in Manchester, England, the son of William and Margaret (Bullon) Ben- son, both natives of Manchester. William Benson served as an apprentice under John BRINKERHOFf'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 743 Mellen, of that city, as a machinist, on the Manchester & Darlington Railway, and he finally became an engineer on that road. He was foreman in the shops in 1839, and in that year came with his wife and two children to America, landing in New York City and worked in the marine ship yards as a machinist. He later went to Williams- burg, New York, and was engineer in a distillery and was finally put in charge of the distillery. In 1848 he came to Chicago and worked in the railroad shops for six- teen months. He then had charge of a dis- tillery at Wilmington, Will county, Illinois. He later went to St. Louis and took charge of Henry T. Blow's White Lead and Oil Works. In 1855 he came to Centralia and worked for the Illinois Central Railroad as a machinist, and later took charge of the foundry where he was employed until his death in 1869. His widow survived until 1887. He had six chilldren, five of whom grew to maturity, three living in 1908. Samuel is a machinist in Chicago for the Nickel Plate Railroad, by which company he is regarded as an expert; James, the subject, is the second child; Evelyn is single and is living in Centralia ; John F., who was a machinist, died in Little Rock, Arkansas; Oscar was killed July 4, 1865, by the ex- plosion of an engine on the Illinois Central Railroad at Centralia; George W. was an engineer on the Illinois Central, and he also worked at Little Rock, Arkansas, where he died. The subject of this sketch attended school until he was sixteen years old, when he left school and started to learn the machinist's trade at St. Louis, Missouri. In 1855 he came to Centfalia and finished his trade. He then went to Champaign, Illinois, where he worked for ten months at his trade, later becoming engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad between Champaign and Centralia, having worked at this for two years. He then went to Columbus, Kentucky, at the opening of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad in the United States government service. He ran an engine to Jackson, Tennessee, and different places, and he was later at the opening of the Memphis & Charleston Rail- road. He was master mechanic at Jackson, Tennessee, for the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, and he continued his services for the gov- ernment until the close of the war. After the war he went to Jackson, Tennessee, where he remained for three years. He was master mechanic there for the Mobile & Ohio, and later went to Selma, Alabama, and was foreman under J. W. Wallace for eighteen months. He resigned partly on ac- count of failing health and came to Cen- tralia, and he and his brothers opened the Benson Brothers' machine shop, in 187 1. His brother, Samuel, retired in 1875, as did also his brother John, and the subject then managed the shop alone until February 28, 1907, when he sold out. They built up a large business and the venture proved to be a great success. They had a foundry and blacksmith shop in connection, and did all kinds of repair work. In i860 Mr. Benson cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He always took an ac- 744 BRINKERHOFf'S history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. tive interest in politics, and was Mayor of Centralia for three terms, and was in the City Council for four years." He is a Re- publican, a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers at Champaign. Mr. Benson was united in marriage in Salem, August 2, 1899, to Sarah Jane Cunningham, widow of Alexander Cun- ningham, and a daughter of Charles and Caroline (Steffy) Grose, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Bloom- ington, Indiana, where they married. She was attending school there and they ran away and married. Her father was a farmer and stock raiser in Indiana, later mov- ing to Trenton, Illinois. His father was Joseph and his mother was Sarah Jane Grose. They were pioneers of Trenton, Illinois. Mrs. Benson's parents came to this county, locating at Sandoval, in 1857, when there were only two houses there. He con- ducted a hotel there for several years, later locating in Centralia, where he also con- ducted a hotel, later in life going to Indianapolis, where he lived with his children until his death, which occurred in 1891. His widow survived until 1900. The following children were born to them: Louisa, widow of Seely Ashmeed, of Indianapolis; Sarah Jane, the subject's wife; Orville, who is now deceased, was an engineer on the Big Four Railroad for many years at Indian- apolis, and he rnarried Sophia Haussler ; Wil- liam is an engineer on the Big Four Railroad at Indianapolis; Benjamin M. is deceased; Sidney, who is deceased, was a telegraph op- erator on the Big Four for seventeen years at Indianapolis; Charles was also an engi- neer on the Big Four at Indianapolis. Alexander Cunningham, Mrs. Benson's first husband, was born in Gallion, Ohio. He was an engineer on the Mobile & Ohio. In 1862 he went to Columbus and Jackson, Tennessee, and afterward, in 1869, died. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Cunningham, namely: Albert Edward, who was born November 21, i860, is a machinist in St. Louis, and he married Margaret McHenry, who is the mother of two children. Lulu and Olive; Andrew J. died in 1862; Ida E. died in 1865. The subject and wife have one daughter, Nellie, who is the wife of Isaac Coe. They live on a farm near Centralia. They have one son, Isaac, Jr., who was born October 31, 1908. Mrs. Benson is a member of the Episcopal church. Mrs. Coe belongs to the First Baptist church. Ex-Mayor Benson, our subject, is favoi-ably known throughout this locality, and he is regarded as one of Centralia's most worthy citizens. SAMUEL R. WILD. The subject of this sketch, who has been called to a higher plane of action in the course of natural human events, still exerts an influence on those whom his life touched for his noble character made its impress on eveiyone, and no man ever lived in Centra- lia who was truer to high ideals than he. Samuel R. ^Vild was born near Manches- BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 745 ter, England, August 2, 1834, the son of Robert and Mary (Rolliston) Wild, both born at Oldham, England, where they spent their lives, the father of the subject having been a bookkeeper for thirty years. They both died in England. To them were born two children. Ann, the other child, besides our subject, died in infancy. Robert Wild was three times married. One wife was a Miss Briley. His third wife was Mary E. Burton. He had one son by his second wife, whom he named Briley, and who died in England, and he also had one child by his third wife, who was named Burton, and who also lived in the mother country. The subject of this sketch received only a limited schooling, however, he is an educated man, having been a close student all his life. He lived at home until he reached maturity, and he served an apprenticeship of seven years with Platte Brothers, until 1862, when he and his wife came to America on the "United Kingdom", a steamer which sank the next trip. They landed in New York City, where they lived awhile, and also in Boston for several years, after which they came west and located in Centralia, Illinois. Mr. Wild entered the Illinois Central shops as a machinist, and later became an engineer and ran on the road for eighteen years ; then went to Mt. Vernon, Illinois, remaining there awhile in the Louisville & Nashville shops. They were moved to Howell, In- diana, and Mr. Wild declined to move his family, and consequently he secured a posi- tion with the Air Line, now the Southern Railroad, as a foreman of the engineers. and he was regarded as a most efficient rail- road man. He passed to his rest August 29, 1893. Eight children were born to the subject and wife as follows: Edith Ann died in infancy; Mary E. married W. B. Goodale, of Centralia; Sarah Edith mar- ried Harvey England, and they are living in St. Louis. Robert died at the age of twenty-one years, having remained single; Gussie died when young; Morton and Bur- ton were twins and both died young; Ber- tha married Charles Brown and they are living at Howell, Indiana. The subject was a member of the Epis- copal church. He was a Republican in his political affiliations, and worked for the success of his party. He served as Alderman and City Councilman; also served the city of Centralia as a member of the Library Board. In his fraternal relations he was a Mason, belonging to Centralia Lodge No. 201. After serving his apprenticeship in the Centralia Lodge, completing the same March 15, 1878, he passed as a fellow craftsman April 15th following, and was raised to the degree of Master Mason April 20, 1878. He was very well known and highly respected by all. Samuel R. Wild married, February 25, 1857, at Prestwick church, near Manches- ter, England. He made two trips back to his old home on a visit and Mrs. Wild made one trip. Mrs. Wild was known in her maidenhood as Ann Randall, who was born January 7, 1837, at Oldham, near Man^ Chester, England. She is the daughter of David and Mary Morton, both of Oldham, 746 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. England, where they always lived. The father of Mrs. Wild was for many years a slosle major (or foreman) in a cotton fac- tory. Five of their children grew to matu- rity, namely : Maxtha, deceased ; Sarah, deceased; Ann, the subject's wife; John Thomas, deceased; Mary, who is living in Boston, Massachusetts, married John Bar- sley, who is now deceased. Mrs. Wild is a very pleasant lady, and she has a comfort- able and nicely furnished home. HARVEY R. LIVESAY. One of the representative farmers of Marion county is he whose name initiates this sketch, being one of the men of industry who have contributed to the general wel- fare of this community, while he is accorded the fullest measure of respect throughout the county where he has long resided. Harvey R. Livesay, the present efficient Supei-visor of Foster township, was born May lo, 1861, in Washington county, Illi- nois, the son of Alfred Livesay, a native of Tennessee, and Hannah (Logan) Livesay, a native of Washington county, Illinois. The maternal grandfather of the subject, James R. Logan, was born in South Caro- lina and resided in Tennessee until he came to Washington county, Illinois, where he had a well improved farm that he lived on to the time of his death, which occurred in i860. He was a member of the Methodist church and was a local exhorter. The father of the subject came to Wash- ington county, Illinois, when a boy with his parents. He grew to maturity there, pur- chasing land in that county. In 1866 he went to Missouri and later came to Marion county, Illinois, and bought land in Patoka township, six hundred acres, mostly gov- ernment land and unimproved. He was a successful farmer and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a Democrat and active in politics, and was well known throughout the county. His death occurred April 22, 1883. His widow still lives in Patoka township, on the old home place. She has been a faithful wife and mother, and a woman of beautiful Christian attributes, consequently she enjoys the friendship of a large number of the resi- dents of Marion county. To her and Mr. Livesay thirteen children were born, named in order of birth as follows: WiUiam, a druggist, in Iowa ; Lizzie, who is single and living at home with her mother; Berry, is merchant near Odin, Illinois ; Hester, who is living in Patoka township; Ransom, a farmer of Patoka township; Marshall, a farmer in Foley, Missouri; Lydia, deceased^ was the wife of Robert Quale; Harvey R.^ bur subject; Allen, deceased; Daniel, a farmer of Patoka township; Clinton, also a fai-mer in Patoka township; Etta, living in Patoka township; Eddie died when young. These children are fairly well situated in life. The subject of this sketch received a limited education in the home schools, and he remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-two. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 747 Mr. Livesay was united in marriage in February, 1883, to Mollie Chick, of Foster township, and she was called from her earthly labors in 1895. The subject has five children, all living at home, namely : Howard, Edgar, Virgil, Asa and Mollie. After his marriage the subject lived in Patoka township for about seven years, when he bought the farm where he now lives in section 29, Foster township. He owns sixty-two and one-half " acres in the home place and thirty-eight acres in section 19, also eighty acres in Patoka township, all under a high state of improvement and well cultivated, producing excellent crops from year to year. He raises all kinds of grain and hay, and does a general farming busi- ness in a manner that insures success from year to year. He has devoted his life to farming and therefore has mastered all its details, being now recognized as a very careful and systematic worker. He keeps some good stock of all kinds in his fields and barns. He has a comfortable and well furnished dwelling. He has always been a hard working man, and while he has met with some reverses, he has never let dis- couragement down him, but with renewed courage has set to work again and accom- plished definite success. He is a loyal Democrat, and at this writing is ably serv- ing his township as Supervisor. He takes much interest in politics, and is always ready to do his share in promoting any movement looking to the development of his county. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Farmers' Society of Equity, of Indianapolis, Indiana. In this section where he has lived for so many years and mingled with the people in busi- ness and politics, no one has ever heard anything derogatory to his honesty. JACOB J. REICHENBACH. One of the influential citizens of Centra- lia, is the gentleman to whose career the at- tention of the reader is now directed, who is ranked as one of the city's leading business men, a man of excellent endowments and upright character. Jacob J. Reichenbach, the well known shoe dealer, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, March 22, 1857, the son of Henry and Anna M. (Apple) Reichenbach, the father having come to this country from Germany in 1856. In his family were seven children, four boys and three girls, our subject being the oldest. The people of Anna M. Apple were also from Germany, having left that country in 1856, first settling in St. Louis, where they remained for two years, later moving to Columbia, Monroe county, Illi- nois. Henry Reichenbach was a shoe- maker by trade, which he followed for some time, then embarked in the tavern business, having successfully managed the Reichenbach House, in Columbia, for many years. He was drafted in the Union army during the Civil war, while living in Mon- roe county, this state, and enlisted from 748 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. there in 1862, serving one and one-half years. He was in Libby prison for about two months when he was exchanged. Re- ceiving a thirty days' furlough he returned home, then went back to the ranks and was mustered out at the close of the war at Springfield. After his service in the army he returned to the shoe business, which he fol- lowed until 1880; he then keot a tavern and later a saloon. He drew a, pension and his widow, who still survives, also draws a pension as a result of his army record. Henry Reichenbach died in Columbia at the age of sixty-six years. Jacob J. Reichenbach was educated in the public schools of Columbia, Illinois, where he received a fairly good education. His first work was done in St. Louis, in the shoe business with C. A. Cole & Company, with whom he was connected for a period of two years. He then went into a general store in Columbia, Illinois, at the age of sixteen years, the fii-m being Reid & Schue- ler, with whom he remained for three years. He had made a success of his work in both places, but he desired to enter railroad ser- vice and studied telegrahy, receiving em- ployment on a railroad when twenty years old. Later he returned to the shoe trade with F. Schindler, of St. Louis, and was connected with him for a period of six years in St. Louis. He then came to Centralia and established the St. Louis Shoe Store for that gentleman, in 1883, remaining with the same and biulding up a fine business until 1895. Then he was with G. L. Pittenger in the grocery department of his store, re- maining in the same for two years. He then purchased an interest in the Davis & Pulsifer Shoe Company, which is now the Davis & Reichenbach Shoe Company, located on the corner of Broadway and Locust streets, in this city, which is recognized as one of the most up-to-date shoe stores in this part of the state, and where many customers are constantly to be found, for they always get full value received and are accorded the most courteous treatment. Our subject has been the manager and treasurer of the firm since its inception. Our subject was united in marriage Sep- tember 21, 1 88 1, with Ellice Boeringer, daughter of William and Caroline Boer- inger, of Hermann, Missouri, she being the third child in order of birth, in a family of seven children, consisting of three boys and four girls. Nine children, seven of whom are living, have been born to our subject and wife, named as follows : Fred, Pearl, Millie, Etna, J. C, Caroline, Viola. Fred married Rosa Bates, of Centralia, and they have one son. The remaining children are all single and living at home. They have received good common school educations. Millie is one of the teachers in the Centralia public schools in the second grade. Mr. Reichenbach has always taken a great interest in his county in civic, educa- tional and material lines, and has ever done what he could in furthering the public wel- fare. He is at this writing serving his fourth term as a member of the local Board of Edu- cation. He is a member of the Turner So- BRINKERHOFF'S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 749 ciety and the Royal Arcanum, and is a member of the Evangelical church. In poli- tics he has always been a Republican. OWEN BREEZE. One of the representative citizens of Cen- tralia, whose friends were limited only by the circle of his accjuaintance, and who was regarded by everyone as a useful and con- scientious man, always ready to perform his duty in all lines, was the subject of this sketch. Owen Breeze, whose gentle spirit has passed to the silent land, was born in Orange county, Indiana, November 19, 1818, the son of Robert and Peggie (Copple) Breeze, both natives of Orange county, Indiana. He was a farmer and he came to Jefferson county, Illinois, in 1857, buying a farm. later going to Washington county, this state, where he purchased a farm, afterwards moving to Marion county, where he died. His wife died in Jefferson county, Illinois. They were the parents of fourteen children, only one son, Jonathan, and one daughter, Catherine, are now living. Jonathan lives in Jefferson county, Illinois. Mrs. Catherine Fouts, the daughter, lives in Centralia. The subject of this sketch had little chance to attend school. He did not even learn to read and write, but by habits of close observation he developed into a splen- did business man, and made a success of his life work. He was first married to Mar- garet Fortner, of Jefferson county, who died in 1873, and he married a second time in March, 1875, to Sarah Ann West, widow of William R. West, who was born April 22, 1834. He was in Company F, Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war, and he died at Chattanooga, Tennes- see. Mrs. Breeze was the daughter of James C. and Margaret (Rainy) Baldridge, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Kentucky. He was nine years old when he came (1820) with his parents to Illinois, who settled in Jefferson county. James C. was the son of Donton Baldridge, who first settled near Walnut Hill, and later got land in Grand Prairie township, Jeffer- son county. He managed a mill and also owned a large tract of land. Eleven chil- dren were born to them. Four children were born to Mrs. Breeze by her first marriage to William R. West, namely: Andrew, who died young; James A., a farmer in Jefferson county, in Grand Prairie township, who married Effie Copple, to whom one son, Willard, has been born; Iva died in infancy; Hattie married Amos Miller, of Jefferson county. They reside in Grand Prairie township, and are the parents of two children, Elsie and L. D. No children were born to the subject and wife. Mr. Breeze had five children by his first wife, namely: Martha J., widow of Henry West, of Irvington, Illinois; Sidney, who is deceased, was a farmer in Jefferson county; Harriett, who married Joseph Boles, lives in Jefferson county; two chil- dren died young. 750 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. On December 12, 1861, Mr. Breeze re- sponded to the patriotic feeling which had been dominant in his nature for some time, and enHsted in Company F, Forty-ninth Il- linois Volunteer Infantry. He became ser- geant and served until April 21, 1863, when he was discharged at White Station, Ten- nessee. He was sick a great deal of the time he was in the service. He lived the early years of his life in Jefferson county, Illinois, on Walnut Hill Prairie, and later moved to near Irvington, Illinois, where he lived until 1880, when he moved to Centra- lia, where he lived retired until his death, in January, 1878. He devoted his life to farming, also dealt extensively in stock. He was very successful in each, and was highly respected for his honesty in his re- lations with his fellow men. Although a strong Republican and interested in the suc- cess of his party's principles, he never held office. Mrs. Breeze has been a faithful mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church for the past fifty-six years. She is a woman of pleasing manners, and her pleasant home is often the gathering place for her many friends. SAMUEL A. JOLLIFF. The subject of this biographical review is one of the old and honored citizens of Car- rigan township, having spent his long and eminently useful life within the borders of Marion county, a life that has been honoi"- able at all times. Samuel A. Jolliff was born July 8, 1830, at Central City, Marion county, Illinois, the son of James and Elizabeth (Jackson) Jolliff. The father of the subject was born in Kentucky. The subject's paternal grand- father was in the Revolutionary war, hav- ing served under Washington until its close. He had seven different discharges from the war department of the United States. The father of the subject came to Central City, this county, October 15, 1829. He learned the miller's trade in Kentucky, and for many years operated a water mill on Crooked creek, Marion county, near Central City, at the old Jolliff bridge. He was County Judge for twelve years in Clinton county, and Justice of the Peace for many years. He was a prominent man in politics in his time. He was a Baptist and liberal minded man. He died in 1876, at his home near the Jolliff bridge. He was the first settler here of this old family. He served in the War of 1812, under command of Wil- liam Henry Harrison. The subject's mother was born in North Carolina and came to Kentucky when young, where she married James Jolliff. The subject is the only living member of a family of seven children. He received a limited education in the pioneer schools. Our subject went to California in 1852, during the gold excitement. He has seen a great deal of the world, has been in Panama where the canal is being built, and in nu- merous places of interest. Not being able to longer repress his pa- ' triotism he enlisted in the Union army Au- BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 751 gust 12, 1862, in Company G, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Infantry, under the command of R. W. Jolliff, his brother, who was captain of that company. After a faithful service he was discharged June 6, 1865, with the rank of sergeant, having taken part in all the important battles of the One Hundred and Eleventh Regi- ment. Our subject bought wild land from the Illinois Central Railroad after he returned from the army. It is located in section 6, and he has made all the improvements on the same, and it is one of the choice farms of the township. The county was very thinly settled when the subject came here. He paid the railroad company the first money they ever received from their land. Mr. JoUiff knew the man who built the first house in Centralia, and made the brick for the depot. Mr. Jollifif was united in marriage on the 25th of December, 1857, to Mary L. Kin- yon, and to them four children were born, all of whom are deceased. Mr. Jollifif's second wife was Eliza J. Alexander, by whom two children were born, both de- ceased. The subject's third wife was Re- becca J. Wisher, whom he married January 2, 1867, and to this union six children were born, namely: Minnie A., born October 21, 1867, married Edwin O'Niel on December 22, 1885, and to whom nine children were born, only four of whom are living, and they reside in Clinton county; Ulysses B. was born May 6, 1869, and married Etta Ward in 1890. They are the parents of five children and are living in McLean county. this state; Chester was married to Mary Smith, December 14, 1892, and they had three children, two of whom are living and one dead; Bertie, the fourth child, was born June 5, 1875. She is deceased. Winifred B., the fifth child, who was born November 14, 1876, died November 20, 1906; Bertha v., the youngest child, was born January 2, 1880, and died at the age of three years. The subject's wife is the daughter of Thomas Wisher, who was born January 26, 1820. He was a carpenter and farmer. He married Harriett Horner, who was born in 18 1 8, in Ohio, and who lived in Patoka, this state. The father of Mrs. Jollifif died Feb- ruary 27, 1892, and her mother passed away April 29, 1891. Mr. Jollifif is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In busi- ness he has been watchful of all details of his work, and of all indications pointing toward prosperity. He has gained success, yet it has not been the only goal to which he is striving, for he belongs to that class of American citizens who promote general prosperity. MRS. CAROLINE E. COLE. The following record is that of one of Marion county's most highly respected and estimable elderly women whose life has been modeled after high ideals, and so lived as not to give offense to those whom it touched. Caroline E. Cole was born in Clinton county, Illinois, April 5, 1837, the daughter 752 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. of John and Anise (Mulkey) Huey, the for- mei- a native of North Carolina. Caroline E. was one year old at the time of his death in Clinton county. The mother of the subject was born in Missouri and passed to her rest when our subject was seven years old. Caroline was reared by an uncle, Jo- seph Huey, a brother of her father, who lived in Clinton county. She received a fairly good education in the early common schools of her native county, and when she was twenty years old she was married on February 19, 1857, to John Cole, a thrifty farmer, and to this union seven children were born, four of whom are living at this writing, namely: Permelia M., who mar- ried George Fisher, has three children, one boy and two girls. Mr. Fisher, who was a boiler maker, is now deceased, and his widow lives in Centralia. John T., the sub- ject's second child, married Anna Young and they became the parents of two children, one of whom is deceased. Myrtle M., being the living child ; John T. is a machinist in Cen- tralia, doing scale work; Corda M., who married Clififord Elrod, who is now de- ceased, leaving Corda M. two children, a son and a daughter ; Harriett Isabel has been a clerk in the local post-office for over ten years; Mrs. Cole has lived in Centralia for over thirty-six years in 1908. She educated all her children in this city and she has be- come known to a large circle of friends during her long residence here. John Cole, her husband, passed to his rest January 25, 1872. He was one of the gallant soldiers in the Union army from this county, having enlisted in August, 1862, in Company I, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, having enlisted in Centralia, and went with Col. James S. Martin, of Salem, and under Capt. Alfred Nichols. He went into camp at Paducah, Kentucky, where he remained three months, and was in service three years, having been dis- charged in June, 1865. He was in many well contested fights, and was in the grand review in Washington City at the close of the war. He received a pension of twelve dollars per month. He was a Republican in politics. Both he and Mrs. Cole were reared Methodists, and they lived within six miles of each other in their youth. Mrs. Cole's father-in-law, Peter Cole, was a class leader in the Methodist church. He was born in Kentucky, and his wife, Jane (Hus- ton) Cole, was born in the state of New York. Jane Cole died October 10, 1864, at the age of fifty-five years. She was the mother of twelve children, six boys and six girls. John Cole, husband of our subject, was the fourth son in order of birth in the Cole family. The four oldest sons in this family all served in the war of the Rebellion, three were in the Union army and one in the Confederate army. All of them lived to return home in Marion county. They fought on opposite sides at Chancellorsville. The greeting of the home coming of the one was not like that of the other three. In this community it was looked upon as a shame and a disgrace for a member of any family of loyal Northerners to go into the Confederate army. BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 753 Mrs. Caroline Cole, our subject, is unusu- ally well presei-ved for one of her age. She and her daughter live in a neat and com- fortable home on South Poplar street, near the post-office, where the daughter is em- ployed. The Cole family bears an excellent reputation wherever its members are known. CHARLES S. HUDDLESTON. Dependent very largely upon his own re- sources from early youth, the subject of this sketch has attained to no insignificant position, and though he has encountered many obstacles, he has pressed steadily on and has won an eminent degree of success, and is today one of the foremost business men in Marion county, being the owner of a large marble and granite works in the thriv- ing city of Centralia. Charles S. Huddleston was born near Mt. Auburn, Kentucky, February 27, 1867, the son of George P. and Melinda (Pribble) Huddleston. Grandfather Huddleston was bom in Pennsylvania and moved to Ken- tucky in an early day, where he spent the remainder of his life and where he died. He was a Confederate soldier and died from disease contracted while in the serv- ice. His wife died when about fifty-two years old. Their family consisted of nine children. Grandfather Pribble was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, who moved to Illinois in 1882 and died the following year at the age of sixty-five years. His wife died at 48 the age of seventy-two years. They were the parents of four chilren and were mem- bers of the Christian church. The father of our subject remained in Kentucky until he was forty years old, when he moved to Illinois in 188 1. He was a sol- dier in the Eighteenth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry in the Union army. He was wounded and captured at the battle of Rich- mond, Kentucky, and was discharged on ac- count of the wound, and he carried his arm in a sling for two years as a result of the same, the bone in the shoulder joint hav- ing been shattered with a bullet. His wound still gives him much pain and he draws a pension. He now makes his home with our subject. He holds to the faith of the Christian church. The mother of the sub- ject passed to her rest when thirty- four years old, and was buried in the beautiful Mt. Auburn cemetery. She was also a faithful member of the Christian church. George P. Huddleston was a farmer and carpenter in his active life, having devoted twenty years to his trade with marked suc- cess. He had a brother, Charles I., who was also a soldier in the Union ranks, hav- ing enlisted from Kentucky and served through the war, having been with Sher- man on his march to the sea. He came out of the war on a mule which he captured while on a foraging expedition and which he rode in the grand review at Washington. Another brother, John, also enlisted from Kentucky in the Union army, and another brother, Peter, was also in the Union serv- ice, having also been with Sherman and 754 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. sei-ved to the end of the war, receiving an honorable discharge. Lorenzo, another brother, was in the Federal ranks. He died soon after the close of the war. The parents of the subject reared five children. Charles S. Huddleston, our subject, first attended school in Kentucky, which state he left when fifteen years old and came to Illinois, in which state he went to the pub- lic schools for four or five winters. He had to walk nearly three miles each way to school. During this time and until he was twenty years old he worked on the farm, after which he served eleven years as a let- terer and carver on marble and granite. After four years he became superintendent of the works, so efficient had his services been. He continued as superintendent for a period of seven years. Then the owner died and Mr. Huddleston was selected to close up the business, which he did in a most satisfactory manner and finally bought the business without the payment of one dollar, all being in time notes, which he paid when due and had the business clear of indebtedness. This was in 1901, and he has since conducted the works successfully. It is now the largest works of its character in this locality and is well patronized, yield- ing the owner a handsome income. Mr. Huddleston was united in marriage in 1891 to Jennie Baldridge, who was born in Irvington, Illinois, the daughter of James and Lydia (Pitchford) Baldridge, a native of Illinois. Three interesting children have been born to the subject and wife, namely : Neva, born in 1892, is in her second year in high school in 1908; Ruby was born in 1895, is also in school; Nina, born in 1898, is in school. In his fraternal relations our subject is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen, also a member of the United Commercial Travelers. The subject, wife and two oldest children are members of the Christian church. Mr. Huddleston is a charter member of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association and still retains his mem- bership in that society, which boasts of the second largest membership in the state. In politics he is a loyal Republican and is now filling his second term as Alderman from the Third ward of Centralia in a most able and praiseworthy manner. REV. J. F. ROSBOROUGH. Our subjct's life labors have been con- fined principally to the pulpit, and his name is synonomous with all that constitutes up- right and honorable manhood, and he has earned for himself the sincere and honest appreciation of the community at large, and has surrounded himself with a coterie of faithful admirers and friends. Rev. J. F. Rosborough was born in Gib- son county, Indiana, January 5, 1857, the son of Green and Manesa (Carter) Ros- borough. The former was born in Gibson county, Indiana, in 1827, and the latter was BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 755 l)om in Posey county, Indiana, in 1830. The parents of both were from Tennessee. On the mother's side the descendants were from the Huguenots. There were ten children in the family of Green and Manesa Rosbor- ough, six boys and four girls, the subject of this sketch having been the eighth in order ■of birth. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and at the age of eight years came with his parents to Lawrence county, Illi- nois, where he attended the district schools and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty years old. Thirsting for higher learning he took a course in Merom College, Indiana, where he made a splendid record, and after which he taught school for a number of years in Illinois and Kansas. His services were in constant demand wherever he was known. When thirty- three years old, in 1890, he began the min- istry, which has proved to be his ti"ue calling, judging from the eminent success he has at- tained. His first work was begun in Law- rence county, then he preached in Crawford and Richland counties, Illinois, and at this writing, 1908, has been in the ministry for a period of eighteen years. Six years of this time were devoted to the work in Salem, Marion county. He was at Sandoval and Odin, this county, for two years. He has been at Centralia for six years in the Chris- tian church, where his ministry has been very fruitful of good works, as it has ever been, resulting in general good, not alone in his congregation, but to all others. He has .always had a deep interest in true reform. and his support in the promulgation of all worthy movements looking to the develop- ment of the public good could always be de- pended upon. The Christian church of Centralia, of which our subject is pastor, was organized December 31, 1856, with eight members, as follows : Jacob Frazier, Harriett Frazier, Daniel Meyers, James McCartney, Jane Mc- Cartney, Margaret Whitton, Simpson Fra- zier and Louisa Hawkins. Elder John A. Williams assisted in the organization and served as its first pastor with great success, building up the church. The church in 1857 moved from Central City to Centralia and built a house of worship the saine year. In 1866 this house was destroyed by fire. In 1872 the present structure was built. In 1909 a large and imposing house of wor- ship was begun, the cost of which was thirty thousand dollars. It will be one of the handsomest and most commodious in this part of the state when completed, and the new structure has been secured largely through the efforts of Rev. Rosborough. The following pastors have served this church: J. A. Williams, John Boggs, Silas W. Leonard, George P. Slade, John Ross, Marshall A. Wilcox, Henry Van Duzen, Clark Bradon, W. G. Filler, A. Martin, A. W. Ingram, J. B. Burroughs, Guy Wattens, C. B. Black, C. W. Marlow, S. A. Cook, William Branch, J. H. Smart, Paul H. Castle, J. H. Stoller, G. W. Thomas and J. F. Rosborough, the present pastor. The membership is now four hundred, and the Sunday school has an enrollment of three 756 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS. hundred and sixty, with a home department. Following is the present board of officers of the church : A. Murrie, Watson Jones, T. B. Andrews, D. C. Brown, S. A. Frazier, O. R. Bert, Marshall Thomas, A. Rittinghouse, F. M. Phillips, Riley Davis, Mrs. M. A. Burt, Mrs. D. C. Brown, Mrs. A. Murrie. The church has a flourishing Ladies' Aid Society. It has also a Mission Circle, senior and junior, also Christian Endeavor societies, senior and junior. Rev. Rosborough's domestic life dates from March 9, 1884, when he was united in marriage with Clara M. Carroll, the refined and cultured daughter of C. F. and S. M. (Crater) Carroll, of New Comerstown, Ohio. Six children have been born to the subject and wife, named in order of birth as follows: O. A., who married Harriett Brown, of Centralia, this county, now of Chicago ; Wilfred H., Mary, Paul A., Jennie A., James McLean. All these children are, except the first named, living at home, hav- ing received good educations in the public schools and all giving much promise of bright futures. Our subject and wife are popular among a large circle of friends in Centralia, and their home is often the gathering place for numerous admirers. JOHN W. HATCH. One of the progressive and representative citizens of. Patoka township, Marion coun- ty, Illinois, is the well known farmer and stock raiser whose name heads this sketch, who has long been one of the leading men of the county in agricultural afifairs. John W. Hatch was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, December 19, 1836, the son of Thomas H. and Katherine (Kehoe) Hatch, the former having been born in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, in 1797. He came to Ohio with his parents when nine years old, having driven all the way across the mountains in wagons. There was no mail at that time and the country was wild. He settled at Wheelersburg. The father of the subject was engaged in the salt busi- ness for quite awhile in his younger days, after which he farmed for some time and then went into the furnace business, mak- ing pig iron, most of which was shipped to Pittsburg. He was living a retired life near Portsmouth, Ohio, at the time of his death in 1864. He was a money maker and a prominent man in his day. He was one of four children and received a common school education, belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church and was a Democrat. The mother of the subject was born in Winches- ter, Virginia, in 1795. She came to Wheel- ing and then to Portsmouth, Ohio, with her parents. Her people were very prominent. Her father was a highly educated man for those times. One of her nephews on her side of the house is now president of a bank in Portsmouth, Ohio. The father of the subject married his first wife about 1835. To them the following children were born : Samuel G., who settled east of Vernon, Illinois, in 1861, and died in BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 757 1899. His wife is also deceased. Two cliil- dren were born to them, one son living in Oklahoma, and the daughter lives near Ver- non, Illinois. Ruby G., the second child of the subject's parents, was sixty-six years old at the time of her death. She married John H. Barrett, who- is also deceased. They were the parents of four sons and one daugh- ter. John "W., our subject, was the third child in order of birth. Several of their children died in infancy. John W. Hatch was educated in the com- mon schools of Portsmouth, but he received a large part of his education from an Eng- lishman who taught school in Portsmouth for sixteen consecutive years, being a grad- uate from Oxford College in England. Mr. Hatch came to Marion county, Illi- nois, when twenty-eight years old for the purpose of engaging in farming and stock raising. For many years he has been prom- inent in these lines, buying and shipping much live stock, becoming widely known as a stockman on an extensive scale, and his success has been uniform. Mr. Hatch taught school for two years in a most ac- ceptable manner after coming to this coun- ty. He also engaged in the mercantile busi- ness near Portsmouth, Ohio, and in Ten- nessee for some time before his first mar- riage. He was successful as a merchant and had a good trade wherever he launched in this line of business. Since coming to Ma- rion county he has spent the major part of his time farming and stock raising, as al- ready indicated, and for many years was a very busy man. He was always considered an excellent judge of live stock and his deals were usually successful. He is now living in retirement, having acquired a liberal competency to insure a comfortable old age. Mr. Hatch is the owner of seven hundred acres of land, on which he has made all the improvements, transforming it from its primitive state to one of the model farms of the county. Everything about the place shows thrift and prosperity, a large, sub- stantial and comfortable dwelling, a good system of fencing and everything up to date, all due to the good management and excellent judgment of the owner. His land is located in sections 6, 7, 8 and 18. Although the subject has been a hard working man all his life, he is well preserved and is hale and hearty for one of his age and has a clear business mind. He makes his home in Pa- toka, where he is surrounded by everything to make life pleasant, his dwelling being nicely furnished and stocked with numer- ous good books, which the subject delights to read, being interested in good literature of all kinds. He is a well educated and wiely read man and a very instructive and interesting conversationalist. Mr. Hatch was first married December II, 1862, to Flora Hayward, who was born in Scioto county, Ohio, and to this happy union the following children were born: Floyd E., who is thirty-eight years old in 1908. He lives west of Vernon. He mar- ried Clara Nicols, of Patoka, and to them two children have been born. Frank H., the subject's second child, is thirty-one years old and lives west of Vernon. He 758 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. married Maud Arnold. They have two chil- dren, a daughter and a son, the former be- ing deceased. The subject's second wife was Julia V. Hull, whom he married February 5, 1901. She was the widow of Capt. H. D. Hull and the daughter of Ephraim and Julia (Black) Martin. She was born in Kentucky and came to Illinois when nine years old. She had six brothers in the Union army and one in the Confederate army. Her family located in Olney, this state. Our subject is a Republican in his politi- cal relations and has held several of the township offices by appointment, but he has never aspired for political office. However, he has always given his best efforts to the enactment of the duties imposed upon him. DANIEL KUGLER. A "fragrant weed" in the form of a good cigar has made itself indispensable to many a man. The cigar smoker today in a cigar- less world would cut a soriy figure. He would look in vain for something to soothe his troubled mind, for something as an aid to thought and contemplation; and in his solitary moments he would feel miserable indeed. And so, the cigar manufacturer has become a factor of importance, and cigar making has become one of our fore- most industries, employing many hands. Foremost among the representative busi- ness men of Centralia is Daniel Kugler, who has won success as the maker of many first class brands of cigars. He was born on May 2, 1847, the son of Jacob and Philipina (Hollinger) Kugler, both of Armweiler, Bavaria, the town where our subject was also born. His father was a skilled painter with a creditable record for turning out fine workmanship. He was married three times; first to the mother of our subject, who bore her husband five children. They were: Jacob,-who has been a painter for sixteen years with the Anheu- ser-Busch Brewing Company, St. Louis, Missouri ; Daniel, the subject of our sketch. Fred, a painter by trade, now in the cream- ery business in Wachenheim, Bavaria. The other children were Caroline and Simon, now both deceased. Daniel Kugler received a common school education in the common schools of Bavaria, and at the age of thirteen started to learn the painter's trade with his' father and others. In 1865, he came alone to America, and, having remained several months in New York City, went to Henderson, Ken- tucky. In 1866 he arrived in Centralia, Il- linois, and took up the painting business for a time with a local firm. He then started in to learn the cigar making industry with Henry Stuck, with whom he remained for four years, after which he went to Chicago, St. Louis, Missouri, and New Orleans. He then once more returned to Centralia, where he has since resided. He was first located in South Chestnut street, for twenty-six years afterwards he located on Locust street, and in 1902 he opened his present business place BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 759 at No. 500 South Locust street, on property bought in 1885. He has a fine residence in connection with his business place, and also owns some choice real estate and dwellings in Centralia. In 1873 his first marriage took place. In April of that year he married Christiana Hirsch, of Cronberg, Germany, and after a successful and happy domestic life she died in 1904. He remarried on November 16, 1906, Sofia Bollier, the widow of Fritz Bol- lier, of Switzerland, whose death occurred in 1896. Sofia BoUier's maiden name was Pfenninger. She was born in Horgen, Can- ton of Zurich, Switerland, and came to America in 1878. Her mother and her sis- ter, Julia Tepsin, who owns a dry-goods store, live at Altamont, Illinois. Her brother, Werner, is a farmer and lives near Edgewood, Illinois. Her brother Walter is a farmer at Harmony, Pawnee county, Kan- sas. Julius, another bi'Other of Mrs. Kug- ler, is a machinist at St. Louis, Missouri. Daniel Kugler has one son by his first wife named Daniel, who lived the greater part of his life in Centralia, Illinois. He is a first class jeweler and a musician of note. He now resides at San Bernardino, Califor- nia. He is married to Lydia Kist, of Ver- mont, Fulton county, Illinois. As a business man and as a cigar maker, Daniel Kugler is widely known as the maker of first class brands of cigars. He is a mas- ter in his line of business and is a strenuous believer in turning out goods of the best quality, and of giving satisfaction to his patrons. In social affairs he has that marked char- acteristic of his countrymen highly de- veloped in him, being a genial spirit in any gathering he graces with his presence. He is a popular member of the Turnverein of Centralia, and has been a member of the Knights of Honor for twenty years, being for twenty years its treasurer. His wife is also prominent in social work, and is an in- fluential member of the local German-Amer- ican society. Daniel Kugler, although starting in life with no other asset than his own resources, is now in an assured position of prosperity. His progress has been due solely to his own natural qualities which sharpened by contact with the everyday world of business, have placed him where he can enjoy the later years of his life. FRANK F. NOLEMAN. One of the central figures of the South- ern Illinois bar is the gentleman to a re- view of whose career the attention of the reader is called in the following paragraphs. Prominent in legal circles and equally so in public matters, with a reputation in one of the most exacting of professions that has won him a name for distinguished sei-v- ice second to none of his contemporaries. There is today no more highly respected man in Marion county, which he has long dignified by his citizenship, his name for years having been allied with the legal in- stitutions, public enterprises and political in- 760 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. terests of this locality in such a way as to earn him recognition as one of the repre- saitative citizens of a community noted for the high order of its talent. Frank F. Noleman is a native of Cen- tralia, Illinois,i where he has spent practi- cally all his life, having been born here, July 2, 1868, the son of Robert D. and Anna M. (White) Noleman, the former a native of West Union, Adams county, Ohio, where his birth occurred on December 29, 1816. He was the son of Richard and Mar- garet Noleman, people of much sterling worth and pioneers of Ohio. Richard Nole- man's father was likewise named Richard. He was a native of Maryland, settled in Pennsylvania in 1787, buying four hundred acres of land in Bedford county, but while yet a young man removed to Ohio, where he continued farming on an extensive scale for those early days and became a man of much influence in his vicinity. In 1840 Richard Noleman, the father of Robert, moved his family from Adams county, Ohio, to Grand Prairie township, Jefferson county, Illinois, where he secured a large tract of land, and, after establishing a new home, died there in 1843, leaving his faithful wife and Rob- ert D., his oldest son, to take charge of the family. Robert Dobbins, the subject's maternal great-grandfather, was a well known Meth- odist minister and circuit rider in the early days in Ohio, and he was a member of the Legislature from Greene county, Ohio, for several years ; he was a fine type of Scotch- Irish lineage. Robert D. Noleman, the subject's father, returned to Ohio in 1844, and purchased the first steam sawmill brought to this sec- tion of the state. The task of bringing it to this state was a most difficult one, the ap- paratus having been loaded on flatboats, which bore it down the Ohio river as far as Shawneetown, Illinois, where it was placed on wagons. These were drawn by ox teams, about one hundred miles across country to Jefferson county, where it was soon in operation, Mr. Noleman engaging in the lumber business, also trading, in con- nection with the management of the home place. He moved to Centralia in 1858 and owned one of the first lumber yards in the city, and was eminently successful in this line of business. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil war he turned his attention from his business affairs for a time for the purpose of organizing a company of caval- i-ymen, which was accomplished June 24, 1 86 1. He furnished most of the horses for the army boys in this county. For his serv- ices in raising Company H of the First Il- linois Cavalry, Robert D. Noleman was elected captain, the company offering its services for a period of twelve months, at the end of which time his company was mus- tered out and Captain Noleman returned to Centralia. In recognition of his praise- worthy services in behalf of the Union, Cap- tain Noleman was appointed postmaster of Centralia in 1861 by President Abraham Lincoln, and ably discharged the duties of the same. In 1863 he was appointed In- ternal Revenue Collector of the Eleventh BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 761 district of Illinois by President Lincoln, which position he very creditably filled for a period of eleven years. Robert D. Noleman was one of the prin- cipal organizers of the First National Bank of Centralia in 1865, now known as the Old National Bank, of which he continued to be a stockholder and director until his death, March 30, 1883. He also assisted in or- ganizing the first gas company, the first company for the purpose of mining coal in this vicinity, the first nail mill, also the old fair association, having been a stockholder and director in each of the above named companies. Governor Beveridge appointed Captain Noleman Commissioner of the Il- linois state prison at Joliet, which position he filled with entire satisfaction for four years. He was held in high esteem by all who knew him and was recognized as a man of superior ability, always discharging his duties with fidelity and industry. Sarah A. Jennings, the first wife of Rob- ert D. Noleman, was the daughter of Charles W. Jennings, of Marion county, Illinois. Her wedding with Mr. Noleman was sol- emnized in 1847, and she was called to her rest in 1859, leaving one son and two daugh- ters, namely: Walter A., who resides in Springfield, Missouri ; M. Irene is the wife of Judge S. L. Dwight, of Centralia; Ida M. married Berthold Haussler (deceased), formerly a prominent business man of Cen- tralia. Anna M. White, the second wife of Rob- ert D. Noleman, whom he married in 1863, and the mother of our subject, was a na- tive of the state of New York, a sister of Dr. James White, a well known physician of that state and of Irish parentage. To Robert D. Noleman and his second wife were born our, subject and one daughter, Sadie A., the wife of O. L. McMurry, head of the manual training department of the Cook County (Illinois) Normal. With such noble ancestry as our subject can claim, it is not surprising that by rea- son of inherited praiseworthy characteris- tics he has achieved distinction in his chosen line of endeavor. Frank F. Noleman re- ceived his education in the Centralia pub- lic and high schools, but being actuated by a laudable ambition to acquire a higher ed- ucation, he took a course at McKendree College, in which he made an excellent rec- ord. He early evinced a desire to study law, which he began in the firm of Casey & Dwight, of Centralia. Having made rapid progress, he was admitted to the bar of Il- linois in 1889 to practice in all its courts. His success has been all that he could de- sire, for he has always stood high in his profession. No one knows better than he the necessity of thorough preparation for the trial of cases, and no one more indus- triously applies himself to meet the issues than he. Though of a somewhat ardent temperament, he is always master of him- self in the trial of cases, being uniformly courteous and deferential toward the court, and kind and forebearing to his adversaries, and he is regarded by everyone as standing in the front rank of his profession in this part of the state. 762 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Mr. Noleman's domestic life dates from 1894, when he was united in marriage with Margaret Schindler, the accomphshed and refined daughter of FredoHn and Molhe (Le- Graen) Schindler, whose family consisted of three children, Margaret having been the youngest and the only daughter. Mr. Schindler is a prominent shoe merchant of Centralia. After a singularly harmonious married life of eight years, Mrs. Noleman was called to her rest on August 13, 1902, leaving one daughter, a winsome little girl, named Irene Elise. Notwithstanding the fact that the law has claimed the major part of Mr. Noleman's time, he has devoted considerable attention to other business affairs, and has been con- spicuously successful. He is a director of the Old National Bank, of Centralia. He assisted in the organization of the Centra- lia Envelope Company, of which he is a di- rector; also took part in the organization of the Marion County Coal Company, of which he is secretary. He is also a director of the Home Building and Loan Associa- tion. In his fraternal relations the subject be- longs tO' the Masonic orders in Centralia, consisting of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and the Commandery. He also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Having long taken considerable interest in local political affairs, supporting the principles of the Republican party, Mr. Noleman has been called upon to serve in various positions of public trust, among which are those of City Attorney and City Clerk, and he has served as director of die Public Library Board for several years, be- ing also the treasurer of the same at this writing (1909). He was partly instrumen- tal in securing the commodious library building, the gift of Andrew Carnegie, for Centralia. GEORGE R. KNIGHT. The subject of this sketch enjoys distinc- tive prestige among the enterprising busi- ness men of Centralia and Marion county, having fought his way onward and up- war in the face of obstacles until he has earned the right to be called one of the pro- gressive men in industrial circles, winning a position among the earnest men whose depth of character and strict adherence to principle excite the admiration of his con- temporaries. George R. Knight, who has built up the Centralia Book, Stationery and Printing Company until it ranks with the leading in- stitutions of its kind throughout the south- ern part of Illinois, is a scion of sterling pioneer citizens of the southern part of this state, who played well their parts in the formative period of the same, and he has inherited many of their commendable traits of character. He was bom in Fayette county, Illinois, April 9, 1872, the son of John and Louisa (Thoman) Knight, the former having been bom in this state in the month of September, 1840. The pa- ternal grandparents of the subject were BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 763 among the early settlers in this locality, as already indicated. John Knight, father of the subject, a man of considerable influ- ence in his community, faithfully served in the Union army for four years and three months, having been a member of Company F, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, receiving an honorable discharge at the close of the war. He is now living in Vernon, Marion coun- ty. Louise Thoman, the subject's mother, a native of Germany, came to America with her parents at an early age. She and John Knight were married in Fayette county, Il- linois, about 1866. Their family consisted of six children, two boys and four girls, George R., our subject, who was the third child in order of birth, remained a member of the family circle until he was sixteen years old, having first attended the county schools east of the village of Vernon and later went to school in Vernon. Mr. Knight's business career began at the period indicated above when he went to work for the Centralia Sentinel Printing Company, with which he remained for a period of twelve years, during which time he mastered the art of printing. Deciding then to start in business for himself, he opened a printing establishment in the city of Centralia under the firm name of Knight & Panuska, the firm continuing successful- ly for three years, when Mr. Knight bought the interest of his partner and conducted the same for one year, when he sold out to C. R. Davis. Mr. Knight then made a trip to the West and Northwest, covering a period of seven months, after which he re- turned to Centralia and opened the concern with which he is still identified. The or- ganizers of this company were George R. Knight, Frank Clark and Will Severns, which so continued until 1908, when George R. Knight and his brother, J. O. Knight, bought the interest of the other two mem- bers of the fiiTTL, and it is now conducted by the Knight brothers, under the firm name of the Centralia Book, Stationery and Printing Company, their modern, well equipped and extensive plant being located on Broadway and Locust streets, facing on Broadway. It is always a very busy place and is liberally patronized, first class work being turned out with rapidity and accu- racy, the most up-to-date machinery being used and only skilled artisans employed. Their book store is the largest and most tastefully arranged of any in the state south of Decatur, and they are doing a flourish- ing business in every department, their trade extending to all parts of the country and is rapidly growing, for their store is equipped throughout with everything in the line of stationery that the public demands. The proprietors have acted on the principle that the best is none too good for their cus- tomers, accordingly they have from the be- ginning handled nothing but the highest quality of goods, and this, too, on a scale which enables them to sell at the lowest pos- sible prices, and to compete successfully with the large houses of the commercial centers. The courteous and kindly treat- ment accorded customers and their uni- formly friendly relations with the public 764 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. have contributed not a little to the large and growing business which the firm now commands. Thus with the support of the people of Centralia, coupled with the hon- est, straightforward policy ever pursued, and the sparing of no expense or pains in meeting the demands of their patrons, giv- ing the people confidence in their rectitude and honorable dealing and earning for our subject and his firm a high place in the commercial world. In his fraternal relations George R. Knight is a member of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, Queen City Lodge No. 79; also the Knights of Pythias, Helmet Lodge No. 26; Red Men, Talequah, No. 179; Encampment and Rebekahs, all of Centralia, and he takes much interest in lodge work. In political affairs Mr. Knight is a Re- publican, and he has long taken an abiding interest in local and national politics. Reared a Methodist, to which denomination his parents belonged, he liberally contrib- utes to the support of the same. CHARLES V. BURT. The record of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts has worked his way from a modest beginning to a position of influence and comparative prosperity in his community while yet young in life. Throughout his career he has maintained the most creditable standards of personal and business integrity, and without putting forth any efforts to the end of attaining popularity he has achieved it in a local way by the manner in which he transacts the everyday afifairs of a busy man. His life has always been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and hon- orable methods which he has followed have won him the unbounded confidence of his fellow men. Charles V. Burt was born in Marion county, Illinois, twelve miles east of Cen- tralia, October 25, 1876, the son of Addison and Margaret A. (Morrison) Burt. The father of our subject was born in Indiana, January 3, 1852, and after attending the home schools until he was about fifteen years old, went to Wisconsin with his par- ents, and about a year later came to Illi- nois and located on a farm in Marion coun- ty, where he resided until 1885, when he moved to Macon county, this state, his death occurring there in 1886. A Republican in politics and a man of excellent repute, he was highly respected by all who knew him. Luther Burt, grandfather of the subject, came from Pennsylvania in an early day, having been born in Washington county, that state, where he grew to manhood, and when the Civil war broke out enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-sev- enty Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving through the war as a private. He moved to Wisconsin in 1866, then to Illinois in 1867, locating in Marion county, removing to Macon county, this state, in 1881, where BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 765 he now lives. On August 2, 1852, he was united in marriage with Violet Swain, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, and she is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Luther Burt are the parents of ten children, five boys and an equal number of girls. Mrs. Harriett Morrison, maternal grand- mother of the subject, who was born near \\'alnut Hill, Jefferson county, Illinois, and who is a sister of Squire Andrews, of Cen- tralia, is still living in Marion county and is enjoying good health for one of her ad- vanced age. After the marriage of the sub- ject's maternal grandparents they moved to Little Prairie, where Mr. Morrison died. They were known for many years through- out the community where they resided for the excellent quality of sorghum molasses they made, and were largely patronized by the farmers for miles around. No towns were in the county at that time and all goods used in the county were hauled from St. Louis, to which city local products were placed on the market, usually in exchange for goods, provisions, etc. Most of the teaming was done with oxen. The subject's mother was bom twelve miles east of Cen- tralia, June 23, 1857, and lived at the old home until she married in 1876, then she moved to a farm on Romine Prairie, seven miles south of Salem in Raccoon township. She now lives with our subject most of the time. Mr. and Mrs. Addison Burt were the parents of four children, three boys and one girl, namely: Charles V., our stibject; Frank Le Clare, deceased; Esther D. is married; Roy C. is also married. Our subject was about nine years old at the time of his father's death. He remained at home during his boyhood days, attend- ing school in four different places, working in the meantime on the farm during the summer months, which work he continued until his mother moved to Kell, Illinois, where she conducted a hotel. Here Charles V. managed a livery barn with much suc- cess for a period of four years, after which he moved to Centralia and worked in the envelope factory for one year, then secured employment at the South Mines for eight- een months ; but, not satisfied with his work, he decided to become a merchant and accord- ingly went to work in a grocery store as clerk, which position he filled with entire satisfaction to his employer. Finding it to his advantage to give up the gi'ocery busi- ness on account of a better opportunity opening up in another direction, Mr. Burt accordingly formed the firm of Burge & Burt, dealing in real estate, farms and city property, their business having been large from the first and has steadily increased, having been so conducted as to gain the con- fidence of the many patrons of the firm throughout this locality. An extensive business is also carried on in fire insurance, city and farm, also accident and health in- surance. The happy domestic life of Charles V. Burt began May 31, 1900, when he was united in marriage with Estella Stonecipher, daughter of Hiram and Dorcas Stonecipher, of near Kell, Illinois. Mr. Stonecipher is one of the substantial agriculturists of that 766 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. community, and the subject's wife is the third in order of birth in a family of five children. Mr. and Mrs. Burt are the parents of three children, AA'andah V., born April 3, 1902; Thaddeus L., who was born October 17, 1903, and one died in infancy, all hav- ing been born in the city of Centralia, where the subject has a comfortable and nicely furnished home, where their many friends often gather. Our subject is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is in the team work of the lodge, No. 397, of Centralia. In his political relations he supports the principles of the Republican party, and he and his estimable wife are both members of the Christian church. JUNE C. SMITH. There is no profession more exacting and trying than that of the law, and those who achieve a conspicuous place in this field are men of superior mettle, consequently the fact that the subject of this sketch has made a brilliant record as an attomey-at-law while yet a young man speaks well of his innate ability as well as his properly trained mind and personal attributes. June C. Smith, one of the most popular of the younger generation of lawyers in Marion county, was born in Irvington, Washington county, Illinois, March 24, 1876, the son of Isaac C. and Alma C. (Maxey) Smith. The subject's father, who was of Scotch-Irish descent, died in De- cember, 1875, before June was born. Mil- ler Smith, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the pioneer settlers of Walnut Hill and for many years he conducted a general store there, spending the last years of his life in that place and dying there. He had seven sons and three sons-in-law in the Union army, all of whom came out unscathed. Isaac C. Smith enlisted in Com- pany H, Eightieth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, a regiment organized at Salem, with James Cunningham of that place as colonel and John R. Cunningham, now of Dix, Illinois, as captain. According to Civil war history, this company was in more engagements than any other, having taken part in forty-five battles and skir- mishes, among which were the great en- gagements of Gettysburg and Lookout Mountain, also in Sherman's march to the sea. Our subject carries a watch-charm he prizes very highly, for it was made uf lau- rel wood by his father in 1863 at Lookout Mountain, the memento being from a de- ceased soldier — his father, whom he never saw. The mother of our subject, now Mrs. Alma C. Watts, is still living in Tonti township on a farm, four miles north of Salem, Illinois. When he was only a boy June's mother and grandfather Maxey moved with him from Clinton coun- ty, Illinois, to the state of Washington, where he attended school in the country for about three months in the year. School privileges at that time were very limited. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 767 He spent his time working on a ranch until 1886, when he came to Marion county, IlHnois, and labored on a farm in Raccoon township in the Bundyville neighborhood and attended school at Bundyville until he was seventeen years old. The following year he went to school one year at Walnut Hill. He continued to farm until 1898, when he took a two years' course in the Southern Normal University at Hunting- ton, Tennessee, from which school he grad- uated with high honors from the classic and law courses, receiving the degrees of Bach- elor of Art and Bachelor of Laws. In the meantime he read law with McCall & Mc- Call, of the same city. J. C. R. McCall is in 1908, the Judge of the Federal Court for the Western District of Tennessee. With a desire to be fully equipped for his life work, he attended the Northern Illinois College of Law, at Dixon, taking a post- graduate course. Mr. Smith said it then became necessary for him to replenish his somewhat depleted exchequer, which he did by returning to the farm for a short period. Mr. Smith was happily married on Sep- tember 30, 1900, to Metta A. Bates, daugh- ter of Francis M. and Mary A. (Martin) Bates, both pioneer settlers of Jefferson county, Illinois, having come to this state from Tennessee. The subject's wife's mother was born in Shelbyville, Bedford county, Tennessee, and came to Illinois when ten years old. Metta (Bates) Smith is the third from the youngest of a family of four- teen children. Her education was received at Walnut Hill, in the district schools. One daughter has been bom to the subject and wife, named Edna Ruth, born September 19, 1902, at Walnut Hill. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Smith and his wife went to Tennessee, where he at once began the practice of law, but he finally returned to Illinois. He was admitted to the bar in this state April 6, 1904, and has been practicing continuously in Centralia ever since. He was successful from the first, and at present enjoys a liberal patronage throughout the county, being a tireless worker and cool and calculating, un- erring and painstaking in his legal work of whatever nature. In August, 1904, Mr. Smith was nomi- nated on the Republican ticket for State's Attorney of Marion county, and was sub- sequently elected the following November, being the first State's Attorney to be elected by the Republicans in this county for twenty years, and the second one ever elected in Marion county. This speaks well for his high standing here. He certainly deserves a world of credit for what he has accom- plished, being practically a self-made man. He was left fatherless to struggle for an education as best he could, and to obtain un- aided a place in the great business world. His success stands for that type of energy, pluck and perseverance that go to make nerve and the brawn of the nation's great men. While in college he worked at carpen- try in order to pay his board and room rent. Our subject is a member of the Modern Woodmen, the Knights of Pythias, the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, also the 768 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Dramatic Order of Knights of Khorasson, all of Centralia. He was reared in the Methodist faith, and he and his family at- tend that church. He is now the junior member of the well known law firm of Nole- man & Smith, of Centralia, who enjoy one of the largest practices in Southern Illinois. Because of his genuine worth, his integrity and pleasing address, he is held in high favor by all who know him, and his many friends predict a future replete with honor and success for him. HARRY M. WARNER. Harry M. Warner, president of the old National Bank, of Centralia, Illinois, was born October 24, 1864, the son of S. M. and C. E. (Aldrich) Warner, being the oldest of two children. The Warner family has long been well known in Marion county. Our subject grew up in Centralia, where he was born, and received his early educa- tional training in the local schools and the University at Bloomington, which he at- tended for one year, obtaining a very good and serviceable education which has later been supplemented by general reading and actual experience with the business world. When he reached maturity, Mr. Warner was united in marriage with Lillian A. Hobbs, of Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Charles and Nancy J. Hobbs, she being the youngest of a family of six children. The date of the ceremony which made Mr. and Mrs. Warner one, was September 19, li Four children have been born to the subject and wife as follows : Rollin A., born in 1891 ; Emily L., born in 1894; Mildred K., whose date of birth occurred in 1896; Vir- ginia J., who first saw the light of day in 1903. Our subject began his business career with the Centralia Mining and Manufacturing Company, with which he remained for a period of eighteen years, giving the firm satisfactory service in every respect. For the past eleven years, dating from 1897, Mr. Warner has been president of the old National Bank at Centralia, one of the soundest banking institutions in the state, whose numerous patrons would indicate the explicit faith they have in its management. In his political affiliatons Mr. Warner is a Republican, and his support can always be depended upon in furthering the interests of Marion county, whether in a political, edu- cational or moral way. He affiliates with the Episcopal church. He has numerous business interests besides his bank, and his home is modem, comfortable and well fur- nished, where Mr. and Mrs. Warner are often hosts to their friends, who are many and loyal, owing to their creditable standing in Centralia. D. S. PETRIE. One of the most efficient and popular contractors and skilled workmen in Centra- lia, is the subject of this sketch, who has an BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 769 extensive business, having been a good man- ager, which has resulted in definite success, due entirely to his own efforts, which are al- ways directed along honorable lines. D. S. Petrie was born in Clinton county, Illinois, August 7, 1862, the son of A. J. L. and Mary F. (Sharp) Petrie, the former having been born in North Carolina in 1828, and the latter near Belleville, St. Clair county, lUinois, in 1839. There were eight children in this family, of which our subject is the second in order of birth. The subject of our sketch grew to man- hood in Brookside township, Clinton county, and received his education in the country schools. He was reared on a farm, and he left school when seventeen years old, and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-three years of age, at which time he was married to Mary F. Holly, daughter of T. J. M. and Mary J. (Boatwright) Holly, both daughter and mother having been born in Washington county, Illinois. T. J. M. Holly was born in Alabama. The wife of our subject received her education in the common schools of Washington county, this state. To D. S. Petrie and wife one child was born, named J. Nelson, whose date of birth occurred June 21, 1889. He became an apt student at an early age and graduated from the Centralia high school, and he is at this writing attending the University at Champaign, this state, taking a special course in electrical engineering, in which he is making a brilliant record, and he gives every promise of a successful future in thi^ line of work. 49 Our subject took a liking for the carpen- ter's trade, and is doing the work of a gen- eral mechanic while working on his father's farm. He did many fine pieces of work in order to show his natural skill and ability. He became a contractor and successfully car- ried on this work for several years while living in Brookside, having built for him- self on his farm a very neat and comfortable dwelling. He learned his trade from va- rious sources and with a number of carpen- ters, and with much personal study in archi- tectural plans and drawings. His unusually strong body and mind and his genial nature, give him an easily approachable demeanor, all of which gives him great success in his work. He guarantees entire satisfaction in all his building, and no complaints are ever heard after he has finished a job, for no bet- ter or conscientious workman could be found than Mr. Petrie. He has a commo- dious and modern home and shop at No. 620 South Pine street, where he prepares for all kinds of contracts, work on houses, barns and general construction work from the foundation to the finished product. Everyone who has had occasion to know anything of his work speaks very flatter- ingly of his skillful workmanship and his honorable and square dealing. While in Brookfield our subject filled the office of Constable for four years and School Director for two terms. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Petrie is a member of the Modern Woodmen Lodge No. 367, and also a mem- 770 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ber of the Carpenters' Union, being one of the trustees of the same. He was reared a Methodist and he and his family attend this church. Mr. Petrie has been thrifty and he owns five houses and several lots in Centralia, all of which he has acquired by hard and honest toil. He is a strong man of unusual energy and consequently accomplishes more than the average man. He believes in a square deal for every man, and he is very liberal in his views of all public matters. He has a beautiful home in which he takes a great pride, being a devoted husband and kind father. HENRY HESER. Henry Heser, a well known engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad, of Centralia, Marion count)', is a respected citizen and a man who is blessed with a large circle of friends. He has made his way in life wiLli credit to himself and has always possessed the virtues of self-reliance and independence. He comes of German-American parentage and has inherited and developed to a marked degree the best cjualities of both races. He is now in his thirty-fourth year and, notwith- standing his long and arduous railroad life, he is still a splendid specimen of masculinit\'. His domestic relations have always been of a serene and happy character and he is now in a position to enjoy the fruits of his years of endeavor. The subject of our notice was born in Belleville, Illinois, on the second of Sep- tember, 1874, the son of Charles and Lizzie (Heherer) Heser. Charles Heser was bom in Germany, in 1848, and came to the United States from a European port in a sailing ves- sel at the age of twenty-one. The voyage across the broad stretch of Atlantic Ocean occupied during his trip some fifty-two days. On landing in this country he worked for some years in New York state as a moulder and carpenter. His mother was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, in 1848. Six children were born to them, of whom four are living and two are dead. Henry Heser was the second eldest mem- ber of his family and was reared in Centralia and his educational training was imparted to him in the township schools. In 1890 he started in to learn the carpenter trade in the car shops of the Illinois Central and contin- ued at that occupation for eight years. Then he changed to firing engines and worked in that way for three and a half years, until 1900, when he became an engineer on the road between Centralia and Cairo. Henry Heser has a comfortable home at 102 1 South Poplar street, Centralia. He married, on May 10, 1899. Fanny Haug, daughter of Abraham and Julia (Daubs) Haug. Eight children were born to her parents, she being one of twin sisters. She was born at Huey, Illinois, and was edu- cated there. Abraham Haug was a black- smith by trade. He was born in Germany and came to this countr}- at the age of twenty. Mother Haug was born in Shaw- neetown, Illinois. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 771 To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Heser four chil- dren have been born, namely : Henry Heser, Jr., born July 19, 1900; Frida M., born June 2, 1902; Carl, born February 21, 1904; Elizabeth Nellie Heser, bom March 20, 1907. Our subject belongs to the Auxiliary En- gineers G. I. A., of Centralia, and the Henry Lodges of the B. & L. E. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias Lodge. He is a Re- publican in politics and was reared a mem- ber of the German Lutheran church, while his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal faith. Henry Heser and his wife are well liked and respected and have a large and sin- cere circle of friends. EMILE R. LEDERMAN. The subject of our sketch is one of the gifted men from Europe who have placed their musical talents at our disposal, having come to us from a musical land — picturesque Switzerland — famed for its (Tyrolean) bal- lads and yoddeling songs. He was born in Eerne, the capital of Switzerland, on April 6, 1859, and was the son of Frederick and Anna M. Lederman, both natives of Switzerland. The family consisted of three, boys of whom Emile R. was the youngest. Mr. Lederman received a liberal and sub- stantial education in his native city of Berne, attending first the elementary schools and passing in the usual course of the academic schools, the highest in the republic. From his youth he evinced a passion for music, accen- tuated, no doubt, by his natural surround- ings, and hi'S musical "bent" soon took a practical trend, as both his parents were ac- complished musicians. He was sent to the Berne Musical Conservatory where he ap- plied his talents strenuously, putting more than usual concentration into his studies. He studied under the noted professors Methfes- sel R. Weber and C. Munzinger and gradu- ated with distinction in the regular order. His mother died in 1874, and in the next year, accompanied by his father, he bade good-bye to the scenes of his youth and sailed for America in August of 1875. Ar- riving in New York City, they went direct to St. Louis, Missouri, where they remained one year, where Emiel R. taught music. In September of 1876, Mr. Lederman be- gan in all earnestness his musical career in classes and individual tuition. His teaching points were : Lebanon, Trenton, St. Louis and in Carlyle, Ilhnois. He continued this work for eight years, organizing in each city musical societies, bands and forming cho- ruses. Li 1884 he came to Centralia and at once entered upon active and aggressive work. He organized a large German male chorus class and an English one, each of which he con- ducted for ten years. He was also conductor of the Centralia Philharmonic Society. During this time his private tuition work, piano, violin, and voice culture, was even more successful. For twenty-two years he held the position of organist of the Baptist church. Recently for two years he has been 772 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. organist in the Methodist Episcopal church. He has led and brought to perfection large choruses in each of the churches. On December 20, 1899, Mr. Lederman led to the marriage altar Harriett Adamson, the accomplished daughter of J. E. and Anna M. Adamson, of Scranton, Pa. Their family consists O'f one son, Emile Telle Lederman, born July 17, 1901. Mr. Lederman is a member of the Benevo- .lent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Ben Hur Lodge, and is a well versed man in fraternal work. In politics he is of liberal sympathies. Mr. Lederman's success in the profession which he has followed is in no small measure due to his genial and kindly disposition, his personality seeming to radiate good fellow- ship. He is an especial favorite with the younger people of the comunity, many hun- dreds of whom he has taught. He leads a most active life, every moment of his work- ing day being occupied with work in chorus and individual teaching in his studio on Broadway, situated over the Hartman De- partment store. CHAUNCEY HOUSE. The great Empire state has furnished many sturdy sons who have come into the West and been potent factors in promulgat- ing its civilization. Among this number is the gentleman whose name appears above, whose long and useful career has been one of honor. Chauncy House was born in Holley, Or- leans county. New York, July 29, 1828, the son of Joseph and Abigail (Southwick) House, the latter the daughter of Samuel Southwick. Joseph House was born in Herkimer county. New York. He was a fanner and a physician, having practiced medicine for many years. He died at the age of seventy-one. He came to Illinois in 1846, and went to Chicago, where he prac- ticed medicine for three years, after which he went to Rockford, where he was engaged in practice for two years, then he settled in Marengo, McHenry county, Illinois, in which county his death occurred. He was the father of five children, two boys and three girls, Chauncey House, our subject, being the second in order of birth. The ma- ternal grandmother of the subject died while Abigail, the subject's mother, was an infant, and she was reared by the Leffingwell fam- ily. Her grandmother was seventy-two years old when she passed away in Otsego county. New York. The early education of the subject of this sketch was obtained in the public schools of New York. As a student he was given credit, then the number of pupils were added, and the amount prorated to the par- ents for the days attended by each pupil. After attending these schools he went to a select school at Hindsburg, Orleans county. New York, for one year in 1845, under Nel- son W. Butts, who was a graduate of the State Normal School at Albany. Our sub- ject taught school the following year, 1846, in a country town and "boarded around"' with the parents of the children whom he BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 773 taught. Then our subject moved with his parents to Chicago, where he manufactured pills and other remedies and did the agency work for his father's medicines, assisted by a young Mr. Post, the son of his father's partner in the business. In 1848 our sub- ject returned to Albion Academy in New York, and was there about two years until 1850, when he returned to Illinois. After traveling over the state for awhile he began teaching again, his first school here being at Bronsonville, DuPage county, near Whea- ton. His certificate was secured from Prof. W'arren R. Wheaton, founder of Wheaton, Illinois, and also the founder of Wheaton College. Mr. House then returned to New York, locating near Albion, and took charge of his father's farm, making extensive im- provements in many ways. He bought out a health resort and located at Barry's Springs, Orleans county, which he also im- proved very extensively, installing many modern repairs and amusements. Among the patients at the springs were George M. Pullman and William Tousley, both of Al- bion, New York. Our subject conducted a sanitarium and hotel at this place for two years when he sold out and moved to Gar- den Prairie, Illinois, where he bought a lum- ber yard and three hundred and twenty acres of land. He bought grain and did a general business for two years. He was then called to Rockford, Michigan, to take charge of a pine mill and lumber yard, owned by his father. After two years of very hard and slavish work in the milling business, he came to Centralia, Illinois, November i, 1863, and lived with a Mr. Gi£ford. He went to work for the Adams Express Com- pany, remaining in the employ of this com- pany for a period of five years, going from that position as bookkeeper in the division superintendent's office of the Illinois Central Railroad, with which company he remained for a period of twenty-five years, never los- ing a day in all that time. He was cashier for the company during many years. His duties were to make out pay rolls and adjust fire claims and similar work. Mr. House resigned this position to ac- cept that of superintendent of the Centralia street car lines, which position he held for about six years. The cars were run with mules. He sold his interest in the line and it was transferred to an electric line under the direction of the Francis Brothers of St. Louis. About this time the health of the subject gave way, and he is now living in quiet retirement. He owns four splendid pieces of property in Centralia and one in Cairo, this state. His comfortable home is located at 135 South Elm street. Chauncey House was first united in mar- riage with Ellen M. Bronnell, on June 2, 1855, the daughter of Aaron and Harriett (Barney) Bronnell, and his second mar- riage was to Mrs. Jennie C. Busbey, daugh- ter of Russell and Miss (Farlton) Busbey, who resided in St. Mary's county, Mary- land. This family came from England and Mr. Busbey had brick shipped from that country with which to build houses. In politics our subject is a Democrat, and in re- 774 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ligion an Episcopalian. He is a Free and Accepted Mason in good standing, a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. House has been trustee of the Centraha pubHc schools for many years. ANDREW J. McClelland. One of Centralia's busiest and most suc- cessful business men is the subject of this review, whose record has always been one of unquestioned integrity, which has resulted in his winning a place of high standing in the industrial and social circles of this com- munity. Andrew J. McClelland, who is engaged in the transfer and storage business, was born in Marion county, Illinois, April 21, i860, the son of John and Margaret (Piercy) Mc- Clelland, the former a native of this county, where he was born in 1825. He followed farming all his life and died in Roseburg, Oregon, August 24, 1907, at the age of eighty-one years. The mother of the sub- ject was born in Indiana in New Washing- ton, in 1837. She is living in Oregon at a ripe old age. John and Margaret McClel- land were the parents of seven children, four boys and three girls, our subject, Andrew J., being the oldest son and the fourth child in order of birth. He received his early training in the common schools of Marion county. Being of a very robust body and powerful of build, he early became a full hand at all farm labor. He left his father's farm while yet in his teens, and went in debt for a team and wagon, and began team- ing, which business he seems to have been, well fitted for, for he is one of the few men in this line who have won a competency and built up a good thriving business. He has four teams constantly occupied in moving all classes of goods and merchandise. He han- dles car load lots for people living out of the city, making a specialty of moving pianos and household furniture, understanding thoroughly all the details of this line of business, and he fills all orders promptly and to the satisfaction of his customers. He has five employes. Mr. McClelland was united in marriage September 5, 1882, to Amy Larsh, daughter of Paul and Sarah E. Larsh. She was born in Ohio, where her parents lived. To this union nine children were born, as follows: Charles W., who married Edna Patterson,^ lives in Centralia ; James E. ; Howard H. is single and living at home, assisting his father in the business ; Frank is single and is living at home with his parents; Albert is single and living at home, as is also Ralph, William, Myron and Olga. James E. is married to Carrie Garrett, the daughter of Charles and Sallie Garrett, and they are the parents of two children, one boy and one girl. Andrew McClelland is a Democrat in his- political affiliations. His parents were mem- bers of the Christian church, and he and his family also worship with this congregation, while his wife attends the Methodist church,, of which she is a member. In his fraternal BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 775 relations, Mr. McClelland belongs to Castle Lodge No. 26, Knights of Pythias; also the Red Men Lodge No. 167, of Centralia. Mr. McClelland is a man of unassuming disposi- tion, somewhat reserved, yet always ready to do his duty in all things, being kind, frank and open, possessing the essence of home- bred honesty. He is held in reverence by his children, and has a large business ac- quaintance. CLARK B. NETHERTON. Mr. Netherton, proprietor of the leading meat market of Centralia, and one of the city's representative business men and pub- lic-spirited citizens, is a native of Monroe county, Illinois, and one of a family of nine children, whose parents were William and Amanda Netherton, both born and reared in the county of Monroe. William Netherton, whose birth occurred on the 13th of Octo- ber, 1836, followed teaming in an early day from his part of the country to St. Louis, and later turned his attention to other pur- suits, spending all of his life in his native county. Amanda Cavanaugh, his wife, who belonged to one of the old and highly es- teemed pioneer families of Monroe county, died in 1908, at the age of seventy-two years. Of the nine children born to this estimable couple five are living, all being well situ- ated and highly regarded in their respective places of residence. Clark B. Netherton was born December 15, 1861, and enjoyed such educational ad- vantages as the common schools of his native county afforded. Early obliged to rely upon his own resources for livelihood, he turned his attention to any kind of honorable labor he could find, and being endowed with a strong, vigorous physique and an active and handy turn of disposition, he was never without employment at liberal wages. His industry and excellent habits becoming widely known, his services were eagerly sought by those desiring competent and trusted help and it was not long until he be- gan to rise in the world and become one of the substantial and enterprising young men of the community in which he lived. On October 25, 1888, he entered the employ of James Adams, of Centralia, proprietor of one of the largest and most successful meat markets of the city, and in due time, ac- quired proficiency and skill in the business, and a familiarity with its every detail. After remaining with the above gentleman for nearly seventeen years, he resigned his posi- tion, and on May 29, 1905, opened a meat market of his own on Broadway where the new Sentinel-News office now stands, but subsequently removed to his presait location on South Locust street, where for two years he has conducted a very large and lucrative business, his establishment, as already stated, being one of the largest and most successful of the kind in the city. Mr. Netherton's long experience in the line of business which he follows enables him to realize the wants of his customers and to meet the same regardless of pains or expense. From the beginning of his enter- 776 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. prise until the present time, he has been actu- ated by an ambition to keep a first class and fully up-to-date market, and to treat his pa- trons fairly and honorably, the result being a constantly growing trade, with a corre- sponding advance in public favor until he is ■now one of the most popular as well as one of the most enterprising and successful men of the city in which he resides. Politically Mr. Netherton is a Democrat, but very liberal in his views and principles, and he has ever manifested a lively interest in public matters, and given his support to enterprises and measures having for their object the advancement and prosperity of his county and state. Fraternally he is identi- fied with the Order of Maccabees and reli- giously is a friend of all churches and reli- gious organizations, having been reared by Baptist parents and early trained under the influence and teachings of that denomina- tion. He is in hearty accord with all that makes for moral worth and a high standard of manhood and citizenship. On the 9th day of February, 1882, Mr. Netherton was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of WilHam and Emily C. Bean, a union resulting in the birth of ten children, namely: Oscar C. ; C. H., de- ceased ; Ralph E. ; Harvey C. ; Florence A. ; John R. ; Edna M. ; Eva R. ; Fred R. ; Ed- gar C. ; the youngest child is deceased. The eight living received their educational train- ing in the public schools of Centralia, all ex- cept the oldest son being at home and with their parents, constituting a mutually happy and contented domestic circle. Oscar C. married Millie Pliski and lives in Chicago, the other sons assisting their father in the meat market, and giving promise of ulti- mately becoming intelligent and substantial business men. I. D. LEAR. A well known citizen of Centralia, Marion county, is the subject of this sketch, whose life has been replete with honor and success owing to the honest and careful business methods he has elected to pursue from his boyhood days. I. D. Lear was born near Culpeper, Vir- ginia, May 12, 1843, the son of Henry Lear, of Virginia, who was an engineer of a boat, "Forest Queen", on the river. When the subject was one year old he moved to Pennsylvania, settling in Westmoreland county. Having lost his mother at the age of four years he was reared by a step-mother. Henry Lear ran an engine for some time for a large still house. The early education of our subject was obtained in the common schools of Pennsylvania, and in Hamilton county, Ohio, and in the common schools of Cincinnati and Harrison. He worked on a farm during the summer months. He also worked at fami labor after coming to Illi- nois, having located in Marion county in 1859, and worked here until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he responded to his patriotism by enlisting in April, 1861, in Company G, Twenty-second Illinois Volun- teer Infanti-y, under Capt. James S. Jack- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 177 son and Colonel Daugherty, of Carlyle. The subject was at first at Camp Institution, at Belleville, for three months, subject to a three years' call. He was sworn into ser- vice at Kagyville, Illinois, in May, 1861, and was sent to Cairo and to St. Louis, encamp- ing on the Missouri side of the river at Bird's Point. He was later in the engage- ment at Charlestown, Missouri, in August of that year, also in the fight at Belmont, having been wounded in the right arm. He was sent to the hospital at Cairo, where he was confined from November 7th, until De- cember 27th following, when he came home, where he remained until May, when he was ordered to return to the army and unite with his regiment at Corinth, Mississippi, to be discharged, but he remained with the regi- ment for a year and was orderly for General Palmer. He went to Florence and Athens, Alabama, then to Nashville, Tennessee, with General Palmer, who brought provisions for ten thousand to relieve the garrison at Nashville, Tennessee. He remained there for four months, when he was discharged and came with three hundred convalescent soldiers to Louisville, Kentucky. They were met twelve miles from that city by the enemy who took all letters from them. He bought a horse at Nashville and rode home, visiting Camps Morgan and Forest, where he was fed and given his liberty. While stopping at a hotel in Kentucky on his way home, Con- federates tried to take him out, and the next day also tried to take his horse. After sev- eral trying experiences he reached Louis- ville, where he received his pay, all in gold, from the paymaster. He returned to luka, Illinois, and met Lizzie Jackson, niece of his captain, J. S. Jackson, and they were married in Septem- ber, 1867, at her home in Frankfort, Ken- tucky. Mr. Lear was a farmer and merchant up to the fall of 1866, at each of which he was successful. He was candidate for Sherifif of Marion county, having been elected by eleven votes on the Democratic ticket, he be- ing the only man on the ticket who won, the county going one hundred and seventy- five Republican ; this shows his unquestioned popularity in the county. He served this office in a most capable manner for a period of two years, after which he bought a farm in Marion county and resumed agricultural pursuits, following the same for three years, when he sold out and went into the hay and grain business, which he followed very suc- cessfully until 1879, when he was again elected Sheriff by a majority of four hun- dred, and again made a most excellent rec- ord for two years, being a candidate for re- election, but was defeated at the polls. He then went on the road as a commercial sales- man in Southern Illinois for a St. Louis firm, selling groceries, which line of work he followed for sixteen years, giving the firm satisfaction in every respect. He then conducted the hotel in Kinmundy for eight- een months. He is now living in Centralia, and is interested in the "Wizard Floor Cleaning Company", a Chicago firm, Mr. Lear having the agency or Illinois and In- diana. Mr. Lear's family consists of two chil- dren, one boy and one girl, namely : Emmit 778 BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Dozier, who is single ; and Laura Ethel, who is a graduate of Brown's Business College. The mother of the subject's wife has lived with the subject and wife for twenty-four years. She was born in Lexington, Ken- tucky, and is now seventy years of age. The subject's wife was born in Louisville, Ken- tucky. Mr. Lear is a Democrat and in reli- gious matters is a Christian Scientist. He draws a pension of fifty-five dollars. THE MERCHANTS' STATE BANK OF CENTRALIA. This institution was organized under the general laws of the state of Illinois, on the 22d day of May, 1900, for the purpose of conducting and transacting a general bank- ing business, receiving deposits payable on demand or on time with interest, making loans on personal as well as on real estate securities, discounting commercial paper, and engaging in such other business as is customary to conservative banking institu- tions. The promoters of the enterprise were B. Pullen, J. Hefter, E. S. Condit and W. D. Richardson, all well known and promi- nent citizens. The bank opened its doors to the public on the 23d day of May, 1900, with a paid-up capital of fifty thousand dollars, and has been in successful operation ever since. The first officers of the institution were B. Pullen, president; W. D. Richardson, vice-president; Joseph Hefter, cashier; and E. S. Condit, assistant cashier, who were retained in office by annual election until January, 1906, when the president, B. Pul- len, and the assistant cashier, E. S. Condit, retired from office, the former on account of ill health, and the latter through removal to Chicago. At the next election the following officers were chosen by the board of directors : W. D. Richardson, president ; Jacob Peifer, vice- president ; Joseph Hefter, cashier, and J. S- Condit, assistant cashier, all of whom are in office in 1909. The present directors are ^V D. Richardson, Jacob Peifer, Joseph Hefter, W. E. O'Melveny, Robert Barron, E. S. Condit and Joseph E. Hefter. On December 8, 1900, a savings depart- ment was added to the institution, which met with great success. The new department became very popular, and at present has twelve hundred accounts with deposits ag- gregating one hundred and twenty-five thou- sand dollars. Li the fall of 1^03 a new building was erected for a banking house on the old Dr. McCord lot on the corner of East Broad- way and Pittenger avenue at a cost of twenty-eight thousand two hundred dollars. This stone structure, a very fine addition to the city of Centralia, is a guarantee of the stability of the bank and a proof of the pub- lic spirit of the officers of the institution. At the same time a safety deposit vault was in- stalled, which gained a well deserved popu- larity. The Merchants' State Bank with its sav- ing department and safe deposit vaults, em- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 779 ploying four regular employees, and aided by its ofificers and directors, seven in num- ber, all of whom are prominent professional or business men, promises a bright future. The deposits now amount to two hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars, the loans and discounts to one hundred and twenty- five thousand dollars, and their holdings in bonds, most of which are Centralia and school bonds from the immediate vicinity, amount to fifty-one thousand six hundred and sixty dollars. The institution has paid regular dividends since July i, 1901, and started a surplus fund which will be increased from time to time. The bank enjoys the confidence of the en- tire community. During the last panic the bank paid its deposits in cash, dollar for dollar, without borrowing a dollar or im- pairing its assets in the least. No restric- tions were made to any of its customers during this period, which is a proof of the most able management of the institution by its officers, and deserves the confidence of anyone who wishes the services of a bank. Joseph Hefter, the cashier of the institu- tion, has had forty years' experience in the banking businss ; he is courteous and accom- modating, and tries to do all he can to fur- ther the interest of the bank's patrons with advanced business ideas. The assistant cashier, J. S. Condit, and the entire bank force are always ready and willing to promote the interest of the bank and its customers. HARRIET LEONARD. This well known lady who occupies a con- spicuous position among the best society cir- cles of Centralia, is a native of Marion county, Illinois, and a member of one of the old and highly esteemed families of the southei-n part of the state, has borne well her part in life, and is deserving of more than a passing notice in a record such as this vol- ume purports to be. Her family name was Harriet Frazier, and she being the fifth of six children whose parents, Simpson and Julia Frazier, were among the earliest set- tlers and widely known people of Marion county, having moved to this part of the state when the country was a wilderness and taken an active interest in the development of its resources. Simpson Frazier was a man of intelligence and high social stand- ing, much better educated than the majority of his pioneer neighbors, and for a number of years he labored earnestly for the mental improvement of those about him, and put forth every effort at his command to intro- duce schools and disseminate knowledge among the people of his own and other com- munities. Harriet Frazier, whose birth occurred on the 27th day of December, 1854, was reared under excellent home influences, early ac- quired habits of industry and self-reliance, and while still young eagerly reading every- thing in the way of literature to which she could lay her hands. In due time she en- tered the public schools of Centralia, where 78o BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. she made commendable progress in the usual branches of learning, and after finishing the prescribed course, continued to improve her mind by private study and a wide range of reading, in this way becoming familiar with the world's best literature, as well as keep- ing in touch with the times on all matters of local and public interest. On the 6th day of October, 1878, she was united in mar- riage to Walter Leonard, of Jeffersonville, Indiana, a high minded gentleman, and for a number of years a successful teacher, the ceremony being solemnized in Centralia, by Rev. A. Martin, the pastor of the Christian church of this city. Mr. Leonard was born in the year 1852, received a good education in Centralia schools, and as stated above, devoted about ten years of his life to teach- ing, retiring from the profession at the ex- piration of that time to engage in business. Opening a general store in Centralia he soon built up a lucrative patronage, and for a pe- riod of seventeen years was the head of one of the largest and most successful mercantile establishments of the kind in the city. He was a man of high character and unim- peachable integrity, always manifested a lively interest in the intellectual advance- ment of the city of his residence, and was also a leader in various enterprises and measures for the moral advancement of the community. His father. Rev. Silas W. Leonard, was one of the first ministers of the Christian Disciple church in Centralia, and in addition to building up the cause of the current reformation in this city he was also instrumental in organizing a number of congregations and spreading the doctrines peculiar to the church in other counties of Centralia and Southern Illinois. He was one of the compilers of a book, a collection of hymns, called the "Christian Psalmist". Walter Leonard grew up under the influence of pious parents and profited by the instruc- tion received in his childhood and youth, becoming in after years a symmetrically de- veloped Christian gentleman and a potential as well as an active factor in promoting the cause of religion and education among the people with whom his lot was cast. During his residence in Centralia he became prominent in many lines of good work, rose to high standing among the business of the city and enjoyed the respect and confidence of all with whom he mingled. He died at his home in this city November 14, 1906, at the age of fifty-four years, and in the prime of his physical and mental powers, his loss being greatly deplored by those who knew him best, and who had learned to prize him for his sterling worth. To Walter and Harriet Leonard nine children were born, seven of whom are liv- ing, namely : Ora, who married Albert Cop- pie, and makes her home with her mother; Daisy, Shirley, Bessie, Harry, Josie and Raymond, all residing at home and consti- tuting a very happy and pleasing household. Mrs. Leonard's home on South Locust street is a favorite resort, not only for her friends who are many, but also for the best society circles of the city, being the abode of a genuine old-time hospitality. A lady of intelligence and beautiful character, Mrs. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 781 Leonard fills a large place in the social life of the city, while her heart and hand are ever open to the cry of poverty or distress. Among the sick and suffering she is a veri- table angel of mercy. She is a woman of unusual energy and ability, as the keeping of her children together and planning for their future abundantly attest, and she looks after her business interests and manages her af- fairs with judgment and discretion such as few women possess. Mrs. Leonard was well born, and inherits from a long line of sturdy ancestors many of the amiable qualities and sterling virtues which have made her so well known and popular among her neighbors and friends. She is connected by the ties of blood with a number of prominent families throughout the United States, being a cousin of the Pearcys, of Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, all eminent as teachers and professors in various colleges and institutions of learning in their respective states, besides being close- ly connected with others equally prorqinent in educational work and professional life. THOMAS J. WRIGHT. The subject of this sketch is well known in Centralia township and Marion county in general. For a great number of years he was a familiar figure as a conductor on the Illinois Central Railroad, where his friendli- ness and geniality won for him a host of friends and acquaintances. Since his retire- ment from active railroad life he has en- gaged in the life insurance business on behalf of that great New York industrial insurance company, the Metropolitan. In his new calling, Thomas J. Wright has been as suc- cessful, if not more so, than in his first. At any rate it is a position more suitable for his advanced years, and in it he has made record progress, for he brought into his work in the insurance line all the forceful- ness and pleasing characteristics that have ever been embodied in his personality. Thomas J. Wright was born in Lafay- ette county, Wisconsin, on March 4, 1846, and is the son of John M. Wright and Baily M. Brady. His father was born near Lan- cashire, England, and came of an English family. On coming to this country with his parents he later married Baily M. Brady, who was born near Dublin, Ireland, in 1829, and died at East Dubuque, at the age of fifty-two, in the north part of the state of Illinois. They reared a family of four chil- dren, three boys and one girl, of whom Thomas, .the subject of our sketch, is the eldest. Thomas J. Wright received his education in the public schools of Benton, Wisconsin, and East Dubuque, Illinois, and the com- mon schools in that place. At the age of eight years he moved with his parents to East Dubuque, afterwards moved to New York state, then back to Iowa, and from there to Centralia, Illinois. For two years he was a clerk in the news and cigar stand at the Illinois Central depot, and acted as newsboy for two years. For four years fol- 782 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. lowing he acted as a passenger brakeman on the lUinois Central; then as a baggageman on freight trains for nine years. At the ex- piration of that time he was promoted and made a freight train conductor, in which ca- pacity he remained for nine years. He was then made passenger train conductor and occupied the same position when he located in Centralia, and filled that position until his retirement from active railroad service nine years ago. During his life on the Illinois road he was a diligent and faithful employee and stood high in the estimation of his fel- low railroad workers. Upon leaving the Illinois Central he interested himself in the industrial insurance business, connecting himself with the Metropolitan, of New York. He has continued to labor in this profession up to the present time, and his active propagandist work along the life in- surance canvassing line has resulted in his having saved many an untimely widow and many a helpless family from destitution. Thomas J. \A'right has been looked upon by the company he represents as one of their largest producers of business in his section of the state. He possesses many of the qualities which bring success in his line of work, and is both tactful and aggressive. Thomas J. AVright married Mary N. Nichols, the daughter of James H. and Julia (Busby) Nichols, both natives of Pennsylvania who came to Illinois. Their family consisted of two girls. The mar- riage of the subject of our sketch and Mary Ann Nichols took place October 26, 1871. They have had two children. Maud, who married Amos A. Hobbs, a manufacturer of map cases and lives in Chicago; Gladys, the second daughter, is at home witli her parents. Thomas J. Wright and his wife and family live a happy domestic life in their comfortable and substantial home at 218 South Maple street. He is in prosper- ous circumstances and owns real estate in Chicago and in East Dubuque, and also eighty acres of land in Kansas. In politics Thomas J. Wright is an en- thusiastic Republican. He is an acute ob- server of public affairs and keeps himself well posted on the political happenings of the day. Both he and his wife are Episco- palians, as are also his daughters. They are attentive to church duties and are popular in religious circles. In fraternal affairs Thomas J. W'right is very prominent. He is an influential Ma- son and belongs to Masonic lodge. Blue Chapter No. 178, Amboy, Illinois, and the Coun,cil,Commandeiy and Consistory at Cen- tralia and Freeport, Illinois; he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 493, Centralia; and also to the Order of Railroad Conduc- tors, No. 112, Centralia. In Masonic af- fairs the subject of our sketch is the sword- bearer in the Commandery to which he be- longs and third vail in Chapter. Thomas J. Wright is now in his sixty- second year, and is still active in business life, and is as alert and energetic as ever he has been. BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 783 ARNOLD SAXER. Arnold Saxer, the successful wholesale and retail merchant of 626 East Broadway street, Centralia, is known and re- spected throughout Marion county. Thir- ty-five years have now passed since he came to the United States from his native Canton of Zurich in Switzerland, that land of snow-clad Alpine heights, and sturdy, active mountaineers. For many years Switzerland has continued to send us many of her strong and healthy sons and daugh- ters, who, once they arrive in the United States, start upon the careers of desirable and industrious citizens. Arnold Saxer was born in Zurich, in the Canton of the same name, Switzerland, on July 29, 1854. He was the son of J. J. Saxer and Berina, his wife, who had a fam- ily of two children. They were : Emma, who was born in 1846, and who still lives in Switzerland, and Arnold, the subject of our present sketch. Arnold Saxer came to America in the year 1873, and settled in St. Louis, Mis- souri. He had received a good education in Switzerland, as good educational laws and good educational facilities have received much attention for a great many years in the Swiss Cantons. Our subject was trained in the common and high schools, was an apt pupil, and derived much benefit from his schooling. In St. Louis he entered the wholesale and retail business and later married Amanda Stahman, of that city, on the 8th of November, 1877, and nine children were born to this union, namely: August, Arnold C, who lives in New York; Loiiis H., who lives in St. Louis; John J., a midshipman at the Annapolis Naval Academy; Verina, Amanda, Elzie, Florence and Lillian, all of whom are at home. August Saxer married Ada Brenton, of St. Louis, and is in the treasurer's de- partment of the Annheuser-Busch Brewing Company. In the year of 1887, the subject of our sketch came to Centralia, locating at 128 East Broadway street, where he worked for Henry Kurth for ten years. In 1898 he branched out into business for himself and since that time he has been most successful. He was elected for one term City Treasurer and carried out the duties of office with credit. In fraternal and society circles, he is very prominent and is an active member of the following lodges : The Knights of Honor, the Eagles, the Treubund, the Turn-Verein and the Grutlig-Verin. In political affairs he takes an observant in- terest and is a Republican. He was reared a member of the Protestant Evangelical be- lief. He is the owner of some property in Centralia, including his business place at 626 East Broadway. He has been success- ful in all ventures in which he has interested himself and has the reputation of being a conservative business man. He is in his fifty-fourth year and many more years in which to perfect and expand his commer- cial enterprises will very likely be his. His uprightness and integrity have shown him to be a worthy citizen. 784 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. JACOB TOUVE. A great proportion of our German-Amer- icans are of the first generation, having left the "Fatherland" in their youth, and the love they bear for the land of their birth does not preclude nor hinder them from be- coming good, hard-working American citi- zens, their steady measured industry having brought them to the fore in large numbers in every avenue of life. In Jacob Touve, Centralia possesses a German-American citizen of the highest type, a man who has arrived in the front rank mainly by the qualities that have char- acterized him all through life, self-reliance, energy and common sense. He was born in Rhinish Bavaria, Germany, on the 14th of October, 1838, the son of Jacob and Louise (Sattaner) Touve. His father was a wood turner by trade, who brought his family to America in 1867. The family settled in Centralia, where the elder Jacob remained, dying in 1869 in Atchison, Kansas. His wife died in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, in 1870. Their family consisted of six chil- dren, two boys and four girls, Jacob being the thii-d child born to them. Jacob, the subject of our sketch, preceded his family to America, arriving here in 1856, and going first to Wisconsin. In i860 he went to St. Louis and engaged in the barber trade, and in 1863 on the 3d of No- vember he removed to Centralia, where he has been located in the bai^ber trade for the past forty-five years. For several years he engaged in the gents' furnishing business in Centralia, but discontinued it about five years ago. His marriage took place on September 27, 1865, when he espoused Magdalena Muer- ley, daughter of Joseph and Eva Muerley. The marriage ceremony was performed by John Williams in Salem, Illinois, the wed- ding party having driven over there from Centralia in a buggy. Mrs. Touve was one of four children born to her parents. To Jacob and Mrs. Touve nine children, three sons and six daughters, have been born as follows : Louisa, Sophia, Clara, Bertha ; Os- car, an employee of the Colorado Midland Railroad ; Lesetta M. is in the millinery busi- ness and resides with her parents; Jacob J. is a timekeeper in the Illinois Central Rail- road shops; Walter B. follows his father's occupation, and Anna an infant, is deceased. Sophia married Albert S. Owen, an engineer on the Big Four Railroad at Mattoon, Il- linois, where they are living and has one girl. Clara married William L. Derlith, a jeweler of Centralia. Bertha is at home with her parents. The life of Jacob Touve has been an eventful one from the time of his arrival in this country. When not quite eighteen years old he went to work for three years as a wagon maker, ten miles from Milwau- kee. He obtained his citizenship papers in 1866 from Judge Bryan, and the first presi- dent he had the honor to vote for was Ulysses S. Grant. In the politics of the day he is a staunch Republican and has been quite active in the political life of Centralia. He has been for two years City Collector, BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 785 and filled the office of City Treasurer with distinction for two years. In Masonic af- fairs he has taken an active part, being one of the oldest living members of the local ma- sonic fraternity. He has also been a Turner. Thought reared a Catholic he is not now a member of any orthodox church. All the members of the family are gifted musicians and their accomplishments have rendered them veiy popular in social life. Jacob Touve has a nice comfortable home in which he with his wife and the unmar- ried members of his family live very happily. His business place at 112 East Broadway is equipped throughout with first-class tonso- rial appliances. In his shop there are four chairs of the improved type, and the lava- tory attached contains two porcelain baths, He has been thirty-three years in his present location and during that long time he has experienced a steady flow of prosperity. LYDIA E. CONNELL. Our subject has the distinction of being one of the oldest living residents of the township in which she lives in Marion county. She comes of an old and illustrious New Hampshire family; her grandfather, on her father's side, fought in the war of the Revolution, and was a personal acquaint- ance of General Washington. She is the possessor of the old family Bible, which con- tains the records of the births, marriages and deaths of the members of her famliy for 50 many generations. Since the time of her settlement in Centralia in 1867, the years have seen the increased prosperity of both herself and her children. Lydia E. -Connell was born in Wilton, New Hampshire, on the ist of October, 1827, and was the daughter of William and Cloah (Holt) Connell, both natives of Wil- ton, New Hampshire. William Bales Con- nell, who was a farmer and trader, moved to Ohio in the year 1835. He was bom in 1777 and died in Ohio in 1872, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-five. His father, as we have stated, fought in the Revolutionary war and knew General Washington as he, also, did. Our subject's mother, too, was a native of Wilton, New Hampshire, having been born there in 1782, and she died at the age of seventy-two, in the year 1855, in Ohio. She was the mother of nine children, Lydia, our subject, being the only one now living. Lydia E. Connell was educated in the lo- cal common schools of her native township in New Hampshire, and afterwards went for one year to the Hancock Ladies' Acad- emy, in Hancock City, New Hampshire, and she afterwards taught school for seven years in Ohio. On June 10, 1852, she mar- ried Zachariah A. Connell, the son of a Methodist Episcopal minister, Zachariah Connell, who was born in Ireland on the nth of September, 1794, and came to America at the age of three years with his parents. Lydia E. Connell's husband was a harness maker by trade and a skilled and industrious workman. He was born in 786 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. Worthington, Ohio, on May 14, 183 1, and died June 26, 1889, in Centralia, Illinois. Three children were born of their marriage, namely: Charles A., who is deceased; George C. and Ida M. George C. married Adalaid Swartout, of Centralia. They had one child, a girl, now deceased. George C. is a harness maker in Centralia. Ida M. married Thomas B. Cunningham, of Cen- tralia, on June 28, 1883, the marriage being performed by the Rev. J. M. Green, of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Cunningham is the mother of three children, Hazel A., Don- ald C, and Percival C. The two latter chil- dren are still in school. Hazel A. holds a position in the City Real Estate office of B. M. English. Mrs. Cunningham's husband, Thomas B., was the son of Matthew J. and Esther (Little) Cunningham, well known residents of Centralia, now deceased. Eight children were born to them. Lydia E. Connell moved with her hus- band from Ohio to Illinois in the year 1867, and settled in Centralia, where Zachariah A. opened a flourishing harness making busi- ness. He, himself, was a soldier in the Civil war and served his country for two years. He enlisted in May, 1862, in Columbus, Ohio, in the Forty-third Volunteer Infantry under Col. J. Kirby Smith, and fought in the protracted two days' fight at Corinth, Mississippi, in which engagement he con- tracted acute rheumatism. During his two years' absence Lydia took upon herself the work of bread-winner for her family. Her three children were little at the time, the youngest being but three years old. She taught school for one year, took in sewing, and did her own garden work with the oc- casional help of thoughtful neighbors. Her daughter, Ida M., was well educated in Ohio and in Centralia public schools. She was a seamstress for ten years previous to her marriage. She also held the important po- sition of public librarian of Centralia for four years. Zachariah A. Connell was a staunch Democrat in politics, and was old enough to vote for President Tyler at the time of his election. Thomas B. Cunning- ham, husband of Ida M., daughter of our subject, is a Republican in politics and a member of the Congregational church, as are the members of the family. Lydia E. Connell was reared in the Baptist faith. The family all live at 410 South Sycamore street, in a comfortable and substantial home, which is the property of the subject of our sketch. J. W. TATE LUMBER COMPANY, INCORPQRATED. The individual who is at the head of this sketch was born in Marion county, Illinois, January 26, 1862, and is the son of Robert E. and Sarah E. (Wooters) Tate, both of whom were born in Marion county, and were the parents of three children, two of whom are now living, son and daughter. The father, Robert E. Tate, for some years followed the livery business with his son, and also farmed. He was, at one time, a member of the City Council and was a BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 787 useful and honorable citizen. He died June 13) 1905. at the age of seventy-one years. The mother, Sarah E. Tate, died in 190 1. The subject of this sketch, J. W. Tate, received his early education in the common and public schools of Centralia. Being of an active disposition both of body and mind, his natural bent was turned to that of busi- ness and commercial enterprises. He was first interested with his father in the livery business, where they handled many horses in buying and selling and trading for some ten years. After this he changed his occu- pation and was or about three years in the implement business, then embarked in the lumber business, which has more or less en- gaged his attention for the past eleven years. Their offices are at 217 North Oak street. The building and property of the Tate Lum- ber Company has a frontage of two hundred feet, and one hundred and sixty feet deep, where he and his partner, and his son, can be found at regular business hours, where "they handle all kinds of lumber and building materials, also implements, such as wagons and buggies, and a general line of farmers' ■supplies, in fact everything up-to-date in the lumber line. J. W. Tate was married to Ella Show- ier March 8, 1885. To this union were born three children, Hulda E. Tate, now living at home with her parents ; Robert E. Tate, who received his education in the Cen- tralia schools and is one of his father's main assistants in the lumber office ; Mildred Tate, who is now attending the public schools of Centralia. In politics Mr. Tate is a Democrat. In religious matters his parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has been a member of the City Council, owns a controlling interest in the Ice and Cold Storage plant of Centralia that does a large and flourishing business. He also owns the Walnut Hill Pressed Brick Company, in which he is largely interested, the output of which is about two million bricks a year. The company makes a dry pressed brick for lime work, and their machines of all kinds for various patterns of outside and inside brick work. Mr. Tate also owns a very fine stock farm of two hundred acres north of Centralia, where he raises thoroughbred race horses of the Kentucky variety, keeping constantly on hand thirty or more head. He is the proud possessor of the mare Mamie Algol, which took the world's record of three miles in February, 1907. Mr. Tate is also a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, Oriental Consistory of Chicago and is also a Thirty-second Degree Mason. He is also a member of the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Knights of Pythias, also of the Modern Woodmen, but carries most of his insurance in the old line companies. Mr. Tate enjoys a large acquaintance in the various commercial fields of his activity. He is a man who is well posted in the routine of daily affairs, is a "hale fellow well met," and a true friend to his fellow man. He is a man who can thoroughly be depended upon, his word being as good as his bond, and he is one of the substantial citizens of the city of Centralia and Marion county. 788 BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. MRS. ELIZABETH J. ANDERSON. This estimable lady who is now in the serene years of her life, on the last incline of the hill, can look backward over a career with no regret for past deeds, for hers has been a life replete with good deeds and faithful service. Mrs. Elizabeth J. Anderson, widow of A. M. Anderson, was born in Blount county, East Tennessee, March 12, 1834, the daugh- ter of D. R. and Lavina Wheeler, the for- mer a native of near Vergennes, Vermont. A. M. Anderson was born in Washington county, Illinois, December 12, 1831, and after an eminently useful life his spirit passed to its rest on October 9, 1904. He was educated in Washington county. He owned and successfully managed a fruit farm. He also sold agricultural implements for a number of years. In 1864 he enlisted in Company D, Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry, under Colonel Davis and went out as second lieutenant. He became ill fi-om using bad water and was in the hospital for several months, but he never received his discharge papers. He got a pension of fifteen dollars per month under Cleveland's administration. In politics he was a Republican and he was was reared by Methodist parents. Mr. Anderson was married to Elizabeth J. Spencer, near Dubois, Washington coun- ty, this state, by Rev. J. A. Robinson, of the Methodist Episcopal church. The subject of this sketch came to Illinois with her parents when a few months old in Septem- ber, 1834. Her father, D. R. Spencer, was a whale fisherman on the Atlantic coast for several years. He sailed on the "Diana" and the seventy-four ships on that expedition had many thrilling experiences while pur- suing the leviathans of the deep. She and her husband both came from old line Whig families of the East, Elizabeth, our subject, being the oldest girl of a family of seventeen children, twelve of whom are living in 1908. The mother gave birth to two pairs of twins, a boy and girl in each. There were nine boys and eight girls. John W. Spencer, brother of our subject, was a soldier in the Civil war as commissary-sergeant in Com- pany D, Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry. He is now living in Columbus, Kansas, owning large interests in coal mines in Kansas and also a large farm in that state. When the husband of Mrs. Anderson re- turned from the army in 1865, he bought and managed a flouring mill in Tamaroa, Perry county, Illinois, which was burned by the rebels. He afterwards sold out and bought a home in Centralia, where their two children were born and reared, Charles R. having been born September i, 1865, died in infancy ; Harry Spencer, the younger son, was born in Centralia, June 8, 1868. He is single and cares for his mother. They live at 5 1 1 South Locust street, where they own a neat and comfortable residence pi-operty. Daniel R. Spencer gave his daughter, Elizabeth J., an excellent farm of two hun- dred and sixty acres near Patoka, which is especially adapted to the raising of small grain and it also has a fine orchard of twenty acres of a good variety of fruit. She still owns eighty acres of this choice land. Mrs. Anderson, who is well preserved for BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 789 a woman of her age, has deep rehgious con- victions and she is regarded as one of the good elderly mothers of the city, where she is held in highest regard by a wide circle of frie:nds, as was also her worthy husband, who was an honest and industrious as well as a patriotic man. HENRY McMillan. The subject of this sketch is one of the oldest and best known steam engineers in Centralia, having devoted his life work to this profession, mastering it in every detail. To become a proficient engineer requires no little natural ability together with careful training and persistent efforts. Henry McMillan was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, June 14, 1836, the son of Huston and Electa (Reed) McMillan, who were the parents of ten children, our subject being the ninth in order of birth. He received his early education in the state of New York in the common schools which he attended until he was sixteen years old. He early in life decided to become a rail- roader and entered the employ of the Sara- toga & Troy Railroad Company, where he worked for six months. Then in 1853 ^^ went to Dayton, Ohio, and worked on the Panhandle Railroad. Then he returned to the Empire state in 1854, and worked on the Saratoga & Troy Railroad for another six months ; then came to Dayton, Ohio, and to New Castle, Indiana. He acted in the ca- pacity of fireman, helped to build a tank on the Panhandle Railroad. His run was from Richmond to Anderson, Indiana, Until July, 1856, when he came to Centralia, and began work on the Illinois Central Railroad as engineer, hauling iron for a track from Cin- cinnati to Mattoon in 1856 on the Chicago branch. Our subject has followed engineering nearly all his life. He is now on the day shift at the Centralia Water plant, where a million gallons of water is pumped daily. He is a most efficient engineer and is regard- ed by those under whose direction the plant is managed as a most capable employe. Mr. McMillan was married to Mary Um- phrey, July 7, 1857, the daughter of Pat- rick Umphrey, and to this union the follow- ing children have been bom : Albert, who married Clara Biddle and who has four children and one granddaughter. Albert is an engineer and lives in New York City. Charles, the second child, is unmarried, liv- ing with his father, and is the second en- gineer in the Centralia water works; Ed- ward married Fannie Vanpatent, and they have three children. Edward is a black- smith in the Illinois Central shops; Harry, the fourth child, married Annie Kutz, and they are the parents of two children. He is a boiler-maker in the shops of the Illinois Central Railroad. In politics Henry McMillan is a stanch Republican, having cast his first vote for John C. Fremont and his second for Abra- ham Lincoln and he has voted for every Re- publican Presidential candidate since that 790 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. time and is a very active worker at the pri- maries. He -was reared by Presbyterian parents. His wife was a Baptist. Mr. Mc- Millan has a very comfortable residence at 910 Hateman street, Centralia. "He is one of the youngest old men in the city," according to his friends. He does a full man's work every day, is happy, hearty and very good natured. He loves the company of young people, and he is familiarly known to many as "one of the boys" of the town. He tells a good joke with relish and enjoys a good story, for the heart of the old engineer is still young. WILLIAM F. RAINES. No greater badge of honor can be worn by any man living today than that designat- ing the fact that the bearer is a veteran of the great War of the Rebellion. What more could a man do to merit the applause of suc- ceeding generations than to forsake home and business and go forth to fight for the integrity and safety of his country, thereby transmitting to posterity a priceless herit- age? William F. Raines was born in Ruther- ford county, Tennessee, March 8, 1844, the son of John N. and Salhe (Bottom) Raines, both natives of Virginia. After the parents of the subject were married they moved to Tennessee and four children were born to them, of which number William F., our subject, was the oldest. The family moved from Tennessee to Jefferson county, Illinois, when our subject was a small boy. The early education of William F. Raines was very limited, for he was reared on his father's farm, the hard labor on which in- terfered with his schooling, but he has since become generally educated by contact with the world and by home reading. Our subject enlisted February i, 1864, as a private soldier in the Union ranks in Com- pany H, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, under Colonel Starr, the enlistment of Mr. Raines having been made in Jefferson coun- ty. The company went to Camp Butler at Springfield, Illinois, then to St. Louis, later to Cairo, Illinois, and from there to Mem- phis, Tennessee, where they began active service and drew their horses by lot. As each man's name was called he took the first horse in the line. Our subject enlisted against his father's wishes, who threatened to come and take him back home, and in relating the incident, the subject said he wished, when in the first battle, that his father would come and take him home. He was in many hard engagements and always bore himself brave- ly, among which were those of Nashville, Franklin, Holly Springs, having been in General Wilson's command. While on a foraging trip at Lagrange, Mississippi, and pursued by Confederates, his horse fell with him and broke his right arm at the el- bow, but he escaped with his sack of corn. He still has much trouble with his arm, which is nearly useless at this writing, being almost completely paralyzed. He was mus- tered out of service in November, 1865, at Jackson, Mississippi, but he did not receive his discharge papers until he reached Spring- field, Illinois. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 791 After the war Mr. Raines returned to Centralia and managed a mill, also farmed. He conducted both a saw and grist mill, owned by Sam Carpenter. Our subject was united in marriage to Amanda Radley, February 28, 1871. She was the daughter of John and Mary Radley, to whom ten children were bom, Amanda being the fifth child in order of birth. Our subject and wife are the parents of seven children, three living, namely: Charles S., George and Wesley E. Charles S. married Mattie Leak. George is single and lives at Anna, Illinois; Wesley E. married Mag- gie Heap. They are the parents of two sons, Clarence and Wesley M. Wesley's wife died in 1905 and he and his one little son make their home with the subject and wife, who have a pleasant dwelling at 403 Ceme- tery avenue. Wesley E. is in the tar roofing business. Our subject draws a pension of twelve dollars per month. He is a loyal Repub- lican. He was reared to be a Baptist, which was the faith of his parents. He is a kind, generous-hearted old soldier, now practical- ly unable to do any effective labor on ac- count of rheumatism and his wounded arm. J. W. ROSS. Conspicuous among the representative citizens of Marion county is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this bi- ography, who is recognized as one of the leading florists of this part of the state, and his efforts have always been for the ad- vancement of home industries. J. W. Ross was born in Bureau county, Illinois, July 6, 1865. He moved with his parents to Texas in 1875, settling on a ranch nine miles west of Sherman, when numerous Indians lived there and only eight or ten white families were to be found within a radius of several hundred miles. Later the family moved to Gainesville, Texas, where they remained until 1885, at which time they moved to Alma, Illinois, the father of the subject then first began business as a nurseryman in Marion county, with his son, our subject, as a partner, the firm being known as Ross & Son, Nursery- men. They continued with gratifying suc- cess until 1898, when J. W. Ross sold his share to his father and went to Rockford, Illinois, where he joined H. W. Buckbee, a florist and seed man, with whom he was associated for two years. He then returned to Alma, Illinois, where he embarked in the market and gardening business with much success for three years, shipping produce to ' Chicago. At the expiration of this time he came to Centralia and bought out A. M. Seley, an old and well known florist of this city, who had been in this business for twen- ty years. Our subject proceeded to re- model, rebuild and beautify the plant which he now occupies. It has a frontage of one hundred and eighty-five feet on one street and seventy feet on another. There are now twenty-two thousand square feet of glass in the spacious building, divided into 792 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. four big houses, each one being heated with steam and being equipped with all the latest and most modern improvements and appli- ances upon a new and modern basis. These buildings have all been rebuilt within the past three years. Mr. Ross does a very large mail order business. During the past twelve months he has sent goods into twenty-six different states and carries on both a large wholesale and retail business in cut-flowers as well as plants, in fact, he is sometimes unable to fill his numerous orders upon receiving them. He has customers in one hundred and twen- ty-five towns in Southern Illinois, and his goods are always of such fine quality, his prices so reasonable and his treatment of customers so fair that he never loses them, but is constantly gaining others. Mr. Ross grows a complete line of dec- orative and bedding plants, however, he makes cut flowers a specialty and caters to a high class of trade, such as weddings, fu- nerals and special social functions. Much of his finer goods go to St. Louis. He is located in an ideal place for the successful development of this business, owing to the excellent shipping facilities of Centralia to all points. Cheap fuel from nearby coal mines is also an advantage. Our subject's domestic life began March 1 6, 1887, when he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Amanda J. French, daugh- ter of Gilbert W. French, a native of Ten- nessee. Her mother was Louisa O'Brien. Mrs. Ross is popular in Centralia social circles. Our subject and wife are the parents of five children, namely: Ruth, deceased; Edith D., Rufus W. and Frances Juanita, Earl being the eldest of the family. They are living at home and attending school. Mr. Ross is a model father and indulgent hus- band, and his faithful life companion is ever by his side to aid him in his work. CHARLES A. GLORE. It is to such progressive men as Mr. Glore that the city of Centralia is indebted for its substantial growth and for the high position it occupies as a center of industrial activity and progress. Charles A. Glore, the prominent lumber merchant, was born in Sherman, Texas, Oc- tober 10, 1874, the son of Alonzo and Sarah (Johnson) , Glore, in whose family there were four children, two of whom are now deceased; Henry and Charles are the two living children, our subject being the third child in order of birth. His parents died when he was about seven years old. Our subject received his education in the common schools in California, Colorado, and in Centralia, Illinois, to which place he came in 1887. After leaving school he de- cided to enter the newspaper field and was employed as devil in the office of The Cen- tralia Sentinel for eleven months for Thom- as Joy. He then went to Valparaiso Uni- versity, taking a business course for one year, after which he accepted a position with BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 793 the Centralia Mining and Manufacturing Company, with which firm he continued for six years, giving the utmost satisfaction. He resigned this position on February 20, 1897, and on the first day of May that year he purchased the interests of the Johnson Lumber Company, of Centralia, at 327 South Locust street, where he is now in ac- tive business, having built up an excellent patronage, his trade extending to remote lo- calities and is constantly increasing. This lumber yard is one of the largest in Cen- tralia or the southern part of the state. It occupies one hundred and sixty square feet of flooring. The sheds are brick, covering fifty by sixty feet. The frame sheds cover from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-three feet. The firm carries a full line of building material of all kinds, both hard and soft lumber, shingles, doors, sash and blinds, also paints and a complete line of glass and builders' hardware, selling di- rect to the contractors and builders of Cen- tralia and other cities. They are known to handle excellent grades of material and their prices are reasonable. Charles A. Glore was happily married to Grace L Brewster, daughter of H. B. and Fanny (Van Patten) Brewster, in whose family there were three children, the sub- ject's wife being the second in order of birth. Mrs. Glore is a graduate of the Centralia high school and is an excellent musician. Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, also the Hoo-Hoo, an organization of lumber- men. In politics he is a Republican, and in religion he was reared a Presbyterian, how- ever, he is not a member of any orthodox body. MRS. HATTIE VAN PATTEN. The subject of this sketch has for many years enjoyed the high esteem of a wide circle of friends in Marion county. She is the widow of the late Martin Van Patten, and the daughter of Alfred P. and Virginia (Falbert) Crosby. Her father, Alfred Crosby, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, September 4, 1825, and he passed to his rest November 9, 1908. The mother, Virginia, was born in Kentucky, near Covington, Jan- uary 8, 1837, and passed away in Centralia in 1862. Alfred and Virginia Crosby were the parents of eight children, five boys and three girls, five of whom are living at this writing, three girls and two boys. Alfred Crosby followed farming, was also in the mercantile and real estate and in- surance business, having had the distinction of owning the first store in Centralia, and he made a success at all the above lines. He came from Waterloo, Monroe county, II- Mrs. Hattie (Crosby) Van Patten, was born in Centralia April i, 1855, and she has the proud distinction of being the first white girl born in Centralia. Her father, Alfred Crosby, assisted in laying out the city of Centralia and naming it. He also donated the ground for the first Methodist church in the city and helped to hew out the 794 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. sills of the same. He was for many years a public official of Brookfield, Missouri. He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. B. Needles, of 2643 East Sixth street, Kan- sas City, Missouri, Sunday, November 8, 1908, after a long and useful life. Alfred P. Crosby was no ordinary man of his day. He and his wife journeyed to Covington, Kentucky, then to St. Louis, coming to Cen- tralia in 1852, in which city he followed merchandising until 1862. While in Cen- tralia he was elected Treasurer and Assessor of Marion county. In 1874 he was sent to the Legislature and ''he won considerable distinction for his work while a member of the same. He was closely associated with Judge Silas Bryan, father of William J. Bry- an. He became a citizen of Brookfield, Mis- souri, in Novernber, 1877, where he followed the real estate and insurance business and where he was elected Police Judge for two terms and he was Justice of the Peace for a number of years. In 1901 he moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where his death oc- curred as already stated. In 185 1 he mar- ried Virginia Talbot and five children were born to them. After the loss of his first wife he again married, his second wife being Mary E. Charles and to this union three children were born, two boys and one girl, all living in Kansas City. He was a faith- ful Christian man and a noble citizen. Mrs. Hattie Van Patten was married to Martin Van Patten January 2, 1876. The latter was born in Schenectady, New York. His parents were of Holland-Dutch descent. He came to Centralia when twenty-one years of age and spent his life here, having been called from his labors July 13, 1908. He was an engineer on the Illinois Central Rail- road for a period of twenty-nine years, hav- ing worked for the same road in all about forty-five years, part of that time as ma- chinist in the company's shops. He was one of the most faithful employes of this com- pany, having been so regarded by the offi- cials. There were six children bom to Mr. and Mrs. Martin Van Patten, two boys and four girls, namely : Mary, who is deceased ; Frances M., who married Ed McMillan of Centralia, and who is the mother of three children, living and one dead; Edward is a blacksmith in the Illinois Central shops; James A. married Edith A. Sogan, of Odin, Illinois, and they have three children, two- boys and one girl, the oldest boy being de- ceased; Ada is a stenographer in Chicago in the claim and freight department of the Illinois Central, and is a very accomplished lady; Hazel Erretta married Bert Wallis, and she lives in East St. Louis, employed by the Adams Express Company, and to them one son has been born; William Brooks is nine years old at this writing, and he at- tends the Centralia schools. Mrs. Van Patten lives in a cozy and neat residence on the comer of Elm and Second South street, with her son and daughter-in- law. He is in the plumbing and machinist business on South Locust street in this city. Our subject was reared in the Methodist faith, but she is now a member of the Bap- tist church. She also belongs to the Ladies' Relief Corps of Centralia. Her early educa- BKINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 795 tion was received in Centralia, where she attended the public and high schools and she also attended school at Normal, Illinois. After completing a normal training course at the university for teachers, she returned to Centralia and taught in the city schools and at Sandoval for three years. She is a woman of rare refinement and true modest womanly culture, and she bears her part nobly in the affairs of her home, the church and society. SEVERT LEGREID. No foreign country has sent more men of sterling worth, indomitable and trustworthy, to the United States than the little kingdom of Norway, and although the subject of this sketch is of the second generation of Nor- wegians in this country, he is a true type of that hardy race. Severt Legreid, the well known general contractor and planing mill proprietor, of Centralia, Illinois, was born in Deerfield, Wisconsin, December 6, 1868, the son of H. S. and Ingeboror Legreid, both natives of Norway, who came to America, settling in Wisconsin, the former having come about 1846 and the latter in 1848. They were married in 1852. Seven children were born to this union, five boys and two girls, our subject being the youngest of the family. He received his education in the district schools of Deer- field township, in Wisconsin, later taking a course in business practice and general com- mercial branches. He worked on the farm until he was fourteen years old, when he was apprenticed to A. S. Dyer as a carpen- ter. He then went to Cozad, Nebraska, to work for Nordyke & Marmon, of Indianap- olis, Indiana, who were building a flouring mill there. He remained in Cozad one year, then he worked for the Missouri River Rail- road, remaining in their employ as a brake- man for eight months, when he took sick and returned to Deerfield, Wisconsin. His run while on the road was from Holdrege to Cheyenne. Mr. Legried then went to work (for the Chicago-Northwestern Rail- road company as brakeman, having re- mained with this company eighteen months when he went to Chicago and took up his trade, working for J. W. Andrews at the corner of Cottage Grove and Twenty-ninth street, with whom he stayed until 1886, in which year Mr. Andrews went out of busi- ness, and for the next two years our subject contracted on his own .account, handling some big jobs and making a success of the venture. He was compelled to take his wife- to Centralia in 1898, on account of her failing . health, and he gave up his work in Chicago. Mrs. Legreid died in April, 1899. They were married December 23, 1891, and to this union two children were born, name- ly: Earl J. and Florence I., who > are both living at home and attending school. Our subject was again married, his second wife being Clara Gertrude Whitchurch, daughter of John White and 1 Clara Whitchurch, the subject's wife being the fourth child of this 796 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. family. The date of the subject's second marriage was June 6, 1900. Two sons, Robert and Raymond, both • deceased, were • born to this union. When our subject came to Centraha in 1898, he began working for W. A. Hamil- ton as a journeyman carpenter with whom he worked for two years, then started in busi- ness for himself. He now has a well equipped shop on the rear of his dwelling, 720 South (Elm street. He uses all up-to- date machinery, including a twelve horse power motor to run the machines, ten in number. He makes a specialty of high class mill work for interior finish and office fur- niture. His eight room, substantial and modern home is one of neatness and beauty. Mr. Legreid has built many of the best and most .attractive buildings in Centralia and he always gives entire satisfaction in his work.. In politics our subject is a Republican. He was reared a Lutheran, but he attends the Baptist and Methodist churches. He is a member of the Carpenters and Joiners of America, also the Modern Woodmai, the Knights of . Pythias and the Free and Ac- cepted Masons, all of Centralia. BOWIE C. WARFIELD. He to whom this sketch is dedicated has lived in Marion county through many changes dui-ing. which he has been one of the active participants. He represents a long line of distinguished ancestors, many of them having taken a prominent part in the military history of our country, and it was quite .in keeping with the family traditions that he should desire to continue their rep- utation, consequently when an opportunity came in the sixties, he was quick to avail himself of a chance to go to the battle field. Bowie C. Warfield was born in Maryland, in the county of Howard, October 27, 1835, the son of William and Eleanor (Walkins) Warfield. Grandfather Beale Warfield was a native of Maryland, who spent his life in that state on a farm. His wife was Emily Ridgely, and they were the parents of three children, the father of the subject having been the second in order of birth. He in- herited the homestead, the old house which was built in 1793. The subject's father was educated in the public schools of Maryland. His father died when he was young and an uncle was ap- pointed his guardian. He remained under this guardianship until he was twenty-one years of age when he took possession of the old homestead, where his children were born and reared and there he lived until his death, which occurred at the age of fifty-seven years. There were thirteen children born to this family, ten lived to maturity. The mother of the subject died at the age of six- ty-one years. William R., the youngest son, was a civil engineer. He was one of the engineers on the Crohn Water Works in New York, and he was associate engineer in building the water works at Baltimore, which at that time was considered one of BRINKERIIOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 797 the most correct pieces of civil egineering on record. The grandfather of the subject on his mother's side was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war, having been a captain. He was a man of magnificent physique, six feet and two inches in height, well proportioned and was conspicuous wherever he went. He led his men in the thickest of the fight at Cowpens. He was toasted by General Green at a public dinner on the high hills Santer as one of the bravest officers of Maryland. He was in the battles of Long Island, White Plains, Germantown and was in winter quarters with Washington in 1778, was later at Monmouth, Guilford Court House and Camden. He was given a large tract of government land in recognition of his services. When the War of 18 12 broke out he was quick to offer his services and was commissioned colonel. He was president of the society of Cincinnati. He was a slave holder and the owner of a large plantation. He lived to be eighty-eight years old, dying in 1840. Benjamin Warfield, the subject's great- grandfather was a captain in the Revolu- fionary war. He died March 17, 1878. Bowie C. Wai-field was educated in the public schools in Maryland, and at the War- field Academy. He worked on the farm dur- ing his vacations and walked four and one- half miles to school, having finished school when nineteen years old, after receiving a good education. He remained on the farm until he was twenty-one years old when he came to Illinois and settled in Marshall county on a farm, the first year having worked as a farm hand. Then he rented a farm and worked it until 1862 when he en- listed in August of that year in Company I, Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Mounted Infan- try. He was in the first siege of Vicksburg, was at Jackson, Mississippi, and in the bat- tles from Vicksburg to that place on all the way back. He was at New Orleans and at Spanish Fort and Blakely. After efficient service he was mustered out July 14, 1865, and was permanently discharged at Spring- field, Illinois, July 28, 1865. After his ca- ceer in the army he went to Marshall county, Illinois, where he remained for one year and then came to Marion county, buying eight- een acres of land on which he built a small house and went to farming. He was suc- cessful from the first and has since added to the original farm until he now has one hun- dred and eleven acres of valuable land. It is now a fruit farm on which many varieties of excellent fruit are grown. He is the originator of the well known Warfield strawberry and makes a specialty of straw- berries, having had as many as eleven acres. The farm is mostly rented out at present. Mr. Warfield was married August 24, 1862, to Julia C. Gregory, daughter of Hall S. and Amanda (Culver) Gregory, both natives of Vermont, who moved to Illinois in an early day and settled in Marshall county. Mr. Gregory was an agent for the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company) of Chicago, and later a grain buyer. He lived to a good old age. Two daughters have been born to Mr. 798 BKINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. and Mrs. Wai-field, the first, Alverta, was born in 1871 and is the widow of Rudolph W. Crapster, of Maryland, and is the mother ■of three Hving children. Rudolph was born in 1898, is living with his mother, who makes her home with her father; her second child is Charles Gregory, who was born in 1899, and the third is Ralph Claggett. One daughter, Dorothy, was born in 1897, died in 1899. The subject's second child, Alice, was born in 1874, and is the wife of Clinton N. Power, living in Pueblo, Colorado. They bave one child named Clifton Warfield. Mrs. Crapster's sons are eligible to belong to the Sons of the Revolution, owing to their mil- itary ancestors. In his fraternal relations our subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The subject's wife passed away August 28, 1905, at the age of sixty-eight years. She was a member of the Presby- terian church. Mr. Warfield is a Bryan Democrat. ROBERT M. McKEE. The subject of this sketch is one of the substantial citizens of Carrigan township in the development of which he has played a prominent part for many years and where be is known as a man of thrift, industry and honesty of purpose. Robert M. McKee was born February 3, 1839, in Vermilion county, Illinois, the son of John A. McKee, who was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1808, and who there married Anna Kern, a native of that county where she was bom in 1810. They were married about 1830. Ten children were born to them, of whom the subject and one other son, who is living in Centralia, sur- vive. The father of the subject was a farm- er and also a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church. He was regarded as a fine talker and became well known in his community. The subject's parents came to Marion county in 1842 and settled four miles east of Kinmundy, then in 1854 moved to Salem, where they lived one year, then to Clinton county. The subject's mother was called in her rest in 1852, and John A. McKee married again in 1854, his last wife being Mary B. (Hughie) French. Our subject's father passed away in 1886 in Centralia and was buried at that place. Robert M. McKee received a common school education, his early advantages hav- ing been limited. He was reared in a Chris- tian family. He was something of a hunter in his youth and has seen all kinds of wild game, having killed wolves on his place since he came to Marion county. Mr. McKee was one of the patriotic men who stood by the stars and stripes during the days of the rebellion, having enlisted on July 25, 1862, in Company H, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving under Captain George E. Castle, was in the battle of Resaca, also with Sher- man on his march to the sea, and he re- mained in the service for three years and was not wounded nor in prison. He became a corporal and was a most gallant soldier. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARLON CnUNTY, ILLINOIS. 799 He receives a pension of seventeen dollars per month. Our subject w^ent to farming on the old home place in Clinton county, having bought a piece of land close to Centralia, where he lived for some time, also lived near Salem, having come to Marion conuty in 1871 to make his pennanent home and he has lived on his present place for thirty-one years. He made most of the improvements on it him- self. His land is located in section 28, Car- rigan township. It is an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres which was purchased by him from the Illinois Central Railroad. He says there were only three or four houses in Centralia when he came here. He has a fine dwelling, surrounded by beautiful grounds a few miles north of Sandoval. He carries on general farming and stock raising in such a manner as to in- Sure a comfortable living from year to year and is at the same time enabled to lay by a competency for his aid age. Mr. McKee was united in marriage in 1866 to Mary Augustus, who was born February 17, 1839, the daughter of Gideon and Roby (Hite) Augustus. Her parents were born in Canada and first moved to Michigan. The father of the subject's wife died in Clinton county and her mother died in Michigan. They lived on a farm. The marriage of our subject took place in Clin- ton county, this state, May 31, 1865. The following children have been born to this union; Phoebe, who was born March 20, 1867, married James S. Jolliff, who are the parents of seven children and live in Okla- homa ; James was born June 27, 1868, mar- ried Amy Full and they reside in this coun- ty; Ida, who was born August 26, 1869, married Ralph Kennie. They have two children and make their home at Neoga, Il- linois; Johnny, born February 22, 1871, is still a member of the family circle. Virginia was born in 1875 and married a contractor. Myrtle died when one year old. James, who married Virginia Edwards, lives in St. Louis, and they have two children. Perry was born November 10, 1877, and lives at home. Joseph, who was born in 1870, died when eighteen years old. Dora was born October 4, 1881, married Fred Stein, a tele- graph operator in Mattoon, Illinois. Mr. McKee is a Republican and a Pro- hibitionist, but has never aspired to office. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant church and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, No. 584 Post at Sandoval. ALEXANDER C. SMITH. Self-reliance and honorable business methods have been the salient features in the career of the subject of this sketch and his life record contains many standard ele- ments. He is one of the old and highly re- spected citizens of Carrigan township. Alexander C. Smith was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, December 10, 1833, the son of Robert Smith, who came to Kentucky in 1796, and to Marion county in 1840, when the subject was seven years old. He 8oo BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. entered government land upon his arrival for one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, settling east of Omega, near the Clay county line. He was a great stock raiser and became one of the substantial citizens of that community, but he took no part in public life, although one of the influential pioneers of the county. When he located here the nearest trading point was Salem, which consisted of but a few houses; most of the trading by the residents here was done in St. Louis. The father of the sub- ject died in 1882 in this county. Our sub- ject drove a yoke of oxen to the plow. The subject's mother, Catherine Eastham, was born in Virginia and died when the subject was a small boy, he being one of fourteen children and the eighth in order of birth. Alexander C. Smith started life for him- self when eighteen years old, having re- ceived a limited education enjoying few ad- vantages to attend school in those early days. He learned carpentry and worked at his trade until the commencement of the Civil war when he gave way to his patriotic fervor and enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 1862, under command of Doctor Rainey, of Salem, who was cap- tain of that company, later serving under Captain Clark and Colonel Martin. He was in the ranks until the close of the war and saw hard service. He lost an arm at the battle of Atlanta, Georgia and was also shot in the breast at the same time. Being cap- tured at that time he was taken as a prisoner to Andersonville, where he remained four months and was then paroled and sent home on account of the loss of his arm. He was in the battles of Resaca, New Hope Church, Dallas and Kenesaw Mountain. He says he did nothing but fight for four months. He receives a pension. After returning from the war he engaged in the mercantile business in Odin, this county, for about three years. From there he came to Carrigan township and has made his home here for over forty years in the corner of the township. When he moved here the township was laid out and named. His land lies in sections 11 and 14. Mr. Smith was united in marriage in Ma- rion county, in 1857, with Martha McCarty. His wife was a native of Indiana, and came to Marion county with her parents when ten years old, settling in the northeast cor- ner of the county. Eight children were born to the subject and wife as follows: Alice, born in 1858, married Louis Cline. They are the parents of six children and live in Tonti township; Margaret, the second child, was born in i860, and married Sam- uel Galiant. They have four children living and one daughter dead. Ellen, the third child, was born in 1862, married John Warren. They live in Marion county; four children, all deceased, were born to them. Eddie, the subject's fourth child, was born in 1867. He married Dora Westfall; they have four children living and three deceased. They live in Oklahoma. Isaac, the fifth child, was bom in 1870. He married Lillie Summers. They live in the state of Wash- ington, and are the parents of six children BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 8oi living and two children deceased. Mary, the sixth child, was born in 1873. She mar- ried Charles I. Harris. They live with the subject and are the parents of three chil- dren. The seventh child of the subject is Levi H., who was born in 1877. He mar- ried Viola Chitister. They live in Arkansas and have one child. Martha E., the young- est child, was born in 1884. She married Edgar Sparling. They live in Carrigan township, and are the parents of four chil- dren. Charles I. Harris, the husband of Mary Smith, is a native of West Virginia, where he lived for many years. He has lived in this township for the past seventeen years. Their children are named: Clara, who was born in 1894; Robert L., who was bom in 1896, and Samuel L., who was born in 1900. They keep house for the subject, and Mr. and Mrs. Harris delight in taking care of the subject. Mr. Smith took the census of Carrigan township in 1880. He was a committeeman of the township for fifteen years. He is a well known man in the county, where his life has been honorably spent. JOSEPH A. COZAD. Mr. Cozad has long been identified with the growth of this community, having come here forty-one years ago, the 25th of Decem- ber, 1908, during which time he has wit- nessed vast changes and has taken a promi- nent part in them, so that he is today re- garded as one of the representative citizens of Carrigan township. 51 Joseph A. Cozad was boi-n in Wirt coun- ty, West Virginia, May 10, 1845, the son of David S. and Nancy (Lee) Cozad, the former a native of Dayton, Ohio, where he was born in 1790, where he lived until he was grown when he went to West Vir- ginia, where he married Nancy Lee, a cousin of old Richard Lee, who was prominent in the Confederacy. The family of David S. were all grown before coming to Marion county, Illinois. The subject's father made twenty thousand dollars in oil in Virginia, having sold his oil rock farm for that amount, which he invested in one thousand acres of land in Illinois, becoming a farmer and stockman on an extensive scale. He was at one time wealthy, but lost almost everything before his death. There were seven boys and seven girls in this family, three brothers and two sisters of the subject are still living, one sister being now eighty- two years old, who is living in Missouri. The subject's education was somewhat limited. However, he attended high school and later learned pharmacy in Cincinnati. He was at one time a member of the mili- tia. He started in life as an oil contractor in West Virginia as a driller and spent about twelve years in this business and then came to Illinois to engage in farming, settling in Carrigan township, where he has since re- mained. He has made all the improvements on the place, which is located in section 13, where he has carried on general farming in a most successful manner and also stock raising, always keeping large numbers of standard bred stock. Everything about his place shows thrift and prosperity as well 802 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. as good management. He has a beautiful home and many convenient out buildings. Much credit is due Mr. Cozad for his suc- cess for he has made eai'ly everything him- self by his good management and persistent, honest efforts. Our subject was first married to Rebecca Harris, whom he brought to Illinois with him. She was of Scotch descent. They were married October ii, 1867. Her par- ents came from Scotland, but she was born in West Virginia. The following children were born to the subject and his first wife, six of whom are now living in 1908 : Ida Belle, born May 8, 1868, died March 14, 1898; Theodore M. was born January 7, 1 87 1, and died in infancy, on the 22d of that month; Louis B. was born April 6, 1872, married Eva Moore, to whom one child has been born. He is in the fruit business in Decatur; Margaret J. was born July 25, 1876, and died in infancy; Ed- ward was bom October 7, 1878; Samuel M. was born April 3, 1879, and died in 1881 ; Charles V. was born September 20, 1 88 1, married Mayme Galker. He is in the grocery business in Decatur. Edward mar- ried Jessie Wickline and they have two children. He is in the meat business in De- catur. John H. was born June 25, 1884, became a Missionary Baptist preacher, also became a teacher, having been educated in the Carbondale schools. He is at present pastor of the Salem Baptist church, and lives at home with the subject. Alphey, who was born March 2, 1889, is a dress- maker in Decatur. Nellie, who was born May 22, 1891, is a teacher in the schools of Carrigan township. The subject's second wife was Josephine (Lonnan) Meyer, who was born July 2"], 1866, and whom he married August 11, 1898, and to whom the following children have been born : Theresa Lucile was born January 26, 1902; Leo Raines was born February 8, 1905 ; Alice Marie was born September 9, 1907. Mrs. Cozad had one child by her former husband, Albert Lon- nan, born October 12, 1890, who makes his home with his step-father, our subject. Mrs. Cozad 's father came to America from Ber- lin, Germany, where he was born in 1833, having emigrated to the United States in about 1853 o^ 1854. Mrs. Cozad's mother was also from that place. Mrs. Cozad's father was a well known farmer who lived in the southern part of Salem, on the old Judge Hull farm for many years. He died in 1897 in this county, being known by ev- erybody as a thrifty German farmer. His wife was born in 1847. The Cozad family have long been stanch Democrats and Missionary Baptists. Lee Cozad, brother of our subject, is a preacher in this church. Our subject has long taken an active interest in church affairs, and he is known as a fine Christian gentleman and well informed. CENTRALIA PUBLIC LIBRARY. The beautiful, well equipped and care- fully managed public library in Centralia, Illinois, was established in 1873, and or- BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 803 ganized in 1880. On February 14, 1901, Andrew Carnegie ofifered fifteen thousand dollars to be spent for a library building, which offer was accepted and the City Park was chosen for the site. Mr. Carnegie added five thousand dollars. The plan for the new building drawn by Oscar L. Mc- Murry, of Chicago, was chosen by the board which had the matter in hand and the con- tract was let April 12, 1902. Ground was broken for the building on June loth, fol- lowing, the corner-stone being laid July 17, 1902, under the auspices of the Masons. The work progressed rapidly under skill- ful workmen until its completion the latter part of the year, and the building was opened to the public January 14, 1903. The building is an attractive one from an architectural standpoint, being two stories high, sixty-four by sixty-six feet, is of pressed red brick and blue Bedford stone, located in the center of the City Park, hav- ing the most beautiful and withal desirable surroundings of any library building in the state. A large hall divides the first floor, giving both a north and a south entrance. East of the hall are rooms for the secretary and the library board. West of it is a lec- ture room with a small stage. On the sec- lond floor are the main reading room on the west, a small newspaper room at the head 'of the stairs, the children's room being on the east. The librarian's room and the fire- proof stock room are also on this floor. Over the stairs is a small reference room. The rooms are all well arranged, properly equipped and carefully kept. The cost of the entire building was nineteen thousand nine hundred and ninety dollars. The regulations of the library board pro- vide that children under fifteen years of age may borrow books if they are attend- ing the public schools of the city, but each child is restricted to one book a week. The entire building is heated by steam. It also contains two neat toilet rooms and a large storage room. The annual statement made on June 30, 1908, by the librarian, Celia M. Miles, shows that there are five thousand six hundred and iifty-nine vol- umes in the library and twenty thousand four hundred and eighty-six volumes in the circulation department for the year. Thirty- eight periodicals are taken, including six daily papers. The annual income of the li- brary is two thousand dollars. The present trustees and officers are as follows : Daisy I. Hallam, president ; D. B. Robertson, secretary; F. F. Noleman, treas- urer; Miss I. Brunton, Mrs. W. G. Weldon, W. F. Bundy, H. M. Warner, C. C. Davis and T. L. Joy. Chairman of the commit- tees are as follows : library, Miss I. Brun- ton ; building, T. L. Joy ; finance, C. C. Da- vis; by-laws, H. M. Warner. Librarian Celia M. Miles; assistant librarian, God- dena Weldon.' Following is a list of the librarians who have served the library since its establishment : Kate McKee, Alice Staf- ford, Cora Hand, Mary Wild, Ida Connell, Mae Viquesney, Carrie McMillan, Celia M. Miles, Ella Babbitt, Mabel Kerr, Nellie Surles, Maud Sisson and Celia M. Miles. Celia M. Miles is a very proficient libra- 8o4 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. rian, giving satisfaction to all concerned, being not only a woman of education, tact, refinement and culture, but also of pleasing personality that makes her popular with all classes. SAMUEL R. CARRIGAN. Our subject is one of the old and honored residents of Marion county, where his long life of usefulness has been spent and he has witnessed a great development in the ma- terial life of the community, taking no little part in its afifairs. Samuel R. Carrigan was born March 17, 1834, two and one-half miles from where he now resides in Carrigan township, the son of Robert M. and Sarah (Hough) Carri- gan, the former having been born in Geor- gia, December 9, 1800. He first moved to South Carolina and then to Clinton county, Illinois, settling there in about 181 7. John Carrigan, grandfather of the subject came to South Carolina from Ireland. The sub- ject's father bought Government land for one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre when he came to this state. He built a log cabin and cut and split rails with which to fence his land, often working after night on account of the green-head flies being so numerous and troublesome that he couldn't work in the daytime. The Indians were all peaceful at that time. Robert Carrigan took no part in politics, but the uncles of the subject were all politicians. The father of our subject did all his trading in St. Louis, hauling what he had to sell to that market. Our subject was the third child in order of birth in his father's family, the names of these children being, John S., who was born May 13, 1830, died October 7, 1837; Nancy Jane, December 10, 1831; Samuel R., our subject. Samuel R. Carrigan was educated in a log school-house, where subscription schools were taught. The furnishings were very rude and the sessions of school lasted only a few months each winter, however, he se- cured a fairly good education and taught school for a few terms with success. About 1864 Mr. Carrigan bought land in section 21, this township, and remained on the same until 1890, where he prospered and developed a model farm. In that year he moved two miles west of his present place. On October 4, 1871, the subject married Hester Ann Williams, the daughter of J. A. and Susan (Cameron) WiUiams. She was born March 28, 1850. J. A. Wil- liams was born July 31, 1818, in Shelby county, Indiana, and he was for years one of the most noted preachers in Southern Il- linois and a personal friend of Prof. J. H. G. Brikerhoff, of this county. Susan Cam- eron was born in Orange county, Indiana, February 13, 1820. Mrs. Carrigan's father died November 4, 1907, her mother having passed away in 1893. They were married in September, 1844, in Jefferson county, Illinois. The following children have been born to the subject and wife: Robert M., born August 15, 1872, married BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 805 Etta Dolsen. They are living at Fainnan, Illinois, and are the parents of four chil- dren. John A., the subject's second child, was born December 13, 1874, and was drowned June i, 1888; Susie, who married J. C. Hawkins, of Bessie, Tennessee, where she now resides; Samuel D. was born Feb- ruary 23, 1882, married Ada Brinkley, of Appleton, Wisconsin. They have one daughter. Samuel D. is a practicing physi- cian at Sandoval. He has been engaged in practice for three years. He was educated at Sims Medical College in St. Louis. Samuel R. Carrigan has a beautiful home located between Sandoval and Patoka, sur- rounded by well laid out grounds, orchards, etc. He owns several hundred acres of land in Carrigan township, which is in a high state of improvement and cultivation, everything about the place showing that a man of good judgment has its management in hand. Although Mr. Carrigan has been a hard worker all his life, he is a well pre- served man and hale and hearty for one of his age. He is one of the oldest men and one of the oldest settlers in the towriship. Since 1870 he has spent all his time on the farm, carrying on general farming and raising horses, cattle and mules, and he has been especially interested in shorthorn cat- tle. He made most of the large competency he can now claim dealing in mules. He is still actively engaged in farming and stock raising. He has been a lifelong Democrat, and served two terms as Sheriff, making one of the best Sheriffs the couny ever had. He was first elected in 1862 and the last time in 1868. He says he used to have some exciting times when performing the duties of this office. While he was incumbent of the same. Hank Leonard was taken from the jail and hanged by a mob. He has also very creditably held most all of the town- ship offices. Mr. and Mrs. Carrigan are a fine old couple and are admired especially by the young people of their community, having led honest and useful lives. DAVID HEADLEY. The life of Mr. Headley has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance, and the systematic and honorable methods which he has followed have won for him the un- bounded confidence of his fellow citizens of Marion county. David Headley was born in Monroe coun- ty, Ohio, May 16, 1843, the son of Jesse Headley, a native of the Buckeye state, who lived both in Pike and Monroe counties, and who married Elsie Mahan, a native of Pennsylvania, having married in Monroe county, Ohio, where he grew up, and where he owned a farm. In 1832 he moved with his family to Illinois, locating among the pioneers south of Salem, Marion county. After remaining there for a short time he moved to Kinmundy township, three miles south of the present village of Kinmundy,, where he rented land for several years, then moved to Foster township. He lived on 8o6 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. the old Arnold place for several years, then moved south of where the subject of this sketch now lives. He died m 1887, his wife having preceded him to the silent land in 1865. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, a Democrat, but held no offices. Seven chil- dren were born to this couple, namely : Rosanna; Mary, deceased; Eli, who lives in Alma, Illinois, was in the Civil war in Com- pany D, One Hundred and Eleventh Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, having served three years ; Sarah is living in Foster town- ship, the wife of John Smith; Jeptha, who was in Company D, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, died in 1864 at Marietta, Georgia, of sickness, contracted while in line of duty; Levi was in Company H, Twenty-sixth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, and was captured at Mis- sionary Ridge and died in Andersonville prison in March, 1864; David, our subject. David Headley had little chance to go to school. However, he attended such schools as there were in those early times, going to the old log school-house in his neighbor- hood. He remained at home until he was moved by a patriotism that knew no satis- fying until it was gratified on the fields of battle in defense of the flag, consequently he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry on August 9, 1862. He was sent to Cen- tral City and then to Salem, Illinois, and drilled. In the fall of the same year he was sent to Columbus, Kentucky, where he did general duty until the spring of 1863, when he went to Fort Hinman, Tennessee, remaining there until May, when he was sent to Paducah, Kentucky, for six months, and up the Tennessee river to East Fort and to Gravel Springs, then to Pulaski, Tennessee, then to Decatur, Huntsville and Larkinsville, Alabama. Later he was in the Atlanta campaign, being in the battles of Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, New Hope Church, and in the Atlanta campaign. He was wounded July 22, 1864, having been shot in the left foot. After spending some time in hospitals he was sent home on a furlough, where he remained from August nth to October ist, when he joined his regiment near Atlanta and was with Sherman in his march to the sea and in the charge of Fort McAllister, later being in several severe skirmishes. Our subject was wounded at Fort McAllis- ter, where he was shot in the right side. He carries the ball today, which at times gives him considerable trouble. He took part in the grand review at Washington City, May 21, 1865. On June 7th, following, he was mustered out at Washington, D C, and was discharged at Springfield, Illinois, on the 27th of that month. After the war he set- tled in Foster township and in 1866 was married the first time to Hannah I. Cole, who was born in that township, the daugh- ter of Mark and Winnie Cole, the former of Tennessee, the latter of Georgia. Her parents were early settlers in Marion coun- ty, having located in Foster township, where he farmed and where they both died. Eight children were born to the subject and BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 807 wife, namely : Minnie O., the wife of War- ren Lowe, of Kinmundy ; Winf ord, who mar- ried Lilhan Doolen, is living in Foster town- ship on a farm ; Myrtle, the wife of Edward Doolen, is living in Kunmundy; Mabel is the wife of Frank Jones, of Foster town- ship; Pearl is the wife of Clement Doolen, of Foster township ; Fred is living at home ; Eugene, who remained single, died at the age of twenty-three years; Mark died when eighteen months old. These children have attended the home schools and are fairly well situated in life. Mrs. Headley passed to her rest September 25, 1904. After his marriage the subject located in 1866, where he now lives in section i, Fos- ter township, having bought forty acres, part of the Mark Cole place. Mr. Headley now owns two hundred and eight acres of good land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation and im- provement. On this he raises fine crops of wheat, corn, hay and oats and under the able management of the subject this land has never grown thin, being as productive today as when he first took possession of it. He has made all the improvements on the place himself. He raises English sheep, draft and Percheron horses, Poland China and Chester White hogs. He raises Dur- ham and Red Pole cattle and some fine chickens, carrying on a general farming. He has been a faithful Democrat and has held in a very creditable manner the office of Township Clerk, Collector and Assessor. He is a liberal subscriber of the Methodist church, of which he has been a member for many years. Mr. Headley started in life poor, but he has been a hard worker and has prospered. GEORGE HANSON PERRINE. The subject of this sketch was born No- vember II, 1 82 1, in Lyons, New York, and although his life's history has been brought to a close by the hand of death, his influence still pervades the lives of those who knew him, for his honorable career was one worthy of emulation. The first member of the Perrine family to come to America was Henri Perrine, the son of a Baronet of La Rochelle, Lower Charente, France, was one of about seven hundred other Huguenot refugees on the sailing vessel Caledonia about 1635, which ship was wrecked on the southeast shore of Staten Island. Among those saved were Henri and Daniel Perrine. The former lived on Staten Island and married there. His children were John, Henry, Peter V. and Daniel. The pioneer home of this family was a stone house, still standing on the Richmond Road then known as the King's Highway. It is the oldest house on the island. Henri spent the remainder of his Hfe on Staten Island. His son, John, settled in Central New Jersey. John Per- rine married Catherine Williamson in 1781. The date of his death was July 31, 1803. He was a merchant in Freehold, New Jer- sey. His children were Elinore W., born 8o8 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. in 1784, who married Judge John Cooper; Heniy, born in 1786; David W., born De- cember 17, 1789, at Freehold, New Jersey, died at the age of ninety-six years, a veteran of the War of 1812. He married Margaret D. Reed. His wife was born November 19, 1793, and died April 9, 1824. He married a second time, the last wife being Caroline Maynard, an English lady, who died Au- gust 27, 1881. He went to Western New York in 1803. The following children were born to David W. Perrine and his first wife: Charles, born in 1814, was a hop and fruit grower in Ripley county, Indiana, later moved to Centralia, Illinois; he was a deacon in the Baptist church; Margaret who was bom in 181 7, married first a Mr. Moore, and later Richard Clark, first lived in Ripley county, Indiana, and later lived near Oblong, Illinois; Catherine B., who was born in 181 9, married Jeremiah Crane, of Kendall, New York; George Hanson, the subject of this sketch, who passed to his rest June 25, 1901, after a life of honor and usefulness, which was crowned with success as a result of his industry and honesty of purpose. John Perrine, the subject's grandfather, was sergeant in the patriot army during the Revolutionary war and fought side by side with his brothers at the battle of Monmouth. He was once taken prisoner. In later years he moved to Lyons, New York, and became the owner of six hundred acres of land. David Williamson Perrine was in the War of 1 812, and a pioneer of Lyons, New York. He helped build the Erie and Miami canals. and later assisted in laying out Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He moved to Ripley county, Indiana, and in 1872 came to Marion coun- ty, Illinois, where he and his second wife died. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church and later joined the Baptist church. He was a Republican and a great worker in the party. The Republican headquarters of that district were at his home. The early education of George Hanson Perrine, our subject, was obtained in the pub- lic schools. He spent his early life in Rip- ley county, and for twenty years was a large stock dealer and grower in Greens- burg, Indiana. In 1867 he came to Cen- tralia township, where he secured one hun- dred and twelve acres of land in section 20, which had some improvements on it. He started extensively in the fruit growing business of which he made a pronounced success. He was a stanch Republican, was well known and highly respected by all. He was a faithful member of the Baptist church and a man of influence in his community. He was married to Nancy Mills, who was born in October, 1825, and who died in 1847. He married a second time to Ro- setta L. Alden, of Ripley county, Indiana, who was born May 12, 1827, and who died October 9, 1902. Two children were born by the first union, Cyrus, born December 27, 1844, who married Matilda Parken. Cyrus is a fruit grower at Fairfield, Illinois ; Caroline, the second child, who was born June 6, 1845, is deceased. The following children were born of the second union: David C, born January 5, 1850, died April BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 809 I, 1889. He lived at home with his father and attended .Shurtleff College two years and graduated from the Chicago Univer- sity. Caroline E., the second child, was born February 9, 1852, is single and is now located in Chicago, Secretary of the Women's Baptist Foireign Missionary So- ciety of the West. She was educated in In- dianapolis and Upper Alton, Illinois; Charles Thomas, the third child, was born April 21, 1857, married, January 29, 1901, Bella J. Duff, of Washington, Iowa. She was a daughter of Alexander Duff and Margaret J. Lemmon, who were of Guern- sey coimty, Ohio. Charles Thomas Per- rine was educated in the public schools and Shurtleff College, which he attended for three terms. He was engaged in the news- paper business in Chicago for seven years. He was in Shoshone, Idaho, for three years in the fruit growing business, with his cousin, B. Perrine. Then he moved back to the old place in Centralia, where he has since resided. He is a member of the Bap- tist church. Samuel Alden, the fourth child, was born February 19, 1859, and married Rosie Lamb, of Davenport, Iowa. He was a graduate of the University of Chicago, and the Morgan Park Theological Semi- nary, under Doctor Harper. He was pastor at Marshalltown, Iowa, for a part of three years. He was sent with his wife by the Baptist Missionary Union to Impur Naga Hills, Assam, India, as a missionary, where his son. Linden L., was born, November 26, 1905. He is now located at Port Norris, New Jersey, where he is the pastor of the Baptist church. William Schuyler, the fifth child, was born July 4, 1862, and married Genevieve Frazier, of Centralia, Illinois, who was born July 5, 1877. Three children were born to this union; Schuyler Alden, born August 16, 1897; David Bates, born October 22, 1899; George Hamilton, born April 23, 1905. William S. Perrine was educated in Chi- cago University, also the Boston University. He has always been a farmer and fruit grower; Cora Belle, the sixth child, was born August 3, 1866, and is a graduate of Wellesley College and attended the old Chicago University, being now one of the librarians at the Chicago University. Since their father's death, Charles T. and William S. Perrine have carried on the busi- ness in a most successful manner, owning three hundred acres of valuable land in Cen- tralia township, upon which they erected a beautiful home in 1892, modem in every de- tail, equipped with hot and cold water, gas, and the first one in Centralia to be heated by hot water. They are among the largest fruit growers in Southern Illinois, and were formerly engaged in growing strawberries quite extensively. They are very progres- sive business men and worthy successors of their noble father. CHARLES M. SEE. No state of the Union is more deserving of honor and praise for the heroic service of her sons during the Civil war than is Il- linois. Among the thousands of noble- 8io BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. hearted volunteers that answered to the na- tion's call was the subject of our sketch, Charles M. See, of Alma, Illinois. Mr. See was born in Mason county, Vir- ginia, on the 4th of February, 1841. He was the son of S. M. and Mary E. (Day) See, the former born in 1808 and the latter in 1818. S. M. See came to Illinois in 1846. Prior to this time he was engaged as a pilot on the Ohio river, being one of the pioneers in that work. He was widely known as a skillful guide and Jais services were constantly in demand during the time that he followed the business. In 1848 the balance of the family, con- sisting of the mother and seven children, joined the family in Marion county, Illinois. Charles, who was the oldest, joined in marriage Anna M. Hatton, to whom seven children were born, six girls and one boy. Etta C. was married to William B. Crooker and is the mother of two children. Frances K. became the wife of Doctor Hol- son, of Farina, Illinois, and has two chil- dren. Isabel was joined in marriage to Ed- win Welton, and four children have been born to this union; Ruby M., is an artist of considerable ability. She is also an ex- pert telegrapher. Louise married Doctor Wilson, and is the mother of two boys. Roy A. was married to Cora Werner, of River- dale, Illinois, is the father of two girls; Lois is the youngest of the family. When the Rebellion began Mr. See joined the Federal forces and for four years put in his best strokes for the cause of the na- tional union, becoming a member of Com- pany B, of the Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under command of Colonel S. G. Hicks, acting as sergeant to Captain W. T. Sprouse, and during these years of ex- posure and hardship Mr. See saw much ac- tive service. He participated in Sherman's famous march to the sea and was at one time wounded in the left limb by the burst- ing of a shell. Among the many reminis- censes to which Mr. See delights to refer is the famous debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, which he was privileged to hear. The scene was one never to be forgotten. Mr. See feels that Abraham Lincoln was even at that time the most towering figure that appeared among American statesmen. Educated in the common schools, Mr> See has made good use of his opportunities, industry and application being a part of his daily equipment. For fort)'^ years he had charge of the agency of the Illinois Cen- tral. Here his faithfulness and proper at- tention to business have been recognized by the officials of the company and in due time he was honorably retired with a pension. A history of the See family was gotten tp a few years since, most of which was ar- ranged under the direction of Mr. See himself. A life long Republican, he has always stood firmly for honest and con- scientious discharge of all public affairs. JOHN A. KILPATRICK. Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Centralia whose efforts have lent to the prestige of the community in material BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTYj ILLINOIS. 8ll and other ways is the subject of this re- view, who has spent the major part of his life as an agriculturist. Among' the many things he has done to show that he has led a worthy career was his services as a soldier during the Rebellion, when he stood by his country's flag. John A. Kilpatrick was born in Jackson county, Illinois, March 27, 1843, the son of Alfred and Martha (Duncan) Kilpa,trick, .the former a native of Tennessee who came to Jackson county, Illinois, when a young man. He was born in 181 1 and after de- voting his life to farming and rearing a family of five childi'en, passed to the silent land in 1856. There were three boys and two girls in his family of whom John A., our subject, is the only survivor. All lived to be married but one child. Alfred Kil- patrick served in the Black Hawk war of 1832, having been in the army about thir- teen months. Our subject was three months old when his mother died and he was reared by an uncle, William Duncan, with whom he re- mained until he was ten years old. He then lived with another uncle, John Kilpatrick, until he was nineteen years old. He was en- gaged in farm work while living with his uncles. When nineteen years of age he re- sponded to the President's call for volunteers to put down the Rebellion, enlisting in April, 1862, in Company A, Fourteenth Il- linois Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Rogers and Captain Opitz, later serving under Captain Natty. Our subject went from Carlton, Greene county, Illinois, to Springfield at Camp But- ler, remaining there ten days when he was sent to Bolivar, Tennessee. He first fought in the siege of Vicksburg, also fought at Jackson, Mississippi, and at Lookout Moun- tain. He was with Sherman in his cam- paign around Atlanta, and in the march to the sea. He was captured at Big Shanty, near Marietta, Georgia, but remained in the chain pen only eight hours when he crept out during the darkness between two guards, reaching Marietta at daybreak. He was mustered out in Washington City in June, 1865. He returned to Green county, Illinois, after the war and worked on a farm for two years. He then went to Jackson county, where he was married to Nancy Kelly, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Kelly, in whose family there were six chil- dren, three boys and an equal number of girls. To our subject and wife five children were bom, namely: Thomas, who married Lizzie McBride, is a foundryman living in East St. Louis, and they are the parents of one girl ; Belle married Zack Clore, a barber in Centralia ; William, who married Lillie Lane and who has one son, lives with his father; Daisy M., who married Frank Al- bright, lives in Chester, Randolph county, this state; Millie is deceased. The subject's wife passed to her rest in 1895 in Chester, Randolph county, where Mr. Kilpatrick owned a farm which he had developed and on which he made a good living. He sold this place in 1900 and moved to Centralia. In politics he is a Democrat and he holds to the Presbyterian 8l2 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. belief in which faith he was reared. He is i-emembered by the government wliich he so faithfully served with a twelve dollar pen- sion per month. HENRY T. DAVIS. The subject of this sketch is known to be a business man of clear ideas and aggressive in his methods, yet at all times maintaining strict honesty of purpose and living up to the full tension of the strenuous age in which his lot has been cast. Henry T. Davis, the well known druggist hving in Centralia, where he has long car- ried on his business affairs in a most suc- cessful manner, was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, July 30, 1870, the son of Isaac P. and Louisa (Hilands) Davis, the former a native of New Castle, where he was born March 4, 1845, the latter having been born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1845. The parentage of the subject's father was Irish and Welsh descent, and the parents of the subject's mother were Scotch, both having been born in Scotland. There were three sons and an equal number of daughters in Isaac Davis' family, our subject being the second in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Davis are at present living at Smithborough, Illinois, on the Vandalia Railroad. Our subject was educated in the common schools in his native community and in this state. He came to Illinois with his parents and settled at Mulberry Grove on a fann. After leaving high school, where he made a record for scholarship, he began teaching and for two years made a success of this work. But desiring to launch in a busi- ness career he began his apprenticeship in the drug business and took a two years' course in the National Institute of Pharmacy at Chicago, where he made rapid progress. After leaving this institution he served as a druggist for one year at Paducah, Kentucky, and one year in Muncie, Indiana. He was also engaged for a period of two years in Robinson, Illinois, giving entire satisfaction in all these places to his employers. In 1896 Mr. Davis started in business for himself in Mulberry Grove, Illinois, being well equipped in all his previous apprentice- ships, he made a success of his venture from the first and soon had a liberal patronage. On December 26, 1902, he moved to Cen- tralia, believing that here could be found a larger field for his growing business. He opened a store at 228 East Broadway, where he remained for a period of four years, having secured a good foothold here and gained a large number of customers not only from all parts of Centralia, but from the surrounding country. On February 27, 1907, he moved to his present location, 118 North Locust street, where he has a most liberal patronage, having retained all his old trade and gained many new customers. His store is neat, well equipped and the stock kept well up-to-date in every respect, and his prices are reasonable so that his trade is brisk all the time. Mr. Davis is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, lodge No. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 513 493, of Centralia. Politically he is a So- cialist and in 1908 his friends nominated him for Congress of the Twenty-third Dis- trict, and his candidacy was generally re- garded as a most fortunate one for he has for years been popular with the voters of A'larion county, having long taken a deep interest in political matters and in the gen- eral welfare of the community. He was elected a member of the City Council in 1906 and served two years in a manner that elicited the approbation of everyone, having ably looked after the interests of the Third ward, which he represented. While at Mul- berry Grove, Mr. Davis was the Treasurer of the town schools. The parents of our subject were Pres- byterians, but he and his wife worship at the Christian church. Mr. Davis was united in marriage on De- cember 24, 1 89 1, with Voshti Jenkins, the accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jenkins, natives of Tennessee. They were married in Paducah, Kentucky, and three children have brightened the home of our subject and wife as a result of this happy union, namely: Orville Wayne, who was born November 3, 1892 ; Helen Lavon, who was born March 10, 1895; Exa May, whose date of birth occurred August 27, 1897. SAMUEL SANDERS CLARK. The subject of this biographical review has spent the major part of his active life engaged in agricultural pursuits, all the de- tails of which he mastered long ago. He is better known in Clinton county, this state, where his fine farm is located than in Cen- tralia, but wherever he has lived he has al- ways maintained a high standard of moral excellence. Samuel Sanders Clark was born in old Virginia, in the county of Patrick, August 9, 1835, the son of William and Martha (Carter) Clark; the former was a native of old Virginia and was in the War of 18 12, having been captain. He served three terms of enlistment and his brother one term. William Clark was also Sheriff of Patrick county, Virginia, having been incumbent of this office at the time of his death, which oc- curred when the subject of this sketch was three years old in 1838. In i860 the mother of the subject went from Clinton county, Il- linois, to Texas, when sixty-six years old, having been born in 1794. She passed to her rest in Texas, May 16, 1869. The subject is a descendant of sterling ancestors. Both his grandfather and great- grandfather were named John. The sub- ject's great-grandfather was stolen from the sea shore in Scotland, put on a ship and brought to America, settling in South Caro- lina. Grandfather John Clark lived to be eighty-nine years old, dying in 1858. He was born in Virginia in 1769, and he served in the Revolutionary war under Washing- ton, whom he knew well, having been fre- quently in his company. Finnil, an uncle of our subject on his mother's side, fought with General Jackson at New Orleans. Alexander Bray Clark, brother of the sub- ject, was killed in Texas during the war 8i4 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. by a robber. Four sons and five daughters were born to William and Martha Clark, of whom Samuel, our subject, is the youngest in order of birth. He was brought from old Virginia to Aviston with his mother, two brothers and four sisters in 1840, hav- ing been driven through in a covered wagon, when five years old, to Clinton ■county, Illinois, where he received a com- mon school education, such as those early times afforded. He was reared on a farm, on which he worked until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he managed a store in Centralia. He returned to Clinton county and resumed farming, developing a valuable piece of land which he still owns, being under a high state of improvement, and on which stand good buildings. Mr. Clark moved from his Clinton county home to Centralia in March, 1900, and is now living in retirement, enjoying the respite of a well earned rest. Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Harriet E. Skipper, October 26, 1856, in St. Louis in the City Hotel. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Skip- per. There were four sons and one daugh- ter in the Skipper family. To Samuel S. Clark and wife eight children were born, four lived to be grown, three of whom are living at this writing, namely : Gabrellia H. is single and living at home keeping house for her father; Ferdinand A., who married Miss Dora E. Krusa June 21, 1904, is a carpenter and contractor, and is the father of one daughter; Samuel S., Jr., married Miss Aldah C. Leffel, October 28, 1908, the daughter of Oliver C. and Lida E. Leffel, deceased. C. Leffel is a carpenter living at 118 South Hickory street. These children were educated in Clinton county and in Cen- tralia. Mr. Clark, Jr., is a carpenter and contractor. John N. Clark, the son of the subject, died August 9, 1885. Harriet E. Haw- thorn, a daughter of the subject, died March 8, 1908. The subject's daughter, deceased, was a member of the Christian church. Gabrellia, the daughter of the subject, is a member of the Christian church. Mrs. Har- riet Clark, wife of the subject, died May 6, 1879; she was a member of the Christian church. The subject's father, William Clark, owned what was called the Chestnut Ridge, in old Virginia. John N. Clark, a brother of the subject, died in 1842; Carter Clark, also a brother of the subject, died A. D. 1845 leavig Samuel, the subject, the sole support of his mother, which duty he performed as a dutiful son. He attended school in a very crude building, built of logs with a slab floor and slabs for seats, with no backs in those days. There was plenty of game, such as deer and wild turkey. The first horse the subject owned, he worked for eight dol- lars a month to purchase. He bought his first farm near Aviston, Illinois, in 1853. He sold this and bought a farm near Centralia, Illinois, and in 1854 he moved from Aviston to his Clinton county home near Centralia, in March, 1855. There were but two stores in Centralia at this time. He tells many incidents of early times of which we have BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 815 not space here to relate. The subject is tall and slender, has blue eyes which are very good, and his hearing is also good for one of his age. In politics Mr. Clark is a Republican, his ancestors having been old line Whigs. He cast his first vote for Millard Fillmore. In rehgion he was reared a Baptist, but joined the Christian church. Samuel S., Jr., and Ferdinand A., sons of the subject, cast their first votes for William McKinley. Ferdinand A. and Samuel S. Jr., are both members of the Queen City lodge 169, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. Our subject joined this order in 1866, being an Ancient Odd Fellow. The subject's sons are members of the Christian church. The subject has led a very active life and has been successful in whatever he has un- •dertaken, and he also has won the respect and friendship of all with whom he has come in contact, owing to his upright char- acter. CHRISTIAN M. DAGGETT. One of the progressive agriculturists of 'Romine township, Marion county, is the gentleman whose life record is herewith ap- pended. Christian M. Daggett was born February 23, 1849, at Greendale, luka town- ship, Marion county, Illinois, the son of Oren and Elizabeth (Myers) Daggett. They were both natives of Genesee county, New York, where they grew up and mar- ried. They came West in 1830 and located in luka township, this county, near Green- dale, where Mr. Daggett got wild land which he cleared and improved, later buy- ing land in Romine township, his farm con- sisting of eighty acres. He died there in 1884, his wife having survived until 1902. Mr. Daggett was a millwright and a farmer, achieving success in both lines. The follow- ing children were born to them: Hartwell, who was a soldier in Company E, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for two years, and was killed in the battle of Atlanta, Georgia; Roxie was the, second in order of birth ; Louis served one year in Company H, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Regi- ment; Lyman, who was also a soldier in the same company and regiment as Louis, died while in prison; Olive was the next child; William was in the Civil war as a recruit; Polly, Lizzie, Sallie; Christian M., the sub- ject of this sketch, was the seventh child in order of birth. The subject's maternal grandfather served in the War of 1812. Christian M. Daggett had little chance to attend school in his youth and therefore re- ceived but a limited education in the home schools. When eighteen years old he went to work out, doing whatever was honorable and remunerative until his first marriage, which occurred in 1870, to Emeline Hainey, of Romine township, this county. She died in 1874. The subject then married on Au- gust 17, 1878, Ella Belt, daughter of Green- bury Belt, who was a minister of the Bap- tist church, of Clay county, this state. Her mother was Nancy (Crumes) Belt, who 8i6 BRINKERHOFF'S history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. lived in Clay and Jefferson counties, this state, as did also Mr. Belt, who was in the Civil war in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-third Illinois Infantry, under Captain Hayes. He died in Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs.Belt eight children were born, namely: Charles, Joseph, WiUiam, Sarah, Greenbury, Ella, Martha, Logan. Two children were born to the subject by his first wife: Nellie, who married Joel Talbert Meador, of Romine township, is the mother of four children, Calvin, Phoebe, Mason and Hester; Millard, who married Pearl Wayburn, lives in Chulsa, Oklahoma, and is the father of two children, Louisa and Ray. Five children' have been born to the subject and his second wife, namely: Flor- ence, the wife of William Mackey, of Sa- lem, Illinois, is the mother of two children, Merrill and Floyd ; Flora, who married Per- ry Haney, has one child, Lois. They live with the subject. Lizzie, the third child, married Lela Meador, of Romine township, and they have two children, Edna and Hat- tie; Pearlie and Eva are living at home. After his first married the subject lived with his mother about two years, and then bought forty acres of land in Romine town- ship on which he lived for one year, when he sold it and bought another farm on which he lived for two years] In 1885 he bought the place where he now lives in section 15, having lived here continuously ever since. He has one hundred thirty-one and one-half acres and he is also interested in out lands. He has always been a farmer and he carries on general farming in a manner that shows him to be up-to-date in every respect. He keeps some excellent stock, especially cattle. Mr. Daggett has served on the school board; also as Constable and Justice of the Peace. He is a Democrat and has long been active in politics. THOMAS STONECIPHER. The subject of this biographical memoir, whose earthly career has been closed by the hand that must set the seal on the life rec- ords of us all, is remembered as a sterling pioneer and worthy citizen, whose life was exemplary in every respect. Thomas Stonecipher was born in Ash county. North Carolina, March 12, 1809, thesonofErza and Susan (Curtis) Stone- cipher. The subject's parents grew up and married in the Tar Heel state, and in 1813 moved to Morgan county, Tennessee, where they lived for several years and later came to Illinois; after locating a home here they started back to Tennessee, and the subject's father died at Hopkinsville, Kentucky. His wife died in Haines township, Marion coun- ty, Illinois. To them the following chil- dren were, born : Curtis, Joseph, Samuel Noah, Thomas, Wayne, Lizzie, Lucinda, Eliza and Rebecca. Thomas Stonecipher had little chance to attend school. He was married in 1827 to Elender Goddard, of Sullivan county, Ten- nessee, the daughter of Thomas Goddard. They lived in Sullivan and Morgan coun- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 817 ties, Tennessee, and died in that state. To them the following children were bom : El- ender, wife of Thomas Stonecipher, our subject; Annie, PoUie, Rathmus, Jesse, Wil- liam, John, David, Thomas, Timothy and George. After their marriage, Thomas Stonecipher and wife lived in Morgan coun- ty, Tennessee, until their death. He was a farmer and blacksmith ; also a wood worker and could make almost anything that could be made with the tools in those days. They were members of the Missionaiy Baptist church. Their children were: Lavina, who married Jackson M. Brown, of Cumberland county, Tennessee; Jesse, a farmer in Ro- mine township, Marion county, Illinois, was a Mexican war soldier, a farmer and school teacher in this township, after 1868, when he came to this county where he has since lived ( See his sketch in this volume. ) Mary was the next child born to our subject and wife, and she married Mathias Williams. They made their home in Eastern Tennessee, both are deceased. Wayne was the fourth child. He was born August 2, 1833, in Morgan county, Tennessee, having been ed- ucated in the common schools there. He came to Romine township, this county, in 1867, having married, November 19, 1850, Melvina Morgan, of Morgan county, Ten- nessee, who died in September, 1868, leav- ing seven children, namely : Mary, de- ceased ; L. Mariah married Philip Seiber, of Stevenson township, Marion county; Lydia married John Grandon, of Flora, Illinois; Huldah, deceased; Mahala married Abel Pickering, of Xenia, Illinois; Thomas, a 52 farmer in luka township, Marion county, married Emma DuRalph; Carter is road- matser on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, on the first division, with headquarters at Cai-lyle, Illinois, married Gertie Eddings. Wayne Stonecipher enlisted in the Union army August 10, 1 861, Company B, Second East Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, and was in the middle division of the army until 1863, when he went to Middle Tennessee, having fought in the great battle of Stone River or Murfreesboro. He then went into Kentucky, crossed the Cumberland Moun- tains into Virginia, and was with General Burnside. He later returned to East Ten- nessee, and on October 8, 1863, he and his brother, Curtis, and others, were captured at Rogersville, Hawkins county, Tennessee. He and Curtis escaped and were absent three months from their regiment, which they joined at Clinton, Anderson county Tennes- see. Wayne was on picket duty until dis- charged October 6, 1864, at Knoxville. He came to Marion county, Illinois, settling in section 12, Romine township, where he bought a farm on which he lived for a period of thirty- four years. He has been living for some time with his children, retired. He was a good farmer and developed an excel- lent farm. Wayne Stonecipher was twice married, the second time in 1873 to Martha Ann Pierson, of Romine township, Marion coun- ty. She passed to her rest March 23, 1905, leaving one child, Lillie Tennessee, who married R. L. Stevens. They live on the subject's old place. Wayne, like his father, BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. is also a blacksmith and can make almost anything in that line. He is well known in Marion county and has numerous friends. Louisa was the fifth child born to Thomas Stonecipher and wife. She married Jere- miah Jones, who is now deceased, but she is living in Morgan county, Tennessee; Cur- tis, the sixth child of the subject of this sketch, was born July 26, 1836, in Morgan county, Tennessee, and received a limited education, having lived at home until Au- gust ID, 1 86 1, when he enlisted in the Union army, Company B, Second East Tennessee Regiment, middle division, and he was sent to Middle Tennessee. He was in the battle of Stone River, then went into Kentucky, crossed the Cumberland Mountains into Virginia, and was with Burnside's army. He later retured to East Tennessee, and was taken prisoner on October 8, 1863, when he and his brother, Wayne, fell into the hands of the enemy, but Curtis and Wayne escaped as already related and after three months' absence rejoined their regi- ment at Clinton, Tennessee, and he did picket duty until the close of the war. He was discharged October 6, 1864, at Knox- ville. Curtis Stonecipher was first married in 1856 to Mary Ann Brown, of Cumber- land county, Tennessee. He married his second wife, Polly Lewellen, of Scott coun- ty, Tenessee, August 15, 1872. She was the daughter of Walter W. and Ann Brown, who lived and died in Scott county, Ten- nessee. Seven children were born to Curtis Stonecipher and his first wife, and nine chil- dren were born to him and his second wife. six of them still living. The children by his first wife are: Lavina, deceased; James T., deceased; Eliza, deceased; Andrew, de- ceased; Alice, deceased; Samuel G., who lives at Athens, Ohio, is a traveling sales- man for a grocery house; Jesse is a farmer in Robins, Tennessee. The following are the names of the children of Curtis Stone- cipher and his second wife; John K., bom in 1873, died in 1897, married Lizzie Mc- Cormick; Indiana married Mark Hodges, and lives in Raccoon township; Empire, who married Nora Lawrence, is a farmer in Romine township; Henry is deceased; Martha married Jesse J. Scott, of Romine township; Annie married Wesley Fields, of Romine township; Maniphe is living at home; Orlay is also living at home; Reuben C, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Stonecipher are rearing two of their grandchildren, Wa- verly and Button. On January 4, 1863, when Curtis Stone- cipher was still in the army, he moved his family to Adams county, Ohio, and after the war he lived there until 1871, when he went back to Tennessee, and was there un- til 1898, when he came to Marion county, and later bought the farm of sixty-one acres, where he now lives in section 15, Romine township. He has always been a farmer and his place shows that he is a good one. The seventh child born to Thomas Stone- cipher, the subject of this sketch, was Tim- othy, who was also a soldier in the Federal ranks. He now lives in Centralia, is Justice of the Peace and Notary Public, and he BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 819 married Olive Daggett. Joseph Stonecipher was also in the army, having been in Com- pany B, Second Tennessee Regiment, and he served with his brothers for nearly three years. He married Nancy Parker. They live in Scott county, Tennessee. Ezra T. Stonecipher, the subject's youngest child, is a farmer in luka township, Marion county, having married California Todd. The subject of this sketch was in the same company and regiment with his sons during the war between the states, also his sons- in-law served in the army. Thomas Stone- •cipher served eighteen months when his health gave way under the hardships of army life. JOSEPH JOURDAN, M. D. In all matters involving the interests of Romine township or Marion county, in which the subject of this sketch resides, he takes much interest, being enterprising and vigilant and many of the movements look- ing to the public weal has been fostered by him during his long practice here, for he is known throughout the county and has a large practice, his name having long since become a household word in this locality, for he has ever held very high rank in the medical fraternity. Dr. Joseph Jourdan was born in Pike 'County, Ohio, May i, 1837, the son of Aquilla and Elizabeth (Lockard) Jourdan, both natives of Pike county, Ohio, who came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1840, settling in Haines township, where they se- cured a farm, the father of the subject also hauled goods across the country from St. Louis, in those early days, before there were any railroads here. He was a hard working man who became well known in his town- ship. He died in 1859 and his wife is still living near the age of one hundred years. They were members of the Methodist Epis- copal church and were honest and straight- forward people. To them the following children were born : Joseph, the subject of this sketch; Benjamin, deceased; James was killed by the Indians in 1862; John lives near Chillicothe, lo-vva; Sarah lives in Albia, Iowa; Mary is deceased; Martha is living in Iowa. Doctor Jourdan received only a limited education in the early public schools, not having much chance to go to school when a boy. He, however, applied himself as best he could, being an ambitious lad. He remained at home assisting with the work about the place until he was nineteen years old. The subject's domestic life began July 20, 1856, when he was united in marriage with Sarah H- Blackbourn, a native of Marion county, Illinois, and the daughter of An- drew T. Blackbourn, a native of Tennessee. He was a minister in the Methodist Epis- copal church. The subject's wife was called to her rest September 13, 1906. To Doctor and Mrs. Jourdan the follow- ing children were bom : Aquilla, a machinist and farmer in Romine township, who mar- ried Mary Boyle; Pleasant P., who died in 820 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 1863; Frances E., who married William Boyles, lives in Globe, Arizona; Mary J. is deceased; Joseph was killed in 1889; John L. is a tie maker at Lesterville, Missouri, who married Lucy Gosney; William L. is a miner at Sandoval, Illinois, who married Maria Callaghan; Sarah C, deceased, was the wife of EHMedders; Albert J., who is a farmer in Romine township, married Effie Scott; Dora A., who married Lee Dye, lives in Oklahoma; Allen G., who married Lena Tanner, of Perry county, Illinois, is living in Romine township, this county. The Tan- ners own a farm in Perry county. After their marriage the subject and wife located in Romine township, Marion coun- ty. He took up farming and the practice of medicine. He at once had a very large practice and his services were in great de- mand, being called to remote parts of the county on serious cases or in consultation with other physicians, whose skill had been baffled, and his advice in such cases was al- ways followed with gratifying results. He has been in practice for over thirty years, which have been prosperous and very busy. He has owned several different farms in this county. Our subject enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, on August i, 1861. He went to Camp Marshall under Col. James S. Martin. From there they were sent to Pa- ducah, Kentucky, where they remained six months, then went down the Tennessee riv- er and were in the battle of Lookout Moun- tain. The subject also fought in the rear of Atlanta. He was wounded on June 28, 1 86 1, having been shot through the left leg. He was taken to the hospital at Moores, Pennsylvania, and later went home on a fur- lough, where he remained for five months. His wound proved to be very severe. In 1863 he reported to his company and regiment at Buford, South Carolina. He was still partly disabled and was therefore appointed cook, later being sent to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as cook in a hospital, where he remained until the close of the war, hav- ing been discharged June 10, 1865, after which he came home. His old wound con- tinued to give him a great deal of trouble, and it became necessary to have a part of the bone removed. He also suffered from heart trouble and rheumatism and he has been sick a great deal since his discharge, but he does not regret his services to his country. Doctor Jourdan is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Orchardville, Il- linois, and he has belonged to the Christian church for over thirty years. He is widely known in Marion and surrounding counties, where he is regarded as a very useful man. ever ready to do faithfully whatever his hands find to do. HON. SILAS LILLARD BRYAN. Among the names that add honor and dis- tinction to the legal profession in Illinois, none shine with brighter luster or occupy a BRINKEEHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 821- more exalted place in the public mind than that of the late Hon. Silas L. Bryan, of Marion county. Holding distinctive prestige at a bar long noted for a high order of legal talent, achieving success in his chosen calling such as few attain, and bringing to the bench the ability, erudition and dignity characteristic of the learned and accom- plished jurist, he discharged worthily the du- ties of his important trust and impressed his individuality upon his contemporaries as one of the leading men of his day and generation in his adopted state. In the veins of Judge Bryan flowed the blood of a long line of eminently honorable ancestors and in him were reproduced many of the sturdy attributes and sterling qualities for which both branches of his family from time immemorial had been distingviished. According to data furnished by the judge himself, his paternal antecedents appear to have been Irish and among the sturdy yeo- manry of the part of the historic isle in which the family had its origin. One Wil- liam Bryan, who lived in Culpeper county, Virginia, was perhaps the first of the name to seek a home in the New World — at least he is the first ancestor on this side of the At- lantic of which there is anything definitely known and it is to him that the branch of the family to which the judge belonged is directly traceable. Where and when he was born is a matter of conjecture, but it is a well established fact that in the early part of the last century he owned a large tract of land among the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the town of Sperry- ville and that he ranked with the successful planters and representative men of the county in which he lived. The name of his wife is not known and but little concerning himself could be ascertained further than that he was a man of excellent parts, an in- fluential citizen and ever manifested an ac- tive interest in the growth and development of the part of the country in which he set- tled and where his death subsequently oc- curred. William Bryan was the father of five chil- dren, the oldest of whom, a son by the name of James, removed many years ago to Ken- tucky and spent the residue of his life in that state. John remained on the family home- stead in Culpeper county and Aquilla mi- grated to Ohio in an early day, where he lived until death called him hence. Of the other two, Francis and Elizabeth, nothing definite is known. John Bryan, the second son, whose birth occurred about the year 1790, was married at an early age to Nancy Lillard, who be- longed to an old American family of Eng- lish origin which is now represented by nu- merous descendants in various parts of Vir- ginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. Mrs. Bryan appears to -have been a woman of beautiful character and remarkable talent and proved a devoted wife and mother as well as a judicious counsellor, sympathetic friend and intelligent companion. She bore her husband ten children, all deceased. Wil- liam, the oldest of the number, removed to Missouri when a young man and lived near the town of Troy until his death about the 822 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. year 1866. John and Howard died in in- fancy ; June became the wife of Joseph Che- ney and spent the remainder of her life in Ohio; Nancy, who married George Baltzell, Hved in Marion county, Illinois; Martha, wife of Homer Smith, lived for some years in Ohio and subsequently removed to Ma- rion county, Illinois, where she made her home until her death; Robert, a physician, was killed in a steamboat explosion in early manhood; Silas Lillard, the subject of this review, was the next in order of birth and the youngest, a daughter by the name of Elizabeth, married another George Baltzell and early moved to Missouri. About the year 1828 John Bryan removed his family to what is now West Virginia, where both he and his wife died, the former in 1834, the latter in 1836, their last place of residence being near the town of Point Pleasant. Judge Silas Lillard Bi-yan was born in Culpeper (now a part of Rappahannock) county, Virginia, November 4, 1822, and spent his childhood and youth amid the ele- vating influences of the home circle, receiv- ing at a very early age the bent of mind which had much to do in shaping his life and character. From his mother, who as already stated was a woman of strong mentality and abundant resources, he inherited a large share of his talents and most prominent traits and he is also said to have borne a striking resemblance to her in his personal appear- ance. Although deprived of her loving care and tender guidance at the early age of nine years, the lessons learned at her knee sank deeply into his mind and heart to bear abun- dant fruitage in after years while the mem- ory of her gracious personality remained with him, a conscious presence to keep his youthful feet in the path of rectitude and ultimately lead him to high position and dis- tinguished achievement. Three years after the death of his mother, his father was called to his reward, thus leaving the lad an orphan at the age of twelve years and oblig- ing him to rely largely upon his own re- sources in the matter of providing for his future. In 1840, when a young man of eighteen with the world before him, the future lawyer and jurist left his native state for the West, and during the ensuing year and a half, lived with a brother near the town of Troy, in Lincoln county, Missouri, where he at- tended an academy and made commendable progress in the higher branches of learning. The following year, 1841, he came to Ma- rion county, Illinois, where a married sister, Mrs. Nancy A. Baltzell, was then living. To this lady's cultured and refined home he found a generous welcome, and it was to her that he was also largely indebted for the assistance which enabled him to fit him- self for the work of teaching and to prepare for the still higher intellectual discipline which he had in view. He attended school, alternating with farming, until qualified to teach, after which time he divided his time between educational work and agriculture until 1845, when he entered McKendree College. During the ensuing four years he devoted himself diligently to his studies and made an honorable record as a close and BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 823 critical student, graduating in 1848, among the first in his class. His intellectual education finished, Mr. Bryan yielded to a desire of long standing by taking up the study of law, but he contin- ued teaching, however, until 1850, when he was elected superintendent of the Marion county schools. He filled this position very acceptably for a period of two years, dur- ing which time he labored zealously to ad- vance the cause of popular education within his jurisdiction and increase the efficiency of the public school system. In the mean- time, 1 85 1, he was admitted to the bar and at the expiration of his official term, began the practice of his profession at Salem, where his studious habits and attention to business soon attracted the attention of liti- gants and within a comparatively brief pe- riod he built up quite an extensive and lucra- tive business. Soon after engaging in the law, Mr. Bryan became an influential factor in the political life of Marion county and in 1852 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the State Senate, succeeding him- self in the year 1856. His record as a mem- ber of that body was creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents and he achieved much more than local repute as an able and discreet legislator, becoming widely and favorably known throughout the state and gaining the confidence of the leaders of his party. At the close of his legislative ca- reer, he applied himself very closely to his profession in which he soon took high rank and from the date of his admission to the bar until his elevation to the bench, there were few important cases tried in the courts of Marion county with which his name did not appear. His knowledge of the law and ability as a practitioner, together with valu- able political services, led to his election in 1 86 1 as Judge of the Second Judicial Cir- cuit, which honorable position he filled to the satisfaction of the public, proving from the beginning an able and judicious jurist whose rulings and decisions were eminently fair and impartial and whose uniform cour- tesy and kindness to lawyers and litigants, together with his high sense of justice and honor, gained for him a reputation second to that of no other judge in the state. His ju- dicial course meeting with general approval, he was chosen his own successor in 1867 and from that time until the close of his official term in 1873, he grew steadily in public fa- vor, achieved high distinction and made a record which constitutes one of the brightest pages in the history of the judiciary of Illi- nois. In 1869 Judge Bryan was chosen a dele- gate to the Constitutional Convention and took a prominent part in the deliberations and debates of that body, his counsel com- manding respect and his opinions carrying weight in both committee work and on the floor. His influence as a safe and conserva- tive adviser was recognized and appreciated by all and to him as much perhaps as to any one member, is the state indebted for the preset form of its basic law. In 1872 he was the Democratic nominee for Congress, and also received the endorsement of the Green- back party, but after an unusually strenuous 824 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. and exciting campaign, was defeated by a plurality of two hundred and forty votes by General James S. Martin, the Republican candidate. Judge Bryan always had a great love for rural life and about the time of his election to the judgeship, he began improving a beau- tiful home on a farm near Salem, which he succeeded in transforming into one of the most tasteful and attractive homesteads in the southern part of the state. In the prose- cution of this enterprise he spared neither pains nor expense and by taking counsel of his own excellent judgment added greatly to the appearance of the place, not only in the matter of buildings, which were all mod- ern and fully up-to-date, but in arranging his fields and groves to the best advantage, preserving the latter in all their natural beau- ty, including a large deer park, which with its denizens of the wild, was always an ob- ject of interest to beholders. In this delight- ful and charming country-seat surrounded by his family or dispensing hospitality to the many friends and neighbors who were wont to gather about his hearth-stone, the Judge enjoyed some of his most pleasant ex- periences and spent not a few of the most profitable and happiest years of his life. He was an ideal host and a true type of the intelligent, cultured gentleman of the old school, whose greatest pleasure consisted in ministering to the pleasure of others and all who crossed his threshold were received with a grace and chann which sweetened the welcome and made them desirous of re- peating the experience. He not only had great admiration for the beauties of natUiJe and an ardent liking for the rural life, but also manifested a lively interest in agricul- ture and stock raising, his excellent judg- ment in these pursuits, enabling him to reap bountiful harvests from his fields, and im- prove his breeds of domestic animals until they were pronounced among the finest and most valuable in this section of the state. Judge Bryan, on November 4, 1852, was united in marriage with Mariah Elizabeth Jennings, daughter of Charles W. and Maria Jennings, a union blessed with nine children, three of whom died in infancy, and one, named Russel, in young manhood; those who grew to maturity being as follows: Frances Mariah, bom March 18, 1858; Wil- liam Jennings, March 19, i860; Charles Wayland, February 10, 1867; Nancy Lil- lard, November 4, 1869, and Mary Eliza- beth, whose birth occurred on May 14th of the year 1872. These children grew up sterling men and women, inheriting, to a marked degree, many of the amiable quali- ties and sturdy characteristics of their par- ents and are now esteemed and honored in their respective places of residence, the older son being at this time one of the most distin- guished public men and political leaders in the United States, to say nothing of his world-wide reputation as a stateman. Before his election to the bench and after his retirement therefrom, Judge Bryan prac- ticed law in Marion and adjoining counties and as already indicated, achieved signal success in his profession. He was a fluent, graceful and forcible speaker and seldom BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 825 i: iled to sway juries by his strong and log- ical arguments and to command the close attention of public assemblages which from time to time he was invited to address. A Democrat in the broadest sense of the word and an earnest advocate of the principles and traditions of his party, he became one of its leading advocates in Southern Illinois, and ever manifested an abiding faith in Repub- lican institutions and in the capacity of the people for self-government. He was also a friend of education, encouraged the dissemi- nation of knowledge among the people and took special interest in the higher institutions of learning to which he gave liberal financial assistance as well as moral support. Judge Bryan was a member of the Bap- tist church, the church to which his par- ents belonged, and lived the life of an hum- ble and devout Christian. He prayed morn- ing, noon and night, was a firm believer in Providential direction in human affairs and his daily life and conversation exemplified the beauty and value of the religion of the Nazarene. He was a man of strong char- acter, stern integrity and high purpose, ever used his influence on the side of justice and right and impressed his individuality deeply and permanently, not only on the minds of his fellow-citizens, but also upon the history of his county and state, as well as on the times in which he lived. In the various re- lations of life, both private and public, the judge was a recognized force and he used his strong personality in behalf of every en- terprise making for the material advance- ment of the community and for the intellec- tual and moral progress of the body politic. He was true to manhood and to the best in- terests of society and as an earnest and de- vout disciple, bore willing testimony to the goodness of a kind and beneficent Heavenly Father and at all times and under all circum- stances endeavored to measure up to the high standard of excellence as exemplified in the life of the Gallilean Carpenter. After a long and honorable career which has be- come one of the brightest pages in the his- tory of the bar and judiciary of his adopted state, this eminent lawyer and representative citizen passed to his eternal reward, dying on the 30th day of March, 1880, and leaving to mourn his loss not only his immediate fam- ily and a large circle of neighbors and friends, but the people of a great common- wealth as well. Mariah Elizabeth Jennings, wife of Judge Bryan, was bom in Marion county, Illinois, near Walnut Hill, May 24, 1834, the third child of Charles W. and Maria Jennings. In early life she attended the schools of the neighborhood and when nearly grown be- came a pupil of Silas L. Bryan, between whom and herself a 'warm attachment soon sprang up which, ripening into the tender passion in due time, led to marriage. Their wedded experience, which extended over a period of thirty years, approached very near the ideal in happiness and mutual helpful- ness. Mrs. Bryan entered heartily into all of her husband's plans and aspirations, as- sisted him materially in his life work and al- ways proved a wise and judicious counsel- lor, contributing much to the eminent sue- 826 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. cess which he achieved. She, too, was a devout Christian who examplified her faith by her daily hfe, and her beautiful character and many virtues endeared her to all with whom she came into contact. She died after a lingering illness, June 2^, 1896. THOMAS M. EDWARDS. This well known engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad has lived in Centralia, Ma- rion county for about thirty years. He came of sturdy North Carolina stock and his career during a long and exacting life has not lowered the standard of his fam- ily traditions. He is now the possessor of a very desirable residence at 610 South Pop- lar street. Thomas M. Edwards was born in Mon- roe county, Tennessee, on the 26th of Feb- ruary, 1 85 1, the son of James M. and Eliza- beth J. (Hackney) Edwards. James M. Edwards was born in Roan county. North Carolina, and he came with his parents to Tennessee at the early -age of two and one- half years in an ox cart. A miller by trade, he conducted a water-power flour mill. Elizabeth J. Hackney, whom he married on March 31, 1846, in East Tennessee, the cere- mony being performed by the Rev. John Galbraith of the Methodist church, was also a native of Tennessee, having been born November 13, 1826. She and her husband became the parents of four children, a girl and three boys, Thomas M., our subject, being the oldest son. Thomas M. Edwards came with his par- ents from Tennessee to Williamson county, Illinois, before his third year. His grand- parents on both sides were North Carolina people. He received his education in the district schools of Williamson county, also attended the Ewing high school one term, in Franklin county, Illinois, while working on a farm with his father. In the year 1879 he came to Centralia and started in at the occupation of locomotive fireman on the Illinois Central Railroad. He was promoted to engineer three and one-half years later, in February of 1883, on the road between Centralia and Cairo, running on trains No. 21, No. 8, No. 23 and No. 24, at the present time. On the 24th of December, 1874, he mar- ried Lucy C. Hendrickson, the daughter of H. K. and Eliza (Caplinger) Hendrickson. Her father, H. K. Hendrickson, of William- son county, served as a Union soldier. He joined Company E, of the Sixtieth Illinois Regiment and was mustered in on the 15th of January, 1862, under Col. G. W. Evans and Capt. W. B. Anderson. H. K. Hen- drickson died near Corinth, Mississippi, on the 25th of October, 1862, from sickness contracted through over marching. He was buried at Farmington, Mississippi. Mrs. Edwards was the fifth in order of birth in her family and has a twin sister. Thomas M. Edwards and his wife have been blessed with five children. .They are in order : Walter Edwards, who married Co- rine Martin on January 3, 1900, lives at East St. Louis, Illinois, and has two sons and one daughter. He is employed by the Ter- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 827 minal Railroad Company. James H. Ed- wards married Lillian Murray in Manila, Philippine Islands. They have a family of two girls and a boy. They now live in the Republic of San Domingo, where he is the Deputy Receiver General for Customs of the Dominican Republic. James H, enlisted on the 2d of May, 1898, as a private in the United States Cavalry, and afterwards be- came clerk, stenographer and bookkeeper to the Collector of Customs of the Philippine Islands. He was transferred to the Cus- toms Department and in 1899, was traveling Auditor for five years for the government. He enjoyed the distinction of a personal ac- quaintance with President W. H. Taft, while Judge Taft was Civil Governor of the Phil- ippine Islands. He was also General Shaf- fer's private stenographer after the close of the Santiago campaign. From San Do- mingo in 1907, he came to Centralia on leave of absence, and during his stay went to Alaska to bring home the body of a dead relative. He afterwards returned to the Re- ceivership in San Domingo. Before begin- ning his career James H. graduated at the Centralia high school and the Southwestern Business College at St. Louis, Missouri. Previous to his going to San Domingo, he went to Washington, D. C. He is a linguist of ability, and makes his reports in both the Spanish and the English languages for the San Domingo and United States governments. The third son of Thomas M. Edwards, William C, married Bertha Buehler, of Centralia, Illinois, the daughter of Emile Buehler. William C. graduated in the Centralia high school, is a foreman in a paper-box factory and lives in Chicago. They have two sons. Fred T. Edwards is single and works for the Illinois Central Railroad at the Burnside shops in Chicago. Eula M. Edwards graduated at the Centralia high school and lives at home with her parents. Thomas M. Edwards is a stanch member of the Republican party. In religion he was reared a Methodist and attends the Metho- dist Episcopal church as does also his wife. He is a well known member of the Masonic Fraternity and belongs to lodge No. 201 at Centralia, as do also Walter and James H. He belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomo- tive Engineers, being a member of Division No. 24. His wife is the secretary of the Chapter Order of Eastern Star, of Centralia, an organization in which she is very influ- ential. JAMES KNOX POLK HARMON. The subject of this ketch has long been a potent factor in the affairs of Marion coun- ty, where he is honored and respected by all for his usefulness in the past years of development, for he has ever manifested a willingness to do whatever duty devolved upon him, uncomplainingly and with a promptness that manifested his public spirit ; this was especially shown during the dark days of the national crisis when he stood by the flag. James K. P. Harmon was born in Bed- BRINKERHOFf's PIISTORY of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ford county, Tennessee, August 4, 1839, son of Elisha and Anna (West) Harmon. Sally Lee, cousin of the late Robert E. Lee, the great Southern general, was the subject's grandmother. Sally Lee's father, Richard Lee, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, under Washington in 1776. Elisha Har- mon came from old Virginia to Tennessee in an early day. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. He had three uncles who fought under Jackson at New Orleans in the War of 1812. Elisha had six sisters. He came to Illinois in 1854, but returned to Tennes- see. However, he returned to Illinois in 1873 and remained in Marion county until his death in 1888, having reached an ad- vanced age, the date of his death being Jan- uary I, 181 2. One son, our subject, was born to Elisha and Anna Harmon. Mrs. Harmon passed away when J. K. P. was ten days old, August 14, 1839, and our sub- ject was reared by his grandmother, Mrs. West, who died in Tennessee. After her death James was reared by Cyrena and Da- vid West. He worked on the farm during his youth and received a common school education. He lived near Shelbyville, Ten- nessee, on an old style stage route, between Nashville, Tennessee, and Huntsville, Ala- bama. Unable to longer suppress the wave of patriotism that urged him to take up arms in defense of his nation's integrity, our subject on September 7, 1862, enlisted in the Union army at Nashville, Tennessee, in company F, Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, under Col. W. B. Stokes and Capt. E. G. Fleming. He was in the army two years and ten months. He was in the battle of Stone River. A canteen was shot off of him January 31, 1863; he was in three charges in one day and took part in fifteen battles, and he stood picket for twelve days and nights in con- tinuous service. He was honorably dis- charged at Fayetteville, Tennessee, June 25, 1865. Mr. Harmon was united in marriage on October 9, 1861, to Sally C. Jones, daugh- ter of Frederick and Mariah P. (Squires) Jones. Frederick Jones was born at Prince Edward Court House, Virginia, in 1800. The wife of the subject was a member of a family consisting of four brothers and an equal number of sisters. Mariah P. Squires was born in North Carolina in 181 1. Eight children have been born to the subject and wife, six boys and two girls, namely: Thomas Jefferson, a coal miner, married Florence Beasley, now living at 618 South Cedar street, Centralia, and they are the parents of four daughters; one died in in- fancy. Littleton D. Harmon, a coal miner, married Addie Howard, now living at 11 18 Hester avenue, Centralia; they have one daughter. William Solomon, who is a ma- terial man in the store room of the Illinois Central Railway shops at Centralia, Illinois, is single, and living at home. Leonidas Pope is a miner also, married Mary Beasley ; they have two sons and live at 815 East Broadway, Centralia ; Anna Mariah married Marshall E. Thomas and died January 20, 1 89 1, without issue. These children were all born in Tennessee. Cyrena S. was born BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 829 in Marion county, this state; she married S. E. Loomis, organizer for the Columbian Woodmen, at Meridian, Mississippi; they are the parents of two sons, Richard Lee was born in Marion county, died when twenty-one years old. He was first ser- geant of Company F, Fourth Regiment of Illinois National Guard; Edward E., who was also born in this county, was a mem- ber of the Forty-second Regiment United States Volunteer Infantry, and served under Colonel Thomas; Edward E. was first cor- poral and acted as sergeant in the Philip- pine Islands, and was ordered to carry thir- ty-five thousand dollars, pay for the soldiers, from Manila to Beluchan, a distance of forty miles. He was in the islands twenty months and was honorably discharged at San Francisco, California. He is now en- gineer on the Illinois Central Railroad; he married Cora Meyer, of Brookport, Illinois, and they are the parents of one son. James K. P. Harmon was released from the army July 2, 1865, ranking as battalion bugler, and returned to his home in Bed- ford county, Tennessee, and continued farm- ing until 1 87 1, at which time he moved to Marion county, Illinois, and worked on a farm until 1886. There he entered the itin- erant ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, having in that year been or- dained local deacon at Kinmundy, by Bish- op William Wallace Duncan, of Georgia. The subject located in Centralia in 1889. He has been a faithful follower of the lowly Nazarene since he was ten years old, and his life has been one worthy of emulation; he has always been ready to do his duty in every line of work he has found to do, and has justly won the high esteem in which he is held. He began voting the Republican ticket in 1864, and voted that ticket until 1904, since then voting the national Prohi- bition ticket. MRS. IDA JEFFRIES WRIGHT. Our subject, the wife of Newton Wright, of Centralia, Marion county, is a woman who owes her present prosperous stand- ing in the community largely to her own unaided efforts. She has been for many years a resident of this city and has won the affection of numerous friends. She is an independent and resourceful woman whose naturally keen mental qualities have been sharpened through their contact with the perplexing conditions of daily life, which have to be met and overcome bravely. Mrs. Ida Jeffries Wright was born in Cen- tralia, on the 3d of October, 1866, the daughter of Frank and Abby (Cummings) Galbraith. Her father was born and reared in Jefferson county, Illinois, and came to Centralia when quite young. He obtained employment in the gas factory, and contin- ued there as a trusted employee ' for over forty years. He was born in Rome town- ship, Jefferson county, on November 22, 1829. Abby Cummings, which was her mother's maiden name, was born on the 13th of February, 1838. Her marriage to 830 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Frank Galbraith took place on the 3d of October, 1856, at Rome, Illinois. Seven ■children were born to them, three boys and four girls, only three of whom are now liv- ing, namely: John, Edward, and Ida, the subject of our sketch. Mrs. Wright attended the Centralia schools until her seventeenth year and ob- tained a good education. She first married Robert S. Boatwright, of Centralia, on Oc- tober 7, 1884, and two children resulted from their married life. Frank F. Boat- wright was born on December 23, 1885. He is an electrician and lives at home. Hazel Delia was born on the 23d of April, 1889, and in after life married John Hathaway, of St. Louis, Missouri, who is buyer for the Missouri Packing House. Their marriage took place at Salem, Illinois, on the 25th of November, 1907. Mrs. Wright's husband, Robert S. Boatwright, died in Centralia on the 1 8th of September, 1894. He was for nearly fifteen years a brakeman on the Il- linois Central Railroad, northern division. His people were Easterners and his father died when he was but five years old. He was an active and industrious man and a person of intelligence. In politics he was all through life a Republican. After her husband's death Mrs. Wright -went to St. Louis, Missouri, and conducted a boarding and rooming house, and at the same time caring for her two young chil- dren, keeping them at school and fitting them for the responsibilities of life. On the 22d of August, 1908, she married Newton J. Wright at Salem, Illinois. Her husband is the bookkeeper at the new coal mines at Junction City. He was born in i860. New- ton J. Wright had been previously married to Laura Pool, a milliner, of Centralia. Newton J. Wright and his wife live at iii South Walnut street in prosperous circum- stances. He owns four homes in the eastern part of Centralia and is known to be a good business man. In politics he is a Demo- crat; and in religion he was reared in the Methodist faith. BENJAMIN HUDDLE. The lives of some of our older citizens read like a page of romance and the career of Benjamin Huddle is no exception to the rule. Born in Seneca county, Ohio, Septem- ber 26, 1829, in a cabin in the woods among W^yandotte Indians, he has been in turn a frontiersman, a farmer and a skilled mechanic. The Huddles, or as the name was origin- ally spelled, Hottel, came of a Hollander family, the great-grandfather of the subject of our sketch emigrating from the low country to the United States prior to the Revolutionary war and in which event his grandfather, Daniel Hottel, fought with conspicuous bravery. He took part in the battle of Brandywine, bore his share of suf- fering at Valley Forge, and crossed the Delaware with Washington, being among those who crossed the ice in their bare feet after having worn out their footgear. Dan- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. 831 iel Hottel migrated from Virginia, of which state he was a native and settled in Fairfield county, Ohio, some time about 181 5, and later moved to Seneca county, which at that time was a frontier district. He did not like the location and desired to return, which request was gratified by his children and he returned to Fairfield county, where he died at an advanced age. Benjamin Hottel, the father of the subject of our sketch, was but twelve years old when his father located in Fairfield county, Ohio, and where he grew up. He was educated in the German and also in the primitive subscription schools, where he obtained an English education. Being unable to spell the words of the English language at the time his name was translated by his Eng- lish teachers as Huddle and which has been accepted as the family name ever since. At the age of nineteen the young man married Anna Seitz, a native of Fairfield county, Ohio. Some years afterwards Benjamin Huddle with his wife and four children mi- grated to Seneca county, where he bought government land at one dollar and twenty- five cents an acre. Here Benjamin Huddle, junior, was born. Benjamin Huddle 'im- proved the land and built a good home and lived there all his life with the exception of a four years' sojourn in Crawford county. His death occurred January 28, i860, at the age of fifty-six years, at which time he was the owner of over four hundred acres. His wife died in 1863, at the age of fifty- eight. Eighteen children were bom to them, of whom fourteen grew to maturity. The subject of our sketch was fifth in order of birth and has now nine brothers and sisters living. The portion of Seneca county on which Benjamin Huddle, the subject of our sketch, was born formed a portion of Sandusky, which was purchased by the government. In his youth it was a wild primitive country, inhabited largely by Indians. In the early days he helped to clear the land and erect the home. His education was carried on in the country schools until the age of six- teen, when he was apprenticed to learn car- pentiy, after which period he had only two months of schooling. At the close of his three years' of apprenticeship, his father pre- sented him with a set of tools and he started in his trade for himself. He worked for a number of years doing carpenter work, high grade cabinet work, or whatever came his way in this line of work. He also spent some time as a millwright and in 1853 and 1854,, worked in Illinois and Iowa, which was then considered the edge of the western frontier. He also visited an aunt in Ma- rion county in 1853. He also engaged for some time in bridgebuilding during the construction of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad in 1853-1854. During the winter of 1853-54, while work was suspended on the railroad, he drove the stage-coach from Salem east and west to Salem, to Carlyle, and where Flora now is located. Return- ing to his Ohio home in the fall of 1854, he married Rachael Kagy, who was born in 1834 in Seneca county, Ohio, the daughter of John and Catherine (Hite) Kagy. To 832 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Benjamin Huddle and his wife ten children have been bora, namely: Freeman E., de- ceased; Anna; Amos, deceased; Fannie J., Narcissus, Cora, John B., Marion T., Mina, deceased, and Clara Maud. After his marriage in 1854 Benjamin Huddle worked at his trade until the fall of i860, some time after which he came to Marion county, Illinois, and located on a farm in Omega township. He continued at his trade and for several years built all of the bridges erected in the county and had a great amount of prosperity. In 1873 he moved to the village of luka, which was his home for two years while he was building a house adjacent to the town and into which he moved his family when completed. Here they lived until 1888, when a disastrous fire destroyed his home. He had previous- ly traded his farm in Omega township for one hundred and ten acres situated one and a half miles north of the village of luka, and here he went to live on the spot where he still has his home. His business during all this period was in a flourishing condi- tion. In 1875 he had opened an undertak- ing establishment in luka, making caskets by hand, and continuing same until 1885. This was prior to the time of the manu- facturing of caskets or at least their sale in this section. After a trip through Kansas and. Nebraska, he formed a partnership with George E. Daniels in the undertaking busi- ness at luka, their business relations con- tinuing until 1904. Since then he is enjoy- ing a period of retirement on a farm which he rents and on which he and his wife live together with members of their family. In politics Benjamin Huddle is an un- swerving Democrat, and a student and a believer in Jefifersonian principles. He is now serving his second term as Justice of the Peace in luka township, and in this ca- pacity of public servant he is favorably known for his honest endeavors. A. C. GILMORE. The people who redeemed the wilderness and the wild prairies of Marion county were strong-armed, hardy sons of the soil, who hesitated at no difficulty, and for whom hardships had little to appall. The subject of this sketch is one of those sterling characters of pioneer days and has spent his long life in this locality. A. C. Gilmore was born in Clinton county, Illinois, west of Centralia, April 6, 183 1, the son of John and Elenore (Dawson) Gil- more. The subject's father spelled his name Gilmour, but in recording the birth record of his son, A. C, he wrote it Gilmore, which spelling the latter has always adhered to. Mr. and Mrs. John Gilmore were the parents of twelve children, eight boys and four girls, A. C. being the youngest in order of birth. John Gilmore came from Urbana, Ohio, in 1818. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, His wife, who was born in Kentucky, near the Licking river, moved to Ohio where she and John Gilmore were married. Mr. Gil- more was a silk weaver by profession in Scotland, but after he came to America he BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 833 followed the trade of brick mason, also farmed. A. C. Gilmore was reared on his father's farm, where he worked until he reached the age of twenty-one years, when he started to school in Springfield, Ohio, where he re- mained two years. He lived with his brother for five years, assisting him in the nursery business. Our subject has lived to see Centralia grow from the wild prairie, from a cabin in the swamp to its present flourishing popula- tion. After leaving Ohio Mr. Gilmore re- turned to Illinois and began farming, teach- ing school during the winter months, continu- ing to teach in Marion and Clinton counties for a period of twenty years with great suc- cess, becoming known as one of the leading educators of his day and his services were eagerly sought. Although he attended school but a comparatively short time in the high school, later a college at Springfield, Ohio, which was conducted by Rev. John W. Weekly, an eminent divine in his day, our subject gained a good education, for he never ceased to study. Besides farming in a general way during the years that he engaged in teaching, Mr. Gilmore devoted much attention to the rais- ing of .small fruits which he has continued to grow the remainder of his life with great success. He now owns thirty acres of fine small fruits of all kinds. He is well known throughout the district. Our subject was united in marriage in Centralia to Lucy Dille, daughter of Lib- bias and Eliza (Allen) Dille. Mr. and 53 Mrs. Gilmore became the parents of six chil- dren, four of whom are living at this writ- ing, namely: William Lee, who married Dora Maddox, and to them one girl has been born: Carrie E., Robert and MiUie E., the last three all living at home. Robert Gil- more is employed as switchman on the Illi- nois Central Railroad. Millie is a clerk in the bookstore in the post-office building. Mrs. Gilmore, who was a faithful help- meet, passed to her rest on April 6, 1895, in the old home. Fraternally our subject is a Master Ma- son in the Centralia lodge. Mr. Gilmore was Assessor and Collector of Clinton coujity for a number of years. In politics he is a Republican, first voting the old Whig party ticket, then he cast his ballot for Abra- ham Lincoln, and he has never missed vot- ing since reaching maturity. He is a faith- ful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Our subject is strong for one of his years, in fairly good health and active. He has made a success of his life work owing to his close application to whatever business he has in hand. GEORGE PLINEY BALDRIDGE. The subject of this sketch is one of the representative citizens of Marion county, be- ing a stock dealer on an extensive scale, and he has shown that he is a man of rare busi- ness ability. George Pliney Baldridge was born December 12, 1853, in Grand Prairie 834 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS- township, Jefferson county, Illinois, the son of James Clark Baldridge, who was born December lo, 1811, in North Carolina. He first married Margaret Rainey, of Marion county, who was born October 12, 18 13, and she passed away October 3, 1844, and Mr. Baldridge married a second time, his last wife being Tabitha White, who was born July 10, 181 1, and who survived until April 13, 1899. She was the daughter of Rev. Robert White, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, having a large circuit. In early life he lived in Indiana, and in an early day came to Marion county, Illinois, and later to Jefferson county, locat- ing in Grand Prairie township, where he secured a farm. His children were : Rob- ert, who was drowned in Madison county, Illinois; Martha White married Thomas Flannigan, and to this union was born a daughter named Martha and became the wife of Eli Copple ; Louisa White married Allen Dolson, and to this union was born a daughter, Sarah, who became the wife of Eli Copple, whose wife had died, and was the cousin of Sarah, his second wife. Eli Copple is now deceased, but his second wife, Sarah, is still living in Centralia township. Tabitha White married Isaac Casey; after his death she married James Clark Bald- ridge, father of the subject, who departed this life May 16, 1897. The subject's paternal grandfather was Dornton Baldridge, who married a Miss Boggs, who was a native of Tennessee, while he was a native of North Carolina. He came to Illinois in 1820 in a covered wagon, his wife riding horseback on the trip and carried a' boy> They settled at East Walnut Hill, Jefferson county, where they secured wild land which they sold and later moved to Centralia township, Marion county. He often drove a four horse team hauling goods to and from St. Louis, besides his farming in the early days. He was a well known man in this locality, and his death occurred June 14, 1832. To he and his wife the following children were born: James C, born December 10, 181 1; John P., born December 22, 1813, farmed near Irvington, Illinois ; Sarah, who was born December 13, 181 5, married James Porter, who lived in Jefferson county, Illi- nois; Margaret, who was born March 10, 1818, married James Kell, of Walnut Hill, Illinois ; Joseph was a farmer in Jefferson county; William, who was born February 23, 1822, died when young; Alexander, who was born October 11, 1823, was a farmer in Jefferson county; Rebecca Jane, born April II, 1825, married William Porter, who lived in Jefferson county; Dornton, who was born March 7, 1827, was a farmer in Jefferson county ; Thomas, who was bom January 16, 1829, was a farmer in Jeffer- son county; Samuel was also a farmer in Jefferson county; Mary, born May 19, 183 1, married Samuel Telford. The subject's father, James Clark Bald- ridge, had no opportunity to attend school, and he went but very little. He was bitten by a rattlesnake one day at school and nearly died from the effects. He lived at home until his first marriage and then lo- cated in section 4, in Grand Prairie town- BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 835 ship, Jefferson county, securing government land on which he made all the improve- ments, owning at one time six hundred acres. He was a good farmer and a stock ■dealer. He was highly successful, well known and respected by all. In politics he was a Republican and a member of the Pres- "byterian church, as was also his wife. The subject's grandmother Baldridge married a second time, her last husband being Matthew J. Cunningham, becoming the mother of ■one daughter, Sarah Ann, who married William Parkinson, who was killed at Fort Donelson while fighting in the Union army. His widow lives in Centralia, being the mother of two children, Oscar and Zet- tie. The following children were born to the parents of our subject: Sarah Ann, widow of Owen Breeze, of Centralia ; Spen- cer A., born December 16, 1837, died when young; Mary J., born February 3, 1840, is the wife of Z. C. Jennings, of Centralia -township; John C, born November 5, 1841, died young ; Samuel Rainey, born December 27, 1842, was in Company H, Eighth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil war, "having died in a hospital in Kentucky, De- cember 7, 1862; Calvin was born December 22, 1844, now lives in Chicago, was for- merly a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal xhurch, later going into the commission T)usiness at the stock yards in Chicago. He was captain in the commissary department in the Philippine Islands, having been ap- pointed by President McKinley, who was a great friend of his. He is now living in Chicago, engaged in the insurance business. He first married Clara Hartley, and his sec- ond wife was Margaret Egger. Three daughters were bom to his first wife, namey: Belle, Grace and Mamie. The fol- lowing children were born to James Clark Baldridge and his second wife: Harriett, born September 28, 1846, died October 5, 1852; the second was an infant son; Joseph, D., a farmer in Grand Prairie township, Jef- ferson county, was born October 6, 1848, married first Cynthia Fouts, and later Julia Telford; George P., our subject, was the youngest child. George P. Baldridge received only a com- mon school education, and he remained at home until he was twenty years of age. On January 22, 1874, he married Sarah J. Tel- ford, who was born in Haines township, Ma- rion county, the daughter of William and Mary ( Porter) Telford, the former a native of Illinois. The latter was born in Jefferson county, this state. William Telford was the son of James and Margaret (Kell) Tel- ford, pioneers of Walnut Hill, Romine Prai- rie, near Cartter, Marion county, where they died. William Telford was a prominent farmer in Haines township, also dealt in stock and was successful and well known. His death occurred in 1875, and that of his wife in 1858. His second wife was Mary Ann Kell. He was the father of four chil- dren by his first wife and nine by his second wife, namely : Sarah J., wife of the subject of this sketch ; James Thomas, who married Eliza Mercer, died when twenty-one years of age; Julia A. married Joseph D. Bald- ridge; Annie M. married William Hamil- 836 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ton, of Lincoln county, Tennessee. The fol- lowing children were by William Telford's second wife: Thomas, deceased; Zetta died in infancy; the third child died in infancy also ; Alva died at the age of seven years ; Samuel, who is farming near Champaign, Illinois, first married Ella Baldridge, to whom two children were born, Clifford and Lester. Ira, the sixth child of William Telford and his second wife, is a farmer on the old homestead in Haines township, Ma- rion county, and he married Sadie Roper; Boyd is a farmer near Alma, Illinois; he married Alice Wyatt; Maggie married Don Sharp, of Redbud, Illinois, and they are the parents of one son, William ; Marion is now deceased; he married Maria Smith.. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. George P Baldridge ; Pella A., born December 12, 1874, married Rob- ert Lacy, who is employed in the post-office at Mount Vernon, Illinois, and they are the parents of three children; Ralph L., Worth and Alice; Berthold G., who was bom No- vember 24, 1879, married August 23, 1904, Edith Williams, of Belknap, Illinois, to whom two children, William R. and Maiy R., have been born. Berthold G. Baldridge was in the meat market business in Cen- tralia. He attended McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois, and read law there, but was compelled to give up his studies on ac- count of failing health; E. B., the third child of the subject, was bom September 19, 1882, married Mollie Armstrong, May 10, 1905, and they have one son, Harry Berton. E. B. is a farmer on the old place in Jefferson county. Lota T., the subject's fourth child, was born June 11, 1887, is a bookkeeper and stenographer and is living at home. After his marriage our subject lived in Grand Prairie township, Jefferson county, Illinois, buying the old Baldridge homestead on which they lived until 1907, when they moved to Centralia, and he and his sons engaged in the meat market business. Mr. Baldridge has always been a farmer and stock dealer, and he is making a success of his present business. He now lives at 515 South Elm street, Centralia. He held sev- eral township offices and took a great deal of interest in Republican politics. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Cen- tralia, and he is also a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He is known as a good business man and is successful at whatever he undertakes. WILLIAM C. WOOLDRIDGE. There is much that is commendable in the life record of Mr. Wooldridge, and naught that is dishonorable. He has been true to many noble principles, and he is held in high esteem by the people of Romine township, Marion county, Illinois, by the people who know him best in his home community, which is conclusive proof that his life record has been above reproach. William C. Wooldridge was born August 30, 1853, in Tazewell county, Virginia, near Jefferson, the son of James and Sarah Jane BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 837 (Patterson) Wooldridge, both natives of Tazewell county, Virginia, the former dy- ing October 25, 1892, and the latter on February 25, 1907. They grew up and married in Tazewell county, Virginia, and in i860 went to Vermilion county, Illinois, where he farmed until 1885, when he came to Romine township, Marion county, buying forty acres of land in section 24, later add- ing to the same until he had a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres. The sub- ject's parents were first members of the Christian church and later of the Latter Day Saints' church. The following chil- dren were born to them: Sarah J., born June 18, 1851, is deceased; William C, our sub- ject; James R. (see his sketch in this vol- ume)" Elizabeth, born October 30, 1857, is deceased; Lucinda, born December 28, 1859, is deceased ; George W., born March 25, 1862, is deceased; Kyle C, born Janu- ary 27, 1864, died at the age of twenty- five years; Martha, who was born January I, 1866, married Chadwick Thomas, be- coming the mother of three children; she is deceased ; Mertie, born June 4, 1872, is deceased; Emma, born February 20, 1868; Julia, born January 28, 1870, lives in Dan- ville, Illinois. William C. Wooldridge was educated in the home schools until he was sixteen years old, when he started, to work out, having followed whatever he found to do that was honorable and remunerative. He was united in marriage April 12, 1880, with Alice Edgerton, of Crawford county, Illinois, the daughter of Henry and Nancy (Beard) Edgerton, natives of Montgomery and Crawford counties, this state, having died in the latter county. The following children have been born to the subject and wife, one of whom is de- ceased: Lulu, who married Ole Henson, died July 26, 1908; Mertie married Hugh Kelso, of Xenia, Illinois; Ethel married Frank Friend, of Xenia, Illinois; Sadie, Grover, Nannie, Opal, George, Bernice and Bernard, all living at home. In February, 1885, the subject located where he now lives in section 25, Romine township. He has a fine home with beauti- ful surroundings. His farm is highly im- proved and very productive, and is a most desirable property. He cleared a great deal of the land and made all the improvements himself. His farm consists of one hundred and ten acres, which is nearly all cleared, and on which he carries on a general farm- ing business with much success. He also operated a mill and a threshing machine for several years with equal success. Whatever he turns his attention to results in a grati- fying measure of success for he has rare soundness of judgment along commercial lines. Mr. Wooldridge was school director for several years; also ably served as constable, and takes considerable interest in township affairs, always voting the Democratic ticket. Mrs. Wooldridge is a member of the Lat- ter Day Saints' church. Mr. Wooldridge is regarded by all who know him as a very industrious and honest man. 838 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. JOHN SOGER. The subject of this sketch is one of the well known men of Roraine township, where he engages in farming and merchan- dising in a manner that stamps him as a man of excellent business ability and sound judgment, succeeding by reason of the fact that he devotes his time to his personal af- fairs. John Soger was born at Mount Carmel, Illinois, Wabash county, July 15, 1853, the son of George Michael and Mary Elizabeth Soger, who were natives of Rohrboch, Ger- many, where they grew up and married, then emigrated to the United States in 1 85 1, first locating in Evansville, Indiana, later coming to Mt. Carmel, Illinois, where the subject's father conducted a hotel. In 1 86 1 he came to Haines township, Marion county, Illinois, where he secured a farm, and where he lived until his death in 1881. His wife passed to her rest in 1894. They were members of the Lutheran church, and the parents of eight children, as follows : William, a farmer and rice grower in Gil- lett, Arkansas; Peter, a farmer in Haines township; Wester married Joseph Middle- ton, and they are living in Stevenson town- ship; Lizzie married Riley Eddings, of Ste- venson township; John, the subject of this sketch ; Charles lives in St. Louis ; two chil- dren were named Jacob, both deceased. John Soger received only a limited edu- cation in the home schools, but he made proper use of what opportunities he had. He remained at home working on his father's place until he reached the age of twenty- five years, when he took up farming in Haines township, this county. He also de- voted much of his time to the mercantile business at Kell, where he had a number of business interests. When he located in Ro- mine township, he began to buy land, at one time owning one hundred and sixty acres, but he has sold off his land until now he has only forty acres on which he lives, but it is choice land, being well improved and very productive. He built his substantial and comfortable home in 1888, and he erected his store building in 1893. He de- votes considerable attention to raising fruits and especially apples, but he raises many things on his place and has a very desirable little farm. He buys and sells all kinds of farm produce, and for several years he has operated a fruit evaporator, doing a large business in this line ; he also has a feed mill and does custom grinding of all kinds. Be- ing a hustler, he has made a great deal of money, but has met with some reverses. He has accomplished his tasks unaided and single handed in an honest and praiseworthy manner. Mr. Soger was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary F. Swank, of Shipman, Illinois, ort February 27, 1908, and they have a pleasant home, where their friends are al- ways welcome. Mr. Soger has never aspired to public office, although he is a stanch Republican. He is a member of the Christian church, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a very kind-hearted BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 839 man, very generous and liberal, and will al- ways discommode himself to do a favor for a friend. He is a great lover of good horses, and is the owner of one of the best driving teams in Marion county. His store is al- ways well stocked with fresh goods of an excellent quality, and he enjoys a good trade with the community, believing in fair dealing with everyone, as a result of which he has many warm friends throughout the township. W. J. ANDERECK. Peculiar honor attaches to the career of Mr. Andereck, who, beginning the struggle for life alone and unaided, gradually over- came unfavorable environment, and by the force of his own individuality succeeded in winning for himself a position of esteem and influence among his fellow men. W. J. Andereck was born in Marion county in the same log house, where he has lived practically all his life, his date of birth, having occurred September 26, 1853, the son of Jacob and Eliza (Procise) An- dereck. The latter was the daughter of Grief Daniel and Margaret (Huntsman) Procise. They were natives of Virginia, who came to Illinois in 1827, and settled in Marion county among the pioneers. They took up government land and developed a good farm, where they reared their family and where they died, having been the par- ents of twelve children, one dying in infancy and the others grew to be men and women, nine of whom reared families of their own. The subject's grandfather lived to be sixty- six years old and his wife to be sixty-eight. They were members of the Baptist church, and the former was a Democrat. Grand- father Andereck was from Ohio, who came to Illinois in 1829, having settled in Marion county, entering government land here, be- ginning his farming operations in the woods which he gradually cleared, having entered two hundred acres. Here he reared a fam- ily on the farm, which he developed, and died at the age of fifty years. His wife lived to be seventy-four years old. There were six children in their family, five of whom lived to maturity, three of whom died of cholera in 1854. Members of this fam- ily were Baptists. The father' of the subject was the second child in order of birth in this family. Al- though his principal life work was devoted to farming, he became a teacher of some note. He was a Democrat and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. The mother of the subject lived to be sixty-two years old. W. J. Andereck, subject of this sketch, attended the district schools of the same lo- cality where he now lives. He was the only child of the family. Early in life he had to take charge of the farm and has con- tinued working the same place, which con- sists of one hundred and fifteen acres. He had sixty acres of timber in its original condition, the balance of the farm being un- der cultivation. It is highly improved, showing that our subject has been a very 840 BRINKERI-IOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS. industrious man and a good manager. He has gradually improved the place since he assumed charge of the same until it is one of the best farms in the community. On it stand excellent buildings. The place yields large hai-vests of grains of all kinds, and much stock of various kinds is to be found in his fields. Our subject was united in marriage March 24, 1880, to Sarah E. Merdith, daughter of Samuel ad Martha J. (McClel- lan) Merdith. Her father was a native of Ohio, and her mother was born in Marion county. Her father was brought here by his parents when he was six years old. They lived and died here, the father reach- ing the age of thirty-nine years and the mother seventy. There were five children in their family, four of whom lived to ma- turity, one of whom, John M., was in the Union army, having been with Sherman on his march to the sea. He died shortly after serving his time out. All the members of this family were farmers. The following children have been born to our subject and wife, namely : Clarence, who was born in 1881, is single and living at home; Grace Myrtle, born in 1883, is the wife of Albert Holstlaw, who was a teacher; Samuel was born in 1884, is de- ceased, having been killed at Smelter, in 1908; Hai-vey was born in 1886, and is single, living at home; Eliza Jane was born in 1888 and is a teacher; William Everett, who was born in 1889, is at home with his father; Martha Elizabeth is also a member of the family circle; Marion Hazel, who was bom in 1891, is at home; Raymond was born in 1893 and is living at home; Lillian Marie was born in 1900. Both Mr. and Mrs. Andereck are mem- bers of the Baptist church and their chil- dren also adhere to this faith. The former is a Democrat and has long taken an active interest in political affairs. He was Con- stable at one time anad resigned to become Road Commissioner, and is now serving his first term in a most efficient manner. He has been school director, having served his third term, during which time the edu- cational affairs of the district were greatly enhanced and encouraged. Although our subject never had a mili- tary record, he is proud of the fact that members of the family served the country in its hour of need. William Forsyth died during the war, of disease contracted while in line of duty. A son of his, Walter, was also in the Union ranks and died in Libby prison. Henry, another brother of William, was a soldier in the Confederate army, and was conscripted in Texas. JAMES R. WOOLDRIDGE. What Mr. Wooldridge has achieved in life proves the force of his character and il- lustrates his steadfastness of purpose, and his advancement from none too favorable conditions in his youth to a position of credit in the agricultural life of the com- munity is the direct outcome of his own labors. BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 841 James R. Wooldridge was born Novem- ber 2, 1855, in Tazewell county, Virginia, the son of James and Sarah Jane (Patter- son) Wooldridge, both natives of Tazewell county, Virginia, where they grew up and married. In the fall of i860 they moved to Vermilion county, Illinois, where the father of our subject engaged in farming until 1885, when he came to Romine town- ship, Marion county, first buying forty acres which was later added to until he owned in all one hundred and twenty acres. He died October 25, 1892, and his widow sur- vived him until February 25, 1907. They were members of the Latter Day Saints church. The following children were bom to them: Sarah J., bom June 18, 1851, is deceased; William C. (whose sketch in full appears in this work) ; James R., the subject ; Elizabeth, bom October 30, 1857, is de- ceased; Lucinda, born December 28, 1859, is deceased; George W., born March 25, 1862, is deceased; Kyle C, born January 27, 1864,, is deceased; Martha, bom Jan- uary I, 1866, and who married Chad wick Thomas, is deceased, leaving three children ; Mertie, born June 4, 1872, is deceased; Emma, born February 20, 1868, lives in Danville, Illinois; Julia, born January 28, 1870, also lives in Danville, Illinois. James R. Wooldridge received only a limited education iri the common schools. He lived at home and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-eight years old. His marriage took place on October 11, 1888, in Prescott, Kansas, to Bertha Ham, who was born in Marshall county, Illinois, the daughter of Ira J. and Martha J. (Tor- rey) Ham, natives of New York state, who came to Illinois when young, where they married. They lived in Marshall county until 1866, when they went to Linn county, Kansas, where Mr. Ham got a farm and carried on farming in a general way. His wife died April 4, 1904. He now lives re- tired at Prescott, Kansas. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged. Nine children were born to them, six of whom are living, name- ly: Allen, born August 23, 1865, died Jan- uary 26, 1874; Bertha, the subject's wife, was born December 7, 1866; Nettie, bom December 25, 1868, married George E. Gentle, and they live in Prescott, Kansas; Jennie, born November 9, 1870, married James McCormick, of Cabool, Missouri; Frederick, born January 20, 1874, died No- vember 28, 1897; Albert, born March 27, 1876, married Emma Faber, and they live in Prescott, Kansas ; Maude, born February 5, 1878, married William Bellingham, and they are living at Foraker, Oklahoma; El- mer and Ella, twins, were born March i, 1888, the former dying February 28, 1894. Ella married James Cure, of Warwick, Kansas. No children have been bom to the sub- ject and wife. After his marriage Mr. Wooldridge located on his father's old homestead in Romine township, where he has since lived. His place is in a high state of cultivation, and is well improved, every- thing showing that Mr. Wooldridge is a modern farmer and a hard worker. He sue- 842 BRINKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. cessfully carries on general farming and raises some good stock and considerable fruit. He has always devoted his life to farming. He has a nice dwelling, and other good buildings. Mr. Wooldridge is a Democrat, and has held several of the township offices. He is a member of the Latter Day Saints' church, and is well thought of in Romine township and wherever his acquaintance extends. W. DURAND HILLS. Each man who strives to fulfill his mis- sion in life is deserving of recognition, whatever may be his field of endeavor, and it is the function of the works of this na- ture to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those repre- sented in its pages whose lives are worthy of imitation, like that of the subject of this sketch. AV. Durand Hills was born in Waupun, Wisconsin, December 16, 1857, the son of Seth E. and Melvina (Durand) Hills, the father a native of New York, and the latter of Mentor, Ohio. They were married in the Buckeye state, and moved to Wisconsin in the spring of 1856, and in 1861 they came to Marion county, Illinois, where they bought land, locating in Salem township. Mr. Hills lived here until his death in 1901. His wife died January 12, 1887. They were members of the Christian church, and the father of the subject was a great Sun- day school worker, and was superintendent of the Sunday school at Odin, this county, for many years, where he did a most praise- worthy work. He was also a great worker in the church. He was educated in the common schools of New York, later taking a course in Hamilton College, where he graduated. Both he and his wife taught school in their young days. Mr. Hills was a graduate of an engineering school, and he was for some time civil engineer for the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. After coming to Illinois he engaged in farming. He was a Republican and served Marion county for three or four terms as Surveyor. He and his wife were the parents of only one child, W. Durand, our subject. The subject of this sketch was a small boy when his parents brought him to Marion county, Illinois. He received a good com- mon school education in this- county. He as- sisted with the work on the place which he now owns. It consists of one hundred and forty acres of well improved land, being one of the most desirable farms in the town- ship. He has been a traveling medicine salesman and was also in the nursery busi- ness for several years. He is an independent voter, always voting for the man rather than the party. He is a faithful member of the Christian church in Salem, Illinois. W. Durand Hills was united in marriage in 1886 to Ella E. McMoitIs, who was born in Arkansas, the daughter of Perry and Jane (Jay) McMorris. The farm now owned by the subject was bought from the railway company. It was BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 843 all wild land, but our subject built a good barn, improved the farm, and, in fact, made all the impovements which makes his place a very valuable one. Mr. Hills has traveled extensively. He first went to North Bend, Ohio, where he remained a short time, then moved to Indi- anapolis, Indiana, remaining there for a short time, where he purchased property, which he sold and returned to his home farm. He then drove to Kansas, where he farmed for one year, then drove to Pueblo, Colorado, and from there to Colorado Springs; then to Cheyenne, Wyoming, later to Ogden, Utah ; from there to Sacramento, California. He was in business there for three years, then he sold out and moved to Pensacola, Florida, where he resided and owned prop- erty for three years, finally coming back to the old home farm in 1901. The subject de- cided to make another trip to Colorado for the benefit of his health during the Boer war in Africa. He got as far as St. Louis, Missouri, and there met a party of young men with a cargo of horses for the English army. He abandoned his trip to Colorado and enlisted in the British ranks as horse- man. He made this trip successfully, arriv- ing in Africa at the close of the war. The British government then sent him to Eng- land, when he was honorably discharged. He visited the principal cities of the Island, such as Birmingham, New Castle, Sheffield, Bristol and others. On his return home he came through Canada and visited Quebec, Montreal and other principal cities in Can- ada. Mr. Hills is a very entertaining talker on his travels. Hte has a capacity to see more than the average man wherever he goes and he has a retentive memory. Mr. and Mrs. Hills have a pleasant home and they are very neighborly. THOMAS G. LUTTRELL. Among the influential farmers of Romine township, Marion county, is the gentleman whose name appears above, who was born in luka township, this county, December 23, 1841, the son of John and Polly (Grant) Luttrell, both natives of North Carolina, descendants of Virginia stock. They mar- ried in the South and came to Illinois in an early day, but after remaining in this state several years returned to Dixie land and in 1 83 1 moved back to Illinois, locating near Salem, Marion county. He had a com field where the city of Salem now stands. Later he moved to luka township, and then to Garden Prairie; also lived at Stringtown, Illinois, for a period of four years. In 1854 he came to Romine township and secured some school land on which he farmed suc- cessfully until his death, in July, 1857, hav- ing reached the age of fifty-seven years. His good helpmeet survived him until 1871. She was born in April, 1801. John Luttrell was also a blacksmith and did a great deal of work in connection with his farming. He and his wife were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. To them the fol- lowing children were born : William, who 844 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. died when young; Benjamin, who died July 7, 1900, was a farmer in Romine township and the husband of Martha Owens ; OrsiUa, who married Eh Cramer, is deceased; Thomas G., our subject ; Mary S., deceased. Thomas G. Luttrell received only a lim- ited schooling- in the common schools of his native community, which he attended dur- ing the winter months, having worked on the farm during the remainder of the year. Our subject remained at home until his patriotic fervor led him to enlist his services in defense of his country on August 9, 1862, in Company H, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was first sent to Columbus, Kentucky, then to Fort Hinman, Tennessee, and into winter quar- ters at Paducah, Kentucky; then up the Tennessee river and to Gravel Springs, Mis- sissippi, where he joined the command and went to the front, engaging in several bat- tles and skirmishes, among which was that of Buzzard's Roost, Kenesaw Mountain, Ft. McAllister, in all of which Mr. Luttrell proved to be a gallant soldier. He was in the Western Department under General Sherman. He was discharged June 6, 1865, at Washington, District of Columbia, • and was paid off at Springfield, Illinois, June 27, 1865. The only wound received by our subject was inflicted on May 28, 1864, when he was shot through the right cheek and right shoulder at the battle of Dallas, Geor- gia ; but he was sick a great deal while in the service. He relates some very stren- uous experiences during his soldier days. After the war Mr. Luttrell was on his father's farm until 1872, his labors being amply rewarded, for he was a hard work- er. He was first married April 23, 1861, to Anna Boyle, a native of Romine town- ship, the daughter of William and Mahala (Ware) Boyle, who were Southerners, hav- ing removed to Illinois in an early day, set- tling in Romine township, Marion county. The subject's second marriage occurred June 21, 1893, to Mrs. Rebecca Scott, a native of Ohio, the daughter of David and Jane Fairn, of near Cincinnati. They came to Shelby county, Illinois, in 1865, and died there. The subject's second wife was the widow of Thomas Scott, of England. Two children were born to Thomas Scott and wife, namely : Effie, the wife of Albert Jourdan, of Romine township, this county; Daivd, is deceased. Six children were born to the subject by his first wife, namely; John W.. who lives in Colorado; Amanda, de- ceased; Benjamin F., who married Cora Schanholster, is a miner at Centralia, Illi- nois; Francis is deceased; Charles W., who married Addie Pippin, lives at Vandalia, Illinois; Ida, who married Charles Crouse, lives in Shelby county, Illinois. One child has been born to the subject by his second wife, Laura Eveline, who is still a member of the home circle. In 1872 the subject went to Shelby coun- ty, this state, where he remained until 1880, when he came to Romine township, Marion county, and bought forty acres of land on which he now lives. He first lived on the place for four years when he went back to Shelby county, \^'here he remained for four BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 845 years, then went to Vandalia, where he re- mained three years, since which time he has hved on his fann in Romine township, Ma- rion county, carrying on general farming. He has a nice place, a good house and barn and is comfortably established. He has al- wa)-s been a farmer. Mr. Luttrell is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Cyrus Hall Post. He is regarded by all who know his as a worthy citizen, neighbor and friend. MATTHEW B. WELLS. In connection with the business life of Marion county, as well as in its civic affairs, the name borne by the subject of this re- view has been one of prominence from the first epoch of general development to the present day, for his grandfather in the pio- neer days was an extensive farmer of that time, and his son, father of Matthew B. Wells, was also a farmer, while our subject himself is numbered among the substantial agriculturists of this section, having a fine landed estate and much additional property. Matthew B. Wells was born in Romine township, Marion county, December 24, 1864, the son of Matthew C. Wells, a na- tive of Jefferson county, Illinois, a man of considerable influence in his community. He was a member of the famous One Hun- dred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer In- fantry during the war between the states, having been in many hard fought engage- ments and important battles, in all of which he bore himself with the dignity of the true American soldier. He was wounded, cap- tured and imprisoned and died in Anderson- ville prison in 1865, at the age of twenty- six years. The grandfather of the subject on his paternal side was Barney E. Wells, who came from Tennessee to Jefferson county, this state, in 1822, and was one of the pio- neer farmers and stock raisers of the state, and is remembered as a man of many ster- ling qualities, and became a very wealthy and influential man. He spent the rest of his life in Jefferson county and passed to his rest in 1872, at the age of eighty-two years. The mother of the subject was Louisa E. Branson, who was born and reared in Marion county, this state. Her father was Ellis Branson, a native of Tennessee, and was long known as one of the substantial farmers and stock raisers of the county. He reached the advanced age of ninety years. The Branson family as far back as the an- cestors can be traced were all very religious people. The subject's mother married J. B. Donahue, of Romine township, and three children were bom to this union. Matthew B. Wells was reared in Romine township, where he attended the district schools and received a good education. Hav- ing early began to take an interest in po- litical affairs, he was elected Supervisor of Romine township when only twenty-two years old, but he ably handled the affairs of this office to the satisfaction of everyone, 846 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. and was re-elected to the same two years later, and he held this, together with that ■of Justice of the Peace until he was thirty- two years old, developing' into one of the best justices of the county, his decisions having been noted for their fairness. In 1898 he was elected Sheriff of Marion coun- ty on the Democratic ticket and he became so popular through his able work that his friends induced him to make the race for 'Congress in 1904, from^ the Twenty- third Illinois Congressional District, but he was defeated. Since that time he has been en- gaged in farming and stock raising on a large scale. Buying on the Western mar- ket and shipping on the Eastern market, he handles in a successful manner large num- bers of stock, and he is well known to the live stock dealers throughout the country as an excellent judge of all grades of live stock. Mr. Wells is the owner of one of the most valuable farms in Romine township, consisting of four hundred and sixty acres. It is regarded as a model stock farm by all who see it, being exceptionally well •equipped for the handling of large numbers •of stock to the best advantage. The soil is rich and is kept to a high state of efficiency. Besides his farm, Mr. Wells owns a resi- ■dence in Salem, which is one of the finest in Southern Illinois, being beautiful in archi- tectural design, modem in every detail, and elegantly furnished and this beautifully ap- pointed home is presided over by the sub- ject's cultured wife, whom he married Au- gust I, 1883, her maiden name having been Mary E. Bond, a daughter of A. W. Bond, a well known resident of Jefferson county. Eight children living, and two deceased have been born to the subject and wife, named in order of birth as follows : Lillian, the wife of Marvin Bryan, of Salem; Ida, a teacher; Belle; Eva, also a teacher; Jess; Charles, deceased : V. H. ; Nellie, deceased ; Ethel and Ray. In his fraternal relations Mr. Wells is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wells are faithful members of the Meth- odist church as is also their family. Mr. Wells is now a member of the finance com- mittee of the Democratic party of the state of Illinois, and he is regarded as one of the leading spirits in this great movement. Per- sonally Mr. Wells is an excellent neighbor, a steadfast friend, and enterprising citizen. JESSE STONECIPHER. One of the most influential men in Ro- mine township, Marion county, is the sub- ject of this sketch, his life being exemplary in every respect, for he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to up- lift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the high- est commendation. Jesse Stonecipher was born July 16, 1830, in Morgan county, Tennessee, the son of Thomas and Elender (Goddard) Stone- cipher, both natives of Morgan county. Ten- BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 847 nessee, the former having been a farmer, spending all his life there, and, together with four sons, fought in the Union army in Company B, Second Tennessee Regi- ment, having enlisted in 1861, and served until his health gave way. He died Feb- ruary 13, 1885. His wife passed away July 4. 1890. They were members of the Mis- sionary Baptist church, and to them the fol- lowing children were born: Lavina, who married John Brown, lived in Cumberland county, Tennessee; Jesse, the subject; Wayne, who is now living retired in Romine township ; Mary Dow, who married Mathias Williams, is deceased, as is also her hus- band, who was in Company B, Second Ten- nessee Regiment ; Curtis is a farmer in Ro- mine township. (A full sketch of Thomas Stonecipher and his sons, Wayne and Cur- tis, appears in this volume under the cap- tion of the father's name.) Louisa, the sixth child, is the widow of Jeremiah Jones, and she is living in Morgan county, Ten- nessee ; Timothy, who came to Marion coun- ty, Illinois, in 1862, enlisted in the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, and served during the Civil war. He settled in Romine township after the war and married Olive Daggett, and he is now living in Centralia, a Justice of the Peace. Elizabeth, the eighth child, married James Brown, both now deceased. Mr. Brown was in Company B, Second Tennes- see Regiment. Joseph is living in Scott county, Tennessee. He married Nancy Parker. He was also in Company B, Sec- ond Tennessee Regiment ; . Mahala, who is married and is living in Morgan county. Tennessee; Ezra Thomas married Califor- nia Todd, and he is a farmer in luka town- ship, Marion county. Jesse Stonecipher had only a limited chance to attend school, having spent about three months each year in the subscription schools in his community. He lived at home assisting with the work about the place until 1852. He was one of the patri- otic sons of Tennessee, only a few of whom now remain, who volunteered in 1847 to fight in the Mexican war. His captain was R. Oliver, of Clinton, Tennessee, but Mr. Oliver failed to get a company together and the subject and others went to Knoxville, Tennessee, in November, 1847, where they enlisted, going by boat down the river to Paducah, Kentucky, from thence to New Orleans by boat and from there on a ship to Vera Cruz, where they landed Januai-y 7, 1848. The subject and a comrade were detached to unload crackers and molasses and they remained there over night, joining their company the following day. They stayed there in camp for three weeks and then went on a scouting expedition in the direction of Arazolia, where they had a .skirmish with the guerrillas. They had a long tedious march through the deep sand with only a little water in their canteens. This gave out and they were compelled to march all day without any water. At night, the subject says, they came to a small creek and the soldiers plunged into it like cattle. The march back to Vera Cruz was sixty miles. They later marched to the national bridge, where they went into camp and they 848 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY^ ILLINOIS- were at this place until peace was declared. AMiile in camp at Vera Cruz the subject and his comrades experienced the discom- fiture of a terrible rain and wind storm, which blew down their tents and did much damage. Mr. Stonecipher was discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, July 10, 1848. He went to Nashville by boat and from there marched home with the rest of the company on foot. He has always been glad of his experiences in Mexico. Mr. Stonecipher lived in Tennessee until 1868. He was County Treasurer of Morgan county for six years. When his term expired he was elected Justice of the Peace for six years, served two years, of the time, re- signed and moved to Marion county, Illi- nois. He farmed in Tennessee, in which state he went to school and taught school for several years. On October 18, 1853, the subject first married Sarah Melton, of Mor- gan county, Tennessee, who was bom Feb- ruary 15, 1827, and she passed to her rest May 31, 1873 ; then the subject married Ella Waggoner, born June 23, 1853, at Jones- ville, Indiana, the daughter of John William, who was a gallant soldier in the Civil war, and Cynthia (DeWitt) Waggoner, the. former of Kentucky, and the latter of Ohio. They went to Indiana when young and were subsequently married in that state. He died in Jonesville, Indiana, in 1865. Mrs. Wag- goner is still living at that place in 1909. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Waggoner, James, Oscar and Ella, the sub- ject's wife. Following are the names of the subject's children by his first wife : James Sampson, born August 23, 1854, married Nancy Lluellen, a farmer in Romine township; John Calvin, torn January 23, 1857, is a railroad man and farmer at Campbell, Mis- souri. He married Delia Crawford; Lucy Elender, born July 9, 1859, who married John Phillips, is now deceased ; Estel Monet Lincoln, born September 16, 1861, died September 24, 1 869 ; Timothy Greely, born October 25, 1864, who married Florence Cutchin, is deceased, but his widow is liv- ing in Romine township; Thomas Isham, born October 2j, 1867, married Rosanna Jones and they live in Romine township. The following children are those of the sub- ject and his second wife, eight in number: Alice Maude, born July 15, 1876, married Daniel Henson, of Mendota, Illinois; Leon- odaf H., born April 13, 1879, who married Narcissus Burkett, is a farmer living with the subject of this sketch; Ruth May, born April 16, 1 88 1, married George Fourth, of Orchardville, Illinois : Luther and Samon, twins, were bom July 7, 1885, are both sin- gle ; Net and Nellie, twins, bom July 31, 1887, the former having married Charles Branson, of Romine township, and the latter married Charles Taylor, of Mendota, Illi- nois; Ebon B., born September 16, 1891, is living at home. In 1868 the subject located in Romine township, Marion county, buying a farm, on which he lived for ten years. He sold it and bought another of one hundred and sixty acres where he lives at this writing, engaged in general farming in a most successful manner, having an excellent and highly im- proved farm on which stands a good dwell- BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 849 ing and out buildings and over which roam a fine grade of stock. He devotes some time to fruit growing. Mr. Stonecipher has taken considerable interest in local political matters and has ably served as Supervisor of his township, Town Clerk for three terms and Treasurer for thirteen years. He is a loyal Repub- lican. He is a Mason, belonging to the John D. Moody Blue Lodge, No. 610, at luka. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Kell, Illinois. He is well known in Marion county, where he taught school for several years soon after his arrival here. He is a well informed man, being a free thinker. WILLIAM H. BURNETT. William H. Burnett, a well known grocer of Centralia, Marion county, is descended from an old Virginia family, prominently identified for many years with the tobacco industry. His grandfather Burnett came from France in early life and lived to the great age of one hundred and two years. On his mother's side he is a direct descend- ant of Benjamin Franklin. The Franklin family was of Tennessee. The subject of our sketch was born in Washington county, Illinois, on August 7, 1878, and is the son of James T. and Lin- ney (Franklin) Burnett. His father was born in Roanoke county, Virginia, on Octo- ber 22, 1844. In early life he learned the 54 milling business and worked for several years in his father's mill. In 1866 James Burnett came to Illinois and in 1875 was married to Linney Franklin. To them were born seven children, of whom William H. is the oldest. William H. Burnett received his early training in the common schools of Carlyle, Ilhnois, but at the age of twelve years was compelled to join the ranks of the wage earners in order to aid in the support of the home; his father having met with an acci- dent which incapacitated him as bread win- ner for many months. William worked in the mines for fifteen years and his energy and frugality yielded him a good sum of money. An earnest longing for more schooling prompted him to study at night, and by unremitting effort, with the aid of night schools, he had, at the age of twenty- one acquired a good education. Later, he completed a course in Brown's Business Col- lege. He was married May 27, 1903, to Miss Maud Brown, a daughter of James Lawson, and Clemmie Brown. Both par- ents are natives of Southern Illinois, and are of old Scotch covenanter stock, a race of strictly moral and religious people. Mrs. Burnett is a graduate of the Cen- tralia high school, and has two sisters. Miss Anna Brown and Mrs. H. E. Tenney, both of whom reside in Centralia. To Mr. and Mrs. Burnett have been bom twO' children, Emily and Donald Brown, the former having died in early infancy. On the first of March, 1907, William H. Burnett started a grocery store at 415 East S50 BRIiMKERHOFFS HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Fourth South street, Centralia. Previously he had been located in the same business on the west side of the city, where his store was totally destroyed by fire. In his present location he owns a house, lot and store, which occupies eighty by one hundred and sixty feet. His family resi- dence, which is a substantial one, fronts on South Maple street. His grocery is up-to- date in every respect. It is double roomed and carries a full line of all household neces- sities. "Modern methods to meet modern re- quirements" is the motto of its proprieter and the attention which orders receive and the facility of their delivery is of the best description. The subject of our sketch is yet a young man and in the years to come his present prosperous standing in the community, aid- ed by his progressive and forceful qualities, and his remarkable ability to surmount diffi- culties, is sure to reach a higher plane. MRS. CARRIE SHIRWOOD. Mi-s. Carrie Shirwood, widow of George Shirwood, is one of the best known of the older inhabitants of Centralia. She is a woman whose career, especially her early life, reads like a page of romance. Born in London, England, on the 3d of Decem- ber, 1839, her family name being Wilson, she was taken by her parents and members of her family at an early age across the ocean to the United States. The voyage proved an ill-fated and most disastrous one for the family, the vessel they sailed on go- ing down at sea, and her parents, the ship crew, and all, with the exception of herself and her grandmother, perished in the catas- trophe. Mrs. Shirwood's providential res- cue seemed to mark her for a special des- tiny, and it came to pass that as a mere babe she was adopted by a kind and generous man, Doctor Berge, who ever afterwards acted as her parent. She was given a most excellent education in New York City by her foster-father, passing through the pub- lic and high schools, and the New Jersey Ladies' Academy. Having finished her ed- ucation she entered upon a life in keeping A\ith her social standing. She married in St. Louis, Missouri, the late George Shir- wood. They entered upon a very happy married life, and became the parents of three children, two girls and a boy, whom they named, Charlotte Bing Shirwood, who married Hugh Green, now deceased ; the second daughter, Hattie, is deceased, and the brother, George R. Shirwood, married Emma Siple. George R. Shirwood and his wife have two children, a boy and a girl. George Shirwood was a tailor by trade, and was a skilled and high class workman whose services always commanded a high price. He was employed by one Centralia firm for more than twenty-nine years. Mr. Shirwood was well liked and respected and his demise was mourned by a large section of the people of Centralia. Charlotte, or as she is better known, Mrs. BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS- 851 Lottie Green, was educated in the Centralia schools, and vipon receiving an adequate educational training she became a dress- maker. She has now successfully followed her occupation for over twenty years, and has achieved quite a name for herself in Centralia, as a prominent and capable busi- ness Avoman. She cares for her aged parent, the subject of our sketch, and lives at No. 734 South Maple street in her own prop- erty. Mrs. Green is an active and clear- brained woman and one thoroughly ac- quainted with the business afifairs of the day. Since the death of her husband and even previous to it, she managed and exe- cuted all afifairs of a business and financial nature with consummate skill and ability. She is an energetic and athletic woman and has all the present day American woman's enthusiasm and love of outdoor sports. She spends the greater part of her leisure hours in forest or field, where, with a dog or gun or fishing rod, she is perfectly happy. Her prowess in the hunting field and as a fisher- woman has not infrequently excited the ad- miration and envy of her male companions. Mrs. Lottie Green has the distinction of being the only lady in Centralia who takes out a hunting license. She is also a dog fancier of note and is the possessor of three fine bull dogs, well blooded animals, and a good horse. She enjoys the company of her pets on her outdoor excursions, and is always solicitious for their welfare. Mrs. Green and her mother, Mrs. Carrie Shirwood, are social figures of no small importance in Centralia. Their residence is always a hospitable meeting place for old friends of the family. NATIVE TREES OF TIMBER SIZE IN MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. (Furnished by State University of Illinois.) Note — The following articles, which properly belong in the historical section of this publication, were received too late to be placed there. PINACEAE. the banks of streams. The wood is exceed- ingly durable and is valuable for many pur- poses, notably for the making of lead pen- cils. SALICACEAE. Red Cedar (Jtinipcnis Virginiana) — This Black Willow {Salix Nigra). — I'his is the is the only evergreen conifer of the county only native willow that reaches anything and from its size can hardly be classed as a like tree size. It is sometimes called crack timber tree for this region. It is slow of willow on account of the brittle bases of .g-rowth and is confined to limited areas on branches. It grows along the streams and 852 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. becomes abundantly propagated by the de- tached branches. White A^'illow (Salh- Alba)— This has been considerably introduced and was for- merly used for hedges ; it is still valuable for wood lots. This grows into a large tree and its soft, fine grained wood is highly esteemed for making charcoal. As grown on the farms, it is one of the best for long slender poles not to be placed in the ground. A variety of this is the golden barked wil- low sometimes planted for ornament. Weeping Willow (Salix Babylonica). — Often planted for ornament. JUGLANDACEAE. Black Walnut (Juglans Nigra). — This well known tree has become almost exterm- inated. There was no other wood so eager- ly sought after in North America or which commanded so high a price in its day. It is still considered a very important timber tree. Butternut {Juglans Cinerea). — The wood of this tree is something like that of the Black Walnut, but lighter in color. In this region of the country the tree does not usually develop as well as does its relative and saw logs from it are never so common. The nuts of both trees are highly esteemed. Butternut Hickory (Hickoria Minima) Pignut Hickoiy (Hicoria Glabra).— These are much alike and produce thin- shelled nuts with a bitter kernel. The wood is not so valuable as that from other hick- orys, but is used for the same class of pur- poses. Shag-bark or Shell-bark Hickory (Hic- orai Ovata . — This bears a small sized nut of highest quality. Big Shag-bark or King-nut Hickory {Hicoria Laciniosa).- — -The nut of this tree has a somewhat smaller kernel and a much thicker shell. The nut itself is of large size. The former grows upon rather dry ground and the latter is mainly found along the river bottoms. Both have shaggy bark and are celebrated for the quality of the wood. White-heart Hickory or Mockemut {Hic- oria Alba) is less common but has some- what the appearance of the last two men- tioned. The nut is of medium size and more pointed at its outer end. BETULACEAE. Blue Beech or Hornbean {Carpinus Carolinana. Iron-wood or Hop-Hornbeam {Ostrya Virginiana.) — These are not uncommon small trees. The wood is exceedingly dense and heavy, immediately sinking when green in water. River Birch {Betula Nigra) is a small slender tree which grows along the water courses. It is a desirable tree for door- yard planting, but it lacks the white color of the bark that some of the other birches have. FAGACEAE. Beech {Fagiis Americana). — It is doubt- ful if this tree is native to the county though it is found in some places in Illinois, both BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 853 north and south of the region. It is easily recognized by the smooth bark of the ti'unk and by its descending branches. OAKS. The oaks everywhere constitute a large part of the forest and furnish a greater part of the timber of highest value. They are easily divided into two classes, which may be called the red oak class and the white oak class. The lobes of the leaves of the former are terminated by a bristle or point while those of the others are rounded. Acorns of the first class require two years to develope and when mature are, therefore, found upon wood of two years' growth, while those of the second class are borne on twigs of the current season. Generally the wood of the red oak class is less durable in the ground and has less tensible strength than that of the white oak class. Common- ly in the lumber markets only two kinds of oak are kown, namely, red oak and white oak, but the wood comes from various species. Of the first there grow in Marion county: Red Oak (Qiiercus Rubra). Pin oak or Swamp Oak (Qnercus Pai- "ustris . Schenck's Red Oak (Quescus Sc/tenckii). Scarlet Oak {Qiiercus Coccinea). Back Oak (Quercus Velutina). Black-jack Oak (Querats Marylandica). Shingle Oak (Quercus Iinbrivaria). — With Peach-like leaves. Of the White Oak class there occur : White Oak {Quercus Alba!). Post Oak {Quercus Minor). Bur Oak or Mossy-cup Oak {Quercus Macrocarpa . Swamp White Oak {Quercus Plaian- oides . Cow Oak or Basket Oak ( Quercus Mich- auxii. Chestnut Oak {Quercus Acuminata). ULMACEAE. This family includes the elms and hack- berries. Of the former there are three na- tive species: American Elm (Ulmus Americana) — Well known and often given several local names, running into numerous varieties, all attaining large size. Slippery Elm {Ulmus Fulva) or Red Elm. Something like the preceding, but easily known by the character of its bark. Winged Elm {Ulmus Alata). — A tree of much smaller size and easily known by the peculiar corky expansions of the twigs. Hackberry {Celtis Occidentalis) Is well known to all woodsmen. It does not at- tain so large a size as the American elm, but at its best development reaches well towards the upper limit of height. MORACEAE. Red Mulberry {Morus Rubra) — A tree of small size known to craftsmen for the dur- ability of the wood and by the fruit. 854 BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. MAGNOLIACEAE. DRUPACEAE. Tulip Tree {Liriodcndron Tulipifera) — In the original Illinois woods, there were three trees which vied with each other for supremacy in height ; namely : tulip, syca- more and burr oak. It can hardly be doubted, however, that there were more trees of the present species which reached one hundred and seventy-five feet than of all the others put together. This tree has furnished a very considerable part of the best building and cabinet wood which has been cut in the state. It was and is greatly sought after for veneers used largely in the making of fruit boxes. It is often called yellow poplar, but it is not a relative of the true poplars. lauraceae. Sassafras (Sassafras Sassafras) — In the woods, a slender tree mainly known for its aromatic bark. It is considered a desirable tree for ornamental use. platanaceae. Sycamore (Platanus. . Occidcntalis) — Found usually along streams and has a very peculiar and characteristic appearance. The wood was formerly thought to be without value on account of its tendency to warp, and the difficulty of splitting it, but the former can be overcome by proper kiln diy- ing and its beautiful grain has brought it into prominence for many purposes, and its toughness of fibre lias caused it to be used in the making of brushes, etc. Black Cherry {Pruiius Scrotina). — This tree seldom reaches a large size in this re- gion, though it produces in some quarters wood of the highest value, well known to the lumber trade. Every school boy knows the tree by its strings of somewhat astring- ent fruit. It must not be confounded, how- ever, with its similar relative the choke cherry, whose fruit is reddish instead of black colored when ripe. caesalpinaceae. Honey Locust (Gleditschia Triacanthos) — This rapidly growing tree has sometimes been confounded with the black locust, but usually can easily be told by its enormous sharp pointed spines produced in clusters along the trunk. Kentucky Coffee Tree {Gyinnocladus Dioica) — In the woods, a slender, straight growing tree bearing large bean-like pods. This tree ought to be better known than it is for street planting. papilionaceae. Black Locust (Robinia Pseudacacia) — Has sharp pointed prickles on the twigs. Is probably not a native of the county, though often found growing spontaneously. ACERACEAE. There are three maples native to the coun- ty, namely : BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 855 Soft Maple or Silver Maple {Acer Sac- chariuum) — So commonly planted in the streets. Red Maple {Acer Rtihrum)—M.nQh like the latter, but reaching smaller sizes, and having the tAvigs tinged with red. Hard Maple or Sugar Maple {Acer Sac- charuin) — To this family belongs also the Box Elder {Acer Ncgundo). — All of these trees are easily recognized and are common- ly correctly named by those interested in them. H IPPOCASTANACEAE. Buckeye {Aesculus Glabra) — A tree of moderate dimensions. As nearly worthless for timber purposes as anything in the list. No doubt, however, some peculiar use for the wood may be found. When the hand fret-saw was common, the wood of this tree was greatly sought after. TILIACEAE. Bass-wood or Linden {Tilia Americana) — A common well known tree furnishing soft, fine-grained wood highly esteemed for certain purposes. EBENACEAE. Persimmon {Diospyros. Virginia). — This hardly reaches timber size. Its wood is sometimes used for wood engraving and for turning purposes. It is exceedingly hard and heavy. It is a relative of the tree from which ebony wood is derived. OLEACEAE. White Ash {Fraxinus Americana). — This and green ash are often confounded, but can be told apart by the more vigorous habit of the former and by the light color of the under side of the leaves seen best when look- ing at the tree in foliage, and by the peculi- arities of the seed and fruit. Green Ash {Fraxinus Lanceolata) — Usually grows along the banks of streams, while the white Ash is upon higher ground. Both are used for the same pur- poses, and as the green ash is much more easily propagated from seed, it is more common where artificially grown. Blue Ash {Fraxinus Quadrangulata) — Differs from the preceding in having sharp ridges of bark on the branchlets, making them somewhat square. Usually found up- on well drained soils where it grows into a slender, tall tree. A FARM CONDUCTED SCIENTIFICALLY. (For the following sketch we are in- debted to Prof. J. E. Whitchurch, student of Illinois University at Urbana, furnished him by Prof. Lloyd.) In March, 1903, John W. Lloyd, of the Horticultural Department of the University of Illinois, purchased the J. D. Camerer farm, consisting of eighty acres, near Kin- 856 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. mundy, Marion county, Illinois. This farm occupies the north half of northeast quar- ter of section 21, township 4 north, range 3 east, and is one mile northwest of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railway station. At the time of the purchase, twenty acres of this farm were in oak brush, and ten acres more had recently been cleared, but had never been touched by a plow. Much of the rest of the land was still filled with stumps. The soil is of the type known as "post-oak flats." In the spring of 1904, possession was se- cured, and W. B. Lloyd, father of the own- er, moved from Du Page county to take up his residence on this farm, and has re- maied there in the capacity of manager since that date. Immediately upon securing possession, the twelve-acre apple orchard on the farm was thoroughly pruned, and a peach or- chard of three acres was planted. The fol- lowing year, six acres were set to apple trees, consisting entirely of high quality varieties such as Jonathan and Benoni. The policy established upon this farm from the beginning was a selection of varieties and system of management that would result in the production of high quality products. A specialty has been made of gem melons as the money crop in a three-year rotation, consisting of cow-peas, melons and corn. The cow-peas are cut for hay and fed to everything on the place, including horses, cows, hogs and hens. This crop leaves the land in fine condition for melons. The manure made on the place is carefully saved, and additional manure hauled from town. This is composted with rock phos- phate and applied to the melon crop. After this addition of plant food and the thorough tillage required for the melons,^ the land is in good condition for the pro- duction of com. In 1905, sixty-five bushels of com by weight were produced upon one measured acre. The success with melons on this farm has been due to scientific methods of cul- ture, combined with skillful marketing. The seed planted is the best strain obtainable, regardless of cost. Careful and thorough tillage is practiced from the beginning and continued even after the vines have to be turned. Spraying for the rust is also prac- ticed. The melons are carefully graded and attractively packed ; and the best grades are sold under a guarantee as to quality. By this means and by having one firm handle the entire product it has been possible to build up a reputation for the goods and se- cure remunerative prices. A similar method has been employed in marketing the poultry products from this farm. The eggs are sold under a guaran- tee as to freshness and freedom from un- desirable flavor such as might be produced by the feeding of onions or other objection- able material. One firm has handled the eggs from this farm for the last four years at prices considerably above the local mar- ket. BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 857 After five years of skillful management, this farm is now recognized as one of the most productive in the vicinity, and its products are eagerly sought in the market because of their superior quality and care- ful packing. EARLY SETTLEMENT OF THE EAST PART OF MARION COUNTY. BY A. W. SONGER. In furnishing an account of the early pioneer settlers of the east part of section 3, range 4, nov^r Omega township, the writer will be compelled to depend on his memory in regard to date with some of the settlement as entries cannot be re- ferred to, all having settled on government land, this having been preferred on ac- count of the occupants having no tax to pay on the land. Adam Gallaway was the first settler along the east line of the township in about 1829, erecting a cabin on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 13, town 3, range 4. It was a very good double hewed log house. He improved a small farm. Frederick Songer bought this claim and moved with his family on it in the spring of 1835. In 1838 he entered the east half of the southeast quarter of section 13, town 3, range 4, on which he lived until 1871, and continued to own until his death in 1873, when seventy-eight years old. Then came Alexander Kyle, a Methodist minister, who built a hewed log house on the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 24, early in 1837. The next settler was James Craig, in the latter part of 1837, who put up a round log house on the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13, town 3 north, range 4 east, and improved some land, where he lived until his death. Soon after this, along the east line of the township, John Gee located. Robert Shadden, Abraham Beard and Owen Tate also settled along the east line of the township. Thomas Jones and a Mr. Bozier lived about two miles west in the Skillet Fork timber. All lived in log houses which were very poorly provided with light, a hole cut in the wall serving as a window, but minus the glass. They were all provided with wide, deep fire- places, with backs and jambs made of flat rocks placed in mortar to protect the wood from the fire. The upper part of the chim- ney was made of slats or lath, surrounded by mortar made of clay. The fire-place had to be made so as to take in a large quantity of big wood to make sufficient heat to keep the family reasonably comfortable ; in fact in a very cold time the family had much difficulty in keeping all sides warm, as many of their houses had no protection 8s8 BRINKERHOFf's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. overhead other than the board roof, but sometimes there were loose boards placed on the joists overhead; and the only floor in some of them was mother earth. In those days the friction match was unknown. If the fire went out, which it would, some- times in warm weather, a member of the family would be compelled to call on some neighbor for fire, or would have to catch fire with flint and steel, gun powder and flax-tow. There was some solid comfort after all in retiring before those big fire- places, if it was not too cold, and in all of them the cooking had to be done. A full supply of cooking utensils consisted gener- ally of a skillet in which all the corn- dodgers were baked, also biscuits, if they had any flour, which would be for breakfast and night only on Sunday; a stew kettle, for cooking meat or vegetables, a tea-kettle for heating water, and a coffee boiler. The farmer in those days was poorly pro- vided with teams and mostly oxen were used, consequently they could cultivate only small farms on which enough corn was grown for bran and to feed stock, with the help of prairie hay to feed cattle and horses, and to fatten their hogs, provided they failed to get fat on white oak acorns. But if the pioneer failed to have fat hogs he could take his rifle and go to the woods and find all the fat deer he wanted, or in fact any kind of wild meat he wanted. Both deer and turkey were plentiful. Apples, peaches and pears had to be grown, and it took time to prepare land for an orchard, and then it took years for the trees to grow. The settlers had much to contend with. The women had to spin and weave the cloth to clothe themselves, the men and the children. The flax had to be grown, cleaned and spun to make the linen; the sheep had to be raised, sheared,, the wool carded and spun from which to make the winter clothes. The stockings had to be knit — all was done at home. The worst of all that the old pioneers had to contend with was malarial chills and fever. Through the summer and fall it was no un- common thing for the father of a family to be down with this dreaded "complaint." The stock had to be protected from the wild beasts; the sheep and calves had to be penned near the house. The wolf was the most destructive. There were three kinds: the little prairie wolf, and the big black and gray wolf. It was very common to hear them howl about the farm, and one not ac- customed to hearing them would think when two or three were howling that there were not less than eight or ten. Notwith- standing all these things some of the pio- neers laid the foundation for a good, com- fortable living in the after part of their life. The first school taught in the eastern part of Marion county was by Alexander Kyle in the southeast quarter of section 23, Omega township, in the old-style log house with dirt floor. The benches were made of split logs. The subjects taught were spell- ing, reading, writing and arithmetic. Web- ster's blue-back speller, any book that they had to read in, and Pike & Smiley's arith- metic. This school was supported by sub- BRINKERHOFF's history OF) MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 859 scription. This was about 1839 or 1840. Only one term of four months was taught here. The next school building was put up about 1842 or 1843, made of hewed logs, which was used for both chuixh and school. It was located on the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 12, town 3, range 4, and was used by the Christian de- nomination, it being near Skillet Fork creek where there was "much water". The first minister in charge was William Chaffin and later, David R. Chance, Uncle Henry Van- dusen and others. The first marriage in that vicinity was Moses Cockrell and Mar- garet Craig, and the next was Giles M. Songer and Elizabeth Hamilton. From this time on settlers came in more freely, so at this late date I cannot give dates or names of settlers as they located in that part of the county. The first mills in the eastern part of the county were water mills. In 1836 or 1837, Major John Onstott put up a saw and grist mill on Skillet Fork creek in the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 35, town 3, range 4 east, which he operated for eight of ten years. Finally it was Ovashed around and abandoned. In 1837 Frederick Songer, in company with Samuel Songer put in a water-power saw and grist m^ll on the Skillet Fork creek, which began operation early in 1838 in the southwest quar\ter of the southeast quarter of section 3, town I, range 4, now Romine township. The sa^F mih was an old still sash, and the grist mifl was one set of burrs, on which they grourjd both wheat and corn. It had no cleaning;, machinery; the grain was ground just as it came to the mill, no mat- ter whether dirt3f or clean. The bolting machine was one chest about ten feet long, reel about nine feet long, which was op- erated by hand. Later this mill was washed around, and about 1846 was moved farther up the stream, and rebuilt by Frederick Songer and operated by him until 185 1, when he sold it to "Quill" Gordon and Bob Foster. A few years later it was aban- doned. This was a fine site for a water mill, if the clay bank had been properly cared for. It is now a waste and few would suppose by the present appearance of the place that a mill had ever been located there. A BRIEF HISTORY OF TRINITY GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, NEAR lUKA, MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. EARLY HISTORY. Wending your way westward or south- ward from the town of luka, and crossing the southern portion of Stevenson and luka townships and part of Romine township, you will find there today, on both sides of the public highway, cheerful country homes. 86o BRINKERHOFF'S history of? MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ., / smiling gardens and fields which bear wiy- ness to the comfortable circumstances ar|fd the happiness of their proprietors. / If you had inspected the same territq'jry forty years ago, you would have fg{ind nothing but a dense, trackless fores('t for miles and miles, which was traversed only by the various watercourses. It was by the indefatigable labor of German settlers that the flourishing farms we see ^ 'today were carved out of the stubborn wilderness. In the year 1870 five Geririan immigrants came here with their families and purchased tracts of land lying from four to seven miles to the southeast of the town of luka. The names of these pioneers were: Emil Dierolf, John Behrudt, Chris Timm, Au- gust Behuke and Louis Hahn. They had not come here immediately upon their arri- val in this counti-y, but had spent a few years in Chicago, and by dint of hard work and thrift, had been able to save a small amount of capital. In the heart of the for- est they now pitched their tents, and, axe in hand, forthwith began the task of clear- ing of? the trees and underbrush from their newly acquired property. Log houses were built and the ground was gotten ready for cultivation. ^Vithin the next few years other settlers joined the brave little band. A time of severe trials was, however, soon to come over them before all their difficulties had been successfully overcome. Most of the settlers had a little money left after se- curing their land, and there was some ap- portunity for replenishing their slender re- sources somewhat by the sale of railroad ties. But owing to the fact that their farm- ing had to be done in a rather primitive way, and was not as yet very profitable, while they were obliged to pay cash for all their supplies, their meager funds soon dwindled away and they were reduced to straitened circumstances for a time. Their troubles were greatly aggravated by the appearance of fever among them, an unwelcome guest, which often comes un- bidden where men are cultivating virgin soil and lacking wells or cistern, get their drinking-water from neighboring rivers and creeks. Soon there were fever patients in almost every house. Meantime their work must not be abandoned lest their efforts hitherto be entirely defeated. Those were trying times for the young settlement. ORGANIZATION AND GROWTH OF TRINITY CHURCH. These early settlers did not forget God, and His Word in the wilderness. While at Chicago they had become acquainted with the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states, and to this synod they now made application for a minister who might preach to them the Word of God and minister the holy sacra- ments among them. On April 27, 1873, the Rev. J. G. O. Kattham, of Hoyleton, Washington county, a member of the afore- mentioned synod, visited the settlement for the first time and continued sei-ving the people from that time forth. Under his guidance a congregation was organized on BRINKERHOFF's history of MARION COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 86 1 September 28, 1873, and at the same time a constitution was adopted: For a number of years divine services were conducted at the various homes, but on November 9, 1876, the members of the congregation be- gan to construct their first church building, which was dedicated to the service of God on the 1 2th day of August, of the following year, the Rev. Mr. H. Meyer, of East St. Louis preaching the sermon on the occasion. The church was built at a place about four miles southeast of luka, and is still stand- ing, being at present used by the congrega- tion as a school-house. Four years later, more Lutherans having moved here from elsewhere, the congrega- tion had grown sufficiently strong to sup- port a pastor in their own midst. The first resident minister, the aged Rev. F. W. Eg- gerking, was inducted into his office on Au- gust 15, 1880, by pastor O. Kattham. A parochial school was founded immediately, and this school is still in operation. It is the aim of this school that the children be taught not only the common branches taught in the public schools, and in addition the reading and writing of their Gennan mother tongue, but first and above all things, that they be taught to know and thoroughly understand the doctrinal teach- ings of their church in order to a firm foun- dation in their holy Christian faith. After serving the congregation a little over a year, pastor Eggerking was obliged, on account of old age, to resign his office, and the congregation once more had to seek the help of non-resident ministers. They did not secure a minister of their own again until November 23, 1883, when Mr. G. F. Luebker, a candidate for the holy ministry from the Lutheran Seminai-y at Springfield, Illinois, began his la- bors here. After a stay of only two years, however, the latter accepted a call to a charge in Indiana. The Rev. Mr, A. Kaeslitz succeeded him and served the congregation for a period of six- teen years, beginning with the month of December, 1886. He died suddenly and unexpectedly April 26, 1903, and was buried in the cemetery belonging to the church. In the fall of 1903, the writer of these lines succeeded to the pastorate of the congregation. Our church has known the day of small things, but, in the course of time, has grown in numbers as well as in grace. At the present time the membership is com- posed as follows: Thirty-six voting mem- bers, one hundred and seventy communi- cants, two hundred and fifty baptized mem- bers. The church now possesses a new and beautiful house of worship, fifty-six by thirty-four feet, with a steeple seventy feet high. The building was erected by Mr. Chris Borcherding, one of the members of the congregation. It was dedicated to the sei-vice of God on October 11, 1908, and a large concourse of people attended the ceremonies and listened to the sermons preached upon the occasion. Pastor C. Strase of St. Peter, preached the German sermon, and Pastor R. Kissling of Ferren, spoke in the English language. The names 862 BRINKERHOFF S HISTORY OF MARJON COUNTY, ILLINOIS. of the elders and trustees of the congrega- tion at the present time are : J. Brinkmann, H. Koenemann, E. Borcherding, A. Roch- litz, Father Lamp and C. Hahn, Sr. CONFESSION OF OUR CHURCH. There being but few Lutheran churches in this part of the state, and variouj^ erro- neous opinions being in circulation (toncern- ing the character of our churchf a brief statement of our doctrinal position is here- with given. We believe that the Holy Scriptures in their entirety were written by the holy prophets, evangelists and apostles, by in- spiration of the Holy Ghost, and that for this reason they are the AVord of God, and the only source of spiritual knowledge, since man, however wise and progressive he may be in many temporal affairs, by his ■own reason • does not and can not possess any knowledge concerning things spiritual and divine, except as these have been re- vealed to us by God in his Word. Hence we still believe, teach and confess all that the church has confessed in her ancient creeds from the beginning; the doc- trines of the Holy Trinity, of the incarna- tion of the Son of God, and of the redemp- tion of our whole fallen human race by his holy life, suffering and death. Concerning the way of salvation, we be- heve and confess that, by his own works of piety, man cannot attain to righteousness before God or eternal salvation, but solely through the merit and righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ, appropriated by faith; and that such faith does not come of man's own reason or strength, but it is the work of the Holy Ghost, operating through the preaching of the Word and the holy sacra- ments (baptism and the Lord's supper). We teach furthermore, that Christians should avoid sin with great earnestness and be diligent in all good works; not, how- ever, in order that they might by these works merit the grace of God and everlast- ing life, but in filial obedience to the divine command. Li fact, only he can do works that are truly good and acceptable to God, who by faith has become a child of God. On the other hand the true faith can never be void of good works; neither can it stand with the love of, or clinging to, sin. We teach and confess that the Holy Spirit ever preserves a Christian church on earth, embracing only such, but certainly all such, who truly believe in Christ as their Savior. Concerning the end of the world and final judgment, we believe that at the last day, the Son of God will return visibly with power and great glory to judge the world in righteousness. AVe believe in the resur- rection of all the dead and life everlasting for all believers.