'L I B R.AFIY OF THE UNIVERSITY or ILLINOIS 977.381 Ml2p 111. Hist. Surv. PAST AND PRESENT OF Christian County, Illinois. By HON. J. C. McBRIDE. ILLUSTRATED. 'A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote generations." — Macauley. CHICAGO; THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING CO, 19C4, g Dedicated to the Pioneers and to the Living Representative Citizens of Christian County. \ PREFACE. THE undersigned, at the request of the pubhshers, The S. J. Clarke Pubhshing Co., herewitli sulmiits to the reader a brief history of many of the important events that have transpired in the County of Christian since its organization. He is satisfied that many events have transpired quite as important, if not more so. than the ones submitted, but having to depend upon information received from (hfferent sources, it would be impossible to gather all of the matters that should be included in a history of this character, and the limited space would prohibit chronicling the many other things that might be of interest to the public. The early events being beyond the memory of the most of the present generation, the reader can appreciate the difficulty in gathering them together. The writer desires to ackn(jwledge the valuable assistance received by him from the notes compiled by the late Dr. Calvin Goudy, in a former work edited or prepared by him. Had it not l^een for the preservation, by him, of the inci- dents pertaining to the early 'settlement of Christian county, it would have been almost impossible to have obtained a correct or extended idea of the early events. The writer also desires to acknowledge the valuable assistance ren- dered by the late A. D. Wel;b, in the preparation of the article upon " The Press " and for other assistance rendered; to John W. Dappert for the assist- ance rendered by him in the contribution of the article upon " Drainage." and to Miss Anna Lois Barbre. County Superintendent oi Schools, for the valuable assistance rendered by her in the contribution of the article upon " Schools." He would also tender thanks to J. P. Walker, E. A. Miller, W. T Vandeveer, T. J. Langley, Mrs. Edward Forrester, T. W. Brents and W. O. Wilcox for valuable information received from them from time to time in the preparation of this work. We are also under obligations tr. The Courier Printing Co. and Taylorville Journal for copies of their files, and to Mr. Benjamin Winters for copies of the paper called The Indcpcndait Press, published at Taylorville at an early day by his father, B. F. Winters, from the files of which papers much valuable information was obtained. The reader will doubtless realize the difficulty attending the compilation of a work of this character, and of selecting such as should be included. It has 1;etn classified as best the writer could so as to present to the reader as ready reference as possible of the chronicled events, and hope that it will prove beneficial to the public as a book of reference con- cerning the past of the county, covering the incidents, accidents and misfortunes 192858 iv TT^F.l'ACE. of the past as well as its ])resent resources. No douht the work will he criti- cisech hut iu all criticisms 1 hope the reader will appreciate the dilliculties that* have >urrounded the preparation of the woi-k, and the diflicult}- attendiiii;- the description of an e\ent with which the writer had no jjcrsonal ac(juaintancc. W'hatexer your criticisms may Ijc, we desire to assure the reader that, with the lii^ht gi\en us, we ha\'e tried to chronicle a fair and impartial statement concerning' the organization, growth and prosperity of Christian county and its inhahitants. Hoping this will meet the approval of the readers and patrons of The S. j. Llarke I'uhlishing Co., I respectfully suhmit it to you for a fair and impartial consideration. J. C. McBride. UJ CO D O X H D O O PAST AND PRESENT OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. INIRODUCTORY. All history is a record of past events. Eacli day and each h(Uir adds to the ex- periences of men and increases the amonnt of human knowledge. To "catch the shadow ere the moments fly" and tell of them through history serves to perpetuate the ex- periences of the past, and thus. create a fund of human knowledge hased upon all that has orone before. It is a work of love in that it bequeaths to those who are to come all the wisdom gathered from the experi- ences of those who were here yesterday but to-day are gone. Enough of human ex- perience lies buried 'neath the sod to have made the world many fcdd wiser than it is had it been recorded. The early pioneers are nearly gone, and their names and what they did and endured will soon be forgotten, unless somebody writes. The record must be made lest we forget. The wisdom of the past nuist be preserved. No portion of this country has changed more than the vast prairie region with the IVIississippi river running th.rough near its centre. The northern and southern por- tions of this vast plain are undulating and much rougher than the central part, and have been changed less by the hand of man. But through the central portion occupying more than half the state of Illinois is a vast level plain containing t!ie most produc- tive land in the world, which little more than hfty years ago was a ^'ast morass or swanij), unfitted for the habitation of man or beast. The land was so level and the STowinp- veiretation so rank that the falling rain could scarcely find its way to the sluggish streams. From a part of this semi-submerged countr}-. Christian county was carved. Surrounded as it was by miles and miles of country of a similar nature, the isolation of the early settlers was al- most complete. It was only along the lianks of the streams, which were tordered with trees and upon the more elevated re- gions, which were few, that it was possible for men to live. PAST AXl) I'KRSENT Tall grasses that would scarcely permit a man to see above them when riding upon horse-back (the usual means of travel) grew nearlv all over this vast plain, and to travel from jilace to ])lacc during the rai- season it was necessary to cross miles of this semi-swamp land and horses had often to swim with their riders. To travel with the ordinarv wagon or vehicle was simply im- possible. The old canvas covered schooners were seldom seen by the early settlers, be- cause they ci^nld not be used. And the black loam form.ed from the luxurious de- caving vegetation of centuries was scarcely less penetrable than the water: a horse could scarcely walk through it. and the surface would tremble for several feet around when- ever a man or beast would attcm])t to travel upon it. Roads there were none and the trails led along the ridges and always sought the hiirhest eround. It was seriously thought most of the prairie land would never be taken up or cultivated as it was too wet. Therefore most of the early settlers located along the streams, and when they visited a neighbor in some other part of the county, they encountered all the perils of the navi- gator as well as tho.se of the cavalier, but it was not the elements of land or water that they feared. They were neither sailors nor soldiers, but they were boih. and the combination pro- duced another sort of being that had the hardihood and courage of both combined with the indomital)le pluck of an explorer in a new element. Had the north pole been .sought bv these earlv navigators in this new element of mud, it would certainly have been found; if there was no channel opened they would have opened one; if there was ice they would have produced a machine to navigfate it, or thev would have subdued and transformed the elements as the earl)- j^io- neers did in this county and created an ele- ment with Avhich they were familiar and then made that element subservient to the will of man. A machine to melt all the ice about the north pole would work no greater change than has been made in this county. These early settlers knew not how to use mud and so they transformed it into soil and reaped golden harvests. The Christian county pioneer has changed the nature rnid conditions of the soil and then reaped gold as a result. What Christian county was could never be guessed by what it is to-day. The great- ness and productiveness of this county is more the result of what was done 1)>- the pioneers than what is being done to-day. But these changes required a peculiar kind of man, and the circumstances created the man here as it always has and always will. The Christian county pioneer was a man of a peculiar type. He possessed all the qual- ities of the pioneers of the mountain fast- nesses, the solid plain, the rolling hill to]) and added to them the conqueror of land and sea, and beside that the new element which he has subdued and transformed into wealth. He has found the rich alhu ial mixture of land and water to be most precious, al- though simply Christian county mud. And it is of these pioneers and what they did that we would write. It is of these men, yellow-skinneci, ague-haunted, jx^orly clad, big-hearted, generous-minded, fearless pio- neers that have subdued both land and water we would tell. It is the chronicle of a generation that is almost gone, and these pages and others like them will soon be all that will be left to tell the story. And how difficult that story! Each of these men was self-contained. Each of them was sep- arated bv miles of almost inpenetrable CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 9 morass from their closest neighbor and were compelled to live nearly alone. None of them dreamed of the wealth upon which they trod. None of them knew that the quivering mire that they learned to navi- gate was worth as much pound for poiuid as the most valuable food and only needed subduing. To tell all of the deeds, many of which have never been recorded, would be impossible, but we can tell a few things — only a few — and we hope we may giA'C those who read, a slight impress of the early pioneers of one of the most valuable counties of the state. Truly these hardy men budded better than they knew. Early Settlement. Before entering upon a history of the set- tlement of this county it might be interest- ing to many of our readers to know that the locality now composing Christian county at one time belonged tO' the colony of Vir- ginia, and was included in the territory that was authorized by the act of 1783 of the Commonwealth of Virginia to be conveyed to the U. S., and on March i, 1784, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Hardy, Arthur Lee and James Monroe by virtue of the power vested in them by the commonwealth of Virginia conveyed to the government of the LI. S. all that part of the Virginia commonwealth "lying and being to^ the northwest of the river Ohio," which included a vast territory now composing many of the states of the Union, including Illinois. By an Act of Congress of May 7. 1800, this territory was again divided and it was enacted by Congress "that from and after the 4th day of July next all that part of the territory of the United States north- west of the Ohio river which lies west of the line beginning at the Ohio opposite the mouth of the Kentucky river and running thence to Fort Recovery; thence north until it shall intersect the territory line lietween the U. S. and Canada shall for the purpose of temporary government constitute a sep- arate territory and to be called the Indiana territory;" and by this name was this sec- tion of country known until February 3, 1809, at which time this territory was again divided, and on that date it was enacted by Congress "that from and after the first day of March next, all that part of the Indiana Territory which lies west of the Wabash river and a direct line drawn from said Wabash river and Post Vincennes due north to the territorial line between the U. S. and Canada shall for the purpose of temporary government constitute a sep- arate territory, and to be called Illinois!' and thereafter on April 18, t8i8, Congress passed an act authorizing the people of the Illinois territory to form a constitution and state srovernment for the admission of such state into the Union on an ecpial footing with the original states. This ordinance was adopted by the people of the Illinois territory on August 26, 18 18, at Kas- kaskia, in convention assembled; a formal ratification took place and a constitution known as "the constitution of 18 18" was adopted and became a fundamental law for the government of the people of the state of Illinois, and in this ordinance passed by Congress, the sections numbered 16 in every township, except where the same had been sold, and in that case other equivalent lands were granted to the state of Illinois, for the use of the inhabitants of such township for the use of schools. While it is true that the constitution had been adopted and the state organized, yet the settlements throughout the state were very few, in the locality composing Chris- tian county, there were in fact no settlers 10 PAST AND PRESENT to speak of. and this country was then occu- pied and nscd In- the In(hans as a luinting- ground, hut as locahties along- the W'aliash. Mississippi and llHnois rivers grew nK^rc tliickly populated, they gradually began to reach out into the more fertile prairies and localities of central Illinois. Some settle- ments had about this lime reached the bor- ders of Christian county and as these settle- ments advancefl. the Indians reluctantly but quickly yielded to the civilization of the white man. and as has been said in former histories of this county "they perished when they came in contact with our civilization almost as the hues of sunset wdien you look at them through the telescope; or as the odor of the rose vanishes while you attempt to analyze it. Before they could be studied as men or as nations, as families or as tribes, either by their traditions and litera- ture, by their customs and affinities, they had disappeared, or at least had been so degraded as to seem to have fallen below the level of even scientific observation." However mysterious may have been their origin, they certainly recorded but few events of their progress or want of progress while they occupied this beautiful land. The manners and customs of their ances- tors are but traditional ; any history of these early people must be at best uncertain, and few events, except the accidental ones re- corded by the white man in his pursuit of this foe of civilization in his attempt to lay a foundation, for the building up and sup- porting of a higher type of manhood are re- corded. Whatever may have been the nature of the first denizens of the soil of America, or of the inhabitants of those who preceded the white man, there certainly exists a dearth of records as to their customs, their govern- ment, their religion or their homes, if they had .-my, and as has been well said "a few mounds, some beads, a small variety of earthmade ware, stone hammers, implements for dressing skins and n(!W and then one of their own idols of religious wcjrship, to- gether with a few personal articles of luxury or dissipation or ornament, are all of their domestic or public life left to us. We find scattered in many parts of the country their gimlets, arrow heads, spear heads, saws, flesh scrapers, and hammers all made of stone, and demanding almost infinite patience for their manufacture. It seems a wonder that a people having power to concentrate the mind on such difficult work as shaping flint- stone should have been so barren in all the graceful and elevating arts. We alternately pity and despise them : admire their sublime stoicism and sicken at their cruelties; we praise their valor and denounce their sel- fishness. They gave us their country and left us none of their customs. \Ye use the maize wdiich they sometimes culturetl and stupefy ourselves wdth the smoke of tobacco, wdiich they taught us to consume. These are tlieir sole contributions to the ' world's progress in profit and comfort. Is it strange that we should forget them, or that we should readily persuade ourselves that such an idle unprogressive people should scarcely have a right which an enterprising, ambitious and needy race should respect? Their whole ideas, habits. Avants, aspirations and beliefs were so different from those of our race that we can scarcely arise to any sympathy wdth them or their interests. This portion of country was known in an early day as the "Black Hawk hunting ground, and was widely noted as a fine hunting region, (lame of all kinds was very al)undant." and many tribes gathered upon this hunting ground to hunt the Iniffialo and CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 11 (leer that roamed over and fed upon these lieaiitiful prairies. The whole hTe and energy of the Indian tribes who occupied this, as well as the great northwestern country, were devoid of all ac- quisitions for the future, destitute of all ideas o^f morality, their minds were barren and uncultured, except to prepare themselves for battling one with another. No pretensions of the cultivation of a higher and noljler part of man, no ideas of the beautiful or conceptions of their future welfare seem to have existed among them, and the poet has well said : "Lo, the poor Indian, wdiose untutored mind. Sees God in the clouds and hears him in the wind ; His soul, pr(xid science never taught to stray. So far as the solar walk or milky way.'' It seems that the Indian when not at war with the white man, admired him, seems to have recognized his superior ability and readily yielded his happy hunting ground to the strong arm of culture and civilization. It is said "even after a few of the settlers had located here, there still remained as resi- dents of the county a fragment of the Kick- apoo tribe; 'Basseina' the chief said this land was theirs ; that they had occupied the ter- ritory of South Fork 'more moons" ago than there are tracks of the buffalo upon the plain, or feathers upon the wild fowl's back." An amusing anecdote is related in con- nection with one of the pioneer settlers oi this county by the surveyor general when passing through this section in 1818; "he had formed the acc|uaintance of young Mar- tin Hanon, and wishing to play a joke- he went to the chief and told him Hanoii was about to enter some of the land he was measuring off, and that he wanted a wife; upon hearing this news the young scjuaws gathered around the young candidate for matrimonial honors as if they meant busi- ness. All of them wanted a white man 'if he would hunt" : the survevor relieved him- self of the difficulty by informing them, much to his regret, that Hanon was a 'poor hunter,' and so would make a sorry hus- band." The temptations for the settlement of most parts of Illinois, including this county, were great. The richness of the soil, the beauty of the country and the tales of pros- pective wealth existing here that were told to the people of the eastern and southern states were many and magnified, but these accounts of this wonderland worked like magic and caused many people to leave their homes for the settling up of this country. Many were the hardships endured by the early settler ; perhaps all of the hardships that were undergone will never be known, Init it is at least certain that many people came, but few remained. Many of them after reaching this prairie co'untry filled with malaria as it was, re- mained some of them six months and some perhaps a year, becoming discouraged by the many hardships endured, sickness and often death brought on by exposure, readily sacrificed their all to get out of this country and return to their native home. It is al- most impossible for the inhabitants of the present day to conceive of the sickly condi- tions, brought on principally by malaria, that existed upon these prairies at an early day, especially during the fall of the year. The writer well remembers that even as late as the year 1865 when this county had been partially broken out and to some ex- tent sulxlued, that during the fall of that year nearly every family and every member of the family ui)on the prairie between the 12 PAST AND IM^^ESENT South Fork and Ihe Chicago & Alton rail- road Avere more or less aftlicted with fever and ague which caused the people as a rule to have what was called "every other day chills," and in nearly every household these chills wmild conic upon alternate days, so that one niemher of the fruuii}- would miss to-day and chill to-morrow, and the sick of to-day would ;idminister to the wants of the sick tivmorrow. Quinine and other fever and ague reme- dies were in great demand and were sup- plitMl to this country by cart loads, and these remedies were e\'en more hitter and unpalat- able, if i>ossible. than "Kirk's Malarion" of this day. So great was the destruction of the health of many of the early settlers, so distressing this everlasting fever and ague that came upon many of the people, so dis- couraging was it to the father and mother to see their entire family afflicted with this dread disease, that in many cases valuable farms, partly paid for, were abandoned that they might return to their old home and health, and as much as they coveted the fer- tility of the soil of this great prairie, they could not endure the hardships. The most of the earlier settlements were made along the streams and on the higher lands, which was more beneficial to the health of the inhabitants; the prairies were subdued by the people who after becoming acclimated, gradually pushed out into the higher spots ujx^n the prairie lands. The lands most valuable of that day are tlie cheaper lands of to-day. These people were a great distance from market, for the products they raised ; they were compelled to drive their hogs to the markets of St. Louis or other places equall\- distant and haul their grain to these points, returning with wagons loaded with groceries and provisions. The generations of the earK- settlements of Christian county have practically all passed away, and it is impossible at this late date to gather very many of the incidents and anecdotes of the early settlement, ex- ce])t the few that ha\c been noted by some of the prior generations for the purpose ot being published, and in giving the incidents, anecdotes and customs of the early settle- ments, we have taken most of them from the notes and writings of Dr. Calvin Goudy, which we think will prove interesting to our readers. It is said by him "The first men of our race so far as is known whose glad eye looked upon the beautiful prairies of Illinois now embraced within the Ixnuid- aries of Christian county, w^ere a band of hunters and trappers, who left Vincennes in the fall of 1811 and following an In- dian trail traversing this county in a north- westerlv direction to the Illinois river and stopping for the winter at Peoria Lake to trap, hunt and fish. They were Frenchmen and belonged to the Mission at Vincennes. On their return trij5 the following spring, they were robbed of a portion of their furs and peltries and two of the members slain by the Indians. First Settlement and Ex\rly Settlements. "The honor of being the first white resi- dent of the country now comprised within the limits of Christian county belongs to Martin Hanon. He was a native of Ten- nessee, born in April, 1799. near the city of Nashville. He came to the territory of Illinois with his father. Michael Hanon, in the year 18 12, and settled in Gallatin county where he resided until his father's death in 1817. The year following his father's death, young Martin in charge of his mother CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 13 and family emigrated and settled in Chris- tian county in the fall of the year 1818. At first he pitched his tent on the south side of a large fallen tree; their meat in one end of the sack and their provisions in the other end were balanced in the crotch of a tree until a log cabin was extemporized. The scent of the meats soon attracted a pack of hungry wolves, and they were only kept at bay by occasionally throwing a hre brand in their midst." The wolves of that day, going in great bands as they fref|uently did, were very an- noying to the early settlers, sometimes at- tacking people, frequently attacking stock, especially after night. It is said by Mr. W. A. Goodrich that even as late as 1840, it w^as dangerous to cross the prairie after nioht between here and Mount Auliuru, es- pecially along about Buckhart Grove where the wolves were so numerous ; that they fre- quently attacked men upon horseback and one who was so unfortunate as to come in contact with a band of these ravenous wolves was indeed in great danger of losing his life. "Martin Hanon first settled and improved what afterw^ards was known as the Squire Council farm. John S. Sinnet, a brother- in-law of Hanon's and Claiborn Matthews with his family, Jacob Gragg, Eli Alexander and Kenchen 'the well digger" all came to and settled in the county November 21, 18 18, only a few days after Hanon. Their nearest neighbor in this county in 1820 was Ephraim Cooper, living on the north fork. Martin Hanon, realizing that it was not good for man to be alone, soon after im- proving his claim, determined to take unto himself a wife. He went down into Egypt, wooed and won one of the fair daughters of that land, and was married in Shawnee- town on the loth of October, 1823, to Miss Sallie Miller. Among the usual attractions presented on sucli occasions to^ his young bride was that he possessed on his farm 1,000 bearing apple trees; judge of her feel- ings when on reaching her new home, of which she had become joint proprietor, her husband directed her attention to^ 10 acres of thrifty crab apple trees. Yonng Hanon's wife proved to he a thrifty, industrious woman ; she frequently delighted in tell- ing how she spun her dozen cuts of yarn in a day, and at the same time performed her other household duties. "The walls of her cabin home w^ere lined with numerons bundles of spun yarn and flax, which she wove into cloth, using a part to clothe the family and bartering the bal- ance for articles of household use at the store. "Calico at that time cost 37^/2 cts. per yard," 1>ut it should be remembered that a lady dressed in calico in that day with a poke-bonnet in a newly settled conntry was equallv as nicely dressed and as gayly at- tired as the lady of to-day attired in silk and an umbrella hat. "There were no educational facilities in the territory when Hanon was a boy, and his education was consequently limited. For a short time he attended a school taught by Timothy Rogers, on Horse Creek in Sanga- mon county ; Eli Matthews and James Fun- derbm-k, formerly of this county, were his classmates ; the schoolhonse was a regnlarly built cabin with paper windows, and one end open, forming a huge fireplace; this is said to have been the second school taught in that (Sangamon) county. It is related that Hanon was very fond of attending all the rail maulings and corn shuckings far and near; he was a lover of athletic sports and he and Moses H. Brents w^ere accounted the most popular gallants of 14 PAST AND ['RESENT tlie (lay. They often extended their tours far into tlic lv)clK'stcr prairie until wilhin hailing- distance of the cajjital of the state. Martin was one of the hest hunters of that day. On one occasion John S. Sinnet, Jake (--rag-g- and himself were out hunting. Sinnet wandered off and hecame lost from his companions.. They came across three Indians, which mo\-ed tliem to hunt for Sinnctt ; the In- dians followed close upon them: they stopped and dismounted, so did the Indians; Hanon, not being well ac(|uainted with the Indian character, became somewhat alarmed at their strange actions; they examined their guns, and picked their flints; and the In- dians did likewise; Gragg then, in a threat- ening manner, ordered them to "puckachee" (that is. light out), and they did. Gragg turned to Hancjn and said, if Sinnett had been present, he would have shot one of the Indians ; it was the opinion of Hanon that they made a narrow escape. In that day Indians were quite numerous in this ])art of the country. On one occa- sion, while Hanon was out hunting alone, he saw a number of them on the banks of South Fork -near the old Elgan mill, they had killed 68 musk rats and were skinning and eating them. In one of his hunting ex- cursions, about the year 1825, when skirt- ing the timber 'west of Taylorville, he killed a panther, near 1)y a small stream, which measured 9 feet from top of the nose to end of the tail; this circumstance caused the stream to lie called Panther Creek, l)y which name it has been known to this day. During the '"deep snow," he in company wdth Vandeveer and three or four others of the "Richardson settlement." in South Fork .started for 0"P)anning's horse-mill, then located on a farm about three miles northeast of Taylorville (at that day the lat- ter ])lacc did not exist) ; they made a bee line, ])assing through the prairie north of the present county seat; Vandeveer had a horse and the others ox teams; they had to l.rerik the snuw ahead, thus making poor headwa}-. They finally abandoned their wagons, placing the sacks on the backs of the oxen and mounting on top of them, re- sumed their journey ; -VandeN-eer ha\ing a horse pushed through first, and when night came, built signal fires to guide the others; they all battled their way through that night, hut suffered much from the intense cold. Many such hardships did the pioneers hnve to brave in securing a subsistence. The summer following the "deep snow" there was frost during every month, rendering the corn raised unfit for seed ; Hanon gave a yearling heifer for one bushel of old seed corn in the spring of 1832. It was that spring that the steamboat (Talisman) as- cended the Sangamon ri^•er to Springfield w'ith a cargo of corn; it sold readily for $2.50 and $3 per bushel for seed corn. In the year 1826, Hanon l)uilt a cabin and lived in it a sh.ort time on the west side of Spring Branch., where afterwards stood the old "Forest Mill," south of Taylorville; he returned again as a resident of South Fork. In 1834 he ]nnxhased an interest in the "Knuckols and ^^'allace" water mill, after- wards more familiarly known as the "Elgan mill." Fie moved his family and settled on the hanks of the Sangamon near the mill. It was here his aged mother died in 1838. Soon after this sad event, he sold out his interest in the mill to Jesse Elgan^ and in 1839 settled permanently on his farm, five miles northwest of Taylorville; it was on the north side of Horseshoe prairie, lately owned by Josiah A. Hill. On this farm he resided nearly a (juarter of a century ; here CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 15 his aged partner died on the 28th of May, 1862; she was l)uried in Horseshoe grave- yard. He had a family of 1 1 children ; after the death of liis wife, the children having grown up and gone to houses of their own, he sold tlie old homestead and retired from the active cares of life. Mr. Hanon w-as a man of fine physical development and con- stitution, and was highly respected for his many virtues. The latter years of his life were spent with his daughter, Mrs. Mason, of Sharpsburg, this county, where he died A|)ril 5, 1879, t'''^is ending a most eventful life; he would have been 80 years old dur- ing that UK^nth. Captain Jesse Hanon, Jr., is the oldest son of Martin Hanon, the first settler. He was 1)orn in this state and is now^ a resident of Clay county. As mentioned above, Hanon's brother-in- law, John S. Sinnett, Claiborn Matthews with his family, Eli Alexander and Ken- chen Matthews, his sons and Jacoli Gragg all came and settled in the county soon after Hanon's arrival, the exact time of the ar- rival of these parties seems to be uncertain. Some circumstances indicate their arrival in 1 8 18, and others in 18 19, but from the best information obtainable, they arrived late in the fall of 18 18, and a short time after Martin Hanon settled, as has been stated. John S. Sinnett was a native of Lexing- ton, Kentucky, born March 10, 1796. When three years of age, his father moved to Missouri, where yoiing Sinnett remained until the w^ar of 1812; he enlisted, and served his term in that w-ar, and was hon- orably discharged. Soon after leaving the army, he came to Illinois, then a territory. In the year 18 18, he w'as married to Miss Rhoda Hanon, a sister of Martin Hanon. Soon after this event they settled in what is' now Christian county; he located on land now including the southeastern part of Tay- lor\'iIle. built a cabin on the east side of the old fair grounds spring in 1826. He sold this to Col. Thomas S. Young in 1829, and built another in the ravine a little southeast of what is now^ the junction of the B. & O. and Wabash R. R. ; Mary Sinnett, daughter of John Sinnett, was the first white child born in this county ; her birth occurred early in 1820. On the 8th of March, 1840, he moved from Christian to Tazewell county, where he resided until his death, January 13, 1872, in the 76th year of his age. Sinnett w^as twice married; the second time to a Miss Elizabeth Perdue; he had 10 children by his first wdfe and three by the last one. He was a great hunter; Mr. Sin- nett was a member of the Methodist church over 50 years and died in that faith ; he was a member of the Pioneer M. E. church of this county, w hicli held its meetings at John Brents' and Father Young's. Of the early history of Jacob Gragg, bet- ter known as Jake Gragg and the "tall man," there is Init little known. He was a ranger in the war of 1812; at one time, dur- ing the war, he, w-ith others, were taken prisoners by the Indians ; some were in- stantly killed and others were reserved for more severe torture; Gragg used to tell that he successfully ran the gauntlet from one end to the other without receiving serious injury. This secured his safety and he sub- sequently escaped. Gragg first settled in Illinois in 1803 near Troy, in Madison county, and afterward squatted on the place owned by Martin Hanon on Horseshoe Prairie in Christian county ; he, too, was a celebrated hunter, and with Martin Hanon and John vS. Sinnett hunted tb.e deer and the honey of the wild bee in the forest. Alexander Matthews was a native of 16 PAST AND PRESENT Tennessee; was the son of Claiborn Mat- thews and one of the first settlers in the county ; his mother's maiden name was Moore; his father and mother were natives of North CaroHna : they were married in that state and emigrated to Tennessee, thence to Ilh'nois in 1817. They first located in the sontliern part of the State and when Alexander was about five years of age his parents settled in this county. They settled in what is now South Eork township, near the stream known by that name. • He died many years ago. at his home in this county, having resided here ever since he was of the age of five vears; he was twice married and raised a family of four children and served as Justice of tlie Peace in the town of Buckhart. At the time of his death he left a large circle ot triends and accjuaintances. The Brents family were an old pioneer family in this county, settled here in 1820. William C. Brents w^as born in Livingston county, Kentucky, in 18 14, and came to this county with his w^idowed mother and family wdien about six years of age. They settled and improved a farm about five miles northwest of Taylorville in 1824. The fam- ily removed to the farm half a mile south of Taylorville. where ^^'illiam C. died Feb- 3. 1861. at the age of 47 years. Many of the old settlers remember the old Brents' cabin and its hospitable inmates, all of whom have passed away. William C. Brents was held in high esteem and was the recip- ient of several offices of trust : he was sev- eral times elected as constable and served as Sheriff in 1854-5; he was generous to a fault; the latch string of his house was al- ways out and many a one he aided and suc- cored in time of need. His brothers, Simeon and John, came here at the same time; the latter owned and made the first improve- ments on the Hall farm, two miles east of Taylorville, before the deep snow in 1830. He sold out in 1834 to Jesse Langley and returned to Kentucky. In 1831 the first Methodist meeting in Taylorville township was held at his house. Joshua, Simeon and Moses Brents were in the Black Hawk war; Simeon was married Nov. 19. 1839, to Miss Mary W. Blalock. at the residence of Mor- gan Goode, J. P. ; this was tlie first marriage in Taylorville. The land on which Taylorville is located was entered by Daniel C. Goode in 1835; Goode was a Kentuckian by birth; he set- tled in Horseshoe Prairie, this county, in 1 82 1 ; was a resident of Sangamon county as early as 1819. Daniel C. Goode was a true type of the j:)ioneer: in person, he was portly and erect, his l)earing noble and com- manding, his forehead high and broad, his features regular, expressive, strong and masculine. Pie was possessed of many marked traits of character, firm, decided and uncompromising in liis own views, he quailed at no danger; a warm friend, a bit- ter enemy. He was what might be termed a pioneer statesman. His judgment of men and things was good; in ix)litics, he was a Democrat and maintained the doctrines of the party without fear, and exercised a great influence at elections. He was also a great hunter, and fond of sport; he assisted in raising the first log house in Springfield. It was often his custom to wear a buckskin hunting shirt and breeches. He died March 28, 1845. and was buried at the root of a tree on his farm that he had selected as his last resting place. Miss Hannah Hanon, a sister of Martin Hanon, married Samuel Miller in Ken- tuckv. They emigrated to this State in the fall of 1823, and settled in South Fork township on a farm near Elgan's mill ; Miller died in 1833. E. .\. Miller is a son CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 17 of Samuel Miller, and the only living mem- ber of the family, and now resides in Tay- lorville; he was born and raised in this county. Samuel Wyodick, a native of Penn- sylvania, emigrated and settled on the Flat Branch in Prairieton townshijj in 1824; he was about the first white man in that sec- tion, coming one 3'ear before his nearest neip-hbor. Peter R. Ketcham, who settled about six miles lielow him. Game was then so plentiful in that section tliat he often stood in his cabin door and shot the deer. He was a soldier in the war of 18 12 and also in the Black Hawk war. At seeing the sol- diers mustered for the contest of the late civil war. his neart was fireu with all the patriotic spirit of old; he joined Captain Long's Company in August, 1861, and marched to Decatur; the "boys in blue" had gTeat respect for the aged veteran ; so ro- bust and active was he that he passed muster easily, giving his age at J i — though 81 years old — at Camp Pugh, Decatur. His company formed a part of Colonel Pugh's regiment, which marched to .St. Louis the same week. A correspondent says of him : "He endured the hardships incident to the tented field with as much bravery and spirit as did his more youthful companions in arms." He died in his country's service, in St. Louis, April 22, 1862, at the ripe age of 82 years. This was a remarkable man, thus to have served his country in three wars so- far apart, and died in the country's service at the age he did. Thomas Dawson was a pioneer settler of this county, and built the first cog mill in this section of the country on the Dixon Hall farm, now owned by W. M. Wally. Daniel Miller was a man familiarly known to the early settlers and is well re- membered by those who ha\T survived ; he, like many of our pioneers, was a self-made man and arose to considerable prominence in the county. He was born in Kentucky in 1 8 18, and at tlie age of five years, came with his father's family to this county, set- tling in South Fork township in 1823. His early years were spent on his father's farm, devoting his leisure hours to writing and study. He attended school about four months in all; was a pupil of Elijah Hanon ( a brother of Martin Hanon ) , who taught the first school in Christian county in 1827. in a log caljin two- miles northeast of Tay-" lorville. After this, he built a small cabin on the Reese farm in South Fork, below Squire Council's old homestead, where, in 1828, he mastered arithmetic and made progress in other studies. At the early age of 17, he taught school; took an active part in the formation of the county; under the non de plume of "East Sangamon" he wrote and published in the Springfield Republican several able articles advocating the division of Sangamon county, and in 1843 he was elected Constable of South Fork precinct; also served for a time as Treasurer of the school fund. Soon after the location of Taylorville he made it his place of resi- dence; was elected county school coinmis- sioner Aug. 4, 1845, without opposition. At one time served as deputy sheriff, was ad- mitted to the bar in this county and as a practicing attorney received a liberal share of the cases in court. In August, 1847, he was elected County Clerk for a term of four years, but died the following year, Nov. 9, 1848. Gabriel McKinzie was born in j 797 and died in Taylorville Oct. 22, 1862; he settled in this county at an early day; was a great fiddler and played for all the dances and frolics ol this part .of the country, and helped the young people to break the mo- notony of 'a pioneer life and enjoy the inno- IS PAST AXJ) I'RESExXT cent .imusenienls that the CiHiiUrv then af- forded. R. Preston Lanoley came to this county in 1831 ; resided on a place owned hy him in Horseshoe Prairie for more tlian 50 years, where he (hed at a ripe old at^e : lie was the brotlier of Jesse, Josiah and 'Jdiomas Lang- ley. Another old pioneer was Jesse Mnrpliy; he came here in 18J9 and sojourned for a short time in Horseshoe Prairie; taught school in 1831. about two miles west of Taylorville. We will here gi\e a passing notice of a few of the other early settlers who lived in close ])roximity to Horseshoe: among the numl)er was John B. Pitman, father of Mrs. R. P. Langiey; he was born in Ireland in 1776; came to A.merica and settled in Chris- tian county in 1830 and died in 1834. He lived and died on Clear Creek, one mile north of Horseshoe. Thomas Jones and family lived one mile west of Pitman's in 1829 and moved to Missouri in 1840. Joseph Denton, father of Isaac Denton, lived on Clear Creek, before the "deep snow," and not far distant from Horseshoe. In 1824, Solomon Meade and his brother Joseph came to tliis county and first located below "Elgan's mill," in South Fork Town- ship, where they lived a few years, then moved to Bear Creek. Solomon died Dec. 12, 1 87 1, at the age of 90 years and up- wards, and was buried in the Catholic ceme- tery on Bear Creek. The Young family emigrated from Ken- tucky to Christian county in 1825, and con- sisted of "Old Johnny Young," his sons, William (father of Peter Cartwright Young), Ezekiel, commonly called "Black Zeke," and Jarret, all came together. The father, John Young, settled and improved the John S. Fraley farm, four miles east of Taylorville. where he died in 1834. His son, Thomas, familiarly known as "15ig Tommy Young," came here in 1829, purchased a sm:ill improved claim and set- tled on it. which was a short distance south of the R. P. Langiey place on Horseshoe Prairie. He was celebrated for breeding fine hogs and also keeping the best stock in the country. Jarret Young was only 14 years of age wh.en he came with his parents to this coun- try. "Old Field Jar^'is" is well remembered by man}- of the older settlers ; he came here in 1825; was tall in stature, often had to stoop to pass through the doors of many of the cabins, and when within not infre- (juently his head would be above the loft. On one occasion, when thus situated, he asked "who lives here?" The lady of the cabin replied, "come down and see." Peter and Christopher Ketchum were na- tives of Alabama. Peter Ketchum was born about 1805, and at the age of 20, came to this county and settled on Flat Branch, about 18 miles northeast of Taylorville in 1825 ; was one of the early settlers in that part of the county ; was a Methodist minis- ter, and is said to have organized the first M. E. church in the county in 1828, at his own residence, where meetings w-ere held for a number of years. He was elected Justice of the Peace for Buckhart precinct (Sangamon county) in 1835, and re-elected in 1839. after the organization of Christian. He administered the oath to the commis- sioners selected to locate the county seat of Christian at the town of ^Mlenton before they located Taylorville as the county seat; was elected a member of the County Com- missioners' Court, Aug. 4, 1845, and his son. Green B. Ketchum, was elected Coro- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ]9 ner of the county in 1844. Before the Civil war the family moved to Texas, where most of tliem were killed by Indians; his brother Christopher, who came to the county with him, improved a farm adjoining where he resided until his death. It is said that Isaac Ketchum (whether of this family or not) moved to Alton, Illinois, and there formed a partnership with Unah Cheatam, and they displayed the novel sign of 'T. Ketcham and U. Cheatam," which was certainly very at- tractive. William S. Ricks, a native of Kentucky, came to Illinois in the spring of 1835 and settled on Bear Creek ; he was a prominent character in the organization of the county ; was the first Sheriff of Christian county, and represented this county in the legisla- ture in 1844, and filled many other positions of honor and trust. He had great confidence in the future of the county, and did much to encourage his many friends and early pioneers to remain here as permanent settlers. There was born to him II children; prominent among whom was the late Hon. John B. Ricks, William S. Ricks, N. D. Ricks and Richard S. Ricks, one of the early members of the Taylorville bar, and was the grandfather of the Hon. James B. Ricks, now Justice of the Supreme Court of this state. He subsequently moved to Sangamon county, where he died March 7> 1873. Martin Miller, a native of Kentucky, born Oct. 6, 1820, came to the territory now embraced within this county when only five years old, in company with his father. He was one of the pupils of the first school taught in the county, by Elijah Hanoii in a log house, twO' miles east of Taylorville. William Wallace, a native of North Caro- lina, emigrated with his wife tO' Sangamon county in 18 19, from which place he moved to this county in the fall of 1825, and upon a small farm, one mile east of Taylorville, Mr. Wallace died on his farm, Dec. 6, 1844. A hardy old pioneer was John Durbin, better known as "Stumpy John." He, with his sons, John Z., Josephus and Leonard emigrated from Kentucky in 1828, and pitched their tent in the "Richardson settle- ment," lower South Fork precinct. He died in 1 83 1 and was buried on Bear Creek. The year they came, 1828, was the excit- ing presidential contest between General Jackson and John Quincy Adams, and John Z. Durbin walked all the way to Spring-field and cast his first vote for the old hero of New Orleans. He raised fine crops of flax and cotton in 182Q. It is said that John Z. was the first person married in Christian county. He was quite a hunter in his younger days; many wolves and deer have been brought to grief by his trusty rifle; was at one time proprietor of the "Durbin- Owaneco" business house on the county road from Pana to Taylorville. Jesse Langley was born in Kentucky April 18, 1796; emigrated to this county in 1828 ; purchased and settled on a small im- provement made by a Mr. Armstrong on the south side of Horseshoe, about 6 miles west of Taylorville. In 1834, he moved to and improved the place formerly occupied by John Brents, one and a half miles east of Taylorville (now known as the Dalby place), where he set- tled permanently; here he erected a horse- mill and built a distillery in 1837. He often wore the garb so common with pioneers, a seal-skin cap, buckskin hunting shirt and breeches; he died March 4, 1S47, ^t 51 years. In 1827 William George, a native of Vir- ginia, emigrated to this county and settled in Buckhart township, a few miles north of 20 PAST AND PRESENT Edinburg. He died soon after he had lo- eated there in the same year, aged 94 years, lie had a family of six children, three 1)oys and three girls; his son. John (leorge, was 8 years of age when he came to tliis connty with his father, and has since tliat time re- sided in this connty, except a few years that lie lived in the state of Kansas. During a great portion of this time he lived on his farm in Ihickhart; in 1874 he moxed to Taylorville and subsequently j)urchased an interest in a tloui" mill in Pana, which burned down in 1875. In ccjnnection with W. T. Minnis, the mill was red)uilt and went into operation in I'ebruary, 1876. During the latter part of his life he lived in Edinburg, where he died a few years ago. James Baker, father of W. T. Baker, a Kentuckian by birth, came here in 1828 and settled in Mt. Auburn township. He built a saw-mill on the north fork of the Sanga- mon ri\er, familiarly known as Baker's mill: was a constable and Justice of the Peace for many years; also took great inter- est in all agricultural movements and intro- duced some of the first thoroughlired stock in the ccnuity ; was an industrious farmer, good citizen and a kind neighbor; died at the advanced age of 82 years, on the 4th of Feliruary, 1869. His wife died three years later, at the age of 82 years. 1die first settlement of the I'ear Creek region of the county began in 1829; three families, Squire Joseph P. Durbin, a native of Kentucky; Nathaniel Painter, and Old Grandfather Durbin, all came together in one wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen, and settled near each other on Bear Creek. They suffered many hardships incident to the pio- neer ; were compelled to go 30 or 40 miles to mill and to do their trading. Squire Dur- bin dressed a pair of mill-stones and con- structed a rude horse-mill which did good ser\ice during the "deep snow;" was Justice of the Peace for many years; first elected in y\ugust, 1835, '^1- which time that locality was a i)art of Montgomery county. In 1850, he moxed to Locust township, and settled one mile south of Ovvaneeo, where be continued to live until his death, Oct. 5, 1875. At one time there was a large con- nection of the Durbin family lixing in this county; they were nearly all adherents of the Roman Catholic religion, and they looked u]) to the Esquire as a kind of spirit- urd father and adviser, in the absence of a priest. He was the father of Hiram Dur- bin. a prominent man of the county at the ])resent time. The Richardsons all came from Christian County, Kentucky, and formed what has been known as the "Richardson Settlement" in 1829. Isaac Richardson, Jr., came with his parents to this county; lost his arm by accident in a threshing machine. He was a member of the firm of Amos Richardson & Bro., in the dry-goods business in Taylor- ville at the time of his death, Jan. 19, 1851 ; he was a bachelor. William Richardson, brother of Robert Richardson, was a native of North Caro- lina; emigrated to Kentucky and from there, with his brother, to this county in 1829, and settled on the east side of the prairie. His wife's name was Jemima Richardson; they had nine children born to them. Isaac Richardson, Sr., died Jan. 18, 1872; Harvey Richardson died May 10, 1873. These two brothers lived about a nnle northwest of "Ralston's Bridge," and both lie buried in the old b^inley graveyard. Robert Richardson, a native of North Carolina, born July 3, 1785, married a Miss Elizabeth West in 1805; emigrated to Ken- tuckv in i8o<; and from there to Illinois in 1829; settled on a farm ten miles west of CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 21 Taylorville, where he Hvecl until his death, Nov. 17, 1855. His farm was on the west side of the nrairie, and his brother Wihiam's on the east ; they both had large families and many of their descendants are still living in the county. Robert was a great friend and supporter of religion, and through his energies a Methodist society was organized at an early date. Services were held in the school-house near b}- until the erection of a new house of worship ; it is now known as the Bethany M. E. church. When he arrived in this count}'. South Fork had but few inhabitants; he put up a double log house with an entr}' Ijetween late in the fall and c^id not get time to make doors, but hung up quilts instead, which afforded poor protection against the cold winds and drifting snow. Amos Richardson was born in Ken- tucky Nov. 6, 181 1 : was married in Sanga- mon county and had a large family born to him ; he held several offices in the county ; was elected Constable Aug. 5, 1839; was the first Deputy Sheriff in 1839; was elected Sheriff Aug. i. 1842, and a member of the County Court Nov. 6, 1849; ^^'^s an active member of the Methodist church, a good citizen and highly esteemed for his moral v.'orth; died in Taylorville Nov. i, 1852. He was the father of I. W. Richardson, at present a merchant in Taylorville. Jesse Richardson lived on a farm near his father for many years, but subsequently moved to Taylorville; he came with his par- ents to the county in 1829; was never mar- ried; he was elected County Treasurer in 1849, ^"d died Sept. 23, 1855. James Minnis came to this county also in 1829 and settled and improved a farm on "Horseshoe Prairie," six miles northwest of Taylorville, where he died in i860. His wife survived him until 1873; they had 10 children, some of whom are still living. Shadrick J. Campbell was a veteran of the war of 1812, and a soldier of the Black Hawk war ; was born in East Tennessee and emigrated early in the fall of 1829 with his family to this county, and settled on Section 3, Township 14, 3 West. The South Park timber projected out into the prairie at his place, and it took the name of "Campbell's Point," by which it was familiarly kno\\n for years; soon after his settlement, he was elected a Justice of the Peace, probably in 1831 ; he held that office until his death in 1836. He was a candidate for the legislature, w-hich then held its ses- sions in Vandalia, but was defeated by only one vote. His wife, known as "Aunt Milla," was a noble, self-sacrificing, kind and hospitable woman and survived him over 33 years. Col. Thomas S., Marcus L., and John Young, natives of Kentucky, all came to this county in 1829 and settled on Flat Branch, south of Taylorville. John Finley, his w'ife and son Andy, na- tives of Kentucky, moved to this county the same year; Andy was a great deer hunter. Je treating him fairly, so much so that this indulgence fre- quently permitted men to take undue ad- vantages and in protecting his own rights frequently brought upon him criticisms that were in many instances unjust. His name became a household word in this county; he was called by those who knew him inti- mately by the name of "Horatio" or "Rash" Vandeveer, and to this day he has many namesakes in the county. H. M. Vande- veer was a native of Indiana, born in Wash- ington county, March i, 1816; his father, Aaron Vandeveer, removed to Sangamon county. 111., in the fall of 1829, and im- proved a farm on Horse Creek. Here the Judge lived until the age of 21 years with his father, most of the time laboring on the farm ; he attended a pioneer log-cabin school about three months; most of his education was acquired during his hours of leisure, at night and at other convenient times, which he never failed to improve. His taste for reading and study of books was ac- quired at an early day in life, and his in- dustry and ability attracted the attention of the Hon. John T. Stewart of Springfield, who tendered him the use of his law library, h\ means of wdiich he acquired some knowl- edge of the law. In 1836, he taught school CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 25 in a log cabin on Andy Finlev's farm, about 12 miles west oi Taylorville. In time be was admitted to the practice of law and soon became prominent in the profession. For many years and up to tbe time he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court, was the leading lawyer of tbe county, always employed upon one side or the other of every case that came up before the courts for investigation, and so prominent did he become that a litigant felt sure of winning his case if he could only secure the services of "Rash Vandeveer." Mr. Vandeveer par- ticipated in the organization of the county, and at the first election held on the first of April, 1839, was elected County Recorder; a few days later was appointed by the Co'Unt}^ Court as School Commissioner. June ist of the same year was appointed by Judge Treat Clerk of the Circuit Court, which office he held for many years. He was elected a member of the House of Rep- resentatives in 1842 over ]\lartin White, the former representative, and Henry T. Lucket. both popular men. On his return home, at the close of the session, 1843, ^^^ '^^''^^ re- appointed Clerk of the Circuit Ccurt and was the same year elected Justice, and sub- secjuently appointed postmaster at Taylor- ville, and it has been said of Judg'e Vande- veer by the early settlers that at one time he held all of the offices of the county, and while this may not be strictly true, it is cer- tain he did hold many of the important of- fices at the same time. In 1846 he answ^ered to the first call of his country and raised a company of sol- diers for the Mexican war, and was elected its Captain, but the company was rejected by the Governor, as the call of the govern- ment had been filled ; he was shortly after- wards appointed by President Polk as .As- sistant Quartermaster in the United States army, with the rank of Captain, and served in that position in the Mexican war. Upon his return home, he was oue of the promi- nent candidates for Congress, but withdrew his name. He had been twice elected as County Judge of the county ; in i860 was again returned to the legislature, and two years later was elected to the State Senate, and while in the State Senate he showed liimself to be the peer of any in that 1)ody. The writer has read with pleasure one of the speeches delivered by him while in that body, and it certainly was a remarkable ef- fort, and one of which his constituents could \vell be proud. In the fall of 1870 he was elected Judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit, to fill the unex- [jired term of Judge E. Y. Rice, and again in 1873, which position he held for a term of nine years, l)ut owing to the great pres- sure of his private business he refused re- election. In politics he was a stanch Demo- crat, and no resident of the county has ever enjoyed the confidence of the people more than did Judge Vandeveer. James Funderburk came to Christian county in the spring of 1836 and settled two miles west of Taylorville, where he re- sided until about 15 years ago, when he sold his farm and moved to Kansas; his father, Henry Funderl)urk, came from Ten- nessee to this state in 18 15, and settled first on "Turkey Hill," in St. Clair County, where he resided for t^^'0 years and moved to Sangamon county in the spring of 181 7 and settled on Horse Creek, built a cabin and raised a crop that year, with the assist- ance of William Nelson. He was probably the first settler in that part of Sangamon county, and probably raised the first crop in that part of the county and was among the earliest settlers of the countv. His son 26 PAST AND PRESENT James was quite young wlien his father moved to this state. James R. Lucas also came to Christian county in 1836 and first located on the west side of Elat Branch tinil)cr. \vlierc he lived ahout the years, when he moved to Taylor- ville in April. 1840. He was the first land- lord of the "Lucas Tavern." afterwards known as the "City Hotel." and located on the north side of the square where the Jayne & Cheney huilding now stands. Lucas was horn in Tennessee. Oct. 7. 1807, and came with his father, Edward Lucas, to Sangamon c(^unty, and settled on Horse Creek in 1827. He was married to Miss Elizahetli M. Harris, daughter of Isaac Harris, in 1828. V.r. Lucas was elected the first constahle in Taylorville pre- cinct, after the organization of the county ; he died June 2. 1862. Frederick Hammer was also a prominent settler in 1836; he lived to an advanced age and died Nov. 26, 1866. James Waddell. an old settler, settled upon and improved a farm now adjacent to Taylorville; he died on this place and the farm passed into the hands of James Young. Lewis H. Jernigan was lx)rn in Tennessee in 1S08: emigrated to this county and set- tled on Bear Creek in the year 1836; was married in Tennessee to Miss Sallie Currie. They came to this country in wagons drawn by oxen. Isaac Harris, a native of Nashville, Tenn.. was born in 1780; married to ]\Iiss Rhoda Parker of \'irginia in 1802. and emigrated to Sangamon county, Illinois, in December, 1820; moved to Christian county in the fall of 1836; located and improved a farm four miles east of Taylorville where he spent the remainder of his years. Among others who came to this county during the year 1836 were Ellington Adams, a native of Kentucky, who emigrated with his family and settled and improved a farm on the ridge five miles above Stonington; Hiram Walker, a native of Virginia, pur- chased and located on a farm six miles northeast of Taylorville, near the Flat Branch timber; Rev. Isaac Haines, a native of Virginia, born in 1809, emigrated to this State and preached for two years, 1836-7, on the Buckhart Circuit. He was highly esteemed for his many Christian virtues. Died in September. 1838, and left descend- ants residing in this county. Henry Dickerson came also in the spring of this year. He served as Constable and Justice of the Peace in Taylorville precinct for many years and died in Johnson town- ship. He was a man of strong convictions and had the nerve to follow them. At one time when summoned to serve upon the jury in Circuit Court he refused to serve and ]mblicly stated that he would not serve be- cause "there were two murderers on the jurv and he would not serve with them." He was excused. Judge \\'m. S. Frink figures prominently in the early history of this county; was born in Connecticut in December, 1790; moved with his father to Stonington, Conn., where he lived until he was forty-one years old; in 183-1, he went to New York City, where he engaged in business for three years; in May, 1837, he with his family emigrated to this state and settled at Allen- ton in this county, where he resided until January, 1853, when he moved to Taylor- ville: he was a soldier of the war of 18 12. He took quite .an active part in the organi- zation of the county, and by his efforts as much as any one else, was due the acqui- sition of the towns of Pana, Assumption and Prairieton to Christian county; he was elected Probate Judge Aug. 7, 1843, for a CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 27 term of four years, and it is said that on Court days, the Judge would be seen enter- ing town with the archives of the office in a basket on his arm; he also held other posi- tions of honor and trust ; he resided in Tay- lorville until his death, which occurred about sixteen years ago. He lived to the ripe old age of ninety-seven and was much honored and respected by all who knew him. Wm. L. Hammer, who recently died at Decatur, was also one of the pioneer settlers oi this county; he was born in Kentucky, Nov. 2, 1817, and at the age of ten years, emigrated with his father to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1827, where he lived until the spring of 1837; ^^ this date he re- moved with his father and family and set- tled on the Flat Branch in Prairieton town- ship. At the first general election held after the organization of the county in August, 1839, 1^^ was elected Constable of Stoning- ton precinct and was selected as bailiff of the grand jury at the first term of the Cir- cuit Court. It held its session in the open air where the present brick jail now stands. He served as Deputy Sheriff in 1844, and in 1846 was elected Sheriff. He was politically a Whig, and was very popular and influ- ential in that party. October 11, 1853, he was married in Taylorville to Miss Isabella East. In December, 1854, they moved to Decatur, where he held manv positions of honor and trust, and resided there until the time of his death, which occurred about two years ago. In 1837, Thomas P. Chapman came to this county, and joined the Stonington col- ony at Old Stonington, where he continued to live until his death, Jan. 16, 1867, at the ripe age of 75. He was born in Stonjngton, Conn., Sept. 12, 1791. He served his coun- try in the war of 18 12 in the capacity of ■ drummer boy. In early days he was a strong Democrat. Upon meeting a new ac- Cjuaintance, a familiar question with him is said to have been, "Be you a Whig or a Democrat?" liis strong patriotic feelings led him, during the late rebellion, to be a "War Democrat,'' which culminated in his becoming a Republican and voting for Abra- ham Lincoln for President in 1864. On the formation of the county in 1839, he was chosen one of the first members of the Court, which station he filled with honor to him- self and credit to his constituency. To his industry and perseverance, the citizens of Stonington settlement were much indebted for the establishing of a post office in their midst;, he was first postmaster and carried the mails weekly to and from Taylorville on horseback ; he held several offices of trust, and was extensively known throughout the county and highly esteemed for his many social virtues. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and at his death was buried with Masonic honors. Nicholas Sanders was a native of Rhode Island; born April 7, 1805; emigrated to Christian county in the spring of 1837, and improved a farm on Flat Branch ; he opened a store of general merchandise at this point in March, 1852, and remained in business for 16 years; his store formed the nucleus of the town called Sandersville in Stoning- ton township. Among others who came tO' this county this year, were Elijah Behymer, a native of Virginia; Presley Peak, born in Ken- tucky; Rev. Paris Pray of Connecticut; John Hill, Sr., from Kentucky, with his sons, James H., Terry and Gabriel; and Thomas S. Leachman, also from Kentucky. Among others who came tO' this county in 1838 were Joseph A. Hailey of Kentucky, S. B. Sheldon of Massachusetts, Frank Haines and James Ferguson of Virginia. 28 PAST AND PRESENT Diirinj^ the year 1839 the coiint\- was organ- i^ed and there was a great itilhix of popu- lation. Prominent among tliosc wlio ar- rived at this date were Morgan ( ioode, at one lime County Treasurer; Win. Margis. a Kenluckian; Joel Traylor, a nali\e of South Carolina, an itable waste, they builded better than they knew, and we have for them the profoundest respect and admiration, and take pleasure in expressing it. The Organiz.\tion and Growth of Christian County. In the year 1839, the legislature of the State of Illinois, then in session at \^andalia. created Dane County under an act entitled "An act to establish the County of Dane," .and this act gave the boundaries of the CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 31 county as "all that tract of country lying within the following boundaries, to-wit : Beginning where the third principal merid- ian crosses the north fork of the Sangamon river; thence down said river to- the line between Sections Nine and Ten, in Town- ship Fifteen (15), North of Range Three West ; thence south tO' the southeast corner of Section Four in Township Fourteen North, Range last aforesaid; thence West three miles by the surveys ; thence south three miles by the surveys ; thence west three miles by the surveys ; thence south to the southern boundar}- of Township Eleven (11), Range last aforesaid; thence east with the surveys to the Third Principal Me- ridian ; thence north to the place of begin- ning, shall constitute the County of Dane." "Approved Feb. 15, 1839. Thos. Carlin, Governor." It will be observed that the County of Dane, as created by this act of the legisla- ture, did not include that territory no-w known as towns of Pana, Assumption, and Prairieton. The first petition was entrusted tOi Colonel Bond to present to the legisla- ture, and when the act was passed, making the Third Principal Meridian the eastern boundary of the newly formed county, the inhabitants of the district, especially those residing east of the boundary, were not well pleased. It was expected that the county would extend six miles further and take in the towns above enumerated, but for some cause this part of the petition was ignored, and this left the east tier of townships now belonging to Christian county still a part of Shelby county. By the efforts of Judge Fink, William B. liall and Aaron McKen- zie petitions w'cre circulated over Shelby county favoring the annexing of these townships to Christian. Proper certificates were obtained from Jesse Oliver, County Clerk of Shelby county, showing the willingness of the people of that county to make this tier of townships a part of Dane county, and thereupon a law was enacted adding to the County of Dane, Townships Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen and the south half (>4) of Fourteen, North of Range One, East of the Third Principal Meridian, thus extending the County of Dane tO' the present bounda- ries of the County of Christian, and added thereto 80,640 acres more than was allotted to it by the original act. This was indeed a wise provision as it made Christian (then Dane) of better proportions and of sufficient size to properly maintain its organization, buildings and other expenses incident to the carrying on of county government without burdening the people with taxation. We are pleased to. note that the addition of these townships proved a very valuable acquisition to Christian county, upon which are now located some of the most important cities and villages in the county — many rail- road facilities, and the lands are very fer- tile; besides it has been demonstrated that they contain a very valuable coal deposit, and no part of the county can be said tO' be any richer, more productive or enterprising than this acquisition. The act creating the County of Dane also provided for the ap- pointment of commissioners to locate the county seat, and in pursuance of such act, Benjamin Mitchell of Tazewell county, John Henry of Morgan county and New- ton Walker of Fulton county were ap- pointed commissioners to locate the county seat of Dane. The town of Allenton", then located about a mile and a half northeast of the present county seat, and on what was recently known as the David Hall farm, and the town of Edinburg, then located about a mile 32 PAST AND PRESENT and a half northwest of the present county seat on what is now known as part of the George W. Vollentine "farm, were toth com- petitors for the count}- seat. The commis- sioners met at the town of Allenton on the joth (lay of May, 1839. were sworn by Squire Ketcham to faithfully and impar- tially discharge the duties imposed upon them and proceeded to locate the seat of justice. They at last determined upon the West Half (i/>) of the Northeast Quarter (yi) of Section Twenty-seven (27), Town- ship Thirteen (13) North, Range Two (2) West of the Third Principal Meridian as the most eligible place. A man by the name of M. Eastham, then being the proprietor of said land, Avas recjuired to give bond and security conditional for the conveyance of a public square of not less than two acres of said land to said county, on which to locate a courthouse, and for the payment of Three Thousand Dollars in cash. This record was filed by the said commissioners in the office of C. R. Matheny (Clerk of Sangamon county) on May 24, 1839. This fixed the county seat in its present location, and the town was shortly thereafter named Taylor- ville; the land upon which it was located was entered by Daniel C. Goode, a former citizen of this county, in the year 1835, and conveyed by him to Marvellous Eastham and others. This deed was acknowledged before Eli Matthews. J. P., on May 24, 1839, and was witnessed by the Hon. Ste- phen A. l^ouglas. The county seat was surveyed and platted b\- T. M. Neal, County Surveyor of Sanga- mon county, by a company composed of Dr. Richard F. Barrett, Hon. John Taylor, Marvellous Eastham and Robert Allen, citi- zens of Springfield. 111. As the county seat was located upon pri- vate property, it became neccssarv under the law for the owners of such pri\-ate property to pay a bonus of Three Th(jusand Dollars, to be used in public improvements, and this company agreed t(j pay said amount and executed their obligations therefor. The obligations were not ])aid at maturity, and suit was instituted thereon and settlement was made. By the terms of the settlement \ the company agreed to convey to the county "the public square and seventy-eight towm lots in Taylorville" ; it is said that these lots were afterwards sold at merely nominal prices by the count}' authorities to persons agreeing to impro\-e them, and we are in- formed from the pen of an old settler that "the location of the seat of justice was looked upon by the old settlers as an impor- tant event in the history of the county. It was determined to honor the occasion in a suitable manner ; therefore a sumptuous din- ner was given to the proprietors at the house of Daniel C. Goode, the former owner of the land. The dinner was supplemented with an ample supply of 'old Mononga- hela." Some of the guests, feeling its ex- hilarating effects, proceeded to name the new county seat, and that in so doing, it should be in honor of one of the notable guests present. The proposition was re- ceived with hearty eclat. In response to a toast it was named 'Taylorville,' in honor of Hon, John Taylor of Springfield, 111., one of its proprietors." It is said by some tliat there is nothing in a name; by others, that the name is every- thing. In this case, however, it must ap- ])ear to ha\e been unfortunate that the "old Monongahela" caused the guests of that oc- casion to have conceived the idea that Tay- lorxille would always remain a small vil- lage; they did not understand the capacity of the country surrounding it, and if the City of Ta}-lorville should grow to a popu- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 33 latioii of 100,000 or more, the word "ville" would still carry with it the idea of a small village and keep the inhabitants constantly explaining that it is not such, but has grown to be a city. The location of the county seat at Tay- lorville undoubtedly created considerable comment and more or less dissatisfaction, as it is said by the Springfield Journal of the date of Sept. 20, 1839, which seemed to be in touch with matters in this county at that time, "that the county seat was not lo- cated in accordance with the implied wish of nine-tenths of the citizens, is a proposition which has never been denied by any person residing therein, but on the contrary, was located in opposition to their wishes. The citizens held a meeting' ( and there was cjuite a respectable collection of people before the location was made), expressing" a desire to have Allenton or Edinburg selected. There was not a dissenting voice in the meeting. Yet the commissioners wholly disregarded this expression of the citizens." It may be that as the population of the county at that time was mostly in the west- ern part thereof that the location of the county seat at Taylorville created some dis- satisfaction, but it certainly was not an un- just act of the commissioners. The commissioners doubtless realized that sooner or later other parts oi the county would be fully populated, and in view of the possibilities of a settlement of the county in all its parts at some future period, and the centrality of the location of Taylorville, that the choice was a wise one. By reason of the county seat being centrally located Christian county has avoided the bitter county seat contest that has grown up in other counties where the county seat had been located to one side or the other. We are told by Dr. Goudy that this county was called Dane "in compliment to Nathan Dane," who had been a member of Congress and rendered prominent as the author of that celebrated Northwestern Or- dinance by which that large territory was forever consecrated to freedom. The act was passed by Congress on the 13th of July, 1787. In a speech at Boston shortly after the nullification times of 1832 Daniel Webster, in referring to Hayne's speech in an ironical manner of "oue Nathan Dane," exclaimed scornfullv, "Mr. Havne calls him 'one Nathan Dane !' I tell you, my fellow citizens, that Nathan Dane was no Federalist, and, that as author of the Northwestern Ordinance, his name is as im- mortal as if it were written on yonder firma- ment, blazing forever between Orion and Pleiades." This statement is made, as on it hinged the changing of the name Dane to that of Christian. It was rumored that Dane was a rank old "Federalist," and effectually used by those seeking the change. The county at that time, as now, was Democratic, and the term "Federalist" was distasteful — often used as a term of opprobrium towards their opponents in those partisan days. The name Dane w^as suggested and first put in the original petition, asking for the new county, by William S. Frink, a promi- nent "Whig" politician at that period, who took an active nart in tlie formation of the co'unty. This fact gave coloring to the charge. At the time he thought little about the political proclivities of the author of the celebrated ordinance, Imt selected the name from his known national reputation ; and from the fact that in the great Northwest there was no county by that name, thus avoiding a toO' frequent use of names com- mon in counties and toiwns in this and other states. Since, however, a county in Wis- 34 PAST AND PRESENT cousin has been called Dane. Daniel C. (ioode, an nld settler and an uncompromis- ing' Democrat, circulated petitions to have the name changed. In aid of the movement a mass meeting of the citizens of the county was held on the open prairie where the court-house now stands; Thomas P. Bond addressed the meeting; made the motion which was adopted, substituting the name "Cliristian" for that of ''Dane." This name was suggested from the fact that many of the inhabitants at that time were from Christian county, Ky. The change was ef- fected and legalized by an act of the legisla- ture passed Feb. i, 1840. Hon. Thomas J. Nance was the representative of the district in the legislature, and it was through his efforts that the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and the bill became a law. The records and proceedings of the county for the first year after its organization appear under the name "Dane." There was no particular notation of the change of the name of the county upon the records. It does appear u^xju the records of the County Commissioners' Court that on Dec. 11, 1839. the County Commissioners' Court con- \ened as commissioners of the County of Dane, and on that day adjourned until court in course; then on March 2, 1840, the County Commissioners' Court again con- \ened as the County Commissioners' Court for the County of Christian, and no men- tion or other record is made of the change from Dane to Christian. At a later term, however, several reix)rts of commissioners appointed as road view- ers, and several orders for services of the different officers of the court were allowed, and in these it is recited that they w^ere for the "County of Christian alias Dane." And this is the only mention that is made of the change. It seems strange that a matter of so much importance, and in which so much interest was l)eing taken by the inhabitants, that the change from Dane to Christian county was not particularly noted upon the records. No one man has any particular claim over oth- ers in the organization of the county. Many of the inhabitants then residing in all parts of the county took an active part, and were very much interested in this or- ganization, and it is said that prominent among them was Col. Thomas P. Bond, Judge W. S. Frink, Daniel Miller, Gabriel R. Jernigan, Jesse Murphy, William S. Ricks, Aaron McKinzie, A. D. Northcut, Amos Richardson, William B. Hall and others. /\fter the county seat had been located it then became necessary to arrange the courts and offices for the transaction of the busi- ness of the county. The first election for county officers was held on the first Monday of April, 1839. The county was divided into three pre- cincts, the north precinct, with the voting place at Buckhart Grove; centre precinct, with voting place at Allenton, and the south precinct, with voting place at the house of John Z. Durbin. The judges of this election for Buckhart were James Fletcher, George D. Pearson and John George; clerks, Samuel Virden and Gustavus A. Kilbourn. For Allenton judges were John Estes, Joshua Brents and Isaac Harris; clerks, Thomas S. Leachman and Jesse Murphy. At Durbins the judges were Richard Simpson, Isaac Logston and Thomas Durbin; clerks, William Durbin and Christ K. Durbin. The officers elected at this time were Thomas P. Chapman, Peter Porter and Gavin Ralston, Sr. Members of the County Commissioners' Court, E. S. Young, Clerk CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 35 of the County Court ; Thomas W. Davis, Probate Justice ; Wilham S. Ricks, Sheriff ; Benjamin Wilhams, Coroner; LI. M. Van- (leveer, Recorder, and Jolin S. Stockton, County Surveyor. The law required the judges of the sev- eral precincts to meet at Allenton and can- vass the votes and deliver to the officers elected a certificate of their election, which they did, and declared the officers above named as elected. The poll books were retained by the judges until the County Clerk was cjualified, when they were to be delivered to the Clerk, and it became his duty to make a transcript of the ^'Otes so returned and transmit the same to the Secretary of State, which was done, and we are informed the returns were mailed at Blue Point, the then nearest post- office, being about 12 miles distant. S. Stockton was ap])ointed Assessor of the" first district, Daniel C. Goode of the second district, Thomas P. Bond of the third dis- trict and A. Council of the fourth district. The County Commissioners then ordered the Clerk to purchase a county seal for Dane county. On the next day, April 16, the Court again met and appointed Jesse Murphy Col- lector for the County of Dane ; Gabriel Jer- nigan. Treasurer of the County of Dane, and Horatio M. Vandeveer, School Commis- sioner of the County of Dane. It then pro- ceeded to divide the county into seven road districts and appointed Martin Hinkle, Su- pervisor of the first road district, John G. Fletcher of the second road district, David Simmons of the third road district, Allen Peabody of the fourth road district, Will- iam B. Hall of the fifth road district, Pres- The total number of votes polled at this j^^ p^^j^ q,£ ^j-,^ ^-^.^^y^ ^.^^^ district and Fran- election was 160; the population of this county was then only about 1,400. The County Commissioners' Court at that time, so far as the business transactions of the county was concerned, corresponded with our present Board of Supervisors, and was composed of three commissioners. The first commissioners selected for the county were Gavin Ralston, Peter Porter and Thomas P. Chapman. They met and held their first session of court at Taylorville on Monday, April 15, 1839. Their first act was to order the Clerk to procure blank books for keeping of records of the county commissioners', recorder's office and school commissioners' office; they next divided the county into four districts for the purposes of assessment, numbering the districts from one to four inclusive, beginning with the cis Adams of the seventh road district, and assigned to each of the supervisors so ap- pointed a particular road, being principally parts of the road then described as extend- ing from Springfield to Terre Haute, Springfield to Charleston and Springfield to Taylorville. This was all of the business transacted at that meeting. The County Commissioners' Court again met on June 24, 1839, this being the June term thereof. At this meeting they drew lots as to who should be next elected. Gavin Ralston drew No. i, Peter Porter No. 2 and Thomas Chapman No. 3. At this meeting the county commissioners made the following order : "Ordered, that the courthouse be let out to the lowest bid- der, the undertaker giving bond with ap- north part of the county and dividing the proved security. Description of the court- territory of the county as well as they could house being 36 by 30 ft., 21 ft. high, and to between these four districts ; thereupon John be fenced in a workmanlike manner." 36 PAST AXl) I 'RESENT Notices were then directed to be issued for the August election. On Afonday. Aug. iJ, 1839, the county commissioners ordered the Treasurer to col- lect from the proprietors of Taylorville $1,000, to ajjply t(i the building of the court- house in Taylorville. In speaking (d' the road sui)ervisors being assigned to certain districts and their duties to look after particular roads in the countw it must be remembered that the county, at that time, had less public highways than there are naw railroads in the county. The road known as the Springfield and Tcrre Haute road traversed the northern part of the countr}', passing through Mt. Auburn and the highway known as the Springfield and Shelbyville road passes through the more central part of the coimty, striking Blueville, Old Edinburg and Allenton and a ])oint near I'ana. After the location of Tay- lor\ille this road was changed so as to pass through Owaneco, Taylorville, Blueville, thence to Rochester and Si)ringfield ; after- wards there was a road laid out from Tay- lorville to llillsboro. These constituted perhaps the entire public highways of the county at that time: the public was then served by running stage lines along these roads at such seasons as was practicable, and people living off of these highways were compelled to reach different parts of the county l)y tra\eling through the prairie grass. In some instances, trails had been formed so as to form a kind of a path along which the peo])lc traveled, but in most cases the travel was across swampy, fiat prairie without anything to guide or direct, except known points of timber. The inhabitants of Christian county, however, were instinct- ively progressive and were not slow in dis- covering that to constitute a habitable coun- trv it was necessarv to build roads and bridees. As soon as the revenue of the county would permit, the good work began, and we are told by the old settlers that a road was surveyed and located between Tavlorville and Mt. .\uburn and l)etween Tav!or\illc and many other jjoints in the counts' as rapidly as it could be done, l-rom an e.Naniination. of the County Commission- ers' Court it ap])ears that the (piestion of builiiing and repairing roads constituted one of the main objects to which the attention of this Court was called. The trail was sufiicient for the savage who raised no crops, nothing to be hauled u])on the highway and cared for nothing but the present, but to the man of energy, of care for the future and looking forward to an age of prosperity, the trail would n(jt an- swer the purpose, consequently it became necessary to build these highways travers- ing the different parts of the county and connecting the people with other localities bv whicli they could exchange their com- modities. From the small Ijeginning .of highways thus described, few, imperfect and rude as they were, a system of commercial intercourse was started between the early settler of this county and the localities more favorably situated along the river and used for trading posts, and as business centers, and from that day until the present there has been a steady improvement ncjt only in the numbers of the highways, but in their condition until nearly every section of land in the county is almost, if nt;t entirely, sur- rounded by good highways, suital)le for the convenience of the farmer, and for the most parts of the year constitute the best high- wavs in the world, excluding the macadam- ized roads; as the value of lands advance and the people become more prosperous it is to be hoped that good roads for all sea- sons of the year may take the place of the CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 37 dirt road that can not be made to serve the interests of tlie travehng- pubhc dnring very muddy seasons. There is no improvement that would develop a country more rapidly, more surely increase the value of its land than a good system of roads so built as to afford easy and rapid traveling at all sea- sons of the year. Even if such roads were built by special assessment of the lands ben- efited the increased value of the farm, the pleasures and benefits accruing to the home would more than compensate for the ex- pense. Let us Jiai'C a better class of romds. Township Organization. In the early 6o's there began to grow in this community a feeling that the business interests of the county should not be left tO' be determined alone by the County Com- missioners' Court. That court, being com- posed of only three members, was not able to appreciate the wants of the several locali- ties of the county, and that a want of a rep- resentative from man}' of the localities pre- vented such localities from receiving the at- tention that they felt was needed. A feeling to adopt township organization sprang up and grew rapidly, desiring" to distribute the power for the making of public improve- ments and apportion the objects for which the finances of the county were disbursed. Township organization had been adopted in New York and many of the eastern states, and was highly approved in many of these states, and so much were the people of many counties of Illinois pleased with the work- ings of township organization that a rapid demand for the adoption of township or- ganization sprung up all over the state. Many of the people of Christian county were also thoroiighly imbued- with the idea that township organization was best for the entire interests of the communitv, and sO' persisted in their demands for the submis- sion of this Cjuestioii that it was finally sub- mitted to a vote of the people to adopt or reject township organization. It was de- feated at twO' elections, but at the third elec- tion, held on Nov. 7, 1865, the proposition to adopt township organization was carried, and A. G. Neel of Pana, Dial Davis of Mt. Auburn and J. H. Vandeveer of Taylorville were appointed commissioners to divide the comity into towns. At the March term, 1866, the commis- sioners reported that they had divided the county into 17 towns, as follows: Assumption, Bear Creek, Buckhart, Adams, Douglas, King, Locust, Moscptito, Mt. Auburn, Pana, Nevada, Ricks, Rose- mond, Stonington, South Fork, Smith and Taylorville. At the April special term, 1866, the name of the town of Adams was changed to Prairieton ; the town of Smith to May ; the town of Douglas to Johnson, and the town of Nevada to Greenwood. With these changes the names adopted, that the judges suggested, have remained as the names of the sex'cral towns of this county to the present time. The first board of su- pervisors was composed of Jacob Overholt of Assumptiou, James H. Hill of Bear Creek, John Sharp of Buckhart, George W. Traylor of Greenwood, T. B. Anderson of Johnson, William A. Potts of King, B. C. Cochran of Locust, John S. Fraley of May, James M. Davidson of Mosquito, John M. Hill of Mt. Auburn, W. B. Little O'f Pana, W. K. Eaton of Prairieton, James H. Cisne of Ricks, Thomas E. Simpson of Rosemond, Gavin Ralston of South Fork, Asa Bowman of Stonington and W. W. Anderson of Tay- lorville. W. W. Andersou was elected chairman of this board of supervisors and from that time until the present the business interests 38 PAST AND PRESENT have been conducted and controlled l)y a Ijoard of supervisors, and they have bail the complete control of the finances of the county, which ha\e at all times been man- ;i^ed with reasonable econoni}'. This board has bad charg-e of all public buildings and improvements of every kind and character and assisted in the building of bridges in the several localities of the county, so that it may 1>e said that the pub- lic improvements and bridges over the larger streams of the county are in a reasonably good condition, and the county has not at any time had a heavy indebtedness imposed upon it. The people have at no time suf- fered because of taxation for county pur- poses, and to-day no indebtedness exists against the county, and all public improve- ments have been made at such times and under such circumstances as not to burden the people with heavy taxation. Finances of the County. It is 1)ut natural, and we presume com- mon, that the finances of all counties at their organization are meager and require the most rigid economy to carry ou the county g-overnment. In the year 1839 H. M. Van- deveer, who was then Clerk of the Circuit Court, was by the County Commissioners' Court authori^^ed to purchase such records as were necessary for the recording in the several departments: the bill rendered by him showed that he purchased supplies for the Recorder's office to the amount of $24.37: Circuit Clerk's office. $82: County Clerk's office, $93.25 : School Commission- er's office, $8.87: jury lKH:)k, $1.25, and county seal. $12, making a total of $221.74. The bill rendered by him shows the rigid economy exercised lx)th by him and those with whom he was associated in the pur- chasing of equipments for the several of- fices. It is said by Dr. Coudy "that the clerks used a wooden bench with a screw fixed in a fr.'une for more than twenty years to take impressions of the official seal. It cost $2.50. This economical outfit lasted for sex'cral vears." * * "The cf)urt appropriated at the rate of $4 ])er month to pay rent for the use of the Circuit and Count}' Clerks. The Ralston building was the first one in Taylorville used for that purjjose after its location as the county seat. It was moved from Edin- burg." The writer, in a conxersation with \V. A. Goodrich, one of the early settlers who came to this county in 1840 and resided at Mt Aul^urn, learned that the county was not only economical with reference to the pur- chasing of records and the payment of sala- ries, but Goodrich says the county actually had nothing", not even a hitching post, near the old court-house: that he came here in 1840 to have a deed recorded, and not find- ing a ]iost. fence or tree in the vicinity of the courthouse, was compelled to tie his horse to the door latch while he went up to have a deed recorded, and says that is the first tin^e he met H. M. Vandeveer, who was then recorder, both of wh(^m afterwards be- came life-long friends and prosperous citi- zens of the county. The necessity of this economy was well understood by the officers in charge of the finances of the county. .At the June term, 1839. ^^ ^^^^ Commissioners' Court, they levied a tax of 70 cents on the $100 of all the real and personal jiroperty of the County of Dane. It should be borne in mind that the title to much of the lands, in the county at that time, was in the government, and not yet CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 89 subject to taxation, which made the real taxable property of the county very small. The valuation for taxation of that year was $108,630, uiwn which the 70 cents was lev- ied and broug-ht a total revenue of $760.41. This is but a mere pittance when compared with the taxable property and revenue of the county at the present day. An examination of the record discloses that the total valuation of the property of the county for the year 1903 was 39^57 !»' 875 dollars; the assessed valuation, 7,914'- 375 dollars, and the total taxes raised by this assessment were 351.587.28 dollars. By contrasting- these figures with those of the assessment of 1839, we appreciate, to some extent, the vast improvement that has taken place in the county since its organiza- tion. It should be borne in mind that such lands as were taxable and the best lands of the county in tliat day were worth only from $1.25 to $5 per acre. The same lands are now worth from $100 to $125 per acre. The scanty revenue made it impossible to construct therefrom a courthouse and other public buildings, and the policy of requiring the proprietors of the county seat to contrib- ute $3,000 to the funds of the county to assist in Iniilding a courthouse was a wise one, as was r.ecphred when the county seat was located at Taylorville. At the June term, 1839, of the County Commissioners' Court, an order was made to build the first courthouse at Taylorville, in the following language: "Ordered, that the courthouse be let out to the lowest bid- der, the undertaker giving bond with ap- proved security; description of the court- house to be 36x30 ft. X2I ft. high, and to be fenced in a workmanlike manner." At the August term, 1839, of said court, the County Treasurer was authorized to collect from the proprietors of Taylorville $1,000, to he used in the building of the court- house; this courthouse was completed in September, 1840, at a cost of $2,350, l)ut the proprietors of Taylorville failed to pay the money, according to contract. At the March term, 1840, of the County Commissioners' Court, they ordered the Treasurer to demand immediate payment of Eastham, Taylor, Allen and Barrett of the moneys they had agreed to pay, and if not paid to sue the said proprietors for the same. Suit was brought and a committee, consisting- of H. M. Vandeveer, T. P. Boud and Jesse Langley, was appointed by the commissioners to settle the suit and accept in payment thereof Taylorville real estate. The suit was finally compromised by the 1)roprietors of Taylorville deeding to Chris- tian county 78 lots, including the public square in the Village of Taylorville, "or j4 of the present town of Taylorville," all of which, except the public square, were after- wards sold, by order of the County Com- missioners, and the money paid into the treasury. While the courthouse that had just been completed was not a costly structure nor of great proportions, it was all that was needed by the citizens of the county at that time. It answered their purposes; furnished of- fices for the county officers and a courtroom commensurate with the wants of the people; was hailed by the inhal)itants of the county with probably as much delight and satisfac- tion as the new courthouse that was com- pleted at Taylorville in the year 1902. The offices and court up to this time had appar- ently been of a transitory character and lo- cated wherever couvenient, but now they were all gathered under one roof and the people appreciated the benefits that accrued from having the officers of the county as- sembled at one place, and a courtroom that 40 PAST AND PRESENT was snfficientl)- lai\s:e to accommodate the few trials tliat were then instituted in our courts. The offices were on tlie second floor and courtroom on the first. County Jail. On April 4. 1846, the cnmmissioners di- rected that a contract be made on Monday. the first day of June next, to erect a jail of the length of 20 feet, the width of 16 feet and two stories high, with two rooms on the first floor and one on the second, the lower walls to be made of hewn timbers 10 inches thick and to be constructed l)y building two walls 8 inches apart and the space betw-een the walls filled with timbers 8 inches thick set on end : to be built of white or burr oak with two doors to the lower story and one to the upper; all to be placed upon a stone foundation. There was to be one window in each rcwm in the first floor 12x18 inches with iron grates, two windows in the sec- ond story, 24x30 inches, with iron grates; the shutters were to be of the thickness of three one-inch |)lank lined on the inside with sheet iron. The contract for the building of this jail was awarded to James C. Morrison about June 2, 1846. for the performance of which he executed a bond, and while the records are silent as to the price to be paid for this jail, orders were drawn payable to J. C. Morrison upon the contract to the amount of $394.80; this jail was erected near the southeast corner of the square and located probably on the back of the lot now occupied l)y Ahlman's meat shop. This Avould not be a very safe place for the incarceration of criminals at the present daw but in those days the criminals did not have the many inventions and contrivances of escape that they do now. and this was reasonably safe for the prisoners of that day. I am in- formed, however, that a negro who had es- caped from his master in one of the South- eni states was incarcerated in this jail and held for some time, but made his escape, luckily for him, the day before his master arrived. Prior to the construction of this jail the prisoners of Christian county were confined in the jail at Springfield, as the records dis- close that bills were paid by the county com- missioners of this county to Saiigamon county for the food and care of prisoners. The next building erected by the county was a courthouse, being the second one built by the county. The records are not entirely clear as to the date at which the contract for this building was made. Some confusion ofro'ws out of the fact that a contract was first made with Squire & Overholt for its erection, wdiich for some reason was not carried out, and afterwards a contract was made with Dennis & Ream of Springfield, 111., to complete the building of the court- house at a cost of $13,526; under this con- tract the courthouse was completed in the year 1856. This courthouse, when com- pleted, consisted of an oflice for the Circuit Clerk and Recorder, and a County Clerk's ofiice. Afterwards vaults were added to each of these offices, and were sup])osed to be fire-proof. On the other side of the Imild- insf on the lower floor were three rooms set apart, one for the Treasurer, one for the Sheriff, and one for the County Judge and for the Superintendent of Public Schools. There was a large hallway of the width of about 10 feet, running north and south the entire length of the building and separating the Clerk's offices from the other offices; there was an upper story consisting of the Circuit Court room, a small room for the jury, which was afterward converted into an office for the Circuit Judge; also a grand CHRISTIAN COUNTY. ILLINOIS. 41 jury room; the grand jury and Circuit Judge's rooms were used, when not other- wise occupied, by the petit juries in consid- ering the cases sulimitted to them. This building served the purposes of the county until the year looi, when it was sold to Mr. L. D. Hewitt and removed. This was the courthouse in which much of .the important litieation oi the inhabitants of the county was conducted; it was the scene of many a forensic battle; was the room in which many O'f the present members of the bar made their maiden effort ; many were the trials of criminal cases in which the pAiblic were in- tensely interested upon (Mie side or the other, and often did litigants assemble in this room with a host of friends arrayed upon each side, a feeling of bitterness of sufficient in- tensity existing to precipitate a battle be- tween these friends had there not 1>een some way of giving vent to the pent-up feelings of the contestants, but in the courtroom, before the court and jury, their rights and interests were submitted, passed upon and determined, and although in some cases jus- tice may have miscarried, yet upon the whole, it can be well said that justice was reasonably well meted out. and IkuI it not been for the courtroom and cool headed ad- vocates employed upon each side to repre- sent the interests of their respective clients and allay the intensity of the feeling that existed, many of these contests would have resulted in bloodshed, and by this means, the spilling of blood was averted and satis- faction given that was far above any that could have been realized by a hand to hand combat or settlement of the affray by battle. The liberties and rights of many a poor, downtrodden and oppressed man and woman have been here preserved to them ; the court, jury and bar have here stood like an impenetrable wall, protecting many in- nocent victims from the ravages of an in- fiu'iated populace, from the frauds of the sharp, unscrupulous villain, from the con- spiracies of the wicked, from the greed of the shylock, from the unfortunate position brought about by accident or ignorance, and while it is the pride of many that they have been al)le to spend a life without having been engaged in a law-suit, and many dread a contest in court, yet it is equally true that the courtroom is the asylum to which we all rush for safety in the hours of greatest peril, selecting the lawyer for our guide and the judge our arbiter. If there is one thing that the people of any county should remem- ber above all others, it is that the courts finally determine and settle all of their dif- ferences, and that each man owes to every other an obligation to perform his duties as juror, when selected, or in any way, when called upon to aid the courts in the adminis- tration of justice, without flinching, without seeking to be excused because of some triv- ial matter, wdthout shirking the duties that the laws have enjoined upon him as a good citizen. Every citizen should remember that when he himself is in peril, his greatest desire is that his rights be determined by an upright judge, a just jury and a conscientious ad- vocate. These ciualities are best preserved by an unflinching adherence of every citizen to the duties enjoined upon him by law. The old courthouse is gone, but to the bar, many are the pleasant memories that cling around the scenes that transpired in that old courtroom, and while it has given way to a better and more pretentious build- iup- and courtroom, this will not, in all proliability, be the scene of greater contests or produce brighter or more pleasant memo- ries than the one that has passed away. 42 PAST AND PRESENT While Christian county has made such improvements and constructed such build- ings as were necessary and convenient for the business interests of the county, it has not been unmindful of the poor; in 1870, a poor farm of 160 acres was purchased in the northern part of the town of Rosemond, for which the county paid $6,400. and lo- cated thereon a building at a cost of $3,534> which was burned in 1892, and a new one erected at a cost of $4,500. A keeper is in charge of this poor farm and raises grain and other products thereon, and raises meat and vegetables to supply the inmates of the lxK)r farm, and it is said that those who are so unfortunate as to become inmates of this house are well cared for. During the same year (1870) the county erected the present jail at a cost of $5,360, which took the place of the old one above described, and has since that time made quite a valuable addition thereto, practically doubling the capacity of the jail and making it more convenient ; has improved its sani- tary conditions; it is now a safe and whole- some place for the unfortunate ones who are incarcerated therein, and since the erection of the new jail the Sheriff or keeper thereof has constantly resided in rooms connected with it, and under the same roof. The jail is at ])resent occupied by T. W. Brents, the present Sheriff of the county. For several years prior to 1900, it be- came evident to all thinking people that the old courthouse was not sufficient to accom- modate the courts of the county, preserve the records and files of the different offices and to meet the wants of the people, and that the time had come when a new court- house should be built. The question was agitated, at least two or three years, before it was submitted to a vote of the people, and while it had nianv advocates, there were (|uite a few who opposed the building of the courthouse, hecause they feared that it would burden the county with an indebted- ness that it could not easily rid itself of; the Board of Supervisors had no money with which to build the courthouse, and they were powerless to levy a greater tax than was ])eing levied for general purposes, ex- cept by a vote of the people. It therefore 1>ecame necessary to submit to the voters of Christian county the question of authoriz- ing the levy of a sufficient tax for this pur- pose. Accordingly A. S. Martin, Super- visor of the Town of Taylorville, introduced a resolution in the Board of Supervisors au- thorizing the levy of a courthouse tax to the amount of $100,000, to be used in build- ino- a new courthouse. This resolution was adopted by a vote of 13 to 5 of the super- visors, but was, at the March meeting, 1900, reconsidered and rescinded l>y a vote of 12 to 5. However, at the June meeting, 1900, of the Board of Supervisors, a resolution to authorize the submission to a vote the levy- ing of a special tax of $75,000 for court- house purposes, v/as introduced by the com- mittee on public buildings and adopted by the vote of the following named super- visors : G. W. Adams, G. F. Barrett, T. T. Berry, J. E. Downs, O. B. Fraley, R. A. Gray, H. H. Herdman, A. S. Martin, H. O. Minnis, J. H. Morgan, F. F. Weiser, W. O. Wilcox and Joseph Hale, and this propo- sition v^as submitted to a vote of the people at the November election in 1900, and car- ried by a majority of 990 in a vote of 7,408 ; 10 townships gave a majority for the proix>- sition, one had a tie vote and this gave a majority against the proiX)sition; a major- ity of the votes of the county being in favor of the appropriation, the old courthouse was sold and immediate ste])S taken for its removal. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 43 The board immediately advertised for plans and specifications for the new court- house, many of which were submitted, but the plans of J. W. Gaddis, an architect of Terre Haute, Ind., were adopted by the building- committee in February, 1901, and a contract for the Ixiilding of the new court- house was macfe upon the recommendation of the building committee by the Board of Supervisors with V. Jobst & Sons of Peo- ria, 111., on June 3, 190 t, for the amount of $80,000. Owing to the increase in the price of building materials, it soon became evi- dent to the committee and members of the Board of Supervisors that the amount au- thorized to be levied would not be sufficient to build such a courthouse as was needed, and the supervisors, after having respect- ively canvassed the matter with their con- stituents, determined that the appropriation would when desired be increased, and ac- cordingly laid its plans for the construction of a courthouse with the furniture that would cost about $100,000. The building was constructed as speedily as possible and completed Sept. 29, 1902, at a total cost of building and furniture of $100,535.80. While the building was being built a vote for a future appropriation was had and adopted, and by the time the building was completed, the taxes had been levied and collected. When the courthouse was dedi- cated, it was fully paid for. The construc- tion of the courthouse was under the im- mediate supervision of the building com- mittee, which during the first year was composed of the following named gentle- men : Robert A. Gray, chairman ; J. H. Morgan, A. S. Martin, A. B. Fraley and P. M. Klinefelter, but owing to the fact that during this time, an election was held to fill the places of the Supervisors whose term of office expired, some of them were not candidates for reelection, and a new committee was composed of A. S. Martin, chairman; G. W. Adams, John Kennedy, O. B. Fraley and C. D. Cutler. It can be said to the credit oi both of tlie committees, they carefully watched over the work as it progressed, investigating every detail and it may be well said that every dollar of the money appropriated by the people for the building of this court house, actually went into its construction, and as a result the money expended has produced a building that is a credit to the county and is estimat- ed by many people to cost much more than it really did. The corner stone of this building was laid with the usual formalities of the Masonic craft, the Grand Master C. F. Hitchcock of A. F. & A. M. of Illinois being present and participating in its exercises. The little box placed in the corner stone was filled with a short history of Christian county, pre- pared by the Committee, together with a copy of practically all of the papers pub- lished in the county, and a history of many of the churches, secret orders, building as- sociation and many other enterprises in which the people were interested, and this box was placed in the northeast corner and sealed by the Grand Master who pronounced the work to^ be "good work, true work and square work" and thereupon addresses were made by the Hon. James B. Ricks, Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Wm. T. Van- deveer, the Hon. W. M. Provine, all resi- dents of Taylorville. The occasion was a memorable one, and the addresses were ex- cellent, and well adapted to the occasion. After the court house had been completed, it was duly and formally accepted by the Board of Supervisors, the Hon. R. W. Mor- rison presiding, and dedicated on the day of its acceptance. 44 PAST AND PRESENT The dedicatory exercises consisted of the usual and necessary action of the Board of Supervisors, music, and of adch^esses made by the Hon. I. \V. Kitchell of l^ana and J. C. McBride, of Taylorville, and closed by the address of U. \\\ Morrison, Chair- man of the Board of Supervisors. The writer of this article, J. C. McBride, desires to record the fact that lie made the last address in the oKl c( urt house rnid the first one in the new. Christian county now has a beautiful and commodious courthouse of the length of I 17 feet and of the width of 90 feet, three stories hioh with a room for the Board of Supervisors. Count}- Superintendent of Schools, State's Attorney and a rest room for the ladies of the count}' oii the lower flexor; rooms for the County Judge, County Clerk, Sheriff, Treasurer, and Circuit Clerk on the second floor with a private office for each of the officers all nicely furnished with the l)est steel furniture; on the third Acmm" is the Circuit Court room. Judge's room, room for the attorneys, library, grand jury room, two petit jury rooms, two^ witness rooms and other rooms not now needed or used ; all of these rooms are supplied with the modern conveniences; it is remarked by man}- that the courtroom is of convenient size, and beautiful in appearance; in fact the whole courthouse frf)m top to bottom is a credit to the county, and reflects honor upon its builders. This courthouse would appear to a casual observer to meet the conveniences and re- quirements of this county for 100 years to come, but who can tell ; measured b}- the progress of the past, the ingenuity of man, its wealth producing capacitv, it may not supply tlie wants for a half century, but one thing is certain, it will meet the require- ments for manv vears to come. . Justices Districts. The County Commissioners' Court at the June term, 1839, divided the county into four districts called by them justices dis- tricts, and an election for selecting Justices of the Peace and Constables of the respec- tive districts was called for August 5, 1839. For the first district Thomas Young, Jesse Murphy and Isaac Harris were appointed Judges ; for the second district Thomas And- erson, Robert Richardson and Francis Adams were ap])ointed Judges: for the third district James Fletcher, Geo. Fearson and Geo. Dickerson were appointed Judges, and for the fourth district Elija Palmer and Peter Ketchum were appointed Judges. These districts were known as the Taylor- ville or Central District, Stonington District, North Fork District and South Fork Dis- trict, and there were to be elected two Jus- tices and two Constables in each of the districts, except the Taylorville or Central. which was to have three; the election was held at that time and at the respective vot- ing places in the different districts, and for the Taylorville District W. yi. Thomas, Eli Matthews and Richard Simpson were elect- ed as Justices and James R. Lucas and John P. Nelson as Constables; for the Ston- ington District Peter R. Ketchum and David Simons were elected as Justices and Wm. L. Hammer Constable; for the North Fork District A. D. Northcut and James Baker were elected Justices of the Peace, and J. M. Fletcher and 1'. ¥. Farris Constables; for the South Fork, Presley Peck and Aquil- la Council were elected Justices and Amos Richardson and J. L. Cagle were elected Constables. It appears from the records that J. I. Vol- lentine and Samuel Brents were also elected as con.stables at this election, but it is un- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 45 certain from which ch'strict. The highest vote received Iw any of those elected was 55 and the lowest 23, and the highest vote received by any of those defeated was 23 and the lowest 12, and while it is difficult to determine the exact number of voters, 'owing to the absence of the poll book, it is estimated that there were about 200 votes cast at this election in these four precincts, which shows the voting population of the coimty at that lime; the voting was not l>y ballot as at the present time, but by viva voce, which vote when given was recorded. At the election succeeding this one and held August 3, 1840, the highest vote being for State Senator, shows E. D. Taylor, Demo- crat, to have received 208 votes and E. D. Baker, Whig, to have received 1 1 1 votes, making a total of 319 votes. At the presidential election in November, 1840, Martin Van Buren received 147 votes and Wm. H. Harrison 89 votes, making the total number of votes cast at this election 236. At that time, however, the local of- ficers were elected at the August elections, and not in November. The above is a sufficient amount of the statistics of the elections held at about these times to show the number of electors in the county. The first Representative elected from this county was Martin White, and at the same election, Aquilla Council was elect- ed County Commissioner, Wm. S. Ricks, Sheriff ; Jacob Lovely, Coroner ; John C. Goode, Clerk of County Commissioners' Court, and Gabriel Jernigan, Treasurer, all Democrats, and at the election held August 2, 1841, Overton Williams and Richard Simpson appear to have been elected for County Commissioners and Leonard Kil- burn for Treasurer (to fill a vacancy) and John W. Wheat for School Commissioner. At the August election in 1842, H. M. Vandeveer was elected Representative, Amos Richardson, Sheriff; and in October of the same year A. B. Peabody was elected County Surveyor and Thomas Dougherty County Recorder, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of LI. M. V^andeveer, who had just been elected to the legislature, and at the election held August 7, 1843, W. S. Erink was elected Probate Justice, P. C. Eerguson, County Clerk ; Thomas B. Dough- erty, County Recorder; Jesse Elgan, Coun- ty Commissioner; Wm. A. Goodrich, County Surveyor, Thomas S. Leachman, • School Commissioner, and Jesse Murphy Assessor and Treasurer; at the election held in Aug- ust, 1844, Wm. S. Ricks was elected as Rep- resentative from this county. The total votes cast at that election were 431 ; at the same election, Henry Hardin was elected Sheriff; Geo. Dickerson, Jesse Elgan and John H. Bilyeu, County Commissioners ; G. B. Ketcham, Coroner, and O. B. Eicklin, Democrat, received a majority of 70 votes over U. E. Linder, Whig, as a candidate for Congress. A review of the officers elected as above, and the votes which they received at the different elections will give to the reader a fair idea of the men who assisted in the organization of the county, with its early counselors, and carried the burden of the b/eginning of a wild and practically unset- tled county. It is quite clear that the offices held by the different men were anything but lucra- tive; in many instances it required a great sacrifice upon the part of the individuals to fill the offices of the county, but some one had to perform these duties, and no one was better qualified or more interested in having the duty faithfully performed than these men who were striving to build up a 46 PAST AND PRESENT conntv s:^ovcrnniciit in the wild i)rairie.s of Christian. Tn many instances tlic record (hscloscs that the officers remitted tlie small pittances allowed them by law for the services per- formed for the j)nrpose of aiding the connty. Circuit Court. In the year 1839, the counties of Sanga- mon, Tazewell, McLean, Livingston, Macon, Dane, Logan, and Menard comiwsed the Eighth Judicial District of the State of Illi- nois, with the lion. Sam'l H. Treat, presid- ing Judge; he held the first term of court at Taylorville on November 4, 1839, in a small frame house 12x14 owned by H. M. X'andeveer, and situated on the north side of the public scjuare, and it is said that this small house had to serve the ])urpose of hotel, stage office and courtroom; from the representations of the oldest citizens, it is clear that houses were very scarce in Tay- lorville at th.at time. It is said in jury cases, that iMxly had to retire for its deliberations out r)f doors under a black-jack tree where now stands the calaboose, accompanied by Deputy \\'. I-. Hammer, who provided the jury with the necessaries of life, and such refreshments as the jury desire and the court will permit. This improvised courtroom will be re- membered by many of the older citizens as Dr. Chapman's office, and the old landmark has given place to a large brick building. The officers of the court were the Hon. Sam'l H. Treat, Judge; H. M. Vandeveer, Clerk; Wm. S. Ricks, Sheriff; David P. Campbell, State's Attorney; Benjamin Will- iams, Coroner, The only attorney attending this term of court from abroad was the Hon. James C. Conkling of Springfield, and it is said the panel of grand and petit jurors made at the first term of the County Court seemed to be based upon an assumed census of 100 jjcrsons, that is, single men and heads of families; these, with the county officials added, comprised nearly all the names in the county, excepting only some half dozen wdiom it was the intention to indict. The first grand jury was composed of John Young, foreman; Berry Rose, Thomas r. Bond, Geo. D. Pearson, John Martin, David Cagle, James Weeden, Thos Young, [vobert Richardson, John Finley, Jacob Wy- dick, E. J. Leigh, A. B. Peabody, Christo- pher Ketcham, Joshua Brents, Alfred Curry and Louis Jernigan, who, after being duly sworn, were charged by State's Attorney Campbell. This grand jury retired, and after sol- emnly deliberating, returned into court an indictment against Thomas Farris, indicting him for challenging Thomas VV. Davis to fight a duel with deadlv weapons, and was based upon the following letter written by Farris tO' Davis ; "Dear Sir: — I take this method of finish- ing our career. I will give you the chance of a dewel. I would rather fight manley than to do any other way. I will give you a shott at 12 o'clock P. M. "(Signed) T. V. E. Farris." He was required to give bond, and at the June term, 1840, of said court, the case was again continued upon the affidavit of the defendant until the October term, 1840, when the case was tried and the defendant found not guilty. There was also found at that term of court an indictment against Samuel McKin- sey and Gabriel McKinsey, charging them with riot, who were tried at the June term, 1840, of the Circuit Court and found guilty, and sentenced to pay a fine of $10 each; CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 47 this was all the work done l)y the grand jury at that term. As appears from the records of the county there was no petit jury empaneled for the November term, 1S39; the first petit jury ever empaneled in the county as appears by the records was at the June term, 1840, for the purpose of trying the case of the People vs. Samuel and Gabriel McKinsey, indictment for riot, and this jury was com- posed of Geo. Oiler, Overt(jn Williams, Simeon Brents, Wm. Sheldon, Ezekiel Young, Robert P. Langley, Wesley West- brook, Henry Dixon, Henry Judy, Wm. Wallace, Isaac Richardson and Wesley Blount. There was at the same term another jury empaneled and tried John Gilliert for selling liquor without a license, but the jury were unable to agree and were discharged, and these were all of the jury trials at that term of court. In giving some of the reminiscences of this court. Mr. Goudy says of some of the early trials of the court : "Another case was Peter R. Ketcham vs. Gabriel McKenzie, ac- tion for slander ; damages laid at $2,000. J. C. Conkling, attorney for plaintiff. In the declaration, it was alleged that the defendant had used wortls to this import : "Old Pete Ketcham is a d — d old hog thief." This trial seemed to involve the whole county and elicited a great deal of interest. It was known to many as the Methodist preacher against the Roman Catholic; attorney B. S. Edwards conducted the defense. The jury found for the plaintiff $47.08. In making up their verdict, the jury seem to- have entertained a very nice esti- mate of a man's character so as to take into consideration the fractional part of a dime. Juries occasionally returned to the court- rooir. for further instructions from the Judge. In one case, the jury failing to agree as to the facts in the premises re- turned for instructions. The Judge in- quired as to the difficulty. The foreman re- sponded with apparent honesty and simplici- ty : "Why, Judge, this 'ere is the difficulty : Some of the jury want to^ know whether that ar w4iat you told us, when we first went out, was raley the law, or whether it was onlv just vour notion." The ludge havinef informed the jury that such was the law in the premises, a verdict was reached accord- ingly. In these days, Mr. Lincoln was a frequent visitor of the Christian County Court, and was at one time associated with Judge Van- deveer upon the trial of an important case with Judge Robbins of Springfield on the other side, and in reply to a point made. Judge Robbins said, "If that is so, I will agree to eat this desk." Mr. Lincoln very promptly replied: "Well, Judge, if you do eat that desk, I hope it will come out a brand new manufactured wagon." Mr. W. A. Goodrich infoims the writer that the convening of court was a great holiday with the people at that time, and everybody was anxious to attend court; it offered an opportunity for people to meet one another and talk of the many hardships that were endured by them ; he says that on one occasion, probably in the year 1841, he came from Mt. Auburn to Taylorville to attend court and to his utter disgust found the one lodging place in the town fully oc- cupied, but a friend invited him tO' go out with him to a log cabin that was then situ- ated near where the Wabash depot is now and he would find a bed. When he arrived there he found a bed for them to occupy; the bedstead was made by boring a hole in one of the logs that formed the cabin, put- ting one end of a pole in the log and the 48 PAST AND PRESENT other resting on wooden forks standing on the floor, and the remainder of the hed was made u]) in the same crnde manner, hnt he assured me tliat it formed a good restini^ place for a man who had traveled from Mt. Anhnrn in those days, and that he enjoyed the night's sleep very much. It is said that hardly had the last peg lieen driven in the location of the county seat when James Harris commenced prep- arations for the erection of a two-story frame hotel, formerly known as a part of the CAuhe Hotel, and located on the north side of the puhlic square. The want of ac- commodations compelled the use of it at first in an unfinished condition; a ladder, was used to reach the upper story with its loose boards for a floor ; its accommodations were necessarily limited. The landlord was under the necessity of dividing his guests into scjuads or divisions, some retiring early only to be aroused to give place to another division as time crowded on to midnight. About the latter hour, the stentorian voice of the landlord could l)e heard calling the first lot to get up and give place to others: "that Judge Treat and other noted lawyers wished to turn in;" Judge Edwards of Springfield relates that he preferred the luxury of wrapping him- self in the folds of his coat and taking the courthouse floor for it, where he could have the whole night to himself. In the early days of Christian county, and before Lin- coln, Douglas, Davis and others had ac- quired the notoriety they afterwards en- joyed, they were often seen in attendance at the court of Christian county, and many and amusing are the anecdotes that the early settlers told concerning these honorable vis- itors. Of course evervthing that anv of them said or did (and many things that never happened) are remembered by the early settler and told hy him, and notwith- standing the man}- hardshi]:)s endured, he loves to recall these early days, and with pleasure recites his many adventures. There is nothing so pleasant to mankind as the memory of times and events in which he participated that tried men's souls. 1die writer frequently conversed with Judge H. M. Vandeveer in the latter part of his life, and many were the interesting and ]:)rofitable as well as amusing incidents that he could tell concerning the people of the early day, their struggles, and concern- ing the men who afterwards became so noted. He, too, looked upon the trials and tribula- tions of the early day, his struggles with poverty, his battling against inconveniences, as being happy days, and those which he loved to recall, which he did with credit to himself and pleasure to the listener. BENCH AND BAR. There is no class more intimately con- nected and associated with the public events of a community than the bench and bar. The courts are the final arbiters of the disputes that arise in an}- community. Prop- erty rights, rights of personal liberty and all other matters over which a contention exists are finally determined l)y the courts, and these courts are valuable in proportion to the legal learning and integrity of the bench and bar and those summoned before this tribunal to assist in the administration of justice. Inasmuch as the liench and bar sustains such a relation tO' the public events, it is proper in a work ni this character to give a short history of the courts and of the bar, especially of the niemhers of the bar that have passed away. It is fitting only to com- ment upon the records and events of the lives of the deceased members of the bar CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 49 and bench, leaving the events of those now h'\'ing and the work that may have Ijeen performed, whether good or bad, to- be judg'ed by the people and recorded by an- other pen. In times of pubhc excitement and strife, the Judge upon the bencli, and the advocate at the bar are the people to whom those connected in such strifes look for protection and are wdlling to confide their interests; the sterling qualities c^f the Judge, the able and earnest advocate always have and always wm'11 be admirefl by the people of the com- munity not only for their character and abil- ity, but for the power they possess of aiding in the building up or destruction of the rights of mankind, and for that reason, it for no other, they are entitled to have their names enrolled upon the history of a com- munity and the good or evil that was per- formed by them in their lifetime recorded. As has before been said, at the organiza- tion of this county Samuel H. Treat was the first Circuit Judge and presided over the term of court held at Dane county on Mon- day, November 4, 1839. He was at one time Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of Illinois, and in the lat- ter years of his life filled the position of Judge of the Federal Court for the South- ern District of Illinois, wdiich position he occupied until his death, and was always regarded as an able, honorable and upright Judge, and fair to litigants. He was more closely associated with the people of Sanga- mon County than with this people. At the first term of court there were present Hora- tio M. Vandeveer, Clerk; Wm. S. Ricks, Sheriff; David B. Campbell, State's Attor- ney; James C. Conkling, an attorney at law of Springfield, was also present. At that time the counties of Sangamon, Tazewell, Woodford, McLean, Livingston, DeWitt, Piatt, Champaign, Vermilion, Edgar, Moul- trie, Christian, Logan and Menard composed the Eighth Judicial District. Judge David Davis, of Bloomington, suc- ceeded Judge Treat and presided over the courts at Taylorville from 1849 to 1853, after which time the home of Judge Davis, McLean county, was eliminated from this circuit. He was succeeded as Circuit Judge by Judge Emerson ; Judge Emerson was succeeded by Judge E. Y. Rice. He in turn was succeeded by Judge H. M. Vandeveer. \n 1877 the Legislature passed a law es- tablishing Appellate Courts in each circuit and providing for the election of three Judges for each circuit, and out of the Judges of the several circuits in this state, four Appellate Courts, consisting of three Judges each were selected by the Supreme Court. At the election in June, 1879, Judge W. R. Welch of Carlinville, Judge Chas. S. Zane of Springfield, Judge J. J. Phillips of Hillsboro was elected for the circuit of which Christian county composed a part. Judge Zane w^as afterward appointed to a Federal Judgeship in Utah, and his decisions upon the Mormon question, wdiile presiding there, lirought him into much prominence throughout the United States ; Judge Wm. L. Gross of Springfield was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Judge Zane, and he filled the position of Circuit Judge about one year ; he was succeeded by Judge James A. Creighton, wdio presided over the courts -of Christian county for many years, 'and since that time the county has been thrown into different circuits, and its Circuit Courts have been presided over by Judge Robert Shirley, of Carlinville, Judge Jacob Fouke of Vandalia, Judge Wm. Farmer of Van- dalia. Judge- S. L. Wright of Centralia and Judge T. E. Ames of Shelbyville, of whom the last three are now presiding Judges in 50 PAST AND TRESENT the circuit: of the Judges mentioned alx)ve, Judge J. J. l^hilHps, Judo-e W. R. Welch, Judge Creighton and judge l'"ainier were from time to time selected as Judges of some (jf the \])pellate Courts of the state, and Judge J. J. IMiillips was elected one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the state, which iX)sition he held until his death. He was succeeded in the Supreme Court by the Hon. James B. Ricks, of Christian county, who is at present one of the Justices of said court. Many of the Judges above mentioned have died and passed to a jurisdiction where no errors can be assigned or judgments re- versed, and where each of them will receive the reward they merit. We have spoken of Judge Treat and his work upon the bench of the State and Fed- eral Court ; his name is familiar with the bar of the state, and many of the decisions rendered by him have been recorded upon the records of the state; he enjoyed the reputation of being an honorable, upright Judge. David Davis enjoyed an enviable reputa- tion both as a Judge of the State Courts and of the Federal Courts. He was ele- vated to the position of Justice of the Su- preme Courts of the U. S. l)y his personal friend and former as.sociate. Abraham Lin- coln. He afterwards resigned and was elected as U. S. Senator from the state of Illinois. He was a man of marked ability, and filled several positions to which he had been elevated w-ith dignity and honor. It is said of Judge Chas. Emerson by those who knew him that he was a plain, unassuming man, a matter of fact lawyer. He had but little sentiment, and dealt very largely in facts; yet withal was kind and accommodating on the bench, and particu- larly to the younger and inexperienced mem- bers (jf the* bar. Very few of Judge Em- ers(jn's decisions were reversed b)' the higher courts. Judge E. Y. Rice was of Montgomery count)', and ])rominently connected in that county ; he presided as Judge in this cir- cuit for several years, wdiich position he resigned in 1870, and was elected to Con- gress. Judge H. M. Vandeveer was elected in 1870 to fill the unexpired term of Judge Rice and was re-elected in 1873, and con- tinued in the position as Judge until the year 1875, at wdiich time he refused to be a candidate for re-election. Judge Vandeveer w^as a good lawyer, an excellent judge of human nature and was able under almost all circumstances to as- certain the true facts in the case that was being heard before him. and w-as not easily deceived. He was an able, upright Judge and while upon the bench by his kindness to the younger members of the bar and his appreciation of their inexperience drew them very closely to him. The writer remembers that while linger- ing in his last sickness, and his death was daih- expected, a young man of Macoupin county, who began his practice before Judge \"andeveer, requested the writer to notify him of the Judge's decease as he desired to attend his funeral and said that no man was ever kinder to the young men upon the bench than Judge Vandeveer. At the close of his career as Judge, he resumed the practice of law ; it was a recognized fact with the members of the bar that the Judge could draw^ the best series of instructions, connect them closer and get nearer to the lines of dispute with them than any mem- ber at the bar, and he was frequently called upon to perform that dut}-. In the latter years of his life he was CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 51 badly afilicted with rheumatism, died at Tay- lorvihe at a ripe old age, and was buried by the legal profession. Judge Phillips presided over the Circuit Court of Christian county a great number of years, and until he was elected to the position of Justice of the Supreme Court. He was a brilliant man, an excellent law- yer and a great reader ; he kept in touch with all of the literature and legal learning of the age; while on the bench he was a rapid worker and enjoyed the reputation of being a man of integrity. Judge W. R. Welch of Carlinville was an excellent lawyer, a man well read in the law, thoroughly conversant with the recent holdings of the courts and was a man of in- tegrity, an able, conscientious and painstak- ing Judge. His was the life of a lawyer; he lived in the law, and had rather converse about legal propositions than any other subject. His mind seemed to feed upon the law. He was loved and admired by all the members of the bar. We could say good words for the many of the Judges that are now living, and have presided over our courts, but it is not the purpose of this work to record the events of the living. PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. David B. Campbell was the first public prosecutor of Christian county, and is said to have been an able lawyer. He served from 1839 tO' 1852 ; after him came Elam Rust, who was elected in 1853, and served until 1856. J. B. White served as prose- cuting attorney in the District from 1857 until 1864; he afterwards moved on tO' a farm near Morrisonville in Christian coun- ty, and there lived for a great number of years until his death, which occurred about a year ago. He is said to have been an able prosecutor and a man of good ability. C. M. Morrison served as prosecuting at- torney from 1865 to 1868. Horace Gwin was elected in 1868 and served until 187 1 . Horace Gwin was a very able lawyer and enjoyed the reputation of being more thoroughly accjuainted with the elementary books of Blackstone and Chitty than any lawyer of his day. In 1872 the old plan of electing Dis- trict Attorneys for the several counties was abandoned, and the Legislature passed an act providing for the election of a State's Attorney in each county, and under this act Alexander McCaskill was elect- ed prosecuting attorney for Christian coun- ty in 1872, and served until 1876. He was afterward elected County Judge. Judge McCaskill was one of the noble men of our county, and was loved and ad- mired by all who knew him, and he loved the people and constantly drew from na- ture and the everyday practices of the people lessons \\hich he at times used wdth great effect in his advocacy at the bar. Judge McCaskill's speeches were not at all times masterpieces, but when he became thoroughly aroused in a case and fully im- bued with the guilt or innocence of his cli- ent, he at times made most excellent speeches to the jury. The writer has heard Judge McCaskill make speeches that were not easily surpassed. Notably his speech in the prose- cution of Newton Crafton at Decatur, which gave him- more than a local reputation as an advocate. He died as he lived, loved by all who knew him and was indeed a good man and honest in all his purposes in life. V. E. Foy was elected State's Attorney in 1876, and served until 1880; was after- wards twice elected County Judge of the county. Judge Foy was a whole-souled. 52 PAST AND PRESENT good-hearted man ; was honest and consci- entious in his work and was loxed hy the people, and in his pahiiy days no one had a hetter or stronger hold upon the people po- litically than did Judge Foy. In fact, he came nearer knowing how to reach the peo- ple and control them than any man that has ever been in the county since the writer has lived there. Judge Foy died April 2-. 1900, and was buried by the profession. His death was regretted by many of his excel- lent friends. Judge Foy was succeeded as State's At- torney by the Hon. John G. Drennan, who was elected in 1880 and served two terms. He was an able lawyer and vigorous prose- cutor and is now connected as associate counsel with the Illinois Central Railroad. Joseph C. Creighton was elected State's Attorney in 1888. and served until 1895, w^hen he w^as compelled to seek another cli- mate on account of his health. Joe, as he was familiarly called bv all who knew him. was a good lawyer, and had his health per- mitted, would doubtless have won distinc- tion at the bar. While acting as prosecutor he served the public well. Few attorneys had a much more difficult time in getting a start in his pro- fession than did Joe Creighton, but he had the tenacity to hold on until he acquired a foothold; he died in Utah a few years ago. respected by all who knew him. Mr. Creighton left here in June, 1895. and the Hon. James B. Ricks filled his place as public prosecutor until December, 1896. The Hon. E. A. Humphreys, of Pana, w^as elected State's Attorney in 1896, and has served from thence up to the present time. He is now livin"- and engaged in the prac- tice of law at Pana. and in the courts of Christian count v. RESIDENT LAWYERS. i John W. Wheaf- came to Taylorville in iS_^o where he engaged in teaching school and the practice of law. but sought a more hicrali\e practice in other parts at an early day. licnjaniin Mason of Greene county. III, came to Taylorville in 1852:- was elected Justice of the Peace soon after he came here. It is said that he was a l)rilliant voung man with a fine legal mind and soon obtained considerable practice, and would have succeeded well in the law. but unfor- tunately for him, fell into bad habits and soon lost his practice. He remained here until 1858: left this county at the time of the gold excitement in Pike's Peak and re- turned to his home in Greene count\- in 1862 and died there in 1870. Thomas Shumaker was the fifth resident lawver : he came to Taylorville in 1852 ; was somewhat "irregular" in his practice and re- mained here until 1854 when he removed to Kansas, and while there achieved some noto- riety and wealth. *A\'as one of those restless, energetic men and was peculiarly adapted for the stirring times incident to the histor}^ of Kansas w^hile vet under territorial government. His prom- inencv. however, proved his death ; he w^as shot and killed in one of the riots that dis- p-raced the earlv historv of that state." J. H. Dawdy located in Pana in 1856; was a native of Illinois and became a law^yer from force of circumstances; there being no attorney at Pana, when he first located there, and a lawyer being, very much in demand, he concluded to study for the profession; w^as admitted to the bar in 1856. Soon after he was elected Associate Justice for the county, and thereafter Justice of the Peace, which office of lustice of the Peace he held CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 53 for a great many years; he died at Pana a few years ago. George Pease was the second lawyer in Pana ; was a native of Massachusetts and a ' graduate of Yale college. Came to Pana in 1857. and continued there in practice until 1861 ; enlisted in the army and elected cap- tain of his company, and after serving his country for two years returned to this coun- ty and resumed his practice. After leaving Pana he removed to Taylorville, and from thence to Colorado, where he now resides, unless he has died recently. James O. Connor was also a resident law- yer of Pana. He was a native of New York; located at Pana in 1858 and continued in the practice until 1861 when he entered the army and was elected as Lieutenant of a company in the 3rd Illinois Cavalry; was subsequently promoted to the rank of Major and continued in the service until the close of the war and when last known was resid- ing at Helena, Ark. Harrison Havens read law while a clerk in the office of W. S. Moore, Circuit Clerk ; was admitted to the bar, but practiced very little. He went to Iowa and then to Spring- field. Mo., where he permanently located and continued in the practice. Since becoming a resident of the latter place he has twice rep- resented his district in Congress. D. K. Hall came to Taylorville in 1859. LTpon the breaking out of the war he en- tered the service as First Lieutenant; was promoted during the war to the rank of Major. At the close of the war he settled in the State of Missouri where he still lives so far as known. Hon. D. D. Shumway was a native of Massachusetts. Came to Christian county in 1843; he studied law and was admitted to practice in 1860. Then formed a law partnership with the Hon. H. M. Vande- veer, and was for many years a prominent man in the county and this section of the state, and held many offices of honor and trust; he died in 1870. His history and character are given fully in other chapters of this work. D. T. Moore was another member of the bar. Was admitted to practice and remained here until 1864 when he removed to Wash- ington, Iowa, but now resides in York, Neb- raska. David McWilliams came to Taylorville in 1863. Lie remained here until 1866 when he removed and located at Monticello, Piatt county, 111. S. P. Davis was a member of the Chris- tian county bar, and was also a journalist and is better known as the latter than the former. In 1868 he removed to BellevilTe, then to Denver, Colo., where he died. J. G. Murdock, an attorney, also came to this county and made an effort to obtain a practice, but for some reason was not able to do SO', and left the place. It is said he moved to Texas. Dan'l McFarland, an attorney from O'Fal- lon, in St. Clair county, came to Taylor- ville in 1871 and opened a law office; he left here soon afterward. A. D. Rich, located in Pana in 1870. Is said to have established the Pana Palladium, a newspaper that still exists. He practiced law to some extent, and remained in Pana until 1872 when he removed to Iowa, thence to Missouri. J. A. Tyler, formerly a resident of Macon county, was admitted to the bar in Decatur ; came to Taylorville in 1872 and remained for several years. While here he contracted a fatal disease and died soon thereafter. The writer was personally acquainted with Mr. Tavlor, and knew him to be a brilliant young- man, a ready speaker and if his 54 I'AST AND PRESENT health had permitted he no doubt would ha\-e made a brii^lit aihocatc at the bar. S. vS. Hibbard came to Taylorx'ille in about 1874. but did not remain a great length of time ; he afterwards abandoned the practice of law and engaged in the min- istr}-; was a quiet unobtrusive gentleman and a good lawyer. IT. AT. \^andeveer must be regarded as the "Nestor" of the Taylorville bar. He began the practice of law here at an early day. and soon became the leading lawyer at the bar, and continued such until his election as Judge. Special mention has been made of the history of Judge Vandeveer in connection with him as Judge of the Circuit Court, and in other parts of this history w^hich will not be repeated. A. B. Hammer located at Assumption in about the year 1868; shortly thereafter moved to Taylor^alle where he formed a partnership with J. M. Simpson, and was engaged in the practice of law here for some time, but left in about the year 1874. Hammer now resides in Oklahoma, and Simpson at AlcPherson, Kansas. In about the year 1873, Messrs. Hayes & Zollars located at Taylorville, but were u.t.- able to secure the practice anticipated, ana soon left. Chas. A. Shirley commenced the practice of law in Taylorville in 1877, but remained here but a short time. G. W. Hinman came to Pana in 1877; ^^' mained one year and removed to his former home, Pike county. 111. J. W. Stanley practiced law in Pana; was elected City Attorney at that place and after- wards removed to Lawrence county. Til. Daniel Miller was Clerk of the Court of Christian countv, and studied law durine- his term of office. He is said to have been a good lawyer and quite popular; died in Taylorville; was a brother of E. A. Miller J. M. Penwell located in Pana in 1867; had a limited practice and died in 1878. Wm. n. Dawdy was a resident of Illi- nois ; was admitted to the bar in 1866. Read law with Judge Henry of Vandalia ; was elected city attorney of Pana, and at the ex- ]Mration of his term of office located in Greenville, Illinois, where he has since re- sided. Has been State's Attorney of that county, and has filled other positions of prominence. A. C. McMillen practiced law in Pana; came there in 18^/1. Was a bright, ener- getic fellow, and met with some success in the practice of law; he died at Pana in 1875- Andrew Simpson was one of the older members of the bar; was a native of Ken- tucky and came to Illinois in 1835. Was admitted to the bar in 1857, and continued in the practice of law until his death. He was honored with offices of trust in the county ; was elected to the office of County Judge prior to township organization ; as a lawyer he ranked high at the bar. His superior knowledge of human nature, the motive and springs of human action made him a dangerous antagonist to cope with before a jury. As a man, he was plain and unassuming ; had a way that was peculiarly his own, and was quite humorous at times. He was an excellent advocate; was a man of integrit} , and w'as especially strong be- fore a jury. Wm. S. Randle was a native of North Carolina ; studied law in the office of A. W. Metcalf of Edwardsville; was admitted to the bar in 1858. Came to this county in 1869, and engaged in farming as well as the practice of law. S. G. Lewis was a native of Delaware; emigrated to Greene county. 111., in 1844; CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 56 was admitted to the bar in Carrollton in i860, and began the practice of law in Tay- lorville in 1878. J. M. Birce was a graduate of the Univer- sity of Michigan at Ann Arbor ; was admit- ted to the practice of law in 1861 ; in 1865 he came to Assumption, and was admitted to the bar in 1866. He engaged in the gen- eral practice of law ; was a painstaking, ear- nest lawyer: always resided at Assumption after coming to this county, and was re- garded as an* honorable, upright lawyer. He died at his home in Assumption a few years ago. Hon. WuL Edgar Morrison was admitted to the bar in 1867; began the practice of law at Springfield, 111., shortly thereafter. After engaging in business for four years at Springfield, he then moved to Morrison- ville in this county where he has since re- sided. He was a good speaker, and in trials before a jury they were well entertained by the speeches of Mr. Morrison. Hon. John B. Jones was a native of Ohio ; he came to Christian county in 1864. Read law here and was admitted to the bar in 1868 and Ijegan the practice of law at No- koinis, 111. Shortly thereafter he returned to Taylorville, where he opened an office and continued in the practice of law at Taylor- ville until about 1882, at which time he re- moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he now resides. Mr. Jones while in Taylor- ville enjoyed a very lucrative practice; he was an earnest, painstaking lawyer. Mr. D. F. Murray studied law with Mr. J. B. Jones; was admitted to the bar in 187 1 and began the practice of law at Mor- risonville where he continued in the prac- tice for several years. He then moved to Washington, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred about two years ago. Mr. Murray was at all times a gentleman, honest, conscientious in his work, and ever diligent in protecting the in- terests of his clients, and was a good lawyer and safe counsellor. Mr. Geo. B. Crooker was a native of Illi- nois; was admitted to- the bar in 1874, formed a partnership with J. C. McBride and continued in the practice with him un- til Mr. Crooker's removal to Kansas in about the year i88.|, at which time he re- moved to Anthony, Kansas, and there con- tinued in the practice of law, where he is now living. W E. Foy read law in the office of J. B. Jones; was admitted to the practice of law in 1874, and was shortly thereafter elected State's Attorney for this county. His char- acter as a lawyer and man have been treat- ed in this chapter in his connection with the office of State's Attorney. Daniel McCaskell came to Christian county in 1865; read law with his brother, A. McCaskell; was admitted to the bar in 1870 and commenced the practice of law in 1872 at Taylorville. In 1874 he formed a partnership with his brother, which con- tinued until about the year 1876, when he was compelled on account of ill health to abandon the practice and move to Colorado. He regained his health, and since then has moved to Chicago, and now enjoys a lucra- tive practice in the city of Chicago. James B. Ricks was educated at Wesleyan University, Bloomington, 111.; studied law in the office of Andrew Simpson; was ad- mitted to the bar in 1874. He was a good lawyer, a nice, smooth talker, and enjoyed a lucrative practice up to the time of his election as one of the Justices of the Su- preme Court. John G. Drennan studied law in the of- fice of John B. Jones; was admitted to the bar in 1878. Formed a partnership with 56 PAST y\ND PRESENT Mr. Junes which continued for several years anil nnlil the election of Mr. l^rcnnan as Slate's Attorney. A more complete history of Mr. Drennan as a lawyer was given in this chapter in connection with his office as State's Attorney; he now resides in Chica- go, and is assistant counsel for the Illinois Central Railroad. j. C. Essick hecame a memher of the har in 1870; practiced law at Pana, 111., for many years. Was a good lawyer and tluent talker; he afterwards uKned to Chicago, where he now lives and enjoys a lucrative law practice. W'm. Kelligor was admitted to the bar in 1878, and after practicing law at Pana for. a short time removed to Nebraska where he now resides and is said to have become a good lawyer, and to enjoy a lucrative prac- tice. S. R. Tippey was admitted to the bar in 1877, and resided in Pana for some time. W. T. Houston was admitted to the bar in 1879; practiced law at Edinburg for many years; he afterwards moved tO' Spring- field, where he continued in the practice un- til his death a few years ago. E. Copperthwaite was admitted to the bar in 1879, and formed a partnership with J. M. Birce at Assumption, where he continued in the practice of law for several years. He was a bright, fluent talker; was elected to the Legislature where he earned for him- self f|uite a reputation as a public speaker. P). I''. Burnett was, admitted to the bar in the state of Michigan, in the year 1836; practiced laAv in that state for over 20 years. Pie afterwards moved to Litchfield, 111., where he engaged in the publishing of a newspaper, and moved to Taylorville in the year 1880, where he lived until his death. Mr. Burnett was a well read lawyer and great student, and had the faculty of saying pleasant things, but when th^ occasion re- (pnred he could use as poisonous terms as an}- one, but he did not engage in the prac- tice of law many years 1)eforc his death; he died at Taylorville many years ago. \V. S. Moore was a native of Ohio; came to Taylorville in 1848; read law with H. M. Vandeveer and was admitted to the bar in 1852, and continued in the practice of law and filling the office of County Judge and Circuit Clerk until his retirement from the profession in 1878. After that he en- gaged in the mercantile business until the latter years of his life, when he removed to Morrisonville, where he was engaged in keeping hotel until his death. A. McCaskell was admitted to the bar in 1857, and soon thereafter removed to Tay- lorville where he engaged in the practice of law until 1859, when he removed to Colo- rado, returning here in 1861, where he again engaged in the practice of law in this coun- ty, and continued in the profession until the time of his death ; he was elected State's Attorney and County Tudge. A more com- plete history is given of Judge McCaskell in another portion of this chapter. Frank Reed is a native of Taylorville, 111., born in 187 1 ; was educated at public schools in Taylorville; admitted to the bar in the year 1893. O. W. Reed is a native of Taylorville, born in i860; was educated in the schools at Tavlorville; admitted to the bar in abo-ut the year 1890; shortly thereafter he accept- ed a position in the pension department at Washington, D. C, and continued in that position for many years. PTc now resides in Texas. Present Members of the Bar. We will not undertake to give a biograph- ical sketch of the present members of the CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 57 l)ar; neither shall we nnfokl their greatness or expose their weakness ; we shonld dislike very much to tell any of their bad traits, if they had any, and to undertake to tell all of the good acts we know al)out them might require more space than can be devoted to this work, so^ w'e shall content ourselves w-ith giving their place of birth, education and dates of admission to the bar, and allow the reader to follow them in their daily walk through life and judge for liimself of their character and ability. James M. Tavlor is a native of Scotland ; was educated in Academy of Waukegan, 111., and Kenosha High School ; was admitted to the bar in 1868, and began the practice O'f law in Taylor ville in 1868, and is prob- ably the oldest practitioner in the comity. W. M. Provine is a native of Illinois; was educated in common schools, concluding at Macomb Seminary ; was licensed to prac- tice law in the year 1868. Shortly there- after he moved to Taylorville and has been since that time engaged in the practice of law here. J. C. McBride is a native of Illinois; w^as educated at Earlham College and Lincoln University of Lincohi, III, graduating in 1S69; was admitted to the bar in 1870, and shortly thereafter began the practice of law at Taylorville, and continued therein to the present time. Wm. T. Vandeveer was born in Christian county ; educated at Shurtleff Upper Alton ; was admitted to the bar in 1871, and for a time practiced law at Taylorville; he still resides at Taylorville, but abandoned the practice several years ago. John W. Kitchell is a native of Illinois; was admitted to the practice of law in Iowa in 1852 and afterwards in this state, and shortly thereafter located at Pana, where he has resided ever since. J. C. McOuigg is a native of Ohio ; was educated at the Fredericksburg Academy and Vermilion College of Ohio, graduating therefrom in 1865. Graduated from the law department of Michigan University in 1867, and was at once admitted to the bar and soon located in Pana where he has resided and practiced law to the present time. E. A. Humphreys is a native of Illinois ; was educated in the schools of Christian county ; admitted to the bar in the year 1872, and shortly thereafter began the prac- tice of law at Pana, where he has continued to reside to the present time. John E. Hogan is a native of this coun- ty. Was educated at Taylorville; admitted to the bar in the year 1888; and shortly thereafter entered upon the practice oi law, and is engaged in the work of his profes- sion at the present time. Erank P. Drennan is a native of Chris- tian county ; was educated in this county and admitted to the bar in 1881; and soon thereafter entered upon the practice of law at Taylorville, where he now resides and is engaged in his chosen profession. R. M. Potts is a native of Christian county; was educated in public schools; ad- mitted to the bar in 1892; and shortly there- after began the practice of law at Taylor- ville, where he has continued to the present time ; he served one term as County Judge. L. G. Grundy is a native of Macoupin county; was educated at Ann Arbor; was admitted to the bar in 1893, and shortly thereafter entered upon the practice at Tay- lorville, and still resides at Taylorville. He also served one term as County Judge. J. E. Sharrock is a native of Towerhdl; was admitted to the bar in 1886 and shortly thereafter entered upon the practice of law in Shelby county, from which place he moved to Taylorville in 1893, and has been 58 PAST AND PRESENT engaged in the practice of law ever since; he served two terms in the Legislature. J. A. Merry was born in Bond County, 111. Attended the Greenville High School, and afterwards gratluated at the Valparai- so, Indiana, Normal School, and pursued the law course at Hayward College, Fair- field. Til. Admitted to the bar in the year 1893, and began practicing law at Vandal ia, 111., and remained there until the year 1894, at which time he moved to Taylorville, 111., and since that time resided in the City of Taylorville, and is now engaged in the prac- tice of law at Taylorville. John P). Colegrove is a native of Illinois; was educated in Christian county; admitted to the bar in the year 1889 ; soon thereafter entered upon the practice of law at Taylor- ville and is at the present time pursuing his profession. James L. Drennan is a native of Chris- tian county; was educated in the schools of Christian county; was admitted to the bar in the year 1893. and has since that time l>een engaged in the practice of law until about two years ago, when he accepted the position of Secretary to Judge Ricks, which place he now holds. Alfred Adams is a native of Illingis; was educated at Fairfield and Greenville, Hay- ward and Almira colleges ; admitted to the bar in the year 1893, and thereafter after his admission to the bar moved to Taylor- ville and entered u])on the practice at this place, and is at the present time engaged in the practice of law here. Edward Adams was educated at Dixon College; admitted to the bar in 1897; soon thereafter began the practice of law at Tay- lorville and continued in his profession un- til about the first of January last, when he accepted a position in the Pension Depart- ment at Washington. F. O. Edler was born and educated in h'rancc; emigrated to Illinois about 15 years ago; shortly thereafter admitted to the bar but removed from 'i'aylorville to Oklahoma about the first of January last, where he now resides. W. S. Greer is a native of Illinois; was educated in Christian county, and was ad- mitted to the bar about 10 years ago; en- gaged in the practice of law at Taylorville for several years, but moved to Chicago about the first of November last, where he is now engaged in the practice of law. Fred O. Waggoner is a native of this county; educated in the schools of this county and admitted to the bar in about the year 1890; entered upon the practice of law at Morrisonville and continued at that place until about the year 1895 when he moved to Oklahoma Territory, where he now resides. Paul Dowdel was born and educated in Illinois; admitted to the practice of law in about the year 1895; and for awhile prac- ticed at Taylorville; afterwards moved to Assumption thence to Memphis, Tenn., where he now resides, and is engaged in the practice of his profession. James B. Abrams is a native of Chris- tian county; educated in the county; ad- mitted to the bar about 10 years ago, and commenced the practice of law in Taylor- ville, where he continued in the profession until about the month of November last, when he moved to the state of Washington, where he now resides. C. E. Abrams is a native of Christian county, and educated here and Shurtleff Col- lege; was admitted to the bar in about the year 1901 ; engaged in the practice of law at Taylorville until al)out the month of No- vember last, when he moved to the state of Montana, where he now resides. Leroy Anderson is a nati\'e of this county. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 59 and educated here; was admitted to the liar in 1897 and practiced law at Taylorville un- til the spring of 1903, at which time he moved to Prescott. Arizona, where he now pursues his profession. A. D. Sitler was born in Shelby coijnty, Illinois; educated at Fort Scott, Kansas, Normal College; admitted to- the practice of law in the year 1892 and shortly there- after began the practice of his profession at Taylorville, where he has since that time resided. C. H. Shamel was born in Christian county ; is a graduate of the University of Illinois, and shortly after his graduation was admitted to the bar and immediately com- menced practicing law at Taylorville. and has been engaged in the practice ever since that time. James H. Forrester is a native of Chris- tian county ; was educated at LIniversity of Pennsylvania and Normal ; admitted to the bar in 1897 and shortly thereafter began the practice of law at Taylorville where he still resides. He is at present serving as County Judge of the county, having been elected in 1902. Geo. Wallace is a native of Christian county; was educated at Lincoln University at Lincoln, 111., graduating therefrom in 1894; was admitted to the bar in the year 1899, and has since that time been engaged in the practice of law at Taylorville, where he now resides. Walter M. Provine is a native of Illinois; was educated at the High School in Taylor- ville, graduating therefrom in 1895 and af- terwards graduated in the law department of Cornell University, N. Y., in 1897, and was soon thereafter admitted to the bar in this state, and has since that time been en- gaged in the practice of law at Taylorville. W. B. McBride is a native of Qiristian county; born at Taylorville; was educated at Illinois University and Ada College, Ada, Ohio, graduating from the latter college in civil engineering in 1895; was admitted to the bar in 1898, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of law at Taylor- ville. W. R. Dexheimer is a native of Christian county ; was educated at Dixon, 111. ; ad- mitted to- the bar in the year 1901, shortly thereafter commencing the practice oi law at Taylorville, and is still engaged in his chosen profession. Arthur Yockey was born in Christian . county ; educated in the common schools and high school .at Taylorville; graduated at Valparaiso, Ind. Attended law school in Chicago; admitted to the bar in 1899. Been practicing in Taylorville since that time. R. C. Neff is a native of Sangamon coun- ty, 111. ; was educated at common schools, Valparaiso, Ind. ; admitted to the bar in the year 1899 and has since that time been en- gaged in the practice of law at Taylorville, where he now resides. D. O. Potts was born in Christian coun- ty, 111.; educated in common schools; ad- mitted to the bar in Atchison, Kansas, in 1898; recently admitted to the bar in Illi- nois, where he is now practicing. Leslie Taylor is a native of Taylorville, was educated at ShurtlefT College, Upper Alton and John Marshall Law School, Chi- cago ; admitted to- the bar in the year 1903 and soon commenced the practice of law at Taylorville, and is at the present time en- gaged in the work of his chosen profession. C. A. Prater was born and educated in Christian county, 111., and was admitted to the bar in 1882, and began the practice of law at Edinburg, 111., and since that time he had resided and been engaged in the practice of his profession at that place. 60 PAST AND PRESENT J. H. Morgan is a native of Indiana; was educated at Marion College, Marion, In- diana; admitted to the l)ar in 1895, and shortly thereafter began the practice of law at Pana. at which place he has since that time resided, and been pursuing his chosen profession. C. E. Springstun is a native of Indiana; was educated in ln(hana and Illinois; admit- ted to the l)ar in 1893, and shortly thereafter commenced the practice of law at Pana, and is now engaged in the practice of his pro- fession. J. H. Fornoff \vas born in Illinois; edu- cated at Wesleyan Law School; admitted to the bar in the year 1892, and has since that time lieen engaged in the practice of law at Pana. E. E. Dowel was born at Shell)yville, 111. ; graduated at Pana High School; admitted to the bar in the year 1900 and has since that time been engaged in the practice of law at Pana, where he now resides and pur- sues his chosen profession. M. J. Fitzgerald was born and educated in Fayette county. 111. ; was admitted to the bar about ten years ago, and practiced law for a while in his native county, but after- ward removed to Assumption, 111., at which place he has been engaged in the practice of his profession for several years. Frank L. Taylor was born in Macon county. 111. Was educated at the Normal University of Varparaiso, Ind., where he was graduated on the com])letion of a busi- ness course; was admitted to the bar in 1902, and immediately thereafter engaged in the practice of law at Decatur, 111., where he continued until June, 1903. at which time he moved to Assumption, and has since then been engaged in the practice of law at that place. A. E. Gowan was born in Jersey county, 111. Graduated in the commercial depart- ment of the liillslioro Academy. He read knv at Morrisonville and later attended law school at Ann Arbor, Mich. Was admitted to the bar in the s])ring of 1883; moved to Morrisonville and there engaged in the prac- tice of law and has continued in the practice at that i)lace almost continuously since that time. Edwin F. O'Farrell was born and edu- cated in Shelby county, 111. Admitted to the l)ar in 1901, and immediately entered upon the practice of law at Pana, III, at which place he has been engaged in his pro- fession since that time. David M. Sharp was born in Christian county. 111. ; was educated at the Illinois College of Jacksonville, where he was grad- uated ; he was admitted to the bar in the year 1889, and shortly thereafter began tlie practice of law at Taylorville, III, at which place he continued in the business of his profession for several years, but has recent- ly occupied his attention with farming. Incidents of Early Days. The early settlement of the locality now composing Christian County was com- menced as early as the year 1827, and those settling here between that date and 1848 are what in fact compose the early settlers of this locality. To appreciate the real per- ils undergone, the reader must imagine this as a locality without any houses or fields or even any signs of civilization and then take the first settler who came to this locality and see what he did after arriving here; of c(nu-se he brought with him his axe and saw ,'md such other tools as he had or could se- cure, and a small supply of provisions which could in no event be very extenf^ive, select- ed the locality upon which he desired to build, in the timber, then the first thing he CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 61 did was to build a house to- live in : this was done by cutting log's, hewing and notching them and then laying them one u^Don the other in the same manner that a rail pen is built until the cabin was of the desired height, usually 6 to 8 feet. Large timbers were, laid across the building, taking the place of sleepers which supported the puncheon floor when laid ; in some instances floors were not laid for a long time after the building of the cabin, then on top of these logs rafters or something to support the roof were placed and the building roofed with clapboards which were rived out of the timber. A large fireplace was built in one end oi the building, and the chimney built of sticks covered with mud, for plas- tering, inside and out ; clay was pounded in to form a fireplace, hearth and jambs and to build the chimneys to a sufficient height to prevent the fire from burning the build- ing. This done, then the next thing was tO' dig a well, and build some shelter for the stock. It frequently happened that the construction of the log cabin and the raising of a crop for feed for the next year was carried on at the same time and frequently two or three families would come and set- tle together, build a house together and live together until their buildings could Ije con- structed. At the first opportunity, the owner with his axe and saw and an auger would build the furniture for the house, which consist- ed of bedsteads made of poles with one end fastened in the log of the house and the other frequently resting on a fork or bed- post constructed and extending out into the floor. These improvised beds were so con- structed in many instances that they could be taken down during the day time and readily put up at night, thereby giving more room for the occupants of the small cabin. As soon as the cabin and the reasonable conviences of this one were constructed, then the work of constructing a cabin for a neigh- bor began. The families from this little cabin in a short time would begin improve- ments upon farms for themselves, by erect- ing their cabins, and in many instances, a neighborhood of three to half a dozen fami- lies would soon be formed consisting of those who came and located in that particular place ; and for many years it frequently hap- pened that the nearest neighborhood would be from 5 to 15 miles, and in some instances the settler and his family lived alone and without any neighbor nearer than two- to five miles, and thus along the timbers of Bear Creek, of Soiith Fork, North Fork and Flat Branch, the settlements gradually grew and the distance between neighbors was within 10 or 15 years reduced to that of a mile or less. It is related that some of the early settlers did not see the face of a white man more than once or twice during the whole year. Some of these inhabitants were without a horse, or even a yoke .of oxen, and in some instances they raised the crops to feed them- selves and family with the hoe; in others they had rudely constructed plows and ex- changed work, which enabled them to more readily till the soil and get from it better results. They were not required to raise their meat, as at that time the lands abounded in wild deer, turkey, chicken and all other kinds of game to such an extent that the pioneer was always certain of his meat at any time. It is related by an old settler that even after Taylorville had been located and peo- ple residing here and the first courthouse constructed that Wm. Darner, an expert hunter made a "stand" for deer in a little 62 PAST AND PRESENT grove located in al>out the place where the West school building- now stands, and that many were the deer that he killed from that ''stand." Jt is said that you could stand in the first courthouse .and look out over the prairie and observe deer passing around the little village in herds of 20 to 50; they were indeed abundant, and the meat thus obtained b\- the settler was very much relished. It is also said that bees were very plentiful in this country at that time, would hive in the hollow trees and make large quantities of honey, and the early settler was able to supply himself and family with honey from the cutting of these bee trees; in many in- stances, large cjuantities of honey would be obtained from a single bee tree; experts in l)ee hunting were able to find these trees \-erv readily. It is said of one early settler that on a trip taken by him from Campbell's Point to Buckhart Grove and Mosquito Creek that in the course of a few days they found a great number of bee trees and se- cured about 45 gallons of honey and 60 pounds oi beeswax ; that at another time on a trip over on the North Fork, Okaw and Ivaskaskia rivers, they found about 40 bee trees. This w^as as early as 1822, and it was said that this settler, Samuel Williams, in all his bee hunting found no traces of any settlers along the several streams and that he went for weeks without seeing even the face of a white man, except one rnan who accidentally rode into their camp in crossing the prairie. This honey was also a source of revenue for the people, as they could obtain for beeswax in the market 25 cents a pound and a fair price for the honey. It was more difficult for them to secure l>readstuff th:m meat ; while the settler was able to raise his corn and in some instances wheat, it was very difficult to get it ground and ready for bread ; it is said that in many instances they used a mortar for powdering the grain so as to make it fit for bread; at other times they boiled the corn and grated it into meal on an improvised tin grate. Corn bread was not a luxury in those days, but was the staple bread of the early set- tler. Later, mills were located principally for grinding corn, btit in most instances they were a long way from the settler, and being practically "destitute of wagons or other ve- hicles of conveyance, it was very difficult to secure a grinding of the corn, and often two or three days would be consumed in getting to mill, and when there they had to take their turn, but the sturdy miller always took out his toll, which at times seemed ex- orbitant, yet, under the circumstances, was probably not unreasonable. Mr. J. P. Walker informs me tha,t in 1847 tl"^^ whole neighborhood in which he lived was without bread along in the spring of the year ; in fact it had been a wet, muddy winter and it was impossible for the people to have any grinding done; in many in- stances the families had subsisted upon such corn meal as they were able to obtain from boiling and grating the corn; that in March, he in company with another neighbor went a distance of 22 miles to a horsemill owned by Lipe in Montgomery county where they obtained the grinding of two or three sacks of corn to supply the neighborhood; when they returned, half of it was loaned in less than 24 hoMrs. It is also related that Jesse Hinkle went to old man Traylor's over on Bear Creek about the same time to borrow some meal and Mrs. Traylor said to him, "We are out, and have been grating corn for three wrecks," and Ilinkle replied, "Thank God, we arc all alike." While the trip of going to mill was a long CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 63 one and in many instances attended with hardships, yet in many cases it was an en- joyable affair, as the settler could there meet with his friends from the other parts of the country and learn what they were doing- in that section, for it must be remembered that it took news a long time to travel about the circuit of even as small a locality as Christian county in those days. From information obtained from Mr. Walker, one of the first mills built in this county was erected in about the year 1842 by Jesse Elgan on South Fork, near what is now known as the Ralston Bridge, and what was generally known as the Elgan set- tlement ; this was a water mill, and built for grinding wheat, corn and sawing lumber. Levi Henkle built the next mill near where Willowford Bridge is now, but the exact date the mill was built is not known, but erected prior to 1846. Dr. Goiidy also built a mill in the south- west part of Taylorville in 1850. At an early day, the people of the northern part of the county went to what was known as the Archer mill just across the line in San- gamon county, and on the north fork of the Sangamon River. We. are also inform.ed that in other places there were constructed what is known as horse or cog mills built of wooden rollers with wooden cogs, and so constructed as to be operated by means of levers to which horses were attached. This was of course all in a rude form, but was very acceptable to the people of that day; it supplied them with bread. While it is true that these mills were very rudely constructed and of limited capacity, thev were sufficient, however, for the time, and essential in sustaining life while the settler strove to improve his home. The demand for these mills was so great, that in a comparatively short time they were constructed in the different localities all over the country, and some of them were con- structed earlier than some of the mills men- tioned above, so that in time it became much more convenient for the settler to obtain his grinding and his lumber. The more difficult problem, however, was that of marketing the products raised and purchasing supplies for the family. The people of this locality usually in the early (lay marketed their products at St. Louis; after hauling their wheat that distance, were only able to procure from 40 to 45 cents a bushel for it, and usually could haul not to exceed 25 to 30 bushels at a time; there were regular stopping places on the road, but most generally the farmer would camp out during this trip. The expense of the trip was com- paratively light; it required many, some- times 7 or 8, days to make it, but he would usually return with groceries, tobacco and not unfrequently with a little Old Bourbon as that was one of the necessaries of those days to cure snake bites, and most every- body used a little of the cure. Hogs were driven to the same market and hog driving time was always regarded as a holiday occa- sion ; the people of the neighborhood would bunch their hogs, drive them to St, Louis, and then realize only from ^2 to $2.50 per cwt. after they were dressed — but the drivers had a good time; told of the fine country they lived in and many interesting stories incident to the early settlement of the coun- try. Some of them even told Indian stories and their narrow escapes from scalping; it all had a kind of wild, romantic atmosphere that, notwithstanding its perils, was exciting and being of that adventurous cast, was very alluring, but wherever the lot of the early settler was cast, you always found that free hearted hospitality that comes to people who are depending one upon the other and 64: PAST AXl) PRESENT forsakes them when tliey reach a point or station in hfe in which thc\- feel that they are independent. The want of conveyances, the compara- ti\e isohition of the people, the necessity of depending" npon your neis^hhor to a great extent : the common moti\e of securing a home, that inchiced this people to take u]) their ahode in tlic wilderness, were all ele- ments that educated them in the line of free hearted, unselfish citizens, the same as the elements of ])lenty and the ability to puixhase whatever you desire, the want of a comuKJU motive, except to see who can get rich the quickest are educators of selfish- ness and greed that exist to such an extent with the people of today. On the one hand, we have the warm, open-hearted, un- selfish pioneer, who li\ed not for himself alone, but for his neighbors as well and was ready at all times to make any sacri- fice to benefit his neighbor, and it seems to liaxe been an unwritten law with these people that they w^ere honest w'ith one an- other ; on the other hand, the citizen of to- day is selfish, unwilling to accommodate a neighbor; unable to appreciate a friend's distress and his actions in life are promoted largely Ijy greed, and the more congested the population the greater seems to be this characteristic in the human family. The fame of the fertile prairie of Illi- nois had reached even to the state of Con- necticut, and as early as 1836 a band of people sent Rev. Gideon B. Perry and Thomas H. Hewitt to Illinois to prospect, locate and enter a large lx)dy of desirable land. It is said these representatives trav- eled over most of the northern part of the state, as well as Christian county, and finally decided to locate in the northeastern part of this county, on the west side of Flat Branch. They entered 10,000 acres of land, which was dixidcd and allotted by auction among the members oi the colony in North Stonington, Conn. Some of these colonists came in the year 1837. and others in llie year 1838. but before leaving home they had selected their location and determined ui:)on laying out a site for a city upon the lands entered, and also upon the erection of some public build- ings. The principal persons composing this colony were Thomas P. Chapman, Nicholas Sanders, William S. Frink, Benj. F. Chap- man, Gideon Wilber, Elija Palmer, Allen P. Peabody. Frederick Fitch, Wm. S. Pea- body, Rev. A. Ackley. Elias S. Peabody, Amos Peabody, Thomas Skiff, Thomas Millard, Samuel Peabody. Samuel N. Pea- body, Paris Pray, Horace Morgan, John D. Brown, Deacon Smith, John P. Will- iams, Andrew B. Chapman and C. Tyler Chapman. Immediately upcjn their arrival they began the work of building their homes; a large six-room house was built by the company as the w riter is informed, in which Thomas B. Chapman resided. The gatherings of the colony were held in this house ; this was the \i\ace where they assembled for a long time for public wor- ship. This house or home w^as the centre to which all of the colonists in that locality were attracted; 160 acres of land entered by this colony was appropriated, before di- vision, for the founding of a city, to be called "Stonington City." It w\as surveyed and platted in lots and blocks, under the direction of Gideon B. Perry, "chairman of the executive committee of Stonington" colony. It contained a public square, park, 42 blocks and 504 lots, with many streets, and is recorded on l)age 390 of book 47 in the recorder's office of Christian county. This is a transcribed record. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 65 This city never materialized ; the lots were used for agricultural i)urposes and after- ward the plat was vacated and the land disposed of as a farm. A charter was secured for the founding of a school, to be known as "Brush Col- lege," which was never founded. They did, however, provide for good schools in that localitv, and because of the number of people that came together they had many advantages that did not come to the settlers who came single handed or in smaller numbers. The large house spoken of above is remembered by many of the children that were born in Christian county belonging -to that colony. They say it was a place to which they would all go for pleasure, re- ligious service and pul)lic meetings gener- ally. It sat upon a high knoll, and in the early days, when occupied l)y Mr. Chap- man, was a guiding star to those who trav- eled across the prairies. Springfield was the point to which these people mostly went to do their trading and frecjuently upon their return it would be after night before they reached their homes — when it was known that any of the people of the colony had gone to Springfield or elsewhere, Mrs. Chapman, commonly known as "Aunt Martha," would place a light in the window to serve as a guiding star for those who were trying to cross the prairie. It was very difficult to keep 3^our course in traveling across the prairie after night, and the light in the window kept by this old lady was to the traveler upon the prairie what the lighthouse is to the mariner upon the sea. Paris Pray and B. F. Chapman resided on the opposite side of Brushy Branch, and had to cross this branch to reach this home in the colony : they were great church goers, and in times of high water the only way which the Ijrancii C(juld be crossed was by canoe, so they prepared, from a hollow log, a canoe, that was kept for use on all occa- sions ; Chapman and Pray used to cross this creek in this canoe, and it is said that Chap- man was a large man and somewhat awk- ^var(l, and Pray used to make him lie down in the canoe and keep still for fear he would tip it o\'er, while Pray would row across. No doubt the peo])le of this colony had many good times and they had the correct idea of the early settlement of a new coun- try. The committee who selected the lands for this colony acted judiciously, as these are today among the most valuable lands of Christian county, and many of them are occupied at the present time by the de- scendants of these colonists. The peo])Ie composing this colony were thrifty, energetic and law-abiding citizens. They were of a religious character, and ob- served the law^s of God and their duties as Christians with as much scrupulousness in the wild west as they did in their old stead- fast home in Stonington, Conn. This colony was a blessing to Christian county, and aided very much in building it up, and in inculcating a spirit of fairness and a due observance of the laws ; many of the important offices of the county have from time to time been occupied by mem- bers of this colony. From the best information that the writer can •obtain, a general settlement of the prairie land did not begin until after the building of the Illinois Central Railroad, and of the Alton & Terre Haute Railroad (now the Big Four), and Mr. Walker in- forms me that even as late as 1854 that there was no settlement between his home, then in the south part of Johnson township and Robinson creek in Shelby county, ex- cept one place owned by Lane, afterwards G6 PAST AND PRESENT known as the McCoy farm ; that tlie towns of I'ana and Rosemond were not then in ex- istence; it was about this time that the prairies began to be settled. The town of Pana w^as first laid out and settlement commenced in about the year 1855, and the postol^ce for that locality that had been located near Stone Coal was then removed to Pana, and shortly after, in about the year 1856 or 1857, the town of Pana was incorporated, which is now a prosperous city. Prior to 1856, the only families then living in Rosemond towm- ship, were those of Reed, Wolf and Blackburn, then li\ing in or near Bell's Grove. In 1856 the colony from Massa- chusetts, composed of Benjamin Hawley, O. M. Hawks, Brainard Smith, Mr. Mar- vin, Benjamin Warner and John Putnam, came to this county and purchased a tract of about 2,000 acres of land in Rose- mond township, and named the town Rose- mond. The five houses for these families were framed in St. Louis and all alike, and were brought across the river on the ice and shipped out on the Alton & Terre Haute road on the first train that came to Rose- mond. These houses w'ere erected near the village now^ called Rosemond ; the name of Rose- mond was selected by this colony before they left Massachusetts. The first Sunday after arriving in the village, these families organized a Sunday school and held public worship, the Congregational church was organized there in the summer of 1856; set- tlements at about this time liegan to spring up along the Alton & Terre Haute Rail- road and the Illinois Central Railroad ; with the coming of the Illinois Central Rail- road a colony of French settled near what is now known as the village of Assump- tion, and the town was then called Tacusah. The other railroads traversing the county were not located until much later, and the towais on these roads sprung up after 1868. The credit for the early settlers of this county is not due to the man alone, but the woman of that day was equally as cour- ageous, and is, perhaps, entitled to even more credit, the man could relieve the monotony of the routine work by the many excursions to mill and to market, but the wife and daughter were compelled to re- main at home and in practical solitude dur- ing these days of anxiety ; the husband raised the sheep and flax, the wife carded and spun the \vool and spun the cotton, and wove it into linsey for dresses for them- selves and into jeans and made out of that raiment for the husband. "Every house contained a carding, loom and spinning wheel, which were considered by the women as necessary for them as the rifle for the men. The loom in use was a rudely-constructed one, consisting of two pieces of scantling running obliquely from the floor to the wall ; later, the frame loom came into use and was a great improve- ment." It is said that the rattling of the loom, the whirr and buzz of the spinning wheel and the song of the maid at the wheel w^ere among the delights of the household, and the w^omen were proud of their ability to perform this work and the amount they could do and the i)erfection of the cloth that they could make by these processes. It is also said thai in many instances w^hen the men w^ould gather together for the pur- poses of having a log-rolling or house- building or corn-husking or occasions of that character, the women also assembled with their spinning wheels and that the music of the many spinning wheels was de- lightful to listen to. They had no stoves upon which to do CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. their cooking; that was done before the fire- place, and usually the Johnny cake and other species of corn bread were served up for din- ner while mush and milk was the favorite dish for supper; in the fireplace hung the crane; the Dutch oven was used in baking. The streams abounded in fish, which formed a healthful article of food; many kinds of greens, such as dock and polk, were eaten. The truck patch furnished roast- ing ears, pumpkins, beans, squashes and potatoes, and these were used by all. For reaping-bees, log-rollings, house-raisings, the standing dish was pot pie; coffee and tea were used sparingly, as they were very dear and the hardy pioneer thought them a drink fit only for women and children. They said it would not "stick to the ribs," but you talk to an old settler today and he will tell you that the bread baked in the old fireplace in the old fashioned way was the best bread lie ever ate; that nothing equalled it. In those days many wild fruits o-rew in the timbers and berries which were gathered and prepared by the housewife and every effort made upon her part to make the^ meals palatable, and indeed they were palatable and healthful. There being no church house or regular services of any kind to call the people together, they no doubt "cheerfully accepted invitations to house-raisings, log-rollings, corn-huskings or a bee of any kind ; to attend these gath- erings, they would go ten and sometimes more miles. Generally with the invitation to the men went one to the women to come to a quilting ; the good woman of the house where the festivities were to take place would be busily engaged for a day or more in preparation for the coming guests. Great quantities'of provisions were necessary, as dyspepsia was unknown to the pioneer, and 5 good appetites were the rule and not the exception." "The bread used at these frolics was baked generally on Johnny or Journey cake boards, and is the best corn bread ever made. The board is made smooth, about two feet long and eight inches wide; the ends are gen- erally rounded. The dough is spread out on this board and placed leaning before the fire; one side is baked and then the dous:h is changed on the board so the other side is presented in its turn to the fire. This is Johnny cake, anct\is good if the proper it-omaterials are put into it and it is properly baked." Reynolds' History. "At all log-rollings and house-raisings, it was customary to provide liquor; ex- cesses were not indulged in, however. The fiddler was never forgotten. After the day's work had been accomplished out doors, and in, by men and women, the floor was cleared and the merry dance began. The handsome, stalwart young men whose fine forms were the result of their manly out-door life, clad in fringed buck- skin breeches and gaudily-colored hunting shirts led forth the bright-eyed, buxom damsels, attired in neatly-fitting linsey woolsey garments to the dance, their cheeks glowing with health and eyes sparkling of enjoyment, and perhaps of a tenderer emo- tion." Log-rollings, house-raisings and corn- huskings are not entirely out of the memory of persons living at the present day; many of the older inhabitants remember well oc- casions of the character of these, and that they were very enjoyable affairs. The amuse- ments were simple, but pleasant, and af- forded a great deal of pleasure to those who participated therein. 68 PAST AND PRESENT A good description is given of a corn- shucking of the olden time in Reynolds' Pioneer History of Illinois, in the following language : "In pure pioneer times the crops of corn were ne\er husked on the stalk, as is done at this da}', hut were hauled home in the husk and thrown in a heap, generally l)y the side of the crih, so that the ears, when husked, could l)e thrown direct into the crih. The whole neighlx)rhood, male and female, were invited to the shucking, as it was called. The girls, and many of the married ladies, generally engaged in this amusing work. "In the first place two leading expert husk- ers were chosen as captains, and the heap of corn divided as nearly equal as possihle. Rails were laid across the pile so as to desig- nate the division, and then each captain chose, alternately, his corps of huskers, male and female. The whole numher of working hands present were selected, on one side or the other, and then each party commenced a contest to heat the other, which was in many cases truly exciting. One other rule w^as, that whene^•er a male husked a red ear of corn he was entitled to a kiss from the girls. This frequently excited much fuss and scuffling, which was intended by both parties to end in a kiss. Tt was a universal practice that taffia or Monongahela wliisky was used at these husking frolics, which they drank out of a bottle, each one, male and female, taking the l)ottle and drinking out of it. and then handing it to his next neighl)or. without using any glass or cup whatever. The cus- tom was common, and not considered rude. Almost always these corn-shucks ended in a dance. To prepare for this amusement fiddles and fiddlers were in great demand; and it often required much fast riding to f)btain them. One violin and a performer were all that was contemplated at these in- nocent rural games. "Towards dark, and the supper half over, then it was that a bustle and confusion com- menced. The confusion of tongues at Babel would have been ashamed at the corn-shuck- ings. The young ones hurrying off the table, ancl the old ones contending for time and (jrder. It was the case nine times out of ten, that hut one dwelling house was on the premises, and that used for eating as well as dancing. But when the fiddler commenced tuning his instrument the music always gained the \ictory for the young side. Then the dishes, \ictuals. table and all. disappeared in a few n.iinutes. and the room was cleared, the dogs drixen out, and the floor swept off ready for action. The floors of these houses were sometimes the natural earth, beat solid, sometimes the earth with puncheons in the middle over the potato-hole, and at times the whole floor was made of puncheons. The music at these country dances made the young folks almost frantic, and some- times much excitement was displayed to get on the floor first. Generally the fiddler on these occasions assumed an important bear- ing and ordered, in true professional style, so and so to be done; as that was the w'ay in North Carolina, where he was raised. The decision ended the contest for the floor. In those da}-s they danced jigs and four- handed reels, as they were called. Some- times three-handed reels were also danced. In these dances there was no .standing still • — all were moxing at a rapid pace from the beginning to the end. In the jigs the by- standers cut one another out. as it was called, so that this dance would last for hours. Sometimes the parties in the jig tried to tire (^ne another down in the dance, .and then it CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 69 would also last a long time before one or the other gave up. The cotillion or stand-still dances were not then known. The bottle went around at these parties as it did at the shuckings and male and female took a dram out of it as it passed around. No sitting was indulged in, and the folks either stood or danced all night, as generally daylight ended the frolic. The dress of these hardy pioneers was gen- erally in plain homespun. The hunting shirt was much worn at that time, which is a convenient working or dancing dress Sometimes dressed deer-skin pantaloons were used on these occasions, and moccasins — rarely shoes — and at times bare feet, were indulged in. In the morning all go home on horseback or on foot. No carriages, wagons or other vehicles w-ere used on such occasions, for the best of reasons — because they had none. Dancing was a favorite amusement and was participated in by all. "Alike all ages; dancers of ancient days. Have led their children through the mirthful maze, And the gray grandsire, skilled in gestic lore. Has frisked beneath the burden of three- score." There were many other amusements in- dulged in by the settlers of that day, and while it is said that they were more athletic and rude than those of today, they certainly had the virtue of being as innocent as the amusements of today, and w-ere not suscepti- ble of being called demoralizing. "Among settlers in a new country, from the very nature of the case, a higher value is set upon physical than mental endow- ments. Skill in woodcraft, superiority of muscular development, accuracy in shooting with the rifle, activity, swiftness of foot. were the qualifications that brought their possessor fame. Foot-racing was often practiced, and often the boys and young men engaged in friendly contests wath the Indi- ans. Every man had a rifle, always kept in good order ; his flints, bullet moulds, screw- driver, awl, butcherknife and tomahawk were fastened to the shot-pouch strap or to the belt around the waist. Target shooting was much practiced, and shots were made l)v the hunters and settlers with flint-lock rifles that cannot be excelled by their de- scendants with the improved breechloaders of the present day. At all gatherings, jumping and wrestling were indulged in and those who excelled were thenceforward men of notoriety. Cards, dice and other gambling implements w^ere unknown. Danc- ing was a favorite amusement. It was par- ticipated in by all. At the shooting matches which were usually for the prize of a turkey or a gallon of whisky, good feeling gener- ally prevailed. If disputes arose they were settled often by a square stand-up fight, and no one thought of using other weapons than fists. They held no grudges after their fight, for this was considered unmanly ; it was the rule that if a fight occurred between two persons the victor should pour water for the defeated as he washed away the traces of the fray, after which the latter was to perform the same service for the former. The early settler that became a permanent fixture or attachment to this county was of a peculiar type. As before explained, some of these localities were settled by colonists, others by neighborhoods coming from the same locality in other states, and with these they brought many of the customs of the particular locality from which they came. Some of them were fond of hunting, others of horse-racing. I am told that in an earlier day the horse-racing gatherings were great 70 PAST AND PRESENT occasions, that people would come from all parts of the county to a horse-race, and much time, money and energy were spent upon this class of amusement, hut with the men fond of horsc-racmg and other amusements came also the church-goer, and those who delighted in assemhling for religious wor- ship. True, they had no church houses, but the home of the Christian settler was readily converted into a place of religious worship, and his larder not un frequently supplied the attendants on such occasions. The Sabbath dav was duly observed by many of these peojile, and the man of God. with his bible in his hand, was an instrument for doing good, and in fact did much in the education and training of the young. We can refer to two men of central Illi- nois, who were typical preachers of that day : Peter Cartwright and Aaron Vande- veer — and while they differed much in their habits and type, yet they were both strong- minded, fearless ministers, and went about doing much good, with but little remunera- tion. Vandeveer was a resident of this county, Cartwright of Sangamon, and these men more than once i)ut to shame and routed "the common bully." who prided himself in Ijeing a terror to the community in which he lived : while the ministers, of which these mentioned were two types, were not highly educated, yet they were men of good sense, sound judgment, with a deep-rooted con- viction of right from wrong, and just such men as were needed for the building of this county; too much cannot be said in praise of the early settler who revered the laws of God. and sought to do unto others as he would they should do unto him. Tt is said that the Rev. Aaron Vandeveer and the Rev. Peter Cartwright had often heard of one another, but had never met. Tt was customary in those days to travel on h(irse-back. and almost every person had a pair of saddlebags that he threw on the back (if his saddle. As they were riding along in the same direction, Cartwright overtook Vandeveer; they conversed for some time; each concluded that the other was the man be wanted to see. and finally Vandeveer turns to Cartwright and says : "I would take you, sir, to be a Methodist preacher." "Ah." said Cartwright, "and why?" "Well, from the tone of your conversation and the white cravat you wear." Without making any answer, and after riding n little further along, Cartwright says to Vandeveer : "And I would take you to be a Baptist preacher." "And wdiy?" says Vandeveer. "Well, from the tone of your conversation and the bottle I see sticking out of your saddlebags." It must be remembered that Vandeveer was a Baptist preacher of the old persuasion, and with that denomination at that day it was not uncommon for them to take a little for the stomach's sake, lint did not use it to excess. The lands of Christian comity were not all registered for entry in the same office. Some of them were registered at Spring- field, some Edwardsville and some Van- dalia : the selecting and entering of the better lands by the earlier settlers and speculators was in that day one of the leading business interests of this locality, and was to some remunerative. The records of the county disclose that some speculators entered thousands of acres, ]nu"chased at a very low price ; it often hap- pened that on account of the location, beauty or fertility of a particular tract of land ob- served by different persons at about the same time, that great racing contests were had as to who should reach the land office first and enter that tract of land, something sim- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 71 ilar to the contests that have been going on in the territories for the last few years, which have attracted the attention of the whole world. An amusing incident is told of two old settlers near Clarksdale, W. T, Hewitt and Y. B. Clark, who were leading citizens in that locality. A spirit of emulation, if not rivalry, grew up between these men; each of them desired to l)e the more prominent, to obtain the larger landed estate, and this at times led each of them to oppose the other in obtaining what he desired ; it is said that there was a nice tract of land located near Clarksdale that Mr. Hewitt wanted and Mr Clark also desired this piece of land, and by some means he had learned that Mr Hewitt was icoing the next day to the land office to enter it. so Mr. Clark, instead of waiting until the next day, started that night,^ rode all night, reaching the land office early in the morning and obtained the much coveted prize. They were both hearty, strong-minded, level-headed, active men, and while they were not classed among the earlier settlers, they came here at a day when the county needed such men, and both did a great deal towards the advancement of the part of the county in which they lived. The wolves, other wild game and malaria were not the only things dreaded by the early settler. After the biting frosts had killed the prairie grass, then there was nothing more dreaded than the prairie fires ; it is said by some of those who witnessed them that, at times when the wind blew a good strong breeze, the fire would run so ''apidly through the prairie that it would be impossible for persons caught out in the midst of the prairie to escape from the fire by running, even on horseback ; much property was fre- quently destroyed and sometimes human life by these great prairie fires, people Avho had homes that were in possible range of these fires took the precaution to burn a large strip of grass around their homes to prevent their destruction. Mr. Goodrich tells me that the early settler in attempting to cross these prairies always went prepared to protect himself in case a fire should break out, and if, wdiile traveling along in the midst of a large scope of prairie grass, he discov- ered fire coming towards him, he would 1t€- gin where he was and liurn out a large scope of grass and then when the fire came up would protect himself by standing in the midst of the tract that he had burned off; this he says was common and proved effectual. Major Wm. T. Vandeveer tells me that at one time just prior to the civil war there was but one Democrat in the town of Rose- mond ; his name w^as Joshua Peffer — they were having quite a hotly contested cam- ]iaign in the county. The Democrats pre- dominated in most of the towns; Vande- veer's father (who was then an officeholder of the county) and some of the other politi- cal leaders concluded that they would have a Democratic rally at Rosemond to please Mr. Peffer. The day was fixed and Wm. T. Vandeveer was sent by his father all over the county to notify the people of the great Democratic rally in Rosemond. The Democrats from all parts of the county gathered, with their wagons and other modes of conveyances, at a point near Rosemond, and made a grand parade, and had a big time, and while they failed to make Rose- mond Democratic, they pleased Mr. Peffer with their efforts upon that occasion, but Major Vandeveer says he never was as tired riding horseback in his life as when through his trip over the county gathering the peo- ple in, and did not care to repeat the effort to make Rosemond Democratic. 72 PAST AND PRESENT The state road, which passed from Tcrrc Haute to Spriiiiificld, and wliich passed through the town of Mt. Auhurn. was one of the great thoroughfares of the travelers from the states east of Ilhnois to the great west; it is said that thousands of Mormons wlio lirst went to Nauvoo and afterwards to Sah Lake City passed through the county at an early day; one of the old settlers visit- ing Salt Lake City a few years ago met while there many people who had stopped over night with him (Mr. (loodrich) and they recalled the heauties of this locality and the field that was apparently open for prosperity liere. They failed, however, to take advantage of the great opportunities offered to them here — they were religious enthusiasts seek- ing a kingdom backed by Joseph Smith and his apostles — and to live a life in conformity with the creeds of the Mormon church. At the organization of the county the peo- ple voted viva voce; this plan by many was considered as the most independent one ; others viewed it in a different light; if the system had no other merit it certainly gave a controlling influence to intriguing politicians; with the admission of the ballot system their power was dwarfed. While the ballot system of that day may have been an improvement, under the old mode of vot- ing, the people can congratulate themselves that the .Australian ballot system of the present day is a decided improvement over the old mode of balloting. The voter of today by the Australian ballot can absolutely vote as he chooses without being intimidated by any person or body, and when the system of voting machines is perfected, which is being done, .so that the ballot can be registered as de- posited, and the dishonest and unscrupulous "ward heeler" prevented from changing the i)allot after (lc'i)osiled in the 1)0.\, this will be an additional impro\-ement upon our vot- ing system, and will give additional faith and credit to the ballot box. Independence and purity of the ballot should be encour- aged and the l)allot box; safely guarded. The pohtical and business interests, re- ligious and moral sentiments of the people of this country today are so diversified and so many different interests to consult the independent voter is more numerous and the difficulty of either party securing an election without reference to the qualifica- tions and standing of the candidate is be- coming more and more hazardous, but it is said "in this county at that early day there were two^ large family connections by the name of Durbin and Young that composed a large part of the voting population ; it was not an uncommon remark that as these two families voted, so went the election. Politically, they were in sympathy with each other, and with the Whig party. Gal- \'in Ralston, a old-line Whig, and a candi- date for the office of county commissioner, being interrogated as to his prospects for election, replied : "Very good, as both the Durl)in and Young wing are with me in a solid column." It is scarcely necessary to say he was elected. Daniel Goode and Wm. O. Brents, both old .settlers and ])olitical leaders, exercised great influence over the political parties. The constitution (jf 1848 substituted the ballot for the viva voce sy.stem. This worked well .and the people have been enabled to vote their honest convictions without being branded as tm-n-coats. The old i)arties were well discii)lincd and very powerful. If a member of either broke ranks he was soon hounded down. At this remote day it is difficult to se- cure anecdotes of that early day, because CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 73 of that generation having all passed away and for the reason we here repeat a few of the anecdotes and incidents given by Dr. Goudy in a former history of this connty. and while we have not deemed it necessary to verify these, we have been told that in most instances thev actnallv occnrred as given. In the trials before the jnstices of the peace in the county many amusing incidents and anectodes have occurred. About forty years ago, in the region of Bolivia, in the northwestern part of this county, lived one John S. Thompson, a jus- tice of the peace. He was a large, stout, big-fisted Kentuckian. Sam Smith was lirought before him on a charge of assault and battery. Sam soon liecame boisterous and began to abuse the justice. Esquire ad- monished him to keep quiet, but all to no purpose. Sam grew worse and worse, until the burly esquire's patience was ex- hausted. "Sam," said the esquire, "I know but little about the power the law confers in keeping order in court, but 1 know very well the power the Almighty has given me, and so shall you." Suiting the action to his words, the esquire seized a chair and sent Sam whirling to the floor, and then at the end of his boot relieved the office of his presence. Smith then went before an- other justice, filed an affidavit of assault and battery and had Esquire Thompson ar- rested. The defense set up a plea that the justice was a relative to the prosecutor, which point was adjudged well taken, and the justice entered a judgme'it of acquittal. Not satisfied with the decision. Smith filed another affidavit before Esquire C. . Thompson was again arre.sted and arraigned before the justice. He employed counsel, who moved for his acquittal on the ground that he "could not be put in jeopardy twice for the same offence" under the constitu- tion. The esquire, after consulting various evidences, sustained the plea, and Esquire Thompson was again triumphantly acquit- ted. From that time forward there was as good order in the office of Esquire Thompson as in the supreme court room of the state of Illinois. In another case, about thirty-five years ago, in the western part of the county, a suit was instituted before Esquire John R. against John W. , then re- siding within three miles of Hillsboro, in Montgomery county. Summons issued to Constable William Torrance, with instruc- tions to serve the same, which he accord- ingly executed, ancl judgment was en- tered up by the esc[uire for forty dollars and costs of suit. The execution was issued in due time and Constable Torrance, who again entered Montgomery county, made a levy, took a delivery bond and in time made the debt and returned the execution satisfied, neither party knowing the force of the county line between them. It was told the writer by an old settler that at another time an execution was is- sued and delivered to a constable in this county, whose name he did not know, and the constable was directed to levy upon a hunch of hogs but was told that a mere pen and ink levy was not sufficient ; that he must actually seize the property and do such acts as would constitute a trespass, so^ the consta- ble, with the writ in his hand, went to the pen, lit astride a hog, took out his execution and says, "Now, Mr. Hog, I levy on you," and so on, until he struck a male hog, which showed fight, and dangerous to catch, so the constable took out his execution and said. "Now, Mr. Hog, d — n you, I levy on vou at a distance." 74 PAST AND PRESENT It is useless to say that this levy was not questioned, and broui^iit satisfaction to the execution. A Pathetic Spefxh Spoiled. In the case of M , arraigned for larceny, his lawyer, from Springfield, a bombastic speaker, informed his client that the case was desperate, and that he must be governed strictly by his directions. Said he: "My speech will be divided into four parts. First, historical ; second, argumenta- tive; third, the reply; fourth, the pathetic. You and your wife and children must sit quiet until I come to the fourth, or pathetic, part, and then I want you all to burst out aloud and cry, groan and take on as I pro- ceed to the close. The moment I stop, arise and throw your arms around your wife's neck and kiss the baby." The trial was opened ; the jury empaneled and evidence heard. The prosecuting attorney opened the case with a speech of great power. Lawyer Bombast arose with all eyes centered on him, and began as follows : "If the court please, gentlemen of the jury, look at my client; look at his poor wife and little babe; look at the afilicted parents, weighed down with sorrow and brief, sinking as it were to their graves. Oh, gentlemen of the jury, can you find il in your hearts to send him to the penitentiary?" As he uttered these last words the prisoner set up a loud howl, threw his arms around his wife's neck, and kissed the babe, while the rest of the family joined in the chorus. The lawyer was- dumbfounded ; the court looked in astonishment, the jurors looked at each other and wondered what it all meant, but the bombast took in the situation at a glance and explained : "Nothing only a mistake of my client, your honor and gen- tlemen of the jurv. He mistook the 'his- torical' for 'i)athetic' part of my speech," Tlic blunder lost his case. A number of very interesting and humor- . ous stories are told of William M. Thomas, J. P., two or three of which we will relate. In a trial l)efore him a man by the name of ( iuim was a witness. 1'he man hesitated not a little and seemed unwilling, after much persistent questioning, to tell what he really knew, when the esquire became im- patient and said : "Come, Mr, Gunn, don't hang fire." After the examination closed the bystanders were convulsed with laughter by the old esquire adding, "Mr. Gunn, you can go off; you're discharged." The esquire is also credited with the fol- lowing decision: "The fact is, Peter Smith, the jail is an old rickety affair, as cold as an iron wedge. You applied to this court for release on bail, giving it as your opinion that you would freeze to death there. It is the desire of this court to be humane, and as the weather has not moderated and to keep you from freezing, I will direct the sheriff to hang you at 4 o'clock this after- noon." In another case before Thomas , James Funderburk vs. Sam Brents — In trial of Right of Property. It was a jury case, composed of old Dicky Simpson and others. Capt. H suggested to the plaintiff to take a jug of good old bourbon and treat the court and jury. Funderburk acted on the suggestion and it proved to be a happy thought. The court drank; the jury drank; and all felt good. The esquire gave an ink- ling of his decision in advance. He said: "There's no use going into trial in this case, for the Right of Property is not in Sam Brents, and he is subject to the execution by G— d, sir." The jury nodded assent, as they were in a nodding mood. The constable retained CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 75 possession of the property and the plaintiff, Funderburk, got his money. Another case before Esquire Thomas, in which Benjamin VVilhams was defendant. The trial did not result to the satisfaction of said defendant, and he charged that the esquire did not do him justice. His insult- ing remarks were overheard by the esquire, and on his comng out of the court house he gathered hold of a hoop-pole, exclaiming : "By God, sir, I'll give you more substantial justice," and lampooned him most unmerci- fully. Le Roy Hill, of Sangamon, was a defend- ant in a suit instituted before Thomas. He asked for a change of venue, giving as a reason that "he didn't like to be tried by steam," over which the esquire became wrathy, and "by the eternal," swore a per- fect streak. However, the change was granted and the case taken before another justice. i The "Bull Pen" or Pugilistic Times. No sooner had the county seat been lo- cated than it became a rallying point for all the belligerent spirits of the county. Ben W and William W had a fight a few minutes after the "locating peg" had been driven by the commissioners. This was the inauguration of affrays, which contin- ued for several years at the county seat, greatly to its discredit. Persons harboring ill-feeling or any grievance against a neigh- bor would, on meeting him, throw out a challenge to meet on "muster day" or some other public occasion and settle the matter. Time did not seem to abate their hostility; the hate once engendered still rankled in their bosoms, and public opinion deferred to this mode of settling old grudges, and it required no little moral courage to with- stand it. The combatants at the appointed time would, with their friends, be on hand; draw their coats, gird their loins and enter the "bull pen," which at that time consisted of the public square, in the absence of a "stray pen." It was not uncommon for a half dozen such cases to be adjusted in one day. On such occasions large crowds often assembled and there was usually on hand a bountiful supply of "sod corn." Capt. H was sure to be present with his two-wheeled cart, containing a cask of "tanglefoot," and his stentorian voice could be heard far and near to repeat, "Ho, all ye thirsty, come and drink. It is warranted to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Indians say there are 'fifty fights in every barrel of fire water.' " There were times when some of the most prominent men in the county would be engaged in these melees. It was on one of these memorable occasions when Gabriel and others were engaged that Thomas , county collector, supposing himself clothed with the necessary authority, mounted the court house steps and in tones of thunder "commanded the peace." His admonitions not being heeded, he threw off his coat, waded in, exclaiming that he would "be d — d if he didn't have peace" and made for Gabriel, when he suddenly "right about faced" and left on "double quick," with his long ringlets streaming .in the air, as the ex- cited crowd and the captain's commissary closed in the rear. These sovereigns would suffer no interference on these war-like oc- casions. It was looked upon as cowardly to use knives and pistols, and it was very seldom that such was the case. The Militia System. In the earlier history of the county the military spirit ran high, and many aspirants for position used it as a "stepping-stone" 1 76 PAST AND PRESENT to power. Previous to the fdniiation of the county the people liad to travel fifteen or twenty miles to Kochester to do military duty. This was a i^reat inconvenience, and at length the county was laid off into mili- tarv districts. Inflections were ordered in each of the company districts for one cap- tain, (inc fir^t lieutenant and one ensign. Soon after the organization of the county the following order was issued : "Militia in. Dane, Notice : Lieut.-Col. White's regiment, including all the county of Dane, will parade for re- view and inspection at Taylorville on Fri- day, June 2y^ 1839. By order of A. G. Henry, Springiield, 111. Brigade Major." By this order the captains were required to he in the field with their respective com- mands, "armed and e(|uipped as the law directs." The great and memorable day came. The parade ground was early filled with waving plumes and crowds of anxious citizens. The ground where Taylorville had been located a month previous was dot- ted with white tents. Soon the adjutant, on a s])len(li(l charger, came galloping into the field with orders: "Officers, to your places, marshal your men into companies, separating the barefooted from those who have shoes, placing those wdio have guns, sticks and corn-stalks in separate platoons, and then form the line ready tf^ receive your superior officers." Thomas T\ P)ond had been elected colonel of the regiment. The order was executed. Col. Bond was seen coming in the distance, accompanied by the old lieuten- ant colonel, with his aides. 1die lines were wheeled into a column and made to ])erform .some fine military evolutions, and , were eventually brought into position for review by the colonel and his staff. The strand column then moved with the colonel at its head to a field hrdf a mile west of town, with its l)a_\-onets, sticks .and corn- stalks "littering in the sunshine. After exhibiting a fine military display thcv formed into line of battle, under the command of the gallant colonel, and a sham battle, with corn-stalks, was fought, with great furv, much to the delight of the by- standers. Sam Brents was placed under arrest by his commanding officer for disobedience of orders, in not poising his corn-stalk at an angle of forty-five degrees, in accordance with military usage. A guard was placed over him, who was compelled to hold an umbrella over his head to protect him from the intolerable heat of the sun. then 96 de- o;rees F. in the shade. A Deep Snow. One of the mile-stones or epochs of Chris- tian county and Central ' Illinois was the period of the deep snow which fell in the winter of 1830-31. For many years the period of the deep snow was referred to for the purpose of determining who were and were not old settlers, at the old-settlers' meetings held a quarter of a century ago, the question frequently asked was, "Was you here before the deep snow?" If so, then you are entitled to all honors of an old settler. This probably more thrm any other event made a lasting impression upon the minds of the people who lived in Christian countv and Central Illinois at that time. We ha\e grown so far from that period, how- ever, that if the old settlers are to be desig- nated as those living here during the deep snow, then they are becoming very few, as that generation is ])ractically gone. From the acc(^unts given of this period and the hardships endured by those living here at that time, it is not remarkable that CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 77 the sncnv created such an impression uppn the minds of the inhal)itants ; nothing hke it ha^ heen seen since and prohably not Ijefore. It is said that the Indians had a trath- tion that al)ont seventy-five years before a snow fell which swept away the immense herds of buffalo and elk that roamed the prairies, hut this tradition, h'ke many others of the Indians, may have been greatly mag- nified as it was handed down from genera- tion to generation, yet the immense quantity of buffalo and elk bones found on the prairies when first ^'isited ])v the white man may have been an evidence of these animals having been starved to death by reason of some calamity and it may have been a deep snow. It is said that this snow began falling early in the autumn and continued at inter- vals throughout the entire winter. A fall of snow would frecjuently be succeeded by heavy sleet, forming crusts of ice between the layers of the snow strong enough in many places to bear up people and animals, and permitted them to travel on the top of the snow or crust. It was a dark, dreary, cold winter, and so intense w-as the cold that the snow did not melt even on the sunny side of the buildings; it is said by those who lived here at that time that during the winter the snow^ had olitained a depth of five feet on the level, and many places drifted to a depth of twenty feet or more, frequently drifting up against the house to such a depth that they were compelled to burrow out under the snow to secure a^ passage of ingress and egress to the house; these, of course, were seldom, but it serves to illustrate the depth of the snow fall. By reason of the depth of the snow the inhabitants, when they be- gan to travel, were enabled to drive any- where regardless of the fences, driving over them without even knowing they w^ere there, l)ut for weeks the people were blockaded or housed up, and remained so until starva- tion compelled them to go forth in search of food. In a former chapter we .have given an incident of the difiiculties and suffering en- dured by the settler during this snow in endeavoring to procure food for his family Before that time deer, prairie chickens, quails, rabbits and other birds and animals had l;een abundant and furnished the settler with a good supply of meat, but for years afterwards game of all kinds was very scarce, having perished in the snow^ It is not easy to perceive wdiy nature should re- quire a people so illy prepared to bear the burdens of such a phenomena, Imt it is no less difficult to determine why nature should give such a down-pour of rain as to cause the valleys of the Mississippi to overflow and' the great crops growing thereon de- stroyed, and at the same time permit the plains of Nebraska, Kansas and other re- gions to be dried up and parched, but we all know such things to transpire in nature. The period of the deep snow of 1831, with the cold and suffering followdng in its wake will never he forgotten by those who wit- nessed it, and it is well that an event of this magnitude should be so chronicled and in- scribed upon the pages of history that gen- erations yet unborn may know the powders of nature and learn as best they can as they journey through life to prepare for such events, for what nature has done she may again do, for according to the tradition of the Indian that a snow of this kind had fal- len seventy-five years before it may be that an epoch of snow may come upon us within a short period, not in the course of tradi- tion, but as a result of a disturbance of the 78 PAST AND PRESENT elements by the changes in the great plan- etary system. The Sudden Freeze. One of the natural phcnunicna that is more wonderful than that of the deep snow is said to have occurred a little after noon one day in January, in the year 1836, and is known as the sudden freeze. A lady who is an old settler has left the following record of her recollections of this wonderful change in the atmosphere. The lady says "she and her family had finished the noon-day meal, and were sitting around and in front of the old fashioned, large, open fire-place, enjoying its generous warmth, chatting and discussing the state of the weather, as during the morning it had been snowing and raining a little; presently the lady, in looking from the window in her cabin, noticed a heavy black cloud lying off to the west, which seemed to be rapidly approaching. Needing some water, she took a bucket and went to the well, at a distance of about one hundred yards, lowering the bucket with a long 'sweep,' then used in drawing the water, filled it, and started home. Before reaching the house the wind and rain struck her; blew and upset a por- tion of the water on her clothing; the cold air seemed to cut like a knife and before she reached the house her dress and apron were frozen stifT in a solid sheet of ice. Ponds which a moment before were free from ice were frozen over in a few minutes. Many persons were frozen to death who happened to be caught away from home, and many others before they could get to a place of shelter had their faces, ears, hands and feet frozen. Immediately preceding the storm the ground had been slightly covered with snow, which from rain falling in the morn- ing had become 'slushy.' Cattle that were in the fields were held fast by the 'slush' freezing aljoul tlicir feet, and it was neces- sary to cut away the ice to liberate them. Ducks and geese were imprisoned in the same way. It was scarcely ten minutes after the cold wave swept over the place until the water and melting snow was hard enough to bear u]) a man on horscliack." The Rainy Season. During the years of 1876 and 1877 Chris- tian county was confronted with two of the rainiest seasons that had ever lieen known in the history of this locality. Prior to this time and since, people have witnessed many freshets and heavy rain-falls, but they v.ere of short duration, and the waters fall- ing soon mov.ed away and left the farms in fair condition for the raising of their crops, but during the years 1876 and 1877 very early in the spring and until very late in the season, the rains were continuous, the streams were alb swollen and the farms all flooded. In most localities the farmers w'ere unable to plant their land to corn, except on the high patches; all the low- lands that were planted were never cultivated, and the crops never matured. As a farmer remarked to me this morning, in many instances they would not be able to get ten bushels of corn off of eighty acres of land that had been j^lanted, and this succession of bad crops had a terribly depressing influence upon the farming interests of Christian county, so much so that tenants by the hundred moved from off their farms. lea\ing the whole of their crops to the landlord to pay the rent, and out of the whole of it he ob- tained but a scanty rent. Many of the owners of land who mortgaged them prior to the rainy season, owing to the want of crops, were unable to meet their payment, and as a restilt, mortgages w'ere foreclosed CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 79 upon Inindreds of farms in the county, and many good and valuable homes sacrificed. Lands that, prior to this, had been worth from $35 to $40 an acre dropped in value from $15 to $25 per acre, and much of the land that could have been purchased at that price is now worth $100 to $125 per acre. After the railroads were installed in this county it looked as if the time had come when the farmers and those interested in agricultural pursuits would reap a rich liarvest and lands did, in fact, rapidly ad- ^•ance in value, but the county lacked drain- age ; even open drains were very few ; tile drains absolutely none, so that when the rains of these wonderful seasons of '76 and 'yy came farmers were unable to get the water from their lands and as a result the crops were wholly destroyed. Drainage was one of the absolute neces- sities for Christian county, and its improve- ment and the thorough drainage system which has since been adopted in several townships in the county and treated of in another chapter, will in all probability avert another calamity like that of '^(^ and 'yj. Those who were able to withstand the struggle and hold on to their homes were well rewarded, for during the year 1878 and 1879, such wonderful wheat crops and other crops as were grown in this county had never been seen, and lands in a short time almost doubled in value. Men who had bought farms during the time of depression realized enough ofif of one wheat crop in many instances to pay for the farm, and much of this money was utilized in the drainage of the lands and placing them beyond the probability of hav- ing their entire crops destroyed in conse- quence of a rainy season. Christian county at that time looked al- most solely to her agricultural products for its income, and as a result the depression felt in these years was not confined to the farmer, but was visited upon the merchant and laborer as well. Many people who had before this time supposed themselves to be in a position that would enable them to battle with and survive any ordinary dis- aster, were horrified and amazed at the de- pressing influence of these years upon the community. It is said that everything works together for the common good of all, and perhaps it is well that these scourges are inflicted upon us at times to remind us of our weakness and of the necessity of economy and thrift in more prosperous times. Every young man and woman should learn from these lessons that "in times of peace they should prepare for war" — that in times of thrift they should so economize and husband their resources that they may be able to bear their burdens in times of adversity and want of prosperity that happi- ness, independence and manhood are not ac- cjuired by the wasting of the whole of their earnings ; while ito criticism can be offered in any endeavor to make life comfortable and happy, it is at all times to be praised, yet a squandering and wasting of the pro- ducts of our labor is at all times to be con- demned. In the journey of life we are almost cer- tain to meet with disappointment and mis- fortune through natural causes, or other- wise, that call upon us for the preservation of our health and an economy in the man- agement of our affairs in life to be able to withstand these misfortunes when they be- fall us, ever remembering that old adage "that a wilful waste makes a woeful want." The Cyclone of 1880. Near the hour of sunset of Saturday, April 24, 1880, the western part of Chris- 80 PAST AND PRESENT tian county was xisitcd willi a tcrrilile cy- clone, which swept e\er)thini;" in its patli and was very (lestructi\ e of ht'e and proj)- erty. The storm entered Christian county about inw or Uvc miles northwest from Morri- sonxille and traveled in a northeasterly di- rection, crossing the south fork of tlie San- gamon ri\er at W'illowfcM'd bridge, and thence passing about two miles west of Tay- lor\-ille to a point about li\e miles north of Taylorxille, where it apparently lifted up and i)assed away. In its course it passed o\er and destroyed many comfortable homes and much valu- al)le property. News of the storm was received at Tay- lorxille, shortly afterward, and the excite- ment that prevailed among the inhabitants was simply wonderful. There was a great demand for horses and rigs of every kind and character to ^•isit the scene and care for those who were injured, but owing to the darkness of the night and th.e downpour of rain, it was almost impossible to obtain any definite results until daylight on Sunday morning. As soon as it was possible, the wounded and dead were cared for, and the scene of destruction w^as visited on Sunday by thou- sands of ]ieople, and w ith one accord it was acknowledged bx' all to be by far the e^reat- est .and most destructive storm that ever visited this section of the country. The unsightly wa.ste and evidences of the power of the cyclone made the stoutest hearts (|nail and xxondcr at the power of the destructive forces of nature. After the storm reached the i)rairie, the cloud became more visible to those in and near its path than xvliilc in the heavy tim- ber. The writer has learned from Mr. E. A. .Miller, who xvas in the path of the storm and xvatched it for some distance 1>efore it reached his place, many important facts ob- served by him xx ith reference to this cyclone. He says he observetl it first at a distance of txvo or three miles mox-ing in a direct line of his jjremises; that it a])peared to be a cloud of funnel shape and of the density of the darkest coal smoke, relieved by streaks of light xvhich xvere taken to l)e electricity; it had a rotary motion as well as a forward motion, and while the rotary motion must have been exceedingly rapid, the forward motion did not exceed perhaps 30 miles an hour, and it apparently traveled in a straight course. There accompanied it a rumbling sound resembling somewhat that of a heavy train passing over a wooden bridge. As it reached Mr. Miller's place it passed to the west of his residence and over a tenant house that was occupied by Mr. Andrew Oyler. The rotary motion seemed to have cov- ered the space of about /^ of a mile, and the cyclone moxed from right to left, or from east to west, through-^the north, the eastern side of the cyclone drawing the prop- erty and trees and human beings forward and toxvards the centre, the west side of the cyclone drawing the property backward and toxvard the centre. The house occupied by Andrew Oyler xvas on the xvest of -the cen- tre of the storm, xvas entirely destroyed, but a portion of the roof and the chimney of the house xvere carried backward the dis- tance of about seventy-five yards, and there dropped in a i)ilc in the xvake of the storm as if they had been dumped from a wagon. .\t a hedge fence running east and west north of Mr. Miller's residence in the track of the storm on the east side of the centre of the storm, the debris was deposited on the south side of the hedge and on the w^est side of the storm centre, the debris was depos- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 81 ited on the north side of the hedge, and the exact centre of the storm could he observed as it passed over fields liy a light line of lit- ter of husks, corn shucks and things of tliat character of the width of ahout three feet. Mr. Miller had a beautiful maple grove through which the storm passed, and on the east side of tlie centre of the sUn'm the trees were blown down and turned to the north and northwest, while on the west side of the centre the trees were Ijlown down and twisted and turned to the soutli and south- east. The well at the tenant house of Mr. Miller was curbed in two sections, the up])er section being of tb.e length of about lo feet; this section was drawn from the well l)y the storm and utterly demolished. There were standing in the barn at this tenant house occupied liy Mr. Oyler, two horses ; one was tied to the manger and the other to a post that was set in the ground ; the barn was entirely destroyed and every vestige of it swept away, except the one post at which the horse was tied. The horse tied at the manger was picked up by the storm and carried the distance of about 30 rods northeast and liadly crippled while the horse tied to the post remained there and was not injured. In the wake of the storm Mr. Miller found chickens, rattlesnakes, to- gether with many other objects of interest, and he says. the feathers were picked from the chickens as close as though they had Ijeen prepared for market, but it was a mys- tery where the rattlesnakes came from, evi- dentl}' carried there from the timber., A neighbor living north of him had cattle pastures upon the south side of a large hedge fence ; some of these cattle were picked up and actually carried over the top of this hedge fence, a distance of many rods, and dropi)ed uikju the other side, many of them being killed, some badly injured. Smith Oyler's residence was completely torn down, and carried away; yet a cone shaped wood-pile cut into stove lengths and being within the same distance of the storm centre ns the house was not disturbed. A n.ew wagcjn upon the place of Mr. Miller was utterly demolished, the wagon spokes separated from the hub of one wheel, while the tire of this wheel was found wrapped around a tree further along in the line of the storm. In the track of the storm for some distance up(m each side of the centre the ground was in most places swept perfectly clean, in places had the appearance of a swept street; where it passed through the wheat field of Andrew Oyler, the wheat which was about eight inches high was cut and cleaned up so that you could scarcely observe that any- thing had e\er lieen planted there. At the home of Mr. T. J. Langley, who resided near the timber, the family sought protection by running to the orchard, lying down upon the ground and taking hold of trees ; one of his sons, a boy of the age of about seven years, was picked up by the storm and carried out over the trees the dis- tance of about 200 feet, and there dropped in a wheat field ; the l)oy was crippled, but not killed, and he says that as he was being caVried away he observed by the streaks of lieht in the storm cloud the trees below him as he passed along; the mother of the boy, Mrs. Langley, was killed, anrl Mr. Langley and the other son were badly crippled, and Mr. T. W. Brents, our present sheriff, was there at the time and was also injured. His head was badly cut and hand broken. Mr. Langley says they were all of them literally covered and plastered with mud, so much so that they could scarcely open their 82 PAST AND PRESENT eyes after the storm had passed by, and Mr. P.rcnts and Mr. Langley l>oth descrilie the storm passing- over them as \i there was a terrible weight resting upon them. At Mr. Cutler's, two children were killed, and Mrs. Cutler badly cripi)led ; at Frank Peters', the family took refuge under a manger in a log stable, and the storm blew down this log stable even with the top of the manger and the family miraculously es- caped. The storm swept o\'er and destroyed the home of Mr. Thomas Smith l)y lifting his JKnisc from the foundation and partially turning it around; the home of Mr. S. W. Hawkins, a little further north in the course of the storm, was badly wrecked and al- most entirely demolished, but the family, havinsr s:athered in a southeast room, mirac- ulously escaped injury. The home of the widow Carlton was not cumseh and such illustrious men. \\y the ])ortraits of him now extant, the reader of character will readilv ohserve in his large, high fore- head and the lines ^vorn hy care in his face, massive jaw and compressed lips, a charac- ter indicati\e of more than ordinary ability. I lis ambition was to distinguish himself as a great warrior; yet he was merciful to the weak, the women and children. The only road for an Indian to distinguish himself and become a great man is in war. So soon as he kills an enemy he may paint on his blanket a blood hand, \vhich will entitle him to a seat in the councils. In 1810 and 181 1 Black Hawk and comrades were "nursing their wrath to keep it warm" against the whites. A party of Sacs, by invitation, went to see the prophet of Tippecanoe. They re- turned more angry against the Americans. A party of W'innebagoes had massacred some whites, which excited for murder tlie Sac band headed by Black Hawk. A pa.rt of his band and some W'innebagoes attacked h'ort Madison in i.Sii. but were repulsed. Black Hawk headed the Sacs in this at- tack. In i'Winnebagoes and Kickapoos. ulider! the'lcommand of Col. Dixon. Black HiaUikMand-jliland participated in the battle oifi RlivtniiRdJsin, the Lower Sandusky and other places, but, getting dissatisbed with the hiird lighting and small amount of spoils, he and twenty comrades left for the Sauk \illage at Rock Island, where he re- mained for many years at peace, with the exce]jtion of a small battle on the Quiver river settlement in Missouri, in the present limits of St. Charles county, where one white man and an Indian were killed. The principal cause of the Indian trou- bles in '3 1 -'32, better known as the Black Hawk war, was the determination of Black Hawk and his band to remain in their an- cient village, located on Rock river, not far from its junction with the Mississippi. The government, having some time previ- ously, by ^'arious treaties, purchased the vil- lage and the whole country from the Sac and Fox tril)es of Indians, had some of these lands surveyed, and in 1828 some of the lands in and around the ancient village were sold ; the collision between the two races for the possession of the property produced the first disturbance between the Indians and the government. Seeing that war was in- evitable, the Governor of Illinois made a call on the militia of the state for seven hundred men on the 26th of May, 183 1, and appointed Beardstown, on the Illinois river, as the place of rendezvous. The call was responded to with that promptness charac- teristic of the early pioneers of this state. Their habits of life were such that all were familiar with the rifle. After marching eight days, the mounted militia reached a point a few miles below the Sac village on the Mississippi, where they joined the United States forces under Gen. Gaines and encamped in the evening. The next morn- ing the forces marched up to an Indian town ])repared to give the enemy battle, but in the night the Indians had escaped and crossed the Mississippi. This ended Black CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 85 Hawk's Ijravadu and his determination to die in iiis ancient village. The number of warriors under his command was estimated at from four to six hundred men. Black Hawk and his hand landed on the west side of the Mississippi, a few miles below^ Rock Island, and there camped. Gen. Gaines sent a ])eremptory order to him and his war- riors that if he and his men did not come to Rock Island and make a treaty of peace he would march his troops and give him battle at once. * * * In a few days Black Hawk and the chiefs and head men to the number of twenty-eight appeared in Fort Armstrong, and on the 30th of June, 1831. in full council with Gen. Gaines and Go\ernor John Reynolds, signed a treaty of peace. The Black Hawk War in 1832. During the winter of '31 and '32 rumors were rife that Black Haw^k and his band were dissatisfied, restless and preparing for mischief. A chief of the Winnebago In- dians, w^ho had a village on Rock river, some thirty miles al)ove its confluence with the Mississippi, joined Black Hawk, who was located on the west bank of the Father of Waters. The chief had great influence with Black Hawk and his band. He made them believe that all the tribes on Rock river would join them, and that together they could bid defiance to the whites. By this unwise counsel Black Hawk resolved to re-cross the river, wdiich he did in the winter of 1832. That move proved to be their destruction. Through his influence and zeal, Black Hawk encouraged many of the Sacs and Foxes to join him at the head of his determined warriors. He first assem- bled them at old Fort Madison on the Mis- sissippi ; subsecjuently marched them up the river to the Yellow Banks, where he pitched his tent April 6, 1832. This armed array of savages soon alarmed the settlers, and a general panic spread through the . whole frontier from the Mississippi to Lake Mich- igan. Many settlers in terror abandoned their homes and farms, and the Governor decided, on the i6th of x\pril, to call out a large number of volunteers to operate in conjunction with Gen. Atkinson, who was in command of the regular forces at Rock Island. The Governor ordered the troops to rendezvous at Beardstowai on the 22d of April. Among those who enlisted from Chris- tian county w'ere Samuel Wydick, John S. Sinnet, Martin Hanon, Jake Gragg, Jesse Gragg, John Baker. Shadrack J. Campbell was a soldier of the war of 18 12, and also was a volunteer in the Black Hawk war in the campaign of 1832. The force marched to the mouth of Rock river, wdiere Gen. Atkinson received the volunteers into the United States services and assumed command. Black Hawk and his warriors w^ere still on the Rock river. The army under Atkinson commenced its march up the river on the 9th of May. Gov. Reynolds, the gallant "Old Ranger," re- mained with the army, and the President recognized him as a Major-General, and he was paid accordingly. His presence did much toward harmonizing and conciliating those jealousies which generally exist be- tween volunteers and regular troops. Major John A. Wakefield and Col. Ewing acted as spies for a time in the campaign of '32 to discover the location of the enemy if possi- ble. A Mr. Kinney acted as guide for them ; he understood the Sac dialect. On the 14th of May, 1832, Major Stillman's command had a sort of running battle with the Indians at or near wdiat is now known as Stillman's Run, a small sluggish stream ; 8G PAS r AND PRESENT in the eng'agenicnl eleven wliilc men and eight Indians were killed. I'.lark I lawk and his warriors fought with the spirit Ixirn ot desperatii m. lUack llawk says in his Ixuik that he tried at Slilhnan's Run to call hack his warriors, as he thought the whites were making a sham retreat in order to draw him into an amimscade i>\ the whole army under Gen. Whiteside. The hasty retreat and rout of Stillman and his armv was, in a measure, demoraliz- ing to the entire force; undoul)tedly the cause of the defeat was a lack of discipline. When Gov. Reynolds learned of the disas- ter of Major Stillman. he at once ordered out two thousand additional volunteers. With that promptitude characteristic of the old "War Governor," he wrote out by can- dle-light on the evening of Stillman's de- feat the (M'der for the additional troops, and by daylight dispatched John Ewing, Robert Blackwell and John A. Wakefield to distrib- ute the order to the various counties. The \-oluntecrs again ]iromptly responded. On the loth of July the army cbsbanded for want of i)ro\isions. Gen. Scott arrived soon after with a large force at the post of ("hi- cago, to effect if possible a treaty wdtb the Indians. Small detachments of Black Hawk's warriors would persistently hang on the outskirts of the main body of the ami}-, thie\e and plunder, and pounce upon and kill the lonely sentinel or straggling soldier. On the T5th of July the soldiers were reviewed and those incapable of duty were discharged and returned home. Po- quette, a half-l)reed, and a W'innebag-o chief, the "White Pawnee," were selected for guides to the camp of Black Hawdv and band. Several battles and skirmishes oc- curred with the enemy, the i)rinci]:)al of which was on the banks of the Mississippi, where the w .arriors fought with great des- ])eralion: o\er one hundred and fifty were killed in the engagement and large numbers drowned in attempting to swim the river. After the battle the xolunteers were marched to Dixon, where ihey were discharged. This ended the campaign and the lilack Hawk war. At the battle oi the Bad Axe, Black 1 lawk and some of his warriors escaped the Americans and went U]) the Wisconsin ri\er. laU subsequently surrendered him- self, h'ort Armstrong, on Rock Island, was the i)lace appointed where a treaty would he made with the Indians, but before it was ciTected that dreadful scourge, the cholera. of '32 \isited not only the regular army, depleting its ranks far more rapidly than the balls of the Indians had done. 1mt it also soueht out its manv victims in the duskv bands of the Black Hawk tribe. On the 15th of Sei)tember, 1832, a treaty was made with the Winnebago Indians. They sold out all their lands in Illinois and all south of the Wisconsin ri\-er and west of Green Bay, and the goxernment ga\'e them a large dis- trict of country west of the Mississi])pi and ten thousand dollars a year for seven years, besides i)ro\iding free schools for their chil- dren for twenty years, oxen, agricultural implements, etc., etc. Se]:)tember 21, 1832, a treaty was made with the Sac and Fox tribes, on which they ceded to the L^iited States the tract of coun- try out of w hich a few years afterwards the state of Iowa was formed. In consideration of the above cession of lands, the govern- ment ga\-e them an annuity of twenty thou- sand dollars for thirty years, forty kegs of tobacco and forty barrels of salt, more gun- smiths, blacksmith .shop, etc.. etc. ; six thousand bushels of corn for immediate sup- l^ort. mostly intended for the Black Hawk band. The treaties above mentioned terminated SOLDIERS' MONUMENT Erected at Rosemond Grove Cemetery, near Rosemond, Illinois. Consisting of a pedestal formed from a single granite block, surmounted by figure in bronze, after the design of Charles J. Mulligan, sculptor. The gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Kitchell, of Pana, 111. Dedicated October 29. 1903. " In memory of the Union Soldiers and Sailors and of their Beloved Commander in Chief and Noblest Friend, Abraham Lincoln." CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS 87 favorably and the security resulting there- from gav-e a new and rapid impetus to the development of the state, and now enter- prising towns and villages and beautiful farms adorn the rich and alluvial i)rairies that before were (Mily desecrated by the wild bands who inhabited them. The Mexican War. In the war with Mexico in 1846-47 Illi- nois furnished six regiments of men as fol- lows : First regiment, commanded by Col. John y. Hardin; Second regiment, com- manded by Col. William H. Bissell ; Third regiment, commanded 1)y Col. Ferris For- man ; Fourth regiment, commanded by Col. Edward D. Baker; Fifth regiment, com- manded by Col. James Collins ; Sixth regi- ment, commanded by Col. Edward W. New- by. As the records have not yet been trans- cribed from the War Department at Wash- ington, we have had to rely solely on the facts furnished by those now living in the county who served in the war. This county had no regular organization in that war, Imt had several volunteers, who enlisted in other regiments. A company was raised and rei)orted liy its captain, H. M. Vandeveer, l)ut it was not accepted as the companies and regiments were all or- ganized. Several of her sons, however, en- tered the ranks and did good service for their country in helping forward the cause in which they were enlisted. H. M. Van- deveer liecome assistant (|uartermaster', with the rank of captain. He was at the liattle oi Buena Vista on Gen. Wool's statT, and bore Gen. Taylor's famous dispatch, "A lit- tle more grape, Capt. Bragg." Among those who went to that war from this county (and some others who have been residents of this county) may be mentioned Dial Davis, John Sanders and Wesley White, who en- listed in the Fourth regiment, Company C, commanded l)y Capt. Isaac C. Pugh ; George Horworth, enlisted in Company A, same regiment; Christopher C. Hollier, enlisted in Company E, Fourth regiment ; Henry Sanders and J. W. Wise in Capt. Roberts' company; A. P. Miller, enlisted in Capt. Hurt's company ; others were Reuben Wil- kinson, Joseph Wydick, Henry Sharp, John Sharp, Fletcher Haines, James C. Christian, Henry Ferguson, John Craig. The War of the Rebellion. The War of the Rebellion commenced with the firing or. Fort Sumpter in April, 1861, and ended with the surrender of Gen. Lee and his army to Gen. Grant, near Rich- mond, Va., on the 9th of April, 1865. The war over, at once the reduction of the army began. Illinois had in the field 156 regi- ments of infantry, seventeen regiments of cavalry, and two regiments of light artil- lery. The total aggregate force in the field was: in infantry, 185,941; cavalry, 32,082; artillery, 'y,2'// — making a grand total of 225,300. men. Apprehensions were ex- pressed by many that the disbanding of so many soldiers among the people, fresh from the army, and the withdrawal of all military restraint and control over them would be productive of disorder, misrule and crime to an unprecedented degree in the country. But time has shown that all such anticipa- tions and fears were groundless ; for with a wonderful rapidity these vast armies of the Union melted away and returned to their varied peaceful ])ursuits of civil life; and the "legions that a few years ago, in num- ber, in solidity, discipline and proof were without antetype in the world's history, may today be fcmnd- in the work-shop, at the bench, in the busy marts of trade, in tlie 88 PAST AND PRESENT manufactories and on the larm ; and their memljers have manifested to tlic world that, as citizens at home, they know as well how to respect the nation's laws as they know how to vindicate them in the field against armed rehellion or invading forces." Draft. At first it was determined to rely upon the spontaneous movement of the people to furnish the necessary quotas of soldiers by volunteering, but this w^as found inadequate, and the magnitude of the contest made it necessary to resort to the draft. This was very unpopular and distasteful to the peo- ple. Every appliance was made to evade it. Desertions were not infrequent. But the strong arm of the government enforced the measure. The draft was based on the census of i860. Christian county had a population of 10,475. Several enrollments were made. The first, in 1863, show^ed a force of 2,155 persons subject to military duty in this county ; a second enrollment in 1864 showed 2,512 men. The latter en- rollment was viewed with distrust and looked upon as excessive, inasmuch as it exhibited a marked increase, when, during the same time, the county had been depleted of large numbers who had already entered the service. "■ % The officers in charge of the duty, act- ing under instructions, took in all classes between the ages of 21 and 45; the blind, the hall and ilie lame, without regard to their manifest unfitness for military duty; thus putting them to unnecessary trouble and expense to be excused. A revised en- rollment was demanded, and made January 1st, which reduced the number to 1.5.32 men. President Lincoln called for 300,000 men October 18, 1863; for 500,000 February i. 1864; for 200,000 March 4, 1864; for 500,- 000 July 18, 1864; for 300,000 December 19, 1864 — in all 1.800,000. Illinois' cjuota, 177,747. Christian county's quota, 1,449; raised by volunteers and draft 1,369 — leav- ino- a deficit of 80 when the war closed, and recruiting ceased by order of the Secretary of War, under date of April 13, 1865. The first draft was ordered to be made September 19, 1864, in the several precincts in the county where the quota had not been filled by volunteers. Silas Chadwick and James M. Crabb were among the con- scripted from the Taylorville precinct. Silas Chadwick was killed soon after the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, and James M. Crabb furnished a substitute at a cost of $500, paid by himself. The county did not come to the relief of those first drafted, but reser\'ed its charity for the benefit of those taken in the second draft, at Jacksonville, under the call of December 19, 1864. The course adopted was manifest injustice to those first drafted. All drafted men in the county should have shared alike in its ben- efits. The quota of Christian county, under the call of December 19, 1864, was 257, appor- tioned to the precincts as follows : Sub. Dist's. No. Precincts. Quotas. 19. Buckhart 38 20. Stonington 18 21. Pana 12 22. North Fork 42 23. Tacusa (Assumption) 19 24. Rosemond 9 25. Low^er Bear Creek 19 26. Taylorville , 51 27. Nevada •#..... 12 28. Upper Bear Creek 12 29. Lower South Fork 16 30. Locust 9 Total 257 CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 89 The County court in special session Feb- ruary 20, 1865, adopted measures looking to the relief of the 257 conscripted men of this county. They ordered a tax of $2.50 on the one hundred dollars' worth of taxal^le property of the county, and directed a boun- ty of $350 to be paid to any volunteer or drafted man until the quota of the county was filled. The bonds were issued in March, payable in one year. The war closed, and all recruiting was ordered by the war de- partment to be suspended on April 15, 1865. But 149 bonds had been issued, aggregating a cost to the county of $52,150, and inter- est of $5,215. The public mind was restive about the bonds. The County court, at their December term, 1865, appointed H. M. Van- deveer and Jas. C. Morrison as agents to examine the records and ascertain the num- ber of men furnished by this county, who would legally be entitled to the war bonds. When Richmond fell on the first of April, 1865. not a bond had gone out of the office of the county clerk. Prominent men of the county urged the withholding of the bonds for a few days to see the issue of events. But it was not heeded. Those in charge of the matter at Jacksonville managed, in the course of ten days, to throw out 149 war-bonds, and burden the county, at their maturity, with a debt of $57,365. These agents were appointed to probe the matter to its bottom. They re])orted to the court that "they had made some progress in re- gard to the number of bonds issued, but they encountered difficulties at Springfield, as Col. Oakes had packed up the papers to send to the war department, but proffered all the aid he could furnish in the premises." A tax was levied by the County court, and the bonds paid off at maturity in 1866, without the citizens seemingly feeling it. Soldiers' Aid Society. A society under this caption was organ- ized by the ladies of Taylorville. Its object was to furnish mittens, socks and articles for the hospital, for the use, benefit and comfort of the "sodger Ijoys gone to the wars" from this portion of the county. Their object was laudable; and it was very natural for a mother's heart to feel for her boy as the cold, bleak days of winter began to approach. How cold would be his hands as he bore his musket in the weary marches of the day. They held their meetings fre- (juently, and entered on their work with commendable zeal, and soon had a box of these necessary articles prepared and sent forward to the front. The "boys in blue" were then camped at Rolla, Mo., and were glad to think they were held in dear remem- l)rance at home; l)ut the United States com- missary had anticipated the ladies in fur- nishing these comforts. The officers of the society were Mrs. Dr. Goudy, President; Mrs. W. W. Anderson, Vice President ; Mrs. Dr. Rockwell, Secre- tary ; Mrs. W. A. Goodrick, Treasurer, and Hattie Goodrick, Mrs. Maj. Shumway and Mrs. Paden, Directresses. 14TH Infantry. This regiment was organized under the call of May 15, 1861, and was mustered into the United States service for three years at Jacksonville, 111., on the 25th of May, 1 86 1. It remained at Camp Duncan, Jacksonville, until the latter part of June, for instruction, when it moved to Quincy, and thence to Missouri, July 5th, where it did good service. It left Rolla, Mo., for Jefferson City, under Gen. Fremont, on his memorable campaign to Springfield, Mo., after Gen. Price, and went intO' winter quar- !MI PAST AND PRKSKNT ters at Olterville. In l-cljruary, 1862, it was ordered to Vnv[ IXmelson, and ar- rived the (lav after its surrender, and was placed in Cien. S. A. Hurlburt's brigade. C0I. Palmer was promoted to brigadier-gen- eral, and Major Hall was made colonel. It was in the sanguinary engagements of the fttli and 7th of April, 1861, when the regi- ment lirst smelled gunpowder from the en- emy. Here it lost half its number. The colors had forty-two bullet holes through them, which attest the dangers and gallan- try of the command. It was in the last grand charge, in the advance led by Col. Hall, on the evening oi the 7th of April, that (len. Veatch, in his official report, says: "Col. Plall, of the 14th Illinois, led his regi- ment in that gallant charge on Monday evening, which drove the enemy beyond our lines and closed the struggle of that mem- orable day." The regiment took an active part in the siege of Corinth. After the evacuation it proceeded to Memphis, and thence to Bo- livia, Tenn. It was in an eight-hours fight on the Hatchic ri\cr. and went into winter quarters, 1862-3. at Lafayette, Tenn. Early in the spring it was ordered to Vicksburg, where it took part in the siege of that stronghold, until its final fall on the 4th of July, 1863. It was at the siege of Jack- son, Miss. In August it moved to Natchez, and from thence across the swamps of north- ern Louisiana to Harrisonville, on the Wa- chita river; captured Fort Beauregard and accompanied (len. Sherman on his raid on Meridian, Miss. After its return, a Inrge portion re-en- listed as veterans, their time being nearly out. The \eterans were furloughed, and many returned home. On their return they formed part of the army in advance on At- lanta. Here the 14th rmd 15th Illinois, who were together since the fall of 1862, sharers of each others' son-ow s and joys, weary marches and hcjuorably earned laurels, were consolidated into the 14T11 AND 15T11 Illinois Veteran Battalion. In October, 1864, rebel (ien. Hood at- tacked Gen. Sherman's rear forces, guard- ing the railroad, when a large number of the battalion were killed, and the major part of the balance were taken prisoners and sent to Anderson vi lie prison. Those who escaped capture were mounted and acted as scouts on Gen. Sherman's grand march through Georgia to the sea, ami were at the battle of Bentonville, N. C. At Goldsboro, N. C, in the spring of 1865, the battalion organization was dis- continued ; and seven one-year companies, new recruits were assigned March, 1865, from the north to fill up the two regiments. Col. Hall was again assigned to the com- mand of the 14th regiment. It was in the grand review of Sherman's army at Wash- ington City, May 24, 1865. It then pro- ceeded by rail and river to Louisville, Ky. ; thence by rail to Fort Leavenworth, Kan- sas ; thence marched to Fort Kearney and back. It was mustered out at Fort Leaven- worth, Kansas, September 16, 1865, arriv- ing at Springfield, Illinois, September 22, 1865, wdiere it received final payment and discharge. The commanding officer at the close of service was Brevet Brig.-Gen. Cyrus Hall, and the aggregate strength since or- ganization, 2,015. The aggregate number of men who be- longed to the 14th regiment was 1,980. and the aggregate mustered out at Fort Leaven- worth was 480. Durino- its four vears and foiu" months of arduous service the regiment marched CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Ul 4,490 miles, traveled by rail 2,380 miles, and by river, 4,490 miles — making an ag- gregate of 11,360 miles. In this regiment was Company H, from Christian county, commanded by Capt. An- drew Simpson, who was wounded at Pitts- burg Landing, in the battles of the 6th and 7th of April, 1862 — and in consecjuence thereof resigned October 4. 1862. This company participated in all tlie hardships and battles before described. The company was organized, under many adverse circumstances, after the fall of Fort Sumter. It was then styled "The Chris- tian Union Guards." The hide pendent Press of April 19, 1861, says of it : "Immediately upon the receipt of Gov. Yates' proclamation, calling out six regiments of volunteers, several chi\'alric young men of Taylorville, inspired with pa- triotic ardor, promptly set about forming a light infantry corps; and, upon the fact be- coming known about town, the annexed can- didates for martial glory came forward and signed the muster roll : Andrew Simpson, Edward Percy, John Durbin (Biscuit), Robert E. Doyle, John McKenzie, D. R. Jay. John W. Hartley, Silas B. Root, Reuben A. Beard, John G. Haines, A. E. Barnes. "Mr. John W. Hartley is acting as a re- cruiting officer during the absence of Mr. Simpson, who has gone to Springfield to see Gov. Yates on matters pertaining to the organization of the company. On Mr. Simpson's return, Mr. Hartley assures us the Light Infantry corps will have a 'grand rally.' " One of the men who signed the call was not in sympathy with the cause, and prob- ably did it in burlesque as will appear from the following published in the Press of the same date : "A Card to the Christian Public/'' "Mr. Editor : To put myself right be- fore the world, I deem it due alike to my character as a man and my standing as a democrat and a patriot to state that I signed the muster roll of the Light Infantry com- pany, now forming" at Taylorv^ille, only con- ditionally. I will state my conditions, and leave it to impartial posterity to pronounce me 'sound upon the goose.' "ist. I will not join the army of coercion if Dick Yates appoints the officers. "2d. I will join if the members of the company are allowed the privilege of elect- ing their own officers — company and regi- mental. "3d. I will continue with the company 'for and during the war' — provided I am elected captain. "4th. If I am not elected captain of the company, I'll see 'the institution' d — d first, before I budge a step from Taylorville. I have no idea of setting myself up as a tar- get to l^e shot at for the insignificantly-con- temptilile sum of $11 a month, rations and medical attendance thrown in. No-sir-ee, Bob; not in the day time. "R. A. Beard. "P. S. — If the above arrangement is not entirely satisfactory to my brave compan- ions in arms of the Taylorville Light In- fantry corps I shall remain at home and continue, as usual, to build houses and stairs — cheap for cash or country produce. "R. A. B." Taylorville, April 19, 1861. Whilst this chivalric gentleman of tem- porary residence in Christian was sending forth broadcast this ironical patriotic letter, tending to embarrass Capt. Simpson in his recruiting efiforts, on the same day a class of his way of thinking were shooting down a portion of a Massachusetts regiment in Baltimore, on their way to Washington City to protect the capitol of the nation from seiz- ure by the enemy. A union meeting was held in Pana, April 22, 1865, at which Rev. H. R. Lewis pre- 92 PAST AND PRESENT sided, and riddresses were made by J. H. O'Connor, (Ico. K. Pease, j. E. Southwick and others. A series of resolutions were passed without a dissenting voice. The /;/- dependent Press, in commenting on it, says: "The fourth smells strongly of gunpowder and subjugation." It further says: "John B. Butler, well and favor.ahly known to the people of Christian, has abandoned the peaceful pursuits of life, donned a military attire, and like a 'howld sojer boy; as he is. gone ofif to the wars, gaily singing as he went the |)atriotic old ditty of — a i Come all ye lirave Americans, I'd have you for to know That for to fight the enemy Pm goin' for to go.' ' But Cai)t. Simpson succeeded in raising his company, composed of 12 officers and 65 privates. They were duly organized and ready for the march on the loth of May, 1861. The citizens of Taylorville gave them a sumptuous collation on that day at the courthouse. On that occasion the ladies were more than soldiers, vieing with each other in doing honors for the brave boys. Speeches were made by H. M. Vandeveer, C. Goudy, D. T. Moore, T3. E. Hall and W'm. Singer. A select choir, under the di- rection of A. S. Rockwell, sang the beauti- ful airs, Star Sj^angled Banner, Red, White and l)lue, y\uld Lang Syne, on the court- house steps; after which D. T. Moore, on behalf of the ladies, i)resented a beautiful flag, accompanied with a neat and appropri- ate speech. Maj. D. D. Shumway, as ex- pressive of his good wishes, presented to the company, through Ca])t. Simpson $20 in gold. The company marched to Pana on that day and took the cars on the Central rail- road. A good dinner was served up to the boys in blue at Pana. They moved by rail to Decatur the same evening, where they were jammed into two freight cars and rolled away to Jackson\'ille. The company was mustered into service on the 25th of May, iatt]e of Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh, as named in official reports, was fought on Sunday and Monday, April 6 and 7. i86j. It was a long and desperate conflict. Lieut. John B. Butler, of Com- pany G, correspondent of the Independent Press,, of Taylorville, gives the following graphic account of the two days' battle: "General Grant has been concentrating his forces at this point for the last four weeks, preparatoy to an advance upon the enemy's stronghold at Corinth, Miss. We were only waiting a junction with the troops under General Buell to commence the work. The enemy, reported 130,000 strong, en- deavored to cut us off before General Buell's arrival, and thereby command the naviga- tion of the Tennessee river, give his troops the spirit and eclat of a victory, cheer and encourage the despondency of the enemy, replenish their exhausted ordnance and com- missary stores, and fight General Buell at their leisure. They have been signally dis- appointed, although they fought like devils incarnate for thirty-six hours. "On Sunday morning, about 4 o'clock, the enemy drove in our pickets, and the can- nonading commenced with round shot, shrapnel, shells and otlier projectiles, grape, canister, etc. The enemy in force were in the camps almost as soon as were the pickets themselves. Here began scenes which hardly have a parallel in the annals of war. Many, particularly among the officers of the army, were not yet out of their beds ; some w^ere dressing, others washing and cooking:, and a few eating their breakfast. Many guns were unloaded, accoutrements, lying pell-mell, ammunition was ill-supplied - — in short, the camps were completely sur- prised — and taken at almost every possible disadvantage. "The first wild cries from the pickets rush- ing in, and the few scattering: shots that ])receded their arrival, aroused the regiments to a sense of their peril: an instant after- ward, rattling v(illeys of musketry poured through our tents and liefore there was thought of preparation there came rush- ing through the woods, with lines of battle, swee]:)ing the whole fronts of the division camps and bending down on either flank, the fine, compact columns of the enemy. "Into the just-aroused camps of the union forces, thronged the Confederate regiments, firing sharj) Nolleys as they came, and springing forward upon our laggards with the bayonet: for while their artillery, al- ready in position, was tossing shells to the further side of the encampment, scores were shot down, as they were running without weapons, hatless, coatless, towards the river. The searching bullets found other poor un- fortunates in their tents and these, unheed- ing- now, thev slumbered, while the unseen foe rushed on. Others fell, as they were disentangling themselves from the flaps that formed the doors to their tents; others as they were A-ainly trying to impress on the critically exultant enemies their readiness to surrender. "Officers were bayonetted in their beds and left for dead, who. through the whole two days' fearful struggle, lay there gasping in their agony, and on Monday evening were found in their gore, inside their tents, and still able to tell the tale. "Thus the battle raged by 8 o'clock in the morning-. The roar of musketrv and rifles, the infernal din of two or three hundred thousand small arms continued all day and ceased not until darkness ]nit an end to the strife. \A'e halted in line of battle and remained there during the night, notwith- standing it rained torrents throughout the latter part of it. dii PAST AND TRESENT "Colonel rui^li commanded the First Bri- i^ade of the hV)iii"lh l)i\ision. Company G. with the I'^orty-first reiiiment, in the Fourth l)i\ision, took their position in line of hattle hy S o'clock a. m., the eneniv showed him- self, and Commenced firing" upon our hattery, which I'cplied promptly, and for two hours they ke])t up a most incessant roar. About 12 o'clock our hattery changed jjosition right in front of Company G, of Forty-first Regi- ment. Illinois Volunteers, and for fifteen minutes kept up a brisk fire; but the enemy disabled one gun. killed several gunners and horses, ^\hen the hattery retired. This had draw 11 the gra]:)e and canister upon us and several men were killed out of Company G — not all. however, from Christian county — close by my side and in my rear. "Our division was posted near the left wing of our lines. For two hours and a half our regiment presented the appearance of a young- \-olcano ; nor did it give one inch of ground until our ammunition was ex- hausted, when we retired behind the sec- ond line, refreshed ourselves with water and replenished our ammunition. Lieutenant- Colonel Tupper, of the Forty-first Regiment, was killed early in the action. The com- mand then devolved upon Major Warner, who led us during the remainder of the fight on Sunday afternoon. "The enemy outflanked us on the left, and dro\-e us in until 5 o'clock in the after- noon, when one or two brigades of General Buell's command landed from the boats, and a masked battery of heavy guns was planted, which o])ened in easy range; and such a cannonading from that time till dark was never excelled, if equalled, in modern war- fare. The enemy's batteries were silenced, and they were forced to retire some dis- tance for the night. General Buell's forces continued landing all night and taking their position in the field, and as soon as daylight made its ai)pearance they 'cried ha\'oc, and let slip the dogs of war,' and kept it u\) till three in the afternoon of Mondav, when the enemy broke and retreated from the field. Col. Tugh's brigade, on Monday, the second da)' of the fight, were ]:)oste(l in support of the right wing, and here it was that the heaviest fighting was done. The enemy had erected l)reast-works of fallen timber, from Ijehind which they kei)t up a severe firing for a long time, but we routed them at the ])oint of the bayonet. In fact a great pro- ])()rtion of the fighting in the afternoon w^as with the bayonet. "Among the prisoners were several offi- cers of distinction ; and among the dead were the bodies of Gen. A. Sidney John- son, of Virginia fame, and Gen. Bragg, of hattery notoriety at Buena Vista. We lost man}- prisoners on Sunday, at the com- mencement of the battle. The enemy took many of our guns on the first day, but were retaken on the day followin.g, together with forty of the enemy's guns. "Tuesday and Wednesday after the Ijat- tle were occupied in burying the dead. The battle ground was covered, Uiore or less, for three or four miles in diameter, wdth dead and wounded, men and horses. Some twenty-five or thirty mile<^ were fought over. The country was hilly and cut up l)y deep ravines. The enemy had the advan- tage of a thorougii knowdedge of the coun- trv, of its geography and topography, which our men had not, with the exception of the commanding generals. '*Al)out five o'clock of the first day's fighting, when we were marching to the right wing, to take position, Gen. Hurl- hurt paid the 41st regiment a very high compliment; many regiments were broken CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 97 and in confusion, and the (ieneral seeing ns all in ranks in line of battle, called out 'What regiment is this?' '41st Illinois,' was the response. 'That is as it should be — the 41st is in line. I expect always to find them in line.' " The following letter was w^ritten by Capt. F. M. Long, on the 8th of April. 1862, after the battle, to his aged fathei in Taylorville, Illinois : "Forty-six of my company G, went into the fight; and sixteen of the number were killed and wounded. The names of the killed were : Geo. C. Funk. John C. Wright, Wm. J. Johnson, Wm. H. Ready and Charles A. Craimer. The wounded were : Capt. F. M. Long, slightly in the foot: Lieut. John W. Cox, mortally, in the right thigh, died April 9th ; Capt. Leander East, severely in the right shoulder; Gab- riel McKenzie, slightly in the head ; Gabriel C. Butt, seriously in the back ; Wm. L. Miner, slightly in the head ; George Stanley, slightly in the face; Geo. Cabill, slightly in the ear; James Brown, slightly in the breast ; Edmund Wilson, severe w^ound in the left arm and bone broken, and Wm. J. Sisson, flesh wound in the leg. "The killed fought bravely till they fell. The rest of my men went through un- harmed; every one did his duty. I jias^^ed over the battle-field the next morning after the dreadful contest and such a sight I never beheld before; dead men are lying all around over the ground for miles." After the battle of Shiloh, the regiment was next engaged in the siege of Corinth, Miss., July 6. 1862, marched for Mem- phis via Holly Springs, Lagrange and Grand Junction; arri\Td at Germantown 20th, and at Memphis 21st July, where it remained till the 6th of September, and then marched for Bolivar, arriving on the 14th of September; on the 19th marched to the (irand Junction, and returned October 4, and marched to Hatchie river. On the 5th of October, 1862, was reserved during the battle of Corinth. On the r)tli marched to Bolivar; on the 7th marched from Boli- var, arriving at Lagrange Nov. 3. On the 6th of November in Colonel Pugh's brigade ; moved out on a reconnoissance to Lamar on the 8th and Somerville on the 24th ; Nov. 28, 1862, again marched to Lamar; on the 29th to Holly 'Springs ; on the 30th to Waterford; Dec. 10, 1862, to Beaver Creek ; ( )n the 1 i th to Yocono Creek, pass- ing through Oxford and crossing the Talla- hatchie; on the 22d marched from Yocona to Water Valley, and returned via Oxford, Beaver Creek, Tallahatchie, and arrived at Holly Springs, Jan. 5, 1863. The 41st Regiment w-as in the first bri- gade. Colonel Pugh; fourth division, Brig- adier-General Lauman ; right wing. Gen- eral McPherson; 13th army corps. Major- General Grant. The regiment went into camp at Moscow% Tenn., and remained until March, 1863. On March 5, 1863, ordered to Memphis, Tenn., where it arrived on the loth. The regiment before this had been transferred from the 13th army corps, Major-General Grant, to the i6th army corps, Major-General Hurlburt command- ing- On the 1 2th of April, 1863. proceeded on an expedition to Hernando, Miss. At Cold Water, seven miles lieyond the latter place, met the enemy, under Generrd Chalmers. Here the 41st was under a heavy skirmish fire for about seven hours. On the i6th returned to Memphis. Valentine Hinkle. of Company G, died at Memphis, April 28, 1863; moved to Vicksburg; disembarked at Young's Point; on the 19th transferred to 98 Pv\ST AXl) I 'RESENT (ienera! AlcClernaiKrs coniiiiaiid. Was en- j^aj^ed in the sici^c of Xickshur;^". July 5. 11^63, moN'ed towards Jackson, Miss.: cnj^aged in the battle of Jackson. The loss of the regiment in this action was 40 killed upon the field and 122 wounded. Major V. M. Long fell, mortally wounded, while gallantly leading his men into action. This great sacrifice of life was by a mis- taken order of General Lauman's. It was iHicailed for and effected notliing. Among the killed were Corp. Elijah J. Shirrell. John II. Williams, William B. Russell John A. Orr. William X. Robinson. Names of the wounded could not be obtained. After this disaster the regiment returned to V^icksburg- on the 25th of July. November 18. 1863, moved to Natchez. Miss., and remained until the 28th, when it retin-ned to Vicksburg; Dec. 3, 1863, marched to Big Black river, where it re- mained and erected winter quarters ; the 41st regiment being in the ist brigade. Gen. Thomas Kirby Smith; fourth division, Gen. M. M. Crocker; 17th army corps, Major- Gen. James B. McPherson. commanding veterans and recruits on the 41st Illinois, consolidated with the 53d regiment. The'4Tst mustered out Aug. 20, 1864, at Springfield, 111.; numlier in the regiment, 1,21 T. Such is a brief and hasty sketch of the movements of the 41st Illinois regiment, in which was company (i, Capt. E. M. Long, from Christian county. A brief account of the early formation of this company and the obstacles it had to encounter may be a matter of interest. Ca])t. E. M. Long, on his own motion, com- menced recruiting for a company in July, 1 86 1, to be attached to Colonel Pugh's regi- ment, forming at Decatur. The Independ- ent Press savs : "A meeting to further the interests of the movement was held in the courthouse on the afternoon of the 2r)th of July, 1861. .\ddresses were made by Elder A. McCol- Inni, Captain Vandeveer arid Dr. (Joudy. It was stated that the i)ay would lie liberal — 320 acres of land; a bounty of $100, be- sides the regular wages in the army. The boys of the company styled themselves 'L'ncle Sam's Nephews.' Among those en- listing was Samuel \\A'dick. an old settler of this county and 81 years old. He re- ported his age at 41. and ])assed muster He was in the war of 1812; and also in the Black Hawk war. He is apparently as ac- tive as any man in the company, and en- dured the hardshi])s incident to a life in the tented field w ith as much spirit as most of his younger companions in arms. He died in the hospital at St. Louis on the 22d of A])ril. 1862. Peace to the old warrior's ashes." Muster Roll of Company G. of the 41st Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, as sworn into the United States service, at Decatur. 111., Aug. 5. 1861, for three years: Erancis M. Long, captain, promoted major; Daniel K. Hall, captain, promoted ; Thomas J. Anderson, captain, term expired .Aug. 20, 1864; John B. Btitler, ist lieutenant, resigned June 18, 1863; Charles G. Young, Tst lieutenant, term 3 years, expired Nov. 11. 1864: John \y. Cox. 2(1 lieutenant, died April 9. 1862, at Shilf^h: James M. Boyd, ist sergeant, term expired Aug. 20, 1864; George Hall, sergeant, M. O., term expired Aug. 20. 1864: Lander East, sergeant, discharged Jan. 2(). 1863; W. B. Russell, sergeant; J(^hn J. Benope, sergeant, time M. O., Aug. 20, 1864; Elijah J. Shcrill. corporal, killed at Jackson. Miss.. July 12. 1863; Andrew J. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 99 Bailey, corporal, died at Memphis, Tenn., April 20. 1863; John H. Wilhams, cor- poral, killed at Jackson, Miss., July 12, 1863; John C. Young, corporal, re-enlisted as veteran ; Robert R. Earnest, corporal, discharged Nov. 28, 1862 (disability) ; William R. Russel, corporal, promoted ser- geant, killed July 12, 1863; William M. Petty, corporal, died at Paducah, Ky., Oct. 13, 1861 ; Thomas Bowling, musician, mus- tered out A])ril 20, 1864; John Brannon, private, re-enlisted as veteran ; Elias F. Bowman, private, died at Vicksburg, July 7, 1863; Gabriel C. Butt, private, M. O., Aug. 20, 1864 (wounded) ; Dias Butt, pri- vate, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864 (wounded) ; Benjamin L. Bowls, private, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864 (wounded) ; James Brown, pri- vate, re-enlisted as veteran ; John D. Claw- son, private, discharged Aug. 15, 1862 (dis- ability) ; Benjamin F. Cheney, private, dis- charged Nov. 29. 1863, to accept promotion as 2d lieutenant, 7th La. A. D. : DeWitt C. Cowgill, private discharged for disability; John H. Cooper, private, re-enlisted as vet- eran ; Henry L. Clapp, private, discharged Oct. 22, 1862; William W. Durbin, private, re-enlisted as veteran : Frederick Drind, private, discharged April 6, 1863 (disabil- itv) : George C. Funk, killed at Pittsburg Landing, April 6, 1862 ; George \^^ Gil- bert, private, discharged Sept. 13, 1863; Elijah E. Gimlin, private, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864 (wounded) ; Anderson Gray, private, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; William Goodan, private, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; William C. B. Gillispie, private, pro- moted commissary sergeant ; Robert W Hopper, private, Aug. 20, 1864, as ser- geant ; Abram Halderman, private, dis- charged Oct. 10, 1862 (disability) ; Leo- nard Hoover, private, mustered out Aug. 7 20, 1864; William J. Johnson, private, killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862; John M. Jordon, private, died at Paducah, Ky., Dec. 22, 1861 ; James T. Jones, private, dis- charged Dec. 16, 1863 (disability) ; Curtis Kimmerman, private, discharged Sept. 19, 1862 (disability) ; William S. Knott, pri- vate, deserted Sept. 13, 1861 ; Joseph Lev- anther, private, mustei^ed out Aug. 20, 1864; Thomas J. Langiey, private, dis- charged Aug. 14, 1862 (disability) ; Dan- iel E. McGarrah, private, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; Thomas Marshall, private, discharged Sept. 18, 1862 (disability) ; William L. Miner, private, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; John H. Peppers, private, re-enlisted as veteran; Benjamin Pilate, . private, deserted July 30, 1862 ; George B. Ryan, private, died at Paducah, Ky., April 5, 1862 ; William Rutledge, private, desert- ed Sept. 28, 1861, and went into 115th regiment, killed at Chickamauga ; Thadeus T. Smith, private, discharged March 5, 1862. as corporal; Theodore F. Storey, pri- vate-corporal, died at home, September, 1862 ; George Stanley, private, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; Eli S. Scribner, re- enlisted as veteran ; Augustus Weller, pri- vate, re-enlisted as veteran; David Wooley, private, died at St. Louis, March 19, 1862; Edmund Wilson, private, discharged June 12, 1862; David F. Welch, died at Mound City, April 15, 1862; George W. Waddelb transferred to invalid corps Sept. 12, 1863; Samuel Widock. private, died at St. Louis, April 22, 1862; John Wheeler, private, mus- tered out Aug. 20, 1864; John B. Young, private, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864; John Bran- non, veteran, transferred to Co. A, Veteran Battalion; James Brown, veteran, trans- ferred to Co. A, Veteran Battalion ; John H. Cooper, veteran, transferred to Co. A. Vet- KM) PAST AND PRESENT eran I'attalion : William \\\ Durbin. vet- eran, transferred to Co. A. X'eteran Battal- ion ; Gabriel McKenzie, \eteran, transferred to Co. A, W'teran Battalion: John TT. Pep- pers. \eteran, transferred to Co. A, Veteran Battalion ; Eli S. Scril)ner. \eteran, desert- ed May I J. 1X64: :\ugustiis W'cller, vet- eran, transferred to Co. A, Veteran Battal- ion : John C. \'onng'. veteran, transferred to Co. A, W'teran Battalion; John B. Butler, recruit, promoted 2d lieutenant; Valentine Hinkde. died at iMemphis, Tenn.. April 28, 1863; Charles Langley. recruit, discharged June 2T, 1862 (disability) : Gabriel McKen- zie. recruit, re-enlisted as veteran ; Wright Nash, recruit, transferred to Co. A. Vet- eran Battah"on ; Robert R. Ryan, recruit transferred to Co. A, \^eteran Battalion; Alfred Spates, recruit, transferred to Co. A. Veteran Battalion ; Robert S. Simpson, recruit, discharged April 4. 1862 (disabil- ity ) ; John Throckmorton, recruit, trans- ferred to Co. A. Veteran Battalion; Thomas Whitton, recruit, transferred to Co. A, Veteran Battalion ; James R. W^ill- iams. recruit, transferred to Co. A, Veteran Battalion ; A\'illiam Westley, recruit, trans- ferred to Co. A. Veteran Battalion; Jose]^h Catherwood. 1st lieutenant. Co. E, 4th Reg., term expired Aug. 21. 1864. Muster Roll of Company D. ^;^(\ Regiment. Illinois Vol- unteers, more familiarly known as the "Normal Regiment" of Teachers. It was organized at Camp Butler. 111.. Aug. 15. 186 1. Charles E. Hovey, colonel. Company D was made up in the western part of Christian county, by Henry H. Pope, its captain : Plenry H. Pope, captain, pro- moted major and lieutenant-colonel ; Will- iam W. Mason, ist lieutenant.' term expired Aug. 28. 1864; Hiram V. Algur, 2d lieu- tenant, resigned Sept. 18. 1864; Abiel kosengrant, ist sergeant, promoted captain Oct. II, 1864; Thomas Mason, corporal, killed in Mississippi, May 28, 1862; John Kuykendali, corporal, wounded, M. O. Oct. II. i860; George Griffon, wagoner, re- enlisted as veteran; Ephraim G. Allen pri- vate; Henry Boden, private, re-enlisted as xeteran : Louis Com])ton. private, re-enlist- ed as xeteran ; Charles Chorndor, dis- charged Sept. 4. 1865 (disability) ; John Connor, private; William Earles. private, died at Ironton. M(x, Dec. 13, t86i ; John J. Hawk, died at St. Louis. Oct. 18, 1862; William Hennesy, private; Daniel C. Mat- thews, died Jan. 28, 1865, near Buckhart ; Alfred McCoy, private, discharged April 3. 1862; Lucas Michael, private, killed at Vicksburg, May 20, 1863; John C. Noe. private, mustered out Nov. 24, 1865; James Reed, private, discharged April 8, 1861 (disability) ; George W. Robinson, private, discharged Oct. 31, 1862 (disability) ; Timothy Regan, private, re-enlisted as vet- eran ; Thcjmas Simondson, ])rivate ; Gec^rge Smith, private, died at St. Louis, March 24, 1863; Henry Smith, private, discharged Jan. 16, 1864 (w'ounds) ; Henry Shaw, pri- vate, re-enlisted as veteran ; Charles Wal- lace, died at fronton. Mo., Nov. 4, 1861 ; Marion Berry, recruit, M. O. Nov. 24, 1865 ; Wm. H. Grain, veteran recruit. M. O. Nov. 24, 1865, as corporal; Joseph S. Cook, recruit, discharged Nov. 8. 1862 (disabil- ity) ; Adam Coffman, recruit; John Dur- bin. died at River Station, Mo., April 22, T862; Jasper N. Good, recruit; William G. Ginger, recruit, discharged March 8, 1865 (term expired) ; Henry Jodence, recruit, mustered out Nov. 24, 1865 ; Augustus C. Jolinson, recruit; Charles Miller, died at Terre Bonne, La., Jan. 12, 1865; Napoleon B. Pherigo, veteran recruit, M. O. Nov. 24, CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 101 1865; Hiram H. Painter, recruit, M. O. Nov. 24, 1865; Montgomery Shaw, recruit, discharged April 9, 1863 (disabihty) ; James Thomas, veteran, died at Terre Bonne. Sept. 17, 1864; Joseph Walden, killed, accident N. O. & O. R. R., March 2, 1865. Muster Roll of Company i, 41st Regiment, Illir.ois Vol- unteers. Was organized in Decatur, in Colonel Pugh's regiment, and sworn into the United States service, Aug, 5. 1861. This company was recruited at Mt. Auburn, in the northern part of Christian county, in the month of July, 1861, by Capt. Benja- min B. Bacon. This company was in the same regiment with Capt. F. M. Long. They styled themselves "Mt. Auburn Ti- gers" : Benjamin B. Bacon, captain, re- signed March 4, 1862; Francis M. Green, captain, term expired Aug. 20, 1864; Ben- jamin R. Parrish, ist lieutenant, resigned Sept. 25, 1862; Leander Green, ist lieuten- ant, term expired Aug. 20, 1864; Philip J. Frederick, 2d lieutenant, term expired Aug'. 20, 1864; William Batterson, ist sergeant, died at LaGrange, term expired A'larch 11, 1863; George C. Baugh, ist sergeant, died at Memphis, xA.pril 9 (wounds) ; William Cochran, ist sergeant, M O. Aug. 20, 1864; James R. Dickson, sergeant, died May 14, 1862 (wounds) ; Melcher Repp, sergeant, died home, April 5, 1863 (pris- oner) ; Henry C. Porter, sergeant, mustered out Oct. 20, 1864: Robert W. Richards, corporal, re-enlisted as veteran ; Benjamin Blankenbaker, corporal, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864; George C. Baugh, corporal, wound- ed, promoted ist sergeant; Hiram Hoag- land, corporal, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; Marion R. Shade, corporal, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864, as sergeant; David Crompton, cor- poral, killed at Ft. Donelson, Feb. 15, 1862; Michael Clark, corporal, deserted Jan. 28, 1862; Joseph White, musician, discharged Nov. 25, 1 86 1 (disability) ; Lewis White, discharged Sept. 25, 1861 (disability) ; Frank A. Lindsley, wagoner, killed at Jackson, July 12, 1863; Jeremiah Barchell, private, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864; John Baugh- man, private, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864, as cor- poral ; Henry Batterton, private, died April 24, 1862; Isaac Borley, private, M. O. Aug 20, 1864, as corporal; James H. Bibler, pri- vate, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; John Baughman, private, promoted commissary sergeant ; Paul Baughman, private, mus- tered out Aug. 20, 1864; William H. Copp- ley, died at LaGrange, Tenn., July .12, 1862 ; Henry C. Crawford, private, mus- tered out , 1864; John Churchill, private, re-enlisted as veteran : William Clink, private, re-enlisted as veteran ; Ben- jamin F. Grand, private, re-enlisted as vet- eran ; Barney Conner, killed at Ft. Donel- son, Feb. 15, 1862; Henry Campbell, dis- charged Jan. I, 1863 (accidental wounds) ; William Dickerson, died March 26, 1862 (on furlough) ; Barney Druin, private, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; Abraham Decker, private, re-enlisted as veteran ; Samuel Erwin, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; James D. English, private, re-enlist- ed as veteran ; John G. Fletcher, private, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; George W. Fowks, private, died July 22, 1863 (wounds) ; Jonathan Grider, private, dis- charged Jan. 20, 1862, as corporal; John Goodrich, private, re-enlisted as veteran ; Chauncey G. Goodrich, private, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864; Charles Henderson, private, mus- tered out Aug. 20, 1864; Randolph Hav- oner, private, re-enlisted as veteran ; Joseph Hill, private, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; John B. Hopkins, private, mustered out 102 PAST AND PRESENT Aug. 20, iSr»4; John narmiin, private, mus- tered out Aug. 20, iSf)4; John I). Hum- phrey, private, mustered dut Aug. 20, 1864; George ITrirwortli. pri\ate. re-eulisted as veteran: llenrv hinder, private, died at \'icksl)urg. June 4. \^(\^: John H. Lout- zenhouse, i)ri\ate, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864; [ohn Lawton, private, mustered out Aug. 20. 1864; Eliel T. Lee. private, re-instated as veteran: Charles Morgan, ])rivate, kihed at Ft. Donelson. Feh. 15, 1862; Harrison Miller, ])rivate, re-enlisted as vet- eran : John ]\IcKaig, jjrivalf'. mustered out Aug. 20. 1864; Alexander Marshall, pri- vate, mustered out Aug. 20. 1864; Charles McCluskey, private, discharged April 25, 1862 (died) ; John Slurry, private, died at Ft. Donelson. Feh. 15. 1862; Jacoh McCoy, private. discharged Jan. 27, 1862 (wounds) ; Charles Modcalf, private, died at Paducah, Ky., Jan. 15, 1863; James L. Nance. i)rivate, ]\1. O. Aug. 20, 1864, as sergeant; James Oshorn, private, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; Peter Patrick, private, transferred to Invalid Corps, Sept. 15. 1863; Henry L. Patrick, private, re-enlist- ed as veteran : William R. Pete, pri\'ate, fle- serted Feh. lo, 1862; John Pontis, private, mu.stered out Aug. 20. 1864; Martin Pilaris, died at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 30, 1864; Jacoh Ransomer, private, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; Theodore Sherman, pri- vate. M. O. Aug. 20. 1864, as sergeant; Davis Shanafell, private, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864, as sergeant : James W. Stobaugh, private, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; Al- fred Shatza. private, re-enlisted as veteran; Lerhan Swisher, died at Fort Donaldson, March 3, 1862; Michigan C. Scott, private, mustered out Aug. 20. 1864; Andrew J Sergeant, private, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; Wesley Taylor. ])rivate. mustered out Aug. 20. 1864; Aaron 1"roxel, private, killed at l"t. Donelson, Feb. 15, 1862; (leorge W'ikox, ])rivate, died at Memphis, Tenn.. April 2.S. i8r)3: Jnhn P. Williams. at ,\nna])()lis. Oci. 2, 1863 ( was prisoner) ; Joseph W'athrook. private, discharged June 10, i8h2: Joim W'ilhelm. mustered out Aug. 20, J 864; Carl is Ware, killed at Jack- son, Miss., July 12, 18O3; William Clink, veter.an, transferred to Co. B. Veteran Bat- talinn: \liraham Decker, \-eteran, trans- ferred to Co. B, Veteran Batt.alion ; James D. fLnghsh, \eteran. transferred to Co. B, Veteran Battalion; John Gocjdrich, veteran, transferred to Co. B, Veteran Battalion; George Harwith. veteran, transferred to Co.,B, Veteran Battalion; Harrison Miller, veteran, transferred to Co. B, Veteran Bat- talion; Maxwell M. Miljer, veteran, trans- ferred to Co. B, Veteran Battalion; Henry L. Patrick, veteran, transferred to Co. B, Veteran Battalion; Robert W. Rickard, transferred to Co. B, Veteran Battalion; Rol)ert* W. Blankenship, transferred to Co. B. Veteran Battalion; Daniel Baughman, recruit, transferred to Co. B. Veteran Bat- talion ; Jacob Henshie, recruit, transferred to Co. B, Veteran Battalion ; Presley D. Housley. recruit, transferred to Co. B, Vet- eran Battalion; Henry G. Miller, recruit, transferred to Co. B, Veteran Battalion; Maxwell M. Miller, recruit, re-enlisted as veteran : iM-ancis M. Miller, recruit, trans- ferred to Co. B, Veteran Battalion. A letter, written just after the battle of lM)rt Donelson, by a private in Captain Simi)son's company, referring to the man- ner in which some of our Christian county bovs bore themselves in that memorable en- gagement, states that George Funk fought like a hero; Benjamin Pilate stole off before the fight and was never seen until the fort was surrendered. Captain Bacon of the Mt. Aul)urn company ran like a coward. I CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 103 He has been sent home. Lieut. John Davis (Job's John) had command of his company and he went in with a Sharp's rifle, coohy g^iving orders to. his men and laughing all the time. One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, Gen. Jesse H. Moore, colonel in command. Company A of this regiment was recruit- ed from Christian county, by Capt. J. W. Lapham, and others, at Camp Butler, vScpt. 13, 1862. The regiment was organized and sworn into the United States service Sept. 19, 1862; ordered into the field on the 4th of October, 1862; reported to Major-General Wright at Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 6th of October, and on the same day crossed the ri\-er into Kentucky and report- ed to Gen. A. J. Smith; marched through Kentucky and reached Naslnille, Tenn., Fel). 10, 1863. The regiment moved to Tullahoma and held that ])ost till Sept. 5, 1863. Septeml)er 14, by a forced march across the Cumberland mountains, reached Rossville, Ga., five miles south of Chatta- nooga; remained four days. On the i8th of September, 1863, engaged the enemy on the extreme left, upon the field of Chicka- mauga. In this engagement the regiment lost six men. September 20, crossed to the support of General Thomas, on the extreme right, leaving camp at sunrise ; engaged the enemy on Thomas's right at i o'clock P. M. with Steadman's division, loth Regiment's reserve corps ; after a most fearful struggle held the ground till night. Half the entire command was cut down. Colonel Moore and his regiment were commended for their bravery in orders. It participated in all the engagements around Chattanooga and Mis- sion Ridge. The regiment lost in killed, wounded and captured, in the campaign around Chattanooga, in the fall of 1863, about 235 men and 10 officers. About 21st of February, 1864, marched with a detach- ment of the Army of the Cumberland, un- der General Palmer against Dalton, Ga. ; spent ten days feeling the enemy, and tct turned to camp near Cleveland, Tenn. The regiment lost six men ; remained here till the 3d of May, when, with General Sher- man's grand army, started on the Atlanta campaign. The 115th regiment, on the 7th of May, led the charge upon Tunnel Flill, Ga., driving the enemy through Buzzard Roost Gap. The 15th and i6th of May engaged in battle at Resaca, Ga. ; sustained stubbornly a charge upon the left flank, for which the regiment was commended in or- ders; lost in this contest about thirty men and oflScers. All the principal engagements of the mil- itary divisions of the Mississippi v^ere in- scribed by orders, upon the regimental ban- ner. The regiment lost during the Atlanta campaign about 100 men. When General Sherman marched to the sea, General Thomas' command was detached and or- dered to Tennessee, to watch the move- ments of General Hood. The 115th Regi- ment was with this force in the second bri- gade, first division, fourth army corps. The regiment took an active part in the en- gagements, which, in November and De- cember, 1864, resulted in the destruction of Bragg's old veteran army, known as the "Army of the Tennessee," and then com- manded by Confederate General Hood. The brigade to which the 115th Illinois Regiment belonged for nearly two years, without material alteration, was known throughout the department as the "Iron Brigade," and was, for the most part, up to the 23d of December, 1864, commanded by Gen. Walter C. Whitaker, of Kentucky, 104 PAST AND PRESENT who neglected no opportunity to win dis- tinction for liiniself and his command. On the 23rd of December, 1864, while pursuing General Hood, in his retreat from Nasliville. Col. J. IT. Moore, of the 115th Illinois Regiment, tt)ok command of this splendid brigade, and continued its com- mander till it was mustered out of the serv- ice, at the close of the war. Colonel Moore was breveted brigadier-general before leav- ing the army. General Hood, having been driven, after his defeat at Nashville, Tenn., with the re- mains of a broken army, across the Tennes- see, the 1 1 5th Regiment, with the Fourth .\rmy Corps, marched to Huntsville, Ala., and went into camp on the 5th of January, 1865 ; marched thence, on the 14th of March into East Tennessee, thence expecting to mo\-e by the way of Lynchburg, Va., to as- sist in the capture of Richmond. But while in the vicinity of Greenville, Tenn., Richmond fell, and General Lee surren- dered. The regiment then moved with the Fourth Army Corps and went into camp near Nashville, Tenn., and there remained until mustered out of the service, June 11, 1865. Arrived at Camp Butler, 111., 1865, and receixed final pay and discharge June 23, 1865. Thus it will be seen that Company A, from Christian county, was engaged in many hard-f (night battles, nnd did honor to itself and the couiit\- which gave it birth. Captain Hanon and Lieut. J. B. Gore were taken prisoners. Muster Roll of Company A. J. W. Lapham, captain -major, M. O. June IT, 1865; Jesse Hanon, Jr., captain, mustered out June 11, 1865; Arthur C. Bankston, ist lieutenant, resigned Dec. 30, 1862; Joseph I). Gore, 1st lieutenant, mus- tered out June II, 1865; William F. Gore, M. O. June I I. 1865. as ist sergeant; Will- liani J. Jones, sergeant, discharged July, 18^)3; Sandford G. Hammer, sergeant, dis- charged April 30, 1863; Edward W. Paine, sergeant, transferred to the V. R. C, May I, 1864: William Young, corporal, dis- charged March 18, 1863 ; Ferdinand F Young, died Richmond, Ky.. Dec. 25, 1862; Horatia N. Keep, corix)ral-sergeant, died Oct. 4. 1863 (wounds) ; David J. Den- ton, corporal, mustered out June 11, 1865; Edwin Young, corporal, mustered out June IT, 1865; James McSpates, corporal, mus- tered out June Ti, 1865; George Large, corporal, M. O. June 11, 1865, as sergeant; Christian D. Cowgill, riiusician, discharged April 30, 1863; Joseph Large, musician, M. O. June 21, 1865 (prisoner) ; Francis M. Sherrill, died at Covington, Ky., Oct. 22, 1862; Samuel L. Allen, private, mus- tered out June II. 1865; Robert S. Ala- mon, private, mustered out June ii. 1865; Samuel T. Anderson, private, drowned Sept. 24, 1863; John M. Baker, private, M. O. June 11, 1865: Martin V. Baker, died at Lexington, Ky., Oct. 10, 1862; Joshua B. Bankston, discharged April 25, 1864 (wounds) ; Winfield S. Bankston, private, discharged Feb. 4, 1863; Jo.shua Bowman, private, M. O. June 11, 1865; Leander Bradley, private, M. O. June 11, 1865; William Bugg, private, M. O. June IT, 1865 (furlough): James Broderick, private, M. O. June it, 1865; Bonaparte Coffey, died at Danville, Ky., Jan. 23, 1863; Isham Coffey, private, M. O. June 11, 1865; Achilles R. Calloway, discharged March 25. 1865 (accidental wound) ; Ed- ward D. Cowgill, died Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 30, 1863 (wounds) : William H. Childs, private, M. O. June 19, 1865 (war CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 105 prisoner) ; Edwin Clark, died Philadelphia, Tenn., March 24, 1865 (wound) ; Thomas Chastain, Jr., private, M. O. June 11, 1865; James Devine, private, discharged May 25, 1865 (wounds) ; Micager Denton, private, M. O. June 22, 1865; Micager Denton, mustered out June 11, 1865: Leonard Dem- ming, died at Richmond, Ky., Jan. 14, 1863; Joseph Easley, private, discharged July 19, 1864 (wounds) ; Jerome B. Fra- ley, private, discharged May 11, 1863 (dis- ahility) ; Benjamin Flemming, private, M. O. June II, 1865; John Gore, private, M. O. June II, 1865; Charles \V. German, pri- vate, M. O. June 11, 1865; Francis M. Hanon, private, discharged June 4, 1863; John H. Hatfield, private, M. O. June 11, 1865; George Haslett, private, died Cleve- land. Tenn., March 28, 1864; Charles Hill, private, M. O. June 11, 1865, as corporal; John Jones, private, discharged Jan. 19, 1863 (disability) ; David Jarvis, private, M. O. June 11, 1865, as corporal; James D. Johnson, private, discharged Dec. 10, 1864 (wounds) ; Isaac Johnson, private, died at Lexington, Ky., Nov. 11, 1862; Stanton Kelsay, private, transferred to Engineer Corps, July 29, 1864; Jasper N. Kelley, pri- vate, discharged April 20, 1863; Daniel L. Ketchan, private, M. O. June 11, 1865, as corporal; John Large, private, M. O. June II, 1865; Alfred Langley, private, M. O. June II, 1865; James Lawton, private, M. O. June II, 1865; Richard Lee, private, M. O. June II, 1865; Alfred B. Leepei", pri- vate, M. O. June 11, 1865, as sergeant; Daniel Lane, private, transferred to V. R. C. ; James Morrow% private, M. O. June 11, 1865; James McElroy, private, M. O. June II, 1865; James McCrary, private, June 11, 1865; James H. McCoy, private, June 11, 1865 ; Wm. McCune, private, killed by guer- illas, March 11, 1865; Jesse G. Milligan, private, M. O. July 11, 1865; Daniel M. Mitchell, private, al)sent (wounded) ; V-Zm. A. Morris, private, absent, sick at M. O. of regiment ; Nicholas C. Madison, private, M. O. July II, 1865; Samuel G. McDonald, died Frankton, Tenn., y\pril 2^, 1863; Vin- cent Messier, died at Chattanooga Novem- ber 4, 1863 (wounds) ; Samuel M. Orr, pri- vate, discharged June 19, 1863; Anson Raine, private, discharged April 20, 1863; Joseph Russell, private, M. O. June 11, 1865 ; James Shaw, died at Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 21, 1863; Edward F. Sowers, private, M. O. June 11, 1865; Thomas Spindle, pri- vate, discharged April 20, 1863; Jeremiah Shetler, private, M. O. June 11, 1865; John Sullivan, private, M. O. June 11, 1865, war prisoner; Robert M. Shaw, private M. O. June II, 1865, as sergeant; David Throck- morton, private, M. O. June 11, 1865, as corporal ; Enos Watkins, private, M. O. June II, 1865; Wm. B. Williams, died at Nashville, Tenn., March 24, 1863; Benja- min F. Willard, private, M. O. June 11, 1865; Philip Barnhart, recruit, M. O. De- cember 16, 1865; Geo. W. Bradley, recruit, transferred to 21st Illinois Infantry; James M. Chastain, recruit, transferred to 2i.st Illinois Infantry ; Charles Demass, recruit, transferred to 21st Illinois Infantry; Alvin Haverfield, died at Huntsville, Ala., March 5, 1865 ; Daniel A. Halloway, recruit, trans- ferred to 2 1 St Illinois Infantry; Jno. L. Jef- frey, recruit, M. O. December 16, 1865; Thomas J. Langley, recruit, transferred to 2ist Illinois Infantry; Newton J. Russell, recruit, transferred to 21st Illinois infan- try; Andrew J. Stevens, recruit, transferred to 2 1 St Illinois Infantry. Muster Roll of Company E. Captain Lane; Captain Whitaker; Benj. Ramsey, corporal, died at Danville, Ky., lOG PAST AND PRESENT June 17. 1863; Michael Ramsey, died at Lexington, Ky., November 11, 1862; Ran- dall A. Adams, corporal, M. O. June 11, 1865; Geo. X. Junken, corporal sergeant, wounded and missing in action Chickamau- ga, September 20, 1863 : Wm. H. Hores- ley, M. O. June 11, 1865, as sergeant (pris- oner) ; Jno. T. Stark, M. O. June it, 1865, as sergeant (war prisoner) ; John Cum- mings, private, absent, sick, M., O. of regi- ment; Geo. W. Crooks, private, died in Christian county November 6, 1865; John Crafton, private, died at Nashville, Tenn., March 4, 1863 ; John O. Darmer, private, discharged May 15, 1865 (wounds) ; Wm. C. Darmer, private, M. O. July i, 1865 (was prisoner) ; Alfred H. DeAsty, died at Nash- ville, Tenn., March 3. 1863; Joseph R. Ed- monds, private, M. O. June 11, 1865; Ira Goodrich, private, M. O. June 11, 1865; Oliver P. Goodrich, died in Christian coun- ty, Illinois, October 16, 1862; Frederick S. Gilhousen, private, M. O. June 11, 1865; Robert L. Green, died at Nashville, Tenn., February i, 1865; Wm. G. Henry, private, M. O. June 11, 1865; Shelby Hollings- worth, transferred to Company A., 21st Illi- nois Infantry ; William M. Hurst, dis- charged August 3, 1863, as corporal; (wounds) ; Charles B. Hammil, private, M. O. June II, 1865; Bement Hurst, private, transferred to V. R. C. April 30, 1864; John H. Herdman, private, M. O. June 11, 1865, as corporal ; Samuel L. Lovel, died at Franklin, Tennessee, May 10, 1863; Joseph W. Long, private, M. O. June 11, 1865 Eli McVey, private, M. O. June 11, 1865 Levi McVey, private, M. O. June 11, 1865 Newton W. McReynolds, private, dis- charged February 25, 1864 (w^ounds) ; Zachariah Pope, died at Lexington, Ky., November .10, 1862: Thomas B. Patrick, private, M. O. June 11, 1865; Daniel H. l^rettyman, private, died at Danville, Ky., I'ebruary, 1863; Garrett B. Randall, pri- vate. M. O. June it, 1865: Henry J. Ruby, killed at Chickamauga September 26, 1863; Silas Routledge, private, M. O. May 23. 1865; William Routledge, private, wounded and missing" in action at Chicka- mauga, September 20, 1863: James Ram- say, private, died at Danville, Ky., January IT, 1863; Wm. E. Rush, private, died at Danville. Ky., January 31, 1863; Levias Rul)y. private, died at Franklin, Tenn., April 23, 1863; Francis M. Rush, private, mustered out June 11, 1865 ; Isaac B. Smith, died at Richmond Ky., January i, 1863; Jesse M. Stark, private, M. O. June 11, 1865; Samuel Teter, private, discharged June 24, 1863 (disability) ; James E. Traves, died at Franklin, Tenn., April 22, 1863; Wm. D. Thompson, private, wound- ed and missing in action at Chickamauga. September 20, 1863; Wm. White, private, discharged February 4, 1863 (disability) ; Loton G. Williams, private, M. O. June 11, 1863; Francis E. Wood, private, discharged December 27, 1862 (disability) ; James M. West, private, discharged July 9, 1862 (dis- ability) ; Geo. T. White, private, discharged April 18, 1863 (disability) ; Joseph W. Waddle, private, M. O. June 11, 1863; Peter C. Young, private, M. O. June 11, 1863. One Hundred and Thirtieth Infantry Regiment. This regiment was organized by Col. Na- thaniel Niles, at Camp Butler, in October, 1862, and mustered into service Oct. 25, 1862. Company D of this regiment was mostly from the northw^estern part of Chris- tian county. It was recruited mainly through the efforts of Capt. Daniel De- Camp, of Edinburg. The regiment moved CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. lOT from Camp Butler, Nov. lo. 1862. and ar- rived at Memphis, Tenn., the i8th of the same month, and was assigned to Provost (kity. It was moved from this point to Louisiana. Was with Gen. Banks' army 1)onnd for Shreveport, La. On marching fn^ii Alexandria up Red river, driving the enemy until Sabine Cross Roads was reached on the 8th of April, 1864, when the enemy made an attack and defeated the Union forces. The next day another battle was fought at Pleasant Hill, ending in the complete defeat of the Confederates after which Gen. Banks retreated down the river. This is known in history as "Gen. Banks' Disaster on Red River." The part Com- pany D bore in this fight is more particular- ly detailed in a letter to the Independent Press of this county, written by Aaron V. Davis, a private from Camp Ford (near Ty- ler), Texas, dated April 20, 1864. It says: "The character of the fight and the fate of the 130th regiment and the part our Com- pany bore in it you doubtless have learned ere this. Company D, of Christian county, went into the fight at Mansfield, April 8, 1864, with thirty-one men, under the com- mand of Lieut. Paulen (as Capt. DeCamp was under arrest for some trivial offence and in consecjuence was not with us). The following are the losses in killed and wounded of Company D : Killed — Elijah J. Bankston of Edinburg. Wounded — G. W. Westbrook, badly; Cy- rus Murphy, Allen Moore, Jacob E. Berry. Prisoners — Jasper Gagle, Nathan C. Potts, Alexander May, Aaron V. Ralston, Aquilla M. Council, G. W. Young, Aaron V. Davis, William Kelsey, Othniel McKenzie, Thomas W. Orr, Joseph Murray, Charles Gonzeal, Ben K. Prater and Geo. Bunn. The rest of the Company is missing, .and their fate at present is unknown," In October, 1864, the regiment was or- dered to New Orleans for Provost duly. Whilst here, by- an order issued Jan. 21, 1865, the 130th regiment was consolidated with the 77th Illinois Volunteers. Some of the ofticers w^ere retained and others mustered out. On the ist of March, 1865, the consolidated 77th regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, 3d Division, 13th Army Corps, and transported for duty be- fore Mobile, Ala. The regiment was then witli Gen. Canby's army during the entire siege and capture of the Spanish Forts Blakeley and Mobile, and was under fire during the entire time. The day following the entry into Mobile, the 77th regiment was with forces in their march up the Tombig- bee river, in search of Gen. Dick Taylor's army. After proceeding up the river some sixty miles, it was recalled to Mobile, the Confederate forces throughout the country having surrendered. On the 7th of July, 1861;,, an order was issued to revive the 130th regiment, and it was moved to New Orleans, where it was mustered out of service, Aug. 15, 1865, and arrived at Camp Butler, 111., Aug. 26, 1865, where it received final payment and dis- charge. Roll of Company D. Daniel DeCamp, Captain, resigned June nth, 1864; Robert W. Orr, Captain M. O. at Consolidation Jan. 25, 1865: Abra- ham May, I St Lieutenant, resigned Feb. 2, 1864; Jasper Cagle, ist Lieutenant, M. O. as Sergeant, 77th Inf., Aug. 15, 1865 (prisoner of war) ; James B. Halford. 2d Lieutenant, discharged July 3, 1863 ; Sam- uel S. Prater, Sergeant ; Jacob A. Cook, Sergeant, discharged Feb. 3, 1863; Wm. T. Crosswait, Sergeant, discharged May 5, 1864 for Pro.; Nathan C. Potts, Corporal, 108 PAST AND -PRESENT J\I. O. June 17, i8^\t (prisoner): Charles Smith. Corporal, M. (). Aug-. 14. 1865; William T. Hill, Corporal, deserted Jan. 26, 1863; John Hazlett, Cori)oral ; Alex. May, Corporal, M. O. June 17, 1865 (prisoner); Charles W. Graham, Ccirporal, M. O. Aug. T5, 1865; Uriah Phares, Corporal, absent, sick at AT. O. Regt. ; Jas. M. Redfern, Cor- poral, deserted Jan. 26, 1864; Rufus D. Langley. wagoner, deserted Jan. 26, 1863: Isaac Bishop, private, deserted Jan. 26, 1863; Jas. F. P>erry, ])rivate; Charles P>ev- erly, private, killed at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863; Jesse Blount, private, died at Vicks- burg. June 4. 1863; Benj. X. Berry, private, M. O. -Aug. 15, 1865: Nelson Burris, pri- vate, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865; Geo. Bnnn, pri- vate, M. O. June 17, 1865; Aquilla M. Council, private, M. O. June 17. 1865 (pri.soner) ; John W. Casey, private; Will- iam M. Casey, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865; David M. Cagle, private, M. O. Aug. 15. 1865; Leander J. Duncan, M. O. Aug. 16, 1865 as 2d Lieut.; John A. Davis, pri- vate, died Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 14, 1863; Oliver DeAuglish, private; Thomas N. Dickson, deserted Jan. 26, 1863; Aaron V. Davis, private M. O. June 15, 1865 (pris- oner) ; Daniel N. Dodd, private, killed at Vicksburg, June 2, 1863; Johu' W. Ed- wards, died at Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 12, 1863; Amos D. Finley, private j\I. O. Aug. 15, 1865; John M. Fleming, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865; Samuel Gaines, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865; Charles Gonzeal, private, M. O. June 15, 1865 (prisoner of war) ; Elam Gulden, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865 (furlough) ; John Hicks, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865; Charles Hildebrand, pri- vate, de.serted Jan. 26, 1863; James Hanon, private; John R. Halford. died Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 8, 1863; Wm. H. Halford, pri- vate, discharged March 21. 1864; David L. Harris, ])rivatc. died New Orleans, March 21. 1864; William D. Harvey, private; W'm. M. Harris, private; William Joy, pri- vate: David Jessup, private, killed at Vicks- burg, May 22, 1863: William Kelsey, ])ri- vate. M. O. Aug. 15, 1865 (prisoner of war) ; Thomas Knave, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865; William .\. Knave, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865: Robert B. Kerns, pri- vate, transfer to Inv. Corps I-'eb. 23, 1864; Wm. H. D. Lancaster, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865 as Corporal; Wm. E. Leisure, private, died at Memphis, Tenn., 1863 ; Edv.-ard L. Leigh. ])rivate; Othoniel McKenzie, pri- vate. M. O. June 17, 1865 (prisoner of war) : Joseph Murray, private, M. O. June 17, 1865 (prisoner of war) ; Levi Miller, private, died in service in Laf. ; Allen Moore, private, absent, sick M. O. of Regt. ; Cy- rus Murphy, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865; Allen May, private, absent, sick at M. O. Regt.; William S. Matthews, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865; Thos. W. Orr. private, M. O. June 17, 1865 (prisoner of war) ; Benj. F. Overton, private; James H. Odell, private, killed accidentally July 15, 1865; Jesse H. Potts, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865; Samuel R. Prater, private, discharged Dec. 12, 1863 for promotion; James Pul- len, private, deserted Sept. 28, 1863; Eli- phas Prater, private, died at Memphis, Jan. 21, 1863; Peter P. Peters, private, killed at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863; John H. Rich- ardson, private: Aaron V. Ralston, private, trans, to 77th Regt. : Hiram Randolph, pri- vate : Wm. E. Richardson private; John W. Stamphill, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865: Hiram M. Smith, private, discharged Tan. 22. 1863 (disability) ; John B. Smith, l)rivate; Wm. J. Smith, jirivate, M. O. June 17, 1865 (prisoner of war) ; Elijah T. Westbrook. trrms. to Inv. Corps Feb. 23, 1864; Joseph Workman, private; Geo. W. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 109 Yoiing', private, M. O. June 17, 1865 (was prisoner) ; Elijah J. Bankston, killed on Red River, La., April 8, 1864; Godfrey P. Knave, recruit, died at Memphis, Decem- ber, 1862; Perry Prickett. recruit; Richard T. Phips, recruit; Benj. K. Prater, recruit, M. O. June 17, 1865 (prisoner of war) ; Wm. F. Sampson, recruit, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865 ; Stephen White, recruit, died at Mem- phis, Feb. 19, 1863. Company A — 130TH Regiment. Sinnct Matthews, Corjioral. Company C — 124TH Regiment. Alfred H. Titus, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865. Company K. Peter C. Rape, ist Sergt., M. O. Aug. 15, 1865 ; George W. James, 3d Corporal, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865; Joseph Wagoner, 4th Corporal, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865, as Cor- poral ; Geo. W. Easley, 6th Corporal, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865, as Corporal; Wm. B. Han- kins, 7th Corporal. M. O. Aug. 15, 1865, as Corporal ; John Y. Easley, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865, ^^ Corporal; George Hardin, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865, as Corporal ; Joseph B. Hardin, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865, as Corporal; Shephard Hud- son, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865. as Cor- poral ; Jacob B. Proctor, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865, as Corporal; Samuel Peek, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865, as Corporal; Wm. R. Pugh, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865, as Corporal ; Wm. H. Craddock, pri- vate, discharged May 5, 1863 (disability) ; John M. Robinson, private, discharged March 20, 1863 (disability) ; John D. Til- ley, private, discharged Dec. 13, 1862 (dis- ability) ; Benj. K. Proctor, Sergt., died Jan. 23, 1864, Pawnee; Harrison T. Easley, died December 4, 1862, Black River, Miss.; Joseph Kirk, jirivate, died at Memphis, Tenn., March 3, 1863; Presley Peek, died of wounds at Vicksburg, June zy, 1863; Presley T. Peek, died Lake Providence, La., March 28, 1863; Wm. J. Pugh, pri- vate, died at Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 6. 1863; John W. Galyen, deserted at Vicksburg, July 31, 1863; Jasper Hudson, deserted at Vicksburg, July 31, 1863; Gilbert H. Han- kins, private, died at home, Dec. 23, 1864 Company F — 59TH Regiment. Joseph Logan, recruit, drafted, M. O. Oct. 16, 1865; Joseph Handle, recruit; Calvert Thompson, recruit, sub.. M. O. Oct. 16, 1865; Morgan Milligan, recruit sub., M. O. Oct. 16, 1865. Company H — SQth Regiment. Reuben G. Coffey, sub.. M. O. Oct. 16, 1865; Samuel Oram, M. O. July 17, 1865 (drafted). Company K — 59TH Regiment, Robert M. Stockton, private, deserted Oct. 25, 1862. Company G — 620 Regiment. Geo. W. Beard, died at Camp Butler, Feb. 12. 1864. Company H — 62D Regiment. Jno. W. Allsman, Sergt.. M. O. May 2, 1865, as private; Marquis Allsman. veteran, M. O. March 6. 1866; Thos. B. Harris, died at Duvall's Blufif. Ark., Aug. 20, 1864; Joseph Vinmore, M. O. March 6. 1866. Company D — 63D Regiment. Andrew L. Anderson, veteran, M. O. July 13, 1865; Aden E. Cherington. vet- eran, M. O. July 13, 1865, 1st Sergt.; Com. I St Lieut., but not mustered; Leroy no PAST AND PRESENT H. Cherington. veteran. ]\r O. July 13. 1865; Leon L. H. Cherington, veteran, M. O.. July 27, 1865; Loraine C Cherington, veteran, M. O. jnly 13. 1865; John A. Tsaminger, veteran, promoted Sergt.-Major ; WilHam D. Orr. veteran, M. O. Jnly 13. 1865. CoMl'AXV C r)4TTT 1\ F.C.I MK. XT. John Smith, discharged I'>1). 8. 1865. Miscellaneous. W'm. ^^. Provine. ist Lient.. Company P). 84th 111. Regt.. Vermont. 111.. ]irisoner of war. taken at Atlanta, da., and confined at Colnm1)ia, he was lionorahly discharged May 13, 1865. Now a resident of Taylor- ville. W. E. Rosemond. of ist Ohio Cav- alry, Company B for one year ; then pro- moted to 2nd Lient. in Company A, 97th Ohio. Inf. Regt. ; n(nv a resident of Taylor- ville. W'm. H. Kani), i)rivate in Capt. A. I'ovd I Intchinson's Company C, 49th Penn \'ol. ; entered Ang. 31. 1861, and honomlily discharged Oct. 2T,, 1864; served in the Army of the Potomac, nnder Gen. Sedg- wick; saw his general fall. James M. Tay- lor, of Warren county. 111., Sergt. in Com- pany C, 96th Til. Regt. ; in the service near- ly three years ; lost an arm in an engagement at "Buzzard Roost Cia])." north of Dalton, Ga.. in 1864; discharged March 18, 1865, as Sergeant on account of wounds; this regiment was organized at Rockwood, 111., Sept. T), 1862, ])y Col. Thomas E. Cham- pion; James M. Taylor is now (1880) a resident of Taylorville, engaged in the prac- tice of the law. Benj. Doinhlazer, Adju- tant of 46th 111. Regt. ; promoted Major and then Colonel of Regt. Brevet Brig. Gen. ; now a citizen of Assumption, v Third C.w.m.rv Regiment. The Colonel of this regiment was Eu- gene Carr, of the regular army. Company M. from Christian county, comi^osed a part of it. The regiment was organized at Camp Ihitler, in .\ugust, 1861. Its first move- ment was to St. Louis, Septemher 25th, and thence up the Missouri river to Jefferson Cilv. .'uid thence to Warsaw, in the direc- tion of Springfield, Mo. Under Gen. Hunter it reached Rolla, November 19. where it remained till the 29th of Decem- ber, 1861, when it moved in advance of Gen. Curtis' army for the southwest. . On the 13th of Febriiary, 1862, near Springfield, the Third Cavalry fought the fir.st engagement and won the first victory of Gen. Curtis' campaign. On the 14th of February, 1862, occupied S])ringfield. Mo. On the 15th came up with Gen. Price's retreating army and took some prisoners. On the i8th at Sugar Creek, .\rk.. the Third battalion ]iarticipated in a cavalrv charge, routing the enemy. TTad various skirmishes and .short marches dur- ing the summer and fall in Arkansas and west of the Mississippi ri\er, when on tlie 23d of December, 1862, Company M, with other companies, reported to Brig. Gen. Steel, at the mouth of the Yazoo river, formed part of the force and did good ser- vice in the disastrous attack on Vick.sburg, Miss., under Gen. Sherman. Company M was among the last to leave the field and embark on the boats after the battle. The Battalion of wdiich Company M formed a part, under Col. McCrillis of Springfield. III. took a part in the Western Louisiana campaign under Gen. Banks. Li December. 1864, Major O'Conner, of Pana, took command of the Battalion and it moved to Port Hudson, and from thence to Mem- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Ill jibis, Tenn., rejoining the regiment, which liad been separated into three (hvi.sions. In the month of Jnly a large portion of the regiment re-enHsted as veterans. The non- N'eterans, nnder INIajor O'Conner, were sta- tioned as garrison at Germantown, Tenn., On the 2 1 St of Angnst the regiment partici- pated in the repulse of Gen. Forrest, in his attack on Memphis. On the 24th of Au- gust, 1864, the non-\'eterans ha\'ing been mustered out, the veterans were consoli- dated into a Battalit)n of six companies. Part of Company M went into the new ar- rangement and the remainder were mus- tered out, their time having expired. The Battalion operated below and around Nashville and took part in tiie battles with Gen. Hood's army in December, 1864. In May, 1865, it embarked for St. Louis, Mo., thence to St. Paul, Minnesota, reporting to Major Gen. Curtis. On the 4th of July, 1865, it was ordered on an Indian expedi- tion over the plains of Minnesota and Da- kota, north to the British lines, and then returned to Fort Snelling, October ist, ar- riving at Springfield, 111., Oct. 13th, 1865, and was mustered out of service. Such are some of the leading movements of the Third Cavalry Regiment, ' in which Com- pany M largely participated. Muster Roll of Company M. James H. O'Conner, Major, M. O. June 1865, as Lieut. ; Geo. E. Pease, Captain, resigned Dec. 17, 1861 ; Shuler Vrooman, Capt. in Vet. Bat., time exp. March 9, 1865 ; Henry M. Condee, ist Lieut., resigned Nov. 2^, 1861 ; Chas. F. Russell, ist Lieut., term expired Sept. 5, 1864; Joseph Horseman, 2d Lieut., died, commission not sent. Fifth Cavalry Regiment. This regiment was organized at Camp Butler, Nov. 8, 1861, and Hall Wilson, for- merly of Buckhart, appointed its Colonel. Company G of this regiment was recruited partly in Pike county, 111., by Capt. J. A. Harvey, and partly by First Lieut. Wm. N. Elliot of Pana, Christian county, 111.. September i, 1861. Left foi Jefferson Bar- racks, Feb. 20, 1862. On the 3d of March reached Pilot Knob. On the 27th marched to Doniphan, and arriving April 1st, had a skirmish with the enemy, captured their camp, killing three and taking seven pris- oners. April 17th marched to Pocahontas and on the 27th of June started on the march for the Mississippi river, reached Jacksonport 29th and joined Gen Curtis' army, had a fight at Cotton Plant, in which the enemy lost 300 killed and wounded. Arrived at Helena, Arkansas, July 13th, 1862. On the 22d of October. 1862, a forage train was attacked liy the enemy, and Lieut. Elliott and 78 men of the cavalry (13 of these were of Company G) were captured, after losing i killed and 6 wound- ed. November 27, 1862, Company G burned l)ridge near Grenada, Miss. On Jan. 11, 1863. the regiment made an expedition to Duvall's Bluff, and in April Marmaduke, who was retreating from Missouri, May 29th, 1863, left Helena, Ark., and embarked for Vicksburg. and June ist landed at Haines Bluff. June 3d made a reconnois- sance to Mechanicsburg; drove the enemy ten miles, skirmishing heavily, capturing 43 prisoners losing i killed and 7 wounded. In July, was with Gen. Sherman's army at Jackson, Miss. Was in the expedition to Meriden, Canton, and Grenada. In Au- gust at the Yellowbush, destroyed 40 en- gines and 320 cars by burning. On the 21st August encountered Blythe's cavalry at Coldwater, and defeated them, the regiment losing I killed and 5 wounded. Arrived at Memphis 22d August, 1863. On the 112 PAST AND PRKSENT jyth August cmUarkcd for Vicksburg. In October with (leu. McPberson's i/th Army Corps, at Jackson, took part in a cavalry cbarge at Brownville, routing General Wirt Adams. Tn this the regiment lost two wounded and one prisoner. January ist, 1864. many of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans. On 1 7th March, the veterans were furloughed till May loth, 1864. On May 27th, Col. John McConnell, of Spring- field, took command of the regiment. Eight Companies dismounted and did garrison duty. Companies A, B, C an.d D, were fully mounted and equipped. During the months of July and Se]itember, the Battalion w-as at Jackson and Port Gibson, skirmishing and fighting frequently. From Natchez, with the 4th Illinois, cavalry and a battery, moved to Tonica Bend. Landed and moved to Wood\'i]le; surprised and captured a camp of the enemy. During the night the enemy adxanced with three cannon and 600 men. Thev were met next morning bv Col. McConnell. and dri\en in confusion, and 3 cannon were captured. Returned to Vicksburg, Oct. nth, 1864. In January, 1864, moved to Memphis; was in an ex- pedition to Southern Arkansas and North- ern Louisiana, returning February 13th. July 1st moved to Texas via Red River; reached Hempstead, Texas, August 26th. Remained at this post until October 6th, 1865, when the regiment moved to Spring- field. 111., was mustered out, receiving final payment, October 30, 1865. The follow^ing persons in this regiment were from Christian county : Muster Roll. Wilson Hall, Colonel, resigned Jan. 19, 1863 ; John McConnell. Colonel, promoted Brvt. Brig. Gen. ; Joshua Tuthill, Adjutant. Ijromoled Ca])t. Co. -A; Charles W. Sibley, Commis. Sergt., dis. Oct. 26, 1862. Company A. Joshua Tuthill. Captain, M. O. as Ad- jutant, Oct. 27, 1865. Company B. Win. N. Elliott, 1st Lieut., M. O. Nov. 8, 1864; Charles W'. Sibley, Sergeant, pro- moted Commis. Sergt. 2d Battalion, M. O. Oct. 26, 1865; John F. Heath, died at Po- cahontas, Ark., June 22d. 1862; Wm. P. Slack, bugler, discharged Aug. 17, 1862; Samuel Y. Anderson, private, discharged (disability) ; Stephen D. Cooper, private, re-enlisted as veteran ; Allen Johnson, pri- vate, re-enlisted as veteran ; Henry John- son. pri\ate; John P. Lemons, private, dis- charged May 12. 1862; Henry J. Luckin- bill. pri\ate, re-enlisted as veteran; William A. Skiles, private, mustered out Nov. 8, 1864; Chas. K. Slack, private, re-enlisted as Vet. M. O. November, 1864; Stephen D. Cooper, veteran, mustered out Oct. 27, 1865 ; Allen Johnson, veteran, M. O. Oct. 2'j , 1865 ; Henry Johnson, veteran, died at Vicksburg, Nov. 16, 1864; Henry G. Luck- indell. died Sept. 25, 1863: Shelfy Corn- hert. recruit, absent sick at M. O. of Regt. ; Joel N. Garrison, saddler, recruit ; Jas. K, P. Garrison, recruit, M. O. Oct. 27, 1865; Levi Walker, recruit, regular discharge. Company M. W'illard C. Davis, recruit, re-enlisted as veteran; John J. Kaddle, recruit, died at Helena. Ark.. Oct. 8. 1864. Sixth Cavalry Regiment. Among the unassigncd recruits is noted one from Christian county. Wm Hobbs. mustered out May 12^(\, 1865. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 113 Seventh Cavalry Regiment. This regiment was organized in Septem- 1)er. 1861, with Wm. Pitt Kellogg, of Ful- ton county, as its Colonel. The names of a few Christian county soldiers appear in it. Company H James W. Patrick, re-enlisted as veteran ; Americns Patrick, discharged Nov. 10, 1862 (disability) : John R. Patrick, dis- charged June 2, 1862 (disabilitv) ; Wm. R. Tabler, discharged Oct. 15, 1862 (dis- ability) ; James W. Patrick, veteran, M. O. Nov. 4. 1865; Albert Fowks, recruit, dis- charged ; James A, Tabler, died at Mound City, 111., June i, 1862; Peter Hamilton, unassigned, recruit, dis. May 11, 1865; Daniel Murphy; Charles D. Roberts, en- tered service April 15, 1865. Eighth Cavalry Regiment. This regiment was organized at St. Charles, 111., in September, 1861. with J. F. Farnsworth, as its Colonel. Its field of operation was with the Army of the Po- tomac. Was in the battle of Antietam. A few names appear in it. Company M — Unas.signed Recruits. Joseph Bennett, entered the service Ap- ril 15, 1865; John Carney, entered the ser- vice April 12, 1865; Joseph Hyzer. entered the service April 12, 1865; David Lee, en- tered the service April 12, 1865 ; John Mur- phy, entered the service April 12. 1865; Clarence Williams, discharged February. 1864 (disability) ; Tenth Cavalry Regiment. This Regiment was organized at Camp Butler, Illinois, Nov. 25, 1861. James A. Barrett was its first Colonel, who resigned May 15, 1862, and was succeeded by Colonel Dudley W^ickersham of Spring-field, Illinois. On the 20th of December, i86t, it moved to Ouincy, Illinois, and from thence to Jeffer- son Barracks. Mo., on the 13th of March, 1862. It operated in southwest Mis.souri till November 13th, when it formed a part of the .\rmy of the b^rontier, and was in line of duty from Springfield, Mo., to Cane Hill, Arkansas. It participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., Dec. 7, 1862. Was at Jackson\'ille, Ark., July 4, 1862; Helena, Julv 12, and August 7 moved tO' Old Town Landing. Oct. 6, 1862, returned to Helena and No\'ember 16 marched with the expedi- tion to the mouth of White river; and on November 27th to Oakland. Miss. Had a skirmish with the enemy and returned to Helena Dec. 7, 1862. The original service tern.i of the Tenth and Fifteenth Regiments, Illinois Cavalry Volunteers having expired, an order of con- solidation was issued January 26, 1865, for the re-enlisted men, and recruits of the same, to be formed into twelve companies, and reorganized as the Tenth Regiment, Illinois Cavalry. The regiment was mustered out of ser- vice Nov. 22d at San Antonio, Texas, and ordered to Springfield, 111., for final pay- ment and discharge. The following sol- diers in it are from Christian county, in different companies : Muster Roll — Company A. Thomas Bradley, Veteran-Commis. Sergt. in Co. A, of Veterans, as re-organized; absent on detached duty at M. O. of the Regt. ; Henry N. Graham, Veteran, M. O. Nov. 22, 1865 ; Jesse W. Holman, died at Baton Rouge, La., July 22, 1865. Company B. John H. Peters, mustered out Dec. 30, 1864; Fletcher Romeril, re-enlisted as Vet- 114 PAST AND PRESENT eran ; (ieorge Steel, mustered out Dec. 30, 1864; Henry Steel, mustered out Jan. 6, 1865; Henry Warner, mustered out Dec. 30, 1864; Isaac N. Watts, re-enlistcd as Veteran; Joseph Westbrooks. re-enlisted as Veteran; Fletcher Romeril. trans, to Co. B Vet, AI. (). Nov. 22, 1865; Isaac N. Watts, trans, to Co. B. Vet., prom. 2d Lieut.; Josei)h Westbrooks, trans. Co. B Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865; Andrew B. Apple, died Little Rock, Ark., Nov. 19, 1863; Jno. W. Westbrooks, trans. Co. B Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865. Company E. Owen T. Athey, Recruit, deserted April 30, 1863; David A. Barnhart, trans, to Co. E Vet.. M. O. 1865; Milton H. Clements, trans. Co. E Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1864; Chas. T. Bledsoe, trans, to Co. E Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865; Francis M. Lowery, trans, to V. R. C, May 4, 1865; Geo. M. Markwell, trans, to Co. E Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865 ; Jesse H. Toothaker, trans, to Co. E Vet., M. O. June 6, 1865 ; W^m. J. Terry, recruit, trans, to Co. E Vet. ; Wm. White, trans, to Co. E Vet., M. O. Nov. 12, 1865. Company G. ^^^illiam Elgin, recruit, re-enlisted as Vet- eran ; Alexander Jones, mustered Dec. 30, 1864. as Corpl. ; Uz. Judd, re-enlisted as Veteran ; John Maloney, re-enlisted as Vet- eran ; Wm. S. Workman, M. O. Dec. 30, 1864 as Corpl. ; William Elgan, Vet., trans. Co. G, M. O. Nov. 22, 1865; Uz. Judd, Veteran, trans. Co. G, M. O. Nov. 22, 1865 ; John Maloney, trans. Co. G, M. O. Nov. 22, 1865; Wm. Shumate, trans. Co. G Vet., died March 3, 1865; Joseph Workman, re- cruit, died at Rolla. Mo., May i, 1862. Company L. Tames C. McGinnis, Sergeant, re-enlisted as Veteran : Francis McGinnis, Corporal, re-enhsted as Veteran; Aar(jn B. Shick, Cor])ora], re-enlisted as Veteran; George B. Conner. Private, re-enlisted as Veteran; Wm. H. FLU. Private, re-enlisted as Vet- eran; Miller Kelley, Private, mustered out Dec. 30, 1864; Aaron V. Matthews, Pri- vate, mustered out Dec. 30, 1864; Floyd Peters, Private, died at Marshfield, Mo.. October, 1862; Jefferson S. Smith, Private, re-enlisted as Veteran; Lorenzo J. Van Winkle, Private, re-enlisted as Veteran. Veterans. James C. McGinnis, promoted 2d Lieut. Co. L; Francis M. McGinnis, trans. Co. B Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865 ; Aaron B. Shick, trans. Co. I Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865; Geo. B. Conner, private, trans. Co. F Vet. : William Matthews, private, trans. Co. H Vet.; John Rice, private, trans. Co. H Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865 ; Jefferson L. Smith, trans. Co. H Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865; Lorenzo J. VanWinkle. trans. Co. H Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865; Samuel Bunstein, trans. Co. D Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865; Horatio M. Davis, recruit, trans. Co. D Vet. ; Geo. W. Feugett, recruit, re-enlisted as veteran ; Geo. W. Ford, trans. Co. D Vet., mustered out Nov. 22. 1865 ; Egbert A. Ford, trans. Co. D Vet., mustered out Nov. 22, 1865; Henry Hinton, recruit, de- serted April 7, 1863; Stephen A. Huns- ley, recruit, transferred Co. D Vet., Jesse Lanslev, recruit, mustered out Dec. 30, 1864; William Matthews, recruit, re- enlisted as veteran ; John Rice, recruit, re- enlisted as veteran ; William Smith, trans. Co. F Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865 ; Jas. M. Taylor, trans. Co. F Vet.. Dis. March 29, 1865, disab. ; Jno. White, trans. Co. F Vet., M. b. Nov. 22, 1865. Company M. Geo. W. McDonald, private, died Ark., CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. .115 Sept. 13, 1863; William M. McDonald, pri- vate, re-enlisted as veteran ; John Pummil, private, re-enlisted as veteran : William S. Peel, private, discharged Aug. 18, 1862, disab. ; Wm. H. McDonald, trans, Co. C Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865 ; John Pummill, died at Little Rock. Ark., May 26, 1864; Geo. B. Richardson, trans. Co. C Vet., Nov. 22, 1865 ; Edward J. Bingham, trans. Co. C Vet., M. O. Nov. 22. 1865; Matthew H. Copple, trans. Co. C Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865 ; James M. Fleming, trans. Co. C Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865; Wm. R. GoodJDy. trans. Co. C Vet., M. O. June 22. 1865; James H. Cowan, nnassigned recruit; James H. Doroon, unassigned recruit ; John T. Easley, unassigned recruit, trans. Co. E Vet. ; Harrison Gregory, unassigiied recruit ; Charles H. Turhill, unassioned recruit, see Co. E Vet. iiTH Cavalry Regiment — Company H. Levin Johnson, recruit, mustered out Sept. 30, 1865. Company M. Columbus Lenasters, unassigned recruit, mustered out May 23, 1865. 14TH Cavalry Regiment — Company E. Isaac Steel, transferred Co. C, M. O. July 31, 1865. i6th Cavalry Regiment — Company D. Gaines Lament, recruit, deserted Nov. 21, 1863. 1ST Artillery — Battery D. Jasper N. Kelley, recruit, mustered out July 28, 1865 ; Daniel Lockwood, recruit, deserted March 7, 1862. 2D Artillery — Battery B. Alfred C, Lovejoy, recruit, term expired June 20. 1864; promoted 2d. Lieut. Co. B, M. O. July 15, 1865. Battery C. Wm. A. Dawson, Corporal, deserted July 12, 1862; Henry H. Behymer, Cor- poral, M. O. Oct. 22, 1864; Enoch C Behy- mer, Corporal, deserted July 20, 1862 ; Charles Humphreys, Corporal, discharged for promotion to Lieut, in 8th U. S. Col- ored Heavy Artillery; Charles F. Hum- phreys, Corporal, promoted ist Lieut. Co. C, M. O. Aug. 3, 1865; Henry Hardtner, Corporal, M. O. Oct. 22, 1864, as Sergt. ; Geo. W. Lawton. Corporal, re-enlisted as veteran ; Jno. A. Suttle, re-enlisted as vet- eran ; George W. Lawton, veteran, mus- tered out Aug. 3, 1865. Battery C. Robert Deegen, recruit, M. O. Aug. 3, 1865; Wm. T. Peters, recruit, discharged May 29, 1865, disab. Battery F. David J. Fleming, died at Annapolis, Mel, Feb. 14, 1865. Battery K. Geo. W. Ritzman, recruit, M. O. May 26, 1865. Battery M. Alexander Allen, unas;?igned recruit; John Smith, unassigned recruit. 29TH U. S. Colored Infantry. Company I. Geo. Ag-ee, M. O. Nov. 6, 1865. Company K. John Pillow, unassigned recruit ; James Smith, unassigned recruit : Henry Van Pierce, unassigned recruit, substitute. 13TH U. S. Colored Artillery. . William Chandler, enlisted April 11, 1865; Charles Long, enlisted April 11, 1865. 116 PAST AND PRESENT Miscellaneous Organizations. Jas. W. Anderson, Cavalry, 9th Kansas Cavalry. First Army Corps. Roster of Enlisted Men oe Company 10. Assigned to Company K, 8th Regiment U. S. Veteran Volunteers : Joseph Hoffman. M. O. April 11, 1865, as Corporal; Andrew J. Ballns, private, mustered out April 1 1. 1865; Aimers Coch- oran. private, mustered out April 11, 1865; Patrick Byrne, private, mustered out April 11,1 865 ; Henry Knapp, private, mustered out Ai)ril II, 1865; James Kervin, private, mustered out April 11. 1865; John Paulus, private, mustered out April 11, 1865; Wm. R. Burnett, private, mustered out April 11, 1865; ^^'illiam Singsfield. private, mustered out April 12, 1865; William Quielesh, pri- vate, mustered out April 13, 1866; Joseph Guenther, private, mustered out April 13, 1866; Leonard Miller, private, mustered out April 13, 1866; Martin Engle, private, mustered out April 13, 1866; Howell G. Trogdon, prixate, mustered out April 13, 1866; John Graves, private, mustered out April 13, 1866; Jacob Hellwig, priva.te, mustered out April 13, 1866; James Gun- ion, private: Wm. Jennings, private, mus- tered out Ai)ril 13, 1866; Walter Sjiangler, private, mustered out Aj)ril 12, 1866. Enlisted Men of Co. No. 12. Christopher Brammel, enlisted April 14. 1865; Abraham Burgen, enlisted April 14, 1865; John Becker, enlisted April 14. 1865; Joseph A. Crawford, enli.sted April 12, 1865; James O. Douglas, enlisted April 14, 1865; Simeon Dabozyinsky, enlisted April 14, 1865; Michael Goedert. enlisted April 14. 1865; Keller Heist, enlisted April 13. 1865; John Halshizer, enlisted April 12, 1865; John Peppercorn, enlisted April 14, 1865. ■ Spanish-American War. War is to be dreaded and the governing power of any nation should never permit its people to be plunged into a terrible war unless for tlie preservation of the nation, its people, property and integrity. When these are attacked, war. terrible as it is, may be resorted to by any nation for the preservation of its rights and honor. The Spanish-American War of 1898 between Spain and the United States was doubtless precipitated by the blowing up of ou.r battle ship Maine in the harbor of Havana on Feb. 15, 1898, and the destruction of 260 of her sailors. A history of the causes which led to this w-ar is not necessary to be recounted here in detail, but it is sufficient for the purposes of this article to mention that the relations between the United States and Spain had been for a long time strained. The ])eople of the ETnited States were dis- gusted \\ith the conduct of the Spanish gov- ernment towards the Cuban inhabitants, es- pecially that of Capt. Gen. Weyler, by whose orders many of the inhabitants had been driven into the towns and a large part of the island became a wilderness. The "reconcentrados" were dying of star- vation, and .our countrymen, deeply moved at their suffering, began to send them food and medical aid, and while engaged in this humane effort, they were horrified to hear of the destruction of the "Maine." Al- though a court of inquiry was unable to fix the responsibility for the explosion, many people believed it had been perpetrated by the Spaniards, and to so high a tension had the feeling of ho.stility been wrought be- tween our government and that of Spain, the thread snapped and war was upon us. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 117 Immediately upon the declaration of war, a call for volunteers was made and Chris- tian county immediately responded with Company B of the 5fh Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. So readily did the boys of the North and South respond to this call that in a short time the whole Yjuota was filled and many of the regiments were held in reserve and never went forward to the seat of war. The Fifth Regiment was enlisted at Springfield, 111., and soon thereafter re- ceived orders to go south to Chickamauga Park, Ga., and wait disposition by the com- manding officers. This they did, but were never called upon to engage in battle, but they had experi- ence of campaign life, and many of them became sick. Some of them died, and the remainder at last were honorably discharged and returned to their homes, and w^ere here welcom'ed in the most pleasing manner by their former friends and companions and their names appear upon the muster roll as having offered themselves as a sacrifice for the maintenance of the integrity of this government. The health of the regiment was usually good. Eugene Bricker became sick and died while in the service; Abner Orr became sick in camp and died after the company was mustered out, never having recovered. This company was officered as follows: Chas. A. Parrish, Capt. ; Clifton G. Mag- ner, ist Lieut. ; Joe C. Michaels, 2nd Lieut. ; Wm. J. Flynn, ist Sergeant. Sergeants — Frank O. Nicodemus, Clar- ence A. Parish, Leroy Anderson, Alonzo H. Ranes, Eugene E. Rucker. Corporals — L. Jean Perkins, Homer Chastain, T. Lead Hewitt, Chas. T. Jacobs, Howard M. Raines, Charles C. Thompson, Julius S. Michels, John T. Brown, Eugene Denton, Fred O. Edler, Harry Reitzer, Howard J. Roof. Musicians — J. Clark Waddell, Wm. P. Minnis. Artificer — Forest C. Carriker. Wagoner — John Seifert. Privates — Barton G. Anderson, Charles F. Bair, Ismer Bruce, John M. Bayly, Charles Cole, Harry G. Clay, G. Cook Ca- ward, Joseph H. Claywell, William L. De- hart, Joy T. Danford, Charles H. Diamond, James W. Dempsey, Pharis B. Denlinger, Benjamin J. Daigh, Perry F. Easly, Claude Easly, James Ewing, William P. Ellett, Thomas V. Flock, John George Green, Clin- ton G. Harris, Worth Hendricks, Alvin D. Hawley, Jacob Huebner, William C. Knight, Charles Kellev, Charles C. Kester- son, Peter Larson, George McKee, George W. Matkin, Clinton Maddox, Orrie B. Nichols, James W. Neff. George S. Neer, Irwin Norred, George Oddy, Benjamin Oglesby, Abner Orr, Samuel Peabody, Lewis C. Prouty, Oscar Porter, Reuben Powel, Simon Raines, Charles A. Reeves, Manfred C. Reed, Robert Roper, Lewis Radford, John C. Stoy, Robert J. Slater, William J. Swick, Otto W. Simpson, John C. St. Clair, Frank B. Thompson, John P. Thompson, Al Tolle, William E. Welch, Fred Wilson, Eniil L. Wulfmeyer, Leigh Wones, Orville Ward. Afterwards the following were mustered in, June i8, 1898: Richard W. Alspaugh, Herbert Adams, Owen Barbre, Marcus L. Fulton, Ira A. Honefenger, George W. Hintou, Rudolph Hargis, Albert W. Hud- dleston, Joseph Huddleston, Chester Jones, Henry Keister, Gordon Kirkpatrick, Frank Leach, Robert H. Mason, Edgar Matthew, David A. McAdoo, Clarence Saunders, Au- brey Speer, Dwight Shehan, Mason Thomp- son, Cloyd H. Wallace, Tony H. WVitzel. 118 PAST AND TRESENT The Colonel of the Fifth Regiment, J. S. Cnlvcr, was a fornicr cili/cn of tliis connty, and was engaged at business for many years. He afterward moved to Sprniglield, and was resi(hng there at the time of the mustering of the regiment into service. A perusal of the foregoing pages and a scanning of the several muster rolls, will demonstrate that Christian county has al- ways been in the front ranks in the raising of her quota of soldiers for defending the rights of her ])eople. The people of the county are proud of the war record of her soldiers, and with a deep sense of their duty to the hoys who have taken up arms in de- fence of their country, have erected at Tay- lorville and other places beautiful monu- ments in memory of their valiant and heroic deeds. The writer, appreciating how the soldiers enlisted from this county in many wars are held in esteem by the people, ascribes to them all honor and records their names upon- the pages of this history that future o-enerations mav know to whom honor is due as soldiers of Christian county. The Press. It was on the 23r(l day of December, f857, that the first number of the first i)aper ever printed in Christian county made its appearance. And never since that time has the county been freed from the influence of this mighty engine of discord or of peace. Never since then has the voice of Christian county been hushed even in the councils of the state and nation. Never since then has there been a home so sacred but that its innermost doings may have been revealed to the gazing v^'orld through this faithful, if often mistaken photograph of a "local press." Of cour.se this local press mav often have been mistaken in its policies of national as well as locrd affairs, but it has never been silent. On that day appeared before a gaping world The Pana Weekly Herald. Tlie business of this pa])er was to sing the i)nuses of this county regardless of truth, but more particularly of Pana, the new-born child whose name and fame was to be i)roclaimed to a sleeping world. Its editor was Milan S. Beckwith and he pur- chased the material for the new^ venture of Dr. Chenoweth of Decatur. Mr. Beck- with was at that time largely interested in real estate near the location of his paper and its pages sang of the fertility of the soil and the desirability of the climate in no uncertain tones. But it failed to record the deaths from chills or fevers unless the person so dying possessed more than a lo- cal reputation. It was independent in poli- tics when it was first started but in 1858 it became Democratic. It lived almost two years, dying with the 41st issue of Volume two. The Pana Plaindealer. It was horn because of the death of the Herald. The first number was issued Oc- tober 7, 1859, by Eli F. Chittenden. He continued its publication to November i, i860, when it was discontinued and the office was removed to Shelbyville. The Independent Press. This paper w^as first issued in Taylorville on fanuary 19th, 1858. It was the second paper printed in the county It was pub- lished by Benjamin Winters, who was a l)ractical jjrinter, and he luade the Indchciid- ciit Press intensely Democratic. Mr. Win- ters was an independent thinker and a vigor- ous writer and his invectives and bitter de- nunciation of his own party when he believed it to be wrong lost him the support of CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 119 many. When the publication ceased, which it (hd on November 28th, 1868, the type was worn (Xit and most of the material was useless. The press had done duty in the office of the Missouri Republican as early as 1808 and in 183 1 this same pre^s was used in establishing the Sangamon Joiir- iid at Springfield, Illinois. It was brought from Springfield to Taylorville where it was finally broken up. Complete files of this paper are yet to he found in the county. The Taylorville Journal. It was at about this time that a paper bearing the above name appeared in Taylor- ville. It was Democratic but as there was one other paper published in the town bear- ing the same political stamp, the Journal soon died of want of proper support. It was born January, 27, 1859, and only ap- peared upon this storm tossed world of journalism nine times. The publishers were Messrs. Corr, VanKirk & Co, The office was sold under a mortgage and taken to Pana, where the Central Illinois Democrat was issued from its material and presses on January 7, i860. It was issued by E. P. Sanders as ])roprietor and publisher and J. B. Butler as editor. On the 23d of Febru- ary VV. F. Phelon was added to the editorial staff and on the 9th of November, i860, the office changed hands and G. W. Harper and F. J. Back appeared as editors and pub- lishers. They at once changed the name to the Pana Weekly Enterprise, but only one paper was issued under that name and on the 24th of the same month O. F. Morrison and M. M. DeLevis pur- chased the office and again changed the name to the Pana Public. Mr. DeLevis was editor. It was inde- pendent in politics. The paper was well gotten up and flourished till June i, 1862, when the office and paper were moved to Clinton, Illinois. The Taylorville Flag. On July 26, 1864, appeared the first Re- publican paper in Christian county. It was edited and managed by I. D. Munday but he remained but three weeks when he resigned and Paul Conner was placed in charge, and soon purchased the office. Mr. Conner con- tinued as editor till April 12, 1866, when John J. Squier purchased a half interest. On November 15, 1866, Mr. Scjuier pur- chased Mr. Conner's interest and became ed- itor and publisher. On the 24th of March, 1870, Mr. Squier changed the name of Tlie TayUyrvillc Flag to that of the Illinois Republican, w Inch name it continued to bear for many years. On the i8th of November, 1870, Mr. Scjuier sold a half interest in the Re- publican to W. B. Squier, his brother, which partnership continued till March 19, 1874, when John J. Squier again became sole owner. The Saturday Republican. On Augu.st 19, 1876, Mr. Squier com- menced the publication of the above jour- nal in addition to the Illinois Republican and continued it several years. Some- time during the year 1887 Mr. Squier sold the paper and all things pertaining to it to Jo- seph Torrey who continued its publication for a year or more when the plant was again sold to The Courier Printing Co., and became the nucleus around which the pres- ent dailv and weeklv Courier was built. 120 PAST AND PRESENT This occurred some time (hiring the year 1893. The Pana Gazette. The First niimlier of this paper was issued lulv _'7, 1865. The editors and proprietors were Richard Couch and R. M. Carr. Mr. Couch and Mr. Carr purchased some new material and added it to a joh office owned hy Mr. Couch and from the combination was issued the Gazette. On April 17, 1866, Mr. Carr purchased the entire interest in the paper and remained editor and publisher until December 11, 1868, when he sold a half interest to R. W. Coon. The partner- ship of Carr & Coon continued till Feb- ruary, 1871, when Mr. Coon retired. Mr. Carr then continued the publication of the Gazette till some time in 1889, when J. C. Essick, a lawyer of ability who wished to try journalism, purchased the outfit and greatly improved the plant. A year or two later he sold to Kelliger & Son, who soon sold to Burch & Merry, but in a few weeks Mr. Merry retired and Mr. Burch continued the paper for several years, when he sold to E. Gorell. After keeping the paper but a short time Gorell disposed of the Gazette to W. S. Childers, who retained control of it but a sort time when it passed into the hands of Mrs. Lizzie Weaver. This was some time during the year 1895. Mrs. Weaver con- ducted the paper for some time, but not meeting with the success anticipated, she sold the material and plant to Mr. C. N. Walls, who removed it to Assumption. The Christian County Democrat. This paper was established by John J. Smith and the first number appeared on August 13, 1868. He remained editor and publisher till November 20 of the same year when he sold to Jonas Suttle. Mr. Suttle conducted the paper till Sei)tember 17, 1869. when he sold the office to S. P. Davis of Belleville and E. L. Powers of Decatur. The firm of Davis & Powers continued to publish the paper till February 11, 1871, when W. S. Martin became the purchaser. On May 21, 1874. the words "Christian County" were omitted and tlie word "Tay- lorville' substituted in the name of the paper. On August 2, 1875, George W. Webber became a partner in the Democrat and con- tinued so till June i, 1877, when Mr. Web- ber retired and Mr. Martin continued the publication till January i, 1880, when he sold to Benjamin A. and Philip A. Rich- ards. In 1884 J. E. Harner purchased the plant and in 1886 V. E. Foy became owner. Mr. Foy was owner and editor for but a short time when C. N. Walls, a veteran newspaper man, became its owner by pur- chase. Some time during 1898 The Tay- lorviUe Democrat was aljsorbed by The Courier Printing Company and it ceased to have a separate identity. The Central Orient. This paper was first issued June 20, 1866, in Pana. It was Democratic in tone and had J. F. Harner as publisher and C. S-. Hilburn as editor. The Orient continued till May, 1868, when it was discontinued for want of proper support.' The Pana Palladium. From the exit of the Orient Pana was without a Democratic paper till the PaT ladium made its appearance. It was first issued by S. B. Rich some time during the latter part of 1869. On April 23, 1870, Mr. Rich disposed of the office and the paper to Messrs. P. A. and J. J. Farley. After several years' connection with the paper Mr. P. A. Farley retired and the pub- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 121 lication was continued by J. J. Farley. On March 15, 1877, A. W. Chal:)in became the purchaser of the Palladium. Three months later Mr. Chabin sold a half interest to Jacob Swallow. In three months from that time Mr. Swallow retired, and Chabin again became proprietor and so continued until March 10, 1879, when tlie office revert- ed to b^arley Brothers, who sold it to Jacob Swallow. And Mr. Swallow has been the owner and publisher of the Palladium e\^er since. At this date (February, 1904) Mr Swallow has seen the longest continuous service on the same paper of any editor in the county. The Assumj'Tion Independent. This paper was at first printed in the of- fice of the Pana Gaccttc and was shipped to Assumption. R. M. Carr was the publisher and J. M. Birce the local editor. The first number was issued on April 22, 1871. Mr. Carr continued the publication till April 15, 1872, when he sold to I. V. Park sufficient material to continue the publication at As- sumption, but six months later when the notes became due Mr. Park was unable to meet them and the sureties paid the notes and issued shares of stock in a printing company. They placed John M. Marnell in charge as editor and manager. He was a bad manager and the Indcpcndeni appeared semi-occasionally. In July, 1874, the stock- holders secured the services of Richard Couch and he changed the name of the paper to the Assumption Record. Mr. Couch pu1)lished the paper one year and then A. W. Chabin assumed the man- agement. He continued nine months and sold to A. M. Anderson and the presses and material were removed to Shelbyville. The Assumption News. Since that time H. E. Bixby conducted the Assumption Ncivs for something about six years and made a financial success of the venture. Mr. Bixby died and his widow and administrator continued its publication till January i, 1904, when it was absorbed by Hodge Brothers and became a part of the Prairie State Tribune. This paper is now being managed by Hodge Brothers, who came to Assumption from Indiana. They are making a success of the Tribune and attained their first noto- riety by publishing several books of the old testament scriptures as a serial. They have been publishing a paper in Assumption for alx)ut four years under various names and the name is never changed oftener than the moon. But no matter under what name they may appear, the paper is always newsy and reliable. The Morrisonville Times. The Times was first issued August 20, 1875, with Thomas Cox as editor and pro- prietor. Mr. Cox sold the Times to M. J. Abbott the last day of December. 1875. The latter gentleman remained owner and publisher until May, 1877, when he sold to George H. Palmer & Son. F. M. Pal- mer assumed editorial control. In the spring of 1878 F. Grundy became associate editor. August 16, 1879, the office was leased to Messrs. Said & Poorman. On Oc- tober 2, 1879, Steen Brothers purchased the office. Later the Times passed into the hands of S. W. Gulp, who has been con- ducting a consistent Democratic paper ever since. Mr. Gulp has managed the Times for more than fifteen years. 122 PAST AND PRESENT The Independent. The first number of this paper appeared in Taylorville on Alarch 2=^. ^^7S- ^^■ith Messrs. Malloroy & Danley, proprietors, and R. V. Maloroy as editor. It died for want of support with the ]3tli number so far as its old e(htors were concerned, but Air. .\oyes B. Chapman of Stonington con- tinued the publication with C. F. Tucker as editor and afterwards with AI. A. Bates, but on January 14. 1876, it was discon- tinued. The Farmers' Journal. This paper first appeared on March 2, 1876. Messrs. Lewis & Brown were its first editors and publishers. The paper was published as a grange or greenback organ. On August 31. 1876. the office came into the possession of J. F. Harner, who changed its political tone to Democratic after pub- lishing the paper for a year. After this sev- eral changes occurred in the manasfement of the Journal, its name being changed to that of the Taylorville Journal in 1880 and its politics to Republican, with a strong greenback tendency. At one time Messrs. Sanford & Kelley were its editors and later for a short time Mr. W. H. Kel- ley, but in 1886 the paper came into the liands of A. D. Webb as editor and pub- lisher and it is still (February, 1904) be- ing published l)y the same party. It is Re- publican in politics and fearless and 'nit- -spoken in its dealing with all public ques- tions.' The Christl\x County Coitrier. • This paper was founded by the Courier Printing Co. by those opposed to the man- agement of the Tavlorville Democrat in the year 1894. .\s a starter the job office be- longing to A. O. Murphey and the material of the Illinois Rcpuhlicau formed the out- fit. .\ new i)ress and some type were pur- chased and the Taylorville Courier was launched with D. O. W'itmcr as editor and A. (). Murphey as business manager. As recorded in another place, in a few years it absorlied The Dcuwcrat and has been suc- cessful in printing a daily as well as a week- ly edition for the past seven years It is the best newspaper office in the county arid is well equipped to do all kinds of work. It is Democratic in politics. The Taylorville News. This paper was founded about the year 1896 by several gentlemen from Pawnee and vicinity. They published a daily ex- clusively Ijut the venture was not a success financially and the plant was sold after publishing the first daily paper in Taylor- \ille for less than a year. It was purchased by Messrs. Reed & Kelley, who changed its name to that of The Breeze. This paper has appeared regularly since its first publication in 1895. Frank Reed is the editor and manager and it is run by a stock company. They publish both week- ly and daily editions. It is Republican in politics and quite "breezy." The Weekly Argus. This paper was first published by A. W. Chabin on March 15, 1879. Five numbers were printed in Shelbyville and taken to Pana and distributed, after which Col. J. A. Hayward purchased material and presses and became joint owner with Mr. Chabin. The paper was Democratic in politcs. The partnership continued till June i. 1880, CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 123 when Colonel Hayward became sole pro- prietor and editor. He continued to pub- lish it for several years, when the plant and paper were remo\ed to another city. The Pana Beacon Light. Soon after Mrs. Weaver acquired the Ga- !:cttc Mr. Childress, through the assistance of Mr. Hayward, bought a new outfit and commenced the publication of a pape^, both daily and weekly, with the above title. Mr. Childress was an energetic and fearless writer. He disposed of the plant to E. O Gilmer, an old newspaper man, who con- tinued to publish the paper for several years with varying success. He finally sold to Arthur E. Paine & Co., who changed the name of the paper to The Pana News, and the paper has been issued for the past five years with the above management. The paper is Republican in politics and ap- pears ably managed. The Edinburg Herald. This paper was established in Ed- inburg on May I, 1883, by F. T. Kauerauf, who was both editor and owner. Mr. Kau- erauf is a practical printer and the paper has been a financial success from its very first issue. It is a deserving sheet and the people of Edinburg seem to appreciate it. Mr. Kauerauf has made some money with the Herald. The Owaneco Progress. In the spring of 1902 this paper. was es- tal)lished by Clinton G. Griggsby, a practi- cal printer from Taylorville. It was first published in Taylorville, but later Mr. Griggsby secured material and continued the publication in Owaneco. It is a very creditable sheet and reflects the progress of the town in which it is located. Mr. Griggsby appears to be making some money. The Mount Auburn Tribune. This paper was established by P. T. Dan- ford in the fall of 1901. Soon after C. O. Gates purchased the plant and still continues its publication. It is a six-column quarto, well filled with advertising and appears to be well managed. The People's Choice. This paper was published at Palmer for a year or two by H. E. Davis & Co. Mr. Davis was so unfortunate as to contract tu- berculosis and was forced to leave his plant and business some time during the year 1903. The paper was discontinued and Mr. Davis has since died. The Stonington Star. This paper was established about May I, 1896, by P. T. Danford & Son. After- ward the father withdrew and the son, H. A. Danford, continued its publication. It is neutral in politcs, has a good advertising patronage as well as a good subscription list and has been of great service to the rapidly growing town in which it is located. The School News and Practical Edu- cator. This is an educational journal for teach- ers, parents and school officers. It was es- tablished in the year 1887 by C. M. Parker, who is editor and proprietor. Erom a small beginning it has grown so that it now is one of the few leading educational publications in the United States. It is issued monthly, except during August. It has been a great success as a money maker. In addition Mr. Parker publishes many other books and magazines, among which are The State Course of Study, Select Rote Songs and 124 PAST AND PRESENT Elementary Music Teacher, Gala Day St^r ies, Persimmons, Long-an's Primary Arith- metic, and others. A review of the journals printed in Chris- tian county since 1857 shows that the great political parties, Democrat, Whig, Repub- lican, as well as the IndciJendcnt and Green- back elements, liaxe been ably represented by the newspapers. The local newspapers are frequently se- verely criticised for the articles at times published by them, and in many instnnces these criticisms are well taken. Editors are not at all times sufficiently careful to ascer- tain the accuracy of the statements pub- lished before displaying them to the world, ;ind too frequently does it happen that tlie reputation of an innocent person is injured by reason of the carelessness of the editor. In some cases he even so far forgets iiim- self as to permit malice and revenge to enter into his publication. An able editor of a newspaper is always, or should be, high- minded and broad enough to avoid unneces- sarily injuring the feelings or reputation of any citizen. Newspapers of Christian county have for the most part been devoid of this narrow- contracted abuse of the peaceable and in- offensive citizen. Newspapers when conducted upon the proper basis are a great benefit to the com- munity; they are educators, putting their readers abreast of the times, and even the local papers place in the hands of their na- trons the means of ascertaining what is go- ing on in all ])arts of the world ; an able press like that of Christian county should be encouraged and patronized by its inhabi- tants. Schools. Three quarters of a century have passe'l since the first public school was conducted within the borders of Christian county. It was held in a log-house which stood two miles northeast of the present site of Tay- lorvillc and which was built after the fash- ion of the homes of the pioneer settlers — a rude building with the fireplace occupying the most of one end of the house, a log sawed out of one side to furnish light and ventila- ticMi, its only furniture consisting of rough puncheon benches and a slat fastened to one wall for a writing desk. During the winter of 1826-27, Elijah Hanon taught here the first school of which we have any record. The district boundary seems to have been indefinite since it is known that Daniel and Martin Miller who lived near Elgan's mill in Southfork town- ship, fourteen miles away were two of his pupils that winter. They walked to school on Monday morning, boarded with a family near the school and walked home again on Friday evenings. In 1831-32 Archibald McCollough, who is said to have been a fine scholar, taught at the same place, and again in 1832-33 a Mr. Crossthwaite, who was a professional teacher, conducted a school there. The next school on record was held at Campbell's Point, in 1831-32 in a log house built on land owned by Joseph Matthews, and it is said to be the first house erected in the county, especially for a school house. The first teacher was Robert White. In the same year, Michael Archie taught a school in a house on his brother's farm in Mt. Auburn township near the Springfield and Decatur road. In 1834-35 Hon. H. M. Vandeveer taught the first school in Mosquito town- ship in a house also situated on the Spring- field and Decatur road. He also taught in Southfork township. Thus we see how the pioneers struggled CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 125 bravely to educate their children with the limited means afforded them. Whenever two or three families formed a settlement, a school was opened as soon as a teacher coukl be secured. Many of the first schools were subscription schools. The work of the pioneer teacher con- sisted largely in teaching reading, writing and arithmetic ; schools were of short dura- tion ; books were crude and scarce and the older children could attend only two or three months of the term. The salaries of teachers in those days of pioneer life ranged from eight to ten dollars per month, or a dollar and a half per pupil. From these small beginnings has been evolved the present day system of elemen- tary schools, and from such educational conditions, disadvantageous as they were, have come many of the most substantial professional and business men. With the organization of the county in 1839 came the appointment of the first school commissioner, Hon. H. M. Vande- veer, who had been a pioneer teacher in Mosquito and Southfork townships. The "Enabling Act" of 18 18 appropri- ating section 16 in each township to the state for school purposes gave an impetus to education. In 1828 the Legislature au- thorized the sale of these lands, and bor- rowed the money. But the returns were too meager to support the schools and taxes had to be levied. In 1835, a county fund was created by an act of the Legislature which also provided that the teachers should not receive from the public fund more than half the amount due them, and that the surplus should constitute the principal of the county fund, which amounted to $348,285.75 and in the same year the interest on school moneys borrowed by the state was first dis- tributed to the counties. In 1824, the balance of the overflowed and swamplands, after paying for drainage and levees, was granted to the counties for educational purposes. Thus gradually the state came to realize the need of fostering free public schools and gradually too im- proved methods for controlling them were adopted. In Christian county the first township or- ganized for school purposes was Southfork. In 1839 the December term of the county court appointed as trustees Robert Richard- son, Sr., Benjamin Robertson and William Harvey, Esq. Council was appointed treas- urer and continued in that oftice for many years. In 1866 the township organization was effected and trustees of schools were ap- pointed for the seventeen townships of the county. Each township was then divided into districts to accommodate the rapidly growing population and the log school house gradually gave place to the more comfort- able frame houses. With the incorporation of the townships came the requirement for a certificate of qualification from the township trustees be- fore a teacher could be paid out of the school funds. Besides a knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic, the teacher was re- quired to have also an elementary knowl- edge of history and geography. The spirit of progress was aroused and frequent legislation on school matters was demanded by an enlightened and earnest public. In 1854 the separate office of State Superintendent was created and Hon. Ninian Edwards was appointed at a yearly salary of $1,500. To supply the demands for more efficient teachers, the first State Normal School was established in 1857, and the Southern Nor- mal in 1869; and since then the legislature 126 PAST AND PRESENT has established three other State Normal schools. The Eastern Xornial at Charles- ton, Coles connty. the Xdrthern at DeKalb, DeKalb county, and the Wc^^tern at Ma- comb, McDonoiioh countv. In a former sketch of the schools of Chris- tian connty. i;ivcn in iS8o by ex-County Superintendent R. W. Orr, and from which much of the data of the article was gath- ered, stress is laid upon the efforts made to encourage better and more thorough prep- aration for teaching by those who were en- Qfae'ed in the work as well as bv those who expected to teach by insisting upon their attendance at county normals and institutes. But of all the excellent work done by Mr. Orr during his long term of office which extended from 1873 to 1898, with a break of only four years, the most important and most influencing act was the introduction into the elementary schools of the State Course of Study in 1889. The Manual and Guide for the common schools had its beginning in Macon county about 1879 or 1880 with john Trainer who was then County Superintendent. His work soon spread to Piatt, Champaign, and other counties. As the idea developed it ap- pealed to the good judgment of educators all over the state and at a meeting of the Central Illinois Teachers' Association in March, 1889, the plan was discussed and Hon. Richard Edwards, Superintendent of Public Instruction, issued a call to county superintendents to meet in Spring-field April 10, 1899, to discuss the advantages of a uniform State Course of Study. As a result of that meeting a committee of county superintendents was ap])ointed to compile a course of study for the state, con- sisting of eight years' work of eight months each. This course was completed and ]uib- lished in time for the opening of schools in September of that year. Mr. Orr immedi- ately introduced the course in this county and most of the teachers strove zealously to adaj)t it to the needs of the schools under tlicir control and to secure the aim which the friends of th.e course claim for it and which are as follows : First : To furnish, as a basis for work, to sui)erintendents, teachers and directors an outline of the various branches required by law to be taught in the schools of the state, arranged in the several grades, in accord- ance with established and approved meth- ods. Second : To advance pupils, step by step, through his school life, giving him credit for work done, and thereby lessening the e\-il effects of a too frequent change of teachers. Third : To unify the work in the com- mon schools of the county by furnishing the basis for a close and more effective direc- tion and supervision, and for comparing by means of examinations or written reviews the results in the different schools. Fourth : To enable directors and parents to know better what the common schools are accomplishing for their children and to co-operate with teachers in the work. By " means of monthly examinations, Avhich serve not only as tests but suggest good methods of teaching, the county su- perintendent who can visit the schools not oftener than once or twice a year has an opportunity for keeping in touch with the schools. For many years central examinations were held in the center schoolhouse in each townshi]). Here the advanced pupils of all the schools in the grouji met and compared work. In recent years the central exam- ination has been abandoned because of the almost unpassable road encountered in the CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 127 months of March and April. Instead the examination qnestions are sent to each teacher, who liolds her own examination and after grading the papers recommends those who have made the reqnired grades to the hnal examination held later in Tavlorville. Since the adoption of the course of study in 1889, nearly 1,000 children have gradu- ated from the elementary schools and have a diploma of same. Since the days of the three R's, there has heen an increase in the numher of studies taught in school. The suhject of language and grammar has he- come so generally recognized as important that no one now questions whether or not it should he a part of the course of study. History and geography ajipeahso strong- ly to the child mind that every school boy now knows at twelve years of age the lead- ing facts in American history, and the re- lation which the United States bears to the rest of the world. The growing" evils arising from the use of alcoholic drings and tobacco have led the State Legislature to pass a law requir- ing that physiology and hygiene shall be taught in the schools of the state. Later nature study, music, morals and manners, agriculture and domestic science are finding a place in many schools. In fact the times demand that a person now to be rated as intelligent as his fellows must know some- thing of many more subjects and facts than his father was required to know. Hence the course of study by suggesting broader and deeper lines of study has tended to im- prove the work done in the elementary school and bring it to the level of the work done in cities, where better teaching is usu- ally required. There has been a wonderful advance too in school equipment. The log school house gradually gave way to the frame house — long and narrow — usually 26x30 feet, with three windows on a side, the stove in the middle of the room and no provision for ventilation except Ijy the windows. These are an improvement o\ei' the log house, for they are warmer, l)ctter lighted and better furnished. Many of these frame houses were built between i860 and 1870 and are now become old and dilapidated, and are fast being abandoned for more pretentious houses which are not only more pleasing to the eye but are more sanitary. The puncheon blenches have given place to patent seats and desks which provide for the physical rest and bodily comfort of the children. At Willey Station in 1898 a new modern building 30x36 feet with a hall 12x24 <'^nd two porches, was erected at a cost of about $1,200. The interior arrangements pro- \k\e for the comfort and health of the chil- dren. The principal windows are massed upon one side of the room so as to bring most of the light over the left shoulder of the pupils; a jacketed stove sets in a corner of the room over a box which ad- mits fresh air from the outside. This fresh air is heated as it rises betw^een the stove and the jacket and is diffused evenly over the room. Ventilators set in the floor per- mit the passage of the impure air from the room under the floor to an opening in the ventilating flue which -is a part of the chim- ney. There are fly screens at windows and doors, sliding doors divide the cloak hall from the main room, the woodwork is fin- ished in oil, the walls are tinted; tliere are single desks, slate blackboards and organ, a well filled bookcase of reference and juve- nile books, and se\'eral appropriate pictures on the wall. Since this house was built, nine other districts have abandoned their old houses and have eercted new houses 128 PAST AND PRESENT somewhat after the plan of the Willey Sta- tion House. Eagle and Hedge Row districts in Mos- quito township; Davis, Blake, and Mont- gomery districts in Mt. Auburn township ; George and Central Point in Buckhart township ; Adams in South Pork, and Friendship in Taylorville township. In these buildings, the three essentials to health — liirht. heat and ventilation — have been carefully considered and the latest and best thought on these subjects has been consid- ered. The buildings stand as a monument to the enterprise and advanced ideas of their respective communities. Many other communities have greatly improved their schoolhouse by adding cloak rooms and porches, by changing the stove from the middle of the room, by putting in a ventilating system, by papering and paint- ing and otherwise cleaning the room, by adding blackboards and libraries and pic- tures. Teachers, directors and patrons have all taken pride in most districts to make the schoolhouse as clean, as healthy and as at- tractive as the best homes in the community. The rapidly decreasing enrollment in many rural schools is turning the minds of the people to the subject of consolidation of districts, which will certainly decrease the expenses of schools in many townships, but which can hardly be realized in this county until the roads are greatly improved. There is no one other item on the tax list which shows so much expenditure of public money as for the support of the pub- lic school and from no other expenditure of money is so much expected. The state has undertaken the task of educating all of the children. When shall we consider that task completed? Shall it be when the child has learned to read, write and cipher? Is it fair that scjme communities furnish am- ple opportunities for high school privileges and others will furnish means for no more than a five months' term with an illy paid and poorly prepared teacher. The educational demands of to-day have kept pace with the industrial and commer- cial demands; the boy and girl of to-day is no better prepared to meet the demands of modern life educationally after comple- tion of a thorough course in a high school than were the boy and girl of fifty years ago prepared for the demands of life in that day who had merely learned to read, write and cipher. "We do not seek education in order to earn money or accumulate property, but for the same reason as we seek money and property, namely, so as to possess and main- tain a more complete and happy life, to es- cape the pauperism of an impoverished mind, a destitute personality : to become the possessors of life's highest wealth." It is the purpose of the public school system, which includes the rural schools, the graded schools and the high schools of the county, to furnish not only the facilities for study and recitation, but, through ear- nest, qualified teachers, to instill those ideas of culture and good citizenship which shall repay an hundred fold for every dollar ex- pended. Daniel Miller, the fourth commissioner of schools for Christian county, reporting to Campbell Thomas, Secretary of State and ex-oflicio State Superintendent of Schools, in 1846, gives the following sta- tistics : Whole number of schools in county 6 Whole number of scholars attending 173 Whole number of children under 21.. 1,236 Whole amount of school funds $69.03 CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 129 Ave. paid male teachers per mo. .. .$14.00 R. W. Orr, elected 1895. Ave. paid female teachers per mo. . .$10.00 D. O. Witmer, elected November, 1898. The annual report of Hon. Alfred Bay- Edith Witmer, appointed August, 1899. hss, Superhitendent of Public Instruction, ^^""^^ L. Barbre, November, 1900. for the year ending June 30, 1903 : ^nna L. Barbre, November, 1902. Number of school districts.... 142 Churches. Number of school houses 153 , , . ^ , ... ^^ , , ., 1, , ^ ,„ As noted m a former chapter of this Number of i)upils enrolled .... 7-947 , r , , , r „,, , , , , 1 work, many of the early settlers were ot a Whole number of males under . . ■' ,.,,,,. , • ,, reliGiious turn of mmd, and l^elieved m the „„ , ''''■*'''""' ' due observance of the Sabbath, the estab- Whole number of females un- . , , ,01 11 ft^c hshment of churches and Sunday schools. ''*'", 11 ' "^ Church organizations and Sabbath schools Number of teachers employed. 230 * 1 , • ^1 ^ , , r were formed at a very early day, m the set- Amount of money used tor , , .1 t^ .• ^ a- ^ ^A ^^ tlements of the county, notably, the Baptist school inirposes $13^,356.66 , , ^ . ' / ,. , ^ . 1 1 r 1 1 church at Stonington, the Congregational Estimated value of school prop- , , ^ ° , , . d, church at Rosemond, and other congrega- erty $299,305.00 • , . , , , 1 tions which were established almost simul- Average wages paid male teach- , . , , ^ r i.i jK o taneously with the commencement of the , ^^^ .■■■■■■■■," settlement of these particular localities. Average wages paid female • 1 1 r ..i , ^ r^ These two are mentioned because of the teachers . . . •. $40 66 • - 1 • fact that enough people were associated in School Commissioners of the County the colonies that emigrated to these places Since Its Organization. to immediately begin the church work. H. M. Vandeveer, appointed May 16,. 1839. the facts are that the Methodist church, John W. Wheat, elected Aug. 2, 1841. the Baptist church, the Christian church, Thos. S. Leachman, elected Aug. 7, 1843. the Roman Catholic church and the Cum- Daniel Miller, elected Aug. 4, 1845. berland Presbyterian church, established James C. Morrison, elected Aug. 2, 1847. congregations in many settlements at a very James C. Morrison, elected Nov. 6, 1849. early day, and as soon as the congregations James C. Morrison, elected Nov. 4, 185 1. were of sufficient strength, either alone or Richard Sparks, elected Nov. 8, 1853. united with other congregations, church Jesse Hanon, elected Nov. 7, 1855. houses were builded for the accommoda- S. S. Cisna, elected Nov. 3, 1857. tion of the church-goer. S. S. Cisna, elected Nov. 5, 1861. In the early settlement of the county, at James A. Ryan, elected Nov. 3, 1863. ' proper seasons when the weather would A. McCaskill, elected Nov. 7, 1865. permit, camp meetings were held in the dif- W. F. Gorrell, elected Nov. 2, 1869. ferent localities, and these camp meetings R. W. Orr, elected Nov. 4, 1873. were a great source of pleasure to the re- R. W. Orr, elected Nov. 6. 1877. ligious element of the county. At these Francis .W. Boyd, elected November, 1881. camp meetings, the families would procure R. W. Orr, elected 1885. a tent and go and stay for a week or ten R. W. Orr, elected 1889. -days, services would be held in the open 130 PAST AND PRESENT air sheltered fmm snn and storm by a brush covering", or under a large canvas; at these meetings, preachers of notoriety visited the people, and preached to them. Prominent among the ministers of the early day that delighted the people with their learning and the expounding- of the divine word were the Rev. Peter Cartwright and Elder North- cut. Soon congregations were organized and churches built at Pana. Assumption. Mt. Auburn. Taylorville, Edinburg and Rosemond and other localities in the county. As time progressed and tlie people pros- pered schoolhouses and ])laces of worship were matters to which the attention of the people would turn. The religious senti- ments of the different churches one toward the other were liberal, and in instances the same church house was used by different cong-regations as places of public worship. In some localities the schoolhouse was upon the Sabbath day converted into a meeting'- house where Sunday school and church would both be held. People came there a great distance to attend these services. Min- isters of the gospel were zealous in the cause they had espoused, and the general rule was that the ministers preached to the peoj^jle l)ecause they loved them, and be- cause they loved to expound to them the laws of God, even though they were unable to compensate them for their services. It is true that in the earlier days, when starvation was staring the pco])le in the face, they had i)ractically all they could do "to keep the wolf from their own door;" they were not able to contribute to the salaries of ministers as they are now-a-days, and if a minister received a small compensation, or a few donations through the year, he was satisfied, and was content to till the soil and secure his li\ing for the most part by "the sweat of his face." (The writer would not be understood as condemning the payment of salaries to ministers; that is right arid proper and should be enc(jur- aged as. at this day and age, the whole of the time of the minister is required in his lal)or. and the only means he has of subsisting is through the salary he may receix'e. ) In those days when the meet- ings were held in the little log schoolhouse or log church and the people gathered in. they had familiar songs of praise that they loved to sing ; many sweet and me- lodious voices joined together in this de- votional exercise ; they sang with a spirit that made the welkin ring ; the service and and the song were enjoyed by the happy throng; they listened with interest to the minister, who t(jld them in plain, unvar- nished language of the golden streets of Jerusalem, and the pleasures of the happy throng that W(iuld by and by gather around the great white throne. These people were in earnest, zealous, were not there for show. Init to enjoy the hour in the worship of Almighty God. Nothing can be more conducive to a real, Ii\e religion than to have a whole congrega- tion join with one accord in the exercises and in the songs of praise. Perhaps it would not do in this day and age for all the people to jon in the song, and for all the people when church was over to meet, shake hands with one another, renew their ac- fiuaintance and have a social minute or two, but I can not see why it would not do: I can not see why the choir in the corner should be called upon to do the singing alone and for the whole congregation; I can not see why so much formality should be obser\-ed in the jjulpit and with the congre- gation ; it is not taught in the Bible; it does not engender a spirit of kindness and good feeling and is not the way, in my judgment. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 131 to extract true happiness from a religious exercise. I do not mean by this that an exercise should consist of enthusiasm alone, but should carry with it a sufficient amount of zeal and warmth to prevent icicles from accumulating- in the midst of the congrega- tions. The writer is not sure but what the re- ligion of forty or fifty years ago was as pure as it is to-day, and is not sure but what the church member and minister en- joyed the religion of Christ as much in that day as they do at the present. It is not always the 'fine pew, the dressy pulpit and the retained choir that produce the greatest amount of happiness or good in the re- ligious world: as the people prosper, we concede that there arises a greater demand for I letter churches, and more highly edu- cated ministers. This is all right, and should be encouraged, yet with a fine church and the highly educated minister, it shou.ld be the place in which everybody should be made to feel at home, and enjoy the wor- ship. The growth of Christianity has kept pace with the prosperity of the county, and to- day we have many denominations over the county that are doing much good. The Baptists have congregations and churches at Taylorville, Pana, Edinburg, Stonington and Salem. The Methodist Episcopal church has churches at Mt. Auburn, Taylorville, Pana, Assumption, Millersville, Rosemond, Buck- eye Prairie, Owaneco, Fair view, Palmer and perhaps other places. The Roman Catholics have churches and congregations at Taylorville, Pana, As- sumption, Stonington and Morrisonville. The Christian church has congregations at Taylorville, Assumption, Edinburg, Mt. Auburn, Pana, Liberty church in Prairie- ton township, and the Christian church in South Fork. The Congregationalists have a church at Rosemond, erected there by the early set- tlers of that locality. The German Evangelical denomination has a church at Pana, and doubtless other places in the county. The Free Methodists and Salvation Army also have congregations in several parts of the county, which are doing good work, and there are perhaps many other churches lo- cated in different parts of the county that the writer is not apprised of, but it is suffi- cient to say that all of these churches are a blessing to the community. All men, whether they are Christians or not, recog- nize the fact that there is nothing so bene- ficial to a community and nothing that tends more to upbuild and strengthen a people and to invite others into a community than the fact that such community is blessed with ofood churches and schools. Christian county is proud of her church record, of her Sunday school record, of her church-going people, and the many attrac- tions and advantages induced by the relig- ious element. Transportation. Scarcely less important than the subject of production is the one of transportation. Without means of easy and rapid transpor- tation the valuable products of any section would be comparatively valueless. And it is to this fact, second only to that of pro- duction, that this county owes its promi- nence among the counties of the state and nation. The productiveness of our soil and mines will soon be far greater than any esti- mates ever yet made by the mind of man, but their value depends upon the ease, rap- idity and cheapness, by which they can be 132 PAST AND PRESENT transported to those who need, hut have not, that which we pnxhice in great ahnn- dance. h'or a portion of the year, truth compels us to state, that tlie wagon roads of this country are almost impassahle, hut they are heing fast impro\ed and it i^ not a vision of a s])eculati\e fancy merely, to state that in the not distant future the entire ]>ro- ductixe area of this county will he spanned hy electric railroads, which will enah.Ie the products of our soil and mines to he trans- ported from the liomes of our people to an open market, hoth cheaply and ex])ec1i- tiously. Already an electric railroad. The Amer- ican Central Traction Company, has heen planned and incorporated penetrating the county from east to west and from north to south with Taylorville as a center, and with the western terminus in St. Louis, that at all times of the year will place the products of this garden of central Illinois cheaply within the reach of a ready market. This is not a visi(m, hut a scheme that is being actually realized. But upon the com- pletion of the electric railroad our trans- portation facilities does not alone depend. As early as the year 1853 the first ground was broken and the great Illinois Central Railroad was built through this county and the cars were running the following year. The line enters the county from the north on section 36, township 14, range 1, east, traverses the county in a southwesterly direction and leaves it on section t,^, townshij) it, range I, east, and passes through Assumi)tion and Pana. By an act of congress passed in September, 1850, approved by President Eilmore, an aggregation of 2,595.053 acres of land was granted to build the road. The riuht of wav was "ranted and everv alter- nate section of land for six miles on either side of the road. The grant of land was made directly to the state. The legislature of Illinois, thereafter granted a charter to an eastern com])any to Imild the road with a capital stock of $1,000,000. The legis- lature in granting the charter transferred to the company the lands obtained from the general government, hut stipulated that 7 per cent, of the gross earnings of the road should be paid semi-annually into the state treasury, forever. This wise provision yields an immense revenue to the state. The road is one of the great trunk lines of the west, reaching from Chicago in Illinois to New Orleans in Louisiana and to Sioux City in western Iowa. The first ground was broken in 1853 and cars were runnmg the following year. It was at this time that Assumption and Pana were located. TiiK Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, Now THE Big Four. This road extends between the two towns indicated by its name and was completed hi 1855. not far from the same date that the Illinois Central was built. It enters Chris- tian county on the northern line of section 24 in Pana township and traverses the ■ county in a southwesterly direction, leaving it in section 33 in Rosemond township. It was known as the Alton & Terre Haute R. R. wdien constructed. The stations in this county are Pana and Rosemond. The point of crossing of the Illinois Central and the Bio' Four railroads determined the location o f Pana. The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Rail- way. This is probably the most important rail- road in the county, and does an immense Ijusiness between St. Louis and Chica.go CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 138 and other eastern points. The length of the hne in this county is more than thirty-one- miles. The principal towns in the county on this road are Taylorville, Morrisonville, Palmer, Clarksdale, and Stonington. It enters the county on section i, in Stoning- ton township and leaves it at Harvel, on section 4. in King township. It crosses the Baltimore & Ohio railroad at Taylorville. The road was built under a charter granted to The Decatur & East St. Louis railroad and was commenced in 1869 and completed through this county in 1870. The Wabash is one of the best roads in the west. The Springfield Division of the Bal- timore & Ohio Railroad. This road runs diagonally through the county from the northwest to the south- east. It enters the county on section 10, Buckhart township, and leaves it on section 24, of Pana township. Taylor\^ille, Pana, Edinburg and Owaneco, Sharps, Millers- ville and Velma are the stations. The road was formerly known as the Springfield & Pana railroad, afterward as the Springfield & Southeastern, and in April, 1875. it was sold to the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad company. It was again sold to the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad company and now forms an important branch of their trunk line. It was built under a charter obtained in 1865 and was completed in 1870. The first train entered Taylorville at 5 o'clock P. M., on Oct, 25, 1869. The first through train from Beardstown to Shawneetown was run on March 28. 1872. " The first tele- graph office opened in Taylorville was the office of tliis road and was opened on March II, 1872. The Indiana, Decatur & Western. This road was extended from Decatur to Springfield, 111., during the summer of 1901. It extends from Indianapolis, Ind., to Spring-field, Illinois. It follows the Wa- bash from Decatur to Boody, 111., and then extends westward across the northern part of the county. Its most important station is the old town of Mt. Auburn, which it has been the means of reinvigorating and greatly enlarging. The stations on this road in this county are Osbornville, Mt. Auburn, Bakersville and Roby. The Eastern Illinois Railroad. This line (February, 1904) is being built from Dan\-ille, 111., to St. Louis. It is a part of the great "Friscoe" system. It en- ters Pana township from the east not far from the center line, runs southeasterly to Pana and then follows The Big Four rail- road out of the county. It is now thought that the Big Four system may be used from Pana to St. Louis. It affords anoth.er through line from Chicago to St. Louis, and will doubtless be completed during the year 1904. Thus it will be seen that the county is well supplied with railroads, without the contemplated electric lines which will prob- ably be built within the next year or two. More than fifty trains daily now traverse the county transporting the freight and pas- sengers through this fertile region to its destination. These roads, scarcely more than in their infancy, now transport mil- lions of tons of freight and thousands of passengers annually. Over our prairies now ride the civilization and culture of the world. The future holds promises more wonderful than can be imagined. Our pro- ductive capacity has hardly been touched. Food and fuel— the two great essentials- will flow from our soil and mines as milk from the bosom (^f a generoUs mother. 134 PAST AND PRESENT Who can even imagine what is in store for this people in the future? Coal. One of the greatest inckistries of the coun- ty, second only to that of agriculture, while yet in the infancy of its development, is the mining of coal. It is certain that at a depth, of from three to eight hundred feet an im- mense vein of an excellent quality of bi- tuminous coal from six to eight feet in thickness stretches all over the nvn-e tha>i 720 square miles of this county. Only in about a dozen places has it been reached by digging, but suflicient has been done to demonstrate the truthfulness of the above statement. It is undoubtedly true that this count}' possesses enough coal to supply the entire United States with a cheap fuel for a period of time, were it found necessary to use it. Beneath the ground lies this munificent Init necessary commodity but it will be many years before much of this \'ir- gin fuel will ever be touched by miner's pick or drill. A vast, untold and almost unlimited field of power and wealth lies be- neath us while above grows that which will feed the men while they are digg-ing out this treasure. And as if nature had been most profuse in her gifts to this region, above these immense veins of coal is a rock cover- ing man}- feet in thickness, thus insuring to the laborer beneath the surface that protec- tion so much needed and desired by those who toil for this latent and almost limitless product, that was stored for the use of man when the earth was young. It is an ideal mining county and one which should always possess cheap fuel. All over the county there may be obtained water in abundance, so that the three essen- tials to a manufacturing center, viz., cheap fuel, abundant water and cheap food, are everywhere present, W^ith a large home consumption for our food, and an abundance of coal there is no reason why this should not become one of the great manufactur- ing counties of the west. But it was not always known that we possessed these great treasures. For years most of these lands were- thought to be untillable and the ex- istence of coal in any considerable quantity was unknown. It was not til the year 1882 or 1883 that this vast field of wealth was discovered. To lie sure, small veins not to exceed 22 inches in thickness had been known to exist on Coal creek in the southern part of the coun- ty. At White's Bank on section 34. town- ship II north, range i east, the largest vein was found and the coal was dug out by drifting into the hillside about thirty feet above the level of the creek. Another ten- inch seam was found near Greenwood's mill on the South Fork, but the coal w^as of poor quality. Near the North Fork mills, a 17- inch \ein was known to exist several feet below low water mark. But these evidences of coal w^ere incon- sequential and it w^as not until 1882 that the Pana Coal Company sunk a .shaft some- thing more than 700 feet deep, found a vein of coal from seven to eight feet thick, and in 1884 began taking out coal. Other mines followed in rapid succession. The second shaft of the Pana Coal Com- pany was sunk in 1887. The Penwell Coal Comi)any sunk a shaft in 1888 and began re- moving coal in 1889. The Springside Coal Company was started in 1889 and coal was removed in 1890. In Taylorville ihc meeting of the first stockholders to perfect the organization of a company was held on Monday, ]\Iarch i, 1886. W. \\\ Anderson was chosen presi- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ]35 dent of the directors, A. G. Barnes treas- urer and D. D. Shumway secretary. On May ii, 1886, a contract for l)oring- was let to S. A. Warner of Wadsworth, Ohio, to prospect for coal, but coal was not found till some time in 1887. On January 6, 1888, a contract was made with Mr. S. Ainsworth for sinking a shaft and the shaft was completed Ijefore the close of the year. Numerous other shafts have been sunk since that time. One was at Edinburg and was in opera- tion for several years, one in Assumption which furnishes a peculiarly valuable quality of coal and in 1900 the Christian County Coal Company in Taylorville, which works a large force of men. And still others are in course of construc- tion. A drill hole is being rapidly sunk near Clarksdale and a mine just outside the county, at Blue Mound, and still others are contemplated. From the mines in the county about 15,- 000 tons of coal contribute to the uses of man daily, and many mills and factories from all over the west pour forth their smoke, telling of this immense industry in Christian county that is yet in its infancy. From a beginning in Pana, when Mr. Julius Broehl sold the first carload of coal in 1884 and Ijut few men were employed, n(nv but little less than 3,000 men are kept busy and the output is transported by five or six trains of cars each day. And what of the future? Who can tell ? The amount to be produced is unlimited by any concep- tion of man. The ease with which it may be raised to 'the surface, the comparative safety of the location of the veins, the cheap- ness and the nearness of the food needed, the abundance and superior quality of the water, all proclaim this county as not only an agricultural center, as not only a mining center, but in the near future the place where many manufactories will be located l)ecause the raw products can be turned into wares for the uses of men cheaper here than elsewhere. The rich glimmerings of pros- perity now experienced are but the faint, polden orlow of the richer realizations that may be looked for in the future. Drainage. ' Back in the sixties and early seventies, if you will allow me to take you back that far in your imagination, you could have wit- nessed some very unusual sights, and not the least interesting of these would have com- prehended a view of the flat landscape, cov- ered literally with water, and in fact a "water-scape" if the term may be properly used. If you had happened upon the scene at a propitious moment, you could have seen George Waggoner with 16 yoke of oxen hitched to an enormous plow, one which would cut a furrow 24 inches wide and 16 inches deep — w-ith a crew of drivers and a few onlookers, slowly wending his way along the wettest and lowest places in these prairies, and this was the beginning of drainage in Christian County. Not less than twenty-five drainage districts were be- gun by George Waggoner back at this early date, and by the method described. Perhaps no other man in Central Illinois has been oftener in court during later years, to testi- fy to the beginning of these drainage enter- prises, than Mr. Waggoner, and he has a faculty of recalling vividly and minutely the details of the work done by him in these early days, recounting his experiences in a very interesting manner. Back in the early days of the settlement of this county, it was thought that most of the prairies were a waste, and not susceptible 13G PAST AND PRESENT of ever Ijeing utilized for agricultural pur- poses. Most of our sturdy pioneers settled along and in the timber, preferring to clear out the trees and brush rather than risk the perils of water, nioscjuitoes and malaria. \\ ilh the advent of more settlers from the east, it became necessary that the prairie lands should he invaded, and incident to the inllux of settlers came the beginning of drainage. Lands upon the prairie were cheap and abundant, a large amount thereof belonging to the Illinois Central Railroad Company, donated to it to induce it to con- struct a railroad through the flat prairie lands, thus connecting the prosperous and fertile country down about Cairo in Lower Egypt with the rolling prairies and prosper- ous communities about Freeport in North- ern Illinois. These lands were gladly disposed of to eastern and southern settlers, at from 50 cents to $2.50 per acre, and considered "good riddance" by the railroad company. Nothing was valuable except aw^ay down in "Egypt" and the high rolling lands of northern Illinois, and except also a few timber tracts about "Hell's Half-Acre," the "Bloody Island," and the white oak bearing timber lands along the South Fork and Flat Branch generally. This has all been changed now. The redeemed swamps are now selling for from $100 to $140 per acre, depending upon the class of improvements they have, while the good old timber lands are worth from $30 to $70 per acre. The real value of farm lands depends largely upon the character and quality of their soils, and their proper drainage de- pends very largely upon the character of subsoil. This is a subject which is of very great im]iortance, and is being investigated most thoroughly by an army of experts in the em- plf)y of the L\ S. r3epartment of Agricul- ture, who are collecting samples of soil from nearly every locality of the United States, for chemical analysis, reports of which can be secured free b)' those interested in the subject. Therefore, before entering more fully upon tlic subject of land drainage, it will not be amiss to glance at the origin of soils, although matters of a rather tech- nical nature are generally not very popu- lar. The earth revolves upon its axis in an el- liptical orbit, inclining 23^ degrees to the plane of the celestial equator, and which it crosses twice each year, being about the 2 1 St of March and September respectively, or the season of the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. These "crossings" are never at the same point, but retrogress about five- sixths of one minute westward each year, which, measured at the earth's equator, would be not quite one mile. Thus, vast earth changes running through a period of 25,868 years follow, and during which time each and every point in the earth's orbit has its perihelion and aphelion passage. Now, how does all this afTect the origin of soils, you may ask. Well, the eccentricity of the earth's orbit brings us 3,112,560 miles nearer the sun when the earth is at its peri- helion passage about December 21st, then when at its aphelion passage six months later. By the procession of the equinoxes the time presently comes when the perihe- lion passage of the earth comes at a time when the earth is 3,112,560 miles farther away from the sun than it was formerly in mid-winter ; then look out for a "cold snap." The hands of the geological clock will then point to the hour of universal winter. That such periods of time have come and gone and \\\\\ come again is proven in the "Book of Nature" if we but read the lx)ok aright, CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 137 and during- these earth-winters there have been in agTs past mountains of ice and snow covering all the country from the Ohio and Missouri rivers north in places, miles in depth. It scooped away the solid mountains of the north, ground and crushed them into minute particles, and covered the face of the upper Mississippi River valley with a man- tle of debris ranging from 20 to 200 feet in thickness, and interspersed with vege- table and animal remains, many of which are found every year in sinking wells in this locality. The very soil we have here owes its origin to the ice epoch, with such other forces as have been at work in nature modi- fied by the action of running or standing- water, when this sea of ice was again melt- ed, and covered our Hat prairie lands to perhaps 100 feet or more in depth at various places, and jjefore the drainage channels were eroded. The great lakes, holes and l)asins, and in many instances the stream valleys were gouged out by the plowing action of the ice in its resistless march southward durins: the ice age. The soils we have here are a result of the drift l)rought by the ice from the north- west, a soil good, black, rich and deep. Further east, and skirting the southeasterlv portion of this county, the ice l)rought its debris from the northeast or from Wiscon- sin, and the soil is of a different character and much less fertile, and in places inter- mingling with that l)rought from Iowa and the northwest. Other forces in nature have also operated to induence the composition of our soils, such as weathering, freezing, thawing, disintegrating, baking in the sun while wet, and redissolving again, mixine with vegetable litter, at such periods as when this part of the earth had eternal summer, and when vegetation flourished luxuriant- ly, for there have been more than one cycle of recurring changes, and more than one season of eternal cold. Thus, our soils are a result of an almost endless comminution and co-inixing of materials, derived from a number of different forces in nature. ^ At the end of the last ice invasion, the whole country was left with a mass of debris from 20 to 200 feet in depth, brought down by ice and water, and deposited ir- regularly over the earth's surface. Only the high points were, at first, dry land, such as Pope's Hill, Badger Mound, Blue Mound, Mt. Auburn, and a few others, the rest of the land gradually emerging as the waters cut drainage channels throughout the land, and receded therefrom. The highest point in Christian county is at Badger's Mound (near Rosemondj and is 750 feet above sea level. The lowest point upon the natural surface is near the northwest portion of the county, and it is 530 feet above sea level. Another point nearly ecpially as high as the "Badger Mound" is the West Blue Mound, in the northeasterly portion of the county. The general topography of the country largely determines its drainage, and thus we see the Mosquito creek entering the county about four miles north of 'the West Blue Mound and sluggishly winding its way in a westerly and northwesterly direction, un- til it empties into North Fork of the San- gamon river. The North Fork of the San- gamon river forms the northerly boundary of the county, and opposite Mt. Auburn makes a long detour to the nc^rth, influenced l)y the high land in that vicinity. In the vicinity of Rosemond, a small branch of the upper South Fork of the Sangamon river rises on either side of Badger Mound, unit- ing somewhat to the west thereof, and with many small tributaries running first wester- 138 PAST AND TRESENT ly and northwesterly until it strikes a high plateau of flat lands near the southwest por- tion of the county, then gracefully curving northeasterly until tlie junction with Flat Branch, then again deflecting westerly and southwesterly and finally after its confluence with Bear Creek going northerly and north- westerly to its junction with the North Fork and thence forming the Sangamon river. Many smaller trihutaries. all with a general northerly, westerly or northwesterly course traverse the county. Where the streams flow westerly the drainage areas upon the north side are usually not very w^ide, while that upon the south side comes from quite a distance. This is again a result of the morraines thrown down hy melting ice, causing a ridge of sandy and gravelly soil, mostly overlaid with a sheet or black or Sangamon soil as it is technically termed. Such a ridge starts a little southwest of Taylorville and is followed, in the main, by the A\^abash railroad up to and beyond Boody. keeping S(omewhat to the north thereof in the vicinity of Stonington, and this slight ridge is the divde or water shed of this portion of the county. Another example of a ridge of like char- acter is that of the divide between Mosquito creek and the North Fork of the Sangamon river passing through Mt. Auburn. Many other examples might be named. As stated near the beginning of this ar- ticle, most of the earlier systems of drain- age upon the flat lands were started by plowing a furrow or a double furrow^ along the line of sloughs and low lands. Later these were improved generally, by mutual co-operation, using teams and scrapers for the work at such extreme dry seasons as were now and then available for doing the work. j\s the lands became more in de- mand, and consequently more valuable, other methods of construction were used, and organization of drainage districts em- ployed. One of the earlier districts formed in the county was that of Taylorville No. I, leading from near the paper mill, north- erly and crossing the north lane about 2/2 miles north of the city of Taylorville. The w^ork of construction was begun in July, 1882, and was finally completed in the au- tumn of 1883. The cost of the improve- ment was about $3.00 per acre for the lands involved, and was considered a very great price to pay for drainage. Many other re- deepenings and recleanings have been done upon this system of ditches since then, and no doubt the ditches have repaid their total cost a hundred fold. About the same time, 1882 and 1883, there were three drainage districts started in Stonington township, and after much opposition were completed in 1884. There was at time, as now, consid- erable opposition to these drainage districts and the subject generally misunderstood, and after prolonged litigation it was finally settled by the Supreme Court by a decision in favor of the drainage districts. The way was then well opened for this class of w^ork. Following almost immediately upon the completion of these three districts were or- sranized the Lake Fork District, north of Pana. another district in Stonington town- ship, three others in South Fork township and many other ditches constructed by mu- tual arrangement of the parties interested. Most of the improvements made up to 1888 was by deepening and enlarging the George Waggoner plow ditches and the cost to the interested lands ranged from $1.00 to $5.00 per acre. Not many really perfect jobs of ditching had yet been done. The ditches were through very flat lands, could not be given good gradients or great depth, and consequently filled up with deposits CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 139 more or less and had to he frequently re- paired and recleaned. The farmer land qwn- ers were nearly all yet in debt upon their lands, and felt that they could not well af- ford to pay out enormous sums of money for ditch construction, and the systems of drainage were generally a compromise be- tween perfect plans for drainage on the one hand, and dollars cost upon the other, and were not always, and in fact were rarely what they should hax'c been, in size, dejith or capacity. Of later years, as the lands have advanced in value, the improvements in the way of drainage have become of a more permanent character. Five miles of large dredge-boat ditches were constructed in Stonington and Buckhart townships ; ten miles of dredge- ditch work was done in the Hog Lake, in the easterly portion of Ricks township. Seven miles of large ditches were construct- ed in the South D'Arcy lands in King Township with a dredge-boat ; and eleven miles of large open drains in northerly King township; also seven miles of ditch recon- structed by a dredge in the upper "Big George" creek through portions of Assump- tion and Pana townships ; the aggregate of dredge ditches in the county being about 40 miles, costing on the average $2,500 per mile, or in all about $100,000. The open ditches constructed by teams and scrapers in the various drainage dis- tricts aggregate 235 miles. Those con- structed by mutual cooperation number more than 100 miles, not taking into ac- count those constructed for lateral drain- age upon the lands, privately, which num- ber into the thousands, and probably com- prise over 4.000 miles more of open ditches. Thus it will be seen that the sum total spent for drainage has, in fact, been enormous, and it was, generally, well expended. During more recent years, the demand has been for better drainage and works of a more permanent character. Thus the plan of under-drainage by tiles has now come into general use. Pipes of clay, moulded like brick, and afterward dried and burned are now generally employed. The subsoil of all these flat prairie lands is of a porous texture, being covered upon the surface, and from two to four feet in depth, with a black, decomposed vegetable soil, the underlying subsoil being of a "joint clay" whose com- position is such that it is permeated with numerous partings or seams, and has a cuboidal fracture, which admits water easily into the seams, and is an ideal subsoil for the employment of under-drains. Other sections of Illinois have not always the proper character of subsoil to admit of good under-drainage, but with few exceptions, where the Wisconsin drift has left a mantle of white tile, invading our precincts from the northeast, we have an excellent top soil, fertile and inexhaustible, and underlaid with an excellent "joint clay" subsoil. It is par- ticularly notable that such character of sub- soil is an almost universal accompaniment of the low, flat prairie lands of this county. Without going too minutely into details, the first tile drains laid in the county were in about 1878, being then employed where the gradients were, without question, excel- lent, and looked upon with a degree of sus- picion, until time had demonstrated their ef- fectiveness. With constant experimenting and a general advance of enlightenment the work of under-drainage has gone on until now the demands for drain tile are such that we have ten tile factories in the county, mostly engaged constantly in the manufac- ture of drain-tile, and besides, buy outside and ship in upon the average 600 carloads every year. The earlier open ditches are, in uo PAST AND PRESENT many instances, being reconstructed, using large tile, going farther down stream where necessary to secure greater fall, and laying the tiles in the hed of the former open ditches. A notable example of this sort of recent construction is to be found north of Stonington, where a drain-tile 28 inches in- side diameter, so large that a .small-sized man can crawl into, turn ril)out and come l>ack from the same, was laid from the Buck- hart creek northeasterly a distance of one and seven-eighths miles, at a cost of over $7,000. This system of drainage continues for .some four and one-half miles further, the tiles decreasing in size as the principal laterals enter the same, and comprises in all over fourteen miles of tile drains, all the costs having been borne by funds derived from special assessments of the lands inter- ested, at a total cost of about $14,000 and embracing 2,790 acres of land. The lateral drainage tributary to this includes more than 25 miles of smaller tile drains. The v.'ork and materials cost some of the land holders more than $8.00 per acre for this improve- ment alone, they having previously contrib- uted more than $5.00 per acre for the orig- inal open drain. The land owners, some twenty-five in number, are all satisfied with the results obtained, and express their ap- proval of completing a system of drainage which, being properly done, is done for all time, and requires no expenditure constantly to maintain the .same. In like manner a very great number of drainage districts have empkned tile for perfect drainage. One of the earliest districts to u.se tile al- most exclusively w-as Locust and May Union Drainage District No. i. 'Scjuire Mink. C. A. Stattner and others w'cre among the liromoters. and after excavating an open ditch for about one-half mile, the rest of the drainage was effected by means of tiles. using an 18-inch and 14-inch tile for a dou- ble outlet. It comprises 12 miles of tiles of various sizes, whose outlet is upon the lands of Lee Bradley in section i of Locust township, thence northerly and northwester- ly in an open ditch to the middle fork of Brusli}- Branch. Tlie district comprises 3,390 acres of what were formerly very wet lan.ds ; has miles of lateral tiles throughout the \arious farms, laid in a regular net- work, cost about $4.50 per acre upon an av- erage for all the lands, has cost compara- tively little to maintain the system, and that mostly for extensions, and has given gen- eral satisfaction to the interested land own- ers. The benefits, in the way of reclama- tion of swamp lands, amount to thousands of dollars and at least tenfold its cost. These are but examples of what has been done in the way of drainage. To enter into the details fully would require more time and space than are at my command. The importance of the subject of drainage and its ])ractical application in our county in suffi- cient to justify volumes being written, and its results are greater, broader, deeper and more far reaching than would at first glance be appreciated. It has made fertile fields and farms out of watery wastes. It has transformed a wilderness of slough grasses and rushes into smiling fields of corn and happy homes. Its financial results may be summed up in millions of dollars benefits to Christian county, in increased productive- ness of thousands of acres of lands, other thousands of acres absolutely redeemed from ])rairie swam])s and miasmatic pools and lakes. More than half the lands of the county were practically worthless, and one- fourth, at least, were valueless, before it was ascertained that drainage of these wastes could be accomplished. With even the first crude drainage systems, came en- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Ul hanced values, dou1)lc producing capacity, and a oeneral betterment of health. With further and more perfect systems of drain- age, has come still greater land values. l)et- ter roads, and very greatly improved gen- eral appearance of the farms from elimina- tion of the small and o.ften irregular waste ])atches of swamps. By drainage the natur- al habitation of the mosquito has been de- stroyed. The mosquito, it has been shown by Dr. O. L. Howard, an eminent expert in disease germs, is the harbinger and trans- mitter of the malaria germ, and the drain- age of the stagnant ponds has decreased by manv millions the numbers of these insect ])ests, to say nothing" of dispensing with the obnoxious and poisonous odors which for- merly emanated therefrom. There are 63 regularly organized drain- age districts in Christian county, distributed among the various towns as follows : As- sumption, 8 ; Buckhart, 4 ; Greenwood, i ; King, 6 ; Locust, 3 ; May, 4 ; Mosquito, 4 ; Pana, 4 ; Prairieton, i ; Ricks, 6 ; Rosemond, 3 ; Stonington, 9 ; South Fork, 3 ; and Tay- lorville, 7. Some of these are counted twice, as they include lands frequently lying within por- tions of two or more towns. The towns of Bear Creek, Johnson and Mt. Auburn only have no such regular organizations, but have each done a great deal in the way of drainage improvement, either by mutual agreement of the land owners or by indi- vidual effort. The latter remark also ap- plies to each of the other towns, there hav- ing been very many of even rather compli- cated systems of drainage effected without organization under the law. The time is not long past when many honest men looked upon the tile-draining question with sus- picion. They affirmed that the great amount of drainage work done was the direct cause of drouth, and during seasons of great pre- cipitation il was the great promoter of flood conditions in the main streams of the coun- try. There is some truth in the theory that better drainage facilities have accentuated the flood conditions, but what matter if the rixers rise an inch or two or even a foot or two higher than formerly? The sooner come the sooner gone, and the floods do not now continue so long as formerly, even if they become higher. The 20th century fanner is a man who will use any means within his power to "make two blades of grass grow where only one grew before," regardless of what were the opinions of his forefathers, and the great and constantly increasing demand for drain-tile tells the story more forcibly than words can express. Experience in all affairs of life is the final test, and now that we have the experience of hundreds of our best citizens, farmers, land-owners and capitalists who have tested thoroughly the various methods of drainage, who have w^atched its effects upon the soil and crops, and who pronounce uneciuivo- cally in favor of thorough under-drainage, the question would seem to be certainly set- tled. What are the real tangible benefits of drainage? Briefly told, upon well drained lands, those with deep drains, or where un- der-drained by tiles, dry out earlier l)y days, and in some instances by weeks, than those which are not drained, thus enabling their proprietors to get out early crops at the proper season, and this of itself often means a great advantage; then where one rain is followed by another at intervals of a few days, the under-drained lands are dry with- in a very short time so that farming opera- tions can proceed at the proper times, and with less loss of time. Again, where any 142 PAST AND PRESENT kind of fertilizer is used, with nnder-drain- age and not surface drainage, all the plant- producing food is absorbed by the soil, and used for vegetable growth. yVnother l)enefit derived from under- drainage is that crops grown upon drained land, such as described, by reason of earlier seeding, better conditions of soil and other adxantages, are matured earlier in the fall, and out of the way of early frosts, which during many seasons means a very great loss to crops upon lands not under-drained. P)y being under-drained, the soil becomes warmer by admission of air through the soil pores, which upon undrained lands are filled with water during the early season, and the warmth with just sufficient moisture and not too much is most conducive to plant- growth. Crops upon such lands grow with- out intermission, and if a dry season comes are hardier and ranker, shade the ground better, thus conserving such moisture as is available from dew\s or slight show^ers dur- ing periods of drouth. Then, to sum up the benefits of tile-drainage, they are as fol- lows : It renders the soil open and porous, makes it absorptive, thus retaining the nu- tritive elements, gives a circulation of air through it, thus increasing the temperature and depth of the available soil, and makes it a fit home for the roots of all plants, and last but not least, renders the land more accessil)le for going about upon, and more sightly to the view. I cannot say anything more appropriate in closing this article than to quote a poem, entitled "The Tile Drain's Soliloquy" by Clayton Melville, and published some years ago in TJic Dnmuigc Journal, w'ith apolo- gies to Hamlet. "Here I am resting, In (|uiet and peace, At last. ^'es, and doing more good Lying still in the ground, Sa)ing nothing, Than in all my existence P)efore. I'm fragmentary, 'tis true, 1 hit not broken ; Made up of joints of burnt clay Called tiles; Yet I am one Drain. ]'\e been talked alx)ut In the papers, And at conventions; Aye, even roasted. But care I for that, do you think? Not I. Why should I? I'm faithfully doing my duty. With no one to hinder Or help me ; I'm content. 'Still w^aters run deep,' Yes. just four feet, In this bit of soil Where I am. Do they think of me now. At the factory, I wonder? WHiere the man with the patent Kiln Made it hot for me, l^humped me soundly. And said, 'That's a good tile — Has the right ring And color, Etc' Does he care for me now ? I guess not. He's selling kilns, And I— Am draining land. And making my ow^ier richer Each year. r\-c found my work. And am going to Stick to it. I suppose some men Still talk about me CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 143 As they always have talked And say I cause drouths. And floods in the Ohio valley, And elsewhere, Of course ! \u)Y nothing of that kind occurred Before I got in My work. Oh, no! But they'll understand What I'm doing- Sometime. I'm a Twentieth Century drain, And am doing business According to lately Revised laws of Soil physics ! And getting along all right, Too. The tile-makers likewise. Time once saw me proud, With few friends, and Choice, But now, many Know me. And speak well of me. One is always well spoken of After he's buried, I know, But it's true, with me. That I do more good Under the ground than Above. Far more." Conclusion, A review of this short, though imperfect, history of Christian county will doubtless impress the reader that from a small be- ginning Christian county has rapidly ad- vanced, and is now entitled to be classed among the leading and best counties of the state of Illinois ; her system of drainage has rapidly developed the agricultural condition of the county, improved the health and the roads. Today the farmers are, as a rule, en- entirely out of debt ; most of them have more or less money in the bank; almost every farmer has his carriage or buggy, a spare team with which he can take the wife and the daughter to church or town with ease and comfort ; most of the farmers are blessed with good comfortable homes ; most of them have good sheds for the shelter of the stock; nearly all of the horses, cattle, hogs and sheep raised in the county are of a high order or class, from which the pur- chaser realizes the greatest possible profit. The farms are cultivated by the best im- proved machinery, and the farmer of today can do more work, raise more grain, than three farmers of a few years ago. Everything used by the farmer tends to- ward economy in time and the employment of labor-saving machinery, all of wdiich when properly cared for and used economi- cally tends to better the condition of the country ; also the tenantry of Christian coun- ty have good comfortable houses to live in, and comfortable barns for their stock, and th(y too are able, as a rule, to have their se] arate teams and buggies to give their families more pleasure. Merchants and business men of the coun- ty enjoy large and profitable trade ; many of them have grown wealthy at the county, and many of the older merchants have retired and given place to younger men; today you an article of merchandise as can be obtained ca) purchase in Christian county as good in the great cites of St. Louis or Chicago. The merchants of the cities and villages of Christian county have as fine a display of goods, as large a stock on. hand as will be seen in any county or city outside of the larger class of cities. Nearly all of the cities and villages of the county have their streets lighted by electricity, using the most im- proved lights ; modes of conveyance by elec- tricity arc being projected for the benefit of the different localities of the county. The 144 PAST AND PRESENT cities have an excellent class of bnildings for business pin-poses, and. all over the county in every city, village and on almost every farm, can he found many beautiful homes with the most modern improvements therein: where but a few years ago the wealthiest men of the county had but a few thousand dollars, today there are hundreds of men worth more than $100,000 and thou- sands of men worth from $15,000 to $50.- 000 each ; this wealth has not been the re- sult of speculation or of a sudden accumu- lation, but has been produced by a steady and effectixe growth which was brought about bv bountiful crops and the development of the interests and natural resources of the county, which lias produced wealth for the cofifers of many of the inhabitants. The larijer cities of the countv have two and three banks, and in nearly every town and village in the county there is a bank located, yet all of these banks are today overfiowinu" with monev, have more than they can use, more than they can loan, and it has all been accumulated l)y a deposit of the surplus money of their i)atrons. Chris- tian county has grown rapidly in population and today it has a population of nearly forty thousand souls. The health is good, business of every kind and character in the county is apparently prosperous ; the people are law-abidin.g, and w bile we have friction, some misunderstand- ings, and. as some people say, many law- suits, yet it must l)e remembered that the business of the courts dei)ends largely upon the business transacted in the county; a per cent of the business can be reckoned as re- sulting in litigation and this ])er cent wnll l)roduce a greater amount of litigation where much Imsiness is done than where a small amount is transacted. Christian county indeed has a record of which its people can be proud, its people are proud of it; and every inhabitant of Chris- tian county is as bold to say that he be- longs to Christian county as the old Roman was to say that "T am a Roman," and while many of our people have from time to time sought other communities to better their condition, very many of that number have returned to Christian, and say that they have not been able to find any country or community better to live in than Christian county. While it may not be very judicious for us to be "praising our own wares," yet as this l)Ook is intended more particularly for circulation in Christian county, and as its patrons are residents here, there can be nothing improper in confidentially saying to one another that we have one of the best counties on God's green earth. J. C. McBride. I. C. McBRlDE BIOGRAPHICAL. J. C. McBRlDE. The profession of law is one to which many aspire, hnt in which few succeed to any remarkal)le degree. The snhject of this sketch is one of the few who have won suc- cess, and he is now^ recognized as one of the best attorneys in central Illinois and is the dean of the Christian county 1)ar. Taylor- ville has l)een his home for a third of a cen- tury and no man wiihin its l)orders is bet- ter known or has a ^^ ider circle of friends and acquaintances. The McBride family is of Scotch ances- try, the great-g-reat-grandfather of our sub- ject coming to this country at a very early day. General James McBride, one of his ancestors, was contemporary with Daniel Boone in Kentucky, and Grimshaw, in his "Historic Days," says "General McBride antedates Daniel Boone." Thomas W. Mc- Bride, the father of our subject, however, was born in Tennessee. He married Mar- gery A. H. Wiggins, a native of Kentucky, from which state they emigrated at an early day, locating in Macoupin county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming and stock- raising, becoming one of the leading citizens of the county. They reared a family of eight children, four boys and four girls, of whom five are yet living, James C. being the only one living in Christian county. James C. McBride was born on his fath- er's farm near Palmyra, Macoupin county, Illinois, July i6, 1845, ^"^1 in the public schools of the neighborhood received his pri- mary education. 1-ater he attended for a time the Quaker College, at Richmond, In- diana, after which he entered Lincoln Uni- versity, at Lincoln, Illinois, from which in- stitution he graduated in the class of 1869 with the degree of B. S. In his boyhood and youth, Mr. McBride assisted in the cultivation of the home farm, but after graduating from the university he taught school in the neighborhood of his father's home for oi^.e term. While teach- ing he took up the study of law, and after the expiration of the term in which he was employed as a teacher, he entered the office of Judge W. R. Welch, of Carlinville, Illinois, and continued his studies for about one year, when he was admitted to the bar, being the first one admitted after the eleva- tion of Judge H. M. Vandeveer to the cir- cuit bench. In the spring of 1871 Mr. McBride took up his residence in Taylorville and at once commenced the practice of his profession. Like young attorneys generally, he had at first a hard time to get along, clients being a little averse to giving their patronage to those untried, but by and by they began to come in, and now for more tl;an twenty years he has stood at the head of the bar, and few cases of any great importance tried in the courts of Christian county but found him retained on one side or the other. Law with him has been a study, a profession, and 148 PAST ANU PRESENT to ihal i^rofession he has j4ivcn the greater part of his Hfe and energy. There has never heen any incentive placed before him to make him swerve from his chosen work. aUhough he has l^een associated in some outside busi- ness enterprises, but in nothing that would take too much of his time to the neglect of the law. L'ntil tlie admission of his son to a partnership v^'ith him he had always prac- ticed alone, except for a period of about three years, and his prominence has been se- cured by his own merits and not from the borniwed light of others. In 1898 he gave his son an interest in his practice, since which time the f^rm of J. C. & \\\ B. Mc- Bride lias been in existence and has won the greatest prouiinence at the Christian county bar. But not alone at the l)ar (^f his adopted county, but in the supreme court of his state and in the federal courts of the nation has he been prominently identified. • For manv years Mr. McBride was iden- tified with the Taylorville Coal Company, and for some years acted as president of the corporation, liut in 1896 disposed of his in- terest. He has also been a stockholder and director in the First National Bank of Tay- lorville for many years. With five other gentlemen he is a large landowner in Missis- si])pi, in one of the most productive parts of the great cotton belt. He has also ac- (|nirc'd by his own efforts sexeral hundred acres of \'ery productive land in Christian count}'. On the 17th of May, 1871, Mr. McBride was united in marriage with Miss Mattie Wheeler, of Lincoln. Illinois, daughter of Aaron and Almira Wheeler, of that city. She has Ijeen truly a heliimeet to him and encouraged and assisted him in all his un- dertakings. They became accjuainted wdiilc they were students in the Lincoln Uni- versitv. Their union has been an exceed- ingly ha])py one, and four children came to bless it Willis B., now tlie partner of his father, married Miss Rose Schultz, and they have one child. Katherine. He is a graduate of the Ada. Ohio, University, and has a bright fntm-e before him. Horace is now a resident of Carlinville, Illinois, and is manager of the Shale Brick & Tile Works. He married Miss Belle Wheeler, and they have one child, Clarabel. Elma is the wife of Adelbert Buckley and is the mother of one child, Helen Elizabeth. He is a busi- ness man in Tayloi-ville. Marcel-la is at home with her parents. Li politics Mr. McBride espouses the princii)les of the Democracy, and is a fear- less advocate of them upon the stump. He has never aspired to. nor would he accept public office outside the line of his profes- sion, preferring to give his time to his busi- ness affairs. As a delegate he has been in many conventions and was one of the Bli- nois delegation to the national Democratic con\entiou at Kansas City in 1900. As . city attorney, he served several years with satisfaction to the citizens of liis adopted citv. Pie also served as master in chancery for two years and some years ago was nom- inated by his party for circuit judge but was gerrymandered out. iM-aternally Mr. McBride is a member of Mound Lodge. No. 122, A. F. & A. M., of Taylcjrville; of 1'aylorville Chapter. No. 102. R. A. M., and of Elwood Command- erv. No. 6, K. T., of Springfield. He is now past master of the blue lodge. For manv years he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in i(;(X) he received a veteran jewel for hav- ing been a member in good standing for twenty-five years. Mr. McBride stands deservedly high among the legal fraternity, his ability being CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. j49 recognized by all. He is the peer of any man at the bar in central Illinois, and the ability of the members of that bar is un- qnestioned. He is able, painstaking and conscientious in his wcM'k, and to secure him as an advocate the man is indeed fortunate. He has many warm friends, and it is pos- sible some enemies, as what man has not that possesses any force of character. As a citizen he is ever ready to assist in any and every thing that will tend to the ad- vancement of his adopted city and county, and evidence of that interest is shown on every hand. J. N. C. SHUMWAY. One of the most prominent and influential citizens of Taylorville is J. N. C. Shumway, who has been and is actively connected with its business affairs. He belongs to that class of representative men who while ]3romoting individual interests also advance the gen- eral welfare. Energetic and progressive in business life he has at the same time been active in public interests and has represented his district in the state senate. He is now the secretary of the Taylorville Savings & Loan Association, of which he was the organizer and of which he has been secretary from the beginning. In 1889 he was made secre- tary and manager of the Taylorville Electric Light Company, which office he still fills and he was one of the original directors of the First National Bank, with which he is still associated. Mr. Shumway was born in Christian county on the 28th of September, 1850, his parents being D. D. and Emily R. (Roun- tree) Shumway, a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this volume. He acquired his education in the schools of Taylorville and afterward spent four years as a student in the United Presbyterian Col- lege of Iowa. When nineteen years of age he went to Nebraska in company with his sister and brother-in-law, who journeyed in a covered wagon, while Mr. Shumway drove a sulky. They were five weeks upon the • road but ultimately reached their destination and our subject assisted in improving his brother-in-law's land there. At a later date he returned to Taylorville, where he re- mained up to the time of his father's death in 1870. He then went to Lincoln, Nebras- ka, and opened the first exclusive carpet store in that city. He spent three years there and afterward went to South America, but in January, 1875, he again came to Taylor- villle, where he took up the study of law un- der the direction of W. M. Provine, with whom he remained two years. For a sim- ilar period his reading was directed by J. G. Drennan, but because of ill health he was obliged to abandon the law and with Mr. Drennan engaged in the real estate and other business interests. In the year 1877 he was elected justice of the peace, which position he filled for twelve years, during which time he tried between five and six thousand cases. His rulings were strictly fair and impar- tial and his official career was one which gained him the high commendation of the public. In 1884 he organized the Taylor- ville Savings, Loan & Building Association, of which he has since been secretary. This company has been largely instrumental in improving the city, many houses having been erected through the assistance gained from the organization. In 1889 Mr. Shumway became secretary and manager of the Tay- lorville Electric Light Company and still acts in that capacity. He has also been one of the directors of the First National Bank since its organization. He has been engaged 10 150 FAST AND PRESENT ill llie real estate ami insurance business in Tayloi-\ille fnr tlie past twenty-six years. In February, i!^//. occurred tlie marriage of Mr. Sliuniway and Miss Filly Rotlicbild, of Salem, Illinois. Fnto tlieni liave been born two daugbters: Nemniie 1\., tbe elder, at bome : and (Iene\ie\e (I., wbo is now at- tending tbe b^irest Park LIniversity at St. Louis, Missouri. Fi bis social relations Mr. Sbumway is a Mason, bis membersbi]) being witli tbe lodge in Fincoln, Nebraska. Fie is also connected witb tbe Knigbts of Fytbias fraternity and witb tbe Red Men at Taylorville. In poli- tics be is an earnest Deiuocrat and in i89ught one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 16, Prairieton town- ship, where he now lives and began the im- provement of the property, carrying on the work of cultivation until he has to-day a very fine farm. The fields are rich and productive and yield a golden tribute to the owner for the care and labor he bestows 152 PAST AND PRESENT upon them. He has tiled his laiul, huilt fences, divicHng the place into fields of con- venient size and carried forward his work in a most progressive manner, resulting in making him one of the leading agricultur- ists of the township. In 1888 Mr. Peabody was united in mar- riage to Miss Dora Oliver, a daughter of Michael Oliver, a native of West Virginia. Unto our subject antl his wife have been born nine children, but only two are now^ living. Grace and Verna. Mr. Peabody gives his political support to the men and measures of the Democracy, and is now serving as supervisor of Prairieton town- ship. For one year he was tax collector in his township and in all public positions of trust and responsibility he has l)een most faithful, prompt and accurate in the dis- charge of his duties. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America. HENRY DAVIS. The present generation owes a debt of gratitude to the pioneers of the Prairie state that can never be repaid. The trials and hardships endured by them to make the state what it is to-day. one of the foremost in all the Union, cannot be realized by those enjoying the present comforts of an ad- vanced civilization. Henry Davis was a pioneer of Sangamon and Christian counties, one who, in early life, knew^ nothing of present day comforts, and who. in his lx)yhood and youth, never dreamed that there was much else in this life but hard work and a struggle for existence. He was born wdthin six miles of Nashville, Tennessee, April 24. 181 7, and when three years of age came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Davis, to Sangamon county, Illinois, the family locating on a farm near Mechanicsburg. Here he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the old log school- house so often pictured by the old pioneer in relating his life's struggles to his chil- dren and grandchildren, but from whose doors went forth some of the grandest men that ever walked the earth, and whose names are written high on the roll of fame. Mechanicsburg and Mount Auburn town- ships, within who.se boundaries the greater part of the life of Henry Davis was passed, was not, in that early day the highly cul- tivated, the prosperous section now known, but was covered in greater jiart by a heavy growth of timber that had to be cleared away that in its place might be planted the corn and sown the wheat that has made Illinois famous throughout the whole civil- ized world. In that work the toyhood, youth and early manhood of our subject were passed, and those that were personally acquainted with him know how well he ap- plied himself to the work and with what re- sults. At the age of twenty-three years, on the 29th of May, 1840. he was united in marriage with Caroline Kipper, a native of Lexing^ton, Kentucky, by her husband. She was a charitable woman, a devout worker in the Christian church, and was imbued with all the characteristics of a noble woman. In his political views Henry Davis was a stanch Democrat, and he was not only a life-long friend of Stqjhen A. Douglas, but was also an intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln, Judge Logan, Milton Hay, Ninian Edwards and other prominent men of Illi- nois. As a citizen he was ever ready to discharge any duty devolving upon him, and while advancing his own interests he also materially aided in ])romoting the general welfare of the community in which he lived. Ilis death removed a strong, cf^mmanding, unifpie figure from life, but while he has "jiassed on before" his memory will be held in lasting" remembrance bv those who knew him best, and his life is well worth emulat- ing. W. W. MORRISON. One of the most highly esteemed and hon- ored citizens of Pana is the gentleman whose name introduces this review. He was born on the 8th of A])ril, 1835, in Concord, New Hampshire, of which .state his parents, Will- iam and Roxana (Wilson) Morrison, were also natives. By occupation the father was a farmer. In 1838 he brought his family to Illinois, making the journey in a covered wagon and located in the western part of Pike county, where he built a home on the prairie and converted a wild tract of land into a good farm. At that time there were many wolves and deer in this part of the country, while prairie chickens and other feathered game was very numerous. In those early days Mr. Morri.son tcxjk a very active and jjrominent part in public affairs and served as supervisor of the county for about twenty-five years. He was lx:)rn in 1799 and died at the age of eighty years, and his wife, who was born in 1800, passed away in 1875. 1'hey were most estimable people ISO PAST AND PRESENT and were liighly respected by all wiio knew them. Of their seven children only our subject and his older sister, Mrs. Mary lane Corey, of Bay lis. Pike county, are now living". W. W. Morrison was only three years old on the removal of the family to this state and amid pioneer scenes he grew to man- hood upon the home farm, being educated in the public schools of Pike county. His earlv training well fitted him for teaching and he successfully engaged in that pursuit for several vcars. devoting his time and en- ergies to that occupation through the win- ter months, while he followed farming dur- ing the summer season. Vnv two winters he drove three and a half miles to and from school each day. On South Prairie, Pike cc^unty. Mr. Mor- ris(Mi was married February 9, 1859, to Miss Eleanor ]\Iegaw. a daughter of James and Elizabeth Megaw. She was born in Harri- son county, Ohi(\ October 18, 1835, and was there reared and educated. By her marriage she became the nuither of two children but George F. died at the age of eleven months and Mary Elizalieth died of consumption at the age of sixteen vears after a lingering ill- ness. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison began their mar- ried life upon a farm in Pike county, where thev remained until 1865, when they came to Christian county and located three miles north of Rosemond. Vov ten years our sub- ject continued to engage in agricultural pur- suits but in March. 1875, took up his resi- dence in Pana, where he engaged in the grocerv business for two years. He then sold out and took his family to Wisconsin with the hope of benefiting his daughter's health. He did all in his power to prolong her life, employing the best medical skill and trying different climates, but all to no avail and she finally passed away in her sixteenth vear, leaving a vacancy in the home which never can be filled. Mr. Morrison still re- sides in Pana. where he owns property .and where he is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of former toil. He still has a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Rosa- mond township, ruiother of two hundred seven and a half acres in Tana township, and a third of two hundred and forty acres in Fayette county, Illinois, lie has a nice mod- ern residence at the corner of INIaple and East Second streets, Pana. W'hile living in Pike countv, Mr. Morri- son served as town clerk for several years but has never sought political honors. Both he and his wife are prominent and influential members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take a very active part in its work. ]\Ir. Morrison was secretary and treasurer of the building committee at the time the new house of worship was erected in Pana and is now chairman of the board of trustees and super- intendent of the Sunday-school, He has filled the latter office many years, being su- ])erintendent of the Sunday-school at Rose- mond and a member of the building com- mittee at that place while living in that local- ity. He is also greatly interested in mis- sionary work and does all in his power to ])romote the moral and social welfare of his community. Both he and his wife greatly enjoy the company of young people and are loved and respected alike l)y old and young, rich and poor. BENJAMIN H. HAILEY. For a third of a century Benjamin H. Hailey has been numl)ered among the pro- gressive and energetic citizens of Christian countv and is at present successfully en- gaged in the grocery business at Palmer. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 57 Following in the for>tstcps of his father, who was a soUHcr fjf the I>lack flawk war, he fought for over three years in the Rebel- lion, partiripating in some imjjortant en- gagements. In years of pe^ice, no less than in lhr)se of war, he has bravely performed his duty and is justly entitled to a place on the nation's roll of honor. A native of Illinois, Mr. Hailey was born in Sangamon county, January 9, 1841, and is a son of Thomas J. and Melvenia M. THiggins) Hailey. His paternal grand- father was Edmund Hailey, who spent his entire life in Virginia and died at the age of seventy-six years. He was twice mar- ried and was a soldier of the war of 18 12. William Higgins, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was also a native of Vir- ginia and was twice married, becoming the father of eighteen children. In 183 1 he came to Illinois and died in Sangamrm county at the age of seventy-five years. 1 i e served in Anthony Wayne's campaign. Thomas J. Hailey, our subject's father, was born in the Old Dominion and during boyhood removed to Tennessee with the family of the man to whom he was appren- ticefl to learn the carpenters' trade, which he followed in early life. In 1830 he be- came a resident of Sangamon county, Illi- nois, and assisted in putting on the first shingle roof in Springfield. He took part in the first Black Hawk campaign in 1832. In 187 1 he came to Christian county and made his home in Palmer until called to his final rest in 1887 when nearly eighty-two years of age. He first married Miss Nar- cissa Moore, by whom he had two children but only r,ne is now living — Mrs. Emeline E. Thomas, who is now a widow. For his second wife Mr. Hailey married Miss Mel- venia Higgins, who died in 1885, at the age of sixty-eight years. The two children born of this union were our subject and his brother Edward, who died in 1864 shortly after Ix^ing discharged from the army on ac- count of disease contracted in the service, lie was a member of Company A, Third Illinois Cavalry. During his brn'hood and youth Benjamin IT. Hailey lived on a farm in Sangamon county six miles from Springfield. When the country l)€came involved in civil war he offererl his services to the government, and at the age of twenty years enlisted in Com- ])any A, Third Illinois Cavalry, with which he served for three years and fourteen days, taking part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Cham- pion Hills, Black River Bridge, the sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, and in over forty skirmishes. For thirteen successive days he was engaged in the skirmishes of Green's cavalry. Fortunately he was never injured or confined in the hospital but has always been extremely healthy and .strong and never apjjlied for a pension. He was mustered out as quartermaster sergeant. Returning to his home in Sangamon county, Mr. Hailey engagefl in farming for one year and then, feeling the need of a better education to qualify himself for his future life work, he attended the Illinois State University at Springfield for three terms and also took a commercial course at Bryant & Stratton Business College of that city. Forming a partnership with George E. Stake, he opened a general .store at Cot- ton Hill and was afterward appointed post- master, serving in that capacity for a year and a half. In 1869 the busine.ss was re- moved to Palmer and alx)ut two years later Mr. Hailey Ixjught his partner's intere.st and has since continued in business alone, with exception of a year and a half during the panic of 1873. He soon surmounted all dif- 158 PAST AND PRESENT ficulties, however, and is to-day enjoying an excellent trade. On the 29th of June. 1871. Mr. Hailey married Miss Mary E. Wood, a native of Ohio and a daughter of George and Sarah (Hodge) Wood, of Blue Mound, Illinois. Her father is a native of Virginia, while her mother claims Ohio as her birthplace. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hailev, two, Frances E. and Elenora E., died in infancy. Those still living are Lil- lian C, wife of Ed H. Shake, of Spring- field; Stella May, wife of J. H. Hill, of this county: and Cora E., deceased, who was killed in a runaway in September, 1895. Air. Hailey is an honored member of Wil- liam A. Higgins Post, No. 400, G. A. R., and served as its commander for seven years. By his ballot he supports the Repub- lican party and its principles and his fellow- citizens recognizing his worth and ability have called upon him to fill several import- ant ofificial positions. He was town clerk for two years and president of the village toard at one time. For four years during Har- rison's administration he served as postmas- ter of Palmer, retiring from that office on his own accord in June, 1893. For several years he has been notary public and in 1887 was a popular candidate for the position of sheriff and only missed the nomination by one vote. He was again appointed post- master in May, 1897, and is still serving in that office. His public and private life are alike above reproach and he has left office as he entered it with the entire confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens. He is emphatically a man of enterprise, indomita- ble energy and strict integrity and is thor- oughly identified in thought and feeling with the growth and prosperity of his town and county. HENRY N. SCHUYLER. Henry N. Schuyler, a well known banker and prominent and infiuential citizen of Pana, of which city he has been mayor for six terms, was born on the 4th of February, 1844, in Montgomery county. New York, and is a son of George S. and Clarissa (Van Schaick) Schuyler, both of Holland descent. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, spent his. entire life in Montgomery county, New York. Politically he was identified with the Republican party from the time that General Fremont was a candidate for president, and religiously he was a member of the German Reformed church. In his family were seven children, namely : Sarah, now deceased ; Jacob, a resident of Mont- gomery county. New York; Henry N., of this review ; and Nettie, Frederick, Anna and Frank, all residents of Montgomery county. New York. During his boyhood Henry N. Schuyler remained on the home farm, assisting his father in its operation, and his early educa- tion was acquired in the public schools of his native county. He was twenty years of age when he left the parental roof and started out in life for himself. In the fall of 1864 he made his way westward and after spending a few months in Iowa came to Illinois, locating in Hillsboro on the 7th of March, 1865. For three years he was in the employ of the American Express Company at that place and for one year was with the Merchants Union Express Com- pany. At one time he was associated with a partner in the establishment and conduct of a lumber yard at Greenville, Illinois, which proved a profitable investment. Coming to Pana, in March, 1870, Mr. Schuyler embarked in the hardware business with John A. Hayward, who sold out two years later and they then formed a partner- s-^s^ip^sff^iitJ^a- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 101 ship and entered into the real estate Inisi- ness and the loaning of money for three years. At the end of that time the firm opened a private hank, which was organized in 1876 under the style of Hayward & Schuyler and was capitalized for fifty thou- sand dollars with a paid up capital of forty thousand dollars. Two years later Mr. Schuyler purchased his partner's interest in the hank, which he has since carried on with marked success, it now having a paid up capital of two hundred thousand dol- lars. In 1896 he admitted his son to a partnership in the husiness and the firm name has since heen H. N. Schuyler & Son. Although he gives his attention principally to his banking husiness, he is interested in other enterprises and is the owner of con- siderable valuable property, including lands in Kansas, Nebraska and Illinois. On the 25th of February, 1874, Mr. Schuyler was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide H. Hayward, a native of Illinois and a daughter of John S. Hayw-ard. Her father was born in Massachusetts and at an early day came to Illinois, being one of the pioneer settlers of Hillsboro, where he made his home until his death, which occurred May 3, 1869. For many years he was actively identified with husiness affairs and at one time owned fifty thousand acres of valuable Illinois land. The old Hayward homestead in Pana was built under his di- rection but was never occupied by him and now belongs to his son, William E. Hay- ward. a resident of Indianapolis, Indiana. In his family w'ere four children but only Will- iam E. is now living. Another son, John A. Hayward, was our subject's former part- ner. He died in 1879 in Pana, where his widow still resides, and left three daugh- ters. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler were born two children: George Hayward, the elder, was born in Pana, January 8, 1875, and (liey the banking firm and was occupied by them until 1889. In the meantime the site of the present building was purchased from the Illinois Central Railroad Company and a new two-story business block was erected, into which the business was moved. This building was oc- cupied by the bank for more than ten years, or until January i, 1900, when it was de- - stroyed by fire. It was quickly succeeded by the present handsome structure, one of the most commodious and best equipped modern d^ank buildings in central Illinois. It has large vault space, also a safety deposit vault with a large number of boxes for the use of private individuals. The bank was reorganized on the ist of July, 1897, under the name of the Illinois State Bank, with B. F. Hight as president ; D. Lacharite, vice- president ; E. W. Hight, cashier; and J. A. Lacharite, assistant cashier. At the death of B. F. Hight, D. Lacharite succeeded to the presidency and R. W. Hight became vicepresident. He retained that position, however, only until January, 1900, when he retired and was succeeded by Wade F. John- son, the present incumbent, one of the wealthy farmers of Assumption township. The deposits of the bank now amount to more than a quarter of a million dollars and are continually increasing, while the surplus is more than twenty-five thousand dollars. The institution is thus placed in the rank of the most prosperous banking concerns in the state and now ranks seventh. From the day when B. F. Hight and S. D. Moore opened a bank in Assumption down to the present time it has enjoyed an era of unbroken pros- perity and has the entire confidence and trust of the public. It issues letters of credit which are honored throughout the world and the citizens of Assumption are justly proud of this institution. Mr. Hight is not only one of the largest stockholders of the bank, but is also inter- ested in many other business enterprises and is a wide-awake, energetic and thorough- going business man. As a citizen he is deeply interested in public progress and not alone by promoting prosperity through busi- ness interests, but also in many other ways has he contributed to the improvement and development of Assumption. On the i6th of June, 1893, Mr. Hight was married to Miss Margaret Morrison, daughter of Robert Morrison, of Assump- tion, chairman of the board of supervisors of Christian county and one of its leading and influential citizens. Mrs. Hight was educated in the public schools and after completing her high school course engaged in teaching. They now have one child, Ervel Wayne. Mr. Hight is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Mod- ern Woodmen Camp, of which he is now serving as clerk, the Royal Circle and Court of Honor. Few men in the county are bet- ter known than is Ervel W. Hight, and none have the regard of their fellowmen in a higher degree. He has utilized his time to the best advantage, made the most of his opportunities and in business circles -as well as in social life has become prominent and popular. J. S. EATON. J. S. Eaton is one of the native sons of Christian county and throughout his busi- ness career has been identified with enter- lt)6 PAST AND PRESENT prises which have not only proiimicd his in- dividual success but have alsd advanced gen- eral pmsperity. Anunii; the most energetic and public-spirited citizens and business men of Owaneco he is numljcrcd, Inr in him arc embraced the characteristics of an unabating industry, unfaltering perseverance and in- flexible probity. Mr. Eaton was born in Prairieton town- ship, January 22, 1847, '^"<^ '-^ '^ ^*"^ ^^^ Wi\- liam K. and Elizabeth (Peter) Eaton. The mother was a direct descendant of James Peter, a missionary who was sent to this country by John Wesley to i)reach the doc- trines of Methodism. William K. Eaton came to Christian county in 1845, 'vlien it was still a frontier district, the work of im- provement and development being largely in the future. He secured a tract of land and engaged in school teaching in addition to farming, leading a very active and useful life. He was the first supervisor of Prairie- ton towaishii) and a man prominent and in- fluential in public affairs, aiding in the early development of the county along lines that have led to its present progress. He died in 1867 and his wife, long surviving him, passed away in the year 1900. Tn the district school of the neighborhood J. S. Eaton pursued his education and through the summer months he worked en the home farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties and laljors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. W'lien he had com- pleted his studies his entire attention was given to the farm w^ork and he continued the operation of the old homestead with ex- cellent success until 1901, when he came to Ow-aneco and established the Eaton Broth- ers' Bank, a private banking institution w^ith which he is actively connected, conducting it along lines that awaken public confidence and therefore secure the public patronage. He is (juick to see the Inisiness needs and possibilities and his enterprise has been of marked value to the community. He is now interested in the Eaton Telephone Company, afffjrding telephonic communication with surrounding towns as well as with the dif- ferent homes of the city. He also has val- uable realty holdings, including part of the old homestead of one hundred and eighty acres in Prairieton township and one hun- dred and sixty acres in Macon county. He l)uilt a nice brick two-story building, in which his bank is located, and also erected a fine modern residence of nine rooms, sup- plied with a bath room, heating plant and a gas plant for illuminating purposes. It is a most attractive residence and would be a credit to a city of much greater size. On the 2d of September, 1903, Mr. Eaton w-as united in marriage to Mrs. Maggie Large, a daughter of Andrew^ Barrett, one of the pioneer settlers of Christian county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Eaton are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he be- longs to Owaneco Lodge. No. 623, A. F. & A. M. He is very loyal to its teachings and is regarded as one of the leading representa- tives of the craft in his town. His public- spirited interest in the general welfare, his honorable business record and his deference for the opinions of others, combine to make him a popular citizen of Christian county. ROBERT W. ORR. For twenty-one years Professor Robert \\\ Orr was the county superintendent of schools in Christian county and ranked w^ith the leading educators in the state. His in- terest in his work was deep, sincere, zealous and unabaling and the present splendid school system of the county is a monument to him, more enduring than any tablet of CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 167 granite could be. His lal^ors were progres- sive, and practical in character and proved of the greatest benefit to the county. Dur- ing his educational career he resided in Tay- lorville. True to every puljlic and private trust reposed in him, he led an honorable, upright and useful life and his memory is enshrined in the hearts of many who knew him and benefited by his efforts for the in- tellectual development of the county. Professor Orr was born in St. Clairsville, Ohio, September 30, 1833, and was the eld- est child of Andrew and Ann (McNary) Orr, who were natives of eastern Ohio. In 1854 the family left that state and became early settlers of Christian county, Illinois, settling on Buckeye prairie in Locust town- ship, wdiere the father carried on agricul- tural pursuits until his death, which occurred two years later when he was fifty-seven years of age. He lived a quiet, unassuming life and had the esteem of all who knew him. His wife spent the last ten years of her life in Pana, Illinois, and died in 1882, at the age of seventy-four years. By the death of her husband she was left with the care and sup- port of their nine children, but though it was a hard struggle to provide for them she nobly took up her burden discharging it to the best of her ability. Well was she worthy the filial love and devotion given her by her sons and daughters. The members of her family were : Margaret I., the wile of Henry Kirk; Mary J., the widow of G. W. Turn- ham, of Springfield, Illinois; John, of Pana; Thomas A., of Mancos, Colorado; Andrew J., of Warren, Ohio; Kate M., who is living in Denver, Colorado; Samuel, who died at the age of fifty years ; and Hugh, w1io was a soldier of the Civil wdv and died when home on a furlough, at the age of twenty- six years. Professor Orr of this review began his education in the public schools of his native state and later attended tlie seminary at Bloomingdale, Ohio, in which he spent one year. He began teaching in Ohio and when twenty-one years of age he cau'ie with his parents to Illinois, assisting his father in the operation of the home farm until the bitter's death. He also folloAved teaching in this state and successfully carried on the work of the schoolroom until the time of his en- listment in the Union army, in the Civil war, on the 14th of August, 1862. He joined Company D, One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois Infantry and on the organization of the company at Edinburg was elected or- derly sergeant. The regiment went into camp at Taylorville, later was sent to Camp Butler and in October of that year joined . the army at Memphis, Tennessee, where the troops went into winter quarters. The One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois joined Grant's forces and jjarticipated in the siege of Vicksburg and the battles of Champion Hills and Black River Bridge. After the surrender of Vicksburg the troops proceeded to Jackson, Mississippi, and thence to New Orleans. While at New Orleans there came an order for Professor Orr to return to Spring'field on recruiting" service and there he remained until May, 1864. On the ist of March of that year he was commissioned first lieutenant and subsequently command- ed his company as captain. During his absence in Springfield many of his company were killed or captured at Sabine Cross Roads, Texas, the regiment losing so heav- ily that it was divided into three divisions. Captain Orr being" given command of Com- panies A, F and D. In February, 1865, the regiment was consolidated with the Sev- enty-seventh Illinois Infantry, under which consolidation Captain Orr was mustered out of service. 1G8 PAST AND PRESENT Returnino- to Illimiis he resumed his work in the schooh-oom and successively taught in the schools of Sharpsburg, Owaneco and Tayl(»r\ille, having charge of the west side sch(X)ls of this city for three years. He then returned to his farm in Locust township and while there residing was elected county su- perintendent of schools in the fall of 1872. filling the office for nine years. He then retired from the office and after an interval of four years he again spent one year on the farm, following which he was once more elected to the position of county superin- tendent. In 1890 he was again chosen and by re-election was continued in the position until his incumbency covered a period of twenty-one years. The cause of education indeed found in him a warm friend. With a just appreciation of its value as a prepara- tion for life's responsibilities, he made it his constant aim to so improve the schools that the instruction would be of the greatest pos- sible benefit to the young. He was con- tinually ]iromoting the standard of the schools until Christian county has every reason to be proud of her educational sys- tem, which is most thorough, practical and beneficial. Professor Orr was married July 13, 187 1, to Mrs. Harriet E. Shumway, the widow of Z. P. Shumway, of Taylorville. She was born in Connecticut and bore the maiden name of Harriet E. Pray, 1)eing a daughter of the Rev. Paris Pray, who came here on a ministerial mission and about 1858 or- ganized the Taylorville Baptist church, of which he was the pastor for many years. By her first marriage Mrs. Orr had a daugh- ter, Lou A. Shumway, now a teacher in the public school. Unto the Professor and his wife were born four children : Lillie, the wife of George W. Zimmerman ; Daisy, the wife of h'rank Wheeler; Prank W., who is engaged In tlie mail service; and Charles R.. of Taylorville. Professor Orr was reared in the faith of the United Presbyterian church but became a member of tlie Baptist church, in which he served as a deacon, while in the church work he took an actixe and helpful part. He was a Royal Arch Mason, having been initiated into the blue lodge in Taylorville in 1867, and he also belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic. He voted with the Democracy but was extremely popular among the Republicans, numbering many of his warmest friends among the representa- tives of the latter party. He passed away in Taylorville, March 26, 1903, and high trib- ute of respect was paid to his memory, while resolutions were passed by the teachers of the city and county as well as by the fra- ternal organizations w'ith which he had been connected. He was a man whom to know was to respect and honor. His broad hu- manitarian principles were manifest in his devotion to the general good, whether as a soldier upon the field of battle, a private citi- zen or as the official in charge of the educa- tional interests of the county. His name stands as a synonym of all that w'as honor- able in his relations with his fellow'-men and thus his memory is cherished by those who knew him. and his acquaintance was ex- tremely wide. YOUNG B. CLARK. To the Taylorville Courier we are indebt- ed for the following brief sketch of Young P>. Clark, who was one of Christian county's most honored pioneers and highly esteemed citizens. Tn the death of Y. B. Clark, of Clarks- dale, which sad event occurred at the late residence Thursday morning. January 5, Y B.CLARK x< ■,'. J« i CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 171 1899, at 8:05, Christian county suffered llie loss of one of its most widely known citizens — a man of uni(|ue though remark- ably strong personality. He was one of the county's earliest settlers and from the time he came here until his fatal sickness over- took him he stood second to no man in the exertion of indi\-idual force as applied to material advancement of humanitarian re- sponsibility. His business sense and capac- ity were remarkable. This trait in his char- acter was apparent to all with wdiom he came in contact. His grasp of affairs, his keen insight into men and things, his virile intellect and great physical powder attracted the attention and admiration of his fellows, and the strict sense of justice which con- trolled all his actions won him their respect and confidence. A man of great determina- tion of purpose he was persistent and even aggressive in his opinions, but in all the re- lations of life he strove earnestly for the right, never wilfully wronging any man. The philanthropic side of his character was well developed and probably no man whp ever lived in the county extended more char- ity to the poor or more assistance to the struggling unfortunate. He was as widely known for his beneficencies as for his great business ability. His purse was ever open to the needy and his practical wisdom at the disposal of any one who sought it. A vital force — material and philanthropic — went out to the community with the death of Boley Clark. One of the county's great characters has passed away. His family was a remarkable one. His great-grandfather, Bolin Clark, was killed by the Indians, probably in North Carolina, before the Revolutionary war. He left six sons, all of whom served with General Na- thaniel Greene in the southern campaign. Thev were in Greene's retreat before Corn- wallis and two of them were killed in the memorable battle of Guilford Court House. The other four survived the war and drew pensions as Revolutionary soldiers. One of these sons was Joseph Clark, the grand- father of our subject. Y. B. Clark was born in Christian county, Kentucky, September 9, 182 1, and was mar- ried there November 2, 1843, to Tabitha W. Hardy. Shortly after his marriage he went to Arkansas and from there, in September, 1845, 1"'^ came to Christian county, Illinois, entering forty acres of land a half mile east of Clarksdale. His w^as the first house built on the prairie, the settlers of that period building in the timber or close to it. His dis- play of remarkable business ability began on this forty acres. Reverses came of course but his courage and energy readily overcame all obstacles and at his death he owned about sixteen hundred acres of land and a large amount of personal property. From 1845 up to the time of his death, a period of fifty- three years, he lived within a mile of his first habitation. He laid out Clarksdale and built the depot there and gave it with its ground to the Wabash Company. By his first marriage ten children were born, three of wdiom are living, as follows: Mrs. Ann America Gladish, of Kansas City; C. A. Clark, of Taylorville; and Mrs. Lou C. Caldwell, of Clarksdale. His first wife died September 21, 1859, and on the nth of March, i860, he married her sister, Ellen A. Hardy. One child was born of this union but died at the age of one year. His second wife died May 22, 1861, and on May 29, 1862, he married Melinda M. Anderson, of this county, by w^hom he had five children, but only one of them, James T. Clark, of Clarksdale, is now living. His third wife died in September, 1871, and on October 28. 1873. he married Elizabeth S. McGinnis, 172 PAST AND PRESENT of Sancamon coiintv. Three cliildren were born of this union, as f(»llo\vs: I lenr}' T. Clark, Sallic Clark and Inez Clark, all of Avliom are at home with their mother. Mr. Clark's illness was of ten days' dura- tion. Up to Tuesday eve his mind was clear but he suffered a good deal and an opiate was given him to induce sleep. lie never woke to consciousness from that sleep. His lungs filled and hardened and at 8:05 o'clock he breathed his last. J. J. CALDWELL. j. J. Caldwell a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Clarksdale. was born in Vinton. Iowa, on the 23d of October, i860, and is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Cald- well, also natives of that state, where the mother continues to make her home. The father died in 1900. Our subject was reared and educated in Iowa and on starting cut in life for himself at the age of sixteen years went to Cedar Rapids and engaged in the hotel business, having charge of the North- western Hotel at that place until 1891. He then went to Quincy. Illinois, and conducted the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad eating house for eight years, at the end of which time he came to Taylorville and car- ried on the Antlers Hotel for one year. At present he is not actively engaged in any business but is living on his farm, which is a valuable tract of two hundred and eighty acres in Bear Creek township near Clarks- dale, his home being in the village wdiere he owns a nice residence. On the 2'nd of February, 1884, Mr. Cald- well was united in marriage to Mrs. Lou C. Moffat, a daughter of Young B. Clark, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. Having no children of their own they adopted a nephew, Roy Ed O'Neil, a son of Robert K. and Mildred O'Neil, both of whom are now deceased. Roy is now a tclegraj)!! operator. Both Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church and are people of prominence in the comnumity wdiere they reside. C. D. WINKLEPLECK. After years of active labor, mostly de- voted to agricultural pursuits, C. D. Winkle- pleck is now living a retired life on his farm on section 11, Locust township. He was born on the 22d of March, 1838, in Ohio, of which state his parents, James and Barbara ( Resler) Winklepleck, were also natives. The mother died in 1848, and the father, who long survived her, passed away in 1883. The first of the Winklepleck family to come to America was a native of Germany who crossed the Atlantic in 1732 and located in Pennsylvania. Our subject's paternal grand- father. Christian Winklepleck, was born in that state and from there removed to Ohio in 1806. There he continued to make his home until his death, wdiich occurred in 1857- In the state of his nativity C. D. Winkle- ])leck was reared and educated and after leaving school at the age of seventeen years he commenced learning the miller's trade, which- he follow'ed for twelve years. He then rented a farm in Ohio and operated the same for eight years. At the end of that period he came to Illinois and settled in Christian county, purchasing at that time eighty acres of his present farm in Locust township. He has since bought an adjoin- ing eighty-acre tract and to-day has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, well improved with good buildings. Although he continues to reside upon his farm he has CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 178 retired from its active management and is now enjoying a well-earned rest. Mr. Winklepleck was married in 1863 to Miss Sarah Hehvig, a daughter of Samuel Helwig. of Ohio, and to them were born six children, as follows : Carrie, at home with her father; Horace, who died at the age of thirteen years ; Alice, wife of Charles Dorr, who is living on our subject's farm; Ida. wife of Herman Schmidt, a farmer of Christian county; Bertha, who died at the age of tw^o years; and Bird, at home. Mr. Winklepleck has been called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who died on the 5th of February, 1902. She was a con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which her husband and children also belong. Since casting his first presi- dential vote for Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Win- klepleck has supported the Republican party and its principles. Since 1873 he has been a resident of Christian county and in that time he has made a host of warm friends who esteem him highly for his sterling worth. HENRY J. YARNELL. Henry J. Yarnell, one of the representa- tive and prominent citizens of Mosquito township, his home being on section 22, is a native of Illinois, born near Carlinville, Macoupin county, January 8, 1844, and is the fourth in order of birth in a family of seven children, whose parents were Isaac A. and Rebecca B. (Bonham) Yarnell. His father was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, on the 13th of December, 1810, and came to Illinois in 1833. It was not until 1867, how- ever, that he became a resident of Christian county, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying here August 7, 1887. His wife passed away in 185 1. Her parent? were Benjamin and Olive Bonham. Our sub- ject's paternal grandfather was Mordecai Yarnell, who was born April 17, 1767, and died July 30, 1846. The great-grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. As soon as he had attained a sufficient age Henry J. Yarnell entered the public schools of this state, where he pursued his studies until eighteen years of age. By that time the country had become involved in civil war and he resolved to strike a blow in defense of the Union. Accordingly he enlisted on the 8th of September, 1862, as a private in Company K, Ninety-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for three years. His first service was in Kentucky and he was later taken pris- oner at Elizabethtown, Kentucky, by John Morgan, December 27, 1862. He was sent to the parole camp at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, where he was exchanged June 3, 1863, and on the 7th of the following July went to Vicksburg. On the 14th of August they arrived in New Orleans and later were sent to Morganza, Louisiana, but afterward returned to New Orleans, where they em- barked on transports for Texas. They crossed the Gulf of Mexico and after a voy- age of ten days landed at Brazos, Santiago Island. They next went up the Rio Grande river to Brownsville, Texas, where they re- mained for some time and then returned to New Orleans. About the close of the war they were ordered to Mobile, Alabama. The march to that place was a very difficult one as there were many streams and swamps to cross and the soldiers were forced to build- ing bridges and corduroy roads along the way. They were in an engagement near a station on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, which is said to be the last fight east of the Mississippi river. Mr. Yarnell w-as under fire at Spanish Fort for fourteen days. The war having ended and his services being no 174 PAST AND PRESENT longer needed lie was Ikhk iralil\' discharged on the 1 2th of July, 1865. and returned home. Mr. 'N'arnell then attended a private school at Scottville, Illinois, Utv one term, and for sixteen years thereafter he alter- nated farming with school teaching, devot- ing the summer season to the former occu- pation., while during the winter months he taught. Ill 1867 he came to Christian coun- ty and located on his ])rcsent farm in Mos- quito township, where he has since carried on agricultural pursuits with marked suc- cess. On the 4th of April. 1872. I^fr, Yarnell was united in marriage to Miss Jane A. Wil- kinson, a daughter of Thompson and Mary Wilkinson,, who were early settlers of Ma- coupin county, Illinois, and were from Eng- land and Vermont, respectively. Our suh- ject and his wife have two children : Oscar, a physician of Cerro Gordo, Illinois, who is now pursuing a special course of study in the line of his profession in Berlin, Ger- many ; and Maud, who is attending the 1 lome school. The son is now married. Religiously the family hold memhership in the Baptist church and socially Mr. Yar- nell helongs to the Masonic Lodge No. 682 and the Grand Army Post, hoth of Blue Mound. Although a stanch Penuhlican in his ])olitical views he is now servino- his llurd term ;is supervisor of Mosquito town- ship, which is strongly Democratic, a fact that plainly indicates his popularity and the confidence reposed in him hy his fellow-citi- zens. During his incumhency the court house at Taylorville was completed. His official duties have l)een most promptly and faithfully discharged, winning for him the commendation of all concerned. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree and he well merits the con- fidence and high regard in which he is held. WILLIAM CHAMBERLAIN. \\' illiam Chamberlain was one of the most respected and esteemed residents of Taylor- ville and the county owes much to him for what he did in its behalf along lines of material upbuilding and intellectual and moral advancement. As the day with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity, its evening of completed and suc- cessful efifort, ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so A\as the life of this man. He left the impress of his individual- ity upon pul)lic thought and action and the world is certainly better for his ha\'ing lived. Mr. Chamberlain was born on Christmas Day in 1844 in Rochester, Indiana, and died on the ist of September, 1903. His residence in Taylorx'ille covered more than thirty years. He pursued his early educa- tion in the common schools and spent his boyhood days in his parents' home, remain- ing- there until after the inauguration of the Civil war, wdien his patriotic spirit was aroused and he joined the army, although but eighteen years of age at the time when he donned the blue uniform of the nation. He fought valiantly to protect his country's Hag until the close of the memorable struggle and displayed valor equal to that of many a veteran of twice his years. After his re- tiu'n home he determined to prepare for a business career and to this end entered Bry- ant & vStratton Business College in Chi- cago. There he completed a regular course ' and soon afterward was given employment in the wholesale dry goods house of John V. Farwell. A contemporary biographer in speaking of his early business' experience said: "As an evidence that Mr. Chamber- /fu^Ou^ QJfaH^^Jioia^ CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 177 lain early in his career displayed the traits that afterward made him a success in the hiisiness world — when A. G. Barnes, of this city, sent to John V. Farwell for a 'sober, industrious and capable young- man' to give a partnership in his dry goods house, Mr. Farwell picked out Mr. Chamberlain from more than a hundred clerks and sent him to Taylorville. Taylorville people have seen the success that has attended the Chamber- lain & Barnes dry goods house and to Mr. Chaml^erlain's able management was the suc- cess due. He certainly sustained the confi- dence Mr. Farwell reposed in him." In the conduct of his store he always followed pro- gressi\e methods, studied closely the wishes of the general public and endeavored to meet the demands of his patrons in every possible way. His business methods, too, were strictly honorable and straightforward. He was also one of the organizers of the Taylorville Coal Company and held consid- eral)le stock therein. Mrs. Chamber'ain worked with her husband in the store for twenty-seven years, so that its success may also be attributed tO' her earnest efforts and co-operation. It was on the 25th of July, 187 1, that Mr. Chamberlain was united in marriage to Miss Sadie L. Phelps of Logansport, Indiana, a daughter of Hiram and Messina Phelps. Her father was a native of Virginia and her mother of Kentucky, wdiile Mrs Chamber- lain was born in Portsmouth, Ohio. She was a maiden of eleven summers when she accompanied her parents to Indiana and in the seminary in Logansport she was edu- cated. By her marriage she became the mother of two children : Roy and Flossie, but both died in childhood. Mrs. Chamber- lain has always taken an active part in social and public life in Taylorville and her in- fluence has been a potent factor along lines of intellectual and moral culture. She was the first worthy maiden in the Eastern Star here and she has also been a member of the grand chapter. Deeply interested in the cause of education and anxious for the ad- vancement of every improvement along that line, she made the speech placing Mrs. Laura B. Evans in nomination for the position of a trustee of the State University at Cham- paign. Her speech was delivered at the convention in Springfield and is spoken of as one of the most 1)rilliant oratorical efforts ever made by a woman in Illinois. At all times Mrs. Chamberlain supplemented her husband's efforts along benevolent and moral lines and they also worked together in per- fect harmony as they did in business life. The relation which existed between them was largely ideal and theirs was a most happy union. In matters pertaining to the public prog- ress and upbuilding Mr. Chamberlain was very prominent and influential. He was among those who labored earnestly and in- defatigably for the establishment of the water-works system and secured this public improvement in the face of strong opposi- tion. A co-operant factor in many meas- ures for the general good Taylorville owes much of its advancement to him and his ef- forts. In Masonic circles he was prominent and honored. He belonged to the Royal Arch chapter in l^aylorville and to Elwood Conimandery, K. T., at Springfield. He held most of the offices in the blue lodge and all in the chapter, being high priest for a num- ber of years, and for twenty years prior to his death he acted as marshal at every Ma- sonic funeral held in Taylorville. If we would investigate his life record, however, and find the real secret of his worth and the motive that prompted his honorable actions we will find it in his religious faith. He was 178 PAST AND PRESENT a member of the Baptist church and served as one of its deacons. He took a most active part in its work, contributed generously to its support and gave of his time for the advancement of the cause. The church was very dear to his heart and his Christian principles permeated all that he did. shaping his every relation with his fellow men. He did not regard religion as merely attendance u^wn church services Init as a guide for every-day life and he closely followed the golden rule. He won success in business, l)ut he gained it so honorably that the most envious could not grudge it to him. He also used it worthily and many a needy one has profited by his benevolent spirit and kindly sympathy. In speaking of his de- mise one of the papers of Taylorville said : "The passing of Mr. Chamberlain removes a prominent figure from the business, church and social life of Taylorville. He had been identified with Taylorville and its best in- terests so long that his departure will be keenly regretted and his place difficult to fill. Since coming here more than thirty years ago he had been a leading factor in nearly every movement that tended toward the im- provement of the town, both commercially and morally. Of excellent judgment, en- terprising, conscientious and charitable — he proved himself a valuable citizen and earned the right to l^e esteemed and respected by every one." ROBERT JOHNS. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Pana than Robert Johns. He has been an important factor in business circles and his success in all his undertakings has been so marked that his methods are of interest to the commercial world. He is energetic, prompt and notably reliable, and tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, a genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time joined to every-day common sense are the chief characteristics of the man. His success in business from the beginning of his residence in Pana has been uniform and rapid and he has perse- vered in the ])ursuit of a persistent purpose and gained a most satisfactory reward, being now numlD€red among the capitalists of Christian county. Mr. Johns was born January 4, 1850, near Greencastle, Indiana, a son of Stephen M. and Sarah (Parks) Johns. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, while his mother's birth occurred in Ohio. They were married near Oxford, Ohio, and the father engaged in the operation of a flour and saw mill in that state for a time. He afterward turned his attention to farming and stock-raising and in the year 1869 he came to Illinois, settling in Pana township. Christian county. He was, however, not long permitted to enjoy his new home for his death occurred in 1870. In the family were eight sons and two daughters and all are yet living with the exception of one son, whose health was un- dermined by the arduous experiences of a soldier of the Civil war. Robert Johns obtained his early education in Indiana and in the year 1866 came to Litchfield, Illinois, being at that time a youth of sixteen years. He was a resident of In- diana at the time of Morgan's raid through that state. In the fall of 1866 he resumed his education, begun in the public schools of his native county, in the old Lawrence build- ing in Pana, and in 1870-71 he was a stu- dent in the State University at Champaign. Lfe afterward attended night school in No- komis, and thus gained a broad and practical education well fitting him to cope with the responsible and intricate duties of a business CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 179 career. During a part of his school Hfe he was connected with the himber business and in 1870 he and his brother became pro- prietors of a kimber yard in Nokomis, which they conducted successfully until 1879, when they sold out to the Paddock Lumber Com- pany. In 1876 their yard was destroyed by tire, causing a loss of about twenty thousand dollars. This disaster left them with an in- debtedness of seventeen thousand dollars, but with renewed energy and strong purpose they set to work tO' retrieve their lost posses- sions and in course of time had their busi- nes again upon a good financial basis. After selling the lumber yard in Nokomis Mr. Johns and his brother, S. P. Johns, became proprietors of a similar enterprise in Pana and were engaged in its management until 1 88 1, wdien our subject purchased the inter- est of liis brother, who then removed to Sedalia, Missouri, where he is now engaged in the conduct of lumber business in connec- tion with his sons. Robert Johns continued in the trade at Pana and was also in the management of his yard until 1896, when he sold out to the Phelps Lumlier Company. In connection with the trade he had the largest stock of lumber and building materials in central Illi- nois and his annual sales reached an ex- tensive figure. Previous to this time he had become extensively interested in the electric light plant of Pana and eventually purchased the controlling interest. On his retirement from the lumber business he took charge of tlie electric light plant, of which he is now the owner. This is one of the best ecjuipped plants in central Illinois and has a capacity of eight thousand lights. As the years have advanced and his financial resources have increased Mr. Johns has also made large in- vestments in real estate and his holdings to-day are greater than those of any other individual in Pana. He owns a number of business houses and dwellings in the city and has contributed in marked deg'ree to the ma- terial improvement of the city. When he came to Pana there were only two brick buildings in the town and he hauled a part of the lumber used in the construction of the East schoolhouse. He has been the di- rect cause of building more residences than any other one man in Pana and he certainly deserves great credit for what he has done for the city in this direction. He built the first telephone line in this part of the country extending between Pana and his sawmill. He is a man of resolute purpose and unfal- tering determination and carries forward to successful completion whatever he under- takes. The word fail has no place in his vocabulary and through his unfaltering per- severance and industry he never fails to win the success which is always the goal of his efforts. In 1880 Mr. Johns was united in mar- riage to Miss Nora Ekridge, a daughter of Mrs. Mary S. Ekridge, of Pana. Fifteen months later a son was born unto them and both mother and child died. In 1890 Mr. Johns was -again married, his second union being with Miss Augusta Flemming, a daughter of J. B. and Mary Flemming, of Pana. They have two daughters : Ruth and Helen, aged twelve and four years re- spectively. Mr. Johns is a Mason in his social afiilia- tions and belongs to the Knight Templar commandery at Mattoon, Illinois. He also holds membership with the Knights of Pythias at Pana and his* wife is connected with the auxiliary organization. In politics he is a stalwart Republican and has served both as city treasurer and as mayor of Pana. In matters pertaining to the general welfare he is always progressive and his efforts have 180 PAST AND PRESENT been of marked value in promoting the wel- fare of his city along political as well as material lines. He find his chief source of recreation in fishing and hunting, taking o-reat interest in both. J\Ir. Johns started out in life for himself when about thirteen years of age, working for twelve dollars per month. By the time he had attained his ma- jority he had saved his money, but this he gave to his father and again started out in life empty handed. As has been truly re- marked after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early opportunities for obtaining the requirements which are soueht in the schools and in books or the advantages of wealth, he must essentially formulate, determine and give shape to his own character, and this is what Mr. Johns has done. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution and his close application to business and his excel- lent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is to-day his. WILLIAM W. ANDERSON. William W. Anderson figured so con- spicuously and honorably in connection with the public interests, business activity and substantial development of Christian county for many years that no history of this locality would be complete without the record of his career. To say of him that he arose from comparative obscurity to rank among the most successful men of this por- tion of the state is a statement that seems trite to those familiar with his life, yet it is but just to say in a history that will de- scend to future generations that his busi- ness record was one that any man might be proud to possess. P>eginning at the Ixjt- tom round of the ladder he steadily ad- vanced step by step until he occujjicd a posi- tion of trust and ])rominence reached Iw few. Throughout his entire business career he was looked upon as a model of integrity and honor, never making an engagement that he did not fulfill, and standing as an example of what determination, combined with the highest degree of business integ- rity, can accomplish for a man of natural ability and strength of character. He v^^as respected by the community at large and honored by his business associates. A native of Henderson county, Kentucky, William W. Anderson was lx)rn October 27, 1825, and died in Taylorville, on the nth of December, 1893. The Anderson family is of Scotch-Irish extraction and al- though the early history of the family in America is not definitely known, it is thought that the first representatives in Am- erica settled in Virginia. Both the paternal, and the maternal grandfathers of our sub- ject were patriots of the Revolutionary war and valiantly fought for the independence of the colonies, while George H. Anderson, the father of our subject, served under General Jackson in the war of 18 12 and was present at the engagement at New Orleans. Not long after his return from the army he was married in Tennessee to Miss Nancy Mann, and soon they removed to Henderson coun- ty, Kentucky, where they made their home for ten years. In 1830 they became resi- dents of Illinois, settling on a farm in Mont- gomery county. The father developed his land, made a comfortable home for his fam- ily and took an active part in shaping the pioneer development of that section of the state. He was honored with a number of local offices, for which his ability well fitted him and throughout the community was known as a valued citizen. He- died at the r ^ l^it^ ^^^^]^^-^2V>i/' 9.^ .\-y v^ CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 183 age of sixty-one years, and his wife sur- vived him ahout twelve years. Wilham W. Anderson, the sixth in order of birth in a family of twelve children, spent his boyhood days on the home farm and early became familiar with all the duties and labors incident to the development and cultivation of a new farm in a pioneer dis- trict. His educational privileges were lim- ited but he spent some time as a student in one of the log schoolhouses of Montgomery county. At the age of seventeen years he started out upon an independent business career, entering the employ of Judge Hiram Rountree, of Hillsboro, with whom he re- mained for eight years, first working on the farm, then in the stcM'e and afterward assisting in the office of the circuit clerk of Montgomery county. While working for the Judge, Mr. An- derson also wooed and won the daughter of the household — Miss Nan B. Rountree, the marriage being celebrated in August, 1850. Removing to Christian county the following year, Mr. Anderson began farming about four miles east of Taylorville but did not find this occupation as congenial as mer- cantile life had been, and after three years devoted to agricultural pursuits he aban- doned the plow and went to Taylorville, where he soon secured a position as a sales- man in the dry-goods store of Shumway & Cheney. On the death of the junior part- ner, in January, 1854, he was succeeded by Albert Satley, who later sold his interest in the store to Mr. Anderson and thus was formed the firm of Shumway & Anderson, a connection that was maintained for two years, when Mr. Anderson became sole pro- prietor. His adaptability to the needs of the business was soon manifest and a constantly growing trade demanded his care and at- tention. His was a general store in which he carried all lines of goods demanded by a city and country trade, from farm imple- ments to the finest household furnishings. Not only in times of general prosperity but also in the eras of wide-spread financial panic, did Mr. Anderson conduct a profitable business, a fact which demonstrated his keen foresight, capable management, marked enterprise and indefatigable industry. He made for himself a most enviable reputation among the wholesale houses to which he gave his patronage and in Taylorville and throughout the surrounding country was known for his strictly fair and honorable methods in dealing with his patrons. After fifteen years he sold an interest in his busi- ness in order to devote a part of his time and attention to other lines. He was a man of resourceful ability, quick to recog- nize and improve an opportunity, and his judgment was rarely, if ever, at fault in an estimate of business opening or trade trans- action. It was in 1871 that he established the banking house of W. W. Anderson & Com- pany, his partner in the enterprise being D. D. Shumway; For twelve years this asso- ciatiou was pleasantly continued and then Mr. Shumway retired and was succeeded by Hiram R. Anderson. He was a young man of brilliant mind, a close student and a general favorite with the patrons of the bank, but death claimed him after a short time. Mr. Anderson continued at the head of the institution and associated with him his son, Fred W. Anderson. The safe con- servative policy which he inaugurated has always lieen followed. He soon placed the bank upon a sul)Stantial foundation and it has long ranked as one of the most reliable financial institutions of this part of the state. In banking circles, as in all other relations of life, Mr. Anderson sustained 184: PAST AND PRESENT an unassailable rciJUtation because of his Imsiness capacity and unswerving proljity. Intricate Inisiness ]>ropositions he seemed to comprehend at a glance and lie mastered everything he undertook, carrying forward to successful completion every business in- terest which engaged his attention. He made judicious investments in property from time to time until he became the possessor of valuable interests. Only four years after bis marriage ]\Ir. Anderson was called u])on to mourn the loss of his first wife. Tie did not mairy again until i860, when he wedded Mrs. Martha L. Wright, the w' idow of Dr. Wright of Carlinville. They travelled life's journey happily together for about a quarter of a century, and then Mrs. Anderson was called to her final rest, .\ugust 2, 1884, at the age of fifty-four years. She was a woman of estimable character and proved a valuable companion and helpmate on life's journey. About nine years passed and then, on the nth of December. ^S<^)^,. he, too. was called from this life. For many years he w^as very prominent in public affairs, aside from his business in- terests. He served for two years as the president of the board of supervisors. He had firm belief in the future of Taylorville, not only as the county seat and because of its extensive country trade, but as a coal producing point, and one seemingly des- tined to become an important manufacturing center. He invested largely in business property and was the owner of one half of the frontage on the south side of the square. He always advocated the advantages of rail- road facilities and was one of the promoters and at one time one of the directors of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, now the Balti- more & Ohio, which passes through this county, forming direct connection with the cast. Every measure for the advancement of Ta)-lorville along material, social and in- tellectual lines received his endorsement and encouragement, and to him in no liiilc degree is due the present advantages which the city enjoys in ifs excellent system of electric lights, its waterworks and its ample hotel accommodation. His means, ad\ice and en- ergy were often called upon and freely given when the extensive coal fields were being developed and thus a permanent l)asis of growth and prosperity was assured the city. Prospering to an unusual degree he be- came blessed with fimple means, wdiich he liberally devoted to progressive uses. A member and trustee of the Methodist Epis- copal church, he was a ready supporter of church interests. A Royal Arch Mason, he was held in high esteem by his lirethren of the craft. Politically he was a life-long supporter of the Democratic party, but pre- ferred the activities of business life to those of the ]iolitical stage. The strong traits of his character were such as endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. He was the soul of honor and integrity in busi- ness life, was a man of broad humanitarian principles, and the deserving poor always found in him a friend. He gave generously for the public good, was faithful in friend- ship, devoted to his family and stood as a high type of our chivalrous American man- hood. FRED F. WEISER. Fred l*". Weiser, who for eighteen years has been connected w'th the i^rain trade in Stonington, is a well known, enterprising and progressive business man. and. starting out in life for himself at the age of thnteen years, he has since been dependent upon his own resources, gaining all that he now pos- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 185 sesses through his own energy and 1)usiness ability. Mr. Weiser was born in Cass county, lUi- nois, in 1855. a son of PhiHp and Margaret Weiser, both of whom were natives of Ger- many. After their emigration to the United States the father engaged in farming in Cass county, Ilhnois, and in 1870 lie removed to Christian county, where he engaged in the manufacture of tile and also conducted a general mercantile establishment in Stoning- ton. For ten years he followed those pur- suits and on the expiration of that period he devoted his attention to the grain trade, buy- ing and selling grain for twelve years. His death occurred in 1902, and his wife passed away in 1901. Fred F. Weiser obtained his early educa- tion in the public schools of Taylorville and later continued his studies in the business college at Springfield, Illinois, where he w'as trained for the responsible and practical du- ties that come as one enters business life. He began to earn, his own living when but thirteen years of age as a clerk in a clothing store in Taylorville, where he remained for ten years, when he came to Stonington and joined his father in business as a merchant and tile manufacturer. During the last ten years he has been engaged in the grain busi- ness and has handled a large share of the grain raised in this locality. In 1902, upon his father's death, he sold the business but remained as its manager, in the service of the McNelly Grain Company. In 1 88 1 Mr. Weiser was united in mar- riage to Miss Louise Kreeger, a native of Sangamon county, Illinois, and unto them have been born three children : Pearl, Lu- cile and Fred F., all of whom are under the parental roof. Mr. Weiser owns his own home in Stonington and it is celebrated for its charming and cordial hospitality. He and his wife are members of the German Reformed church. Called to public ofiice he has been found most trustworthy in all positions of a public character. Fie was town collector for four years, was supervisor for fourteen years and in 1900 was the can- didate of the Democratic party for the posi- tion of circuit clerk. Having spent almost his entire life in Christian county, he has a wide acquaintance within its borders and the strength of his character, his honorable conduct and his fidelity to manly principles have made him one of the representative and valued citizens. A. M. SMITH. A. M. Smith, who is engaged in general farming on section 14, South Fork town- ship, was born in the city of Washington in 1836, his parents being Messer and Cather- ine Smith. Both were natives of Germany, whence they emigrated to America at an early day. The father was the second Ger- man to settle in South Fork township. He bought school land there and began its culti- vation and continued to engage in farming until eight years prior to his death. He then retired from active business life and his re- maining days were spent in the enjoyment of a w^ell-earned rest. A. M. Smith was reared on his father's farm and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He also assisted in the ardu- ous task of developing a new farm and throughout his life he has followed the pur- suit to which he was reared. He started out in life on his own account when twenty-five years of age, receiving forty acres of land from his father and the cultivation and care which he bestowed upon this soon made it a valuable tract. As his financial resources 186 PAST AND PRESENT increased he added to it from time to time until he is now one of the extensive land- owners of the county, his realty possessions aggregating five hundred and eighty-two and a half acres. He also has seven lots in Taylorville. All of the improvements on his home farm were made hy him. these includ- ing substantia] hnildings and well-kept fences. He uses modern machinery in cul- tivating his land and harvesting his crops and everything about his place is indicative of his careful supervision and energy. He has given the greater part of his attention to the feeding of stock, Mr. Smith married a Miss Adams, a na- ti\e of South Fork township, and unto them have been born two children, but only one is now living: Lizzie, the wife of William Taylor. After losing his first wife Mr. Smith was again married, his second union being with Miss Julia Rogers. This wedding occurred in 1901. Mrs. Smith is a member of the ]\Iethodist church and a most estimable lady, esteemed by many friends because of her sterling traits of character. Mr. Smith gives his political support to the Democracy. He served his township as supervisor for one term and w^as also road commissioner. As one of the early settlers of the county he is familiar with its history from the pioneer epoch down to the present day of advancement and progress. He has always been very fond of hunting and in pioneer times he had ample oppor- tunity to indulge his love of the sport be- cause there were great quantities of wild game in Illinois. He has seen as many as twenty-five deer in a single herd. His life has been characterized by unflagging energy and diligence and has therefore been crowned with a gratifying measure of suc- cess. In early manhood he ran a breaking team for three years and for four years he operated a threshing machine. He has, however, made the greater part of his money from the sale of stock and in this way has gained a very desirable competence. HOWARD M. POWEL. While "the race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong," the invariable law of destiny accords to tireless energy, in- dustry and aljility a successful career. The truth of this assertion is abundantly verified in the life of Howard M. Powel, of Taylor- ville, who has been identified with a number of business enterprises here and elsewhere. He was hnvn in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, on the 22(1 of July, 1839, and comes of good old Quaker stock, his parents, Rich- ard and Sarah Powel, being members of the Society of Friends. They were reared in Philadelphia and continued to make their home in that city for many years. The father was born in 1801 and in early life learned the cabinet-maker's trade, his ap- prentice papers, issued in 1816, being now in possession of our subject. From Philadel- phia he removed to Parkersburg, West Vir- ginia, in 1840, and in 1851 came to Illinois. After living for a time in Springfield, he re- moved to Taylorville in 1853, where he fol- lowed his trade of cabinet-making and also conducted a furniture store for several years. After a useful and well-spent life he ])assed away in September, 1875, honored and respected by all Avho knew him. Howard M. Powel was principally edu- cated at Spring"field, Illinois, and at the age of sixteen years started out in life for him- self. The following year he commenced teaching school and successfullv followed that pursuit for six or seven years. Form- ing a partnership with W. W. Watkins, he next engaged in merchandising in Taylor- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 187 ville until 1865 when he sold his interest in the store and removed to Lincoln, Illinois, where the following five years were passed. On his return to Taylorville in 1S70, he en- gaged in contracting and building for a few years and in 1874 opened a lumber yard, which he carried on until 1881, when he dis- posed of the same. He was next engaged in the hardware business from 1885 until 1889, but at present gives his attention prin- cipally to the oil industry, being interested in the Inter-State Oil & Gas Company, which has over ten thousand acres of valuable leases in Chautauqua county, Kansas. They own two hundred and sixteen acres in fee simple and have over seventy wells, the pro- duction from which is eight hundred and eighty barrels of oil per day. Mr. Powel is president and treasurer of this company and gives much of his time to the enterprise, the success of which is due almost entirely to his well directed efforts and sound business judgment. He owns considerable property, including a plumbing shop and some houses in Taylorville, and also has a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Tay- lorville township. In 1864 Mr. Powel was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah J. Young, who was born and reared in Montgomery county, Illi- nois, and died on the 4th of January, 1870. leaving three children, namely: Warren A., who married Lois Fox, a daughter of Dr. Fox, and is engaged in the plumbing busi- ness in Taylorville; and Harriet and Sarah J. Mr. Powell was again married Decem- ber 25, 1872, his second union being with Mrs. Emily (Palmer) Anderson. Religiously Mr. Powel is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and fraternally has been identified with the Ma- sonic order at Taylorville since 1864. His political support is given the men and meas- ures of the Republican party and he has taken an active interest in public affairs, serving as alderman and as a member of the school board. During the time of his resi- dence in Springfield he lived next door to Abraham Lincoln and was a warm personail friend of the great man. He occupies a leading position in business circles and he to-day enjoys the reward of his industry. G. F. BARRETT. Among the wide-awake, energetic busi- ness men of Owaneco is numbered G. F. Barrett, whose activities cover many lines of business. He is especially well known as a grain dealer, and his watchfulness of busi- ness opportunities, his unfaltering persever- ance and his well known reliability are the elements which form the secret of his pros- perity. Mr. Barrett was born in LaSalle county, Illinois, June 4, 1857, a son of Andrew and Margaret Barrett, both of whom were na- tives of Ireland. The hope of enjoying bet- ter privileges in the new world led them to cross the Atlantic to America and in the year 1869 they became residents of Christian county, establishing their home in Locust township, where they were Identified with farming interests for a number of years. Through the exercise of his energy and cap- able management Mr. Barrett acquired a comfortable competence which now enables him to live a retired life, and he and his wife are now residents of Owaneco. To' the district school system of the state Mr. Barrett is Indebted for the educational advantages which he enjoyed. His boyhood was devoted to his school work, to the labors of the fields upon the home farm and tO' the pleasures in which the boys of the period in- 188 PAST AND PRESENT diilged. Thus i)assed the years and when he had attained his majority he started out in hfe on liis own account l)y renting a tract of land on whicli he carried on general farm- ing until 1892. He then resolved to con- centrate his business energies in the village and icK)k up his abode in Owaneco, where he was connected with the grain trade until January, 1904. He is the leading auctioneer in this section and has cried many important sales, so managing the disposal of property as to produce results that are satisfactory alike to seller and purchaser. His invest- ments are represented by financial interests in the Barrett P)rothers harness shop, the J. B. Cole & Company tile and brickyard of Owaneco and The Metzger Hill Company, of w'hich he is the president. This is a com- mission company of Cincinnati, Ohio. He also buys and sells stock and his varied in- terests are remunerative. On the 2 1 St of April, 1881, Mr. Barrett was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Fry, a daughter of George Fry, of Shelby county. Two children grace this union : Alvin W., w^ho is now a student in Cincin- nati, Ohio; and Walter, at home. Mrs. Bar- rett is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Barrett has membership re- lations with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Court of Honor. In poli- tics he is an earnest Republican, deeply in- terested in the success of his party and well informed on the issues and questions of the day. He served as township collector for two years, two years as assessor, and was supervisor for four years, filling the latter position when the new courthouse was l>egun. Local advancement and national progress are causes dear to his heart and in citizenship as in business he is alert and en- terprising. W. H. SHAW. W. H. Sluiw, who is engaged in the live stock business, making extensive purchases and sales, and who is recognized as one of the most enterprising and progressive citi- zens of Stonington, was born in Pickaway, Ohif\ on the 12th of April, 1853. His par- ents were Samuel and Virginia Shaw. The father, a native of Franklin county, Ohio, became a veterinary surgeon, and in the year 1865 removed to Illinois, locating in Chris- tian county upon a farm. He took up his abode in Taylorville in 1881, where he en- gaged in the practice of his profession until 1895. I" 1 90 1 li*^ removed to Ramsey, Illi- nois, where he has now lived retired for two vears. To the common school system of Chris- tian county Mr. Shaw is indebted for the educational privileges he enjoyed in his boy- hood. He was trained to farm work upon his father's farm, early becoming familiar with the labors of field and meadow, and he continued to assist in the operation of the old homestead until 1879, when he removed to Blue Mound, Macon county. There he began buying and shipping stock in t88i, and in 1896 he came to Stonington, wdiere he continues in the same business, being now- one of the largest buyers and shippers of the county. He is an excellent judge of stock and is therefore able to make judicious pur- chases and profitable sales. The extent of liis business brings to him a good financial return and he has become, through his own efforts, one of the men of affluence in his community. On the 1 2th of October, 1878, Mr. Shaw was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Rei- mer, a daughter of Richard Reimer, who was born near Akron, Ohio. Four children grace the uiiion of our subject and his wife : CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 189 Maud, Otis, Cloyd and Eldo, aged respect- ively twenty-two, nineteen, sixteen and thir- teen years. The mother and daugh- ter belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Shaw has recently completed a beautiful home in Stonington, and he puts forth every effort in his power to enhance the happiness of his family. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Odd Fellows society. While residing in Macon county he filled the office of collector of his town and is now serving as a member of the board of alder- men of Stonington. HENRY M. GRAHAM. Henry M. Graham, an honored and highly esteemed citizen of Rosemond, Illinois, was born on the 8th of April, 1835, in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his parents being E. W. and Mary (Mcllhaney) Gra- ham, both natives of Pennsylvania. By oc- cupation the father was a railroad contrac- tor, and as such aided in the construction of the first road over the Alleghany mountains. He was a son of Alexander Graham, who was of Irish descent and a tail(>r by trade. Our subject's maternal grandfa^bei. Henrv Mcllhaney, was also of Irish parentage and made farming his life work. Henry M. Graham, of this review, is the fourth in order of birth in a family of eight children who reached man and womanhood and six of the number are still living. In early life he attended the common schools of Chester and Perry counties, Pennsylvania. It was his ambition to become a soldier, but finding this impossible at that time he ob- tained a position on a canal boat running be- tween Pittsburg and Columbia, Pennsylva- nia, across the Alleghany mountains, over which the boats were conveyed by trucks. He was thus employed during the summer months from the age of thirteen until twenty years old. In December, 1855, Mr. Graham came to Illinois and spent five years in Mercer county. In the meantime he was married in Pike county, this state, in September, 1859, to Miss Mary W. Ewing, who was born in Jefferson county, Illinois, December 2, 1840, a daughter of Alexander and Susan Ewing, and was eleven years old on the removal of the family to Pike county. By this union were born thirteen children, eight daughters and five sons, but the latter all died in infancy. The daughters are Mary C, now a resident of Jacksonville; Cora Isabel, wife of C. A. Covert, of Jasper county, Missouri ; Laura Matilda, who was married March 31, 1889. to J. H. Klinefel- ter, of Webb City, Missouri ; Ida Metta, who was married January 20, 1891, to P. M. Klinefelter, of Greenwood township, this county; Lillian May, who was married Sep- tember 30, 1896, to J. A. Boyd, a merchant of Palmer, Christian county; Nora H., who was married November 2, 1902, to E. D. Boyd, of Greenwood township; and Grace and Emma, both at home. The children have all had good educational advantages. In the fall of i860 Mr Graham came to Christian county and settled on the prairie near where the Buckeye church now stands, leaving his wife and two children there when he entered the army during the Civil war. He enlisted in Rosamond township in Sep- tember, 1863, and remained in the service until hostilities ceased, being mustered out at San Antonio, Texas, on the 22d of No- vember, 1865. His was a frontier regiment and was under the command of General Merritt. On his return home Mr. Graham resumed farming and for twenty years he also engaged in shipping stock. In 1868 he 190 PAST AND PRESENT took up his residence on section i6, Rosa- mond township — the school section — and to the improvement and cultivation of that farn> he devoted his energies for many years. He erected all of the huildings and planted all of the trees now found thereon. Having decided to retire from active lahor he sold that place and in Octoher, 1902, re- moved to the village of Rosemond, occupy- ing one of the pioneer homes of the county, it having been built about 1854. Besides his residence he owns other town property. Mr. Graham is the third oldest settler liv- ing in Rosamond township and is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of his com- munity. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife and children also belong and he assisted in building all of the churches in his and ad- joining townships. While residing on the farm he served as trustee and steward of the church with which he was connected. Fra- ternally he is an honored member of Pope Post, No. 411, G. A. R., of Pana, and polit- ically he is identified with the Republican party. He has been called upon to fill a number of positions of honor and trust. He was elected tax collector in 1866 and served in that capacity for nine years. He was also justice of the ])eace four years, supervisor two years and assessor two years, and he prfjved a most capable and trustworthy offi- cial. ROBERT LITTLE. Among the early settlers of central Illi- nois, it is hardly too much to say, that there was none who exercised throughout his life a stronger influence or has left a more enduring impression on the minds and hearts of his associates and acquaintances than Robert Little. He was born near the \illage of Goffstown, New Hampshire, on the 25th of January, 1809, and was the third in a family of eight children, not one of whom now survive. At the age of twenty-one years, moved Ijy a desire to accomplish more than the op- portunities of his native village afforded, Mr. Little went to Brookline, then about three miles from Boston, Massachusetts, and for about ten years worked for wages in the employ. of different citizens of that place. For years an attempt had been made by some of the Boston people to found a new settlement in what is now Montgomery county, Illinois, which should, in time, be- come the center of a new county. Mr. Lit- tle had heard and read much of Illinois and looked longingly that way. In Boston was a young man, enjoying the confidence of the Audubon Land Company, who intended to come to Illinois and he heard of a young man in Brookline who also talked of going thither and he paid the latter a visit and formed his acquaintance. The result of this interview was that John S. Hayward, Rob- ert Little and his friend William Pike started for Hillsboro, Illinois, in the fall of 1838, making the tedious voyage of the lakes and entering the boundary of the promised land at Chicago, proceeding thence l)y stage to Hillsboro, and from that point Mr. Little and his friend took passage by stae'e to the new settlement of .\u(lubon. Liking the prospects, Mr. Little bought land and he and his friend built themselves a cabin in the woods and during the winter that followed cut down trees and split rails to fence the land. In the spring of 1839 they broke prairie and planted their first crop of corn, and during the summer cut and hauled to mill at Audubon the logs to be sawed into lumber for a house and before the frost had touched the leaves ]\Ir. Little *5i^ 'L %: '^ ^ CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 193 had a comfortable dwelling house to which he could welcome his future bride. That fall he returned to New Hampshire and on the 30th of September, 1839, was married to Charlotte Pike. The newly mar- ried pair came westward by the slow meth- ods of travel then prevailing. Reaching Pittsburg, a flatboat brought them to Cin- cinnati and the remainder of the journey was made by' stage and private conveyance until the new home on the prairie was reached. For a quarter of a century that was their home, and though pleasant in its surroundings, the railroad that had been projected to run near it failed to reach that point, and the village of Audubon, which was to have been a county seat, was fast losing its population. Mr. Little fixed his eyes on a pleasant mound five miles to the northeast and in 1864 built and moved to that home, some two miles south of Rose- mond in Christian county. During the period of his stay at the old farm and for some years after he came to the new one, he had the close companionship of his younger brother, Otis Little, whose farm was near the first home; and how close, intimate and cordial were their rela- tions is well known to many of the old resi- dents of that vicinity. That tender rela- tionship was severed by the death of the latter in the year 1872, when Otis Little was buried in the Rosemond cemetery. Sixty-five years have passed since the cabin was built which sheltered the two friends during the long first winter in the new settlement. How marked the change! The wild deer in herds no longer roam the uncultivated prairies; and many a strong arm and stout heart has yielded to the strug- gle, battling to subdue the wilds of nature, and after that to preserve for future generations the state and nation from the threatened grasp of slavery. The part which he took in these struggles, the labors and successes, the many acts of kindness, the deeds of charity and benevolence, the words of cheer and hearty advice, the daily toil, the temperate and consistent life of Robert Little are matters of history and recognized by all who knew him. Of many of these noble acts there is no record, ex- cept in the memory of those who best know of them, yet not a few are still living that can speak of them. Not a few there are who could say that to his kindness and indul- gence they were indebted, in a large degree, for the homes they possessed and for their success in life. His heart and hand were ever open, and no needy and deserving ap- plicant was ever refused help that was in nis power to consistently bestow. Settling here in an early day in the history of his adopted state, he contributed much in mak- ing it what it is — desirable for situation. Mr. Little died at his home on the 13th of June, 1887, and it was the subject of re- mark when two days later his body was laid to rest, that the funeral procession was one of the largest ever witnessed in that part of the state, there being one hundred and six- teen carriages and wagons in the proces- sion, reaching the entire distance from the residence to the Rosemond cemetery, the place of interment. For fourteen years he was survived by his widow, Charlotte P. Little, who was born in the village of Hebron, New Hampshire, June 22, 1808. She was the daughter of Will- iam and Ruth Pike and the granddaughter of Elijah Blood, a Revolutionary soldier. The earlier years of her life were spent in the Society of Friends or Quakers, and the impress of such surroundings was witnessed in her habits and methods. Quiet, cheerful, patient, frugal, industrious, unselfish, de- 194 PAST AND PRESENT voted to her husband and daiii^htcr. passion- ately attached to her home, \vhich she rarely left, \()id of ostentation and ct)ntinna]ly em- ployed in services for the comfort of her family and those who from surrounding cir- cumstances most needed her asistance. doins;' deeds of kindness and charity, the even tenor of her life was prolonged beyond the allotted span. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary F. Kitchell. in Pana, whither she went for the last time in the fall of 1898, remaining there until her death, which oc- curred June 19. 1901, at the ad\anced age of ninety-two years, ele\en months and twentv-eight davs. She was one of nine children born to her parents, the father dy- ing in New England in 1835. After her marriage she brought her mother to the new- western home. A brother, William Pike, i)efore mentioned, had already preceded her the year before and had bought and im- proved land in the A'icinity of Audulxm, where he lived to a ripe old age. The mother continued to reside with her daugh- ter the remainder of her days, and died on the 3d of January, 1879, '^^ the advanced age of ninety-three years, four months and twenty-seven days, and was buried in Rose- mond Grove cemetery. The sole offspring and survivor of Robert and Charlotte P. Little is their daughter Mary F. Kitchell. the wife of John W. Kit- chell, now residing in Pana. JOHN W. KITCHELL. John Wickliffe Kitchell, who is engaged in the practice of law in Pana. represents an ancestrv honorable and distinguished. He is a descendant of Robert Kitchel. the leader of a band of Puritans wdio emigrated from England in 1639 and who joined them- selves together in a "Plantation Covenant." and settled at Guilford, Connecticut. Rob- ert Kitchel afterward went to New Jersey, where man}' of his descendants are to be fimnd. Aaron Kitchel was a member of congress from 1799 to 1807 and was then chosen Ihiited States .senator. John W. Kitchell was born in Palestine, Crawford county. Illinois. May 30, 1835, a son of W'ickliti and Elizabeth (Ross) Kit- chell. His father was born in the state of Xew York in the year 1789, going thence in early youth to New Jersey, and after his marriage at Newark in 18 12 determined to cast his fortunes in the newly developing west, proceeding through Pennsylvania to Pittsburg and thence by flatboat to Cincin- nati and settling near the Whitewater river. W'icklifif Kitchell subsequently removed to Indiana, where he engaged in farming and at the same time read law at night by the light of a faggot. He served as sheriff of his county at one time. He continued to move westward until the year Illinois was admitted to the Union, when he brought his famil}^ to this state and became a resident of Palestine. He was appointed register of th.e land office at that plac'e and was des- tined to still greater prominence in con- nection with the new commonwealth, always taking a great interest in public affairs. To secure l)etter educational advantages for his then numerous children, he removed to Hillsboro, Montgomery county, iii the fall of 1838, and there continued in the practice of his profession, being contemporary with and pitted against the ablest members of the bar in southern Illinois, such as Fields, Shields, Gillespie, Kinder, Constable, Fick- lin and later Lincoln, Douglas, Trumbull ;md Thornton. He served as state's attor- ney in his circuit and was attorney general of the state in 1839 and 1840. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat, but inde- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 197 l)enclent and fearless in the advocacy of his somewhat advanced doctrines, opposed lo trickery and to the gigantic system of internal improvement inaugurated in the state. He was elected to the state senate in 1828 and 1838 and was twice elected as a niemher of the house of representatives. He began to break away from the Democratic party at the period of the war with Mexico. A determined enemy to the extension of slavery, he was adverse to the repeal of the Missouri compromise, was an anti-Nebraska Democrat and participated in the formation of the Republican party, being present at the famous Bloomington convention. In 1846 he removed to Iowa but returned to Hillsboro in 1853. He died in Pana in 1869. An elder brother, Joseph Kitchell, was receiver of the public land office at Palestine, a member of the first constitu- tional convention which met at Kaskaskia and afterward a member of the first senate which convened after the adoption of the constitution. Of the ten children born to WicklitT and Elizabeth (Ross) Kitchell, three sons grew to maturity and shared the political opinions and adopted the profession of their father.. The eldest, Alfred Kitchell, after obtaining his license settled in the then small village of Olney, Richland county, Illinois, where he remained for many years, having attained success and prominence as a lawyer and in the building up of his town. He was state's attorney for several successive terms and was subsequently elected judge of the circuit court and was a member of the constitutional convention of 1848. He died at Galesburg, Illinois, in 1866. The next oldest son, Edward Kitchell, after a trip across the plains with an ox team in 1852, to California, returned to Illinois and took up the study of law with his bnjther Alfred at OUiey. He was an ardent patriot and entered the Union army in 1862 as lieutenant colonel of the Ninety-eighth Regiment of Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, which regiment he command- ed during the greater part of its service and which formed a part of the famous Wil- der Brigade of Mounted Infantry. At the close of his service Edward Kitchell was brevetted a brigadier general. He was a presidential elector on the Republican ticket in 1868 and for a time was revenue collector for his congressional district. He died at Olney, Illinois, July 11, 1869. The youngest of the family and the only one now living is John W. Kitchell. When in his sixteenth year his school education ended at the Hillsboro Academy, which he attended but for one year and then returned to his father's home then at Fort Madison, Iowa. There he entered the law office of Miller & Beck, eminent practitioners of that state, and passing an examination received a license to practice at the age of seventeen years. Soon afterward the family returned to Hillsboro, Illinois, and at the age of nine- teen he formed a partnership with Hon. E. Y. Rice, subsequently judge of the cir- cuit court and member of congress. During the following winter he was chosen to a clerkship in the Illinois house of representa- tives at Springfield and served as reading clerk during that term, when Lyman Trum- bull was elected to the United States senate. Mr. Kitchell occupied a like position in the session of 1860-61 when Shelby M. Cul- lom was speaker of the house and Richard Yates, Sr., was governor of the state. He has always taken a lively interest in public affairs, casting his first vote for Fremont for president. He was successively the nom- inee of the Republican party for the state senate and for congress but both times was 198 PAST AND PRESENT unsuccessful by reason of the strong Demo- cratic majorities. In iSout one year of age. Tlie early life of our subject was passed on a farm in his native county, and after his lather's death, which occurred when he was only ten years of age, he assisted his mother in the operation of the farm, attending the country schools as the opportunity afforded, lieing his mother's main dependence, he was obliged to leave school at the age of sixteen and assume the responsibilities of the farm and family, in this way he developed those traits of industry, integrity and thoughtful- ness for the good of others wdiich char- acterized his entire life. The Civil war com- ing on the year of his father's death, the freeing of the slaves and the depreciation of \alues generally, consequent upon the war, left his mother in very straightened circum- stances, which financial embarrassment made it trying for so young a farmer. His ad- vantages were very limited until the age of eighteen, when he entered the male academy at Garrettsburg, Kentucky, his teacher l)eing no less a personage than that most profound scholar ?,nd instructor, O. M. Tyler, wdiose name is dear to so many men who were boys in southern Kentucky and northern Tennessee. After tw^o years spent at that school Mr. Long returned to the home farm. h'or several years it w-as his apibition to en- ter the medical profession, but his educa- tion not being entirely satisfactory and his mother and two sisters being dependent up- on him, he remained at home. However, he began making arrangements to enter mer- cantile business and in J 874 bought- an in- terest in his brother James' store at Roaring Springs, Kentucky, his brother retaining al- most entire control. A year or so later it became necessary, according to the terms of his father's will, to sell all real estate belong- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 217 ing to the deceased and our subject bought the homestead but soon afterward sold it to liis brother James, In the spring of 1877, Mr. Long came to Christian county, Ilhnois, and forming a partnership with his cousin A. E. Boyd em- Ijarked in the dry-goods business at Pahner, This connection was dissolved in the fall of 1878 on Mr. Boyd's retirement from business and Mr. Long conducted the store alone un- til 1883, when he sold out and went to Sully county, South Dakota, where he had landed interests. Two years later he returned to this county and settled in Morrisonville, w here he owned a general store in partner- shi]) with his brother-in-law, A. M. Hewitt, under the firm name of Hewitt & Long. He continued to carry on business at this place until 1894, when he sold out but again re- sumed business in 1896, and continued it un- til May 16, 1902, when he retired. On the 19th of June, 1878, Mr. Long was united in marriage to Miss Hannah L. Hewitt, of Taylorville, the ceremony being l)erformed by Rev. E. P. Rankin, a Pres- l)yterian minister of Morrisonville. Her parents were William T. and Anna (Gib- son) Hewitt, her father being a pioneer set- tler and one of the most widely known men oi this county. He was born in Stafford county, Virginia, January 15, 1816, and when sixteen years of age removed to Chris- tian county, Kentucky, where he married Anna Gibson, who was born there in 182 1 and died June 8, 1857. She was a woman of piety and was noted for her benevolent and amiable disposition and for her charity to the poor. In 1842 Mr. Hewitt came to Christian county, Illinois, where he became a wealthy farmer and stock-raiser. He was a well educated man, of sterling integrity, and in his death, which occurred November 24, 1890, the community realized that it had lost a valued citizen. About three years after the death of his first wife he married Mary R. Wilcockson, a daughter of Colonel John H. H. Wilcockson, of Christian coun- ty, Illinois. Three children were born of this union: William T., who died in 1872; Lee D., who married Ella Russell ; and Omei B. The children of the first marriage were Francis M., who died in 1872; Olive C, wife of Joseph S. Wallace ; Aurelius M., who married Florence Anderson; James Byron, who died in 1869; Laura J., wife of J. L. Boyd; and Hannah L., now Mrs. Long. The last named was born in this county September 23, 1856, and was only eight months old when her mother died. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Long were born two children but the elder died in infancy. The other, Troy Lovell, was born December 27, 1881. In politics Mr. Long was a Democrat and he was honored with numerous local offices, including that of supervisor of Ricks township. He was a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity in high rank and at his death, which occurred May 28, 1903, he was laid to rest in the Taylorville cemetery with Ma- sonic honors. He was a fine looking man, of strong personality and firm determina- tion, was broad minded and liberal in his views, and had a high sense of honor. Added to these qualities, he was a loving husband, a kind and indulgent father, generous and hospitable, a liberal supporter of charitable and church work, and a successful business man. His death occasioned the deepest re- o-ret throughout the community and Chris- tian county thereby lost one of its most valued citizens. Mrs. Long is an earnest worker and active member in the Presby- terian church and occupies a position of so- cial prominence in the city where she makes her home. 218 PAST AND PRESENT GEORGE V. PENW'ELL. For manv veais George V^ Peiiwell made his home in I'ana aiul was prominently identified witli her uplmikhng- and prosper- ity, especially along commercial and indus- trial lines. He is a man of superior busi- ness ability and scnmd judgment and has won that prosperity which is the merited reward of honorable effort. As a citizen he was always thorougiily interested in what- e\cr tended to ])romote the welfare of the community in which he resided. Mr. Penwell was l)orn in Laporte, In- diana, oh tlie 6th of February, 1846, and came to Pana in January, 1869. He was hrst clerk and afterward manager of a store owned by Kleeman Goldstein of Shelbyville, Illinois, and in 1870, in partnership with Benjamin Goldstein, purchased tlie branch store belonging to his employer at Pana. The firm finally became George V. Penw-ell & Sons and so exists to-day. As his finan- cial resources increased Air. Pemvell extend- ed his efforts to various fields of business, all of which he successfully operated. In connection with Messrs. Kitchell & Over- holt he organized a coal mining company and sunk a shaft to the coal vein in March, 1888. In December of the same year he bought the interests of his associates in this enterprise and called the property the Penwell mine, under which name it has since been worked. His sons becoming interested in the busi- ness the company was incorporated on the 4th of January, 1904, as the Penwell Coal Mining Company with the following of- ficers : George V. Penwell, president ; Claude T. Penwell, vice president; and \\'ar- ren Penw^ell, secretary and treasurer. In 1893 Mr. Penw^ell of this review re- moved to Chicago and from that point has since superintended his invested interests, wdiich have become extensive and valuable. He assisted in organizing the Citizen's Building & Loan Association of Pana, of which he was treasurer for sixteen years. He is still connected with the store of George V. Penw^ell & Sons at Pana and the Penwell &• Klar Mercantile Company, of Hillsboro, Illinois, and is also interested in iron mining m Michigan. On May 21, 1867, Mr. Penw^ell was united in marriage to Miss Isabel Warren and to them were l)orn four children, of whom three are still ]i\ing, namely: Warren, whose sketch follows this, is the oldest. Orville E., who married Eva Brown, is manager of the store of George V. Penwell & Sons at Pana, is treasurer of the Citizens' Building & Loan Association of the same place, and a director of the Penwell & Klar Mercantile Company of Hillsboro. Max IL. who married Florence Perryman and has two children, Bruce and Kenneth, is con- nected with the store at Pana, being a mem- l)er of the firm. Mrs. Isabel Warren Pen- well died March 31. 1873, and ]\Ir. Penwell was married in ]\Iay. 1874, to Myra Tutt, bv whom he had one son, Claude Tutt Pen- well, now superintendeint of the mines at Pana. Mr. Penw^ell is a self-made man. He came to Pana practically empty-handed and has been one of the leading factors in the upbuilding of the town, controlling business enterprises of magnitude that have largely promoted public prosperity as well as ad- vanced his individual success. His business methods have been straightforw^ard and his wealth has been won through the utiliza- tion of opportunities and through the exer- cise of his native talents and accjuired abil- ity. He has always given his political sup- port to the Republican party but has never consented to hold office, save that of presi- dent of the school board. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 221 WARREN PENWELL. Warren Penwell, a coal operator living in Pana, is managing important and extensive business interests which are of value to the community as well as to the owners because of their promotion of commercial and in- dustrial activity, whereon the prosperity of any town or city depends. The name of Penwell has long figured prominently in the trade annals of this part of the state and because of his active connection with vari- ous important enterprises Warren Penwell has become a leading citizen of Christian county. A native son of Pana, he was born Feb- ruary 6, 1869, a son of George V. and Isabel (Warren) Penwell. He acquired his early education in the schools of Pana and pur- sued a business course in Springfield, Illi- nois, after which he matriculated in Black- burn University, at Carlinville, this state, therein continuing his studies for one year. Upon his return to Pana he entered his fath- er's ofiice in April, 1889, and has since been connected with the coal mining interests. When his father removed to Chicago he took charge of the mine and has since been its manager in connection with his brother, Claude T. The business has been incor- porated under the firm style of the Penwell Coal Mining Company with George V. Pen- well as president; Claude T. Penwell, vice- president and superintendent of the mine ; and Warren Penwell, secretary and treas- urer. Our subject also has charge of the office. Three hundred men are now given employment in the mines. There is a large annual output, in connection with which much business has to be transacted in plac- ing the product on the market. Mr. Penwell is a young man of resource- ful business ability and in addition to his mining operations he is now the president of the Paddock Lumber Company ; one of the directors of the Pana Building & Loan Association ; is treasurer of the Pana & Christian County Telephone Company; and is also treasurer of the Pana Fair Associa- tion. On the 14th of June, 1898, Mr. Penwell was united in marriage to Miss Lora Hay- ward, a daughter of J. A. Hayward. She was reared and educated in Pana and at Mrs. May Wright Sewall's school, Indi- anapolis, Indiana, and by her marriage has l^ecome the mother of two children : Isabel and lone Hayward. Mrs. Penwell is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Pen- well is connected with the Modern Wood- men Camp and the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Pana. In politics he is a Repub- lican, giving an unfaltering support to the principles of the party, and he has filled some local offices, having served as city treasurer from 1893 until 1895 and as mayor of Pana from 1897 until 1899. During his adminis- tration and through his efforts the first brick street-paving was done. In business circles he occupies an enviable position, not only on account of the success he has achieved, but also because of the honorable straightfor- ward business policy h.e has ever followed. It is true that he entered u])on a business al- ready established but in controlling and en- larging this he has displayed excellent ex- ecutive force and keen discernment and his policy is such as neither seeks nor requires disguise. B. F. WINTERS. B. F. Winters has spent his entire life in Christian county and is now actively en- gaged in merchandising in Stonington as proprietor of a grocery and hardware store. While there have been no exciting chapters 222 PAST AND PRESENT in his history there are lessons which will appeal to the man who recognizes the force of energy, industry and integrity in the af- fairs of life, for it has been due to these ele- ments in his character that Mr. Winters has won his success and become one of the lead- ing representatives of the business circles of his adopted city. Mr. Winters was born April 14, i860, in Taylorville and is a son of Benjamin and Jane Winters. His father, a native of Penn- sylvania, was born on the 8th of January, 1822, and died on the 5th of November, 1870, in the city of Taylorville. He arrived in Christian county in 1858 and established the Independent Press, which was one of the first newspapers ever published in Christian county. This he conducted until his death. The printing press used was the one on which the first edition of the Missouri Re- public was printed and which would to-day be worth a great deal of money because of its historic value, had it been preserved, but Mr. Winters, of this review, assisted in cut- ting it up for kindling wood when it was re- placed by a more modern machine. Benja- min Winters was very active in all public affairs, promoting the w^elfare of the county along material, intellectual and moral lines and to the Democratic party he gave an un- faltering support. In his famly were three daughters, two of whom reside in Christian county. B. F. Winters, the only son of the house- hold, obtained his preliminary education in the schools of Taylorville and started out to make his own way in the world at the age of thirteen. He was first employed upon a farm and in 1881 he came to Stonington, where he secured a position in connection with the elevator, spending two and a half years in this way. For eight years he worked in a drug store and then, resuming agricultural pursuits, was engaged in the operation of a rented farm near Stonington for three years. On the expiration of that period 1ie embarked in business on his own account, having acquired the necessary capi- tal through untiring labor and careful man- agement. He opened a grocery and hard- , ware store in the building now occupied by 1 the Slaughter store and in 1899 he pur- -> chased the building in which he is now con- ducting his enterprise, carrying a large and well selected stock of groceries, queensware and hardware. He has made a close study of the demands of the public and by reason of his earnest desire to please his patrons and his honorable dealing he has secured a very liberal and gratifying patronage. In addition to his store he owns some land in Stonington and recently he has purchased eighty acres of land in Kansas. In March, 1884, was celebrated the mar- riasre of B. F. Winters and Miss Marv E. Emerson, a daughter of Richard Emerson, an early settler of Christian county who in pioneer times entered land near Stonington from the government. Unto him and his wife have been born two children : Earl E., who is now a student in the high school of Taylorville ; and Ethel, who is also pursuing her education here. Mr. Winters and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and in social circles occupy an en- viable position. Recently he has erected a fine residence of nine rooms on the main street of the town. It is heated by furnace, supplied with a bath room and is modern in every particular, and not the least of the charms of this home is its gracious and free- hearted hospitality. Mr. Winters' views upon the temperance question have led him to give an earnest support to the Prohibition party. He has served as tax collector and has been a member of the town board of CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 223 Stonington. In public affairs he is pro- g-ressive, desiring the substantial upbuilding of the city along beneficial lines and has been a co-operant factor in many measures result- ing in the pul:)lic good. He represents one of the old and honored pioneer families of Christian county and in this section of the state, where his entire life has been passed, he is known as a man of firm purpose, of unquestioned integrity and of marked strenoth of character. PROFESSOR W. E. ANDREWS. The name of Professor W. E. Andrews, of Taylorville, is well known in educational circles throughout the state and all who are ac(|uainted with his work or have listened to his clear, [)ractical and progressive ideas as advanced before county and state educa- tional associations, speak of him in terms of highest praise. He is indeed an active fac- tor in intellectual development in Christian county and Illinois. In the city where he makes his home and where his social nature is best known, he is a most popular gentle- man; the circle of his friends being almost co-extensive with the circle of his acc[uaint- ances. Professor Andrews is a native of Macou- pin county, Illinois, and his early education was acfjuired in its public schools. This was supplemented by a study in an academy at Brighton, Illinois. There he was fortunate in being under the instruction of a learned and capable educator, who was a graduate of Dartmouth College and a former prin- cipal of the schools of Lynn, Massachusetts. His collegiate work was done in Blackburn University, from which institution he was graduated with the class of '84. He was honored with the presidency of the class and while he made marked advance in his studies, his genial nature rendered him a favorite with his fellow students. He dis- played special aptitude in mathematical work and because of this was chosen in 1884 by the board of trustees of his alma mater as assistant instructor in mathematics. For three years he engaged in teaching higher mathematics, analytical and descriptive geometry and differential and integral cal- culus. He also had chai'ge of classes in bot- any, Cicero De Amicitia and De Senectute and Horace. In 1887 he was chosen to fill the chair of natural science as the successor of one who had occupied it for eighteen years. Professor Andrews was then a young man of twenty-four years, but he dis- charged the duties of the new position with marked capability and occupied that chair for ten years. In 1888, because of advanced study and work in connection with his spe- cialties, he was awarded the degree of Mas- ter of Arts. In 1894 a shrinkage in the endowment of the college made it necessary to decrease the salaries proportionately, so Professor An- drews accepted the principalship of the township high school of Taylorville. A contemporary pulilication, in speaking of this step in his life, said : "He was induced to accept this position because of his convic- tion that this school presents a great oppor- tunity to one who seeks a useful career." Under his principalship the corps of teach- ers has been strengthened, the enrollment continually increased, absence and tardiness reduced to a minimum, and the school has been accepted as a preparatory school by the leading state imiversities and the best col- leges. In addition to a large working library in natural science Professor Andrews has an extensive ecjuipment of scientific appa- ratus and appliances and a large collection of plants and birds. He has done much 224 PAST AND PRESENT original investigation in the physical sci- ences and was among the first in the state to repeat Roentgen's experiments with the X-rays. In the midst of Inisy summers of research and study, he has twice pursued post-graduate work in Harvard University. At his first examination for a state teacher's certificate he was awarded the life certificate in Illinois. He has held a license as con- ductor of teachers' institutes in this state under the last three state superintendents, and for the past fifteen years has done most ahle work in different county institutes. He enrolled in the non-resident graduate depart- ment of the Illinois Wesleyan University, and in 1899, having passed the required ex- aminations, the degree of Doctor of Philos- ophy was conferred upon him. He has fre- quently contributed valuable papers to the teachers' association in Springfield and also to the Central Illinois Teachers' Association. His experience as a teacher, though extend- ing over a number of years, has embraced connection with but two schools, a fact which stands in incontrovertible evidence of his marked ability and the appreciation of his services by the public. He is a man of scholarly attainments, wide research and broad humanitarian principles. He always regards his work as worthy his best efforts. He will always be a student and is now an active member of the St. Louis Academy of Science, the National Educational Asso- ciation and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Professor Andrews w'as married in 18(87 to Miss Alberta Taggart, of Carlinville, Illi- nois, and they have two children : Virginia, a high school student; and Alberta, who is attending the graded schools. Mrs. An- drews is a member of the Woman's Club of Taylorville and is chairman of the educa- tional department. She is also a director of the new Carnegie Library. Professor An- drews is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to the blue lodge and chapter of Taylorville. In the Presbyterian church he is serving as elder and for several years has been Sunday- school superintendent. JOHN WT TELLER BROWN. J. Wheeler Brown was born in North Stonington, Connecticut, September 17, 1838, being the oldest of three children. His father, John Denison Brown, was born in North Stonington, March 23, 1809, and was the oldest son of John and Sally (Denison) Brown. His ancestry, however, traces back to Lady Ann Bordell, a member of the Eng- lish nobility, who took quite a prominent part in the early settlement of this country. After arriving at years of maturity the father of 'our subject was joined i!i wedlock to Mary Ann AMieeler, who was the third in a family of twelve children born to Peres and Desire (Wheeler) Wheeler. The mother of our subject traced her ancestry back thirty-five generations through God- frey I; Henry II; Lambert of Lorain I; Charles, Duke of Lorain; Louis III, King of France; Charles III, King of France; Louis II, King of France; Charles II, King of France; Louis I, King of France; to Em- peror Charlemagne, born in 742, A. D. The Wheelers were also connected with the Grant family, of whom General U. S. Grant was the most illustrious memloer. The Grants, Wheelers, Denisons and Browns were represented in the Revolutionary war. In i8'39 John Denison Brown came to Christian county and located on a farm in Stonington township which now belongs to his son J. Wheeler. Upon that place two daughters were born: Mrs. Mary Desire Forrester, who is the mother of James H. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 227 Forrester, now county judge, and Mrs. Dr. Mally, of Galesburg; and Mrs. Sally Ann Mulberry, who died, leaving three chil- dren: Mrs. N. D. Bond. Grace Pearl Mulberry and Frank B. Mulberry, who is now connected with J. W. Brown & Com- pany's l^ank at Mount Auburn. When thir- ty-two years of age John D. Brown, together with his wife, united with the Baptist church at Stonington, Illinois, and seven years later was chosen one of its deacons, in which capacity he acted until his death in 1879. He was active to tlie last in anything that concerned the church and its welfare. His 'Irst wife died in 1854 and two years later lie married Miss N. C. Wentworth, sister of Erastus Wentworth, a missionary to Chnia and for several years editor of the Ladies' Home Journal, published by the Methodist Book Concern at Cincinnati. She died in 1870 and after the marriage of his daughter Sally and the death of his mother in 1877, Mr. Brown then made his home with our subject until he, too, was called awav in T879. J. Wheeler Brown had Imt limited educa- tional "advantages during his youth, attend- ing school only three months each year. His first teacher was the late Judge William Hammer, who died in Decatur a few years ago, and under his instruction Mr. Brown pursued his primary studies during the win- ter of 1843-4. His best mental training, however, was received continuously from his father, who was a well educated man, taking an active interest in educational affairs, and who, in connection with Judge William S. Fink of Taylorville, was instrumental in se- curing the services of two teachers from the school of Governor Slade, of Massachusetts, Miss Burnham teaching in Stonington and Miss Holland in Taylorville for one year. Mr. Brown grew up much as other boys in a new country, working on his father's farm and going from home but little and then only to the nearest towns. He never went any farther than Springfield until nearly grown. On the 30th of September, 1862, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Re- l:)ecca T. Catherwood, a daughter of Joseph and Lydia Catherwood and one of a family of ten children. Four of the number, Cath- erine, Joseph, Allen and Mrs. Brown, are now deceased, the living being John, Will- iam T., Mrs. Eliza J. Bonnel, J. Steele, Lyd- ia A. and Mrs. H. Emma Powell. Mrs. Brown was born in LTnion county, Ohio, and when quite young removed with her parents to Guernsey county, that state, where her father died. The family afterward removed to Shelby county, Illinois, in 1857, and two years later came to Stonington, Christian county. For twenty-eight years after they were married Mr. and Mrs. Brown lived on their farm and the old homestead which his father purchased in 1839. In September, 1890, they removed to Normal, Illinois, where they spent two years, in order that the two younger children might attend the State Normal School, the two oldest having mar- ried previous to this. On the ist of Au- gust, 1892, they became residents of Mowe- aqua, Shelby county, and in connection with the late D. P. Keller and William C. Miller, now of Decatur, Mr. Brown established the Commercial Bank, under the firm style of Miller, Brown & Keller. This institution opened its doors for business on the 2nd of December, 1892. Mr. Brown remained in Moweaqua until the ist of May, 1896, when he came back to Blue Mound, having in con- nection with Ralph Ayers purchased the bank of J. M. Brownback & Company. About the ist of May, 1900, he purchased his partner's interest in the bank at Blue 228 PAST AND PRESENT Mdiind, and in Uirn sold. his interest in the Commercial Bank at Aloweaqua. He then transferred one-third of the lUue Monnd hank to his son. jnhn Arthur lirown, and the present hrm of J. W. P.rown & Company was esta1)lished. After the removal of the family to VAue Mound, Mr. Brown was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 2d of Octoher, 1896, and was laid to rest in the old Stonington cemetery. Her mother, Mrs. Lydia Catherwood. died the follow- ing spring in Taylorville. She was noted for her strong religious character and up- right life. In the fall of 1867 Mrs. Brown was converted and immediately united w ith the Nebraska Schoolhouse Class, which at that time was an auxiliary of the Methodist Episcopal church of Moweacjua. In 1890 she transferred her membership to the church at Normal, and after the removal of the family to ]\Ioweaqua she joined the Methodist church at that place, remaining a consistent member there until her death. She took great pleasure in aiding in the work of the church to whicli she and her husband belonged, being especially active in the Ladies' Missionary Society, and as long as health permitted she faithfully at- tended church and worshiped at all its serv- ices. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother and her loss was very deeply felt, not only by her immediate family but by many friends throughout the county. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown. Mary Ann. the eldest, is now Mrs. J. Riley y\nderson, and is the mother of eleven children, seven of whom are living-. They reside on Mr. Anderson's farm one mile south of Taylorville, where thev carrv on farming on scientific principles with mucli pleasure and profit. As soon as qualified their children enter the high school of Tay- lor\illc, where Ralph, the eldest, will gradu- ate in 1904. L. Grace, our subject's second f'aughter, is the wife of O. E. Briggs. who lives three miles east of Stonington in I'ran-- ieton townsln'p, and to them lia\'e been l)oni five children, but one is now deceasecb Mrs. Brii?o"s has alwavs lived in tlie same neigh- borliood and is a member of the old Stoning- ton Baptist church. S. Agnes is now keep- ing house for her father. She attended the Normal School for four years, and at one time held a position in the Commercird luink- of Moweacpia. She has spent much time in travel, visiting all parts of the United States, and is a memljer of the Eastern Star, the I^aughters of the American Revolution and contemplates joining the Descendants of the Mavflower. John Arthur, our subject's only son, married Miss Cora Hul)bard, of Evans- ton, Illinois, and they have one son, Tom Hubbard Brown. He is the junior mem- l:er of the banking firm of J. W. Brown & Company, of Blue Mound, and also of Mount Auburn, where they ha\-e a bank, Carl D. Miller being a member of the firm and cashier, assisted by Frank B. Mulberry, a nephew of our subject, the only son of his youngest sister. The bank of J. \\'. Brown & Comprmy at Mount Auburn have new quarters, occtqjy- ing a fine two-stor\' building of red pressed brick, which was built in the summer and fall of 1903, and is a credit to the town. Mr. IJrow^n has always given his political support to the Republican party, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He has held nor sought no offlce sa\-e township positions. While lix'ing upon his farm he was called ujjon by his fellow citizens to .serve in a num- ber of local offices, was supervisor, assessor .and justice of the peace. He also served as school director for seventeen years. In May, 1845, ^'^' became one of the charter CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 229 erset, Canada, July 12, 1852, a son of Ben- jamin and Felicile (Deverenes) Lambert, who were also natives of Canada. The father was a carpenter and followed his trade in the employ of the Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Company. In March, 1857, he came to Christian county, Illinois, and in June of the same year his family came with a colony that made their way to Tolomo and thence to the present site of Assumption. There was nothing here at the time but the railroad warehouse and for a few days the colony were sheltered in that. Mr. Lambert, being a carpenter, erected the first house in the tow^n and it is still standing on Sam- uel street. His wife had learned the English language in Canada but was the only one of the emigrants who could speak it. How- ever they were a resolute people who had come to this new district to make homes, and they founded an enterprising town which stands as a monument to their labors and perpetuates their memory. The father of our subject continued to follow^ his trade until i860, when he removed to a farm in Assumption township and there he died in August, 1 86 1. The mother passed away about 1889, at the age of seventy-four years. JOSEPH T. LAMBERT. j^^ ^1^^ ^^^-ly ^-Ij^ys Qf Assumption their home Joseph Theophile Lambert is now filling was the place of entertainment for all trav- the position of mayor of Assumption and is elers. All products w^ere hauled to the Tay- one of its most prominent and progressive lorville market, but as the years passed the members of the Sunday-school organized at Old Stonington — the first Sunday-school formed in Christian county. In November, 1850, he united with the Baptist church at that place and has held membership there- with continuously since. Eraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason. In his business life he has prospered and in connection with his banking interests in Blue Mound and Mount Auburn he still owns six hundred acres of land in Prairieton township. Christian coun- ty — the old homestead, — and also six hun- dred acres in Stoddard county, Missouri. He was only about a year old when the fam- ily came to Illinois, and in this portion of the state he has spent almost his entire life. He is therefore well known to its citizens, and his history has l)een such as to win for him many friends, especially among the older people who were early settlers of this great fertile county, more dear to them per- haps for the remembrances of the priva- tions of its earlier days before roads, fences, tile ditches and the many advantages that have since known. sprung into existence were citizens. As a merchant he has been actively identified with business circles here for many years, and moreover he was an occupant of the first house erected in the town, it hav- ing been built l)y his father. From the very beginning of the town therefore he has been a witness of its growth and has ever been deeply interested in its welfare, a fact which is evident in his progressive administration as chief executive of the city. Mr. Lambert was born at Port Levi, Som- pioneer conditions were replaced by those of an advanced civilization. In the family were twelve children, eight of whom reached mature years, while five are yet living, name- ly: Mrs. Bridget Ostel, of Carlinville, Illi- nois; Davis, who is married and is foreman of a large wagon manufactory at Kankakee, Illinois ; Cassimire, who is married and lives in Donaldson, Louisiana, where he owns a large sugar plantation and is doing an exten- sive business ; and Joseph T. 230 PAST AND PRESENT The last named pursued his e(hication in the district schools and in the high school of Assumption, and while pursuing- his edu- cation he was also employed in a store for seven months. He then entered the store of A. Cazalett as a clerk and also hoarded with him and after the estahlishment of the firm of Cazalett & Lacharite he continued as a salesman in tlleir estahlishment and assisted in the growth of th.e husiness hy his loyalty to his cm])loyers' interests. In the spring of 1876 he joined a Mr. Ophir in the gro- cery husiness, being thus associated for eight months, at the end of which time he bought out his former employer, Mr. Lacharite, and the firm of Cazalett & Lambert continued the business until 1880, in which \ear the present firm of Lacharite & Lambert became owner of the store, which they have since carried on with excellent success. The store occupies two floors of a large and well lighted brick building, and they carry an extensive and well selected line of dr}^ goods and groceries. Their trade is a paying one for their business methods are honorable and they have therefore secured an extensive patronage. Mr. Lambert has been twice married. Li 1875, in Assumption, he wedded Ann Louisa Griffith, who died in 1895, leaving two sons that are yet living. Rolland is married and is a tookkeeper in the Illinois State Bank; and Sydney is attending school. Cora, aged twenty, and Mabel, aged seventeen years, died within four months of each other. For his second wife Mr. Laniljcrt chose Emma A. Hoover, of Indiana, and they were mar- ried in 1897. They now have a daughter, Florence. Mr. Lambert is recognized as a leader in public affairs here and his loyalty in citizen- ship and his progressive ideas well qualify him to take a prominent place in public life. He served as alderman for two years, was for three years a member of the school board and in the spring of 1903 he was elected on a citizens' ticket to the office of mayor. The best element in iXssumption, desiring a clean, l;usinesslike administration, g.'U'c him its sup- port and he is now the incumbent in the highest office within the gift of his fellow citizens of Assumption and his course is one which demonstrates that he is well worthy the confidence and trust reposed in liini. Tn national politics he is a Republican. Mr. Lainl^ert is a charter member of the Modern Woodmen Camp of Assumption and also belongs to tlie Fraternal Army. He is like- wise a charter member of Tecnmseh Lodge, T. O. O. F., of which he is now treasurer rmd he has been a representative to the grand lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America in Springfield. In all life's relations he is reliable and honorable and his salient char- acteristics are such as command respect and beget confidence in every land and clime. GEORGE RITSCHER. In every community there are found men who by reason of their inherent force of character, their ability, devotion to the pub- lic good and well known probity become lead- ers in public life and exert a strong and beneficial inlluence in ])ublic affairs. Such a man is George Rilscher, who is president of the village board of Owaneco, and is an active business man. engaged in dealing in grain and lumber. A native of Germany, he was born on the 27th of October, 1858, and is a son of Charles and Maria Ritscher, who were also natives of that country. The father came to Taylorville, Illinois, with his family in 1874 and s])ent his remaining days in Chris- CHRISTIAN COUNTY. ILLINOIS. 231 tian county, passing away in 1892. His wife's death occurred in the year 1872. George Ritscher attended the pubhc schools of the fatherland until thirteen years of age when he began working at the cabinet- maker's trade. He was employed in that way in Germany until 1874, when at the age of sixteen years he came with the family to the new world. He benefited by the change for he found in the business condi- tions of the growing west the opportunities he sought for advancement. After being employed at wagon-making in Taylorville for three months, he went to St. Louis, Mis- souri, where he clerked in a grocery store, remaining in that city for a year. On the expiration of that period he returned to Tay- lorville and secured employment in the Ritscher & Lenhart wagon and carriage shop, with which he was connected until 1884. He next located in Stonington, and joined J. W. Boyle as a dealer in farm ma- chinery, wagons and carriages, continuing the partnership until 1895, when he sold out to Mr. Boyle and came to Owaneco. Here he aided in forming the firm of Ritscher Brothers, dealers in grain and lumber, and for seven years they were associated in busi- ness, at the end of which time Mr. Ritscher purchased his brother's inerest and has since been alone in business. He makes large nur- chases and shipments of grain and also con- ducts a lumber yard, selling to local patrons, who find him a straighforward, enterprising business man, careful, watchful of his own interests, yet never taking advantage of his fellow men in any trade transaction. He is also a stockholder in The Metzger-Hill Com- pany, doing a commission business in Cin- cinnati, Ohio. In 1883 occurred the marriage of Mr. Ritscher and Miss Sarah R. Daigh, a daugh- ter of William Daigh, one of the pioneer residents of Christian county. They have three children, two sons and a daughter, Emmet, Neta and Herbert. They occupy a pleasant home in Owaneco, which is the property of Mr. Ritscher. He is a member of the Lutheran church, his wife of the Re- formed church. His political support is given the Republican party and upon that ticket he has been elected to several local offices. He served as town clerk of Ston- ington for five years and has been a trustee of the board of Owaneco' since the incor- poration of the village, while at the present writing he is serving as its president. His aid and cooperation are never sought in vain in behalf of beneficial public measures and his influence is ever on the side of right, jusice and Improvement. ANDREW D. BALSLEY, D. V. S. Andrew D. Balsley, wdio is successfully engaged in the practice of veterinary sur- gery in Morrisonville, was born in Mont- gomery county, Illinois, July i, 1873, and is a son of John and Sarah E. Balsley, repre- sentatives of old Virginian families. On the paternal side his ancestors came from Holland, while his mother's people were of Scotch and Irish descent, though both fam- ilies were founded in this country during the early part of the seventeenth century. Our subject's father was born in Virginia and throughout his active business life was extensively engaged in farming and cattle dealing, owning and operating between five and six hundred acres of valuable farming land. He is still living at the advanced age of eighty-five years, and his father, who was also' a tiller of the soil, reached the extreme old age of one hundred and two years. Dr. Balsley, of this review, was reared up- on his father's farm and received his educa- 232 PAST AND PRESENT tion ill llic pu1)lic schools of his native coun- ty. After leaving- school he began the study of veterinary surgery with Dr. Osborn, of Montgomery county, and in three years be- came thoroughly competent to practice. Since then he has tievoted his entire time and attention to his profession and has met with marked success in practice wherever he has gone. In 1900 he came to Morrison- villc, where he at first met with competition but as he soon gained most of the practice he has had the entire field to himself for the past three years. His skill and ability have become widely recognized and he now re- vives calls from twelve to eighteen miles in every direction around Morrisonville. Purchasing three lots in the city he has erected thereon a neat and substantial resi- dence and is now building a hospital stable, A\here he cat? treat all chronic diseases of horses to much better advantage than at their homes. In 1898 Dr. Balsley was united in mar- riage to Miss Cornelia McReynolds, and to them have been born three children : Ma- rion Andrew, Milferd G., and Milton Der- ward. Socially the Doctor is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Modern American of Morrisonville. and during his residence in that city has made a host of warm friends. BENJAMIN A. TURNER. Among the native sons of Christian coun- ty who have won success and occupy an en- viable and prominent position in business circles, is Benjamin A. Turner, wdno is now engaged in banking at Edinburg. His salient characteristics are determination, diligence and keen sagacity and upon these he has budded his prosperity, winning hig-h and well merited measure of success. He is a son of John L. Turner, a highly respected citizen of Taylorville. The birth of our sub- ject occurred in Taylor\-ille on the 23d of July, 1868, and he was educated in the pub- lic schools, continuing his studies until he was graduated in the high school wdth the class of 1886. He then further prepared for the practical and responsible duties of life by pursuing a commercial course in the Jacksonville Business College, in wdiich he was graduated in 1887. On completing his studies there he came to Edinburg, where he entered the employ of George P. Harring- ton, a banker with wdiom he continued until Mr. Harrington's suspension of business in 1893. In April, 1894, Mr. Turner organ- ized a bank of his own in Edinburg and has since conducted it, meeting with a much greater measure of success even than he an- ticipated. He now has a very large patron- age and the bank is recognized as one of the reliable financial concerns of this part of the state. He maintains a sound co'n- servative policy that has won public confi- dence and at the same time his methods are progressive. He also has a half interest in the grain firm of Eirev Brothers & Turner, doing- a general grain business and operating an elevator at Edinburg and also one at Roby. Illinois. His property interests in- clude the bank building and the implement house of Eirey Brothers on the west side. The bank proper consists of two rooms and is supplied with modern fixtures, fire proof vault, burglar proof safe and safety deposit boxes. In connection with the bank Mr. Turner has a commodious and fine resi- dence. On the 24th of June, 1890, Mr. Turner was united in marriage to Miss Lydia B. Swigert, a daughter of John F. Swigert. a retired farmer of Edinburg. They have three sons: Homer Amos, who was born CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 233 June 8, 1891 ; ElHs Keith, born September 24, 1894; and John Benjamin, born July 26, 1898. Mr. Turner has served as town- ship school treasurer since 1894 and has been a notary public since 1890. He is a ■ member of Electric Lodge, No. 505, K. P., is connected with the Modern Woodmen and with the Fraternal Army of Loyal Ameri- cans. He is a typical American citizen, wide- awake, alert and enterprising", carrying for- ward to successful completion whatever he undertakes and making opportunity for ad- vancement if none seems to exist. Thus he is continually working his way upward and already he has attained a very creditable and enviable position in the business circles of Christian county. GEORGE W. ADAMS. Prominent among the business men of Moweaqua is numbered George W. Adams, who has been a resident of Christian coun- ty throughout life, his present home being just over the line from Shelby county. All his interests from boyhood have been closelv associated with this locality and no man in the community is better known. He has a well established business as a dealer in wag- ons, carriages, and farm machinery and is one of the leading auctioneers in this part of the country. Mr. Adams was born in Christian county, May II, 1858, and is a son of Hon. Joseph Adams, who was for many years one of the most prominent and distinguished citizens of this locality, his home being in Prairieton township. He was a native of Kentucky, born in 1833, and was only three years of age when brought to Christian county. Here he grew to manhood and as a life work followed farming. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to public office and he served his dis- trict in the state legislature in the winter of 1 88 1, being one of the memorable one hun- dred and one. He also occupied nearly all of the local offices within the gift of the people, serving as supervisor of Prairieton township for twenty years and as school trustee for thirty-four years. After a use- ful and well spent life he died on the iitli of February, 1903. In 1856 he married Nancy Widick. George W. Adams received a good prac- tical education in the schools of Blooming- ton and Decatur, and when not in school gave his father the benefit of his labors dur- ing his minority. At the age of twenty-one he took charge of a part of the home farm and in connection with its cultivation en- gaged in stock-raising, carrying on that work until his removal to Moweaqua in 1892. For six years thereafter he engaged in buying and shipping stock and then embarked in his present business, as a dealer in wagons, carriages and farm machinery. He is also interested in buying and selling horses and as an auctioneer his services are often in demand. Success has attended his well di- rected efforts and besides his village prop- erty he now owns a good farm of one hun- dred and eighty acres on section 11, Prairie- ton township. On the 6th of October, 1884, Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Essie Ayers, a daughter of Martin Ayers, one of the leading business men of Moweaqua, and to them have been born three children : Glen, now a clerk in the Review office at Decatur ; Ralph and Ruth, both at home. The mother and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Adams is con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. His political support is given the Demo- 234 PAST AND PRESENT cratic party, and for four years he served as supervisor of Prairielon township. He is a man of i;"enuine worth and stands high in the community where he has so long- made his home. Those who know him best are numl^ered among; his warmest friends and no citizen of Moweaqua is more highly respected. JOHN BOND RICKS. Tlie student of history does not need to carry his investigations far into the annals of Christian county ere he learns of the im- portant part which the Ricks family has taken in the improvement and development of this section of the state. In both the pa- ternal and maternal lines the Ricks family is of English origin and the ancestors of the subject of this review came to America prior to the Revolutionary v.-ar, establishing homes in the Carolinas. Richard Ricks, the paternal grandfather, was a soldier of the Revolution, valiantly espousing the cause of the colonists and rendering effective aid to- ward securing the independence of the na- tion. At a later date the family removed to Kentucky, w-here William Skinner Ricks, the father of John Bond Ricks, was \x)n\. He resided in that state until 1835, when he came to Christian countv. Illinois, set- tling in Bear Creek township, on section 34, town 12, range 3, west. He had purchased land there of his brother-in-* law, Thomas P. Bond. He afterward entered large tracts of land in other parts of the township and county and devoted his at- tention to agricultural pursuits for many years. He remained upon his farm until he had reached an advanced age, when he re- moved to Hillsboro, Illinois, and subsecjuent- ly took up his abode near Spring-field, where he died on the 7th of March, 1873. He was a very prominent and influential man in his locality, especially during- the early period in the historv of the countv. He was largeh' instrumental in having Christian county set off from adjoining districts and organized, and was chosen the first sheriff of the coun- ty, after which he was re-elected for a sec- ond term. In 1844 he was called upon to represent his district in the state legislature and while a member of that body he was the roommate and intimate friend of Lyman Trumbull. His sagacity and public spirit made him the champion of many measures for the general good and he left the impress of his individuality upon much of the legis- lation of that period which has proven of material benefit to the commonwealth. He married Miss Margaret U. Bond, who died in 1865. By this marriage there were eleven children : Richard W., Martha, Elizabeth, Alyra, John Bond, Quintus, Marcella, Nan- cy, William T., Margaret and Newell Doug- las, all of wliom are now deceased. In 1867 Mr. Ricks wedded Edith Gibson, of Ken- tucky, and unto this union was born one child, Thrace, wdio is now living in Ken- tucky. John Bond Ricks, the fifth of the family, was born in Trigg county, Kentucky, on the 4th of November, 1833, and was therefore only about a year and a half old at the time of the removal of his parents to Illinois. He attended the country schools of Christian county, receiving such instruction as they afforded at that time, and he also spent one term in the seminary in Mechanicsburg, | Sangamon county. Subsequent to that time he entered the McKendree College at Leban- on, Illinois, where he pursued his studies for two terms. Upon his return home he en- »ao-ed in the stock business and became the most extensive dealer and shipper in the county. He was always enterprising and JUDGE J. B. RICKS CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 237 iiuUistrioiis, and his strong determination also proved a salient feature in his very suc- cessful career. He continued in business until 1873, and through his capable manage- ment and marked energy won a splendid competence. Like his father, John Bond Ricks was in- fluential in the public affairs of the county and was honored by political preferment on various occasions. His strong mentality and marked individuality rendered him a natural leader of thought and opinion and at all times his labors were actuated by unfal- tering devotion to the general good. In 1865 he was elected sheriff of Christian county, and in the following year he was nominated by acclamation for the office of representative. In November the election was held and he was chosen for the position by a handsome majority. While a member of the general assembly he served on several important committees, including the com- mittee that was appointed to investigate the conditions of the insane asylum at Jackson- ville and all other public institutions. He was also one of the committee that accepted the site for the state house and made strenu- ous eft'ort toward placing it in its present location. In 1868 he was elected to the of- fice of circuit clerk and in 1872 was re- elected, continuing in the position until 1876, when he retired from the office as he entered it — with the confidence and good will of all. In 1882 he again represented his county in the state legislature, being elected to the thirty-third general assembly. He took an active part in the Iju'^iness that w-as transact- ed in the council chambers of the state, and his course was ever above suspicion, being characterized by unfaltering loyalty to the general welfare. He commanded the re- spect of the members of the legislature and at home, in the county of his adoption, where he was best known, he inspired per- sonal friendships of unusual strength and all who knew him had the highest admiration for his good qualities of heart and mind. On the 24th of December, 185 1, Mr. Ricks was united in marriage to Miss Docia B. Haynes, a native of Kentucky, but at the time of her marriage a resident of Sanga- mon county, Illinois. Five children were born of this union: James B., Henrietta I., Laura B., Margaret E. and Quintus A. Three of the number are still living. The wife and mother died July 19, 1888, and Mr. Ricks survived her about seven years, departing this life September 7, 1895. He is classed among those wdio have been active in promoting the development and molding the policy of Christian county and is now numbered among its honored dead. James B. Ricks, the eldest son of John Bond Ricks, w^as born near Taylorville in Bear Creek township, December 23, 1852. At the age of twelve years he accompanied his parents on their removal to the county seat, where he attended the public schools and in the year 1869 he entered the Wesley- an University at Bloomington, Illinois, where he pursued his studies until 1872. He began the study of law with Judge Andrew Simpson and John B. Jones, attorneys of Taylorville, and after successfully passing the required examination w^as admitted to the bar of Illinois in June, 1874. Immedi- ately afterw^^rd he entered upon the practice of law, remaining alone until 1885, when he formed a partnership with J. C. Creighton, which relation was long continued. No dreary novitiate awaited him, for he soon demonstrated his power to handle intricate legal problems and a large and growing clientage was accorded him. On the 23d of December. 1872, Judge Ricks was united in marriage to Miss Pam- u 238 PAST AND PRESENT mie L. (k'ttmaclier. of rtlddiiiin^tnii. Illi- nois, and unto them were born six children, three of whom are li\ino". Agnes is the wife of l)r. W . 1 1. I louser. a practicing phy- sician of 'ra_\lor\ ille, and nnto them liase been l)orn two children, of whom one is li\- ing. P)yron Kicks Ihrnser. Jesse j., who was graduated at the d\aylor\ille township high school in June, il^'jj. entered the Uni- \-ersit}' of .Michigan in the following Sep- tember, and was graduated on the comple- tion of a literary course in the class of kjoi. He then entered the law tlepartment of the same uni\ersit}-. and was graduated in 1903. He successfully passed the Illinois state bar examination and was admitted to practice in October of that year, since which time he has resided in Chicago. Glenn A., the youngest child, is also a graduate of the Taylorville high school, having completed the course at that institution in June, 1903. In September of the same year he entered the University of Michigan, where he is at present pursuing a course in ci\il engineer- ing. Judge Ricks has been acti\e and inHuen- tial in tommunitv affairs and his in^f^uence has also extended to the interests of the state along political and fraternal lines. He is a distingtiished member of the Kni^'hts of l'}thias fraternit}-. in Illinois served as grand chancellor in i8(S5 and 1886, and is now a past grand chancellor. His local membership is with Mystic Lodge No. 64, K. 1'.. in which he has passed all of the chairs. He is also a member of the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks, being affili- ated with Springfield Lodge. His political allegiance is given to the Democratic party, and he has talcen a very active interest in campaign work, do- ing everything in his ])()wer to pnjuiote the interests of the Democracv. breciuentlv he has been selected to fill positions of i)nl)- lic trust. He spent three years in Washing- ton as stiper\'ising examiner of the pension bureati from the Hudson district, and in that office had about one lumdred special exam- iners under his charge. In June, 1892, he serxed as a delegate to the national Demo- cratic coUN'ention in Chicago and strongly adx'ocated the nomination oi Grover Cleve- land. In 1889 he was elected mayor of 'ra}'lor\ille. ser\ing for a term of two years. His administration proxed to be a prosper- ous era in the history of the city. During his term the electric light system was established and man)- other works of pul)lic improve- ment were put in operation. Mr. Ricks started the petition for the establishment of waterworks. While reading law in the of- fice of Mr. Jones he drew plruis, which changed the old town to a village and after one year drew up a ]ietition to make Tay- lorville a city, which was done. When a candidate for mayor he i)lainly stated that he would not acce])t the office unless the waterworks sy.stem was strengthened during his term, and this commendable work was accomplished. The water sui)ply was doubled. The original ])lant worth twenty thousand dollars was supplemented by one worth fifty thousand dollars, and a number of miles (^f mains were laid. Along other lines of progress and improvement his in- lluence and co-operation were felt and he fully exercised his official prerogatives in support of the material upbuilding and sub- stantial development of his city. C^n the ijth of .\pril, 190T, he was nominated at the Litchfield convention for the office of justice of the supreme coiul of the second judicial district of Illinois to fill the unex- pired term of Jesse J. Philii)ps. deceased, and was elected on the 21st of May, 1901, recei\ing a majority of eight}--three hundred CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 239 and forty-six. Already lie lias proven him- self to be the peer of the ablest members of the conrt of last resort. His decisions indi- cate strong mentality, careful analysis, a thorongh knowledge of law and an unbiased judgment. The judge on the bench fails more frequently, perhaps, from a deficiency in that liroad-mindedness which not only comprehends the details of a situation quick- ly and that insures a complete self-control under even the most exasperating conditions than from any other cause; and the judge, who makes a success in the discharge of his multitudinous delicate duties is a man of well-rounded character, finely-balanced mind and of splendid intellectual attainments. That Judge Ricks is regarded as such a jurist is a uniformly accepted fact. EDWARD C. WATSON. Edward C. Watson, who was formerly identified with educational interests in Illi- nois and is now efficiently serving as post- master of Assumption, was born in Academy, Ontario county. New York, June 8, 1862, and is descended from English ancestry, his paternal grandparents, Francis and Joseph- ine ( Price) \Vatson, being natives of York- shire, England. The former was born in 1795 and was provided with most liberal educational advantages, being a graduate of Oxford University. In 1822 he crossed the Atlantic, locating in Luzerne county, Penn- syhania. He was an excellent Greek, He- brew and Latin scholar and at one time was identified with some work in connec- tion with the translation of the Bible in New- York city. By profession, however, he w^as a cixil engineer and surveyor. His death occurred in New York in 1867. Theodore T. Watson, the father of our subject, w^as born in Pittston, Luzerne coun- ty, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1835, and died August 14, 1885. He was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit in New York and Illinois. In the former state he married Ann Eliza Cahoon, whose birth oc- curred in New York, April 13, 1837, a daughter of Hiram and Adeline (Henry) Cahoon, both of w horn were natives of west- ern New York. With his family Theodore T. Watson removed to Illinois in January, 1867, settling in Fidelity, Jersey county, and there he engaged in farming. In Septem- ber, 1868, he removed to Christian county and after living for a short time in Assump- tion removed to a farm near Radford, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until 1883. He then retired to Assumption where he made his home until his death, two years later. His widow is still living in Assump- tion in her sixty-sixth year. Their children were six in number. The eldest, Mrs. Ada Prall, died in Parsons, Kansas, in 1892, leav- ing two sons, Roy and Newton. Josephine, named for her paternal grandmother, is the wife of Frank Snell, of Mow^eaqua, Illinois. Edward C. is the third. Lyda died at the age of ten years and two died in infancy. Edw^ard C. Watson began his education in the district schools and spent one year as a student in Assumption and two years in the State Normal School at Valparaiso. His own education being completed, he then en- gaged in teaching W'ith success for several years, first having charge of a district school in Cherokee county, Iowa, and the second year of the school in, his old home district in Christian county, where he had previously been a pupil. The next three years were spent in the Assumption school, being prin- cipal of the same the last year. He then became principal of the school of Towerhill, §helby county, Illinois, after which he re- 240 PAST AND PRESENT turned to Assumption and accepted the posi- tion of chief clerk with the Assumption Coal & Mining Company, serving in that capacity in a most commendable manner for ten con- secutive years. On the . Smith, who has been identified with the erain trade for several vears and to-da\- owns and operates an elevator at Rosemond. In his special line of business he has met with good success and by the energy and zeal which he has manifested he has won the confidence and esteem of the public. Mr. Smith was l^orn in- Norwood Park. Chicago, on the i6th of December, 187 1. shortly after the great fire in that city, and is a son of Alexander and Harriet L. (Hem- inewav) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, respectively. By occupation the father was a contractor. In his family were four children, three of whom are still living, namely: Allen B., of this sketch; Florence, wife of James Meikle, of Chicago; and 1-rances, wife of Harry De^''elde. of the same city. During his Ixw'hood Allen B. Smith at- tended the public schools of Chicago and was graduated in the class of 1884. After leaving school be entered the employ of Mor- ris Plummer. a wholesale druggist of that citv, as errand bov and citv buver and re- mained with the firm one year. During the following three years he was connected with the freight claim department of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company and for a vear and a half was wdth the James H. W'alker wholesale dry goods house. On account of failing health he left the city and traveled through the west, finally coming to Rosemond, Illinois, in 1893. On the 6th of Septeml)er, 1893. Mr. Smith was married in Rosemond to Miss Mabel k. Dodsfe, a daughter of P. L. and Marie A. (Chase) Dodge, now of Pana. Her father was born in Montgomery county. New York, June 10, 1843, ^"^^ '^^'^^ married in 1869 to Aliss Marie A. Chase. Her birth occurred in Schuyler county, Illinois, and her parents were William A. and Mary M. (Cook) Chase, the former a native of Mas- \ sachusetts, the latter of Baltimore, Alary- land. Mr. Dodge was treasurer of the Con- o-reo-ational church at Rosemond for manv vears, was also school treasurer about twen- ty-five years and was prominent in the affairs of both village and township. As a grain merchant he carried on business at Rose- luond for several years and at the time of his retirement and removal to Pana was the oldest representative of that line of in- dustry in the town. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been 1)orn three children but Chase died in infancy. He was given ]\Irs. Dodge's maiden name. Those living arc Frances E.. named for her aunt in Chicago; and Marie Antoinette, named for her ma- ternal grandmother. After his marriage Mr. Sniitli removed to Chicago but in ]\Iay, 1894, returned to Rosemond, where he was in the employ of his father-in-law in the grain and hay busi- ness until about 1897, '^vhen he assumed con- trol of the enterprise. He owns an elevator, which has a capacity of fifteen thousand bushels and which has been greatly remod- eled by him by the ]uitting in of nev, ma- chinery, including a car-loader and auto- matic scale. He has also built a new l)arn for the storage of baled hay. Mr. Smith is now a stockholder and one of the lioard of directors of the Metzger Hill Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and on the ist of Octo- ber. 1903. began acting as receiver and shi])- per of grain and hay for that corporation, CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS 245 shipping the first month two hunchx-d car- loads. He is a very energetic and eriter- prising, business man .and these quahties combined witli industrious habits liavc brought to liim a web merited success. Since attaining his majority Mr. Smith has affibated with the Repubbcan party and has served as school treasurer of his town- ship since he began business for himself. He is also filling the office of justice of the peace at the present time. Both he and his wife are earnest and cousistent members of the First Congregational church of Rose- UKMid and she takes a very active part in all church work. Socially Mr. Smith V)elongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and Court of Houor at Rosemond and the Ma- sonic order at Pana. He is popular in Ijoth business and social circles, being a pleasant, genial gentleman, and he has tlie respect and confidence of all who know him. FRED W. ANDERSON. Honored and respected by all there is no man who occupies a more enviable posi- tion in the financial and commercial circles of Taylorville than does Fred W. Anderson, the ])resident of the First National Bank. This is not alone on account of the brilliant success he has achieved but also because of the straightforward, honorable business pol- icy he has ever followed. It is true that he entered upon a business already estab- lished but in enlarging and expanding the enterprise many a man of less resolute spirit would have failed but at all times his am- bitious and progressiveness have been evenly balanced by sound judgment and to-day he is conducting an institution which may well be termed one of the most reliable financial concerns of this part of the state. Mr. Anderson is a son of the late W. W. and Martha L. (Wright) Anderson, who are represented on another page of this volume. His father was for many years one of the distinguished citizens of this part of the state. His mother, at the time of her mar- riaoe to Mr. Anderson, was the widow of Dr. Wright of Carlinville, Illinois, and her father was Richard Randle, a physician and a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, riding the circuit in southern Illi- nois at an early ])eriod in the development of this state. He was born in Georgia in 1800 and died in Taylorville in 1896, at the extreme old age of ninety-six years. Mr. Anderson of this review was one of five children, and two of his sisters are now living : Grace E., the wife of Fred C. Haw- ley, of the Paddock-Hawley Iron Company, of St. Louis, Missouri; and Julia W., of Taylorville. Both are stockholders in the First National Bank. Hiram R. Anderson, the brother, died September 4. 1891, and Nannie W. died in childhood. A native son of Taylorville, iM'ed W. Anderson was born September 19, 1865, and pursued his early education in the public schools wdiile later he attended the Wyman Institute in Alton, Illinois, and the Wes- levan University, in Bloomington. He then became a student in the Peekskill Military Academy, in Peekskill, New' York, and in 1885 he entered upon his business career as a bookkeeper in his fathers bank. Through this institution he has gradually advanced as he has mastered all the details of the business until he has attained the presi- dency. On the I St of January, 1889, he was elected assistant cashier. His brother Hi- ram was the first cashier of the institution but was obliged to resign on account of ill health and was succeeded by our subject on the 2d of January, 1890. He filled that po- 24G PAST AND PRESENT sition until after the death of his father in 1893. when he assumed the duties of the presidency, and on the loth of January, 1894. he was formally elected. As the head of the hank he has instituted a ])olicy that has met with pul)lic approval as indicated hv the liheral patronage accorded the insti- tution, and during- his presidency the sur- plus and undivided profits liave increased from fifteen thousand to eighty thousand dol- lars and the deposits from two hundred thousand to five hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The hank has always paid good dividends and the First National is an en- terprise of marked value to Taylorville and the surrounding country. The interior was entirely remodeled in 1903 and it is now one of the most modern institutions of the kind in the state. There is a safety deposit vault for the private use of customers. The oifice fixtures are of marble and enameled steel. Mr. Anderson is also a director in the Pana National Bank and has been the president of the Taylorville Electric Company since 1894. succeeding his father in that position. On the 26th of June, 1901, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Adelia B. Sanders, of San Antonio, Texas, and the hospitality of their beautiful home makes it the center of a cultured society circle. Mr. Anderson belongs to Mound Lodge, No. 122, A. F. & A. M. ; Mystic Lodge, No. 64, K. P. For several years he has been the president of the Commercial Club of Taylorville and is always associated with the most enterpris- ing cttizens in the promotion of any move- ment for the welfare, progress and expansion of the city. He is a man of unusual social qualities, being royally endowed with those traits of character which win and extend friendship. He is a gentleman in the truest and highest sense of the term and Taylorville numbers him among her honored sons. LEWLS r.ARTLFTT. The deserved reward of a well spent life is an honored retirement fnmi business, in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. To-day, after a useful and beneficial career, Mr. Bartlett is quietly living at his pleasant home in Mount Auburn, surrounded by the comfort that earnest labor has brought him. For many years he was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits and he and his wife still own a large and valuable farm in this county. Mr. Bartlett was born in Mississippi, on the 22d of December, 1849, and is a son of Elijah and Marcella (Jones) Bartlett, who were natives of Kentucky and Alabama, re- spectively. The father died in Mississippi and the mother and her children subsequent- ly removed to Kentucky and in 1856 came to Illinois, locating near Mechanicsburg. She married again, her second husband be- ing Peter Hooper. They located on Mos- quito creek in Christian county, where they made their home until 1863. By her first marriage Mrs. Hooper had five children, four of whom are still living, namely : Mar- tha, the wife of William Flunter, now living in Iowa; Mary, who is the widow of John Patrick, and makes her home near FTam- mond, Illinois ; William, who lives on the Sangamon river in Christian county, Illi- nois ; and Lewis, of this review. Lewis Bartlett acquired but a limited edu- cation in tlie district schools near his boy- hood home, luit his training at farm work was not so meager and he aided in the opera- tion of the home farm until twenty-two years of age. On tiie 9th of March, t88i, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Cannon, a daughter of John and Martha Jane (Hunter) Cannon. Her father was a native of Ohio, but her mother was born in Illinois. On first coming to this state Mr. i LEWIS BARTLETT. JOHN CANNON CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 249 Cannon located in Macon county, but after- ward removed to Christian county, settling on a farm four miles north of Mount Au- burn in Mosquito township. He purchased one hundred and forty-four acres of wild prairie land whicli he converted into a good farm, erecting all of the buildings thereon, and he made his home there until his death, which occurred in March, 1874. His wife died in 1868. They were the parents of three children, all daughters, of whom Mrs. Bartlett is now the only survivor. A daugh- ter was Ijorn to our subject and his wife, but died in infancy. The first farm that Mr. Bartlett owned was in Kansas, where in 1871 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of government land. On his return to Christian county, he traded that property for forty-five acres of land in Moscjuito township and then pur- chased forty acres more. He has since ad- ded to his landed possessions from time to time until he and his wife now own four hundred and fiftv-one acres of fine farming land, she having inherited her father's farm. To the cultivation and improvement of his place Mr. Bartlett devoted his time and en- ergies until October, 1903, when he removed to Mount Auburn, having purchased four lots in that town and built thereon a nice nine room residence with modern conveni- ences and also a large barn. Here he is now living retired, enjoying a well earned rest. Fraternally Mr. Bartlett is a member of the Masonic Order, and ])olitically he is identified with the Democratic party, though at local elections he generally votes for the man whom he believes best qualified for office, regardless of party lines. He and his wife are widely and favorably known in the county which has so long been their home, and those who know them best are numbered among their warmest friends. WILLIAM E. SANDS. William E. Sands, whose home is on sec- tion 21, Mount Auburn township, belongs to that class of men whom the world terms self-made, for commencing life empty-hand- ed he has conquered the obstacles in the path of success and has not only secured for him- self a good home and competence but by his efforts has materially advanced the interests of the community in which he lives. Mr. Sands was born in Clermont county, Ohio, September 27, 1838, a son of Reuben and Elizabeth (Irwin) Sands, who were also born in the east. The father died be- fore the birth of our subject and the mother subsequently removed to Kentucky, where she passed away in 1849. Thus Mr, Sands was left an orphan at the age of eleven years and having no relatives to care for him he went to live with strangers for whom he worked as a farm hand. He had. accompa- nied his mother on her removal to Kentucky but at the age of fifteen he returned to Ohio and located in Bethel, where he worked at grinding bark in the tanyard belonging to the father of General Grant, receiving three dollars per month for his services. After three years spent in this way Mr. Sands came to Illinois with the hope of col- lecting money which his mother had left with people living in Schuyler county but he never received a cent of what was due him. He then located in Cass county, this state, where he worked on a farm during the summer and attended school for about two months during the winter, working in the early morning and at night for his board. He remained there until 1862 and for one year engaged in farming on his own account upon rented land. Coming to Christian county, he rented land of James C. Conklin through- out the greater part of the time until 1881, 250 PAST AND PRESENT operating a farm on section u. Monnt An- l)nrn township, where the village of Monnt Anhnrn is now located. He took np liis residence upon his present farm in 1881, lia\ ing the year i)revious purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres on sections 21 and 22, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and suhstantial huildings, which stand as monu- ments to his thrift and enterprise. Tie has a nice home, where surrounded hy all the com- forts which make life worth the living, he is now living retired, having laid aside the active duties of the farm ahout thirteen years ago. Mr. Sands was married in 1861 to Miss fane Dunn, a daughter of Thomas Dunn, who was one of the early settlers of Mount Auhurn township, having located there in 1856. She is one of a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, the others heing Mary, Joseph and Anna, who all died in England; John, a resident of Mount Au- hurn township, this county; and Richard, a resident of Mosquito township. Mrs. Sands was horn in Cornwall, England, Fehruary 4, 1836. and was twenty years of age when she came with the f.amily to Illinois. She was visitine a cousin, Luke Dunn, in Cass conn- tv, when she hecame accpiainted witli Mr. Sands. They have three children : I'^dwin, who is married and follows farming in Ricks township, this county; Charles, who is mar- ried and is a memher of the firm of Sands, Miller & Company, of Stonington; and Cora Belle, the wife of J. W. Coleman, who now rents and operates our suhject's farm. Mr. and Mrs. Sands are faithful memhers of the Methodist Epi.scopal church and are most estimable ])eoi)le. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of .America and is iden- tified with the Republican party, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. In 1858 he drove across the country to Rushvillc in. order to hear Lincoln speak. A black ilag lloated over the courthouse in which he made his speech, it being called the emblem of the Republican parly by the Democrats at that time. \'(>Y twenty-one years Mr. Sands filled the office of school director and has ever taken an active interest in those measures calculated to advance the public welfare. I le is a man respected and honored wher- ever known and most of all where he is best known. FRANKLIN P. SAILSBERY. Franklin P. Sailsbery, whose well improved farm on section 3, Stonington township, is the indication of the life of thrift and enter- prise which he has led, was born April 30. 1852, in Ohio. His parents were Elias and Sally Ann (Clcmons) Sailsbery. both na- tives of Ohio, and the latter a daughter of Chesterfield and b\annie demons, who were born in New York. In lSC^y the parents of our subject came to Illinois, locating in Christian county, where Mr. Sailsbery, Sr., purchased eighty acres of land. Later he bouo-bt twenty acres of timber land and also one hundred and sixty acres in Kansas. In his business afTairs he prospered, enjoying the success which comes as a reward of en- ergy, diligence and determination. Unto him and his wife were born ten children, of whom our subject is the sixth in order of birth. The mother is still living at the ad- vanced age of eighty-one years and yet en- joys good health. She makes her home with her son b^-anklin. In the district schools of Indiana and Illi- nois iM-anklin P. Sailsbery accjuired his edu- cation and under the parental roof he spewt the days of his early boyhood. He started out to earn his own living, however, when a CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 251 young man of nineteen years, working by the month as a farm hand. He was thus employed for three years, at the end of which time he purchased eighty acres of land, where he now resides. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his property from time to time until he now owns four hundred acres of very valuable farming land, all of which is well improved. At one time he engaged in operating the land unon which the town of Stonington now stands, farm- ing that property for four years. He had hut forty-fi^•e dollars when he was first mar- ried and with this meager capital he started out in life graduall}' working his way up- ward until he is now one of the prosperous and enterprising agriculturists of his coun- ty. He has just completed a fine large barn upon the home place and the other impr()\-e- ments there are in keeping with this struc- ture. When his farm came into his jios- session the land was all raw and unimproved, but with characteristic energy he began its development and as the years passed he has made his farm one of the best in all this section of the state. On the 28th of January. 1875, ^^^'- Sails- bery was united in marriage to Miss Eliz- abeth Deckert and unto them were born twelve children: Willie C, who married Miss Sarah Ellen Durbin and is now en- gaged in farming in Burkhart township, Christian county; Oscar, deceased; Eranklin E., who is married and resides near Green- ville, Illinois; George V., who died at the age of two years; Evert M., who is living at home; Pearl E., the wife of Chester L. Diveley, who is engaged in the confectionery Imsincss in Chicago. Illinois; Bemine D.. Stella R., Milas P., Roy and Ray, twins, and Rogers E., all living at home. The mother passed away on December 12, 1893, and on May 10, 1894, Mr. Sailsbery was again married, his second union being with Miss Harriet Beihl, who was born May 3, 1863, a daughter of John and Margaret (Powels) Beihl, both of whom were natives of Ger- many, whence they came to the United States in 1842. They first located in St. Louis, but after six months removed to Beardstown, Illinois, where Mr. Beihl pur- chased eighty acres of land and engaged in farming. He died July 30, 1876, while his wife, long sur\'iving him, passed away September 22, 1902. By the second marriage of Mr. Sailsbery there are two children : Hazel M., born October 4, 1896; and Eern Viola, born September 4, 1900. Mr. Sailsbery and his family are members of the Reformed church in Stonington and he l)elongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp. His is a most creditable life record and he receives the respect of his fellow men be- cause of ^^•hat he has accomplished. In all his Ijusiness dealings he has been strictly hon- orable, never taking advantage of the neces- sities of his fellow men in any trade trans- action. Moreover, he has lieen extremely diligent, laboring earnestly year after year with unremitting zeal in order to win suc- cess. He started out with no family or pecuniary advantages to aid him and placed his dependence upon earnest, persistent ef- fort, which is the real foundation of all -pros- perity. In this way he has gradually ad- vanced until he now occupies a very credit- alile and honoralile position among the most substantial farmers of his county. Z. E. BATES. With the farming and stock-raising inter- ests of Locust townshi}) this gentleman has been identified for over a third of a cen- tury and is to-day numbered among the leading agriculturists of the community. His 252 PAST AND TRESENT home is on section 30. A native of Illinois, he was horn in Sangamon connty, on the 1 2th of Jannarv. 1836. and is a son of Oli- ver and Charity (Buckman) Bates, who were natives of Massachusetts and Vermont, respectively. In 1833 they came to Illinois and continued to make their home in this state until called to their final rest, the father dying- in April. 1865. and the mother in March. 1873. The district schools of this state afforded our subject the educational privileges he enjoyed during his l)oyhood and youth. After leaving school he worked on his fath- er's farm and took care of the stock during the winter until thirty-three years of age. He then located on his present farm in Lo- cust township, where he first purchased three hundred acres of land in 1866. Since then he has extended the Ijoundaries of his farm and now has three hundred and forty-two acres. The well tilled fields yield abundantly and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the supervision of a careful and painstaking owner. Mr. Bates was married in 1868. the lady of his choice being Mrs. Joanna S. Ellis, a daughter of J. H. and Catherine IMurry, of Ohio, and to them have been born the following named children : Roxanna C, now the wife of Lyman G. Gundy, of Taylorville; Mary M. ; Josephine, the wife of Brace D. Shrantf^,onow living in Calcutta, Indiana; Z. F.. Jr. ;, Oliver C. ; Edward H. ; Harriet H., who is alttending high school in Taylorville; Charles C. who died at the age of twenty years; and Elizabeth A., who died at the age of one year. Mrs. Bates is an earnest member of the Methodist Epis- copal church and Mr. Bates holds member- ship in the Masonic lodge, No. 62^, of Ow^aneco. The Democratic party finds in him a stanch supporter of its principles and he has held many public positions of honor and trust. ha\ing filled most of the township oftices. I'Dr seven or eight years he served as supervisor and his ofticial duties were al- ways performed in an able and satisfactory manner. DANIEL DOYLE. Daniel Doyle is a retired farmer of Tay- lorville and one of the extensive landowners of Christian county, his property possessions ao-p-regating nine hundred acres. His has been an active and useful career and one that should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, for it proves what can be accomplished by one wdio starts out in life empty handed if possessed of earn- est purpose and unfaltering determination. Mr. Doyle is a native of the Emerald Isle, his birth having occurred there in June, 183 1. His parents were Patrick and ^Margaret Doyle, and the former died in Ireland in 1844. The mother afterward came to this country with her son Daniel, who settled in Sangamon county, Illinois, the year of their emigration being 1851. He had ob- tained his education in tlie schools of his native country and he started out upon his business career by working by the month. He was thus employed for a number of years and \\hen he felt that he could profit- ably engage in farming on his own account he rented land in Sangamon county, where he lived for eighteen years. He then came to Christian county in September, 1868, and purchased one hundred and forty acres of land in Stonington township. As his finan- cial resources increased he added to his ])roperty fn^m time to time until his landed ])ossessions now aggregate nine hundred acres, which are very rich and valuable. For many years he continued farming and CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 253 his methods were progressive, prac- tical and therefore were crowned with good results. In 1896, however, he decided to put aside further business cares and spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He had devoted his attention to the raising of grain and to feeding stock and in both departments of his business he gained success. On leaving the farm he took up his abode in Taylorville, where he now re- sides — one of the respected and esteemed citizens of the county and state. In 1858 Mr. Doyle was united in marriage to Miss Mary Kerwin, who was born in Ireland in 1836. and at the time of her mar- riage was a resident of Waverly, Illinois. This union has been blessed with eight chil- dren : Patrick, now deceased; James, who is married and lives in Springfield, Illinois; . Margaret and Johanna, who have also passed away ; Lawrence, who resides in Stonington, Illinois; Jerry J., who is married and lives at home; Daniel D., who is married and is located in Stonington; and Mollie, the wife of Tony May, a resident of Morrisonville. Both Mr. and Mrs. Doyle hold member- ship in the Catholic church. In politics he is an earnest Democrat and has been hon- ored with several public positions by his fellow townsmen, who recognize his worth and ability. For nine years he served as road commissioner, was for nine years a school dh'ector and is now serving as alder- man in Taylorville from the third ward. Lie was well acquainted with both A.braham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas while a resident of Sangamon county. Mr. Doyle is numbered among the early settlers of Illi- nois. When he first went to St. Louis, Mis- souri, there was no railroad there and the work of progress and improvement in this portion of the country was still in its primi- tive stage. He has taken an active part in public advancement along agricultural lines and while winning a splendid success for himself his eflforts have been also of value in promoting the general welfare. Strictly honorable in all his dealings he has won his prosperity by methods that will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. JAMES H. DOWNS. No history of Christian county or this portion of the state would be complete with- out mention of James H. Downs, for many years a leading agriculturist and now living a retired life. He was identified with the state in pioneer times, shared in the hard- shi])s and privations incident to the estab- lishment of a home upon the frontier, and to-day, having gained prosperity through well directed and honorable effort, he is enjoying the well earned rest from further labor and owns and occupies the most beau- tiful home in Assumption — a residence which would be a credit to any city. Mr. Downs was born in Delaware county, Ohio, on the 4th of May, 1837. His father Elections Downs, was born in Virginia, Oc- tober 13, 1803, and soon afterward the fam- ily removed to Maryland and later to Ohio. The grandfather died at the home of his son Elections in Ridge township, Shelby coun- ty, Illinois. The latter resided successively in the different states mentioned and became one of the pioneer settlers of Shelby county. He married Miss Mary Ann Stiffler, who was born in Washington county, Maryland, Oc- tober 26, 1800. Her mother, who bore the same name, lived to the very advanced age of one hundred and four years. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Downs resided for a time in Hagerstown, Maryland, and then removed to Delaware county, Ohio, where 254 PAST AND PRESENT they resided until 1S43, when they settled in Ridge township. Shelln- cnunly, Illinois. For many years the father carried on farm- ing there rnid assisted in the ])ioncer de- velopment of the locality. He died August 18, 1873, and his wife passed awa\' July 29, 1881. Our subject was the seventh in order of birth in their family of eight children and was eight years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Illinois. He was educated in a subscription school, held in a little log Iniilding. attending for about three months in the cold season of the year, wdiile throughout the remainder of the year he worked on the home farm. The country w ;is all w ild and his father entered his first land, a (juarter section, at a dollar and a quar- ter per acre. He had to go fifty miles to Springfield to mill and dro\e his hogs to the St. Louis market, it being necessary to take some teams in order to haul feed for the hogs. Often on these trips they had to camp out in the snow at nights. Mr. Downs has used a wooden moldboard plow and reap-hook when working in the fields hi an early day. The family raised their owm flax, made their own thi-ead. sheared their sheep and carded and sj)un the wool and wove the clotli from which the dresses of the girls were made. Game of various kinds was plentiful and Mr. Dcnvns has .seen as high as twenty-four head of deer at a single time. He has killed two wild geese with a single shot and has also brought dow-n prairie chickens in the same way. There were al.so many wolves on the prairies. The home farm which his father secured is still in possession of our subject, also the land which was entered by his wife's father in 1840. Besides these tracts he owns an in- terest in tw-Q coal shafts in Christian county, twenty lots in the city of Decatur, and prop- erty- in Ridge and hlat Uranch townships, Shelby county, together with one thousand acres on the Mississijijji ri\er, his holdings aggregating twelve hundred and thirty acres in Shelby and Christian counties, exclusive of his properly interests ni the south. Mr. Downs was united in marriage to Miss Jane Oiler, a daughter of Wdliam and Eliza (Johnson) Oiler. The father was born in \'irginia. Mav 3, 1818, and the mother in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, September 22, 182 1. In 1840 he settled in Shelby coun- ty, Illinois, where he entered a quarter sec- tion of land at a dollar and a f|uarter per .acre, adjoining the tract on which the Downs family settled. He, too, underwent all the experiences of life in a frontier chstrict. He plowed his land for his first crop of corn with but a single ox. but the fields yielded fruitfully as he harvested from sixty to sev- enty bushels to the acre. He checl July 31, 1874, and his wife passed away in Shelby- ville. Illinois, April 6, 1899. In the family were eight children, six of whom reached adult life, while five are still living. Henry, the eldest, died May 18, 1903. Eunice died in early girlhood. Mrs. Downs is the next younger. iMargaret is the wife of John N. Warner, of Illinois. Olive F. is living in Fort Worth. Texas. Mrs. Downs pursued her education in a log schoolhouse, seated with slal) benches, and she, too, became fa- miliar with pioneer conditions and experi- ences such as came to the Downs family. Unto yir. and Mrs. Dow ns were born four children : Jennie, now the wife of Dr. A. P Rocky, of Assumption, by whom she has one daughter, Stella, born on the iStli of May, 1886 : William E., who died in infancy ; Dora A., the wife of John J. Smith, of Ridge township. Shelby county, and the mother of three children — Ruth. Daniel, named for his grandfather, and fohn I., for his father; and CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 255 Ora B.. now the wife of W. S. Ridgely, of Taylorville. While residing- in Shel1)y county Mr. Downs served for six years as township trustee and was always actively interested in measures for the puhlic good although his attention was chiefly directed to his farming pursuits. He always had his pastures filled with a good grade of stock, and he developed one of the finest farms of his part of the state. He built thereon a splendid brick residence at a cost of five thousand dollars — one of the most magiiificent country homes in Shelby county. At length, however, wish- ing to spend his remaining days in retire- ment from labor, he removed to Assumption, where he built a modern home. It might well be termed a palatial residence. The house, which is surrounded by a large veran- da, is the finest in Assumption. It is finished throughout in hard wood, is lighted by elec- tricity and lias all the modern improvements of the oiost advanced home of the city. The plans were drawn l)y his daughter and sub- mitted ,to an architect and builder of De- catur. The interior decorations are most tasteful, including everything that wealth can secure and refined taste suggest, and the walls of the house are adorned with many beautiful paintings which are the work of his daughter. Concrete walks are around the house and the lawn is splendidly kept and adorned with Ijeautiful flowers and trees. Such a home does Mr. Downs and his estimable wife well deserve, for he has led a very active life, characterized by integrity and straightforward dealing, and she, too, has borne her part in managing the house- hold affairs. 1 6. He was born in this township in 1855, a son of John Ruby, who came to Christian county in the spring of 185 1. He removed to Ohio from Pennsylvania eleven years ])rior to that time and located near Spring- field, that state, wdience he came to the farm on which his son Edwin nof resides in Chris- tian county, Illinois. His wife bore the maiden name of Leah Klindfelder and she, too, was a native of Pennsylvania. In his farming operations Mr. Ruby was very suc- cessful and was the owner of the farm of two hundred and twenty-two acres of rich land upon which Edwin Ruby now resides. He used frequently to tell tales of how wild the country was when he first entered it, also f its swampy condition, for the work of o EDWIN RUBY. Edwin Rul)y is a resident farmer of Tay- lorville township, his home being on section cultivation and improvement had scarcely been begun. There were many wild deer tO' be seen on the prairies and wild game of various kind was to be had in abundance. It was the work of such enterprising and dili- gent early settlers as Mr. Ruliy that led to the present prosperous and improved con- dition of the county as we find it to-day. In the family three sons who served in the L^nion Army gave tlieir lives for the Union cause. Henry was killed at the battle of Chickamauga; Washington, after being in- carcerated in Andersonville prison for eighteen months, was paroled and started home, but ere reaching his destination he liecame ill and died and his family have yet been unable to discover where he was buried ; Levi while serving in the Union cause, be- came ill and died at Eranklin, Tennessee. There are also four living sons of this fam- ily : Edwin. J. W., Albert and Zachariah. In taking up the personal history of Ed- win Ruby we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Christian county for he has always lived within its borders. He was reared to 25<; PAST AND PRESENT farm work, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of that Hfc for him in his l)oyhoo(l days. In December, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Amanda ilill. a native of Bloomficid, Davis county, Iowa. Her parents were at one time residents of Gallia county, Ohio, living near Rodney, whence they emigrated west- ward about 1843 ''^"<^ ^'<^s^ '1^ their lot with the early settlers of Iowa. In 1874- they re- moved from that state to Kansas. The father was a farmer and brick maker and by fol- lowing these pursuits provided for his fam- ily. Unto ]\Ir. and Mrs. Ruby have been born four children who are yet living, wdiile two have passed away. Those who still sur- vive are Orvil, who has spent three years as a student in the liigh school of Taylor- ville ; Effie, at home ; and Elmer and Ela- nora, who are in school. The parents hold membership in the Meth- odist Episcopal church, contribute liberally to its support and take an active and help- ful interest in its work. Theirs is a most congenial marriage relation and their home is largely an ideal one. The interest of both Mr. and Mrs. Ruby centers there and it seems that neither can do too much to en- hance the personal welfare and happiness of the other. Politicaly Mr. Ruby is a Demo- crat and keeping well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day is thus enabled to support his position by intelligent argu- ment. He has served as a school director since 1897 and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He belongs to the Anti-Horse Thief Association, to the Fra- ternal Army, to the Court of Honor and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man of strong purpose, fearless in advocacy of his honest convictions, active and straight- forward in business and loyal in citizenship. - W. T. BRIDGES, M. D. In the ranks of the professional men in Christian county stands \V. T. Bridges, who occupies a foremost place as a representa- tive of the medical fraternity. He has al- ways kept a1)reast with the times, having a zealous and acti\"e interest in his profession and as the years have advanced he has con- stantly increased his efficiency through read- ing, investigation and experience. He w'as born March 21, i860, in Fayette county, Il- linois, a son of James and Sarah Jane (Stur- geon) Bridges. The father was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and in 1850 came to Illinois. He was a farmer by occupation and tor many years engaged in agricultural pursuits, but is now living retired in Ram- sey, Illinois, Upon the home farm Dr. Bridges was reared and his early education was acquired in the public schools of Fayette county. He afterward became a student in the State Normal School of Indiana at Valparaiso, and subsequently he began teaching in Fay- ette county, following that profession for al)out four years, a part of which time was spent in Montgomery county. Deciding, however, to make the practice of medicine his life work, he entered the office of Dr. W. P. Gordon, of Carlisle, Illinois, who directed his reading for three months, at the end of which time he was taken ill with typhoid fever. He afterward continued his studies with Dr. Gordon for a year and in 1885 entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis and completing the regular course there was graduated in the class of 1888. Dr. Bridges began practicing in Walnut Hill, Illinois, and subsequently removed to Aviston, Illinois, where he remained for fourteen months. He next established his home in Illiopolis, this state, where he re- DR. W. T. BRIDGES CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 259 niaiiicd for live years and then, seeking a l)roader field of labor, he came to Stoning- ton, where he arrived rni the 17th of Decem- ber, 1894. During tlie nine years of his residence in this place he has won the public confidence for liis skill and ability and also by reason of his fidelity to the ethics of the ])rofession. On the I St of May, 1891, Dr. Bridges was united in marriage to Miss Mammie P. Constant, a daughter of J. W. Constant, aufl a native of Illiopolis, Illinois. They held membership in the Baptist church and the Doctor became a charter member of the church in Stonington. in which he is yet act- ively interested, serving as one of its dea- cons, while in the Sunday school he acts as a teacher. His political support is given to the Democracy and he has served as town clerk for one term. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, with the Court of Honor, the Fraternal Army and the Royal Circle. Matters pertaining to the public progress and improvement elicit liis attention and many times re- cei\e his hearty co-operation. The Doctor owns the independent telephone system of Stonington which now operates one hundred and thirty phones. He is progressive in all life's relations and no more so than in his l)rofession, in which he has made continual improvement and advancement. He is now a memljer oi the County Medical Society. is serxing as its secretarv and treasurer, and was tlie original organizer. He also be- longs to the Decatur Medical Society and the District Medical Society, which holds its meeting in Pana, Illinois. He likewise is a member of the State Medical Association and the American Medical Association and he keeps thoroughly informed concerning any ideas advanced by the profession, read- ily adopting such as he believes will prove 15 of material benefit in his work of alleviating human suffering. The Doctor is examiner for the Court of Honor, the Royal Circle; Fraternal Army of Loyal Workmen, the New York Life Insurance Company, Frank- lin Life Insurance Company of Springfield, and Aetna Life Insurance Company. New York. LOUIS SCHLIERBACH. Louis Schlierbach was a young man of but eighteen years when he came from his native country, Germany, to America de- pendent upon his own resources. From that time he has steadily worked his way up- ward cuid is now one of the successful busi- ness men of Pana, as well as one of its most highly esteemed and respected citizens. He was born September 4, 1831, in Germany, his parents being Louis and Sophia Schlier- bach. His father, a native of Germany, came to the United States in the year 1855 and took up his abode in Madison county, Illinois, where he remained for ten months. He then came to Pana in 1856 and was one of its earliest settlers. He afterward worked in a liarness shop with his son and his last days were spent in this city. Louis Schlierbach acquired his education in schools of the fatherland and there learned the harness-making trade, which he followed in connection with his father until 1849. Re- lieving that he might have better opportu- nities in the new world, he then made ar- rangements to cross the Atlantic to America. Taking passage on a westward bound sailing vessel he landed at New York, where he worked at his trade until 1856. In that year he came to Pana and opened a harness shop, in which he w^as joined by his father. The business has since been carried on with- out interruption and Mr. Schlierbach is one 260 PAST AND PRESENT of the leading harness dealers in this county. In iSrx) lie built a brick building, which lie now occupies, lie carries a complete line of harness and saddlery and seven years ago he added to his stock a line of buggies, wag- ons and farm implements. His trade is now (|uite extensive and his business there- fore yields him a good remuneration. He has won his prosperity through honorable methods, careful management and judicious purchases and there is much that is com- mendal)le in his business career. In 1858 Mr. Schlierbach was united in marriage to Miss Louise Bucksenschutz, and after her death he wedded her sister. Minnie, the latter marriage being celebrated in i860. There are four children of this union : Theo- dore, who is now living in Chicago ; Louise, who is married and resides in Minneapolis; Henrietta, who is married and is living in Pana; and Fred, who makes his home in Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Schlierbach belonged to the Presbyterian church and socially he is con- nected with the Masonic fraternity_ and with tlie Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Pana. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, having supported the party con- tinuously since its organization. He is one of the oldest settlers of Pana, there being nothing but a railroad crossing when he located here. He had to build a house to live in because there was none that could be rented. In fact, there was only one house in the town and grain was growing where beautiful homes and substantial business blocks are now standing. Mr. Schlierbach has always taken an active interest in every- thing which he believed to be for the wel- fare of the town. He had only one dollar and a half when he landed in New York and therefore all that he possesses has been ac- quired entirely through his ow^i efforts. He has earned for himself an enviable reputa- ^ tion as a careful man of Imsiness and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honor- able methods which have won him the de- served and unqualilied confidence of his fel- low men. E. A. HIGGINBOTHAM. Over twenty years have passed since E. A. Higginbotham became a factor in mer- cantile circles in Clarksdale, where he be- uan business on a small scale as a grocer. Fie has steadily increased his stock to meet the growing demands of his trade and now has a store which would do credit to a place of much greater size. His business reputa- tion, too, is unassailable, for his enterprise and honorable methods have commended him to all. Mr. Higginbotham was born in Christian county, Kentucky, December 24, 1861, a son * of Aaron and Martha (Gladish) Higgin- I'otham. His father, wdio was a farmer by occupation, died in February, 1873, and the mother departed this life in 1863 when our subject was only two years old. On the 9th of Fel)ruary, 1877, he came to Christian county, Illinois, and was reared and edu- cated in Taylorville. pursuing his studies in the east ward school. At the age of six- teen years he began earning his own living, by working as a farm hand by the month and in this way gained a start in life. Hav- ing saved one hundred and fifty dollars he embarked in the grocery business at his pres- ent location in Clarksdale on the 7th of March, 1883, though the old store building has been replaced by a nice modern structure, sixty by twenty-four feet and two stories in height with a basement. This w^as built in April, 1903, and is stocked with a good line of general merchandise. He carries ev- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 2G1 erything usually found in a general store, including hardware, and also conducts a meat market. Prosperity has attended his well directed efforts and besides the store building which he himself occupies, he owns the adjoining store and as a member of the firm of Larkin & Higginbotham has eight lots in the northern part of the village, three residences and an acre of land just at the edge of town. On the 19th of May, 1884, Mr. Higgin- botham married Miss Minnie L. Clark, a daughter of Lee A. Clark, one of Christian county's most distinguished citizens. He served as county judge for some years and filled nearly all of the other county offices. He was a native of Kentucky but the greater part of his life was passed in this state, where he died in 1867. His widow is still a resident of Taylorville. Mr. and Mrs. Higginbotham have eight children, namely : Ida P.; Jessie M. ; Eddie Lee; Edna A.; Rachel E., who died at the age of eleven months and twenty-four days; Byron and Laura, twins ; and Hulda H. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Higginbotham favor the Methodist Episcopal church, and socially he belongs to Mound Lodge, No. 122, A. F. & A. M., of Taylorville, and also to the Fraternal Army of America and the Modern Woodmen of America. Po- litically he is identified with the Democratic party. He takes an active interest in educa- tional affairs, having served six years as school treasurer, and is now one of the school directors. His time, however, is principally devoted to his business interests and it is through his own industry and perseverance that he has succeeded in life for he had no capital with which to aid him when he be- gan his business career and the success that has attended his efforts is certainly justly merited. A. P. ROCKEY, M. D. Dr. A. P. Rockey, who, since 1886, has engaged in the practice of his profession in Assumption and is making a specialty of surgery, is so well qualified in his chosen calling that he has long since left the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few, and is to-day one of the leading phy- sicians of Christian county. He realizes that the profession is continually advancing and close study and thorough research have en- abled him to keep abreast with the onward march. Dr. Rockey was born in Baltimore, Fair- field county, Ohio, a son of L. L. and Sophia Rockey, both of whom were natives of Ohio and were representatives of pioneer families of that state. In their family were eight children, of whom the Doctor is the eldest. He attended the public schools of his native town and continued his education in Dela- ware and Pleasantville, Ohio, and also pur- sued a commercial course in Eastman's Busi- ness College, at Poughkeepsie, New York. A thorough preliminary training well pre- pared him to take up the preparation which would fit him for professional life as a prac- titioner of medicine and surgery. He at- tended his first course of lectures in the Co- lumbus Medical College, and afterward en- tered the Ohio Medical College, at Cincin- nati, where he completed his studies by grad- uation. He entered upon the practice in Hinton, Shelby county, Illinois, April 3, 1876, and in 1886 came to Assumption, wdiere he has since remained, being now the senior partner of the firm of Rockey & Crow. He is a member of the County, District and State Medical Societies and through the in- terchange of ideas and experience m those meetings he adds to his knowledge as well as through extensive private reading and 262 PAST AND PRESENT study. He makes a specialty of surgery and is most thoroughly conversant with the com- ponent parts of the human Ijody, their uses and the onslaughts made upon them by dis- ease. In his practice his labors have largely been attended with success and he is there- fore accorded a very liberal patronage. He has served as a member of the board of health of Assumption. On the 22d of November, 1879, Dr. Rock- ey was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Downs, the eldest of the three children of James H. Downs, a capitalist of Assumption and one of the most influential and promi- nent citizens of the county. Unto Dr. Rockey and his wife has been born a daugh- ter, Estella D. Rockey, who is a graduate of the high school of Assumption and is now pursuing a classical course and also a musical course in Indianapolis. The Doctor and his wife have a pleasant and hospitable home in Assumption and the circle of their friends is continually growing as the circle of their acquaintance widens. While interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the town. Dr. Rockey takes little active part in public affairs as the duties of his profession make constant demand upon his time. He and his partner now have a splendidly equipped office over the First National Bank of As- sumption — large and well furnished rooms, equipped with all the latest devices for sur- gery in its various branches. There is also an X-ray machine and the members of the firm are able to care for the most intricate surgical cases as well as those which de- mand the services of the general medical practitioner. THOMAS SIMPSON. Thomas Simpson, now deceased, was for many years an honored and highly esteemed citizen of Rosamond township, his home being on section 24, where his widow still resides. He was a native of Ohio, born in Harrison county, November 9, 1833, and was a son of Mathew and Susan (Orr) Simpson and a grandson of John and Mar- garet Simpson. Both his father and grand- father followed the occupation of farming. In the family of the latter were four sons and three daughters, of whom two sons and three daughters ma.rried and reared families of their own. Thomas Simpson was only five years of age when, in 1838, he accompanied his par- ents on their removal to Pike county, Illi- nois, and there he grew to manhood and was educated. During the '60s he made a trip to California and after spending two years on the Pacific slope again took up his residence in Pike county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until December, 1868, — the date of his arri\al in Christian county. He first located four miles north and west of the village of Rosemond in Rosamond township, where he and his wife began to acquire a competence. Upon that farm he continued to live until 1885, when he sold it and removed to the place on section 24. the same township, at the edge of the vil- lage of Rosemond, now occupied by Mifs. Simpson. This is a well improved farm v\ith a neat modern residence well furnished and beautiful evergreens adorn the lawn. On the 2d of April, 1868, in Pike ccjunty. Mr. Simpson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Pine, who was born in that county, October 8, 1839, and was there reared and educated. Her parents were William and Nancy (Tedrow) Pine, the former a native of New Jersey and the lat- ter of Pennsylvania. Mr. Pine died July 25, 1878, and his wife passed away on the 6th of March, 1862. In their family were thirteen children, two of whom died in in- THOMAS SIMPSON MRS. E. P. SIMPSON CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 267 fancy, ^vhile the others reached maturity. Three of the five danghters still living are residents of Pike county, Illinois, but the sons are widely scattered, one he'mg a resi- dent of Nebraska, another of Kansas and the third of Missouri. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Simpson were born five children, as follows: Sylva M., the eld- est, died at the age of eleven months. Ella M. is now the wife of C. E. Anderson, of Rosemond, and they have four children : Lela E., Vera E., Harold E. and J. Everett. Mary is the wife of F. E. McKee, who now^ operates the home farm, and they have four children : Clyde, Paul, Etiiel and Florence. Eva died at the age of four years Orpha Grace is at home \vith her mother. The children were all given good educational ad- vantages and the family is one of promin- ence in the community where they reside. b^or over twenty-two years Mr. and Mrs. Simpson traveled life's journey happily to- gether but at length the husband was called to the better world, dying April 12, 1890. at the age of fifty-six years five months and three days. As a public-spirited and enter- prising citizen he took an active interest in the upbuilding and development of his adopted county and never withheld his sup- port from any measure which he believed would i)ro\'e of public benefit. He filled the oftice of school director a short time and was township school trustee for a number of years. In early life he was a Republican in politics Init being a strong temperance man he became an earnest advocate of the Prohibition party and its principles. He was a member of the Good Templars So- ciety and by his honorable and upright life he gained the confidence and high regard of all with whom he was brought in contact either in business or social affairs. At the age of fifteen years Mrs. Simpson united with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she has since been a loyal and devoted member and it was largely through her in- fluence that her husband was brought to Christ. She is prominently identified with the missionary work of the church and does all in her power for the uplifting of her fellow-men. She has divided the property left by her husband equally among her chil- dren and in the midst of her family and many friends she is spending her declining- days in ease and comfort. Her cozy farm residence is on the hill just east of the church which she attends and of which she is such an active worker. As a fitting triliute to the memorv of Mr. Simpson we quote the following from the Budget, now the Raylis Guide, of Baylis, Pike county : "On Sunday morning, April 6, 1890, he was holding a colt for his nephew, Alex Hillman, to ride. The colt reared and striking him about the heart knocked him down and stepped on his stom- ach and bowels with both feet, injuring him internally. He lived until the following Saturday morning when death came to his relief, louring his week of illness he ar- ranged all his business matters and made all the necessary arrangements in regard to his funeral. Ab.ove all he sought for and found peace with God, leaving a bright testi- mony behind him. He chose for the text for his funeral discourse Psalm XXIII, verse 4, 'Yea though I walk,' etc. He de- sired the pallbearers to wear badges express- ing their determination to meet him in Heaven. The only thing that he desired to live for was that he might do something for Christ in the way of exhorting the young people nil around him to not live as he had done, but to consecrate themselves in youth to God and His cause. He said to his wife : 'Why do you weep, I think you ought rather 208 Py\ST AND l^RESENT to rcjcMce that niv name is written in Heaven and that I am now walkini:!^ in the channel where yon always wanted me to walk.' He said he never knew hefore how easy it was to trust in Jesns when he ha\-e made a full surrender to Him of all we have and are. Ahout two hours hef(>re his death he had his wife pass hread around to all who were present so that he could ask a hlessing" the way his wife had always wanted him to do. He said he always felt it his duty to return thanks at the tahle hut never had the stamina to do so. The funeral serv- ices were held in the Methodist Episcopal church in Rosemond on Monday after- noon, 7\pril 14, TcSoo. and the immense throng present showed the high regard his neighhors had for him, over seventy-five vehicles following the remains to the Rose- mond Grove cemetery. Elder A. T. Orr, of Mattoon. delivered the discourse." JAMES E. SHARROCK. It is only under the stimulus of opposition and the pressure of adversity that the hest and strongest in man are brought out and developed. The self-made man is largely a product of the new world and America has every reason to be proud of her sons wdio have through inherent force of character and indefatigal>le industry overcome obstacles and wrested fortune from the hand of fate. Mr. Sharrock is one deserving of much credit for what he has accomplished for with no special family or pecuniary advantages to aid him at the outset of his career he has steadily advanced until he now occupies a prom.inent position among the leading law- yers of Taylorville. He was born in Towerhill, Illinois, May 15, 1858, and is a son of James and Ruth (Lawton) Sharrock. The father was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, but long lived in Ohio and in 1858 came to Illinois, where he suc- cessfully followed farming. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in the Ninth Illi- nois Cavalry under Colonel Jesse Phillips, and died in the army when forty-five years of age. It is there that his remains were in- terred near Paducah, Kentucky. His widow afterward married again and died in 1897, at the age of sixty-nine years. In a family of five children the subject of this review is the youngest, the others being John W., David L., Anna A. and George A. The sister is now the wife of D. B. Russell. James E. Sharrock received but little edu- cational privileges. He w^as forced to leave school when twelve years of age in order to provide for his own support and he fol- low'Cd various kinds of work. He was em- ployed for two years as a farm hand prior to the time he attained the age of eighteen years. Many hardships, trials and privations fell to his lot, but he possessed strong de- termination and resolved that he would win success if it could be accomplished through honorable effort and persistent purpose. His tastes lay along professional lines and, wish- ing to become a member of the bar he be- gan reading law in Shelbyville, Illinois, in the office and under the direction of Caleb R. Torrence. After largely mastering the principles of jurisprudence he was admitted to practice in 1886 and established an ofiice in Cowden, Illinois. There he remained until 1893, when he removed to Taylorville and here opened an office, since which time he has engaged in the general practice of law in this city. Eor two years he was asso- ciated with ex-Judge Lyman G. Grundy un- der the firm name of Sharrock & Grundy, but the relation was terminated in August, 1903. and Mr. Sharrock has since been alone in practice. He is known as one of the most CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 269 able orators in this part of the state and in that connection his services are continually in demand. At the bar he has gained a dis- tinctively representative clientage and now occupies a leading position as a member of his profession in Christian county. His suc- cess came soon because his equipment was unsually good. Along with those qualities, indispensable to the lawyer, — a keen, rapid, logical mind plus the business sense, and a ready capacity for hard work, — he brought gifts, — eloquence of language and a strong personality. An excellent presence, an earn- est, dignified manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability to accurately apply its principles are factors in Mr. Sharrock's effectiveness as an advocate. In his political views Mr. Sharrock is a stalwart Republican and an active worker in the interests of the party. His fitness for leadership has occasioned his election to po- sitions of trust and responsibility. He was a member of the state legislature during the sessions of the thirty-ninth and fortieth gen- eral assemblies and carried his county which is usually Democratic by a majority of seven hundred and sixty-four votes, a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow men. He placed William E. Mason in nomination for LTnited States senator, seconded the nom- ination of Edward Curtis for speaker of the house in the thirty-ninth assembly and in the thirty-eighth assembly seconded the nom- ination of Shelby M. Cullom for United States senator. He also made the presenta- tion speech when a diamond ring was pre- sented to John A. Reeves, the reading clerk of the house. A master of the art of ora- tory, he is especially happy in his way of pre- senting any subject and at times is a most forceful and logical speaker, while on other occasions his addresses are most entertain- ing and interesting. At all times, however, there is a substratum of thought, feeling and strong purpose that is undeniable. He has held minor offices and is now the city at- torney of Taylorville. Mr. Sharrock was united in marriage to Flora A. Christie, of Cowden, Illinois. Fra- ternally he is connected with Cowden Camp, Sons of Veterans, of which he is a charter member and he also belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Mod- ern Woodmen Camp. He is a man of in- domitable will and firm purpose and these have been salient features in his work. He is, however, never bitterly aggressive and his deference for the opinions of others together with his genial disposition and cordial man- ner have made him a popular citizen of Tay- lorville. W. M. STATTNER. W. M. Stattner, a well known blacksmith of Millersville, was born on the 8th of Oc- tober, 1867, in Shelby ville, Illinois, and is a son of Charles and Lucy Stattner. The father is a native of Germany and is now livine- a retired life in Millersville, honored and respected l>y all who know him. The mother of our subject died in 1883. During his boyhood W. M. Stattner at- tended the district school and after com- l)leting his education commenced learning the blacksmith's trade at the age of eighteen, serving a two years' apprenticeship. Dur- ing the following two years he worked on a farm and then resumed work at his trade, being employed in a shop in Millersville for two years. At the end of that time he went to Fremont, Neliraska, where he worked in a horse-shoeing shop for three years and then returned to Millersville and embarked 270 PAST AND PRESENT in blacksmithing on his own account at his present location. He does horse-shoeing and general repair work of all kinds and being an expert workman and a good reliable busi- ness man he commands a fair share of the public patronage. In 1895 M^- Stattner was united in mar- riage to Miss Sadie Corneil, a native of Christian county and a daughter of Samuel Cornell, and to them has been l>orn one son, Rodell. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are highly respected and esteemed by all who know them. In politics Mr. Stattner is a Democrat. DAVID LACHARITE. Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success; it carries a man onward and upward, brings out his in- dividual character and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. The great- est results in life are usually attained by sim- ple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. The every-day life, with its cares, necessities and duties, afifords ample opportunity for acquiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and for self- improvement. It is along such lines that Mr. Lacharite has won a place prominent in business circles in Christian county and is now known as one of the most respected and honored, as well as most successful, citizens of Assumption. He is there engaged in merchandising, in banking and in the opera- tion of coal fields, and the extent and im- portance of his business interests make him a very prosperous man. Mr. Lacharite was born in Maskinonge, Canada, November 28, 1839, of humble parentage. He is a son of Henry and Agatha (Mason) Lacharite, who were born near the old historic city of Montrcnl and they became the parents of eleven children, eight of whom reached years of maturity, while tv.o died in infancy and one in later life. David Lacharite is the eldest and in the common schools of Canada he obtained his education. After leaving school he bee^an clerking for an uncle and after two years spent in the mercantile field, h.c worked at the carpenter's trade for two years. In 1856 he removed to Minnesota, where he followed various pursuits and while there he mastered the English lan- guage, having spoken French up to this time. For four years he remained in Min- nesota and from i860 until 1863 was in Louisiana. In the latter year he came to Assumption, where h.e followed his trade as a journey- man carpenter, being thus employed for a year. He then engaged in contracting until 1869, wdien he turnrd his attention to mer- chandising, in which he has since engaged, meeting wnth splendid success and adding to the general prosperity by the establish- ment of a large and thriving enterprise. He first entered into partnership with A. Caza- let and the firm of Cazalet & Lacharite con- tinued until 1873, when our subject pur- chased his partner's interest, continuing alone until 1877. Joseph Lambert then bought out Mr. Lacharite and became an as- sociate of his former employer, Mr. Cazalet. The store was thus conducted until 1880, when the firm of Lacharite & Lambert be- came proprietors and have since conducted the business. They carry a very large and carefully selected stock of general merchan- dise and have one of the best equipped stores of the county. The firm is known far and near for its honorable Imsiness dealing and enjoys a large patronage which is constantly MR. AND MRS. DAVID LACHARITE CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 273 increasing. The l)nikling in which the store is located is well constructed, heing built of brick, and is finely lighted. It is the prop- erty of Mr. Lacharite, who may well be classed among the substantial citizens of the county. Lie is the president of the Illi- nois State Bank, in which position he suc- ceeded B. F. Hight, the first president and oreanizer of the institution. He maintains the safe, conservative policy which was in- augurated at the establishment of the bank and has also introduced various progressive methods which have added to its success. He is the treasurer and one of the large stockholders of the Assumption Coal & Min- ing Company and he has extensive and val- uable farming interests, including his resi- dence and other realty and several farms in Assumption township. On the 14th of February, 1865, Mr. Lacharite was married in Assumption to Miss Lenora Lambert, a sister of his part- ner in the mercantile business. She came to this county with her parents when but five years of age and has since resided here. Unto this marriage have been born seven children : Mrs. Mary Fear, who is now a widow and has two children ; Clara, at home; J. A., who is assistant cashier in the Illinois State Bank, of Assumption; Henry B., who in October, 1903, purchased an in- terest in the elevator and grain business at Assumption and is now devoting his ener- gies to that enterprise ; Ella, at home ; Her- man C, who married Alta Hight, a daugh- ter of B. F. Hight, nnd wdio recently gradu- ated from the Chicago Dental College, since which time he has engaged in the practice of his profession in the Illinois State Bank Building; and Leah, who is yet under the parental roof. The family are all members of St. Marv's Catholic church of Assiunp- tion. In local politics .Mr. Lacharite has taken an active part and has been elected to sev- eral ofiicial positions. He has been a mem- ber of the board of supervisors of Assump- tion township and of the county board, and was the president of the former for a num- ber of terms. For ten years he was one of the county commissioners and has done more than any one man to secure good roads throughout the county. He is a stanch Dem- ocrat Imt places the welfare of the county above party prejudice. For twenty years he has been school treasurer and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He has seen Assumption and the surround- ing country grow from primitive conditions, having come here when the town contained nothing but frame buildings, while the country was full of sloughs and ponds and much of the prairie w^as still uncultivated. His business interests have been an import- ant factor in the development of this part of the state, and at the same time he has won gratifying success. His reputation in business circles is such as any man might be proud to possess. He has never incurred an obligation that he has not met, nor made an engagement that he has not fulfilled, and wherever known he is respected and honored. W. T. SHORT, M. D. Although one of the younger representa- tives of the medical fraternity in Christian county the age of the Doctor does not seem a bar to his success for he has attained a position in his profession that many an older physician might well envy. He was born July 27, 1872, in Fillmore, Montgomery county, Illinois, and is a son of H. S. and Sarah M. Short. His father, a native of North Carolina, took up the study of medi- 274 PAST AND PRESENT cine in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has engaged in practice in iMllniore, Illinois, for thir- ty-five years. He is one of the prominent and intUiential residents of that part of the state and has a practice that is indicative of the unqnalihed confidence reposed in him hy his fellow townsmen. Dr. Short spent his l)oyhood days in his ])arents' home and ;it the nsual age hegan his education in the public schools, continu- ing his studies in Fillmore until he had mastered the branches of learning usually taught in the school system of the state. Resolving to follow in the profesional foot- steps of his father he began reading at home and soon afterward entered the Marion Sims Medical College, in which he was graduated with the class of 1897. After the comple- tion of his course he returned to Fillmore and for a time practiced with his father. Later he spent three years in Grove City, Illinois, and has now been located in Ston- ington for two years. His business is stead- ilv increasing and in partnership with Dr. Coe he is enjoying a good patronage. They have a well equipped office and the calls made for their professional services are con- tinually growing more numerous — a fact which indicates that In public regard Dr. Short has steadily advanced, winning the confidence of his fellow citizens through marked skill and ability in his chosen work. On the 1 2th of December, 1900, occurred the marriage of Dr. Short and Miss Rena Neer, a native of Christian county. This union has been blessed with an interesting little son, Hiram Coe, Ijcmmi on the 23d of December, 1901. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. He is also identified with a numlier of other organizations of a similar character and he gives his political allegiance to the Republican party. In the line of his ])rofessi()n he is connected with the Chris- tian County, the Decatur, the Central Illi- nois and the Illinois State Medical Societies ;ni(! in attending these jjodics has gained many valuable ideas through the in.terchange of opinions and experiences. He is always deeply interested in anything that tends to solve the intricate problem which continually faces the physician and in his ])ractice read- ily adopts any innovation that he feels will ])rove of practical benefit in his work of re- storing health. FRANK W. HOWELL. Frank W. Howell, the popular proprietor of the St. Charles Hotel, of Pana, was born on Buckeye Prairie in this county, July 23, 1874, and is a worthy representative of a family that has been identified with the up- building and development of this region for almost half a century. His parents were John and Maria J. (Law) Howell, the lat- ter a daughter of James and Lucretia (Stev- ens) Law\ who were natives of Ohio. Our subject's maternal great-grandparents were William and Lovina (Harris) Law, who came to this state from Ohio and settled in Christian county in 1856. William Law jnuThased a tract of wild prairie land between Taylorville and Buckeye Prairie and to the im])rovement and development of that place lie devoted his energies until called to his iinal rest on the ist of September, 1861. His wife died in October, 1863. They had four children,' namely : William; Ada; James, the grandfather of our subject; and George, all now deceased. When the family first located here the country was wild and un- broken and covered with ponds and sloughs. There were no roads and fences and the deer roamed over the prairies. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 275 James Law, our subject's grandfather, be- came a very successful farmer and the owner of considerable land, accumulating enough property to give his children all good farms. He gave liberally to the erection of churches and schoolhouses on Buckeye Prairie and in other ways was actively identified with the upbuilding of the locality in which he lived. He was reared and educated in Ohio and throughout life followed agricultural pur- suits, dying upon his farm in Locust town- ship, August 27, 1880. For his first wife he married Lucretia Stevens, who died in 1857, leaving four children: Mrs. Lena Reynolds, whi^ has three children, two living on Buckeye Prairie; Nancy, the widow of Charles Wood and a resident of Pana ; Maria ]., the mother of our subject; and James, who married Ollie Orr and died leaving two children. James Law's second union was with Letitia Churchman, who still survives him. Of her three children two are livmg. Mrs. Maria J. Howell received from her father a nice farm of one hundred and sixty acres of very productive and choice land. The corn crop from this in 1903 yielded sev- enty bushels to the acre and other grain in proportion. During Mrs. Howell's girlhood wheat was the principal crop and the chil- dren of the family used to gather the sheaves and shock it. She often dropped corn by hand and assisted in the harrowing. She has also shelled corn by hand and helped in the harvest field, being thoroughly familiar with farming in all its branches. She re- members well the conditions of early days, when one could see nothing but straw stacks for miles, there being no fences or hedges of any kind, but plenty of open prairie. At that time there were many wolves and rattle- snakes, while wild turkeys, prairie chickens and cranes were thick. On the 29th of October, 1872, at Pana, was celebrated the marriage of John Howell and Maria J. Law. The former was born in Indiana, August 25, 1841, a son of John and Margaret (Rutherford) Howell, while the latter was born in Noble county, Ohio, October 29, 1853, and was a mere child when brought by her parents to Christian county. After their marriage the young couple located in Pana, where Mr. Howell worked at his trade of coopering in the spring and fall, principally manufacturing barrels for flour. For two years he and his wife lived on her farm on Buckeye Prairie and then removed to Kansas City but re- turned to Christian county in 1880 and lo- cated permanently in Pana, occupying the same house for twenty-three years. During his last years Mr. Howell was an invalid, being afflicted with asthma and other dis- eases contracted in the army, from which he died on the 30th of November, 1903. It was on the ist of December, 1861, that Mr. Howell enlisted from Christian county to serve three years and was mustered into the LTnited States service at Anna, Illinois, February 18, 1862, as a private in Com- pany H, Fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, under the command of Captain Ed Roessler and Colonel Thomas W. Harris, who was later succeeded by Colonel Green- ville M. Mitchell. The regiment was organ- ized at Camp Dubois, Anna, Illinois, as a part of the Kentucky Brigade and February 24, 1862, was ordered to Cairo. On the 14th of March they moved to Columbus, Kentucky, and three companies were sta- tioned at Humboldt, Tennessee, during the fall of 1862 and the following winter were on duty in the vicinity of Jackson, taking part in a skirmish at Union City, Tennes- see. In the spring of 1863, having moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi, they were as- signed to the Third Brigade, Second Di- 276 FAST AXD PRESENT vision. Sixteenth Coq^s. Army of the Ten- nessee. During its service the command took part in the following engagements : the siege of Corinth. Haines Blutf. siege of Vicksburg. Steele's expedition against Lit- tle Rock. Arkansas; the attack on copper- heads at Charleston. Illinois: the pursuit of the rel>el General Joe Shelby from Little Rock to Clarendon. Arkansas : and the en- gagement on the Memphis & Little Rtx^k Railroad, where almost the entire command was capturecl by Shelby after fighting his vastly superior force of more than four thousand for five hours and until their hav breastworks were burned b}- the rebel shells and they were driven out by the extreme heat. Companies F and H were not at- tacked, however, being at that time detailed on service at a distant station. The captured men were paroled and sent to Benton Bar- racks. St. Louis, ^lissouri. where thev were exchanged December ;.' 1864. and went to Hickor>- Station on the Memphis & Little Rock Railroad, where they performed guard duty until June 6. 1865. when the command moved to Pine Bluffs, later to Fort Smith and Little Rock. Arkansas. Here Mr. Howell was taken ill and sent from ^^icks- burg to Paducah. Kentucky, where he re- mained about three months, returning to his regiment at Little Rock. He was also in the hospital at Jackson. Mississippi, for about a month. At all other times he was with his command and perfomied most faithful and meritorious service. He was honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois, February- 17, 1865. ^y reason of expiration of service, and for :■. number of years he was a member of Henr\- A. Pope Post, No. 411, G. A. R. His widow belongs to Pope C-oqis, No. 190, W. R. C. His brother, James \\'., sened in the same company and regiment as himself and re-enlisted as a vet- eran. Into Mr. and Mrs. Howell were born five children, namely: Frank \\'.. of this review: Mertie Belle, deceased; Margaret L., who is the wife of Bert Guenette and has one child. Evadna P. : Leona Gertrude and John C. both at home with their mother. They all received good educations. Frank \\'. Howell was educated in the public schools of Pana and was a memlx?r of the junior class of the high school when he laid asiile his books and entered upon the more arduous duties of business life at the age of sixteen years. He was first em- ployed as night clerk in the hotel, of which he is now proprietor, it being then owned by 'Sir. Dalton, for whom he worked for five vears. He then engaged in clerking in the store of G. \'. Penwell until the spring of 1897. when he returned to the St. Charles Hotel, remaining with Mr. Dalton only a short time, however. He next accepted a position with the Illinois Central Railroad as assistant road supervisor and was in the company's ot^ce at this place for two years. On the 7th of October. 1899. he purchased the St. Charles Hotel. Mr. Dalton having died in the meantime, and at once took charge of the place as proprietor. Mr. Howell owns the building, furniture and fix- tures and has enlarged and remodeled the place, making it the best dollar a day house in the county. It is a favorite stopping place with commercial travelers and is also headquarters for Assumption merchants, as well as for the railroad men connected with the Illinois Central. Big Four. Baltimore & Ohio and Frisco Railroads. Mr. Howell has eight persons in his employ and under liis capable management the business of the hotel has rapidly increased. \\'hen it came under his control onlv al30ut one CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 277 liundred and seventy were served with meals each day hut this number has been increased to over five hundred. Pleasant and obliging in manner, he has proved a very popular host and is a business man of more than ordinary ability. • To some extent he deals in real es- tate, buying and selling residence property and is a stockholder in the Pana National Bank. On the 28th of October, 1896, Mr. Howell was united in marriage to Miss Orpha May Chapman, a daughter of Thomas and Mar- garet (McKee) Chapman, of Rosemond, Illinois. She was born in Christian county, December 5, 1874, and was educated in the pul)]ic schools of Pana. She is an accom- plished musician and prior to her marriage was a good stenographer and compositor, being employed on the Paiadmiii paper. Mr. and Mrs. Howell have an interesting little daughter, Marcella Eileen, born August 9, 1899. In his social relations Mr. Howell is a member of the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity and the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, and is a man well liked by all who know him. S. W. CULP. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the city of Morrisonville than S. W. Culp. He has been an important factor in business circles and public affairs and his popularity is well deserved as in him are embraced the characteristics of an un- bending integrity, unabating energy and in- dustry that never flags. He is public-spir- ited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of Morrisonville. Mr. Culp was born in Meigs county, Ohio, April 22, 1845, ^^'^^^ is a son of Jacob W. Culp, who was born in Pennsylvania of Pennsylvania Dutch parentage. For some years the father was engaged in farming in Ohio and in 1865 removed to Montgomery county, Illinois, where he purchased eighty acres of land and resumed farming. There his death occurred in 1894. The mother of our subject passed away in 1880. S. W. Culp received his early education in the public schools of his native state. Coming to Illi- nois in 1865, he taught school here until the fall of 1 87 1, when he entered the university at Carlinville and continued his studies there until his graduation in 1873. He then served as principal of a high school in Ma- coupin county, Illinois, until his removal to Christian county in 1876, at which time he accepted the position of principal of the No- komis schools and was in charge of the same for one year, after which he removed to Morrisonville and had charge of its schools for six years. In educational work he met with excellent success and proved a very competent and thorough instructor. In 1882 Mr. Culp purchased the drug- stock of Leroy Martin, who was proprietor of the oldest store in that line in the city, and he is to-day known as the leading drug- gist of the place. He bought the building in which he carries on business in 1883, it being twenty by one hundred and forty feet in dimensions, with his ofiice and dispensing room in the rear of the main store room and a large wareroom in the back. In addition to a full line of drugs, he now carries jew- elry and in that department of his business has formed a partnership with J. L. Mullen, who is a practical jeweler. Mr. Culp does not confine his attention wholly to his store as he has become interested in newspaper work, having purchased the Times in 1887. This he conducts as a non-partisan paper and since it came into his possession the circulation has been doubled, there being 278 PAST AND PRESENT nuw between seven and eight linndred sub- scribers. He has made it (Uie of the leading journals of the county, it being a bright, newsy sheet, full of local and foreign news. Mr. Gulp owns the building in which the paper is i)rinted and besides his business property has a fine residence in the Pence addition to ]\Iorrisonville, which is modern in all its appointments and is an honor to the city. In 1886 Mr. Gulp was united in marriage to Miss Nina M. Dunning. Her father. Andrew J- Dunning, was a native of New^ York and was a railroad conductor in the east for some years. In 1884 iie came to Ghristian county, Illinois, and purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Bear Greek township, to the cultivation and im- provement of which he then turned his at- tention. There he spent his remaining days, dying in 1891. Always a consistent Democrat, the party acknow ledged his services by appointing Mr. Gulp postmaster of Morrisonville during President Gleveland's administration, and he filled that ofiicc in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. He has also served as town collector and has been a. member of the school board for six years. He has been president of the Business Men's Asso- ciation and is a charter member of the Mor- risonville Building & Loan Association, of wdiich he is now* president. Fraternally he is a member of the ]\Iasonic lodge in Mor- risonville and belongs to the chapter in Tay- lorville and the Litchfield commandery. He is a charter member of the Modern Wood- men of America at Morrisonville and has passed through all the chairs in that order. His influence and labors have been of marked effect in promoting the interests of his adopted city and he stands deservedly high in the esteem of his fellow-men. D. W. JOHNSTON. Among the prominent and representative citizens of Taylorville is numbered D. W. lohnston. He has been an important factor in her business circles for some years and is a man whose worth and ability have gained him success, honor and public con- fidence. He enjoys the well-earned distinc- tion of being what the public calls a self- made man and an analyzation of his char- acter reveals the fact that enterprise, well directed effort and honorable dealing have been the essential features in his prosperity. Mr. Johnston was born in Madison coun- ty, Ohio, October 13, 1839, and is a son of Alexander and Susan Johnston. His father was a native of Ireland, but being brought to this country at an early age was princi- pally reared in Pennsylvania. In 1854 he came to Illinois and settled in Ghristian county, where he b.ecame the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he operated c[uite successfully up to the time of his death in 1872. The mother of our subject was l)orn in Ohio. In the schools of his native state D. W. Johnston began his education and continued his studies here after the removal of the fam- ily to Illinois. At the age of tw^enty years he commenced farming and continued to follow that occupation for several years. He spent about seven years in the gold mines of Golorado, IMontana and Idaho, and then turned his attention to the cattle business, driving his stock from Texas to Kansas. He dealt in southern cattle for about four years and in 1872 returned to Ghristian county, his time being taken up by his farming in- terests in Johnson township during the fol- lowing seven years. At the end of that time he removed to Taylorville and has since been identified with several business enter- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 279 prises that have prox^ed successful He is j)resident of the Christian County Coal Com- pany of Taylorville and vice president of the Farmers' National Bank of this city. He owns consideral)le property, including twen- ty-six hundred and sixty-five acres of fine farming land in- Christian county and over one thousand acres in Mississippi. While re- siding on his farm he gave considerable at- tention to the raising of stock for the market and found that business quite profitable. Mr. Johnston was married in 1879 to Miss Sarah E. Wilson, who was reared in this state, and to them have been born two chil- dren : Roy A. and Cleona. Mr. Johnston is a member of the Masonic fraternity. As a Democrat he has taken quite an active and prominent part in local politics and for eight terms served as supervisor of Johnson township. He was also president of the board of education for three years. The record of Mr. Johnston is that of a man who by his own efforts has worked his way up- ward to a position of affluence. His life has been one of industry and perseverance, and the systematic and honorable business meth- ods he has followed have won for him the confidence and respect of all. B. P. WINDSOR, M. D. Dr. B. P. Windsor, who follows scientific methods in the practice of his profession and whose knowledge and capability rank him among the foremost representatives of the medical fraternity in Christian county, has made his home in Mount Auburn since 1899, and during this period has gained a very gratifying patronage. He w^as born in McLean county, Illinois, on the 15th of July, 1874, a son of E. B. and Mary Alice (Grant) Windsor. About fifteen years ago his father removed to Horton, Kansas, and for thirteen years was foreman of the round- house of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific and the Chicago & Alton Railroad Com- panies. For three years he was in the mas- ter mechanics' ofifice and three years ago he took up his abode in Mount Auburn, where he has recently been appointed postmaster, so that he is now discharging the duties of that position. Dr. Windsor, having mastered the pre- liminary branches of English learning, con- tinued his studies in the high school of Hor- ton, Kansas, and also in Creighton Uni- versity, at Omaha, Nebraska, in which in- stitution he prepared for the practice of med- icine and won the Doctor of Medicine degree with the class of 1895. Further preparation for the important duties of the profession was received through six month.s' hospital experience in St. Joseph's Hospital, at Omaha, and in 1897 he went to Chicago, where he was assistant to Professor Sanger Brown in the Post-Graduate Hospital for a year. He also served for six months in the United States Marine Hospital at Omaha, Nebraska, and on the 25th of October, 1899. he came to Mount Auburn to make his home. Dr. Windsor then purchased of W. K. Wright four acres of ground, on which he has built a fine modern residence of eleven rooms, supplied with all up-to-date equip- ments. He has his own gas plant, hot and cold water, bathroom, and the house is heated by hot water. He has his ofifice in his residence and also the central ofifice of the Independent and Bell Telephone Com- panies. His home is most tastefully and beautifully furnished and an air of gracious and hearty hospitality pervades the place. Dr. Windsor has also erected a modern six- room house in wdiich his father is living. On the 26th of May, 1897, Dr. Windsor 280 PAST AND PRESENT w as united in marriage to Miss Litia Carter, a daughter of Dr. A. H. Carter, a practicing physician of Council Bhiffs, Iowa. Unto the Doctor and his wife were horn, on the 29th of June. 1898, twin hoys, Bennet P. and John Clark, hut the former died in in- fancy. Dr. and Mrs. Windsor are memhers of the Christian church, and he is a valued representative of several fraternal organiza- tions. He belongs to Kedron Lodge, No. 340, A. F. & A. M. ; Racy Lodge, No. 629, K. P., of Mount Auburn; and the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 2849. His uniform courtesy and kindly disposition have gained him many friends outside those whom he has met professionally and he is a popular citizen of Mount Auburn. His attention, however, is chiefly given to his profession, which makes heavy demands upon his time, his patronage continually increasing. In ad- dition to a large private practice he is now examining- physician to the John Hancock Life Insurance Company, the Aetna, the New York Mutual and the New York Life Insurance Companies. He is a mem- ber of the Christian County Medical Society, the Decatur Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He has un- faltering regard for the ethics of the profes- sion and enjoys the highest respect and con- fidence of his brethren of the medical fra- ternity as well as of the general public. JUDGE LYMAN G.. GRUNDY. He is actively connected with a profes- sion which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any sec- tion or communitv, and one which has lono- been considered as conserving the pul)lic welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining individual rights. His reputation as a lawyer has been won through earnest, honest labor, and his standing at the bar is a merited tribute to his ability. He now has a very large practice, and his careful preparation of cases is supi)lemented by a power of argument and a forceful presentation of his points in the courtroom, so that he never fails to impress court or jury, and seldom fails to gain the verdict desired. The Judge was born in Macoupin coun- ty, Illincjis, near Virden, in 1861, a son of Harry and Ellen M. (Smith) Grundy, who are now residing near Morrisonville, in Christian county. The paternal grand- father of our subject was Henry Grundy who came to America from England in the year 1853. Establishing his home in Bureau county, Illinois, he there engaged in business as a stock man. He married Ruth Gladstone, a lady of Scotch descent, and l;oth have now passed away. The maternal grandfather of our subject was John G. Smith, a native of North Carolina, whence he removed to Jersey county, Illinois, in the early '30s. He wedded Polly Ann White, a daughter of Jacob White of Jersey county. In the vicinity of Virden John G. Smith made his home and carried on farming for many years. He was one of the supervisors of Macoupin county and took an active part in public affairs, being recognized as one of the leading and influential citizens of his community. Harry Grundy was born in Lincolnshire, England, and, crossing the At- lantic to America when a young man, lo- cated in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1850, as one of its pioneer settlers. He assisted in building the railroad and was engaged in working in the lumber woods until the time of his marriage, which occurred in i860, the lady of his choice being Miss Ellen M. Smith, a native of Jersey county. The L. G. GRUNDY CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 283 young couple liegan their domestic life upon a farm in Macoupin county and in 1863 re- moved to Christian county, where they have since resided. In the family are three sons and a daughter: Lyman G., Charles N., v^ieorge G., and Maude, the wife of Louis Rittger. In the common schools of Morrisonville ludge Grundy acquired the ^"udiments of his education, and spent one year as a student in the Jacksonville Business College at Jack- sonville, Illinois, and two years in Mon- mouth College. For seven years he engaged in teaching school, heing for three years a teacher in Ricks township, and for a similar period he was principal of the high school of Pana. He also served as prhicipal of the schools of Morrisonville for one year and was known as a capahle educator who imparted clearly, readily and concisely to others the knowledge that he had gained. He followed that profession until 1890, when, wishing to make the practice of law his life w^ork, he hegan reading in Pana and suhsecjuently he pursued a course of study in the law^ department of the Uni- versity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, w^here he was graduated with the class of 1893. The same year he located in Taylorville, forming a partnership with Ex-Judge Rufus M. Potts. This relation w^as maintained until the succeeding year, wdien Mr. Grundy was nominated for the position of judge of Christian county on the Republican ticket, securing election by a majority of nine hun- dred and forty, although the usual Demo- cratic majority is seven hundred. No higher testimonial of his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow- citizens could be gi\ en. On the bench his decisions were always fair and impartial and were a correct application of legal principles to the points in litigation. He won high encomiums from the bar and proved a capa- ble officer. On his retirement from the bench he resumed the practice of law in Taylorville. While on the bench he tried the first case involving the Australian ballot law in this state, which was brought up under the name of White versus Orr, being an election contest case for county superin- tendent of schools of Christian county. The construction put upon the statute by Judge Grundy was sustained and affirmed by the supreme court of Illinois and has been the leading case of the kind in this state. After his retirement from the bench the Judge be- came a member of the law firm of Sharrock & Grundy, but this connection was dissolved in August, 1903, and our subject has since heen alone in practice. He is patient and persevering, possesses an analytical mind and one that is readily receptive and re- tentive of the fundamental principles and intricacies of the law. He is fearless in his defense of any cause he may espouse and at the bar has won many notable victories. On the 2d of June, 1897, Judge Grundy was united in marriage to Miss Roxy C. Bates, a daughter of Zura F. Bates, of Lo- cust township. Christian county, and they now have a son, Harry Bates Grundy. So- cially the Judge is connected with the Ma- sonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias order and is past chancellor commander of the latter lodge in Taylorville. He is also a member of the Presbyterian church and his life has ever been actuated by sterling principles and characterized by close fidelity to every cause, measure or improvement which he believes to be right. WILLIAM E. TURNER. William E. Turner, who is occupying the position of cashier in the bank of B. A. Tur- ner in Edinburg, is one of the native sons 16 284 TAST AND PRESENT of Christian. Cdiinty, liis birth haxing oc- curred in 'raylorville on the jyih of Eelnni- arv, 1872. His prehminary education, ac- quired in the i)ul)hc schools, was supi)le- n.iented l)y a course of study in t'.ie l)usiness college at Quincy, Illinois. From 1890 until 1897, '1^" engaged in teaching in the district schools and pro\-ed a most capable instructor, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. Tm-oui 1897 until 1899 he was principal of the public schools of Good Hope, Illinois, and in Julv of the latter year he accepted the position of cashier in the Ijanking house of his bn^ther, B. A. Turner, of Edinburg, in which capacity he has since served. He is a popular official and to his efforts may be attributed not a little of the success of the institution. On the 27th of July, 1897, Mr. Turner was united in marriage to Miss Edith E. Hitchcock, a daughter of the Rev. W. H. Hitchcock of Lewiston, Fulton county, Illi- nois. They have an adopted daughter, Hazel Evelyn. Mr. and Mrs. Turner are widely and favorably known in this city and enjoy the warm regard of a large circle of friends, while the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. In pul)lic matters Mr. Turner is prominent and influ- ential and in A]iril, 1903, he was selected president of the \illage on the anti-license ticket. Everything pertaining to the welfare of the community recci\'es his endorsement and co-operation and he is exercising his official prerogati\cs in support of whatever tends to benefit his community. OLIVER LEE CROW, M. D. Dr. Oliver Lee Crow, the junior member of the firm of Rockey & Crow, physicians and surgeons of Assumption, was born in Blue Mound, Illinois, October 16, 1878, and is a son of E. W. and Nancy Jane (Dealty) Crow, who were also' natives of Blue Mound. Bv their marriage they became the parents of seven children who are yet living. Dr. Crow spent his boyhood days under the i)arents' roof in Macon county and at the usual age began his education as a pupil in the public schools of Blue Mound. Subse- (juentlv he attended the Illinois State Nor- ■nal School at Bloomington for a year, and then turned his attention to teaching, which profession he followed for three years m the district schools of Christian county, giving excellent satisfaction by reason of his easy and accurate manner of imparting to others the knowdedge that he had acquired. When twenty years of age he liegan to study medi- cine, having resolved to make its practice his life work. He spent four years in St. Louis, Missouri, as a student in the College of Phy- sicians & Surgeons, and during- his college days he was also under the preceptorage of ^ Dr. A. C. Foster, now of Bement, Illinois, and Dr. William Barnes, of Decatur, Illi- nois. He made a splendid record while in college. He won first honors in the first, second and fourth years and was valedic- torian of his graduating class. He has a gold medal won for scholarship during his senior year, and he was graduated on the 8th of April, 1903, a member of a class of sixty-one, fifty-nine of whom made grade. Aside from his regular course in niedicine and surgery he also pursued a six months' course in pharmacy, and thus he was par- ticularly well equipped w^hen he came to As- sumption to enter upon the difficult and arduous duties of the medical profession, h^irming a partnership with Dr. Rockey he has already won the pul)lic confidence in a large degree and has secured a very liberal patronage for a young and newly established CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 285 physician. His high standing- m college argues well for a successful professional career. Dr. Crow was married December 24, 1902, to Miss Ida Kester, a daughter of I. K. Kester, a farmer living east of Macon, Illinois. She was 'born in Christian county, March 3, 1880. attended the Taylorville schools, the Decatur high school and Chris- tian College, at Columbia, Missouri. She made a specialty of the study of music and has engaged in teaching that art. Both the Doctor and his wife have already made many warm friends in Assumption, where they liave a pleasant home, noted for its gracious and charming hospitality. He is a Repub- lican in his political views. MRS. LAURA B. EVANS. Mrs. Laura B. Evans, who is serving as a trustee of the state university and as presi- dent of the library board of Taylorville, is one of the most prominent and influential ladies of this portion of Illinois and her ef- forts have been effective in promoting edu- cational advancement. She was born in Weston, Missouri, and is a daughter of Ur- liane Neill and Elizabeth (Malson) Twadell. Her father was born on the 12th of April, 1830, at Springhill, Logan county, Ohio, and died in the year 1864. He went to Kan- sas at the time of the great struggle concern- ing its admission as a free or slave state. He was married there and afterward removed to Missouri, where in 1862 he offered his services to the government, enlisting in St. Louis, in the Eleventh Missouri Cavalry. His family then went to Clinton, Illinois, where his wife's parents were living. Mr. Twadell remained in the army until 1864, when he died from a congestive chill. Mrs. Evans and her mother and brother, Charles N. Twadell, afterward removed to Waynesville, where her later girlhood days were passed. In 1877 she gave her hand in marriage to Charles E. Evans, who was born in Waynesville in 1855, and is a son of James W. and Elizabeth Evans. He was serving as postmaster at the time of their marriage and Mrs. Evans was at once in- stalled as deputy. In 1879 they removed to Kansas and subsequently came to Taylor- ville, Illinois, where Mr. Evans accepted a position with S. S. Sprague & Company, erain dealers, with whom he remained for tW'Clve years or until the elevator of the com- pany was destroyed by fire. He then be- came bookkeeper for Price & Wilkinson and yet occupies this position. He is an expert accountant and is now acting as auditor in connection with the Boyd case which is in court. He is a representative of the Houser family, one of the oldest and most prominent families of the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Evans have been born three children: Nonna, who died in 1898 at the age of sixteen years; Bessie, who was born in 1885 and is now a student in Forest Park Seminary of St. Louis, Missouri; and Kenneth, who was born in 1882 and is now a student in the State University of Illinois at Champaign. He is a member of the class of 1904 and he belongs to the Beta Theta Pi. Both Mr. and Mrs. Evans hold membership in the Presbyterian church and he is a valued member of the Woodman Camp, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Loyal American Legion and the Court of Honor. Mrs. Evans received her education in Waynesville Academy and was actively con- nected with public work in the city of Waynesville. When but fourteen years of age she was chosen to present a (lag to the Republican club of the city. After remov- ing to Taylorville she joined the Women's 28«^. PAST AND PRESENT Relief Corjjs, the Eastern Star, tlic Rehekali Lodge, the 'l^-ibe of Ben Hur and the Court of Honor and has exerted a stroni;' influence in all of these organizations. She was the president of the Women's Relief Corps when in 1S9J it erected a nionnnient to the old soldiers in the cemetery here. This monu- ment was unxeiled hv her daughter Bessie in the presence of the largest crowd ever assembled in Taylorville. In 1900 the fam- il\' remo\ed to Champaign in order that the son Kenneth might attend college there. They were there two years and while there the friends of Mrs. Evans insisted upon her becoming a candidate for the position of a trustee for the state university. The con- vention was held in Springfield, Illinois, and tAvo hundred and fifty of her Taylorville friaids went to that city to secure her nom- ination. She was ])laced in nomination by Mrs. S. L. Chamberlain in one of the best speeches ever made l)y a woman in Illinois and in igoj she was elected to the position u])on the Republican ticket. Mrs. Evans early became identified with the Womans' Club, which was organized in i8<)7 \vith the object (jf establishing a library here. She became chairman of the library committee and was one of six ladies who collected eight hundred volumes and presented them to the mayor and council for the city on the condi- tion that the city would furnish a room for library purposes in the city hall, which was readily agreed to. Mrs. Evans is now the president of the library board. The librarv has received a donation from Carnegie of twelve thousand dollars and the institution has become one of great value and of prom- inence in Christian county. Mrs. Evans is a woman of broad mind, of liberal culture and of innate refinement and her influence is strong and forceful; her efforts in behalf of intellectualitv and educational advance- ment have been far-reaching" and beneficial; and her work in other lines has been of great benefit to her fellow-men. 1. P.. (iORl)EN. Trairieton township probably has no more honored or liighly respected citizen than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He was born on the 2d of Veh- ruary, 1843, in Montgomery county. Ken- tucky, of which state his parents, William V. and Lydia E. Ribelin Gorden, were also natives. They were married December 7, 1 841, and in their family were the following children: I. B. ; William R. ; Randall R. ; Thomas J. ; John M. ; Joseph A. ; Sarah J. ; Mary A., deceased; and B. F., also deceased. Coming" to Illinois the family located in Christian county on the 5th of March, 1862, and here the mother died two years later, passing away on the loth of January. 1864. The father, who long survi^'ed her, died at the old homestead in Christian county, Feb- ruary 22, 1899. He was a son of Randall R. and Rachel (Baber) Gorden, natives of Virginia. At the age of nine years, how- ever, Randall R. Gorden went to Kentucky, floating down the Ohio river on a flatboat and landing on the present site of Mays- \"ille, where he located. On the trip he was shot at by the Indians wdio were then very hostile to the white settlers. He was only eighteeii years of age at the time of his mar- riage, wdiile the bride was a girl of fifteen. In the state of his nativity T. B. Gorden was reared and educated, pursuing his studies in an old log schoolhouse. He was twenty years of age at the time of the re- moval of the family to Christian county, Illinois, and tw'o years later he started out in life for himself as a farmer, operating rented land for three years. At the end of that time he purchased eighty acres on sec- I. B. GORDEN AND FAMILY WILLIAM V. GORDEN. MAUD AND CELIA GORDEN CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 291 tion 20, Prairieton township, where he now resides, and has since added to his property until he now has two hn.ndred and forty acres, which is nnder a high state of cnltiva- tion and well improved with good and snh- stantial l)nilding'S. The pleasant residence is snrronnded by fine shade trees, all of wdiich w^ere set ont by Mr. Gorden. and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place plainly indicates the supervision of a pro- gTessi\'e and painstaking owner. On the 2r)th of January, 1865, Mr. Gor- den was united in marriage to Miss Effa- dilla Workman, a daughter of Stephen B. Workman, who came to this county at an early day. She died March 29, 1897, leav- ing the following chddren, namely : Charles, who is married and is engaged iii farming in Macon county; James W., wdio is mar- ried and lives in Cincinnati, Ohio; A/[ary L.. wife of Albert Ziegler, a farmer of Prairie-' t(in township, this county; Maggie M., wife of Hiram Bilyeu; and Louis L, Estella Grace and Thomas L., all at home The family hold membership in the Christian church and the hospitality of the best homes of the community is extended to them, for they have many friends and are held in the highest regard by all who know them. Mr. Gorden uses his right of franchise in sup- port of the Democratic party and its })rinci- ples, and he has capably filled the ofiices of township collector and school trustee, serv- ing in the former capacity four years and in the latter nineteen years. He has recently returned from Kentucky, where he went to purchase the Inirial plot in v.hich the re- mains of his grandparents were interred. G. B. CLAUSSEN. G. B. Claussen through much of his life has resided in Christian county and is to-day the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres of well improved land on section 10, StoningtcMi towaiship. He has resided here continuously since 1867, and the excellent improvements upon the prop- erty are an indication of his diligence, enter- prise and progressive spirit. Mr. -Claussen was born in Montgomery county, Illinois, on the 15th of April, 1843, and is a son of E. H. and Sarah (Lingo) Claussen. His father was a native of Deu- mark and in 1834 came to the United States. PTe landed in New Orleans, where he re- mained for but a year and then removed to Bond county, Illinois, in 1835. In the early years of his residence in this country he was engaged in school teaching. He w^as a very well educated man, a fine linguist, and taught three different languages. In Bond C(ounty he married Miss Sarah Lingo, and they afterward lived in Madison, Montgom- ery and Jefferson counties, successively. In the last named county Mr. Claussen died on the 23d of July, 1849, ^^ the age of thirty- five years. Our subject's mother was born in St. Charles county, Missouri, February 19, 18 1 7, and is a daughter of James and Jane (Thompson) Lingo, the former born in Vir- ginia, July 5, 1777, and the latter in Ken- tucky, January 30, 1790. Her paternal grandfather, James Lingo. Sr., was a mem- ber of Washington's army during the Revo- lutionary w^ar and fell in battle in 1780 or 1781. His widow was left with three small children, the oldest l)eing a girl and the sec- ond lames, Jr. She died when the latter was only tweU'C years of age and the chil- dren were then liound out to different per- sons in Virginia as their property had been destroyed by the Tories during the war, James Lingo, Jr., remained a resident of that state until grown and then went to Ken- tucky, where he was married in 18 10 to 292 PAST AND PRESENT jane Thompson. Ilcr ancestors migrated to Kentucky when that region was inhah- ited onlv h\- llic savage Indians, heing a nieml)er of the same colony with Peter Cart- wrlsfht's father. Thev had to corral their wagons and sonic of the nunihcr stood on guard witli their gims while the others work, hnilding homes in the forests. At that time the state was not Laid out into counties and sections. William Thompson, Mrs. Lingo's father, settled at a place known as the Flag Spring and there estahlished a po.stoffice. It was at that i)lace that Mrs. Lingo was horn. Her father was a soldier of the War of i8iJ, under the command of General Wil- liam Ilcm-y Harrison, afterward president of the Ignited States. He died when about .eighty years of age. In 1811, the year fol- lowing his marriage, Mr. Lingo and his wife removed to Missouri. They went up the Mississippi river in what was known as a keel boat and stopped at St. Louis, which was then a small village, inhabited mostly by French and Spaniards. During their so- joiu'n in Missouri they lived a ])art of the time in St. Charles county and the remainder in St. Louis county. Much of the time they were in great peril on account of the hostile Indians, who would often kill whole fami- lies. The early settlers would build their houses without windows so that no light could be seen at night that might be a guide to the Indi.ans. In 1824 Mr. Lingo brought his family to Illinois, our subject's mother being then seven years of age, and settled in Madison county. They crossed the river at St. Louis in a ferrylx)at propelled by horses. At that time herds of deer wer-e often seen on Looking Glass prairie and the large num- ber of wolves made it dangerous for chil- dren and even grown folks to venture out alone, especially after night. Thrilling tales were told of people being torn to pieces bv the ferocious woKes. 1diey would come round the liouses at night and cat the scraps that were thrown out. Amid such surround- ings Mrs. Claussen grew to womanhood. Iler father died August 11, 1835, '^'^'^ ^^^^' mother passed away August 11, 1845. About six years after the death of her first husband Mrs. Claussen married Ira Hewett, and in 1867 thev came to Christian county, where he died on Christmas day of that year, after twelve years of married life. Mrs. Hewett is still an esteemed resident of Chris- tian county. She is a member of the United Baptist church and has lived an earnest and consistent Christian life. By her first marriage Mrs. Hewett had nine children l)ut two died in infancy. The others are as follows : James married Louisa Bateman, wdio died in Jackson county, Illi- nois, April 5, 1888; William married Eliza- beth Arthur and is now farming in Chris- tian county; Newton wedded Mary Tuber- man and is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Minnesota ; G. B. is the next of the fam- il)' ; Jasper is married and engaged in the grocery business in Indian Territory; Alex- ander married Mansey Fanning and resides at Scottville, Illinois ; and Malvina became the wife of John Yockey and died January 4,. 1885. G. B. Claussen j^ursued his education in the district schools of Jefferson county, Illi- nois, and when twenty years of age he went to California. Lie afterward made his way to the state of Washington hut in 1867 re- turned to this state, establishing his home in Christian county, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of good land. He then began farming and from time to time as his financial resources have increased he has added to his property until he now has two hundred and forty acres of well im- pro\-ed land, constituting one of the fine CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 293 farms of the locality. I'he tract was all raw and unimproved when it came into his pos- session, but with characteristic energy he began the work of plowing and planting and soon golden harvests rewarded his labors. He also worked for five years in the con- struction of the Wabash Railroad and the Eaoie Gro\e branch of the Northwestern Railroad, hut with this exception he has ever given his attention to agricultural interests, in which he has met with well deserved pros- perity. In politics he is a Republican. He has always lived with his mother, caring for her in the evening of life and by filial devo- tion repaying her for the love and care which she bestowed upon him in his youth. E. A. HUMPHREYS. One of the best known and most prom- inent lawyers of central Illinois ds E. A. Humphreys, who is now serving" as state's attorney in Pana, filling the position for the second term. He was born November 20, 1852, in St. Louis, Missouri, and is a son of E. A. and Martha J. Humphreys. His father was a native of Coventry. England, born in 182 1, and when seventeen years of age he came to this country, settling in what is now New York city. He became a resi- dent of Christian county in 1861, taking up his abode in Pana, where he followed the plasterer's trade, which he liad learned in early life. He died in this city and his widow is still living here. He took a very active and helpful part in the upbuilding of Pana, was a member of the city council and also served on the board of education. Any- thing pertaining to the welfare and progress of the town elicited his attention and won his earnest co-operation. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church and gave his political support to the Republican party until 1872, when he joined the organization known as liberal Republicans. In the fam- ily were four sons and two daughters, who are yet living. E. A. Humphreys is indebted to the pub- lic school system of Pana for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He was but nine years of age at the time of his parents' re- moval to this city and here he mastered the elementary Ijranches of English learning. On attaining his majority he started out upon an independent business career and pursued the study of law under the direction of the firm of Kitchell & McMillen. Later his preceptor was Mr. McMillen and when he had sufficiently mastered the principles of jurisprudence to pass an examination he was admitted to the bar and entered upon the practice of law in Pana, where he has re- mained continuously since. He is thus actively connected with the profession which has important bearing upon the .progress and stable |)rosperity of any section or commun- ity and one which has long been considered as conserving the public w^elfare by further- ing the ends of justice ar.d maintaining in- dividual rights. The favorable judgment which the world passed upon him in his early years has never been set aside or in any de- gree modified. It has on the contrary been emphasized by his careful conduct of im- portant litigation, his candor and fairness in the presentation of his cases, his zeal and earnestness as an advocate, and the generous commendation he has recei\'ed from his con- temporaries, who unite in bearing testimony as to his high character and superior mind. In 1873 he was elected city attorney and that he proved a most capable officer is in- dicated by the fact that he was continued in the position by election for sixteen years. In 1896 he was elected state's attorr.ey and 2;t4 PAST AND PRESENT was re-elected in 1900 for a second term of four years, so that he is the present in- cumbent in that office. Mr. Humphreys is also engaged in stock farming and has one of the largest droves of full-blooded registered English Berkshire hoes in America. He also owns a herd of registered Aberdeen Angus cattle. He ships hogs all over the central portion of the coun- try and has made an excellent reputation for handling only pure-blooded animals. In this business he is associated with his son and their stock farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, is pleasantly and conveni- ently located near Pana. r^Ir. Humphreys, however, gives the greater part of his time and attention to the duties of his position as state's attorney. He owns considerable business and residence property in Pana in addition to his farming lands and he has ever enjoyed quite an extensive and import- ant law practice. In 1877 occurred the marriage of Mr. Humphreys and ^Irs. A. C. McMillen and they had one son, Arthur, who is associated with his father in the stock business. For his second wife Mr. Humphreys chose Miss Clara E. Trower and they were married on the 30th of September, 1809. ^^ts. Humphreys is a member of the Presbyterian church, while Mr. Humphreys has member- ship relations with the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen, the. Eraternal Aid Associa- tion, the Fraternal Army and the Mystic Circle. In his political views he has ever been a Democrat and he takes an active in- terest in the growth and success of his part}-, believing strongly in its principles. His pri- vate life and official career commend him to the confidence and respect of his fellow-men and all who know him entertain for him warm regartl. ARCHIE TILDEX GIBSON, M. D. Ann)ng those who devote their time and energies to the practice of medicine and have gained a leading place in the ranks of the profession is Dr. A. T. Gibson, of Mor- risonville. He was born in Bellflower, Mc- Lean county, Illinois, on the 23d of April. 1873, and is a son of F. M. and ^Mary J. ( Mc^^'illiams) Gibson. On the paternal side his grandfather was a native of \'ir- ginia and of Scotch parentage. The family was founded in America in the early part of the seventeenth century and for some years made their home in tlie Old Dominion. Many of its members still show character- istics of their Scottish ancestry. Our sul> ject's mother was of Scotch-Irish descent, the McW'illiams family having come to this country from the north of Ireland. They became loyal citizens of their adopted land and participated in the Mexican and Civil wars. F. N. Gibson, the Doctor's father, was born in 1834 in Indiana and in 1848 came to Illinois, locating at Bellflower. Having considerable confidence in the future of his adopted state, he purchased large tracts of land near that place, real estate being then quite cheap and as it was improved and rose in value he became quite wealthy. He dis- posed of a part of his property at an excel- lent profit but still retains a portion of his land, and although he is now practically liv- ing a retired life he still has charge of his landed interests. He makes his home in Bellflower. surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life which were acquired through former toil. In his fam- ily are five sons and three daughters, of whom three are physicians, these being I. \V.. H. C. and Archie T., of this review. John D., another son. has been in the employ of one railroad for manv vears and is now A. T. GIBSON. M. D. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 297 ticket agent in Chicago, while Frank M., the youngest son, is still at home and assists his father in the management of his prop- erty. The maternal grandfather of our suh- ject was the architect who planned the state house at Jefferson City, Missouri, built in 1836-7, and it still stands as a monument to his skill and- ability. During his boyhood Dr. A. T. Gibson spent much of his time on the home farm, though he also lived in Bellflower a part of the time and had the advantages of the city school. He completed his literary education in the high school of that place and then began the study of medicine under the di- rection of his brother. Dr. J. W. Gibson. Later he matriculated at the Barnes Medi- cal College of St. Louis, where he was grad- uated in the class of 1895. He entered upon the practice of his profession at Fort Dodge. Iowa, wdiere his skill and aljility soon won recognition and he built up a large country practice, but having decided to return to Illinois, he located in Morrisonville in 1897, purchasing the practice of Dr. W. A. Brit- ton. His success was assured from the start and his practice soon went beyond his ex- pectations. • He is undoubtedly the leading physician of Morrisonville, although there are two other representatives of the medical profession at that place and his patronage reaches out into the country twelve miles in every direction. He has purchased a build- ing on Main street, twenty-five by one hun- dred and forty-eight feet in dimensions, and has fitted it up as an office wdth a reception room, drug and consulting room and an operating room. He has the best selected medical library in the city and has all the latest improved instruments needed in his profession. The Doctor is a Democrat in his political views and has been alderman of Morrison- ville for two terms. While serving in that capacity he was a member of several im- portant committees and always discharged his official duties in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Lodge of Morrisonville, the Knights of Pythias, No. 387, and is a char- ter member of I. O. O. F., No. 459, in which he has filled all the chairs. He is ex- amining surgeon for the Modern Woodmen of America, the iM-aternal y\rmy, the Loyal Americans, the Court of Honor and the Royal Neighbors. He has met with marked success in his ghosen profession, for which he is well fitted l)y nature and education, and he possesses those admirable traits of char- acter which make him a favorite in the sick room. Wherever known he is held in high regard and has made a host of warm friends since coming to Morrisonville. ISAAC S. CORZINE. Isaac S. Corzine, wdiose home is on sec- tion 15, Prairieton township, is one of the representative farmers of Christian county. Thorough, systematic and progressive, he has met with success in his chosen calling and by his own unaided efforts he has risen to a position among the substantial citizens of his community, being now the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of three hundred acres. A native of Ohio, Mr. Corzine was born in Guernsey county, February 8, 1861, his parents being Allen and Mary Ann (War- ren) Corzine. On the paternal side he is of Dutch descent, his grandfather having come to this counti-y from Holland at an early day when quite young. He settled in New York city and at one time owned sixty acres of land along Wall street, which is to-day one of the most valuable sections of that sfreat 298 PAST AND PRESENT city. The father of our subject was horn in Pennsylvania in 1816 and (hn-ini;- hoy- liood removed to Guernsey county, Ohio, making- liis home in the Buckeye state until 1868, when he came to Christian county. llHnois. Isaac S. Corzine was Inil seven years of age when he accompanied his jxirents on their removal to this state and here he grew to manhood, his education being acquired in the ])ul)lic schools of Christian county. On attaining his majority he rented a farm of two hundred and ft^rty acres, which he oper- ated (juite successfully for five years and in the meantime saved enough to purchase a farm. He sold that place in 1887 and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Prairieton township where he now resides. As time passed he continued to prosper and at one time owned one hundred and forty-five acres of land near Eagle Grove. Iowa, which he sold at the end of two years and then pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres in Wright county, that state. He disposed of the latter tract a few years ago and in 1900 bought one hundred and forty acres more in Prairieton township, this county, so that he now has three hundred acres here of as fme farming land as is to be found in this section of the state. He has made all of the improvements upon his place and they stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. On the 27th of January. 1886, Mr. Cor- zine was united in m;irriage to Miss Sadie Coffman, a daughter of James D. Cofifman, w'ho was one of the leading farmers of this county and died here in 1885. To our sub- ject and his wdfe have been born three chil- dren, namely : Lela, Edith and Eva, all at home and attending school. The family hold membership in the Willowdale Meth- odist Episcopal church and are people of prominence in the community where they reside. In his political affiliations Mr. Cor- zine is a l\e])ublic;ui and he takes an acti\'e interest in public affairs. His life has been one of industry and usefulness and due suc- cess has not been denied, it being but the just reward of honest labor for all that he has ac(|uired through his own efforts. RUBEN K. PENCE. The list of the leading citizens of Chris- tian county contains the name of Ruben K. Pence, one of the representative and honored citizens of Morrisonville. He has been an important factor in the development of the city and has lieen identified with the agri- cultural and business interests of the county for over forty-four years. He is a man of recognized ability and generally carries for- ward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. Mr. Pence w^as born in Butler county, Ohio, on the 31st of March, 1822, and in early life removed with his parents to a farm near New Paris, that state, wdiere he li\ed until eighteen years of age, receiving in tbie meantime a good common school edu- cation. After leaving home he w'as engaged in different enterprises until T850, when he came to Illinois. In 1857 he became a resi- dent of Litchfield, this state, where he spent two years, and then removed to Christian county, locating tw'O miles north of Mor- risonxille, where he opened up a farm. He has cut wheat on the present town site of Morrison\ille and continued to prosper in his farming operations until 1888. when he l)urchascd fifty-three acres of land adjoining the city, had it surveyed and laid out in town lots, forming the Pence addition to Morrisonville. This has since become one of the finest residence portions of the city and here he now makes his home. CHRISTIAN COUNTY. ILLINOIS. 299 Mr. Pence is a representative of an old Virginian family and his grandmother was closely related to General Price, heing a member of the same family. On the loth of May, 1848, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Pence and Miss Louisa Watts., a daughter of John Watts and a direct de- scendant of James Watts. Nine children blessed this union, namely : Mrs. C. C. LeMasters is a resident of Taylorville. James M. lives two miles west of Morrison- villc and has three children, Thomas R., J. Randolph and Robert R. Mrs. Daisy D. Large also has three children, Roxana. George and John. Mrs. F. P. Gordan lives in Tecumseli. John died in infancy and Delia also died when small. Calvin K. went west and has never been heard of since. Mrs. J. D. Lowis makes her home in Morrison- \ille. Mrs. George W. Kerr is a resident of Marshall, Oklahoma. Since voting for General Fremont in 1856 Mr. Pence has supported every presidential nominee of the Republican party but at local elections votes for the man whom he be- lieves best qualified for office, regardless of party lines. He belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity, being the oldest Mason in good standing in the county. It was in Decem- ber, 1846, that he joined the order and has since been a member in good standing. He also belongs to the chapter in Morrisonville. In 1845 he was made a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and was a contributing member of the same for over forty years. He has lived peaceably with all men. having never had a lawsuit, and he has been a lil>eral contributor to charitable enterprises. For many years he has been an active and consistent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and by his upright honorable life he has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him. He is a good neighlior, a kind friend and a devoted husband and father. Everything pertaining to the public good receives his hearty en- dcM'sement and he is justly numbered among the leading citizens of the community in which he lives. SAMUEL PICKER. Samuel Picker, dealer in clothing and men's furnishing goods in Assumption, stands as a type of the representative Ameri- can citizen who owes his advancement to Ills own efforts, and who, despite the fact that there are many obstacles and difficulties to l)e encountered in the business world reso- lutely set to work to achieve prosperity, and has ach-anced to a \'ery enviable position in trade circles in his adopted county. Mr. Picker was born in Russian Poland, May 23, 1873, a son of Henry and Ada Picker. The mother died in her native country when the son was but eleven vears of age and he then started out to make his own living and has come off conqueror in the world's broad field of battle. At the age of fifteen he emigrated to America, paying his passage with what he had saved from a weekly salary of fifty cents. He had heard very favorable reports concerning opportuni- ties in the new world and has never had occasion to regret the step he took in 1888. Landing in New York he at once sought employment, entering the service of the Wal- ler Shirt & Pants Company, in which house he remained for two years, during which time he learned the cutter's trade. In 1890 he came to the west and worked at various points in Illinois. Lie arrived in Assump- tion in 1897 with a capital of eighty dollars, Ijut he possessed thorough business ability, is methodical in his habits and correct in his judgments. Here he opened a "racket" 300 PAST AND PRESENT store in the Commercial block unci after a few months removed to the old Armstrong building on South Front street, where he remained until high rentals caused him to remove to the building on the opposite cor- ner now occupied by the bank. This "was in 1898 and in 1900 the building was de- manded for banking purposes. In the meantime Mr. Picker's business had grown to such proportions that he re- moved to a store two doors north of the Illi- nois State Bank — the site of his present lo- cation. There in November, 1901, together with a large numl)er of the other business men of Assumption, he suffered a heavy loss by fire, his entire stock being destroyed. However, the building was quickly replaced 'but even before that time Mr. Picker had opened up a small stock in the east room of the Columbia Block on First street. There he remained until September 7, 1902, when he was again able to occupy the North Front street store, where he is now to be found. Mr. Picker is a very successful and enter- prising business man. His knowledge of the real worth of materials enables him to buy advantageously and to sell at a profit that is fair alike to the customer and the mer- chant. His business has annually grown and developing from small proportions has be- come one of the leading mercantile concerns of the city. On the 30th of ]\Iay, 1894. Mr. Picker was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Lewis, of Springfield, Illinois, a daughter of H. and Molly Lewis, the former a merchant of Springfield. They now have three bright and interesting children : Edna, Paul and Reta. While America is the home of the "self- made man," rto less credit and honor is due the individual because he is one of a large class, on the contrary we should be proud that the advantages of America are such as draw to her shores men of ambition, reso- lution and energy, men who advance in the business world and at the same time become loyal, i)rogressive citizens, doing much for the substantial improvement and develop- ment of the localities in which they reside. Such a one is Mr. Picker, who only about fifteen years ago was a poor boy, landing on the shores of the new world without capi- tal. To-day he stands among the well-to-do and respected residents of Assumption. He was one of nine children and, with the ex- ception of one who was drowned in child- hood, all reached years of maturity and the six sons were left to battle with the world at an early age. David, the eldest, is mar- ried and lives in New York, where he is connected with the Mutual Life Insurance Company. Louis is also married and lives in New York. Victor is married and is machinist in the employ of the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad at Clinton, Illinois. Myron and Osup are graduate druggists of New York, obtaining their diplomas by studying evenings. It is certainly a creditable family record. HON. RUFUS M. POTTS. The life record (jf the Hon. Rufus M. Potts stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for the subject of this review is a native son of the county in which he has directed the efforts of his career. He was born in Christian county, September 3, 1870, and has back of him an ancestry, honorable and distinguished. In the paternal line he comes of \Velsh descent. His Qreat-"reat-grand father was David Potts, a famous general of the English Armv. The familv was established on this CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 301 side of the water at an early period in the development of the country and Joel Potts, the grandfather of the Judge, having be- come a pioneer of the west, served in the Black Hawk war of 1832. Two of the uncles of the Judge were valiant defenders of the LInion cause in the Civil war and the family has ever been noted for brave and loyal defense of country and of principle. The first representative of the name in America became a resident of Pennsylvania and founded the town of Pottsville in that state. Later his descendants removed to Kentucky and thence came to Christian county, Illinois, where representatives of the name have since been found and in public affairs here they have borne an important and helpful part. In the maternal line Tudsfe Potts comes of ancestry equally honorable. His grand- father, Colonel Preston Langley, was a dis- tinguished pioneer and influential citizen of Kentucky and when Illinois was still a fron- tier district he came to this state, locating in Christian county, where the Langleys have since been worthy citizens. When cjuite young Judge Potts lost his mother by death. The father was a man of considerable wealth but the son did not profit much by this fact as the father was engaged in adding to his possessions rather than in assisting the Judge to enjoy ad- vantages, educational and otherwise, which his means might have secured. The l:)ov at- tended the public schools and early mani- fested the elemental strength of his char- acter. He realized early the fact that there is no excellence without labor and that there is no royal road to wealth. He soon de- veloped industry and a laudable ambition, which was guided by sound judgment and supplemented by persistency of purpose. Wishing to enjoy better educational privi- leges than were afforded by the common schools, he pursued a classical course of study and then continued the acquirement of knowledge, — but this time along a more spe- cific line, as he had determined to make the ])ractice of law his life work. Accordingly he became a student in the law office and under the direction of the firm of Palmer, Schutt & Drennan, of Springfield. He ap- plied himself assiduously to the mastery of the principles of jurisprudence and when he had become familiar with many of the lead- ing principles of law he was admitted to the bar, but he continued to remain with his preceptors for a few years for the purpose of preparing himself to be able to impart in the courtroom what he had learned from his books. Being a great admirer of Gov- ernor Palmer and his private secretary when a law student, he partook of the Governor's forcible style of arguing a case in court or a question on the stump, thus winning for himself a leading- position at the bar and also high rank as a platform orator. On leaving Springfield Judge Potts took up his abode in Taylorville and opening an oflice had not long to await a good clientele. No' dreary noviate lay before him, for al- most at once he demonstrated his ability in such a way as to gain a fair share of the legal business of the district. It is said that he has as many if not more clients than any lawyer in central Illinois, and yet he has not acquired wealth as rapidly as many. The law is his profession, and while he has the laudable ambition to win success and thus provide well for his family, he is, as every true lawyer should be, the exponent of jus- tice and the conservator of the rights and liberties of the people. Many times he has Ijeen known not only to take charge of. a case in which he expected no pecuniary re- ward, but also to personally supply the costs 302 PAST AND TRESENT for the suit. ITc never enters npon a case unless be lias llrni belief in tbe justice of bis client's suit, and it is customary for bini to advise all clients and friends of bis to settle tbeir controversies outside of court if pos- sible. .\ contemporary publication in speak- iup- of this cbaracteristic of the Indite said: This was conspicuously noticeable during the late troubles at Pana. When called on by the miners for legal advice Judge Potts said: "Boys, keep out of court, if possible." And be left w itb them for Pana, where he addressed a large mass meeting of excited and indignant citizens, who were ready for any emergency and if left to their own in- clinations would ha\e precipitated troubles requiring almost endless litigation and large attorney fees. The Judge saw and knew this. However, instead of talking for his own financial interest he addressed them calmly, cautiously and with such force and power as to carry them with him to a peace- able solution of the question, winning for himself a lasting place in the heart of every miner and laboring man in Illinois. The legal ability and loyalty in citizenship of Judge Potts won him the nomination for judge of the ])rol)ate court of Christian county and he was a candidate at the time of tbe inauguration of the Spanish-Ameri- can war. The l)lood of valiant soldiers flowed in his veins and his ow-n patriotic spirit being aroused be at once resigned the nomination, tendered his services to Gov- ernor Tanner and assisted to recruit tbe regi- ment commanded by Bluford Wilson. He was elected major of the first l)attalion, but in the meantime the central committee had determined not to accept his resignation of the nomination and although it was expected he would leave for the scene of hostilities at any moment he was elected probate judge, and served his term. Judge Potts was united in marriage in 1895 to Miss Wilhelmina R. Grunewaldt, a dau"-hter of Otto Grunewaldt, one of *he leading business men of Springfield. The young couple have many warm friends in Taylorville and the surrounding district and he is widely and favorably known through- out the state on account of the prominent part he has taken in political circles and be- cause of his marked ability in his profes- sion. Soon after his election to the bench of the probate court he was elected the presi- dent of the Illinois County and Probate Judges' Association — a fact which indicates his standing with the profession. He is yet a young man and has attained distinction that a man of twice his years might well envy. This is due to his inherent force of character, his improvement of opportunity.. his strong purpose, his unfaltering fidelity to principle and his allegiance to the public good. HENRY C BOLLINGER. Henry C. Bollinger, one of the enterpris- ing farmers of Stonington township, living on section 15, is a native of Maryland, his birth having occurred fourteen miles from Baltimore in Baltimore county, on the 31st of July. 1857. His parents were Ephraim and Mary Ann (Strewig) Bollinger, both of whom were natives of Maryland. The father was a millwright and carpenter and in 1869 removed to Illinois, where he w^as connected with building operations as a con- tractor. He also engaged in farming to some extent and he erected all of the build- ings upon the old home place. Being an excellent workman, bis services were con- tinually in demand as a carpenter and he thus, provided a good living for his family. He was killed in Stonington while crossing CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 303 the Wabash Raih"oad tracks l)y a fast train January 18, 1893, and his wife survived him until 1899, when she was also called to her final rest. H. C. Bollinger Ijegan his education in the district schools of Maryland and was about twelve years of age when he came with his parents to Illinois. Here he also attended school to some extent, but through the months of summer his attention was given to farming work as he assisted his father in the operation of the homestead farm. When twenty-one years of age he started out in life on his own account, rent- ing forty acres of land. His excellent busi- ness ability and capable management won him success during the first year and so en- couraged him that in the second vear he rented a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he operated for two years. In that time he managed to save considerable money, which he invested in eighty acres of raw land and to this at a later date he added a tract of twenty acres. This constitutes his present farm, which is a good property, well improved with modern equipments. He has erected all of the buildings u]wn his place, has divided the farm into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, has se- cured modern farming implements and ma- chinery in order to facilitate his work and in fact has a place supplied with snlendid ac- cessories and conveniences. His is alto- gether one of the best improved farms in this portion of the county and the owner is classed with the most progressive agricul- turists here. On the 22(\ of March. 1883, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Bollinger and Miss Keziah Coffey, a daughter of Newton and Martha (Vermillion) Coffey, both of Avhom were natives of Kentucky. The father was a minister of the gospel and on his removal to Illinois settled in Christian county, where he continued his pastoral work, preaching in many districts of this county. His influence was far-reaching and beneficial and proved a potent element in the moral development of the community. He died of heart trouble when on the train on his way to Iowa in 1890. His widow still survives, making her home in Iowa. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bollinger has been blessed with four children: Mary E., born January 2, 1884; Jessie E., born December 3. 1886; Henry E., February 4, 1890; and Willis M., born October 22, 1891. All the children are still under the parental roof and their parents have every reason to be proud of them. The family are members of the Reformed church of Stonington, Illi- nois, and our subject and his wife hold a very enviable position in the regard of many friends. FLORIN NEU. One of the most enterprising and ener- getic business men of Pana is Florin- Neti, the senior member of the firm of F. Neu & Son, proprietors of an up-to-date grocery at the corner of Third and South Locust streets. He was born in Prussia, Germany, July 17, 1833. a son of Henry and Kath- arine Neu. in whose family were five chil- dren, those still living being Florin; Jacob, a resident of Springfield, Illinois ; and Mrs. Elizabeth Neu. Peter and Emma are de- ceased, both having died in Baltimore, Maryland, where the death of the parents also occurred. In his native land Florin Neu grew to manhood and was educated in the public schools of Germany. For two years and a half he served in the Prussian army and be- fore coming to the new world learned the blacksmith's trade. It was in 1856 that he 304 PAST AND PRESENT emierated to America and made his liome in Baltimore, Maryland, there working- at his trade for four years. In i860 he came to Christian county, Illinois, and settled at Pana, w liicli was then a small village. Here he engaged in blacksm'ithing for a number of years, ha\ing a shop of his own. In 1875. on his retirement from that occupa- tion, he embarked in the grocery business in a small way. but as his trade Increased he enlarged his stock and in 1892 erected a substantial block, known as the Neu block, where he now does an extensive business. His son Harry has been admitted to a part- nership in the enterprise and the firm of F. Neu & Son is now numbered among the leading grocers of the city. At the age of fourteen years Harry began to aid in the store and it was not long ere he had thor- oughly mastered the business in all its de- tails. On the 17th of March, 1868, Mr. Neu was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Ott. She w^as born in Baden, German\, January 6. 1846, and was about seven years of age wdien, in 1853, she came to the United States with her parents, F. S. and Anna Mary (Brecht) Ott, the trip being made on a sailing vessel. The family first located in Cincinnati, Ohio, but in 1857 came to Chris- tian county, Blinois. Mr. Ott secured a po- sition as watchman at the depot in Pana and made his home at this ]3lace until called to his final rest in 1890. His wife died in 1888. Mrs. Neu is their only child. She was educated in the first school house erected in Pana, it being located on Commercial alley, and her teacher was Miss Bull. Unto ]\Ir. and Mrs. Neu have been born nine chil- dren, namely : Harry, who is in business with his father; Flora, at home; Clara, who is a graduate of the Pana high school and has pursued a business course at Decatur; Jennie, also a high school graduate ; Lilly, who after completing the high school course attended the state normal and is now suc- cessfully engaged in teaching; Walter, who died at the age of eleven months ; Gertrude, who died at the age of six years ; Caroline, who died at the age of three and a half years ; Edmond, who is now a student in the high school and is making a special study of history. The family is one of prominence in Pana, its members being widely and fa- vorably known. For about a third of a cen- tury Mr. and Mrs. Neu have resided at their present home and its hospitable doors are ever open to their many friends. They are members of the German Evangelical church and Mr. Neu is also connected with the An- cient Order of United Workmen. His suc- cess in life is' due entirely to his own well directed etTorts and he commands the re- spect and confidence of all with \\'hom he is brought in contact, either in business or so- cial life. ■ J. H. SOLLIDAY. J. H. Solliday. now deceased, was for long years a farmer of Christian county and through his well directed business efforts he attained success. He also gained the w^arm regard of tlie public which is ever given in recognition of an honorable, upright career. He was born in Bucks county, Pennsyl- xania. on the loth of March, 1837, and was a son of Jacob G. and Mary Solliday, who on leaving the Keystone state removed to Ohio. At a later day they became residents of Illinois, but subsequently returned to Pennsylvania, where their last days were passed. Mr. Solliday of this review acquired his education in the jmblic and high schools of Ohio and entered upon his business career as a bookkeeper and salesman in a store in J. H. SOLLIDAY MRS. J. H. SOLLIDAY ELIAS HOLBEN ANGELINE GRAGG MRS. THOMAS E. GRAGG CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 309 Se\ille, that state. Later he was employed in a similar capacity in W'adsworth, Ohio, for three years. In early manhood, desiring a companion and helpmate tor life's journey, he was united in marriage to Miss Angeline Holben, a daughter of Elias and Alargaret H\)ll)en. Her father was linrn in New York and her mother's birth occurred in Pennsyl- vania. Coming- to Illinois he spent his last days in this state. d}ing January 4, ic)04. at Taylorxille. and was buried in drove City cemetery. His wife died and was buried in Ohi(_). Mrs. Solliday was l)orn in Ohio, March ly, 1840, and her marriage was celebrated on the 16th of November, i860. In the spring of the following year the young- couple started fcr Illinois. Eventually they reached Illiopolis, this state, from which ])lace tiiey had to walk to Mount Auburn. They established their home near Grove City and Mr. Solliday, during the early period of his residence in Illinois, assisted his father in paying for his farm, after which he pur- chased for himself a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres in Stonino;ton town- ship. Christian county. Later he added forty acres more and afterward an addi- tional tract of eighty acres. A\'hen he started out upon an independent business career here he had nothing but a horse and this died not long afterward. As the years ad\anced, however, he prospered in his un- dertakings for he allowed no difficulty or obstacle to discourage him and worked his way upward, his inrhistry and perseverance at length meeting gratifying .success. The home farm now comprises two hundred and eighty acres of very fine land, all of which is well improved. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Solliday were born the following children : Rollen E., who was a graduate of the Gem City Business Col- 17 lege at Ouincv, Illinois, and died at the age of twenty-three years; X'ictorine. who mar- ried J. 1). Hackenbcrg in 1885 and is now living in May townshi]), where her husband is engaged in farming and stock-raising; I^lla H., who in 1893 l>ecame the wife of T. E. Gregg, the present ]K)stniastcr of Ston- ington; Edson P., who died at the age of six months; Eben O., who died at the age of nine months; R. J., who was married in 1894 to Alay Simpson, a daughter of John Simpson of Rosamond township, and is en- gaged in buying and selling stock and man- aging the home farm i:iear Stonington ; M. H., who is a graduate of the JefYerson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, and is now the leading physician of Owaneco, Illinois; and i\ngelene M., who in 1900 became the wife of Dr. \A\ J. Sal- ing, of Stonington. Mr. Solliday \vas a Democrat in his po- litical afhliations and took a \ery prominent and active part in local affairs, holding many township of^fices. For twenty-three years he served as commissioner of his township and was in office at the time of his death. He died July 12, 1890, respected by all who knew him for his had been an honorable and upright character. Mrs. Solliday still sur\i\-es her husband and she and her chil- dren 'are all members of the Reformed church. She owns in vStonington a nice modern residence of eight rooms situated upon a lawn covering a half block of ground. To her Imsband slie was ever a faithful companion a.nd assistant on life's journey and the relation which existed be- tween them was a most congenial one. CYRUS A. POTTS. Cyrus A. Potts, who is engaged in the real estate business in Taylorville. has spent his entire life in Christian county. Pie is a 310 PAST AND PRESENT son of Cieorire f). I'ntts and a grandson of Joel Potts. The latter ^vas a nati\e of Ken- tucky and l)ecanie an early settler of Cass county. Illinois. Sul)se(juently he removed to Christian county, settling" in I'aylorville townshi]). in 1^50. There he followed farm- ing until his death, which occurred in 1898. when he was ahout eighty-seven years of age. his hirth having- occurred in 181 1. In early manhood he married Sarah E. Bliz- zard, who was horn Decemher 22, 1818. and died November 28, 1848. Idieir chil- dren were jVIrs Maria E. Davis, Nathan C, George D and Cyrus A. George D. Potts was horn July 17, 1845. in Cass county, Illinois, and obtained his education in Christian county. He has made farming his life work, and now resides on the old home place in Taylorville township, where he has carried on agricultural pur- suits for many years. He married Lenora A. Langley. a daughter of Robert P. Lang- ley. Her hirth occurred in Taylor\-ille town- ship. Ai>ril J/. 1848, and she died on the 14th of August. 1876. leaxing hnn children: William A., who resides at Pekin, Illinois; Rufus ]\I.. who is an attorney of Taylor- ville: Cyrus A., of Taylorville: and Demp- ster O., who is also practicing law in this city. 'J'he father was again married on the 1 8th of November, 1877. his second union being with Sarah E. hdinn. ^\•h() was born in Sangamon county. Illinois. February 24. 1856, a daughter of William Flinn. Their children are Tony R. and Lineal O. Cyrus A. Pc^tts was born in Taylorville township, January 18. 1873. ])ursued his ed- ucation in the common schools of Taylor- ville township, and throughout his active business career has resided in this citv. fie followed abstracting and niaj) work for about ten years and since 1900 has been en- gaged in the real estate business, handling much \ahnble ])roperty. and negotiating in:ni\' im])ortant real estate transfers. He has a thorough knowledge concerning prop- erty \ahies in this part of the state, and secured a good clientage in his line, so that his bu.siness has now reached profitable pro- ] portions. In 1897, -Mr. Potts was united in mar- ri:ige to Miss Alay Scarr, a druighter of Nicholas Scarr, of Monroeville Indiana, and unto them have been Ijorn a son and daughter: Russell A. and ^lary M. Mr, and Mrs. Potts are well known in Taylor- \ille. and are held in verv favorable regard. His political support is given the Democ- racy, and in matters of citizenshin he seeks the welfare and promotion of town and countv. P. O. DULLER. The subject of this sketch is a member of the well known firm of Miller Brothers, who are now conducting the only meat market in Morrisonxille. It is one of the most com- plete and best ecjuipped markets in the C(nmty. The firm do their own slaughter- ing and kill on an average of seven or eight beeves and as many hogs per week. They ha\e every facility for keeping the meat. haxing two large patented refrigerators holding six thousand pounds of ice, which w ill last them a week. P. O. Miller was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, in 1865. and is the second of three brothers, whose parents were Jo- seph and Lucy Miller. His boyhood and youth were spent upon a farm until seven- teen years of age and his education was ac- (|uireas served as township treasurer for six years, still holding that office. No other man in the county has held a similar posi- tion for so many consecutive years. Mr Miller is president of the Opera House As- sociation and has charge of their building. He has served other associations in the same capacity and stands high in business circles. W. M. DALBEY. A\'. M. Dalbey is one of the extensive landowners of Taylorville township, having finu' hundred acres of land on which he raises stock for the market. To this busi- ness he has devoted his energies for a num- ber of years and his efforts have been fol- lowed with excellent resYdts, so that he is now one of the substantial citizens of the community. He was liorn near C^olumbus, Ohio, in 1838, a son of Joseph and Emaline Dalbey, both of whom were natives of Vir- ginia. In the year 1826 the father removed to the Buckeye state, where l)oth he and his wife remained until called to the home be- yond, when well advanced in years. Mr. Dalbey, of this review, was reared in the state of his nativity and to "its public school svstem he is indebted for the educa- tional privileges he received. He owes to his parents good training in habits of life that tend to make an upright character. In the fall of 1862 he came to Illinois, whither his brothers had preceded him. He had been a student in the district schools of Ohio until fourteen years of age and after that he ga\'e his attention to the cattle business, buy- ing and selling stock in his native state until his removal to the west. Here he again fol- lowed this pursuit until twenty-nine years of age, when feeling that his education was not sufficient to enable him to take the place he desired in the business world he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, in which he spent three years as a stu- dent. While there he became a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. On com- pleting- his college v.ork he returned to this state, where he again took up the cattle busi- ness. Throughout his career as an active factor in agricultural circles, he has raised stock for the market and has found this a profitable source of income, because he is an excellent judge of stock and is therefore enabled to make judicious purchases and good sales. In 1872 he rented a farm in the western i^art of the county and continued to reside thereon until 1883, when he re- moved to his present home, where he now owns four hundred acres. In 1875 Mr. Dalbey was united in mar- 312 ['AST AND PRESENT riage t z D > r CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 321 her 5. 1832. His grandfather was George Coonrod, his fatlier Stephen Coonrod. The latter settled in Greene connty at a very early day hut was a native of Kentucky and was married in that state to Candace Lee. They remo\-ed to Wayne county, Illinois, and after several years to Greene county, where the father engaged in farming. He would engage in the tilling of the soil throughout the w^ek and on Sundays would preach, heing" a minister of the Baptist church. In his family were ten child: en who reached maiure years and seven are now living. The eldest, Jefferson, resides in Greenfield. Illinois, and was eighty years of age in June, 1903. Elizabeth is the wife of T. E. Melvin, alsO' of Greenfield. Mrs. Isal^el Kincade is the next younger and was followed by our subject. S. M. is living in Colorado Springs and C. C. in Philo, Cham- l)aign county, Illinois. Nancy A., the youngest, is the widow of Washington Rice and resides in Pinckneyville, Illinois. The father carried on farming until his death, which occurred in tlie "70s, when he was seventy-five years of age, and his wife ])assed away in 1882, at the age of seventy- eight years. The educational i)ri\ileges of E. G. Coon- rod were limited. He began his education in a log schoolhouse and never had the op- portunity of attending for more than three months in a year, as his services were needed on the home farm at the time of plowing, planting and harvesting. In his youth the family Hved in true pioneer style. They W(^re liome-made clothing, shearing the sheep and spinning and weaving the cloth from which garments were fashioned. The only light was furnished by tallow candles, which Mr. Coonrod frequently assisted in molding. His mother would do her baking in the fireplace, using skillets, and he well remembers the first cookstove which they had — an old-fashioned stove with three leo-s Alton was the market for grain and the stock was driven to St. Louis. Mr. Coon- rod used a wooden moldboard plow in his boyhood and cultivated corn with a single shovel plow. He remained on the home farm until his marriage, which occurred February 7, 1861, the lady of his choice bemg Nancy Doyle, a native of Greene county and a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Coates) Doyle, early settlers of that county. After their mar- riage they came to Christian county, settling in Prairieton township on eighty acres of wild land, which he greatly improved and to which he added until he is to-day the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, all in one body. In 1857 he began breaking his land with three horses and his neighbors predicted that he would kill the horses — oxen having previously been used. The prairie grass and rosin weed grew often as high as a man's head and it was a difiicult task to prepare the land for cultivation. Mr. Coonrod, however, con- tinued to engage in farming until 1893, when he retired from the hard labor inci- dent to cultivating the soil, and removed to Assumption, where he has since enjoyed a well-earned rest. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coonrod were born five children : Edmund D. wedded Mary Redding and resides in May township. Orton P. married Maud Long, resides on the old homestead and has three children. Rena B. became the wife of A. L. Moore, a merchant of Assumption, and died, leaving two daughters, one of whom resides with her grandfather and the other with her father. Nettie died at the age of three years. Mary A. is now the widow of George Lov- 322 PAST AND PRESENT ering of Assumption and has two children. Mer home is south nf her father's house. While residing on the farm Mr. Coonrod served as townshi]) supervisor for one term, also highway commissioner and school director and lie is now one of the trustees of the west schocjl of Assumption. In poli- tics he is a Democrat. He attends the Bap- tist church and has ever been an advocate of all measures for the general good and for the improvement of the county. His life has been active, his actions sincere and manl}-. and as one of the worthy pioneer set- tlers of Christian count}- he well deserves mention in this volume. His success has been honestly gained and his life record shows what can l)e accomplished by deter- mined pur|)ose and continued activity. AARON SAMUEL HEDDEN. Aaron S. Hedden, who is living on sec- tion 9, Taylorville township, where he fol- lows the occupation of farming and stock- raising, was born March 29, 1840, in Shelby county, Kentucky, a son of Simon and Sa- lina Hedden. The father was also a native of Shelby county. Kentucky, and in Novem- ber. 1855, arrived in Christian county, Illi- nois, making the journey in a two-horse w.'igon. Here he rented land and engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in December, 1868. Mr. Hedden. of this review, spent his early youth in the county of his nativity and accjuired his education in the pulilic schools there. He arrived in Christian county in August, 1856, and here began working by the month on a farm. He was thus em- ployed for two years, after which he en- gaged in farming in connection with his father for a time. On attaining his ma- jority he again began work as a farm laborer by the month and followed that jjursuit for three years, after which he began farming on his own account, securing a tract of rented land. He li\ed upon that farm for five years and when his industry, economy and i)erseverance had brought him capital sufhcient to enable him to purchase a farm of his own he inxested ni eighty acres in Taylorville township, on which he li\ed for six years. On the expiration of that period he removed to the farm which he now^ owns, comprising two hundred and eighty acres of rich and aral)le land on section 9, Taylor- ville towaiship. Here he has resided con- tinuously since 1875 and has made nearly all of the improvements upon the place. He set out trees, erected substantial buildings, built good fences and placed the fields under a high state of cultivation. Neatness and thrift characterize the place and indicate to the passerby the careful supervision of the owner. Mr. Hedden has been twice married. In 1864 he wedded Miss Samantha S. Holland, who died in 1867 and the two children born to them both died in infancy. She was a most estimable lady and was highly re- spected by all who knew her. On the 24th of February, 1870, Mr. Hedden was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Williams Ladd. a daughter of Noyes and Phoebe (Will- iams) Ladd, both natives of Connecticut. Her ancestors were among the Pilgrim Fathers who founded the New England col- onies and she is a descendant of both Fl- bridge Garry and William Williams. Ijoth signers of the Declaration of Independence. In 1849 Mrs. Hedden's father brought his family to Christian county. Illinois. As there were few railroads at that time the journey was made principally by water. From Ston- ington Point, Connecticut, they sailed down Long Island Sound, then up the Hudson CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 323 river to Albany, but the steamer on which they first took passage was sunk near New- burgh on Mrs. Hecklen's fourth birthday and four of Mr. Ladd's brothers were (h'owned, as were many other passengers on the ill-fated Empire State. From Albany they proceeded by way of the Erie canal to tlie Great Lakes, Illinois canal and Illinois river to Springfield and by wagon to Buck- hart township, Christian county, wdiere Mr. and Mrs. Ladd made their home throughout the remainder of their lives. As pioneers of the county they materially aided in its early development and improvement. Dur- ing their residence in the east they were members of one of the first Congregational churches organized in the United Scates, it ])eing the Old Road church of Stonington, Connecticut, and they became charter mem- l)ers of the first Presbyterian church of Tay- lorville. to which Mrs. Hedden's second mother also belonged. They always took a very active and prominent part in church work and their lives were in perfect har- mony with their professions. Mrs. Hed- den's mother died in 1866 and two years later her father married Miss Eliza J. Hen- nard. who was one of the grand good women of this county. The father died m 1897, at the age of seventy-five years and his wife ten months later, honored and respected by all who knew them. Tln-oughout life he made farming and stock-raising his occupa- tion. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hedden were born five children, as follows: William Samuel married Alice M. Owens, of Indiana, and resides upon the farm in Taylorville town- ship. Lydia Harriet and Elizabeth Jane are now attending Eureka College, and Mary Salina and Prue Anabell are at home. There is quite a romance connected with the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Hedden. Mr. Hedden's family all belong to the Christian church, and although he is not a member he con- tributes generously to its support. As a citi- zen he is actively interested in all that per- tains to the public welfare and is a helpful co-operant in many measures for the general good. As a self-made man Mr. Hedden certainly deserves much credit for he started out in life with nothing and all that he possesses to-day he has made through hard work and good management. When he came to this county it was nearly all raw prairie and a great deal of it was under water, but it has been drained and tiled until the fields are now extremely productive and there is no richer farming country in all the broad Mis- sissippi valley than is found in Christian county. Mr. Hedden gives his attention to the raising of both grain and stock, but has profited more largely from the former. He now owns more than four hundred acres of land in Christian county and is one of six partners who own six thousand three hun- dred and sixty-four acres in Mississippi His life history shows what can be accom- plished through strong determination, unfal- tering energy and capable business manage- ment and it should serve to encourage and inspire others who have to start out in life as he did — empty-handed. \\TLLiAM H. McDonald. Throughout the greater part of his life ^^'illiam H. McDonald has successfully en- gaged in teaching school, but now follows farming on section 17, Johnson township. Like many of Illinois' most worthy citizens he comes from Ohio, his birth having oc- curred in that state on the 9th of February, 1844. His parents were John and Christen McDonald, also natives of Ohio and of 324 PAST AND PRESENT Scotch descent. The father died August 29, 1889, having survived his wife only a few months, as she passed away on the iith of Fehruary. 1889. In the state of his nati\ity W'iUiani H. ^IcDonald was reared and educated, lie l)repared himself for teaching at the Na- tional Normal School at Lehanon, Ohio, where he was graduated on August 15,, 1867. lie entered upon his duties as an in- structor in the schoolroom in 1862 and con- tinued to follow the teacher's profession most of the time up to 1900. It was in 1865 that he came to Christian county. Illinois, and he had charge of schools here until his retirement from the profession, having con- fined his efiforts to only four districts in Johnson township. In 1874 he made his first purchase of land, consisting of a tract of eightv acres, which he subsec|uently sold and then bought one hundred and twenty acres in Johnson townshij) where he now lives. This, together with the property owned by his wife, makes a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres. The well tilled fields and neat and tlu'ifty appearance of the ])]ace testifies to his careful supervision and untiring industry. On the 5th of December, 1867, Mr. Mc- Donald was united in marriage to Miss Har- riet V. Anderson, a daughter of Tavner B. Anderson, who came to this county in 1854. To our subject and his wife have been born the following children : John T., who is married and engaged in l)lacksmithing in Clarksdale, this county ; Azalia, wife of J. W. Masters, a farmer of Johnson towmship ; Herschel V., at home; Nettie V.. who died at the age of three and a half years; Enona C. who died at the age of three years ; Lin- nie May. who died at the age of fourteen years; Flora, who died at the age of eleven months: Hazel, who died at the age of eight months; Theodore V>.. who died al the age of sexen -vears : and one who died in infancy. The family liold membership in the I^aptist church and Mr. Mcl)ona]d is a Republican in politics. lie still takes an actix'e interest in educational affairs and is now serving as school treasiu'er. He h.as also filled the office of township clerk. H. MILO NEWKIRK, M.D. Dr. H. Milo Newkirk. the village clerk of Owaneco and a practicing physician w'ho has made his home in Christian county since January, 1900, was born in Shelby county, Illinois, in September, 1870, a son of Will- iam ^^^ and Mary (Wamsley) Newd<:irk, the former a native of Indiana and the lat- ter of Ohio. They came to Illinois about 1855 ^^^^^ remained residents of this state until called to the home beyond, the mother passing away in 1895, ^vhile the father's death occurred in 1901. Dr. Newkirk spent his lx)yhood days under the parental roof and acquired his early education in the public schools.- He afterward spent one year as a student in Chaddock College, at Quincy, Illinois, and then entered the Illinois State Normal Uni- versity, in which he spent three years. Hav- ing obtained a good preparatory education to serve as a firm basis for professional knowledge he began preparing for the prac- tice of medicine and surgery by matriculat- ing in the Marion Sims Medical College, at St. Louis. ^lissouri, where he completed a course by graduation with the class of 1897. He then located for practice in \\'ar- rensburg, Illinois, where he remained for eighteen months, and on the expiration of that i)criod he came to Owaneco. where he arrived in January. 1900. Here he has since made his home ;uid in the ]iracticc he has CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 325 won \crv desirable success. He is continu- ally a(l\ancing- in et'liciency and knowledge through study, reading and investigation and his efforts for the alleviation of human suffering have been attended with excellent results. In 1902 the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Cannon, a daughter of Scott Cannon, a native of Illinois, and they now have one son, Bruce Cannon. Dr. and Mrs. Newkirk own their home in' Owaneco and delight to extend its hospitality to their manv friends. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to Locust Lodge, No. 623, A. F. & A. M. of Owaneco. In politics he is a Republican and is now serving as village clerk. Well known in Christian county as an able mem- ber of the profession among its younger rep- resentatives, he is also a leading citizen in his advocacy of public affairs for the general good. JULIUS BROEHL. The discovery of coal and the develop- ment of the mines' in Christian county have added materially to the wealth and prosper- ity of this section of the state. To-day one of the leading representatives of the coal in- terests of the locality is Julius Broehl, who as a partner in a company, is managing the Ijusiness and in this capacity has control of a force of six hundred workmen. He was born in Atlanta, Illinois, in 1858, and is a son of Gottlieb and Anna Broehl. His father was a native of Saxony, Germany, and in 185 1, bidding adieu to home and native land he sailed for ;\merica. He settled first in Galveston, Texas, and afterward came to the north, taking u]) his abode near Pekin, Illinois. In 1858 he removed co Atlanta. Illinois, where he first conducted a cabinet- making establishment, but later he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, locat- ing upon a farm. He is now living a retired life in York county, Nebraska. Julius Broehl acquired his education in the public schools near Lincoln, Illinois, and then desirous of enjoying more advanced educational privileges he entered the Nor- mal University at Normal, Illinois, in 1876. In the scholastic year of 1878-9, he engaged in teaching and in the winter of 1880 he be- came a student in Johnson's Commercial College at St. Louis. In April, 1880, he ac- cei)ted the position of bookkeeper with the coal company at Lincoln, Illinois, and in 1 88 1 he was sent to Decatur, Illinois, to open up a set of books there in connection with the development of a new mine owned bv the Lincoln Company. He remained in Decatur until the fall of 1884, when he was sent to Pana to take charge of the mine of the Pana Coal Company. In 1887 he was admitted to a partnership in the business, and in 1891 was made manager of the com- pau}'. His partners in this enterprise are Messrs. Puterbaugh, Harts & Frorer. This company owns the New Bent mine at Pana and employs six hundred workmen, a fact which indicates that the business is extensive and the output of the mines large. In December, 1884, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Broehl and Miss Louise Meis- ter, a daughter of John P. Meister, of Deca- tur, Illinois. Two children graced this union, Leland and Wayne. The former is now fifteen years of age and the latter a \()uth of ten years. The elder son is now in his second year in the high school of Pana and throughout his course has made the highest record of his class, of which his par- ents have every reason to lie proud. Mrs. Broehl is a highly accomplished lady of more than ordinary musical accomplish- ments,, a graduate of the Decatur, Illinois, 'J -' v> PAST AND I 'RESENT high school, and a prominent worker in lit- erary chibs. She also belongs to the Pres- hvterian church and is an actixe worker in charity. Mr. Broehl holds membership relations with the Woodmen of America, with the Masons and the Royal Neighbors. He ex- ercises his right of franchise in snpport of the men and measures of the Republican parly and ni)(^n that ticket he was elected to the office of city treasurer. He is now serv- ing as a member of the school board of Pana and has ever taken a deep interest in the cause of education, doing everything possi- ble to advance the standard of the schools and promote their efficiency. He is a self- made man who has worked his own way up- ward and has through hard labor secured his advancement in business life. He pos- sesses natural mechanical skill and ability and he has ever utilized his talents and time to the best advantage. The word failure forms no part in his life history for his de- termination and laudable ambition have en- abled him to overcome all obstacles and dif- ficulties in his i)ath and gradually worked his way upward to success. To him there has come the attainment of a distinguished position in connection with the great ma- terial industries of the county and his efforts have been so wiselv directed along well de- fined lines of labor that he seems to have realized at any one point of progress the full measures of his ])ossibilities for accomplish- ment at tl'iat point. The successful men of the day are the}- who haxe i)lanned their own advancement and ha\e accfimplished it in spite of many obstacles. This class certain- ly has a worthy representative in Mr. Broehl, who began his life under unfavor- al)le circumstances, but to-day stands among the distinguished representatives of indus- trial life in Christian countv. LAN DA LI Xh: YOUNG. Among the worthy citizens that Germany lias furnished to the new world may be num- bered Landaline Young, who has made his home in Christian county for the past ten vears and is now successfully engaged in agricultural jjursuits on section 23, Moscjuito township. He was born in the fatherland January 29, 1853, and in i860 came to the Cnited States with his parents, Benedict and Cecelia Young, who were also natives of Germany. The family first located in Mont- gomery county, Illinois, l)ut two years later removed to Macon county, where the father died in 1902, but the mother is still li\'ing and continues to reside in Macon county. Landaline Young was reared in that county and was educated in its district schools. At the age of twentv-three vears he started out in life for himself and has since devoted his tmie and energies to farm- ing. So successful was he that at the end of five years he was able to purchase one hun- dred and twenty acres of land in Macon county, where he continued to reside until 1893. when he sold that place and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Mosquito toAvnship, Christian county. Here he has steadily prospered. He purchased an additional forty acre tract and is now erect- ing a commodious an.d comfortable residence ujion his ])lace. The fields are well tilled and eA'er}'thing about the farm indicates the progressive spirit of the owner. On the 8th of Eebruary, 1876. ]\[r. Young- was united in marriage to j\liss Augusta I'utsch, a daughter of Frederick Putsch, who was also born in German}-. Eight children bless this union : Charles F., who is mar- ried and follows farming in Christian county ; Benedict ; Emma Augusta ; Martha E., who died at the age of three years; Otto CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 327 F. ; Edward L. ; Josephine L. ; and John O. The younger children are all at home. The family are communicants of the Catholic church of Stonington and Mr. Young is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. His political support is given the Democratic party and its principles and he has filled the office of school director in a most capable and satisfactory manner. J. S. WALLACE. Among the citizens of Bear Creek town- ship none is more deserving of representa- tion in this volume than J. S. Wallace, who has for years been connected with the mer- cantile and agricultural interests of the com- munity and who has, through well directed efforts, gained a handsome competence that numbers him among the substantial men of his township. Keen discrimination, unflag- ging industry and resolute purpose are num- bered among his salient characteristics and thus he has won that prosperity which is the merited reward of honest effort. Mr. Wallace w'as born in Delaware on the 15th of January, 1841, and is a son of Thomas and Rebecca (Seaman) Wallace. The mother died in 1852 and the father sub- sequently came west, locating in Christian county, Illinois, in 1875. Here he passed away in 188 1. Our subject was educated in the schools of Delaware and New York and at the age of seventeen years commenced teaching, wdiich profession he followed for eight years before coming west. In 1863 he became a resident of Adams county, Illinois, where he taught school for seven vears, and then removed to Taylorville and embarked in mercantile pursuits, conducting a store there until 1881. He was next engaged in the same line of business at Clarksdale until August, 1902, when he sold his store and has since devoted his time and energies to farming and stock-raising. He owns a fine farm of five hundred and eighty acres in Bear Creek township, which he is now suc- cessfully operating, and besides this valuable property he has ele\'en lots, three residences and a store building in Clarksdale. Mr. Wallace was married October 26. 1 87 1, to Miss Olive Hewatt, a daughter of William T. and Andromache (Gibson) Hewitt. Her father was a native of Vir- ginia and in early life followed farming and stock-raising in Kentucky and in 185 1 he migrated to Illinois and located in Christian county on land now comprised within John- son towaiship. There he entered and pur- chased land to the extent of six hundred acres and lived in that locality until the death of his wife in 1857, when he removed to the old Vincent place, where his remaining days were passed. He died in 1890, at the age of seventy-five years, owning at that time nearly four thousand acres. By his first marriage he had three sons and three daugh- ters, namely : Francis M. ; Olive, wife of our subject ; Aurelius M. ; James B. ; Laura J. ; and Hannah L. The mother of these children was a most lovable and noble lady and was a consistent member of the Chris- tian church. For his second wife Mr. Hew- itt married Miss Mary R. Wilcoxson, by ^\•hom he had three sons, William T., Lee Davidson and Omer B. The children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Wal- lace are as follows : Roy C, the eldest, was killed on a railroad crossing at the age of twenty-four years and eighteen days. Will- iam G. died at the age of six years. Cloyd H. married Sophia J. Bates and was killed on the Wabash Railroad March 14, 1902, when twenty-five years of age. His son, Cloyd Perry, was born the following Au- gust. Thus >vithin §ix years, our subject 328 PAST AND PRESENT lost two sons by bciiii;- killed by the cars. (iloiin. llio next of the family, is now with the Ke>ken Iron Works of St. Louis. Wanita Olive anil Joseph S. are l)oth at home. Mrs. Wallace is an earnest member of the Christ i.ui church and is a most estimable l.'idv. iM-aternally our subject is connected with Mound Eodi^e. No. 122, A. F. & A. M. ; and also belons^s to the ^bxlcrn Woodmen of .\nierica and the Fraternal Army of America, "lis ])olitical support is given the Democratic partv a.nd he has filled the of- fices of deputy sheriff and postmaster of Clarksdale, servini;' in the latter capacity for twenty years. A ])ublic-spirited and pro- gressix'e citi/en. he has done much to ad- vance the interests of his township and county and he justly merits the esteem in which he is uniformlv held by his fellow men. EDWARD FORRESTER. One of the worth}- citizens that Ireland has furnished to the new world is Edward Forrester and in his life he exemplifies the sterling- traits of character of the people of the Emerald Isle. His birth occurred in Roscommon county, on th? 17th of March, 1831. his parents being Matthew and Mary Forrester. They came to the United States about 1838. locating in Faporte, Indiana, where the father ga\e his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. He and his wife spent their remaining days in that locality, the former passing awav in i860, while Mrs. Forrester, long surviving her husband, died in the year 1888. Edward Forrester was a resident of the I'jnerald Isle for only about seven years and then accompanied his parents on their re- moval to the new world. Tie was reared under the |)arental roof in Indiana and in his boxhoiid d;i\s attended the pul)lic schools, there ac(|uiring his earl_\' education. I le worked for his father until twenty years of au'e and then he, his brother and tw(^ other }'oung men rigged up a team, went to St. jose])h. Missouri, whence they drove across the couutrv to Placerville. California. On the 17th of August, 1850, they arrived at I*lacer\ille and Mr. h'orrester was there two years, engaged in mining. He then turned h.is attention to farming", which he followed for three consecuti\e years. The return trip was made by boat to New York city and thence across the continent to the Mississippi valley. In ]\Iarch, 1856, Mr. Forrester came to Illinois and for two years thereafter was employed as a farm hand by the month. He then engaged in clerking in the store of Mr. Garwood at Moweaqua, where lie resided for three years. Wdien his industry and economy had Ijrought to him sufficient cap- ital to enable him to purchase land he be- came the owner of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, which is still in his posses- sion. This formed the nucleus of his present fine farm, for as opportunity has offered he has added to his first farm from time to time until he is now the owner of four hun- dred acres. This was raw ])rairie land when it came into his possession, l)ut it is now well improved and tb.e farm is one charac- terized by rich fields that yield good har\ests in return for the care and labor of the owner. On I'\'bruar\- 10. 1864, ^Ir. Forrester was muted in marriage to Miss ]\Iary Desire P)rown, a daughter of John D. Brown, of Stonington. L'nto them ha\'e been born six children, four of whom are now de- ceased. Catherine, deceased, was the wife of lacob Corzine of Taylor\-ille ; James H., is now county judge, making his home in EDWARD FORRESTER CHRISTIAN COUNTY, JJ.LINOIS. 331 Tayl<)r\ille; and Clara Augusta is the ^vife of Dr. Maley, of Galesbiirg", Illinois. Mr. Forrester is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, while his wife be- longs to the Baptist church. They have a nice home in Taylorville, where they reside, but he is still operating his farm in Prairie- ton township and there spends much of his time. In politics he is an earnest Repub- lican and was filling the ])osition of township supervisor at the time of his removal to Tay- lorville. There is in his life rec(^rd much tliat is worthy of commendation, for he had no special family or pecuniary advantages to aid him at tlie outset of his career, placing" his dependence upon the more substantial qualities of earnest purpose, diligence and determination. These salient characteristics liaA'e made him a leading resident of Chris- tian county, his prosperity being the merited reward of his \\cll-directed lnl)or and busi- ness capacitv. DANIEL SYLVESTER BOLLINGER. One of the leading citizens of Stonington township is Daniel S. Bollinger, who owns and operates a good farm on section 14. He was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, not far from the city of Baltimore, on the 1 6th of December, 1863, and is a son of Ephraim and Mary Ann (Strewag) Bol- linger, also natives of that county, where they continued to make their home until our subject was about six years of age. There our subject's grandparents, w'ho were of German descent, spent their entire lives. Farming has been the principal occupation of the family. It was in 1869 that Daniel S. Bollinger was brought by liis parents to Christian county, Illinois, and here he was reared and 18 educated, pursuing his studies in the Ire- land school during the winter months, while through the summer season he aided in the N\ork of the home farm and thus early be- came familiar w-ith the occupation he has chosen as a life work. He remained wath his father until the latter's death, which oc- curred on the 1 8th of January, 1893, and subsequently the farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, w'as divided be- tween them, they ha\'ing purchased the in- terests of the other heirs. Our subject now operates his tract of eightv acres and in partnership with his brother is successfully engaged in the raising of stock of all kinds. Besides his farm he also has some town property in vStonington. At Petersburg, Illinois, September 24. 1902, Mr. Bollinger married Miss Christina Jennetta Blome, who was born on the 22d of April, 1876, in Menard county, eight miles north of Petersburg. Her parents, George and Anna (Morrell) Blome, were both natives of Germany and coming to America during childhood settled near Pe- tersburg, Illinois, where the father is now engaged in farming. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. In his family are nine chil- dren, all living, namely : Lizzie, w ife of Lewis Braner, wdio is engaged in farming near Oakford, Illinois; Henry, who married Mary Neel and resides in Stonington towai- ship; Mary, wife of Amiel Gephardt, now- living in Nebraska; Rosa, wnfe of Henry Gebhart, of Stonington townshi]), this coun- ty; Charles, who wedded Mary Stahl and resides in Menard county, Illinois; Tildie. wife of Jacob Stahl, of St(^nington township ; Christine, wife of our subject; George, who married Mattie Caldwell and lives in Iowa; and Emma, at home with her i^arents. Mr. and Mrs. Bollinger have one child, Verne E., '>0 PAST AND PRESENT l)(ini June 28. K/)^. l>y liis hallut Mr. F)ol- liiigcr supports the Republican party and is a member of the Reformed church. ROSCOK C. XEFF. One of the members of the Christian county bar is Roscoe C. Xeff, who as a practitioner of Taylorville has in recent years been connected witli much of the important hti":ation tried in th.e courts of this (hstrict. He is also a leading member of the Re- publican i)arty of this ])ortion of the state and his influence has been widely felt in political as well as professional circles. Born in Sangamon county, Illinois, on the 14th of December, 1870, lie is a son of Sardine W. and Amanda (Parish) Xeff. The X^'eff fam- ily is of German ancestry, while the Parish family comes of Scotch-Irish descent. The paternal grandfather, Christopher X'^eff, came from Germany about 1835 and settled near Olney, Illinois, while James Parish, the ma- ternal grandfather, located in Indiana, whence he removed to Illinois prior to the Civil war. In this state he engaged in farm- ing near Athens and there died in 1875. The father of our subject was born near Olney, Illinois, and during his early busi- ness career resided in Iowa, but spent the last twenty-five years of his life in Sanga- mon county. Prior to the Ci\il war Mr. X^eff was a stanch Aliolitionist and was as- sociated with Abraham Lincoln during the campaign of 1861. He was strong in argu- ment and a most able debater and he took a lively interest in discussing political ques- tions. His forceful logic and his earnest utterances never failed to carry conviction to the minds of his hearers and his labors in behalf of the party were not without good results. Throughout his business career he carried on agricultural pursuits and i't length lie was killed by :i log falling upon him in 1876. His widow, who yet survives him. now resides in Sharpsburg, where she re- moved with her family of seven children the vear after her husband's death. The mem- bers of the family are as follows : Frank E.. now of Athens, Illinois; Rev. John S., a minister of the southern Wisconsin con- ference of the Methodist Episcopal church and located at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; George H., a teacher of Christian county; Roscoe C. ; Luella, the wife of Charles Eikle- berry, who resides near Taylorville; Ada, the wife of Charles Phillips, a ranchman in Kansas; and Anna X"., of Sharpsburg. Roscoe C. X^eff received but limited school l)rivileges and is therefore largely a self- educated as well as a self-made man. At the early age of nine vears he began work- ing on a farm, where he did chores for his board during the A\inter months. He was allowed to attend school to some extent un- til eighteen years of age, but a few months each winter in the course of these years. However, he displayed special aptitude in his studies, made the most of his opportu- nities and in 1892, having qualified for a teacher, began teaching in Mount Zion school near StcMiington. Illinois. For five years, from 1892 until 1897, he followed that profession with success and during the last two years he also conducted a farm in addition to his labors in the schoolroom. He began as a teacher at a salary of forty dol- lars per month and each year his wages were increased fixe dollars per month. He soon won rank with the leading educators of this yinvt of the state and one year his ])upils carried off prize Xo. t and at other times won ])rizes X'^os. 2, 5 and () in a class of oxer txxd hundred. !\Ir. Neft' did much hard work to accomplish this and his zeal and interest in educational matters inspired CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ') o •> and encouraged those under his direction. Al:iont 1897. desirous of promoting his own education, he went to Valparaiso. Indiana, where he attended the Northern Normal school, completing- the work of the junior and senior years in eighteen months. On the expiration of that period he returned to Tavlorville and hegan reading law under the direction of Joseph B. Colegrove, with whom he was associated in practice under the firm name of Colegrove & Neff until November i, 1903. On the 5th of March, 1899, he passed a suc- cessful examination at La Salle and was admitted to practice that year. He first lo- cated in Oklahoma City, hut after a short time there spent returned to Tavlorville and entered into a partnership with his former preceptor, on the ist of August, 1899. Mr. Neff is a stalwart Republican in poli- tics and 1)ecause of his oratorical ability he is frecpiently sought to address campaign meetings. He is likewise the orator of the day on occasions of picnics and other public gatherings. Greatly opposed to misrule in municipal affairs or to any trickery in po- litical work, he has labored inr honesty in l)olitics and has been largely instrumental in securing the candidacy of capable men for ofiice. He is prominent in the conven- tions of his party and has frequently served as the delegate to the county, state and con- gressional conventions, where his opinions carry weight in political councils. Often has he been ch(5sen to act as chairman of different committees or to make the nom- inating speech before such conventions. His oratorical ability is indicated by the fact that he was selected as class orator by a vote of one hundred and sixty-six; while attending Indiana State Normal, his opponent receiv- ing one hundred and thirteen votes. On the 1st of August, 1894, Mr, Neff was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Ladd. a daughter of Noyes Ladd, a prominent farmer of Sharpsburg, Illinois. They now have one child, Venus, born June 19, 1899. In addi- tion to the practice of law Mr. Neff is in- terested in the raising of cattle and hogs and takes great delight in having fine stock. Both he and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and entertain broad views on religious cjuestions, placing Chris- tianity before dogma. A man of strong temperance principles Mr. Neff does every- thing in his power to promote advancement in that direction 'and he uses his influence ever on the side of moral development and of progress in church work. He was formerly associated with the musical department of the Christian church. Of literary taste, he possesses a fine library, covering a wide range of historical, educational and scien- tific works as well as fiction. A gentleman of scholarly attainments he has read broadlv and assimilates what he reads. Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the bar of the county both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of character which impresses itself upon a com- munity. He possesses broad legal learning, an analytical mind and readiness with which to grasp the points at issue. Earnest effort, close application and the exercise of his native talents have won him prestige as a la\\ver in Christian countv. H. H. HERDMAN. H. H. Herdman, formerly president of the First National Bank of Morrisonville, has done much to promote the commercial activity, advance the general welfare and secure the material development of the city and surrounding country. As a business man he has been enterprising, energetic and ?,34 [•AST AND rUF.SENT ;il\\a\s abreast n\ the times and due >uccess has been accorded him. A native of New \nvk state, Mr. Herd- man was lx)ni on the Hudson river. March 2=;, 184 1, and (hn"in!4' childhotid remoxed with his parents. William j. and Jemima (Hunter) Herdman. to l\andol])h county. Illinois. His father was born in Belfast. Ireland, vi I'uritan stock, his ancestors be- ing- Scotch Presbyterians. His sons have all become successful business men and prominent in the affairs of life. Duriiit^ his lioyhood H. H. Herdman at- tended the common schools and on starting out in life for himself turned his attentiou to the mercantile business, but hnding that too confining he embarked iu the grain trade. Removing to Morrisonville in 1871. he and his brother. A. A'., bought an elevator at this place with a capacity of twenty-five thou- sand bushels and began buying grain of the farmers living in the surrounding coun- try. A few years later they became inter- ested in the manufacture of flour but t^n ac- count of the exorbitant freight charges that venture did not ])ro\e a success and they have since turned the mill into a grain re- pository, so that they now ha\e a storage capacity of seventy-five thousand bushels of grain. \\'hen they first started in business here wheat was the i)rincipal cereal rais^l and marketed but there is now more corn, shipped. IvV fair dealing and close attention to business the firm has met with most ex- cellent success and to-dav thev rank among the leading grain mercliants of this section of the state. They also h.andle coal. supjDly- ing a large number of custcjmers with that commodity. In 1903 H. H. Herdman became interested in the banking business and is to-day a di- rector of the First National Bank of ]\Ior- risonville. This bank has a capital stock of t\\ ent\-li\e thousa.nd dollars and owing to its capable management it is now in a nourishing condition. 'fhe bank building is a modern, structure with all the latest im- jn-ovements and occupies tbe best business corner in the city. In 1871 ]Mr. Herdman was married at Briohton. Illinois, to Miss Gilson, wdio is descended from good old Revolutionary stock and Is now a member of the Daughters of the Revolution, being connected with the chapter at St. Louis. Unto our subject and his wife were born five children, three sons and two daughters, but one son and one daughter died in infancy and ^Marian G. died soon after her graduation at Monticello Sem- inary. Hugb H., Jr., the older son, is a graduate of Columbia College of New York and now occupies the chair of literature in Portland Academy at Portland, Oregon. Al- liert M. is attending Wabash College and will graduate in 1906. In business circles Air. Herdman occu- pies an enviable position and he has a wide rei)utation as a most capable financier. In manner he is pleasant and cordial, which, combined with his sterling worth, 'nakes him one of the popular citizens of his adopted citv. W. J. JORDAN. l*>w indeed are the residents of Pana whose connection with the cit\- antedates that of ^Ir. Jordan, for he arri\ed in the \-ear iS5(). finding here but a smrdl x'illage with few mcKlern impro\enients and yet capable of the deve1o]'ment which is so char- acteristic of western towns. l^stablishing bis home within its borders he became a most acti\-e and important factor in business circles, instituting man\' enterprises which have largely promoted commercial prosper- itv here. Par-siehted in behalf of his in- W. J^ JORDAN AND FAMILY CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 337 (li\i(lual interests and of tlie piil)lic welfare, lie has labored not alone for the present, but looking beyond the exigencies of the mo- -ment has planned for the future and lias co-operated with others in the movements \\hich haxe resulted in the expansion and substantial upbuilding of his adopted city, ^lany business enterprises have felt the stimulus of his energy and labor, and now at the age of three score yeaVs and ten he is enjoying a w^ell-earned rest. Mr. Jordan was born in Virginia, Sep- tember 9, 1 83 1, a son of Spotswood and Mary Jordan. His father, also a native of the Old Dominion, was a shoemaker by trade and after follow-ing that occupation for a time he turned his attention to farm- ing. He removed from Virginia to Ken- tucky, where he engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits until his death, which oc- curred in 1890. His wife passed away many years before, dying on the ist of August, 1836. When fi^•e years of age W. J. Jordan ac- companied his parents on their removal to Shelby county, Kentucky, where he was reared and acquired his education. At the age of nineteen years he started out to make his own wa}' in the AAorld, first working as a farm hand in the employ of his father and afterward in the employ of his uncle. Since that time he has depended continuously upon his own resources and whatever success he has achieved is due entirely to his own ef- forts. At length leaving farm life he learned the plasterer's trade, which he followed for five years. In 1856 he arrived m Illinois, settling in Pana. sO' that he is now one of the oldest citizens here. He has throughout the intervening years been closely connected with the business development of the city and has also been prominent in public life, filHni'- nianv offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. In 1857 he was elected constable and deputy sheriff and served in that capacity for twen- ty-five years." In the meantime he had turned his attention to the furniture business and conducted a store, which brought to him a good financial return. He likewise operated in real estate for some time and for a num- ber of years was associated in this with G. Ladd, the partnership proving mutually pleasant and profita1)le. For several years he was also in the livery business and while thus engaged carried the first surveyors through to Taylorville to make the survey for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In 1879 he began farming about two miles south of Pana, and placed his land under a high state of cultivation, so that the fields returned to him golden har^•est. For four vears he operated his land and then sold out. Again he took up farming in 1892, settling on a farm north of Pana, where he remained until 1901, when he returned to the city and has since lived a retired life. In the meantime Mr. Jordan was called upon to serve in various offices. He was the first mayor of Pana, being chosen to the office on the 8th of March. 1867, under the provisions of a special charter. He was also the first tax collector of Pana township, Avas trustee of the schools for a number of years and was also president of the school board in 1902. He w^as supervisor for a number of vears and has filled other county offices, having in 1879 been elected county treas- urer, which office he filled for three years. When the books were examined on the ex- piration of his term it was found that the county was indebted to him to the amount of eleven dollars, an unusual occurrence, the indebtedness being generally on the other side of the ledger. After his retirement from tliat office he again resumed real estate oper- 338 PAST AND PRESENT ations, and I'.oiiglii and sold considerable property and negcjtiated many important realty transfers. He was also president of llie l-"irst National P>ank of Pana for alxmt three vears and a (hrector ten veais, and his \aried connection with trade interests shows him to he a man of resonrcefnl husiness abil- it\', enterprising, resolnte and progressive, the spirit of adxancement being strongly marked w ithin him. Ah". Jordan has 1)cen married twice. On the 1st of Octolicr. '1S57. he was nnited in marriage to Miss L'rsnla Brockman, a daughter of William Urockman, of Ohio. She died in 18S3 and .\lr. |ordan was again married, his second nnion being with AJiss Clara Iv Dunn; who was bt>rn in Greenwood township, Christian county, on tlie 25th of l^ecember, i860, a daughter of James A. Dunn, who is still li\ing in this city. Her uncle, Sanford Petty, was the fu'st asses.sor of Christian countw I'nto S'w. :ind Airs. Jordan have been born two children: Alay- ella II. and Mary E.. Ijoth students in the public schools of Pana. The famil\- are all members of the Bap- tist church and Mr. Jordan is one of the oldest members of the Masonic fraternity in Pana. When he arri\ed in this ])lace it contained only a few Ikjuscs and he ha^ therefore witnessed a.lmost its entire devel- opment, gixing his su[)])ort to all measiu'es calculated to conser\-e the ])ublic "(kxI. His business grew and develo]ied with the town. He had a capital of onl\' eight dollars at the time of his arrival, but taking ad\antage of business opportunities, and utilizing his time and means to the l)est advantaee, he has won for himself a jjlace prominent among the substantial citizens of the com- munity. His life has been honorable, his actions manly and sincere and he has gained for himself a reputation as a careful, straightforward business man who has well earned the re>t which is now vouchsafed him . ROBERT MARSPLALL. This gentleman is one of the highly es- teemed citizens of .Mount Auburn now liv- ino' retired from actixe lalx)r. He was born on the 2ist of June, 1829, in County Down. Ireland, of which county his parents, James and Sar;di (Prom) Marshall, were also na- tives. About 1 85 1 they took passage on a sailing vessel and after a voyage of several weeks' duration they landed in New York- city. The father worked at the stone-ma- son's trade in the Empire state for a few- years and in 1858 came to Christian county. Illinois, where he made his home with our subject in Mosquito township throughout the remainder of his life, dying there Octo- l)er II, 1859. His wife had passed away on the 1 8th of December, 1854. Beth were consistent and faithful members of the Pres- byterian church and Mr. Marshall was also connected with the Alasonic fraternity. In politics he was a Republican. His family consisted of three sons and seven daughters, all of whom reached maturity and married, hut only three of the number are now living, these being Robert, of this re^•iew• ; Alary, wife of John Marshall, a resident of County Down, Ireland; and Agnes, wife of James Pong, of Mosquito township, this county. The oldest son, James, came to America in 1847 and located on a farm in New York state, where he made his hoiue until his death. The other son, William, took part in the Ci\il war and died in Mosquito town- ship, this county. Our .subject's grand- ]:)arents spent their entire lives in County Down, Ireland. During: his bovhood and vouth Robert CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 339 Marshall attended the piihlic schools of his native land and assisted his father in the work of the home farm. In 1849 -"'^ ^^'^^^~ grated to the United States, joining his brother in New York, where he spent about four years, and then went to California, where he was engaged in gold mining for the same length of time. On his return east he took up his residence in Mosquito town- sliip, Christian county, Illinois, where he purchased forty acres of partially improved land for seventeen dollars per acre. To the cultivation and further improvement of his place he devoted his energies for many years, and added to his property, so that he now owns a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 17 and 20, Mos- quito township. There he resided until Feb- ruary, 1903, when he put aside business cares and removed to Mount x^uburn, where he is now enjoying a well earned rest. . On the 2d of October, 1861, in Mount Au- l>urn township, Mr. Marshall was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Wilcock, who was born in Yorkshire, England, October 25, 1842, and is a daughter of George and Mary Ann Wilcock, natives of Derbyshire and Doncaster, respectively. In 1843 she was brought by her parents to America, the family locating in Mount Auburn township, this county, where Mr. Wilcock purchased a farm of one hundred acres. There he died September 5, 1844, and his wife de- parted this life on the 25th of September, 1888. They were buried in Mount Auburn cemetery as were the parents of our subject. In religious belief they were Methodist and in politics Mr. Wilcock was first a Whig and later a Republican. Of their four chil- dren only Mrs. Marshall is now living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have been lx)rn ten children, namely: George B., now assistant chief of police at Decatur, Illinois, married Belle Auger and has two children, Glenn and Fay. Margaret Ann died Sep- tember 8, 1877. at the age of thirteen years. Clara Jane is the wife of Harden Tankers- ley, a farmer of Mosquito township, and they have three children, Grace, Chester and Bes- sie. Mary Florence is the wife of Philip Schempf, living near Oberon, Benson coun- ty. North Dakota, and they have one child,. Frank. William James, a resident of Ed- mond, Oklahoma married Delia Young and has one child Fern. Alice Caroline is the wife of Bruce Bramel, who lives on the old homestead farm in Mosquito township, and they have three children : Homer, Eva and Hazel. Sarah Etta is the wife of Otis Hofer and resides in Mount Auburn. Charles Francis and John Edward are still under the parental roof. Myrtle Agnes is the wife of George Richard Hardy, a farmer of Mos- cjuito township. By his ballot Mr. Marshall supports the men and measures of the Republican party but has never cared for office. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and both he and his wife are earnest and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Mount Auburn, of which he is now one of the trus- tees. They are widely and favorably known throughout the county where they have so long made their home and their circle of friends is extensive. JOHN C. MONTGOMERY. John C. Montgomery, who resides on sec- tion 26, Mount Auburn township, owns and operates a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres, whose neat and thrifty appearance well indicates his careful super- vision. Substantial improvements are sur- rounded by well tilled fields and all the ac- 340 PAST AND PRESENT cessories and com-eniences of a model farm are there found. Mr. Montgomery was lu)rn on the 9th of August, 1849, in Sangamon county, Jhi- nois, and is a son of J^lm ''I'ld Sarah (Sni- der) Montgomery. On the paternal side our suhjcct is of Irish de.scent, his great- grandfather, J. R. Montgomery, having been horn in Ireland in 1790. Having served un- der the Hritish crown in the English army and growing tired of army life and also hav- ing heard of the splendid possibilities for a voung man in America, he deserted and came to this country. John Montgomery, our sul)ject's father, was born in Pennsyl- vania, May 24, 181 7, and in early manhood married Sarah Snider, whose birth occurred in Maryland, January 26, 1821. It was in 1848 that they came to Illinois, and after living in Sangamon county for some years they took u]) their residence in Christian county in i860. The subject of this sketch was principally educated in the Montgomery district school of this county and he remained under the ])arental roof until twenty-four years of age. Since starting out in life for himself he has engaged in farming. His first i)urchase of land consisted of a tract of eighty acres in Mosquito township, which he operated for eight years and then sold, remo\ing to his ])resent location in Mount Auburn township at the end of that time. He rented the place until 1895, ^vhen he purchased one hundred and sixty acres and has since bought one hundred and sixty acres more. This he has under excellent cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings. In 1874 Mr. Montgomery married Miss Mattie J. Pettus and to them have been born five children but Birdie died at the age of four years, and James at the age of fifteen months. Those .still living are Leonard, Harold and John, rdl at home with their parents. Mrs. Montgomery is a daughter of George and Margaret Pettus, both natives of Virginia, whence they came to- Illinois about 1840. Her father was l)orn July 10, 1826, and died August 5, 1865, and her mother was born December 14, 1823, and died December 22, 1899. The former was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Jones) Pettus, l)orn March 30, 1790, and Eebruary 17, 1795. Thomas Pettus died April 2. 18=52. He was a son of William Pettus, whose deatli occurred on the 1 5tli of Octo- ber, 1824. The Republican party finds in j\Ir. Mont- gomery a stanch supporter of its principles and he takes a deep interest in public affairs. In his farming operations he has met with the success that usually follows the industri- ous and enterprising man and he is held in high regard by all who know him. JOHN S. BILYEU. Among the leading citizens of Christian county none is more deserving of repre- sentation in this volume than the gentleman whose name introduces tliis sketch. He is one of the most extensixe landowners of Prairieton township and in his farming operations is meeting with excellent success. Throughout life he h.as engaged in. agricul- tural pursuits, and now makes his home on section 9, Prairieton township, the neat and thrifty appearance of his place giving evi- dence of his careful supervision. He has l)een a resident of this county since 1841 and has therefore seen almost its entire growth and development. Mr. r>ilycu was born in jMiller county, Missouri, on the 21st of January, 1834, but was only three years of age when his parents returned to Illinois. Plis father, John H. MR. AND MRS. JOHN S. BILYEU I CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 345 Bil}eu, was a native of Kentucky and from that state removed to Tennessee with his father, Peter Bilyeu, who was of French descent. There his youth was passed and on arriving at a suitable age he was united in marriage to Miss Ehzabeth Workman, who was also a native of Kentucky. The young couple came to Illinois and settled in Sangamon county, where Mr. Bilyeu car- ried on farming for several years. They then removed tO' Miller county, Missouri, but after living in that state for four years they removed to Sangamon county in 1837, and a few years later Mr. Bilyeu entered and bought land on Flat Branch, now com- prised within the limits of Prairieton town- ship, Christian county. Here he opened up a farm of over twehe hundred acres and to its improvement and cultivation devoted the remainder of his life, passing away on the 15th of jNIay, 1867. His wife, who long- survived him, died on the 21st of Septem- ber, 1900. In their family were nine sons and three daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity, but three sons and two daughters are now deceased. John S. Bilyeu remained under the par- ental roof until twenty-one years of age, early becoming familiar with the labors of the farm, while his literary education was obtained in the schools of the neighborhood. On starting out in life for himself he located upon a part of the old homestead, it being a tract of raw prairie land about one hun- dred acres in extent, and he at once pro- ceeded to convert it into a well cultivated farm. He was a young man of industrious habits, and his diligence, good management and excellent business ability soon brought him success. He fenced and tiled his land and made many other improvements there- on, and as time passed he added to his prop- ertv until he now owns seven hundred acres and has one of the best homes in the town- ship. On the 22(1 of January, 1854, Mr. Bilyeu married Miss IMelinda Workman, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Stephen Work- man, who was one of the early settlers of Christian county. By this union the follow- ing children have been born : John H. J., who is married and follows farming in this county; Mary Ann, wife of David Work- man, of this county; Josiah, who is also married and follows farming in Christian county; Elizabeth and Peter, both deceased; Lydia, wife of William O. Workman, a farmer of this county; Hiram and Edmund, who are married and engaged in farming in this county; Isaac, at home with his parents; and six others now deceased. The family hold membership in the Christian church and are people of prominence in the com- munity where they reside. By his ballot Mr. Bilyeu supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, and for three terms served as road commissioner. In all the relations of life he has been found true to every trust reposed in him and he justly de- serves the high regard in which he is held. In business affairs he is prompt, energetic and notably reliable and to these qualities mav be attributed his success. EDWARD J. RFIODES; On the roster of county officials in Chris- tian county appears the name of Edward J. Rhodes, who is serving for the second term of four years as circuit clerk. He is a capable official, prompt and reliable in the discharge of his duties and ever meeting every obliga= tion which devolves upon him. A native son of Illinois, his birth occurred in Pana on the 6th of November, 1865, his parents being- Amos A, and Dora (Jageman) Rhodes. 34G PAST-AI\D PRESENT Back to an early epoch in colonial history in America can the ancestry of the family he traced. A great- great-grandfather of (inr snhiect was Hezekiah Rhodes, Avho fought for the inde- l^endence of the colonies in the Rcvnlnlion.'iry war. 1 Ic was of Scotch-Irish lineage. Jesse Rhodes, the great-grandfather of onr sul)- jcct, was a native of North Carolin:i, hut lie- came one of the pioneer settlers of Shelby county. Illinois, and was actively interested in the early develojjment and progress of that portion of the state. He left the im- press of his individuality for good upon the work of advancement, his labors Ijeing prac- tical and beneficial. He was one of the com- missioners appointed by the governor to se- lect a site for the county seat of Macon county and chose the site of Decatur for this purpose. A Democrat in his political views, he was honored with a number of pul)- lic i)ositions, the duties of which he fully discharged most capably. His son James M. Rhodes, the grandfather of our subject. was born in W^ilson county, Tennessee, and Amos A. Rhodes, the father of our subject. was a nati\c of Shelby covmty, Illinois, born on the 23d of May, 1841. Well worthy of mention as a valued citizen of Illinois Amos A. Rhodes is represented on another ]iage of this volume. In the public schools of Pana. Edward J. Rhodes acquired his education and after ])utting aside his text books he accepted a position as deputy circuit clerk under his father, who was then filling the office in Christian county, Illinois. This was in 1884 and he served for four years under his father and for one year under Joseph R. Edmonds, his father's successor. On the expiration of his present term Mr. Rhodes will have been connected with the office for twenty years with the exception of a period of three years w lien his time was spent as a book- keeper for the Taylorvillc Coal Company. On lea\ing tliat em])loy he became deputy clerk under W. B. Cashin. with whom he re- mained for four years and on the expiration of that period he was elected to the office, in which he has served continuously since. After four years sjjcnt in the office he was re-elected, so that his ])resent term will con- tinue until December, 1904. Mr. Rhodes has long been recognized as a very active, prominent and influential factor in political circles. He has always given his allegiance to the Democracy, taking an actixe part in local politics, laboring for the success of his ])arty and exerting his influence in its con- ventions for the nomination of men best (|ualified for office. He has been a delegate to the county and judicial conventions and his opinions carry weight in their councils. In 1888-9 Mr. Rhodes served as city clerk of Taylorville and his official career has always been attended by the highest measure of success, owing to his unfaltering fidelit)' to duty. He is systematic and methodical in his work and has performed all public service in a manner that has won him tlie commendation of the opposition as well as of his own political party. On the 9th of December, 1886, occurred the marriage of Mr. Rhodes and Miss Mary Kittle, a daughter of John and Sarah (Car- penter) Kittle. Her father was coroner of Christian county for four years. Mrs. Rhodes is one of a family of five children, namely: Millie, the wife of (i. W. Long. of Beecher City. Illinois; Carrie \... who is living in Taylorville; Ella, the widow of John W. Hamer of Shelbyville, Illinois; Minnie, the wife of John C. Stamm of Pana; and Mary, the wife of our subject. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes has been blessed with four children : Aimee, CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 347 born January ii, 1888; Stella M., born April 10, 1889; Dora S., December i, 1891 ; and Haslemere, July 15/ 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes enjoy the hospitality of the best homes in Taylorville and occupy an enviable position in social circles. His social rela- tions connect him with Taylorville Lodge, No. 413, I. O. O. F. ; Birchwood Camp, No. 130, M. W. A.; Peerless Lodge, No. 42, A. O. U. W. ; the Royal Neighbors and the Red Men. He has served in all the ap- pointive and elective positions in the Odd Fellows lodge except that of Noble Grand. He is likewise a member of Phenix Club, a social organization of Taylorville. A man of pleasing personality, he is recognized as one of the* popular and valued citizens of Taylorville and enjoys in a high measure the regard, confidence and esteem of his fellow men. S. D. MOORE. The business development of any town or city does not depend upon the efforts of a single individual, but results from the com- bined labors and enterprise of many. There is, however, usually a few who are leaders and who know best how to utilize not only their own energies but so direct the lalDors of others as to produce results of far-reach- ing importance in mercantile life. Such a one is S. D. Moore, a man of affairs, strong in his discrimination and sound in his judg- ment. He has been the promoter of many enterprises of vast importance to Assump- tion and is to-day a prominent representative of coal mining interests in central Illinois. Mr. Moore is a native of Scott county, Illinois, born on the 28th of November, 1844. and is a son of Thomas and Lucy (Hudson) Moore, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. In their family were three children. The brother of our subject was George Thomas Moore, who was killed in the Civil war in front of Atlanta. The sister Mary is now the wife of J. M. Israel, of Whitehall, Greene county,* Illinois. S. D. Moore acquired a public-school edu- cation, beginning his studies in a log school building which was furnished with slab seats. The greater part of his education, however, was acquired in the public schools of Whitehall. At the age of seventeen he responded to his country's call for aid, prompted by a spirit of patriotism that was manifested in loyal and eft'ective service in behalf of the Union cause. He enlisted in Greene county, Illinois, as a member of Com- pany I, Ninety-first Illinois Volunteer Infan- try and served for almost three years under the command of Captain Dennis and Colonel H. F. Day. He participated in a number of important engagements, including the latter part of the siege of Vicksburg^and the battle of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. He was there taken prisoner by John Morgan and was in the Red river expedition but did not par- ticipate in the fight. His company crossed the Gulf of Mexico and landed at the mouth of the Rio Grande river and proceeded up that stream in order to capture Fort Brown at Brownsville, Texas. The men afterward went to Mobile, Alaljama, and Mr. Moore participated in the siege of that city for thir- teen days. During the war, because of his excellent penmanship, he was given charge of the pay rolls and did much clerical work in connection with the army. After the close of hostilities he was mustered out at Mobile, Alabama, and received an honorable dis- charge at Camp Butler at Springfield, Illi- nois, in 1865. Mr. Moore then returned to his home in Greene county and on the 28th of March, 1867, he was married and removed to Ma- 348 PAST AND PRESENT con county, Jlliimis. There he purchased a farm north of the village of Macon and engaged in agricultural pursuits until about 1874, when he took up his abode in the vil- lage and purchased a lumberyard, which he conducted until 1883. In that year he came to Assumption and joined B. F. Hight in the organization of a private bank, which was conducted under the name of the Bank of Assumption by flight & Moore. On the I St of March, 1894, the Merchants' Bank was organized and on the ist of July, 1897, these two institutions were consolidated un- der the name of the Illinois State Bank. At this time Mr. Moore's connection with the banking business ceased and he turned his attention to the management of a brick and tile factory, in which he had previously be- come interested. He devoted his entire time and attention to the operation of this enterprise until the incorporation of the Brick, Tile & Electric Light Company with C. C. Corzine as its president. Mr. Moore is now one of the leading stockholders of that company and is also one of its directors. He is now actively and extensively connected \vith the development of the coal interests of central Illinois. The Assumption Coal & Mining Company owes its origin to a suggestion made by Joseph Edmunds of the company who men- tioned the idea while Mr. Moore was in the bank. Entering that institution he made a remark about sinking a shaft. Mr. Moore and Mr. Hight afterward discussed the sug- gestion and ]\Ir. Hight drew up the papers in order to get the enterprise in working or- der, while Mr. Moore took upon himself the task of securing subscribers, who would pur- chase stock. He was very successful in the undertaking and a short time afterward the company was incorporated with a capital of fortv thousand dollars. After the business was placed in (ii)eratinn T. j. Armstrong, a most thormigh and competent man, was em- ployed as superintendent and he remained ^^■ith the company for four years. Upon his suggestion Mr. Moore went out upon the road, selling tlic ])roduct of tlie nunc in car- load lots. T]ns was entirely new business to him, l)ut he \vas very successful in placing orders in the small towns all along the line of the Illinois Central Railroad. In Feb- ruary, 1899, in company with his son, J. D. Moore, of Decatur, and E. G. Rasbach, of Chicago, he purchased land in William- son county near Johnston City for mining purposes 5nd commenced sinking a shaft there in June, 1900. There is now a hoist- ing and air shaft. The company was organ- ized and incorporated under the state laws as the New Virginia Coal Company, with Mr. Moore as the president, his son as vice president and E. G. Rashbach as secretary and treasurer. The output of this company is now about fi\'e hundred tons daily. The same company with Mr. Moore as president; Judge W. T. Hart, of Benton, Illinois, as vice president ; E. G. Rashbach as secretary ; and W. W. Williams as treasurer; is nov\' sinking a shaft in the town of Frankfort, Franklin county, Illinois, in which they have recently struck the vein" of coal, and this promises to yield an excellent output. Mr. Moore has also dealt in real estate for a number of years, purchasing and selling considerable property in and arou.nd Eagle Grove, Wright county, Iowa. He now de- votes his time and attention, lKn\c\cr, to his mining ojierations. Mr. Moore has been three times married. In Greene county, Illinois, he wedded Mary Doyle, a member of an old family of thai locality, her parents being J. M. and Plenri- etta (Shanklin) Doyle. Unto this union were born two children': J. D. Moore, now^ CHRISTIAN COUNTY. ILLINOIS. 849 a lea(liii<4 alone, liis son, Xicholas Dnillev. also cMilisted. 'Idie former was killed at Ticonderos^a and the son then retnrned home, lieir.s' his mother's main dependence. Xicholas Dndlcy Mill was horn al Brent- w(^(kI Xew Hampshire, and was the eldest in his father's family. He married Alary Crockett and to them were horn eii^ht chil- dren, of whom John, the father of onr snh- ject. was the sect)nd in order of birth and w a< horn at North wood, Xew Hampshire. March 2T, 1785. He wedded Aliss Susan Pearl, who was born in l-~armini;ton, the same state. March 31, 1783. Her father, Ichabod Pearl, was also a native of the Granite state and was of English lineage. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Young, was born in the same locality as her husband and her ancestors came from the same family. The I'earl famil\- \\as descended from the Earl of Northumberland, who was the father of Lady Jane Grey, who made claim to the throne of England. In early life the parents of our subject both engaged in school teach- ing but during the war of 1812 the father abandoned that ])rofession and removed to Middleton, New Hampshire, where he opened a store and ta\ern. Idiey were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters, all of whom grew t(3 manhodd and womanhood, namely : Mary E. wedded James Wild and died June 17, t886; John C. died in 1843: Caroline G. became the wife of Timothy Vibbard and died January 23, 1886. Susan L. married Stephen Ridg- ley, wdio willed one hundred thousand dol- lars to build a public librar\- in St. Louis and it was named in honor of his wife, Susan Lucretia Ridgley, who died in that city March i. 1879. Sophronia E. died in Cam- l)ridge. INIassachusetts. November 5, 1857 David C. died August 24, 1849, "^vhile a member of the senior class at Dartmouth College. New' Hampshire. George W.-and Charles H. were twins. The former married Hattie Gibson and died at Proctor. V'ermont, in April, 1900, leaving" a widow and one son, George \V. C. Hill, an orthodox preach- er of Proctor. Charles H., our subject, is the only survivcn- of this large family. When he \\as quite young the family removed to Great Falls, New Haiupshire. where the father died when our subject was only five years of age, lea^•ing" the mother with eight children to support. At the early age of nine Charles H. Hill began earning bis own livelihood by work- ing for William Shaw, of North Berwick, Maine, with whorn he remained for two years. He then went to Farmington, New Hampshire, where he spent two years in the emi)loy of Benjamin \\'ingate and on the expiration of that period went to Milton, the same state, to make his home with his uncle Joseph Pearl, with whom he remained until he reached the age of twenty. His place of residence then changed and we find him at Natick, Massachusetts, in the family of Vice President Henr\' AMlson, who w'as reared by an aunt of our subject, j\Irs. Tem- l)erance Knight, of Farmington. He lived there from 1846 until 1849 ^"^^ "^ Septem- lier of that latter year entered Gilmanton Academy, where he was a student for three years. In the winter of 1849-50, however, he taught school at Strafford, New Hamp- shire, returning to the academ)- the follow"- ing spring. On the 2r)th of December, 1854, in Gil manton. New Hampshire, ]\lr. Hill was united in marriage to ATiss Mary b'rances Morgan, who was born September i, 1831, at that place, and was the youngest in a famih" of foiu" sons and three daughters. Her parents were Jeremiah and Elizabeth CHRISTIAN COUNTY, IIJJNOIS. 851 (Sniitli) Morgan, the former a native of Brentwood, New Hampshire, and the latter of Ipswich. Massachusetts. Both were of Enghsh descent. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hill were born four children : George C. is a highly educated and well read man, as well as a deep student and a natural mechanic : Charles R. died leaving a wife and two chil- dren. George R. and Bessie W. : Minnie W. is the wife of Henry P. Denbow, of Flora, Illinois, by whom she has a daughter. Pearl I. ; and Susan E. is the wife of Howard A. Koogle, of Pana. For about ten years after his marriage Mr. Hill was in the employ of the firm of A. G. Farwell & Company, wholesale flour merchants, and in December, 1863, was ap- pointed paymaster of the United States navy, wdth headquarters on the steamer Saco for three years. On the 15th of April, 1866. he left that position and was appointed con-, stable in Massachusetts, serving as such un- til 1868, when he came to Rosemond, Illi- nois, where he has since resided and is now' living retired. He has one of the best homes in the t(jwn, it being built for solid comfort and supplied with all modern con\'eniences, including a furnace for heating. It is beau- tifully situated ofif the main road on section 23, Rosamond township, where he owns sixty-one acres of land, and being on a hill it overlooks a large portion of the surround- ing country, affording a picturesque view- One of the attractive features of the home is its library, which is very complete and con- tains many works not commonly found in private libraries. Mr. Hill has ever taken a deep interest in public affairs and has filled the office of jus- tice of the peace for four years and notary public many years, resigning the latter posi- tion only recently. He is an honored mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic and is also a Royal Arch Mason, while religious- ly both he and his estimable wife are active members of the Congregational church and stand high in the community where they have so long made their home. As a citizen, friend and neighbor Mr. Hill has always been found true to every dutv and justly merits the esteem in which he is held. SAMUEL J. SNYDER. One of the enterprising citizens of the village of Edinburg is Samuel J. Snyder, who is conducting an undertaking estab- lishment and furniture store there. He was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, (ju the 13th of September, 1854. His father. Samuel B. Snyder, was a native of Cham- bersburg, Pennsylvania, born in the year 1827, and his death occurred in the year 1896. He wedded Miss Mary Staefer, who was also a native of Chambersburg, and they became the parents of eight children, four of who'm are now li\ing: Simon, who resides upon the old homestead in Indiana; Hannah, the wife of James Lane of Edin- burg; Barbara, the wife of John Hayes, of Columbus, Indiana ; and Samuel I. The last named was reared upon the old family homestead and in the district schools pursued his education through the winter months while in the summer seasons he as- sisted in the operation of the home place. When he was about fourteen A-ears of as'e, however, he was a])prenticed to learn the carpenter's trade in Columbus, Indiana, and followed that pursuit for four vears. He then engaged in the carriage and wagon- making business near Taylorville, Indiana, and conducted his work in that line for about two years. In 1874 he removed to Grove City, Illinois. Avhere he established a carriage shop which he conducted until 1899, when 352 PAST WD rRKSF.NT lie purchased the funiiture store and under- taking- l)usiness of I\. K. Johnson in Edin- l)ur()llinger is a meml>er of the Reformed church. At one time he served as a member of tlie drainage l)oa>d, but has never been an aspirant for jjolitical office, preferring to devote his energies to his busi- ness affairs. JOSEPH XUTT. Ireland has furnished man)- worthy citi- zens to the new- world, 'i'he sons of Erin are men of readv adaptabilit\-. ])rogressive and \ersatile and thev have beconie useful factors in \arious walks of lite. Mr. .X'ult is a re])resentati\e of this class. He \vas born in Count)' Antrim in the north ol Ire- land in iS3<"). a son of Lowr)- and Sarah Nutt. both of whom s])ent their entire lives in the Emerald Isle. Joseph Xutt remained there until twelve years of age and then in 1848 crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He had attended the Presbyterian schools of his native country. His mother died in early womanhood and because of this the family was broken up. yir. Nutt's broth- ers and sisters came with him to the United States, ail older l)i"other sending theni trans- ])ortation in order to have them join him in the new world. On arriving at New York they iiiade their way to Xewburgh, in X^ew York. It was in the fall of 1856 that Mr. Xutt arrived in Illinois, establishing his home near Springfield in Sangamon county. In that county he attended school and after- ward worked as a farm hand until the in- auguration of the Civil war. He was deeply interested in the Union cause and in 1862 he enlisted in its defense, offering his services at Camp Butler in Springfield. He became a member of the One Hundred and I^^^ur- teenth Illinois Infantry under Colonel Judy, the regiment being attached to the command of General Sherman at a later date. Mr. X'^utt participated in the battles of Vicksliurg. Jackson and Guntow n. At the last narned he was captured and sent to Andersomille ])rison, where he was incarcerated for six months, at the end of which time he was paroled. He was then sent north to An- napolis, IMaryland, where he obtained a thir- t\- (lavs furlough. This was spent in Illi- nois and on the expiration of that period he went to the parole camp at Benton Bar- ricks, Missouri. The war closed before he was jjermitted to again enter the army. He CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. oOi suffered i^real. liardships while in Anderson- ville and yet 1)ears the effects of his prison experience \\ hen in niihtary hfe. After the cessation of hostihties he returned to Spring- field, where he- received an honorable dis- charge. Mr. Nutt Avorked upon a farm in Sanga- mon county until his remoxal to Christian county in 1868. His tirst purchase of land comprised a tract in Taylorville township, of which he became the owner in 1874. He now owns two hundred and forty acres, con- stituting a A'ery A-aluable farm, Init he has retired from active farm life. In earlier years he gave particular attention to the raising of hogs and cattle for shipments and this business brought tO' him an excellent re- turn. He greatly improved his land, fenced his fields, erected substantial and commodi- ous buildings, planted trees and added all modern equipments and accessories such as are found upon a model farm. Mr. Nutt was married on the i8th of De- cember, 1866, to Miss Anna Eliza Bishop, who was a native of Lima, New^ York, and is a representative of one of the old Dutch families that settled on ]\Ianhattan island. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nutt Imve been born live children: Hattie, who is now the wife of E. M. Piper, a farmer of Taylor\'ille town- ship, by whom she has two children; J. H., who married Anna ]\Ielvin, by whom he has one child, and resides in Millersville, Illi- nois; L. S., a resident farmer of South Eork township, who married Cora Gore and has three children; Emma, the wife of J. C. Potts, by whom she has one child; and H. T., who^ resides upon the old homestead farm in Taylorville township, and married Le- nore Nash. In 1902 INIr. Nutt was called upon to moiu'u the loss of his wife, who died in December of that year and since that time he has made his home with his eldest daugh- ter, Mrs. E. M. Piper. In politics he is a stanch Kcpublican and for many years he served as scIidoI director, but has never been a ])()litician in the sense of office seekmg as he has preferred to give his energies and time to his business affairs. Whatever he has undertaken he has car- ried forward to successful completion and to-day he is numbered among the prosperous farmers of Taylorville townshi]). He came to America a poor boy when but twelve years of age and almost continually since that time has been dependent upon his own laljors for wdiat he has had and enjoyed. His force of character has enabled him to overcome obstacles and difficulties in his path and to work his way steadily upward from a humble position to one of affluence. CHARLES DWIGHT KIRK. Charles Dwdght Kirk is the proprietor of the ^^'alnut Grove stock farm, comprising one hundred and eighty acres of land in Buckhart township. In his business affairs he is capable, energetic and relialile and has become well known as a stock dealer. Lie was born in Christian county on the 21st of April, 1858, at the family home, which joins the farm on which he now resides. His father, Henry Kirk, was a native of Akron, Oh.io, and removed to Christian county about 1857. He first purchased a farm in Stonington township, which he afterward traded for the old homestead ]ilace of one hundred and sixty acres in Buckhart town- ship. Before leaving Akron, Ohio, he was united in marriage to Miss Hannah B. Mc- Farland and they had six children, three of whom are now living: Thaddeus D., howcAer, died at the age of twenty years ; 358 I 'AST AND I'kl^SKNT Charles I), is llie second «•!' the faiiiil\- ; iMiinia became the wife of Robert I'". Ophn.ner of Tax-lorville and has two children: Arthnr I*., completes the fanulw In iS<'>() Mrs. Kirk- died and in iS/o Mr. Kirk was aj;ain mar- ried, his second nnion beint; with Margaret Belle Orr. of Taylorville. They have three living children: Hattie. now the wife of Irvin Baueiiman of Kdinlmrg; (irace. the wife of John (i. Hill of Taylorville ; and Pearl ].. who married Curtis Banghman of lulinburg. Mr. Kirk, the t'ather of our sub- ject, passed away in b'ebruary. kjoj. After ac(|uiring his prehminary education in the common sch(jols Charles Dwight Kirk attended school in Taylorville. where he completed his education. IK then en- gaged in teaching in the district schools for three-vears and through the summer months be also worked on a farm. He was quite successful as an educator because of the readiness with which he imparted to others the knowledge that he bad acquired. Tn about 1888 he ])urchased of bis father one hundred acres of land adjoining the old homestead and has since resided thereon. Here he is engaged in the raising of stock and also of grain and bis fields return to him Sfolden harvests for the care and labor he has bestowed upon them. In 1880 Mr. Kirk was united in marriage to Miss Addle Lindsley. a daughter of Jo- seph Lindsley, a resident farmer of Christian county. Illinois. They ba\e two lixing chil- dren : Ethel C, born in 1883; and Claude, born in 1887. They also lost one daughter. Lorena. w'ho died in September. 1894. at the age of ten years. The wife and mother passed away in October of the same year. In November, 1895, Mr. Kirk was joined in wedlock to Miss Jennie Ladd. a daughter of Noyse Ladd. a resident farmer of Sharps- burg, Illinois, and one of the old pioneer NCttlers of the county. Two children graceil tins marriage: h'sther ( ).. born July 30, |S()7; and ( llenn L.. horn in June. 1899. .Mr. Kirk is a leading and intlnential citi- zen and his fitness for olVice led to his a[)- l)ointment as townshi]) treasurer, a position wdiich he has now filled for about twenty- two years in a most acceptable manner. His father also held the same office for eighteen \ears. ^Ir. Kirk belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp, and in former years he was a member of the Christian church but in 1892 he united with the ^Methodist church of Grove City. His life has ever been hon- orable and upright, his actions manly and sincere and his influence has always been given on the side of right, of truth and of justice. HENRY HARRISON TOBIAS. Assumption owes much of its de\-elop- ment. impro\'ement and ui)building to Henr}' Harrison Tobias, the senior member of the firm of Tobias & Sons, contractors and builders, and also manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds. Honored and respected bv all. there is no man in Assumption who occupies a more envialile j^osition in ])ul)lic regard, not alone because he has achieved most enxiable success l)ut also because his business methods ba\-e ever been such as would bear the most rioid investigation and scrutinx". He bears an untarnished name and what he has done for the county makes him well worthy of mention among its rep- rcsentatixe citizens. Afr. Tobias Avas born in Pickaway count}'. ( )hio, Ttd\' r. 1840. a son of Da\"id Tobias, who was a miller of J'ickaway county. The grandfather was a farmer by occupation and li\-ed to be more than ninety years of age. while his wife reached the extreme old age of ninety-eight years. On coming to lib- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 36 1 nois, David Toljias first located in Clark county, whence he afterward removed to Tazewell county. There he purchased an im- proved farm and engaged in its further culti- vation until he retired from active business life and took uj) his abode in Washington, Illinois, where his death occurred in 1885, ^\ hen he was seventy-eight years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Culp, survi\e(l him for many years and passed away in El Paso, Illinois, at the age of eighty-four years, after which her re- mains were brought back and interred by the side of her husband in the cemetery of Washington. Bv her marriage she had ten children, four sons and six daughters : Daniel, sixty-nine years of age, is a widower with two children and lives in El Paso, Illi- nois. John, who is married and has six children, resides in Washington, Illinois. Elizabeth is the wife of Peter vShull, of Fort Scott, Kansas, and they ha\^e three children. Henry H. is the next of the family. Mrs. Henrietta Zaneis resides ir. Chicago and has three children. Susie, deceased, was the wife of W. Daniels. Rebecca is the wife of Will- iam King, of Fort Scott, Kansas. William, the eldest of the family, and Martha are both deceased, and one died in infancy. H. H. Tobias acquired his education in the ])ublic schools of Washington, Illinois, and leaving school shortly after attaining his majority, he enlisted in his country's serv- ice, joining Company B, Forty-seventh Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain D. L. Miles and Colonel Br3aier of Peoria. Idie date of his enlistment was August 16, 1861, and the first winter was spent at Jefferson City, Missouri. Although he participated in twenty-one engagements, some of which were hotly contested, he ne\er received a wound, although his hat was pierced bv a bullet which grazed the skin of his head- He served for three years and two months and was honorably discharged October ir, 1864. On his return to Washington, Illinois, Mr. Tobias learned the carriage making trade with his oldest brother Daniel. He was married in 1865 and then turned his at- tention to farming, after which he removed to El Paso, Illinois. In October, 1873. he arrived in Christian county, Illinois. Set- tling in Assumption he opened a small car- riage sho]) In connection with a partner, John Hildebrand, who is now deceased. In 1885 he turned his attention to contracting and building and has since gained a fore- most place in the ranks of those who are identified with building viperations in this county. Many of the substantial business blocks and the residences in Assumption and the surrounding country stand as monu- ments to his skill :'.nd enteqirise. About 1893 1^^ established .1 mill for the purpose of manufacturing sash, doors and blinds and other material used in their construction work. At the time the mill was put in oper- ation Mr. Tobias admitted his sons, E. A. and I. L. Tobias, to a partnership under the firm style of Tol)ias & Sons and theirs is to- day one of the leading business enterprises in the county. On the 26th of October, 1865. Mr. To- bias was united in n.iarriage to Miss Mary Elizabeth Gosney, the wedding taking place in W^ashlngton, Illinois. The lady was born in Kentucky in 1839, and when a child was brought to this state by an older sister, being reared and educated in Tazewell countv. Unto this marriage bave been born five chil- dren, but twins died in infancy. The living- are as follows: E. A., who Is a member of the firm of Tobias & Sons, married Delia Howard and with his wife and five children resides m Assuuiption. Stella is the wife of 302 PAST AND TRESENT W'illiain Mol\iii,L;lil. of C"!;iy cmiiity, llliimis. aiul they lia\c tlvj childrcp. I. 1... llic Nouiii^'csl iiKMiilicr n\ ilic rn-iii, is a iialural architccl. After coiii])lctiii,L; liis imblic- scIiodI course lie pui'Mied a tix'c years course of stiul\- tlirou,i;li the corrcspoiuhn^- school of Scraulon, renusx Ivania. and in Sei)leni- her. Kjci^. receixed his dijilonia. uKikini;- a \er\- hij^h record in !)is work, lie draws all (»l the plans of the firm and is lart;-ely asso- ciated with M. (i. Ta.tterson, an architect of Decatur. Thex- were associated in the draw- iui^- oi the plans for the high school huildin^' of Decatur and other exidcnces of his ahil- itv are seen in uian\- fine structures in .\s- suniption and other parts ol the count_\\ 'Die firni erected St. .Mary's .\cadeniy, a L'atholic scliool. and other jjuhlic Iniildings in .\ssuniption and their hnsiness is cxten- si\e and proritahle. The xoung'cr son was nian-ied in iS(;7 to .Miss Mao-o-ie Lavit^ne. and to them were horn two children. II. 11. Tohias was reared in the faith of the Democratic party, hut is now a Repuh- lican. lie helon^s to the ( irand Army Post at Assuiiii)tion and thus maintains jileasant relations with his old arm\- comrades. .\s an earl\' citizen i^\ the county he has heeii a witness of its (le\"elopment since the country was l:u"!;ely coxered willi ^louj^hs and ponds and has been deeply interested in its im- provement. Alonj;' snlistantial lines he has contributed to its upbuilding;' and to-day lie is one of the prominent factors in industrial circles. The reputation of the rirm is unas- sailable and their business is, a potent factor in the commercial actixity wherein the -pros- perity and continued xx cll-beint;" of exerx' C(^mmunity depends. W. E. ALLISON. W. E. jMlison. passenger and freight a^ent for the Illinois Central -Railroad Com- ])an\- at .\ssuni])tioii, is one of the ])rogressive citizens of the town and has txxice served as max'or. in public aiYairs he has l)een most active in behalf of general jmjgress and improxement and his administration as chief executive of Assumption was most business-like. He was born on the 9th of I'A'bruary, 1860, a son of C. A\'. and Sarah j. (Jones) Allison. His mother was a rep- resentative of an old American family of Kentucky. Unto C. W. and Susan Allison xxere born three children, of xxhom \V. E. is the eldest. I lis brother. I'^rank A., is now telegraph operator at iVssumption, and j. M. Allison is agent for the Illinois Central Railroad Company at Vandalia, Illinois. In the public schools of Aetna, Illinois, \V. E. Allison ac(iuircd his preliminary edu- cation, which was supjilemented by study in a private school in Loxa, Illinois. He after- xvard engaged in teaching for four terms in Aetna and was also identilied xvith educa- tional interests in J>oxa and in janesville. In 1883, howexer, he put aside tb.e work of the schoolroom and entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Com]~»any at Kappa, Illinois, xx here he remained for two years. In July, 1885, he came t(^ his pres- ent position in Assumption and has since been passenger and freight agent at this jilace. He learned telegraphy and has made his serxices of much value to the corpor- ation xvhich he represents. He is a popular agent, alxvays courteous to the patrons of the road and his ol)liging manner and busi- ness-like methods have gained for him the respect and esteem of all xx ith xxhom he has come in contact, throtigh the exercise of his official duties. He has also become inter- ested in business enterprises of importance and -is now one of the stockholders in the National Manufacturing c^ Electric Light Company of .\ssuiuption. As his financial CilKiSTlAN COL'^'T^■. II.I.IXOIS. ;{«'- 1 osouiccs lia\ c iiuM'caM'il lu' has ;ilso in\ cstcd rcarnl m iliai ri'mitr). wIumh- Ik- tciiiaim'»l 111 real estate and ti> ila\ owns cK-mmi liiiii until twenty tour years ctol)er. 1SS5. Mi, Mhson da\. lie had puisued his education in the was nulled 111 marriage to Miss Louisa 1'".. sch.«ols ni hai^land and he also eui^ai^ed in N'eriou. a daus^hter ol ( ;eori;e A. and M. \\. Ica.hiu- there. Alter arriviui;- in this conn Nerion ot' ixappa. lllni.Ms. She is one ol' a fv- l>"wever, he secured eniplov nieni as a l"ainilv i^\ eiLdit children and i^ the second l";i''n lian> presses, at which he earned her niarria-e she has heconie the mother of l"ur doll.ars and ;i h.alf per day. Me fol tw.. children: Cleo and ( ieor.ue i'.dward. '"^ved this pursuit for one vear and then re- Mr. .\llison artiliates w ith tlie 1 ndepeudent turned to I'.n.uland for his wife. In 1S51 (Ar,ler of (\\i\ I'cllows .and -ives his political ''^' ■•>,^->''i ^•:""^' <" ''"-^ country and secured a support to the Kcpuhlican partv. lie is a Position .as forem.ni on ;i f.arm m jersey reco-ni/ed leader m local political ranks an. I ^'""lUy. llliu.MS. m the employ ..f a .Mr. Tri lia. lieen honored with several positions. Me '''^'- ''''^'l '"-' K'^ive excellent satisf.aclion served as a memher of the town I'o.ard for •■'"*' ^njoye.l the entire conlidence .and trust two terms, has hecn m.iyor of .\ssumption "' '"^ cmi)loyer is iiidicited l>y the fact thai and has heen .a memher of the school hoard ''^' "^vupied that position for nineteen years, for .several years. lie was servino- ,.n the \t '''^' ^""•l •'' ^''-'^ t""^'- ''■'^'".- invested his town Imard'at the time the ..rdinance was ^'^I'lnn-s in red estate, he was the owner of passed prnvi(hn- for the li-htin- ,.f Assnmi) »^^" .^""<1 '•""'i^^ •""' ''^' "'^■" ^'^-'"' ^vorkiu.i; tion l.v eleclncitv. lie has witnesse.l the l"< "• himsel f. ( hie farm w as I. .cale.l in .South development of tins place from a .small vil- '''"'^ township. Christian county, and upon la-e and with .a rec-mtio,, of its possihiL t'^'^ '^^' •"•''^ ^'1' '"^ .-.hodc Later he put- ilies and a desire for its future permanent ^-l'^^^^*' •'" ^;'^^"'^^ ^^'^■'""^ "' ''""' '';"' ''^-•^" de\eloi)ment he has lahored so that his el- raisinj.;' stock — mules, horses and sheep. ( )n forts ,n co-nperatiou with others have pro- l'^^' '3^1' "' •\^'-"-^^- '^'^'^' ''^^ '•^•"<"vc Mi'- Wareham was united in 1824. in Dorsetshire, haii^land, a son of marri.a^e to .Miss hdi/a Simms. a native of Daniel and hanm.i Wareham. His father l'ai,<^1and, :nid unto them were horn eleven was a woodman of Kniiland The son was children, of whom two :ire lixinn': JM-e.l- 364 PAST AND PRESENT erick J. is now married ami resided upon his father's farm until January i, 1904, when he moved to Taylorville and assumed charge of his father's hvery stable. l'"mily is now tli^ wife of Charles Lockwood. a resident of Riverside, California. In 1893 Mr. Wareham remo\cd with lii> famil}- to L'alifornia, where he owned and operated a ranch. He made all of the im- ])rovements upon it and continued to con- duct the place until iS(;5. when his wife died. He then i^ave the ranch to his daugh- ter and came to Taylorville, where he has since made his home. Mrs. Wareham was a most estimal)le lady and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Wareham also belongs to that church and his life has ever been in consistent harmony with its teachings. In politics he is an ear- nest Republican and his fellow townsmen have honored him with a number of local positions, recognizing his worth and aliility. He served as supervisor for fifteen years in Macoupin county and was the justice of the peace in South Fork township. As a self- made man he has worked his way steadily upward, his life demonstrating that oppor- tunity is always open to the young man of determination and energy who -is not afraid of hard work. He had only ten. cents in money when he and his wife landed in this country, but he jKJSsessed a strong heart and willine" hands and scorned no honest em- ployment that would yield him a living. Ch-adually he added to his possessions and as the years have passed he has gained a ])lace among the substantial residents of his adopted county, being now the ])ossessor of valuable property interests. D. T. DAVIS. Through the years- of his identification with Christian county 1). T. Dax'is cnio\'ed the highest respect of his fellow citizens and his death, wliich occurred January 5, 1893, was deeply mourned. I ie was born in \\'ar- ren, Pennsyhania. on the jOth of January, 1818. and was a son of [ohn S. Davis, in wiiose family were seven children, six sons dud one daughter. Df this number only one is now li\ing, A. L. Davis, a j^rominent business man of Princeton, Bureau ccjunly, Illinois, now in California. Oiu" subject received a good practical ed- ucation in the common scIkjoIs of Warren countv, Penns\"l\ania, and the knowdedge there acquired was greatly supplemented by reading and study in later years. He was fond of good literature and in his readings kept up with the times. This made him a good conversationalist and an entertaining companioii. During his boyhood he learned the pattern-maker's trade m the east and became a skilled mechanic, perfecting sev- eral good paying patents on machinery. ' Leaving P'ennsylvania, ]\Ir. Davis re- moved to Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois. at an early day. and after working at the carpenter's trade for a time engaged in the planing mill business with his brother A. L. Davis until his removal to Christian county about the close of the Civil war in 1866. Locating in Pana he contiinied to carry ()n contracting and building for some years, liax'ing pre\iousl\- followed tliat occupation in Biu'eau county and here he erected many residences and some sclmol houses. He owned two carpenter shops, one of which was blown away by a cyclone. For some vears he was connected with the Chicago, r)urlino-ton & Ouincv Railroad at (iales- burg. Later he was in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company as a pattern-maker in their shops at Pana for a number of years and then opened a planing mill, which^he conducted until his retirement "^ w •'i*. D. T. DAVIS CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 6b. i from active business about 1888. In search of health he visited Florida and other places in company with his wife but spent his last days in Pana. At Galesburg, Illinois, Mr. Davis was united In marriage to Miss Frances A. Dud- ley, and they began their married life at Ottumwa, Iowa. Mrs. Davis was born in Wyoming comity, Pennsylvania, and was educated at Galesburg, this state. Her father, J. ;\. Dudley, was born in Vermont and on reaching manhood married Feoda Dimmock, a daughter of Elder Dimmock, who was an old time circuit rider of Medina. Ohio, and was well known throughout that part of the country. On her father's side Mrs. Davis had an aunt, Mrs. Martha True, who made her home in Janesville, ^^"iscon- sin, and died leaving a large family, of whom Mrs. Davis is now trying to find some trace. In the Dudley family were nine children, namely: Edward, who was a pas- senger conductor on the (diicago, Burling- ton & Quincy Railroad for thirty-five years and was retired from service on account of old age. makes his home in Galesburg; Mrs. Afifa Slatter died in Bennington, New York; Davis was a soldier of the Civil war and (lied in Chicago; \\ illiani H. is a resident of Los Angeles, California ; Frances A. is the widow of our subject; Martha, who was named for Mrs. True, is the wife of Dan Chenney, of Brookfield, Missouri, who is in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad ; Mrs. Ella Emery also makes her home in Brookfield ; Solomon, a soldier of the Civil war. was killed in the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad yards at Galesburg; and a daughter died in the east before the emigration of the family to Illinois. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis one died in infancy. Carrie A. is the wife of C. B. Tracey, a photographer, and they have two children, Ralph and lone. Charles A. married Nettie Clark and they have two children, Fred and Bertrand. At his death "Sir. Davis was in comfortable cir- cumstances and left his widow well pro- vided for. Besides her home she owns three lousiness blocks and other property adjoin- ing her residence, and in the management of her affairs she has ('isplayed good business ability and sound judgment. On their ar- rival in Pana, Mr. an.d Mrs. Davis took up their abode in a six-room frame cottage and there was not a house east or west of their home on the north side of the railroad track, while the surrounding country was nearly all \\\k\ prairie land. The first railroad shop was a small structure built about three- quarters of a mile north of the present depot, k^ew ^^•ag"on ried his ])resent farm on sec- tion 29, May township, where he has one hundred and twenty acres of very product- i\e land, \\hich he has j)laced under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings, having recently erected a fine new residence. Mr. Fraley was married in December. 1901, to Miss Julia Lowrance and they stand high in the community where they reside. Mrs. Fraley is the daughter of Jonathan C. and Sarah J. (Travis) Lowrance, the for- mer a native of Kentucky and the latter of Illinois. They were early settlers of Chris- tian count V and resided in May township. Mr. Lowrance died in 1887, aged seventy- two years, and liis wife survives him, now li\-ing in Assuni])tion township. They reared four children to maturity: Julia, William, Jolin and George. Our subject has e\er taken (jnite an aoti\c and prominent part in ])ubh(.- affairs and has l)een called uixjn to fill the office of supervisor (jf May township for three terms, being the present incumbent, lie ser\ed on the building com- mittee during the time of the erection of the new court house. He has also served as school trustee and he has discharged his official duties with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. KARL HIGHT. The Hight family is too well known in Christian county for the subject of this re- view to need any special introduction to the readers of this volume, and as assistant cash- ier of the Illinois State Bank of Assumption he has won for himself a creditable place and name in financial circles in central Illi- nois. He was born in Macon, Illinois, July 1, 1879, a son of Benjamin F. Hight. The father was l)orn at Natural Bridge, Virginia, August 12, 1845, '^^^^^ '^^^^^ Decem- ber 18, 1899, at the age of fifty-four years fovu" months and six days. His parents were Samuel and Alargaret (Rapp) Hight, and he was one of five brothers, three of whom, Robert W., William and James L. Hight, are still li\ing, the first two being residents of ]\Iacon count}'. A\'hen l)nt two years of age Benjamin V. Hight was brought by his ]iarents to Illinois and in 1855 the family remo\ed frtMii Greene count}', where they first settled, to Macon county. In the public schools of the latter Benjamin F. Hight acquired a good knowl- edge of the common English l)ranches of CHRISTIAN COUNTY, TLLTNOIS. 371 Icaniinj^', supplemented 1)\- a college course ill Sluuileff College, at Alton, Illinois. His luisiness career was characterized by activ- "t\- and acconiplisliment, and while his ef- forts lirought him prosperity they were also factors in achancing the commercial devel- opment of the community. After complet- ing his education he was engaged in busi- ness with his brother, ]. L. Hight, in Macon county, and in the fall of 1883 he came with his famil}' to Assumption. In that year he joined S. D. Moore in founding the Bank of Assumption, now the Illinois State Bank, a financial institution of which he became the ])resident, ser\ing in that capacity until his death and making it one of the leading" and relial)le financial concerns of this part of the state. He was also associated with Mr. Ab)ore in the establishment of the brick and tile company, an industry of importance to the community, furnishing employment to main' workmen, and thus keeping much money in circulation. He was largely instru- mental in sinking the coal shaft and thus developing the mining interests of Assump- tion. He it was who drew u]) the first jiapers in order to get the enterprise u]:)on a working basis by the securing of subscribers to incorporate it, and become stockholders therein. He was likewise instrumental in the formation of the Assumption Tele])hone Company, which has so greatly facilitated business as well as proving of the greatest possible convenience to the peo])le of the count}', and he instituted the electric light plant. He was also a factor in the impro\'e- ment of the cemetery and gave his aid and infiuence to all that seemed for the benefit of the |)ublic. ddms in brief is outlined his business career in Assumj)tion. but not until the movements which he instituted shall have completed their fruition of good in the world, will the real \aluc of his work be known. On the 5th of Ajiril, 1870, Mr. Hight was united in marriage to Mrs. Belle M. IMeach, a sister of Dr. R. E. Tobey, of Decatur, Illi- nois, the senior member of the dental firm of Tobey & Lacharite of Assumption. By this marriage there were three children, but Charles, the first born, died in infancy. Karl is the second and Alta is the wife of Her- man Lacharite, the junior member of the firm of Tobey & Lacharite, practicing den- tists of Assumption. On the 28th of May. 1895, Mrs. Hight was called to her final rest, leaving" behind her the memory of a noble life filed with good deeds and high purposes. On the 20th of July, 1896, Mr. Hight was again married, his second union being with Miss Amanda Huffer. a popular school teacher of Shelby county, Illinois, a daughter of Josiah and Mary (Carr) Huf- fer, early residents of Shelby county and both now deceased. By this marriage there is one son, Harold. Mrs. Hight, in connection with her hus- band, was very active in church work. In his boyhood days he united with the Meth- odist Episcopal church, of which he was ever an honored and consistent member, doing much for the up1>uilding of the church in Assumption and contributing liberally to the cause. No labor was too hard, no time too precious nor any sacrifice too great if it would promote the church which was so dear to hini. He was an active worker in the Sunday-school and League as well as the church and ])ut forth every effort in his power to promote the cause of Christianity. He had the greatest admiration and friend- ship for children, was the wise counsellor of the young and the benefactor of the poor and needy. He lives to-day enshrined in the hearts of those who knew him and the ;n2 •AST AXn I'kl'.SI'.XT affectiiui in which he was hchl hy >'<>un<4 and old. rich and poDi". is more cniUn'ini;- than an\ monument of stone or metal couUl he. in citizenship he was always loyal, and •while he never sought puhlic office he never shrank from the performance of any duty which his fellow townsmen wished him to assume. For a number of years he ser\-ed as president of the school hoard of Assump-^ tion and was largely instrumental in raising the standard of the schools. When he was called from the hu.sy scenes of life, the fu- neral services over his remains were held in the h'irst Methodist Episcopal church of Assumption, Rev. \\'. A. Dawson and Rev. y. A. Stout officiating. Every business house in the citv was closed as a tribute of respect and the merchants attended the ob- sequies in a Ijody. His influence is yet felt in the business circles of Assumption and is a potent factor in the lives of many wdio were inspired by his example of uprightness and nobility of character. Karl Hight, the son, was but four years of age when he came with his parents to ,\ssumption. He attended the public schools and afterward the Gem City Business Col- lege at Ouincy, Illinois. He liad almost completed the course when he was called home to accept the position of bookkeeper in the Illinois State Bank, of wdiich institu- tion his father was president. In July, 1903. he became assistant cashier :md is now fill- ing that position, being active in the man- agement of the institution, which is carried on along safe and conservative lines, and vet is also progressive in its methods. In 1892 Mr. Hight was married to Miss Edith Hillabrant, a native of Christian county, Illinois, a daughter of George and Lous (Keiler) Hillabrant, who removed from Illinois to Washington, Kansas, where thev are now living. There Mrs. Hight was reared and educated. Into .Mr. and Mrs. Night has been born a little daughter, Alta I'^, named for his sister. The young couple are leaders in the social life of Assumption and their home is noted for its gracious hos- pitality. It is one of the substantial resi- dences in the west part of the town and Mr. Hight is also the owner of a nice farm in Assumption township, adjoining the cor- poration limits of the city. He is a member of the Knights of Pvthias fraternity and the Fraternal Army of Loyal Americans. In religious faith he is a Methodist. He has worked untiringly for the estalilishment of a ]jublic library in Assumption and is about to see the fulfillment of his hopes and the re- ward of his labors, for within a few w'ceks the lil)rary will be opened. MAJOR D. D. SHUMWAY. One of the most prominent early settlers of Christian county was Major D. D. Shum- way, wdio was born in \\^illiamsburg, Worcester county, Massachusetts, Septem- ber 28, 181 3. Attracted by the glowdng ac- counts of the far west he, on attaining his majority, emigrated from the Bay state in 1834 and settled at first in Zanesville, Ohio, wdiere he remained until the year 1837, when he removed to Zanesville, IMontgom- ery countv, Illinois, and embarked in mer- cantile business. *■ On the ^^d of June, 1841, Mixjov Shum- way was married to ]\Iiss Emily R. Roun- tree. daughter of Flon. Hiram Rountree. of Hillsboro. Illinois. In the spring of 1843 he removed to Christian county and on the wild ])rairie. some four miles east of Tay- lorville, improved a farm of seven hundred acres, on which he resided until 185 1, when he became a resident of Taylorville. There he engaged in mercantile business CITRTSTTAN COUXTY, ILLINOIS. 373 and cuiitinued \\ilh marked success until 1858, when lie retired. He expended a large i)art of his accnnnilated wealth in im- proA'ing his landed property and especially in adorning' and heautifying his homestead adjacent to town. He was a gentleman of culture and taste and it was one of the chief purposes of his life to make his home pleas- ant and attractive to his family. Soon after his retirement from the mercantile line he commenced the practice of la^^", the reading of which he had pursued during his leisure hours while in husiness. In this profession he \\()n success and his jiractice at Taylor- \'ille gained for him a distinctively repre- sentati\'e clientage. Major Shumway was strictly a self-made man and his qualifications were such as to fit him for any pursuit or position. He pos- sessed one of the finest lihraries in the coun- try and his fund of information on all the leading" topics of the day was as ample as his collection of hooks was complete. He was a man of generous disposition and highly esteemed hy his fellow citizens. He filled many public offices with honor. \Mfile a resident of Montgomery county he ser\-ed as county commissioner. In 1845 ^""^ ^^'^^ elected to the state legislature from the counties of Christian and Shelhv and at the _, following session was elected clerk of the 7 - ^^ state senate.'^ In 1848 he was. elected a mem- loer of the state constitutioiial convention and was ])rominent in the important deliber- ations of that body. He also' served as major in the state nfilitia. For several years he. was an honored member of both the County and State -Agricultural Societies. At the time of his death and for several years ]jre\ious he was master in chancery of the county. To Major Shumway is due much praise for advancing the material prosperity of Taylor\illc and Christian county. By his efforts and speeches he contributed very largely to securing railway communications through Christian county. He gave liber- ally of his time and means to all public en- terprises. \A'hile a member of the legisla- ture he never failed to guard the interests of his own district and to advance wise and prudent legislation for all parts of this great commonwealth. The location of the Terre Haute & St. Louis Railroad through the southeastern part of the county was brought about b}- his untiring efforts. He was also one of the principal promoters and incor- porators, and a director of the Springfield & Southeastern Railroad. Major Shumwa}^ devoted much time to the interests of Masonry. In 1839 he was made a Master Mason and was a charter member of Mound Lodge and the Taylor- ville Chapter. After serving his lodge as worshipful master for eighteen consecutive years he was complimented on his retiring therefrom with a past master's jewel. He was high priest of his chapter at the time of his death and was buried with Masonic hon- ors. He passed away on the gth of May, 1870, and his wife died in 1886. His fam- ily consisted of seven children: Hiram P., deceased; Sarah X.; D. Dwight ; Augu.st F. : lohn N. C. ; Emilv R. and Ellen R. CLINTON HOWARD. Clinton Howard is a retired farmer re- siding in Pana. He was born in Madison county, Ohio, October ig, 1835, ^i'^ parents being j\mos J. and Rachel (Kirkley) How- ard. The father was a native of New Hampshire, whence he removed to Ohio and there he followed the occupation of farming. He died upon the old home place in the Buckeye state in 1882 and the farm there is 374 PAST AND PRF.SF.NT ]\n\\ iiccu|iiril In Mariuii I Inward, a lirnlln'r III' mil' siil)]\'ct, wild is ail c\tciisi\i' laiid- (iwiKT. Iiis ijdsscssions ai;'L;rct;aliiii;' twchc luiiidrcd acres. CliiitDii llnwavd a(,-(|uircd his earl}' edu- cation ill the ])u1)lic schools of liis native state and sn])|)lenicnte(l his i)reliniinary trainiiii^- ]n- a course of stud\- in Mechanics- Imri;- Acadeniv and afterward in Antioch College. He started out upon his business career in i8()i as a farmer. Tn his youth lie had hcconie familiar with the Avork of field and meadow throu,L;h the assistance ^vhich he "ave to his father on the old Ikmiic i)lace. .\fter l)ei.;iunin,L;' business on his own ac- count his attention was directed to the rais- ing of stock, including sheen and cattle, and he was a very successful stockdealer of his native state. In 1876, however, he sold his land in Ohio and came to Pana, where he l)urchased a beautiful residence and since that time has lived retired from active busi- ness cares. He still, howeser. retains some bar.king interests in Ohio. On the 1st of January, 1861, Mr. How- ard was united in marriage to ]\Iiss Sarah jane I'erkins. a native of Madison county, ( )hio. Their union has been blessed with but one child, Percy. Mr. and Mrs. How- ard belonged to the First Methodist Epis- copal church, contributed liberallv to its sup- port and took an acti\e part in its work. He gives his ]iolitical allegiance to the De- mocracy and has Ijeen one of its stanch advo- cates since voting for Stephen A. Douglas in i860, ^^'hile living in Ohio he served as township trustee, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, pre- I erring to devote his time and energies to his busines affairs. Through his connection w ith agricultural interests he followed prac- tical and progressive methods, manifested untiring perse\ eraiux' aii ( ( )n llic ^^(1 of jaimarv. 1867. Mr. David- Sdii led to tlic niarn'ai^e altar Miss Mary S. Hentlersnn, who was born in Madison county, this state, January 21, 1846. Her father, John A. Henderson, was a native of V^irginia and came to Illinois at an early (lay. In 1855 he became a resident of Chris- tian county, locating two and a half miles northeast of Mount Auburn. L^nto Mr. and Mrs. Da\'ids()n \\erc born two children: AW Scott, who married Agnes (iriswold and has one child, Louise: and Alice Daisy, who died at the age of four and a half years. The son is now li\'ing on a ]xart of his fath- er's farm. The family is widely a.nd favor- ably known throughout the community in which thev li\'e. ISALAH POUDER. One of the representative citizens and ])rominent farmers of Locust township is Isaiah Pouder, \\hose home is on section i. He comes originally from Ohio, his birth having occurred in Hamilton county, that state, November 28. 183 1, and he is a son of Joseph and Catherine Ponder, also na- tives of the Buckeye state, wdiere the mother made her home throughout life, dying there in 1847. Tn 1862 the father came to Chris- tian county, Illinois, where his death oc- curred alwut 1883. Isaiah Pouder spent his early life in Ohio, attending tlie district schools until he ac- (|uire(l a good practical education. At the age of nineteen he started out to make his own wa^• in the world and was engineer in a steam mill for some time. He assisted in buildino- two mills in Missouri, one in In- (liana and another in Ohio. Subsequently he was engaged in the butcher business for two years and then came to Christian coiuitv in 1854 and turned his attention to farming, operating rented land for nine years. .\t the end of that period he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his ])resent farm in Locust township. Prosperity attended his well directed efforts and he added to his property, now owning a fine farm of two hundred and ten acres, which is well im- ])r()\'e(l and under excellent culti\ation. He erected all of the l)uildings ujKjn the ])lace. In connection with general farming he is engaged in the breeding of fine stock, his specialties being shorthorn cattle. Poland China hogs and Percheron draft horses, and he has some registered stock upon his place. I^'or twenty-five ..years he has devoted con^ siderable attention to the raising- of hogs and he has met with excellent success, being a good judge of all kinds of farm animals and a man of excellent business ability and sound judgment. On the 26th of March, 1854, Mi\ Pouder married Miss Catherine Gresh, a daughter of John Gresh, wdio was a native of Penn- sylvania. Five children blessed this union, namely: Albert R., who is married and is engaged in farming near Assumption; Can- dis, now the widow of George Herrin ; Murry, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Iva, the wife of Charles Thrawl, who follows farming in May township, this county; and Frank, who is married and is also farming in May township. Mrs. Pou- der and her daughter, Mrs. Herrin, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Pouder is identified with the Ma- sonic Lodge, No. 128, of Assumption. He uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and has held the offices of highway commis- sioner and school director. He is practically a self-made man, for his success in life has been achieved bv his omii industry, perse- 378 PAST AND I 'RESENT \cr;mcc and j^ood inaiiai^cnK'iit and lie well deserves the jji-osperity llial lias ediiie I'l him. AMOS A. RHODES Amos A. Rhodes was for n^'uiy years identified with as^"rieultnral interests in C'hristian eonnt\- and was also a eapahle eomitv ciffieial for a nunilier of years. His reeord as a man and citizen was aho\e re- proach and thont^h he has passed away liis memor\- is vet enshrined in the hearts of many who knew him. He was horn in Shelhv county. Illinois, on the 23d of May. US41. and was of Sc(Jtch-Irish lineage. Prior to the Revolutionary war the family was founded in America, for Hezekiah Rhodes, the great-grandfather of onr snl> ject. was a member of the Patriot army. Jesse Rhodes, the grandfather, was horn in North Carolina and followed the occupation of farming. Believing that he might have better business opportunities in the west he came to Plinois in 1830. settling in Shell)}- county. Here his force of character and fitness for leadershij) made him a man of considerable prominence and influence and he was honored with a number of iniblic offices, being elected upon the Democratic ticket. He was appointed by the governor as one of the commissioners to select a site for the county seat of Macon county and they determined upon the site of liie present city of Decatur. Tlis son, James M. Rhodes, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Wilson cmtntv. Tennessee, and after arriving at years of maturity was joined in wedlock to Miss Pernetty Wake- field, whose birth occurred in Shelby county. Illinois. October 13. 1824. At the time of her death, which occurred in April. i8()4. she was the oldest native citizen of Shelbv conntw I ler father, Andrew Wakefield. was born in ( ieorgia and became one of the pioneer settlers of Illinois, locating in Shelby conntx' about i8_'(). in the district which afterward l)ecame known as the W akefield settlement. There he entered land from the go\ernment. establishing one of the first ])ennanent homes of the locality. Indians were still numerous in the neighborhood and primitive conditions existed on e\ery hand, but with the true courageous spirit of the pioneer he bravely faced a]l the difficulties and obstacles and in course of time devel- oped a good home for his family. His death occurred at the age of forty-eight years. Both his father and his mother, Charles and Anna Wakefield, were born on a ship on which their respective parents were crossing the Atlantic to America. The parents of Amos A. Rhodes were married in Shelby county, Illinois, in 1840. The father w'as one of the pioneer teachers there and also became extensively engaged in farming. His death occurred in Shelby county when he was forty-three years of age. In the family were two* sons. Amos A. and Jesse, and the latter was born in 1844 and died in the service of his country in 1864 from disease contracted in the army. He was a member of Company G, One Hundred and Forty-third Illinois Infantry, and was a \aliant defender of the Union cause. Amos A. Rhodes, A\hose name introduces this rexiew. was reared in the county of his natixit)' and began his education in a little log schoolhouse. in which his father was the teacher. During the period of the Cixil war he was a student in Ouinc}-. Illinois, and would have graduated there in 1863 had not the government appropi"iated the building for hospital purposes. Mr. Rhodes then be- came a fact(n- in business life bv the estab- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. lisliineiil of a grocer}' store in Tana in 1864 under tlie firm name of Eichelberger & Rhodes. For five years he was connected Avith that enterprise and then turned his at- tention to the real estate business. In the year 1873 ^^^ '^^'•^^ called to public life, being elected county treasurer and ex-officio county collector of Christian county on the Democratic ticket. Twice he was re-elected so that he was the incumbent in the office for six years. When his term had expired in the year 1879 he retired to his farm two miles south of Pana, having resolved to live a private life, 1)ut his fitness for jmblic office led to his selection for the position of town- ship supervisor arid he acted in that capacity for three terms. In the year 1884 he was ag"ain called to the county seat, being elected clerk of the circuit court, which position he acceptably filled for four years. Declining" to ag'ain accept the nomination he then re- turned to his farm of one hundred and twenty acres lying just west of Pana. On the ist of January, 1865, Mr. Rhodes was united in marriage to Miss Dora Jage- man, a daughter of Ignatz Jageman, of Madison county, Illinois. She was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and when a little maiden of six years was brought by her parents to America, the family settling in Trenton, New Jersey. The father was a ])rominent citizen of Furth, his native city, and there served as burgomaster, an office ec|uivalent to that of mayor in this country. Four children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes: Edward J., who is now circuit clerk of Christian county and resides in Tavlorxille ; Charles A., who is secretary of the Christian County Savings, Loan & Building Association of Taylorville; and two sons that died in. infancy. In 1892 Mr. Rhodes was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the 6th of May of that year. She liad receixed good educational privileges in l)oth Cierman and English, completing her studies in ■ the schools of New Jersey. Her natural refine- ment and many graces of character endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. Fraternally Mr. Rhodes was connected with Pana Lodge, No. 226, A. F. & A. M., and. with Orient Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a man of firm pur- pose and of unfaltering fidelity to what he lielieved to be right, and all who knew him entertained for him warm regard. He died in .Vpril, 1902, Iea\ing behind him an un- tarnished name. In all of his business af- fairs he was straightfor\\ard and honorable and in office was prompt and reliable, so that he won the respect of young and old, rich . and poor. • A.. F. KRIEGER. Among the worthy citizens that Ohio has ; furnished to Illinois is numbered A. F. Krie- ger, who was born in Darke countv of the Buckeye state June 26, 1849. His parents were A. S. and Amelia (Myers) Krieger, both of whom were natives of Germany. On leaving the fatherland in 1848- they crossed the Atlantic to the Ignited States and established their home in Darke county,, Ohio, where the father continued to reside until 1864, when he removed; to Elkhart, Logan countv, Illinois, and remained there.- until called to his final rest. He passed away in October, 1869. and his widow spent her last davs in Christian ccnmty. Illinois, where she died July ii, t88T. In the county of his nativity A F. Krie- o-er was reared until he had attained the age of fifteen years and during that period he pursued his education in the common schools of Darke county. In 1864 he ar- 380 PAST AND I'kKSENT ri\c(I in Christian county, Illinoi'^, and lie Continued tf) work upon tlic home farm until t\vent\'-one years of aj^e, when he started out in life to make his own way in the world. He worked hy the month for eii^dit months and then rented four hundred acres of land for a year. On the expiration of that period he renKned to his present farm, then rentint^- two hundred acres. He after- wartl purchased the one hundred and ninety- three acres of land which he now owns. 1)e- coming the possessor of this property after his mother's death in 1881. In connection with the cultivation of the soil Mr. Krieger is extensively and successfully engaged in the hreeding of fine Percheron horses and has some of the finest horses in this section of the country. He has sold two-year-old colts for two thousand dollars and his stock always commands the highest market prices. Upon his farm are large harns and excellent e(|uipments for the care of his stock and he also has a very fine residence and all modern accessories which are found upon the model farms of the twentieth century. On the 10th of December. 1872, Mr. Krieger was united in marriage to Miss Eunice D. Hurd, a native of New York. who died April 21. 1903. By that marriage there were born seven children : Emma ^I., who married Earl D. Schieb, a farmer of Chri.stian county; Grace, the wife of B. R. Pippin, now a grocer of Edinburg. Illinois; Arthur L., who married Lena Greive and is operating land in this county; Allen T., Minnie L., Augu.stus and Clara, all at home. Mr. Krieger and his family belong to the (lerman Reformed church and he is a char- ter member of Stonington Lodge. M. W. A. His political allegiance is given to the De- mocracy and he served as assessor for three terms, while throughout nearly all of his residence here he has been a school director. The cause of education finds in him a \\arm friend, interested in promoting the standard of the schools and in citizenship he is always progressi\-e and enterprising, putting ftjrth e\ery effort to promote general jjrogrcss along substantial lines of de\eloi)nient. A cordial, genial manner wins him friends and he is a man entirelv free from ostentation or display, vet possessing man)' excellent traits of character ^\hich ha\e won for him high esteem. D. O. DANIELS. D. O. Daniels, an honored veteran of the Cix'il war and one of the representative farmers of Christian C(nmt}'. whose home is on section 13, Mosquito township, was born on the 4th of May, 1845, ^^^ bulton county. Pennsylvania, of which state his parents, Daniel and Rachel Daniels, were also na- tives. In 1858 the family came to Illinois and settled in Christian count\- but the father is now a resident of Pawnee Rock, Kansas. The mother died about 1875. The subject of th.is sketch was alxiut thir- teen years of age when he accomi)anied his ])arents on their remoxal to Illinois and as there were no schools in the locality where thev settled his education ^^•as principall}- ac- (|uired before coming to Christian conntv. His earl_\- life was ])assed in a rather un- e\"entful manner until he entered the serxice of his country during the dark d'i\-s of the ivil war, enlisting on the 4th of Eebruary, i8C)5, as a member of Company K, One Hundred and l-'ifty-second Illinois Volun- teer Infantr)-. lie first went to Louisville, Kentucky, and from there to Nash\-ille. Llis command sul)se(|uently started for Texas hut the b(»at on \\hich the\- sailed sank while going down the Mississippi. Mr. Daniels remained in the ser\ice for some time after CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 381 hostilities ceased and was honorably dis- charged in Sepetmber, 1865. Returning" home he worked on his father's farm for a year and then purchased a prairie team of five yoke of oxen and a twenty-four-inch breaking plow. With this outfit he engaged in l)reaking prairie for three and a half or four dollars per acre and the first year saved seven hundred dollars. This he invested in forty acres of railroad land and renting eighty acres more he com- menced farming on his own account, al- though he continued to break prairie for two years thereafter. Ten years ago he had the misfortune to lose his house by fire and then removed to his present location on the cross- roads, where he has a fine large residence and good and substantial outbuildings. He is now the owner of one hundred acres of rich and arable land and in connection w-ith general farming he has engaged in the buy- ing" and feeding of stock. In 1867 Mr. Daniels led to the marriage altar Miss Louisa V. Fletcher, a daughter of John G. Fletcher, who was one of the early settlers of this county. By this union the following children have been lx)rn : Anna, wife of John Marshall, a grocer of Decatur; Otis, who is married and is engaged in the transfer business in Macon, Macon county ; Nona, wife of Elmer Ellis, a farmer of Christian county; John D., who is now attending a business college in Decatur ; Elmer, at home ; Carrie, who died at the age of sixteen years ; and Daisy, who died at the age of four years.. Religiously Mr. Daniels is a member of the Christian church and j^olitically is identi- fied with the Democratic party. He has tilled the offices of school director, constable, township clerk and collector, and his pul)lic duties have always been most faithfullv and satisfactorily performed. He is one of the oldest residents of Mosquito township, hav- ing" for forty-five years made his home within its borders and he has taken an active part in its development and upbuilding. WILLIAM AUGUSTUS GOODRICH. William Augustus Goodrich is one of the honored pioneers of Christian county. Long years have come and gone since he arrived here and great changes have occurred. The traveler of several decades. ago would not recognize in the improved condition of the county to-day the district which he visited at that time for it was then a region in which the land was wild and uncultivated. There were few homes and even Taylorville was nothing" save a courthouse, there being no residents there at that period. Wild game was upon the prairies and the entire work of improvement and advancement lay in the future. Mr. Goodrich has borne an active and helpful part in the work of upbuilding and deserves the gratitude of present and future generations for what he has accom- plished in this way. He was born November 24, 18 18, in Pittsfield, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, a son of Orrin and Lydia Goodrich. His father was born January 15, 1771. and died on the 17th of July. 1855. For more than twenty-five years he served as a magistrate and was very prominent in public affairs, being elected to represent his district in each branch of the state legislature. He aided in molding public thought and action and his influence was felt on the side of progress and improvement. In 1793 he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Sackett and after her death was joined in w^edlock to Miss ]\Iary Bagg. William A. Goodrich remained in Massachusetts until nineteen years of age and during the period acc|uired his educa- 382 PAST AND PRESENT -tion in the ])ul)lic schools. -W hen a }-ouns4" man, amiMtions and energetic, he resolved to. seek his hcMiie in the west and take ad- vantage of the opportnnities which are al- ways found in a growing Cduntry. In No- \eniber, 1837, therefore, he arrived in S])ringiield, Illinois, where he had a sister living. There he remained tdr two years, being engaged in railroading. The (la\- following ■the ])residential election of 1840 — at which time he cast his hrst vote for Martin Van iUn'en — he came to Christian comity. His father liad ])m-chased three hundred and twenty acres of land near Mount Auburn, Illinois, for which he ])aid ten dollars per acre, and William A. Goodrich and his brother settled upon that land. The}' had a team of horses and two hundred dollars in money w ith which to make a start in the new country, ddiey were wide-awake and pro- gressive and for ten years Mr. Goodrich continued to reside upon that farm, laboring earnestly in its develo])ment and producing e;xcellent results in his farm w'ork. On the 24th of December, 1841, was cele- brated the marriage of our subject and Miss Maria N. Augur, of Mount Auburn, Illi- nois, who died in 1854. L'nto them were born three children 1 Charles b'rancis, a farmer residing near Taylorville; Julia Helena, deceased, wife of T. N. Kichardson, who is living near the comity seat; and Henry Augustus, who follows farming near Taylorville. On the 17th of June, 1855, Mr. Gocxlrich was again married. Ids second union being with Miss Martha A. Ryan, of Springfield, Ohio, by whom he had one son. William R., who died in infancy. In 1898 Mr. Goodrich was called u])on to mourn the loss of his second wife. In jniblic affairs in Christian county ]\Ir. Goodrich has been .prominent and his labors ha\e been \ery helpful and beneficial in many ways. In August, 1843, ^^^ ^^'^^^ elected surveyor of Christian county and filled that position for seven years, or until 1850, when he was elected county sheriff on the Democratic ticket. In order to more readily discharge the duties of the ]:)osition he took u|) his abode in tbe city. He served for two years and then con- tinued as deputy sheriff' under \\'illiam C. Brentz. In 1854 he was again elected sheriff, but liefore the expiration of his sec- ond term he was appointed to take charge of the county clerk's office and was the in- cumbent in that position for more than four terms, being elected at four successive elec- tions. He thus served for seventeen years and in iS^/J^ retired from office as he had entered it — with the confidence and good will of the pul)lic. He gave his allegiance to the Democratic party in early life but in 1868 he became a supporter of General Grant and has since affiliated with the Re- publican party. Keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he has ever been able to support his position by in- telligent argument. Mr. Goodrich liecame interested in real estate operations and in this line has done considerable business. He erected a number of residences in Tavlor\ille and in 1853 laid out an addition of forty acres to the city. Fraternally he is a Mason, having become a member of Mound Lodge, No. 122, A. F. & A. M., in Taylorville, in 1852. For more than half a century he ha^ been a worthy fol- lower of the craft and exemplifies in his life its beneficent teachings. He has passed all the chairs of the local lodge, has been a member of the grand lodge and has also taken the degrees of the Royal Arch chap- ter. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church. The CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 353 residence of few men in Christian county antedates that of Mr. Goodrich. When he first arrived here he went to Taylorville to have the deed of his land recorded and there was not a building in the town save the courthouse. He stood on the courthouse steps looking for miles across the prairie and he saw deer and wolves on the present site of the city. He has taken a very com- mendable interest in everything that has been done here in the way of improvement and upbuilding and certainly has borne his full share in the progress of the county. His business affairs have been very carefully managed and has resulted in bringing to him success. In public office he has been fearless, faithful and honorable and over the record of his private life and official career there falls no shadow^ of wrong or suspicion of evil. B. F. PARRISH. The subject of this sketch is one of the most successful and enterprising farmers of Bear Creek township, his home being on section i. He was born on the 26th day of July, 1846. in Hampshire county, West Vir- ginia, of which state his parents, Josiah and Mary A. (Sloanaker) Parrish, were also na- tives. On leaving West Virginia in 1870 the father came to Illinois and first located in La Salle county, but after residing there for two years he came to Christian county, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying here in 1893. The mother of our sub- ject had long since departed this life, her death occurring in West Virginia in 1864 before the emigration of the family to this state. B. F. Parrish grew to manhood in his native state and received a good practical education in its pul)lic schools. On attain- ing his majority lie started out in life for himself by w-orking by the month on a farm and was thus employed for four years, after which he engaged in farming on rented land for five years. In 1875 he removed to Clarksdale, this county, and was there en- gaged in wagonmaking and blacksmithing until 1883. Ii"* partnership ^\ ith his brother, D. W. Parrish, he made his hrst purchase of land, consisting of a tract of one hundred and five acres, and they afterward bought sixty acres more and still later a tract of forty-five acres, making two hundred and ten acres. In 1885 they divided the prop- erty and our subject has since added to his share until lie now has three hundred eighty- four and a half acres. He has made all of the improvements upon the place and has converted it into one of the most desirable farms of its size in the county. Fle has an interest in residence property and six lots in Clarksdale and is engaged in the buying and shipping of hay at that place. In business affairs he has ever been found ujjright and honorable and due success has not been de- nied him. Mr. Parrish was married in 1878, the lady of his choice being Miss Martha Ruckman, a daughter of Thomas Ruckman, who was a native of West Virginia. She died on the 26th of February, 1899, leaving two chil- dren, namely : Josiah. who is married and engaged in farming in Johnson township ; and Maggie, at home with her father. In June, 1901, Mr. Parrish wedded Mrs. Ella Barrett, a daughter of Peter English, who was a native of Illinois. By this union one child has been born, Roy Franklin. Fraternally Mr. Parrish is a member of the Court of Holior and politically is a su])- porter of the Democratic party. He filled the office of highway commissioner for ten vears and was a member of the school board 384 PAST AND PRESENT for fifteen vears. his official duties Ijeing most efticientlv and satisfactorily performed. As a citizen he ever stands ready to dis- charge any duty that devolves upon him and he stands high in puhlic esteem. JOSl'.IMl 11. Kl'.k'r.MA.W. Success is determnied hy one's ahilit)' to lecognize ()])portunily and to ])ursue this with a resolute, untlagging energy. Jt re- sults from continued lahor. and the man who thus accomjjlishes his purpose usually liecomes an important factor m hnsiness cir- cles of the communit}- with which he is con- nected. Through such means Air. Bert- mann has attained a leading place among the representative men of Morrisonville and his well spent and lionorahle life commands the resi'CCt of all who kuow him. Mr. Bertmann was horn on a farm in Jer- sev countv, this state, his ])arents heing I'^rederick and Antoinette (Brockamp) Bertmann. hoth of whom are of (lerman de- scent. The father was horn in Germany ou the Jnd of January. 1840. and came to Am- erica in iresent comfortable residence was erecte\ cij^lit liundrcd. Tills paper is puhlislicd weekly and Mr. l)anlOrd is lo-day doini;' a prosperous liusi- ness. lia\inii" a larger i)atrona^"e llian is nsu- all\- obtained in a town of the size of Ston- ington. On the _'5th of Se])tenihcr. 1898. ]\lr. Danford was united in marriage to Miss Mvrtle ITorton, a daughter of Samuel Hor- lon. a nati\e of hdora. Illinois. Two chil- dren grace this miion : Mildred. a\ ho is fotn- years of age; and Alden, three month.s old. The ])arents are members of the Meth- odist Episc()])al chin"ch and they are widely and fa\-orahl\- known in the county, having a large circle of warm friends. Mr. Dan- ford is a progressi\e citizen and through the cohimns of his paper as well as in other ways he advocates all measures for the gen- eral good and chamjjions e\ery movement to ad\ance general impro\-ement. T. T. BERRY. T. T. Berry, one of Mount Auhmii town- shi])'s most ])r()minent and intluential citi- zens, his home being on section 15, was born in Kentticky. Febniary 18. 1838, and is a Son of \\\ TT. .and T*d\ira (Tavk:)r) Berr^•, also natives of that state and both now de- ceased, the mother baxing died in 1852 and the father in 1882. Reared in Kentucky, I'tir subject attended 'die (Hstrict schools near his bovhood home and din'inii' his minoritv gave his father the benefit of his labors. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Berrv went to Tikes Peak. Colorado, in search of gold. dri\-ing across the (ountr\- with ox teams, btit the venture was a failure as he saw noth- ing but Indians and soon si)ent all that be had, returning home emptydianded at the end of a year. Renting a farm in Tennes- see, be engageil m .'igricultural jmr^uits in that ;^lale until 1871, and then came to Illi- nois, locating hi'st iii .Menard county, where be made bi> home until i8"7. The follow- ing ten years were ])asse(l in Sangamon County and at the end of that time he be- came a resident of Christian C(»tuit_\' locat- ing on the farm in Mount .\ul>urn townsbii) where he now li\es. Here he follows gen- eral farming with good success, being a man of good business ability, as well as a thor- ough and i)ractical agriculturist. .Mr. lU-rry was married in T863 to Miss Sarah ¥. Landrum. b}- whom he had two cbddren. namely: A iola \\, wife of P. Hamel, a farmer of Christian county; and Tu'nest P., who is married and li\ing in Cal- ifornia. The mother of these children died in 1870, and two years later ]\p-. Berry wedded Miss Anna E. \\'orthington, a daughter of Robert ^^^Jrthing■ton. of Men- ard cotmty. Her grandfather, Robert W'orthington, Sr., married a si.ster of Ed- ward Tit^n, the first governor of Ohio, and she is also related to Thomas Worthington, another of the early governors of that state, he being a brother of her great-grandfather. 1die children born to ]\p-. and ^P^s. Berry are as follows: Robert A\ ., now a resident of S])ringfield, Illinois; Clarence E.. who is li\ing in Chicago; Edna ^^^, wife of Dr. 1 lolben, of ]\P)unt .\uburn ; and S. D. W. and (irover C, both at home with their par- ents. The faniil}- bold membershi]) in the Meth- odist F.piscojjal church at (lro\-e City and .Mr. Perr}- belongs to the camp of Modern Woodmen at thai ])lacc. I'y his ballot he su])ports the men and measures of the Dem- o'Tatic i)art\- and he has e\er taken an ac- tive and ])roniinent ]);u"t in local jjolitics. lie is now serxing as supervisor of Mount Aubiu'u townshi]). having for fourteen 3-ears T. T. BERRY MRS. T. T. BERRY CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ;v.)r> filled tlial (ifticc willi credit to hinij^elf and \i) the entire satisfaction of Ills constituents, and he was cliairman of the lioard iive years. He does all in his power to advance the in- terests of his township and county and it was largely through his instrumentality that the new courthouse was erected. He is serv- ing his second term as school (h.rector and never withh.olds his aid from any object calculated to advance the moral, social, or material welfare of the community. ED\A^\RD EWING ADAMS. Edward Ewing and Alfred Adams com- pose the law firm of Adams Brothers. The former settled in this county in 1899 and the latter in 1894. Their family stem is of English origin though planted in America in colonial days. Nathaniel Adams, the ereat-sTeat-grand father, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. The exact place of his l)irth is not known, hut when a young man he was at Baltimore, Maryland, where it is supposed that he married. His wife was Rachel Chambers and their children were Charles, Robert, Nathaniel, James, Joseph, John and two daughters. Charles, wdio was a sea captain, died unmarried at Charleston, South Carolina, \\hile Rol)ert and Nathaniel settled in Mason county, Kentucky, and there reared families. The county records show that Robert was married March 19, 1796, to Rachel Hull. James, unmarried, was hurt hv a falling tree and never fully recovered. Joseph, wdio was born January, T769, and died October 18, 1844, was first married to Bridget Curran and afterward to Nancv Smith, and his death occurred in Madison county, Indiana. John Chambers Adams, the great-grand- father of the gentleman whose name intro- duces this review, was born in Philadel])hia in 1777 and followed the occupati, 1862. He wedded Martha Walburn. who was of \\'elsh descent and was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, in 1776. while her death occurred in LTrliana, Ohio, about 1834. The father of John Chambers Adams re- moved from Philadelphia to ^ h-eenbrier county. West Virginia, where he died 1)e- fore 1798 and in that year John Chambers Adams removed to Kentucky, stopping first in Mason county, where he had two lirothers. In 1800 he took up his alx)de on a farm four miles west of Springfield, Ohio. It was stipulated that he should receive the paternal estate in West Virginia on condi- tion that he would care for his mother and brother James. They came with him to Ohio, where Ixith died. Some slaves also fell to his lot, which he afterward sold against the wishes of his wife, who held anti-slavery opinions even at that early date and to this she always attributed whatever bad luck befell them. Their children were Robert W., John, Sarah, Mary, Rachel, Rebecca, Harvey, Wesley, Nathaniel, Isaac Newton, Minerva, Eliza and Martha. Of these Rebecca died at the age of thirteen and Minerva at nineteen years, in Springfield, Ohio, but all the others married and had families. lohn Adams, the grandfather, Ijorn in Clark county, Ohio, in 180J, died in Green- ville, Illinois, April 15, 1877. His wife, Mary Bacon, was born in Angelica, New York. June 3, 1804, and died Ai)ril 19, 1877, at Greenville, Illinois. l*"or a short time he was a keel-boatman on the Mississijipi river but afterward became a cooper. He first resided near Springfield, Ohio, and kept the toll-gate on the pike", while subsequently he lived in Dayton, Ohio, in I'ippecanoe conn- 4 00 PAST AND l'Kr<:SP.N'r t\. Iiuliana, in Alltui, llliiinis. and tlu'ii alter several other I'eninxals settled in liimd eountv, llliiidis. in 1S5J. there li\ini^ nnlil his death, llisehildren were: Jackson, who (lied in inl'anc\'; Xelson. who was horn Jnne S. 1SJ7. in (.'lark ci mntw ( )hii 1 ; I .enuiel. w h< 1 was horn .Vprd 30. iS^^i. in" llarshnians- ville. Ohio; Sarah j.ane. who was horn in the same i)lace in iSj;^:^ and died in 1^50 at Indianapolis. Indiana: John, who was horn Ajiril ^^o. 1S35. in West Point. Indiana: William, horn June 3. li^.V*^- ''i 'ri])])ecanoe eountv, Indiana, and died at W'alsin ille. Illi- nois. Octoher 21. iSC)3: and Harrison, horn August J(). 1841. at W'oodhurn. Illinois. The Bacon t'amil\- was from Xew Eng- land, h^.zra Bacon who was horn I'A'hrnary jT), 1768. died in Reading. Ohio. March ti. 1826. Avhile his Avife. who hore the maiden n.amc of Sarah Kmmons. was horn h'lnuary 28, 1777. in Connecticut and died in h'air- field, Ohio, .\ugust _'. iXkj. Their children were: Marx: T.ucinda, the wife of Alex- ander Porter, horn Xoxemher 24. t8oC), and (lied Alav 24. i88 married Andrew ( irccn : jolin; Delilah: and Koyal. liy lii^ second wife, the widow I'oli}' COx, he liad one son. Solomon. There were horn to W ilham and jane (Ireen. the mother ot' onr suhject and a sis- ter, Sarah hllizaheth. the latter horn ( )otoher 25, 1S44. The latter was married in La- clede. Mis.sonri. October iS. iS()(). to Solo- mon V. ("lilmere, who died in .Mead\ille, Missouri, .Xpril 10, i«^<^3. lier children were: Lilly May: ICdward lA\in_y: Dorothy Dekov, deceased; A'ernia. the wife of Fred Littrell : \^irgil : and Clarence. Jane Green for her second husband married Harvey E. .Stout, a son of Colonel Thomas Stout, June I I, 1848. He was born January 12, 1820. and died .\pril 9, 1865. Their children were : Jam^s E.. of Brazilton. Kansas; Mary Ellen, who married John Scott and is now de- ceased, leaving- a son Walter: FJiza ].. who married Thomas L. Clark: HarloAv A., who died in infancy: and John Af., who died at the age of twenty-se\ en. Tracing the ancestry in the line of the maternal grandmother, h^.dward Ewing .\dams is of Irish descent. James Booth, the great-grandfather, was horn in County Tyrone near Omag-h. March 17, ijt^o. His wife. Rel)tcca .\,ger, was a ( inthei"ii Con federacw" is hi^ 'grandson. James l)oolh also had three sisters who came to America after his arrixal. .Sarah and .Mary never married and Jane became the wife of a .Mr. Jackson and removed from Virginia to Muskingum count \', ( )hio. James Booth lix'ed in hranklin county, I'ennsN'K'ania, from 1S17 until the spring of 1823, and afterward in Loudoun county. Virginia, near Leesburg, from 1823 until the fall of 1829, when he remo\'ed to tlic \icinit\' of White Sulphur Springs and in 1839, accompanied by his famil)-. made the tri]) in a wagon to Bond county, Illinois, wdiere he li\'ed initil his death, on the T8th of January, 1872. His wife died at Poca- hontas, Illinois, December 7, 1858, at the age of sixtv-eight years. Their children were as follows: Alexander, born on board the Lord Nelson, August 15. 1817, died in Laltimore in 1839; Jane, born in b'ranklin county, PennsN'hania. January 2O. 1819. died in Kansas City. ?\rissouri. Afay 18. 1883: Robert Colwell. born in I'^ranklin County, Pennsylvania. December 5. 1821. married Hannah Isaacs, and died in Dallas county. Missouri, ]\rarch 20. 1873; Sarah, born near Leesburg. \'irginia. September 17. 1823. married Captain Samuel d. INIcAdams and li\es at (ireenxille. Illinois: Rebecca Ann. born near Leesburg". b'ebruar}' 2^. 182^). was married to Ro\'al (Ireen. and died in Loud County, June 1 1. 1884: ls;tac Eaton, born near Leesburg. .\ugust 2J. 1828, died when eight months old: Mary Elizabeth. l;orn near Wdnte .Snlphur .Springs. June 13. 1831, was married to .\ndrew McAdams and later to ( ieorge .*^. Mills, and died near l\eves])ort, Illinois, July 3, 1883. The other children of bames and lane (Ewing) Henrv Alexander White, of Washinoton Auerwere: Willian:. Thomas, llenrv. Rob- i CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 403 ert, Alexander, Mrs. Mary Forbes and Mrs Ann Anthony, mother of James Anthony, a well knoAvn editor of the Pacific coast and founder of the Sacramento Unioiii Alfred and Edward E. Adams passed their early manhood on their father's farm and received their education in the common scIkioIs. Following" the example of many otiier young- men they taught in various dis- tricts until they had prepared themselves for a(huission to the bar. Alfred was elected clerk of Bond county in 1890 and served one term, giving excellent satisfaction. He continued to pursue his legal studies and was admitted to the l>ar in 1893. "^''^^ same year he married Irene, daughter of James and Irene (James) Ferryman and a native of Sullivan, Illinois. Her grandfather, John Ferryman, who married Ann Davidson, was at one time clerk of Moultrie county. Mr. Adams practiced the profession of law at Greenville with C. E. Cook until the ex- piration of his term of office, after which he removed to Taylorville, where he has since lived. He has served the people of the city for four )'ears as police magistrate. In politics he is a Republican and he has always been found true to the party which represents his ]jrinciples. His family con- sists of four children : Lucile, Geraldine, Malcolm and Dorothea. Alfred Adams is a member of several societies and is prominent in the councils of the Modern Woodmen, having twice attended the head camp in an official capacity. He has also served on standing committees. Edward E. Adams enjoyed a good rep- utaticMi as a teacher before he was admitted to the l)ar in October, 1899. At an early age his studious habits were remarked by his associates and he has by his unaided efforts so risen in self-improvement that for many years he has enjoyed the respect of all who know him. .\s a teacher he was not content with such a smattering as would enable him to get a position but he continued his studies until he was awarded a life certificate in recognition of his success and qualifications. Since his admission to the bar h^ has been associated with his brother in the practice of law. His work has been more of the office kind. His unobtrusive manners and knowledge of the law have gained for him many friends among those with whom his work has brought him in contact. He is a member of the Knights of Pvthias and sev- eral other fraternities. In politics he is an ardent Republican but he numbers his friends among all parties. He is unmarried. GEORGE W. MILLIGAN, M. D. Dr. George W. Milligan, who as a medi- cal practitioner ni Edinburg has gained the confidence and support of the public by reason of his thorough training for his pro- fession and his fidelity to the ethics of the medical fraternity, was born in Christian county, Illinois, on the i6th of December, 1853. His father,' Samuel Milligan, was a native of North Carolina, and when a yotmg man went to Missouri, but soon afterward came to Illinois and took up his abode iii Fayette county. He married Miss Phoebe Cearlock, a native of Tennessee and a resi- dent of Fayette county. They had nine children, eight of whom are now living: William H., Jacob L., George W., James A., John J., Thomas F., S. A. Douglas, Annie J. and Nancy M. The father, who was born in 1830, is still living, but the mother passed away in 1869. Dr. Milligan recei\'ed his education at Town Hall in Shelby county and at the age of twelve years went to live with Dr. George ^^^ h^ringer, of that place, \\nii1e there re- 404 PAST AND PRESENT sidins/ lie l)ccanie interested in medicine and began stndying ])rep?.rattir)- to enterinii; tlie ])rofessi()n. In 1S73 lie secured enii)l(i\nient in a drui;' store in Ivlinbnri;- as clerk and in December of tbat year be went intn business for bimself, continuing in tbat line until tbe summer of 1880. At tbe ojiening- of tbe scbool year in tbe succeeding autumn be entej-ed tbe St. Louis Medical College and tbe following year be became a student in tbe College of IMiysicians & Surgeons at Keokuk, b)wa. In tbe spring of 1882 be was graduated and opened an office at Bing- bam. Illinois, wbere be ])racticed for tbree years. On tbe expiration of tbat period be returned to Edinburg in tbe spring of 1885 and opened bis office in tins place. Here be bas since remained and as the years baye gone by bis patronage bas steadily increased. In i8(;4 be formed a partnership with Dr C. A. Stokes of Sharpsburg and they i)ur- chased of Mr. Harrington a private tele- phone line to Taylorville, but abandoned tbe Taylorville part of tbe line. They ran only tbe Sharpsburg connection. Tbe people, however, demanded telephonic communica- tion with tbe outside world and they en- larged their telephone system in 1902, ob- taining a franchise from the town so tbat they are now rapidly perfecting their system which w ill be of the greatest convenience t(^ tbe surrounding district. On tbe T7tb of October, 1877, Dr. Milli- gan was united in marriage to Miss Eliza M. b'irey, a daugbter of Henry and Minerva Eirey. of Christian county. They have three children: Edwin L., born October 20, 1879; Clarence W., lx)rn Deceml>er 29, 1885; and EuTalia M.,' l:)orn May 4, 1890. Dr. JMilli- gan is a member of the Independent Order of Odd [""ellows, his connection being with Edinlmrg Lodge. No. 631. He also belongs to tiie Knights of Pythias lodge of Edin- burg, tbe Modern Woodmen and the Era- ternal .\rm)-. 1 le has been a member of the town board and was a meml)er of tbe school Ima.rd at tbe time of ibe building of the new schoolbouse. In ])()lilics be is an earnest Re- ])ul)licaii and is a citizen whose worth is widely acknowledged not only on account of tbe good he bas done in ])rofessional lines, but also because of the acti\'e co-opera- tion which be bas given to public affairs. He keeps well informed concerning tbe new ideas advanced b}' tbe medical fraternity, keeps in touch with the progress that char- acterizes tbe profession and is to-da}' a most capable and skilled physician, bis large ])at- ronage being an indication of tbe confidence reposed in him by bis fellow-townsmen. L. E. PEEK. L. E. Peek, a practical and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of May township, owns and operates three hundred acres of land on section 20, constituting one of tbe N'aluable and highly improved farms of tbe locality. His possessions have been accpiired mainly through his own efforts and as tbe result of bis consecuti\'e endeavor he has won a place among tbe substantial citizens of his native county. Mr. Peek was born mi .South Eirk town- shi]), Januar}- 21, 1853, and is a son of A. P). and Marian E. (Ery) Peek. His father, who was a native of Kentucky, came t(^ Christian county, Illinois, in 1837, and was identified with its early development and im- pro\-ement. h'^or a time he leased and oper- ated tbe land on which the village of Edin- burg now stands. He died at that place in 1894 and bis wife in 1897, honored and re- ■■ spected b}- all who knew them. In the district schools near his boyhood boine L. V. I^eek received his early educa- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 405 tinn and later attended school at Taylor- ville. Havip-g" completed his education, he commenced teaching school at the age of twenty years and successfully followed that pursuit during the winter months for three years, while during the summer season he devoted his time and energies to farming. His first purchase of land consisted of forty acres, which he subsequently sold and then bought one hundred acres of his present farm in May township. As time has passed he has added to his property until he now has three hundred acres, which has been ac- quired through his own well directed efforts and careful management. In connection with general farming he is engaged in the raising of Poland China hogs and also feeds many head of cattle for market each year. ■ Mr. Peek was married in 1877 to Miss Josie E. Coffman, a daughter of James D. and Margaret (Settle) Coffman and sister of William D. Coffman, whose sketch ap- pears on another page of this volume. She died in 1898, leaving five children, namely: Elbridge, who is now in Springfield, Illi- nois ; Jessie and Allen, both of whom live in Cleveland, Ohio; Nena, who is now keying house for her father; and Leona, six years of age. Mr. Peek is a memloer of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and is independent in politics. His life has been one of industry and usefulness and he has so lived as to gain the confidence and respect of all with whom he has been l)rought in contact. SAMUEL N. HAVERFIELD. Samuel N. Haverfield, who is now s(^ effi- ciently serving as city clerk of Assumption, has spent his entire life in Illinois, his birth occurriu"- in Mercer countv, this state, on the 5th of January. 1855. His father, Will- iam S. Haverfield. was born in Harrison county, Ohio, February 12, 18 12, and was a son of a pioneer of that county, the family being one of the first to locate near Cadiz. The grandfather was a soldier of the war of 1812 and died at cjuite an advanced age in Harrison county. In early manhood Will- iam S. Haverfield nnarried Miss Ruhama Nash, who w'as born in 1824 and was a daughter of Samuel Nash. Her father, who followed school teaching in Ohio, died St the comparatively early age of thirty-two years, but her mother' was ninety at the time of her death. Coming to Illinois in 1854, William S. Haverfield located in Mercer county, where he engaged in farming and sheep raising until 1859. and then removed to Randolph county, this state. There he fol- lowed contracting and building, being a car- penter by trade, but after his removal to Christian county in the fall of 1863,, he again turned his attention to farming, oper- ating land west of Assumption. He subse- (juently followed the same pursuit in Shelby county, Illinois, and from there removed to Macon county in 1874. Five years later he went to Kansas and was engaged in farming in Rush county, that state, until his death, which occurred on the 4th of March, 1888. His widow continued to reside upon the fann there until she, too, passed away in February, 1892. 'Jlns worthy couple were the parents of twel\-e children, eight sons and four daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity. Samuel N. Haverfield, who is the seventh in order of birth, was reared on a farm and received his early education in the district schools of this state, afterward attending the Normal l'ni\ersit}' for one term. Flis first step after leaxing school was as a clerk in a store at Moweaqua for a short time, and after that he engaged in teaching school with good success from 1877 until the spring of 406 PAST AND PRESENT 1900. Dnrini"- this entire time be tauobt in Christian county with the exception of one winter term in Shelby cotinty. llhnois. In the meantime he also served as township and cit\- clerk of Assunii)ti()n and for the past seven vears has dcNoted considerable attention to the tire insurance business, rep- resenting the Home Insurance Company of New York and other reliable companies. On the tjth of September. 1875, Mr. Haveriield was married in Moweaqua to Miss Nellie Snell, a native of Shelby county and a daughter of W. H. and Jane (W'asham) Snell. ^vhose home was near AIowea(|ua. Of the nine children born of this union three died in infancy. Of those living Olive is the eldest. She is now the wife of William Truitt. a resident of Bloom- insfton. Illinois, and the\- have two children. Carl and Muriel. Ira. who is acting as clerk for a grain firm at Assumption, married Laura Ella Carpenter, of this county. Or- ville. ?^Iaud, Lyle and .M;ibel are at home with their ])arents. I'oliticallv Mr. PTaverheld is a Repul)lican and on his i)artv ticket was elected city and townshij) clerk, w hich offices he is still filling in a capable and satisfactory manner. So- cially he is an honored member of the Ma- sonic order, ha\ing serxed as clerk of the blue lodge for four years, and he has als(T been clerk of the Independent Order of Odd P^ellow'S since joining that fraternity. lie also filled the office of noble grand in the lat- ter order. He also belono-s to tlie Knights of Pythias and is held in high regard not only by his fraternal brethren but by all who know him. DR. M. L. FUNDERP>Ldorn in 1827, and died March 22, 1880, at the age of fifty-three years. The mother died on the 1 2th of February, 1874. She was a native of Bunker Hill, Illinois, and was of German descent. Left an orphan at an early age, Mr. Gauer has been dependent upon his own resources from boyhood and has made his own fortune and character. For a time he was employed in a furniture store in St. Louis and also worked in a carriage and wagon shop, serv- ing a two years' apprenticeship to that trade. In 1889 he came to Christian county, Illi- nois, and the following year established a furniture store in Morrisonville, where he still carries on business with marked suc- cess. He occupies over five thousand feet of floor space and still has not room enough for his ever increasing^ stock. Mr. Gauer is also interested in the undertaking business and is a skilled embalmer, being a graduate of the J. H. Clark College. He has also taken post-graduate courses at several different .schools of embalming, studying under W. P. Hoeshue, of St. Louis, and Professor C. L. Barnes, of Chicago, and holds a certifi- cate of examination from the state board. Besides his store at Morrisonville he has branch houses at Palmer and Harvel, Illi- nois. 412 PAST AND PRESENT 'My. Gauer was married in 1890 to Miss Katie A. Ochsner. l)y whom he has five chil- (h-en. namely: Joseph. John. Otto, l.ucile and ITelen. ^Nlrs. (ianer is a dani^hter of Joseph Ochsner, wlio was l)(>rn on llie River Rhine in (iernian\- and came to America in early youth. In Imsiness affairs he has met with excellent success and is lo-day a laro-e land owner, lie makes his home in Morri- sonville and is now engag-ed in huying and shipping ap])les to the city markets. Relio-iouslv Mr. Gauer and his family are members of the Catholic church. He be- lone-s to a number of secret societies, includ- ing the Camp of Modern A\'oo(lmen, No. 330. of Morrisonville, of which he has been clerk for seven years. He has also served as secretary and treasurer of the American Guild; is a charter member and has served as recorder and manager of the Royal Neighbors since its organization ; is recorder of the Court of Honor, No. 105: is a char- ter member of General Thomas Post. Fra- ternal Army ; and belongs to the subordinate lodge. No. no, of the National Anti-Horse Thief Association, and also to the Bankers' iM-aternal Union. He is also a prominent .member of the Business Men's Association of Morrisonville and takes great interest in all of these societies, in the work of which he is thoroughly i>osted. The Democratic ])artv finds in Mv. (ianer ;i stanch supporter of its principles. He is ])nblic si)irited in an eminent degree and national progress and local advancement are both causes dear to his heart. Kindness, amiability and cour- tesy not only characterize his social relations but are a marked factor in his business life. W. H. ALEXANDER. W. H. Alexander, proprietor of a hrst class meat market in Pana, was born in this city on the 24th of November, 1858, and is a son of Robert and Mary .Mexander. His ])arents were natives of Ohio and came to I 'ana in 1856. The jotn-ney was made aci'oss the conntr\- in a wagon. tra\-eling thus after the primitive manner of the times. The father was a butcher h)- trade and es- tablished the lirst shop in this town. He did not onI\' a successftil and growing busi- ness, hut was also acti\'e in ])ublic affairs in connection with all matters that pertained to the general welfare, ])rogress and improve- ment. T^e \\as a member of the first city council, at which time Dr. Pinley was mayor of the city. Both Mr. and Mrs. Alexander became charter meiuliers of the Presbyterian church, being associated with five others in the establishment of the congregation. Mrs. .Mexander is now the only sur\-i\-ing one, and from the earliest history of the cluuTh down to the present has been one of its con- stant and acti\-e followers. Her husband died in Pana on the 2y\ of February, i8(jO. res])ected and honored by all \\ho knew him. A\'. H. Alexander is indebted to the public school swstem of his native city for the edu- cational prisileges which he enjoyed in his ^•outh. He entered upon his business career as an apprentice in the empl daiij^b- ters, LilHe. who is r.ow resi(Hni;' in Los An- geles. CaHtornia: an.! Allic. who (bed when about seventeen years of age. Mr. De Wolf owns toA\n property, inclnd- ing bis ])leasant residence on Samuel street near St. Mary's cluirob. lie belongs to the (irand Armv of the kepnblic and for nine- teen years has been a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd 1^'ellows. He holds membershi]) in the ^lethodist Episcopal church and be gives bis ])olitical support to the Prohibition i)arty. two facts in his rec- ord which indicate an honorable, upright and temperate life. He has served as justice of the peace for eiglit years, has been asses- .sor of Assum]:)tion townshii) for three years and notarv public for twenty years. At the outset of his career he had no special family or pecuniary advantages to assist him, but the strength of his character was manifest in his strong determination, clc^se attention to his business duties and his earnest and laudal)le desire for advancement. Gradually he has ])rogressed and the prosjjerity which should ever crown honorable, persistent ef- fort is to-dav his. CORXELIUS DRAKE. In linancial circles Cornelius Drake is well known as a man of utmost reliability as well as of business activity. He was born October 23, 1854. in W'adsworth, Ohio, a son of Hiram H. and Margaret IZ. Drake. His father, a natixe of Pennsyl- vania, learned the blacksmith's trade in earlv life in the i)lace of bis nativity and afterward removed to Ohio, where he con- tinued to reside until 1877, ^^licn he came to Illinois, lie then lunicd hi-> allentiiin lo farming, settling near (irii\e C ity. where he • iwned and operated eighty acres i>\ land. continuing its cultix'ation until his life's la- bors were ended in death in March. iiStjS. Cornelius Drake pursued his early edu- cation in. the ])ublic schools and was after- ward a student in the Mennonite College at W'adswi •rtb, ( )liio. bantering upon his busi- ness career as a teacher, he followed that ])rofession for four years and then became connected w ith mercantile life as a salesman in the employ of the firm of Chamberlain & Barnes of Tavlor\ille, with whom he re- mained for a }ear and a half. He then began business on iiis own account, entering into i)artnership \\ith O. Z. Housley. as a general merchant at Ciro\-e Cit\'. Later thev estal)lished a bank at that ])lace. which they still ow n. Tn 1893 ]\Ir. Drake came to Ston- ington. where he again embarked in mer- chandising and also l)ecame acti\elv inter- 4 ested in banking. At a later date he dis- ])osed of his store, but has continued to con- duct the bank under the firm name of Hous- le}- (it Drake. This is a private banking in- stitution which was organized in 1893 and is now the oldest, largest and strongest financial concern of the town. He is like- wise a silent jjartner in the store of Sands. Miller & Compau)' of Stonington. Lie acts as cashier at the bank- and the success of this institution is largel}" attributal)le to his ef- forts and keen business discernment. ( )n the 3()th of September. t88o. was cel- ebrated the marriage of Mr. Drake and Miss Estella .Sadler, of (lro\-e Cit}'. Illinois, and five children ha\e been born to them, of whom four are now li\-ing: Ada. lla. and EluK^ and Waldo, twins. All are still under the parental roof. Mrs. Drake's parents, Samuel J. and Mary ( Coover ) Sadler, were both born near notu"ne\ille, Ohio, and soon CORNELIUS DRAKE CHRISTIAN COUNTY, JLLINOIS. 410 after their marriage came to liliiKiis, locat- ing on a farm near Crox'c City in Christian county, where the father spent the remain- der of Ills Hfe with the exception of four years, when he resided in Springfield. He died in 1885 and a few }'ears later his wife removed to Stonington, wdiere her death oc- cm-red in Novemher, 1891. In politics Mr. Sadler was a Repul)lican and in religious Ijclief A^•as a Meth.odist. heing an active memher of that church for many years and serving as steward and trustee of the same. He was also connected with the Ad^asonic fraternity .and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In his family were ten chil- dren, of whom seven are still living, namely; Estella, wife of our subject; Flora, a resi- dent of Stonington; Lena, widow of Irwin Drake and a resident of Stonington ; Carrie, wife of A. B. Kirk, of Grove City; Wilbur A., who also makes his home in Grove Citv ; Mehin S., ^vh(^ is living in the same place; and Frank I'., an attorney of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Drake hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and con- tribute generously to its support. He is the clerk of the Modern Woodmen Camp at Stonington, is the worthy- treasurer of the Court of Honor, captain of the Fraternal Army, treasurer of the Royal Circle and be- longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. In politics he is a Republican and ^^•as elected mayor of Stonington for two terms ; for four terms he ser\'ed on the town board; and while living in Grove City he filled the position of postmaster under Presi- dent Garfield. He has been active in everv- thing pertaining to the public good and progress of Stonington and at the same time has carried forward his business afifairs in a manner that shows marked energv, dili- gence and Imsiness sagacity. Prosperity has attended his labors and although he beran lile without taniily or ])ecuiiiary advantages to aid him he is now one of the substantial residents of Christian county. H. M. LANGLEY. H. M. Langley, of Taylorville, was born A])ril J 2, 185 1, in Taylorville townshi]), his ])arents being Robert Preston and Minerva Ann (Pittman) Langley. The father was a nati\-e of Christian county, Kentucky, born in the year 18 12, and came on horseback to this county, casting in his lot with early pio- neer settlers. The year of his arrival was [831, at which date there had been little done in the way of improx-emenf and up- huilding. He purchased land here and lived on it for more than fifty years. As time advanced he prospered in his imdertakings and became the owner of over five hundred acres, constituting a very valuable and de- sirable property. He was a successful farmer, a self-made man and was prominent in the early days of the county's develop- ment, assisting materially in the work of general improvement. He died in the year 1893 and his wife, surviving him about four years, passed away in 1897. They left three sons, the brothers of our subject being- Moses D. Langley, who is living in Taylor- \ille township; and Rufus D.. a resident of Wamego, Kansas. H. M. Langley obtained his education in the district schools of Taylorville township, wh.ich he attended when his time was not occupied by the duties of the home farm. He earlv became familiar with the work of cultivating the fields and assisted his father in the operation of the home i)lace until eighteen years of age. when he left Christian county and went to the west. For a time he was engaged in driving a stage for the go\ernment in Kansas, making his head- 4i>0 PAST AND PRESENT (|iuirters at Dodtje City, where lie leinaiiied for the years. He went to that place before there was a single house in the town, l)ut the west was 1)eing rapidly developed and great changes occurred before ]iis return to Illi- nois. In 1875 he again came to Christian county and has since remained a resident of Tavli>r\ille, covering" a ])eriod of twenty- eight years. He is now conducting a cafe in Taylorville. under the firm name of Lang- ley & Drohan. He also owns a fine farm in Taylorville township, comprising two hun- dred acres of valuable land, and from this he receives a good annual income. In 1878 ]\Ir. Langley was united in mar- riage to ^liss Lvdia A. Brents, a daughter of \\'illiam Brents, who was reared near Tavlor\ille. Unto them ha\e been born two children, but only one is now living: Fred E.. who married Miss Sarah Caldwell, of Joplin. ^^lissouri. and resides in Taylorville. Mr. Langlev belongs to the Knights of Py- thias fraternity of Taylorville, with which he has been identified for twenty-five years. In ])olitics he is a Democrat, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs. He owns one of the best residences in Taylor- ville and is a public-spirited citizen, desiring the permanent growth and substantial up- building of the town. CHARLES M. HISE. Charles ^l. Hise is a leading representa- tive of the business interests of Stonington, where as a plasterer and l)ricklayer he is en- gaged in contracting anci also conducts a livery stable. He is a man of good business and executive ability and has won success by well directed, energetic effort A native of Christian county, he was lx)rn near Gro\e Cit}-. "May 15, i8<^4, and throughout the vears of his nianliodd lias been identified with the interests of this section of the state. C. C. Hise. our subject's father, was born in Mason county. Kentucky, in 1831, a son of Philip and Hannah Hise. Leaving his native state at the age of sixteen years he went to \\"averly, Ohio, where he learned the trade of a plasterer and bricklayer, and in 1856 he came to Christian county, Illi- nois. He first located near Grove City, l,ut afterward removed to Stonington, where he erected a few residences. Imt is now living retired, being one of the oldest citizens of the town. He married Letta Howard and to them were born eight children. During his boyhood and youth Charles M. Hise attended the public sch(X)ls of (irove Cit}' and Stonington and with his father learned plastering and bricklaying, which he has since followed with good suc- cess. Since 1883 he has been a resident of Stonington and two years later, at the age of twenty-one, he commenced contracting". On the ist of April, 1903, he purchased a livery stable which he now conducts in con- nection with his other business and besides this property he owns his own pleasant resi- dence and another house in Stonin.gton. He is a very reliable and energetic business man and his success in life is due entirely to his own industrious eft'orts. On the loth of July, 1888, :\Ir. Hise Avas united in marriage to Miss Lorena \\"eiser, a daughter of Phili]) \\'eiser, "who was one of the early settlers of this section and was engaged in the grain and tile iMisiness in Stonington for many years. L^nto our sub- ject and his \\\ie were born six children, namely: Clyde: Wade; Letta, who died at the age of eight vears; Homer; Guv; and I-'reda. Mrs. Hise is a member (^f the Re- formed church and is a most estimable lady. In his Dolitical views our subject is a Re- J CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 421 pul)lican and he has l)een called upon t<:) serve as collector of Stonington township. He has always heen found true to every trust reposed in him and well merits the con- fidence and respect so freely accorded him. A. D. MOORE. A. D. Moore, an honored veteran of the Civil war and a successful farmer of Mount Aul)urn township, his home being on section 25, was born in Fayette county, Illinois, in Septembei'', 1846, his parents being William and Melinda (Nowland) Moore, natives of Tennessee and early settlers of the Prairie state. Tlie mother died in 1856 and the father departed this life in 1862. Mr. Moore, of this review, was princi- l)ally educated at Spanglers Switch, Illinois, and also attended school in Kansas for a time, having removed to that state in 1856. During the dark days of the Rebellion he laid aside all personal interests and in 1864 enlisted in Company L, Fifteenth Kansas Regiment. He took part in the battles of Blue River, Geckman Mill and Arkansas River and after hostilities ceased was hon- ()ral)ly discharged in October, 1865. Re- turning to Kansas, he remained in that state, working by the month until 1874, w-hen he came to Illinois. He spent two years in De- catur in the employ of others, and in 1876 came to Christian county, where be has since followed farming. He operated rented land until lyoo, when he purchased one hundred and sixty-eight acres, but two years later sold that place and remo\-ed to his present farm on section 26, I^Iount Auljurn town- ship. In 1876 Mr. Moore was united in mar- riage to Miss Melinda Cook, a daughter of John Cook, who was a native of Indiana. Of the twelve children born of diis union five of the nuni1)cr died in infancy. The- others are J. F.. wdio is married and follows farming in Christian county ; and Bryant D., Irwin, Alonzo, Mary M., Alice and Elmer, all at home. Mr. Moore votes with the Republican party and takes deep interest in ])ublic af- fairs. He is an honored memljer of the Grand Army Post, No. 208, of Illiopolis, and is a man highly esteemed b}- all who kno^^■ him. LEO JOHNSON. The Johnson family is very well known in Christian county, for from early pioneer days representatives of the name have been active in agricultural circles and stock-deal- ing here. Leo Johnson is the youngest of the family and was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 6th of March, 1847, ^lis parents being Benjamin and Elizabeth (Foote) Johnson, the former a native of London, England, and the latter of County Cork, Ireland. The family numbered nine chil- dren and Leo Johnson was a babe of only eighteen months at the time of the removal of the parents to Greene county, Illinois. There he was reared upon the home farm and obtained his education in the common schools. The occupation, with which he be- came familiar in his boyhood days, he has always made his life work and has devoted a great deal of attention to the raising of shorthorn cattle, making a specialty of thor- oughbreds; in fact he ranks, to-day, as one of the leading stock-dealers in this portion of the state and his business is of an impor- tant character and brings to him a large an- nual return. Mr. fohnson has served as school treasu- rer for twenty-five years and has also filled other local positions, serving as supervisor, 422 I'AS'I^ AN\) I'Kr.Sl'.N'r as lii|[;li\\ a\ C(iinims>i( iiRT and a^ (.nlU'cior. Ji) j)()litics -lie is a Ivcpiiljlican. k-jcpinj^ well iiifornicd on tlic (fuestions and issues of the da}- and lie ne\er fallers in liis allegiance to the party which he beheves contains the best elements of good government. His relig- ious faith is that of tlie I^res])yterian church. On the i()th of Xo\ember. 1876, in .\s- sumption township. .\lr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah K. Ab)ore. a daughter of j. V. and Mary ( Brauherd ) Moore. She was the foiu'th in order of birth among their children and l)y her mar- riage she has become the mother of three chilch^eu : l^eola. now the wife of A. C. Smith, of .\rattoon. Illinois. l)v whom she has two children, Mary Eloise and Leo. the latter named for his grandfather; Benjamin Porter, who was named for botli liis ]iater- nal and maternal grandfathers; and Robert. who is at home. Mr. Johnson took up his abode on his present farm in 1876 and after his marriage erected a modern residence sup])lied with every convenience, such as is found in the city. On the 18th of January, 1899. Ikwv- ever, this desirable home was destroyed b}- tire and in the spriiig. with characteristic energy. Mr. Johnson rebuilt the place, his residence being a credit to the township, for the improvements are all of the very best. The house is supjilied witli comfortalile and beautiful modern furniture and ever}'thing about the place is attractive, neat and thrifty in appearance. There are good barns and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and the latest farm machinery is used in the cultivation of the home ])lace. which com])rises two hundred acres of rich land, located on section 2/, Assumption township. Mr. Johnson also has one hun- dred and sixtv acres on section 20. j\!r. jolnisoii is oni' (il the i)nbhc-si)iri1ed citizens o| .\s>nni])tion townshi]) -uid one of its niost ])' ipular residents. EDWIN EDMUNDS. l""or man}- years this gentleman was suc- cessfully engaged in farming but is now practicalK' lixing a retired life, enjoNing the fruits of former toil. lie has a pleasant home on section J. IJear Creek township, where surrounded b}' many comforts and luxuries he is spending his declining years in ease and ([uiet. Mis boyhood home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Northami)tonshire, hingland, June 24, 1845, a son of William and Mary ( Thornlow ) lulmunds. who were also na- ti\es of that countr}-. The father, who was a gardener by occupation, died in 1863, and the mother, long sur\i\ing him. ])assed awa}- in J 893. , Edwin Edmunds was reared and educated in England and at the age of fifteen years began wiM'k in a hothouse wdiere lie was em- ])loyed until Ajjril. 1867. Desiring to try his fortune in America, where he believed that better opportunities were afforded am- bitious and industrious young men, he came to the new world and first located in Dela- ware, where he was in the emjiloy oi ex- ( ioxernor A\'illiam Ross for one vear. In May. 1868, he came to Ta}lor\-ille. Illinois, and soou obtained work bv the month on a farm, where he remained one year. The following year he operated the D. \^. .Vdams fanu and at the end of tliat time ])urchascd a team antl forming a ])artnership with Thomas Wiggins engaged in the culti\ation of rented land until 1870. when the\- bought their lirst tract, consisting of eighty acres, where Mr. Edmunds now lives. In 1880 the}- ])urchased sixty acres more and five CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 42;J years later bought a tract of forty acres. They continued to carry on their farming operations together until 1898, when our subject purchased hi'^ partner's interest and is now the owner of a well improved and \alualjle place of one hundred and eighty acres, although it was all raw prairie and timljer land when it came into their -posses- sion. At present he rents the farm and is now living retired. On the 24th of December, 1870, Mr. Ed- munds married Miss Eliza C. Cannon, a daughter of Benard Cannon, who was from Ohio. She died in August, 1882, leaving six children, namely : James, a conductor on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, who is married and lives at Flora, Illinois ; Joseph, who is married and is now operating his father's farm ; Samuel, who is married and is also engaged in farming in Taylorville township, this county; Mary, wife of Irvin Eikelberry, a farmer of Clay county, Illi- nois; Thomas R., at home; and Delia, wife of Robert Mason, a resident of Carbondale, Illinois. Having been reared in the Episcopal faith, Mr. Edmunds still favors that church, and his political support is given the Republican party. For nine years he has been school director in his township and his sympathies are with his adopted country and her insti- tutions. Fle deserves great credit for the success that he has achieved in life, for he has made his wav unaided from an early age. WILLIAM D. COFFAIAN. \A"illiam D. Coffman is one of the repre- sentative and prominent citizens of May township, where he carries on farming and stock-raising with good success, his home being on section 20. He was born in Ohio county. West Virginia, on the 9th of July, 1845, ^"d is a son of James D. and Mj^rgaret (Settle) Coffman, both natives of the same state. By trade the father was a blacksmith but during the latter years of bis life he followed farming. In 185 1 he came to Illi- nois and became a resident of Christian county, where he died on the ist of Novem- ber, 1885. His wife had preceded him to the better world, passing away July 9, 1872. Of their fi\-e children only our subject and his sister, Mrs. Isaac Corzine, are now liv- ing. William D. Coffman, the oldest of the family, was educated in the common schools of this state, being a small boy on the re- mo^•al of the family from West Virginia. For one year he was a student in the schools of Peoria. Lentil twenty-three years of age he worked for his father and then com- menced farming on his own account upon a tract of land which was covered with brush and stumps. These he cleared away and after breaking the land placed it under a high state of cultivation. As time passed he prospered in his farming operations and is to-day the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and sixty-five acres in Alay town- ship, on which he set out two thousand peach trees and three hundred apple trees in r89i. Four years later he realized ele\'en hundred and fifty-five bushels of peaches from his crop of fruit and has found the business quite remunerative. After keeping house for himself for nine years Mr. Coffman was married on the 19th of January, 1881, to Miss Lillian Fraley. who was born December 17, 1857, and died November 15, 1896. She was a daughter of John S. Fraley, who came to this county in 1847. ^^nto Mr. and Mrs. Coffman were born six children, namely : Mabel E., Min- nie and Mary, who are all at hoi:^e with 424 PAST AND PRESENT llieir father; i\o\, who is now in St. T.ouis; Ruth Irene: and one wlio died in infancy. Jn rehtii(,)n.s connccli(»n Mr. (\)ffman is a member of the United 1 )rcthrcn clnn'cli and in liis poHtical aftihations he is a rrnhihition- ist. For nine years he filled the office of township clerk and was school treasurer for twenty-one years. He is a man highly re- si:)ected and esteemed by all who know him and his word is considered as good as his bond. JOSE PIT \\\ PADDOCK. Joseph \\\ Paddock, who is engaged in the ]nml)er business in Pana, is a typical citizen of the central west, alert, nrogressive and resolute. It is to such men that the west owes its rapid ad\ancement and the wonderful development of its business en- terprises — men who watch for opportunity, utilize it when it comes and w bile promoting individual success also promote the general prosperity. Mr. Paddock is now^ the man- ager and one of the leading stockholders of the Paddock Lumber Com]:)any and in this connection controls one of the largest lumber yards in central Illinois. A native son of Pana, he was born on the 4th of December, 1867. his parents being O. H. and Ann Paddock. His father was born in Woodstock, Vermont, in the vear 1830, and came to Pana in 1863 as agent for the Illinois Central Railroad Company. He has since been a resident of the city, well and favorably knoAvn in business circles and is now the president of the Pana Buildine Association, an enterprise which has proven of marked value in the improvement and de- velopment of the citv. He is also servinsr as police magistrate. Joseph \\'. Paddock spent his boyhood days in a n>anner not unsimilar to that of most boys of the period, his time being large- ly divided between the duties of the school- room and the pleasures of the playground. As the years progressed he completed the high school course in Pana, after which he entered the University of Illinois. He pur- sued the architectural course and \\ as a mem- ber of the class of 1892. He then returned to Pana and has continuously since engaged in the lumber business, so that he is now' thoroughly familiar with the trade, the grades of lumber and the demands of the public. He was for several years the man- ager of the O. H. Paddock Eumber Com- pany, and in November, ic;o2, he organized the Paddock Lumber Company, of which Warren Penwell is the president. ]\Ir. Pad- dock, however, owns the controlling interest and manages the entire business. He has the largest and best equipped lumber yard in central Illinois and his trade has constantly growui in volume and importance, until upon liis books it is represented by a large figure. On the 19th of June, 1895, ^^^- Paddock was united in marriage to- Miss Annie Hav- ward, a daughter of A. J. Hayward of Pana, now deceased. J\Ir. and Mrs. Pad- dock have two sons, Howdand Playward and Oscar Hayward. They hold membership in the First Presbyterian church, are deeply interested in its work and have aided in its development. ]\Ir. Paddock also has mem- bershi]) relations with the Modern Wood- men of America and the Ro3^al Arcanum. His political allegiance is given the Repub- lican party but wdiile he believes firmly in its principles and never fails to cast his vote for its men and measures, he has never been a politician in the sense of office, seeking, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business affairs, in which he is meet- ing with very gratifying success. His per- sonal characteristics and his business record CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 425 have combined to win for him an enviable position in the regard of his many friends and of the general public. HENRY J. BURKE. Christian county figures as one of the most attracti\'e, progressive and prosperous divi- sions of the state of Illinois, justly claiming a high order of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise which is certain to conserve con- secutive development and marked advance- ment in the material upbuilding of the sec- tion. The county has been and is signally favored in the class of men who have con- trolled its affairs in official capacity, and in this connection the subject of this review de- mands representation as one who has served the county faithfully and well in positions of distinct trust and responsibility. Mr. Burke is now filling the position of county clerk, having taken the office after one of the most peculiar contest election cases ever known in Illinois, a case wdiich not only showed that Mr. Burke had all the support that he claimed, but also that he had the allegiance of many men who were claimed by the opposition. A native of Sangamon county, Illinois, he was born near Pleasant Plains on the 8th of November, 1873, and is a son of Michael and Bridget (Davin) Burke, who in 1876 removed to Christian county, settling in As- sumption township, where they are now liv- ing. The father is a native of the Emerald Isle and, bidding adieu to that country ni 1 86 1, he sailed for the new world, first es- tablishing his home in Sangamon county, Illinois. In the family were six children, of whom five are living. Henry J. Burke pursued his education in the common schools and in early life served as turnkey in the Macon county jail under Sheriff J. H. Mauzy for eighteen months. He afterward became a student in the Nor- mal School at Bushnell, Illinois, and in the Lincoln Business College of Lincoln, this state. For a short time he engaged in teaching school and later devoted his atten- tion to farming, which he carried on ex- tensively, operating a large tract of land two miles west of Assumption for a period of four years. On the expiration of that time he was called to public office, serving as tax collector of his township in the year 1897-8. He was afterward deputy circuit clerk under Edward J. Rhodes of Christian county from 1899 i-"itil 1902 and in the latter year he became a candidate for the nomination for county clerk on the Demo- cratic ticket. In the convention he received the nomination o^•er Charles Clark, county clerk, and Thomas J. Downey, county sher- iff, and at the November election he was chosen for the office by a majority of five hundred, although Mr. Downey ran upon an independent ticket. Mr. Burke received two-thirds of the Republican vote of his own township, a fact which indicates his personal popularity among the people by whom he is best known. His defeated rival for the of- fice, T. J. Downey, then instituted a law^ suit, claiming that the nomination should have gone to him in the convention. The counsel for the defense made a statement that he could produce a decision by the Illi- nois supreme court that all contest cases in the primaries should be settled by the county committees, but the case was called and as one of the local papers said, "Downey's own testimony kills his case." Fourteen men were all who he could get to say that they voted for him and some of them were ignor- ant and depraved. The case proved a farce from beginning to end and strengthened Mr. I'urke's popularity with the public. This 420 PAST AND PRESENT was one of the most unique cases that c\\.m- came up for settlement in the courts ol llh- nois and the foUowiuL;- was the decision ren- dered: "Under motion to (hsmiss hy the defendant for purpose of motion a(hnits facts as pro\en to l)c true and so considcrinii;' tlic matter we tind 1)\- the e\ idcncc tliat m(;re A'otes were cast for Downey than is shown by the poU hooks and tally sheets; we also find that a numher of Kepuhlicans voted, but when all deductions and additions are made in accordance w ith the testimony, it does not change the result between Downey and Burke. \\'e therefore find that the material allee^tions in the bill are not sustained and the case is th.erefore dismissed." Mr. Burke is proving- a popular officer and one 'who en- joys in a high degree the respect and confi- dence of his fellow men. Mr. Burke was married November ';, 1903. to Miss Margaret Cronin, daughter of James and Mary (Madden) Cronin, of .\s- sumption. Mrs. Burke has served as deputy countv clerk since Mr. I'urkc assumed the duties of his office. DIAL DA\1S. For almost seventy years Dial Da.vis made his home in Christian county and his entire life was passed in this section of the state for he was born near Mechanicsl)urg in Sangamon count}-, januarx- to, uSjO. -Amid pioneer scenes he grew to manhoxl and received such educational advantages as the times afforded. M the age of twenty years he enlisted iov service in the Mexican war, becoming a member of Company C, Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain I. C. Pugh and Colonel F. D. l>aker. He was with the army for twelve months and took part in the battles of Cerro Gordo and \'era Cruz. He was \\itinn twentv vards of (ieneral Shields when that officer was shot and was with the Illinois troops that captured Santa Ana's cork leg and treasure, but did not share in the dis- tribution of the spoils as did those who were luckv enough to m.ake the capture. ^Mr. Da\-is was discharged and mustered out at New ( )rleans and then returned to bis home in Christian count)'. The la.nd warrant he received for his serv- ices be traded for forty acres of land on sec- tions 13 and 24, town 15 north, range 2 west, but a few years later he disposed of that tract and ])urcbased eighty acres on section 11, Mount .\uburn township, only three-quarters of a mile from the village of Mount Aubiu-n. lie began bis farnnng op- erations with only one horse and a yoke of oxen, but as time passed he steadily pros- pered, becoming one of the wealthiest farm- ers and stock-raisers of this countv. At the time of his death he owned one thousand three hundred and eighty acres of very val- uable farming land. For several years he shipped stock (|uite extensively and was also engaged in merchandising for a number of years. After li\ing alone from i84 of his town and county. He gave the right of way to railroads and electric roads and induced others to do the same and in order to get a telephone established in his section he pur- chased all the stock. The Democi'atic party always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles and he was (juite active in po- litical affairs. He was the first tax collector of Mount Auburn tv)wnship; also filled the office of constable in his younger years; and was a member of the board of super\'isors when the county ^^■as di\'ided into town- ships. It is doubtful if any one was more con\-ersant witli the local history of this sec- tion of the country than Mr. Davis. He was a man of simiile tastes, approachable and a fiuent talker, and had a way of mak- ing one feel at home. He was charitable almost to a fault, iiut was still a shrewd business man and the success that he achieved in life was due entirely to his own industrv, nerseverance and good manase- ment. He took pleasure in promoting any- thing that would advance the moral, social or material welfare of the community in which he lived and took a special interest in education. It is not strange therefore that in his death Christian county realized that it had lost a valued citizen as well as an hon- ored pioneer. CHARLES E. DAVIS. For the past twenty years Charles E. Da\-is has been engaged in the drug busi- ness in Mt)unt Aubu.rn antl he is a repre- sentative of that class of citizens vrho, while achancing individual success, also' promote the ])ublic welfare. A nati\'e of Christian count}', he was born in Mount Auburn town- ship, July 9, 1857, and is a son of Dial Davis, wdiose sketch jirecedes this. Our sul)- ject was educated in the district schools of his county and here grew to manhood. In 1888 he embarked in the drug business at Mount Auburn and carried on a store there until 1893, when he received the apponit- ment of United States Indian agent at the Colorado river agency in Arizona and filled that position until 1897. Returning to Mount Auburn he again engaged in the drug business and is now cniovino- a o-ood trade. He owns the store in which he car- ries on business and also a good residence here, besides a fine farm of three hundred and thirty acres in Mount Auburn township. In his lousiness undertakings he has pros- pered and lie stands high in commercial cir- cles in Christian county. Mr. Da^■is was married on the 17th of April, 1883, to Miss Alice A. Lusk, who was born in Meredosia, Illinois, March 31, 1 86 1. Her father, Edward Lusk, was a nati\-e of Ohio, born at Hudson, Januarv i, 1812, and was a brother-in-law of fohn Brown. His wife bore the maiden name of Jane A. ^\ugur. and was born in Connecti- cut. June 30, 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Davis ha\'e two children : Dial Winifred, born Au- gust 14, 1891 ; and Eftie Haldeen, born March 8, 1894. The wife and mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal chuich and is a most estimable lady. Socially Mr. Davis is connected with Kedron Lodge, No. 340, A. F. & A. M., of 432 PAST AND PRESENT Mount Auluini; Mystic Lodge, No. 64, K. P., of Tayldiville ; drove City Lodge, No. 275, L O. O. F. ; Mount Auburn Camp, No. 2849, ^L W. A.; the District Court of Honor, No. 923; and the Anti-Iiorse Thief Association, liis political su])i)()rt is given the nciudcratic i)art}- and lie filled the office of towiishij) collector for li\-e years. Ffe stands high in Ixtth business and social cir- cles and is regarded as one of the leading and representative citizens of Mount Au- burn. WILLIAM L. RASAR. William L. Rasar, who is successfully en- gaged in general farming and stock-raising on section 11, Mount Auburn township, is a native of Logan county, Illinois, born at Mount Pulaski, January 5, 1858, and is a son of Peter and Martha (Dawson) Rasar, who were natives of Tennessee and Indiana, respectively. The father came to Illinois about 1855 and in the fall of 1867 became a resident of llliopolis, but now makes his home in Newton, Kansas, where he is living retired. The mother of our sul)ject died on the 29th of March, 1900. William L. Ra.sar completed his education in the high scliool of llliopolis, and after IcaN'ing school he wo!"ked at the blacksmith's trade from the age of sixteen until twenty- three years old. lie then engaged in farm- ing upon rented lanil for eighteen years and now operates the farm belonging to his wife, which is a valuable place of three hundred and twenty acres in Mount Aul)urn town- ship. 'Mr. Rasar has placed the farm under a high state of cultivation and has made many improvements thereon, including the erection in 1902 of a fine barn, fifty-six feet square, and now^, in 1903, he is building an elegant twelve-room modern residence, con- taining a l)ath-room and to be heated with hot water, lie follows both general farm- ing and stock-raising with good success, as he thorougldy understands the occupation which he has chosen as a life work. On the 27th of January, 1880, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Rasar and Miss Carrie E. Davis, a daughter of Dial Davis, \vhose biography a[)pears elsewhere in this ^■olume. Mr. and Mrs. Rasar have become the parents of eight children : Fred Dial, now twenty-two years of age; Charles Claud, tw^enty-one; Carolee, twenty; Gro\er Cleveland, eighteen ; Brice Davis, eleven ; Corwin AN'ilford, eight; Donald Gradon, three; and Eloise Edmonia, six months. The family are connected with the Christian church and are people of prominence in the community where thev reside. Socially Mr. Rasar is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Court of Honor, all of Mount Auburn, and politically he is iden- tified with the Democracy. He served as collector of Mount Aubiu.*n towaiship two terms, from 1895 ^o 1898; was school direc- tor of the Davis school for fifteen years; and clerk of the board for twelve years. He has always been found true to every trust re- posed in him, whether jjublic or jM'ivate, and he merits and receives the respect and con- fidence of all who know him. E. R. MOONEY. E. R. ]\Iooney, residing on section 11, <| Mount Auburn township, is a well known contractor and builder, as well as farmer, of whose skill manv notable examples are seen at various points throughout the county. Thoroughly reliable in all things, the ([ualitv of his work is a con\incing test of his own ])ersonal worth and the same ad- mirable trait is shown in his conscientious discharge of the duties of different positions W. L. RASAR MRS. W. L. RASAR CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 437 of trust and responsibility to which he has l)een chosen in Inisiness and poHtical Hfe. Mr. Mooney was born August i6, 1853, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, of which state his parents, Whitson \V. and Esther K. (Smith) Mooney, were also natives. From Pennsylvania the family removed to Newcastle, Indiana, where the father died in 1863 and the mother in 1886. There our subject was reared and educated and at the age of sixteen years he began learning the carpenter's trade, ^^■hich he has since fol- lowed with good success. In 1874 he came to Christian county, Illinois, and has since engaged in contracting and buildir.g, being considered one of the leading contractors of this section of the state. He also follows farming, -owning and operating a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres one mile west of Mount Auburn, where he resides. On the 2ist of April, 1880, Mr. Mooney married Miss Sallie Davis, a daughter of Dial Davis, whose biography appears else- where in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Mooney have three children: Mabel C, at home; Gladys W., who is now attending the Milli- kin University at Decatur; and Ruth M., at home. The mother and daughters are mem- bers of the Christian church, and Mr. Mooney is connected with the Court of Honor. He served as supervisor of Mount Auburn township in 1889 and has also filled the office of township collector for two terms. He stands high in both business and social circles and his success in life has been worthily achieved, it ha\'ing been gained entirely through his own well directed ef- forts. JOSEPH COWAN. For over a cjuarter of a century the Cow an family have been numbered among the hon- ored residents of Rosamond township and three of its representatives are still living on the old homestead on section 12, these being Joseph, Mary and Benjamin F. The parents were G. W. and M. E. (Cochran) Cowan, who were natives of North Carolina and were of Irish descent, though their ancestors came to America prior to the Revolutionary war. The paternal grandfather, Joseph Cowan, married Miss Elizabeth Swan, of Maryland, and to them were born twO' chil- dren : G. W., the father of our subject: and his sister. At a very early day the father left his native state and removed to Perry county, Missouri, where he began working by the day, chopping wood at forty cents per cord and boarding himself. In this way he gained a start in life and was at length able to enter a tract of land in Perry county. At that time Appleton, Missouri, which was twelve miles distant, was his near- , est trading point and there he had to go for his mail also. He and his family lived in true pioneer style and underwent many of the hardships and privations incident to life on the frontier. In those day he raised his owm sheep and after the shearing was done his wife, with the aid of her daughters, would prepare the v/ool and do the carding-, spinning and knitting for her household. Besides the cloth used for clothing she made fancy coverlets, etc. Miss Mary Cowan has in her possession a coverlet which formerly belonged to her grandmother Cowan and has other souvenirs of pioneer days which she prizes highly, including an old iron kettle, which the family took from North Carolina on their removal to Missouri. During the boyhood days of our subject all of the cook- ing was done over a fireplace, an old fash- ioned crane being used to hang the kettles on. He remembers well when matches first came into use and when candles were the only means of lighting the houses. 438 PAST AND PRESENT After li\ing" in ^Missouri for several years, G. W. Cowan brought his family to Illinois in March. 1877. and located on section 12, Rosemond township. Christian county, where he continued to make his home th.roughout the remainder of his life. Here he died on tlie 5th of May, 1889, '^^ the age of sixty- eight years, honored and respected by all who knew him. During- his younger years he was a member of the State Militia in Perry county, Missouri, and he always took a commendable interest in pul)lic affairs. His estimable wife survived him a number of years, dying October 26, 1900, when she lacked but one w eek of being seventy years of age. Unto this worthy couple w-ere born eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, all {^f whom reached maturity, namely: Jo- seph, whose name introduces this sketch; Isaac and William, twins; Mary, who is now acting as housekeeper for her brothers ; Marion, who died at the age of thirty-one years ; Columbus ; Emma, wife of R. A. Bar- l)Our, of Perry county, Missouri ; Jennie, wife of B. I. Van Housen, of Meade coun- ty, Kansas ; A\'. ^IcClelland, who married a Miss Horney and li\es in A\'ichita, Kansas: Grant, who married a Aliss McNamara and resides in ^leade county, Kansas ; and Ben- jamin P., who lives on the old homestead. Joseph Cowan was born in Perry county, Missouri, in 1848. and was reared amid pioneer surroundings on a farm in that coun- ty. Upon the place a large cottonwood now stands that was planted by the father many years ago. Our subject and his sister Mary pursued their studies in a log cabin school- house furnished in a primitive manner but later she went to school in a frame building. \\'hen not in school Mr. Cowan aided in the work of the farm and used to ride many miles to mill to have feed ground. At that time there were no commission houses in St. Louis and all of the produce raised on the Cowan farm was marketed at Appleton, Missouri, 'riiex cut the grain with a cradle and cultixated tlie corn with a single shovel plow. After coming to Christian county, Il- linois, Joseph Cowan assisted in the develop- ment of their new farm in Rosemond town- ship, consisting of one hundred and sixt} acres, and he bnjke man}- an acre of wild prairie land, which he has since transformed into a fine farm. He is successfully engage-_l in general farming and stock-raising in con- nection with his brother. Benjamin F., and they have Shire and Norman horses and a good grade of cattle and hogs up(,^n their ])lace. Being good practical agriculturists and reliable and trustworthy in business, they have prospered in their undertakings and are ranked among the substantial citizens of the communit}'. 'I'heir Ikmuc is pleasantl}' located three miles north of the \-i]lag"e of Rosemond. ^IRS. CHARLES BEAULIEU. ]Mrs. Charles Beaulieu, a well known resi- dent of Assumption, is a native of \\^est Virginia and a daughter of Charles and Caroline Long, who were also born in th:;t state. There the father carried on general farming until the Civil war, when in 1864 he brought his family to Illinois and settled in Christian county upon the Ennis farm on section 3, Assumption township. Here he became the ow'uer of a half section of land. which was recently sold, the profit to be di- vided among his heirs. Here he and his \\ife worked early and late to improve the farm and thev soon made it one of the most desirable places of the township. Mrs. Long often assisted her husband in the fields, drop- ping corn and doing other outdoor work be- CHRISTIAN ("OUNT^^ IIJJNOIS. 439 sides Ikt liduscliuld dutic'S. Main' lunirs each da\' were dcN'oted lit s])iniiin!^' and in llie I'aniiK' are still a number of coverlets and blankets wbicli she and her mother \\()\e. The boys then wore jeans and the dresses of the girls were made of linsey wool- sey. No stoves were then in use in West Virginia and the bouses \\ere lighted 1)y a grease lamp which hung in the chimney corner. Later, di]3ped candles came into use and were afterward replaced by molded cMies. Cooking A\as done o\'er an old fashioned fireplace, the kettle being hung on a crane. Most of the baking A\as dcMie either in a skillet or a Dutch oven. wSettlements Avere then widely scattered and the Long family walked from three to four miles to attend church. On coming to Illinois they found Christian county largely wild and unim- proved, much of the land being under water, and the}' underwent many of the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Ducks, geese, brants and prairie chickens were to be had in abundance and furnished the early settlers with much of the meat which they used. After a useful and well spent life IMr. Long passed away June 21, 1903, in his eightieth year and the funeral sermon A\as preached Ijy Rev. Strain, pastor of the Pres- byterian church of Assumption. His wife, who is the oldest in a family of four chil- dren and the only sur\-ivor, is now in b.er seventieth year. She has lieen a hard \\-ork- er,'has passed through many trying ordeals in sickness and death, and is loved and re- spected by all who knc^w her. She is the mother of fourteen children, but five died in West Virginia and four in this county. Those still lixing are Margaret, now IVIrs. Reanlieu: Andrew S., who is married ;ind living in Fort Madison, Iowa: Mrs. Ponder, who lives on the home farm in i\ssumption townshii); Charles, who is also married and H\ing in Assumption townslhp on Ihc old home i)lace; and Luella, wife of Waller Mc- Donald, of Assumi)tion. Mrs. Beanlien was reared and educated in her native state, her girlhood being passed on a farm. A\dien a }'oung w'oman she gave her hand in marriage to Albert W^oodruff, by whom she had four children, namely: Leonora, who married and died in Spencer, Iowa, at the birth oi her child who is still ]i\ing: Charles H., a physician now living in Texas: Mrs. Mimiie Dodson, a resident of Iowa: and Annie, who died in infancy. The husband and father died in Cdiicaeo in 1893 '^"^^^ Mvs. Woodruff subsequently mar- ried Charles Beaulieu. There were three children born of this union: Hattie, now- deceased : and Iowa atid Orville, who are still living. Mrs. Beaulieu is an earnest mem- lier of the Methodist Episcopal church a,nro\vs stroni'er as th.e vears pass. Such is the life of ^Ir. Swim, an encouragement to his associates and an example well worth)' of emulation to the voung. Mr. Swim \\as liorn in Kentuck}-, August 30. 181s, a son of Nathaniel and Eunice ( ]^Ia(ldox) Swim, who were natives of Ken- tucky and Tennessee, respectively. He is the oldest of their eight children and the only sur\i\-or. He -^Aas horn in a log cabin, reared upon a farm and educated in an old log" schoolhouse. In earlv manhood he was married at Batavia, Ohio, to ]\Iiss Rachel Hill, who was born in that state. Alarch 8. 1817. Her father. Rev. John ETill, was an old-time circuit rider whose salarv amounted to onl\' two hundred dollars a year. After his marriage Mr. Swim removed to Cincinnati. Ohio, to accept a position that liad been offered him as clerk in a grocery store, having ])reviously had some expe- rience in a Country store. Later he em- barkeandoned the plow and removed to Pana. where he embarked in the dry-goods business, soon winning for liimself a place among the foremost mer- chants of the city. Active and influential in public affairs, he left the impress of his in- dividuality upon public thought and feeling. He w^as one of the delegates sent to secure the Iniilding of the Big Four Railroad through this ])lace and was always identified with the business interests of the town and the work of pul:)]ic progress and advance- ment along the lines of modern civilization. His political support was given the Repul:»- lican party. His death occurred January 22, 1898. J. Will Smith was but a boy when brought to Pana and in this city he was reared, his education being acquired in its public schools. When sixteen years of age he be- gan clerking for G. V. Penwell, and thus became familiar with mercantile methods. After several years' experience in commer- cial pursuits, he began business on his own account as a member of the firm of Conklin & Smith, dealers in clothing, men's furnish- ing goods, boots and shoes. After a few \ears Mr. Smith purchased his partner's in- terest and for twenty-six years has carried on business alone. He now carries a large and well selected line of men's furnishing goods and shoes, and his business methods have commended him to the ])ublic confi- dence. He not only desires to please his l)atrons, l)ut is systematic and reliable in ;tll that he does, and thus has secvu'ed the con- fidence of all with whom he has business dealings. Associated with other eriterpris- ing business men he built the opera house of Pana and became secretary of the com- pany. Later he purchased his ]jartners' in- terests and was its manager for two years, at the end of which time he sold out. He owns considerable land in the vicinity of Pana and also has farming interests in Shelby, Fayette and Montgomery counties. In 1884 occurred the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Emma D. Hauck, a daugh- ter of Henry Hauck, of Springfield, Illinois. Her death occurred in 1901 and she left one child ; Marie Carretta. Mr. Smith is a mem- ber of the Elks fraternity of Slielbyville, and in his political affiliations he is a Repub- lican. His interest in public affairs has not been manifest through a desire for oi^ce, but through earnest and effective co-opera- tion in measures for the general good and the progress of his city. He has long been a resident of Pana and his stanchest friends are those who have known him for the great- est length of time, a fact which indicates an honoral)le and upright career. ARTHUR BURTON KIRK. One of the most enterprising and pro- gressive citizens of Buckhart township is Ar- thur B. Kirk, who was born August 3, 1864^- on the farm where he now resides and has spent his entire life in Christian county. His parents were Henry and Hannah Kirk. By occupation his father was a farmer and stock-raiser. During his boyhood and youth our subject acquired a good practical educa- tion in the district school near his honne and he early became familiar with the work of the farm. He has continued to actively engage in agricultural pursuits up to the present time but for the past two years has devoted considerable attention to the selling 44S PAST AND TRESENT of pumps ai'd t(i ihc plunibiiii^ business, i Ic deals in all kinds of i^odds aldnt^' that line and has built up an cxtcusixe trade in Peters d()iil)le cylinder force i)unips. wlncli j;i\e the utmost satisfaction. A custduier i>nce se- cured is always sure to j^ixe liim further patroua^'c when an\thin!^' in his line is de- sired. In 1903 he sold iifty-two i)umps. which was one for each A\eck. and so far this year (in 1904) his sales ha\e lieeu almost doulile that amount. \\'ide-awake and en- ergetic he has met with good success in this undertakiu.g and in business circles is re- garded as a most reliable and strr.ightfor- ward man. On the 7th of October, 1889. 'Mv. Kirk was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Sad- ler, the ceremony being performed at the home of her father. Samuel J. Sadler, near (irove City. Two children were born to them. I\uth and Hobart. hut the latter died in infancy. Ruth was born July 28, 1893. and on the 9th of January. 1903, they adopt- ed a little girl three years old who l>ears the name of ivlildred Kirk. The family stands high in the community where they make their hduie. Jn his political \iews ^\v. Kirk is an ardent Republican. On the 27th of March. 1888, he was made a Mason at Fisher Lodge. Xo. 585. A. !-. & A. Af.. of Grove City, with which he still hold member- ship, and since October. 1882. he has been a member of the Christian church at Edin- burg. Illinois. JOSEPH S. WTLSOX. Joseph S. Wilson, the well known station agent at Morrisonville and one of the ]M'om- inent citizens of that place, was born in U'in- chester, Illinois, on the 7th of August. 1850, and is a son of Dr. ^^Mlliam H. Wilson, a ])h\sician and a noted Whig, who once en- tertained Tresidcnt Lincoln at a batic(uet. The earl\- life of union, of whom four are yet living, namely: Margaret P., Marion R., Lewis V. and Cordia. Those who have passed away are John L., a twin brother of Lewis P., who died at the age of six months ; and Gertrude, w ho died in infancy. Margaret F. is a grad- uate of the high school and is now a popular teacher in the West school of Taylorville, while Marion R. is a telegraph operator at the tenninal station in St. Louis, Missouri. The younger children are yet under the pa- rental roof. When eighteen years of age Mr. Leathers became a member of the Methodist Protest- ant church, the organization being formed in a log schoolhouse in Shelby county. He retained his membership there for six years, at the end of which time the society dis- banded and he united with the Christian church at Holiday, Illinois. Some years later he was ordained an elder in that church and has continuously acted in that capacity, be- ing now an elder in the Christian church of Taylorville. His wife also belongs to the same church and they take a very prominent and active part in its work. Mr. Leathers is a leading member of the Christian En- deavor Society and has been very helpful to voung men and women who are trving to lead a better life. He is also a prominent member of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation and was the secretary of the local society for one year. He gives to every movement for the moral advancement of the community his hearty co-operation and has done his full share toward the betterment of humanity and for the advancement of church interests in Taylorville and the other communities in which he has resided. LEVEUS E. SMEDLEY This worthy citizen of Rosamond town- ship belongs to an old and honored New England family that originated in England CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 457 and dates back two hundred and fifty years, the deeds to the home being made out in the time of George III. The progenitors of the family in America were two brothers, John and James Smedley, the former of whom located on a farm in Litchfield, Con- necticut, while the latter settled in old Vir- ginia. Their descendants are now ^vi(lely scattered throughout the LTnited States. Nehemiah Smedley, our subject's great- great-grandfather, was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, in 1732, and he and William Hosford were the first white men to locate at Williamstown, Massachusetts. There was a book dedicated to his honor, Nehe- miah Smedley and Colonel Simons, compiled by Arthur Latham Perry, LL. D., professor of history and political economy in Williams College, a member of the Massachusetts His- torical Society and president of the Berk- shire Historical and Scientific Society. Ne- hemiah Smedley was twice married, his first wife being Mary Harwood, and their oldest child was Levi Smedley, the great-grand- father of our subject. He was born Octo- ber 8, 1764, at Bachelor Hall, which was built by his father and which was the birth- ])lace of four of the latter's children, the other four being born in a new and larger house that is still standing near the junction of the Green and Ho(3sac rivers. The oak "timbers for the new house were lifted in place October 8, 1772, when Levi Smedley v\-as only eight years old, and the Harwoods and other friends came from Bennington, Vermont, to assist in the raising. The coun- tr)- was then preparing for war, this being just before the Revolution and Captain Ne- hemiah Smedley was away from home most of the time, leaving the care of the children to his wife. After her death he was mar- ried in less than a year to Mrs. Lyman Gibbs, by whom he had one son, James, who was born December 23, 1783. His will, dated December 17, 1789, made his eldest son, Levi, sole executor, then just past his twen- ty-fourth year. His bond for the sum of one thousand pounds was signed by his neighbors, Samuel Kellogg and Ira Baker, who owned adjoining farms and who, to- gether with William Wells, had witnessed the will. The testator lived about two years after his will was drawn and it was approved by the judge of probate March 2, 1790. Tradition says that Nehemiah Smedley died of consumption at the old homestead. The place was afterward occupied by his son Levi, who was known as Deacon Smedley and who was the great-grandfather of our subject. He died in 1848 at the age of eighty-four years. Levi Smedley, Jr., our subject's grand- father, was born in 1795 and in due time in- herited the farm, where he lived a long and useful life. For one year he represented his town in the general assembly, entering upon the duties of that position in January, 1857, and he did good service in forwarding the cause of the Hoosac tunnel then before the legislature, the Boston & Albany Railroad making a strong fight against the proposi- tion. Chauncey Smedley, the father of our sub- ject, was born December 24, 18 19, on the old home farm, of which he afterward came into possession. After operating the an- cestral acres for half a lifetime he sold the place and came to Illinois in 1870, locating near Aurora in Kane county, where he pur- chased a farm. He was married in Will- iamstow^n, Massachusetts, to Miss Celestia Bardwell, a daughter of Giles Bardwell and a descendant of Obediah Bardwell, who was a Revolutionary soldier. UntO' this union two children were born : Leveus E., of this review; and Eliza D.,, who married 458 PAST AND PRESENT William R. Hobbs and died at South Bend, Indiana, leaving four sons. After coming to Illinois the father engaged in farming in Kane county until 1885, \vhen he came to Christian county to make liis home with our subject. Here he died on the 29th of Octo- ber, 1885, and his wife, who was born at Sandy Hill, New York, May 28, 182 1, passed away January 6, 1900. Leveus E. Smedley is of the fifth gen- eration of the Smedley family lx)rn at Will- iamstown, Massachusetts, his natal day be- ing November 13. 1846. He was educated in the public schools of that place and has made farming his life occupation as did his ancestors. It was in the spring of 1885 that he came to Christian county and took up his residence upon his present farm on section 14, Rosamond townshij). where he has one hundred and sixty acres of land under a high state of cultivation and well improved with good buildings. Here he is success- fully engaged in general farming and stock raising, his principal crops being hay and gram. At Williamstown, Massachusetts, March 15, 1 87 1, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Smedley and ]\Iiss Clara Ellis Kellogg, who was born July 28, 1849, ^ daughter of Samuel Blair and Mary A. (Hosford) Kel- logg, lx)th representatives of old and highly respected families of that place. Her father died about 1892, but her mother is still liv- ing and now makes her home in Brockport, New York. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smedlev were l)orn five children : Lucy, born Decem- l)er 2, 1871, is now the wife of C. S. Bailey, of Rosamond township. Mary A., born De- cember 2. 1873, is the wife of James A. Mc- Kee, a merchant and postmaster of Rose- mond. Samuel C, born January 7, 1879, died August 23, 1880. Julia Kellogg, born April 13, 1882, was graduated at the Rose- nioiul schools in 1900, and was married in 1903 to Morris Newell, now of Richland, ^lichigan. Chauncey Harold, lx)rn Decem- ber II, 1889, completes the family. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smedle}- are earnest and con- sistent nienil:>ers of the First Congregational church of Rosemond, of which he is one of the trustees, and they are held in high es- teem bv all who know them. JOSIAH LESLIE BOYD. The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved, who has overcome the obstacles in his path and has become an important factor in business circles. This is a progressive age and he who does not advance is soon left far behind. By the improvement of opportunities by which all are surrounded Mr. Boyd has steadily and honorablv worked his way upward and is to-day one of the wealthy and substantial citizens of his com- munity. He makes his home in Palmer and is now engaged principally in farming and in buying and selling stock. A native of Christian county, he was born near the present site of Palmer, April 25, 1850, and is a son of Alfred and Zillah A (McCormick) Boyd, who were natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, but spent the early part of their married life in Christian county, Kentucky, where the father engaged in farming and tobacco-rais- ing. In 1839, accompanied by his wi/e and four children, he came with a brother to Christian county, Illinois, the journey be- ing made in a prairie schooner and consum- ing several weeks. At length thev arrived at their destination :uid located in what is now Bear Creek township, a mile and a half from Palmer, where the father entered a tract of government land, the place being CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 459 ii()\\ owned by his eldest sun. He continued to reside in Bear Creek township through- out hfe. hi November, 1880, lie was killed by a train. His wife died Julv 9, 1897. This worthy couple were the parents of thirteen children, of whom nine reached years of maturity and eight are still living. Four of the number are residents of Chris- tian county, these being Mrs. John F. Ander- son, of Taylorville ; Joseph, of Bear Creek township; and James M. and Josiah L.. both of Palmer. During their early residence in this county the family endured many of the hardships and privations which fall to the lot of the j)ioneer and the father often went to St. Louis to do his shopping, dri\ing an ox team across the unbroken prairies. Our subject acquired his education in a district school situated two miles from his home and in going that distance he had to cross three swamps, so wet was the land at that time. Until twenty-one years of age he continued to attend school off and on dur- ing the winter season after the crops were harvested in the autumn. He remained on the homestead farm until thirty-one and then removed to Palmer, where he opened a mer- cantile establishment, carrying a full line of goods usually found in a first class general store. He retired from the active manasfe- ment of the same in 1902, when lie sold an interest in the store to A. L. Shrout. who is now in charge. In 1897 Mr. Boyd bought the elevator at Palmer, having two vears prior to this time embarked in the grain business, but he sold out in 1902 and now devotes his entire time and attention to his farming and stock dealing. He is the owner of seven hundred and eighty acres of land in Johnson. Greenwood and Bear Creek town- ships, all under cultivation and well im- proved, and he gives his personal supervision to the operation of two hundred and sixty acres of this. He not only buys and sells live stock but he also raises and feeds consider- able beef cattle for the markets, and in his business undertakings has met with marked success, being a man of sound judgment and keen discrimination. On the 6th of May, 1875, Mr. Boyd mar- ried Miss Laura J. Hewitt, of Taylorville, and to them have been born ten children, of wdiom Francis A. died at the age of four years. Those still living are as follows : Anna Zillali. wife of A. L. Shrout, by w^hom she has one child, Helen lone; Laura Eunice. Olive Edna, Lotus Emma, William Leslie. Velma Gertrude, Ross H., Byron B. and Ruth v., all at home. Religiously Mr. Boyd and wife are mem- bers of the Cumberland Presl^yterian church and fraternally he holds membership in Mor- risonville Lodge, No. 681. A. F. & A. M., of which he is junior warden. He is a prom- inent Odd Fellow, having several times passed all the chairs in Palmer Lodge. No. 501, I. O. O. F. He also belonged to the encampment at Palmer, which is now aban- doned, and twice served as a delegate to the grand lodge of the state. He also belong? to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Army of America. In poli- tics Mr. Boyd is a pronounced Republican and the fact that he was elected a member of tlie county board of supervisors in a Dem- ocratic township plainly indicates his pei • sonal popularitv and the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow citizens. He also ser\ed as jiresident of the village board tw(^ terms and has been a member of the school board and clerk of the same. He is a pul)lic spirited and progressive citizen and he well merits the high regard in which he is held. •tf)0 PAST AND I'KESENT ClfARLES M. I' ARKER. Charles M. Earkcr. editor :ind proprietor of the School .W'Ti'.v and I^nictiai luliicntcr, published at 'raylorxille, llHnois, has throughout his entire life heen eoiineeted with educational work and his labors have resulted to the henetit of the school S3'stem of this and many other states. Deeply inter- ested in the cause of education, he has made a close and earnest study of the needs and demands of the public in this direction and his ideas, as set forth in his i)ublication. ha\e been most practical and helpful. In this regard he mav certainly be termed a public l^enefactor, for he A\ho gives to man useful knowledge bestows upon him some- thin"" that can never be taken from him but will grow stronger with use. Mr. Parker was born in the mountains in the western ])art of North Carolina, his birth occurring in Wilkes county, near Wilkesboro, on the 17th of September, i860. His i)arents were Samuel S. and Elizabeth A. (Call) Parker, the former a farmer b^'' occupation. His father died when he was only two years of age. In 1867 he. with his mother and stepfather left the south and came to Christian county, Illinois, setthng in Mosquito township. Ele became a stu- dent in the district schools, which he at- tended for a few months each winter until eighteen years of age, the summer seasons being devoted to working for farmers of the communit}-. He sjient about six uK^nths in 1880 as a student in W'estfield College, of Westfield, Illinois, and in 1879 began teacii- ing in Mosquito township, being then eight- een years of age. He attended the annual teachers' institutes in Christian and Macon counties and the work there clone and the course of reading which he pursued in the Illinois Teachers' Reading Circle gave him an inspiration in his teaching and in his efforts to secure imi)ro\ed methods of in- struction. He had a natuial \o\e for the work .and also realized that teaching afforded oijjjortunity for study and cnhure. From t88i until 1886 he taught .school near Blue Mound, in Macon county, Illinois, and for two years thereafter was a teacher in the West Side school of Taylorville. Ere severing his connection w ith the city schools in 1888 he began the ])ublication of the School A'czus and Practical lidncatov in June, 1887. This journal is now in its sev- enteenth year and has been continuously and exclusively under the management and own- ership of Mr. Parker. He has made it what its name implies — a paper of the greatest assistance to the teacher, and from almost every county superintendent of the state he has received letters of endorsement and praise, speaking of the value of his paper. His time and attention have been given to a study of the conditions of the schools, their needs and recjuirements and the ideas ad- vanced by him ha\e been of a most ])ractical and helpful character. Erom 1888 until 1897 he was an instructor in teachers' institutes in various parts of Illinois. He has thus been identified with educational work in more than thirty counties of the state and has thereby gained a broad, comprehensive and accurate view of the conditions of the schools and has ])lanned work for their im- l)rovement. his ideas being set forth in the School Ncccs. The circulation of this jour- nal is continually increasing and meets a r.ced of the teachers of the ])ublic schools. b'rom L'. J. llofiman, county superin- tendent of schot)ls of La Salle county, came the following: "In ni}' judgment the School NiTiVS, in connection with the State Cour.se of Study, is the best help available to the teacher in the common schools. I CTIRJSTTAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 461 caiiDot conceive of anything more to the point. The work of the month is oiithned in tlie Conrse. The vakiable suggestions here given are re-inforced every month in the School Nc^cs in advance by the best educators of the state. A teacher just 1)e- ginning the work, can, by an intelhgent use of the Course of Study and the School N'ezvs^ grow into an experience in otie year Avhich would cost him five years of labor without such aid." This is but one of hundreds of such letters that Mr. Parker has received, and they not only bear testimony of his splendid work in relation to the schools, but also speak in high terms of him as a gen- tleman and business man, always reliable, honorable and worthy of public trust and high regard. Li politics Mr. Parker is independent, but is inclined to the -Republican party on ques- tions of finance and tarifY. He has never sciught or desired political ofiice, but has been and is now especially interested in the public library movement. At the present he is a member of the board of directors of the Taylorville public library and also a member of the board of directors of the Taylorville township high school. He be- longs to the State and National Teachers' Associations and is a member of the Edu- cational Press Association of America. His religious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the First Baptist church of Taylor- \'ille. in which he is now serving as super- intendent of the Sunday-school. On the 27th of December, 1883, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Leonora L. Wright, of Mosquito township. Christian county, and they have four chil- (h-en : Minnie L., Howard K., Jennie and Roy. Li his home he is devoted to his fam- ily and finds his greatest enjoyment when with his wife he dispenses hospitality to their many friends. His entire life has been given to the work of benefiting his race, and in his efforts he seems to have been imbued with the same spirit which prompted the words of Sydney Smith, who said : "The real object of education is to give children resources that w-ill endure as long as life endures : habits that time will ameliorate, not destroy ; occupation that will render sick- ness tolerable, solitude pleasant, age vener- able, life more dignified and useful and death less terrible." MLSS MATILDA TEDLIE. For over fifty-two years this lady has been a resident of Christian county and she has therefore witnessed much of its growth and development. During the early years of her residence here she experienced many of the hardships and privations of pioneer life and is thoroughly familiar with the conditions which exist in a frontier settlement when the land is unimproved and wild game is abundant. Miss Tedlie was lx)rn in County London- derry, Ireland, February 6, 1826, a daugh- ter of William and Lienor Tedlie. The father died in that country in 1848, leaving six children, namely : John, William, Henry. Esther (Murphy). Jane and Matilda. In 1836 the sons came to the United States and first located in West Virginia, but in 1850 came to Christian county. Illinois, where they were joined by their mother and sisters the following year. Here the mother died in t86i. and on the 13th of January, 1863, John passed away. Jane died Febru- ary 7, 1898. William Tedlie became a projii- inent and honored citizen of his communitv and took quite an active part in public af- fairs, representing May township in the 402 PAST AND I'RLCSIuX r hoard of supervisors in iSjf). He departed this life on the 13th of Fel)rnary, 1902. It will thus he seen tliat Miss Matilda Tedlie is the only representative of this worthy family now livin.^-. She is the owner of a tine farm of three hundred and fifty acres in Mav township, where she makes her home and is surrounded by a large circle of friends and ac(|uaintances who hold her in the highest esteem. Her farm is now being- operated by a great-nephew, B. F. \\'alker. who wasliorn in Pennsylvania, July I, iS6(). a son of W. A. and Elizabeth Walker, who still make their home in that state. During his youth he learned the ma- chinist's trade, which he follow-ed for thir- teen years, but in 190J came to Christian county and has since had charge of the farm, which he b.as managed in a most capable and satisfactory manner. JOSEPH SIMONS. Josejjh Simons has since 1865 been a val- ued resident of Christian county, making his home in AssumptioiL After being identi- fied with commercial interests for a number of vears he began investing in land and is now one of the large landowners of this ])lace. All that he has has been ac(|uired en- tirely through his own efforts, and he may well be called a self-made man. for he came to .\merica empty-handed, possessing no capital, but being endowed w ith courage, de- termination and energy. Indolence and idle- ness are utterly foreign to his nature and there are in his life record many elements that are well worthy of enmlation. Mr. Simons was born in Prussia, August 2\. \S^.2, a son of Jacob and P)arbara (Ru- mir.sbaugh) Simons, who spent their entire lives in that country. The mother died in 1835, and the father, who was a farmer by occupation, passed .''.\\a_\- after the enngra- tion of his son Jose])h to the new world. Ihere were but two children in the family, the daughter being Susanna, who lived and died in Prussia, leaxing a family. Josejjb Simons acquired a common school education and afterward ser\-ed an appren- ticeship to the baker's trade, following that pursuit as a journeyman in his native coun- try for four years. Tn 1857 he determined to come to America and took passage on a westward liound sailing vessel belonging to the Lloyd steamship line, on wdiich he made the voyage from Antwerp to New York. It t(^ok fi\-e weeks to make the tri]) and for twenty-two days verv severe weather was encountered. He came at once to Illinois and secured work on the seminary at Au- rora, which was then l^eing builded. He af- terward s]jent a few months on a farm. working for thirteen dollars per month and next engaged to work for a year for one hundred and fifty dollars in Menard county, being thus employed from 1858 until the out- break of .the Civil war. In August, 1862, he responded to the call of his adopted coun- try for aid and enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, with which he went to Cairo under Captain Mallorv. He ser\ed throughout the Vicks- hurg ciunpaign and was present at the sm'- render of that southern stronghold, July 4, 1863. He was in the two battles of Jack- son, Afississipi^, and at (luntown, January 12, 1864, he met with a serious injury, hav- ing his arm shattered by a musket ball. The member was ani])utated above the elbow a few da\s later. ( )n account of being dis- abled he was also taken ])risoiKM- by the Rel)- els rmd the operation was i)erformed by a Confederate surge(Mi in the hos|)ital at AFo bile. Alabama. After his partial recovery he was sent to ]\lacon, Georgia, and thence JOSEPH SIMONS MRS. JOSEPH SIMONS CPIRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 4(; ) i to Anclersonville. wliere he was imprisoned for four months or until ahout the close of the war. Upon his release he made his way lo Vickshurg- and was there the night the news of Lresident Lincoln's assassination was received. At the close of the war he was sent to St. Louis, thence to Camp But- ler and was mustered out at Springfield, Illi- nois, in August, 1865. He was ever a brave and loyal soldier and his military experience is one of which he has e\'ery reason to be proud. Returning to Menard county Mr. Simons settled up his affairs there and 'Started out in search of a location. His choice fell upon Assumption, then a small village, in which he opened a little restaurant, Deceml)er g, 1865. The folli^wing year he began build- ing- a store and added to his restaurant a grocery department, carrying on business there until his store was destroyed by fire. He at once rebuilt, however, and resumed operations. In May. 1880, he sold out and bought a half block on Hickory street, on which he erected a fine residence in 1890-T. In 1891-2 he built two stores and also be- came part owner in the opera house, a mam- moth brick l)uilding, which was destroyed by fire in 1901. Since then he has sold his lots in Assumption and has invested in farm- ing lands, located in Assumption and Locust t lie-spirited citizen he takes a deep interest in public affairs, but has never cared for the honors or emoluments of office. Pleasant antl genial ni manner, he makes friends wherever he goes and is held in high regard bv all mIk) know him. WILLIAM H. BECK. William H. Beck, who was successfully engaged in the photographic and insurance business in Morrisonville, was born in Louis- ville, Kentucky, January 13, 1867, and was a son of Frederick and Kate Beck, both na- tives of Germany. In the family were only two children : \\'illiam Herbert and Chester Lee. Our subject spent the first fourteen years of his life in his native city and then went to Harrison county, low'a, where he worked on a farm and in a sawmill together with other occupation until twenty-nine years of age. He then took up photography and soon mastered that art. In 1889 Mr. Beck came to Morrisonville, his capital at that time consisting of only three dollars and a half. He opened a photo- graph gallery and the first year hardly made enough to pay his board but he continued at the business and at length success crowned his efforts. He became the owner of the building in wdiich he had his studio and which is twenty-two by one hundred feet in dimensions and two stories in height, his home being the upper story. He enjoyed a liberal share of the public patronage, his cus- tomers coming from fifteen miles in every direction. In connection with his photo- graphic work, he was engaged in the insur- ance business and represented some of the best companies in the country, including the Home Insurance Company of New^ York; the Phoenix, of Brooklyn : the Hartford, of Hartford, Connecticut ; the Springfield American Central Company of St. Louis. He did the leading business in that line in Morrisonville. He was a wide-awake, ener- getic business man, of progressive ideas and thoroughly reliable, and to those traits of character may be attributed his success. He was a member of the local board of fire in- surance and was treasurer of the association. Fraternally Mr. Beck belonged to the Mod- ern ^Voodmen of America and religiously was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as class-leader and special teacher in the Sunday school. He took an active part in all church work and was highly honored and esteemed by all who knew him. He died on the 22d of December, 1903. On the 24th of November, CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 470 1 89 1, he married Miss Georgie Haines and to them were born two children : Herbert W. and Chester. ANDREW F. HAMMER, M. D. In a profession where advancement de- pends upon individual merit and skill Dr. Hammer has won a very enviable position and in his practice shows a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the princi- ples of the medical science and adaptability for the needs of suffering humanity. His work has received the endorsement of public opinion and he is therefore accorded a lib- eral patronage. The Doctor is a native of Christian coun- ty, his birth having occurred in the city which he yet makes his home, his natal day l)eing December 7, 1849. ^^^ parents were Addison and Rebecca (Langley) Hammer and on the paternal line he comes of German ancestry, while on the maternal line he is of Scotch-Irish descent. The great-grand- mother Langley w^as a resident of North Carolina, to which state the progenitors of the family in America had made their way when they crossed the Atlantic from western Scotland, about the time of the second ex- odus of the Huguenots. John Hammer, the great-grandfather of the Doctor, was a na- tive of Virginia, whence he removed to Ken- tucky, where he spent his active life as a farmer. The paternal grandparents of the Doctor were Frederick and Elizabeth (Webb) Hammer. The grandfather was born in Kentucky in 1795 and was a black- smith by trade. He married Miss Webb, whose people were of English lineage, and removed from Virginia to Kentucky. When their son Addison W. Hammer was seven years of age the grandparents removed to Sangamon county and ten years later they came to Prairieton township. Christian county, where Frederick Hammer purchased two hundred acres of land. In 1852, how- ever, he sold that property and settled upon a farm lying in both May and Taylorville townships. As one of the pioneer agricul- turists of the county he aided largely in re- claiming wnld land for the purposes of civ- ilization and became a successful farmer. He was once elected justice of the peace, but preferred rather to discharge his public duties as a private citizen than as an official. In early life his political support was given to the Whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. His death occurred in the year 1866, when he was seventy-two years of age, and his wife pased away in 1870, at the age of seventy-six years. They reared a family of ten children, namely : William L., who died in Decatur, Illinois, in 1903, at the age of eighty-five years; Lucian W., of Nebraska; Addison W., of Taylorville; John, who died in 1853, at the age of twenty-three years; Mary, the widow of A. D. Norcutt and a resident of Forest, Illinois ; Margaret, who died at the age of nineteen years; Silas R., who is living in Marion county, Kansas; Seth R., who died in Salem, Oregon, at the age of sixty-six years; Sanford G., who was killed on the railroad when sixty-four years of age; and James Alpheus, who died in 1855, at the age of twenty-one years. Addison W. Hammer, the Doctor's father, was born in Kentucky, October 4, 182 1, and was brought by his parents to Illinois in the fall of 1827, the family home being estab- lished in Sangamon county. He remained upon the home farm until twenty-two years of age and shared in all the hardships and trials of pioneer life and assisted in the arduous duties of developing a new tract of land. He had but limited school privileges, 4^0 PAST AND PRESENT attending for only a few weeks during the winter seasons. \\'hen twenty-two years of age he began working as a farm hand and followed that pursuit for a year. He then learned the blacksmith's trade under the di- rection of his father and for four years con- ducted a shop of his own in Taylorville. On the expiration of that period he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Tay- lorville township and turned his attention to farming, paying two and a half dollars per acre for a tract of eighty acres and five dol- lars per acre for the remainder. Mr. Ham- mer then conducted his farm until 1866. when he sold that property and bought the home farm of one hundred and sixty acres, retaining possession thereof until 1873. "^v^i^ii he again sold and removed tO' Kansas, where he was engaged in the hardware business. Later he took up his abode in Berry, Sanga- mon county, Illinois, and there filled the po- sition of postmaster under the Harrison ad- ministration for four years. Later return- ing to Taylorville, he has since resided in this city. In the year 1848 he was united in mar- riage to Miss Rebecca Adeline Langley, a daughter of Josiah and Jane (Randolph) Lanw-lev. Mrs. Hammer died October 22, 1865, at the age of thirty-seven years. By her marriage she had become the mother of eight children, and the following are now living: Andrew T . ; Margaret I., the wife of I. B. Jordon of Logan county, Illinois ; Laura Isabella, the wife of T. H. Johnson, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Lura, the wife of J. S. Neal, of Edinburg, Illinois ; and Hugh L., who is a merchant of Clarksdale. Those who have passed away are John, who died at the age of ten years; Jerry, at the age of two years; and one that died in in- fancy. In the year 1852 Mr. Hammer was made a Mason in ]\Tound Lodge, No. 122, A. F. & A. M.. and he also belongs to Tay- lorville Chapter, Xo. 102, R. A. M. In poli- tics he is a Repuljlican, having supported the party since its organization. His first presi- dential vote was cast in 1844 and in i860 he supported Lincoln and has since been an advocate of tiie principles of the organiza- tion, but has never sought or desired public ofiice. Dr. Hammer, whose name introduces this record, was educated in the public schools, completing a high school course and then determining to devote his attention to the practice of medicine he began reading under the direction of Dr. Crouse, of Oswego. Kansas, who directed his reading from 1873 until 1876. In the meantime he taught school. He had followed that profession in 1 87 1 -2 and in 1873 he engaged in pros- pecting for lead and silver in Arkansas. He was dependent upon his own labors for the money necessary to meet t-he expenses of his professional education and when he had ac- (juired capital sufficient to permit a college course he entered the Hahnemann Aledical College of Chicago, in which he was grad- uated with the class of 1878. He then began practice in Berry, Sangamon county, where he remained for fifteen years, engaging in general practice. Removing to Taylorville he has since remained in this city and has become a successful member of the medical fraternity. With a nature that could never content itself with mediocrity he has ad- Aanced to a foremost position in the ranks of the profession, having the confidence and ad- miration of all for what he has accom- plished. In 1878 occurred the marriage of the Doctor and Miss Alice A. Dickerson, a daughter of John S. and Mary J. Dickerson. of Sangamon county, Illinois. They now have two interesting daughters : Estella CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 481 Pearl and Lena J. Both the Doctor and his wife are well and favorably known in Tay- lorville. They hold membership in the Christian church and he gives his political support to the Republican party, having firm faith in its principles. He is likewise a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Fraternal Army, the Loyal Army and is medical examiner for the last three. He is also a health officer and served in 1903 as the vice president of the Christian County Medical Society. He ranks high with the profession as well as with the general public and his life record shows the force of his character and the strength of a laudable ambition. L. T. MORGAN. L. T. Morgan, now proprietor of a livery stable in Pana and at one time actively con- nected with agricultural pursuits in Chris- tian county, was torn in Polk county, Geor- gia, in the year 1858, his parents being B. F. and Sarah Morgan. The father was born in Georgia and from that state remo\'ed to Ten- nessee. For a time he engaged in practice of medicine, being a physician and surgeon, and during the last ten years of his life he devoted his energies to preaching as a min- ister of the Baptist church. His career was, therefore, given to callings which are of marked benefit in the world and his life was one of great usefulness. He died in the year 1887 and his memory is yet revered and cherished l>y many who knev.' him. L. T. Morgan spent the first nine years of his life in the county of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their re- moval to McMinn county, Tennessee, where his youth was passed. He there began his business career as a farmer and followed that occupation continuously until about ten years ago, when he came to Pana, Illinois. He first rented three hundred and twenty acres of land near the town, the property of Mr. Cox, and lived upon this for four years, after which he rented three hundred and ten acres from Mr. Buell. He raised both grain and stock and made a success of farming, so conducting his efforts that his labors were attended with a high degree of success. On the 2d of February, 1903, Mr. Morgan took up his abode in Pana and purchased the liv- ery barn which he is now conducting. He has the best equipped livery stable in central Illinois, having on hand a fine lot of car- riages and a number of good horses. When he removed to Pana, however, ten years ago.. his cash capital consisted of but thirty-seven dollars. In this decade he has been very successful and is now one of the influential residents of the city. In 1878 occurred the marriage of Mr. Morgan and Miss Sallie Wilson, who Avas born in Tennessee near Kingston. Seven children graced this marriage : Frank, who is married and resides in Chicago ; Gertrude, deceased ; May ; Annie, who married W. T. Lester and resides in Pana ; Belle ; Cleve- land ; and Pearl. Mrs. Morgan belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal church and is a most estimable lady, carefully managing her household affairs and thus pr()\-ing a great assistance to her husband. Mr. Mor- gan belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp, to the Fraternal Army and to the Masonic Lodge, and in his political affiliations is a Democrat. He owed his success entirely to his enterprise and industry and these (juali- ties are salient features in his business career. JOSIAH P. HODGE. Josiah P. Hodge was born on the 23d of November, 1853, in Pope county, Illinois, his parents being Dr. John P. and Mary 482 PAST AND PRESENT ( I lillcnnan ) llodt^c. 'I'lic fatlicr was for many }ears a ])r(miinciU and successful physician of Pope county. Illinnis. Our sub- ject's elementary education was ac(|uired in the j)ul)lic schools of this state and he later entered the Illinois State Normal school. where he completed the course and was grad- uated in 1S75. h^)r two years he taught school and then too1< uj) the study o\ law. heing admitted to the har in 1X80. J'V>r a ninnher of years he was engaged in the prac- tice of iiis chosen profession hut his life has mostly l)een de\'ote(l to journalism He has edited hoth dail\- and weekly papers <^f prominence, including the Daily Sun, of I"'a(lucah. Kentucky, and the Daily Commer- cial of \'incennes. Indiana. On the 12th of August. 1875. ]\lr. Hodge was married in (lolconda. Illinois, to Miss May Clanahan. CARLETON FENIMORE HODGE. C.'U'leton h^nimore Hodge, the well known editor of the Prairie State Tribune , publislied at Assumption, was liorn in Pope county, Illinois. July 2"/, 1876, and is a son of josiah P. and May (Clanahan) Hodge. The father was graduated at the Illinois State Normal Uniyersity in the class of 1875 and has deyoted his life to journalism and tile legal profession. Our subject's paternal grandfather. Dr. John P. Hodge, was for many years ])rior to his death a prominent physician. During his boyhood C. V. Hodge attended the common schools but is largely self-edu- cated, his instruction being under the guid- ance of his father, who is a man of .scholarly attainments. Of studious habits and literary turn of mind, our subject naturally became interested in journalistic work at an early age and entered a printing office, \vhere he worked at the case for a number of years. h'or some time he was a compositor on the Pailx Telegraph and later on the Daily Sun, of I'aducah, Kentucky, of which his father was editor, and after his return from the Spanish-American \yar ^yas engaged for a considerable time as reporter on the Daily Commercial, of Vincennes, Indiana. Later he was connected with the ad\-crtising de- partment of the Indianapolis Sun. A\'ith his y(nniger brother, J. Sim Hodge, he subse- quently became editor and proprietor of the .\ssumption Independent, now the Prairie State Tribune, on the ist of January, 1901, and has since had charge of that paper. In the conduct of this journal he iias shown marked ability and has succeeded in making- it one of the most prominent and influential local papers in central Illinois. By the pub- lication of the Bible as a serial the Inde- pen\dent became ,the subject of comment in prominent journals throughout Christen- dom and thousands of letters were receiyed and many subscriptions from prominent church men and others interested in the new departure in journalism. On the declaration of war against Spain, ]\Ir. Hodge hastened from Tennessee, where he was engaged in ne^yspaper work, to Alton, Illinois, to rejoin the Alton Battalion of the Naval Reserves, of which he had pre- \iously been a member for seweral years. .\fter waiting for several weeks in hotirl}" expectation of being called out, he grew im- ])atient and in compan\- with three friends, one of w"h(Mn was Dr. Harry Lemen. who l)ecanie regimental surgeon and in that ca- ])acit}- subsequently s])ent several years in the Philippines, joined the regular army at St. Louis and was assigned to the Sixteenth Infantry. With his command he went through the Santiago campaign, his regi- ment leading the famous charge up San Juan Ilill. his company — F — occupying the cen- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 483 ler of the line and reaching" the top imme- diate]}' in front of the l)lockhouse. Mr. Hodge was one of the guard detailed in charge of prisoners captured. After the bat- tle he was on hospital duty and nursed a numl)er of yellow fever patients, escaping that disease to suffer an attack of typhoid after reaching Alontauk Point. Here he ap- plied for his discharge, ^^■hich was granted a few weeks later. Fraternally Mr. Hodge is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Maccabees. He formerly held the posi- tion of aide on the staff of Department Com- mander English, of the Indiana Department of the Spanish-American War Veterans. He is a young man of exceptional ability and is quite popular in business and social circles. MRS. ISABELL BERRY. There is probably no resident of Johnson township who is held in higher esteem than Mrs. Isabell Berry, whose home is on sec- tion II. She was born in York county, Pennsylvania, on the I4di of November, 1830, and was a young lady on coming to Christian county, Illinois, with her parents, Henry and Mary (Klinefelter) Baker. They were also natives of York county, Pennsyl- vania, the former born in 1802, the latter in 1804, and there they continued to make their home for many years. Throughout life the father followed the occupation of farming. After a useful and well s]jent life he died in 1880 and was laid to rest in the Clark ceme- tery of Johnson township. His wife had died in 1849 ^^•hen in the prime of life. This worthy couple were the parents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Berry is the second in order of birth, the others b^ing as fol- lows : Alexander, now deceased ; Matilda, the widow of Richard Johnson and a resi- dent of Johnson township ; Savilla, Jacob, William, Hester Ann and Samuel, all now deceased; Eliza, the deceased w^fe of Henr}^ Ebert, who is a resident of California ; and Mary, who was the wife of Matthew Stone and both are now deceased, their remains being interred in Oak Hill cemetery. In 1850 Miss Isabell Baker gave her hand in marriage to Thomas H. Berry, who was born in Montgomery county, Illinois, in 1828, and to them were born three children: Henry H., now a carpenter and builder liv- ing in Oklahoma; John T., a well-to-do agriculturist of Johnson township, this coun- ty ; and Mary Jane, who lives on the old homestead with her mother. Mr. Berry made farming his life occupa- tion and he was called upon to fill various local positions of responsibility and honor, the duties of which he most capably and sat- isfactorily discharged. Among other of^ces he served as highway commissioner and school director. His influence and ballot were used in support oi the Democratic party. For a period of over twenty years he w^as a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and died in that faith in 1873, being laid to rest in the United Brethren cemetery. An honorable and up- right man, he gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he was lirought in contact and in his death the community real- ized that it had lost a valued citizen. He was one of the most i)rominent and highly respected men of Johnson townshi]). The home farm belonging to Mrs. Berry is one of the l)est in the townshi]). It con- sists of one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land and forty acres of timber and in its management she has displayed excel- lent business ability and sound judgment. In 1892 she bought a lot and a half in Tay- lorville and Qrectecl thereon a nice residence, •I S4 I 'AST .WD I'kl'.SKN'r wlicrc sIio li\c(l until |,iini;u"\. in^' made her home. W ll.l 1 \.\l K. .\K()|)|':.\ll'S. W ilham K. .Xieodcmns. who i; tai^a^ed in the tran^t'er hu>incss in Taylorxilk' and who IS the h( im H'ed ma\or ol the eil\, was horn in Knox eount\, lennessee, on the _'()th ol" April. iSjS. his parents heim;' John W . and .\lar\ k. ( .\nlt ) Xiooik-mns. khe lather ol onr suhjec! eame to Illinois in the fall {li iS()0 and with his lann'\- loeated in r.a\lor\ ille township, Christian eonntw upon a farm, to the dexelopment and eultiva- lion iA whieh he earnesth de\oted his el- forts. In earl\ lile he heeame a '.nemher ol the soulhe''!! Illinois Methoviisl k'pisoopal eonferenee, and I lom that time until iS()S was eiii^as^ed in ministerial work. k.\en in his later xears his deep interest in the i'hm"eli ne\ er faltered, althouL;h in more aik.aiieed lile he was uiiahle to take so ])romment a part therein. A sineere earnest Christian "gentleman, his lalnirs were el"leeti\i' and help- ful in ])romotini;- the cause o\ (. hristianilv and his intlnenee was w idel\ fell for i^ootl in the eommunities in w hieh he li\ ed. I le w as twiee married, first wetkhn^ .Miss .Mar\- 1^. .\ult, who died when her son William 1\. was hut six years ni ai^e. Out k\ the six chilth'en li(~>i"u of this uniou oni\ twn are now living-, the l)rother of cnir subject heius;" Wes- ley B.. of Taykirviiie. The other four died in infancy. For his second wife the father chose Mary A. k^ilkuer, of Knox count \-. 'kennessee. who dictl in i()oo at the aj;-e (^i so\cnty-tW(^ years. John \\ . Xic^Hlemus ]Kissed awa>- on the joth of Ati.Li'ust, tqoj, at the ad\ance(l ai^e of se\-ent\- ei.nht years, Iea\ ini;' hi'hind him tlu' ret'ord of ;ni honor- ahk'. n))riL;ht lik'. In the suhscription schools of his nati\'e (•ount\ William K. .Xicodemns he.i;an his ed- ucation and later continued his studies in the public schools ol Christian coiintw Illinois. |)ni"in^- his earlier years he remained upon the home larm and assisted in the work of plowinj^-. plantiniL; and InrxestiniL;'. Hn start- ing' out upon his business caix'cr he followed the pursuit to which he had been reared and in iS()S he remo\ed to 'ka\ lor\ille. Mere he was ein]»lo\ed in the Inmbt'r \ard for a time, but alterward resumed a^ricnltin-al pursuits, makini;' his home upon a tract of land situated in b'huson and 'ra\lor\ilIe townships. In iSS_:> he located ])erinaneutly in the cit\ of 'ka\ lor\ ille. altbouL^h he still en^at^ed m farmini;' for a time. In i SSS he turned his attention to the drayini; business in which he still continues and has a .i;'()0(l patronaj.;e, beiiii;" coiistantl}' employed in that line. On the i()tli of March, 1S73. Mr. Nico- deiuus was united in ma.rria.Lje to Miss Cath- erine k. kasnacht, a daui^hter of kjlward h'asnacht, who w as ori^"inally from rennsyl- \ania and who. enteriui^' the I'nioii arm\' in the C"i\il war. laid down his life upon the altar of his countr\ . Mrs. Xicodemus learned the milliner\- business when a .s^irl. and has f. illowed the trade more or less since taking it up. In iS()7 she opened a millinery store in TaxloiA ille. which she still conducts. I^he started the business with onl\- se\euty-ii\e dollars, but has been xery successful in build- ing up a large trade. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Xiciulemn^ was blessed with seven children, of whom li\e are yet li\ing: Dora, the wife of Charles .\. Rhodes o\ Taylor- \ille: WeslcN k., of kMw ards\ ille, Illinois; William W., a resident of St. Louis; and W. K. NICODEMUS CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 4-S' Daisy and Bertha, who are at home. W^alter E. and I'earl Ijoth died in infancy In his pohtical allegiance Mr. Nicodemus is a Democrat, and has been honored with a nnmber of local offices. He served as town- ship collector for one year and for fonr years \\as alderman of the second ward. In the spring- of 1903 he was elected mayor of Taylorville, sncceeding Frank A. Zimmer- man, so that he is now the incumbent in the office. His administration is bnsiness-like, ])ractical and progressive, and while he fa- ^■ors all advanced methods for the benefit of the city he never encourages the needless ex- penditure of money, but manages the city af- fairs as he does his pri\'ate business inter- ests, with great precision and fidelity. Pav- ing the city streets is an improvement start- ed under his administration, and forty-nine blocks were put in during his term of office. He is a man of good judgment, strong in his individuality and sterling worth and well may he be numbered among the representa- ti\e citizens of Tavlorville. LEVI ALDRICH. Levi Aldrich, a highly respected citizen and representative farmer of Rosamond township, residing on section 26, is a native of New Hampshire, born in Franconia, Grafton county. May 30, 1837. Tradition has it that three of the name of Aldrich came to this country from Wales in colonial days, one settling in Mendon, Massachusetts, an- other in Maine and the third in Virginia. The first mentioned had seven sons, one of whom was the great-great-grandfather of our subject. The great-grandfather, Ed- ward Aldrich, was a prominent man in his day and served as justice of the peace in colonial times. He was a farmer by occupa- tion and after the close of the Revolutionary war remoNcd to (Irafton Cdunt)', New Hampshire, where in the midst of the \\il- derness he developed a farm. It was there that our subject first saw the light of day. His grandfather, John Aldrich. married Sarah Kaylor and spent his life on the old homestead at Franconia. In his family were six children, four sons and two daughters, all of whom reached maturity. Edward Aldrich, the father of our sub- ject, was the youngest of this family. He was l)orn on the old homestead and was edu- cated in the first school established in Fran- C(jnia townshi]), it being near his boyhood home. He was married in Franconia, New Hampshire, to Laura Parker, also a native of that state, and after living on the old homestead for about six years removed to Caledonia countv, Vermont, where he con- tinned to engage in farming throughout life. He died there at the age of forty-six years, and his wife, who long survived him, passed away in Lakeport, New Hampshire, wdien in her ninety-first year. Their family con- sisted of three children, namely : Caleb, who is unmarried and still resides in the Green Mountain state; Levi, our subject; and Laura A., wife of J. M. Drake, of Lakeport. New Hampshire. Ijy whom she has three children. One of these is married and lives in NewHampshire, another is married and resides in Ne\\- Jersey, and the other is still at home. Reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys in his localit)', Levi Aldrich re- ceived a good practical education in t!ie pub- lic schools of Vermont, sup])lemente(l by a few terms at an academy. He is to-da}' a A\e11-read man and possesses a wonder lul memory, haAing been alile to gi\e the fore- going ancestral history without any refer- ence whatsoever. After leaving school he came west to Illinois at about the age of 25 488 TAS'r AND PRESENT l\\i'til\ \c;irs, liis (.►bjccl hcinq" to Uiok" n|) :i liK'alidii, and lie was wt'll salislicd willi lliis state, altli(iu.i;lt lie did imt locale peniiaiieiitly here until ](S()4, when he look um his resi- dence (111 section _'(». Udsaiiinnd tdwiishi]), Christian ci^unty. At that time tlu- farm was DiiK' partialK' under euhi\ati(Mi and jirairie chiek'eiis and ether small i^ame were plentiful. lie h.-.s made farniini"' his life work and has met with success in his chosen occupation. He jjlauted the trees and made all of the other improvements u])ou his place. At Sutton. Vermont. October 16, t86o, Mr. Aldrich was united in marriage to Miss Ellen M. Bean, wdio was horn ;it that j)lace December 11, 1838. and is a daughter of Stephen E. and Emily (Willard) Bean, l)oth natives of New Hampshire. She is the youngest in a family of six children. ;dl of whom reached m.an and womanhood. I'lito Mr. and Mrs. .Mdrich were born three sons, as follows: Edward, liorii in Sutton town- ship, Caledonia county, Vermont, now con- ducts the home farm and is a breeder of fancy stock, making ;i specialt\- of Duroc Jersey hogs, which he ships to Kentucky and other states. He was married June i, t8()(). to Anna Hersman, of Brown county. Illi- nois, and they ha\e one son, Willard C, born August ii. kjoj. W'ilh.am, also born in Sutton, X'crniout, was niarried July 14. 1891, to Margaret Hare, of Sangamon county, Illinois, and is now iJrincijxd of a grammar school in Keokuk, Iowa. George E.. born on the home farm in this couiitv, is now Hving in Crosby, Texas. 1 le was mar- ried September 7, 1898. to ^Tinnie F. Carper and has two children, Justin and Olin. Tn national politics Mr. Aldricli's views coincide with those held 1w President Lin- coln but at local elections he generally su])- ports the Democratic pnrtv and on that ticket was elected su])er\isor of his township in |8(;(S. lie also hlled the office n\ school irnslee for a number of \-ears and has done ah in his power to ])romote the moral, edu- (•ational and material w el tare o| the com- munity in w liich lu- li\ es. 1 le is a deacon in tile C 'oiigregatioual ch.urch of Kosemond, to which his famiU' also belong, and they are among the most highly esteemed people of the township. Their home is noted for its hospitality and good cheer. JUDGE VINCENT E. FOY. Among the pruminent and hoiKtred resi- dents of Taylorvillc was numbered Judge N'incent E. boy, now deceased. His life was devoted to labors wdierein wealtf. or inllu- ence availeth little, the measure of success depending u[)on mentality. al)ility — both nat- ural and acc|uired — and the broad culture of the individual. Possessing all the requisite (|ualities of the able lawyer, Judge Foy ad- vanced to a prominent position at the Chris- tian county bar and his reputation was not limited by the confines of this locality, as he ranked as the peer of the ablest lawyers and jurists of this portion of the state. He was born in Tuscarawas comity, Ohio, on the 31st of October, 1845. ^lis father. Archibald Greenleaf Foy, was a native of lieluiont county, Ohio, and was of Scotch- Irish descent. He became a farmer and throughout his entire life followed that oc- cupation in order to ])r()\ide for his family, lie wedded bjneline IhMsben, who was also born in Belmont county, Ohio, and was of .Scotch-Irish lineage, her parents, however, being natives of Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. rmd Mrs. Foy were Iwrn ten children, seven of whom are now living. In 1865 the fam- ily remo\ed to Christian county and sixteen vears later took up their abode in Sumner countv. Kansas, where the mother and one of the dau,ghters died in the year 1891. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILIJNOIS. 4h'.i In the usual manner of farmer lafJs, Judj^e l''oy spent his 1x>yhfXKl days, assisting in the work of the fieUls through the summer months, while in the winter season he at- tenrled the district scIkxjIs, in which he ac- f|uirefl his education, save that he s]>ent one term in the graded schools of Uhlrichsville, Ohio. Jle left the home farm at the age of seventeen years, in onler i() make his own way in the world, and in 1864 he put aside all business anrl pers^^nal considerations that he might aid in the preservation of the Union, enlisting in Company K, One Hun- dred and Sixty-first Ohio Infantry. He was mustered in on the 2d rlay of May, 1864, at Camp Chase and after serving at rliffenmt jx^ints in the Shenandoah valley he was mus- tered out at Camp Chase, Sq/tem?>er 2, 1864. It was in March (j\ the following yejir that Judge Foy arrived in Christian county, where he was variously employed as a farm laborer, stage driver and school teacher until he enterefl upon the study of law, in which he was destined to win prominence, fiorrowing some law Ixxjks of J. B. Jones, an attorney of Taylorville, he Ixrgan read- ing in 1868, and devoted his leisure hours to the mastery of the principles of jurispru- dence until 187 1, when he regularly became a student in Mr. Jones' law office, there con- tinuing his reading until r874. when he was admitted to the bar. i-'or a year thereafter he engaged in practice with his precejjtor and was then alone until 189;, when the firm of Foy ik Crafton was formed. At the bar he displayed the elements of the strong lawyer, careful jjreparation of cases, strength in argument and logical reasoning, and he sfxjn gained the favorable regard of the pub- lic and therefore won a good clientage. The fitness oi Judge Foy for ofifice led to his selection for official fx^sition even in the early day.s of liis resiflencr in ("hristian county. I'V^r more than eleven years he was treasurer of Taylorville township aiid for one year was city attorney. In 1876 he was ele<:ted states attorney and in 1882 was chosen by popular suffrag(; to the Ix'nch of the county court and by re-election filled that office contintious'ly until 1894. fie ranked among the best county judges in the state, his r>|)inions being so fair and impar- tial and so in harmony with legal principles that he won the commendation of the bar and of the general ]jublic. His decisions ^ wt:rc never reversed in a higher court, which fact stands in uncontrovertible evidence of his broad knowledge of the law and his im- ]>artiah'ty in his decisions. h'or four years Judge Foy was the editor anrl proprietor of the Taylorville Democrat, which under his guidance became one of the leading papers of thi.^ part of the state, with a largely increased circulation. In citizen- ship he was public-spirited anrl progressive, co-operating in many movements for the public good, and his influence was a j/ublic factor in enhancing the general welfare. He was a member of the Taylorville Coal Com- pany from its organization until 1891 and was a stockholder and director in the com- pany which fiuilt the Antlers Hotel. Judge Foy was married on the 29th of November, 1877, to Mrs. Anna Crafton, a native of Macon county, Illinois, and of Ger- man descent. With her parents she came to Christian county in her early girlhood. To her husband she wa«? a most able assistant and congenial companion and he attributed much of his success in lousiness life to her wise and helpful counsel, her ready sym- pathy and intellectual insight into afifairs. Since her husband's death she has Ijecome identified with business interests in Taylor- ville, becoming a representative of ten insur- 490 PAST AND I'RF.SKNT ancc coiiipiuiit's in iScjS. Two Ncars later she sold Ik'V insurance Imsiness and is nnw eni;aL,a'd in tlie reallx and loan business. 1die Indite beloni^ed to no secret or Ira- terurd or_^ani/ations sa\e the (irand Army of the Kepuhlic. lie was, lio\ve\er. a man of hroail huniruiitarian principles and his in- terest in his fellow-uien was deep and sin- cere. This caused him to put forth earnest effort to advance the jjublic \velfare and Tavlor\ille henelUed hy his laiiors aloni;- many lines. W hile in the courtroom he fully sustained the (li,^-nity and majesty of the law. in his lumie and anions;- his friends he was a most social, o^enial o-entleman, of cor- dial manner and where\er he wen.t he won friends. He inscribed his name deeply on the roll of honored and \alued citizens of Christian county and althoui^h he has now- passed awav his memory is revered by man\- who knew Inm. RICHARD JOHNSON. Richard Johnson, now deceased, was for man\' years an honored and hi_^hl\' esteemed citizen of Christian countw He was born in Cadiz. Ohio. ]vlay 14. 1831. a son of Will- iam and Elizabeth ( ( )rr ) John.son, both natives of Pennsylvania. In their family were six children, of whom Richard was the fifth in order of birth. The others were as follows: James died and was buried at Louisville. Kentucky; ^largaret is also de- ceased; Albert went as a missionary to India and \vas killed in the mutiny in 1848 , alx)nt seven hundred miles from Calcutta ; Jnlius C. died in Ohio; and A\'illiam. who spent a few years in India, was iiresident of the Ihddle Institute in North t\arolina for about fifteen year's and in 190 1 went back to Incha. The father of these children died in 1837 and was buried in Cadiz, Ohio, and the nn^ther passed away three years later. Thus our subject was early dei)ri\ed of a father's guidance and a mother's lo\ing care, bein^' onl_\- ten years ot a,i;e when left .an ori)han. Heini;" thrown u]jon his own re- s(inrces for a li\elihood, he obtained employ- '.nent in a tannery and contmued to work at that business in Ohio for six years. It was in 1854 that he came to Illinois and took up his residence in Christian county. Here he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and in his farming operations he met with most excellent success, becoming the owner of nine hundred acres of \aluable and well improved land. In 1859 ]\[r. Johnson led to the marriage altar ]\Iiss Matilda Baker, a native of Penn- sylvania and a daughter of Henry and Mary ( Klinefelter) Baker, who were also born in that state, the former in 1802. the latter in 1804. From Pennsylvania the family re- moved to Clark county. Ohio, and in 1848 came to Christian county. Illinois. Here the mi )ther died a year later, and the father, w ho long sur\ived her. passed away in 1880, their remains being interred in the Clark cemetery of Johnson township. By occupa- tion ]\lr. Baker was a farmer. He had ten children, namely: Alexander, deceased; Isa- bell. widow of Thomas H. Berry and a resi- dent of Johnson township ; jNIatilda. now Mrs. Johnson; Savilla, Jacob, \\'illiam, Hes- ter Ann. and Samuel, all deceased; Eliza, the deceased wife of Henry Ebert, a resident of California: and ?\lary, deceased wife of Matthew Stone. The parents of these chil- dren were of Scotch and Irish descent. Unto ATr. and Mrs. Jolmson were born nine children : AFargaret E., now the wife of lames Hawkins, of Johnson township: William Henry, who died at the age of thir- teen years; Alary, the wife of Henry Dap- ])ert, a farmer of Johnson township; Dru- silla and So])hronia. who are at home with I CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 4'Jl their mother ; Rebecca, who married VV. B. Hawkins and died in March, 1897; Harriet, who died at the age of seven months ; Mat- thew, who married Evelyn Donaldson, a native of Michigan; and Rachel, who died in infancy. Mr. Johnson always took cjuite an active interest in pnblic affairs and his influence was always found on the side of right and progress. He was considered one of the most enterprising farmers of his community and his death, which occvu"red June 10. 1903, occasioned the deepest regret through- out the county. He was a man of the high- est respectability and those who were most intimately associated with him speak in un- qualified terms of his sterling integrity, his honor in business and his fidelity to all the duties of public and private life. His widow now has charge of the home farm in John- son township and is successfully conducting the business. She is a most estimable lady of many sterling qualities and has a large circle of friends. JAMES B. STEWART. James B. Stewart, who is successfully en- gaged in farming on section 32, Mosquito township, claims Christian county as his birthplace, his natal day Ijeing August 28, 1863. His father, Francis Stewart, was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1837, and spent two years of his life in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. Determining to try his fortune in the L^nited States, he crossed the broad Atlantic in 1857 and first located in New York state, where he spent three years. In i860 he came to Christian county, Illi- nois, and made his home here for many years, but finally he removed to Blue Mound, where he li\-ed retired until called to his final rest in 1897. By occupation he was a farmer. He manifested his love for his adopted country by enlisting during the Ci\il war in the One Hundred and Fifty- second Illinois Infantry, with which he ser\'ed for one year. In earl)' manhood he married Miss Isabella Ir\ine, a native of Canada, who continues to make her home in Blue Mound, Illinois. James B. Stewart acquired his elementary education in the ])ul)]ic schools of Christian county and later continued his education at Dixon, Illinois. He gave his father the ben- efit of his labors until 1896, when he com- menced farming on his own account upon the old home place, an.d is now the owner of a fine tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Mosquito township that he keeps under a liigh state of cultivation. The well tilled fields yield abundantly and he derives from his farm a good income. In 1896 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Stewart and Aliss Agnes Carr, whose father. James Carr, was an old and honored citizen of Christian county. Unto them was l:)orn one child, Lena, who died at the age of one year. The Republican party finds in Mr. Stewart a stanch supporter of its principles, and he is now efficiently serv- ing as school director in his district. He is pu])lic spirited and [jrogressive and is W'idely and favoral)ly known throughout his natiN'C county. O. O. CORNEIL. O. O. Corneil, a hardware merchant of Owaneco, is but a recent acquisition to the l)rogressive business men of that town, but his ability, enterprise and upright methods have already gained for him an envial)le reputation. Although he is still a young- man comparatively his popularity is estab- lished on a firm basis — that of his own well tested merit. 492 PAST AND PRESENT Mr. Corneil is a native of Christian county, born September i6, 1869, and is a son of Samuel and Mary Corneil. who were born in Canada and came to this country in 1869, locating in Zenobia, Christian county, Illinois, but are now living in Shelby county, this state. After attending- the pub- lic schools for some years our subject en- gaged in farming in this count}. He re- mained at home with his parents until twenty-two years of age and then went to Canada, where he spent six months. On his return to Christian county he engaged in farming on rented land until March, 1902, when he removed to Ow^aneco and purchased a half interest in a hardware store in partnership with B. F. Corzine, but three months later he bought out his part- ner and is now sole proprietor. He carries a good line of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves, oils, paints, etc., and has built up an excellent trade, wdiich is constantly increas- ing. On the I St of September, 1903, Mr, Cor- neil married Miss Peralee Clawson, a daughter of W. A. Clawson, of this county. Religiously they are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and socially Mr. Corneil is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has represented the local lodge in the grand lodge of the state for the past two 3^ears. His political support is given the Democracy and he is now efficiently serving as township school treasurer and was formerly collector of his township. BENJAMIN BECKENHEIMER. Benjamin Beckenheimer. a well known merchant of Pana, was lx)rn in Baltimore. Maryland, in 1846. His father, David Beckenheimer. was a native of Germanv. his birth having occurred in Baden. Cross- ing the Atlantic to America, he followed merchandising and in his business career won a fair degree of prosperity. His son Benjamin entered the business world as a clerk and was also a bookkeeper in a whole- sale house. In this way he gained a start in life and eventually he embarked in busi- ness for himself in Pana, Illinois, in 1876, under the firm name of B. Goldstein & Company, the store being located in the building now occupied by the postoffice. ,In September. 1876, the firm erected a business block of their own and stocked it with a line of dry goods and general merchandise. Later the firm was re-organized under the name of Beckenheimer, Goldstein & Com- pany and that relation was maintained for about ten years, when Messrs. Kleeman and Cioldstein, of Shelbyville, Illinois, became partners. The new relation was continued until February, 1901. when the firm was dissolved and Mr. Beckenheimer became the sole proprietor. In 1892 he purchased of A. B. Corman the store known as the Golden Eagle Clothing House and for sev- eral years he conducted the two establish- ments. He now' carries a very large stock of clothing, men's furnishing goods and shoes and is one of the oldest business men in Pana and is the oldest representative of his line of commercial activity. In his deal- ings he is very honorable and straightfor- ward and he has won the confidence of the public to a very great degree. In 1876 Mr. Beckenheimer was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Goldstein, a na- tive of Baden, Germany, and they became the parents of four children, three of whom are now living: Eva, who is married and resides in Ohio; Mae and Hattie, who are still under the parental roof. Mr. Becken- heimer is a Mason, belonging to Pana CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 493 Lodge, No. 226, A. F. & A. M., and in his life he exemphfies the beneficent spirit of the craft, for he has thoroughly informed himself concerning its tenets and is imbued with its teachings concerning brotherly kindness and mutual helpfulness. His po- litical allegiance is given to the Republican party and while he has never been a poli- tician in the sense of office seeking he has never withheld his active aid and co-opera- tion from any movements or measures cal- culating to advance the general good. Well does he deserve to be classed among the self- made men of Pana, for he started out upon his business career without capital. He possesses, however, strong determination, marked executive ability and keen sagacity and with these qualities to aid him in his career he has steadily advanced until he to- day occupies an enviable and honored posi- tion in trade circles and is enjoying a pat- ronage which is indeed gratifying. A. G. BARNES. A. G. Barnes, the well known president of the Farmers' National Bank, of Taylor- ville, is to-day the oldest business man of the city and his name is inseparably con- nected with the agricultural and commercial interests of Christian county. His thor- oughly American spirit and his great en- ergy have enabled him to mount from a lowly position to one of affluence. One of his leading characteristics in business affairs is his fine sense of order and complete system and the habit of giving careful attention to details, without which success in any under- taking is never an assured fact. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Barnes was born in the city of Harrisburg, Septem- ber 4. 1835, his parents being Daniel and Margaret A. (Richardson) Barnes. The father was also a native of Pennsylvania and was a bookbinder for the state, securing the position by election. Coming to Illinois in 1840, he first located in Springfield, where he spent ten years, and then removed to Taylorville, being engaged in the hard- ware business at this place for some time. Both he and his wife died and were buried here. During the residence of the family in Springfield, A. G. Barnes attended school and there the greater part of his education was acquired, although he was subsequently a student at Jacksonville for one year. He began his business career as a clerk at De- catur, Illinois, and in 1855 opened a clothing store in Taylorville, although his capital on coming to this place consisted of only one hundred and ten dollars. He carried on business along that line for five or six years and in 1861 turned his attention to the dry goods trade, being alone in business for nine years, at the end of which time the firm be- came Chamberlain & Barnes. After con- ducting that store for thirty-one years, he sold out to Slaten Brothers in 1902 and re- tired from mercantile pursuits. The build- ing now occupied by the firm was erected by Mr. Barnes. In 1900 he organized the Farmers' National Bank, of which he has since served as president, having previous to this time engaged in private banking busi- ness for thirty-one years. He owns a num- ber of business houses in Taylorville and also has a valuable stock farm of one thou- sand acres in this county, where he raises standard bred horses, including fine racers. He has one stallion with a record of 2 :i2^. ; another with a record of 2:15^; a mare with a record of 2 :i4^ ; and another mare with a record of 2:15^. He has always taken a great interest in horses and he keeps a number of men to take care of his stock 404 PAST AND PRESENT and attend to the other (hities of the farm. Mr. l)arnes is one of six partners who have vahiable landed interests in southern Ilh- nois and tiniher land in Mississipjii to tlie amount of six thousand four hundred and seventy acres. Nature evidently designed him for a husiness man, as every enterprise witli which he is connected seems to prosper the minute he comes into control, and he has oenerallv carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken. Mr. Barnes was married in i860 to Miss Henrietta Branson, a native of Sangamon county. Illinois, and a daughter of Benja- min Bran-son. Of the seven children born of this union two died in infancy, the others being Benjamin L., who married Gertrude Hazlet and is now a general merchant and ])ostmaster at Harvel, Illinois; Albert T., who married Florence Shumway and is liv- ing in Denver, Colorado; Hallie, the wife of George L. Banks; Clara May, wife of A. R. Adams, a hardware merchant of Tay- lorville; and W. E., at home. Mr. Barnes is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to the conimandery at Springfield, and is also a member of Rose Bud Chapter, O. E. S., of Taylorville. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious faith is a Pres- byterian. As a business man he has done much to advance the interests of Taylor- ville and he has l)een an eye witness of prac- tically the entire development of the city. On locating here there was not a sidewalk in the tow'n and he had to wade through the mud in rubber boots. As there was no rail- road here at that time he rode by train to Assumption and from there he made the journey on horseback to Taylorville. He has become well known throughout this por- tion of Illinois as a prominent figiuT in busi- ness circles and he ranks among the leading citizens of his adopted county. JACOB BILYEU. Jacob Bilyeu is one of Christian county's native sons, for he was born on the farm in Prairieton township where he now resides, May 16, 1865, and he is a representative of an honored pioneer family of this state. His father, George Bilyeu, was bt)rn in Tennes- see in 1815, and came to Illinois in 1829, settling in Sangamon county, where he grew to manhood. He married ]\Iiss Elizabeth Workman, whose birth occurred m 1S23, and they continued to make their home in Sangamon county until 1850, when they re- moN-ed to Christian county and settled on the farm w'here our subject now li\es. By oc- cupation the father was a farmer and he continued the operation of his land until called to his final rest on the i8th of ]\Iarch, 1895. His wife .still survives him and con- tinues to reside on the old homestead farm. Jacob Bilyeu passed his early life amid rural scenes and as soon as old enough to be of any assistance began to aid in the oper- ation of the farm. He also attended the neighboring schools and after completing his education gave his entire time and attention to agricultural pul-suits. Since the age of twenty-one he has engaged in farming on his own account, and lie and his mother now own three hundred and twenty acres in Prai- rieton township, their home being on section 3. He thoroughly understands the occupa- tion he has chosen as a life work, and being a man of good business and executive abil- ity, he has met with excellent success in his undertakings and now ranks among the sub- stantial citizens of his community. In con- nection with the cultivation of the soil, he is engaged in the breeding of fine Hereford cattle. On th.e 19th of August^ 1S81, Mr. Bilyeu led to the marriage altar Miss Verinda Adams, a daughter of Isom Adams, of Prai- MR. AND MRS. GEORGE BILYEU I CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS 497 rieton township, whose sketch appears on another page of this vohime. By tiiis union eight children have been born, namely : Eva Lena, George Isom, James, John William, Lilly May, Jacob Eugene, Charles Thomas and Clarence Wilber, all at home with their parents. The family is connected with the Christian church and Mr. Bilyeu is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of Ameri- ca and the Improved Order of Red Men. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Democratic party and has filled the offices of school director and road commis- sioner in a creditable and satisfactory man- ner. JAMES R. SHARP. No history of this section of Illinois would be complete without mention of the Sharp family, of whom James R. Sharp is now a worthy and well known representa- tive. He was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, near Scottsville. in March, 1852, and in May of the same year his parents removed to what afterward l)ecame the town of Sharpsburg, Christian county. He is a son of Henry H. and Clarinda (Redfern) Sharp and on the paternal line he comes of Scotch-Irish descent, while on the maternal line he is of German lineage. The Sharp family was established in America long pior to the Revolutionary ^^ar by emigrants from the old world who first settled in North Carolina, but afterward removed to Virginia. At a later date the family was founded in Tennessee during the pioneer period in the development of that state. William Sharp, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Tennessee and was there married to Miss Barbara Hunter, also a native of Tennessee. They became the parents of nine children and in 1836 they removed with their family to Macoupin county, Illinois, settling in the northwestern portion of that county. There another child was added to the family. In 1838 Mrs. Sharp died and William Sharp after- ward wedded Miss Elizabeth Wilson, by whom he had fixe children. He was a blacksmith by trade and throughout his en- tire life he followed that pursuit. His death occurred on the 20th of June, 1875. By his first union he had the following chil- dren : Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph Mont- gomery; John; Henry H. ; Winnefred, the wife of Gabriel Hurt; Lawson; George R. ; Louisa, the wife of John Fair; William N. ; Barbara, the wife of Thomas J. Fair; and Mary, the wife of Wesley Henderson. Too much cannot be said in praise of the char- acter of William Sharp, who lived an up- right honorable life, teaching by example as well as by precept. For forty years he was held as a model for the young and his life was also an inspiration for the giged. An earnest Christian gentleman, he held membership in the Baptist church, in which he served as deacon for many years. At all times he was honorable in his relations with his fellow men and his integrity stood as an unquestioned fact in his career. His second wife died about four years prior to his death. Henry H. Sharp, father of our subject, removed to Macoupin county, Illinois, when twelve years of age. ^Vhen twenty-one he enlisted for service in the Mexican War, joining the army in June, 1846, and serving until June, 1847. His brother, John Sharp, the uncle of our subject, was also a veteran of the Mexican War, accompanying his brother throughout the military service. The following fall after their discharge from the army they went to Iowa and lo- cated the land warrants which had been given tliem in recognition of the aid which 408 PAST AND PRESENT they rendered during the war. They se- cured a claim near the present site of the city of Oskaloosa and for a few months remained in Iowa, but returned the follow- ing year. On the 26th of June, 185 1, Henry H. Sharp was united in marriage to Miss Clarinda Redfern, a native of Macoupin county, Illinois, and unto them were born eight children. In 1852 they removed to Christian county, settling in Buckhart town- ship. Henry H. Sharp afterward sold his one hundred and sixty acres of land in Iowa and bought a farm in Buckhart township, comprising eighty acres, for which he paid five dollars per acre. When the Springfield & Southeastern Railroad was being con- structed through this county he and his brothers, John and George R. Sharp, were instrumental in having erected a depot near their homes in order to facilitate their ship- ments and the railroad company gave to the little village the name of Sharpsburg. Henry H. Sharp was very prominently iden- tified with public affairs in his township, contributed largely to the general good through his business activity and his co- operation in public interests and for many years he was an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity. He died February 6, 1890. It is interesting to note that Henry and John were together through the Mex- ican war, that they lived on adjoining farms, married sisters after the war and each had eight children. James R. Sharp, whose name introduces this record, was educated in the public schools and in Blackburn University. In 1 87 1 he became connected with mercantile life and was traveling salesman for the R. P. Srtiith Shoe Company of Bloomington for five years. In 1884 he became agent for the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company and occupied that position until January, 1903. when he became manager for the American Assurance Company of Newark, New Jer- sey, having jurisdiction over twenty-four Counties in the state of Illinois. His ex- perience in connection with the insurance business covers twenty years, during which time he demonstrated his excellent quali- fications for the position which he now oc- cupies. He was successful in his work and his efforts brought to him a good financial return and proved of profit to the coinpanies which he represented. On the 28th of October, 1875, Mr. Sharp was united in marriage to Miss Flora A. Traylor, a daughter of Thomas I. and Mary (Mahaler) Traylor, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp have a pleas- ant home in Taylorville and their marriage has been blessed with three children : Henry Isles, ]Mack H. and Flossie I. In his political affiliations ]Mr. Sharp is a Demo- crat, but has never been an aspirant for pub- lic office. For thirty years he has been a devoted and loyal member of the Mound Lodge, No. 122, A. F. & A. M., and he also belongs to ^vlystic Lodge, No. 164, K. P. He is a man of genial temperament and un- failing courtesv, well fitted for the line of work which he has chosen and in Christian county, where he is so widely known, he enjoys the unqualified confidence, respect and good will of all with whom he has come in contact. O. K. MICENHIMMER. A natixe of Johnson township where he still continues to make his home, O. K. Mi- cenhimmer has been identified with the ag- ricultural interests of that locality since reaching man's estate, and he is to-day the owner of a good farm of one hundred and twenty-three acres on section 22. He was born here on the 22d of lanuarv, 1866, and 1 CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 499 is a worthy representative of an old and honored pioneer family of Christian county, his parents being Daniel and Julia (Kellar) Micenhimmer, who located here in 1840. They were natives of Pennsylvania. The father died in this county in 1870, but the mother is still living at the age of seventy- nine years. For over sixty-three years she has made her home here and is to-day one of the oldest settlers of Johnson township. She was left considerable property at her hus- band's death and is still the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, having given the remainder to her children. A lady of many admirable traits of character, she has become widely and favorably known and her circle of friends is very extensive. Like most farmer boys O. K. Micenhim- mer aided in the labors of the fields and per- formed such other farm work which falls to the lot of those reared in the country and his literary education was obtained in the local schools. Having become a thorough and practical agriculturist, he commenced farm- ing for himself at the age of twenty-one upon land owned by his mother and two years later she gave him the place he now owns and operates, consisting of one hun- dred and twenty-three acres. It was a wild tract when it came into his possession, but he has converted it into a well improved farm. He follows general farming and stock-raising. Mr. Micenhimmer was married March 7, 1894, to Miss Mary Porterfield, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Porterfield, now living in Taylorville. Her father is a na- tive of Sangamon county, this state, but her mother was born in Ohio. Mrs. Micenhim- mer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his political views Mr. Micen- himmer is a stalwart Democrat and he takes quite an active interest in public affairs. ROBERT NEWTON. This well known and highly respected citizen of Rosamond township, residing on section 15, was born in Tuscaraw^as county, Ohio, on the 23d of November, 1846, a son of Isaac and Rachel Newton, in whose fam- ily were twelve children, six sons and six daughters. By trade the father was a cooper, but followed farming in his later years. Our subject began his education in an old time log school house with a huge fireplace at one end and furnished with plank benches, but later pursued his studies in a frame building. His boyhood and youth were passed upon the home farm. Desiring to make for himself a home, Mr. Newton left the parental roof after attaining his majority and worked by the month and year for nine years, following various occu- pations during that time, including farm work and coal mining, at which he engaged for two winters in Ohio. Having saved some money he then purchased a small farm on a bluff, which he afterward sold for eighty-three dollars per acre. It was in 1881 that Mr. Newton left Ohio and came to Illinois, first locating near Oco- nee, Shelby county, where he spent twelve years, renting a farm of nine hundred and sixty acres. In 1893 he removed to Chris- tian county and settled south of his present beautiful home on section 15, Rosamond township, remaining there six months. At the end of that time he located on the farm where he now resides and has since devoted his time and energies to the improvement and cultivation of his place. In 1894 he erected a substantial barn for the storing of hay and grain and later built another barn, which is really a corncrib and carriage house combined. This building also contains a complete work shop, where he does all kinds of repairing. The old house has been set 500 PAST AND TRESENT aside for a smokehouse and has been re- placed by a regular city home with all mod- ern conveniences. It was designed by Hoff- man Brothers, architects of Fillmore, Illi- nois, though Mr. Newton assisted in mak- ing the plans. The house is heated by hot air and furnished in a most a])proved man- ner, making it a very attractive home. In connection with general farming he is en- eaeed in stock-raising and owns a thor- oughbred Shire stallion, John Jay, a famous animal with a good record, being one of the finest types of the Shire breed in this coun- trv. His blood is of the best, among his ancestors being such famous horses as Car- dinal, Heart of Oal, Glory, Honest Tom and Thumper. He is a beautiful gray with long mane and weighs twenty-two hundred pounds. In competition he always carries off the laurels, having won the first prize when on exhibition in show rings on three different occasions when competition was strong. At Canal Dover, Ohio, September 5, 1874. Mr. Newton was married to Miss Martha Fockler, who was born December 9, 185 1, a daughter of Daniel and Tamsan (Swigert) Fockler. Her mother was born in Harrison county, Pennsylvania, January 20. 1827, and during childhood was taken l)y her parents to Coshocton county, Ohio, where she resided for many years. On the 15th of February, 1847, she gave her hand in marriage to Daniel Fockler, by whom she had seven children, six still living. Re- sponding to the country's call to arms dur- ing the dark days of the Civil war her hus- band shouldered his musket and became a brave and faithful soldier for the Union. He enlisted in 1861 in Company B. Fifty- first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and at the close of the war received an honorable dis- charge. With his comrades he started joy- fully home, happy in the anticipation of meeting wife and little ones. He was strong and hearty and had money in his pockets for the ]o\ed ones at home. He was last seen b)- his comrades at Port W^ashington, Ohio, not far from home, but there he sud- denly disappeared as if the ground had ()])ened and swallowed him and no trace of him was ever discovered. Death at such a time would have been a terrible shock to all. but this unexplained disappearance was worse than death, ^^'ith Christian forti- tude the widow gathered the little ones more closely about her and devoted her life to their good. She was ever the kindest of mothers and the grief of her bereavement was hidden from them in her heart. For some years her health was not of the best, but she was tenderly cared for by her chil- dren, who appreciate what she did for them in former vears. She was a faithful mem- l)er of the Methodist church and was ready to go when the Master called. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Newton have been born seven children, namely : Belle, now the wife of \\'illiam Drain, of Oconee, Shel- by county, by whom she has two children, Mildred and Harokl; Edward, at home; Florence, who died at the age of one year; Maud, Lucy and Jennie, all at home; and Ray, who died at the age of three years and two months. The children have been given good school advantages and the family is one of prominence in the community where they reside. They attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Newton is a very active and prominent member, being- first vice-president of the missionary board, steward of the church and Sunday-school teacher. Mr. Newton can relate many interesting experiences of pioneer life. He well re- members when the first parlor lamps used CHRISTIAN COUNTS'. ILLINOIS. 501 in Oliio were the old brass lamps. He often helped to mold and dip candles and used to ])()lisli the old brass lamp. During his boy- hood and youth his clothes were mostly made of linsey woolsey and jeans. At that time the family went to camp meeting in an. ox cart, the grove being lighted up at night by candles fastened to the bushes. Cooking was done over the fireplace, the kettles being suspended from a huge crane. When his parents first went to housekeeping, the cook- ing was done in a dugout and the bread liaked in a tin reflecter set in front of the fireplace. Mr. Newton has eaten corn pone baked on a board before the fire. His first plow was of the old jay kind and he culti- A'ated his corn w^ith a single shovel plow to which one horse was hitched. To cut his grain he used the reap hook and scythe be- fore the cradle came into use. Thinsis have changed very materially since those times, and Mr. New-ton's farm is now supplied with the latest improved machinery and all of the conveniences and accessories of a model farm are there found. Mr. Newton is a man of exemplary habits, never using tobacco or intoxicating flrinks in any form, and his life has been such as to gain for him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been broue-ht in contact. In business affairs he has met with success and the prosperity that has come to him is w^ell merited, for he started out in life for himself with no capital and by industry, persever- ance and g(^od management has worked his way upward to a position of affluence. THE ASSUMPTION NEWS. The Assumption Nczcs is the oldest paper in Assumption and one of the oldest in Christian county. Through neglect on the part of the founders no files were kept and the early books have been destroyed. It is known, however, that the paper is more than twenty years old. It was first started as the Saturday Morning Herald and ran under this name for more than ten years. Several different men had it during this period and all records were either lost or destroyed. The paper was purchased by Herbert E. Bixby about nine years ago and the name changed to 71ic Assumption Ncivs. At the same time the publication was changed from Saturday to Thursday, Mr. Bixby feeling that this date ga\'e his advertisers a better opportunity to reach his readers in time for their week-end trading. That this move was a wise one was proved by the circulation list, this taking an almost immediate up- ward jump. The advertisers also showed their appreciation by increasing their space. The News remained in Air. Bixby's pos- session until his death in August, 1902. It was then run by the executor of his estate, E. C. Watson, until March 17. 1903, when the paper and plant w'as purchased by F. W. Compton, and he, in turn, s()ld it to Richard D. Hel)b. a young newspaper man. Mr. Hebl) is a Hoosier product, having been born in Terre Haute, Indiana, and receiving his early education there. He was practi- cally reared in a print-shoj), his father, George H. Hebb, liaving one of the largest and best equipped offices in western Indiana. .Shortly after leaving school Air. Hebb went to- work as a reporter on the Terre Haute Tribune, and since that time has been en- gaged in newspaper work in New York cit}', Pittsburg, Chicago and Kansas City. Im- mediately after taking charge of the A'eics, Mr. Hebb enlarged the paper from a six to a seven column, eight ])age paper. The N^ezes has ahvays haloomingt(;n and ither long distances to that mill, making the journey in wagfjn. At the beginning of the Civil war corn sold at ten cents ])er bushel, bnt ere the close of hostilities it brought one dul- hir ]jer bushel. L'ntil 1885 the father of our subject continued to engage in farming, when he determined to ])ut aside the more acti\e cares of business life and remo\e to Assumption, where lie ]i\ed in honorable re- tirement from further labor until called to his iina! rest. August 18, 1901. His wife and the mother oi our subject passed away .\])ril 18, T898, and both are buried in St. Mary's Catholic cemetery. His life was one of great activity and energy and he cer- tainly deserved great credit for what he ac- complished. I'nto James and Xora ]\Ioran were born se\en children: John, wdiose name intro- duces this review; Dennis, who is pnjprietor of a saloon in Kenney, Illinois; jMary, who died at the age of thirteen years; Kate and Bettie, who are li\-ing with their jjrother John: X^jra, who also lives with the family; and Belle M., now the wife of Joseph Mal- hiot. who is ]M"o]jriet()i. in C(inii)any willi a laiL-c minil:cr of business men ol .\vsunii)tii ni, lie litst liea\il\' tlirouii'h tire, bul lie snon '"e- huill his store, erectinsi' a tine brick block north of the Illinois Slate Inuik. Ah". Moi'an is a lo\er of good horses and now owns three reg;istered roadsters, inclnd- ini;- i.aura Anderson. He has also specu- lated to some extent in real estate and owns a half block of lots in the eastern part of the town. to,^ether with two i^v)o(l farms, for one of which he ])ai(l se\ent\' dollars jier acre and for the other one hnndred dollars per acre. One is located in bdat Ih'anch township, Shell)y county, and the other in Assumption township. Christian county. Mr. Moran has now practically retired from business, leaving" the control of his saloon to eniployes. He is e\"er ready to hel]) in the w"ork of improvement for the benefit of the city and he gives his political sujjport to the Democratic party, while religiouslv he is connected A\'ith St. Mary's Catholic church. He is a gentleman of atfable man- ner, genial and courteous to all. FRFd) WHEFJ.KR. Fred A\dieeler was born in Waterloo, New- York, on the 26th of August, 1845. When he was a year old his parents removed to Beverly, Washington county, Ohio, \\here he was reared to manhood. At sixteen years of age he began learning photography and after two years of thorough and jiractical preparation he began business for himself. pening a studio in Zanesville, Ohio. Fn mi that time forward he has (le\"oted his at- tention entirely to the art. I'rom Zanesxille he rem()\"ed to T'arkersburg. West \^irginia, and the year 'i^yj witnessed his arrival in TaylorNille, Illinois, where he opened a stu- dio and has conducted a good business since Mis studio is sup])lied with all modern e(|ui])ments 'uid accessories necessarv for the successful conduct of his business and he keeps thoroughh' in touch with the most ad\-anced methods in ])hotogra])h\ . On the 28th of March, icS.Sj, occurred the marriage of Mr. Wheeler and Miss Alice Simpson, a daughter of J, L. and Isabel Simpsiju, of Taylor\ille. Afr. and Mrs. W heeler are well known in this city and the lios]Mtahty of their home is greatly enjoyed by their man}" friends. He manifests an actixe interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the communit}- and is a pul)lic- s])irite(l, progressive citizen, widely known in Christian countv. FRANK L. TAYLOR. One of the able representati\es of the Christian county bar, now successfully en- gaged in practice at Assumption, is a native of Illinois, his birth ha\"ing occurred in Blue Mound township, Macon county, Novem- l)er to, i860, and he is a representative of an old and prominent family of this state. His father, James Y. Taylor, was born at Rush- \ille, Schuyler county. Illinois, September 9, 1819, wdiile his father was from Kentuck}". Throughout life he followed fanning and became one of the promi- nent early settlers of Blue Mound tmvnship. Macon coimtw his liome being on section 4. On the i()th of March, 1846, he mar- ried Miss b^li/,abeth. AfofTett, who was born in Sangamon county, this state. January 29. iS24, and died on the 1 st of October. 1887. His death occurred W;\y 5. 1804. They were (he ])arents of seven children but only three of tiie number are now living, these being h'rank F.. whose name introduces this sketch; Charles M.; and Louisa, wife of John A. Barnes, of Storm Lake, L^wa. )ohn P). Moffett. our subject's maternal CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 513 grantlfather, was one of the honored pio- neers of Sangamon county, where he lo- cated in 1S21 at a place seven miles south- west of Springfield. He was horn in Bath county, Kentucky, and was married the year of his arrival in Illinois, to Miss P. C. Mor- gan, a native of southern Indiana, who died in 1826, leaving" two children, Rebecca, and Elizabeth, the mother of our subject. After the death of his wife he worked at his trade — that of a wheelwright- — for some time and being a natural mechanic was able to per- form almost any labor. He next engaged in cabinet-making in Springfield and after- ward turned his attention to contracting and Iniilding, the county being indebted to his architectural skill for its courthouse. The millwright's trade next claimed his atten- tion and he erected a steam saw and flouring mill at Rushville, Schuyler county, Illinois, which was probably the first of the kind built in the military district, which is that part of the state lying between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers and was set part for the benefit of the soldiers of the war of 181 2. With his family he located in Rushville the same year, having married in the meantime Miss Polly A. Taylor, a daughter of Judge Taylor of Springfield. In 1842 he located on a farm in Blue Mound township, Macon county, where he spent his remaining" days, dying there in the fall of 1862. He erected the second schoolhouse in that township. For many years he was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian church and did much evangelistic work in his day. Pre- eminently public spirited, he never withheld his support from any object which he be- lieved would advance the moral, social or material welfare of the community. The family to which he belonged came originally from Scotland and was of Scotch-Irish line- age. Hon. William G. Moffett, an uncle of our subject, served as supervisor in Macon coun- ty for several terms and was elected to the • state senate in 1870 and 1872. He l>ecame a member of the state board of ecjualization in 1876 but at the end of two years resigned that position to again take his seat in the state senate. Reared upon a farm. Prank L. Taylor re- ceived his preliminary education in the dis- trict schools and later attended the Normal L'niversity at Valparaiso, Indiana, where he , was graduated on the completion of a busi- ness course. After his return home he en- gaged in farming and also taught school for some time. In the fall of 1891 he accepted the appointment of deputy sheriff, which position iie filled for six years and was bailiff in th.e circuit court for two years and a half. During these years Mr. Taylor read law and for three years was a student in the office of Judge E. P. Vail, now of Chi- cago. In May, 1902, he was admitted to the bar after a rigid examination and at once opened an ofiice in the Opera House block of Decatur. Seeing a favorable opening at Assumption he removed tO' this place in June, 1903, and now has his office over the Illinois State Bank. Although his residence here has been of short duration, he has se- cured a good clientage, having already won a reputation for ability and close attention to business, which will eventually place him among- the leading members of the Chris- tian county bar. On the I ith of September, 1884, at Boody, Illinois, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss ]\Iary A. Herbert, a daughter of \Villiam and Mahala (Smith) Herbert. Her father was an extensive grain dealer of Ma- con county and of that county her paternal grandfather was a pioneer. She was born in Pleasant View township, Macon county, 514 'Asr A XI) i'ki':sF.x'r Decenilicr (j. i(S()3, and is tlic cMcst in a family of six cliildren. Mr. and Mis. Tay- lor hax'e twii children : luhel M.. ai^ed fonr- tcen ; and (iuy C, a^cd tliirlecn. Tbc latter was born in the same hon^e and room, m Bine Mound townshi]). Macon conniw where his father's hirth occurred. The parents are both meml)ers of the Presbyterian church and .Mr. T:i\lor is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of .\merica, while bis political su.])])ort is ,i.n\-en the Re- puljlican ])arty. He is a member of both the Macon Count\- and Christian Counts- Bar Associations and be stands higii in the esteem of his professional l)retbren. ISOAr .\I).\MS. More than a century ai^o \\'ashington said "Agriculture is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man," and this truth stands to-day as it did then. Farming- also forms the basis of all business Ijrosperity and the life of the farmer is the life of independence. Mr. Adams is to- day one of the most ])rominent and success- ful representatives of agricultural interests in Christian count}', ha\ing" an extensive f.'u-m In Prairieton townshi]), bis home be- ing- on section 21. He has resided here con- tinuously since 1856, having succeeded to a portion n\ bis father's old homestead. Mr. Adams was born in Montg'omerv county, Kentucky, February jt, ICS31, and is a son of Allerton and Fb/.abeth (Gorden ) Adams. Avbo were likewise nati\es of the Blue Grass state. The father was also an agriculturist and engaged in the tilling of the soil in Kentucky until 1S33, when be came to Illinois. After resicbng- for a few- years in Sangamon county he came to Chris- tian county in 1836 and took up his aljode in the midst of a settlement now known as .\(lanis Grove. There he secured a tract of land and impro\ed a large and \alualjle larm. u])on which be reared his familx'. Isoiii Adams was only h\e }-ears of age when bis jjarents ])ermanently located in Christian countx' and here he has since re- mained. He was the eldest son and second child in a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, and with one exception all of these reached )ears of maturit}-. L'nder the ])arental roof Mr. Adams of this re\iew- was reared and as bis age and strength increased he assisted materially in the development of the home farm and at the same time ac(|uired bis education through attendance on the ])ublic schools. After ar- riving at years of niaturity be sought a com- panion and helpmate for the joiu'ney of life and in 1851 was united in marriage to Aliss Flizal:)eth Jacobs. He took bis bride to the old homestead and continued to reside there for hve years. In 1856 be remo\-ed to the place which he now operates and as the years have gone by and his financial re- sources have increased be has added to his farm from time to time until now within its boundaries there are comprised seven hun- dred and eightv acres of land. This is ver}- arable and productive and his efforts have made his farni one of the best improved in the county. Much of the land when it came into his possession was wild, not a furrow ha\ iiig been turned or an imprcn-ement upon it, but with characteristic energy he began Its de\-elo])ment and as the years baxe i)assed he has transformed the raw tract into fields of great \-alue and beauty. In J 834 Mr. Adams was called u])on to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in Jan- uary of that year. The}- had two children, one of whom died m infanc}-. The other was Xancy Fsabel, the deceased wife of W'\]\- iam ( lorden of Macon count)-. Illinois. In 1838 Mr. Adams was again married, bis 7^ > ■z o 7} CO CO o > D > CO > z D D m o m D > Z H CO flKllli] ilillHIIKIili CHRISTIAN COITXTY, ILLINOIS. 517 second nniLUi l)eing' with Miss Lyclia Bilyeu, a daughter of John Bilyeu, one of the promi- nent pioneer settlers of Christian county. Mrs. Adams was horn in Sang"amon county, Illinois, and has always lived in this state. Thirteen children have heen horn of the secc^nd marriage, Init the two eldest are de- ceased : Allerton. who died in infanc}'; and Jo'siah, who passed away at the age of six- teen years. The others are : Elizabeth, the wife of George Creews ; John, a well-to-do farmer of Christian county; Lucv J., the wife of James Workman ; Sal lie Ann, the wife of Alexander Mathews, also of this county; Virenda, the wife of Jacob Bilyeu; Wilber, a prosperous farmer of Macon county ; James, also a farmer of this county ; Minerva, the wife of Date Robbing, a farmer of Christian county; Thomas L, an agri- culturist of this county; Malinda, the wife of Isom Bilyeu, als(^ a farmer of rhis coun- ty; and Isom, who is yet at home. Mrs. Adams is a member of the Christian church and an earnest worker in its behalf. Mr. Adams has always been known as a sin- cere and helpful friend of the cause of edu- cation and serxed for a numl>er of years as a member of the school board, during which time he put forth exery effort in his power to advance the standard of the schools. He has. however, ne\er cared for political pre- ferment, but has desired rather to give his time and attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with signal success. For a half century he resided in Christian coun- ty, being, therefore, numbered among- its earlv settlers. He has witnessed its growth and nn])ro\'ement as tiie years have gone by, feeling a just ])ride in what has been accom- plished here and as time has passed he has prospered in his business undertakings, until to-day he is one of the extensive landowners and prosperous farmers of this communit}-. JOHN P. MOORE. After years of actixe labor, ])rincipally de- voted to agricultural ])ursuits, John P. Moore is now lixing retired in Assumption. He was born in Ohio and is a .son of James and Margaret (Rodman) Moore. The for- mer was born in Ohio. April 29, 1805. ^^"^^ died on the 30th of September, 1872, in Shelby county, Illinois. The latter was a native of Pennsybania and was of Scotch- Irish descent. Her birth occurred Februarv -7' ^796, and her death July 14, 1866. In their family were six children, three sons and three daughters, but our subject, who is the oldest of the family, is the only son now living. Llis brothers were W. R. and S. M. Moore, both of whom were married and left families. His sisters are Mrs. M. Padget, who resides in I'iural township, Shelby count)-, Illinois; Mrs. C. D. Petzer, who is living in Assumption; and Mrs. Sarah Mar- row, also of Rural township, Shelby county. In his boyhood days John P. Moore ac- companied his parents on their removal to Marion county. Indiana, being then but three years old. The family home was es- tablished in the midst of a forest in a countrx- that xxas upon the frontier and as he grexv to manhood he shared in all the hardships and ])rixati()ns of pioneer life. In i8()4 he came to Christian county. Illinois, settling four miles northwest of Assumption, in Assump- tion toxvnship. He i)urchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land on section 28 and at once began its cultivation. He tiled and improxed it, adding many modern equi])ments and to-day it is one of the choice farms of the county. Mr. Moore continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits until i8qi, when he put aside business cares and is noxx' lixing retired in Assumption, en- joying a Competence xvhich he earned in for- 518 PAST AND PRESENT mer years. His farm is now operated by a tenant. On tlie 4tli of May, 1848, Mr. Moore was united in niarriag-e to Miss Mary J. Brau- hard. who was born near Cincinnati. Ohio, December 28, 1827, and they became the parents of eight chikh"en : James M., Ijorn April 20. i84(). is mentioned below. Mar- garet H., born January 25. 1855. is th.e wife of B. J_. Jolnison, of Owaneco. Sarah E., born July 20. 1857, i;; the wife of Leo John- son, of Assumption township. Caanthus H., born l'\d)rnary 2(), ]8()0, is a merchant of Pana; Albert J>., born June 16, 1862, is also represented in this volume; Oliver M., born June 16, 1865, is engaged in the livery busi- ness in Assumption; and Erank E., born l^ebruary 13, 1868, is a traveling salesman living in Pana. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are earnest and con- sistent members of the First P'"esbyterian church of Assumption, in \vhich he is serv- ing as deacon, and they are held in high re- gard by all who know them. Mr. Moore cast his first presidential vote for James K. Polk and since the organization of the Re- publican party has been one of its stanch supporters, taking a decji interest in pul)lic affairs. ALBERT L. MOORE. Albert L. Moore, who for a number of years was actively engaged in farming in Christian county and is now a hardware merchant of Assumption, was born in Mar- ion county, Indiana, near the city of Indian- apolis, June 16, 1862, a son of John P. and Mary J. (Brauhard) Moore. He w^as edu- cated in the district schools of Assumption township and the Indiana State Normal School at Valparaiso, in wdiich he completed a commercial course. He afterward re- turned to the home farm, wdiere he engaged in the work of the fields until the time of'his first marriage. He then operated a rented farm for three years and later he purchased two hundred acres of land on section 29, Assumption township situated nortliwest of the town of Assum])tion. The place was onl}' ]jartially im])roved and he erected a substantial farm residence, other good build- ings, tiled the band and carried on the w^ork of improvement until he wrought a great change in the appearance of the place. He lived upon that farm for eight years and then removed to Assumption, wdiere in con- nection with his younger brother, Oliver M. Moore, he opened a shoe store, which he conducted for four years. He then returned tO' his farm and while li\ing there his first wife died. In 1889 Mr. Moore had wedded Miss Rena B. Coonrod. and unto them were born two children, Lillie and Lena, the former now^ living wdth her maternal grandparents. Mrs. Moore died October 10, 1900, and on the 29th of Octol)er, 1902, Mr. Moore was again married, his second union being wdth Miss Louise Milligan, the only child of Jesse G. and Rebecca A. (Long) Milligan. The latter now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Moore. Mr. Milligan is deceased. He was a veteran of the Civil war, serving for three years in Company A, One Hundred and b'ifteenth Illinois Infantry. His death resulted from a sunstroke in June, 1868. His ])arents were ^^'illiam and Eliza (Pol- lock) Alilligan, and the former, a native of Pennsylvania, died November 7, 1850, and the latter in 1865. Samuel Milligan, now deceased, an uncle of INIrs. Moore, was one (~;f the most prominent citizens of Taylor- ville. He platted five acres of ground known as Milligan's addition to Taylorville and erected thereon a number of desirable resi- dences. Mrs. Moore was educated in the CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 519 public schools and in the Pana high school, also spent one term in study in the Cook County Normal. She devoted fourteen vears of her life to teaching, one year being spent in Texas and the remainder in Chris- tian county, doing excellent work in behalf of the schools. In the spring of 1900 Mr. Moore sold all of his stock upon his farm and came to As- sumption, where he purchased the hardware stock of T. W. McFarland, and has since been numbered among the leading mer- chants of this place, conducting a business which brings to him a good financial return anually. He owns one of the modern homes in the west part of the town and is a most progressive and public-spirited citizen. He is now serving as a member of the school board and he belongs to the Knights of Py- thias fraternity, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Army and in these lodges, as in all other relations of life, he is held in high esteem, being a man of genuine worth, of genial disposition and cordial manner, so that he has become popu- lar with his fellow men. JAMES M. MOORE. James M. Moore, an enterprising farmer of Assumption township, living on section 30, is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Marion county, that state, near where the city now stands. His natal day was April 20, 1849, ^^^^^ ^^^ is the eldest son of John P. and Mary J. (Brauhard) Moore. He was quite young when his parents re- moved to Illinois, and he pursued his edu- cation in the public schools of Christian county, while later he attended the univer- sitv at. Lincoln, Illinois. For almost a quar- ter of a century he was identified with edu- cational work, teaching in the district schools of Christian and of Shelby counties for twenty-three years. For nine years of this time he was a teacher in the home district and he gave general satisfaction l)ecause of his ability to maintain discipline and also to impart with accuracy and clearness to others the knowledge which he had acquired. He has devoted hi*s attention exclusivel}'' to farming in recent years and formerly gave the months of summer to that work. He now owns eighty acres of land on section 29, Assumption township, just opposite his own farm, his residence being situated on section 30, Assumption township, wdiere he has one hundred and twenty acres of good land. His farm is well tilled and improved with modern equipments and is a very rich and productive tract. Mr. Moore did all of the ditching himself. He had ears of corn in 1903 which measured fourteen inches. His grain crop annually yields about forty- five or fifty bushels per acre and in 1903 the vield was from sixty to seventy bushels to the acre. Mr. Moore has seen great changes in the methods of farming. Fie has culti- vated corn with a single shovel plow, to which was hitched one horse. In his toy- hood days he cut grain with a cradle, but as the vears have advanced he has been able to secure the latest improved machinery and his work has therefore been carried on along- progressive lines that have produced ex- cellent results. His first home was de- stroyed by fire in 1893, l)ut after two years he erected a modern and substantial resi- dence and has recently also built a good barn u])on his farm. He is engaged in the raisins: of graded stock, both horses and cat- tie, and he also feeds some stock. On the 20tli of September, 1877, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet Clawson. who was born in Christian county, Illinois, on the 7th of April, 1858, and is a daughter of Josiah and Lucinda 520 I 'AST AND PRESENT (Ketchem) C'lawsdii. 1 ler nintlicr is now deceased. l)ul her father is h\-in,i^- in Ived- lands. Cahtornia. where he went ahont 1897, for the l)enetit of liis lieahh. Me is an in- \ahd. now seventy-fonr years of aj^e. and at this writins^- Mrs. Ah)ore is in C'alit'ornia carins: for liini. L'nto Mr. and .Mrs. Moore lia\e l)een l)orn eigiit rhil(h"en. h\e ot whom are vet hvinj;', namely: Maza. who is the wife of K. 1^. lUii^g". a resident of Assump- tion township; Cirace, at home: .\rthnr. who is a student in Milhkin Tniversity. at De- catur, Ilhnois. ha\-ing previously graduated from the district school near his home: and James and Ada, wlio are under the i)areutal roof. Three of the children of the family died in infancy. Air. and Mrs. Moore are members of the First Presbyterian church of .Assumption and in his political x'iews he is a stanch Re- l)ublican, believing tirmly in the principles of the party. Since 1893 he has ser\ed as a school director in his district and the cause of education ever iinds in him a warm friend, his efforts haxing been effective, far-reach- hm and benehcial in liehalf of the school .system of this count}' and in ])laces where he has labored as a teacher. Mis life has l)een honorable and well spent and those who know him res])ect him for his sterling traits of "character. Tie is a man who keeps thoroughly informed upon all public (jues- tions of the day .and current events. He reads broadly and thinks deeply and is a man free m his judgments and unbiased in his decisions and yet when he believes a course to be right he never falters in his adherence to it. KE\'. CALEB PRICE BALDWIN.. Only those li\es are worthy of record that ha\e been ])otential factors in the public progress, in promoting the general welfare or acKancing the educationrd or moral inter- ests of the commuiiit}-. .\s a Methodist l^])isco])al minister Kev. C. W Baldwin labored untiringly for the betterment of his fellow-men and in his life span of o\er se\-- ent\'-eight years he accomplished much, leax'ine' behind him in honorable recor. W. W'escott. of Bntler, Illinois, who snr- \-ives him. Xo children were horn of that union. Eor over half a century Rev. Baldwin labored earnestly in the Master's vineyard and when the summons came he was ready to respond. He died at Pana on the 14th of .\pril, 1897, at the age of seventy-eight years, six months and five days. His funeral services were held at the First Methodist Episcopal church of that city, Friday after- noon, .Vpril 16, under the auspices of Pope Post, No. 411, G. A. R., of which he was a charter member. The members of Colonel P. G. Galvin Camp, No. 20, Sons of Vet- erans, and the ^^V)man's Relief Corps, No. 190. were also in attendance. Rev. A. P. Stover, chaplain of the Illinois department of the Grand Army of the Republic, con- ducted the services, assisted by Rev. M. W. Everhart, of Carlinville, and Rev. C. Nash, of Jerseyville, Illinois. The other ministers present were Revs. C. P. Hard, of Rose- mond; J. Jay Dugan, of Hillslx)ro; J. W. Waltz, of Latham; W. C. Lacy, of No- komis; P. Michael, W. C. North, M. M. Durard, F. \\\ Clark, H. \V. Thiel and Gerrit Snyder, all of Pana; Jesse Stout, of Assumption ; W. A. Dawson, of Oconee ; and Presiding Elder E. B. Randall, of De- catur. Letters were read from the officers of the Ladies' Aid Socity of the Whitehall Methodist church, tendering the sympathy of the members of tliat church and society to the family of the departed, and also from Colonel J. F. King, of Riverton, Illinois, who was in command of the regiment of which Rev. Baldwin was chaplain during the years 1862 and 186^ of the Civil war. Re\-. Stoxer s])oke of the personal friendship and high esteem ni wFich Chaplain Baldwin was held by (General William T. Sherman, who ap])ointed bin) to take charge of the United States mail of his command while in the rear of Vicksburg. He also referred to a personal incjuiry by General Sherman as to the welfare and whereabouts of Chap- lain Baldwin only a few years prior to the (ieneral's death. Rev. Baldw in was a man among men. He was one of the best ministers and citizens; a man of inestimal)le moral worth ; a true patriot ; a high-minded man, whom to know^ was to admire and respect. Such is Father Baldwin's record and it is most certainly a remarkable one and well may his relatives and hundreds of friends feel justly proud of it. W. M. & C. P. BALDWIN. The well-known firm of Baldwin & Bald- win, of Pana, is composed of tw'o brothers, William !^IcLean and Caleb Price Baldwin, who as real estate, insurance and loan agents liave an office at No. 102 Locust street. They are wide-awake, energetic and progressive business men and have met with most excellent success during their residence in Pana. Both gentlemen are natives of Illinois, William M. ha\ing been born in Upper Alton, September 13, 1843. 'i"*-! Caleb I\ in Carrollton, June 15, 1850. They are sons of Rev. C. P. Baldwin, whose sketch precedes this. Their maternal great- grandfather was Rev Nathaniel Pinckard, who as a missionar\- accompanied Bishop Coke to Africa and was with him al the time of his death. Fiis wife bore the maiden name of Lucy Greene and was a sister of (leneral Nathaniel (ireene, of Revolutionary fame. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 525 Their father being a Methodist minister, the brothers lived at various places during their boyhood and youth. They ^vere prin- cipally educated in th.e public schools of this state, although William was for one year a student at Wesleyan L^niversity in Bloom- ington, Illinois. Like many other young men at that time he left school to enter the army, enlisting on the 25th of August;, 1861, as a ])ri\ate in Company K, Second Illinois Ca\'a]r\', witli which he served for three vears, rendering his country valiant and faithful ser^'ice although he had not yet at- tained his majority when discharged, Aug- ust 31, 1864, as sergeant. From 1866 until 1889 ^^^ resided at Gillespie, Illinois, being engaged in farming most of the time. In the spring of the latter year he came to Pana, where he opened an insurance office nine years ago in partnership with William AI. Warren. This connection w^as dissolved five years later and the firm of Baldwin & Baldwin was formed. After entering upon his business career, C. P. Baldwin, Jr., fol- lowed mercantile pursuits for a few^ years, and subsequently was in the employ of rail- road companies for twelve years, being trav- eling freight agent the last five years. He lias made his home in Pana since 1892. The firm represents the Equitable Life Assur- ance Society of New York, also fire, tor- nado, plate glass, burglary, fidelity, employ- ers' and public liability, accident, health, dis- ability and steam boiler insurance com- panies, and makes a specialty of buying, selling and exchanging farm lands and city real estate. On the 29th of January, 1868, at Gil- lespie, Illinois, William M. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jane Chandler, who died m Pana, Eebruary 27, 1 90 1. Of the nine children born of that union, five are still living, namely : Mary E., Emma Ann, Mrs. Luc}' M. Hitchcock, George L. and Thomas P., all residents of Pana. IVIr. Baldwin was again married No- vember 25. 1902, at Pittsfield, Illinois, his second union being \\ith Miss Ella Webb Mudd, the only child of Colonel John J. Mudd, of the Second Illinois Cavalry, who was killed in battle May 3, 1864. For eighteen years William M. Baldwin has been a member of the (irand Army of the Republic and is past commander of Pope Post, No. 411, Department of Illinois. He has also been adjutant of the same post for more than ten years and has been a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church frcim boyhood. Politically both be and his brother are identified with the Republican party. Public-spirited and enterprising, they take an active interest in the upbuilding and ad\-ancement of their adopted city and county and they stand high in both business and social circles. C. S. BURDICK. C. S. Burdick is identified with the farm- ing interests of Christian county and is one of the native sons of this locality, his birth having occurred within the liorders of the county in 1868. He is a son of C. D. and Isabella (Shaw) Burdick, who were natives of Connecticut and Ireland, respectively, and were married on the i6th of b^ebruary, 1865. To them were born five children, one of whom (lied in infancy and Alary, the oldest, died at the age of thirty-four years. It was in 1838 that C. D. Burdick emigrated w^est- ward and settled in Christian county, Illi- nois. In this state he engaged m teaching- school until thirty-fi\'e years of age and then turned his attention to farming. He as- sisted in the pioneer development of this por- tion of the state and is numbered among 526 PAST .\XD PRESENT ihe iKMiored carlv residents wlio l.iid l)r<)ad and dee]) tlic foundation for tlic ])rcsent ])ros- perity and ])rogTess of the county. I'^or several terms lie served as sn])er\isor of his townshi]), was also school treasurer for a number of \-cars. and he nc\er failed in the performance of anv public dut\' that tended to enhance the welfare of his district. He died in the ye.ar i88o, Ahile his wife passed away in 1875. C. S. Burdick was only eleven years of age when left an or])han. During his boy- hood he attended the public schools and when not eneao'cd in the duties of the school- room his attention was largely gi\-en to the work of the home farm. He assisted in the labors of field and meadow until twenty-one vears of age. when he began farnnng on his own account ujjon the eighty acres of land that he now owns and occupies. This farm has been his home continually since and its well improved conditit^n is due to his dili- o-ence and laudable ambition. In 1894 Mr. Burdick was united in mar- riage to Miss Maggie J. (iray, who was born in Madison county. Illinois, and moved to Christian C(nr.ity with her ])arents. l^'or some ^■ears her father. R. A. Gray, was one of the leading farmers of Mos- f|uito township, this county, but is now liv- ing a retired life and makes his home in Blue Mound. Macon ccjunty. l^nto Mr. and Mrs. Burdick have been born four children, name- ly : Edna, who died at the age of five months; Iva G., now six years of age; Charles R., four years old; and Mary E.. who died of scarlet fever January 20. 1904. at the age of seven months and ten days. Mr. and Mrs. Burdick hold membershi]) in the Methodist Episcopal chiu'ch. are deep- ly interested in its success and take an acti\e ])art in its upbuilding. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican i)artv and while he keeps well informed on the (|uestions and issues of the da}' he has never Ijeen a ])olitician in the sense of office seeking. He has. ho\\e\'er. serx'cd as school director in Ins district and fraternalK' he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. WADE E JOHNSON. A\'ade V. Johnson, one of the most ex- tensi'/e landowners of Christian count}', was horn in St. Clairsx'ille. Belmont county. Ohio, on the 13th of September. 1828. his ])arents being Benjamin J. and Elizabeth (Eoote) Johnson. His father was a native of Eondon. England, born June 8. 1799. and the mother's birth occurred in County Cork. Ireland, in t8o2. The father emigrated to America in 1823 and in early life he learned the cabinet-maker's i^rade, which he followed in Baltimore. Maryland, for a few years. He afterward removed to Ohio, first locat- ing in St. Clairsvdle, Belmont county, whence he afterward went to Guernsey county, Ohio, where he again worked at cabinet-making- for sex-eral years. AXdiile in Belmont county, he was married, in 1826. to Miss Elizabeth Eoote. who had come to America in the same year in which her hus- band had crossed the Atlantic. In 1849 they removed to Illinois, settling in Greene coun- ty. Avhere Mr. Johnson and his sons entered into a jiartnership with a Mr. Harding and engaged in farming and stock-raising for ten years. In i860 Mr. Johnson came to Christian count}' and made a permanent lo- cation upon the homestead farm, on which his son Wade is now lixing. There he s])ent his remaining days, his death occurriui^- in Januar}'. 1876. when he Avas seventy-sexen years of age. His wife sur\i\'ed him for man}' years and died March 12. 189 1. at the ^^LLTAM L- ^'.ARTHA. AND WaC E F. JOHNSON MRS., i.. ^■£Tin r'CCTE ICHNSC'Ji CHRTSTTAX COUXT^\ ILLINOIS. 531 age of ninety }'ears. By this marriage there were hum se\en sons and two daughters, ah of whom reached }'ears of maturity. Tlie eldest, Rol)ert G.. was born in Behuont county. Ohio, March lo. 1827. and (hed in 1900. Wade F. is the second of the family. Margaret died in 1878. Edward, who was a member of the tirm of Johnson Brothers, married and died in 1882. Martha is now acting as housekeeper for her brother Wade. Walter was married and died in i8go. Will- iam L. is li\-ing- on the old homestead. Ben- jamin is married and is a well-to-do farmer of Owaneco. Leo completes the family. The firm of Johnson 1 brothers originalh- comprised the father and seven sons and the daughters were also financially interested in business. They bought a farm and raised stock, carrying" on an extensi\e Inisiness for a number of years. As the sons married, howe\-er, the}' withdrew their interests from the firm and the present ])artners are Wade F., Martha and William L. Johnson. Two of the brothers of tlie family, Edward and William, enlisted for ser\ice during the Civil war as members of Company C, One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, in 1862, and served until the close (^f the war. They were with Sherman in some of his campaigns and took part in the oj^erations around Atlanta and the march from that city to the sea. Another brother, Benjamin, en- listed May 14, 1864, for one hundred days' service, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was with the army for fi\e months. Wade ¥. lohnson furnished a sub- stitute w hen drafted. In the public schools of (luernsey county, Ohio, A\"ade F. Johnson ac(|uired his earl}' education. The school building was erected of brick and was fur:iished in the primitive manner of the times, ha\ing a large fireplace at one end of the room. School was con- ducted on a subscription i)lan. each ])upil hax'ing to ])ay one dollar and a half per quar- ter. In the same school Nathan Bentz, afterward senator from A^irginia, was also a student. On putting aside his text-books Mr. Johnson .started out for himself and journeyed by stage across Ohio and In- diana, making" his way to Greene county. Illinois, where he became superintendent of a farm of two thousand acres. He arrixed in June, 184c), after eight days spent upon the road. The trip at the ]M'esent time would be accomplished in aliout that number of hours. In 1858 Wade F. Johnson, came to Christian count}', where he hired five ox- teams and broke the first half section of land in the old homestead. From Assumption he hauled the lumber across all the sloughs in order to build a home. During the season it rained almost continuall}' and, in fact, was the rainiest period ever known in the history of this state, .\fter placing three hundred acres of his land under cultivation he rented his farm and returned to Greene county. In i860, however, he made a per- manent location on section 21, /assumption townshi]), taking uj) his abode at his present home. The first part of the bin'lding was erected in 1855. the north part in 1866 and the east section in 1877. Mr. Johnson joined his father and brothers in the formation of the firm before they made the i)urchase and he has since continued as one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of the county. As- sociated with, his younger brother, he is now^ engaged in the raising" of stock, handling about one hundred and thirty-fi\e head of full-blooded stock annuall}'. The corn cro]) A'ields froni forty to sixt}' bushels of corn and in 1900 thirt}' thousand bushels of corn were sold from the farm. In 1902 two thousand biishels of corn from a tract of 532 PAST AM) iMany. The firm has met with most excel- lent success and now own lumber yards at various places and are extensive dealers in hardware and house furnishing- goods, the latter business being under the management of Charles O. Paddock, a well known citizen of Pana. Besides their business property they have between five and six hundred acres of farming land in Pike county, Illinois. Our subject is now ])resident of the Pana Building Association, an enterprise which has proven of marked value in the imjirove- ment and development of the city. In busi- ness affairs, he is prompt, energetic and no- tably reliable and gfenerally carries forward to successful completion whatever he under- takes. On the 22nd of December, 1852, Mr. Pad- dock w-as united in marriage to Miss Ann Threadgold, who w^as a native of Sheffield, England, and on her emigration to the United States became a resident of Wis- consin. By this union thirteen children were born, as follows: Fred O., now an exten- sive grain dealer of Toledo, Ohio; Harriet E.. w^ife of Charles W. Tomlinson. the di- vision general freight agent for the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad Company at Cincin- nati, Ohio; Frank, who d'ed at the age of tw^enty-eight years ; Mary, a resident of Pana; Porter, who is connected with the law hrm of The Paddock, Johnson & Company at Toledo, Ohio; John H., who is in the wholesale grocery business at Toledo, Ohio, as a member of the firm of Paddock, Over- myer & Company ; Charles Oscar, who is in the hardware business at Pana ; Clara Augusta, wafe of Rev. Gerrett Snyder, pas- tor of the Presbyterian church of Pittsburg, Kansas; Joseph W., who is in tiie lumber business at Pana and is represented on an- other page of this volume; Cornelia A., wife of Freeman Butts, assistant postmaster at Pana ; Robert Terry, wdio is manager of the business of the O. H. Paddock Lumber Com- panv at Nokomis; one daughter who died in infancy; and Alma R.. who died at the aoe of three vears. The mother of these cliildren, who was a faithful member (jf the Presbvterian church and a most estimal)le lady, died on the i()lli of November, 1895. and was laid to rest in Linwood cemetery. Mr. Paddock's paternal grandfather, Apollos Paddock, vras enrolled as one of the minute men at the age of sixteen years 534 I'AST AXl) I'Kl'.Sl'.XT and served thn nii^lioiU tlic war tor indc- ])en(lence. while his 1)r()thcr Gaines was eisj-hteen vears of a^'e when he entered the serviee. With the hlood of Revohitionary lieroes How in,^- in his \eins onr snl)iect could not remain inactive when the I'nion was threatened a.nd althonj^h he was unahle to enter the arni\-, havin.i;- lost the sigh.t of one e\"e, he assisted in ori^anizini^" companies and did all in his power to insmx the successful termination of the war. llis political sup- port is i^ixen the men and measures of the Repuhlican i)arty and he has 1jeen promi- nentlv identihed with municipal affairs, serv- ing- as councilman, school director and police mae-istrate. He is. still filling- the last named office in a most creditahle and satisfactory manner, his decisions lieing- unliiased l)y either fear or favor, [during- his long resi- dence in I*ana he has championed every movement designed to ])roiiiote the general welfare, has supported e\ery enterprise for the puhhc good, and has materially aided in the advancement of all social, educational and moral interests. He is now living in practical retirement, lia\ing- by a useful and well spent life gained a comfortable compe- tence as well as the respect and esteem of all \\ho know him. CHARLES (i. LOVERING. Charles (i. Loxeriiig makes his home on section 32, Assumption townshi]). He is not, however, actively engaged in farming, but practicallv lives retired. He devoted manv years to educational \\(irk and his efforts in iK^half of the schools have been of marked benefit. He is a nati\e of Xew Hampshire, his birth haxing occurred on the 8th of ]^larch. 1827. He has. therefore, l)assed the seventy-fifth mile-stone on life's ioin-nev and now he can lo<)k back o\er the past without regret because his has been an honorable and straightforward career. He is a grandson of 'riieophilus Lo\eriug. whn was a Rex'olutionary soldier, serxing through(.ut the war, his \alor and mer- itorious conduct in the held of battle win- ning him olhcial rank. After that war he became a colonel in t!ie state militia, acting in that capacity during the old training days. The parents of our sui)ject were Cilman and Sarah (Stephens) Lowering, both of whom were natives of Xew Hampshire, and spent their entire lives in th.at state. In their fam- ily wevG six children, all of whom reached years of maturitv. The father of our sub- ject was a drum major in the war of 1812. Charles Lo\ering obtained his early edu- cation in the village schools and later at- tended the academies at Kingston and at X^)rthfield, New Hampshire, in wh.ich insti- tutions he i)repared for advanced study. He then matriculated in Dartmouth College, in which he spent two years. His collegiate course, howe\ er, was interrupted by a seyere attack of brain fe\er. which forced him to leave school and return to his home. After his recovery Mr. ^Lovering engaged in teaching school in Xew Hampshire and in Massachusetts ])rior to his remo\-al to the west. On coming to Illinois he first estab- lished his home in Greene county and he also continued teacliing m Pike and Scott counties. In i860 he can-ie to Christian count^' and secured .1 ])ositi(^n as teacher in a district school, while later he was cnn- nected with the town schools of this count}'. In October. 1864, ^\r. Lovering offered his aid to his country, enlisting as a mem- ber of Comi)an\- ]>, 1X\entieth Illinois \'ol- iHiteer Infantry. He was on detached serv- ice, but took part in the battle n\ X'ashville. Tennessee, and was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentuckx, on the lOth of Tune. CHARLES G. LOVERING MRS. C. G. LOVERING CHRISTIAN COL'X'IA', II,LI\OIS. 530 18O5. At the close (if the war he returned to Christian count}', Illinois, \\iiere he en- gaged in general fanning and also taught school in .\ssumption for two winters. He then settled upon th^ farm where he now resides, but has ne\er been very acti\el}' en- gaged in farm work. On the 30th of SeiJtem!)er. 1858, in the city of Decatur, Illinois, Mr. Lovering was united in marriage to Aliss Rachel Sleeper, a native of New Hampshire, born (^n the 21st of Februar}-. 1829. Her parents were James and Susan (Cox) Sleeper, the former a native of the old Granite state and the lat- ter of Vermont. Mrs. Lovering pursued her education in Ham])ton Academy and was also a school Leacber, following that profession before she attained the age oi eigbteen years. He taught l)()th in the east and in Illinois. Unto Mr. and ]\Irs. Lover- ing ba\e l)een. born four cbikb"en : Carrie, now the wife of W. S. Leavitt, of Man- chester, New Hampshire, by whom she bas two sons, diaries and Arthur; Klla S., who died in 1903: George O.. who married Mary Coonrod and died lea\'in.g two children, Glenn and Clara; and Harriet, who has Ijeen a successful school teacher of Assumption township. She was educated at the State Normal L^niversity and is a graduate of the class of i8c;9. Sbe then began teaching school and has since followed that ])rofes- sion. ]\Ir. Lovering bas seen great changes in Christian county during bis long residence, in this state. When be came to tbe west wild game of various kinds was plentiful. Tbere were many deer together witb ducks, cranes, geese and brants. Prairie wolves were also numerous and there were many indications that this portion of the country was yet a frontier region. The first bouse in wbicb ]\[r. Lo\-ering lived was a story and a half frame structure, hut it was destroyed 1)}' a cyclone about 1867 at nine o'clock in the evening. Mr. Lovering, his wife and their two children were in bed in the west part of the bouse. 1 he wind came from the west and carried off the roof of tbe bouse, depositing it in tbe garden. None (jf tbe family were hurt, although they were greatly frightened and it was an exent in their lixes that will never be forgotten. There were many strange and almost incredible inci- dents which happened in connection witb that storm. A woman \\as seen standing about a mile and a half northeast of the Lovering home with a light in her hand. Tbe cyclone also struck ber bouse and much of it was blown away, but left her standing in the position in whicb she was first seen, the floor remaining. Immediately Mr. Lov- ering rebuilt his house, erecting- a one-stor\- bome. About 1888 be built his ])resent com- fortable residence A\bich is situated a quar- ter of a mile west of tbe main road and in the midst of a fertile tract of land of forty acres in section 32, Assumption township. Here be bas resided continuously since tbe Cix'il war. He is one of the Ijest informed men of the county. Both be and bis wife were popular and successful sc1k)o1 teachers and have always kept up their reading, thus being in touch witi-. the progress of tbe world in its advanced thought, action and iiu'ention. WILLIAM DE WOLF. One of the most progressive and ener- getic agriculturists of Assumption townshi]) is William De Wolf, whose home is on sec- tion iT). He was born in Delaware county. Ohio, lulv 12. 1845. '^"^^ ^s '^ -^''^^ "^" Cbaun- cy and Elizabetb (Rboades) De \\V)lf, na- tives of Connecticut and A^irginia. resi)ec- 27 540 PAST AM) I'UICSENT ti\(.'l\'. Extended nicntidii is made n\ the faniiK- in tbe skeleli of Joseph De Wolt on another pai^e of this vohime. Onr suljjert was echieated in the jjuhlic schools ot his r,ati\e eonnt\- an C. Cochran, a daughter of Isaac Cochran, who ests of Christian county and now owns and was from Tennessee. I ler mother who bore die maiden name of .Vancy llenry, died when .Mrs. De \\()]\ was (|uite small. The children born to our subject and his wife are as follows: Pertha, a jxipular school teacher of Stoiiington townshi]), this coun- [\ : Charles, who is married and resides in Chicago, where he is serxing as bookkeeper, though he formerly engaged in school teach- ing ; Lucy and John C, wdio ha\e also taught school but are now attending the State Nor- mal at Charleston: Donald J., a student at the same institution : ;md William and Stella, who are pursuing their studies in the dis- trict school. The children have been given good educational adxantages and the three at normal will graduate with the class of 1904. All were born on the home farm in Assumption townshi^i:). The family attend the Christian church, of which Mrs. De Wolf is a member and an active worker and the children also be- long to the church. In politics Mr. De \\o\\ is a Democrat and is one of the standard hearers of his party in his community. He takes an active interest in i)ublic affairs and has served as township trustee seven years and school director about nine years. Pub- lic-spirited and progressive, he never with- holds his support from any object which lie believes will ])romote the welfare of his township or county along any line. For twentv-seven consecutive years he has lived u])iin his jiresent ])lace and has not only wit- nessed the many changes that have taken l)lace in that time but has aided materially 111 its adxancement and upbuilding. JOHN SIMPSON. l*"or thirty-seven years John Simpson has been identified w'th the agricultural inter- CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLmOTS. 541 operates a nice farm on section 9, Rosaniontl townshi]). He is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Harrison county, that state, January 13. 1836. and he is a son of Mathew and Susan (Orr) Simpson and a grandson of John and Margaret Simpson. The grandfather, wlio was a farmer by oc- cupation, had seven chikh'en, four sons and three daughters, all of whom married and reared families of their own. Mathew Simp- son, our subject's father, was one of the pioneers of Harrison county, Ohio, and there he continued to make his home until 1838, when he removed to Pike county, Illinois, that being his home throughout the re- mainder of his life. He followed general farming and died at the age of seventy years. His wife departed this life in i860. Of the seven children born to them, five reached maturity, these being John, Mar- garet Jane, Mary, Isabel and Thomas, but our subject is now the only survivor. All were married and had families. Thomas was killed by being thrown from a horse. John Simpson was only two years old when brought Ijy his parents to Illinois and he was reared and educated in Pike county, this state, wdien that region was largely wild and unimproved. During his boyhood he assisted in the work of the home farm and later learned the carpenter's trade but has made farming his chief occupation. It v\'as in 1866 that he removed from Pike to Chris- tian county and became the owner of his present farm in Rosamond township. He had previously operated rented land. As the years have gone by he has prospered in his work and besides his farm he now owns town property in Ijotli Rosemond and Ston- ington. On the 6th of October, 1859, in Pike county, Mr. Simpson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Pence, who was born in I'reble county, Ohio, July 2O, 1830, a daugh- ter of Jacob and Julia (Berousman) Pence. In early life she removed wdth her parents to Pittsfield, Pike county, Illinois, where she made her home until her marriage. After many years of haj)py married life she passed away on the 26th of October, 1901, at the age of seventy-one years and three months. In 1857 she united with the Methodist Epis- copal church and was a consistent member of that denomination up to the time of her death. She was a loving wife and tender mother and was beloved by all \\ho knew her. ^V kind and helpful neighbor, she was always ready to help in time of sickness and trou- ble. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pence were born the follow'ing children: A. P., the eldest, mar- ried Rose Cochran, who died leaving two sons. George and Thomas, and he subse- quently wedded Mrs. Lydia (Parkinson) Barrett, by whom he has one daughter, Mil- dred May. The second child of our subject died in infancy. Wilda May, the youngest, is the wife of Reuben Solliday, of Stoning- ton, and they have four children : Deborah, Horace, Reuben and Monroe Dale. The Republican party finds in Mr. Simp- son a stalwart supporter of its principles and for four years he filled the office of tax col- lector in his township. As a public spirited citizen he gives his support to every meas- ure which he believes will ]:)romote the gen- eral welfare and he is regarded as one of the leading men of his community. LLOYD BROTHERS. Among the progressive and enterprising business men of Morrisonville should be numliered C. B. and ]. F. LloA'd. who con- stitute the firm of Lloyd Brothers, now so successfully engaged in the livery business at that place. Both were born on a farm 542 I -AST AXl) I'Kl'ASI'.X'l in Ali)r;;;ni C(iunt\. tins state. 'I nuir latlicr was jaincs IJovd. wlm came to Clirislian CDunty at an earl\' dax' ami tliroui'-liout the remainder t)\ his life was snecesstnlly en- o-^oed in larmini;' almnt three miles from M. and J. I'\ Llo\-d s])ent iheir early lite n])on the home farm, which the\' now own. and for the past fotir years the\- ha\"e gi\'en considera.hle attention to the liiiviiig and selling" of horses and cattle, which hnsi- ness the}' ha\e foirid (|tnte remimeratix'e. In .\i)ril. igo^. the\' also emliarked in tlie ii\erv business at AIorrison\ille. purchasing" a barn which the}' a''e at jjresent enlarging .'uid which when completed will be the larg- est ]i\er\' stable in the connt\', the main bnilding" being ninet\'-fonr Ijv one htmdred teet and the rear addition l^ft^' by sixty feet. They kee]) about fifteen good horses and all the necessary Iniggies, carriages, etc.. needed in their l)usiness. Thev also run a feed sta1)le in comiection wUh their li\ery and lia\e a sale dei)artment as the\ still en- gage in bu}ing and shipping both horses and cattle. They are wide-awake, energetic l)usi- ness men and are meeting with marked suc- cess in these undertakings. C. B. Lloyd married Miss bjueline Hill and to them has been born a daughter, Elsie. Both brothers are members of the Presby- terian church and the Knights of Pvthias Lodge of Arorrisomille. and ha\e the re- spect and contidence of all \\ith whom they come in contact either in business or social life. \v.\RRb:x coKzixb:. Success comes not to the man who idl\- waits but to the faithful toiler whose work.- is characterized by intelligence and force and has the foresight and sagacil\ to know- when, where and how to exert his energies. Thus it hai)i)ens that only a small portion of those who enter the world's liroad lield of battle come off victors in the struggle for wealth and ])osition. Some lack persever- ance, others business sa.gacitx' and still others are dilator\- and negligent, but the record of Mr. Corzine ])ro\es that he possesses all the reciuisite (fualities necessarv to cc:)pe with the complex conditions of the business world. He has been identified with a num- ber of ])rominent enterprises in Christian county and has so directed his labors that he is now- accounted one of the prosperous and respected citizens of the community. Mr. Corzine is a native of Guernsey coun- U\ Ohio. lx)rn Janua.r}' 24. 1857. Llis par- ents, Allen and ]\lary Ann (Warren) Cor- zine, liad a family of six sons and three daughters, of whom he is the sixth in order of birth. His great-grandfather, lohn Cor- zine. was a natixe of Holland and was a young" man on his emigration to the L'nited States. He was an officer in the war of 18 1 2 and was killed in that struggle. At one time he owned sixt}' acres of land along' Wall street. X>w' "S'ork city. Our subject's grandfather, John Corzine. Jr., died in 1870 while visiting" his son in this county. The father of our subject was born in Pennsyl- \ania in 1816 and ni earl}' life went to (iuernse\' count}'. Ohio, \vhere he purchased a tract of wild land, ddiere he was married to Miss ?ylar\' Ann Warren, who was born in that countx" in 1819, of (ierman ances- tr\-, and they continued to make their home there until 1808. Avhich \ear witnessed their arri\al in Christian count}'. Illinois. Allen Corzine i)urcliase(l one hundred and sixty- five acres of land in .\ssumption township and engaged in agricultural ])ursuits for a number of \'ears, after which he took ui) his WARREN CORZINE CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 547 abode in Assnni])ti()!T. where lie lived retired until his death in August, ujoi. In politics he was a Republican. Init never cared for office, and in religious belief was a Pres- byterian, his wife l)eing a member of the same. She passed away in April, kjot. They were held in liigh regard by all wdio knew them and had a host of warm friends throughout the county. Through the period of his lioyhood and }-outh W'arren Corzine worked on his fath- er's farm in the summer season and during the winter months attended school. He was thus trained to habits of industry and thi"oughout his entire career his life has been characterized by energy and persistency of purpose. For a short time after leaving home he rented a farm and later he became the owner of a tract of land near Douglas, in Otoe county, Nel)raska. u]j<)n which he lived for one year. He then returned to Christian county and was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until 1888. when he sold his property in Nebraska, in order to con- centrate hfs interests here, and removed to Stonino-ton. where for manv vears he was actively C(^nnected with commercial inter- ests. For a long period he was connected with the lumber and coal trade, and in fact became the leading representati\e of that line of trade in the town, his sales reaching a large annual figure. He was prominent in securing the option on the coal right for the Christian County Coal Company on twelve hundred acres of land. Air. Corzine also became half owner of a general mer- cantile store, but has disjiosed of liotli of these interests, sellir.g the lumber and coal vard in T903. In 1900 he became president of the First National Bank (^f Stonington and is still one of its directors. After dis- posing of his lumber yard he took a trip through Illinois, [ndiana, Ohio, New York, Canada, Missouri. Kansas. Indian Territory and Texas. He is now the treasurer of the Illinois drain & Oil (."ompaii}'. owning fifty- five hundred acres of land in southeastern Kansas. He laid out the Corzine & Boll addition to the town of Stonington, built thereon a nunilier of houses, and has since sold them and the town lots, .securing a p-ood financial return from his investment. He owns one brick liusiness block there cUid also an interest in three others. At the pres- ent time he is not acti\'ely connected with the management of any business enterprise, giving his attention merely to the super- A'ision of his investerl interests. In October. 1881, Mr. Corzine was united in marriage to Miss Emma lUirdick. who was born in this county in July. 1863. Her father. Miner Burdick. was a native of Ston- ington. Connecticut, and w-as a member of the colony that founded Stonington, Illi- nois. Beino- a well educated man, he eno-aoed in teaching school for some years. In politics he was a Republican. His wdfe, who l;ore the maiden name of Rebecca Boyd, was a natixe of Christian county, Kentucky, and was also an early settler of this county. She died in 1870. and he de- parted this life in 1887. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Corzine were born the following children: Maud E.. who is a graduate of the Stonmg- ton high school of the class of 1902 ; Charles AY. who is now a student in I'arnes Medical College of St. Louis, Missouri; Jesse M., who is now in his second year in the Illinois University at Chami);ugn; and Lutie Pearl and Edith, who arc students in the high school of Stonington. Mr. Corzine is a member of the Presby- terian church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In poli- tics he is a stanch Ixepublican and for ten years has either l)een a trustee or the presi- 548 PAST AND TRESENT (lent of the board of Stonington. As a school director he has done much to furtlier the interests of education and was serving at the time the i)resent schoolhouse was built. 'Hie welfare of Stonington is dear to his heart and his efforts in its behalf lia\e been helpful, beneficial and far-reaching. DENNIS KEATING. Dennis Keating is one of the worth)' citi- /:ens of Christian county ihat hx^land has furnished to the new world and he is to-day successfully engaged in farming and stock- raising on section 17, Assumption township. He was torn in County Cork, Ireland, March 10. 1850, a son of Michael and Johanna (Barry) Keating, who spent their entire lives in County Cork. Of their eight chil- dren seven reached man and womanhood and four of the number are now living in Amer- ica, our subject having two sisters in Chi- cago and one in Jacksonville, Morgan coun- ty. Illinois. Mr. Keating was reared and educated in his native land, his boyhood and youth being- passed upon a farm. Emigrating to the United States, he landed in New York on the 4th of April, 1868. and after working on a farm in the Empire state for a short time he proceeded to Jacksonville. Morgan county, Illinois, in 1869. He was then en- s:as:ed in farming between that citv and Vir- ginia. Cass county, until Eebruary. 1877, when he removed to Assumption township, Christian county, .spending one year near the city of Assunijjtion. At the end of that time he removed to a farm near Radford. where he spent nine years, and then located on his present place in Assumption town- ship. After renting for fourteen years he purchased the farm, which was only par- tially broken when he took up his residence thereon and the only improvement was a small house. He has since ditched and tiled the land and converted it into a good farm. il coni])rises two hundred acres and in con- nection with its cultivation he operates a rented tract of one hundred and sixty acres. I'jghtv acres of his land is devested to pas- turage and the remainder is under cultiva- tion. His corn cro]) usually averages forty bushels to the acre but in 1903 it amounted to sixty bushels to the acre. Most of that which he raises he feeds to his stock as he is (|uite extensively engaged in the raising of Hereford cattle. Shire horses and Poland China hogs, having about eighty head of cattle upon his place and over one hundred and thirty hogs. His wife takes great de- light in her fine poultry, having a nice col- lection of Plymouth Rocks. Brahmas and Indian game clvckens. They have labored untiringly to secure a home and competence and well deserve the r.uccess that has crowned their combined efforts. On the 20th of December, 1873. in Vir- ginia. Cass county. Illinois, Mr. Keating married Miss Ellen Dougherty, who was born in County Londonderry, Ireland. No- ^■ember 3. 1852. and is a daughter of ]Mich- ael and Ellen (McVey) Doughert)'. life-long residents of that country. Mr. and Mrs. Keating have a family of nine children, .all w ell and hearty, their names and dates of l)irth being as follows: John, [anuary i, 1875: Mary, Deceml)er 19, 1876: Edward, January 8. 1879: Thomas, October 15, 1880; Anna. January 22. 1883; Nellie, November 4, 1884; Dennis. Jr.. January 4 1887; Ther- esa. January 29. 1889; and Emma, June 29, 1892. All are at home with the exception of John, who is single and lives in Sioux county, lo\va : and Edward, wdio married Anna Brule and resides in South Dakota. The parents and children are members . CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 549 of St. Mary's Catholic church of Assump- tion, which Mr. Keating helped to organize and of which he was one of the trustees for some time, and the family is one of promi- nence in the community where they reside. Mr. Keating- has seen this region trans- formed from a wild, unsettled tract into fine farms occupied hy a contented and happy people. When he first located liere ducks and other wild game were quite plentiful and furnished many a meal for the early settlers. At that time much of the land was covered with ponds and sloughs and the farmers often wxre unable to raise enough grain to feed their stock. Mr. Keating aided ma- terially in the making of the roads in his locality, serving as highway commissioner in his township for six years. He now holds the office of school director and is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and its principles. WILLIAM WIDICK. Among the honored citizens of Christian cOunty whose lives have been devoted to agricultural pursuits must be numbered Will- iam Widick, who owns and operates a fine farm of two hundred and sixty-four acres in Prairieton township, his home being on section 2. He has made his special field of industry an eminent success and his course in life has ever been such as to gain for him the confidence and high regard of those with whom he has been l)rought in contact. Mr. Widick is proud to claim Illinois as his native state, his birth having occurred in Macon county on the 28th of January, 1848. His parents, Abner and Eliza Wi- dick, were also born in Illinois and came to Christian county in 1853, this continuing to be their home throughout the remainder of their lives. The father, who was a farmer by occupation and one of the leading men of his community, died in 1891, and the mother departed this life in 1902. The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in much the usual manner of farmer boys and he early became familiar with the labors of the farm, his literary education being obtained in the pul)lic schools of Christian county. After reaching man's estate he began farming on his own account, operating his father's land until 1872, when he was able to purchase forty acres. Suc- cess attended his well directed efforts and as time passed he ke|)t adding to his property until he now has two hundred and sixty- four acres of valuable land. Sixty-four acres of this is covered with a fine growth of timber, but the remainder of the tract was prairie land which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. The improve- ments, which are neat and substantial in character, have been placed there by him- self and the farm is now one of the most desirable of its size in the county. Mr. Widick was married in 1870 to Miss Minerva W^orkman, a daughter of Barney Workman, a Avell known farmer of this county, and to them have been born three children : Abner, now a bookkeeper hold- ing a position in Decatur; Maggie, wife of August Bridgeman, a farmer of Shelby county, Illinois; and J. W'., who^ resides at home and assists his father in the operation of the farm. The family are members of the Christian churcii and Mr. Widick is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellow^. He has taken cjuite an acti\'e part in ])ul)lic afifairs, serving as townshi]^ collector for twenty years and as school director for many years. His public and pri\'ate life are alike above reproach and he well merits the esteem in which he is uniformlv held. 550 PAST AND PRESENT JESSE E. REESE. Jesse E. Reese, the well known payini;- and receix'ing" teller of Sclmylcr's Bank of Panii, was born on the nth of No\-enil)er, 1853, in Eranklin count)', Oliio, and is the vouno'est son of l^honias and Ehnira (Dickey) Reese. His father, \\ ho was a miller ])y trade, was a nati\e of the same state, born in b'airfield county of Welsh an- cestry, while his mother was a natne of Montgomery county. New NOrk, and of Irish descent. In the fanhl}- were six chil- dren, namely: Leroy 1)., a stockman of Creston, Illinois; Egbert C, the manufac- turer of Coco-Cola at Chicago; Joseph /v., a resident of Comanche, b)wa; Erancis, who died at the age of t^n years; Seneca C, an umbrella manufacturer of Knoxville, Ten- nessee ; and Jesse E. The last named ac(|uired his early edu- cation in the Central College Academy of his nati\e count}' and after coming to Illi- nois in 1872 completed the high school course at Pana. He then secured a teacher's cer- tificate and taught one term of school in Montgomery count}', Illinois, after which he entered the post office at Pana, his l)rother b^gbert C. being at that time postmaster, and he served as assistant for four vears. Dur- ing the following three }'ears he traveled in the interest of the Austin Powder Com- pany, of Cleveland, Ohio. In i88r he be- came liookkeeper in Schuyler's Bank at T'ana and held that position until 1888, when he was appointed paying and receiving teller, in which capacity he is still serving. Ele is also acting as local agent for the New N'ork Mutual Life Insurance Company. At Pana, September 13. 1876, Mr. Reese was united in marriage to Miss Eugenia Dodge, a daughter of Dr. J. H. Dodge, who was a practicing ])hysician for many vears and is now deceased. ]\Irs. Reese was born in Eayette county, Illlinois, and by her marriage has become the mother of three children: Nellie M., the oldest, is a grad- uate of the Pana high school and also of the Illinois Woman's- .College at Jacksonville. Cecilia E. i.s now attending the latter in- stitution and is making a special study of music. Walter O. is a member of the junior class in the Pana high school, and sbcnvs a special talent in art. As an enterprising, and progressive citi- zen, Mr. Reese has taken an active interest in ])ul)lic affairs and has served as city treas- urer and is now townshi]) treasurer. He is also treasurer and a director of the Pana Building & Loan Association and is a mem- lier of the Public Library board. Eraternal- 1}' he is connected with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of .\merica and is ser\'ing as worshipful master in the for- mer organization. He is quite prominent in church circles, being a Methodist in re- ligious belief, and is at present serving as secretary of the official board and ])resident of the Brotherhood of the church. Wdiile representing the Pana church at the confer- ence in Ouincy, he was elected, ou.^ of twen- tv-fi\'e candidates, a delegate to the general conference held at Los Angeles, California, in May, 1904. He takes a very active and influential ])art in all church work and his career has ever been such as to \varrant the trust and confidence so freel}- accorded both in business and social life. His devo- tion to the public good is mK|nestioned and arises froiu a sincere interest in the wel- fare of his fellow men. EDWARD OWEN SMITH, Sr. Eor several years during his earlv life this gentleman was a resident of Illinois, his home lieing in Decatur, and he t(iok an active E. 0. SMITH. Sr. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 653 l)art in the development of Macon county. He was born in Montgomery county, Mary- land three miles west of Baltimore, April 15, 181 7. and was a son of Rev. James Smith, a distinguished an.d popular Meth- odist minister of Baltimore, who died in that citv, leaxing" six children, of whom our subject was the fourth in carder of l)irth. After his father's death he made his home with his grandmother, Mrs. Rachel Owen, until fifteen years of age, when he went to Washington, D. C, and engaged in clerking in a store during a part of General Jack- son's administration. Mr. Smith then returned to his home near I'Jaltimore but soon afterward carried out his cherished desire to try his fortune in the west. In the fall of 1834 he went to Ohio, which was then considered one of the frontier states. His capital consisted of but nineteen dollars and all his worldly posses- sions he carried in a knapsack on his shoul- der. Following- the old National road across the Allegheny mountains he finally reached Springfield, Ohio, a distance of five hundred miles from Baltimore, and there he learned the carpenter's trade with Samuel Price, Imt becoming afflicted with a throat disease he concluded to go farther west, and after spending a short time in Montezuma, In- diana, worked at his trade in Terre Haute for about a year. In May, 1837, Mr. Smith located in De- catur, where he soon found employment, his first work being the erection of a house for Captain D. L. Allen on Water street abo\'e North street and another residence imme- diately south, which are now with one ex- ception the oldest houses remaining in De- catur. In the fall of the same year he built the old Macon Hotel on the east side of the park. At that time the site of this building- was in the midst of heavv tiniber. The fol- lowing" year he liuilt the Spangler mill on the Sangamon ri\er, fovn- miles east of De- catur and although then only twenty years of age he had already gained an enviable reputation as a good l)nsiness man and an enterprising builder. Mr. Smith continued in acti\e business in Decatur until 1853, when he made his first trip to California. He raised a company of thirty-nine young men and crossed the plains, being about one hundred days upon the road. He took with him a dro^•e of cattle. After a stay of two years and three months on the Pacific coast he returned to Decatur. ha\ing made considerable profit from his business \'entures. He then began to im])ro\'e property on W^ater street. The entire liusiness of that place was formerly conducted around the old square and he was the first to turn the current toward what is now the princii)al business thoroughfare. He erected the first business structures on Water street, two three-story buildings, and the next year in connecti(Mi with Dr. J. T. B. Sta]:)p built several stores on the south side of the park. In 1858 Mr. Smith started on his second trip to California. This journey proved a dangerous and difhicult undertaking. He l^roposed to take a large dro^•e of horses and cattle, which he purchased in southwestern Missouri, through to California l)y way of New Mexico and Arizona, at that time a route but little trax'eled. With a company of forty-one young men he explored his way through a complete wilderness from Fort Gibson- to Albucjuerque, New Mexico. Twice in this distance his company was attacked by the Indians, who each time were repulsed without loss. The blanket which Mr. Smith carried was pierced by an arrow lance. Five hundred miles west of the Rio Grande, among- the San Francisco mountains, thev 554 PAST AND PRESENT encountered a party of returning emigrants who had been (h-iven l)ack l>y the Inthans. Eieht of their number had been killed and all of their cattle stolen. After driving off the Indians, who were still in pursuit, it w-as resolved to return to the Rio Grande river, winter there, and then proceed. On their march back their provisions soon gave out and for six weeks their only food was boiled beef without salt. After going into winter quarters Mr. Smith grew restless and de- termined to go through to California that winter. He managed to secure four men to assist him in driving the cattle. A Mrs. Brown, of Iowa, whose husband had been killed by the Indians and who was anxious to reach some relatives in California, and her four small daughters, were alsD members of the party. They set out in January, 1859, and after a journey of thirteen hundred miles through New Mexico and Arizona, reached San Francisco in safety without a more perilous adventure than meeting two hundred Indian warriors at Apache Pass, who, however, acted in a friendly manner, the chief bestowing on Mr. Smith a quiver of lion's skin filled with arrows, as a token of friendship. Mrs. Brown, the heroine of the adventurous journey, found her relatives and subsequently married Judge Johnson, of San Francisco, who thanked Air. Smith with great cordiality .for bringing him so good a wife. The cattle had been left be- hind in Arizona, and after grazing them for a while in Lower California, near the mouth of the Colorado, he l^rought them to San Francisco in March, i860, two years after starting with them from Missouri. The calves had become nearly grown. In the fall of i860 he started from Los Angeles, California, for Texas, intending to make arrangements to raise horses in the latter state. In passing through the Apache countrv his company was attacked by thirty Indians, who killed seven of their horses. Mr. Smith had six companions, one of wdiom was too ill to render any assistance in the fight, While crossing the Staked Plains they traxeled eighty-six miles without water. On reachino" a frontier town in Texas the first sight that met his eye was the Lone Star rtag of the republic of Texas, and then he, for the first time, learned that Abraham Lin- coln had been elected president and that Texas had withdrawn from the Union and resumed her original position as an inde- pendent republic. He expressed surprise and regret but the Texans assured him that "they meant business." Through Texas to Galveston, from that place by steamer to New Orleans and thence u^) the Mississippi to Cairo, nothing was heard but exciting talk regarding the preparation for rebellion. He made arrangements with two men, whom he left in Texas, to raise horses on shares, but after the war broke out he enter- tained little hope of reaping anything from his investment. Se^•en years afterward, however, his share of the horses was de- livered to him at Decatur. On his return, after an absence of three years, Mr. Smith was elected mayor of De- catur in March. 1861, and occupied that ])osili()n during the first year of the Rebel- lion, when its duties were ])articularly im- portant. Regiment after regiment of sol- diers were fed at the city's expense. Per- sonally he did ex'erything in his power to as- sist the Union cause, assisted in recruiting soldiers, and for various objects in connec- tion with the war contributed lil)erally (if his own means. In 1864 he supp()rted Lin- coln for president, believing that his re- election \\()uld prove an effectual blow to the rebellion, .\fter the war he could not give his ai)i)roval to the congressional plan of CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 555 reconstruction and afterward affiliated with the Democratic party. In 1847 li^ was elected a member of the Illinois constitu- tional convention, representing Piatt and Macon counties, and the following year he was the Whig candidate for state senator from the district embracing McLean, Taze- well, Logan, De Witt and Macon counties, being elected by a flattering majority after a spirited canvass. One of his first efforts in' the senate was to secure the passage of a joint resolution recjuesting the Illinois sen- ators and representatives in congress to se- cure from the national government a dona- tion of land for the construction of the Illi- nois Central and the AVabash Railroads. Aid was subsequently granted the Illinois Cen- tral. To Mr. Smith belongs the credit of taking the first steps which led to the suc- cessful completion of this important project. W^iile in the constitutional convention he was identified with anotber measure which proved of great benefit to the state. He was one of the authors of the special pro- vision adopted by a separate vote levying a tax of two mills to liquidate the state debt. From thirty the state bonds advanced to par. confidence in the state increased, and immigration soon afterward poured in to occup)^ the vacant lands. He was active in securing for Macon county several of its railroads, especially the Decatur & St. Louis (now the St. Louis nranch of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific), of which he was one of the incorporators and original directors. His first wife, whom he married on the i8th of May, 1843, ^^^ Miss Harriet Krone, a native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She was a woman of modest and retiring demeanor, a faithful wife, a devoted mother and pos- sessed of many excellent traits of character. She died on the 13th of January, 1867, and April 15. 1867, he wedded Mrs. Catharine Hillman, of Peoria county, Illinois. He had eleven children, of whom ten are still livine: namely : Rachel R , widow of Dr. Brown, of Chicago; James D., of Napa, California; Edward O., whose sketch follows this; Lydia A., wife of G. B. McKee, of San Jose, California; M. Ella, wife of Rev. S. S. Hebbard, of La Crosse, Wisconsin; Mrs. Harriet B. Moore, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Laura, wife of Mr. Brown, of Elmwood, Illinois; Lowell A., a resident of Milan township, Macon county; Thomas C, who died at his home in San Jose, Cali- fornia, in 1890; and Gertrude, wife of Elmer Hurff, of San Jose. The last named was a child by the second marriage. In 1870 Mr. Smith returned to California, making his home on a ranch just outside the corporate limits of San Jose, the garden city of that state and the most beautiful of all rural towns. He was a member of the constitutional convention which framed the constitution of California. During his early residence in Macon county he had sufiicient foresight to see that investment in real es- tate would prove profitable and so purchased town lots and unimproved land. It is safe to say that in his time he improved more land in Macon and adjoining counties than any other one man and also erected a large number of buildings in Decatur. Besides the structures already mentioned he built the old Smith Opera House and block on Water street and numerous residences. He was one of the most public-spirited citizens of Decatur and as a business man his char- acteristics were great energy, keen judgment and readiness to take advantage of every op- portunity. He was benevolent and charita- ble in disposition and no man was more will- ing to relieve the wants of the unfortunate or lend a helping hand to others. He died 556 PAST AND PRESENT very suddenly of heart disease at his home in San Jose. Cahfornia. March 8. i8(;2. hon- ored and respected hy all who knew him. EDWARi:) O. SMITH. Jr. Throughout the greater i)art of his Imsi- ness career this gentleman has l>een identi- fied with the agricultural interests of Chris- tian county and is now successfully engaged in farming in Prairicton township, his home heing on section 24. A native of Illinois, he w^as horn in Decatur on the 8th of July. 1858, and is a son of Edward Owen Smith. Sr.. whose sketch precedes this. During his hoyhood and youth our suh- ject secured a good education, attending the city schools of both Decatur and Taylorville. as well as the country schools of Christian county. Having decided to make farming his life work, he rented a farm at the age of sixteen years and successfully operated it for one year. At the end of that time he took charge of a tract in Macon county gix-en him hy his father, and was engaged in its cutivation until 1884. when he purchased three Inmdred and twenty-four acres of tim- ber land in Christian county and at once began its improvement. After clearing awav the trees he l)roke the land and trans- forme name as a mem- ber of Company I), Thirteenth Regiment of CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. o60 Ohio Volunteers, in ;i day or so he was on his way to the state capital, Columbus, and he spent his first night as a soldier lying on a stone floor under the dome of the capitol building-. It was not an easy couch for the boy who had been reared amid the comforts of a good home, but he did not complain and with others of the company went to Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, where he was drilled and then came the muster in. The regiment was made a part of the Army of the Cumberland, which was in Mississippi, and the first real battle in which Mr. Hord participated was at luka. Following the battle of Corinth, he par- ticipated in several skirmishes and then the Army of the Cumberland entered the com- mand of General Rosecrans and fought the enemy at Stone River, Tennessee, the rebel troops being commanded by General Bragg. The battle occurred on the last day of De- c'ember, 1862, and the Union troops then, on the 2d of January, made another attack and succeeded in drivings General Bragg from the field. This ended Mr. Hord's serv- ice during his first enlistment for he became ill with the measles and was taken to the hospital at Nashville, Tennessee. His father then went to that city and because he was not yet of age exercised his right of taking the boy home. On the 7th of November, 1863, Mr. Hord again enlisted, this time in Company B, Thirty-second Ohio Infantry, with which he served under General Grant and General Sherman until the close of the war. During the last year he marched with Sherman's army from the vicinity of Chat- tanooga, Tennessee, through Georgia to the coast, then through the Carolinas and on to Richmond and Petersburg, thence to Wash- ington, D. C, where on the 24th of May, 1865, with the thousands of victorious troops, he passed the reviewing stand in the nation's great ca]jital, which was the great- est event of his life. When the war was over Mr. Hord gladl}' returned to his home. He lived with Lewis Britton in his native town near Mechanics- burg, Ohio, continuing with him until the fall of 1868, when he removed to Shelby county, Illinois, where he carried on farm- ing until 1885. He then became a resident of Christian county and was engaged in agricultural pursuits here until 1890, when he sold his farm and began dealing in gen- eral merchandising in Millersville. He also served as postmaster during three years of President Harrison's administration. In 1893 he disposed of his store and removed to Taylorville, where he has since lived re- tired, being the possessor of a comfortable competence. In September, 1871, Mr. Hord was united in marriage to Miss Jennie I'., a daughter of Lorenzo Fothagill, of Shelbyville, Illi- nois. Four children graced this union : Ab vin, who married Clara Hodson; Edgar, wdio wedded Alta Horton ; Walter, who mar- ried Katie Oler; and Rosa, at home. In the spring of 1861 Mr. Hord was converted at a large neighborhood revival and joined the Methodist Episcopal church. He became an exhorter and in 1874 was licensed as a local preacher of his denomination, while since 1893 he has held supernumerary rela- tions to the ministry. Ever deeply inter- ested in the cause of Christianity and its advancement, his labors have been effective and far-reaching in its behalf. His life has been honorable, his actions manly, his con- duct sincere and during the years of his residence in Christian county he has won the regard and friendship of all with whom he has been associated. He is a member of F. M. Long Post, G. A. R., and has l>een coinniander of same since December, 1902. 28 570 PAST A XI) l'R[-:SENT K. j. STOXI'. I\. |. Stone is well kncwn as one of llie extensive stock farmers of Christian county. He does a large annual business and his well conducted affairs have gained him very cred- itable success so that to-day he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his county. He was born in Somersetshire, England, October i;^,, 185 1, and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Pouting) Stone. The father was a contractor and builder and died in the year 1893, but the mother is still hving. her home being in Bath, England. The son ob- tained his education in a boarding school of his native country and in his youth started out upon his business career as an apprentice to a modeler. He was a young man of twenty years when he determined to try his fortune in America, believing that he might have better Inisiness opportunities in the new world. Ac- cordinglv, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, arriving on the ist of Octo- ber, 1 87 1. Making his way to Christian county, Illinois, he lived with his uncle, T. C. Pouting, in Stonington township, where as a contractor he did plastering and ornamental work in houses. He was thus employed for three years, but since that time has engaged in farming and stock-raising. His place is now known as the Maple Gro\e stock farm and it has gained a wide reputa- tion. Mr. Stone began importing and breed- ing Oxford Down sheep and in this enter- prise soon gained prosperity. He is one of the most successful stock-raisers of this part of the county and has gained more prizes than any other sheep man in jVmerica. He has given his attention entirely to show stock and now has about two hundred and fifty head of very fine animals. He has sold his shee]:) for as high as twelve hundred dollars ])er head and never sold one for less than l\\cnly-fl\ c dollars. He is rni excellent judge J ol Slock and is. therefore, enabled to make judicious ])urchases and pr(jfitable sales. He has i)ut all of the improvements u^x^n his farm and now has a fine modern sheep barn, in fact, his property is one of the best im- ])ro\cd in the state and he has refused one hundred and fifty dollars per acre for it. Annually he displays his sheep at all the fairs and stock shows in the United States and 1 the i)rizes that he has won indicate that he ' stands in the lead among the sheep-raisers of the great Mississippi valley. On the 1 8th of October, 1877, Mr. Stone was united in marriage to Miss Frances Sa- lome Livergood, a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Ober) Livergood. Her father was born in Lower \Mndsor township, York county, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1825, and was a son of Henry and Salome (Ruby) Livergood, who were wealthy residents of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where Mrs. Stone's grandfather engaged in milling. Her father carried on merchandising at that place for some time and there married Miss Margaret Ober on the 19th of September, 1848. ]\Irs. Livergood was born in Lancaster, July 18, 1825, and was a daughter of Benjamin Ober. In 1850 Mr. and Mrs. Livergood came to Illinois and settled in Sangamon county, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred on the 29th of November, 1878. In his family were eight children. L'nto ]\Ir. and Mrs. Stone were born six children, Init Alyrtle died in infancy. Those still living are Jessie, who married Herbert Radwell and resides with Mr. Stone; Willie T., Francis S., Tom T. and Russell H., all of whom ai;e still under the parental roof. The family hold membership in the JNIeth- odist Episcopal church and Mr. Stone is a member of the IModern Woodmen Camp at I^tonington. He has served as school direc- R. J. STONE I MRS. R. J. STONE JAMES W. COX CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 675 tor for niatiy terms and in the year 1902 was a candidate for county treasurer. In poli- tics he is a Repubhcan and, keeping well informed on the cjuestions aind issues of the day, he is enabled to support his position by intelligent argument. With a deep love for the land of his adoption no native born son of America has a more loyal attachment to this countiy and her interests. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to establish his home in America for here he has prospered in his undertakings, gaining success through legitimate business methods and constantly working his w^ay upward un- til he is now one of the prosperous as well as respected citizens of Christian county. JAMES W. COX. James W. Cox, a highly esteemed and honored citizen of Pana, was born in Cler- mont county, Ohio, near Camp Dennison, on the 24th of November, 1832, and is a son of Samuel and Jane (Barber) Cox, na- tives of New^ Jersey. His paternal grand- father was Joshua Cox, also a native of New- Jersey and a farmer by occupation. He niarried Miss Nancy Mount, who was born in the same state, and both were of English descent. He lived to see Cincinnati develop from a village of log cabins into a large and flourishing city and died at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. Through- out life the father of our subject also fol- low'ed farming. In his family were twelve children: Emily B., George, Rebecca Ann and Susan, all deceased ; Joshua, who was named for his grandfather; James W., of this sketch; Daniel, a resident of Hutchin- son, Kansas ; Ludwell, deceased ; Mrs. Eliz- abeth Cox, a resident of Clermont county, Ohio; Mary J. and Martha, both deceased; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Cox, whose r.anie introduces this re- view, was reared upon a farm and received his education in the district schools of the neighborhood. On the 8th of March, 1855, he was married in his native county to Miss Sarah Lucinda Orr, a daughter of William and Mary (Hill) Orr. Not long after his marriage Mr. Cox and his A\ife removed to Knox county, Illinois, and he purchased a farm near Abingdon, about twelve miles south of Galesburg in the military tract. The party then owning it was living in England. Mr. Cox finally traded that property for a tract of land in Pana township. Christian county, on which he located in 1862. This place was conveniently located a mile and a half from Pana and was successfully oper- ated by him for ten years. Although he still retained the land, he removed to Pana at the end of that time and embarked in the agricultural implement business with a part- ner but this venture did not prove a success and since 1881 he has given his undivided attention to his farming interests. He is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of some of the finest land in Christian county and in his farming operations has steadily prospered as he thoroughly under- stands the occupation which he follows and is a man of good business ability and sound judgment. Mr. Cox's first w-ife died on the 7th of July, 1895, '^"^^ the only child born of that union, Sarah L., named for her mother, died at the age of three years. Our subject was again married November 26. 1896, his sec- ond union being with Dr. Ella B. Rutledge. a physician and surgeon, who was graduated at the Cincinnati Medical College in 1889. j\t present she is only engaged in office prac- tice but is a very capable physician and is well informed on many subjects. Her par- ents w^ere James E. and Caroline M. (Gors- .Mfi I'ASr AM) I'Kl'.SKNT line) l\ntk'(l,i;f, l)(>tli ii;ili\ cs ol" ( )!ii(i. Iler paUTii.ii ,i;i",m(ll';itlK'r. 'riidiiias UutU'dL^e, came til tins (.•dinilrv Iroiii Scotland and was a i^radnatc ol the ( ilas^ow l'ni\ci"sity. Jn the immediate family are three physicians. The (lorslines were of h^rench orit^'in and came to America from 1*" ranee at the time of the h'rench IvCN'ohition. They owned con- siderahle i)ropert}- in h'rance and l)ronght many \alnables to this country. Since 1880 Mr. Cox has li\ed at his i)res- ent home on the corner of Second and Maple streets, Pana. and is one of the most hig"hly respected citizens of the i)lace. Me ser\'ed as a member of tlie city conncil one term and while residing" in the conntrv held the otiices of school director and trustee for some time. In politics he was originally an old line A\'hig- l)nt now supports the Repub- lican! ])artv at national elections and supports the men whom he Ijeheves best (|nalilied for office regardless of party ties at local elec- tions. Religiously he is an active and prom- inent member of the Methodist church and is ser\ing as trustee of the church. He was a meml)er of the birdding" committee when the house of worshi]) was erected and at one time was superintendent of the Sunday school. In all the relations of life he has been found true to every trust reposed in him and well merits the high regard in which he is uniformly held by his fellow- citizens. H. C. BOHN. The prosperity of any community depends upon its business actix'it}' and the (enterprise manifest in commercial circles is the fcnuida- tion upon which is builded the material wel- fare ot town, state and nation. The most im])ortant in ])ublic life at the i)resent dav .are theref(M-e the men who are in control of successful business interests and such a one is II. (". liohn, the present mayor of Mor- rison\'ille. A native of renns_\l\ania, he was lH)ni in I'ranklin count}', that state, October 15, 1843, and is a .son of Adam and Catherine Tiohn. The mother died in 1846 when our subject was only three years of age. The father was also a native of Pennsylvania and a son of Adam Bohn, who came to this country from Germany and spent the re- mainder of his life in Pennsylvania, making his home in Frankdin county for a number of years, and dying there at the advanced age of eighty-seven. The father of our sub- ject was a successful farmer and an earnest and consistent member of the Dunkard church. He w^as eighty-five years of age at the time of his death. The early life of H. C. Bohn was passed upon his father's farm and he obtained his education in the district schools of the neigh- borhood. Farm work not being congenial to him, he finally left the parental roof and entered upon his mercantile career, his tastes being along that line. The success that he has since achieved shows the wisdom of his choice of occupations. Coming to Morrison- ville, Illinois, in 1883 he embarked in busi- ness as a dealer in clothing, gent's furnishing goods, hats, caps, boots and shoes, his stock being valued at about seven thousand dol- lars. Since then he has gradually increased his business from year to year until he now^ carries a stock amounting to about thirty thousand dollars, his being one of the finest stores in his line in the county. In 1887 he erected the store building wdiich he now occupies, it being twenty-two by one hun- dred feet in dimensions and completely filled w ith his well selected stock of goods. Be- sides this property he owns a nice modern residence occupying four lots, which was purchased by him in 1886. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 577 On the 8th of November, 1865, Mr. Bohn was united in marriage to Miss Mary Fran- cis, a daughter of John and Margaret Francis. Her father Avas of Irish descent, while her mother belonged to an old Virginian family. Mr. Bohn has been closely identified with the interests of Mor- risonville since locating here, always lend- ing his influence for the upbuilding and im- provement of the city even though it tem- porarily injured his interests, but he could look ahead into the future and see the bene- fits to be derived therefrom. He has al- ways given liberally toward any enterprise which would promote the public welfare. Both' Mr. and Mrs. Bohn are members of the Presbyterian church and he also be- longs to the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 330; the Masonic Lodge, No. 681, of Mor- risonville; and the chapter at Taylorville. Since attaining his majority Mr. Bohn has affiliated with the Democratic party and has taken a very active and influential part in local politics. In the spring of 1886 he was elected mayor of Morrisonville, and so acceptably did he fill that office that he has been re-elected on six different occasions, being the present incumbent. Never but once was he defeated at the polls and that was on account of his advocating the estab- lishment of water works. Never were the reins of city government in more capable hands, for he is a progressive man, pre- eminently public spirited, and all that per- tains to the public welfare receives his hearty endorsement. He has also served as county supervisor and for nine years has been school trustee, which fact indicates the interest he takes in educational affairs. His various public duties have been discharged with a promptness and fidelity worthy of the high- est commendation. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF AS-. SUMPTION. At Tacusa, Illinois, May 7, 1859, by ap- pointment of the Sangamon Presbytery of the Presbyterian church, Rev. H. R. Lewis proceeded to organize a Presbyterian church, previous notice ha\ing ]:)een given the peo- ple of the communit}', who assembled at the house of Marcus L. Barrett, ni Tacusa, Christian county, at two o'clock, p. m., on that day. Whereupon the following named persons were received and their names en- rolled as members of the said clnuch organ- ization, to wit : James S. Travis, Catharine Travis, George W hite, Helen A. White, Sarah Travis. Anna Belle Travis, Willian", Travis, Jane Travis (daughter of Marcus L. Barrett), S. C. Scheller, Hannah Schei ler, Marcus L. Barrett, Nancy Barrett, Sarah Lanham (daughter of Marcus L. Barrett), Luceba Barrett, Daniel Gahagin, William Randolph, Clarinda C. Randolph, ]Margaret Simpson, John A. Calhoun, W'ill- iam J. Calhoun. Mary Calhoun, Martha ('•. Calhoun, Margaret C. Calhoun, Elizabctli Calhoun and J. Calhoun. Rev. C. Lowckn succeeded Rev. Lewis, his first scrnicn being preached June 22, 1861, and on the same day Z. Lanham was elected ruling elder. INDEX. HISTORICAL. Page Introductory 7 Early Settlement 9 First Settlement and Early Settlements 12 The Organization and ( irowth of Christian County 30 Township Organization 37 Finances of the County 38 County Jail 40 Justices Districts 44 Circuit Court 46 Bench and Bar 48 Prosecuting Attorneys 51 Resident Lawyers 52 Present Memhers of the Bar 56 Incidents of Early Days 60 Reynolds' History 67 A Pathetic Speech Spoiled . 74 The " Bull Pen '' or Pugilistic Times 75 The Militia System 75 A Deep Snow 76 The Sudden Freeze 78 The Rainy Season yS The Cyclone of 1880 79 Christian County's Heroes in War 83 The Black Hawk War in 1832 85 The Mexican War 87 The War of the Rebellion . 87 Draft 88 Soldiers' Aid Society 89 r4th Infantry 89 14th and 15th Illinois Veteran Battalion 90 41st Infantry Regiment 93 130th Infantry Regiment 106 3rd Cavalry Regiment no 5th Cavalry Regiment .* 1 1 1 6th Cavalry Regiment 112 7th Cavalry Regiment 113 I N D KX HISTORICAL. Page Introductory 7 Early Settlement 9 First Settlement and Earlv Settlements 12 The Organization and Growth of Christian Count)- 30 Township Organization 37 Finances of the County 38 County Jail 40 Justices Districts 44 Circuit Court 46 Bench and Bar - 48 Prosecuting Attorneys 51 Resident Lawyers 5^ Present Memhers of the Bar 5^ Incidents of Early Days 60 Reynolds' History 67 A Pathetic Speech Spoiled 74 The " Bull Pen " or Pugilistic Times 75 The Militia System 75 A Deep Snow 7^ The Sudden Freeze 7^ The Rainy Season 7^ The Cyclone of 1880 79 Christian County's Heroes in War 83 The Black Hawk War in 1832 85 The Mexican War 87 The War of the Rebellion • 87 Draft 88 Soldiers' Aid Society 89 14th Infantry 89 14th and 15th Illinois Veteran Battalion 90 41st Infantry Regiment 93 130th Infantry Regiment 106 3rd Cavalry Regiment no 5th Cavalry Regiment .* 1 1 1 6th Cavalrv Regiment 112 7th Cavalry Regiment 113 580 INDEX. Page 8th Cavalry Regiment 113 loth Cavalry Regiment 113 I ith Cavalry Regiment 115 T6th Cavalry Regiment 115 I St Artillery 115 2d iVrtillery 115 29th U. S. Colored Infantr)- 115 13th U. S. Colored Artillery 115 Miscellaneous Organizations '. 116 Spanish- American War ^ 116 The Press 118 Schools 124 Churches 129 Transportation 131 Coal 134 Drainage 135 Conclusion -, 143 I N DKX. Page Adams, Edward E 399 Adams, George W 233 Adams, Isom 514 Aldricli, Levi 487 Alexander, James H 199 Alexander, W. H 412 Allison, W. E 362 Anderson, F. W 245 Anderson, W. W 180 Andrews, W. E 223 Assumption News Soi Assumption Presbyterian Church 577 Baldwin, Rev. Caleb P 520 Baldwin, W. M. & C. P.... 524 Balsley, Andrew D 231 Barnes, A. G 493 Barrett, G. F 187 Bartlett, Lewis 246 Bates, Z. F 251 Beaulieu, Mrs. Charles 438 Beck, William H 478 Beckenhcimer, Benjamin.... 492 Berry, Mrs. Isabell 483 Berry, T. T 394 Bertmann, J. H 384 Eilyeu, Jacob 494 Bilyeu, John S 340 Bohn, H. C 5/6 Bollinger, Daniel S 33i Bollinger, H. C 302 BolHnger, W. E 355 Bottrell, Sampson 560 Bowman, J. A 316 Boyd, J. L 458 Brents, T. W 446 Bridges, Dr. W. T 256 Broehl, Julius 325 Brown, J. W 224 Burdick, C. S 525 Burke, Henry J 425 Caldwell, J. J 172 Campbell, J. W S02 BIOGRAPHICAL. Page Chamberlain, William 174 Clark, Y. B 168 Claussen, G. E 291 Cloyd, T. C 56s Cofifman, William D 423 Coonrod. E. G 318 Coonrod, O. P 559 Cornell, O. 491 Corzine, L S 297 Corzine, Warren 542 Cowan, Joseph 437 Cox, James W 575 Crow, Dr. Oliver L 284 Culp, S. W 277 Dalbey, W. M 311 Danford, H. A 393 Daniels, D. 380 Davidson, Albert 374 Davis, Charles E 431 Davis, Dial 426 Davis, D. T 364 Davis, Henry 152 L)echene, Rev. Joseph 205 Devlin, Thomas H 503 De Wolf, Joseph 414 De Wolf, William 539 Downs, James H 253 Doyle, Daniel 252 Drake, Cornelius 416 Drennan, James L 409 Eaton, J. S 165 Ebert, Philip 470 Edmunds, Edwin 422 Ettinger, Hayden & Allen... 210 Evans, Mrs. Laura B 285 Fitzgerald, Michael J 451 Forrester, Edward 328 Fby, Judge Vincent E 488 Fraley, O. B 370 Funderburk, Dr. M. L 406 Gardner, Henry T 163 Page Gates, C. O 199 Gauer, O. F 411 Gibson, Dr. A T 294 Goodrich, William A 381 Gorden, I. B 286 Graham, H. M 189 Griswold, D. A 240 Grundy, Lyman G 280 Hailey, B. H 156 Haines, Fletcher 317 Hall, Charles 449 Hammer, Dr. A. F 479 Hammer, H. L 369 Harrington, J. R 312 Haverfield, S. N 405 Hedden, A. S 322 Herdman, H. H 333 Higginbotham. E. A 260 Hight, Ervel W 164 Kight, Karl 370 Hill, Charles H 349 Hise, Charles M 420 Hodge, C. F 482 Hodge, J. P 481 Holben, Dr. R. E 449 Hord, L. D 566 Housley, O. Z 468 Howard, Clinton 373 Howell, F. W 274 Humphreys, E. A 293 Johns, Robert 178 Johnson, A. J 439 Johnson, H. W 473 Johnson, Leo 421 Johnson, Richard 490 Johnson, Dr. R. W 387 Johnson, Wade F 526 Johnston, D. W 278 Jordan, W. J 334 Keating, Dennis 548 Kirk, A. B 447 Kirk, C. D 357 582 INDEX. Page Kitchell, J. W I94 Kramer, I. T 208 Krieger, A. F 379 Lacharite, David 270 1 ambert, Joseph T 229 Langley, H. M 419 Leathers, L. P 455 Little, Dr. J. M 209 Little. Otis 207 Little, Robert 190 Lloyd Brothers 54i Lockwood, James W 367 Long, W. L 212 Lovering, Charles G 534 McBride, J. C I47 McCauley, R. C 452 McDonald, William H 323 Manners, C A < 200 Marshall, Robert 338 Micenhimmer, O. K 498 Miller, H. C 45o Miller, P. O.... 310 Milligan, Dr. G. W. 403 Montgomery, Charles A 502 Montgomery, John C 339 Mooney, E. R 432 Moore, A. D 421 Moore, A. L 518 Moore, James M 519 Moore, John P 5i7 Moore, S. D 347 Moran, John S04 Morgan, L. T 481 Morrison, Robert 468 Morrison, W. W I55 Murphy, J. W 162 Neff, Roscoe C 332 Neu, Florin 303 Newkirk, Dr. H. Milo 324 Newton, Robert 499 Nicodemus, W. K 484 Ntitt, Joseph 356 Page Orr, R. W 166 Orr. John 45i Osbern, C. R 441 Oyler, Smith 2ir Paddock, Joseph W 424 Paddock, Oscar H 532 Parish, George A 474 Parker, C. M 460 Parrish, B. F 383 Peabody, Allen 151 Peek, L. F 404 Pence, Ruben K 298 Penwell, George V 218 Penwell, Warren 221 Picker, Samue! 299 Pierpoint, J. J 470 Potts, Cyrus A 309 Potts, Rufus M 300 Pouder, Isaiah 377 Powel, H. M 186 Rasar, William L 432 Reed, Frank 440 Reese, Jesse E 550 Rhodes, A. A 378 Rhodes, Edward J 345 Ricks, J. B 234 Ritscher, George 230 Rockey, Dr. A. P 261 Ruby, Edwin 255 Russell, T. F 352 Sailsbery, F. P 250 Saling, Dr. W. J 150 Sands, W. E 249 Schlierbach, Louis ; 259 Schuyler, H. N 158 Sckowska, Julius 243 Sharp, J. R 497 Sharrock, J. E 268 Shaw, W. H 188 Short, Dr. W. T 273 Shumway, D. D 202 Shumway, Major D. D 372 Page Shumway, J. N. C 149 Simons, Joseph 462 Simpson, John 540 Simpson, Thomas 262 Smedley, L. E 456 Smith, A. B 244 Smith, A. M 185 Smith', E. O., Jr 556 Smith, E. O., Sr 550 Smith, J. Will 446 Snyder, S. J 35i Solliday, J. H 304 Solliday, Dr. M. H 315 Stattner, W. M 269 Stewart, J. E 491 Stone, R. J 570 Swim, William 442 Taylor, Frank L 512 TedHe, Miss Matilda 461 Tobias, Henry H 358 Travis, Harry 413 Turner, B. A 232 Turner, W. E 283 Vidler, T. J 39i Wallace, J. S 327 Wareham, Joseph 363 Warner, A. N 414 Watson, Edward C 239 Weiser, Fred F 184 Wenzler, Christian 47 1 Wenzler, J. E 472 Wheeler, Fred 512 Widick, William 549 Williamson, Dr. T. H 556 Wilson, J. S 448 Windsor, Dr. B. P 279 Winklepleck, C. D 172 Winters, B. F 221 Winters, William Q 389 Wucherpfennig. Christoph ... 392 Yarnell, Henry J i73 Young, Landaline 326 I I