USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 1
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 1
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
977.37 B52b
ILLIK MISTODICAL SURVEY
-
BIOGRAPHICAL
167
AND
REMINISCENT HISTORY
OF
RICHLAND, CLAY ® MARION COUNTIES
ILLINOIS
ILLUSTRATED
· B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Publishers INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
1909
077.37 B 52b
PREFACE.
All life and achievement is evolution ; present wisdom comes from past experience, and present commercial prosperity has come only from past exer- tion and suffering. The deeds and motives of the men that have gone before have been instrumental in shaping the destinies of later communities and states. The development of a new country was at once a task and a privilege. It required great courage, sacrifice and privation. Compare the present con- ditions of the residents of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois, with what they were one hundred years ago. From a trackless wilderness and virgin prairie they have come to be centers of prosperity and civilization, with millions of wealth, systems of intersecting railways, grand educational in- stitutions, marvelous industries and immense agricultural productions. Can any thinking person be insensible to the fascination of the study which dis- closes the incentives, hopes, aspirations and efforts of the early pioneers who so strongly laid the foundation upon which has been reared the magnificent prosperity of later days? To perpetuate the story of these people and to trace and record the social, political and industrial progress of the community from its first inception is the function of the local historian. A sincere purpose to preserve facts and personal memoirs that are deserving of preservation, and which unite the present to the past is the motive for the present publication. The work has been in the hands of able writers, who have, after much patient study and research, produced here the most complete biographical memoirs of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois ever offered to the public. Es- pecially valuable and interesting are the sketches of representative citizens of these counties whose records deserve perpetuation because of their worth, ef- fort and accomplishment. The publishers desire to extend their thanks to these gentlemen who have so faithfully labored to this end. Thanks are also due to the citizens of Richland, Clay and Marion counties for the uniform kindness with which they have regarded this undertaking, and for their many services rendered in the gaining of necessary information.
Ill, Survey 28 ge 12 Warner 3.00
In placing the "Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois," before the citizens, the publishers can con- scientiously claim that they have carried out the plan as outlined in the pros- pectus. Every biographical sketch in the work has been submitted to the party interested, for correction, and therefore any error of fact, if there be any, is solely due to the person for whom the sketch was prepared. Confident that our efforts to please will fully meet the approbation of the public, we are, Respectfully, THE PUBLISHERS.
HISTORICAL
214265
INDEX
Allen, Hon. James Cameron 84
Anderson, Truman B. 589
Andrews, Seymour 533
Arnold, James W. 223
Bachmann, Adam H. 273
Bar of Southern Illinois Six-
ty-five Years Ago 446
Barnes, A. C. . 564
Baughman, Edmund C. 154
Conant, John B.
96
Conant, W. S.
136
Goodenough, Wilbur Adino. 120
Goss, Joseph . 377
Graham, Samuel H. 411
Graham, Samuel D. 139
Gray, John H. 303
Gray, William H. 415
527 Green, Jonathan A. Hardman, Thomas A. 186
Hargrave, Thomas M. 468
Hauser, John T. 387
Hasler, Christian 108
Hartley, William A. 575
Haynie, D. D. 44
Heap, Benjamin F. 484
Heaver, George J.
298
Hedrick, Edwin 373
Heltman, Philip 195
Henry, John O. . 477
Hershberger, David 300
Hester, David M. 343
Higgins, Bryant
20
Hiltibidal, George W. 316
Hodges, Isham E. 312
Holstlaw, Daniel S. 184
Holstlaw, D. W. 590
Holstlaw, Richard J. 160
Holt, Charles H. 48
130 Hord, Henry Holt, Luther 334
Holt, Samuel Marion 206
Hopkins, Charles W. 339
Horrall, Kenneth D. 202
Howell, James F. 80
Huddleson, Charles S. 583
Hudelson, William H. 369
180
Burgener, Jacob 329
Fisher, Alex. W. 516
Foster, Hon. Martin D. 501
Foster, Henry C. 525
Fowler (Brothers)
567
Fritchey, Theo. Augustus .. 147
Fyfe, George S. 519
Fyke, John J. 255
Gaffner, Danlel 199
Garner, E. P. 372
Gassman, Henry 98
Combs, Lewis
392
Coan, Willlam E.
500
Bauer, F. H. 598
Bateman, John A.
91
Bates, Francis M. 577
Bayler, David 290
Beck, Daniel 323
Beck, John 401
Blankinship, Charles E. 492
Boatman, Catherine 407
Boggs, Franklin Gilbert 360
Bonney, Judge John R. 362
Bostwick, Landon M.
320
Bothwell, Henry C.
306
Davis, John L.
562
Bower, Hon. William 219
Bower, John 474
78
Bledsoe, E. Louis
276
Bradford, Frank 259
Branch, Levi
599
Breeze, Jacob D. 566
Breeze, Sidney 574
Brigham, Robert O. 192
Brinkerhoff, Prof. J. H. G. 524
Brockman, John C. 498
Early Lawyers 426
Eddings, John F. 189
Elghth Illinois Infantry,
Company D. .
419
Brubaker, Ell 205
Brubaker, Jacob 188
Bruns, Fr. John H. 558
Evans, H. D.
54
Erwin, Crawford S. 66
Eyer, Jacob
404
Bryan, Hon. William J. 17
Buenger, Rev. John 95
Bundy, Charles E. 291
Bundy, William F. 336
Finch Family
211
Bundy, William Kell 64
Finch, Solomon T. 226
Huff, Nathaniel G.
Huggins, Earl C. 102
Hull, Hon. Charles E. 32
Hunter, James 543
Castle, J. E. 169
Chapman, Robert H. .. . 481
Church, St. James Lutheran 465
Church, St. Joseph's Cath- olic, of Olney, 111. 504
Clark, Thomas J.
117
Cloud, Silas
279
Cope, Allen 304
Copple, Eli 569
Copple, Elmer E. 568
Copple, Jacob 549
Copple, Samuel G. 406
Cox, George 115
Cunningham, Charles S. 343
Cunningham Family 235
Dace, James M. 328
Davis, C. R.
486
Dean, Charles 429
Delzell, James H. 261
Dew, Charles F. 552
Dillman, William H. 41
Donovan, John F. 99
Doser, George Washington 437
Downey, Geo. W. 545
Drapar, William L. 174
Dwight, Samuel L. 535
Eagan, GustIn L.
532
Bronson, Horace 579
Brown, Douglas C. 537
Brubaker, Edgar F. 365
Embser, Jerome N. 463
Engle, Joseph A. 341
Bryan, Family 231
Bryan, J. E. 244
Farquhar, Aaron B.
263
Farthing, William H. 253
Feltman, Carlos A. 62
Burt, Charles V. 606
Butler, George 382
Hyatt, James F.
172
Campbell, George W. 432 French, John R. 217 Idleman, G. A. 93
Genoway, Daniel C. 257 Gerber, Lydia Phillips 327 Goodale, W. B. 585
Boynton, Frank A.
INDEX.
Ingram, Willlam C. 131
Irwin, Walter C. 28
Morrison, George D. 137
Simcox, George B. . 125
Simer, Rev. William J. 402
Singer, Judith M. 301 Skipworth, J. W. 288
Smith, Benj. M. 82
Smith, John . 399
Snively & Montgomery 123
Snodgrass, John A.
600
Snuffin, Stephen
431
Songer, A. W. 105
Spring, Henry 162
Stratton, George W. 443
Standiford, George Washing- ton 444
Stanford, Samuel A. 101
Stonecipher, Judge John S .. 165 Storment, William T. 144
Telford, Erastus D. 141
Telford, J. D. 270
Thomason, John W. 367
Tippit, Hon. Thomas 508
Tolliver, Judge A. N. 364
89
Tufts, C. D.
539
Lacey, Winfield S. 386
Lane, Thomas M. 594
Larimer, John W. 281
Leseman, William H. 430
Lewis, James B. 56
Lewis, Richard 178
Livesay, Alfred 548
Loomis, Frank 295
Lucas, Amel
510
McBride, H. S. 410
McCawley, John I. 309
McCollum, Hon. Harvey D. 87
McGahey, George A. 190
McKnight, Roy H. 297
Mclaughlin, Joseph K. 299
McNicol, James 529
McQuin, Robert T. 26
Madden, George 451
Martin, Benj. E., Sr. 29
Martin, Gen. James S. 267
Martin, John C.
87
Martin, John E.
262
Martin, Rohert 126
Martin, William J. 197
Matthews, Leander C. 148
Maxey, Bennett M. 104
Schwartz Brothers 248
Schilt, Fred W. 354
Schultz. John M. 351
See, Henry William, Sr. 395
Seiler, Frederick 456
Seiler, John . 356
Woodard, W. R. 375
Wolgamott, George 379
Mlils, Israel 314
Morton, James S.
485
Morris, Ira C. 512
James, O. A. 71 Morrison, Col. Napoleon B .. 571
Jennings, Charles E.
517
Neal, Thomas B.
319
Jennings Family 513
Jennings, Z. C.
208
Johnson, William T. 472
Jolly, John F. 134
Jones, Ell W.
482
69
Jones, Samuel W.
221
Joy, Thomas L.
540
Joy, Verne E.
580
Patton, Thomas A. 224
Kagy, Levl Monroe 237
Kagy, Shannon 191
Keith, L. B.
285
Kelchner, Henry F. 520
Kell, Charles T. 128
Kermicle, John Taylor 459
Kermicle, Peter 441
Kimberlin, James Henry 110
Kinkade, James M. 478
Knauer, John, Rev. 467
Knight, J. F. 542
Knoph, Aden 494
Kocher, Joseph
413
Purdue, James F. 228
Quayle, J. R. 73
Rainey, George S. 152
Rapp, Michael E. 246 Utterheck, Jeter C.
Ratcliff, James M. 487
Ratcliff, Thomas
490
Vawter, John H. 284
Walker, Joseph H. 497
Watkins, Bartlett Y. 471
Walton, Joseph W. 311
Walton, Orville T.
523
Richardson, Edward 283
307
Watts, Edwin L.
588
Wells, George C. 384
Welton, Edwin L. 546
West, Charles H. 118
Rodgers, Benj. F. 272 Wham, Henderson B. 325
Wham, William 265
Wieland, Caleb F. 114
Wilkinson, William T. 434
Williams, Augustine Robert. 47
Willlams, John P. 381
Willlams, T. W. 54
Wilson, Hon. Edward S. 167
Wilson, George C. 450
Wilson, Willlam Gilham 112
Wilson, Lucian O. 563
Wilson, Richard 458
Wilson, Samuel C. 182
Wilson, William Henry 394
Woods, John 603
Woodward, H. N. 353
Michaels, M. W. . 292
Miller, Franklin P. 581
Seymour, Mary A. 461
Shanafelt, Andrew
357
Xander, John P.
317
Shook, Samuel
555
Young, William J.
157
439
Umfleet, Harrison
454
Van Alman, William 335
23
Reed, Lewis H. 559
Reinhardt, Julius 561
Reminiscent Sketch 419
Rhodes, Henry L .. 556
Richey, James Austin
Robb, Francis M.
Robinson, Elbridge
476
Rohl, Robert 586
Rogers, Frank A. 60
Rogers, Tilmon J. 521
Root, Joseph P. 551
Rose, Albert M. 345
Rose, Wiley 438
Rowland, Elbert 51
Ryman, Herbert D. 483
Sanders, Charles C. 256
Sayre, Perry 390
Shriner, Hon. Harvey W .. 252
Norfleet, Benj. F. 332
Olney in Its Infancy 423
Olney Sanitarlum 149
Orr, Hiram 159
Pace, H. T. 42
Palmer, Charles E. 469
Parkinson, Joseph C. 368
Peak, Joseph S.
294
Peddicord, A. M. 176
Peddicord, Andrew M. 506
Peirce, John A.
435
Pilaum, John W.
474
Phillips, Samuel F. 240 Storer, Ben. W. 584
Pixley, Harvey F. 229
Porter, Albert G. 530
Prather, Joseph A. 286
Puffer, Samuel 389
Purcell, Francis M. 201
Pullen, Burden 596 Trenary, G. H.
Tully, Joseph E.
Warren, Henry 75
Richardson, James R.
396
528
May, Harvey D. 204 Meagher, Thomas F. 601 Merritt, Hon. Thos. E. 347 Merz, Wilfred W. 121
Newman, Willlam D. 604
Jones, J. T.
LIBRARY OF THE TIONITH IN ALIENSAINA
HON. W. J. BRYAN.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN.
BY PROF. J. H. G. BRINKERHOFF.
William Jennings Bryan, son of Silas L. Bryan (see biography) and Mariah Eliza- beth (Jennings) Bryan, was born in Salem, Illinois, March 19, 1860. As a boy he was not different from other healthy, hearty American boys, fond of play and fond of good things to eat, but rather given to seri- ous sport than to mischief( Among his earli- est ambition was the desire to become a min- ister, but in early youth that desire was lost in the ambition to become a lawyer like his father and as that ambition seemed to be permanent his training was directed to that end. ) When William was six years old the family moved to a large farm just outside of the corporate limits of Salem, and here he studied, played and worked until ten years old, his mother, a remarkably strong- minded, clear-headed, Christian woman, be- ing his teacher, his guide and task-master, his work being such chores as fall to the lot of boys in well regulated, prosperous farm homes. At the age of ten years he entered the Salem public school, which he attended five years, but was not particularly bright in his studies ;> his examinations show thor-
oughness rather than brilliancy, but his in- terest in the literary and debating societies was early developed and remained while he attended the school and still abides, as is shown by the Bryan oratorical contest held annually in this school, and for which Mr. Bryan provides a first and second prize of ten and five dollars respectively.
In 1872 his father made the race for Con- gress, and William, then twelve years of age, became much interested in the cam- paign, and from that time on he cherished the thought of some day being a public man and a leader of the people.
At the age of fourteen he united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Salem. While at Jacksonville he took membership with the First Presbyterian church, and upon his removal to Lincoln, Nebraska, he placed his letter with the First Presbyte- rian church of that place, and where his membership still remains.
At fifteen years of age he entered the pre- paratory department of Illinois College, at Jacksonville, and for eight years was a stu- dent in that college, spending only his vaca- tions at home. (Mr. Bryan while at college was not a great admirer of athletic sports, but took a mild interest in base ball and foot ball, and was rather an enthusiastic runner
2
18
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
and jumper, and in a contest open to stu- dents and alumni, three years after his grad- uation, he won the medal for the broad standing jump, twelve feet and four inches being the distance covered.
While at the preparatory school the first
- year he entered a prize contest and de- claimed Patrick Henry's great speech, and ranked near the foot, The second year he de- claimed "The Palmetto and the Pine," and stood third. The next year as a freshman he tried for a prize in Latin prose and di- vided the second prize with a competitor. The same year he gained second prize in declamation. In his sophomore year he took first prize with an essay, and in his jun- ior year first prize in oration and was there- by made representative of his college in the intercollegiate oratorical contest at Gales- burg, in 1880, where he received the second prize of fifty dollars. That great orator, Gen. John C. Black, was one of the judges and marked him one hundred on delivery. At the close of his college life in 1881, Mr. Bryan stood at the head of his class and de- livered the valedictory. This much is given for the encouragement of young men, show- ing that improvement only comes with ef- fort, and to persevere, though the first at- tempt finds you near the foot.
In the fall of 1881 Mr. Bryan entered Union Law College at Chicago, and spent much of his time in the law office of Lyman Trumbull. After graduation he returned to Salem for a short time, and won his fee in the county court of Marion county.
July 4, 1883, Mr. Bryan began the prac-
tice of law in Jacksonville, Illinois; he had desk room in the office of Brown & Kirby, and now came the real test, waiting for busi- ness. The first six months were trying and he was forced to draw upon his father's es- tate for small advances, and at one time he seriously thought of seeking new fields, but the beginning of the year 1884 brought clients more frequently, and he felt encour- aged to stay in Jacksonville, and now feeling that he could see success, on October I, 1884, he was married to Miss Mary Baird, of Perry, Illinois.
In the summer of 1887 business called Mr. Bryan to the West, and he spent one Sunday with a classmate, A. R. Talbot, who was located in Lincoln, Nebraska. So greatly was he impressed with the opportunities of the growing capital of the state that he re- turned to Illinois full of enthusiasm for the city of Lincoln, and perfected plans for re- moval thither. In October, 1887, a partner- ship was formed with Mr. Talbot, and during the next three years a paying prac- tice resulted.
As soon as Mr. Bryan settled in Lincoln he identified himself actively with the Demo- cratic party, of which he had been a mem- ber in Illinois, and to the principles of which his whole being was bound, and made his first political speech at Seward, in the spring of 1888. Soon after he was sent as a delegate to the state convention, and in the canvass of the First Congressional District he made many speeches in favor of J. Sterling Mor- ton, and also spoke in thirty-four counties in favor of the state ticket. Mr. Morton
19
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
was defeated by thirty-four hundred, as the district was strongly Republican. In 1890 there was but little hope for the Democrats in the First District, and Mr. Bryan was nominated without opposition. W. J. Con- nell was the Republican nominee. A chal- lenge to conduct the canvass by a series of joint debates was issued by Mr. Bryan and accepted by Mr. Connell, and at the close Mr. Bryan won by a plurality of six thou- sand, seven hundred and thirteen. Mr. Bryan was elected to Congress again from a new district which had been formed when the state was re-apportioned in 1891. The Republican state ticket carried the district by six thousand, five hundred, but Mr. Bryan was elected by one hundred and forty plurality. During the four years he was in Congress, he was very active, taking part in every important debate and speaking many times. He declined to run again for Con- gress but later permitted his nomination for the Senate, but the Republicans carried the state and Thurston was chosen Senator.
The Democratic National Convention convened at Chicago July 4, 1896, and for four days a battle of giants ensued over the monetary plank in the platform. Speeches were made for and against the free silver coinage plank by such men of master minds and national reputations before the conven- tion as Senator Tillman, Senator Jones, Senator Hill, Senator Vilas, ex-Governor Russell. Senator Tillman favored the ma- jority report of the committee, which fa- vored the free coinage; all the rest opposed. The debate was closed by Mr. Bryan in
support of the majority report in a speech which rang so true and was such a master piece of oratory that the convention was swept off its feet and brought to Mr. Bryan the nomination for the Presidency on the fifth ballot on Friday, July 10th. After a most remarkable campaign he was defeated by William McKinley being elected.
Four years later Mr. Bryan, greater in defeat than other men in success, was again the choice of the Democratic party for the Presidency, and again suffered defeat, Mr. Mckinley being re-elected. In 1904 the Democratic party nominated Alton B. Par- ker, of New York, for President, and he led the party to the most crushing defeat ever suffered by any party since the days of John Quincy Adams.
In 1908 the Democratic party again nom- inated Mr. Bryan, and the Republican party William H. Taft and again the decision was against the former. Thrice defeated yet with each defeat growing greater, ad- vocating great principles which he sees his political opponents adopt, he stands today the greatest living American.
When in 1906 and 1907 he took a trip around the world, he was received every- where with such ovations as are seldom ac- corded to any, and were never before to a private citizen, and his welcome home in the city of New York was a demonstration of love and respect from Americans to an American that has never been equalled in the history of the nation. Mr. Bryan may never be President, but he has made an impress on the nation for good that can
20
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
never be effaced and from his life the peo- ples of the world have received an uplift that will be felt to bless generations yet un- born. In his life of moral purity, in his sin- cere Christianity, and in his addresses on the duties and responsibilities of life he has given a new impulse to many a youth for better things and if his work closed now the one address "The Prince of Peace," will stand a monument, more enduring than chiseled marble or moulded brass, standing forever as it must in the higher aims, purer thoughts, nobler impulses and grander lives of the men and women of the America of the future.
BRYANT HIGGINS.
The family of our subject has been known in Richland county since the pioneer pc- riod, and, without invidious comparison, it can with propriety be said that no other name is better known or more highly es- teemed in Richland county. Honored and respected by all, there is today no man in the county who occupies a more enviable position in the estimation of the public, not alone by the success he has achieved, but also for the commendable and straightfor- ward policies which he has ever pursued and the blameless life he has lived. He has led a life of noble endeavor, a life not devoid of hardship and failure, but withal successful and happy and one that is calculated to ben- efit any locality, therefore those who know Mr. Higgins are glad to accord him the re-
spect due him, and in his old age he has the cheer of loyal friends and the thought that his life has been lived in a manner that has resulted in no evil or harm to anyone.
Bryant Higgins, an account of whose in- teresting reminiscences of the early days appears in this work, and who has been one of the leading business and public men in Richland county, who is now living in hon- orable retirement, enjoying a well earned respite, was born in Edwards county, Illi- nois, September 28, 1838. George Hig- gins, grandfather of the subject, was a na- tive of Connecticut, whose father, Willis Higgins, was born in Ireland, and was a follower of Cromwell. When that great leader went down in defeat, Willis Higgins soon afterward emigrated to America, lo- cating at Hartford, Connecticut, where he passed the remainder of his life. He used the prefix "O" to his name, O'Higgins. He was a military man most of his life, belong- ing to the English army. George Higgins, grandfather of our subject, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and became a tan- ner, which profession he followed for a number of years. He came to Illinois in 1803 with his family, settling where is now Friendsville, Wabash county, then known as Edwards county, which included nearly one- third of the state. All was then wilderness west of the Alleghany Mountains. He was among the, early pioneers of this state. Many hardships were endured on his trip overland. He took up land, cleared and improved farms. He was a typical pioneer of sterling traits. George Higgins was a
21
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Revolutionary soldier, having been in a reg- iment of Connecticut infantry. The sub- ject has a pair of spectacles which his grandfather wore from Dorchester Heights to Yorktown. It is a relic which he prizes very highly. A well one hundred and fifty feet deep was dug at Friendsville in those days when it was inside of what was then Fort Barney, and George and Ransom Hig- gins, the latter the subject's father, helped dig the same. It is still in use. George Higgins died there at an advanced age. Our subject's father, Ransom Higgins, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, where he was reared, and in this state he married Ann Bullard, a native of South Carolina. In 1800 Ransom Higgins made the long trip over- land on horseback from Hartford to Vin- cennes. Indiana. It was a trip of inspec- tion to the vicinity of what is now Friends- ville for the purpose of finding a place for settlement of a colony which came in 1803, already referred to. He returned to Con- necticut in 1801 and accompanied the colony west two years later. He was a millwright and probably built the first mill in this lo- cality in 1805 on the Embarass river. It was driven by water power. It was located where Billet Station now stands on the Big Four Railway, the mill having been built for a Mr. Brown. The father of our subject is described as a very humane man. He was a man of great physical endurance, six feet and four inches in height and weighed two hundred and seventy pounds. About the time he built the mill referred to he found an Indian in the woods with a broken leg,
whom he carried to shelter and nursed. Soon after this the Indian warned him that Brown and his family would be killed. Mr. Higgins urged them to leave the mill and seek shelter, but they refused and were soon afterward killed. Mr. Higgins was after- wards known to the Indians as "Big Medi- cine Man." He was Justice of the Peace for many years, being among the first in the territory. He was also Overseer of the Poor. . He was a man of great bravery and courage and made a gallant soldier in the War of 1812, and also in the Black Hawk war, and enlisted for the Mexican war, but was later sent home. He was at the battle of Tippecanoe. His death occurred in 1850 in Edwards county, at the age of sixty-eight years. His faithful life companion, a woman of many fine traits, passed to her rest in Ol- ney at the age of seventy-nine years. They were the parents of eight children, all de- ceased except the subject of this sketch, who was the youngest of the family.
Bryant Higgins, our subject, was reared amid pioneer scenes on a farm. He attend- ed subscription and public schools, also had private tutors, and made good use of his opportunity, such as it was in those early days, to secure a fairly good education. He studied civil engineering and surveying un- der a Mr. Sloan, making rapid progress in this line of work, which he followed with gratifying results for many years. He lo- cated in Richland county in 1851, and has since resided here. He did much of the early surveying in Richland county and has seen the same develop from the wilderness
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.