USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 1
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Gc 977.301 M25w v.2 1236194
M, L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00879 5814
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https://archive.org/details/historyofmacoupi02walk
Kanale
HISTORY
OF
Macoupin County ILLINOIS
Biographical and Pictorial
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
1
CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1911
1236191
Bordadomid- $25.00 (21il)
CRITTENDEN H . C. ANDERSON
BIOGRAPHICAL
CRITTENDEN HENRY CRAWFORD ANDERSON.
Probably no one of Macoupin county's pioneer citizens was more zealous or tireless in his efforts to promote the welfare of the community than the late Crit- tenden Henry Crawford Anderson, who owned extensive interests here and for fifty-six years was a prominent factor in the growth and development of various enterprises of Carlinville.
He was born in Christian county, Kentucky, seven miles from Hopkinville, on the 26th of January, 1819, being the eldest child in a family of eight. His par- ents were Colonel James Campbell and Ann (Harris) Anderson, the father a native of Louisa county and the mother of Augusta county, Virginia, but they were of Scotch and Irish extraction. In this family were four sons and four daughters, two of whom are still living, Henry Clay and Mary Ann, the latter the wife of W. C. Anderson. The father, who was a farmer, came to Macoupin county, Illinois, with his wife and family in 1834, settling at Anderson's Point, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. They arrived in Car- linville on the 27th of October, 1834, and the first night the entire family camped out, but they soon erected a log cabin on the east side of the square, on the site of the old postoffice, and there they spent their first winter in Illinois. The fol- lowing spring the father entered four hundred acres of government land in Car- linville township, upon which he located, continuing its cultivation until he died in 1851 of cholera, which he and his wife and several relatives contracted, all dying within a few days.
Crittenden Henry Crawford Anderson was a youth of fifteen years when the family located in Macoupin county, and his education, begun in the schools of his native state, was completed at Cooley's high school in Carlinville. Upon him devolved much of the work of the farm, of which he had the entire management for about two years, becoming his father's business associate at the age of nine- teen. In connection with the cultivation of their extensive fields they raised stock and bought and sold lands. In November, 1852, he left the old homestead, locating on a farm in the vicinity of the fair grounds, and he continued to devote his attention to agricultural pursuits until May, 1853, when he formed a partner- ship with his brother-in-law, Dr. R. W. Glass, and they opened the first exclusive drug store in Carlinville. It was located at the northwest corner of the square and was operated under the firm name of Anderson & Glass. In 1855 and 1856 Mr. Anderson erected a three story brick building on the east side of the square, known as the duplex building, this being the first three story building erected in the county. The lower floor was used for the drug store, while he and his family
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
occupied the second floor as a residence and the third floor was the Masonic hall. In 1860 he withdrew from business and returned to his farm, which he operated for eight years, and then opened an abstract and real-estate office in the Chestnut & Dubois building. After being identified with this for two years he opened a banking establishment under the name of the Henderson Loan & Real Estate association. He continued this in its corporate capacity until April 30, 1878, when he surrendered the charter of incorporation and organized the business as a private bank. The capital stock was increased from five to one hundred thousand dollars paid-up capital, the enterprise being conducted under the name of the Banking House of C. H. C. Anderson. It prospered in a manner entirely commensurate with the expectations of its founder, becoming one of the strongest financial institutions of the county and is still in a flourishing condition. Mr. Anderson was a man of unusual capabilities, possessing the foresight and sa- gacity which enabled him to recognize and utilize the opportunities presented to . the best possible advantage. His success, however, was never achieved at the expense of honor or by means of taking undue advantage but was the result of those inherent qualities which enabled him to so intelligently direct and conserve his forces as to attain the best possible results. His banking institution had a reputation for integrity and honorable dealing that placed it above question, and as its head Mr. Anderson filled many positions of trust in the capacity of executor and administrator.
On the 20th of October, 1857, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Stratton, whose birth occurred seven miles south of Carlinville on the 22d of June, 1841, being the only child of Marshall H. and Rebecca (Black- burn) Stratton. Her father was a son of John Stratton, a native of Virginia, but of English extraction, who always devoted his energies to agricultural pur- suits. Two of his brothers participated in the war of 1812. Marshall H. Strat- ton was also a native of Virginia, his birth having there occurred on the 24th of January, 1813. Coming here in 1834, he was one of the pioneer settlers of Macoupin county, where he acquired large tracts of government land, having three hundred and eighty acres in his homestead in addition to other holdings. The last five years of his life were spent at the home of his daughter in Carlin- ville, where he passed away on the 13th of January, 1898. The mother of Mrs. Anderson was born in Pennsylvania on the 8th of May, 1816, her parents being Thomas and Betty (Bowen) Blackburn, both of English descent. Eight children were born of this marriage, all of whom are now deceased : Mary, who married Mr. Wisegarver ; Ann, who became the wife of Mr. Ross ; Rachel, who married Mr. Overstreet; Rebecca, who became Mrs. Stratton ; and John, Elias, Anthony and Thomas. The father passed away in Pennsylvania, after which the mother removed to Illinois, living for four or five years in the vicinity of Carlinville. Later she removed farther west with two of her sons and they finally located in Utah, where they all died. Mrs. Stratton passed away in Carlinville on the Ist of June, 1875.
The only child of parents in comfortable circumstances, Mrs. Anderson was reared amidst unusually pleasant environment for pioneer times, passing her girl- hood on her father's homestead in Brushy Mound township and acquiring her education at Monticello Seminary. By the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ander-
MARSHALL H. STRATTON
1
MRS. MARSHALL H.STRATTON
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
son there were born three children, two of whom died in infancy. Effie, the only survivor, married Senator W. L. Mounts, and has become the mother of two sons and one daughter : Bruce Henry, Marion Evelyn and William Walter. They are also residents of Carlinville.
Mr. Anderson was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which his wife is still affiliated, and fraternally he belonged to the Masonic order, having for many years been treasurer of the local lodge. In matters politic he was orig- inally a whig, having cast his first vote in 1840 for William Henry Harrison, but upon the disruption of the party he gave his allegiance to the democrats, to whose candidates and policy he was afterward most loyal. It is men such as Mr. Anderson who form the advance guard of civilization in all pioneer countries. Their dominating personality, unremitting energy and tenacity of purpose com- pelling their recognition as leaders in various communities. Mr. Anderson passed away over twenty years ago, his demise occuring on the 10th of January, 1890, but those industries and enterprises which he introduced and firmly established, despite apparently insurmountable obstacles, today stand as monuments to his ambition.
JUDSON P. ENSLOW.
A successful farmer, and also prominent in financial circles of Macoupin county, being cashier of the Bank of Atwater, Judson P. Enslow has gained an enviable reputation and is recognized as one of the most enterprising and pro- gressive men of this section. He was born in Nilwood township, March 20, 1865, a son of David C. and Milby J. (Gibson) Enslow, both of whom were born in this state. The father came with his family to Macoupin county in 1865 and purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Nilwood township, which he cleared and improved. He later acquired more land and became the owner of nine hundred and forty acres, becoming one of the prominent land owners of this section. He began his search for fortune by working as a farm hand by the month, and drove hogs from Jersey and Greene counties to St. Louis, often col- lecting as many as eight or nine hundred head of hogs in one drove. His active and useful career was closed by death in September, 1894. Mrs. Enslow still survives and makes her home at Pontiac, Illinois, being now seventy-five years of age.
Judson P. Enslow was a member of a family of eleven children, ten of whom are now living. He attended the district schools, but as he grew to manhood was not satisfied with the limited training afforded in the country schoolhouse and, therefore, went to Valparaiso, Indiana, and carried his studies further in the noted college at that place. After returning home he worked as a farm hand for about six months, but he is not of a nature to remain long in a subordinate posi- tion and he rented four hundred acres, which he cultivated to excellent advantage for five years. He then rented a farm of three hundred acres and, after two years' additional experience, purchased one hundred and sixty-five acres in Shaws Point township, which he has improved until it is one of the highly productive properties of this region.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
In 1904 he associated with O. B. Cain, John M. Wagner, W. A. Trout and Charles P. Brown in the organization of the Bank of Atwater and was elected cashier, a position which he has since held to the satisfaction of the stockholders and of all who have business to transact at the bank. He still retains his farm, which is cultivated under his direction, and his industry and good judgment are meeting with well-earned reward.
In January, 1893, Mr. Enslow was married to Miss Martha Ellen Trout, a daughter of E. D. and America (Anderson) Trout, both of whom were born in Kentucky. They removed to Missouri and about 1865 came to Macoupin county. Mr. Trout purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Shaws Point township, which proved a lucrative investment. Here he con- tinued until his death in 1901. His wife passed away eight years later, in 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Enslow are the parents of six children, four of whom survive, namely : Leon J., who is thirteen years of age; Edward A., aged eleven years ; Homer D., aged eight years; and Ada Lucille, six years of age. Ralph Harold died in 1896 and Milby is also deceased.'
In politics Mr. Enslow gives his support to the democratic party. He takes an active interest in public affairs and filled the office of supervisor of the town- ship in 1891, also serving as county commissioner in 1908. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order. He is not connected with any religious de- nomination, but his wife holds membership in the Christian church. From his boyhood he has been remarkably energetic and efficient in all his undertakings, showing an interest in his work, and an ability in carrying out plans, which are important elements in the attainment of all worthy objects. He is a representa- tive of a class of men who never lose faith in their power to meet and overcome difficulties, and who are natural leaders wherever they may be found. His friends have great faith in his continued advancement to larger responsibilities as the years pass.
WILLIAM HENRY DEWS.
William Henry Dews, widely and prominently known throughout this district in connection with his agricultural and financial interests, is one of Macoupin county's native sons, his birth occurring in Western Mound township, March 20, 1852, his parents being John and Sylvia (Morris) Dews. The paternal grand- parents, Thomas and Mary Dews, were natives of Yorkshire, England, where the family had been established many generations ago, coming to that country originally from France. There Thomas Dews engaged in agricultural pursuits and there his son, John Dews, the father of our subject, was born, in the village of Helaugh, on the 15th of September, 1806. In 1829 he crossed the Atlantic to America, but returned to his native country for a short visit soon afterward. Upon again coming to this country in 1831 he located first at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained three years, after which he came to Macoupin county, in 1834, and located upon government land in Western Mound township. He was a farmer by occupation and continued to engage in that line of activity throughout
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
his active career. That he was successful in his undertaking is indicated by the fact that at the time of his death he was the owner of fifteen hundred acres of land and was numbered among the extensive land owners and successful busi- ness men of this locality. He had three brothers who also sought a home in this country, namely : William, a farmer, who passed away in Cincinnati, Ohio; Robert, who also engaged in agricultural pursuits in Macoupin county and died about 1853, during the cholera epidemic; and George, a Methodist minister, who passed away in Greene county, Illinois. John Dews married Sylvia Morris, who was born on the 8th of June, 1819, near Thornmore Inn, Lincolnshire, England, a daughter of John and Ann (Sexty) Morris. Her father, a son of John and Mary Morris, was born in England on the 17th of June, 1792, and in his native country was married, on the Ist of May, 1815, to Ann Sexty, who was born May 4, 1794, a daughter of Richard and Rebecca Sexty, natives of the parish of Thorn, Yorkshire, England. John Morris came with his family to America in 1830, and here established his home in Chesterfield township, Macoupin county, Illinois, where he took up government land. In his family were eleven children, namely : Hiram Sexty, born April 15, 1816, a sailor who was lost at sea; Eric, born September 13, 1817; Sylvia, the mother of our subject; Felix, born Febru- ary 25, 1821 ; Ann, born September 8, 1823; Mary, born May 6, 1825; Elizabeth, born January 18, 1827; Robert, who died in infancy; Rebecca, who also passed away in infancy ; John, born January 25, 1832; and Adelaide, born June 1, 1834. Unto John and Sylvia (Morris) Dews were born nine children, of whom three died in infancy, the others being: Eliza, the deceased wife of Charles Towse, of Chesterfield; Mary Francis, the widow of Bethel Towse, residing in Sterling, Kansas; Elizabeth Ann, who married John Dams, of Chesterfield; Hannah, the wife of Benson Weisner, of Greene county, Illinois ; William Henry, of this review ; and Abiah S., who married James W. Hall, of Chesterfield, mentioned elsewhere in this history.
William Henry Dews, whose name introduces this sketch, was educated in the public schools of this county and during the period of his boyhood and youth, when not busy with his text-books, he assisted his father in the work of the home farm, thus gaining comprehensive experience and thorough knowledge concern- ing the best methods of carrying on agriculture. In 1894 he became identified with general merchandising in Chesterfield, Illinois, and was therewith connected until 1900, when he sold his stock and withdrew from mercantile interests. In that year he organized the Bank of Chesterfield, of which he became president, and he has since remained the executive head of that institution, which is one of the well known and popular moneyed concerns in the county. Throughout this entire period, however, he maintained a deep interest in agricultural pur- suits and now divides his attention between his financial and farming enterprises. From time to time he has added to his holdings until today he is the owner of eleven hundred acres of farm land, all in one body, equipped with fine buildings and constituting one of the best improved and valuable properties of Macoupin county. At one time he also had heavy live-stock interests, being one of the first to introduce fine blooded Hereford cattle into this section, and was recognized throughout this district as a breeder of high grade stock. In the management of both branches of his affairs he manifested much executive ability, keen sagacity
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
and clear judgment, and is rightly classed among the most prosperous and suc- cessful residents of his part of the state.
Mr. Dews was married, on the 18th of August, 1892, to Miss Hattie Belle Kidd, of Virden, Macoupin county, a daughter of Simon James and Martha E. (Evans) Kidd. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Dews were Benjamin and Hannah (Reese) Kidd, natives of Virginia, who came to Macoupin county early in the year 1830, and here the mother passed away when her son Simon was eight years of age. The father, a farmer by occupation, died in 1878, in southern Illinois. In their family were ten children, of whom three passed away in early childhood, Simon James Kidd being the ninth in order of birth. The others were as follows: Mary Ann, the deceased wife of Jackson Barr, of Kansas ; John W., of Litchfield, Illinois ; Isaac R., deceased; Sarah, the deceased wife of James W. Henderson, of Barrs Store, Illinois; Thomas, who died in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1880 ; and Lizzie, who has also passed away. Simon James Kidd, who was born on the 10th of March, 1848, had an interesting military record, enlisting for serv -. ice in the Civil war when only fifteen years of age. He became a private of the Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, joining his regiment at Vicksburg, and from the very first saw much active service. He participated in all of the im- portant engagements of his command and was with Sherman during the latter's Atlanta campaign. He was captured while on detached duty, and held at the prison at Andersonville for a period of six months, or until the close of the war. Throughout the entire period of his service he was loyal to the cause for which the Union was struggling, whether stationed on the lonely picket line or in the midst of the fight, and never, throughout his service, did his courage wane nor his loyalty falter. He was married, on the 27th of December, 1868, to Martha E. Evans, a daughter of William and Louisiana (Noble) Evans, who were the parents of six children, namely: Belle, the wife of Clifford Roland, of Farmers- ville, Illinois ; Martha E., the wife of Mr. Kidd; Catharine, the widow of Joseph Beard, of St. Elmo, Illinois ; Albert Evans, of Paumee, Illinois ; Benjamin Evans, residing at Virden, and Hattie, who married C. L. Davidson, of Virden. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Simon James Kidd were born six children, as follows: Hattie Belle, the deceased wife of William Henry Dews, of this review; William and Albert, both of Portland, Oregon; Mary, residing in Chesterfield; Richard, also of Portland ; and James E., of Virden. Unto William Henry Dews and Hattie Belle Kidd were born three children: John Dale, born December 7, 1894; Olive, who passed away in infancy; and William Simon, whose birth occurred on the 23d of February, 1901. March 3, 1901, Mrs. Dews passed away at Chesterfield.
Mr. Dews is well known to the fraternal circles of this community as a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows lodge and the Knights of Pythias, while his religious faith is that of the Episcopal church, of whom he is now serving as vestryman. He gives stalwart allegiance to the republican party and for some time served as justice of peace. His fellow citizens manifested their appreciation of his ability and worth by electing him to the office of mayor of Chesterfield, and while incumbent in that office he instituted many needed reforms and improve- ments, chief among the latter being the laying of cement walks throughout the village. His efforts have ever been closely allied with those of the community in which he resides and his efforts have been effective forces in promoting progress
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
and advancing the general welfare in this portion of the county. The family oc- cupies a foremost position in the social circles of Chesterfield, and Mr. Dews is popular with a large circle of friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
EDWARD P. KIMBALL.
For over a quarter of a century Edward P. Kimball has been editor of the Virden Record and in period of service is the oldest editor in Macoupin county. He has spent the principal years of his life in the newspaper business and it is highly to his credit that his paper ranks as one of the most influential in this section of the state. He belongs to a well known and highly respected family and was born at Carlinville, January 20, 1861, a son of H. M. and Fannie (Palmer) Kimball. The mother is the second daughter of Rev. Elihu Palmer, a brother of the late Hon. John M. Palmer, who served as governor of the state of Illinois and also as member of the United States senate.
The father of our subject was a well known newspaper editor. He came to Carlinville about 1856 and took charge of the Carlinville Democrat when the paper was about six months old, developing it into one of the representative pub- lications of the state. He died at Carlinville after arriving at the age of seventy- three years. His widow is still living and makes her home with her children. She has traveled extensively and has visited the principal points of Europe and the United States. There were seven children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Kimball. Edward P., the eldest, is the subject of this review. Mabel is the wife of A. R. Urion, who is general attorney for Armour & Company, of Chicago, and served for several years as president of the school board of Chicago. Flor- ence is the wife of William A. Boring, who was born in Carlinville in 1859 and for twenty years past has been located in New York city as an architect. He is a member of the firm of Boring & Tilton and drew the plans for the United States emigrant station on Ellis island, for the building of the University of Southern California, and for many other important structures in this country. His father, John M. Boring, erected the public-school building at Carlinville. Gordon, the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. Kimball, died when about two years old. Ruth is the widow of Cornelius Gardiner, a well known Washington newspaper corre- spondent. She was the first woman ever admitted to the press gallery in the national house of representatives and is the author of books and short stories which have been extensively read. David H. is general claim agent of the Great Northern Railway with offices at St. Paul, Minnesota. Francis died in his youth.
Mr. Kimball of this sketch received his preliminary education in the public schools and later became a student of Blackburn University at Carlinville. At the age of twenty he took charge of the Reporter at Virden, which he conducted for one year for David & Company and then purchased the paper, operating it for a year on his own account. Having sold out, he went with his father to Rock- ford, Illinois, and was for several months identified with the Journal. He spent a summer in Dakota and one year in St. Louis, Missouri, returning in 1885 to
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Virden where he purchased a half-interest in the Record. Two years later he became sole proprietor of the paper and has since been its editor. Under his efficient management the circulation and influence of the paper have been largely extended, and he is now the owner of one of the valuable newspaper plants in the state. He is a clear and convincing writer and, by his advocacy of the advan- tages of this section, he has greatly promoted the welfare and permanent interests of Macoupin county.
On February 22, 1882, Mr. Kimball was married to Miss Lela Brittian, a daughter of Theodore H. and Elizabeth (Lumsden) Brittian, who were the parents of two children, her brother dying in infancy. The mother was a second time married, becoming the wife of W. A. Jackson; she died in March, 1900. One child, Edna Elizabeth, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kimball. She is now the wife of James J. Woodman, of Virden.
Politically Mr. Kimball has from the time of reaching manhood voted and persistently labored in behalf of the democratic party. He served as third as- sistant clerk in the lower house of the Illinois legislature in 1891, and in 1893 was first assistant secretary of the state senate. He filled the office of postmaster of Virden under President Cleveland's second administration, 1896-1900. Fra- ternally he is well known, being a valued member of the Masonic order, and also of the Knights of Pythias and Woodmen. His religious belief is indicated by membership in the Presbyterian church. Ever true to his convictions of justice and honor, he has contributed his share toward the upbuilding of Macoupin county and is recognized today as one of its most respected citizens.
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