USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 21
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 (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
On October, 1899. Dr. Meirink was united in marriage with Frances Becker, of Bartelso, the daughter of Henry Becker, a pioneer farmer of Wade township. The Doctor and Mrs. Meirink are the parents of three
1220
IHISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
children, namely : Laura, Edward and Paul. True to the religious faith of his ancestors, Dr. Meirink is a member of the Catholic church.
FRANK T. I. LEPPO. Liberal-minded, enterprising and progressive, Frank T. I. Leppo, of Xenia, is a fine representative of the self-made men of Clay county, having in early life measured his own ability and hewn his way straight to the line thus marked out. Through his own untiring efforts he has met with deserved success in his career, being now an ex- tensive land owner and an important factor in advancing the mercantile interests of the county, as a dealer in hardwood Inmber and ties, having built up a modest and remunerative trade. A son of Jabez Leppo, he was born in Carroll county, Maryland, May 14, 1861. His grandfather, Jacob Leppo, a life-long resident of Maryland, served as a soldier in the War of 1812.
Jabez Leppo was born May 21, 1825, in Maryland, where he lived and labored for many years. Migrating to Tazewell county, Illinois, in No- vember, 1868, he followed farming there for awhile, and then settled in McLean county, Illinois, where, after renting a farm for two years, he bought land and engaged in farming on his own account. Subsequently trading his land for a residence in LeRoy, Illinois, he continued as a resi- dent of that place until his death, in 1908. He was a Democrat in poli- tics, but took no active part in publie affairs. Both he and his wife united with the Methodist Episcopal church when young, but during his later years he became a member of the Universalist church.
Jabez Leppo married Katherine Burns, who was born in Maryland, December 25, 1835, and died in Illinois, in 1886. Her father John Burns, was a native of Maryland, and was in business there as tavernkeeper on the turnpike road. He moved to Tazewell county, Illinois, where for a number of years prior to his death he bought and managed a farm.
Obtaining his elementary education in Maryland, Frank T. I. Leppo completed his early studies in Illinois, attending school in both Taze- well and MeLean counties. Reared to agricultural pursuits, he worked by the month as a farm laborer a short time, and he farmed for himself until twenty-nine years old, when he began as a dealer in grain and live stock. Coming to Xenia, Clay county, in 1890, Mr. Leppo first engaged in the orchard business, later buying and shipping cattle and live stock, also embarking in mercantile pursuits. He has been fortunate in most of his ventures, his present trade as a dealer in hardwood and ties being fair and lucrative. Mr. Leppo also owns five hundred and seventy acres of improved land in Clay county, the larger part of which is devoted to the raising of grain. the remainder being either good timber or pasture land. He has likewise property interests in other places, owning consid- erable timber land in Arkansas.
Mr. Leppo's business is one of the largest of the kind in the county. He uniformly supports the principles of the Democratie party at the polls, and although he has never been an aspirant for political honors he has served as alderman. Mr. Leppo has never married, and being entirely free from domestic cares and tribulations has ample leisure to attend to his personal affairs.
FRANCIS O. HARRISON, M. D. After thirty-four years of faithful and conscientious labor in the field of medicine in and about Christopher. Illi- nois, Dr. Francis O. Harrison is one of the most highly esteemed physi- cians of Franklin county. and during his long and useful career has built up an enviable reputation not only in his profession but as an able busi- ness man, a successful agrienlturist and a citizen of sterling worth. Dr.
1221
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Harrison was born near Mulkeytown, in Franklin county. November 6, 1846, and is a son of Christopher and Mary (Swain ) Harrison.
The paternal grandfather of Dr. Harrison, Lemuel Harrison, was a native of North Carolina, From which state he came to Franklin county as a pioneer, and here became successful in farming, and hell numerous offiees within the gift of the people. He served as county surveyor for some time, and until his death in 1851 acted as circuit clerk. His son, Christopher Harrison, was born in Franklin county, and was engaged in farming here in 1850, at the time of the gold rush to California. loin- ing the throng that crossed the country to attempt to make their fortunes, he was one of the unfortunates who contracted cholera and he died in a boat on the Mississippi river, living but six hours. His wife, Mary Swain, was the daughter of John Swain, who was born in Tennessee and came to Illinois early in life. He also, was engaged in agriculture, became well- to-do, and at the time of his death, which occurred when he had reached advanced years, he was well known all over Franklin county.
Fraveis O. Harrison was able to secure only a meager schooling, as the death of his father left the family in humble circunstances, and the help of the sturdy young son was needed in cultivating the little prop- erty the parent had left behind. He was an ambitious youth. however, and lack of attendance at the country schools did not prevent him from ae- quiring an education. as whatever time he could find from his work was spent in reading and study, and thus he became well informed in a gen- eral way. He worked on the home property until he was twenty-two years of age, at which time he was able, by investing the money which his habits of industry and economy had enabled him to accumulate, and by going into debt for a part of the property to purchase himself a little farm, and this he started to cultivate. It had been his ambition from youth, however, to enter a professional life and when he had cleared his land from debt and could see that he was making progress, he started to study medicine, with the result that he subsequently entered the Ecler- tie Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was graduated therefrom in 1878. On his return to his farm he "hung out his shingle," and at once began a practice that has grown year by year until today there is no better known physician in Franklin county. In the meantime he con- tinned farming, and at one time was the owner of five hundred acres of land, but in 1909 sold off a farm of two hundred acres. In addition he is a stockholder and director in the First National Bank of Christopher, has varions commercial and financial interests and valuable real estate holdings, and is considered one of Christopher's most substantial mon. Being desirous of increasing his medical education, in February and March, 1912, the Doctor pursned post graduate course in the New York Post Graduate school and hospital of New York City. Taking up as the principal study of diseases of the eye, car, nose and throat. Dr. Harrison congratulates his good fortune as being a very healthy man. He has lived for years in succession, without an ache, or pain.
In 1868 Dr. Harrison was married to Miss Maria Burkitt, a daughter of William Burkitt, one of the pioneer farmers of Franklin county. She died in 1881. without issue. The Doctor remaining a widower for about three years then married her sister. Emily Burkitt, who died in the year of 1891. Of this union three children were born. Lottie, Noba and Little. now living. About five years after the death of his second wife he mdr- ried Eva Neal, daughter of John R. Neal, a successful farmer of Franklin county. Six children were born to them, three boys and three girls Ivan, Velma, Ethan, Ovel. Viva and Nova-Dot, all now living hnt Ethan, bu having been about two years old at his death. Dr. and Mrs Harrison are members of the Church of Christ of Christopher, Illinois He is an Odd
1222
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Fellow and his profession eonneets him with the medieal societies, being a member of The Illinois Eleetic Medical Society, and also of the National and he attends those societies. He has served as a member of the board of Pension Examining Surgeons at Benton for over sixteen years and has acted as secretary of said board for the last ten years, being secretary at the present time. Dr. Harrison is a stalwart Republican in polities, and has tried to do much for his party, but has aeted as an onlooker rather than an office seeker. But for several years he has been a member of the county central committee, and has discharged his duties as a citizen by serving for a number of years as a member of the school board. His long residence of this section has made him hosts of friends, who recognize and appreciate his many sterling traits of character. He was one of the pioneers of Christopher, Illinois, in starting the little village, now a city of about three thousand inhabitants, the Doetor having the honor or liberty of naming the town Christopher in honor of his father, who at one time owned a part of the land on which Christopher is built.
In conclusion the Doetor wishes to go on record that he has been against the saloon, and since he became a voter he has always voted and argued against intoxieants believing that it has been and is causing more deaths, destruetion and sorrow than anything that was ever placed before the public. He fully believes that the poison not only destroys the body, but destroys both body and soul.
DR. LUTHIER F. ROBINSON. The dean of the medieal profession in the village of Ullin and the surrounding country is Dr. Luther F. Robin- son. For more than a seore of years he has been an active member of this little community and he is joyfully welcomed in every home not only as their tried physician but as their faithful and loving friend. No trouble is too insignificant to win his warm sympathy, no joy is quite complete until the Doetor has had a share in it. Beside the elose ties that bind him to the hearts of his people through his connection with their private affairs, he is also interested in the public affairs of the community, being president of the First National Bank of Ullin and postmaster of the village.
Inther F. Robinson was born at Statesville, Iredell county, North Carolina, on the 26th of February, 1852. Being orphaned in infancy he was legally adopted by his maternal grandparents, and knew them as his only parents. His grandfather was Henry Robinson, who came from an old pioneer family of English origin, whose fonnder, the grandfather of Henry, had settled in North Carolina during colonial times. Henry Robinson was born in Davie county, North Carolina, Ile married, and in 1861 moved westward, finally coming to Arkansas and settling in Greene county. There his life was devoted to the farm and his industry was unbroken until he died, in 1874, during the seventy-sixth year of his life. His home was near Gainesville, the old county seat of Greene county, and the only time he allowed any in- terest to draw him away from his farm was when he was elected county judge of the Demoeratie party. Henry Robinson and his wife had a number of children. The oldest, Isabel Olive, was married to a Mr. Houston, who disappeared while on a trip into the wilds of the West during the infaney of his son and only child. Nothing was ever heard that might give some elew to his fate, and his wife died in Ullin, in January, 1910, at the age of seventy-six, having only lately been re- united to her son after a separation of more than a third of a century, Frank Robinson, of Anna, was another child, as were A. W. and Lee Robinson, of that city, the last named dying there in recent years. Mrs. C. M. Hileman, who died in Ullin, Illinois, and Mrs. Levi Hileman,
Luther& Rokinsan
1223
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
of Anna, Illinois, were daughters of the old Arkansas pioneer and aunts of Dr. Robinson.
Luther F. Robinson spent his boyhood till he was seventeen on the farm of his grandfather, doing the work of a man as soon as his strength permitted and gaining what education he could from the dis- triet sehools. In 1869 the blood of his pioneer ancestors came to the surface, and the boy demanded the right to start his own life amid sur- roundings of his own choice, making his way yet further west, until he reached the frontier of Texas, where he became a cowboy on one of the great cattle ranehes that then occupied all that vast grassy plain. After two years of this wild out of door lite he returned to civilization and located in St. Louis. He easily, on account of the fine physique which his rough life had developed, secured employment. His am- bitious spirit was not satisfied with his position, and seeing that his great laek was education he began to attend night school. He then learned the carpenter's trade, and came into Illinois, making his home in Union county. He followed his trade for a time, but he was clearly not ent out for a carpenter, so turned to fruit and truck farming near Anna. Here he married his first wife, Mahala Jane Chatham. in August, 1874. His acquaintance with and marriage into the Chatham family probably had a controlling influence in his life, as he took up the study of medicine with his brother-in-law, Dr. John R. Chatham, of Anna. Becoming intensely interested in the subject and eventually deciding that he had found his voeation, he pursued his medical course to a satisfactory completion. His first two years of study were spent in the old Physicians and Surgeons at St. Louis, which school is now a part of Washington University. Ilis next work was taken in the med- ieal department of the University of Louisville. He graduated from there in June, 1889, and established himself at once in Ullin, Ilinois. He has not allowed the progress of modern science as applied to med- ieine to slip past unheeded, but has attended the clinies of the best known surgeons and doctors of St. Louis and Chicago. For seventeen years he has been local physician and surgeon of the Illinois Central railroad, and held the position of president of the pension board nt Cairo for eleven years.
The first wife of Dr. Robinson was a daughter of Robert and Mahala J. (Hood) Chatham. The father was a native of Tennessee, but his wife was from Charleston, South Carolina, later moving to Tennessee, where her marriage to Mr. Chatham took place. Soon after their mar- riage they came to Ilinois and settled first in Shelby county, later com- ing to Union county. Mrs. Robinson died in March, 1901. The chil- dren of this union were: William, an engineer on the Illinois Cen- tral out of Mounds; Ida, wife of Robert George, of Mounds, Illinois; and Myrtle, now Mrs. John Rowe. In November, 1902. Dr. Robinson married Elizabeth Bise, a daughter of Samuel Bise, of Owensboro, Kon- tucky.
Dr. Robinson is one of the leaders of the progressive party in I'llin. always standing for any movement that would be of benefit to the town and taking an active part in the civic life of the place. He was one of the men who pushed the plan of incorporating the village of Ullin, and after the successful culmination of this scheme acted as its treasurer for nine years. In conjunction with Lawrener Chenault he founded the first banking house in the village, in 1904, the month be- ing June, and in May of the following year he purchased the interest of Mr. Chenault. He conducted it as a highly successful institution under the name of the Bank of U'llin until 1006, when it was converted into a national bank, taking the name of the First National Bank of
1224
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Ullin. It has a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars, and Dr. Robinson has served as its president since its organization. In 1900, feeling the need of a reliable pharmacy in his own profession, he established a drug business. Many of the substantial improvements throughout the town are due to his energy, for one of his dearest wishes is to make a beauti- ful town out of the place that has so endeared itself to him.
In 1909 he received the appointment to the position of postmaster as the successor Thomas Myers, which post he now occupies. He abides by the tenets of the Republican party and is an active worker in its behalf, when the issues are important and the result is in some doubt. He is one of the seven oldest members of the Anna lodge of Odd Fel- lows, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias. His religious affilia- tions have been with the Missionary Baptist church sinee he was twenty- three years of age, and his long membership has been a very active one.
In his profession Dr. Robinson has served two years as the pres- ident of the Pulaski County Medical Society, is a member of the South- ern Illinois Medieal Society and of the Illinois State Medieal Associa- tion, as well as belonging to the American Medical Association.
The position of a physician in the community is like that of a minister, one of great responsibility and influence. He must hold himself at all times at the call of any one, must always be even tem- pered and cool-headed, as an example, if nothing more, for his patients. All these requirements seem almost superhuman, but Dr. Robinson has fulfilled them so nearly that his people swear he is the ideal physician. What unbounded energy he possesses to be able to take the time and thought from that most exacting type of practice, that which may call him many miles out into the country at any hour of the day or night. to enter with the whole of his forceful personality in to the public affairs of his people! They reward him, however, by returning in full measure the love and devotion which he has so freely poured forth for them.
THE O'GARA COAL COMPANY. Southern Illinois is noted far and wide as a seetion of marvellous natural resource, its splendid traets of rich prairie and forest, its splendid streams and fertile vales being un- derlaid by wonderful mineral deposits. The coal fields are of vast ex- tent and probably nothing else has given as materially to the general prosperity as their development and utilization. One of the greatest corporations engaged in this work is the O'Gara Coal Company, which in its comparatively brief existenee has accomplished wonders and whose methods towards employes and in all its commercial dealings are most admirable. It is indeed a pleasure to the publishers of a work of this nature to accord recognition to an industry which has proved as much a blessing to a great seetion of country and given it sueh world- wide prestige.
The O'Gara Coal Company was organized in 1905, the scene of the couneils which brought it into existence being the Marquette Building in Chicago. It was capitalized with $6,000,000, and the following gentlemen forms its staff of officers: T. J. O'Gara, of Chicago, pres- ident ; Thomas J. Jones, treasurer ; and W. A. Brewerton, secretary.
All the mines of the O'Gara Coal Company are located in Saline county, these being twelve in number, with an annual output of seven million tons. Six thousand men are employed in a field eapacity and the pay roll disbursement is $150,000 per month. The company pays $10,000 monthly royalty. It has control of thirty thousand aeres, whose development will doubtless extend over a period of fifty years. To speak of the O'Gara Coal Company means to deal in enormous figures and phrases.
1225
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
The O'Gara Coal Company is particularly fortunate in the men who control its workings. II. Thomas is its general manager of mines, Ed. Ghent its chief engineer and D. B. MeGehee the assistant general manager.
THOMAS SHERMAN GERHART. One of the most prominent men in Sumner is Thomas Sherman Gerhart. He is a lawyer and is un- doubtedly one of the best in this section of the state, but his prominence in his home town does not eome so much from the fact that he is a clever lawyer as from the fact that he is publie spirited and is eager to do his share towards the advancement of the public weal. He has been a res- ident of Sumner for a few years only, but he has shown himself so sincere in his desire to assist in the onward march that the citizens of the town are making that he has won the friendship and confidence of all who know him, as a proof of this he has been elected city attorney. He is highly respected in his profession, not only for his intellectual gifts and for his abilities as an orator, but also for his moral strength, which the men of his fraternity ean appreciate far more than others. He is possessed of a strong will and a determination not to sueeumb to the many temptations that beset the path of the young lawyer today. He will not stoop to the tricks of his trade. and trusts to his powers of persuasion and to the righteousness of his cause to win his cases for him. He has the gift of eloquence in a generous degree and whenever he is speaking, he holds his audience enthralled. lle is now at the point where he has gained a rich experience and a maturity of thought, and adding to these his eloquence and his logieal mind he has the full equip- ment of the successful lawyer.
Thomas Sherman Gerhart was born on the 20th of April, 1868, in Whitley county, Indiana. His father, Jacob Gerhart, is a native of Ohio, having been born on the 14th of September, 1840, in Greene county. In 1868, soon after the birth of his son, he came to Lawrence county, Illinois, and here settled to the life of a farmer. During the Civil war he had been one of the Indiana Home Guards, and it was a great sorrow to him that he was physically incapacitated to serve in the regular army. It seemed hard that he who wanted to go to the front. should not be able to. while some men who would have preferred the peace and comfort of their own firesides were forced to go. However. he met his disappointment as he met all the troubles in his life, phil- osophically and cheerfully. He was married on the 24th of March. 1864. to Margaret Anne Norris, of Whitley county. Indiana. Seven children were born of this union, and of these Thomas S. was the second child. In politics Jacob Gerhart is a staunch Republican and a worker in the party. He is active in the public affairs of the community, and some of the best work that he did for his fellow citizens was performed when he was highway commissioner for his county. His religions af- filiations were with the German Baptists or Dunkards, of which denomi- nation he was a very loyal member.
Thomas Sherman Gerhart spent his childhood and boyhood on a farm in Lawrence county, and his early education was received at the hands of the country school teachers in that county. After be had finished these, he attended Vincennes University and pursued the com- mereial and scientifie courses during the four years he spent there. He was graduated from the above institution in 1594, with the degree of B. S. He then turned to the profession for which he seemed best tittel, at the same time determining that he would take up the study of law as soon as he was able. The profession which he chose was that of a school teacher and until 1899, he conscientiously tried to impart knowl-
ยท
1226
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
edge to children of his home county-Lawrence. During his vacation he took various courses in the State University of Indiana, and in the evenings throughout the long winters he was never too tired after his day's work to pore over his law books. In 1901 he was graduated from the State University and received the degree of LL. B. His admission to the bar occurred during the same year and he at once began to practice, saying good-bye to the school room with a glad heart, for he had for so long looked forward to his moment when he should be a full-fledged lawyer.
He first began to practice in Kokomo, Indiana, and remained here for seven and a half years, during which time he became a very popular and influential member of the community. He was active in the pol- itical circles of the town, and was one of the most efficient members of the city council. Ile was also appointed city judge by the governor of Indiana and filled this position to the satisfaction of every one. Ile moved from Kokomo to Sumner, Lawrence county, Illinois, in 1909, and was soon holding a place of the same prominence in Summer as he had in his former home. His term of service as city attorney has been mentioned, and during this term he added to his popularity tenfold through the able way in which he discharged his duties. His career as a school teacher was undoubtedly a fine preparation for his career as a lawyer. Ile gained self confidence and became accustomed to the sound of his own voice. As a teacher he also showed the executive ability which has been of so much aid to him in his political work. He was not only principal, but also superintendent of the Lawrenceville public schools. His ability as an orator was forecasted during his career as a student, when he was attending Vincennes University.
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.