USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 27
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On June 26, 1895, Dr. Lesemann was married to Miss Anna Franz- lau, of Nashville. Her father and mother, Frederick and Minnie (Krumwieder) Franzłau, were German people, and the parents of Lizzie, wife of Dr. Krumsieek, of Nashville; Frank H., engaged in the drug business at Manito, Illinois; William, of Hartford City, Indiana ; Mrs. Lesemann; Ella, the wife of Rev. Charles Krugoff, residing at Jamestown, Missouri; Emma, who married Osear Grote, of St. Lonis; and Harry, a resident of Freeburg, Illinois. Dr. and Mrs. Lese- mann have two children : Ralph, twelve years old; and Ferrol, who is four years his brother's junior. The family are members of the Ger- man Methodist church, of which Dr. Lesemann is steward.
ELMER BURCH, M. D. Comparatively brief has been the period of the residence of Dr. Eher Bureh in DuQuoin, but it has been of suffi- cient duration to win for him a fair degree of eminence in that city and in the surrounding district. Ile is a member of the professional firm of Gillis & Bureh, M. D.'s, and has been active in the practice of his pro- fession in DuQuoin since 1908. As physician for the Children's Home of DuQuoin and district surgeon of the Illinois Central Railway Company, together with his private practice, Dr. Burch is one of the busy men of the city.
Elmer Bureh was born on a farm near Monmouth, Illinois, on April 8, 1864, and was there reared. Ilis grandfather was Thomas Wells Burch, a native of Wales, born in that country in 1795, who came to the United States in infaney and was reared in North Carolina. He later became a resident of Illinois, settling at Monmouth. He married and became the father of thirteen children, but only four grew to years of manhood and womanhood. They were Benjamin, who died recently in Haneock county, Illinois, leaving a wife and daughter to mourn their loss; Lizzie, who became the wife of Jackson Gossett and resides in Nebraska ; Thomas J., who became the father of Dr. Elmer Bureh ; and Sarah, who died at Monmouth, Illinois, as Mrs. John Easton.
Thomas J. Burch lived the life of the farm boy as a child, and when he became a man accepted that vocation as his own. Hle re- eeived the usual district school training. and passed his boyhood and youth as a typical farmer's lad, the real business of life beginning when he volunteered for service in the Union army in Company K of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, with Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll in com- mand. An active and honorable army career was his, and when the viscissitudes of army life were over he returned to his home, where he resumed work on the old farm. He remained thus occupied for some time, until he subsequently moved to Missouri, and is now passing his remaining days in the peace and quiet of the town of Ewing in that state. He is an active Democrat and a member of the G. A. R. Thomas J. Burch chose as his wife Miss Marie L. Shellenbarger, a daughter of George Shellenbarger, from Erie county, Pennsylvania, who, with his wife, was of German extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Schellenbarger were Vol. 111-12
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the parents of eleven children, of whom Mrs. Burch was the fourth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Burch were the parents of two sons, Dr. Elmer, of this review, and Dr. George W., a graduate of the Col- lege of Physicians and Eurgeons of Keokuk, Iowa, now located at Quincy, Illinois, and active in the practice of his chosen profession.
Dr. Elmer Burch, after finishing with the high school of his home town, completed a course of literary studies in the U. P. College of Monmouth. Ile took up his medical studies in the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, graduating therefrom in 1886 He began the practice of his profession at Cameron, Illinois, continu- ing his work there for a space of six years, then entered the Baltimore Medical College and was graduated from that institution in 1893. His next location was at Clearmont, Missouri, where he remained for five years in practice and then removed to Doe Run, St. Francois county, and after a residence of ten years came thence to DuQuoin. While located in Missouri Dr. Burch connected himself with the professional societies of both county and state, and holds similar affiliation with corresponding societies of Illinois, as well as with the American Med- ical Association. He is physician for the Children's Home of Du- Quoin and district surgeon of the Illinois Central Railway Company, and in connection with the latter named position holds membership in the Illinois Central Association of Surgeons. Dr. Burch is a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter of Masonry, is past noble grand of Odd Fellowship, past sachem of the Red Men, and is also a member of the Eagles, Elks and the Modern Woodmen.
On July 23, 1893, Dr. Burch was married to Miss Trella M. Reg- nier, a daughter of Eugene and Frances (Holcomb) Regnier. Mr. Regnier is of French origin and is a mason contractor of Galesburg. Dr. and Mrs. Burch have two children, Beatrice and Claire.
MILO R. CLANAHAN. As manager of the Southern Illinois agency for the National Life Insurance Company of Montpelier, Vermont, Mr. Clanahan is recognized as one of the representative figures in the field of life insurance in this section of the state, and he maintains his of- ficial headquarters in suite 506-7 Metropolitan building, East St. Louis. He is one of the popular and representative business men of this thriv- ing city and has made an admirable record in his chosen field of en- deavor.
Miło R. Clanahan finds a due amount of satisfaction in reverting to Illinois as the place of his nativity, and he is a scion of a family whose name has been identified with the history of this favored com- monwealth for fully three quarters of a century. He was born on a farm in Pope county, Illinois, on the 4th of March, 1864, and is a son of Augustus Hamilton Clanahan and Ann Eliza (Modglin) Clanahan, who established their home in Pope county many years ago, the father becoming one of the prosperous farmers of that section, where both he and his wife continued to reside until their death. He whose name initiates this review was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm and in the meanwhile the district school found him enrolled as a duly am- bitious pupil. Hle amplified his educational discipline by attendance in summer schools and finally by an effective course in the Northern Illi- nois Normal University, at Normal, MeLean county. In this institu- tion he admirably qualified himself for the work of the pedagogic pro- fession, and for six years he was a successful and popular teacher in the public schools of his native state. Thereafter he served five years as chief deputy in the office of the United States collector of internal revenue at Cairo, Illinois, a position from which he retired in 1894. In
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1896 he hecame district manager for the Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany of New York, this position having been given him after a specially excellent record as a local underwriter for the Mutual Benefit Life In- surance Company. His service as district manager for the Mutual Life continued until the Ist of January, 1904, and he maintained his execu- tive headquarters in the city of Cairo until 1901, when the same were transferred to East St. Louis. On the 1st of fanuary. 1904, Mr. Clan- ahan assumed his present position, that of manager of the Southern Illinois agency for the National Life Insurance Company of Montpe- lier, Vermont, and he has added materially to his prestige in his chosen profession sinee forming such connection with this admirable New Eng- land company, for which he has built up a large and substantial busi- ness in his jurisdiction. He has shown marked initiative and exeentive ability, is progressive and alert and has a broad and exact knowledge of all details of the life-insurance business, in which he has gained a high reputation and unqualified success. In 1908 Mr. Clanahan pur- chased a fine stock farm near Vienna, the judicial center of Johnson county, Illinois, and he has found great pleasure and satisfaction in the development and improvement of this property and in exploiting the stock industry through progressive and effective methods. Ilis farm is now one of the best devoted to the raising of pure bred live stock to be found in Southern Illinois, and he gives to the same his personal supervision.
In polities Mr. Clanahan gives a stanch allegiance to the Repub- lican party and as a citizen he is essentially loyal and publie-spirited. He is a member of the East St. Louis Commercial Club, is affiliated with the Masonie fraternity and is identified with other civic organiza- tions. The church relations of Mr. and Mrs. Clanahan are with the Presbyterians.
On the 26th of June, 1889, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Clan- ahan to Miss Lollie Mittler, and they have three children,-Elsie Mittler, who is a student in Washington College, at Washington, D. C .; JJulius Harrington, who is a member of the office force of the Pittsburg Alumi- num Works, which is one of the largest industries of East St. Louis. Illinois ; and Walter Hamilton, who is a student in the East St. Louis high school.
Apropos of Mr. Clanahan's deep interest in stock-growing it may be said that he is specially enthusiastie as a lover and breeder of fine horses, in which connection he has prepared and published an attractive little brochure, dedicated to the American saddle horse in general, but more particularly to Forest Dudley. No. 2850, and his noted sire, Forest King, No. 1462, the former animal being owned by Mr. Clanahan. Concern- ing the pamphlet to which reference has just been made pertinent in- formation is given in the preface of the same. and the context thereof is consistently reproduced in this sketch of the career of the author: "Upon my first conception of the idea that I would prepare a pamphlet and dedicate it to 'The American Saddle Horse' in general, but more particularly to the one in which I felt most deeply interested. I little realized the enormity of what first appeared so small a task, but which in reality proved a large one for me, coming, as it does, not from a horseman. familiar with 'hoss' talk, but simply from a life-insurance man who in early boyhood and white on the farm formed a love and admiration for horses, which is my hobby. It has been said that every man must have his business and his hobby. Imagine yourself. if you please. trying to write something of your hobby and to make it of interest to any- body else, especially when you are not a member of or applicant for mem- bership in the Ananias Club, and you will agree with me that it would
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be far easier to talk or write intelligently and, as in this ease I have tried to do, truthfully upon the line of business in which you are in every-day life engaged. But as I was never aeeused of being a 'quitter,' I have stayed at this self-imposed task until it is now 'up to the printer' and 'me for the bill,' and if this pamphlet contains any information of interest to you, either with reference to Forest Dudley, No. 2850, or any of his distinguished ancestry or to the American saddle horse in gen- eral, let me assure you that I have taken no little pains but have spent much time and labor and some money in the preparation of the book- let, and in an honest effort to substantiate every statement made herein, and which I now ask you to accept as authentic, with the compliments of the author." Copies of the pamphlet may be had upon application to Mr. Clanahan, and at a purely nominal priec. Further statements made by Mr. Clanahan in this connection are as follows: "By a care- ful study of this publication you will find that it contains much valuable and general information, in faet the boiled-down essenee of the various published volumes of the American Saddle Horse Register, as to the or- ganization of the association, the foundation sires and later noted sires, outlining from official sources the distinctive upper blood lines of the American saddle-horse family, with show records and achievements of its most noted sires; also the sourees, breeds and crosses from which the American saddle-horse family has sprung; therefore we trust that every- one into whose hands this booklet may fall may find it both interesting and worthy of preserving for future reference."
In eonelusion of this sketeh of Milo R. Clanahan, will say that he has always applied his energies faithfully and loyally to whatever task he undertook, always remembering, and usually applying that good old rule -"Business first and pleasure afterwards."
JUDGE MOSES PEARCE MCGEHEE. With the passing of Judge Moses P. McGehee in 1883, Saline county lost one of her earliest pioneers and most valuable citizens. Judge MeGehee was early in life thrown upon his own resources and he had to struggle along in the best way he eould. He was, however, full of the true spirit of the pioneer, the spirit that went forward no matter what the odds, sustained by the vision of the great and glorious country which was to rise on the foun- dations of which the pioneers were the builders. He could turn his hand to almost anything from blacksmithing to acting as a judiciary. This versality, together with the wisdom which he had gathered dur- ing his long life and the common sense which had been Nature's gift to him, made him a very popular member of the community and he was in demand on all occasions.
Moses Pearce MeGehee was born in Montgomery county, Tennes- see, in 1823. He was the deseendant of an old and honored Virginian family which had migrated to Tennessee. His parents were Pyrant and Jemima Pearee MeGehee, who left Tennessee in 1832, and eame to Gallatin county, Illinois. In 1838 Judge MeGehee was left an orphan, and finding that he would have to shift for himself he bound himself as an apprentice to A. Mitchell and learned the blacksmith trade. He plied his trade for several years on the western frontier and then re- turned to Illinois and settled in Galatia, Saline county, in 1847. The following year of 1848 witnessed his marriage to Mary Priseilla Davis. She was a native of White county and a daughter of Dr. Robert Davis. Judge MeGehee lived in Galatia until 1856, and then he moved his family to Harrisburg, where he spent the remainder of his life with the exception of two years, 1876-77, when he lived at Carrier Mills.
Shortly after his arrival in Galatia. in 1850, he and Dr. Harvey
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Pearee opened a general merchandise store. 'They also had the first steam saw and grist mill in the county. The location of this mill was about one and one-half miles southeast of Galatia. Since there were no railroads in those days the machinery had to be hauled overland from St. Louis, and ereated more excitement than a eireus. In 1858 this mill was moved to Harrisburg, Illinois. In 1849 he was elected justice of the peace and from 1853 to 1856 he served as associate jus- tiee. Ile was a elear thinker and was truly desirous of giving each man his due, and his worth is deeply felt by the people of the county. This was proven when they eleeted him county judge in 1856, to serve four years. Ile was again eleeted to this offiee in 1865, serving until 1873. He was a staunch Democrat, and was a loyal believer in frater- nal societies. Ile was a charter member of Harrisburg Lodge, No. 325, Aneient Free and Accepted Masons, and he was the first senior war- den of the Lodge. He died in 1883 and was buried with the Masonie ritual. His widow is still living in Harrisburg, at the age of seventy- nine. The Judge and his wife were the parents of the following ehil- dren : Martha Louisa, who is the widow of Daniel Stiff, and with whom Mrs. MeGehee makes her home; Sarah, who died in infancy ; Thomas, who also died in babyhood; Robert Solen; Nora, who married II. Thompson ; Axel, who died as a baby ; and Davis A.
The business ability of Judge MeGehee was inherited by his chil- dren and grandehildren. His grandson, Dennis B. MeGehee, of Harris- burg, is the assistant to the general manager of mines of the O'Gara Coal Company, the most important enterprise in this section of the country and which was organized in 1905, with T. J. O'Gara as its president, and its officers and directors were all men of excellent busi- ness ability and of executive capacity. It was incorporated under the laws of the state of New York with a capital of six million dollars, with headquarters in Chicago, in the Marquette building. This eom- pany owns or controls thirty thousand acres of coal land. enough to keep its mines in operation for fifty years yet to come. The twelve mines it is now working have a capacity for an output of seven million tons of coal each year. and if fully worked would necessitate the em- ployment of six thousand men. Its monthly pay roll now amounts to $250,000, with a royalty for coal of $10,000. The O'Gara Coal Com- pany's entire investment in lands and plants in Saline county, alone, approaches $10.000,000, a vast sum of money which yields very satis- factory returns. Mr. II. Thomas, as general manager of mines, and Mr. MeGehee, his assistant, so handle the works, the men and the business as to make this organization of the utmost importance not only to Harrisburg and to Saline county, but to Southern Illinois, placing it in the foremost rank among the substantial industries of the state.
HARVEY F. PIXLEY. The able and popular president of the First National Bank of Flora, Illinois, is most consistently accorded reeog- nition in a work of the province assigned to the one at hand, since it has to do with the representative citizens of Clay county, of which number he is a worthy member. Ile has had a prominent part in the financial and commercial development of the county, during the long period of years in which he has been identified with the business world of this part of the state. Not only have the interests of business claimed his time and attention but polities have also found him wide awake and interested. He is particularly active in any movement for the eivie betterment of the town. as is shown by the leading part he took in the founding of the Carnegie Library.
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Harvey F. Pixley was born in Ingraham, Clay county, Illinois, on the 25th of November, 1869. He is the son of Osman Pixley, who was a native of New York, having settled in Edwards county at an early date. In 1852 he moved to Clay county, and became well known as a merehant. For years he was president of the First National Bank of Flora, and his ability and strength of character won the confidence of his fellow eitizens to such an extent that they eleeted him their rep- resentative in the lower house of the legislature for 1871-1872. For the long period of forty years he was post-master of Ingraham. He received a request from Postmaster General Wanamaker for his pho- tograph, to be used in the Chicago World's Fair, he being the fourth oldest postmaster in point of service in the United States. After an active and useful life he was called to rest on the 7th of April, 1903. Ilis wife was Franees Wood, who was born near Allendale, Wabash county, Illinois, on the 29th of June, 1832. She was a woman of beau- tiful eharaeter, and to her influenee is due many of the fine qualities to be found in Harvey Pixley. She was the daughter of Spencer Wood, who was born near New Haven, Vermont, on the 14th of February, 1788, and died on the 5th of December, 1846. Her mother was Ma- tilda Flower, who was born in Hardinsburg, Kentucky, on the 19th of · Mareh, 1791, and died on the 12th of March, 1855, the mother being the last surviving member of the family. Mrs. Pixley was one of a large family of children nine in number, and she in turn beeame the mother of nine children. Of this number four girls and one boy are dead. Harvey is the seventh in order of birth, and of his two broth- ers, Dewitt C. is living in Orange, California, where he is a prominent business man, being married and having five children, while Arthur H., who lives in Chicago is associated with the firm of Ware and Le- land, and is a member of the Board of Trade. The mother of these boys passed to her rest on the 16th of May, 1907.
The grandfather of Harvey Pixley was Asa Pixley. He was a na- tive of Vermont, but moved to western New York and finally eame still further west and settled near West Salem, Edwards county, Illi- nois, about the year 1830. This was during pioneer days, and Asa Pixley showed the spirit of his Puritan ancestors, who also braved the dangers of an unknown country. Asa Pixley was born on the 26th of March, 1805, and died on the 9th of February, 1883. He was married to Amanda Ingraham, the daughter of Philo Ingraham and Arvilla (Barney) Ingraham. Her father was born on the 28th of June, 1768, and died on the 21st of April, 1842. The date of her mother's birth was the 12th of September, 1782, and her death oe- eurred on the 19th of September, 1854. They are supposed to be the first white people buried in Clay county, and now lie at rest in In- graham Cemetery. Amanda Ingraham Pixley was born on the 22nd of February, 1806, and died on the 26th of September, 1844. The town of Ingraham was named for this fair dame of the early eight- eenth century who searcely lived to reach her prime. The town- ship of Pixley was also named for a member of this family, that is, her son Osman.
Harvey F. Pixley spent his life up to 1899 in Ingraham. After receiving an elementary education in the common sehools he attended Eureka College, where he made an excellent record. He spent two years at this institution, and then came home to work in his father's store. For twelve years he assisted his father, and while he was helping to build up a fine trade for his father he was at the same time gaining a valuable training in the twists and turns of the busi- ness world. In August, 1899, he eame to Flora, and went to work in
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the First National Bank, becoming its cashier on the 1st of January, 1900. Ile held this position for four years, at the end of this time being elected vice president of the institution. After four years spent in this capacity he was made president of the bank by the vote of the board of directors at their meeting in January, 1909. He has done much to increase the prestige of this bank and to place it on a solid foundation. It is today recognized as one of the most reliable banks of Southern Illinois. His financial ability may be gathered from eold statistics. When he first became associated with this bank there was a surplus of only $12,000. This has been more than doub- led, being now $25,000. The undivided profits were less than $1,000. They are now $25,000. The dividends are now five per cent, payable semi-annually.
Among the other interests that occupy Mr. Pixley are the Breese, Trenton Mining Company, of which he was treasurer for some time, and of which he is now president. This company operates three eoal mines, at Breese, Beekmeyer and Trenton, and the business trans- acted by the company is one of considerable magnitude. He is also treasurer of the Ebner lee and Cold Storage Company, operating four plants, at Vincennes, Seymour and Washington, Indiana, and · Flora, Illinois. In addition to his official connection with the above corporations he is a director and large stock-holder in both of them. Mr. Pixley also has an interest in the Flora Canning Company, and is a stock-holder, as well as one of the organizers, of the Flora Tele- phone Company. He has quite a bit of money invested outside of his home town, notably the stock which he holds in two of the large wholesale houses of St. Louis. Ilis ability as an investor and his un- questioned integrity brought him the responsibility of being made an exeentor of the late General Lewis B. Parsons, of Flora. The es- tate which he was called upon to administer was over $100,000, and the responsibility was not a light one. He is a member of the direet- ors of the Flora Mutual Building, Loan and Homestead Association.
Mr. Pixley has always had a keen interest in the publie welfare, and was at one time president of the school board. He is now one of the trustees of the Carnegie Library. having held this position ever since the opening of the library. Ile was a member of the building committee and is now in charge of the financial affairs of the institu- Tion, being treasurer. Politically Mr. Pixley is a Republican, and has done his duty by the party in serving on the county central committee.
Mr. Pixley was married on the 22nd of October. 1891, to Callie Cisel, daughter of lohn Cisel. of Allendale, Wabash county, Illinois. She was born on the farm adjoining the one on which Mr. Pixley's mother passed her girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Pixley have one son who was born on the 10th of December. 1892. After completing his ele- mentary edneation he was sent to the Western Military Academy at Upper Alton, Ilinois, where he made a fine record as a bright student and a manly boy. He is at present acting as private secretary to his father.
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