USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 46
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ingenuity and splendid executive ability that the concern is achieving such marked success. In politics Mr. Moffat is aligned as a stalwart in the ranks of the Republican party. From personal observation he has discovered that the principle of protection to American industries has tended to better conditions for the man who works with his hands and in lieu of this discovery he became a Republican.
Mr. Moffat has been twice married. At Rosedale Abbey, England, in 1867, he wedded Miss Alice Fell, who died at Sparta, Illinois. This union was prolific of four sons,-Andrew, deceased; and Robert, Thomas. Jr., and James, all of whom are members of the Moffat Coal Company. In 1896 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Moffat to Mrs. Hattie Brown, a daughter of James Snodgrass, of Randolph county. There have been no children born to the latter union. In religious matters Mr. and Mrs. Moffat are members of the Presbyterian church and they command the esteem of their fellow citizens at Sparta, where they have so long resided.
WALTER E. MERRIFIELD. A citizen whose sterling worth and in- tegrity, as aligned with exceptional business ability, have won for him the important and responsible position of superintendent of the Illi- nois division of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway Com- pany, is Walter E. Merrifield, who maintains his business headquarters and residence at Chester, Illinois. Mr. Merrifield was born at Great Bend, Pennsylvania, on the 9th of November, 1867, and he grew to manhood under the influence of a railroad atmosphere. Ilis father, Conductor James K. Merrifield, who runs a Missouri Pacific passenger train between St. Louis and Kansas City, has spent forty-two years in the service, beginning at Scranton, Pennsylvania, soon after the elose of the war coming to the Mississippi valley country. Conductor Merri- field was born in the old Keystone state of the Union in 1844, and at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war he was in Illinois, where he enlisted as a soldier in the Eighty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. in La Salle county. He was with Sherman's army that divided the Con- federacy with its Atlanta campaign and then returned with Scofield in pursuit of General Hood and fought the battles of' Franklin and Nash- ville, two of the momentous engagements of the war. Returning to his home in Pennsylvania after the close of hostilities, Mr. Merrifield, Sr., entered the field of railroad work, as already stated, and he was mar- ried at Great Bend, that state, to Miss Rhoda Crandall. Ile settled in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, many years ago, and as a Republican made the race in 1890 for railroad commissioner as the nominee of his party. Missouri had not then turned its baek upon the Democratic party and the whole ticket met defeat.
Walter E. Merrifield is the only child of his parents. ITis edneation was obtained in Sedalia, Missouri, and his career in the railroad service began before he had attained his legal majority. He grew up in the Mississippi valley, is a product of the common schools and as a youth learned telegraphy at Sedalia, under the supervision of the Missouri, Kansas & Topeka Railway. His first position was as an operator on the above road at Pleasant Grove, Missouri. Subsequently he worked for the Wabash Company at various points in Missouri and eventually entered the employ of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Com- pany as operator in Kansas. His first promotion came from the last mentioned company, when he was made train dispatcher at Nickerson. Later he was appointed trainmaster at Dodge City and he finally left the service at Raton. New Mexico, whither he had been transferred. He subsequently accepted a position with the Missouri Pacifie Company as
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chief dispatcher at Hoisington, Kansas, and later he went to Concordia as trainmaster. From the latter plaec he was sent to Sedalia, Mis- souri, and thence he went to Atchison, Kansas, as superintendent of the company's central branch division. In 1908 he was selected for the supervision of the Illinois division of the Iron Mountain road, and from East St. Louis to Cairo comprises the line under his management. Long association with railroad work of various kinds has made Mr. Merri- field an expert in his particular line, and in his present position he has done a great deal for the progress and improvement of the section of road under his management.
At Nickerson, Kansas, on the 7th of September, 1887, Mr. Merri- field was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Frease, a daughter of Captain Cyrus Frease, an old soldier of Canton, Ohio. This union has been prolific of one child, Josephine. In politics Mr. Merrifield is a stalwart Republican, and his fraternal connections are with the Masonic order at Newton, Kansas, where he is a past master of his lodge.
COMMODORE FRIGANZA. Though a half century has intervened sinee began the stirring events of the Civil war and the greater number of the boys both of the blue and the gray have joined the silent majority, a halo of interest still centers around the actors and their deeds in that great conflict. The State of Illinois has a proud record in her defense of our national life, for she not only gave us Lincoln and Grant, but many other names adorn the roll of her illustrious and useful military men. One of these was the late Commodore Friganza, of Mound City, who was conspicuously identified with the municipal affairs of that city for a long period and with the Federal naval interests all through the era of the Civil war.
An unusual amount of romance and adventure entered into the life of Commodore Friganza. He was born on the Island of Minorca, on the east coast of Spain, in August, 1818, and the few years he passed with his parents were of little advantage to him in a preparation for life. His father owned practically the whole island, the most of which was in vineyards, and the ships which plied to and fro in commerce with the community interested the lad more than the quiet life in a wine- maker's home. He has scarcely reached school age when his desire to become a sailor persuaded him from home without the consent of his parents. He found a place as cabin boy on an Atlantic sailing vessel and spent six years on the ocean, crossing between Europe and America some seven times before he abandoned the sea and sought employment on American soil.
His education was obtained principally in the stern but broad school of experience. What information was gained from books came to him while mess or cabin hoy, and it was limited to the elementary principles only. His long serviec aboardship served to instruct the Spanish youth in the construction of vessels, and it was but natural that he seek em- ployment where his education fitted him. He was fifteen years old when he secured a position as water boy in a Brooklyn navy yard and he re- mained there until he was made a master-joiner, a position next to that of superintendent of the yard.
During the late '50s it was seen by the government authorities that civil war between the states was unavoidable and imminent and that a sneeessful prosecution of it demanded a naval base somewhere in the interior. The control of the Mississippi was a point both sides were already considering, and the value of the junction of the Ohio and Mis- sissippi rivers as an important strategie point had been foreseen and se- leeted by the government for both an army and navy base. A navy
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yard was also essential, and to aid in the selection of a suitable site for it, Mr. Friganza, then in the navy, was sent out, his previous nautical ex- perience and training being of especial value in this direction. In con- junction with Admiral Foote he chose Mound City as offering the best location, and in 1858 he began the construction of the yard there. He was commissioned as chief officer of the yard, which repaired and built war vessels and maintained the government's river war fleet in fighting trim until the eonfliet ended in 1865. He entered upon the arduous duties of the post with marked industry and energy and with a zeal born of loyalty to his convictions on the issue at hand and to his adopted country. Those were busy and exciting days until after the fall of Vieksburg and even until the close of the war, but from thenee forward the importance of the yard began to wane and its affairs were brought gradually to a point where its "muster out" could take place. This aet was aecomplished in 1867, and the man who had been its chief spirit for nearly ten years was retired with the rank of commodore on account of his valuable serviee rendered the Union.
He then for the first time assumed his station as a private citizen of the United States, having while working in the navy yard at Brooklyn taken the steps leading to his naturalization. In choosing his political party he espoused Democracy and when he separated himself from the government serviee he entered somewhat actively into local polities. His party enthusiasm ran high and he permitted the St. Louis Republic to become his closest politieal organ and teacher. He was appointed post- inaster of Mound City by President Cleveland and served continuously through that term, through that of General Harrison and the second term of President Cleveland. He was repeatedly eleeted mayor of Mound City and displayed his prowess as the executive head of that city during the trying times of the big flood and the smallpox seourge, and at all times proved himself the master of difficult situations. Following his retirement from the government service, Commodore Friganza engaged in the stationery and news business and his store became the popular rendezvous of the city, its proprietor being the eentral figure in these gatherings. His geniality, his likeable and interesting personality, his broad and extensive information and his evident love of humanity all combined to give him the first place among his neighbors and to endear him to an unusually large circle of friends. He possessed a decided weakness for helping those in distress and his signature as security for a loan was as easily acquired as the asking, notwithstanding it dissipated his fortune steadily.
Commodore Friganza married his first wife in Brooklyn, New York. She died in the East, but was buried in Mound City, Ilinois. To this union were born two sons, Henry and Joseph, both of whom lived to middle life, were employed in the navy vard at Mound City and passed away about the same time as their father. The second marriage of Com- modore Friganza was to Mrs. Mary A. Huckleberry, a daughter of Thomas Herrington, of Metropolis, Ilinois. Mrs. Friganza was born near New Columbia, Massac county, Illinois, and from her first marriage she became the mother of Mrs. M. N. McCartney. of Metropolis. Ira Huckleberry, of Mound City, and Charles Huckleberry, who was super- intendent of the Marine Railway and Cock Company of Mound City for thirteen years prior to his death. To this second union was born Willis T. Friganza. Commodore Friganza passed away in July, 1897, after a long, useful and eventful career, and his wife died June 6, 1908.
WILLIS T. FRIGANZA, commercial manager of the Central U'nion Tele- phone Company, of Cairo, Illinois, is a son of the late Commodore
1
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Friganza, one of Mound City's best known men of affairs and a prom- inent figure there during the Civil war period.
Mr. Friganza was born at Mound City, June 8, 1881, and is the only son of his parents, Commodore and Mary A. (Herrington) Friganza. He acquired his education in the public schools of Mound City and be- gan his independent carcer while yet a youth as a laborer for the elcetrie light plant of Mound City. Later he became an employe of the local telephone company, and during the eleven years he remained with this company he mastered every detail of the business. Success in any line of occupation, in any avenue of business is not a matter of chance but is the result of well-directed efforts. Faithful, thorough and efficient service in the behalf of these employers was not only to their advantage but to his own as well, for when his opportunity came for an advanced position he was qualified and prepared to avail himself of it, and on January 1, 1911, he came to the Central Union office in Cairo as loeal manager for the Bell Company.
In Mound City Mr. Friganza was united in marriage to Miss Alice B. Mertz, a daughter of Charles W. Mertz and a granddaughter of one of the prominent merchants of Mound City, a citizen there during the ante bellum days and a bosom friend of Commodore Friganza. Charles W. Mertz was reared in Mound City and is a well known merchant of that eity. Mr. and Mrs. Friganza have one son, Gilbert, born in 1907.
Mr. Friganza is a member of the Alexander and Commercial Clubs of Cairo, and fraternally affiliates with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
HARRY B. WARD is the able and efficient postmaster of DuQuoin, having held this position through the official lives of three presidents. He is a native of the city of DuQuoin, having been born in this city on the 30th of July, 1871. He received his education in the publie schools, later attending the Illinois College at Jacksonville, and com- pleting his studies with a business course in Bryant and Stratton's Business College in St. Louis.
The active business eareer of Harry Ward began when he entered the employ of the Blakeslee Manufacturing Company of DuQuoin, as book-keeper and cashier. Later he went into business with his father, operating a retail shoe store. It was while he was interested in this that he first got a taste for politics. He was nominated by the Repub- lican party in Perry county for representative to the lower house of the Fortieth General Assembly in 1896 and was elected on the ticket with President MeKinley. He served one term in this law-making body. This election had the effect of giving him recognition later as one of the party managers in his county. In 1900 he was chosen chairman of the county central committee and has filled that post continuously ever since. In 1898 his faithful services were recognized in his appointment by President MeKinley as postmaster.
Mr. Ward is a son of the late teacher and successful educator, John B. Ward, who died in DuQuoin, in July, 1908. The latter was born in Cayuga county, New York, in JJuly, 1836. His parents moved to Cler- mont county, Ohio, when he was a small child and he grew up there. His father was Alva Ward, who spent most of his life in the mercantile business, dying af DuQuoin at the age of sixty-nine years. His mother was Miss Priscilla Branch and John B. was one of their family of seven children.
John B. Ward lived in the days when a college education was a rarity in his section of the country, and he secured the more advanced parts of his education by delving into the books for himself. lle was
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a man of close application and possessed the ability to concentrate his mind on the subject in hand, both attributes of the true student, and his years of study resulted in giving him a wide knowledge of many subjects and a firm grasp on the relative values of things. When he was twenty-two years old he began his pedagogical career, entering upon the work with greater vigor and enthusiasm. He came to Illinois in 1858. In 1861 he was chosen principal of the DuQuoin schools. He remained in this position for some thirty years, his administration being most efficient and his patrons most appreciative, which is evinced by the "John B. Ward" school building, standing as a monument to his loyal service and in a loeal way doing honor to his memory. The people may rest assured that in no other way would John B. Ward have felt more fully repaid, for the advancement of the eause of education lay elose to his heart. He was a Republican, but had little aetive in- terest in politics, his sole official connection with the party being in ยท the capacity of county superintendent of schools, which office he held for three successive terms.
AMOS NEWTON STOUT, M. D. Endowed by nature with talents of a high order, and scholarly in his attainments, the late Amos Newton Stout, M. D., was engaged in the practice of medieine during his aetive career, which was comparatively brief, and was reputed one of the most skillful and able physicians of Southern Illinois. The fourth child in succession of birth of William J. and Minerva (Klutz) Stout, who reared seven children, he was born October 8, 1859, on a farm in Cobden, Union county, Illinois.
Gleaning his elementary knowledge in the public schools of his native county, Amos Newton Stout continued his studies at the Carbon- dale Normal School, and later was graduated from Ewing College, in Ewing, Illinois. His inclinations leading him to choose a profession, he then went to Philadelphia, where he was graduated from the College of Medieine with the degree of M. D. Returning to his native town, Dr. Newton praetieed for two years in Cobden and Bryden, and then, in order to further advanee his knowledge and usefulness, he took a post graduate course in Louisville, Kentucky. Returning then to Bry- den, the Doetor continued his praetice there until 1895, when he re- moved to Ava, Jackson county. His professional wisdom and skill was soon recognized, and he built up a large and remunerative practice, becoming one of the physicians of that part of the county, and was there a resident until his death, in 1904, while yet in the prime of life. Dr. Stout was an active and popular member of the Demoeratie party, and for a time served as mayor of Ava. Fraternally he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Woodmen of the World.
Dr. Stout married, in 1895, Miss Anna Smith, a daughter of A. J. and Mattie Smith, of DuQuoin, Illinois, and of their union two children were born, Lawrence and Ross. After the death of her husband Mrs. Stout opened a general store at Sand Ridge, Jackson county, and has since carried on a lerative business, being well patronized, and is also serving as postmistress. She is an active, brainy woman, and is held in high esteem throughout the community. She is conscientious. Christian woman, and a member of the Baptist church.
SAMUEL TASKER BRUSH. To say that he has been tried by both ex- tremes of fortune and never seriously disturbed by either will tersely tell the life-story of Samuel Tasker Brush of Carbondale and forcibly suggest the salient traits of his character. The warp and woof, of the story-his orphanage in childhood and consequent dependence on a
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generous uncle for sustenance and schooling; his early work at making a livelihood for himself; his honorable reeord in the Civil war; his youthful appointment to positions of great responsibility in the serv- ice ; his subsequent business successes and reverses; the broken thread of his domestic life; his bounty to his church-these and other details of his career will be briefly shown in the following paragraphs. But the full measure of his usefulness eould not be given here, even if space were available for the purpose.
Mr. Brush was born in Jackson county, Illinois, on February 10, 1842. He is a son of James and Jane (Etherton) Brush, and of New England ancestry on his father's side. His paternal grandfather, El- komo Brush, was among the early pioneers of Illinois, having moved to this state from Vermont in 1820, and located in Morgan county, whence his father, James Brush, came to Jackson county in 1830. He was a manufacturer of lumber all his life from the dawn of his manhood to his early death in 1849, when Samuel was but seven years of age. The mother was not spared long to eare for her offspring, as she died in 1852.
Thus doubly bereft while he was yet of tender years, the helpless orphan found a comfortable home and considerable attention under the roof of his uncle, General Daniel H. Brush, a gallant soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, and the founder of Carbondale. He sent his nephew to subscription schools, in which the latter obtained the foundation of his education. He was ambitious, however, to be doing something for himself, and when the Illinois Central Railroad ran its first train, in October, 1854, he was on it as a newsboy.
After remaining on the road two years in this serviee his unele took him into a store he owned, and sometime afterward into the old Jaek- son County Bank, in which he held a controlling interest. In 1858 he learned telegraphy and then worked in the office of the Illinois Central two years as an operator, being also under the direct supervision of his uncle in this work. He had been a diligent student while in the store and bank, and so pleased his uncle with his progress and his skill as a telegrapher that the next thing for the aspiring youth was a course of instruction at Jackson College at his uncle's expense.
When the first call came in 1861 for volunteers to defend the Union from dismemberment, both he and his uncle were fired with patriotic zeal and offered their services to their country. The unele raised a com- pany of which he was made captain, and the nephew enlisted first at Jacksonville, Morgan county, in a company raised by Captain King. Captain King's company could not be accepted at the time beeanse the number of volunteers asked for by the call of President Lineoln had already been supplied. What then? The boy in years but man in spirit and development of faculties promptly entered his uncle's com- pany, and was soon afterward detailed military telegraph operator, serving first at Mound City and later at Cairo until July, 1862. While at Cairo, on aceount of his capacity in the work and unwearying at- tention to it, he received an appointment as general manager of all the telegraph operations there and on the lines running south from the city, although he was but little over twenty years old at the time, and not only the youngest manager but one of the youngest operators in the service. But the manner in which he performed the duties of the posi- tion fully justified the confidence expressed in his appointment. This also led to still higher promotion. Because of the executive ability he displayed he was made wire adjutant of the regiment before the end of the year, on September 5, in fact. He served as adjutant until February, 1863, and was then detailed aid-de-eamp at the headquarters of General
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Nathan Kimball. This detail was unsought by him and undesired, and he protested against it. But, good soldier that he was, he yielded to superior authority, and accepted the position.
When General Kimball was relieved of the command he recommended that Mr. Brush be made acting assistant adjutant general of the Second Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps, under command of General Joseph R. West, and he received the appointment. He continued to fill the position to the end of his term of service and one month longer in order to get as creditable a discharge as possible when he was mus- tered out of the service, as he was on July 1, 1864, being then only twenty-two years and five months old, lacking nine days, and with a military record of which many a veteran would be proud. Before his discharge General West offered him the position of acting assistant adjutant general with the rank of captain, and pending the appoint- ment he was indueed to accept the post of superintendent of telegraph lines in Arkansas, in which he served two months. He finally deelined to accept the offer made by General West because of the refusal of the authorities to assign him to the army commanded by General Sherman, of which he ardently longed to become a part.
When he returned to Carbondale after his discharge from the army Mr. Brush engaged in farming, mining coal and manufacturing lumber in Jackson, Williamson and other counties. He organized the St. Louis & Big Muddy Coal Company in 1889, of which he was made general manager. In this enterprise he had as his associates Major E. C. Daws, of Cineinnati, S. M. Dodd, of St. Louis, and former Vice President Charles E. Fairbanks, of Indiana. The company encountered many difficulties from the start, and in 1900 was put in the hands of a re- ceiver. Mr. Brush bought the property from the receiver the same year and owned it until 1905, when he sold it. During his ownership of the mine and other assets of the defunet company he also had many diffi- eulties from labor strikes and other causes.
Mr. Brush is now living retired from aetive pursuits in business and oceupies his time in looking after the properties he has acquired. From 1889 to 1905 he was actively engaged in business as a coal operator, and for a much longer period as a manufacturer of lumber, and in the year last mentioned felt that he had earned the right to a more quiet life and total release from the worry and vexation of managing any business enterprise, however profitable. To some extent, too, he began to feel the weight of years, and the inevitable longing for leisure and rest that follows long continuance in the galling harness of toil.
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