USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 50
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and died September 15, 1895; Rowena, living in Oregon, who married Edward Pratt, of Mcleansboro; Isabelle, who was married in Oregon to W. H. Hutchinson; Martha, the wife of Rev. N. Crow, of Fairfield, Illinois; Daniel I., who resides in Oregon; James T., a resident of Los Angeles, California; and Elizabeth, who died in infancy.
Isaac Monroe Asbury attended the common schools of Hamilton county until he was fifteen years of age, and in March, 1864, enlisted in Company H, Sixtieth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, from which he received his honorable discharge July 31, 1865. He saw active service during the Atlanta campaign, and participated in Sherman's famous march to the sea, returning through the Carolinas. He had an excellent war record, and his record since he has settled down to the pursuits of peace has been just as admirable a one. He returned to his studies for a time and then taught school until 1871, in order to secure the means to pursue his medical studies, having decided to follow that profession as his life work. In 1871 he entered the Eclectic Medical In- stitute at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated May 19, 1873, and he at once entered into practice in Gallatin county, Illinois. There he spent the next thirty years of his life, building up a large and lucra- tive practice, and becoming widely known for his ability in his profes- sion, as well as for his kindliness of manner and sympathetic nature. In 1902 he came to MeLeansboro, to live a retired life, and at the last state encampment of the G. A. R. he was elected medical director for the state of Illinois. He is a stanch Republican in politics, but his ac- tivities have been devoted to his profession, and he has found little time to engage in public affairs. Fraternally he is a well-known Mason, and is serving as secretary of the local lodge.
On January 1, 1877, Dr. Asbury was united in marriage with Mary E. Webb, who was born in March, 1850, near MeLeansboro, daughter of John and Sarah (Mitchell) Webb. They have had no children. Dr. and Mrs. Asbury are consistent members of the Methodist church, to which they are liberal contributors, and both have been active in relig- ious and charitable work. Dr. Asbury's standing is high both in and outside of his profession, he has the esteem and respect of his entire community, and is eminently fortunate in being the possessor of a host of warm, personal friends.
EZEKIEL R. JINNETTE. After nearly thirty years spent as an edu- cator in the schools of Union county, Illinois, Ezekiel R. Jinnette gave up teaching in 1897, and since that time has become an authority on matters agricultural, a lecturer before various farmers' institutes and a contributor to a number of farm journals. He belongs to a family that has long been identified with the interests of Union county, and was born here in 1847, a son of William E. and Thirza (Miller) Jinnette.
William E. Jinnette was born in North Carolina, and accompanied his parents to Union county when a child. He was brought up to agri- cultural pursuits, and was engaged therein at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. A stanch Republican, and one of forty-six men in Union county to vote for John C. Fremont, the first presidential candi- date of that party, he was also a strong Union sympathizer, and in 1862 enlisted in Company H. Eighteenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. with which organization he served until the close of the war. On his return from the army William E. Jinnette took up the peaceful occupation of farming again, and he was engaged therein until his death. Mr. Jinnette married Thirza Miller, who was born in Union county, her mother having come to Illinois at a time when only one white man was seen while the family was crossing the state. Mrs. Jin-
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nette's grandparents first settled in Missouri, but soon thereafter moved to the Illinois side, on Clear Creek, but when Mr. Miller was shown the high-water mark by a friendly Indian chief he decided to move farther into the state and subsequently settled in Union county, near Dongola.
When he was seventeen years of age Ezekiel R. Jinnette ran away from home to enlist in the Union army, becoming a member of Com- pany L, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. On his return from the front he went to school for one winter to Ed- win Babeock, and in the fall of 1868 applied for a school, from which time until 1897 he was absent from school as a teacher only three win- ters. Ilis labors were practically confined to three districts, those of Anna, Nimmo and Friendship, although for one term he taught En- glish and algebra in Union Academy at Anna. Mr. Jinnette became widely and favorably known, and the friendships thus made have con- tinued to last to the present time. In 1891 he went to California for the benefit of Mrs. JJinnette's health, and traveled in the interests of The Occident, a Presbyterian journal. On his return he was for one year engaged as a traveling salesman for a Chicago commission house. During the years that he was engaged in teaching Mr. Jinnette had carried on farming during the summer months, and since 1897 he has given all of his attention to agricultural matters. He is the owner of "Sunnyside Farm," containing one hundred and twenty-three aeres of some of the best land in Union county, making a specialty of eanta- loupes and strawberries, and the products from "Sunnyside" are known for their size and excellence. He is a director in the Anna Fruit Grow- ers Association, a position which he has held for fifteen years, and was the first secretary of the Southern Illinois Fair, held at Anna in 1880. at which time he helped to plant trees on the Fair Grounds. He has always interested himself in breeding full-blooded Jersey cattle and now has a fine herd. Mr. Jinnette is of a literary bent and is a well- known contributor to various agricultural papers and eonduets a de- partment in the Farm Journal, under the caption "Truek Patch." He was one of the founders and the first loeal editor of The Talk, a weekly, non-partisan newspaper, which was established at Anna in 1883, and the broad foundation and the principles advocated have never been lost sight of although the paper has changed owners two or three times. It was due to Mr. Jinnette's activity and wise planning that the large permanent circulation of the paper was gained. It is a tribute to him to say that his successors have adhered pretty closely to the orig- inal editorial poliey and business rules. For five years the horticultural department of the State University condneted an experimental station on his farm. An absolute authority on matters of an agricultural na- ture, Mr. Jinnette has lectured before a number of farmers' institutes, and his advice is often sought in matters of an important nature per- taining to farming methods and appliances, particularly in the realm of horticulture.
In 1870 Mr. Jinnette was married to Miss Sarah A. Faris, who was born in Ohio, in 1849, and they have had two children, namely : Agnes J., who was a former teacher in Union Academy at Anna, later in the Phillippines, and is now the wife of Professor T. II. Rhodes, of Lowell High School, San Francisco, a graduate of Harvard University and a former teacher in the schools of the Philippine Islands: and William F., a graduate of Union Academy, who married Myrtle Hileman and is now engaged with his father in the management of "Sunnyside Farm." Mr. .Jinnette and his family are members of the First Presbyterian church of Anna, where he has served as an elder since 1876. and for several years was superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is commander of
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the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, No. 558, and was formerly adjutant. For a long period Mr. Jinnette was connected with the Knights of Pythias and served as keeper of the records and seal for two years, but has lately severed his connections with that order. Like his father, he is a stanch adherent of Republican principles, and during 1908 was chosen by the county central committee to edit the Republican columns in the newspapers. Mr. Jinnette has found much to occupy his time and attention, but he has never been too busy to listen to an appeal for aid, and has been liberal in his support of religious and charitable movements. Probably no man is better known to the agriculturists of Union county, and his standing is that of an honest, upright, desirable citizen who has always had the best interests of his community at heart.
ROBERT MICK. Success in any of the pursuits of life usually chal- lenges the admiration of the world. It matters not whether in the pro- fession of law, medicine or literature, or in the theological domain, in the military or civil life, or mercantile pursuits, it is the one distinguish- ing and distinctive characteristic of all business transactions. In the financial world alone the late Robert Mick in his sphere of labor and ae- tivity distinguished himself as an active, energetic business man, and demonstrated the fact that to a man of merit belongs the full measure of success and worldly prosperity.
Robert Miek was born in 1819, in Saline Mines, Gallatin county, Illi- nois, a son of Charles and Susan (Simmons) Miek, the former born in 1772 in Maryland, of German ancestry, and the latter in 1789 in Wil- mington, North Carolina. They were married in Wilson county, Ten- nessee, from whence in 1815 they came to Gallatin county, Illinois, where Charles Mick entered one hundred and sixty acres of land for his son Robert, the only other child born to him and his wife, Margaret, being now the wife of James C. Ward, of Texas. Charles Miek died in Galla- tin county in 1856, while his wife passed away two years previous to that time, and both were there buried.
Robert Miek remained at home with his parents until he was twenty- four years of age, and in 1844 was married to Martha Jane Strickland, who was born in Saline county. From the time of his marriage until 1851 he was engaged in shipping goods down to New Orleans via the river, in the latter year forming a partnership with Dr. John W. Miteh- ell, a connection that continued until 1862. They were first engaged in the mercantile business, and came as merchants to Harrisburg in 1856, where in 1860 and 1861 they were the contractors of the original court- house, the stone tablets from which, bearing the date and the names of the contractors, being now in the possession of John H. Nyberg. Mr. Miek and Dr. Mitchell were the largest dealers in merchandise at this point and handled almost everything, including tobacco, in which they did an especially large business. Mr. Miek continued in the mercantile line until 1887, in which year he sold his stoek for $15,000. In 1876 he became the organizer of the Saline County Bank, with a capital of $24,000, which he controlled until the organization of the First National Bank of Harrisburg, Illinois, March 23, 1889, at which time he became president of the new coneern, and held that office until his death, Oeto- ber 10, 1893. This large concern, which has a capital of $60,000, and assets of $329,500, is one of the most solid and substantial banking in- stitutions of Southern Illinois, and does business with the largest con- cerns in the state. Mr. Miek also owned the controlling interest in the Harrisburg Woolen Mill, and had 3,000 acres of land in this county, 1,000 of which were under cultivation.
In 1868 Mr. Miek's first wife died, and during the year 1869 he was
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married to Mrs. Hardenia Nyberg, nee Spencer, who was born in Galla- tin county, Illinois, in 1836. Charles Nyberg, a native of Sweden, came to the United States in 1853 and in 1855, with his brother Axel, opened a general store in Harrisburg, of which he was a proprietor until his death in 1860. His brother then sold out and the next year entered the Union army, volunteering in the Sixth Illinois Cavalry, and later being promoted to lieutenant and then captain of the Fifteenth Kentucky Cav- atry. After completing two years' service he returned to Harrisburg, where he was a merchant until 1906, and since that year has been living in St. Louis, Missouri, with his children. Mr. and Mrs. Nyberg were married in 1856, and one son was born to this union: John H. Mr. and Mrs. Mick had no children of their own, but reared Mr. Mick's two nieces, of whom Katherine became the mother of Charles and Harry Taylor ; and Aliee Strickland married Laban J. Dollands and moved to Florida.
Mrs. Miek has kept her husband's interest in the bank, and with her son, John H. Nyberg, erected the new bank at a cost of $20.000. Mr. Ny- berg being a direetor and stockholder in the bank, and having his busi- ness offiee in the building. This is one of the handsomest structures in Harrisburg, and does credit to the bank and the community, as it would to any bank or community. Mr. Mick formerly had a store on the corner, with the bank next door and the hotel up stairs, but had for some years intended to make improvements. The present Saline Hotel was erected by Mrs. Miek, and she also owns considerable land in the county, which, under the supervision of Mr. Nyberg, has been divided into farms.
Mr. Mick was first a Whig and later a Republican, but outside of tak- ing a staneh interest in the success of his party he did not engage ac- tively in public matters, preferring to give his time and attention to his varied and extensive business interests. Ile was one of the early Masons of Illinois, belonging to the first local lodge, and had been a Baptist since abont 1870. The church of this denomination was organized here in 1868, and in 1885 Mr. Mick erected a structure costing $10,000, which was replaced in 1911 by a new stone building costing about $30.000, to the fund for which Mrs. Miek was a liberal contributor. Mr. Miek's open honesty and practical methods showed him to be an able business man, and. being the architect of his own fortune, he was in sympathy with every young man who embarked in business, showing it on all proper occasions by lending a helping hand to those in need of good ad- vice or financial assistance. He was known as a public benefactor who had the welfare of his fellow men at heart. Sneh men as he make the foundations of our commonwealth, eement the solidity of our institu- tions and are the men to whom the state of Illinois points with pride during their lives, and for whom she deeply mourns after death.
JAMES W. GIBSON, for nine years county judge of Jasper county, is himself one of that splendid representation of the flower of American manhood who risked and lost their lives in the great struggle between the states, and he comes of a family of soldiers and patriots, his father having served in the Mexican war and given up his life to its cause, while his grandfather was a veteran of Waterloo. Judge Gibson is a man of potent and interesting personality and his reputation as one of the prominent lawyers of this part of the state has been reinforced with the passing years, during which he has appeared in connection with many important cases. He is a strong advocate before court or jury and not only marshals his causes with great ability, but brings to hear the strength of a fine and upright character, so that he has gained and Vol. 3-22
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held the inviolable confidence and regard of his fellow practitioners and also of the general public.
Judge Gibson was born in Detroit, Michigan, October 26, 1845, and is of Irish descent, his father, William Gibson, being a native of the vi- einity of Castle Blaney, province of Ulster, Ireland. He came from Erin to America at about the age of twenty years and first located in Detroit, where he followed the business of an arehiteet and builder. Ile was married on Christmas day, 1844, and by this union became the father of two children, Judge Gibson being the elder. Adelaide, who became Mrs. Foote, is deceased. The Mexican war broke ont when the children were infants, and the father, who was a young man, enlisted in Company K, of the Third Dragoons, and was killed in a fight with the Mexican Laneers on the night of Angust 10, 1847. His party consisted of ten men and the lancers immbered one hundred and fifty. Mr. Gibson and another eomrade were killed and two comrades were taken prisoners, but the rest of the party escaped, among them being the subject's unele, Isaae Gibson, of the dragoons. The grandfather of our subject, James Gibson, lived to the great old age of ninety-nine. He served twenty- one years in the British army, as a member of the celebrated "Fusileers." The two most important battles in which he participated and of which he frequently spoke in his later life were Talavera and Waterloo, at the latter of which he was wounded and carried the French lead to his grave. The subject's mother survived her husband for many years and remarried.
After the death of his soldier father the fortunes of the little family to which James W. Gibson belonged became precarious. The mother resided with her parents for a time and, until the age of fifteen, young James dwelt in the home of his grandfather. At that age he came to Illinois and located at Olney, where he lived with his unele, Isaae Gib- son, of whom previous mention has been made. IIe received his educa- tion in the public schools of Michigan and Illinois and after finishing his general education he read law with his unele Isaac, passing his ex- aminations and being admitted to the bar in 1867. He was then a vet- eran of the Civil war, having enlisted when in his teens in Company I, of the One Hundred and Forty-third Illinois Infantry. This veteran of twenty-two settled down to practice in Newton and in the interven- ing years has gained high repute and professional success. He is a Democrat of tried and true conviction and has always been of influence in party ranks. In 1877 he was elected county judge of Jasper county and served in such capacity for nine years, making the most enviable of records. In his home county he has always been able to count upon the support of both parties, for his ability and devotion to the publie wel- fare are generally recognized and are above mere partisanship. In 1897 he was nominated by the Republicans for the circuit judgeship and was defeated. He is not an aspirant for political preferment and is well eontent to devote his energies to his profession.
Judge Gibson was married November 19, 1870, to Vendia C. Brooks. the scion of one of Jasper county's pioneer and highly honored fam- ilies. Three children were born to them, Lela being the only survivor. Launee and Ralph are deceased. Mrs. Gibson is a valuable member of the Methodist Episcopal church and they are generally esteemed in the community, their lives being filled with good deeds and their delight- ful home being one of the favorite gathering places, its hospitality and eulture being unsurpassed.
MARSHALL EDWARD DANIEL. It is a well-established fact that the newspapers of today mold public opinion to a large extent, and have the
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power of influencing the people of a community in advancing or de- feating measures of public importance. The degree of effectiveness of this influence, however, rests entirely upon the confidence with which the reading masses accept the statements of any publication, and this in turn devolves in a large degree upon the men in whose hands the making up of the publication lies. The city of MeLeansboro, Illinois, is to be congratulated upon being the home of such a clean, wholesome news- paper as the McLcansboro Times, the editor and publisher of which, Marshall Edward Daniel, is known as a man of the highest principles and an earnest and zealous worker in the journalistic field. Mr. Daniel was born March 11, 1867, in Wayne county, Illinois, and is a son of Woodson R. and Elizabeth T. (Sullinger) Daniel.
Woodson R. Daniel was born in Steward county, Tennessee, in 1845, and in 1857 moved to Wayne county, Illinois, with his parents, Daniel and Frances (Roberts) Daniel. In 1861, when but sixteen years of age, he enlisted in Company D, Sixtieth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and after serving three years and nine months was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant. In 1867 he moved to Hamilton county, and in the following year came to the city of MeLeansboro, where for abont six years he was engaged at the carpenter's trade. Here his father died in 1884, at the age of sixty-four years. his mother having passed away the year before, when she was sixty-six years old. Mr. Daniel was married (first) in 1864, to Frances Boswell, of Wayne county, who died before he returned from the army, and in 1866 he mar- ried Elizabeth T. Sullinger, of Mebeansboro, who passed away in this city in 1873, leaving three children, one of whom died in infancy : Mar- shall Edward ; and Charles R., who died in Texas in 1906, aged thirty- five years, was married to Cora D. Riley, at Houston, Texas, and had two children, namely,-Woodson R., Jr., who died September 27. 1910, and John Marshall, who makes his home with his grandfather. Wood- son R. Daniel's third marriage occurred April 30, 1874, to Mary J. Goodwin, who is still living and makes her home in MeLeansboro. To this union were born three children : Mamie, who died in infancy ; JJohn W., who died February 19. 1903; and Minnie E., who married L. L. Smith and lives in San Diego, California. Mr. Daniel was elected deputy county clerk in 1873 and acted in that capacity for four years, was then justice of the peace for twelve years, after which he again served as deputy county clerk for eight years and six months, and in 1895 was elected police magistrate of MeLeansboro, being the present incum- bent of that office. During this long period he has served at different times as coroner, acting sheriff, alderman, member of the board of edu- cation and supervisor of MeLeansboro township. He has been an ex- cellent official, and is recognized as a power in Democratic politics in Hamilton county. He belongs to the G. A. R. and the Odd Fellows. while Mrs. Daniel holds membership in the Rebekahs, and both are consistent members of the First Baptist church.
Marshall Edward Daniel received a common school education, and as a lad started to work in the office of the McLeansboro Times for Gen- eral Campbell, starting as roller hoy at a salary of fifty cents per week and working his way up to the position of foreman. In 1891 he left the Times and went to Shawneetown, where he purchased the Gallatin Democrat, which he continued to publish until 1898, and in that year returned to MeLeansboro and bought the Times from his former em- plover. This paper was organized in 1867, and is the oldest newspaper in Hamilton county, where it is also the only Democratie publication. In 1898, when Mr. Daniel took charge of its fortunes, it boasted 500 sub- seribers, with a force of two persons beside the proprietor, while today
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it is the leading newspaper of the county, with 2,400 paid-up sub- scriptions and an office force of eight people. Mr. Daniel has endeavored to give his readers the latest national and international news, the bright- est and most interesting local happenings, timely editorials and accurate statements of all kinds at all times, and that he has succeeded in his object is evidenced by its popularity throughout the county. A promi- nent Democrat in politics, Mr. Daniel has served as Democratic county committeeman for eight years and as chairman of that body, and for a like period acted as master in chancery. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen. the Court of Honor, the Knights of Pythias and the Mutual Protective League. A firm believer in the benefits of life insur- ance, he holds several large policies.
In 1892 Mr. Daniel was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie E. Har- rison, at Russellville, Kentucky, where she was born in 1867, daughter of Carter H. Harrison. She was one of a family of seven children, and died March 11, 1908, in the faith of the Methodist church, leaving three children, namely : Carter H., born April 2, 1893, associate editor of the Times; Marshall Edward, Jr., born Mareh 26, 1895 ; and Paul W., born June 16, 1897. Mr. Daniel was married in MeLeansboro, Miss Myrtle E. White, who was born in October, 1886, in Hamilton county, daughter of Frank H. White, becoming his second wife.
GEORGE N. PARKER, while primarily a lawyer, is one of the promi- nent men in Robinson, Illinois, in other fields than this, his chosen one. As was quite natural he was drawn from the law into politics, and has been a member of the state Democratie committee. In the business world his activity has increased with the years. He is interested in the real estate business and in the oil business. In both of these he has made use of his training and experience as a lawyer to win his success. He has the reputation of being one of the hardest working men in Robinson, and when he is retained his elient feels that if the ease is lost it will not be the fault of the lawyer, for when Mr. Parker aeeepts a ease he works indefatigably for victory. He does not know the meaning of the word "discouraged" and this very confidence of his often serves to win eases that in the hands of a less persistent man would be lost. He is always in a hurry, yet usually seems to have time to discuss a business deal or a law ease. His faithfulness to his clients has helped to win the confidence of business men, and they have placed him in a number of positions of responsibility.
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