USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 59
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In fraternal cireles both Mr. and Mrs. Dillon are prominent, being
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members of the Eastern Star order and Shriners. Mr. Dillon is a mem- ber of the Masonic order and is a past master of Benton Lodge, No. 64. He is a man whose attainments and position fit him for leadership among his fellows, and he has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, by whom he is held in the highest respect and esteem.
WILLIAM F. BUNDY. The sturdy pioneer ancestors of William F. Bundy bequeathed him a heritage of pluck and perseverance sufficient to carry him through any trials the fates might send him in life. He has given ample evidence of his possession of those traits on various occasions, and in a residence of upwards of a quarter of a century in Centralia he has made for himself a name and fame that is singularly worthy of emulation.
Born in Marion county, June 8. 1858. William F. Bundy is the son of Isaac and Amanda M. (Richardson) Bundy. They were both born in Marion county, the former in 1828 and the latter in 1832. The Bundy family were originally from North Carolina. John Bundy, the grandfather of William F. Bundy, was born in North Carolina in 1796. on the 13th day of March, and came to Illinois with his family. which included Isaac Bundy. The latter was reared with the purpose on the part of his parents that he become a minister of the gospel, and he served for three years as a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. but gave up the ministry and became a farmer. In 1847 he enlisted for service in the Mexican war. and with his regiment marched from what is now Kansas City to Mexico, reaching there immediately after the cessa- tion of hostilities and too late for active service. The regiment was mus- tered out on October 31, 1848, and Mr. Bundy returned to his home after which he finished his schooling and entered the ministry. He had an opportunity to render active service to his country, however, when the Civil war broke out in 1861, and in September of that year he enlisted in the Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteers. Ile first served as regimental sergeant. but was very shortly appointed to the post of chaplain. IIe resigned from the service on August 24, 1864, and returned to his farm home, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1899. Mr. Bundy was one of the old time Republicans, and always a stanch sup- porter of the cause. He was well known throughout his own and ad- joining counties as a citizen of great intrinsic worth, and in his passing Marion county suffered a permanent loss.
Among many interesting facts in connection with the life and work of John Bundy, paternal grandfather of William F. Bundy, is partie- ularly noted that he sat upon the first grand jury over convened in Marion county. The maternal grandfather of William F. Bundy was also a man of considerable prominence and note in his time. He was James I. Richardson, born in Tennessee, and came to Illinois about. 1826. He served through the Black Hawk war, enlisting in Captain Dobbins spy batalion on May 14, 1832. and was active in various engagements of that brief uprising. He was mustered out of the service on Angust 16, 1832. He became the owner of a valuable traet of land. which he entered upon as a homesteader, but his calling in life did not permit him to live upon the land continuously. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and served for twenty years in that work. He was presiding eller of his district for several terms, and was promi- nently known throughont all southern Illinois. He died in 1871. leav- ing the heritage of a worthy life well spent in devotion to the labors of his church.
William F. Bundy passed through the common schools of his home town. and in 1879 attended the Southern Illinois Normal University
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at Carbondale for a year. His finances were low, and with no one to depend upon for assistance in that way he was compelled to return to the farm and work for a year before he might continue his studies. But his inherent perseverance made it possible for him to surmount all dif- ficulties of that nature. and in 1881 he secured a position teaching school, by means of which he was enabled to return to the University at Car- bondale for another term. He repeated that performance in 1882 and also in 1884. In 1887 he was so far along with his studies that he began to read law, and in 1889, after two years of constant application to his books, he was admitted to the bar, and he has been in active practice through the intervening years, attaining an unusual measure of success.
From the beginning his practice was wide in its seope, and he was so fortunate as to experience none of the lean years which so frequently characterize the early efforts of men who finally achieve brilliant suc- cesses. In addition to his wide general practice Mr. Bundy is the at- torney for the Southern Railway Company, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, the Centralia Coal Company, the Centralia Electric Company and the Centralia State Bank. Aside from his official eapac- ity, he is a trustee of the Southern Illinois Normal University at Car- bondale. as well as being a member of the directorates of the Mer- chants State Bank and the Centralia Water Supply Company. Mr. Bundy is a stanch Republican, and has served the party in various capacities during his career. He was a delegate to the forty-second and forty-third general assemblies in 1901 and 1903. During the forty- third assembly he was chairman of the committee on general apportion- ment and the committee on judicial department of practice, his labors while chairman of those committees resulting in much good. As a citizen his influence in a political way has always been of a nature ealeulated to serve the best interests of his community, and he can be depended upon to lend his aid in the furtherance of any upward movement con- tributing to the welfare of the people.
In 1890 Mr. Bundy married Miss Mary E. MeNally, a daughter of James MeNally. The latter was a native of New York who settled in Centralia, becoming connected with a nail factory in this city. with which he remained until the dissolution of the firm, his death ocenrring shortly thereafter. Three daughters were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bundy; Dorothy E., now a student in Rockford College; Sarah Pauline, attending the Centralia high school; and Margaret, also a student in the Centralia schools.
Mr. Bundy is partienlarly active in Masonie circles, being a member of the Chapter. Knights Templar and the Chicago Consistory. He is also a member of the Blue Lodge and is now eminent commander.
WILLIAM O. HOLSHOUSER. From the beginning of the establishment of the rural free delivery service the men to whom this important branch of the country's mail department has been entrusted have been recruited from those who have shown themselves faithful and reliable citizens. As so much responsibility rests in their hands it is necessary for them to be men of strict honesty and integrity, and that William O. Ilolshouser has carried the mail on rural free delivery route No. 2 for seven consecutive years speaks well for the confidence in which he is held by his fellow citizens. Mr. Holshouser was born July 20, 1881. on a farm in Williamson county, Illinois, and is a son of Wiley J. and Mary (Smith ) Holshouser.
Wiley J. Holshouser was born May 3, 1857, in North Carolina, a son of Jacob and Annie (Beaver) Holshouser, natives of the Tar Heel state, of German descent, the former of whom was born July 16, 1822,
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and died December 30, 1885. In 1880 Wiley J. Holshouser was married to Mary Smith, daughter of Joseph and Sophia Maria ( Klutts) Smith, natives of North Carolina, and granddaughter of Richard Smith. Sophia (Klutts) Smith was born in 1830, the daughter of Daniel Klutts, who went from North Carolina to Tennessee and thence, in 1849, to Union county, Illinois, later moving to Williamson county, Tennessee. The Smith family settled in Williamson county in about 1840, and from that section Joseph Smith enlisted for service during the Civil war, but died before the war was finished, while at home on a siek furlough. Wiley J. Holshouser left Williamson county, Ilinois, in 1885 and located at MeClure, but two years later went to a farm of one hundred and seventy acres located in Cache township, near Cypress, where he now resides. He is the father of four children, namely: William; Dennis, who is carrying on operations on the home farm; and Ida and Emma, who live with their father.
William O. Holshouser received his education in the district schools of Cache township, and was reared to agrienltural pursuits. Eventually he started farming on his own account, accumulating a well-improved property of eighty acres in Cache township, but this he disposed of January 1, 1911. In 1904 he was appointed rural free delivery ear- rier No. 2. traveling out of Cypress, and this position he has held to the present time. He is a general favorite all along his route, his genial, courteous manner having made him very popular, while his conscien- tious, faithful discharge of the duties of his office has made him one of the service's most trusted employes in this section.
In 1896 Mr. Holshouser was united in marriage with Miss Eva E. Parker, daughter of Dr. C. A. C. Parker, formerly a well-known physi- cian and surgeon of Cypress, who is now possessed of a large practice in Dongale, and Alice (Ilenard) Parker. Mr. and Mrs. Holshouser have three children, namely : Mande Marie, Hazel and Paul. Frater- nally Mr. Holshonser is connected with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and is popular with all.
DAVID EDWARD KEEFE. Among the most prominent of the many well-known lawyers of Southern Illinois is David Edward Keefe, of the firm of Wise, Keefe & Wheeler, of East St. Louis. Mr. Keefe is a self-made man, and although the phrase has become haekneved from over use, yet in this case nothing else is applicable. Forced to earn the money for his education, he early learned to depend on himself. With no haeking, he started out to win a place for himself in a profes- sion already overcrowded and succeeded by his own merit, alone. As a lawyer he is keen, a clear and logical thinker, and above all possesses that rare quality among lawyers of having a deep sense of honor and of truth. He is one of the men upon whom the country will have to depend to raise the legal profession from the depths to which it has been dragged by unscrupulous lawyers. It is fortunate that here and there such men are to be found, and it is more than fortunate in this ease, for Mr. Keefe is also interested in politics and has considerable intlnenee in the councils of his party.
David Edward Keefe was born in Madison county, Illinois, at Dorsey Station, on the 13th of December. 1863. His father was John Keefe, who was a native of Ireland. He emigrated from Ireland in 1848, and settled in St. Louis in December of the same year. Ho later moved to Madison county, Illinois, and in 1855 settled on a farm near Dorsey Station. Here he spent the remainder of his life, continuing his ocen- pation of a farmer till his death, which occurred on the 11th of May.
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1893. Mr. Keefe's mother was also a native of the Emerald Isle, and her name was Honorah Quinlan. She was the daughter of the superin- tendent of the beautiful Goskin estate in county Limeriek, Ireland.
Mr. Keefe was educated in the common schools and later attended the Northern Illinois University at Dixon, Illinois. His father was none too well supplied with this world's goods and in order to obtain his college education the boy was forced to teach school and to put by every penny towards his education. He taught for five years and then began the study of law under Solomon II. Bethea, who was afterward made judge of the United States court at Chicago. Mr. Keefe was admitted to the bar in 1890 and opened his office at Bunker Ilill, Illinois. The fame of the young lawyer soon spread, for he inherited from his Irish forefathers the facility of tongue, for which they are noted, and his experiences had given him the steadying influence which the Irish temperament often lacks. In 1898 he was elected county judge and served in this office four years. So satisfactory was his service to the people that he was urged to accept another term, but refused in order to enter into partnership with Wise and MeNulty at East St. Louis, Illinois. This firm of Wise, McNulty & Keefe ranked as one of the best firms of lawyers in Southern Illinois. The present firm of Wise, Keefe & Wheeler has one of the largest practices in the southern part of the state. Mr. Keefe was appointed corporation counsel of East St. Louis in 1905, and it fell to him to handle the largest financial questions with which the city has ever had to deal. Strong pressure was brought to bear in the attempt to persuade him to run for congress in 1912, from the twenty-second district in Illinois, but he declined, prefer- ring to devote himself to his profession.
In polities Mr. Keefe has always been a Democrat and he has given much of his time to campaign speaking, where his eloquent tongue has helped the eause of many candidates. In his religions affiliations he is a Roman Catholic, having been raised in the church and having al- ways been a consistent member of the same. Ile is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Elks. He is grand knight of the East St. Louis Conneil and has filled various offices in this order, tak- ing a deep interest in the work of the society.
Mr. Keefe was married at Bunker Hill, Illinois, on the 29th of November, 1893, to Jennie C. Eline, of Littlestown, Pennsylvania. She received her education at St. Joseph's Academy, MeSherrystown, Penn- sylvania, being a graduate of this institution. She is the daughter of John W. and Annie Eline. Her father was a general contractor and his great-grandfather served in the Revolutionary war, taking part in the battle of Brandywine. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Keefe, namely: Robert, May, Virginia, Agnes, Helen and David.
WILLIAM URIAHI BARNETT. The development of the United States mail service has been rapid and sure, but not until recent years has it attained its highest efficiency, although it at present ranks with any in the world. The various improvements made, the cutting down of ex- penses in every department and the general rapidity with which the mail is handled have kept pace with the increase in the amount of matter handled by the government employes, and this speaks well for the ability of those who have been entrusted with the management of this branch of governmental work. William Uriah Barnett, one of the well-known citizens of Buncombe, Ilinois, has been connected with the mail service during the past five years as assistant postmaster and post- master of this village, and during this time has not only proven him- self a valued and efficient official, but by his courteons and genial man-
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ner has won wide popularity. He was born on a farm two and one-half miles east of Buncombe. Johnson county, Illinois, and is a son of Gil- bert and Mary (JJohnson) Barnett.
William. A. Barnett, the grandfather of William Uriah, was a native of Tennessee, who located in Johnson county during the 'twenties, tak- ing up government land and becoming one of the earliest settlers of this part of Southern Illinois. Ile was married to a Miss Mangum, also of an early pioneer family of this section which originated in Buncombe county, North Carolina. Gilbert Barnett, who was born in Johnson county. was engaged in farming here throughout his active life, and became well and favorably known to the citizens of his vicinity. He served during the Civil war for three years, as a member of Company 1, One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment. Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and his death occurred on March 22, 1911, when he was seventy-three years old. He and his wife had the following children: William Uriah; Narcissa A., deceased : Thomas C .; Flora A .; George Il .; John G., who is deceased ; Francis M .; Rosa ; Robert F .; and an unnamed child who died in infancy.
William Uriah Barnett received his education in the district schools and was reared to the life of an agriculturist, which he followed until he was twenty-five years of age. From 1886 until 1906 he was engaged in operating a threshing machine on the farms of Johnson county, and in the latter year became assistant postmaster at Buncombe. On April 6, 1911, he was appointed postmaster, a position which he has held to the present time to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. Mr. Barnett is the owner of a business building and two residence properties in Buncombe. Fraternally he is connected with Buncombe Lodge and Vienna Encampment, 1. O. O. F .; and the Modern Brotherhood of America. His religious views are those of the Presbyterian church.
On October 5, 1884, Mr. Barnett was married to Miss Amanda Bell Boomer, daughter of Benjamin F. and Emily J. Boomer, natives of In- diana, and later farming people of Johnson county. Five children have been born to this union, namely: Mrs. May Kerr, of Buncombe, who has two children, Marie and Pauline; Charles, who is a telegrapher by occupation; and Maude, Jennie and Fay, who live with their par- ents. Mr. Barnett is a public-spirited citizen and one whom all can de- pend upon to support movements of interest or benefit to his section. Ile keeps himself well informed on the movements of his party, and is well read on all current topies, finding a great help in his excellent memory.
CHARLES MARSHALL. One of the largest landholders of Johnson county, and a man who is widely known as an agriculturist and stock breeder, is Charles Marshall, of Belknap, a member of a family that has distinguished itself in various walks of life. He was born on a l'arm in Mason county. Kentucky, September 17, 1863, and is a son of R. M. Marshall.
The progenitor of the family in this country came from England during Colonial days and settled in Virginia, from whence Charles Marshall, great-grandfather of Charles of Belknap, and a brother of Chief Justice John Marshall, enlisted for service in the Colonial army during the Revolutionary war. Martin P. Marshall, son of Charles, was born in Virginia and was a pioneer settler in Kentucky, where he became speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives during the Civil war, and east the deciding vote which held the state in the union. Hle had been a large landowner and slaveholder, and also owned much land in Ohio, and when he was forced to leave Kentucky to escape
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capture by the Confederates he crossed the line and took up the prae- tice of law. This, however, he abandoned after the close of the rebellion, and returned to his farm, on which a division of the Confederate army, under General Marshall, had camped at one time. He served as state's attorney and in other important offices, and died in 1880, one of the best known men in his state. Martin P. Marshall married a first cousin, Elizabeth Marshall, one of the Kentucky Marshalls, whose two brothers, Generals Charles A. and Humphrey Marshall, were officers in the Con- federate army. R. M. Marshall, who served in the Kentucky Home Guards when a young man, resided in Rock Island, Illinois, for sev- eral years, where he practiced law, but eventually returned to Ken- tucky, where he remained on the farm until his death at the ripe old age of eighty years. Ile married Miss Forman, of Kentucky, daughter of Wil- liam Forman, whose father. Joseph Forman, of Kentucky, entered con- siderable land in Southern Illinois. Joseph made a trip to New Orleans via flat-boat to market his produce, and returning in 1824 with several of his neighbors they landed on the Illinois side of the Ohio River and entered two sections of land apiece at the government office at Shawnee- town. This land is now in the possession of Charles Marshall of Belknap. Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Marshall had nine children, but of the number Elizabeth F .. Martin P., William F .. Thomas and Louis are deceased. Those living are: John, residing on the home farm in Mason county, Kentucky; Logan, who resides in Texas; Robert M., a practicing physi- cian in Denver, Colorado; and Charles, the subject of the present sketch.
Charles Marshall spent his boyhood on the home farm, and his educa- tion was secured in the public and private schools. When he was seventeen years old he entered Lebanon University, at Lebanon, Ohio, and studied two years, graduating with the degree of B. S., and during his second year pursued a general course which included engineering. ete. In 1882 he returned to his father's farm and worked for two years, and during the fall of 1884 came to Belknap, his maternal grand- father having given him 100 acres of timbered land to clear for him- self. After his grandfather's death, in 1890, Mr. Marshall purchased the entire tract of 1200 acres, cleared the timber, and added to his holdings until he now owns 2500 aeres, about 300 acres of which are inside of the Cache River Drainage District, 1500 acres being under cultivation. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, and at the present time has a large bunch of eattle, horses and mules, hogs and sheep, the care of which necessitates the hiring of from ten to twenty employes. Mr. Marshall's vast operations have made his name well known among the agriculturists and business men of this part of South- ern Illinois, and he is known as an enterprising, progressive agricul- turist and as a good and public-spirited citizen who is ever ready to do his full share in advancing the interests of his community. In po- litical matters a Democrat, his private operations have demanded so much of his time and attention that he has never actively entered the public field. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, and he and his family are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
In 1889 Mr. Marshall was united in marriage with Miss Effie Wil- liams, daughter of Marion Williams, a pioneer settler of this section and partner of W. L. Williams, and she died in 1893, leaving two chil- dren : Elizabeth F. and Robert M., both residing at home. Mr. Mar- shall was married (second) to Miss Clara Evers. the daughter of George Evers, of Belknap, and they have one son, William F.
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EDMUND J. HODGES. One of the well known and most prosperous farmers of Alexander county is Edmund J. Hodges, recognized as being foremost in the ranks of the heavy landowners of the state. Ile is also prominently identified with the saw mill and grist mill business in Tamms, his home town, and is a man of considerable importance in local politieal circles. He represents the third generation of his family who have added their quota to the growth and up-building of Southern Illi- mois, and who have achieved a pleasurable degree of success in their lifetime.
Born December 22, 1859, at Thebes, Illinois, Edmund J. Hodges is the son of John Hodges and the grandson of Edmund J. Hodges. The first home of the family in Illinois was established at Jonesboro, Union county, by Edmund J. Hodges and his family, who came there from middle Tennessee. In Jonesboro the elder Hodges engaged in farming and the son John established a hattery, following that line of business until he was crowded out of the industry by the big manufacturers. From that he went into merchandising. locating in Thebes many years previous to the Civil war, and he carried on a successful business for years in that town. He was one of the prominent and well-known Democrats of Alexander county, and before the war was a member of the lower house of the general assembly. Ile made a lasting impression during his term of service as the servant of the people and a man of purpose. Ile numbered among his personal friends Abraham Lincoln, and after the secession of the southern state he became a devotee of the Republican party, after having spent the best years of his life in the Democratie faith. So strong was his sentiment in the cause of the Union that he was able to turn his back upon the party for whom he had labored for so many years and give his allegiance henceforward to the party which upheld the Union. Born in 1812. John Hodges died in 1867, at the age of fifty-five years. In early life he married Miss Mar- garet Hunsaker, a daughter of George Hunsaker, who came to Southern Illinois from Kentucky. Mrs. Hodges died near Hodges Park, the sta- tion on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad named in honor of Judge Alexan- der Hodges, a brother of John Hodges. Eight children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hodges. They are: John Hodges, deceased, who was sheriff in his county and recognized as one of the prominent citizens of Cairo; Mary, who married Thomas Wilson and lives in Cairo; Elizabeth became the wife of T. Jefferson Craig and later died at Ilodges Park; Jane married Alexander Burke and passed away in the same town; Margaret is now Mrs. O. G. Vincent, of Hodges Park; Annie, who became the wife of James Fitzgerald, and George, a mer- chant. both reside in that place; Edmund, Jr., the youngest of the fam- ily resides at Tamms.
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