USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 70
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
Captain Thistlewood subsequently made a visit to his boyhood home in Delaware, and on returning to Illinois again assumed the teacher's profession, and taught for a year, after which he embarked in the grain business at Mason. Coming from there to Cairo in 1872, he continued in the same business, being in partnership with his brother, Philip J. Thistlewood, until the brother's death, as previously mentioned. The Captain dealt in grain, and handled farm products, including tobacco, for many years, his son being associated with him the latter part of the time. On retiring from commereial pursuits Captain Thistlewood en- tered the political arena, and has since given his time and talents in generous measure to public affairs.
A strong advocate of Republican doctrines, the Captain has ever manifested a warm interest in publie affairs, whether relating to city, county, state or the nation. IIe served acceptably for five years in the city council, and in 1879 was elected mayor and re-elected to the same position in 1881. When he first assumed the mayor's chair. Cairo was found to be deeply involved in debt, a situation that conld be remedied by direct taxation only, for the immediate payment of outstanding obligations, but the plan of issuing twenty year bonds was adopted, and
1553
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
the eredit of the city maintained. It was during his mayoralty, in 1882, that occurred the memorable flood that threatened the very existence of the town, arousing the fear of the business and professional men, who joined the laborers in carrying sacks of dirt upon their backs to raise the levee above the surface of the waters of the Ohio river. The subsequent work of Mayor Thistlewood in the improvement of the levee was one of the important achievements of his administration, and proved so effec- tive that the safety of the city from an overflow has never since been endangered. The municipality spent a hundred thousand dollars upon this work, and the railroads added fifty thousand dollars in the aecom- plishment of a situation that should render the southern end of Alex- ander county immune from further eneroachments of the watery ele- ments. In 1897 Captain Thistlewood was again chosen mayor of the city, and two years later received an endorsement at the polls for a second term, his service as business head of the corporation aggregating in all eight years.
Captain Thistlewood was elected a congressman to fill out the unex- pired term of Hon. George F. Smith, and served with such a good record that he was elected to the house of representatives in both the Sixty- first Congress of the United States, and the Sixty-second Congress. His interest in the work of securing pensions for his war comrades prompted his appointment on the committee on invalid pensions, and he has de- voted all of his time and energies to the encouragement of legislation that will place the ex-soldier of the Civil war beyond the possibility of want during the few brief years still left him on earth. He supported the well-known "Sulloway bill" most vigorously, and hoped for its passage in the Senate, after the house had given it a good majority, but it fell a victim of interests antagonistic to the brave old soldier.
For many years Captain Thistlewood was a prominent and influential worker in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic, becoming a state factor in its membership, and being elected, in 1901, department commander of Illinois. He is a frequent attendant at the national en- campments of the order, and its society is the only one on which his name is enrolled.
On September 6, 1866, Captain Thistlewood was united in marriage with Sarah A. Taylor, of Mason, Illinois, a danghter of Seth B. Taylor, a wagon maker by trade and a native of Ohio. Two children have been born to Captain and Mrs. Thistlewood, namely : Benjamin R., who mar- ried Hattie Gibson, died in February, 1910; and Blanche. The Captain and his family are communieants of the Methodist church.
DANIEL W. STRINGER. Today seientifie farming is not looked upon as it was in the days of Horace Greely, as a sure means of depleting a bank account, but is looked upon as the only way for a cultivator of the land to attain financial success. At any rate, Daniel W. Stringer. of Pulaski, Illinois, has assumed that attitude in direeting the affairs of his farm. How well he has sneeceded is attested by his standing as one of the progressive and substantial farmers of Pulaski county and hy the appearance of the farm itself. He has followed this one vocation throughout the whole of his independent career. At the outset forty acres, two ponies, and the personal qualities of industry, thrift and self-reliance constituted his chief assets, and that forty now comprises a portion of his tract of one hundred and twenty-five acres forming his splendidly improved homestead. His is one of the attractive farms of this section, and its substantial improvement is the embodiment of the progressive ideas of its owner. He has given his attention chiefly to
1554
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
grain raising and fruit growing and has been very successful along both lines.
Mr. Stringer is a native of Kentucky, born in Livingston county, that state, August 4, 1855. He is a brother of William M. Stringer and a son of William and Mary (Elmer) Stringer. The parents were mar- ried in Kentucky and had resided in that state a number of years before their removal to Ripley county, Missouri, from whence they returned eastward to Pulaski county, Illinois, in September, 1862. This vicinity remained their home until their deaths, both having passed away in the nineties in advanced years, the father having reached the age of seventy- seven.
Daniel W. Stringer was one of the younger of their eight children, the other members of the family being: Jane, who married William Tomerlin and died in Missouri; Lucilla, who became the wife of Noah Tomerlin and died in Pulaski county, Illinois; Wesley, deceased; Sarah, now Mrs. William Atherton and a resident of Pulaski; William M., a successful farmer in this vicinity; Malinda, who died as Mrs. James Axley ; and Mary M., the deceased wife of Cyrus Lacky, of Pulaski.
In June, 1874, Mr. Stringer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Atherton, a daughter of John and Margaret (Soney) Atherton. Mrs. Stringer was the second in order of birth and is the only one living of four daughters born to her parents, the date of her birth having been February 5, 1857. Her sisters were: Catherine, who died at Seymour, Missouri, as the wife of A. M. Fruster; Lucy, who became the wife of Webster Dille and died in Pulaski county, Illinois; and Emma, who married John McCormick and is buried at Pulaski. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Stringer are: Ira, who married Myrtle Thornton and re- sides at Pulaski; Charles, who is still in the parental home; Oscar, who married Miss Rena Rife and is a farmer near Pulaski; and William, Lucy, Ella and Ernest comprise the remaining children. The family are members of the Christian church.
Politics has not interested Mr. Stringer further than the exercise of his right of franchise as a Republican. He sustains fraternal mem- bership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a past noble grand of his lodge and has been a representative to the state Grand Lodge.
IION. WILLIAM A. SPANN. A resident of Vienna whose reputation is more than local and whose high standing in the professional world is assured is the Hon. William A. Spann, a well known legal light and senior member of the firm of Spann & Spann, attorneys-at-law. The Spann family is of North Carolina origin, that having been the native state of William Spann, grandfather of the Hon. William A. Spann, who so worthily represents the present generation of the house, and whose father, Silas H. Spann, emigrated to Southern Illinois, settling with his family at Jonesboro in 1853. Silas Spann was engaged in the mercantile business for a long period, but retired from that line of commercial activity ten years before his death, which occurred in Jan- uary, 1895. The older Spann was married four times, his first wife having been Miss Martha Scott, a daughter of Jesse and Nancy (Martin) Scott. Mr. Scott was of English descent, while his wife was born in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Spann became the parents of four children, two of whom died in infancy. Mary, who married Mr. Martin and William A., of this brief review, are the surviving members of their family, and the mother's death occurred in 1843. The second matri- mnoniał alliance of Silas Spann united him with Elizabeth Fullard of Alabama, who become the mother of five children, two of whom survive
1555
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
at this writing. They are Charles P. Spann and Mrs. Delia Pool. The death of Mrs. Spann occurred in March, 1857. Charlotte Alexander, of Jonesboro, became the third wife of Mr. Spann, and of that union five children were born. Of this number three are living, namely : Silas, Ernest and Mrs. Minnie Rendle. The date of the mother's demise was 1877. Mr. Spann subsequently married Mrs. Cox, and one child, now deceased was the result of their union.
Judge William A. Spann was born October 6, 1840, in Cherokee county, Alabama, on a farm, but while he was still small his father re- moved with his family to Jonesboro, Ilinois, and the son was the recip- ient of such education as was afforded in the public schools of that place. Upon the completion of his education Mr. Spann took up agriculture as an occupation and for ten years operated farms near Jonesboro and in Johnson county, becoming a resident of the latter named section in 1861. He was not entirely satisfied with the conditions in Johnson county at that time, however, and in a short time returned to Union county, remaining there until 1873, when he again took up his residence in Johnson county.
Mr. Spann was a man of ambitions character and had always cher- ished a desire to become a member of the legal fraternity, and in further- ance of this commendable ambition he began the study of law in November, 1870. He possessed a fine intellect, which soon grasped the intricacies and logie of his studies, and a few years later he opened an office at Vienna, and in March, 1877, began the practice of his profession there.
It was but a short time until he had attained distinction in his prac- tice and had acquired an extensive clientele, his services being in wide demand, not only in the various counties of Southern Illinois, but cli- ents also came from Missouri and Kentucky to avail themselves of his talents in eases requiring legal adjudication. Judge Spann's reputa- tion as a lawyer and an eloquent pleader is second to none in this section of the state, and he has achieved conspienons snecess in handling difficult criminal cases.
He has always evineed an active interest in politics, and he has been repeatedly honored with high official position. In 1880 the people elected him as a representative to the state legislature, his run being made on a Democratie ticket, and so faithfully and effectively did he discharge his duties as a legislator that he was returned to the office in 1882. His election to the county judgeship occurred in 1906 and he served most ably in that important capacity for one term.
Judge Spann has valuable property interests, among his hollings he- ing a fine farm in the northern part of Johnson county and a beautiful residence in Vienna. In December, 1861, Judge Spann was united in marriage with Miss Narcissa Simpson, of Johnson county. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Simpson. Of this union were born six chil- dren : Mrs. Flora Hess: Mrs. Martha Cantwell : Lulu, the wife of Levi J. Smith : Ida, wife of Robert E. Gillespie, who is cashier of the Union Trust Company of East St. Louis: Hat, who followed in his father's footsteps by entering the legal profession and is now a partner with him in the law firm of Spann & Spaun: and William. The death of Mrs. Spann occurred in 1885. Judge Spaun married a second time. in May, 1893, leading to the altar Mrs. Etta M. Blanchfill. of Vienna, a daughter of Frank MeCarmell. of Oxford, Indiana. Mr. Spann was he- reaved of this wife in October. 1909. His third wife, to whom he was married on October 12. 1911, was Mrs. Mary E. Goodall, of Marion, a daughter of Mrs. Aikeman. She presides with graciousness over the Spann home, which is one of the most hospitable in Vienna. JJudge
1556
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Spann is a man of strong social tendencies, and is an honored member of the Knights of Pythias. He is the possessor of broad sympathies, is liberal in his benefactions and enjoys the confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
JOHN CLAY WILLIAMS. Prominent among the foremost citizens of Pocahontas is John Clay Williams, who is actively identified with the financial prosperity of Bond county as a banker, and as a man of enter- prise, ability and integrity is closely associated with the advancement of the material interests of town and county. A son of William Davis Williams, he was born August 8, 1859, in Saint Jacob, Madison county, Illinois, of brave pioneer stock.
His grandfather, Aaron Williams, a native of Maryland, was a youth of a daring and venturous spirit, who in his search for fortune made two trips on horseback to Illinois while it was yet wearing territorial garb, one in 1815 and one in 1816. In 1818, just as Illinois was admitted to statehood, he came from Baltimore to Fayette county, Illinois, locat- ing in Vera, where he took up a traet of wild land, from which he im- proved a farm. He married Sarah Barton, of Saint Clair county, Illi- nois, and was thereafter engaged in tilling the soil until his death.
Born on the parental homestead in Fayette county, William Davis Williams received a practical training in agriculture while young, re- maining beneath the parental roof-tree until after attaining his majority. In 1849 he joined a band of gold seekers and made an overland journey to California, where he followed mining for six years. Returning to Illinois in 1855, he settled in Saint Jacob, Madison county, where he was engaged in general farming until 1891. Coming then to Poeahon- tas, Illinois, he lived retired until his death, in 1899, making his home with his son. Soon after his return from the Golden state he married Ellen Virginia Ilayes, of Saint Jacob, who died nearly a quarter of a eentury before he did, passing away in 1875. He belonged to the Bap- tist church, and was an active member of the Ancient Free and Aeeepted Order of Masons, with which he united in 1855, at the time of his death being one of the oldest and most highly esteemed members of the lodge. He took great interest in local affairs, and held various offices of trust, having served as school director, while for many years he was township supervisor.
The oldest son and second child of his parents, John Clay Williams lived on the home farm in Madison county until twenty years of age, when he went to New Mexico on an exploring expedition. Finding nothing to specially interest him in that unsettled country, he returned to Saint Jacob, where he was engaged in general mercantile pursuits until 1883, being junior member of the firm of Karges & Williams. Sell- ing out his interest in the firm in that year, Mr. Williams became travel- ing salesman for a wholesale house, with which he was eonneeted in that capacity for five years. In the meantime, however, in 1884, he had bought baek his interest in the firm of which he had formerly been a member, and, in company with Mr. Louis Ryan, continued the business under the firm name of Ryan & Williams. Giving up traveling in 1889, Mr. Williams was actively engaged in business as a merchant at Poea- hontas, Bond county, until 1905, being quite successful in his operations. In that year, in company with Mr. P. M. Johnson, of Saint Elmo, Illinois, he established the Bond County Bank, a private institution, and has sinee carried on a substantial business. In 1899 Mr. Williams was ap- pointed postmaster at Pocahontas, and has held the position sinee.
Mr. Williams married, in 1893, Naomi Olive Lindley, of Pocahontas, a woman of culture and refinement, eminently fitted for the duties of
1557
IIISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
wife and mother. She passed to the life beyond in November, 1908, leaving five children, namely: John L., Benjamin Oliver, Marie, Ellen Virginia and Joseph Aaron. Politieally Mr. Williams ever. supports the principles of the Republican party, and religiously, there being no church of his own faith, the Baptist, in Pocahontas he attends the Metho- dist Church, and is serving as one of its trustees. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; and the Order of the Eastern Star; of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of the Modern Woodmen of America ; and of the Knights of the Macca- bees.
GEORGE L. GALIM. The Johnston City State Bank. one of the most solid and substantial financial institutions in Southern Illinois, has been for- tunate in securing for its offieers men of wide and varied experience in the banking business, whose integrity and probity have never been questioned, and in whom the people of the community repose the utmost confidence. In this connection may be mentioned George L. Gahm, eashier of this bank, who has spent practically all of his business career in the same line in this section. Mr. Gahm is a product of Jackson county, Ohio, and was born November 25, 1877, a son of Henry J. and Anna Mary (Motz) Gahm.
The grandfather of George L. Gahm, Jacob Gahm, was born on the river Rhine, at Keisterlauten, Germany, in 1810, and was there married to a Miss Geip, who died during the forties, having been the mother of these children : Jacob, who is a farmer in Jackson county, Ohio; Jolin, who died in that county as a farmer and left a family; Phoebe, who married Henry Baker and resides in Saline county, Illinois; and Henry J., the father of George L. Gahm. Jacob Gahm came to the United States and settled in Jackson county, Ohio, was married three times here and died in 1883, having been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Henry J. Gahm was born in Jackson county, Ohio, in 1848, and grew up abso- lutely without mental training in school, being able neither to read nor write when he reached manhood. It is a strange commentary upon fair Ohio, for universal education is one thing for which that state stands. However, conditions sometimes control in opposition to constant tempta- tions to the god of learning, and Henry J. Gahm's school was the school of hard work. His task lay frequently in the wood, where, with axe or grubbing hoe, he dealt the forest its death blows and helped to bring under cultivation the soil which was the support of the old folks at home. When he went out into the world. observation taught him many things of value, and it is not surprising to know that he was able sue- cessfully to cope with his fellows and literally to carve a place for himself among the modest tradesmen of his community. Coming to Saline county in 1882, he settled on a farm near Galatia, being engaged in agriculture until 1890, when he moved to Ridgeway, there entering the merchandise business and later purchasing a livery and engaging in dealing in horses. Ile has continued to reside there to the present time and is respected and esteemed by all who know him as a man who has been the architect of his own fortunes. Mr. Gahm married Anna Mary Motz, daughter of John Motz, From Katzweiler, Germany, another Rhine eity, and these children have been born to this union: John Jacob, assistant cashier of the Johnson City State Bank and married to Millie Strieklin ; Frank K., who is traveling for I. Gains & Company, of Evansville, Indiana : George L .: and Callie, who married C. C. Shewmaker, of Ridgway, Illinois,
George L. Galim was educated in the district schools in Ridgway and in Fairfield. Illinois. He finished no preseribed course and ean be said to have had only a good common-school education. He began his
1558
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
business career as a humble employe of the Gallatin County Bank at Ridgway, and was both a clerk and bookkeeper under the direction of D. K. Widemann, and acquired a splendid foundation for a commercial life during the four years he was in the bank. Leaving that institution, Mr. Gahm spent a year as merchant's clerk in Eldorado, Illinois, with C. P. Burentt & Sons, but then returned to banking and took charge of the bank at Thompsonville, Illinois, the affairs of which he continued to conduct for three years. On February 2, 1905, Mr. Gahm came to Johnson City and accepted the cashiership of the reorganized bank of which the Johnson City State Bank is the successor, and has contri- buted very materially to the development of a strong financial institution here. The president of this bank, Peter Wastier, is one of the most cap- able business men of this seetion, and there are other stock-holders who have amply demonstrated their financial ability.
The Gahms have ever comported themselves as unassuming citizens, have allied themselves with Democracy for governmental reasons, have not desired political preferment, and by training are connected with the Lutheran church. George L. Gahm is an Elk of Marion Lodge, No. 800, and he and his father are Chapter Masons, while Jacob and Frank have only the master degrees. All of the members of this old family are well and favorably known here, and in whatever walk of life they have been placed have distinguished themselves by their strict integrity and in- dustry.
On June 22, 1898, George L. Gahm was married to Miss Anna D. Combs, daughter of Dr. G. W. and Hannah (Hemphill) Combs, whose other children were: Professor Fuller Combs, a teacher in the city schools of Spokane, Washington; Samuel, who is engaged in farming near Ridgway, Illinois; George E., of the same address; Agnes, who married J. H. Campbell and resides at Greenup, Illinois; and Miss Ella. Mr. and Mrs. Gahmn have an interesting daughter, Mary Eliza- beth, who was born in 1904.
MAX PRILL. How proud a man must be when he can point to his own hands and say, "You, together with that curious mechanism men call my brain, made me what I am!" Is there any one so justified in displaying vanity as a man who has been the arbiter of his destiny, who has had no one to interpose themselves between himself and Fate, who has made his own decisions, fought his own fights, and reached the top, unassisted by any human agency? Such a man is Max Prill, of Cen- tralia, Illinois. Coming of German stock, it is not surprising that he should possess the industry and dogged perseverance of that race. He also inherited the philosophical turn of mind which gave him the power of clear thinking and logical reasoning. These traits, together with the knowledge that he gained of men as he grew in years. have helped to make him one of the most successful business men in Centralia and one of the leaders of the Democratie party in the state of Illinois. IIe eame to Centralia fresh from Germany, and the first business enterprise that he put his hand to was a success. From that time on he has steadily advanced until now he is not only a wealthy man, but, better than that, the homesick young German has become one of the men upon whom Cen- tralia depends, one of those whom she trusts to rule, knowing that he will do so honestly and wisely.
Max Prill was born in Germany, on the 25th of December, 1860. He was the son of Andrew and Matilda (Mueller) Prill, who were both natives of Germany. Andrew Prill was a successful mill-owner, and a man of sterling character, but he is only a vague memory to his son Max, for he died in 1869, when the boy was only nine years old. He
1559
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
served in the army three years, and both he and his wife were members of the Evangelical church. They spent all of their lives in Germany, and reared a family of eleven children, of whom all but three are dead. Mrs. Prill ontlived her husband, dying in 1882. Of his ancestry Max Prill knows very little, for he lost both of his parents before he had reached the age where he thought of such things.
Max Prill received what knowledge he obtained at the hands of school masters before his fourteenth year, for at that time he began to support himself. For six years he worked at various occupations in Germany, and later served three years in the Emperor's Guards in the City of Berlin. Then, his mother having died the year before, he con- eluded to come to America. He came to Illinois in 1883, and settled in Centralia, where he opened a hotel. The honest business methods of the young German, and his warm and genial disposition, brought him many patrons, and business soon began to prosper. Ile managed this hotel until 1897, and then he was made agent for the Schlitz Brewing Com- pany, and he wholesaled beer for the above coneern. He is now presi- dent of the Centralia Iee and Cold Storage Company, one of the most prosperous corporations in the city, and was also for several years a director of the Centralia Building & Loan Association. His business ability is unquestioned, and no matter what venture he undertakes it seems to come out sueeessfully.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.