USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 82
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HERMAN H. BECKEMEYER, now serving his fourth year as post- master at Beckemeyer, has spent the greater part of his life in Clinton county, and has contributed his full share towards promoting its edu- cational and industrial interests, in the meantime gaining for himself the reputation of one who deserves the confidence and trust of his fellow-men. Coming from substantial German ancestry, he was born April 27, 1859, in Saint Louis county, Missouri.
Ilis father, the late Christian Beekemeyer, was born in Westphalia, Germany, May 9, 1822, and was there bred and educated. Immigrat- ing with his family to the United States in 1857, he located in Saint Louis county, Missouri, where he was for five years employed in till- ing the soil. Coming to Clinton county, Illinois, in 1862, he settled near the present town of Beckemeyer, which, upon its organization. was named in his honor. Purchasing a tract of land, he carried on general farming with good results until his death, December 20, 1880. He became well known throughout the community as a man of sterling integrity, and was held in high esteem by his neighbors and associates. He never assumed citizenship, but his political sympathies were with the Republican party. Religiously he was a member of the German Evangelical church. He married, in Westphalia, Germany, in 1846, Christina Poss, a native of that city, and to them eight sons and one daughter were born, Herman H., the youngest child, being the only one born on American soil. The mother, who attained the venerable age of eighty-six years, passed away in 1902.
But four years of age when his parents moved to Ilinois. Herman H. Beckemeyer received his preliminary education in the public schools of this county, and having completed his early studies at the Ilinois Normal School, in Normal, Ilinois, he taught school for a number of years in Clinton county, being successful and popular in his pedagogi- cal work. For a short time Mr. Beekemeyer conducted a small general store, and is now engaged in the insurance business to some extent. I 1908 he was appointed postmaster at Beckemeyer, and has since filled the office most efficiently and satisfactorily.
A staneh Republican in politics. Mr. Beekemeyer has held varions town offices, and from 1901 until 1908 was one of the trustees of the Carbondale Normal School, having been appointed to the position by Governor Yates. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Rebekah Lodge : of the Modern Woodmen of America : of the Royal Neighbors of America, and of the Loyal Ameri- cans. True to the religious faith of his parents, he is a member of the German Evangelical church, and for many years was superintendent of the Methodist Sunday-school.
Mr. Beekemeyer married, November 26, 1881, Miss Annie M. Ark- mann. of Breese, THinois, and of their union two children have been born, namely: Professor Harry J., of Hillsboro, Illinois, and Dr. Al bert W., of Sedalia, Missouri.
WALTER SONS. As cashier of the First National Bank of Fairfieldl. Walter Sons is actively identified with one of the solid institutions of Wayne county, the sound financial basis upon which it rests being
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partly due to his tact and ability. He was born January 17, 1882, near Jefferson, Wayne county, Illinois, on the farm of his father, Oliver P. Sons. He is of pioneer stock, his grandfather, James Sons, who was accompanied by his brother William, having in the 'forties migrated from Tennessee to Southern Illinois, settling on land near Enterprise.
Oliver P. Sons was born in Wayne county, Illinois, in 1849, and has here spent his life, during his aetive career having been successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is one of the leading citizens of the neighborhood. He married Mary Ellen Harmon, a daughter of Daniel and Mahala (Alford) Harmon, who migrated from Ohio to Wayne county in 1844. Eight children blessed their union, as follows: Walter, the subject of this brief biographical review; Jesse L., engaged in farming two miles north of Fairfield; Mrs. Laura Cravens, living near Logan, Kansas; Charles and Clayton, living with their parents ; Mrs. Carrie Gaston, of Sims, Illinois; and Vena and Lorene, living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Sons are members of the Baptist church.
Completing his early studies in the public schools of JJeffersonville, Walter Sons taught school for a year, after which he took a course of study at the Southern Illinois Normal University in Carbondale. On September 12, 1903, Mr. Sons entered the First National Bank of Fairfield as bookkeeper, and proved himself so capable and faithful that on March 1, 1911, he was made eashier of the bank, of which he is also a director. He is a landholder, owning some good farming lands in Wayne county.
Mr. Sons married, December 7, 1910, Mary S. Dickey, a daughter of T. L. Diekey, a well-known merchant of Fairfield. Fraternally Mr. Sons is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons. and religiously he and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
JAMES HENRY KRAMER. A man of distinctive force and energy, James Henry Kramer is a prominent factor in the promotion of the industrial and mercantile interests of Wayne county, having for the past five years been secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Southern Illinois Lumber Company, which has its main yard and office in Fairfield, and in Jannary, 1912, he was elected president of the Southern Illinois Lumber Association. A son of Henry Kramer, he was born October 24, 1855, on a Wabash county, Illinois, farm. His pa- ternal grandfather, Henry Kramer, Sr., emigrated from Prussia to America with his family, settling in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he spent a few years, and then removed to Wabash county, Illinois. He was a shoemaker and farm owner. His death oceurred when he was about eighty years of age.
Born in May, 1830, in Saarbruek, Prussia, Henry Kramer came with his parents to the United States when a boy, and in Allentown, Penn- sylvania, and Wabash county, Illinois, was reared and educated. In 1873 he came to Wayne county, where he is now living, his home being near Fairfield. He married Martha Colverley who was born in Beverly, England, and came with her parents to this country in 1842. Twelve children were born of their union, three of whom died in infancy and two in later life, Samuel passing away at the age of forty years, and William when eighteen years of age. The seven now, in 1912, living are as follows: Ilon. E. C. Kramer, of East Saint Lonis; T. A., an attorney in El Dorado, Kansas; R. J .. engaged in the practice of law at East Saint Louis; H. S., a real estate dealer in East Saint Lonis: James Henry, the special subject of this brief personal record ; Mrs. Sophia Bell. of El Dorado, Kansas; and Clara, living with her parents.
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Receiving his rudimentary education in the district schools, James Henry Kramer afterwards attended the high school and a normal school in Indiana. He assisted in the care of the home farm until attaining his majority, and the ensuing nine years taught school, principally in the vicinity of Fairfield, his parents having settled in this part of Wayne county in 1873. Proving himself a most capable and efficient instructor and manager, Mr. Kramer in 1886 was elected superintend- ent of the Wayne county schools, and served in that capacity for eight years. Embarking in the real estate business in 1894, he dealt in realty and farmed for six years. In 1900 he purchased a third interest in a lumber yard, and for a number of years carried on a substantial busi- ness as junior member of the firm of Dickey, Summers & Kramer, each year extending his operations. In 1907 this firm was incorporated under the name of the Southern Illinois Lumber Company, which owns in addition to its original yard in Fairfield, yards in Wayne City, Mill Shoals, Cisne, Enfield, Albion. Dahlgren, West Salem and Ashley. In- dividually Mr. Kramer owns a yard in Ridgway.
This enterprising firm has a capital of $63.500, while the amount of stock in its numerous yards is about $50,000, and its annual business aggregates $150,000 or more. Its original officers were men of ar- knowledged ability, F. M. Broek being president ; T. L. Dickey, vice- president ; JJames HI. Kramer, secretary, treasurer and general manager.
The staunch adherent of the Republican party, Mr. Kramer has faithfully fulfilled his obligations as a loyal citizen, and for one term served as mayor of Fairfield. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and of the Modern Woodmen of America. Re- ligiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a stockholder and director of the Fairfield National Bank, of which he was one of the twelve men that organized the institution.
Mr. Kramer married, in 1883. Ellen Wilson, a daughter of John Wilson, and they have three children, namely ; Mrs. Hayward Yohe. who has three children, Richard, Ellen Wilson and Theodore Graydon : Mrs. Camille Topper, who has two children, Frances Margaret and James Henry ; and Theodore JJames, having charge of the lumber yard at. Ridgway, is married and has one child. Henry Randolph Kramer.
ULLAA S. STALEY. A man of sound judgment and excellent business ability. Ulla S. Staley has for many years been an active force in ad- vancing the financial prosperity of Wayne county, as cashier of the Fairfield National Bank of Fairfield being intimately acquainted with the material resources of this section of Southern Illinois, which are being rapidly and wisely developed. A son of Samnel Martin Staley, he was born July 30, 1854, in Grayville, White county, Illinois, where he grew to man's estate.
Samuel Martin Staley was born in Tennessee, in 1823, and as a boy came to Southern Illinois. Beginning life for himself in White comity. Illinois, he carried on general farming on rented land for a time, and then went to Grayville, where he was engaged in mercantile and mill- ing business until 1875, meeting with fair success. Coming then with his family to Wayne county, Illinois, ho first embarked in the hardware business, and later, as an orchardist, cultivated fruit on an extensive scale, having under his care one hundred acres of apple and pear trees. mostly apples. For a few years after retiring from horticultural pur- suits he carried on a grocery business in Fairtiehl, remaining a resident of this part of the state until his death, February 13. 1908, when past eighty-five years of age. He was a man of deep religions convictions.
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and a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married, first, Harriet Melrose, who died in 1859. Of the five children born of their marriage three died in infancy and two are living, as follows: Ulla S., the special subject of this brief sketch, and George A., a real estate dealer in Fairfield. Samnel Martin Staley married for his second wife Rebecca Melrose, who died in 1869, leaving three children, namely : Charles M .. in the patent office at Washington, D. C., has been in the government employ since 1881 : Mrs. Harriet S. Craig, of Dallas, Texas : and John E., of Portland, Oregon. Mr. Staley married for his third wife Mrs. Sarah J. Allen, who survives him. They had one child. Ella, who died in 1899.
Obtaining his preliminary knowledge in the public schools of Gray- ville. Ulla S. Staley attended the Illinois Wesleyan University, in Bloomington, for two years. At the age of twenty-one years he began his career as a teacher, and taught successfully one year in Mebean eounty and one year in White county. Coming to Fairfield in 1877. he immediately accepted a position in the bank of E. Bonham & Company, and remained with them as assistant and cashier until their failure in 1893. The bank with which he is now connected was first organized as a private institution, on March 1, 1894, by twelve prominent citizens of Fairfield, and conducted as such until February 4, 1903, when it became the Fairfield National Bank of Fairfield. The bank is in a flourishing condition, and has for its officers men of ability and good standing. Adam Rinard being president; George W. Johns, first vice-president ; E. W. Pendleton, second vice-president ; Ulla S. Staley, cashier; and Asa F. Keene, assistant cashier. Its directors at this time are as fol- lows: Adam Rinard, George W. Johns, E. W. Pendleton, Harry K. Johnson, E. Steiner, C. W. Summers, John M. Rapp, Jacob R. Creigh- ton, C. C. Boggs; and James H. Kramer, all of whom, with the excep- tion of Mr. Boggs, were members of the original company. The bank is capitalized at $70,000, and has deposits of $280,000, with surplus re- sources of $425,000, and pays two and three per cent interest on time deposits. Mr. Staley is likewise one of the directors of the Farmers Bank at Mount Erie, Illinois. He is also interested in farm land, own- ing, with three other men, six hundred and forty acres near Sims, and having title to one hundred acres in Arkansas.
Mr. Staley has been three times married. He married first, in April, 1879. Elizabeth Johnson, a daughter of Mrs. Barbara Ann Johnson, who was born in Ohio eighty-seven years ago, and is now living in Illi- nois, having come to this state with her parents when a child. Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson Staley passed to the higher life in 1881, leaving one child, Mrs. Libble Byer. Mr. Staley married, in May, 1886, Ida M. Morey, a daughter of John Morey, who was born in December, 1828, and is now living in Watertown, South Dakota. She died in 1894, leav- ing two children, Mary Morey Staley and Harriet Florenee Staley. In 1898 Mr. Staley married for his third wife Anna M. Melrose, a daugh- ter of Frank Melrose, and of their union three children have been born, namely : Janet M. Staley ; George Frederick Staley, who lived but six short years; and Samuel M. Staley. Mr. and Mrs. Staley are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
JAMES LARKIN BORAII, D. D. S. A well-known and popular resident of Fairfield, James Larkin Borah, D. D. S., is one of the leading repre- sentatives of that city, keeping pace with the times in regard to the valuable discoveries and improvements that have been made in dentis- try in recent years. A son of Elhanan M. Borah, he was born June 17, 1880, in Wayne county, Illinois, and reared on the home farm.
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James L. Borah enlisted for service in the Spanish-American war, becoming a member of Company A, Vance's Illinois Volunteers, and with his regiment did duty in Cuba. Returning home at the expira- tion of his term of enlistment, he entered the Saint Louis University, and in 1905 was graduated from its dental department. Immediately loeating in Fairfield, Dr. Borah has here met with veritable success as a dentist, his professional knowledge and skill having gained for him a substantial patronage. Fraternally the Doctor is a member of Fair- field Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; of Fairfield Chapter Royal Areh Masons, of Fairfield; of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and of the Modern Woodmen of America.
In February, 1905, Dr. Borah married Elsie Herrmann, of Saint Louis, Missouri, a daughter of Augustus and Rosa (Leuch Herrmann, natives of Germany, and they have one child, Charles Edward Borah, born in 1906.
Dr. Borah's paternal grandfather, George Borah, was born in Ken- tueky, in 1795. Sometime in the 'twenties he migrated to Illinois, with his brothers, Samnel and William, settling in Wayne county at a time when the Indians were numerous and troublesome. He took up land, improved a good homestead, and was engaged in farming until his death. in 1860, being killed by a horse. He was three times married and the father of several children, but owing to his untimely death the family records were lost, and but little ancestral history is now available. Ile married for his second wife a Miss Bendsham. After her death ho visited Macon county, and while there met Lorena Montgomery, who subsequently became his third wife. She was born in Nashville, Ten- nessee, in 1804, a daughter of Robert Montgomery. a pioneer of Macon county, whose son, Robert Montgomery. Jr .. was one of the first settlers of Decatur, Macon county, and helped build the third house erected in that place, and was thereafter a resident until his death, in 1867. at the age of ninety-eight years. Of the third marriage of George Borah three sons were born, namely : Robert. who died while yet a youth ; Lyman. who served as a soldier in the Civil war, died in 1874; and Elhanan M., whose birth occurred April 16, 1849, while his mother was visiting at her old home in Deratur, Illinois.
Brought up on the home farm in Massillon township, Elhanan Borah had but limited educational advantages. After the death of his father he had a hard time for several years, in addition to earning his own living helping to support his widowed mother. Buying land in Massil- lou township in 1875. he improved the forty aeres, and having been eminently successful as an agriculturist has since purchased other tracts. at one time owning over five hundred acres. Since 1911 he has sold three hundred and sixty aeres of land, but still retains the ownership of his valuable farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Retiring from active labor in the fall of 1909. Mr. Boral moved to Fairfield, where he owns a fine residence and several city lots. He has also money in both of the city banks. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a Republican in polities. While living in Massillon town- ship he served as school director.
Mr. Borah married. in 1875, Ada Wilson, who was born in Spring field, Illinois, in April. 1855. Her father. Benjamin Wilson, was born in Pennsylvania, of German ancestry, and died in Illinois in 1856 Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Highie, was three times mar- ried, Mr. Wilson being her third husband She had one son by a former marriage, Edward Bitteman, now living in Lexington, Kentucky, and by her union with Mr. Wilson had six daughters. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Elhanan Borah, namely: Peter (. a farmer
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and merchant in Massillon township. is married and has three children, Vernie May, Perry Clayton and Gladys; William, deceased ; James L., the subject of this brief sketch : Oliver C .. a dentist in Ohney, Illinois ; Clem R. a real estate dealer in Fairfield, is married and has three chil- dren, Leonard, Oran and Donald: Blanche died at the age of four years; Mary Elizabeth, at home with her parents; Mamie, who died when twelve years old; Loco Wilson, attending the Fairfield high school : and Otto Edward. Peter C. Borah, the oldest son, also served in the Spanish-American war, enlisting in Company A, Vance's Illinois Volunteers, and with his brother James accompanied the regiment to Cuba. At Jacksonville, Florida, he was strieken with typhoid fever, and from its effects has never recovered, being still a cripple.
CHARLES C. JOHNSON. Courteous, efficient and painstaking, Charles C. Johnson, eounty clerk of Wayne county, is administering the affairs of his office wisely, conscientiously and with a thoroughness that has proved entirely satisfactory to all with whom he has business dealings. A son of A. R. Johnson, he was born in Wayne county, Illi- nois, on an Ehn River township farm. He is of Irish ancestry, his great- grandfather, John Johnson, a native of Ireland, having immigrated to Ameriea when young, settling in Pennsylvania, where he married a a native daughter of Pennsylvania of German descent. His grand- father, George Johnson, was born in Ohio, August 24. 1826. Migrating to Southern Illinois in 1843, he settled in Wayne county, and is still living in Cisne, a venerable and highly respected man of eighty-six years. IIe married Nancy Trotter, who was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. She died in 1892.
Born in Wayne county. Illinois, January 10, 1860, A. R. Johnson has devoted his energies to the development of the soil, and as a farmer and live stock raiser has met with unquestioned suecess, his farm of two hundred and eighty aeres, located in Ehm River township. being one of the best improved and most desirable in that locality. Prominent in publie affairs, he has held various official positions, including those of township supervisor and collector.
A. R. Johnson married Olive Brown, who was born in Flora, Clay county, Illinois, July 28, 1862. a daughter of William Brown, and granddaughter of Isaac Brown, who was of Irish descent, and for many years a resident of Ohio. William Brown, a native of Ohio, migrated to Illinois in 1854, locating in Clay county. where he lived until his death, in December. 1864. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucy J. Murphy, was of Scotch-Irish lineage, and the descendant of a family that moved from Tennessee to Illinois in pioneer days. Mrs. Lucy J. (Murphy) Brown survived her husband but a few weeks, passing away in January, 1865. Six children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Johnson, as follows: Charles C., the special subject of this brief sketch : James Alvis, living in Wayne county, near Cisne; Mrs. Lucy J. Hubble, of Clay county ; Mrs. Maud Hill, of Chicago, where her husband is em- ployed as a bookkeeper: Ross Leroy, engaged in farming near Jeffer- sonville : and Mrs. Olive Mabel Hubble, of Wayne county.
Growing to manhood on the home farm. Charles C. Johnson ac- quired his education in the common schools and at Orchard City Col- lege, in Flora, Illinois. Engaging in educational work at the age of nineteen years. he taught school in Wayne county six terms, when, in March, 1902. he was made deputy county clerk. Resigning the position at the end of sixteen months. Mr. Johnson farmed and taught school for three years. In the summer of 1906 he was the Republican nominee for county elerk, and made a strong canvass against heavy odds for the
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nomination, which he secured. At the election he received a majority of three hundred and eighty-four votes, heading his entire ticket, a vietory. indeed, for a young man of twenty-five years, with no special pull. In 1910 Mr. Johnson was re-elected to the same position, and led his ticket by two hundred and sixty votes over all other candidates. being elected by eight hundred and eighteen majority, and is now serving his second term as county clerk. He has accumulated considera- ble property, having two hundred and forty-eight acres of land, lying in Ehn River township, northeast of Fairfield, two hundred acres being bottom land, from which he is developing a rich and fertile farm.
Fraternally Mr. Johnson is a member of Fairfield Lodge. Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; and of Olney Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Ile is an active member of the Method- ist Episcopal church, with which he united at the age of seventeen years.
Mr. Johnson married, in 1906, Jennie W. Todd, who was born in Montgomery county, Illinois, a daughter of David J. and Sarah ( Both- well) Todd. Her father was born and reared in Ohio, and on coming from there to Southern Illinois located first in Clay county, later re- moving to Montgomery county. Mr. and Mrs. JJohnson have two chil- dren, namely : Lowell C. and Vernette.
GEORGE A. STALEY. A well-known and prosperous business man of Fairfield, George A Staley is not only an insurance agent and real estate dealer, but negotiates loans, his operations in each line being quite ex- tensive. A native of Ilinois, he was born April 10, 1849, on a farm in White county, near Epworth, being a son of Samuel M. and Harriet (Melrose ) Staley, and a brother of U. S. Staley.
After leaving the public schools of his native county. George A. Staley spent a year at the State Normal School in Normal, Illinois, and three years at MeKendree College, being a member of that institution from 1870 until 1873. The ensuing two years Mr. Staley taught in Grayville, under Professor JJ. HI. Bromley. Settling in Fairfield, Wayne county, in 1875, he engaged in the hardware business with his father. and under the administration of President Arthur served as deputy postmaster under General T. W. Scott. Going to the far west in 1888. Mr. Staley located in Oregon, and for six years was bookkeeper in a wholesale hardware concern. Returning to Fairfield in 1894, he has since been actively engaged in the loan, insurance and real estate busi- ness, in his undertakings being fairly successful. He has acquired title to large traets of land, being owner of eight hundred aeres in Missouri ; eighty aeres near Fair Grounds, at Fairfield, Missouri; one hundred and sixty acres near Sims, Ilinois; and has an interest in twelve hin- dred acres of the finest land in Arkansas, it being located in Marion county. He has established a profitable loan business, and as an in- surance agent represents the Boston Insurance Company and the Citi- zens' Insurance Company of Chicago.
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