USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 83
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
Mr. Staley married. December 30, 1874, S. Amelia Merritt, of Bloom- ington, Illinois, a daughter of John and Caroline (Bishop) Merritt, na- tives of Tarrytown, New York, and they have one child, John M. Staley. of Los Angeles, California, who is associated with the Bell Telephone Company as a railway contractor. Fraternally Mr. Staley is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and religioush he is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a firm supporter of the principles of the Republican party.
EDWARD A. MARTIN. Occupying an assured position among the sub- stantial business men of Fairfield, Edward A. Martin ha for many
1640
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
years been intimately associated with the development and advance- ment of its agricultural, industrial and mercantile prosperity, as a man and a citizen being held in high repute. A son of Thomas A. Martin, he was born February 23, 1868, in Clay county, Illinois, on a farm, com- ing from pioneer stock. His great-grandfather on the paternal side migrated from Virginia to Kentneky at an early day, and in 1816 be- came a pioneer settler of Wayne county, Illinois. One of his nneles, a Joseph Martin, established, as early as 1800, a mill near Martins ereek in Wayne county, it being the first mill operated by horse power in the county. Mr. Martin's grandfather, James D. Martin, was born in Vir- ginia in 1818, and died in Clay county, Illinois, in 1872. He married Jane White, and they reared several children.
Thomas A. Martin was born in Wayne county, Illinois, February 19, 1841, and grew to man's estate on the parental homestead. In 1861 he moved to Clay county, and having established a store at Clay City conducted it successfully for a few years. Settling in Fairfield, Wayne county, in 1873, he embarked in mercantile pursuits, opening a large mercantile establishment, which, as head of the firm of Martin & Sum- mers, he operated until his death, in 1892, being one of the foremost merchants of the city.
Thomas A. Martin was twice married. He married first, in 1864, Ann Golliher, a daughter of Henry Golliher, who came from Ohio to Illinois in pioneer days. She died in 1870, having borne him three children, as follows: Mrs. Lillie M. Wood, who has resided in York county. Nebraska, since 1888; Edward A., the subject of this brief bio- graphical sketch; and a child that died in infancy. He married for his second wife Naney McCollum, and they became the parents of four children, namely : Mary E., who died in 1874; Henry T., an attorney in Chicago, is in partnership with Edward D. Pomeroy, and has offices at 277 Dearborn street : Mrs. Grace E. Link, of Springfield. Missouri ; and Frank C., a lieutenant in the United States navy, now serving on board the "Ohio"
Educated in the Fairfield schools and at the old Hayward College, Edward A. Martin spent his vacations in Martin & Summers' store, and after leaving school was for two years employed in the Fairfield Woolen Mills. Going to Nebraska in 1884, he was employed on a farm for four years, and in a planing mill in Missouri for two years. Return- ing to Fairfield in 1890, Mr. Martin worked in a lumber yard for two years, when, in October. 1892, he embarked in the hardware business with Mr. Foster. In February, 1895, he bought out his partner's in- terest in the business, which he managed satisfactorily until January 20, 1911, when he sold out.
Mr. Martin was actively engaged in farming during the year 1911, and on January 1, 1912, opened a real estate office in Fairfield, where he is meeting with most encouraging results considering the brief time that he has been dealing in realty. Mr. Martin owns a valuable estate, "The Banner Land Farm", which is advantageously located about six miles from Fairfield, it being one of the choice farms of this part of the county.
Politieally Mr. Martin is identified with the Democratie forces, and has served as supervisor of Grover township. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, belonging to lodge and chapter ; of the Knights of Pythias; and of the Modern Wood- men of America. Religionsly he is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church.
Mr. Martin married, September 26, 1892, Lydia A. Smith, a daugh- ter of William and Amanda C. Smith, her father having been a veteran
youre young Schwarzlose
1641
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
of the Civil war. Four children have brightened the union of Mr. and Mrs. Martin, namely : Thomas W .. Clarence S., Mildred A. and Leona A.
VIRGIL WILSON MILLS. Eminently worthy of representation in a work of this character is Virgil Wilson Mills, of Fairfield, a native-born son of Wayne county, who is now rendering excellent service as county judge of the county. A son of John Mills, his birth occurred at Mount Erie, Illinois, 'March 16, 1879.
John Mills was born in 1838, in Tusearawas county, Ilinois, a son of John Mills, Sr. He was of Scotch-Irish stock, although his immediate ancestors immigrated from England to the United States, settling tirst in New England. A short time prior to the outbreak of the Civil war he moved to Illinois, settling on a farm in Wayne county. Subse- quently enlisting in Company E, Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, he went to the front with his command, and in April, 1862, at the Battle of Shiloh, was so severely wounded that he was confined in the hospital for a year. Being discharged in 1863. he returned to his home, and was there engaged in general farming until his death. March 11, 1910. He married Katherine Young, and into their household three children were born, as follows: Virgil Wilson, with whom this brief sketch is princi- pally concerned ; John E., living on the old farm in Mount Erie, Wayne county ; and Frank, a farmer, living neart Mount Erie.
Acquiring his rudimentary education in the public schools, Virgil W. Mills eontinned his studies at the Southern Collegiate Institute, in Albion. Illinois. Beginning his active career in 1900, he taught in the rural schools of Wayne county for two years, afterwards being similarly em- ployed in Fairfield one year, and one year each in Mount Erie and Cisne. His tastes, inclinations and ambitions being turned towards the legal profession, Mr. Mills entered the office of Creighton & Thomas in 1907, and under their tuition became familiar with the technicalities of law. In the fall of 1910 he was a candidate for the office of county judge, being the nominee of the Republican party, and was elected by a good majority. In this capacity Judge Mills displays excellent judg- ment and discrimination; and is performing the duties devolving upon him in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. He is successful in his profession, and has an interest in two hundred and ninety acres of fine farming land.
Judge Mills married, in October, 1907. Grace Vandaveer, a daugh- ter of George W. Vandaveer, of Mount Erie, and into their pleasant home two children have been born, namely: Carroll Vandaveer and John.
GIDEON SCHWARZLOSE. In a historical work dedicated to Sonthern Illinois, Edwards county holds a number of important men who could not well be omitted from mention in its pages. Among them, West Salem citizens must be represented, and Gideon Schwarzlose takes promi- nent place among the leading men of his town. He has been cashier of the West Salem Bank since its organization in ISSS, and in addition is prominently connected with various other idustrial and financial con- eerns in West Salem which have done much in the passing years for the development and upbuilding of the town.
Gideon Schwarzlose was born on January 28, 1864. on a farm one mile south of West Salem, and is the son of William and Mary Eliza- beth (Hesse) Schwarzlose, both natives of Germany. The father was born in his native land in 1826 and emigrated to America in 1553. He settled on a farm in Edwards county near West Salem, and became one
1642
IHISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
of the well-to-do farmers of his section. He had a fine farm of three hundred aeres, which he divided among his children, retaining one hun- dred acres for himself, which portion he sold a few years before his death. They were the parents of six children, namely : William, living in Edwards county ; Henry, a resident of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Mary Koehler, of Evansville, Indiana; Elizabeth, married L. B. Henry, and lives in West Salem ; Gideon; Mrs. Annie Markham of West Salem.
Gideon Schwarzlose received his early education in the country schools of his community and later attended the Northwestern College at Naperville. He began teaching school when he had finished his studies and spent four years among the district schools of Edwards county. In 1888, when the West Salem Bank was organized, Mr. Schwarzlose was appointed to the position of cashier, which he has filled creditably from then to the present time. The bank is a sturdy and altogether reliable institution with a financial responsibility of $160,000, and is the oldest institution of its kind in Edwards county. It has deposits of $115,000, and is regarded with favor by all who have had occasion to do business with it sinee its organization.
Mr. Schwarzlose is further identified with various prominent indus- tries of West Salem, and is proprietor of the Clover Valley Creamery, which he purchased in 1902 at a valuation of $2,000; the creamery burned in 1908, but he rebuilt at once a more modern plant, making an invest- ment of about $4,000. The creamery does an annual business of $25,000. Mr. Schwarzlose is a stockholder and vice president of the West Salem Hollow Brick and Tile Company, with a capital of $50,000. He has a farm of 144 acres near West Salem, which he operates to good advan- tage, and is on the whole one of the busiest men to be found in the connty. He is a member of the Evangelical Association, and is a staunch Republiean. He has been a trustee for five years, and in 1893 served as president of the village board.
In 1893 Mr. Schwarzlose married Miss Calla Cook of Jackson, Ohio, the daughter of John F. Cook of that place. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schwarzlose,-Frederick W., Esther M., Ruth E., Paul F., and Mary I., who died at the age of one year and nine months.
GEORGE H. ANDERSON. Active and prominent in public life, George HI. Anderson has ably filled many county and township offices of trust and responsibility, in each devoting his time and energies to the duties devolving upon him, and is now rendering efficient service as sheriff of Wayne county, his home being in Fairfield. A son of Rice Ander- son, he was born on a farm in Wayne county, Illinois, August 7, 1867, of Virginian ancestry.
Born in Virginia in ISIO, Rice Anderson was a hardy youth of seventeen summers when, in 1827, he followed the march of civilization westward to Illinois. A pioneer settler of Orchard township, Wayne county, he lived there for a time, later moving to Garden Hill town- ship, where in connection with general farming he followed his trade of a brick mason for many years, building all of the chimneys for miles around. Ile ontlived the allotted three score and ten years of man's life, dying on the home farm December 15. 1882. .
Rice Anderson was twice married. IFe married first Patsie Scott, who died in early womanhood, leaving five children, namely: Jefferson, Robert, James, Rice and Sarah Jane. At the ontbreak of the Civil war the three older boys, Jefferson, Robert and James, enlisted in the Illi- nois volunteer infantry, and with their regiment took part in many important engagements. Jefferson was killed in battle, and Robert and JJames died of disease contracted in the army. Rice, the youngest
1643
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
son, at the age of seventeen years, enlisted for service in the army, but it being near the close of the conflict was soon honorably discharged. He is now living in Washington. Sarah Jane, the only daughter, is dead. Rice Anderson married for his second wife a widow. Mrs. Judy (Brown) Burkett, and they reared two children, namely: George Henry, the special subject of this sketch, and William Levi, a farmer of La Mar township, who at the present writing, in 1912, is serving as superintendent of the Wayne County Poor Farm.
Spending his childhood days on the home farm in Orchard town- ship. George H. Anderson acquired his early knowledge of books in the district schools, Left fatherless at the age of thirteen years, he was forced to look out for himself thereafter, until his marriage gaining a livelihood as a farm laborer. He subsequently farmed on rented land for four years, when, in 1892. he purchased forty acres of land on Gar- den Hill township, and in its management was quite successful. As his means increased, Mr. Anderson invested in more land, and has now three valuable farms in this county. His brother, William Levi Ander- son, is also engaged in agricultural pursuits, his farm of one hundred and forty acres lying in Ehn River township.
An uncompromising Republican in politics, Mr. Anderson has very frequently been chosen by the people to lill pubhe positions. He has served as school director two terms: as township collector one term ; as postmaster at Zenith five years; was superintendent of the County Poor Farm in 1902: was re-elected to the same position in 1905; and again re-elected in 1907, and served until 1909. Elected sheriff of Wayne county in November, 1910. for a term of four years, Mr. Ander- son has since filled the office to the satisfaction of every one interested in the institution. Fraternally he is a member of Johnsonville Lodge. No. 863, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Johnsonville, Illinois, and of Lodge No. 6932, Modern Woodmen of America, at Orchardville. Religiously he belongs to the Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
Mr. Anderson married, in March, 1888, Frances Arminta Morris, a daughter of I. A. Morris, and of their union six children have been born, namely : Jesse Leroy, aged twenty-two years, is married ; Freddie Ray died at the age of seven years: Christine lived but two years; C'eril Owen, thirteen years old: Birdie Claude, ten years of age; and Lelah Arminta, a little girl of seven years.
HOMER W. PITNER, D. D. S. Holding an admitted precedence in the dental profession and having a highly creditable record as a public official, and one who has wielded wide inthenee as a man of affairs, the service of Dr. W. Pitner, of Fairfield, has been of much more than ordi- nary character to Wayne county, extending as it has over more than a quarter of a century. He was born November 22, 1860, at Clay City. Illinois, and is a son of Dr. F. R. and Sarah ( Ridgeway ) Pitner.
Michael Pitner, the grandfather of Dr. Homer W. Pitner, was born in Tennessee, from whenee he enlisted as a soldier under General Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812 and participated in the battle of New Orleans. He came to Southern Ilinois in 1-22, and was here engaged in farming during the rest of his life, his death occurring at Jacksonville. Michael Pitner married Catherine Rube, also a native of Tennessee, and among their children was F. R. Pitner. The latter was born October 12, 1812, in Tennessee, and was ten years of age when he accompanied his parents to Southern Illinois. As a youth he secured employment as a clerk in a store at Salem, and after attending Lebanon College he took up the study of medicine at Salem with Dr. Hull. Ile was graduated from the medical department of Transylvania Univer-
1644
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
sity, Kentucky, in 1833, and subsequently practiced medicine at Mays- ville, Jerseyville, Jacksonville and Clay City. Dr. Pitner, who is a veteran of the "Days of '49" and the oldest physician in Illinois, is now in his 100th year, but since his ninetieth year has given up his practice to become proprietor of a drug business. A faithful member of the Methodist church, he is deeply religious, and attributes his great age to a life of strict temperance. He was a personal friend of Abra- ham Lincoln, was for many years an active and influential Republican, and prior to and during the Civil war represented his district in the state legislature. Dr. Pitner was married to Miss Sarah Ridgeway, of Philadelphia, who died in ISS8, and they had a family of six children, as follows: Rev. J. L., a Methodist Episcopal minister of Fresno, Cali- fornia ; Charles, a well-known merchant of Clay City, Illinois; Rev. W. F., pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church of Trinidad, Colorado; Mrs. Lenora IFuntley, whose husband is in the wholesale hardware busi- ness in Waterloo, Iowa; Dr. Homer W .; and James, who is deceased.
After completing the prescribed course in the public schools of his native place Homer W. Pitner entered Cincinnati University, and was graduated from the literary department in 1882. He then took up the study of dentistry in the dental department of Ohio University, gradu- ating in 1884, and subsequently spent a short time in practice in Clay City. On March 9, 1884, he came to Fairfield, believing that this com- munity offered superior advantages to a progressive young professional man, and he has had no reason to regret his choice, for he has estab- lished a most satisfactory professional business, his careful and skillful work having given him a high reputation. From 1897 to 1902 he served as a member of the Illinois State Board of Dental Examiners, and dur- ing this time served as president of the body, being fearless and honest in the discharge of his duties. He is a member of the Southern Illinois State and Tri-State Dental Associations, and takes a decided interest in fraternal work as a member of the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Red Men, the Elks, the Modern Woodmen and the Tribe of Ben Hur. The doctor enjoys marked popularity and esteem in professional, frater- nal and social circles and is recognized as an able and progressive busi- ness man, energetic and publie spirited. In political matters he is a Republican, and after serving as alderman was elected mayor of Fair- field in 1909 by the largest majority ever given a candidate for that office. He served until April, 1911, giving the city an efficient and business-like administration, during which many needed reforms were brought about. It is recognized by his confreres in the profession that he possesses the essential attributes of thorough mastery of the princi- ples of the dental science and a delicacy and accuracy of mechanical skill, and also that he has a high regard for the ethies of the profession.
In 1887 Dr. Pitner was married to Miss Ida E. Davis, daughter of William Davis, of Clay City, and they have three children : Mrs. Wil- lena Swan, who has one son, Maxwell : Harry L .. a graduate of Fairfield high school : and Helen who is a student in that institution. The family is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church.
HION. JOHN M. RAPP, a popular member of the lower house of the Illinois state legislature is, perhaps, even more than his fellow men, indebted to his aneestors for his iron will and general strength of character. ITis grandfather, John Rapp, was a native of Stuttgart, Germany. He was by profession a cavalry man in the Ger- man army. During the wars of Napoleon it fell to his unhappy lot to be one of the "Levy" made by that great general after the conquest of Germany. Under the Little Corporal he took part in the famous Rus-
1645
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
sian campaign, fought in the attack upon Moscow and was one of the few who lived to tell the harrowing tale of the retreat that followed. He with a few pitiable companions suffered through that awful winter without entirely suceumbing to the cold, the hunger nor the terrible sights that continually confronted them. There is in the family a rumor to the effect that at one time he was obliged to fight to the death with a starving comrade for the possession of a single loaf of bread-bread that meant life to the survivor. When at last he crossed the Russian frontier with a spark of life still left in his shattered body he lost no time in preparing to set out for America-"the land of the free"- the land where, at least history could not repeat the horrible events through which he had just passed. His sword is still a cherished pos- session in the family.
Mr. Rapp first settled in Pennsylvania but soon moved to Ohio where he married and reared a family. His son. John Rapp. the father of the Illinois representative of the same name, came to Illinois from Law- renee county, Ohio. in 1857. In connection with his brother-in-law Mr. Rapp condueted a general store at Jeffersonville. At one time during his young manhood he made the trip overland from Illinois to Pikes Peak, Colorado. Finding the mountains not altogether to his liking he disposed of his prairie schooner outfit and returned gladly to resume the routine of life in Wayne county. After his return he was fortunate in winning for his wife Jaequelina Willett. a young woman of strong character and unusual ability. She was the daughter of George Willett. from near Leesburg, Virginia. In the year 1843 Mr. Willett settled on a farm in Bedford township, Wayne county. This land is now the property of Mrs. Rapp's youngest sister. Her brother. Eustridge Wil- litt, was killed at the great battle of Shiloh, during the first day's strife. Hle was at that time merely a lad of eighteen, but loyal to his land and anxious to fight for her rights.
Two months before the birth of his son. John Rapp the third. the father suddenly passed away. It has been said that in the heart of every true daughter of the South there may be found an impregnable fortress. This proved to be most true in the case of JJacquelina Willett Rapp. Left in her loneliness to bear and rear her son and to care for the little business on which they were dependent for a livelihood, she never wavered. Immediately upon the birth of her boy she assinned the management of the store, and so well did she handle the trade that eventually she purchased the brother's interest. If it be true that a man's success is commensurate with his mother's ascendeney of spirit, then the star of the republic has not reached its zenith. for his was a mother of whom a Lincoln might be justly proud. She is now, at the age of seventy-two, a strong and capable woman. Her brave and un- tiring labor of the past is the crown of her declining years. She is an ornament to the home of her son in Fairfield.
As soon as the son and favorite companion had attained sntheient years he assisted his mother in the management of the store at the same time attending school in the winter and sometimes finding remunera- tive employment on some neighboring farm for a portion of the sum- mer. Being as ambitions for his own future as was his mother for him they, by their combined efforts, made it possible for him to attend the Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, from Issl until Isst On leaving the university he taught the school of his home district for one year, thus again sharing the home of his mother. The next two years he de voted to the study of law, being admitted to the bar in Is57. The fol- lowing year, finding that journalistic work appealed more to his taste than did the practice of his profession, he bought a half interest in the Vol. III 36
1646
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Wayne County Record, published at Fairfield, purchasing the remain- der in 1891. The sheet has now become a leader among the local Demo- cratie journals.
In 1902 he was sent to Springfield as representative from the Forty- sixth district of Illinois and was reelected in 1904. In 1910 he was again chosen as state representative in which capacity he is still serving his district.
In 1889, after having permanently settled in Fairfield, Mr. Rapp was joined in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina E. Holly, the attractive daughter of Louis Holly, of Butler county, Ohio. Two sons have been born of the union. JJohn Holly, whose name combines those of his two grandfathers, came to gladden the Fairfield home on the 13th day of July, 1903, and his brother, Peter George, is fifteen months his junior.
Although actively engaged in politics, Mr. Rapp's only fraternal affiliation is with the Masons. Ile is a member of the Blue Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter at Fairfield, and of the Commandery at Centralia.
JUDGE JOHN KEEN, JR .. attorney-at-law, has been a resident of Fair- field since 1872, and in the years of his residence here has proved him- self a most exemplary citizen and a valuable addition to the communal life of the city. He has been prominent in every good work promulgated for the betterment and general advancement of the civic life of the com- munity, and has taken an active part in the political affairs of the city and county, filling with credit and distinction many responsible and im- portant offices, and in every way giving of his influence and ability for the general good of the city. An honest gentleman and ever and always striving for that which will bring the greatest good to the greatest mum- ber of people, his life has been of a high and noble character that is recognized and appreciated by his fellow townspeople.
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.