USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 67
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However, his heart was not in farm work, for he was ambitious, and from earliest child- hood had determined to be a physician. Every winter he attended school, but the summer months his services were required on the farm so that until he was eighteen years old there seemed to be little opportunity for him to carry out his plans. At that time, however, he com- menced attending Sharon Academy, and the next year entered Duff's Mercantile College at Pittsburgh, Pa., which institution was noted for its mathematical course. Confiding in his be- loved mother, Dr. Matthews received tender encouragement from her, as well as substantial aid, and together they managed to pay his tui- tion during a two years' course at Allegheny College at Meadville, Pa. For the following two years he taught school in Greene County, Ill., and at the same time began his professional studies under Dr. P. Fenity of Kane. This emi-
nent physician not only assisted the young man, but encouraged him until he was graduated from the medical department of the University of Iowa, with his degree of M. D. Dr. Mat- thews then settled in Scottville, Macoupin County, Ill., and until 1862 was engaged in a general practice. In that year, however, feeling that the soldiers at the front had need of his services, he passed the requisite examinations, and entered the United States Army as assist- ant surgeon in the One Hundred and Twenty- second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and went into camp. Dr. Matthews was with his regi- ment in hardly contested campaigns whose his- tory is written on the map of the world in rivers of blood, until he broke down from over- work and strain, and was forced to give up, 'and then was honorably discharged and re- turned home, to hover for months between life and death.
After he had recovered, but before he was able to resume his practice, a fellow physician, a warm personal friend, Dr. E. E. Webster, the leading medical man of Carlinville, Ill., invited Dr. Matthews to come and assist him in his work. In the spring of 1863 Dr. Matthews re- sponded by going to Carlinville, where he found congenial associations for a year, and then went to Long Island Hospital College, New York, where he took a postgraduate course. Following this, he resumed his practice, and so continued until he was stricken down by an incurable disease. A man of science, Dr. Mat- thews was far ahead of his times and had theories which this generation are accepting as actual facts. A man of untiring energy, he wore himself out in the service of others, and never stopped to think of himself or his own comfort. He was one of the founders of the Macoupin County Medical Association, and a charter member of the Illinois Medical Society, and one of the early members of the National Medical Association. Realizing the benefit to the physician from these societies. Dr. Mat- thews was proud of his connections with them. Not only, however, as a professional man did Dr. Matthews rank high, for he was a good citi- zen as well, and took an active part in promot- ing all of the good measures brought up in his community. A believer in the public school system, he favored the improvement of the schools and served on the board of education of his town for many years. He was also often called upon to represent his ward in the coun- cil, and did so with conscientious capability.
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Later on in life he was made treasurer of Blackburn University and a member of its board of trustees. In 1891 he was elected president of the Illinois State Medical Society, and soon thereafter sent as delegate to the International Medical Association meeting at Berlin, Ger- many. Following this, he was a delegate to the British Medical Association meeting at Bir- mingham, England, and later visited many of the leading hospitals of the great foreign cities. Dr. Matthews took pleasure while on this trip in visiting his birthplace, and renewed his ac- quaintance with different points of interest, in- cluding the quaint old market town of Ledburg, where his grandfather used to sell his fat sheep and queer, little black-faced Hereford cattle. He went again to Ross-on-Wy, where he had attended the British and foreign school when a boy, and where lives his cousin, Thomas Mat- thews, in the historical house of Pope's "Man of Ross."
In 1865 Dr. Matthews married Miss Betty Palmer, daughter of ex-Governor John M. Pal- mer of Springfield, and they became the parents of four children : John Palmer Matthews, now a prominent young physician and surgeon, who was for many years associated with his father in practice at Carlinville; Lucy Myra, who is now Mrs. Haydon Shaw Gaines; Elizabeth
Mayo, who is deceased; and Frederick Web- ster, an electrical engineer, who was sent to England by the Indestructable Phonograph Company, and spent three years in London and one in Italy, as their agent. Mrs. Matthews was always her husband's inspiration and sup- ported him during his years of efficient service. Her name is one well known in the world of letters because of her effective work, and her love for it has been a solace to her since the demise of her distinguished husband, Mrs. Mat- thews comes from one of the most honored families of Illinois, so inberits her intellectual ability, while her kindly sympathy and winning manner have won her friends aside from her literary work. Always a sufferer from ill health, Dr. Matthews was warned that he was over-taxing his strength, but his indomitable spirit refused to acknowledge defeat and he paid a visit to a patient the very day he was obliged to take to his bed. His death occurred January 9, 1908. The Matthews home has al- ways been the center of hospitality and social life. The family have many friends scattered over this broad land, and the doors of the old home always stand open to them, as well as to the homeless and those who need help for mind or body.
ELIZABETH ANN (PALMER) MATTHEWS.
Elizabeth Ann (Palmer) Matthews, one of our present day authorities on bird and animal life, and one whose deep interest in these lines of nature study have found fitting fruition in delightful articles in the Youth's Companion, and the Globe Democrat of St. Louis, and other periodicals for the past twenty years, was born in Carlinville, Macoupin County, III. Mrs. Matthews, known to her enthusiastic readers as E. A. Matthews, is the widow of the late Dr. Matthews. Mrs. Matthews is a daughter of ex-Governor and ex-United States Senator Palmer, and was born in 1845. She was mar- ried at Carlinville to Dr. John Pitt Matthews, when twenty years old, after having received a classical education in a woman's school at Greenville, Ill. Her home duties kept her occu- pied until middle life, although she always took a deep interest in the subjects which she after- wards handled so skillfully. No one is more familiar with the different phases of bird and animal life as found in Illinois. She has al-
ways kept close touch with the great outdoor life, and inherits her love of nature from her distinguished father.
Mrs. Matthews has a pleasing and appealing style which is the natural expression of a charming personality, and her vivid depictions of animal and bird life draw to her the deep and sincerest interest of her readers. In re- sponse to a widespread demand, Mrs. Matthews is preparing a volume embodying her best known articles, which she contemplates pub- lishing in the near future. In her nature ar- ticles, Mrs. Matthews has always remembered the children, putting her facts before them in simple, entertaining language easily compre- hended. The work of a woman like Mrs. Matthews proves the ability of her sex. and what can be accomplished by an intelligent, capable woman once she decides upon a career outside her home confines. Without abating a single particle of her feminine graces, she
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takes on new ones, and is able to sway her audiences by the power of her description or the simple eloquence of her statement of facts.
Such a speaker is a power in any party, can forward any cause or raise up followers when- ever she desires to do so.
EDWARD S. BARBER.
The advent of the late Edward S. Barber in Canton was not auspicious. On his arrival here his monetary capital consisted of less than one dollar, but his financial difficulties bothered him little, because his self-reliance was of such a sturdy nature that it enabled him to develop to the utmost the capital which nature bad en- dowed him, and which included among its in- gredients the characteristics of determination, enterprise and practical ambition. It was not in this man's nature to fail; his inherent judy- ment pointed out the way for him to proceed, his keen insight discerned opportunities, his native powers developed new fields, and the ability which he possessed allowed him to make each venture : a successful one. Edward S. Barber was born near Newton, N. J., June 24, 1831, and was brought up as a farmer. He early gave evidence of a love for and an un- derstanding of animals and bad the quality in him that made him understood and loved by them. He attended the public schools of his native New Jersey town until he was seven- teen years of age, at which time he came to Canton, here passing one year. Ile then re- turned to the East for a short period, and on his return to Illinois located in Peoria, where he secured employment as a traveling salesman, six years being passed in this line of endeavor. Mr. Barber had not yet found his real occupation, for as a salesman he pros- pered little-so little, in fact, that he found himself possessed of but seventy-five cents when he resigned his position. This repre- sented his financial holdings when he again 'took up his abode in Canton. Here he found employment as a clerk, and in the meantime, having realized his need of further educational advantages, accepted the opportunities in the high school. His love of animals here mani- fested itself when he engaged in the livery business, having accumulated some small capi- tal, and for three years he was a partner with Frank Short. At the end of this period Mr.
Higby bought Mr. Short's interest, and this connection continued for an uninterrupted period of thirty-two . ears, Mr. Iligby then re- tiring and Mr. Barber becoming sole owner of the establishment. Mr. Higby, representing the firm, was engaged extensively in raising and selling horses, which were trained under his supervision, and some of the finest animals in the state came from his barns. Mr. Barber had charge of the livery, and his honorable dealing on all occasions made his stables the most popu- lar in the city.
On October 3, 1871, Mr. Barber was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Craig, who was born on a farm six miles from Canton, Ill., and there roared and educated. She lived with her parents until the time of her mar- riage. To Mr. and Mrs. Barber there was born one child, who died in infancy. Mr. Bar- ber was essentially a man of business, with large interests which made heavy calls upon his time and attention. However, he was un- selfish ; he appreciated the needs of his city, and he was not slow in answering the calls that are always made upon men for the dis- play of good citizenship. As alderman, during his two terms, he manifested a desire to aid not alone his constituents, but the whole city, and his influence was felt always among men who were seeking to advance the public weal. He did not belong to any especial religious de- nomination, but never turned a deaf ear to the requests of church or charity, and when he died, May 12, 1809, there were many in Canton who mourned the loss of a man who had helped them materially in their struggle towards com- peteney. His home attracted him far more than any social organization, and for that rea- son his name was not to be found upon the rolls of any secret fraternity. Mrs. Barber. who survives him, is a prominent member of the Episcopal Church, is widely known in Can- ton, and has many warm aud appreciative friends.
WILLIAM G. STOPP.
For thirty-seven years the late William George Stopp was one of the most respected citizens and able business men of Will County,
and for the last ten years of his life was widely known in commercial circles of Plain- field. His interests were extensive and varied,
1
Edward . Menart Buster
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and although he was forced to meet and over- come many discouragements and obstacles, he was successful in accumulating a handsome competency and in winning the confidence and esteem of his associates. At the same time, while his private interests were numerous, he never neglected his public duties as a citizen and in various public capacities displayed marked executive ability and a high regard for the responsibilities of official position. The good of the community was dear to his heart, and his influence was always cast on the side of improvement and progress. Mr. Stopp was a native of England, having been born near the city of Buckingham, February 18, 1863, a son of George and Mary (Grantham) Stopp.
Mr. Stopp's early education was secured in the common schools of his native land, and when he was nine years of age he accompanied his parents to the United States, the family settling on a farm some three miles south of Plainfield. After a few years removal was made to the city where his father was em- ployed in various occupations up to the time of his death. William G. Stopp completed his education in Plainfield, where he passed through the eighth grade of the grammar schools, but when twelve years of age he was compelled to give up his studies on account of falling health, and sought to build up his con- stitution by out-door work on the farm of Mr. Samuel Proctor. Later when still a lad, he secured employment in the grocery of Mr. Smiley, at Plainfield, and this association con- tinued for several years. He next essayed to seek his fortune in Kansas, where he had considered remaining for a considerable period. but was not favorably impressed with the country as he found it at that time, and ac- cordingly returned within a short time. Mr. Stopp returned to the soil at this time, again taking up farming in 1885 on a tract of land located just south of Plainfield. His old enemy, ill-health, once more attacked him after a short interval, and his next occupation was in the construction department of the Joliet, Elgin & Eastern Railroad.
On September 1, 1887, Mr. Stopp was mar- ried to Miss Martha Darfield, of Plainfield, Ill., a daughter of William and Mary ( Varley) Dar- field, natives of England, who had emigrated to the United States in 1882 and settled at Plainfield, III. To this union there were born children as follows: Mary Olive and William.
twins, born December S, 1SS9, who are both now deceased; Rose Gertrude, born January 2, 1591, who died February 24, 1591; and Gerald Darfield, born July 8, 1:93, who is now a stu- deut in the University of Illinois, and a young man of much promise. Mr. Stopp continued as a resident of Plainfield, until 1892, in which year he went to Greeley, Colo., in search of health, but after a short time returned to the Illinois City, and at Plainfield became au eu- ploye in the business of Mr. Pratt, an under- taker and furniture dealer. In the following spring Mr. Pratt sold out to a Mr. Newton, and in 1900 Mr. Stopp purchased a one-half inter- est in the business, his association with Mr. Newton continuing until 1903, when Mr. Stopp became sole owner of the establishment by pur- chase. He continued as the directing head of this establishment until his retirement, October 16, 1912, when he sold out. He continued to live a quiet life from that time until his death, which occurred March 12, 1913.
Mr. Stopp was possessed of a most thorough legal mind, and although he had no special legal training he was capable in the questions of jurisprudence which arose in the manage- ment of the village. He had a keen intellect, a clear mind and a conscientious opinion as to the duties of citizenship, and therein lay his power in the village of his adoption. Among his associates he was known as a man of the highest integrity, and his opinion was fre- quently sought in matters of importance. For a number of years he served in the capacity of justice of the peace, where his judicial bear- ing and impartiality won the respect of all, and for a long period he also acted as notary pub- lic. As a side line, Mr. Stopp dealt extensively in real estate and loans on landed securities. and in this venture, as in his others, was suc- cessful. In his political inclinations, Mr. Stopp was a Republican, with Prohibition leanings, but was never a politician in the generally accepted meaning of the term. With his family, he attended the Baptist church, and through- out his long and useful career he lived up to the teachings of that faith. He was upright and honorable in all his dealings, and easily succeeded in winning the friendship and high regard of all with whom he came into contact, either in business or social life. Mrs. Stopp also has a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances who esteem her highly for her sterling worth and many excellencies of character.
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THOMAS MCCLELLAND.
Thomas McClelland, D. D., LL. D., president of Knox College, Galesburg, Ill., stands among the prominent educators of his times, his whole life having been almost continuously devoted to educational advancement. No man has more definitely asserted his conviction that learning is essential to the highest citizenship. Dr. Mc- Clelland is a native of Ireland, born May 1, 1846, at Quilly, County Derry, and his parents were William and Margaret (Smiley) MeClei- land. They were of Scotch extraction and the father was a man of education, a teacher, and it is possible that, in a measure, the son in- herited the tendencies which made only an in- tellectual life a possible one for him. Thomas McCelland was three years old when his par- ents came to the United States, Ile was sent first to the public schools at Catasauqua, I'a., and was prepared for college in Denmark Acad- emy, and at Oberlin College, Ohio, and proved that his father's faith in him as a student was not misplaced, as in 1875 he won his degree of Bachelor of Arts, taking his Master of Arts degree in 1883. He was a student in 1876-7 in the Oberlin Theological Seminary and in 1877-8 in the Union Theological Seminary, and in 1880 was graduated from Andover Theolog- ical Seminary at Andover, Mass. Although pre- pared so thoroughly for the ministry, the greater part of Dr. McClelland's lifework has
been done in the class room rather than in the pulpit. In 1880 be accepted the chair of phil- osophy at Tabor College, where he remained mitil 1891, in the fall of that year accepting the presidency of Pacific University, Forest Grove, Ore., continuing there until called to Knox College in 0900. This institution, now hoary with age, has sent out into the world for useinl effort men and women well trained, but it is doubtful in the long list of eminent presidents, since 1937, if a better equipped or more unselfishly loyal bead could be found than at present. President MeClelland has been hon- ored by many learned bodies and his particular gifts have been appreciated by the thousands that have come under his instruction and are now following his teachings in pathways that lead through every country in the world. In 1891 Dr. MeClelland received his degree of Doctor of Divinity, conferred by Tabor College, and in 1005 the University of Illinois honored him with: the degree of Doctor of Laws. IIe is identified with many educational organizations and has been a trustee of the Carnegie Founda- tion for the Advancement of Teaching since its establishment in 1905.
On August 19, 1SS0, Dr. McClelland was mar- ried at Denmark, Ia., to Miss Harriet C. Day, and they have three children : Kellogg Day, Cochran Bruce and Ruth Marjory.
FRANK H. HALL.
With a record of more than ordinary impor- tance as an educator and philanthropist, the Jate Frank Il. Hall passed away to his last rest in the enjoyment of the entire confidence of those with whom he was associated, beloved by a vast concourse outside his immediate family. Mr. Hall was born on February 9, 141, at Mechanics Falls, Me., a son of Joseph Haven and Sophia Hall, both of whom passed their declining years with their son, dying at his home. The family came to Earlville, Ill., in 1866, but prior to that resided in Maine, where Mr. Hall grew to useful manhood, attending school in his native place. Until his enlistment for service during the Civil war, in 1862, he taught school in Winthrop Academy. In that year he entered the Twenty-third Maine Volun- teer Infantry, and, within a few months, was made chief nurse, and later, hospital steward,
his superiors realizing that he was eminently fitted for this class of work.
In 1860, Mr. Hall began teaching, entering upon the career he was to pursue for forty-two wonderfully useful years. His reason for leav- ing Maine for Earlville was the hope of secur- ing a vacant school at the latter place, which was realized. The young man entered upon his new duties with genuine zest, and soon made improvements which gained him attention from outsiders so that he was encouraged to apply for the position of superintendent of the West Aurora schools. His qualifications were such as to make the school board feel that he was the right man for the responsible position, and he received the appointment. For the next seven years he devoted the best of his mental- ity towards the furtherance of the interest of the schools, and only left Aurora to organize and
Frank H. Hall.
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assume charge of the Sugar Grove Normal and Industrial School, where he felt that his field would be wider and he would have more op- portunity to prove of benefit to others. This school was remarkable in that it was probably the first to teach agriculture in Illinois. In addition to conducting his school, Mr. Hall owned and conducted a general store, operated a lumber yard and creamery, acted as post- master, and served as township trustee.
In 1887, Mr. Hall responded to a call from the Petersburg school board, and after a year of very efficient work, he consented to return to West Aurora, in response to the urgent en- treaties of the board. This body, however, un- selfishly released him in 1890 so that he could take charge of the Jacksonville Blind School. Although Mr. Hall already had accomplished much, he felt that his real life-work did not commence until he came into close touch with these afflicted children. Realizing, almost im- mediately, their restrictions, Mr. Hall began perfecting a machine that would be to the blind what the typewriter is to one who can see, with the result that the Braille writer was put upon the market. Although he might have reaped a fortune from his invention, Mr. Hall preferred to donate his ideas to those so cruelly deprived of sight, and in this earned the friendship and gratitude of the blind of the world, including that marvel of afflicted ones, Helen Keller. When death deprived the blind of one of the best friends they had ever known, some very touching resolutions were drawn up by the fac- ulty and students expressing their desire to put on record their expression of deep sorrow at his loss, and their feeling of indebtedness to him. Mr. Hall remained with the blind until the school came under direct political intlu- ence, and a Democratic governor removed Mr. Hall for one of his own faith. He therefore resumed his work in the public schools, becom- ing superintendent of the Waukegan schools in 1894. When in 1596 the Joliet schools offered Mr. Hall a larger salary, the Waukegan board raised his stipend to meet the offer of the other board. The next year, however, Mr. Hall bought, out of his own pocket, a splendid stere- opticon with views and donated it to the school. When a Republican governor succeeded the Democratic one, in four years, Mr. Hall was re- instated at the school for the blind, and con- tinued through Governor Tanner's administra- tion and one year of Governor Yates' adminis- tration, when he resigned, in 1902, and buying a
residence in Aurora, about three blocks from the first one he and his wife had occupied after their marriage, he settled down in the city he loved so well.
Having always been associated with agricul- tural matters in a more or less degree, Mr. Halt was looked upon as an authority in such mat- ters, and was the logical man for the position of secretary, and later, superintendent of the Ili- nois Farmers' Institute, from which ill-health forced him to resign in May, 1910. Governor Deneen recognized the power Mr. Hall was ex- erting in agricultural sections, influencing the farmers to adopt scientific methods, and inves- tigate matters, and honored him with several commissions to represent the state at more than one convention. Mr. Hall was a delegate to the National Corn Exposition in Omaha in 1908; to the Farmers' National Farm Land Congress at Chicago in 1909, as well as others; and he was made a member of the Illinois Corn Com- mission of the National Conservation Commis- sion, and of the Executive Committee of the Illinois Council to work with the National Civie Federation in 1910. The Illinois Farmers' IM- stitute paid his memory a glowing tribute after his death, and to it were signed the following representative names : E. W. Burroughs, presi- dent : H. A. MeKeone, secretary ; Frank I. Mann, anditor; Eugene Davenport, dean; R. O. Gra- ham, A. N. Abbott, vice presidents ; A. P. Grout, treasurer; F. G. Blair, superintendent ; J. M. Crebs, L. N. Wiggins, II. E. Young, Merrill K. Sweet, John M. Clark, J. P. Mason, William II. Ashdown, Ralph Allen, J. B. Burrows, A. V. Schermerhorn, W. E. Braden, James Frake, Charles W. Farr, Ralph W. Chittenden, George I. Tullock, S. N. Black, S. B. Mason, Edward Grimes and D. M. Marlin.
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