USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 11
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 11
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 11
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Our subject's early education was limited to the district schools, his first school having been taught by his father, but he is well ed- ucated and he has always been a most suc- cessful farmer, beginning life with nothing, as before stated, he wisely applied his energy and managed his affairs with that foresight and discrimination that always hrings suc- cess, and his farm properly consists of sev- en hundred acres of as fine land as is to be found in this locality. However, it has been divided up and apportioned among his chil- dren, there now being (1908) one hundred and ninety-three acres in the home place. which are kept in a high state of cultiva- tion and well improved, showing that a man of thrift and excellent executive ability has had the management of it. He lives in a
modern, substantial and very comfortable dwelling, surrounded by convenient out - buildings, and everything denotes prosperity about the place.
Our subject was united in marriage to Mary Atkins on April 11, 1861, the dauglı- ter of Mr. and Mrs. John Atkins, natives of Georgia and Tennessee, respectively, and to this union the following children have been born, named in order of birth: Fannie, who married Isem Lansford and had four chil- dren, one of whom is living; Ayers married Maggie Door and has four children, all liv- ing; Polly married Noble Neeper and is the mother of eight children, all living; Mar- garette married Guy Neeper and has one liv- ing child ; Eli married Vinda Owens and has six living children; Ida married Mel Gray and has three living children, one having died; Martha married Francis Reese and has one child; May, Emmet, Hulda and Ruhe are all deceased; Ira is married to Hattie Hoovey and has one child.
Politically Mr. Conant is a Democrat and he has been School Director in his township, also Road Overseer. In religious matters he subscribes to the Cumberland Presbyterian faith, although he was reared a Methodist, to which creed his father adhered.
Our subject is at this writing sixty-nine years old and is well preserved, being in fairly good health. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well and the success that crowns his efforts is well merited. He is broad-minded, liberal, progressive, public spirited and is well known and highly respected in the commu-
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nity which has been his home for so many years and where he has done so much faith- ful work, which has resulted in good not only to himself and family, but also to his neighbors and the community at large.
HENRY GASSMANN.
Among the progressive and enterprising business men of Olney, Illinois, who have achieved a definite measure of success in their line and have at the same time as- sisted materially in the upbuilding and de- velopment of their section of the county, is Henry Gassmann, who is deserving of men- tion in a work of the province assigned to the one at hand along with the other lead- ing citizens of Richland county, because he has led a life that is highly commendable in every respect.
Henry Gassmann, the well known whole- sale ice cream manufacturer and dealer in soda fountain supplies, was born in New Albany, Indiana, April 22, 1868, the son of Lewis and Caroline (Spangler) Gass- mann, natives of Germany, who came to the United States when young and after their marriage in New York state they located at New Albany. During the Civil war they worked in a bakery and after its close began in a bakery business, which they continued successfully until 1878, when they came to Olney, where they established a similar en- terprise, carrying on the same in a most gratifying manner until the death of the
subject's mother August 2, 1895, the father surviving until December 21, 1902, the for- mer at the age of fifty-two and the latter when sixty-eight years old. They were the parents of five children, three boys and two · girls, the subject being the third in order of birth. These children received every atten- tion by their parents, who were regarded as people of the best grade in every respect.
Henry Gassmann was reared in Olney, after his tenth year, having received a fairly good education in the common schools. When twelve years old he went to work in a bakery conducted by his father and learned the trade. When nineteen years old he start- ed out for himself and worked at his trade for three years at various places in Colorado and New Mexico. Returning to Olney he entered the employ of his father, continuing until the death of the latter, having in the meantime acquired an interest in the busi- ness and made himself very proficient in this profession. On October 31, 1902, their es- tablishment was destroyed by fire and the loss was most severe since no insurance was carried. This misfortune was followed in December, of the same year, by the death of the subject's father. Mr. Gassmann theu purchased such interests as remained from the other heirs and, nothing daunted, he started in a small way in the confectionery and ice cream business, which he built up by patient toil and careful management to large proportions and became prosperous. . In the meantime he had built up an exten- sive wholesale trade in ice cream and in August, 1906, disposed of his retail inter-
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ests. In the winter following Mr. Gassmann built his present handsome, modern and con- ·venient brick structure, thirty-four by sev- enty-two feet and equipped the same with all the necessary appliances of latest design, purchasing all the up-to-date machinery necessary in the manufacture of ice cream on a large scale, having a capacity of one thousand gallons a day. He has long sup- plied a heavy trade within one hundred miles of Olney, and new territory is con- stantly being added, his ice cream being eagerly sought after, owing to its high grade.
Mr. Gassmann started a few years ago with nothing and he now is prosperous, be- ing regarded by the people of Olney as a good, hustling, all-round busines man. He also does an extensive wholesale business in soda water supplies in the way of syrups, crushed fruits, etc.
Mr. Gassmann was united in marriage on November 7, 1894, with Carrie B. Gondy, a native of Claremont township, Richland county, the daughter of John Goudy, of Ol- ney, who for many years was a prosperous farmer in Claremont township. Two sons , honorable career he has established himself have been born to the subject and wife; Zean G., born in 1896, and Louis H., who is ten years old in 1908.
In politics our subject is a Republican, and in his fraternal relations is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Olney.
Mrs. Gassmann is a woman of refined tastes and a worthy representative of her noble parents, Mr. and Mrs. John S. and
Mary E. (Dayton) Goudy, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsyl- vania. They were married in Ohio and came to Richland county, Illinois, in 1865.
The present solid prosperity of Mr. Gass- mann is due entirely to his own efforts, di- rected along honorable channels, and today he enjoys an enviable standing among the leading men of his community and the fact that many of his warmest friends are those who have known him longest is proof that his life has been straightforward and honest.
JOHN F. DONOVAN.
The gentleman to a review of whose life and characteristics the reader's attention is herewith respectfully invited, is among the most progressive professional men of Mar- ion county, Illinois, who by energy and cor- rect methods has not only achieved success for himself, but has also contributed in a very material way to the commercial, indus- trial, civic and moral advancement of his place of residence. In the course of an in a liberally remunerative enterprise and won the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
John F. Donovan was born in New York City November 1, 1847, the son of William and Mary Donovan. The lineage of this family, as the name implies, is traced to Ireland, the father of the subject having been born there. He was a longshoreman, and was called from his earthly labors when
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our subject was young. The mother of the subject was also born in the Emerald Isle, and passed away comparatively young in life. They were Roman Catholics and peo- ple of sterling qualities and fine traits. They became the parents of two children.
John F. Donovan, our subject, was placed in the Juvenile Asylum in New York City, where he remained for about five years, or until he was twelve years old. He was then bound to a farmer in Randolph county, Illi- nois. After remaining in his new home for about eighteen months he took a leave of absence and never returned.
In 1862 our subject, feeling that he could not conscientiously stand idly by and see the nation in the throes of rebellion, enlisted in 1862 in Company I, One Hundred and Tenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for six months, when, greatly to his regret, it became necessary to drop his name from the company's roll on account of physical disability ; but he later re-enlisted in Company C, Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry, at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and served with dis- tinction until the close of the war, taking part in many hot engagements and famous battles. He was honorably discharged. His regiment was sent to Little Rock, Arkansas, after the grand review at Washington, and was finally mustered out at Springfield, Illi- nois, in August, 1865.
After his career in the army Mr. Donovan came to Centralia, Marion county, Illinois, where he remained for about six years, then came to Kinmundy, where he has since re- sided. He was always a close observer and
a diligent student, and early in life decided that the law should be his profession, con- sequently he began the study of the same and was admitted to the bar in 1874, since which time he has devoted himself almost exclusively to the practice of law, winning a great reputation throughout this and adjoin- ing counties as a learned, able and careful exponent of this profession, never erring in his cool calculating manner in drawing or presenting a case, whether criminal or civil, and he is also known as an orator of no mean ability. His success was instantane- ous and his office has always been filled with clients.
Our subject was appointed postmaster of Kinmundy, first in 1877, having served in a most acceptable manner for eight years and was removed by President Cleveland. He was re-appointed in 1902 and is still ably serving in that capacity. He has been mayor of Kinmundy at different times for fifteen years. He was instrumental in organizing the Marion County Grand Army of the Re- public, being at the head of the Reunion As- sociation. He has served as inspector general of Illinois on the national staff, also on the department staff, also chief mustering officer for Illinois. Mr. Donovan was presi- dent of the Southern Illinois Emigration and Improvement Association, also officer of the day of the Southern Illinois Reunion Association. He has held various offices in the Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Donovan was united in marriage No- vember 3, 1880, to Ellen King, a native of Marion county, the daughter of John B.
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and Rebecca J. (Evans) King, a highly re- spected and influential family whose people were from Ohio. Her father was a soldier in the Civil war, from Illinois, having been a member of Company A, Eighty-eighth Chicago Board of Trade Regiment, in which he served throughout the war.
Mr. and Mrs. Donovan have no children. In his fraternal relations our subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, having filled all the chairs in the local lodges, and he has been representative of these lodges in the grand lodges.
Mrs. Donovan is a member of the Presby- terian church.
Mr. Donovan is a man of distinct and forceful individuality, of marked sagacity, of indomitable enterprise, and always up- right in his dealings with his fellow men, loyal and faithful to every trust imposed in him, public-spirited, and in manners courte- ous and kindly, easily approachable. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, and his activity in industrial, professional and civic lines and financial circles forms no unimportant chapter in the history of Mar- ion county.
SAMUEL A. STANFORD.
The subject of this biographical review is one of the eminent men of Clay county, both in business and civic affairs, whose indom- itable courage, persistent and aggressive ef-
forts and his excellent management have brought to him the prosperity which is to- day his. He has ever stood ready to do what he could in pushing forward the wheels of progress and advancing commercial pros- perity in this vicinity and his career, botlı public and private, has been one worthy of the high esteem and praise which those who know him so freely accord.
Samuel A. Stanford, the popular County Treasurer of Clay county, was born in Stan- ford township, this county, October 25, 1867, and, unlike many of his contempora- ries who sought precarious fortune in other fields, he has been contented to remain at home. He is the son of Oren W. Stanford, who was also a native of Stanford township. having lived all his life on a farm there. He was a member of Company A, Ninety-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served about two years in the Civil war. He died when our subject was twelve years old, in Janu- ary, 1879. Samuel A. Stanford, the sub- ject's grandfather, was of Scotch-Irish stock, having migrated from his homestead reservation in Pennsylvania to Illinois, when a young man, being one of the first settlers in Clay county, having located on a farm in Stanford township, which he purchased from the government on which he lived until his death in January 1879. The subject's mother was known in her maidenhood as Mary Michaels, whose people were natives cf Indiana. She is at this writing living in Flora. The parents of the subject were always known to be people of much sterling worth. Their family consisted of the fol-
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lowing children : Mrs. Emma Dunmoyer, eight children, namely : Eulalie, Hallie, Or- of Flora, this county; Samuel A., our sub- ren Perry; Santuel A., the fourth child is deceased; Robert Leland, Lester, William and Edwin. These children are receiving good educations and careful home training and they all give promise of successful ca- reers. ject ; John and James are twins, the former living in Piedmont, Missouri, and the latter in Flora, this state; Mrs. Bertha Thomas, of Flora; Mary died in infancy; Charley O. lives in Odin, Illinois, where he is in the mercantile business.
Mr. Stanford spent his boyhood days on a farm, where he attended the country schools, later attending the high school at Flora, but at the death of his father he gave up schooling and went to work on the farm. In 1892 he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in Flora, which was a success from the first. His was a grocery business and the manufacture of cigars and tobacco, having been thus engaged for about thirteen years, his business having constantly grown until he had an extensive trade throughout this locality. Then he sold out for the purpose of making the race for County Treasurer in 1906, on the Republican ticket, to which office he was duly elected and is at this writing, 1908, very creditably serving, with entire satisfaction to everyone concerned, being regarded by members of both parties as one of the best county officials Clay coun- ty ever had. He has a thorough knowledge of the affairs of the office and is courteous and obliging to everyone with whom he deals, thereby rendering himself popular with all classes.
Mr. Stanford was united in marriage November 25, 1890, to Opha Dedrick, daughter of Perry Dedrick, of Loogootee, Indiana, and to this union have been born
In his fraternal relations Mr. Stanford is a member of the Masonic Order at Louis- ville; the Knights of Pythias at Flora, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Flora; also the Woodmen at Louisville, and the Eastern Star at Louisville. He is a mem- ber of the Christian church and Mrs. Stan- ford is also a faithful attendant of the same.
Mr. Stanford is a staunch Republican in politics, and since moving to Louisville, De- cember 26, 1906, he has taken much interest in the development of the town and is re- garded as one of the representative citizens of the place. He is unswerving in his al- legiance to what he believes is right, and upholds his honest convictions at the sacri- fice, if need be, of every other interest. Everything calculated to advance the in- terests of Clay county, whether materially or otherwise, receives his support and hearty co-operation.
EARL C. HUGGINS.
Coupled with Mr. Huggins' innate ability as an attorney, his unusual clearness of per- ception, analytical tact and soundness of theory is his courteous manners, persistency
E. C. HUGGINS.
LIBRARY OF THE HNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
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and unswerving integrity, rendering him one of the strong young attorneys of this locality and one of the successful prac- titioners of this county, and to him the fu- ture is particularly bright owing to his nat- ural ability and past splendid record.
Earl C. Huggins, whose law and insur- ance office is located in Kinmundy, Illinois, was born in Marion county, this state, Sep- tember 9, 1877, and, unlike many of his early companions and contemporaries, who sought precarious fortunes in other fields, most of them finding merely the will-o'-the- wisp of success, Mr. Huggins preferred to remain on his native heath, believing that greater things awaited him right here at home than could be found otherwhere, and, judging from the success which has attended his efforts, such a decision was a most for- tunate one not only for himself, but also for the people of this vicinity. He is the son of Steven D. and Lena (Crundwell) Huggins, well known and influential family for many years in this county. Grandfather Huggins was a Kentuckian, having come to Illinois, settling in this county on a farm which he purchased, and on which he remained dur- ing the rest of his life, dying here at the age of seventy-five years. His widow, a grand old lady of beautiful Christian character, is still living in 1908, at the advanced age of ninety years. She is a faithful member of the Presbyterian church.
Stephen Huggins, father of the subject, was born in Marion county, this state, at- tending the public schools here, working on his father's farm until he became of age,
when he was married, after which he farmed for a time with much success, then moved to Kinmundy and followed teaming, later en- gaging in the coal mining business in this vicinity, being still interested in mining. His residence is in Kinmundy.
Mrs. Lena Huggins, mother of our sub- ject, was brought to America from England when a child, and her people eventually set- tled at Salem, this county, where her parents died when she was young. She attended the public schools in Salem, where she remained until the age of sixteen. After the death of her parents she was taken into the family of Wily Cunningham, who was a soldier, hav- ing been killed in battle during the Civil war. After the death of Mr. Cunningham his widow married again, her second hus- band having been Mr. Samuel Jones. They moved to Stevenson township, Marion county, where our subject's mother re- mained until her marriage.
The following children have been born to the subject's parents: Roy, whose date of birth occurred March 21, 1876, is a pain- ter by trade, living at Granite City, Madi- son county, Illinois; and Earl C., our subject.
Earl C. Huggins received his early edu- cation in Kinmundy, graduating from the high school here in 1897, after making a brilliant record for scholarship. Following this he clerked in the post-office for one year, then he acted as clerk in a grocery store for a period of one year, being an effi- cient clerk in both, but believing that his true calling lay along more worthy planes,
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he began the study of law under Judge C. H. Holt, at that time a resident of Kin- mundy, being County Judge at the time. He made rapid progress in his studies and en- tered the Illinois Wesleyan University, Col- lege of Law, from which he graduated high in his class in 1903, having won a record as one of the ablest pupils that ever passed through this well known institution. After leaving the law school, Mr. Huggins formed a partnership with his former instructor, Judge Holt, the partnership being a particu- larly strong one, and continuing in a most successful manner until August, 1904, when the judge moved to Salem, the county seat. Since that time our subject has continued the practice of law with his office in Kin- mundy, but the volume of business has been very large for one man to handle. However, Mr. Huggins has ably dispensed with it all and is keeping his usual large number of clients, his business extending well over Marion county and invading surrounding counties, being general in its nature. He is known as a very careful and conscientious worker.
Although Mr. Huggins does not aspire to positions of official preferment, he is at present serving very efficiently as city attor- ney of Kinmundy, being in his second term. In politics he is a loyal Republican, and his influence can always be depended upon in placing the best men in the county offices and in support of all movements looking to the development of the community at large, whether political, educational or moral.
Fraternally our subject is affiliated with
the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pyth- ias, having filled the chairs in the latter, and one would judge from a study of his daily life that he advocates the sublime principles of these praiseworthy orders.
BENNETT M. MAXEY.
The efforts of the subject of this sketch have proven of the greatest value to his fel- low citizens as well as to himself. He has shaped his career along worthy lines, and they have been discerningly directed along well defined channels of endeavor. He is a man of distinct and forceful individuality, of marked sagacity, of undaunted enterprise, and in manner he is genial, courteous and easily approached. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world and his activity in in- dustrial, commercial and financial circles, forms no unimportant chapter in the history of Clay county,
Bennett M. Maxey, publisher of the Flora Journal, was born in Johnsonville, Wayne county, Illinois, November 25, 1856, the son of Joshua C. Maxey, a native of Jefferson county, this state, where he spent the greater part of his life on a farm. He was a ser- geant in Company I, Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and took part in the bat- tles of Pittsburg Landing, siege of Vicks- burg and other noted battles. He was killed while in service at Louisville, Kentucky, near the close of the war. He was regard- ed by his comrades as a brave and gallant
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soldier. Bennett Maxey, the subject's pa- ternal grandfather, was one of the original settlers of Jefferson county, where he de- voted his life to farming, and lived to an advanced age. Our subject is a descendant of a prominent pioneer family of Jefferson county. The subject's mother was Elvira A. Galbraith, whose people were early set- tlers of Wayne county. She passed to her rest in 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Joshua C. Max- ey were the parents of five children, three of whom are living at this writing. They are Bennett M., Mrs. Belle Sanders, of Du Quoin, Illinois, and Mrs. Mattie Vickrey, of Missoula, Montana.
Mrs. Maxey was educated in the common schools of Johnsonville, Wayne county, and in Xenia. Clay county. He also attended school in Valparaiso, Indiana, having graduated from that institution in 1880, completing the teacher's course. After leav- ing the university he taught school for five years. In 1881 he engaged in the drug business at Xenia which he conducted until 1887, when he sold out and went to Cali- fornia, where he remained for four years, engaged in the real estate business and ranching. He returned to Clay county in 1889 and located in Flora, where he has since resided. He was associated with J. L. Black in the real estate and insurance business until 1898, in which year he launched in the mercantile business in which he engaged until 1904, when he bought The Southern Illinois Journal, the leading local paper of Flora, which he has continued to manage up to this writing with increasing success.
Mr. Maxey has other interests of various natures, being interested financially in sev- eral local enterprises. He has served as City Alderman, during which time he looked well to the city's development in every way possible.
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