USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 13
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 13
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 13
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Mr. Wilson was happily married April 7, 1896, to Mollie Poole, a native of this county and the representative of a prominent and influential family, being the daughter of Abraham and Martha (Malone) Poole. Mr. Poole was born and reared in Marion coun- ty. He was a soldier in the Civil war, being a member of the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, receiving an honorable discharge after serving for three years.
Four bright and interesting children have been born to our subject and wife as fol-
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lows : Basil, born August 7, 1897, who is at- tending the public schools in 1908; Russell was born October 22, 1899; Ruth was born June 14, 1904; Byron first saw the light January 11, 1906.
The beautiful and nicely furnished home of the subject is presided over with rare grace and dignity by Mrs. Wilson, a woman of many commendable attributes, who delights in giving her children every care and attention.
Fraternally our subject is affiliated with the Masonic Order and the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, having passed through the chairs of the latter lodge. In politics he is a loyal Republican, and he at one time per- formed the duties of Police Magistrate, with much credit to himself and with much satis- faction to all concerned. He was also Tax Collector.
Mr. Wilson belongs to the class of citi- zens whose lives do not show any meteoric effects, but who by their support of the mor- al, political and social status for the general good, promote the real welfare of their re- spective communities and are therefore de- serving of honorable mention on the pages of history.
CALEB F. WIELAND.
The prominence of the subject of this sketch in connection with the industrial and civic affairs of Richland county is such that he is recognized as one of the leading busi- ness men and influential citizens of this lo-
cality, being identified with enterprises of wide scope and importance, and being known as a progressive and public spirited citizen. The apparent ease with which he has mounted to his present commanding po- sition in the commercial world, marks him as the possessor of talents beyond the ma- jority of his brethren, and, being a close and critical student of men and affairs, he ex- periences no difficulty in sustaining the high reputation which his business talents and marked success have earned for him.
Caleb F. Wieland, a member of the hard- ware firm of Jolly, Wieland & Richardson, one of the best known and extensive firms of this nature in Southern Illinois, was born in Muscatine, Iowa, June 25, 1858, the son of Frederick and Mary (Eberhart) Wie- land, natives of Canton Berne, Switzerland, where they were reared and married, soon afterward coming to the United States, lo- cating in Muscatine. The subject's father worked there for many years, then moved to Jefferson City, Missouri. He enlisted in a Missouri regiment in the Union army, and served for more than three years until the close of the war. He saw much active ser- vice and was in numerous engagements, but was not wounded. After the war he re- turned to Jefferson City, Missouri, and in 1866, came to Olney, Illinois, where he lived until his death in 1873, at the age of fifty years. His wife survived him several years, dying in 1896, at the age of sixty-five. They were people of much sterling worth and highly honored wherever they lived. They were the parents of six children, four of
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whom grew to maturity, the subject being the oldest in order of birth.
Caleb F. Wieland was a boy when he came to. Olney, where he was reared and where he received a limited education, hav- ing been obliged to go to work when young and help support the family. He was am- bitious and fought against every obstacle and early in life decided to take up the hardware business, consequently when sev- enteen years old he entered the hardware store of William Rhode as clerk in the same building where he is now interested, and he has continued in this line ever since at the same location, having been with different firms until the present firm was organized in 1904, when he became a partner. They carry a stock of about twenty thousand dol- lars, consisting of all kinds of hardware, carefully selected and they also do an exten- sive plumbing, heating, tinware and galvan- ized iron work, their trade extending to all parts of the county and is always on the in- crease, having been built up to its present large proportions very largely through the efforts of our subject. The firm occupies a substantial and convenient building twen- ty-two by one hundred and eighty-five feet, three stories in height. The entire building is occupied. It is one of the largest and most successful lines of business in the county.
Mr. Wieland was united in mar- riage in 1888 to Lulu St. John, a native of Olney, who was born, reared and married in the same house, the affable and genial daughter of M. M. and Mira Louise
(Cralle) St. John, who were among the pio- neers of Richland county, and people of many praiseworthy traits.
Five children have been born to the sub- ject and wife, namely : Esther Alean, Ber- nice May, Gerald Hazen, Mary Louise, Frank Clifford, all bright and interesting with promise of successful futures.
In politics Mr. Wieland is a loyal Re- publican. He very ably and creditably served as Alderman for one term of two years, from the second ward.
Mr. and Mrs. Wieland have earned and occupy a position of high regard in their community, being numbered among the most prominent citizens of Olney and whose efforts are always directed toward the moral, social and material uplifting of society
GEORGE COX.
In the field of political life, teaching and the railroad business in Marion county, Illi- nois, the subject of this sketch has won dis- tinction, and today is numbered among the leading, influential and honored citizens of Salem. He has figured prominently in pub- lic affairs, ever lending his influence in the development of all worthy causes looking to the development of the locality at large, be- ing an advocate of progressive measures. He is now filling the position of Deputy County Clerk and the promptness and fidelity with which he discharges his duties have won for him the favorable criticism of
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leading representatives of both political parties.
George Cox was born in Parke county, Indiana, July II, 1848, and came to Iuka, Illinois, September 4, 1868. His father was Alfred Cox, a native of Ohio, who migrated to Indiana when a very small boy. Joshua Cox, grandfather of George Cox, was a na- tive of Hamilton county, Ohio, who mi- grated to Indiana at a very early date and entered land when the United States land office was at Vincennes, he being compelled to go to Vincennes to make his payments, making the trip on horseback, and it was his custom to camp and hunt on the way. Grandfather Cox was a farmer of great ability for those early times. His widow survived him several years. George W. Overpeck, grandfather of the subject on his mother's side, was born in Pennsylvania. His father and mother having died in early life he drifted to Hamilton county, Ohio, and died in the spring of 1867, having been survived several years by his widow. They spent their lives on a farm.
The father of the subject is now a resi- dent of Illinois and makes his home among his children here and at Shattuc, this state. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Mary Overpeck, a native of Ohio. She passed to her rest in April, 1902, at Shattuc, Illinois, at the home of her daughter. Both the father and the mother of our subject were the oldest representa- tives of their respective families. Following children were born to them, seven of whom are living at this writing, 1908, named in
order of birth as follows: George, our sub- ject ; Mary Jane, wife of P. B. Anderson, of Shattuc, Illinois; Sally Ann, wife of H. C. Brown, of Vandalia, Illinois; John, of Clinton county, near Huey, Illinois; Amanda, deceased; Perry, of Iuka township, this county; Warner, of Decatur, Illinois; Eva, deceased; Julia is the wife of Milton Andrews, of Ouray, Colorado; Libby is de- ceased as are also the last two children born to this couple.
George Cox was reared on the parental farm in Parke county, Indiana, and attended the common schools there, also the graded schools by working mornings and evenings to pay his tuition, as his parents were poor and could not defray the expenses of an edu- cation for our subject, but he was possessed of an indomitable will and forged ahead despite obstacles winning definite success in after life as a result of his energy and per- sistency. After completing the course of study laid down in the graded schools he at- tended school at Rockville for a time, after which he taught school with great success for several years, becoming known as one of the able educators of the county and his services were in great demand. He con- tinued teaching until his health failed. He then went to railroading, locating in Iuka September 4, 1868, as indicated before. He attended school that winter at Xenia, Illi- nois, passing the examination for teacher's license. He then took a course in the Wa- bash Commercial College at Vincennes, In- diana, after which he returned to railroading first as brakeman, then a freight conductor,
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later as passenger conductor on the old Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, now the Baltimore & Ohio, Southwestern Railroad. During all these years of railroad service he would at times return to teaching school in both Indiana and Illinois. In 1880 our subject moved on a farm in Iuka township and for twenty-one consecutive years taught school during the winter months, farming the re- mainder of the year. He made a success of whatever he undertook whether it was farm- ing, teaching or railroading. In the latter he won the confidence of his employers who regarded him as one of their most valuable employes.
In April, 1908, Mr. Cox became Deputy County Clerk, which position he is holding with much credit to his innate ability and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
When teaching school our subject was principal of the Iuka schools. He was of- fered many important positions as a teacher but declined as he desired to teach near home and live at home.
Mr. Cox was united in marriage in 1879 to Mary E. Young, the talented and accom- plished daughter of W. J. Young, of Iuka township, one of the pioneers of Marion county. Mr. Young was an influential citi- zen and served as a lieutenant during the Civil war.
One child was born to the subject and wife who died in infancy.
Mr. Cox still owns a valuable farm of eighty acres in which he takes a great inter- est, having improved it up to a high stand- ard of Marion county's valuable farms, it
ranking with the best of them. It is located four and one-half miles southeast of Iuka. An excellent residence and several substan- tial out buildings stand on the place.
Mr. Cox has been a candidate for County Superintendent of Schools at different times but was defeated by a few votes. In poli- tics he is a Democrat. In his fraternal re- lations he is affiliated with the Masons at Iuka and is an honorary member of the Modern Woodmen. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cox are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church and both belong to the Eastern Star.
THOMAS J. CLARK.
The subject of this biographical review is eminently deserving of mention in a com- pilation as is the nature of this one, owing to the fact that his has been an active life, fruitful of good results and among his friends and acquaintances he has ever held an honorable position.
Thomas J. Clark, publisher of The Clay County Democrat and one of the men of influence in this part of the great Prairie state, was born in Hancock county, Indiana, August 4, 1853, the son of Aruna Clark, who was a native of Sevier county, Tennes- see, and who came to Indiana when twenty years old, settling in Rush county. He was a carpenter and a minister, thus emulating the life of the lowly Nazarene. He removed to Shelby county, Illinois, in 1860, and in 1865 moved to Effingham county, this state,
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where he resided until his death in March, 1884. The Clark family originated in Ten- nessee. The subject's mother, who died in 1882, was Charlotte Furman. Her mother was a native of Scotland and her father of Pennsylvania, of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Aruna Clark were the parents of six children, two of whom died in infancy. They are, Jonathan E., of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Sarah Arnold, of Tucumcari, New Mexico; Mrs. Jennie Wood, of Beech- er City, Illinois; Thomas J., the subject.
Thomas J. Clark spent his early life in Effingham county, this state, receiving a limited education in the country schools there, and later attended the city schools of Effingham. After his school days he learned the blacksmith trade at which he worked for eight years. He then clerked in a gen- eral store for two or three years, after which he went to railroading, which he followed up to February, 1908, having given his em- ployers entire satisfaction in that line of work. In July, 1908, Mr. Clark bought the Clay County Democrat, which he now conducts in a manner that shows him to be a moulder of public opinion, his paper being a power for good in Clay county. He has a good plant, well equipped and his paper is well edited and the mechanical appearance of each issue shows that this part of the work is well looked after. Since assuming charge of the plant the circulation of The Democrat has increased as well as has the advertising.
Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Mary Lilley, December 20, 1876. She was born
and reared in Fayette county, Illinois, and to this union four children have been born; William Edwin, who is married and is living at Clarkson, Washington; Mrs. Gertrude Roseberry, of Pana, Illinois; Mrs. Caroline Myers, of East St. Louis; Don, a linotype operator, living in East St. Louis.
Our subject served one term as school di- rector at Beecher City, Illinois, and was City Clerk of Flora, for a part of one term, having been appointed to fill a vacancy.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Clark be- longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen. In politics he is a loyal Democrat. He is thoroughly interested in the affairs of his party and does what he can in furthering the policies of the same.
CHARLES H. WEST.
The early pioneers of Marion county, Illinois, have about all "crossed the great divide." Year by year their numbers have continued to diminish, until of the hundreds who settled here in the twenties and thirties only a few of them remain. There are, how- ever, many men and women now living in the county, who, though coming here in what might be properly termed the second period after the pioneers, have borne well their part in making this a prosperous re- gion. They are no less worthy of praise in the part they bore in the labors and priva- tions of this early period than are their par-
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
WEST HOME. Kinmundy, Illinois.
-
C. H. WEST.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
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ents. Among these is the subject of this sketch, who has spent the major part of his mature years in the county where he has become widely known and where his labors have benefited alike himself and the commu- nity at large.
Charles H. West was born in Delaware county, Indiana, October 27, 1845, the son of George and Elizabeth (Brammer) West.
The father of the subject left Pennsyl- vania when a young man, and settled in Delaware county, Indiana, and came to Illi- nois in 1865, in Jo Daviess county and in 1869 came to Marion county where he re- mained the balance of his life, having reached the advanced age of eighty-three years, after a life of hard work in agri- cultural pursuits. The subject's mother, a woman of many fine qualities and a worthy companion of her noble husband, lived to be seventy-three years old, and was in her religious belief a member of the old school Baptists. There were seven children in this family, six living to maturity. Samuel, the oldest brother of the subject, was a soldier from Indiana in the Union lines and was killed at Marietta, Georgia, where he was buried. A brother of the father of our sub- ject had a son, John T. West, who was also a soldier in the Civil war, having been in a Pennsylvania regiment.
Charles H. West, our subject, came with his father to Marion county in 1869. He attended the public schools in Delaware county, Indiana, where he worked on his father's farm during the summer season,
having remained a member of the family circle until he was thirty-one years of age. He then leased his father's farm in this county for a number of years, and after his father returned to Illinois he purchased the same which he has managed with the greatest success for a period of twenty- five years, developing it into one of the lead- ing farms of the community and gathering from its fertile fields from year to year bounteous harvests.
Mr, West owns at this writing, 1908, twelve and one-half acres in Kinmundy in one section of the city and also a ten-acre orchard in another section of the city, also forty acres one-half mile east of the town, containing a fine orchard, all well located and good land. He also has excellent prop- erty in the central part of the town, and fifty acres of horticultural land, which is very valuable owing to the large and choice varieties of trees on it. This property claims much of his attention since Mr. West delights in horticultural work, being well versed in its various phases. He owns a modern, large, nicely furnished and alto- gether one of the most desirable residences in Kinmundy or vicinity. All this he has made himself practically unaided as a result of his genuine business sagacity, persistency and honesty.
Mr. West was united in marriage in 1877 to Rose N. Dillon, a native of Marion county, whose father was from Kentucky; her mother's people being from Ohio. Three children have been born to this union,
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named in order of birth as follows: Harry T., who was born in 1878, is married and has two children; Maud L. is the wife of A. G. Porter and the mother of one child; the third child died in infancy.
Mr. West is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and their auxiliaries. In politics he is a Republican and is an Alderman in the City Council of Kinmundy, which position he fills with great credit.
In township and county affairs Mr. West takes an active interest and when his judg- ment approves of any measure that is ad- vanced he is not hesitant in giving his ap- proval and active aid. In many ways he has given his time and service for the general good. He has a wide acquaintance and the favorable judgment the public passed upon him in the early days of his residence here has been in no degree set aside or modified as the years have gone by.
WILBUR ADINO GOODENOUGH.
In the history of Clay county, as applying to the milling industry, the name of Wilbur A. Goodenough occupies a conspicuous place, for through a number of years he has been one of the representative lumber deal- ers in this locality, progressive, enterprising and persevering. Such qualities always win success, sooner or later, and to the subject they have brought a satisfactory reward for his well directed efforts, and while he has
benefited himself and community in a mate- rial way, he has also been an influential fac- tor in the educational, political and moral uplift of the community favored by his resi- dence.
Wilbur Adino Goodenough was born in Jefferson county, New York, May 26, 1857, the son of Morris M. Goodenough, who was a native of Northern New York. Adino Goodenough, the great-grandfather of the subject, was a native of Scotland, who came to America with Lord Howe. He passed the winter with Washington at Valley Forge as one of his captains, having enlist- ed three times in the Revolutionary war. The third time he walked from Vermont to Boston to enlist. He spent his last days at Watertown, Jefferson county, New York, dying there in his eighty-seventh year. Most of his life while in America, was spent in Vermont. The subject's grandfather, John Banister Goodenough, a native of New York, died in 1864, at the age of eighty-two years. He devoted his life to farming. The subject's father was also a farmer, and, like his ancestors, was a man of influence in his community. He died at the age of seventy-two years in Jefferson county, New York, in 1899.
The mother of the subject was Caroline Griswold, also a native of northern New York, where she lived all her life and where she ended her earthly labors in 1895, at the age of sixty-two years. Twelve children were born to the subject's parents, eight of whom are living, in 1908, namely : Charles, Estella, Wilbur, Albert, Caroline, Ward,
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Eaton, Morris, Emma, Belle, Mollie and is exemplary in many respects, and he has Grace.
Mr. Goodenough spent his boyhood days in Watertown, New York, where he attend- ed school and received a good education. He went from there to Copenhagen, New York, where he learned the trade of miller, after which he went to Ogdensburg, that state, where he worked for fifteen years with much success attending his efforts. In 1894 he came to Louisville and bought the Louisville Roller Mills, which burned down October 25, 1897. The plant was rebuilt the fall of 1898. His brother, Albert, has been associated with him in all his business. They have an extensive trade and carry on a growing industry, their customers coming from all parts of this locality, both in the flour and lumber business.
Mr. Goodenough was united in marriage February 22, 1883, to Luella Stanford, of Lowville, Lewis county, New York, the rep- resentative of a well known family there, and to this union two children have been born; Luella, born April 15, 1894, and Stanford, born December 17, 1898.
Our subject is a director in the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Louisville. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Masons, the Chapter and Knights Templar. In politics he is a Republican and both he and Mrs. Goodenough are members of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Goodenough is one of the substantial citizens of Clay county. He has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and gained a most satisfactory reward. His life
ever supported those interests which have for their object the welfare of the commu- nity and the benefit of humanity.
WILFRED W. MERZ.
The career of the subject of this review has been varied and interesting, and the his- tory of Marion county will be more interest- ing if a record of his activities and achieve- ments are given prominence, and a tribute to his worth and high character as a business man, a public-spirited and enterprising, broad-minded citizen, for although he is yet a young man he has shown by his persist- ency and eminently worthy career what can be accomplished by the young man who has thrift, energy, tact, force of character and honesty of purpose, and representing as he does one of the best and most highly es- teemed families of the country, whose an- cestors did so much in the pioneer days to prepare the country for the enjoyment and success of succeeding generations, Mr. Merz is peculiarly entitled to proper mention in this work along with other leading and hon- orable citizens of Marion county.
Wilfred W. Merz, the popular and effi- cient agent of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company, also of the Wells, Fargo & Company Express, at Salem, Marion county, was born at this place February 13, 1872, being the eldest child of Nicholas Merz, who is a member of the Council of Al-
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dermen of the city of Salem, and an influen- tial and highly respected citizen who has lived in Salem practically all his life. Nicho- las Merz's parents were born in Germany and migrated to America in early life, and soon established comfortable homes in the new world and lived to a ripe old age.
The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Elizabeth A. Smith. She was born at Decatur, Illinois, and died at Huey, Illinois.
Sarah S. Ritchie, the maternal grand- mother of our subject, is a native of Giles county, Virginia, born March 22, 1828, and at present resides near Shattuc, Illinois, in her eightieth year. Her first husband was John H. Smith, who was born September I, 1831, at Chillicothe, Ohio, and died at Metropolis, Illinois, October 2, 1888. He was the father of nine children (the mother of our subject being the eldest), only one of whom is living, John Lewis Smith, of Car- lyle, Illinois.
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