USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 19
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 19
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 19
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
Edward M. Spring was united in mar- riage December 25, 1873, to Kate Radens- croft, a native of New Albany, Indiana, the daughter of William E. and Anna C. (Jack- son) Radenscroft, formerly of England, who came to Philadelphia. The father of the subject's wife was formerly a Methodist minister. Both are now deceased. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Spring: Lawrence E., who lives in Owensboro, Kentucky, in the milling business ; Ethel is living at home. She was educated at Olney and in Indianapolis, and received a musical education in Cincinnati and Chicago, becoming a proficient musi- cian. She is at this writing (1909) super- visor of music in the public schools of O1- ney. Mr. Spring is a Republican but not a politician. He served one term as Alder- man. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen and the Knights of Pythias. He has a beautiful home and there is a large oak tree in his yard under which John A. Logan made his first speech in behalf of the Republican party, October 12, 1866, as a candidate for Congressman at large. At that time the place of residence of the sub- ject was a part of the splendid grove adjoin- ing the village of Olney, where picnics and rallies were held.
Harry Bishop Spring, son of Henry Spring, our subject, was born in Olney, Il- linois, where he was reared and where he received his education in the public schools. He was also a student of the University of Illinois at Champaign. He obtained a good education, and after leaving school spent six or seven years in the South and West, being on the coast for some time. After return- ing to Olney he engaged in the seed and pro- duce business in 1888, with his brother, un- der the firm name of Spring Brothers.
Harry B. Spring was united in marriage June 17, 1890, to Victoria Eckenrode, a na- tive of Sumner, Illinois, the daughter of Sylvester J. and Mary Eckenrode, a former business man of Olney. One daughter was born, a winsome little girl named Marjorie. Mrs. Spring was called to her rest January 4. 1905. Harry Spring is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
The family of our subject has long been recognized as leaders in industrial affairs in Richland county, being people of the high- est integrity and worth, for when Henry Spring passed away he left his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name, to the county the value of good citizenship, and to the young an example well worthy of emulation. Public opinion in passing judg- ment upon his life work, classed him with the men of honor and worth, and with the pioneers of Richland county his name is for- ever inscribed, shinging out with peculiar luster.
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
JUDGE JOHN S. STONECIPHER.
No history of Marion county could be consistent with itself were there failure to make specific mention of the honored pio- neer family of which the subject of this sketch is a worthy scion, and no better or more significant evidence as to the long identification of the name with the annals of this section of the state can be offered than implied in the simple statement that the rec- ord of this interesting and representative family has been one of highest honor for a period of sixty-five years to the time of this writing. The subject has passed his entire life in Marion county, and has ably upheld the high prestige of the honored name which he bears. He is one of the prominent and influential representatives of the legal and industrial world of the county, and it is with much satisfaction that we offer in this work a review of his genealogical and personal history.
Judge John S. Stonecipher, like scores of our best citizens in every line of endeavor, was born on a farm, the old homestead be- ing located about ten miles southeast of Salem, his birth occurring on July 7, 1868. His father was Samuel Stonecipher, a Ten- nesseean who came to Marion county, Illi- nois, about 1843, having successfully fol- lowed agricultural pursuits and became a man of considerable influence in his com- munity. He here erected a primitive dwell- ing which was the family domicile for a number of years. The tales of the pioneer days have been often told, and it is needless
1 165
to here recapitulate the same, for privations, vicissitudes and strenuous labors of the early settlers have been so recorded as to make special mention superfluous, though it is well in such connection to refer to those who lived and labored so earnestly in laying the foundation for the opulent prosperity which marks this favored section of the state at the present time. Samuel Stonecipher was called from his earthly labors in 1898, while living on a farm in Haines township, two and one-half miles east of old Foxville. The mother of our subject was Susan (Ross) Stonecipher, also a native of Tennessee who passed to her rest when Judge Stonecipher was one and one-half years old. Eight chil- dren were born to the union of Samuel and Susan Stonecipher, four of whom are living in 1908. These are, besides the subject of this sketch, Alexander, a farmer in Haines township, Marion county; Joseph C., a far- mer in southeastern Kansas; M. C., a Pres- byterian minister at Troy Grove, Illinois. Samuel Stonecipher, father of the subject, was three times married. His first wife was a Miss Henderson; the second a Miss Ross, mother of the subject; and the third was Mary Chance, who died three months after her husband's death.
Grandfather Stonecipher reached almost the unprecedented age of one hundred and ten years. He was reared in Knox county, Tennessee.
Judge Stonecipher was reared on the parental farm, and after attending the country schools he entered Ewing College in Franklin county, Illinois, where he made
166
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
a brilliant record for both scholarship and deportment, taking a two years' general course. He then attended the Southern Illi- nois Normal School for two years, and be- gan teaching school, which he continued for three successful terms, but believing that his true life work lay in another channel he be- gan reading law with Judge John B. Kagy, of Salem. After reading law for one year he attended the Valparaiso University, law department, for one year, in which he made rapid progress. He was admitted to the bar at Salem in 1891 and began practice soon afterward. His success was instanta- neous, and his friends were not mistaken in their prediction that the future held many honors in store for him. He was early in life singled out for political preferment and served as Deputy Sheriff from 1889 to 1890, while reading law. He has ably served two terms as City Attorney of Salem, and was Master in Chancery for four years, from 1896 to 1900, having first been appointed by Judge Burroughs, and later by Judge Dwight. In 1906 our subject had attained such general popularity in the legal world that he was elected Judge of Marion county on the Democratic ticket in which capacity he is still serving in 1908, with entire satis- faction to his constituents and all concerned. He was chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee at the time of his elec- tion to the judgeship. He was selected as alternate to the Democratic national conven- tion held in St. Louis in 1904. Having become so well known in the political arena of his native community the judge will
doubtless be honored by many other offices of public trust by his party in the future.
Judge Stonecipher has been equally suc- cessful in industrial affairs, being something of a wizard in organizing, promoting and carrying to successful issues various lines of business, and it is due to his clear brain, well grounded judgment and indomitable energy that many of Marion county's suc- cessful industrial institutions owe their ex- istence. At present he is vice-president of the Salem State Bank, president of the Salem Box Company, the leading manufac- turing enterprise of Salem; he is also trus- tee of the Sandoval Coal and Mining Com- pany, now bankrupt, a large and important trusteeship. He is also a stockholder in the Salem National Bank and a director of the Salem Building and Loan Association. He was chairman of the building committee that built the new Methodist Episcopal church in Salem, one of the finest in Illinois, and it was largely due to his energy and keen busi- ness sagacity that this handsome structure, which will ever be a monument to his mem- ory as well as a pride and splendid adver- tisement to the city of Salem, assumed definite form.
Fraternally Judge Stonecipher is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen. He has occupied the chairs in the Odd Fellows, and his daily life would indicate that he believes in carrying out the noble precepts advocated by these praise- worthy orders.
Judge Stonecipher's domestic life dates
167
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
from August 17, 1904, when he was hap- pily married to Amy Bachman, the refined and cultured daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Bachman, the latter the well known and influential president of the Salem National Bank. Mrs. Stonecipher received a good education, having applied herself diligently to her educational work and the success of her worthy life companion is due in no small measure to the encouragement and sympa- thy of this most estimable woman, who pre- sides over her model and harmonious household with grace and dignity.
Two bright and interesting children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stone- cipher with cheer and sunshine. They are: Frank G., born July 8, 1905, and Maude Louise, born July 24, 1907.
Judge Stonecipher has been very success- ful in both his business and political life. He is regarded as a man of exceptional sound- ness of judgment, and when his name is connected with any business institution the public knows that the same is sound and does not hesitate to place its funds at his disposal, whether it be in a banking institu- tion or manufacturing enterprise.
HON. EDWARD S. WILSON.
It will invariably be found, if an examina- tion be made into the life records of self- made men, that untiring industry forms the basis of their success. It is true that many other elements enter in, such as fortitude,
perseverance, keen discernment and honesty of purpose which enables one to recognize business opportunities, but the foundation cf all worthy achievements in earnest, per- sistent labor. The gentlemen whose name forms the caption of this article recognized this fact early in life and did not seek to gain any short or magical method to the goal cf prosperity. On the contrary, he began to work earnestly and diligently in order to advance himself along laudable lines and from a humble beginning he has become one of the prominent men of the great Prairie state. As a lawyer, Hon. Edward S. Wilson had few equals in Southern Illinois for up- wards of half a century. He was for years a leading member of the bar in Olney and is one of the old and highly esteemed citizens of this place, now living in quiet retirement, enjoy- ing the respite due a long and strenuous ca- reer. Finding him in a retrospective and rem- iniscent mood we quote from an interview with this distinguished character as follows :
"My grandfather, James Wilson, migrated from Hardy county, Virginia, to South Bend, Indiana, in the year 1813, and the next year removed to Palestine, Crawford county, Illi- nois, bringing with him a numerous family of sons and daughters, among them my fa- ther, Isaac N. Wilson, who was born July 21, 1804. On October 13, 1829, he married Hannah H. Decken, who was born December 13, 1810, at the town of Vincennes, Indiana, to which place her father moved from Rom- ney, Virginia, in 1808 or 1809, from whence he soon moved to a farm three miles north of Palestine. There were nine boys and two
I68
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
daughters born to my father and mother. len, of Palestine, then a member of Con- Three of us still survive. I was born June 25, 1839. I was educated in the common schools of Palestine, and was always of a reading rather than of a studious disposi- tion. Any book of history or romance could attract my attention from more serious study. So my mind is a hotch-potch of useless lum- ber. I know a great amount of worthless things and nothing well.
"I can distinctly remember the pioneer days of Illinois when the flax and cotton with which we were largely clothed were raised by the farmers of Crawford county, which were spun and woven by the mothers and daughters of the farmers who were entirely from the Southern States, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennes- see. The wheels of the wagons consisted of sections sawn off a log, usually a sycamore. Oxen were more common than horses.
"The principal amusements in those days were bear basting, horse racing, and last, but not least, fist fighting. Residents of the county would gather at Palestine every Sat- urday and most of them would fill up on old Monongahela whisky and by noon the fighting would begin. I have seen sixty fights in progress at one time. When the fight was over there was no malice nor de- sire for revenge, and the victor was the best man until at a later date the fight could be repeated, if the conquered was not satisfied, when frequently the outcome was reversed. I was eighteen years of age before I saw a railroad or a train of cars.
"When about eighteen years old I began the study of law in the office of James C. Al-
gress from the Tenth District from Illinois. I was admitted to the bar in 1861, and cont- menced the practice of law at Robinson, Crawford county, Illinois. In 1864, I re- move to Olney, Richland county, where I still reside. I practiced in the courts of this and adjoining counties until 1890, at which time I was nominated by the Democratic party for State Treasurer and was elected to that of- fice. For many years my hearing had been defective and it grew worse, and after retir- ing from the office of State Treasurer I never resumed practice on account of my hearing. Since that time I have lived the life of a farmer and man of leisure, reading much, but only for entertainment. I have pursued no settled line, but have read everything from theology to the flimsiest romance, but I have spent more time on history than any other line and would be a good historian if I had been a student instead of a mere reader.
"On June 17, 1867, I married Ann C. Rowland, daughter of Townsend and Eliza S. Rowland, of Olney, Illinois. To us have been born four sons, three living, and one daughter, who died leaving one son. One son died in infancy. My wife is still living, and divides with me the burden of reading all the latest works, historical and fiction."
Agriculture, horticulture and stock raising have occupied Mr. Wilson's attention of late years. He owns about one thousand acres of valuable land in Richland county, a part of which is devoted to the propagation of fruit for commercial purposes. Part of the farm is in the city limits of Olney where he has a modern and commodious residence, sur-
169
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
round by beautiful grounds, extensive and carefully kept. His home is one of the most pretentious in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are widely known for their hospital- ity and their home is often the gathering place for their numerous friends and admir- ers where good cheer is always to be found. For a number of years Mr. Wilson paid con- siderable attention to the breeding of Clydes- dale horses and Shetland ponies, and he pro- duced some fine specimens which were prize winners at state fairs. The subject was large- ly instrumental in securing the state fair for Olney for two years, 1887 and 1888. Mr. Wilson is the founder and principal stock- holder of the ice plant at Olney, where large quantities of artificial ice are manufactured. in connection with a cold storage, packing in- dustry, etc.
Mr. Wilson has always been a staunch Democrat and active politically. He has al- ways been interested in whatever tended to promote the interests of his city and county. For twenty years he was Master in Chan- cery. Because of his public-spirit, his hon- esty of purpose, genuine worth and congenial disposition, no man is better or more favor. ably known in Southern Illinois than he.
J. E. CASTLE.
Those who belong to the respectable mid- dle classes of society, being early taught the necessity of relying upon their own exer- tions, will be more apt to acquire that information and those business habits which alone can fit them for the discharge of life's
duties, and, indeed, it has long been a no- ticeable fact that our great men in nearly all walks of life in America spring from this class. The subject of this sketch, whose life history we herewith delineate is a worthy representative of the class from which the true noblemen of the Republic spring.
J. E. Castle was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, in 1845, the son of George W. Castle, also a native of the Buckeye state, where he was born in Zanesville in that conspicuous year in American history, 1812. He came to Illinois with his family in 1861, settling at Salem. By profession he was a contractor and builder, but he was in the drug business while in Salem, and was also interested in farming, however, he did some contracting here, and in all made a success, for he was a man of much business ability. While a resident of Ohio he was for some time a Justice of the Peace, having always taken considerable interest in political and public affairs. He was called from his earthly la- bors in 1872 after an active and useful life.
George Washington Castle was the sub- ject's grandfather, of Irish ancestry. He was loyal to the American government and was a captain of a company in the War of 1812, having met his death while gallantly leading a battalion of volunteers at Fort Erie in 1812, the same year the father of our subject was born, as already indicated. The original Castle family is related to the Newtons, a prominent and influential family of Cincinnati, Ohio. Grandfather Castle's family consisted of three children, two sons and one daughter.
The mother of our subject was known in
170
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
her maidenhood as Eliza Bing, a native of Gallia county, Ohio, her people being natives of the Buckeye state. She was a woman of many praiseworthy traits, and she was united in marriage with George W. Castle about 1832. She was called to her rest in 1858 while living at Gallipolis, Ohio. Six children constituted the family of this couple, of whom our subject is the only sur- vivor. The names of these children follow in order of their birth: Dr. W. H., who died in St. Louis in 1882; Captain George E., who died in Salem, Illinois, in 1887; Eva M., who died at Tonti, Marion county, June 30, 1903 ; Dr. Charles E., who died at Great Bend, Kansas, in 1897; John E. died at Gallipolis, Ohio, in 1859, when eight years old ; J. E., our subject, was the fourth in order of birth.
J. E. Castle spent his boyhood in Gal- lipolis, Ohio, where he attended the public schools and received in part a good educa- tion, for he was always an ambitious lad and applied himself in a commendable manner to his text-books. He came to Salem, Illinois, in 1861, and in the spring of 1862, immedi- ately after the battle of Shiloh, he enlisted in the Union army, believing that it was the duty of loyal citizens of the Republic to sever home ties and do what they could in saving the nation's integrity. He was in the Fifteenth Army Corps under John A. Logan, with General James Stewart Martin in Company H, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, having been sergeant of the company of which his brother, George E. Castle, was captain. He
served with distinction in this regiment, the operations of which is given in detail in the sketch of General Martin in this work, until the close of the war, and he passed in the grand review in Washington City before the President and all the generals of the army. He brought home a Confederate flag.
On June 27, 1864, the subject was in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain when the whole of Sherman's army charged the forces of General Johnson entrenched on the moun- tain.
He took part in two months of continuous fighting about Atlanta, July 22 and 28, 1864, being memorable dates in that city's history. On the first mentioned date, Gen- eral McPherson was killed and on this date, General James S. Martin, of Salem, was made a brigadier general. On July 28th was fought a desperate battle lasting all day, on which day General Martin's line received seven terrific charges and never moved a foot. On August 3d another hard battle was fought in the siege of Atlanta, when Sherman's army escaped from Hood.
On August 3Ist the subject was in the capture of Atlanta, after which he went with Sherman on his march to the sea. On De- cember 14th, following the battle at Fort McAllister was fought and captured by Hazen's division, which meant virtually the capture of Savannah, as Johnson then evacu- ated this place. The army then went on to Hitton Head, South Carolina, and then Co- lumbia, Couth Carolina, was captured. At Fort McAllister our subject and his brother
171
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
captured a Confederate flag and many other relics which they brought home.
After his career in the army Mr. Castle returned to Salem and took a course in the high school, after which he went to Wes- leyan University at Delaware, Ohio, taking a three years' course in the sciences and making a brilliant record in the same. Upon his return to Salem he went into the hard- ware business in which he remained until 1878, building up an excellent trade in the meantime. He then traveled for ten years for the Champion Harvesting Machine Company, giving entire satisfaction to this company, the patronage of which he caused to be greatly increased. Then, much to the regret of his employers, he severed his con- nection with the Champion people and en- gaged with his brother, Captain George E. Castle, in the cattle business in Southwest Kansas, which enterprise was continued with the most gratifying results up to the time of the latter's death. Since then our subject has been farming. He has an excel- lent farm property which is kept in a high state of improvement, and which yields a comfortable income from year to year through the skillful management of the sub- ject. On this farm is to be found an ex- cellent orchard of thirty acres, Mr. Castle having been an enthusiastic horticulturist for several years. He has a substantial dwelling house and many convenient out buildings on his farm which he oversees, but does not live on.
The domestic life of Mr. Castle dates from 1897 when he was united in marriage
with Arabella Whittaker, the refined and affable daughter of R. H. Whittaker. The parents of Mrs. Castle were both born in Ireland. They came to Salem, Illinois, in 1852, the father of our subject's wife hav- ing been one of the civil engineers that sur- veyed the route for the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, at that time know11 as the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. R. H. Whittaker passed away in June, 1889, at Salem, his life companion having preceded him to the silent land in 1881.
The subject's wife was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Whittaker. She is a highly accomplished woman, well educated and talented. She is an able and noted teacher of both music and painting, being the only art teacher in Salem. She is re- garded by every one who has seen her work as being a finished and accomplished artist and she has a beautiful studio in connection with her home. She reveres the memory of her parents and likes to tell of the happy days when R. H. Whittaker was station agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Southwest- ern road at Salem, which position he held for several years. He was also fuel agent for many years and had a wide acquaint- ance among railroad men. He quit railroad business several years before he died, and engaged in the lumber business in Salem, which he was engaged in at the time of his death.
Mr. and Mrs. Castle have no children.
Mr. Castle is a member of the ancient and honorable order of Masons, also the Knights Templar and the Grand Army of the Re-
172
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
public. And Mr. and Mrs. Castle are both ardent members of the Episcopal church. Our subject was a member of the building committee that erected the handsome new edifice in Salem, and he takes a special in- terest in all the affairs of this church.
In the modern, substantial and beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Castle which stands on Whittaker street in Salem, is to be found many curios and relics, especially of the Civil war. The beautiful art treasures of Mrs. Castle are numerous, the walls being hung with many excellent pictures, the han- diwork of Mrs. Castle, and their elegantly furnished home is regarded as a place where hospitality is always unstintingly dispensed.
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.