USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 2
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 2
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 2
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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
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
to its present high position among the sis- ter counties of this great commonwealth, al- ways doing his just share in the work of progress.
Mr. Higgins was one of the loyal sons of the Union who was glad to offer his services under the old flag when the dark days of rebellion came, having been among the ear- liest to enlist in April, 1861, in Company D, Eighth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, his enlistment having been for three months. The subject and John Lynch were instrumental in organizing Company D, which was the first company organized and mustered from Richland county. After his first term of enlistment had expired he en- listed in Company G, Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served in a most gallant manner until the close of the war, having been mustered out at Moscow, Tennessee, in 1865. During his service he was in the siege of Corinth and the battles there, also fought at Iuka, Farmington, the siege of Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, the siege of Atlanta. He was wounded at Far- mington, Mississippi, May 9, 1862, having been hit in the right elbow by a piece of shell. He was examined for promotion twice and was on General Loomis' staff, but was not commissioned, being orderly ser- geant. Nineteen years after the war closed he was presented with a badge made at Meriden, Connecticut. It was given to Mr. Higgins by Gen. John Mason Loomis, who had it made in recognition of services ren- dered by the subject. The arrangement of the badge commemorates the Thirteenth,
Fifteenth, Seventeenth and Twentieth Army Corps, the subject having been a member of the Fifteenth, John A. Logan's Corps, which was never defeated, and was never set against a town it did not capture. The old cartridge box of forty rounds became the badge of the Fifteenth Army Corps.
After the war Mr. Higgins returned home, having married in 1862 while on a trip to Springfield, Illinois, on military busi- ness. He took up surveying and civil en- gineering and did much work settling old disputed business. In 1892 he was elected County Surveyor, being the only Republican on the ticket elected in a Democratic coun- ty, which fact proved his great popularity in his locality. He has lived in Olney many years and has taken an active interest in the welfare of the community. In the spring of 1907 he was elected a member of the City Council, being the sixth year as a member of the same. He also served one term as City Surveyor. He now lives retired in a beautiful and comfortable home, modern and nicely furnished.
The wife of Mr. Higgins was Sarah E. Marney before her marriage, the daughter of Robert and Sarah E. (Morris) Marney, pioneers of Richland county, where Mrs. Higgins was born. Her father was a na- tive of Scotland and her mother was born in Kentucky. The Morris family were great slave owners, bringing them to Illinois, and later freed them here. Colonel Morris, grandfather of Mrs. Higgins, also her father, Robert Marney, were in the War of 1812 and were in the battle of Tippecanoe, Col-
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
onel Morris being wounded there. Robert Marney was the first Probate Judge of Richland county.
Mr. and Mrs. Higgins are the parents of five children, four boys and one girl, two of whom are living. Their oldest son, Lew K., is in the employ of the Wells Fargo Ex- press Company at Oakland, California, James, the youngest son, is fireman on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad; Edward died in infancy ; Mary died at the age of sixteen years ; Robert was killed in a railroad wreck in Arizona when thirty years old, having been conductor on the Santa Fe Railroad.
Mr. Higgins has been a keen and alert man of affairs, and long a man of power in his community. Over half a century has passed since he came to this county and his name is inscribed high on the roll of honored pioneers.
JETER C. UTTERBACK.
Prominent among the leading journalists of southern Illinois is the well known and highly esteemed gentleman whose name fur- nishes the caption of this article. As editor and proprietor of one of the influential pa- pers in his part of the state he has been a forceful factor in moulding sentiment in his community and directing thought along those lines which make for the enlighten- ment of the public and the highest good of his fellow men.
Jeter C. Utterback is a native of Jasper county, Illinois, where his birth occurred on the 8th day of August, 1873. His father,
B. C. W. Utterback, a Kentuckian by birth, was the son of Thomas Utterback, who was also a native of the Blue Grass state, and a member of one of the oldest pioneer families of Grayson county. In an early day Thomas Utterback became prominent in the affairs of his county and stood high in the confi- dence and esteem of his fellow citizens. In 1836 he migrated to Illinois and settled in the northwestern part of Richland county, where he also became a local leader and a man of wide influence. He was a farmer by occupation, and in due time accumulated a large and valuable estate in the county of Richland, in which he spent the remainder of his days, dying a number of years ago, deeply lamented by the large circle of friends and acquaintances who had learned to prize him for his sterling worth.
B. C. W. Utterback was reared to matu- rity in Richland county, and, like his father, followed agricultural pursuits for a liveli- hood. In the early seventies lie disposed of his interests in the county of Richland and removed to Jasper county, where he contin- ued farming and stock raising until 1878, when heturned his land over to other hands and took up his residence in Newton, where he is now living a life of honorable retire- ment. Nancy Ann Hinman, who became the wife of B. C. W. Utterback in January, 1856, was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, where her father, Titus Hinman, a native of Ohio, settled in an early day. She bore her husband ten children, seven of whom sur- vive, namely: Eva, wife of George E. Hut- son, of Dundas, Illinois; Thomas H., As- sistant State Librarian, who lives in the
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
city of Springfield; Hester, now Mrs. T. C. Chamberlin, of Newton; Charles C. resides in Salem; Albert L., of Caney, Kansas, where he holds the position of postmaster ; M. T., of Newton, and Jeter C., whose name introduces this sketch.
Jeter C. Utterback spent his early life in the town of Newton, grew up under the sturdy and invigorating discipline of an ex- cellent home environment and while still a lad laid his plans for the future with the object of becoming something more than a mere passive agent in the world of affairs. In due time he entered the schools of his native place and after attending the same until completing the prescribed course of study, in 1889 began learning the printer's trade in the office of the Newton Mentor, where he made rapid progress and soon became quite proficient, besides obtaining a practical knowledge of other branches of the profession. After mastering the trade he worked for a short time in Webb City, Mis- souri, and then accepted a position in the office of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, where he continued until 1891, when he came to Salem, Illinois, and entered the employ of Mrs. Belle C. Johnson, editress and man- ager of The Republican, with whom he continued until affecting a co-partnership with his brother, T. H. Utterback, for the purchase of a paper four years later.
The Republican under the joint manage- ment of the Utterback brothers, continued to make its periodical visits about one year, when the plant passed into the hands of G. C. Harner, the subject going to the town of Carrollton, where he followed his chosen
calling until his return to Salem in 1896, when he again became interested in The Re- publican, buying the paper that year from his brother, who in the meantime had suc- ceeded Mr. Harner as editor and proprietor. On becoming sole proprietor of The Repub- lican Mr. Utterback infused new life into the paper and it was not long until its influ- ence began to be felt throughout the county, not only as an able political organ, but as a clean, dignified and popular family paper, through the columns of which appeared all the latest news, also much of the best liter- ature of the day, to say nothing of the numerous productions from the pens of local writers. Since assuming control he has enlarged the paper as well as added to its interest and popularity besides purchasing new machinery, presses and other appliances and thoroughly equipping the office until the plant is now one of the most valuable of the kind in Marion county, and in all that con- stitutes a live up-to-date sheet The Repub- lican compares favorably with any other lo- cal paper in the southern part of the state. Mechanically it is a model of the printer's art, and politically is staunchly and uncom- promisingly Republican, being the official party organ of Marion county, while its in- fluence in directing and controlling current thought in relation to the leading questions and issues of the day has brought it promi- nently to the notice of party leaders through- out the state.
As an editorial writer, Mr. Utterback is clear, forceful, elegant, at times trenchant, and in discussing the leading questions be- fore the people he is a courteous but fearless
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
and formidable antagonist. On all matters of public policy he occupies no neutral ground, but fearlessly and honestly advo- cates what he considers to be for the best interest of the people and regardless of con- sequences. In addition to its prominence and influence as a party organ, Mr. Utter- back has endeavored to make his paper answer the purpose of an educational factor and such it has indeed become, as its con- tents, both political and general, tend to improve the mind and cultivate the taste rather than appeal to passion and prejudice, after the manner of too many local sheets.
In recognition of valuable political ser- vices as well as by reason of his fitness for the position, Mr. Utterback in February, 1907, was appointed by President Roosevelt, postmaster of Salem, the duties of which responsible position he has discharged with ·commendable fidelity, proving an able, cour- teous and truly obliging public official. At the time of his appointment the office was in the third class with a salary of $1,700 per year, but since then the business has in- creased to such an extent that it is now a second class office with fair prospects of advancing.
Since the establishment of a post-office at Salem many years ago, no young man was appointed postmaster until the honor fell to Mr. Utterback, and to say that he has been praiseworthy of the trust and dis- charged the duties as ably and faithfully as any of his numerous predecessors is to state a fact of which all are cognizant, and which all, irrespective of political alignment, most cheerfully concede. The high esteem in
which he is held as an editor, public servant and enterprising citizen, indicate the pos- session of sterling manly qualities and a character above reproach, and that he is destined to fill a still larger place in the pub- lic gaze and win brighter honor with the passing of years, is the belief of his friends and fellow citizens, based, they say, on the able and conscientious manner in which he has fulfilled every trust thus far confided to him. Mr. Utterback, although a young man, has achieved success such as few attain in a much longer career, and the hope the peo- ple of Salem and Marion county entertain for his future seems fully justified and well founded.
Mr. Utterback is a splendid type of the intelligent, broadminded American of today, and personally as well as through the me- dium of the press he is doing much to foster the material development and intellectual growth of his city and county, besides exer- cising an active and potential influence in elevating the moral sentiment of the com- munity. He holds membership with the Pythian Lodge of Salem, and has labored earnestly to make the organization answer the purposes which the founders had in view, exemplifying in his daily life and con- duct the beautiful principles and sublime precepts upon which the order is based. He is a believer in revealed religion, and while subscribing to the Methodist faith is not narrow in his views, having faith in the mission of all churches and to the extent of his ability assisting the different organiza- tions of his city, although devoutly loyal to the one with which identified.
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
Mr. Utterback owns one of the most beau- tiful and attractive homes in Salem, which is a favorite resort of the best social circle of the city, and within its walls reigns an air of genuine hospitality which sweetens the welcome extended to every guest that crosses the threshold. The presiding spirit of this attractive domicile is a lady of intel- ligence and gracious presence who presides over the family circle with becoming grace and dignity, and whose popularity is only bounded by the limits of her acquaintance. The maiden name of this estimable woman was Charlotte B. Merritt, and the ceremony by which it was changed to the one she now so worthily bears as the wife and helpmeet of the subject was solemnized on the 2nd day of November, 1898. Mrs. Utterback is the daughter of Hon. T. E. Merritt, of Salem, ex-Senator from Marion county, and a man of influence and high standing both politically and socially. Mr. and Mrs. Ut- terback have one child, a son, Tom C., who was born October 17, 1901, and for whose future his fond parents entertain many ar- dent hopes.
ROBERT T. McQUIN.
In the pursuit of his business career Mr. McQuin has displayed unfaltering devotion to the principles he has learned to cherish and his honesty and integrity have earned him a place among the representative and staunchest citizens of Marion county, Illi- nois.
Robert T. McQuin was born in Johnson county, Indiana, October 16, 1853, the son of William I. McQuin, a native of Kentucky who went to Indiana when a young man. He was a carpenter by trade. He moved from Indiana soon after our subject was born, locating at Oconee, Shelby county, Il- linois, where he lived for three or four years. Then he moved to Salem, Illinois, in July, 1859. The first work he did here was on the Park Hotel, which was built in that year by Amos Clark and which was known then as the Clark House. William I. McQuin continued to live in Salem, where he was- regarded as a man of integrity and influ- ence, until his death in October, 1899. The mother of the subject of this sketch was- known in her maidenhood as Mary E. Stur- geon, who was a native of Kentucky and a woman of many estimable traits. Her motlı- er lived to reach the remarkable age of nine- ty-seven years. One of her brothers was a policeman in St. Louis, Missouri. She died in April, 1908, in Denison, Texas, where she was living with her son, Edwin S. Mc- Quin.
The father and mother of the subject were the parents of nine children, five of whom are living. Their names in order of birth follow : Tarlton, deceased; William F., deceased ; Robert T., our subject ; James S., who is living at New Castle, Indiana, and is secretary and treasurer of the Hoosier Kitchen Cabinet Company, which is doing an extensive business all over the world; Sarah E., deceased; Agnes, deceased; Ed- win S., living at Denison, Tex., being a con- ductor on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Railroad Company's lines : John T., a car- penter, living in St. Louis; May lives with her brother in Denison, Texas.
These children all received every advan- tage possible by their parents, who tried to raise them in a wholesome home atmosphere, setting worthy ideals before them at all times.
Robert T. McQuin, our subject, lived with his father until he was twenty-five years old. assisting with the work about the place and attending the public schools of Salem, in which he diligently applied himself, and re- ceived a fairly good education. When twen- ty years old he began working as a harness maker and two years later commenced the shoemaker's trade, following this with much success until 1881, when he launched into the shoe business for himself, having con- tinued the same ever since with satisfactory results, building up a large and extensive trade by reason of his honest business prin- ciples and his uniform courtesy to custom- ers. His trade extends to all parts of the county and his store is well known to all the citizens of Salem and surrounding towns for his patrons have learned that he handles the best grade of footwear in the market and always gives good value. He augmented his business in 1889 by adding a complete stock of harness and by doing a general line of re- pair work. He now handles a full line of harness and similar materials. He manufac- tures most all of his heavy harness and some buggy harness, being recognized as the lead- ing dealer in this line in Marion county.
Mr. McQuin was happily married to Jen-
nie Slack, October 16, 1879, the refined and accomplished daughter of Frederick W. Slack, who lived in Salem at that time. Her family were natives of Kentucky. It was rather singular that this family moved front Kentucky to Oconee, Illinois, and then to Salem simultaneously with the McQuin fam- ily ; however the last move was made a few years after the McQuin family came to Sa- lem. Two children have been born to the subject and wife, namely : Maud, who is the wife of Dwight W. Larimer, in the abstract business in Salem; Ralph is the second child and a student of the Salem public schools.
Mr. McQuin has been twice honored by being elected City Council of Salem. He is associated with his brother-in-law, W. S. Slack, in the monument business in Salem, which is also a thriving business, the firm name being R. T. McQuin & Company.
Our subject is a Modern Woodman in his fraternal relations and he belongs to the Presbyterian church, having been a consist- ent member of the same for a period of thir- ty-four years in 1908. Mrs. McQuin also subscribes to this faith. Our subject las been a deacon in the church and is now a ruling elder.
Mr. McQuin has ever been known as a loyal citizen and has done his share in aid- ing the march of progress and development in this county, and during his residence in Salem his characteristics have won for him recognition as a man of upright dealing and by his many virtues he has won the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens.
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
WALTER C. IRWIN.
,
One of the progressive and well known business men of Salem, Marion county, Illi- nois, is the subject of this sketch, who has spent his life in this vicinity, a life that has been very active and useful, for he has not lost sight of the fact that it is every man's duty to aid in the upbuilding of his county in all lines of development while he is ad- vancing his own interests, and because of the fact that he has ever taken an interest in the public weal, has led an honorable and consistent career, being at present one of the best known druggists of the county, the pub- lishers of this work are glad to give him proper representation here.
Walter C. Irwin, of the Salem Drug Com- pany, was born in Iuka, this county, in Oc- tober, 1866, the son of Dr. J. A. Irwin, a native of Johnson county, Missouri, who came to Iuka at the close of the war, having been a surgeon in the Confederate army un- der General Price's command. He was at the battle of Wilson's Creek, near Spring- field, Missouri, and also the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, in addition to many other smaller engagements. He successfully prac- ticed his profession from 1865 to 1905, and is now living at St. Augustine, Florida, where he went in 1905 on account of his health.
The mother of the subject was Mary Dubbs, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Illinois in 1865. She was a woman of many praiseworthy traits and passed to her rest in 1894 at Iuka. Four children were
born to the parents of our subject, named in order of birth as follows : Walter,subject of this sketch; Byrdie, the wife of Charles A. Bainum, cashier of the First National Bank at Bicknell, Indiana; J. Max is practicing medicine at St. Augustine, Florida ; Maggie Alice died in 1880.
Walter Irwin was reared at Iuka, where he attended the common schools, later tak- ing a course in Lincoln University at Lin- coln, Illinois, which he attended for two years, making a brilliant record as a student. After this he attended the Business Univer- sity at Lincoln for one year, having grad- uated from the same. He then returned to Iuka and was engaged in general merchan- dising and the drug business until 1894, when he came to Salem and embarked in the drug business. While at Iuka he was postmaster under Cleveland and resigned to come to Salem, and his father was appointed postmaster in his place. Our subject has been in Salem ever since, with the exception of two years spent as a traveling salesman, when he resided in Bloomington, this state.
The Salem Drug Company was organized August 26, 1907. Prior to that time Mr. Irwin owned the store, having established it in 1904, and with the exception of the two years noted he has been continuously identi- fied with it, building up an excellent trade with the people of Salem and the entire count- ty, as the result of his unusual knowledge of this line of business and his courteous and impartial treatment of cutsomers.
Mr. Irwin was married in 1892 to Maggie Stevenson, who was born in Stevenson
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
township, this county, the accomplished daughter of Samuel E. Stevenson, now de- ceased, for whom the township was named. He was a prominent citizen of the county for many years.
· One son, a bright and interesting lad, has added cheer and comfort to the home of our subject, who bears the name of Eugene E., and whose date of birth occurred November 5, 1893, while the family was residing at Iuka.
Mr. Irwin has prospered as a result of his well directed energies and has considerable business interests besides his drug store, among which may be mentioned a half inter- est in the Fibernie Sweep Clean Company, manufacturers of a preparation for cleaning floors, carpets, etc., the main office being lo- cated at Salem with branches in Springfield, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee, and Fort Smith, Arkansas. The business of this con- cern is growing at a rapid stride. Mr. Ir- win is a stockholder and director in the Sa- lem National Bank. He is also proprietor of the White Foam Company, which manu- factures a preparation for cleaning fabrics without rubbing and which at present prom- ises to become in immense demand. Our subject is also a stockholder and director in the Oleite Manufacturing Company, of St. Louis, which manufactures leather dress- ings.
Mr. Irwin has served in a most acceptable manner as a member of the Salem Board of Education. In his fraternal relations he is a Mason, a member of the Knights of Py- thias, the American Home Circle, Ben Hur
and the Eastern Star, and Mr. and Mrs. Ir- win are members of the Presbyterian church. They live in a modern, comfortable and nicely furnished home, which is presided over with rare grace and dignity by Mrs. Irwin, who often acts as hostess to numerous admiring friends, and every- one who crosses its threshold is made partaker of the good will and hos- pitality that is always unstintingly dis- pensed here, and because of their genuine worth, integrity, uprightness and pleasing manners no couple in Marion county en- joy to a fuller extent the esteem and friend- ship of all classes than our subject and wife.
BENJAMIN E. MARTIN, SR.
It is safe to venture the assertion that no one attains eminence in business or any pro- fession without passing through a period of more or less unremitting toil, of disappoint- ments and struggles. He who has brought his business to a successful issue through years of work and has established it upon a substantial basis, and yet retains the ap- pearance of youth, who has in his step the elasticity of younger days and shows little trace of worry or care that too often lag the footsteps of the direction of large affairs, must be a man possessed of enviable char- acteristics. Such is a brief word picture of the worthy gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch, as he now appears, after a long, active and prosperous business
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
career, the peer of any of his contemporaries in all that enters into the make-up of the suc- cessful man of affairs or that constitutes a leader in important business enterprises. Therefore, by reason of the fact that Mr. Martin has attained worthy prestige as a business man, and also because he was one of the patriotic sons of the North who went forth on many a hard fought battlefield to defend the flag in the days of the Rebellion, and also because of his life of honor, it is eminently fitting that he be given just rep- resentation in a work of the province as- signed to the one at hand.
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