USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 21
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 21
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 21
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Mr. Lewis was married December 26, 1867, to Sarah Anderson, a native of near Madison, Indiana, the daughter of Felix and Martha (Underwood) Anderson, both of
whom died in Jasper county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are the parents of eight chil- dren, two of whom are living. Anna is the wife of Victor Bolmar, who resides in Mat- toon, Illinois; May is the other daughter.
In politics Mr. Lewis was formerly a Dem- ocrat, but in later years he has voted the Republican ticket. He is a member of the Eli Boyer Post, No. 92, Grand Army of the Republic. He has held many positions in the same, being at present quartermaster. He is also a member of Olney Lodge, No. 926, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He and his family are members of the Catholic church.
NATHANIEL G. HUFF.
The subject of this sketch has long been identified with the progress and ad- vancement of this favored section of the great Prairie state, where he has maintained his home for more than the Psalmist's al- lotted three score years, having been born within her borders, having spent his long; active and useful life here and where he has attained gratifying success in connection with the development of its resources, being one of the representative farmers and stock growers in Stevenson township and having one of the most productive landed estates in this part of the county.
Nathaniel G. Huff was born in Stevenson township, this county, February 6, 1841, the son of William H., Sr., and Mary A.
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
(Crane) Huff, the former a native of Vir- namely: Nathaniel G., our subject; Benja- ginia and the latter of Kentucky. The sub- min F., deceased; Andrew J., deceased; James K. and George M. Dallis, twins, are both living; Joshua is living in this state at Jacksonville; Marj J. is the wife of Wil- liam Brasel; Henderson P. lives in Steven- son township; Harriet C. is the wife of Wil- liam Porter Gaston; Virginia is the wife of John B. Brasel; Steven A. is deceased. ject's grandfather was Samuel Huff, also a native of Virginia who later removed to Tennessee and finally came to Marion county, Illinois, settling among the pioneers on government land on what is now Rac- coon township. He later moved to Haines township, where he cleared land and made a comfortable home, spending the rest of his days there. Leonard Huff was the great-grandfather of the subject. He was born in Germany and came to America in a very early day, settling in Pennsylvania where he spent his life and where he died.
Mary A. Crane, our subject's mother, was the daughter of William Crane, who was a native of Virginia, having lived and died in Kentucky. William Huff, father of our subject, was raised in Tennessee and spent several years in Mississippi and Alabama. About April 22, 1840, he came to Marion county, Illinois, where he married and where he purchased four hundred acres of wild land in what is now Stevenson town- ship, spending the remainder of his useful and very busy life here, dying March IO, 1863. His widow, a much beloved old lady of fine Christian character, is still living. William Huff was regarded as a successful farmer. He joined the Christian church sometime prior to his death. He was twice married, his first wife having been Nancy Dukes, whom he married in Mississippi. She died leaving one child, William H., Jr. He married Mary Crane April 22, 1840. Eleven children were born to this union,
The subject of this sketch spent his youth on his father's farm, having remained under the parental roof-tree until he reached man- hood. He was educated in the old subscrip- tion schools and having applied himself in a diligent manner received a fairly good edu- cation. His father gave him a piece of land in this township which he at once set about improving, but which he sold in 1868 and bought his present fine farm of one hun- dred and seventy-eight acres, which lies in section 30, Stevenson township, and section 25, Salem township. It was almost all in the woods when he took possession of it, but he has been a hard worker and has im- proved the place up to its present high state of efficiency, having been enabled from year to year to reap bounteous harvests from the same through his skillful manipulation of crops. He did most of the work in con- nection with his place himself, and also on his buildings, having an excellent and well furnished house and a good barn. Every thing about the place shows thrift and pros- perity and his farm is regarded as one of the most desirable in Stevenson township.
Our subject's first marriage was in 1862 to Julia A. Hill, a native of Marion county,
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and eight children were born to this union, namely: Thomas, who lives in Stevenson township, married Orela Cutchin; Viola is living at Jacksonville, Illinois; William mar- ried Frankie Evans and resides in Salem township; Seymour, who is living in Salem township, married Elizabeth Guth; Mary A. is deceased; Laura is single and resides in Jacksonville; Osceola, who is living in Flora, this state, married Maggie Babb; Au- gustus L. married May Stone and lives in Eureka, Illinois, being a minister of the Christian church.
The subject's second marriage was solemnized November 8, 1885, to Martha E. Mercer, a native of Marion county and the daughter of Silas and Rebecca Mercer, early settlers in Marion county. The sub- ject has sixteen grandchildren and five chil- dren dead. He has two great-grandchil- dren. The subject and wife are members of the Christian church at old Mt. Maria, the first church organized in Marion county. The subject is a Jeffersonian Democrat, but is not a Bryan Democrat, believing that the old school democracy is preferable to the new. He filled the office of Justice of the Peace in a most able manner for a period of eighteen years.
Mr. Huff has in his possession an old squirrel rifle over one hundred years old which belonged to his father. It has killed over one hundred deer and bear. He also has the old powder-horn and shot pouch which his father carried. Mr. Huff has a note made in, payment for a clock which was given him by his father-in-law. He
also still has the clock. He has among other relics of the past a spinning-wheel and a Southern dagger, which was discovered in a layer of cane.
SAMUEL C. WILSON.
The dominating spirit of self-help is what has conserved the distinctive business suc- cess and prestige of the gentleman whose career we now take under consideration, who stands at the head of one of the leading industrial enterprises of Richland county, where from modest inception, he has built up one of the leading flouring mills in this part of the state, controlling a trade which ramifies throughout a wide area of country, and having the high reputation which is ever significant of personal integrity and honorable methods.
Samuel C. Wilson, of S. C. Wilson & Company, proprietors of the Butler Street Flour Mills at Olney, Illinois, was born near Maryville, Tennessee, March 17, 1844, the son of Joseph and Ann (Gault) Wilson, na- tives of Virginia, where they were reared. They married after coming to Tennessee. The subject's father was a farmer and a man of influence in his community. In April, 1852, the family moved to Crawford county, Illinois, where they settled on a farm. The same year Mr. Wilson bought a farm in Denver township, Richland county, which was developed into valuable property. Joseph Wilson died at the age of sixty-nine
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
years, his wife having passed away at the age of fifty-four years. Mr. Wilson was twice married. Eight children were born of the first union and two of the second, the subject of this sketch being the youngest of the first marriage.
Samuel C. Wilson came with his parents to Richland county in 1852. He was reared on a farm, and his education in those early days was very limited, but by home reading and study he gained a fairly good founda- tion for later learning, which he has received by contact with the world and general study. He remained under his parental roof until he was twenty-two years old, at which time he inherited a part of the old homestead, which he conducted in a very successful manner until 1876, having in the meantime bought additional land. He has been prosperous owing to his conservative methods, his care- ful business principles. He at one time owned six hundred and fory acres. In 1876 our subject came to Olney and bought a mill, the main part of the present building having been erected in 1861. When he purchased this property it was of the old burr system, with a capacity of fifty barrels per day. Since then the progress of the business has been constant, reaching its present propor- tions, large building and modern equipment, consisting of fourteen sets of rollers, with a capacity of two hundred barrels per day. Mr. Wilson has been very prosperous and he does a general milling business, handling large quantities of flour and feed. He manu- factures the famous brand known as "Our Daily Bread"; this special grade of flour
having long ago become known throughout this locality, and it took first premium at the state fair at Springfield, Illinois, 1908.
The firm consists of Samuel C. Wilson and Jolin C. Page, under the name of S. C. Wilson & Company, and they employ con- siderable help, are always busy, and con- stantly adding new territory to their list.
The domestic life of Mr. Wilson dates from October, 1865, when he was first mar- ried to Emily J. Welty, a native of Hills- boro, Ohio, the daughter of Isaac and Mary A. (Barker) Welty, natives of Ohio. Seven children were born to the subject and wife, all of whom are now living, namely: Mary A., Martha A., Isaac N., William E., Charles F., Edwin O., and Thomas C. Mrs. Wilson passed to her rest March 3, 1901, and the subject married Jennie (Bradshaw) Lough, a native of Wayne county, Illinois.
Mr. Wilson in his political relations is a Democrat, having long been active in his party's affairs. In 1890 he was elected Treasurer of Richland county, and ably served one term of four years. In 1899 he was elected Mayor of Olney, serving one term of two years, being the first anti-saloon candidate ever eleced Mayor of this city. His administration was regarded by the community as one of the best the town ever had and numerous improvements were in- augurated. After their license had expired all saloons were closed during the remain- der of his administration. In the spring of 1908 Mr. Wilson was elected a member of the City Council. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Masons and the
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Knight Templars. In religious matters he is a faithful attendant of the Presbyterian church, being one of the oldest elders in the church.
Mr. Wilson is a man of marked business enterprise and capability, and he carries for- ward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. The subject has long been an important factor in business circles and his popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unabat- ing energy, unbending integrity and indus- try that never flags.
DANIEL S. HOLSTLAW.
It is with a degree of satisfaction that the biographer has an opportunity at this junc- ture to write the following biographical memoir of the well remembered citizen, whose name appears above, now deceased, who was for many years prominent in the affairs of Marion county, for the readers of this book will doubtless gain inspiration from perusing these paragraphs to lead more industrious, kindlier and worthier lives, seeing what the life of the subject ac- complished not only individually but gen- erically, affecting the whole community in an uplifting manner. He came to this sec- tion of the state in pioneer times and he assisted in bringing about the transforma- tion of the county in the wild condition in which it was found at the time of his ar- rival to its later-day progress and improve- ment.
. Daniel S. Holstlaw was born in Barren county, Kentucky, November 15, 1813, the son of Richard and Mary (Smith) Holst- law, the former a native of Virginia, who came in an early day to Indiana, settling in Orange county and later came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1830. Richard Holtslaw took up government land and set about making a farm of his holdings with very flattering prospects ahead of him, but his life was brought to a close August 18, 1834, at the age of forty-six years. Mary, his wife, continued to live on the farm where she reared the children and made a comfortable living, being a woman of many sterling traits and of indomitable courage. Their children were eight in number, seven of whom grew to maturity and named in order of birth as follows : Henry E., Daniel S., our subject ; Lucinda, John Andrew, Elizabeth Ann, Malinda H., and Richard V. All of these children have now joined their parents in the eternal sleep of the just.
Daniel S. Holstlaw was sixteen years of age when he came to Illinois and located in what is now known as Stevenson township, where he spent the remainder of his long, busy and useful life, having been called to his reward by the Shepherd who giveth his beloved sleep, on December 2, 1905, con- scious of the fact that his life had not been lived in vain; that he had fought a good fight and kept the faith, as did the great Apostle, Saint Paul, in the days of our Saviour, and that there was laid up for him a reward in the Father's house which was not made with hands.
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Mr. Holstlaw upon coming to this county bought a claim, having that rare foresight and sagacity that penetrated into the future years, bringing them within his horoscope, and which enabled him to see the great pos- sibilities that lie ahead. This first pur- chase was added to from time to time until he owned a large tract of land, which, un- der his able management was developed into one of the best, most productive and most highly improved farms in this locality. He was a hard worker, and, believing that it was his duty as well as his privilege to eat his bread by the sweat of his brow, never ignored any task that he found awaiting disposition at his hands. He split the rails that fenced his land and also put up a log house, and, infact, did the usual work of the pioneer. But having prospered by reason of his indomitable energy and good man- agement he was soon enabled to erect a more substantial nine room house, which was comfortable, cozy and well arranged. and in which the family now resides.
The subject was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a lib- eral supporter of the same; he and his worthy life companion both having pro- fessed religion the same night at a camp meeting held on Tennessee Prairie. In 1862, when the local Methodist church with which they were affiliated was divided up- on the question which precipitated the Civil war this intensely religious couple united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church in which the subject remained an ac- tive and faithful member until his death.
Our subject was a staunch Democrat and took considerable interest in political af- fairs, having had the interest of his commu- nity at heart and lending his support at all times to whatever proposition that present- ed itself looking to the betterment of the community whether in a political, educa- tional, religious or moral sense. He was school director at one time and materially aided the local public school through his advice, counsel and influence.
Mr. Holstlaw was united in marriage with Ruth W. Middleton on June 9, 1836. She was a native of what later became Campbell county, Tennessee, and the rep- resentative of an influential old family, the date of her birth falling on Janu- ary 23, 1819, the daughter of Wil- liam and Sarah J. (Harris) Middleton, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of South Carolina. After their mar- riage they moved to Tennessee and in 1831 came to Marion county, Illinois, locating three miles east of Iuka, in what is now Iuka township. They were sterling pio- neers and made a most comfortable living in the new country where they became known as honest, hard-working people. Their family consisted of fourteen children, named in order of birth, as follows: Thomas L., Lydia P., Harvey, William H., Elizabeth, John B., Joel, Martha, Jane, Sa- rah, James A., Josephus W., Ruth W., the wife of our subject; Lucy and Dicy E.
Mr. Middleton was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church, having be- come well known as an able expounder of
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the Gospel and doing a vast amount of good in his work here. His wife was also a faithful worker in this church.
To our subject and wife eleven children were born, six sons and five daughters, named in order of birth as follows : Richard J., who was first married to Mary A. Jag- ger, and later to Rachel Berry; John H., who married Lucy Downing; Thomas, who married Aleatha E. Hite; Hattie, who is living at home; Mary is also a member of the home circle at this writing, 1908; Sarah became the wife of Omer Squibb; Daniel W., married Clara Stevenson; Joel W., married Lucretia Stevenson; Ruth Emma is the wife of Daniel Crayton Ste- venson; Marion C. married Lelian Bru- baker; Martha A. is single and living at home; the last two children named are twins.
The widow of our subject, a gracious old lady of beautiful Christian character and praiseworthy attributes, is living on the old homestead, being idolized by her children, and much admired and loved by a host of friends. Many are the homes in the sur- rounding country where she has nursed the sick and brought sunshine and happiness. She takes a great interest in the lives of her children, her eighteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. On the old home place, which is still well kept and in an excellent productive state, live three of the daughters with their beloved mother, the family being well known in Stevenson township and highly respected by all. In this home are to be found many old and in-
teresting relics of the pioneer days, such as spinning wheels and machines for spinning flax, and many similar things.
THOMAS A. HARDMAN.
When the business interests of a town or city are in the hands of worthy, capable and enterprising men, an important step has been taken toward the growth and development of the place. Had her merchants, men of busi- ness in general, been less worthy, capable and enterprising than they were, Chicago would lack much of being the city that it is today. Cities, like persons, have a dis- tinct individuality. One may be sluggish, plodding, shiftless, while its neighbor only a few miles distant, may be alert, energetic, progressive. It is the inhabitants who give character to a town or city ; if they are drones the place can not disclose either development or progress. To the merchants, contractors and business men in general, most of the credit is due for the desirable condition of affairs in Olney, Illinois, today, and among this class none hold a more worthy place nor has done more for the advancement of the city than the subject of this sketch.
Thomas A. Hardman, the well known con- tractor, of Olney, Richland county, was born near Manchester, England, July 14, 1847, the son of Alfred and Elizabeth (Bishop) Hardman, the former a native of England and the latter of Scotland. The subject's father was a machinist. Both he
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and his wife died when our subject was a child. When eight years old Thomas A. Hardman was brought to the United States by an aunt, who located in Franklin county, Indiana. He had a limited chance to attend school only a few months during the win- ter. He was bound out to a farmer when twelve years old and when sixteen ran away and started in life for himself. He worked on a farm during the summer months and went to school in the winter. When eighteen years old he began teaching, having ac- quired a good education by close application to his studies. He taught in the winter and worked on a farm in the summer. He also attended school at Lebanon, Ohio, having saved money enough to defray his expenses there, finally securing a liberal education.
When tewenty-four years old Mr. Hard- man was elected county Surveyor of Frank- lin county, Indiana, his certificate being signed by Governor Hendricks. He served in a most faithful and capable manner for nearly two years when he resigned to accept a position with the Smith Bridge Company, of Toledo, Ohio, with whom he remained two years as engineer. He proved to be an excellent office man and all his time was de- voted to draughting. But the confinement was too much for him and he resigned on account of failing health. He returned to Franklin county, Indiana, and was appointed by the County Commissioners as County Engineer to look after bridge work at a time when many bridges were being built, several costing from twenty-five thousand to forty- thousand dollars. While engaged in this
work he began contracting, his first work of this nature being for the county over which and southern Indiana, he built many bridges. Then he began railroad work and in 1883 built eighteen bridges on one railroad, most of them being in the Southern States. His bridges were considered of the most modern and careful construction, always satisfactory in every detail. He continued that line of work until 1890, when he came to Olney and since which time he has been engaged in con- tracting water works plants and engineering and improvement work in general. For a number of years he has done engineer work for the city of Olney, particularly the street grades. He has put in the majority of the sewer systems.
Mr. Hardman's work extends all over Illi- nois and into adjoining states; also to the Southern States. He built the water works at Olney which are high grade in every re- spect and would be a credit to any city. He has built the water works for many of the towns and cities of this state and Indiana. He has been uniformly successful and his name has gone all over the country, synonymous with high class work in this line of contract- ing. He constructs everything of good ma- terial and is scrupulously honest in all his business transactions, so that the results of his contracting are always satisfactory to all concerned.
Mr. Hardman was united in marriage in 1876 to Julia St. John, a native of Frank- lin county, Indiana, daughter of D. H. and Kate (Lefforge) St. John, natives of Frank- lin county, Indiana, and at present residents
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of Olney. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hardman, namely : Catherine, the wife of J. Q. Davis, a grocer of Olney ; Thomas Thornley, who is living at home; the eldest, Alfred, was killed while on a va- cation to visit his father in South Carolina, at the age of thirteen years.
In his fraternal relations our subject is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Or- der of Elks at Olney ; and in politics he is a Democrat. He is a man of fine personality, and in every respect merits the high regard of his fellow citizens which they freely ac- cord wherever he is known.
JACOB BRUBAKER.
It is not the intention of the biographer to give in this connection a detailed history of the subject's life, but rather to note inci- dentally his connection with the various enterprises with which his name has been linked and to show the marked influence he wielded in advancing the interests of Ste- venson township, Marion county.
Jacob Brubaker was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1825, the son of Abraham Brubaker, a native of the Buckeye state as was also his wife who was known in her maidenhood as Elizabeth Myers. They came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1842 and took up government land and remained here the balance of their lives. Abraham was a man of influence in his community. He passed away March 10, 1854, and his faithful life companion joined him Febru-
ary 3, 1867. The number of children born to them was six.
Jacob Brubaker, our subject, came to Illi- nois with his parents when he was sixteen years of age and received his education in the pioneer schools where the advantages were very limited and the terms lasted only a few months out of each year, but he ap- plied himself as best he could and laid the foundation for a good mental development which he later received by home reading and personal observation.
Mr. Brubaker was united in marriage to Jane Davis, who was born in Virginia. She was taken to Pennsylvania when two years of age and reared there, later coming to Illinois when she had reached maturity, remaining in this state until her earthly la- bors closed in 1895. She was a good woman, kind and gentle of disposition, and in her religious affiliations was a member of the Presbyterian church. Ten children were born to Jacob and Jane Brubaker, named in order of their birth as follows: Clifford, who lives in Stevenson township on a farm; Lillie is the wife of M. C. Holst- law, a farmer of Stevenson township; Ella is single; John is a farmer living in Alma township, this county; Walter, who was born February 7, 1864, lives on a farm in Stevenson township. He was reared on a farm and in 1887 went to Colorado, but returned to this county and married Laura Rodgers, a native of Marion county. He has one hundred and forty acres of good land and he is regarded as an excellent farmer and neighbor. He is the father of one child, Blanche. Frank is the name of
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