USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 22
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 22
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 22
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the sixth child of our subject, who is liv- tled in Iuka township, where they remained ing on a farm in Stevenson township; Anna . is the wife of Charles Craig, a farmer on the old Brubaker homestead; Herman is a farmer in Iuka township; the ninth and tenth child died in infancy.
Jacob Brubaker, after an eminently use- ful and active life, passed to his rest on June 30, 1908, lamented by a host of friends who regarded him as one of the leading men of the community and who will greatly miss him. In politics he was a Democrat and he served as school director of Stevenson township. He was known as a loyal citizen and a good man.
JOHN F. EDDINGS.
The climate, soil and general conditions prevalent in southern Illinois are well adapted to the purposes of general farming and stock raising. One of the men who has shown by their success that they were mas- ters of the art of farming in Iuka town- ship, Marion county, is the subject of this biography. However, he is at present en- gaged in other business, having given up his former life work.
John F. Eddings was born in Iuka town- ship, Marion county, Illinois, Feburary 22, 1844, the son of James B. and Rhoda Ann (West) Eddings, both natives of North Carolina. They emigrated to Kentucky and Tennessee when very young, arriving in the latter state in 1842. They later came to Marion county, Illinois, and set- when he was wounded at Shiloh, hav-
a short time and then returned to Tennes- see, but returned to Marion county in 1855, settling again in Iuka township, where they remained during the rest of their lives on a farm. The death of the subject's father oc- curred February 28, 1901, and his wife died January 19, 1902. The former was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and after the Civil war he voted the Re- publican ticket. He was justice of the peace for two terms. There were nine children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. James Eddings, namely: Nancy, who lives in Iuka, is the wife of William Nicks; John F., our subject, was second in order of birth; Mary E., deceased, was the wife of L. L. Jones; Minerva H. is the wife of William Milburn, living in Iuka; James T. is a farmer living in Iuka township; Jesse J. lives in St. Louis; Martha Ann is the wife of William Morgan, living in Alma; William L. is deceased; Sarah, step- daughter of the subject's father, is de- ceased.
John F. Eddings was reared on the home farm and educated in the common schools of the county, remaining under the pa- rental roof until he was seventeen years of age, when he showed his patriotism by en- listing in Company I, Fortieth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, serving four years in a most gallant manner. So efficient was his service that he was promoted to corporal, and then to first lieutenant. He served with Sherman's army, having been in all his campaigns, with the exception of
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ing been shot through the shoulder in that great battle. His throat was also pierced by a bullet. He remained in the general hospital for one and one-half months, after which he received a furlough home of from forty to fifty days at the ex- piration of which he rejoined his regiment and served until the end of the war. After his return from the army, he farmed a while. Selling out, he came to Iuka and engaged in the real estate and insurance business, also as pension attorney which he has since been following with marked suc- cess.
. Mr. Eddings is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Picket Post, hav- ing been commander, adjutant and quarter- master of the same.
Fraternally he is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, having passed all the chairs and he has attended the grand lodge four times. He has been sec- retary of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, lodge No. 694, for eighteen years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Useless to add that in politics Mr. Ed- dings is a loyal Republican. He is in 1908 Supervisor of Iuka township, having been first appointed in December, 1903, to fill out an expired term, taking the place made va- cant by the death of William Gray. Mr. Eddings was elected in 1907 for a period of two years. Our subject has long been interested in public affairs and always did his part in furthering the interests of his community in any way he could.
GEORGE A. MCGAHEY.
The life of the subject of this review has been such as to bear aloft the high standard which has been maintained by his father, who was one of the early residents of this section of the Prairie state, and whose life was signally noble, upright and useful, one over which falls no shadow of wrong in thought, word or deed. Such was the type of men who laid the foundation and aided in the development of this state, and to their memories will ever be paid a tribute of rev- erence and gratitude by those who have profited by their well-directed endeavors and appreciated the lessons of their lives.
George A. McGahey, one of the leading grocers of Olney, Illinois, was born in this city, October 28, 1868, and decided to direct his life work along channels here, rather than seek uncertain advantages in other fields. He is the son of David Herman and Sarah E. (Swaim) McGahey, the former having been born near Palestine, Illinois, and the latter in Hamilton county, Ohio. The mother moved with her parents to Illi- nois when thirteen years old, settling near Olney on a farm in Richland county, where she grew to maturity. The father of the subject lived in Jasper county for a number of years, where he improved a farm. He later moved to Richland county where he married and bought a farm in Preston township, being among the early settlers here. About 1862 he moved to Olney where he lived until his death in 1897. at the age of sixty-two years. His wife, a woman of
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beautiful Chrisian faith, survives, living in in the Business Men's Association of Olney, Olney. They were the parents of two chil- which has done much to promote the inter- ests of Olney. He was one of the founders of the same, and has been one of its leading advocates. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. dren, George A., our subject, and a sister, Mrs. E. W. Reef, of Carbondale, the for- mer being the older. He was reared in Ol- ney, where he attended the public schools, graduating from the high school, having received a good practical education. He was assistant postmaster under J. C. Allen for some time, after which he went on the road selling wholesale groceries for a Cin- cinnati house, having been clerk in a grocery store for four years, during which time he thoroughly mastered this line of business, which he decided to make a life work. He was on the road for two years. In 1897 he purchased an interest in a grocery store in Olney under the firm name of Winans & SHANNON KAGY. McGahey, which firm successfully continued for three years. In 1900 our subject es- The memory of the worthy subject of this memorial biography is revered by a host of friends and acquaintances among whom he labored, having spent his energies through a long life of strenuous endeavor to make the most of his opportunities as well as to assist as best he could his neighbors to im- prove their condition. tablished his present grocery store, one of the largest in Olney or this locality any- where. It occupies a space of eighteen by one hundred and seven feet, and a complete line of staple and fancy groceries is carried. A liberal trade has been built up within the city and surrounding country, and his cus- tomers are on the increase owing to the fair and courteous treatment that is accorded to all who visit this neat and well kept store.
Mr. McGahey has never assumed the re- sponsibilities of the married state, but lives at home with his mother and administers to her comfort.
In politics Mr. McGahey is a Democrat, having long taken an active part in the af- fairs of his party, being a member of local Democratic committees, etc. He is a director
In all the relations of life Mr. McGahey has proved signally true to every trust. He possesses a social nature and by his genial and kindly attitude to those about him, has won the respect and confidence of everyone. He has been very successful, being known as an able and careful business man and one whose integrity of purpose is beyond ques- tion.
Shannon Kagy was born in Marion county, Illinois, May 26, 1844, and he was called from his earthly labors in 1889, after a life of usefulness and success in every particular. He was the son of Christian and Anna (Hite) Kagy, natives of Ohio, and early settlers in Marion county, Il- linois.
The subject was reared on his father's farm in Omega township, and was edu- cated in the common schools of Marion
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county. He married Anna E. Brubaker, born in Stevenson township, this county, daughter of Eli and Ann (Warner) Bru- baker. Mr. and Mrs. Kagy were the par- ents of five children, namely : Myrtle, single and living at home, is one of the popular teachers of Marion county; Corwin, who lives in Oregon, married Pearl Crippen : Clark lives in Salem, this county, and mar- ried Quette Leckrone, and has two children, Donald and Harvey; Frank married Nellie Boring, living in New Mexico and they have one child, Fay ; Ellis married Ora Dru- endike. He is a farmer and has two chil- dren, Keith and Rex.
After his marriage our subject moved to Nebraska, where he remained for three years, then returned to Marion county and went to farming in 1882, on the place where his widow is still living in Stevenson town- ship, three miles east of Salem. Our sub- ject remained on this place until his death. He was a most excellent farmer and always managed his fields to best advantage, reap- ing rich harvests from year to year, making a comfortable living and laying by an ample competence for his family. He raised good stock and the buildings on his place were comfortable and convenient.
Mr. Kagy was one of the patriotic sons of the great Prairie state who offered their lives on the field of battle to save the Union, having enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served three years. He saw much hard service, but was never wounded nor taken prisoner.
Mr. Kagy was a loyal Democrat and held some of the minor public offices of Stevenson township. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church. He was regarded by everyone as a good man, honest and upright at all times and always interested in the welfare of his community, lending what aid he could in its development at all times.
Mrs. Kagy, the widow of our subject, lives on the home farm with her daughter. She manages the entire farm with skill and profit, being a women of rare business abil- ity and force of character. She understands the proper rotation of crops so as to get the best harvests and the maintenance of the soil to its original fertility. She also under- stands the proper handling of live stock. Her farm is regarded as one of the best in Stevenson township. The buildings are modern, and always kept in good order. She is held in high esteem by her neighbors and many friends for her many admirable traits of character and her kind heart and cheerful disposition, being a pleasant woman to meet, as is also her daughter.
ROBERT O. BRIGHAM.
No business man of Centralia is regarded with higher favor than is the subject of this sketch, who, while looking to his own in- terests does not neglect to discharge his duties in fostering the upbuilding of the community in general.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
R.O. Brigham
CENTRALIA ENVELOPE CO.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILL
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Robert O. Brigham, manager of the Cen- Company, in the employ of which he contin- tralia Envelope Company, was born in ued for one year; the then went to Los An- geles, California, then to Denver, Colorado, and worked for W. E. Scott, machinery com- pany, having charge of the model and re- pair work, after which he worked for the J. C. Teller Envelope Opener Company, of Denver, Colorado. Clinton, New York, May 23, 1861, the son of Lewis and Sophia (Johnson) Brig- ham, the former having been born in Ver- non Center, New York, December 4, 1820. His parents were of English extraction on both sides of the house. Lewis E. Brigham was a contractor and carpenter, and was Robert O. Brigham invented an attach- ment to an envelope machine for placing a string in the envelope and then formed a company to put such an envelope on the market. The manufacture was continued with much success until 1896, when he and two other men bought the interest of the former manager, forming the Western En- velope and Box Company. They continued for one year in Denver, but finding that they were too far west for the successful working of such a plant, they moved to Omaha, Nebraska, remaining there one year, after which they moved to Centralia, Illinois. educated in the public schools of his native state. The subject's parents reared a fam- ily consisting of eight sons and one daugh- ter, Robert O., our subject, being the sev- enth in order of birth. The subject's father died in Clinton, New York, February 22, 1907, at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife was born in that city April 29, 1825. She was educated in the common schools in her native community. The parents of the subject were married in 1843 in the state of New York. The mother of our subject, an elderly woman of beautiful Christian character, is still living in Clinton, New York.
Robert O. Brigham received his early ed- ucation in Clinton, New York, in the public schools. He quit school when fifteen years of age and went to Boston to learn the ma- chinist's trade. Here he took advantage of the Boston night schools and applied him- self with his accustomed vigor to technical drafting and the necessary commercial branches. He served his apprenticeship with the National Sewing Machine Com- pany, for which he worked for ten years, at the end of which time he was called to take charge of the Whitmore Sewing Machine
After operating the plant for eight years in Centralia, it was reorganized and called the Illinois Envelope Company, and moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. After one year's residence in Kalamazoo, Mr. Brigham re- signed his position with the Illinois En- velope Company and returned to Centralia and helped to organize a new envelope company with only Centralia capital. This company is known as the Centralia Envelope Company, and is capitalized for one hun- dred thousand dollars, fully paid in. This company is now only two years old and is doing a thriving business. Its capacity at
I3
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the beginning was one and one-quarter mil- lion envelopes every ten hours, and has been increased to one and one-half million per day. The order for the machinery for the plant was the largest ever given at one time for a like enterprise.
The view accompanying this article is of thirty of the latest improved envelope ma- chines in the plant of the Centralia En- velope Company mill. These machines are marvels of ingenuity. The paper is cut to the proper size and shape, then taken to these machines in which they are gummed, folded, dried and counted at the rate of one hundred to one hundred and thirty per minute, according to size. The picture shows only the envelope machines. There is also a large printing department equipped with latest improved printing machinery and all the necessary equipment that goes to make a complete printing establish- ment, cutting department, box department, case department, handfold department, ma- chine shop, in fact, everything that goes to make up a complete envelope mill.
The capacity of the mill, as already stated, is one and one-half million envelopes every ten hours, making it one of the largest in the United States, and one of the lead- ing industries of Southern Illinois. Its goods are known far and wide for their high quality.
This mill is owned and controlled by Centralia capital. Its directors are com- posed of the following well known busi- ness men : C. C. Davis, Ferdinand Kohl, Jr., Harry Warner, F. F. Noleman, Jacob
Erbes, Ed Cornell, J. G. Goetsch, R. O. Brigham, W. E. O'Melveny. Officers : C. C. Davis, president ; F. Kohl, Jr., vice pres- ident; H. M. Warner, secretary; Harry Kohl, treasurer; R. O. Brigham, general manager.
Our subject is particularly well fitted to be manager of such a gigantic and success- ful enterprise. His native constructive abil- ity for technical mechanics and intricate ma- chinery has eminently fitted him in this special line. His economic foresight of proper management, good machines, good workmen, good material all contribute to the success of the company.
All the machinery in the plant is modern, up-to-date in every respect, and high grade work is turned out rapidly. Our subject has had. a wide experience in the manage- ment of such concerns. He is the originator and inventor of many of the improvements to be found in the present highly developed envelope machine. This company under his superior management now operates thirty envelope machines, ten printing presses and ten box machines. The factory also has a complete machine shop and repair depart- ment, also a complete case department. The buildings are two stories high, built of brick and frame. The main building is two hun- dred feet long and fifty feet wide. The shipping and stock room is one hundred and thirty-five by eighty-five feet. A switch from the main track of the Illinois Central Railroad runs to the door of the big ship- ping room, all under cover of spacious sheds. The Illinois Southern tracks also
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run into the sheds of the shipping depart- ment. The machines of the plant are run and the buildings are lighted and heated by a one hundred and sixty-horse power steam plant and a sixty horse power engine. A four hundred light dynamo furnishes the lighting of the great plant. Eighty girls and twenty-five men and boys are constant- ly employed to operate the plant, the daily capacity of which is one million and five hundred thousand envelopes.
This new but successful enterprising company was started by thirty-five of the business men of Centralia, and it is owned by Centralia people, being capitalized at one hundred thousand dollars, which was raised in a very short time. The capacity of each machine runs from sixty-five to sev- enty-five thousand each ten hours. It is an interesting plant in every detail and one of the rapidly growing large industrial con- cerns of Southern Illinois.
Robert O. Brigham was married to Min- nie G. McDonald, the accomplished daugh- ter of James and Rebecca (Nicholson) Mc- Donald, a well known family of Quincy, Illinois, to which family there were four children, Minnie being the youngest. To our subject and wife one daughter was born, who passed away when eighteen years old.
Our subject is a member of Centralia lodges, Knights of Pythias and the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks. He served as a member of the school board for one term. In politics he is a Republican, and he was reared a Baptist, but he at pres-
ent worships with the Christian Scientists, and is president of the Church Board of Centralia. His beautiful home just west of the Public Library is nicely furnished, be- ing also well filled with choicest books of an excellent variety, also a large number of beautiful oil paintings by his sister and daughter. He is a genial gentleman of good habits and modest demeanor.
PHILIP HELTMAN.
An honorable retirement from labor in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil and the enjoyment which life can offer, is the fitting reward of a useful and active career, in which one, through keen discernment, in- defatigable labor and honorable methods advanced steadily toward the goal of pros- perity. Such, briefly stated, is the record of Philip Heltman, who is now living re- tired in Olney, Richland county, and through his long connection with agricul- tural interests he not only carefully con- ducted his farm, but so managed its affairs that he acquired thereby a position among the substantial residents of the community. Moreover he is entitled to representation in this volume because he was one of the sons of the Northland who stood by the flag dur- ig the days of the rebellion. He came to this county over a half century ago, and from those early times down to the present day he has been an interested witness of its development, taking a just pride in what he has accomplished and the high rank the
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county has among her sister counties of the great Prairie state.
Philip Heltman was born in Clermont county, Ohio, December 6, 1834, the son of John and Elizabeth (Weaver) Heltman, na- tives of Pennsylvania, of German parentage. John Heltman grew up in the old Keystone state and married there. In 1809 he emi- grated with his wife and two children to Cincinnati, Ohio, going down the Ohio river in skiffs. He was a distiller and came to Ohio for the purpose of following that business. This was in an early day, and he was obliged to take refuge in a fort in the Miami valley more than once on account of the Indians. He later located on a farm which is now located in Clermont county, Ohio, near the Hamilton county line, where he died at the age of sixty-eight years, his wife having previously passed away in 1840. Our subject is the youngest of fourteen chil- dren and the only one living at this writing. He was about fifteen years of age when his father died. He then went to live with an older brother and was reared on a farm in Clermont county, where he attended pub- lic school in the winer in an old log school- house, and one term in a frame, but he ap- plied himself and laid a good foundation for an education which has later been added to by home reading and a contact with the world of men.
In February, 1857, Mr. Heltman came to Richland county, Illinois, and soon after- ward bought over four hundred acres of raw land in Denver township, on which two log cabins had been built. He at once began
work on the place and in time made exten- sive and radical improvements.
When the war between the states broke out, our subject was not long making up his mind to offer his services in behalf of the nation, consequently he enlisted in June, 1861, in Company D, Eleventh Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and after a faithful ser- vice was mustered out in Memphis, Tennes- see, in August, 1864, and was paid off in St. Louis. His regiment was assigned to the Mississippi, and opened up the same, raising the blockade on Island No. 10. He soon afterward went to Tiptonville by transport, where his regiment took about five thousand prisoners. Later Mr. Heltman was in the siege of Corinth, his regiment forming the left wing of the army in the fighting there. It was later sent against Bragg and Price at Iuka, where the Confed- erates were defeated. Then came the en- gagements at Raymond, Mississippi, the Siege of Vicksburg, and during the latter part of the siege this regiment was in front. After the surrender there, the regiment went to Jackson, Mississippi, and captured that place, the subject having charge of the pro- vost guard the first night at Jackson, when the city was taken. It then returned to Vicksburg and soon afterward went up the Red river to Alexandria. After the Red river expedition, it was sent to Memphis where it was mustered out, and from which place our subject went home.
After the war Mr. Heltman engaged in farming and stock raising for many years, making a success in these lines, for he was
-
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
a man of good judgment in buying and sell- ing stock, and a most careful farmer, be- sides a hard worker. He improved a good farm in Denver township, which he still owns, consisting of seven hundred and twenty acres, of very productive soil, having been so carefully ad skillfully tilled that the land is just as strong today as when he took possession of it. It is well fenced, has an excellent dwelling and outbuildings on it, in fact, everything about the place shows that a man of thrift and energy has had its man- agement in hand.
In October, 1874, Mr. Heltman located in Olney, owning one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land just outside the city limits and eight acres within the city limits, on which he lives. He has a beautiful resi- dence where the many friends of the family often gather and always find good cheer and hospitality unstintingly dispersed. All this Mr. Heltman has made unaided, and in a most honorable manner, therefore he de- serves the great credit he is given by his friends who are limited only by the circle of his acquaintance.
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