USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 23
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 23
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 23
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Mr. Heltman's married life began in 1854 when he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Laura E. Smith, a native of Clermont county, Ohio, the daughter of Or- rin Smith. Four children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Heltman, namely : Georgiana, the wife of William J. Eichin, of Olney, Illinois; Cora is the second child; Mamie is residing in Arvada, a suburb of Denver, Colorado; Hattie is the wife of Benjamin Holscher, of Linton, Indiana.
In politics our subject was a Republican all his life up to 1896, since which time he has voted the Democratic ticket, except in 1904, when he voted the Prohibition ticket. He says he is a Lincoln Republican or a Bryan Democrat-one and the same thing -and he has always taken an active interest in politics. He has served several terms on the Board of County Supervisors from Denver and Olney townships. He is a mem- ber of the Protestant Methodist church, as is also his noble wife. His children are members of the Episcopal church.
Mr. Heltman won definite success in life because he persevered in the pursuit of a worthy purpose, gaining thereby a most sat- isfactory reward. His life is exemplary in every respect, and he has always supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own moral worth is deserving of the highest commen- dation.
WILLIAM J. MARTIN.
A list of Marion county's prominent fami- lies would certainly be incomplete were there failure to make specific mention of the well known farmer and representative citizen, and his relatives, whose name introduces this sketch, for his life has been one of use- fulness and honor, resulting in good to everyone with whom he has had dealings whether in business or social life.
William J. Martin was born in Gibson county, Tennessee, January 15, 1859, the
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son of Caleb and Martha J. (McHaney) Martin, the latter a native of middle Ten- nessee and the former of South Carolina. Jacob Martin, the subject's paternal grand- father, came to Tennessee from South Caro- lina in an early day and farmed there until his death. The parents of the subject mar- ried in Tennessee, Martha McHaney was the daughter of William McHaney, a native of Tennessee. She first married David Young, who died and left two children, Frances, the wife of Atlas Hammond. The second child died in infancy. Caleb Martin first married Miss Susan Batie, who died leaving the following children: Jacob, George, Amos, America, Jane, Parthene, Martha and Mary Susan.
The parents of our subject married in Tennessee and in November, 1862, settled in Salem township, Marion county, Illinois. Caleb Martin was a strong Union man and left the South on account of the war. His wife, a noble old lady, is still living with her son, our subject. The subject's father farmed in Marion county, Illinois, until his death, July 1I, 1888. He and his wife were members of the Christian church. He was a strong Republican. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Martin, as fol- lows: William J., our subject; Monroe, Houston, Benjamin Van Buren, John A. Logan, Sarah Ida.
Our subject was about three years old when the family came to Illinois. They made the trip from Tennessee with ox teams and camped out on the way, having all ox teams with the exception of one team of leading farmers of Salem township. His
horses. William J. Martin was reared on his father's farm and educated in the com- mon district schools of this county. On his farm now stands the little old school house in which he was educated. He pur- chased it and moved it on this place, which he now uses for a store house and granary. It was built about 1850. Mr. Martin re- mained at home and worked on the farm until he was twenty-five years old. This was in 1884, in which year his happy and harmonious domestic life began, having then married Elizabeth Hershberger, who was born in Crawford county, Ohio, the daugh- ter of Henry and Catherine (Snavely) Hershberger. (For a full history of this family the reader is directed to the sketch of David Hershberger in this work.)
Four children have been born to the sub- ject and wife, namely: Minnie, born Oc- tober 3, 1886, is a member of the home circle ; Claude was born in April, 1888, and died in January, 1895; William Franklin was born December 26, 1890, and died January 16, 1891 ; Nellie Zada, born August 14, 1892, is at home attending school.
Mr. Martin's highly improved and pro- ductive farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres. He has a beautiful country home, substantial, comfortable and nicely furnished, and a good barn and other con- venient out buildings, everything about the place showing thrift, good management and industry. He keeps an excellent grade of cattle and other live stock, and is regarded as a good judge of stock and one of the
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hogs are of good breed and he raises some fine horses. Mr. Martin also owns two hun- dred acres of his father's old farm in this township, which he keeps well improved and the soil in good productive condition.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the Christian church at Young's chapel. Mr. Martin is a trustee in the church and a liberal subscriber to the same. In politics he is a Republican. In the social and pri- vate walks of life no man bears a more enviable reputation for sterling worth. In short, Mr. Martin is an honorable, upright citizen, belonging to the somewhat rare class that direct and control public sentiment without pushing himself forward and with- out incurring the ill will of those with whom they come in contact and leave the impress of their strong personality indelibly stamped upon the community, winning the friendship of all classes.
DANIEL GAFFNER.
The honored subject of this sketch is now living in retirement in Olney, Illinois, en- joying the respite due the closing of a long and useful business career. He has been prominently identified with industrial move- ments of no mean scope and importance and the name which he bears has stood for pro- gressiveness and large enterprise ever since the pioneer days in this section of the state, while he is a scion of an old family of Swit- zerland, being numbered among that ele-
ment of foreigners in this country who have greatly benefited America by their pres- ence. So important have been the business and industrial undertakings with which he had been connected, and so high is the confi- cence and esteem in which he is held in Rich- land county, that it is imperative that he be accorded recognition in a publication like the present volume.
Daniel Gaffner was born in Interlacken, Switzerland, July 7, 1831, the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Gerber) Gaffner, also na- tives of Switzerland where they lived and died. The subject's father was a farmer in the mountains of that country and was sev- enty-eight years old when he died, his wife having died at the age of seventy-five. The family of Gaffner was originally French, one branch passing to Switzerland many years ago. The father of the subject was in the military service of his country for some time. Grandfather Gerber was of Swiss birth and parentage, but took part in a number of bat- tles under Napoleon. A remarkable fact is that the subject remembers the funeral of his grandfather who died in 1833, when the sub- ject was a trifle over two years old. Seven children were born to the parents of the sub- ject, five of whom grew to maturity, Daniel being the fourth in order of birth. Three members of the family came to the United States.
Our subject was reared in his native land on a farm and there developed that sturdy manhood and sterling character that have made for his later success in new environ- ments. He received a common school educa-
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tion. He left home when sixteen years old and was apprenticed to a shoemaker, at which trade he worked in several parts of Switzerland. When twenty-three years old he came to the United States, landing in New York and went direct to La Porte, Indiana, where he arrived without money. His father was reluctant to have him come to America, but after consenting gave him money enough to pay his passage. He at once began work at his trade in LaPorte, but soon afterward went to Highland, Illinois, where he worked for three years, being regarded as a high grade workman by his employers. In 1858 he came to Olney and resumed working at his trade, but at the end of two years he went to Edwards county on account of failing health, having traded property in Olney for a two- hundred-acre farm. Two years later he sold the same for two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, besides realizing about one thou- sand dollars from his personal property. Thus we see how our subject prospered from the first in his adopted country. His next move was to Albion, where he worked at his trade for three years, having been in partner- ship one year in a shoe shop and store. He had bought property in Albion which he traded for property in Olney, then taking up his permanent residence in the latter town where he has since resided continuously, hav- ing carried on business here in a most suc- cessful manner for many years. He first opened a shoe store and later was engaged in wholesale and retail hide and leather busi- ness, gradually accumulating property. In 1882 he built a three-story brick business
block on Main street, twenty by eighty-five feet with a good basement, in addition to a large warehouse. It is one of the most pretentious blocks in Olney, modern, substantial and convenient. He also owns an- other brick block two stories in height, twenty by one hundred and eighty-five feet, located on Main street. He also owns a valuable building, thirty by one hundred and eighty feet, on Vaile avenue, together with two stores on Railroad street, besides valuable residence property. He is one of the stock- holders of the First National Bank and for some years was one of its directors.
Mr. Gaffner was first married in 1852 to Susanna Schneiter, a native of Switzerland, who came to the United States with her fa- ther, her mother having died in Switzerland. To the subject and his first wife six chil- dren were born, four of whom are living, as follows: Robert, a druggist in Olney ; Tell, Charles and Walter, all reside in Seattle, Washington. They are all young men of much business ability. Their father gave each one ten thousand dollars to start them in life.
Mrs. Gaffner passed to her rest in August, 1898, and the subject subsequently married Mrs. Fannie (Suardet) Emerson, who was born in De Vand, Switzerland, of French- Huguenot descent, who came to the United States with a brother, who soon afterward went to California during the gold excite- ment and subsequently died there.
Mr. Gaffner is a Republican in politics, but he has never aspired to public office and he is not a partisan, believing in men rather than
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measures. His first presidential vote was for Stephen A. Douglas. Mr. Gaffner was reared in the German Reformed church. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.
This review of Mr. Gaffer's life history is necessarily general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details of his ca- reer would require a much larger space than possible in this volume. Sufficient, however, has been stated to show that he is entitled to a place in the front ranks of successful men who have engaged in industries in Richland county. He, by his pluck, energy and enter- prise, controlled by correct principles and founded upon unswerving honor, has at- tained to a position meriting the respect and admiration of his fellow citizens which they gladly give.
FRANCIS M. PURCELL.
The subject is a representative business man and citizen of Marion county, man- aging one of the largest lumber establish- ments in the county, the well known firm being F. M. Purcell & Company, doing business at Kell. Our subject was born in Wilson county, Tennessee, July 2, 1843, the son of Hiram and Parthena (Williams) Purcell, natives of Tennessee, and a fine old Southern family. Hiram was a prosperous farmer and lived and died in Tennessee. He and his faithful life companion were members of the Missionary Baptist church. The subject's father was a gallant soldier
in the Seminole Indian war in Florida. To Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Purcell five children were born, namely: Lavina, Ella; Frances M., our subject ; L. B. and Hiram.
The subject's father first married a Miss Jones and they became the parents of two children, Eliza and Henry.
Our subject grew up in Tennessee on a farm. He remained in that state on a farm until he was twenty-seven years old. In 1870 he came to Jefferson county, Illinois, and engaged in farming, also the lumber business, making a success of each. In the fall of 1904, he came to Kell, Illinois, where he is now located and where he has built up an extensive business by means of his industry, his careful methods and fair treatment of customers. He is in partner- ship with Omer V. Cummings in the lum- ber business. They supply a large scope of country with lumber and all kinds of build- ing material as well as much hardware. They also handle paints, cement, lime, nails, in fact, everything that a builder uses in a house, barn or other structure. They al- ways handle a good line of material and their prices are always right, according to the statement of many of their customers. They have extensive sheds and their office is a nice place and is always a busy place.
Our subject's happy domestic life began in 1866, when he was united in marriage with America Penuel, who was born in Tennessee, the daughter of Frederick and Lucinda (Jennings) Penuel, natives of that state.
Eight children have been born to the sub-
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ject and wife as follows: Amanda, the wife of W. W. Hay, who lives in Jefferson county, this state; Samuel married Dora Ri- ley and they live in Carrier Mills, Illinois; Lucinda is the wife of George Snyder, liv- ing in Jefferson county, Illinois; Robert married Anna McCormick, and they also live in Jefferson county ; Otis J. married Josie Hawkins; William Edgar is single; Nora is the wife of Adolphus Caldwell, also of Jefferson county ; Fred is single.
Mr. and Mrs. Purcell are members of the Missionary Baptist church. The former is a loyal Democrat. He very ably served for six years as Supervisor of Rome town- ship, Jefferson county, this state. He was chairman of the Board of Supervisors for one year. He takes considerable interest in political matters and his advice is often sought in the local affairs of his county. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Masonic Order, the Knights Templar.
Mr. Purcell owns a valuable and well improved farm, near Kell, on which he lives, having a modern, substantial and nice- ly furnished dwelling, an excellent barn and convenient out-buildings. He is a very busy man, for he successfully conducts the affairs of his lumber establishment in town and at the same time superintends the work on the place, being an excellent judge of live stock of all kinds, and he is regarded as one of the leading business men of Haines township. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, having started in life under none too favorable circum- stances, but he has been a hard worker and
a good manager and success has attended his efforts from the first. He is a gentle- man of pleasing demeanor, easily ap- proached, and while not an aspirant for high political favors, he has done much in a quiet way, as already intimated, to pro- mote the good of the community where he- lives. He occupies a commendable stand- ing among his fellow citizens and has a large circle of friends who have learned to esteem him for his industry and many manly qualities.
KENNETH D. HORRALL.
Kenneth D. Horrall, the well known hardware merchant of Olney, Illinois, which business he established in 1856, and which he has conducted continuously ever since in a most successful manner, his busi- ness having steadily grown from a modest beginning until now it is one of large pro- portions. He carries a stock of about fif- teen thousand dollars, often reaching twenty thousand dollars, his store room being twen- ty by one hundred and sixty-five feet, and two floors, and one hundred feet on three floors. In 1866 he erected his present brick block. His is the oldest business in Olney, and the oldest hardware business in Rich- land county. His business is known all over the county, and his customers come from all sections of this locality.
Kenneth D. Horrall was born near Wash- ington, Daviess county, Indiana, June 9,
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1838, the son of John and Rebecca (John- son) Horrall, the former a native of Vir- ginia and the latter of Illinois. They were among the early settlers of this section of the state, being sterling pioneers and people of force of character. The father of the sub- ject served in the wars under General Har- rison and took part in the battle of Tippe- caoe. He devoted his life to farming and died in Daviess county, Indiana, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife survived him for several years and passed to rest while living in Richland county, Illinois, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-five years. Our sub- ject was the youngest of seven children, only two of whom are living at this writing.
Mr. Horrall was reared in his native state and was educated in the country schools, where he applied himself in such a manner as to gain an education despite lack of op- portunities. When he was fourteen years old he came to Olney and entered the hard- ware store of John Banks in order to learn the tinner's trade, at which he worked suc- cessfully for about fifteen years. In 1856 he began business for himself in a small way, having a stock of about three hundred dol- lars. He built up his business to its present proportions by years of hard work and close application to business, and by his fair treatment of customers.
In politics our subject is a Republican, but he has never been active in his party's affairs. However, he served very faithfully for two years as a member of the City Council. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, having held about all the
offices in the same and he has been one of the main pillars of this church.
Mr. Horrall's domestic relations began in 1858 when he was married to Sarah J. Baird, a native of Olney, Illinois, and the- daughter of Asa and Lucy (Tanner) Baird, natives of Vermont, who were among the pioneers of Richland county, where they spent their active and useful lives, and where they died. Asa Baird was a contractor and he built a large part of the national road to Vincennes. At one time he was one of the officials of the county. His death oc- curred in 1849. His wife was a relative of ex-Governor Tanner.
The subject and his wife are the parents of seven children, namely: Adelbert, George Lewis, Charles Asa; Carrie, de- ceased; Edward Eugene, Walter Lewis and Henry Cliff. Adelbert, Charles and Walter assist their father in the management of his large store. Adelbert is bookkeeper, having graduated in a business college in Buffalo, New York. George is a tinner by trade and he manages a farm two miles north of Ol- ney, which is owned by himself and father. It is a valuable farm, well improved and highly cultivated. Charles also learned the tinner's trade and also telegraphy. Edward is a druggist and owns and operates a drug store at Decatur, Illinois. Henry Cliff is engaged in the hardware business at Bridge- port, Illinois. These children have all re- ceived good educations and are well estab- lished in life.
No man in Richland county is better or more favorably known than Mr. Horrall.
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Because of his public spirit, his honesty in all his dealings with his fellow men, his gen- erous and kindly nature, he has won and re- tained a host of warm personal friends throughout this locality.
HARVEY D. MAY.
By a life of persistent and well applied industry led along the most honorable lines, the gentleman whose name appears above has justly earned the right to be repre- sented in a work of the character of the one at hand, along with the other men of Marion county who have made their in- fluence felt in their respective communities.
Harvey D. May, the present popular Trustee of Haines township and a well known dealer in harness, saddlery and hard- ware in the town of Kell, Illinois, was born in Raccoon township, Marion county, Oc- tober 12, 1879, and while yet a young man he has shown what properly applied energy and a business mind can do toward wrench- ing success from seeming insurmountable obstacles. He is the son of Jesse H. and Mary (Williams) May, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. Anderson May, the subject's grandfather, was also a native of Kentucky and was one of the early settlers in Marion county, Illi- nois, having settled in Raccoon township. Jesse H. May, who has devoted his life to farming and is still living in that township, is a highly respected citizen. Three chil-
dren were born to the parents of our subject, Amos is a farmer in Raccoon township; Laura, who is deceased, was the wife of Orvil Prater, and they were the parents of two children, Etha and Henry, who are still living; Harvey D., our subject, was the second child.
Our subject was reared on a farm where he assisted with the work about the place. He attended school in Raccoon township, having applied himself in such a manner as to gain the foundation for a good edu- cation. Deciding early in life that he de- sired to be a harness maker and dealer, Mr. May learned the harnessmaker's trade and became quite a proficient workman early in life, and he finally opened a shop in Kell, this county, establishing his present business, in which he was successful from the first and which has steadily grown, his business now extending through a wide scope of country on every hand, owing to the fair dealing he gives his customers and the intimate knowledge he has of the har- ness business. He does a general repair business and is always very busy. His shop is equipped with all the latest appliances and improvements known to the harnessmaker's art and his work is all of a high grade.
Mr. May's domestic life was begun in 1903, when he was united in marriage with Ava Williams, who was born in Jefferson county, Illinois, and is the daughter of N. A. and Jane (Rice) Williams. Mrs. May was called from her earthly labors January 14, 1908. She was a member of the Baptist church. She was a woman of many esti-
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mable traits of character, a good wife and county, Ohio, December II, 1819, and he was beloved by all her neighbors.
Mr. May is a member of Romine Lodge No. 663, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He has represented this lodge at the Grand Lodge on two different occasions, and has passed all the chairs in the local lodge. Our subject is a loyal Republican and has taken considerable interest in his party's affairs. He was elected Trustee of Haines township in the spring of 1908. He is regarded as an energetic, honest and in- fluential citizen, enjoying the respect of all who know him.
ELI BRUBAKER.
The man who has made a success of life and won the honor and esteem of his fel- low citizens deserves more than passing notice. Such is the record, briefly stated, of the gentleman whose name heads this review, the record he left behind being one of honor in every respect, for a more whole-souled and popular man never lived in Stevenson township where he long main- tained his home and where he labored for the general good of the community, and, although his life work has been closed by the good angel, who has set the seal on the record of his life history, his influence still permeates the lives of those who knew him best and loved him for his fortitude, fidel- ity, honor and industry.
Eli Brubaker was born in Fairfield
was called from his earthly labors in 1907, after a long and eminently useful and suc- cessful life. He was the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Myers) Brubaker, and was reared on his father's farm in Ohio, where he assisted with the work about the place un- til he reached manhood, attending the com- mon schools in the neighborhood until he received a fairly good education, such as the old pioneer schools of those times afforded. The school house which he attended had puncheon seats and greased paper was used for window panes. For a full history of the Brubaker family the reader is referred to the sketch of Noah Brubaker, which ap- pears in another part of this volume.
The subject of this sketch came to Ma- rion county, Illinois, in 1843, and settled among the pioneers on new land in Steven- son township, where, by dint of hard work, he made a home and developed a good farm. The old Brubaker homestead is to- day one of the best farms in Stevenson township. Eli Brubaker was a hard worker and an excellent farmer, and he made a comfortable living.
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