USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 26
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 26
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 26
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Our subject, while not a member of any church, is a believer of the principles of Christianity and good government. He is a stanch Democrat and his support can al- ways be depended upon when any measure looking to the public good are at issue.
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
JAMES W. ARNOLD.
The subject of this sketch is a citizen of Foster township, Marion county, and he is so loyal to what he considers his duty that no personal consideration will deter him from its accomplishment. It is such worthy citizens as Mr. Arnold who have made this county the productive and prosperous region that it is today.
James W. Arnold was born in section 9, Foster township, February 14, 1847, the son of John Wesley Arnold, who was born in Alabama, he the son of John Arnold, of Georgia. He married Elizabeth Webb and they came to Illinois, settling near Charles- ton in 1825, where they remained for one year, when they went back to Alabama. Twelve years later they located near Leba- non, Illinois, where they remained until 1844, when they moved to Foster township, Marion county, buying land there. Later they went to Ellis county, Texas, where Mr. Arnold died in 1887, at the age of eighty- seven years. His wife died in Foster town- ship, this county. Mr. Arnold was a farmer and also owned a mill. The following chil- dren were born to them: William; Nancy, of Cairo, Illinois ; John W., Joseph; Adeline, who is living in Missouri; Margaret, Esther, Ivey, living in Oklahoma ; James A., Felix, Nathan of Texas; Fletcher was killed at Atlanta, Georgia, during the Civil war.
John Wesley Arnold married Nancy Jones, of Foster township, Marion county, the daughter of James and Laura Jones. He settled in section 9, Foster township,
where he secured. wild land and made a home. He was always a farmer and stock raiser and owned five hundred acres of good land. He was active in politics, being a Re- publican, and was at one time Supervisor of Foster township. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was born in 1820 and his death occurred in 1889. His wife was born in 1827 and died in February, 1905. Seven children were born to them as follows: James W., our subject; Mary E., who married Alexander Mussey, living near Vernon, Illinois; John I. is living re- tired in Foster township; Elizabeth married John Doolen, living at Kinmundy, this county ; Joseph T. lives at Kinmundy; Eli M. is in the oil business at Shawnee, Okla- homa; Rosie E. married Isom W. Doolen, living at Vernon, this county.
James W. Arnold, our subject, attended the home schools. He remained a member of the family circle until his marriage, No- vember 18, 1869, to Permelia J. Robb, who was born in Kinmundy township, the daughter of Samuel and Agnes Pruitt, who were pioneers of this county and who died here. The following children have been born to the subject and wife: Cyrus Elmer, a farmer in Foster township, who married Ann Green and who has one child, Gladys; Samuel W., living in section 3, Foster township, was married first to Jennie Green, and his second wife was Isabelle Nichols. He had two children by his first wife, Doris and Dale, and two children by his second wife, Thelma and an infant born in 1908. Lola Etta is the name of the subject's third
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child, who is the wife of Cyrus Green, of Foster township, and the mother of four children, Glen, Lovell, Anna and Russell; Orin M., graduate of the Business College of Dixon, Illinois, married Laura Garrett, of Foster township, is farming and they have two children, Florence and Harold D. The subject's children were educated in the home schools, receiving careful mental train- ing, and they all give much promise of suc- cessful futures.
After Mr. Arnold's marriage he lived on the old home place for two years when he bought the place where he now lives, con- sisting of one hundred and eighty-three acres. He at one time owned considerably more but gave it to his children. Besides his farming Mr. Arnold successfully oper- ated a saw mill for a while. He also managed a store at Lester, Illinois, for two years and was also successful in this venture. He was postmaster of that town, giving en- tire satisfaction to all concerned. He made all the improvements of his farm which now ranks among the best in Marion county. He has a most excellent and valuable apple and peach orchard, consisting of forty acres, also of small fruits. He carries on general farming and stock raising. He is active in politics, being a Republican, and he has filled all the township offices. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his fraternal relations he is a Mason, the Blue Lodge, No. 398, at Kinmundy, Illi- nois. Mr. Arnold is well known through- out Marion county for his industry and his honesty in dealing with his fellow men.
THOMAS A. PATTON.
For various reasons the subject of this sketch is deemed eligible for specific men- tion in this volume, not the least of which is the fact that he was one of the brave "boys in blue" who offered his services in defense of his country during the dark days of the sixties. His life has been one of hon- est endeavor and filled with good deeds throughout, and now in its golden evening he is enjoying a respite in his serene home in Centralia township, Marion county.
Thomas A. Patton was born in Mt. Ver- non township, Jefferson county, Illinois, De- cember 8, 1837, the son of Austin and Ange- line (Thorne) Patton, the former a well known physician, both natives of Virginia, of which state William Patton, the subject's grandfather, was also a native. Austin Patton grew up in Virginia, receiving only a limited education, but he was ambitious and became self-educated, reading medicine with Dr. Frost, of Jefferson county, Illinois, beginning practice at Walnut Hill, where he located about 1830. He secured a farm of three hundred acres, but devoted most of his time to his practice, which was always large. He became widely known, and is re- membered as a very jolly man, resulting in his winning hosts of friends. Although a good Democrat, he never held office. His death occurred in 1896. His first wife died December 24, 1837, and he was married a second time to Ann Bateman, a native of Jefferson county, Illinois. She is now liv- ing at Walnut Hill. Austin Patton and
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wife were the parents of three children, namely : William, deceased; Mary, also de- ceased; Thomas A., our subject. Nine children were born to Austin Patton and his second wife, as follows: James L., de- ceased, was a farmer at Walnut Hill; Li- vona J., deceased; Lewis J. is a farmer, liv- ing at Newton county, Kansas; Joseph T. is a farmer in Harvey county, Kansas; Iduma A., deceased ; George B. is a farmer, living in Jefferson county, Illinois; Carula, who first married Bell Talbott and then Frank Gore, of Walnut Hill; Ila C., who married Willa Copple, of Centralia town- ship; Omer P. is farming on part of the old homestead in Centralia township. He mar- ried Helen Telford.
Our subject had only a limited chance to attend school, having studied in a sub- scription school for a time. Living at home until he was twenty-three years old, he then started in business for himself in Centralia township, section 36, and farmed there with great success for seven years, when he bought a farm in Raccoon township, con- sisting of forty acres of new and unim- proved land on which he remained for four years, then selling it and renting near Wal- nut Hill in Jefferson county. In 1881 he bought one hundred and fifty acres in Rome township, Jefferson county, which he worked with most gratifying results until he retired in 1902, when he sold out and moved to Walnut Hill, having since lived retired.
Mr. Patton was first united in mar- riage in 1861, to Alena Smith, of Walnut
Hill, and she passed to her rest May 19, 1901. He married again, his second wife being Augusta Maltimore, whom he married October 5, 1905. She was the widow of Christopher H. Maltimore, of Ohio, and she was the daughter of Benjamin F.Nelms, who married Nancy Bailey, the former was of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. Benjamin Nelms was the son of Jerry Nelms, a native of Virginia. His father was also a Virginian. The first of the fam- ily to come to Illinois was Jerry's wife, Mary A. He died in St. Genevieve, Mis- souri, and his wife, in 1854, came to Marion county, Illinois, and located on a farm near Walnut Hill, where she died, in 1897. He now lives at Decatur, Illinois. Mrs. Pat- ton had one daughter, Mary L., by her first marriage.
Five children were born to the subject by his first wife, namely: William L., who is living in Centralia township on a farm, and who married Cordelia Snow; Zina D. married Alta Kell, and is living on a farm in Jefferson county, Illinois; May married Oscar Breeze, of Jefferson county; Mary married Edward Watts, of Centralia, Illi- nois; Frank L. is a stationary engineer in the mines, now located in North Dakota.
Our subject has always been a farmer, and being interested in public affairs, he has been entrusted with various local offices. He was Highway Commissioner at one time and School Director for twenty years. He has always voted the Republican ticket, hav- ing cast his first ballot for Abraham Lin- coln in 1860. Fraternally he is a member
15
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, York, Annapolis, Fortress Monroe, Vir- having been identified with lodge No. 710, ginia, having served in this capacity until the close of the war, and was discharged June 15, 1865, at Washington City. He re- ceived two scalp wounds and was shot through the hat once. These wounds have troubled him a great deal since the war. at Walnut Hill for the past thirty-five years. Our subject enlisted August 12, 1862, in Company H, Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Centralia, under Colonel Allen. He was sent to Louisville, and later to Per- ryville, Kentucky, being in the battle there, Mr. Patton is a good scholar, is well posted on current topics and is a fine con- versationalist. He is held in high esteem by the people of Marion county for his life of industry, his honesty and friendly man- ners. October 8, 1862. He was in the battle of Stone River, also at Knoxville, and at Chat- tanooga in the spring of 1863. He was picked out of a division of men to go on an expedition into Georgia. At Rome the whole number of men on this expedition, consisting of fifteen thousand, were cap- tured and sent to Belle Isle Prison, where SOLOMON T. FINCH. they were held for fifteen days and paroled. They went to Camp Chase, Ohio, where they One of the men who has stamped the im- press of his strong individuality upon the minds of the people of Clay county in a man- ner as to render him one of the conspicu- ous characters of this locality, is the sub- ject of this sketch, one of the prominent at- torneys of the southern part of the common- wealth of Illinois. Faithfulness to duty and a strict adherence to a fixed purpose, which always do more to advance a man's inter- ests than wealth or advantageous circum- stances, have been dominating factors in his life, which has been replete with honor and success worthily attained. remained for ten days, when they were sent to St. Louis, Missouri, where they remained fifteen days. On July 4, 1863, they reor- ganized and went to Nashville, Tennessee. They opened up the valley leading to Look- out Mountain, and after remaining there for about forty days, they went to Mission- ary Ridge and engaged in the battle there, also at Lookout Mountain, after which they went into winter quarters in Chattanooga. The subject contracted rheumatism and could not go on the Atlanta campaign, con- sequently he was transferred to the veteran reserve and was detailed to the hospital Solomon T. Finch was born in Flora, Clay county, February 23, 1857, the son of Solomon T. Finch, who was born in Indiana, and who came to Illinois in 1849, settling in Clay county. He was the first merchant in Flora, and was influ- steamer for Washington City, District of Columbia, and was sent to City Point, Vir- ginia, to look after the sick and wounded of Grant's army. Part of the time the sub- ject was located in Washington City, New
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ential in the affairs of the pioneer days of this community. He was in business here until his death in 1857. The subject's pa- ternal grandfather was also named Solo- mon. He was a native of New York, having removed from the Empire state to Southern Indiana, and was superintendent of the log cabin display in General Har- rison's campaign in 1832. He came to Il- linois with his father in 1849. His death occurred in 1851. The subject's mother was Bathsheba Long, who was a native of Virginia. She passed to her rest in 1872. She was a representative of a fine old southern family. Three children were born to the subject's parents, namely : Rebecca was born in 1852, and died when fifteen years old; Mary is the wife of J. M. Cun- ningham, of Flora, she having been the first child born in Flora, the date of her birth being 1854; Solomon T., the subject of this sketch, is the youngest child. The father of the subject moved to Flora in 1853, and engaged in the dry goods busi- ness.
Mr. Finch received his preliminary schooling in the common schools of Flora. He attended Loxa College in Coles county, this state. Desiring a higher education, he entered the University of Michigan in 1876, from which he graduated in 1879, from the law department, having made a brilliant record in the same. He was admitted to the bar in 1880, and has been engaged in practice ever since. He removed to Spring- field in 1900, where he practiced for five years with his usual success, but he moved
back to Flora in 1905, much to the satisfac- tion of his many clients and friends in Clay county.
Mr. Finch was united in marriage May 28, 1884, to Lillie E. Pearce, daughter of Frederick Pearce, who was born in Eng- land, having emigrated to the United States in 1858, when he was twenty years old. Lillie E. Pearce was born in Flora within one block of where Mr. Finch was born. Two sons have been born to the subject and wife, Earl D., who is associated with his father, is a graduate of the Springfield high school and also a graduate of the law department of the State University ; Rollae D. also graduated from the Springfield high school, and is in 1908 a student in the medical department of Washington Uni- versity, St. Louis. They are both bright young men, who give promise of brilliant careers.
Mr. Finch was nominated by the Demo- cratic party for County Judge in 1898, but was defeated, however, by only one vote, although the county was largely Repub- lican. He was also his party's nominee for State's Attorney in 1908, but went down in defeat with the rest of the ticket. He is engaged in the law and abstract busi- ness and his office is always a busy place.
In his fraternal relations he belongs to the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch and Knights Templar Masons. He organized and was the first chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias in Flora. He also be- longs to the Woodmen. He is a loyal Democrat. He belongs to the Presbyterian
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church. Mrs. Finch and their youngest son are members of the Methodist church.
Mr. Finch has seen many changes in Clay county during his lifetime. Progress has been made, doing away with the old landmarks and substituting in their places all the evidences of advanced civilization, and in all matters pertaining to the general good and improvement he has been deeply interested, nor has he withheld his aid when it has been solicited for the advancement of any public measure of worth, but on the contrary he has often been the instigator of movements that have resulted in permanent good to the community honored by his residence. He is a highly respected citizen, held in uniform regard by those who have known him through long years.
JAMES F. PURDUE.
The subject was born in Montgomery county, Tennessee, March 1, 1833, the son of Jarrut and Rebecca (Farmer) Purdue, the former a native of Georgia, and the lat- ter of North Carolina. They went to Ten- nessee when young and married there, and removed to Illinois in 1838, settling in what is now Haines township, where they took up government land. They made the trip from Tennessee in ox carts. When they settled here among the pioneers there was much wild game. They developed a good farm and worked hard. They died on the place, after becoming the parents of eight children: Margaret, Mary, Richard, Wil-
liam C., John W., Jacob H., James F., our subject, and Andrew V. Jarrut Purdue was a Democrat. His wife was a member of the Baptist church.
Our subject was six years of age when he came with his parents to Marion county, Illinois. He was educated in the common schools of the early days, and he has spent the balance of his life here, having re- mained at home until he reached manhood. He was married the first time in 1855, to Louisa Brasel, a native of Tennessee, and three children were born to them: Nancy Jane, who is living in Haines township, is the wife of Zach Brasel; Joseph H. is a farmer living in Haines township; John R. is also a farmer living in Haines township. The subject's second mariage was in 1867, his second wife being Loretta Price, a na- tive of Ohio, to whom one child has been born, Louisa, now the wife of Harry Alvis, of East St. Louis.
The third marriage of the subject was to Vilinda Murphy, the ceremony having been performed in 1876. To this last mar- riage two children were born, Tence and Harry.
Mr. Purdue is a Democrat in his political relations. He has devoted his life to farm- ing and has been very successful. He is now living retired, having moved to his neat, comfortable and pleasant home in Kell in September, 1908. He is well known throughout the county, being a member of old and prominent families of this region in which he himself was one of the earliest pioneers.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
ALL
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
HARVEY F. PIXLEY.
The able and popular president of the First National Bank of Flora, Illinois, is most con- sistently accorded recognition in a work of the province assigned to the one at hand, since it has to do with the representative citi- zens of Clay county, of which number he unquestionably is a worthy member and has long played well his part in the development of the interests of this locality.
Harvey F. Pixley was born in Ingraham, Clay county, November 25, 1869, the son of Osman Pixley, who was a native of New York, having settled in Edwards county in 1852. The subject's father was a merchant and for many years was the president of the First National Bank of Flora. He was a prominent man in this community, and was Representative in the Legislature in 1871 and 1872, representing this district, having been elected on the Republican ticket. He was for many years a leading and influential citi- zen here. He was postmaster of Ingraham for the long period of forty years. He re- ceived a request from Postmaster General Wanamaker for his photo to be used at the Chicago World's Fair. He was the fourth oldest postmaster in point of service in the United States. After an active and useful life he was called to his rest April 7, 1903. Asa Pixley, the subject's grandfather, was a native of Vermont, but he removed to Western New York and finally settled near West Salem, Edwards county, Illinois, about 1830, being among the pioneers. He was born March 26, 1805, and died February 9,
1883. The Pixley family is of Puritan stock. The mother of the subject was Frances Wood, a native of near Allendale, Wa- bash county, this state, where she was born June 29, 1832. She was a woman of beau- tiful attributes, and she passed to her rest May 16, 1907. Nine children were born to the parents of our subject, Harvey F. being the seventh in order of birth. Four girls and one boy are deceased. Dewitt C. is living in Orange, California, a prominent business man of that place, is married and has five children; Arthur H., who lives in Chicago, is a member of the Board of Trade and is as- sociated with Ware & Leland. The subject's mother was a member of a large family, con- sisting of nine children. Her father was Spencer Wood, who was born near New Haven, Vermont, February 14. 1788, and died December 5, 1846. Her mother was Matilda Flower, who was born in Hardins- burg, Kentucky, March 19, 1791, and died March 12, 1855, the mother being the last surviving member of the family. Mr. Pixley's father's mother was Amanda Ingraham. The township of Pixley was named after Mr. Pixley's father, and the town of Ingraham was named after Mr. Pixley's grandmother, who was born February 22, 1806, and died September 26, 1844. Her parents are buried in Ingraham cemetery. Philo Ingraham, her father, was born June 28, 1768, and died April 21, 1842. Her mother was Arvilla Barney, born September 12, 1782, and died September 19, 1854. They are supposed to be the first white people buried in Clay county.
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. Harvey F. Pixley, our subject, spent his life up to 1899 in Ingraham. After receiving a common school education there he attended Eureka College, in which institution he spent two years, making an excellent record. Then he began work in his father's store, having remained there for twelve years, assisting to build up an excellent trade. In August, 1899, he came to Flora and began work in the First National Bank, becoming its cash- ier January 1, 1900, serving four years. He was then elected vice president of the in- stitution, serving four years in this capacity, and was made president of the bank at the January, 1909, meeting of the board of direc- tors. He has done much to increase the prestige of this bank and place it on a solid foundation so that it is today recognized as one of the soundest in Southern Illinois.
Mr. Pixley is treasurer of the Breese- Trenton Mining Company, which operates three coal mines at Breese, Beckemeyer and Trenton. He is also treasurer of the Ebner Ice & Cold Storage Company, operating four plants, one at Vincennes, Seymour and Washington, Indiana, and one at Flora, Illi- nois. He is also a director and large stock- holder in both the above named companies. Mr. Pixley also has an interest in the Flora Canning Company, and is also a stockholder and one of the organizers of the Flora Tele- phone Company; also interested as a stock- holder in two wholesale houses in St. Louis. He was one of the executors of the late Gen. Lewis B. Parsons, of Flora, having left an estate of one hundred thousand dollars with a will.
Mr. Pixley was married on October 22,
1892, to Callie Cisel, daughter of John Cisel, of Allendale, Wabash county, Illinois. She was born on the adjoining farm to where Mr. Pixley's mother was reared. To this union one son has been born, December 10, 1892. He is a bright lad and is attending the West- ern Military Academy at Upper Alton, Illi- nois.
In his fraternal relations our subject is a member of the Blue Lodge, No. 204, Free and Accepted Masons, and Royal Arch Chap- ter No. 154. He is a member of the Order of Eastern Star, as is also Mrs. Pixley. They are members of the Christian church, the sub- ject being a member of the official board. He was also a member of the building commit- tee that erected the new church, a splendid edifice that would be a credit to a much larger city. Mr. Pixley is one of the trus- tees of the Carnegie library of which he is treasurer. He has been trustee of the same since it was built and he was a member of the building committee. He was at one time president of the school board. He is now a member and one of the directors of the Flora Mutual Building, Loan and Homestead As- sociation. In politics he is a Republican.
Something of the subject's ability as a financier may be gained from the statement that when he became associated with the First National Bank there was a surplus of only twelve thousand dollars; it is now twenty- five thousand. The undivided profits were less than one thousand dollars. They are now over sixteen thousand. The dividends are now five per cent., payable semi-an- nually.
Mr. and Mrs. Pixley have one of the finest
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homes in the county, modern, and is presided over with rare dignity by Mrs. Pixley, who is a woman of refinement.
Mr. Pixley has always taken a great inter- est in the advancement and prosperity oi Clay county and endorses every movement which he believes will prove a benefit to hu- manity. He is a sociable gentleman and is held in the highest regard by all who know him. His achievements represent the result of honest endeavor along lines where ma- ture judgment has opened the way. He possesses a weight of character, a native sa- gacity, a discriminating judgment and a fidelity of purpose that command the re- spect, if not the approval, of all with whom he is associated. He takes first rank among the prominent men of this locality and is a leader in financial, business, educational, so- cial and civic affairs.
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