USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 5
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 5
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 5
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Mr. Haynie's happy and harmonious do- mestic life dates from August 26, 1875, when he was united in marriage with Emma J. McMackin, the accomplished and cultured daughter of W. E. McMackin, who was lieutenant-colonel of Grant's Twenty-first Illinois Regiment, and a well known and influential man in his community.
One bright and winsome daughter was
The subject in his political activity had occasion to become intimately acquainted with Governor Oglesby, Gen. John A. Lo- gan, Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, Governor Tanner and most of the noted men of the state.
Mr. Haynie delights to recall reminis- cences of his. great grandfather on his father's side, who was named Donald Camp-
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bell; who migrated from Scotland to Nor- folk, Virginia, where he bought up all the land between what was. then Norfolk and the wharf, which is now known as Campbell wharf. Mr. Campbell died in February, 1795. Mr. Haynie has in his possession a copy of Campbell's will executed February 2, 1795. Donald Campbell's father was Archibald Campbell, who survived his son and died in 1802. There are many descen- dants of the Campbell family living today in Philadelphia and Virginia.
AUGUSTIN ROBERT WILLIAMS.
By reason of numerous rare innate quali- ties, together with his pleasing personal qualities, together with his pleasing personal address, his honesty of purpose and his loyalty to his native community, Mr. Wil- liams has reached a conspicuous round in the ladder of success in his chosen field of endeavor and justly merits the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him.
soon set out for Columbus and finally lo- cated near that city, then in about 1870 he came to Salem, Illinois, where he elected to remain, being impressed with the superior prospects of the place. He was proprietor of the Salem Marble Works for a number of years and at the time of his death, which oc- curred on December 10, 1890, he was post- master of Salem, this important appoint- ment having been made in recognition of his valuable services and his unflagging loyalty to the principles of the party then in power. He also showed his loyalty to the Union by enlisting in the Eighty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Regiment, serving with credit throughout the war between the states.
The grandfather of the subject on the paternal side of the house was Robert Wil- liams, a native of Wales, he and his good wife having settled in New York and later coming to Ohio. His wife, late in life, came to Salem where she died. The grandmother of the subject on his maternal side was a native of Tennessee. She, too, died in Salem where she had lived only a few years, having been called to her eternal sleep shortly after the war.
A. R. Williams, the popular and well known teller of the Salem State Bank, Salem, Illinois, is a native of Marion county, having first seen the light of day in the city The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Margaret Keeney, a na- tive of near old Foxville, Illinois, this county, the daughter of A. W. Keeney, who moved from Indiana to Marion county where he settled on a farm, but moved to Salem during the Civil war. He had a son killed in the battle of Shiloh and this caused him to desert the old farm homestead and of Salem on December 15, 1875, the son of Rowland H. Williams, a native of New York City, who was born near Delaney street. He early decided to leave the con- gested metropolis and seek his fortune in the freer and less trammeled West, and consequently in casting about for an oppor- ยท tunity to properly get his initial start in the business world he decided to try Ohio and . move to Salem. He was associated with
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
Seth Andrews in the Salem Milling Com- pany of Salem for many years. The last few years of his life he lived in retirement. He passed away July 2, 1890. The mother of the subject, a woman of many praise- worthy traits, is still living in 1908.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rowland H. Williams, one having died in infancy. Frank L. Williams, the living brother of the subject, was born in Salem May 25, 1881, and is a well known con- tractor.
A. R. Williams, our subject, spent his boyhood in Salem attending the local schools, having graduated from the Salem high school in 1893, after making a splen- did record for scholarship. Mr. Williams was with Cutler & Hays in the mercantile business, during which time he added very much to the prestige of the firm and won scores of customers from all over the county by reason of his courteous treatment and conscientious work, and the fact that his ser- vices were so long continued by this firm is a criterion that they were eminently satis- factory in every particular. Desiring to bet- ter fit himself for a business career which he soon determined should be his life's chief aim, he entered Brown's Business College at Centralia, from which he graduated with distinction in 1906.
The unusual ability of Mr. Williams was soon known to the business people of Salem and when the State Bank became in need of an efficient and reliable teller, no one worthier of the place could be found than our subject, consequently he was en-
treated to accept this important post, which he did on December 26, 1906, after resign- ing his position with Cutler and Hays, much to their regret, for they well knew that they would have much difficulty in fill- ing the place of such a valuable man.
Mr. Williams has shown rare business ability in handling his new position and has given entire satisfaction to his employers from the first, having become known as one of the most trusted and thoroughly efficient bank tellers in this part of the state.
A. R. Williams was married to Miss Olive M. Peters, of Sandoval, Illinois, October 25, 1908. She is a daughter of D. M. and Lydia (Neff) Peters. Fraternally Mr. Williams is a member of the ancient and honorable order of Masons, a member of Cyrene Commandery No. 23, Knights Templar, of Centralia, also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Salem; he is also a member of the Wood- men and the Modern American Fraternal Order.
Mr. Williams is strong in his religious convictions, being a faithful member of the Presbyterian church.
CHARLES H. HOLT.
The biographical annals of Marion Coun- ty, Illinois, would be incomplete were there failure to make specific mention of the hon- orable gentleman, whose name introduces this review, who is one of the county's .
CHARLES H. HOLT.
LIBRARY OF THE .nic.
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ablest and most distinguished native sons, for he had the sagacity early in youth to see that better opportunities waited for him right here on his native heath than other- where, consequently his life labors have been confined to this. locality rather than in distant and precarious fields, and judging from the eminent success he has here at- tained he was fortunate in coming to this decision-to remain at home. Judge Holt has been prominently identified with the in- dustrial, material and civic progress of the community, having ever stood for loyal and public-spirited citizenship, having been a potent factor in bringing about the wonder- ful development in this favored section, con- tributing his influence and energy in the transformation which has made this one of the leading counties of the state, with its highly cultivated farms, thriving towns and villages, its school-houses, churches and all other evidences of progress and culture, and he is today not only one of the leading attor- neys and among the most highly honered citizens of Salem, the beautiful and thriving county seat, but is recognized as one of the foremost men at the bar in the state. In all the relations of life he has been faithful to all the trusts reposed in him, performing his duty conscientiously and with due regard for the welfare of others often at the sacri- fice of his own best interests and pleasures.
Charles H. Holt was born near Vernon, Marion county, Illinois, October 1, 1868, the only child of William H. Holt, and Sarah (Parsons) Holt, the former a native of Union county, and the latter a native of the
state of Ohio. They were married in Ma- rion county. The mother of the subject was called to her rest in November, 1892. Wil- liam H. Holt is living in 1908, and making his home with the subject in Salem. The father was a soldier is the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, having enlisted under Col. James S. Martin, who afterward became a general. Mr. Holt served gallantly for three years. or until his enlistment expired, his princi- pal services being with Sherman on his march to the sea, and his campaigns around Atlanta. William H. Holt has been a use- ful and industrious man, scrupulously honest and he yet exercises considerable influence in his community. He and his worthy life companion spared no pains in giving their son, our subject, every possible advantage and encouragement to make the most of life. and many of his sterling attributes and noble traits of character may be traced to the wholesome home influence and uplifting environment in which he was reared. Henry Holt, grandfather of the subject, was one of the first settlers of Marion county, having come here from Tennessee, and participated in organizing the county and many of the county offices were indebted to his sound judgment for their early development. He was a public-spirited man and did an incal- culable amount of good in furthering the interests of his community. Like many of the hardy pioneers of those early times, he possessed many sterling qualities and won the admiration of all who knew him.
Charles H. Holt, our subject, attended
4
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
the country schools during the winter months while living on his father's farm and later the Salem high school, from which he graduated in the class of 1889. Being an ambitious lad from the first he applied himself most assiduously and outstripped many of the less courageous plodders of his day, making excellent grades. After leaving the high school he engaged in teaching with marked success for one year, then, thirsting for more knowledge, he entered Northwest- ern University at Chicago, taking a prepara- tory course the first year. Believing that his true life work lay along legal lines, he spent three years in a law office in Chicago and then located at Kinmundy, this county, and while living here, where his success was instantaneous, he became popular with his party, which nominated him for the respon- sible position of county judge, and he was subsequently elected by a handsome majority in 1898, serving two terms with entire sat- isfaction to his constituents and all con- cerned and in such a manner as to reflect great credit upon his ability, manifesting from the first that he had unmistakable judi- cial talent and a profound knowledge of law in its variegated phases.
In 1904 Judge Holt removed to Saleni and at the expiration of his term of office resumed the practice of law, with a well equipped and pleasant suite of rooms in the Stonecipher building. He has one of the largest and best selected libraries to be found in Southern Illinois. Not only does the Judge keep posted on all the late judicial de- cisions and court rulings, but he is a well
read man on scientific, literary and current topics, so that his conversation is at once animated and learned.
The Judge is a strong and influential ad- vocate of the principles embodied in the Democratic party and is well fortified in his convictions, always ready to lend his influ- ence and time to the furtherance of his par- ty's interests and assist in placing the best men obtainable in the county offices. He has served as chairman of the Democratic Central Committee of Marion county, dur- ing which time he displayed rare acumen and sagacity in the management of the par- ty's affairs.
Although Mr. Holt's extensive legal prac- tice occupied the major part of his time, he has considerable business interests which he manages with uniform success. He is a stockholder in the Salem National Bank, and also in the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of St. Peter, Illinois.
Judge Holt's happy and harmonious do- mestic life dates from 1897, when he was united in marriage to Frances W. Fox, the accomplished and cultured daughter of Dr. Jesse D. Fox, of Kindmundy, this county. Doctor Fox was one of the county's most noted physicians and best known citizens, who died about 1881. The following chil- dren have blessed the home of the subject with their cheer and sunshine: Dorothy F .. who was born in May, 1898; Ward P., born in October, 1900; Frances S., who was born in October, 1904; Charlotte, whose date of birth occurred September 29, 1906. These children are all bright and winsome, giving
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promise of successful future careers. The Holt home is a model one, the residence being modern, commodious, well furnished and invaded with the most wholesome at- mosphere.
Our subject in his fraternal relations is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, having occupied the chairs in both. He is truly a strong and prominent character, and owing to his individual personal traits, which are highly commendable, his past record, which is unmarred by a shadow, his pleasing address, kindly disposition, upright- ness and public spirit, the future augurs still greater honors for the subject, for he has gained the undivided esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens throughout Marion and adjoining counties, and such a worthy character is seldom left alone by the public when services of a high order are constantly being sought.
HON. ELBERT ROWLAND, M. D.
Prominent in the professional life of Ol- ney, Richland county, pre-eminently distin- guished for carrying to completion impor- tant public enterprises and enjoying marked prestige in many things far beyond the limits of the community honored by his citizenship, the subject of this sketch stands out a clear and conspicuous figure among the success- ful men of a part of the great Prairie state
noted throughout the commonwealth for its high order of intelligence and business and professional talent. Characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong individuality, his achievements but represent the utilization of innate talents in directing efforts along lines in which mature judgment, rare discrimina- tion, and a resourcefulness that hesitates at no opposing circumstances, pave the way and ultimately lead to great achievements. 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 incident- ally his connection with various public offices and his long and worthy practice of medi- cine, and to show the marked influence he has wielded in advancing the material in- terests of Richland county and in promoting the general welfare of its populace.
Dr. Elbert Rowland was born in New York City, April 28, 1832, the son of Town- send and Eliza (Sands) Rowland, natives of Long Island, where they were reared and married. The subject's father learned the tailor's trade and conducted a tailor shop in the city of New York for a number of years. In 1840 he came to Richland county and entered two hundred and forty acres of land in Bonpas township. It was wild and in the wilderness, there being but few settlers there at that time. He erected a log cabin and began to make a home. There was plenty of wild game of all kinds in the forests round about, and the wolves, foxes and other animals gave some trouble. The early settlers of those days had many exciting fox chases. The family lived in
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
a log cabin for a number of years. They improved a good farm in due course of time. The father of the subject died in Olney at the advanced age of eighty-four years in 1896, his life companion having preceded him to the silent land in 1876, at the age of sixty-four years. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom grew to ma- turity, eight of the number living at this writing (1908), the subject of this sketch being the eldest of the family. He was only seven years old when he came to what is now Richland county, where he was reared on a farm in Bonpas township. There were a few subscription schools at that time, which our subject attended during the winter months for a few terms. As usual, the old- est of the children worked hard to help sup- port the family, such was the lot of El- bert Rowland. When sixteen years old he went to Lancaster, Wabash county, where he became clerk in a general store where he continued for three years. He then bought an interest in a traveling daguerreotype gal- lery and visited various sections of southern Illinois, finally selling his interest after ar- riving in Olney. In 1855 he went to Law- rence county and began the study of medi- cine under Dr. J. L. Flanders, who lived on a farm, and who was at that time one of the leading physicians and surgeons in Southern Illinois. He studied two years and in 1857 went to New York and entered the New York Medical College, from which he graduated in chemistry in 1858, and in med- icine in 1859, having made a brilliant rec- ord in that institution.
After leaving school, the subject prac- ticed in the hospitals of New York for a year. When the Civil war began, he deemed it his duty to do something for his coun- try and he applied for an appointment and was commissioned first assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh New York Volunteer Infantry with the rank of captain, serving three years. He remained with this regiment, was present in all the engagement in which it participated ex- cept one, having then been absent on a ten days' leave to go home. Among the impor- tant battles in which he participated were Gettysburg, Bascom Bridge, siege of Charleston, etc. He was active in field work and escaped with one slight wound in the hand.
After the war he returned to Illinois and located at Noble, where he engaged in gen- eral practice and soon built up a lucrative business, continuing here until 1880, when he located at Olney and continued practice with his usual great success until 1905, when he retired and has since been leading a quiet life.
In politics he is a Democrat and for many years was quite active and prominent in the affairs of his party. He was elected chair- man of the Democratic Central Committee of Richland county in 1865, and so well did he manage its affairs that he was annually re-elected for nineteen consecutive years and has been a member of the same for thirty- five years. During this time he served as chairman of the Executive Committee for two terms, and Literary Committee for two
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terms. He served as chairman of the Con- gressional Committee one term, and was chairman of the Senatorial and Legislative Committees for two terms. He has been delegate to the county, state, legislative, dis- trict and national conventions and chairman of various committees. He was regarded as one of the "wheel-horses" of the Demo- cratic party in this locality for many years and he wielded a powerful influence in its councils. In 1882 he was a candidate for nomination as representative from the Forty- fourth District. There were four candidates and in the convention he received the entire vote on the first ballot. His election fol- lowed by a majority of one thousand two hundred and ninety-six in a district which at that time was about six hundred Repub- lican. This shows his great popularity with the masses, and his splendid work in that body showed the wisdom of his constituents in their selection. He has always taken an active interest in whatever tended to pro- mote the general interest of his community. When a resident of Noble he was a member of the school board for seventeen years, dur- ing which time the schools of that place were built up to excellent proportions, hav- ing been president of the board of trustees for two terms and one term as treasurer. He was appointed health officer of Olney in 1882 and served in a most efficient manner for seventeen years. He served as president of the Board of United States Pension Ex- aminers for ten years, and as president of the Richland County Board of Charities for seven years. He was a member of the Board
of Censors in Evansville Hospital Medical College for three years. In all these capaci- ties he gave the greatest satisfaction and always looked after such business with the same care as if it had been his own.
The happy domestic life of the subject be- gan January 23, 1862, when he married Kate Mallary, a native of New York City, the daughter of Sherland and Judah (Elliott) Mallary, natives of Connecticut. The father was in the real estate and rental agency business and died there of cholera. His wife survived a number of years and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Rowland, at No- ble, this state.
Five children have been born to the sub- ject and wife, four of whom are living, as follows: Kate Elbertine, the wife of I. A. Phillips, of Waterbury, Connecticut: The- ressa, the wife of E. E. Edwards, of Olney ; Charles Townsend, a druggist, of Streator, Illinois: Elbert M., an attorney and Master in Chancery, owner and editor of The Olney Times. These children received good educa- tions and are all well situated in reference to this world's affairs.
In his fraternal relations the subject is a member of the Masonic order at Olney, also the Grand Army of the Republic, having served as surgeon of the latter for many years.
It is doubtful if any citizen of this part of the state has achieved more honorable men- tion or occupied a more conspicuous place before the public than he whose name ap- pears at the head of these paragraphs.
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
H. D. EVANS.
H. D. Evans was born in Marion county, this state, September 30, 1866, the son of O. F. Evans, Police Magistrate, and a native of this county. The mother of Mr. Evans was Lucy J. Tingle, a native of Kentucky, who came here in 1850. The subject's parents are still living in 1908. They became the parents of nine children, four sons and five daughters.
H. D. Evans attended school in Salem, re- maining under his parental roof until he was twenty-two years old. He then went to To- peka, Kansas, in 1888, and learned the car- penter's trade, at which he worked twelve or fourteen years, remaining in Topeka three years. He finally returned to Salem and worked at his trade for two years, when he went near Terre Haute and continued at this trade, and was there married to Nannie Maddock, the daughter of William Mad- dock, of Atherton, Indiana, on March 7, 1894. Two interesting and winsome chil- dren have been born to the subject and wife, as follows: Gladys Marie, whose date of birth occurred June 24, 1895, and Gretchen Irene, who first saw the light of day on Au- gust 19, 1899.
After his marriage Mr. Evans came to Salem. Moving on a farm, he remained there one and one-half years, when he moved to Salem and engaged in contracting and the lumber business for four years, after which he went on the road for two and one-half years, selling paints and varnishes. He is now a member of the drug firm of Evans &
Harmon, which owns stores at Iuka, Illinois, and Moorhouse, Missouri.
Mr. Evans is a wide awake, energetic business man of sound judgment and mod- ern business principles, and he has always succeeded at whatever he undertook. He faithfully served the city of Salem as Alder- man several years ago. He is a Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and both he and his wife are members of the Chris- tian church, and are well and favorably known to a host of friends in this commun- ity
T. W. WILLIAMS.
Among the strong and influential citizens of Marion county, the record of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of the section, the gentleman whose name appears above occupies a prominent place, and for many years has exerted a beneficial influence in the community in which he re- sides.
T. W. Williams, the well known Justice of the Peace at Salem, Illinois, was born in Silver Springs, Wilson county, Tennessee, May 22, 1837, the son of W. G. Williams, a man of sterling worth and influence, who was born and reared at Silver Springs. He came to Illinois in 1845, locating in the northern part of Marion county which is now embraced in Kinmundy township, where he developed a farm, making a com- fortable home and a good living during his
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND. MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
residence there. Thomas Williams, father of W. G. Williams and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to Illinois with the family in 1845. He was a North Caro- linian by birth and a fine type of the true Southern gentleman. He followed farming all his life. He died in Kinmundy. W. G. Williams died in 1904, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. The mother of the subject was Mary Morning, a native of old Virginia and a woman of many estimable traits. She passed to her rest in 1852. Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Williams were the parents of nine children as follows: Elizabeth, widow of R. G. Williams, who now lives in Foster township, Marion county; T. W., our subject; Othnial, who is living at Raleigh, Saline county, Illinois, was a soldier in the Civil war; Joseph died while in the Union army; G. H. also died in the Union army; George M. was killed while in the Federal ranks; Henry N. also died in the Union army ; Carroll died in in- fancy; Mary Jane is the wife of John Car- man, living at Kinmundy, this county.
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