USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 51
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 51
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 51
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436
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
John A. Peirce was born in the vicinity of Xenia, on March 12, 1843, his father being John Peirce, a native of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, who came west in 1835, and lo- cating first at Rock Island, Illinois, thence coming to Clay county in 1837. His father followed the occupation of farmer and print- er, being a farmer most of the time. When the present Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was built, his father owned forty acres of land on the site of the present railroad station and which is part of the original town of Xenia. John Peirce, Senior, was the first station- agent of the Balitmore & Ohio, filling the position for two years, becoming the agent in June, 1855, the Baltimore & Ohio people running their first train through on the 4th of July following. The subject of the pres- ent sketch has in his possession a freight or- der sheet-one of the first written-issued in his father's handwriting. Upon leaving the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio, the eld- er John Peirce went into the woolen mill in- dustry, which business was disposed of in 1863. The grandfather of the subject of our sketch was Thomas Peirce, who is thought to have been a native of New Hamp- shire, the family having come as we have already stated, from England, their ancestors emigrating to America in 1697.
The mother of John A. Peirce was born Jane Catherine Davenport. Her people were natives of Virginia. She died in October, 1855, having given birth to three children, of which the subject of this sketch is the only survivor.
The education received by John A. Peirce was of the common school variety. It took
place in the old common schools in Xenia. At eighteen years of age he enlisted in Com- pany G, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteers (in- fantry) for service in the Civil war, his term of service running over four years and eight months. During that period he passed through the hardest part of the conflict, par- ticipating in the battles of Chickamauga, Sep- tember 19-20, 1863 ; historic Frederickstown, October 21, 1861 ; Perryville, Kentucky, Oc- tober 8, 1862 ; Stone River, December 30-31, 1862; Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864; Nashville, Tennessee, December 15-16, 1864. He emerged from the Civil war unin- jured, and on January 25, 1866, he obtained his discharge. He then came back to Xenia and went to work as an engineer in the wool- en mills. Later on he applied himself to the painting trade and also as a tinner. In 1878 he interested himself in machine shop work and in 1880 established himself in his present location in the machine industry. His plant at the present time is equipped with all the most up-to-date machines and appliances and contains lathes, shapers, etc., of the most improved type. Mr. Peirce is a skilled and experienced machinist and superintends as far as possible the output of his factory.
His marriage took place January 12, 1868, to Fidella Westmoreland, who is a native of Illinois. Mrs. Peirce bore her husband five children : Helenora (deceased) ; Mary Eliz- abeth, (deceased); Nellie, Mrs. Amanda Jane Bradley, of Xenia, Illinois; Mrs. Mary Stout, of Taylorville, Illinois. Mrs. Peirce is still active in life and conducts a mil- linery store in Xenia, on her own behalf.
John A. Peirce is a member of the Metho-
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dist Episcopal belief, being a trustee of the local church. Mrs. Peirce is also of the same religion as her husband. In fraternal life, John A. Pierce belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Xenia. He was a charter member of the John A. Logan Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, but has now retired from active participation in same. In politics he is a Republican. He contents himself in voting his party's ticket at election times, and does not dabble in local political affairs. He is progressive and in- telligent citizen and a man whose record in private as well as in every-day life is pecu- liarly free from taint of all that is undesirable. He is known to be a charitable and friendly neighbor and a man whose success in life is looked upon with pleasure by his large cir- cle of friends and by his townspeople in gen- eral.
GEORGE WASHINGTON DOSER.
Although his journey along the pathway of life has been beset by many obstacles, and he has undergone many privations, George Washington Doser, in the sunset of his ca- reer, is living quietly at his home in Pres- ton township, Richland county, Illinois, amid most pleasant and congenial surroundings. The subject of this sketch is the true type of what is termed the self-made man, who through his industry and perseverance accu- mulated a sufficiency of this world's goods to enable him to enjoy a life of ease in his de- clining years. In the locality in which he
has lived for almost a half century, this vẹn- erable man is held in high esteem, for his sterling worth and rugged honesty.
Mr. Doser was born in Clark county, Ohio, October 2, 1825. He was the son of Michael and Regna (Zirkle) Doser. Of his father the subject has very little knowledge, ow- ing to the separation of his parents during his early boyhood. His mother was born in Virginia in 1808, and her parents were na- tives of the same state. While a young girl, her parents removed to Ohio, and she re- mained with them until her marriage to the father of the subject. As a result of this alliance two children were born, of which the subject was the eldest, the younger brother dying in infancy. Shortly thereafter, owing to an incompatibility of temper, the couple decided that they were not well-mated, and the marital bonds were dissolved. When Mr. Doser was in his sixth year his mother again entered wedlock, espousing Jonathan Zirkle, and eight children were the fruit of this union. The subject remained with his mother and step-father until he was fifteen, when he took up his residence with his grand- father. He was twenty-three years old, No- vember 23, 1847, when he married Eliza Welgamuth, in Clark county, Ohio. He and his bride took up their abode on a rented farm, where they remained until 1864, when they moved to Richland county, Illinois, set- tling upon eighty acres of land, in Preston township, for which they paid fifteen dollars per acre. Of this land, sixty acres was prai- rie, and had never been tilled, while the re- maining twenty acres were bottom timber
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
land. The only improvement on this farm was a frame house, and the subject of this sketch was compelled to remodel this struc- ture, and build stables, fences, etc. Mr. Doser finally sold this farm, and for the next nine years rented farms. At the end of that pe- riod he had accumulated a competence, and as the result of a decision to give up the pur- suit of agriculture he purchased property in the town of Dundas, where he and his wife now live.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Doser, three boys and three girls, namely : Socrates, John, Albert, Mary, Harriet and Anes. All of them reached the years of maturity but Socrates, Mary and Anes have passed to the beyond.
In the boyhood days of Mr. Doser the edu- cational facilities were limited, and decidedly crude as compared with the splendid sys- tem in vogue today. He attended about two months of what was known as subscription school before he had attained his fifteenth year, using only an elementary spelling book in pursuing his studies. Later he became a pupil in the free school for the short space of three months in three years, making a total of nine months. Here he used an ele- mentary speller and reader, and absorbed a smattering of arithmetic. Blackboards were unknown in those days. The desks were wide boards placed across wooden pins, fas- tened in holes bored in the walls. The seats consisted of benches, home-made with four wooden pins for legs.
Although Mr. Doser has never taken an active part in politics, he has always affiliated
with the Democratic party, having cast his first vote for President Van Buren. He has served four years as road overseer, but in the year 1908 was the first time that he re- ceived any remuneration for his services.
Both the subject and his wife in the early years of their life in Ohio united with the Lutheran church, and they have been active members of this denomination ever since, very seldom missing a service.
.WILEY ROSE.
One of the fascinating features of the farming industry is the opportunity it af- fords for individual effort and experiment. One can not only till the soil in raising the usual routine of crops, but he can also specialize along certain lines and thus broaden his own knowledge by experiment and in this way contribute to the knowledge and advancement in such special fields. We make mention in this connection of the name of the subject of this brief re- view, Wiley Rose, a life-long resident of this county. Mr. Rose has not only farmed but has devoted special attention to the raising of poultry and has given this subject considerable thought and study. As a re- sult he has become thoroughly familiar with the business and is good authority on the various phases of the industry. Mr. Rose was born on the 12th day of September, 1857, being the son of James and Peggy Ann (Burkette) Rose, who were the parents
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
of four children, our subject being the third. Mr. Rose was brought up on a farm, an environment which is now and always has been a most wholesome one for growing youth. He received his education in the neighboring district schools, and as he grew to manhood he made up his mind to makc. farming his chief occupation.
On September 7, 1879, he was joined in marriage to Serelda Wooten, who was born in Ohio in October, 1861, being one of a family of nine children. This union has been blessed with a family of six children. Nora M. was born on January 7, 1881, and has become the wife of William Wantland and is the mother of one boy; Gertrude A. was born on the 26th of June, 1884, and was married to Frank Schaffer, being the mother of two sons; Pearl M. was born on the 26th of March, 1886, and was joined in marriage to Miss Laura Smith; Fannie B. was born on the 8th of October, 1888, and has become the wife of Albert Smith; Elmer L. and Mormon E. are still at home, the former being born on June 23, 1892, and the latter on June 12, 1895.
Mr. and Mrs. Rose are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and are held in high esteem by the members of the congregation. They stand well in the com- munity, being most accommodating in their dealings and ready at all times to lend a helping hand to whoever opportunity af- fords. Mr. Rose has been a lifelong Demo- crat, but is most pronounced in his stand for a fair and honest discharge of all offi- cial duties. He maintains that service in
public office is not only a privilege but a sacred obligation, and should not be looked upon in any other light, except the one calling for the highest integrity and con- scientiousness.
JOSEPH E. TULLY.
The portly form of Joseph E. Tully is but a natural indication in one respect of his largeness. He is large in mind as well as body and his business interests are appreci- ated not alone in Xenia and Clay county, but also through all that section of the state of Illinois. His standing in the community is of the highest and as one of Xenia's leading citizens and as president of the Orchard City Bank, he has established for himself the rep- utation of a man of business talents of the highest order. He is a citizen in whom the most implicit confidence may be placed with- out fear of betrayal and one in whose com- position the elements of honesty is not lack- ing.
Joseph E. Tully was born in Marion coun- ty, Illinois, on the 3Ist of December, 1849; his father was also a native of Marion coun- ty, and a farmer, who moved to Clay county about the year 1855, where he lived until his death which happened about 1903. His grandfather was Mark Tully, who was well known in the life of Marion county at one time. The family originally came from Vir- ginia, and Grandfather Tully was at one time a farmer, and later a hotel-keeper in Salem.
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
Joseph E. Tully's father served with distinc- tion in the Civil war, being a soldier in the Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry. His mother's own name was Sarah Ellston, who belonged to a family of English extraction. She was herself reared in Marion county, her death occurring about 1902. To his parents six children were born, five of whom are now liv- ing, viz: Joseph E., the subject of our sketch; Mrs. Ida Kribs; Miss Aggie Tully ; Mrs. Rose Maxey, and Mrs. Lou Gaugher.
The Tully family came when the subject of our sketch was but six years old to Clay county, where they settled. Joseph received an education in the local common schools and showed aptitude and ability whenever he cared to study. When not quite fourteen years old, about the time of the Civil war, his youthful patriotism asserted itself and he joined the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteers and later affiliated with the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, his term of military ser- vice extending over a period of sixteen months. At the conclusion of the war he went into the grocery business in Xenia and later branched out extensively in the mercantile line. He has now been in busi- ness in Xenia for forty years and he is looked upon as one of the most important and influential figures in its business life as well as a substantial and prosperous citi- zen.
In 1870, on the 10th of October, his mar- riage with Fanny Paine, who was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, took place. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Tully's married life
proved a very happy one, and three children have been born to them. The sons, James M. Tully and W. P. Tully, are now grown to manhood and are of great assistance to their father, both being associated with him in his constantly growing business. Their only daughter is now Mrs. Lois Holstlaw, of Iuka, Illinois.
In politics Joseph E. Tully is a consis- tent and loyal Republican. He has never as- pired much to make a name in local political affairs, contenting himself to attend to the business interests which he has been so suc- cessful in guiding. However, he was hon- ored with the postmastership of Xenia for the twelve years immediately following the Civil war and while that position was en- trusted to him he fulfilled the duties of office to the entire satisfaction of the people of the community, whose willing servant while a public officeholder he ever proved himself to be.
His keen business insight and intuition in the industrial world was not allowed to go without recognition, and he has been in- stalled as president of the Orchard City Bank, which is a stable and conservative institution and the business of which is carried out in harmony with the best methods of the bank- ing world of today. Joseph Tully has given time and attention to the affairs of the insti- tution and his advice and counsel have been responsible for tiding it over obstacles in the past. He is also the owner of an up-to- date dairy, equipped with all the modern dairy appliances, which is a pleasure to in- spect. He has also found time in his busy
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
life to superintend extensive farming in- office on many occasions, and is at the pres- terests and his success along agricultural lines has admirably compared with his suc- cess in other endeavors.
Joseph Tully and his wife are of much im- portance in the social life of Clay county where their genial and winning qualities have made them much sought after. He is a member of the Baptist church and they have not been behind in helping onward the good work of religious progress in the town- ship.
He is active in fraternal and club life where his genial appearance is generally heralded by the good humor and cheerfulness which he seems to have a trick of imparting to all who come in contact with him. He is a popular and prominent member of the Ma- sonic Fraternity and is one of the most widely known Grand Army of the Republic men in the vicinity.
PETER KERMICLE.
When he gazes over his broad acres of well cultivated land the subject of this ketch is justified in feeling that he has achieved the acme of his ambition, when in his early life he became imbued with a determination to some day take front rank among the agricul- turists of the Middle West. That Peter Ker- micle is a popular man and stands high in the estimation of the people of Preston town- ship, Richland county, Illinois, is attested by the fact that he has been elected to public
ent time Justice of the Peace for that town- ship, having discharged the duties thereof for the past fifteen years.
Mr. Kermicle was born May 28, 1830, in Hardin county, Kentucky, which afterwards became La Rue county, being the second of nine children of Samuel and Mary (Trainor) Kermicle. The former was born in Mary- land, the latter in Virginia, January 30, 1800. The father of Mr. Kermicle moved to Ken- tucky when the son was quite young and settled on a farm in La Rue county, where he died in 1855. It was not long after the death of the father before the family moved to Richland county, and it was a very long and tedious trip, part of the trip being made by wagon and water. Upon their arrival at their destination they took up their resi- dence with two older brothers, who had pre- ceded them to Richland county. The moth- er of Peter Kermicle died in 1874.
Of the nine children born to the parents of the subject, seven grew to the years of ma- turity. In 1850 Mr. Kermicle removed to Coles county, Illinois, where he worked for two years for a cousin in the capacity of farm hand, sharing crops one year, and receiving ten dollars per month for the other twelve months. In 1852, on a soldier's land warrant, he entered eighty acres of land in Richland county, and later entered eighty additional acres, paying therefore the sum of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. On Decem- ber 6, 1852, he was wedded to Elizabeth Veech, who was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, September 10, 1827, and came to
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
Coles county, Illinois, with an elder sister in 1852, removing from there to Richland coun- ty two years later. She was the daughter of John and Mary (Kinkade) Veech, both be- ing natives of Kentucky. The wife of the subject was the youngest of nine children. Her mother died in Kentucky in 1848, and the husband survived her but five years. Three children of this family died in Ken- tucky and six in Illinois. The wife of Peter Kermicle died on the home place in Preston township, January 1, 1897, aged sixty-nine years. She was a member of the Baptist church. As the result of this union four children were born, namely: John William, Mary Jane, Samuel Warren and Lucy Ann, all of whom are living, and are fairly pros- perous.
The subject contracted a second marriage November 17, 1898, when he wedded Mrs. Nancy Lanter (nee Ping), who was born in Jasper county, Illinois, March 4, 1854, her parents both dying while she was still a child. The father of the second wife of the subject was born in Kentucky in 1830, and the mother in Decatur county, Indiana, in 1835. The father of Mrs. Kermicle went to Jasper county, Illinois, with his parents in 1840, where they entered a large tract of land, but the Indians were so numerous and troublesome that the family returned to Ken- tucky, remaining there but a short time when they returned to Illinois, and settling upon the land that they had originally taken up in 1840. The Indians having been driven out of that section of the state, they now built a hewed log-house, and other buildings
needed out of hewed logs. The mother and grandfather continued to live on this place until the fall of 1867, when the latter died, the mother passing away five years later.
Silas Ping married Amanda Todd in 1852, and they settled on what was known as Ping Prairie, ten miles east of Newton, the same being a part of the old homestead. settled by his parents in 1840, forty acres- having been given him by his father. He finally sold this farm, and moved to Craw- ford county, settling in that locality that is- now known as "Dark Bend," buying eighty acres of land. He remained here two years, and rented a farm north of Willow Hill, where his wife died February 21, 1865. Subsequently he married again, his bride being a widow, Mrs. Sarah Jane Gibbons (nee Mock), the ceremony being performed in Coles county, in November, 1866. His. death occurred four weeks later.
The mother of the subject's second wife was born in Decatur county, Indiana, and was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Callahan) Todd, who were both natives of Kentucky, her mother dying when she was about ten years of age, the father remarry- ing shortly after to Ruth Ridlen, a native of Indiana. She accompanied her parents to Willow Hill, where she married Silas Ping. She was the third of ten children, seven girls and three boys, all of whom lived to maturity. Her father died in 1872 in Jasper county at the age of seventy-two years.
The second wife of the subject is the sec- ond of seven children, five girls and two boys. Her first husband, William Lanter,
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RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
died in 1898, one boy being born to thein, and he is still living, Nathan Samuel being his name. He is married, with a family at Bone Gap, Edwards county, Illinois.
Mr. Kermicle is a Democrat, and takes quite an interest in township and county poli- tics. He has been Road Supervisor, Road Commissioner, Township Assessor, and Township Collector two terms each. Botlı himself and wife are members of the Baptist church. The subject is considered one of the most prosperous men in the township, and there are none in the community to begrudge him his success. He is a self-made man in every sense of the term. Mr. Kermicle had'a farm of two hundred acres, which he has di- vided among the children.
GEORGE W. STRATTON.
It affords great pleasure and satisfaction to anyone to be able to refer to his an- cestors as worthy representatives of noble character or specific achievement. Perhaps one of the most interesting and universally admired characteristics of many of our forefathers was their bravery and self-sacri- fice when our Republic was in danger and the great willingness on their part to stake their all in its defense. This is especially true when we find that our line of fore- fathers includes members of the Revolu- tionary troops. Viewed through the per- spective of the years that have gone by, we are almost amazed at their heroic spirit. A
descendant of one of these heroes is George W. Stratton, of Alma township, this county,
Mr. Stratton was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, on the last day of the year 1832. As intimated above his grand- father was an officer in the Continental army under Washington, and did valiant service in the cause of liberty and union. His father was William Stratton and his mother Mary Farley. They were devout members of the Christian church. George received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood and early be- gan work on his own responsibility. He was the second of five children and came to Marion county in 1875. He has devoted the most of his time to farming and stock raising and has succeeded in carrying out his ideas and methods to a most successful issue.
On February 16, 1854, he was united in marriage to Catherine M. Alperman, and this union has resulted in the birth of the following children: Mary J., wife of Rob- ert Wright, of Oklahoma, and the mother of one child. She was again married after his decease; Elias B., deceased, married Anna Eaton, to whom were born three chil- dren; Alice E., wife of Aaron Hutchinson ; Philip R. married Marie Marshall, and they are the parents of five children, two of whom are deceased; William Edwin married Dor- othy Kagy, and has a family of two chil- dren; Emma, deceased. Mrs. Stratton was one of a family of six children, she being the second in order of birth.
The Stratton farm of eighty acres is one
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
of the best kept and productive homesteads in the neighborhood and stands as a tes- timonial to what hard work and steady, intelligent application can accomplish.
Mr. and Mrs. Stratton are members of the Christian church and are willing and efficient workers. No one receives from them anything but kind and considerate treatment and the social atmosphere of the home is one appreciated by their many friends and neighbors. Politically Mr. Stratton is a believer in Democracy, and ad- heres to the party's principles, though never an aspirant to public preferment.
GEORGE WASHINGTON STANDI- FORD.
The subject of this sketch is a veteran of the War of the Rebellion, and as a souvenir of one of the many battles in which he en- gaged with distinction carries in his knee a leaden missile from a Confederate gun. He displayed great valor in those strenuous days of carnage. In Preston township, Richland county, Illinois, where he has lived for many years is well and favorably known.
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