USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 58
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 58
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 58
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After the war our subject returned to Olney and entered the store of his father, where he remained for about a year, when the business was closed out on account of the failing health of the subject's father. Mr. Knoph then turned his attention to the study of law, entering the law office of Hay- ward & Kitchell, where he remained for one
Mr. Knoph became traveling salesman in 1880, for the Cincinnati Wholesale Dry Goods Company, giving his employers en- tire satisfaction and showing that he had much native ability in this line of work.
In 1882 our subject was elected president of the First National Bank, of Olney. The honor came unsolicited and as a surprise. He quit the road and entered the bank and has continued as its president ever since, with a most excellent record, having built
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up the institution until it is regarded as one of the soundest institutions in the southern part of the state. It was organized De- cember 6, 1865, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, and its first offi- cers were: Henry Spring, president; An- drew Darling, cashier; the first board of directors was William Newell, M. O. Kean, H. Hayward, J. H. Parker, Jacob Kramer and Robert Byers. In 1877 on account of excessive taxation the capital stock was re- duced to fifty thousand dollars, at which it has since stood. In December, 1885, the charter expired and was renewed. The bank first occupied a small frame building in the east part of town, but it prospered and went gradually forward and in a very few years became one of the solid institutions of the state, being so recognized generally. It was moved to its present splendid location several years ago and a modern block was purchased in which to house it properly. It has the latest designs in safety deposit boxes and all other necessary equipment. The deposits in 1908 are four hundred thou- sand dollars, loans and discounts two hun- dred and sixty thousand dollars. The pres- ent officers are Aden Knoph, president ; Deuel Gould, vice president; John T. Rat- cliff, cashier; Nellie Levering, assistant cashier.
In 1878 our subject was a candidate for Supreme Clerk of the Southern District of Illinois, embracing thirty-six counties, all Democratic, but he was defeated. In 1894 Mr. Knoph made a tour through Illinois with Major Mckinley, .being an original
Mckinley man. At the request of Mr. Mc- Kinley our subject became the candidate for delegate to the national convention from this district. After the election he received a letter from President Mckinley, asking him to call at the White House when con- venient, for he desired to thank Mr. Knoph for his interest in the election. This he did later, and lunched with the President. He prizes Mckinley's letter very highly. In 1898 Governor Tanner, who was in the subject's old regiment and a personal friend, sent a message to the subject ask- ing him to organize a regiment for the Spanish-American war, which resulted in his organizing the Nineteenth District Vol- unteer Infantry, and Mr. Knoph was elect- ed colonel of the same, but it was not called on to go to the front, although it became well drilled and everything was in readiness due to the subject's untiring interest in the same.
Mr. Knoph's domestic life began July I, 1869, when he was united in marriage with Carliette Morehouse, a native of Richland county, the daughter of O. B. and Mary (Elliott) Morehouse, natives of Connecticut. The Morehouse family was among the first settlers in Richland county, which then in- cluded a large territory. The father of Mrs. Knoph was the first white child born in the county. He was a farmer and later a merchant of Olney. He and his wife are now living retired.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Knoph has been blessed with the birth of three children, namely : Ada died at the age of twenty-two
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years ; Edward, who married Mary Clutter, honorable and useful endeavor and has re- resides in Freeport, Illinois, being conduc- tor on the Illinois Central Railway, and Maud married Edgar P. Cochennour, and they reside in Pratt, Kansas. Her husband is a conductor on the Rock Island Railway.
In his fraternal relations our subject is a member of the Masonic Order, being past eminent commander of the Templars. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, and belongs to sev- eral fraternal insurance societies. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife beongs to the Episcopalian church.
Mr. Knoph has always been in the public eye and his friends have often sought him for various public offices. At their solicita- tion he was a candidate for nomination for State Treasurer in 1904, and although he received a large vote in the convention, he failed.
The home of Mr. Knoph is a modern and imposing one. His private library is next to the largest in Olney, consisting of many choice and carefully selected vol- umes. Because of his genuine worth, his past record of usefulness and honor, his honesty of purpose and his friendly dispo- sition, Mr. Knoph is held in high esteem by all who know him, and is regarded as one of the foremost citizens of the county.
JOSEPH H. WALKER.
The life of this venerable and highly re- spected citizen has been led along lines of
sulted in the accomplishment of much good not only to himself but to those with whom he has been associated. He has seen the development of the West and has taken a leading part in it, consequently in his old age he can look back over a life well spent and for which one should have no regrets.
Joseph Hill Walker was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, twenty miles from Pittsburg, October 19, 1822, and he lived there until 1848 when he moved to Jackson county, Ohio, and then to Marion county, Illinois, in 1862. Our subject is the son of William Walker, who was born in Beaver county, the old Keystone state, in 1773. He was a Democrat and a Presbyterian. Our subject is one of nine children, six boys and three girls.
Joseph Walker obtained what education he could in the pioneer schools of his day. He bought land in Marion county and be- gan farming, but when the war between the states began he gladly left his work and his home and offered his services in de- fense of the flag, enlisting in the army in the quartermaster's department and served three enlistments as a wagon maker, one in West Virginia, one at Nashville, Tennes- see, and one at Little Rock, Arkansas, hav- ing been foreman of the wagon department at the last named place. He learned the trade of wagon making in Pittsburg, in which city he worked at his trade for many years. After the war he returned to Marion county and resumed farming. He has been a hard worker and has made all the ex- tensive improvements on his farm which
32
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ranks well with Marion county's excellent farms. He has a good residence and barn and everything about his place shows thrift.
Our subject was married to Josephine Miles, who was born in Jackson, Ohio, Sep- tember 17, 1834. She came to this county when twenty-six years old. There was no town where Vernon now stands when she came here. She was the daughter of Bran- son and Angeline (Sargent) Miles. Bran- son Miles was born in 1808, in Shenandoah valley in Virginia. His wife was born in Ohio in 1821. Our subject and wife mar- ried October 9, 1850. His wife and family drove from Ohio to Vandalia on the old National Turnpike and from Vandalia to Marion county during the war. The follow- ing children have been born to the subject and wife. Angeline, born December 3, 1851, married Abner Moore, who is in the real estate and insurance business at Irving, Illi- nois. They are the parents of four chil- dren. Frank, the subject's second child, was born in 1854, and died in March, 1875; Miles, born August 29, 1857, married Emily Johnson. He is engaged in the creamery business in Ewing, Missouri. They have four children. Thomas B., born February 25, 1860, married Nora Jackson, later mar- rying Mary Taylor, three children having been born by the first union and one by the second union. Thomas B. is station agent at Patoka. Ellen, the subject's fifth child, was born June 5, 1864. She married Charles King, a factory manager in Chi- cago, and they are the parents of two living sons ; Henry was born April 26, 1868, mar-
ried Mary Mealy. They live in St. Louis and are the parents of three children.
Mr. Walker has devoted his life to farm- ing and stock raising with great success, and he now lives retired in Vernon. In politics he is a stanch Republican, having first voted for Henry Clay in 1844, although our sub- ject never took a very active part in politics. In religion he is a faithful supporter of the Methodist church. Mr. Walker is widely known in this section of the country and he numbers his friends by the score, for he is known to be thoroughly honest, a fine and friendly old gentleman to meet, making all feel at home who visit him.
JOHN C. BROCKMAN.
It requires considerable personal courage and strong resolution to sever the ties which bind one to home, friends, kindred and na- tive land and seek a home in a foreign country, where the language is unknown, where manners and customs are strange and where the future is uncertain, but John C. Brockman took the risk incident to such a course, nor has he been dissappointed in the hope which led him to leave Germany and come to the United States, a young man of eighteen years at the time of his ar- rival, possessing no capital save a willing- ness to work and a strong determination to succeed, which he has admirably done, as we shall see by the study of the following paragraphs, which will show the ease with
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which thrifty Germans come to this coun- try, achieving such financial success that it is astonishing to most Americans. It need not, however, be wondered at. The German is more industrious and less extravagant than the average American, for he realizes the value of money and hoards his earnings. He knows its power and ability to earn other money for him in the way of interest. The average American is much more a suc- cess at spending money than he is at getting or saving it. The record of Mr. Brockman is not only one of industry but also of honor.
John C. Brockman, now living in retire- ment at Olney, Richland county, Illinois, was born in Hanover, Germany, January 31, 1830, the son of Peter and Anna (Gieschen) Brockman, also natives of Ger- many, where they died; the former was a carpenter and farmer. Our subject re- mained in his native country until he reached maturity and received a common school education. He came to the United States in 1848, believing that better oppor- tunities existed here than in the Fatherland for a man of his ambition. He first located in St. Louis, Missouri, where he secured work in a drug store, remaining in the same for a few years and giving his employer entire satisfaction. He was without money when he landed there, but soon got a start through his industry and economy. Later he managed a confectionery store for a time. In January, 1857, he located in Newton, Jasper county, Illinois, and in 1861, in company with Walter Patrick,
raised a company for the Union army, our subject being loyal to the stars and stripes and espousing the national cause, giving vent to his patriotism in a most laudable manner. This company became Company K, of the Fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and he and Patrick became partners as sutlers of the regiment. Later the sub- ject sold his interest and returned home. Then he joined David Scott in the sutler business of two companies in the Hitchcock Battery, also at a later date had the sutler- ship of the Eighth Kansas Regiment in which he continued until the close of the war. In the meantime a friend of John C. Brockman had taken charge of the treas- urer's office and was later elected to suc- ceed him. The friend made a settlement at the expiration of the term of the subject while he was in the army and everything proved satisfactory.
After the war Mr. Brockman and his partner came to Olney in 1866, where the firm name of D. Scott & Company, jobbers and retail grocers, produce, etc., was formed. They also established a small stock of dry goods. They had a large busi- ness in a short time which extended to remote parts of this locality. They shipped the first carload of dressed poultry from Olney or Southern Illinois. Just after the war was a time of high prices, and while they did a big business for a few years it was usually on a falling market and not al- ways successful, but it brought much trade to Olney and helped immeasurably to build up the town. The partnership of this firm
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was dissolved in 1887, and the business closed out. The subject then operated a cafe and eating house which he successfully conducted for a number of years. His res- taurant was popular and he fed large num- bers continuously.
Mr. Brockman owns a fine business prop- erty on Main street and also a beautiful residence property, having retired from ac- tive business a few years ago, being one of the oldest business men in town.
Our subject's domestic life began in 1854, when he was united in matrimony with Mrs. Johanna Greninger, widow of John Greninger, and who had two children, Mary and William. She is a native of Switzerland, who came to the United States with her parents in 1845, locating in St. Louis, Missouri. Mrs. Brockman has been a faithful helpmeet. Five children have blessed their home, namely : Anna, Caroline, Louisa, Agnes, John F. They have re- ceived educations and all give promise of happy futures.
Mr. and Mrs. Brockman and their chi- dren are adherents to the Catholic faith, and faithful attendants of this church.
Mr. Brockman very ably and creditably served as County Supervisor for one term, during the time when the county was sued for two hundred thousand dollars in rail- road bonds.
The splendid success our subject has won in life is due entirely to his own efforts. There are few men who begun in a humble way as he did when coming to this country, who can show as much for their time and
talents as he can. It is all attributable to the splendid qualities of head and heart of which he is the possessor and which he has so judiciously exercised.
WILLIAM ELICE COAN.
Among the residents of Richland county, Illinois, who are especially worthy of no- tice as having been active in the improve- ment and prosperity of the county, and have built up reputations which shall en- dure for decades to come, none have figured more prominently in their respective com- munities or exerted a more beneficial influ- ence on those about him than Mr. Coan, whose life since coming to this county has been closely interwoven with the progress of the same. His leading aim has been to provide well for his own and do good to others, and those who have reason to know are authority for the statement that no one has dispensed his means with more liberal hand to the deserving poor than has the large-hearted, generous subject of this brief review, whose long and unusually active life has been so full of incident and worthy deeds that it would be impossible here to set forth all of them in detail. He early realized the necessity for good citizenship. and with strong mind and determined pur- pose addressed himself to bringing about this deserved result. His life has been a power for good and his influence has al- ways been exerted in behalf of whatever
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tended to promote morality in his neighbor- hood. When a mere boy he determined to become a good man and a useful citizen, and that he has successfully carried out his original intentions is attested by a long life fraught with so many beneficial results to humanity. He has always been optimistic enough to look on the bright side of life, partly due to the encouragement and sym- pathy of his worthy life companion, and, unlike the majority of old men, he still re- tains much of his youthful spirit and is popular with all who know him.
He has indeed, borne well his part, and now as life wanes and he proceeds toward the twilight and the joureny's end, he car- ries with him the respect and love of nu- merous friends whose prayers are that his years may yet be many in the land of the living.
William Elice Coan, the scion of a sturdy ly supports the Democratic ticket.
Southern family, was born in the state of South Carolina, November 16, 1826. He is the son of Isaac Coan, a man who bore well his part in the pioneer days of the old Palmetto state, established a good home and reared a good family.
The parents of the subject of this sketch were natives of Ireland and Virginia, the mother's side of the house being well known and influential in their native locality.
Mr. Coan had little opportunity to ob- tain a high intellectual training, owing to the fact that during his youth primitive schools were taught only a few months out of each year, and also the children of the pioneers were compelled to assist in the im-
portant work of home building, but Wil- liam E. has been a close observer and has done much extensive miscellaneous reading so that he is well informed on general topics.
When he reached man's estate Mr. Coan was united in marriage with Mary Ann Whaley, daughter of a sterling old Hoosier family, having been born in Pike county, Indiana. Her father was William Whaley.
To Mr. and Mrs. William Elice Coan four children were born, namely: Francis, Allen, William and Malica.
Mr. Coan has devoted his life principally to agricultural pursuits which he has made a success, having always been a hard work- er and economical, so that in his old age he is enjoying the well earned fruits of the labor of his earlier years.
In his political relations Mr. Coan loyal-
HON. MARTIN D. FOSTER, M. D.
An enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won honor and public recognition for themselves and at the same time have honored the state to which they belong would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent refer- ence to the one whose name initiates this review. He is characterized as a man of great breadth of wisdom, indomitable per- severance and strong individuality and yet in his entire life there has not been one esoteric phase, his history being as an open
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scroll, inviting the closest scrutiny. There is, however, in him a weight of character, a native sagacity and fidelity of purpose which commands the respect of all and he has left his impress for good, while yet a young man, upon the political, medical and business circles of Richland county, whose interests he has ever had at heart.
Dr. Martin D. Foster was born in Ed- wards county, Illinois, September 3, 1861, the son of Blashel and Emily (Houser) Foster, the former having been born near Lexington, Indiana, and the latter at Sa- lem, North Carolina. Grandfather Martin Houser was a minister of the Moravian church, one of the greatest, in fact, in this
country. He was a native of North Caro- lina and moved in the early days to Indi- ana, where he was identified with the early history of the state, having established the town of Hope, which he laid out. He later moved to what is now West Salem, Ed- wards county, Illinois. Grandfather Wil- liam Foster was born in England, and be- came a minister in the Christian church. After coming to America he located on government land near West Salem, in an early day, many English settlers having come to the same locality. Grandfather Houser had eight daughters. He drove from Hope, Indiana, to Salem, North Caro- lina, taking two daughters at a time, taking two every two years. They were educated in a female seminary there. He made sev- eral trips in that way. He preached on Sundays and farmed through the week days. He took up much land and became
wealthy for those days. The father of the subject was reared and educated in Ed- wards county and became a farmer, rearing his family there. He and his wife now live in Monmouth, Oregon, to which state they moved in 1888. Five children were born to them, all of whom are living, the subject of this sketch being the third in order of birth.
Doctor Foster was reared on the farm and received his early education in the public schools. Being ambitious he studied hard and later entered Eureka College. In 1880 he entered the Eclectic Medical Insti- tute at Cincinnati, from which he grad- uated with high honors in 1882. He later graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College in Chicago in 1894. In the fall of 1882 he located in Olney and began prac- tice which he continued for many years, his success being instantaneous from the first and he built up a very large business, his practice extending to all parts of the county, being known as one of the best gen- eral practitioners in this part of the state.
He continued to practice medicine until he was elected Congressman. In the fall of 1904 he was a candidate for Congressman on the Democratic ticket from the Twenty- third district, but was defeated in the Roosevelt landslide. In 1906 he was the unanimous nominee for this office and was elected by a majority of one thousand three hundred and fourteen votes, and the able and conscientious manner in which he served his constituents soon proved their wisdom in his selection. He was on the
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Committee of Pensions, Mines and Mining, and he made a splendid record, especially was his work commendable in reference to pensions. In the fall of 1908, Doctor Fos- ter was nominated without opposition to succeed himself, and with one exception he carried every county in the district, includ- ing one county which Taft carried. His home township, which is one hundred and fifty Republican, he carried by three hundred and fifty majority, and carried the county by seven hundred and thirty- one. This shows his high standing and popularity in Richland county and the Twenty-third district. Doctor Foster was elected Mayor of Olney in 1895, for a term of two years and was again elected in 1903 for two years. During his incum- bency of this office he did many things that will be of permanent benefit to the city and community, making a record that was high- ly praised by all. He served for four years as president of the School Board, and he was a member of the Board of Pension Examiners for eight years.
The harmonious domestic life of Doctor Fostor began in 1888 when he married Alice Igo, who was born in Shelbyville, Il- linois, the talented daughter of Samuel and Catherine Igo. Mrs. Foster was called to her rest in 1889. No children were born to this union. The subject was again mar- ried, his second wife being Lulu B. Cliffe, a woman of gracious personality, whom he married October 27, 1891. She is a native of Olney, the daughter of Rev. William and Martha (White) Cliffe, the former a native of England and the latter of Indiana.
Reverend Cliffe was chaplain of the Ninety- eight Illinois Regiment during the Civil war and was a prominent minister of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. He died in 1869. His wife is also de- ceased.
Doctor Foster is a member of the Ma- sonic Order, the Knights Templar, being Past Eminent Commander of the latter; he is also a member of the Shrine, and is a charter member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, No. 926, and is Past Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of Ameri- ca. He is a liberal subscriber to the Chris- tian church of which he is a member. Mrs. Foster is a faithful attendant of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. Our subject is a member of the National Eclectic Medical Society and also the Illinois State Medical Society.
Doctor Foster is widely and favorably known throughout the state, his abilities well fitting him for leadership in political and social life. The terms progress and patriotism might be considered the keynote of his character, for throughout his career he has labored for the improvement of every line of business or public interest with which he has been associated, and at all times has been actuated by a patriotic love for his county and her welfare. No man in Richland county is better known or held in higher esteem, and because of the high position he has gained so young in life, the future must necessarily hold much of good and promise for him.
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HISTORY OF THE ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CONGREGATION OF OLNEY, RICHLAND COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
In the beginning of the last century this section of the country was but thinly set- tled. Most of the country was timber. The first Catholic settlement in this neighbor- hood was that of Ste. Marie. In 1838, J. Picquet landed on the shores of this country from Alsace to seek for himself and countrymen a home in the new world. He journeyed on horseback from Philadelphia to Chicago, which was then a little town. He did not tarry long but started out for St. Louis, Missouri, from which city he came to Jasper county, Illinois. This sec- tion of the country with its wide prairies and extensive timber lands along creeks and rivers pleased him. He secured a grant of one thousand two hundred acres of land from the government. With his few com- panions he repaired to the spot he had se- lected for his home.
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