USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 63
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 63
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 63
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
Peoria, Illinois, which he ably conducted for three years, after which he came to the Cen- tralia Business College in the fall of 1898. Each of the above schools has been highly successful and has turned out thousands of pupils well prepared to play their parts in the business and commercial world. The patronage that Prof. Douglas C. Brown now enjoys is largely due to his own outlay of time, talent and business sagacity, coupled with indomitable energy and persistency. The average daily attendance and the en- rollment of the school in Centralia is two hundred each year. The pupils who have graduated in this school have and are con- stantly taking good positions in the various prepared.
After leaving school Mr. Brown began teaching at the age of eighteen years. His first schools were taught in Clay county, lat- er in Fayette county. His last public school . branches of business for which they have work was as superintendent of the Vandalia schools, which position he held for five years. The domestic life of our subject dates from October 12, 1881, when he was united in marriage with Maud Bryan, the accom- plished and refined daughter of Samuel and Harriett (Hartman) Bryan, of Xenia, Illi- nois. To this happy union six children have been born, named in order of birth as fol- lows: Clyde L., William H., Harriet M., .Harry, Dean C. and Robert E. Clyde L. married Carrie Scheiber, of Peoria, Illinois. Harriet married O. A. Rosborough, Wil- liam H. is in the United States navy at this writing (1908), being a yeoman, or book- keeper and stenographer in the office of Ad- miral Sperry of the flagship Connecticut. His educational work continued for a period of twelve years, during which time he achieved a broad reputation as an able ed- ucator and his services were in great demand. He left the work in the public schools for the purpose of opening a business college, which he subsequently launched at Vandalia, having conducted the same for two years, making a success from the start, for his fame as an educator was by that time so firmly established that whatever school his name was associated with was bound to be a suc- cess. After his experience with the Vanda- lia school he associated himself with Prof. G. W. Brown, in the Decatur Business Col- Mr. Brown owns a modern, commodious, nicely furnished and pleasant home in Cen- tralia, which is frequently the gathering place for numerous friends and admirers of lege, remaining there three years. Our sub- ject then took charge of the bookkeeping de- partment of Brown's Business College at
539
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
the Brown family, each member of which is noted for his hospitality and cordiality.
In politics our subject is a Prohibitionist. In religious matters he supports the Christian church. He is a most companion- able gentleman and all who come within the range of his influence are profuse in their praise of his admirable qualities, and the high regard in which he is held not only pro- fessionally but socially indicates the posses- sion of attributes and characteristics that en- title him to the highest esteem.
C. D. TUFTS.
The gentleman whose name forms the cap- tion of this sketch did not seek any royal road to the goal of prosperity and independ- ence, but began in legitimate ways to ad- vance himself and the result is that he is now numbered among the successful news- paper men of Southern Illinois, having de- voted practically his entire life to the man- agement of an old and popular paper, the Democrat, published at Centralia, and he has been a molder of public opinion, having been a faithful defender of the rights and interests of the people of this vicinity at all times.
C. D. Tufts was born in Centralia, Illi- nois, January 27, 1864, the son of Samuel P. and Zerelda (Goodwin) Tufts, the for- mer having been born in Fitchburg, Massa- chusetts, January 28, 1827. The latter was born in Indiana October 6, 1833. They were married October 4, 1857, in Marion
county, Illinois. Four of their children are now (1908) living, namely: Gay L .; C. D., our subject ; Elsie M., and Zerelda D. Elsie M. married Ray Greene, of Sterling, Illi- nois. They have no children. Samuel P. Tufts passed to his rest October 4, 1903, at the age of seventy-six years. His widow is still living and enjoys excellent health; she is a woman of beautiful Christian char- acter, being a member of the Baptist church.
The early education of C. D. Tufts was obtained in the Centralia high school, in which he graduated in 1882. He has pub- lished the Democrat since 1883, having had charge of the office since then. His father was formerly the editor of this paper, which was established in 1869. Samuel P. Tufts had charge of the paper when it was burned out in 1871, and he re-established it as a weekly. It has been conducted as a daily and weekly since 1892. The circulation has gradually increased from the first until it now consists of one thousand and two hun- dred on both the daily and weekly. The pa- per has always been popular with the people of Marion county, having been a faithful defender of the local interests. It is ably and carefully edited, and the news service is prompt and of the best. The mechanical ap- pearance of the paper shows that the best and most modern equipment is used in the plant.
Mr. Tufts has been honored with many official positions, all of which he has dis- charged with ability. He was president of the Board of Education of Centralia for one term, also president of the Illinois Press As-
540
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
sociation for one term. During Governor John P. Altgeld's administration he was pri- vate secretary of the Lieutenant-Governor for a period of four years. He was a mem- ber of the Democratic State Central Com- mittee and is at present Master in Chancery of Marion county. He has long been an able exponent of the principles of the Democratic party and his support can always be depend- ed upon in furthering the local interests of this party.
In his fraternal relations, Mr. Tufts is a member of Centralia Lodge No. 201, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Cen- tralia Council, No. 93, Royal Arch Masons ; Centralia Council, No. 28, Royal and Select Masters; Cyrene Commandery No. 23, Knights Templar. He is in command of the Commandery. Mr. Tufts is also a member of Centralia Lodge No. 394, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; also a member of Helmet Lodge No. 26, Knights of Pythias, of Centralia. He is a member of the Order of Eastern Star and the Pythian Sisters, of Centralia lodges.
Mr. Tufts is a man of sunny disposition, affable, approachable and makes friends eas- ily, which he has no trouble in retaining. While strong in his views, he is always will- ing to be fair and is candid at all times and under all circumstances. He enjoys an ex- tensive acquaintance all over the state of Illinois among men of all classes, and he is held in high favor by all who know him for his honesty of purpose, pleasing manners and the future to such a man cannot help but be replete with abundant success.
THOMAS L. JOY.
Examples that impress force of character on all who study them are worthy of rec- ord. By a few general observations may be conveyed some idea of the high standing of Thomas L. Joy, as a business man and public benefactor, or, an editor of unusual felicity of expression and whose wonderful- ly facile pen delights thousands of readers, although now retired from the active af- fairs of everyday life and spending the last half of his years of strenuous and eminently useful life in the enjoyment of the peace and quietude to which he is so justly entitled, and which he has so nobly earned. United in his composition are so many elements of a solid and practical nature, which during a series of years have brought him into promi- nent notice, and earned for him a conspicu- ous place among the enterprising men of the county of his residence, that it is but just recognition of his worth to speak at some length of his life and achievements.
Thomas L. Joy, retired editor of the Even- ing Sentinel of Centralia, Illinois, was born in Equality, this state, September 15, 1850, the son of Ephraim E. Joy, a Southern Illi- nois Methodist preacher of wide celebrity. He raised a company in 1862 for the pur- pose of taking part in the Union service. It was assigned to a regiment of Illinois vol- unteers. Mr. Joy was ordered to Fort Doug- las to be sworn in as captain of the com- pany. Upon reaching the place he received the sad news that his wife was lying at the point of death. This cut his war record and
541
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
he hastened home to his dying companion and two little sons, Andrew F. and Thomas L. The grandfather of the subject was a Baptist minister whose work was also con- fined to the southern part of this state. The Joy family has been well known and influen- tial in the affairs of the southern part of the Prairie state since it was first settled.
The early education of Thomas L. Joy was obtained in the district schools and small towns, as his father itinerated from place to place. His last school was at Shi- loh, St. Clair county. He received a fairly good education, which was later supplement- ed by extensive home reading and by com- ing in contact with the world.
Mr. Joy served his apprenticeship as a practical printer in St. Louis, Missouri, with the Woodward and Tiernan Printing Com- pany, of that city. Being a young man of great energy and executive ability, Mr. Joy established the Carmi Times, at Carmi, Illi- nois, with his brother, Andrew F. Joy, in 1872. Our subject, who made a success of this venture, later sold his interest to his brother, Andrew F. Joy, in 1882. In 1880 the Joy brothers established the Cairo Daily and Weekly News. Thomas L. took full charge. In 1881 he closed out the paper and returned to Carmi and later purchased the Mt. Carmel Republican, which he conduct- ed for over five years, with his usual suc- cess. He came to Centralia October 20, 1888, and bought one-half interest in the Sentinel; the firm name was then Joy & Hitchcock, the firm continuing for five months, when Hitchcock retired, H. F. Till-
man taking his place, continuing for a pe- riod of two years, at the expiration of which time our subject bought his interest and con- tinued to publish the paper with increasing success until 1906, when he leased his paper to his son, Verne E. Joy. The latter took complete charge of the business on January 1, 1907.
While engaged on the Sentinel Thomas L. Joy, for a period of five years, published the Sandoval Times, a weekly paper at San- doval, Marion county, which was liberally patronized. He also published the Odin News and the Patoka Enterprise, each a weekly paper, with a good, active circula- tion. Mr. Joy was a very busy man in over- seeing all these papers, but his wonderful executive ability, his capacity for the ac- complishment of a vast amount of work and his persistent qualities enabled him to carry them all to successful issue, and he was for many years the molder of public opinion in Marion county, and became known as one of her foremost and most influential citi- zens. He is still a regular contributor to the Sentinel. His articles are terse and pithy-always interesting. He enjoys his quiet home life in his beautiful home in Cen- tralia, where hospitality and good cheer are always dispensed. He is an admirable con- versationalist and keeps abreast of the times in all matters.
The domestic life of Thomas L. Joy dates from September 14, 1873, when he was unit- ed in marriage with Lizzie V. (Lockwood) Joy, of Wayne county, Illinois. She is the refined daughter of William and Elizabeth
542
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
(Wiley) Lockwood, of Wayne county, Illi- nois, long well known and influential in their community.
Our subject has always been a stanch Re- publican and ever ready to foster the prin- ciples of his party, doing what he could to insure the success of the same in his county and his counsel has been frequently sought and in the affairs of the party at home. In religion he follows his father's early train- ing.
J. F. KNIGHT.
Mr. Knight has long maintained his home in this county, and while he has been benefited himself in a very material way through his efforts in a varied line of work, he has ever done what he could in the up- building of the community at large, and to- day he stands as one of the substantial and foremost citizens of Sandoval, where he is held in high favor by everyone.
J. F. Knight was born in Wenona, Illi- nois, May 23, 1867, the son of John and Susan (Ingersoll) Knight. The subject's grandfather, a native of Pennsylvania and of German lineage, was a farmer and lived and died in the old Keystone state. He was the father of eight children, all of whom lived to maturity. Eli Knight was a soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment and served three years, His brother, Thomas Knight, was also a soldier in the Federal ranks. They were both Lutherans in their church rela-
tions. Grandfather Knight lived to an ad- vanced age, and grandmother Knight reached the age of ninety-four years. Grandfather Ingersoll was from New York. He came to Illinois in the fifties and settled in Wenona, where he lived the balance of his life, having reached the great age of ninety-six years. Grandmother Ingersoll met death in an unfortunate manner, by being killed when sixty-five years old.
The father of our subject was raised in Pennsylvania, and after his marriage to his first wife he came to Illinois and settled in Wenona. While in Pennsylvania he worked at the miller's trade, but after he came to Illinois he worked at farming, and he reached the age of fifty-two years. The 'subject's mother lived to be sixty-four years old. She was a member of the Christian church. Three children were born to John Knight by his first wife, and the same num- ber by his second. He was a Democrat and served as County Clerk in Pennsylvania.
The early education of the subject of this sketch was obtained in the schools of Ma- rion county. He later attended the South- ern Illinois Normal School, where he gained a good education, having applied himself in a diligent manner to his text-books. Tak- ing the advice of Horace Greeley, who told the young men of the East to seek their fortune in the West, Mr. Knight went to California after he left school, and for some time kept books. But he later returned to Illinois and worked his father's farm for a period of seven years, then bought land in Marion county and sold live stock, and later
543
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
engaged in the livery business in Sando- val, which he conducted for seven years. He owns an excellent farm in this county, con- sisting of one hundred and fifty acres of highly improved land. He also owns an- other farm which he rents, having the man- agement of the first mentioned. Mr. Knight was also engaged in the ice business for a period of fourteen years. He owns ten houses in Sandoval, which he rents, and also owns a beautiful and modern residence. All this he has made practically unaided, having been a careful business man and ex- ercised the best of judgment in all his busi- ness transactions.
Mr. Knight was united in marriage in 1891 to Stella Reinhardt, a native of this county, and the daughter of Charles and Frederick (Deitz) Reinhardt, natives of Germany. Mr. Reinhardt came to America in an early day and settled in Marion county. He was a weaver in the old coun- try, but took up the baker's trade here. There were five children in his family.
Two children have been born to the sub- ject and wife. The first, Merle, was born in April, 1893, and is in high school at this writing. 1908. The second, Norman, was born in 1896. They are both bright and in- teresting children.
The subject is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, also the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen, having passed all the chairs in the Odd Fel- lows. In his political relations he is a Dem- ocrat, and has long taken an active part in his party's affairs. He is at present Town-
ship Supervisor and has been Tax Collector. He was president of the Village Board for three terms, and he was Alderman for sev- eral terms. In his official capacities he gave the people of this community the best possi- ble service and gained the approval of all.
JAMES HUNTER, M. D.
The medical profession in Marion county has an able representative in the subject of this review, who is to be considered one of the leading physicians of the community of Sandoval, where he at present maintains his home, where he has long been established in practice. He has been closely identified with the civic and social affairs of Sandoval and he controls a large and representative prac- tice throughout this part of the county, where he is held in the highest esteem as a physician and surgeon and as a public- spirited and loyal citizen.
Dr. James Hunter was born in Randolph county, Illinois, in 1837, the son of Alexan- der and Martha (Kell) Hunter. Grand- father Hunter was from Ireland. He first settled in South Carolina after coming to this country, and it is supposed that he died there. In that state Grandfather Kell was born. He moved to Randolph county, Illi- nois, having devoted his life to farming. About 1830 he bought a farm there, set- tling among the pioneers, reared his family
544
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
of two children, both girls, and died there at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a member of the Presbyterian church.
The father of our subject was born in South Carolina and came to Illinois when twenty-eight years old, settling in Randolph county, where he bought land and on which he lived until his death, which occured when he was twenty-nine years old. His wife passed away at the age of forty. Their family consisted of three children, our sub- ject being the only survivor. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Hunter were both members of the Presbyterian church.
Doctor Hunter was reared in Randolph county, Illinois, and attended the public schools there, working on his grandfather's farm in the meantime, until he was seven- teen years old. He early decided that his life should be devoted to the healing art, and actuated by this laudable ambition he began the study of medicine under the direction and instruction of Dr. Hopkins, of Sparta, Illinois, having remained with him for one year. He then took two courses of lectures in the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincin- nati and began practice in Randolph county in 1858, where he remained with gratifying results attending his efforts for a period of five years. He then located in another part of the same county, where he remained a short time.
Much to the regret of his patients and numerous friends in Randolph county, he moved to Newport, Kentucky, in 1864, and took up practice there, where he re- mained for four years, his success having been instantaneous. He located in Switzer-
land county, Indiana, where he practiced with most flattering results for a period of nineteen years, after which he came back to Randolph county, Illinois. He then spent five years at Irvington, Washington county, hav- ing come to Marion county in 1890, and has been practicing here ever since, having a lucrative business and a growing practice. To further qualify himself Doctor Hunter at- tended the medical department of the Nash- ville State University and graduated from the same in 1879. Recently the doctor was appointed to the chair of Theory and Prac- tice in the Hypocranium Medical College, a night school in St. Louis.
Doctor Hunter was married in 1857 to Miss N. J. Askins, of Sparta, Illinois. Two of Mrs. Hunter's brothers were soldiers in the Civil war, having enlisted from Illinois. They served their time out and were hon- orably discharged.
Six children were born to the subject and wife, four girls and two boys. The doctor has four grandchildren living. One of his daughters lives in San Francisco, California, another lives in St. Louis, one in Boston and another in New York. They are all well situated in reference to this world's affairs.
Our subject is a Mason and a Woodman. He has filled most of the chairs in the Ma- sonic lodge. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist church and are lib- eral supporters of the same.
Doctor Hunter takes an active part in poli- tics, having been a liberal supporter in the Democratic ranks all his life. He has faith- fully served his community as Justice of the Peace for the past twelve years. What his
545
RICHLAND, CLAY AND. MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
hands and mind have found to do he has done with his might, and having attained a commanding position among his contempo- raries, he wears his honor in a becoming manner and is today one of the prominent citizens of Marion county.
GEO. WASHINGTON DOWNEY, M. D.
The subject of this sketch has gained pres- tige in the healing art, which is always the outcome of close application and the ability to apply theory to practice in the treatment of diseases. Good intellectual training, thor- ough professional knowledge, have made the subject of this review successful in this chos- en calling, having been in practice here for over a quarter of a century, during which time he has built up a lucrative patronage.
Dr. G. W. Downey was born in Prince- ton, Indiana, March 1, 1832, the son of Wil- liam and Anna (Davis) Downey. Grand- father Downey, who was a millwright, which trade he followed all his life, was born in Ireland, came to America and set- tled in Virginia, where he spent the remain- der of his life, and where he reared his children, being survived by six children, who lived to maturity. There were three min- isters in the family. Grandfather Davis, who was also from Ireland, came to America and settled in Tennessee, later removing to Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his days, devoting his life to farming, living to an advanced age and rearing a family consisting of four daughters.
The father of our subject, who was born in Virginia, moved to Indiana when he reached manhood and followed his trade, that of millwright, having learned it from his father, but feeling that he was called to higher work, he abandoned this and devel- oped into a Cumberland Presbyterian min- ister of considerable notoriety, living to be over sixty years old. He was the father of twelve children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the youngest. The wife of Rev. Downey passed away at the age of sixty- four years.
Doctor Downey attended school in Indi- ana and when a young man worked out as a day laborer, his family being poor, making it necessary for him to earn his own living, but while somewhat unpleasant, it was good discipline for him and he developed an in- dividuality which made greatly for subse- quent success. Saving what he could with a view to obtaining a higher education, he was enabled in a few years to enter college at Newberry, Indiana. Believing that his true life work lay along medical lines, he began the study of medicine in Indiana. He took a medical course in Chicago and later in Iowa, having made a good record for scholarship in both.
Our subject practiced medicine for a pe -. riod of four years before the breaking out ot the Civil war, in which he took conspicuous part, having been one of the patriotic volun- teers who went forth to battle for the na- tion's rights. He enlisted in October, 1861, in Company F, Fifty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served two years. He was in
35
546
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
the great battle of Corinth, having been and honorable Masonic fraternity. Both he through the siege there; also took part in other engagements and marches in which his regiment participated, and was discharged on account of disease contracted while in line of duty.
After the war our subject returned to prac- tice, locating in Hamilton county, Illinois, later removing to Washington county, then to Marion county in 1882, and has been in practice here ever since. Wherever he has practiced he has left an honorable name and a reputation as a high class physician and a conscientious citizen.
Doctor Downey was united in marriage in 1858 to Margaret Pace, daughter of Joseph Pace, whose people were originally from Kentucky. Seven children were born to our subject and wife, two of whom are deceased. Those living are: Annie, the widow of Cy- rus Hamilton; Homer is married and has two children ; Ada is the wife of a Mr. Knox and the mother of three children; Corrine is married and has one child; George is the fifth child and youngest. A singular coin- cidence in the history of the Pace family is the fact that Mrs. Downey's grandmother on the father's side of the house fell and broke a hip; Mrs. Downey's father also fell and broke a hip; later his twin brother broke his hip in a similar manner; then his dangh- ter fell and broke her hip; later Mrs. Dow- ney's brother fell and broke his hip; finally Mrs. Downey fell, breaking her hip, from which she has become a life cripple. In each case it was the right hip.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.