USA > Illinois > Brown County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 17
USA > Illinois > Cass County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 17
USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 17
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 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
James M. Black came to this town, Beards- town, in 1851. From here he went to Iowa, and after residing there for six years camne to Beardstown in 1861 and engaged in team- ing until 1870, when he established his coal business.
He was married in Polk county, Iowa, June 11, 1857, to Miss Mary Shepherd. She was born
in Kentucky and came with licr parents, Ben- jamin and Minerva Shepherd of Kentucky, to Polk county, Iowa, and for some years fol- lowing the marriage of their daughter. Mr. Shepherd died in Peoria county. Mrs. Shep- herd still lives there, about ninety years of age. Mrs. Black died at her home in Beards- town, in 1878. She had three children, namely: Francis Ellen, born January 21, 1862, died May 6, 1864; Edward Franklin, born March 1, 1865, married Grace Putnanı, and now lives in Virginia, where he is agent for the Quincy & Missouri Railroad; and Harry L., born October 6, 1870, who is still at liome and assists his father. Mr. Black is a Republican and is chairman in one of tlie local district Republican central committees. He is a member of the Methodist Chinrch. He is a working member of the A. O. U. W., and has managed their financial affairs for six years. He has been the representative to the Grand Lodge.
TEPHEN T. RANNEY, a well known member of commercial circles in Mount Sterling, was born in Elkhorn township, Brown county, Illinois, January 1, 1847, a son of Solomon Ranney. The paternal grand- father, Stephen Ranney, was a native of the State of New York, and his father emigrated from Wales in colonial times, and settled in New York State. Stephen Ranney was a lawyer by profession, and had a large and profitable practice. He was married to Olive Jaques, a native of New York State, who lived to the advanced age of ninety years. Solomon Ranney removed from New York to Ohio in an carly day, and in 1842 came to Illinois; he spent a few years in Cass county, returned to Ohio, and again came to this State; lic located the second time in Brown
175
SCHUYLER AND BROWN COUNTIES.
county, and as his means were limited lie did not invest in land; he is now a resident of Pike county, Illinois. His wife's maiden name was Melinda Reeves, a native of Vir- ginia, who died in 1849.
After the death of his mother, Stephen T. Ranney was taken in charge by his paternal grandmother, and was reared by her in Elk- horn township. In his youth he divided his time between the work on the farm and at- tending the common school.
There were no events of great importance conuccted with his career until 1864. In November of that year he enlisted in Com- pany G, Fiftieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged at Lonisville, Ken- tucky, July 13, 1865, after which he returned to his home. He was variously employed for several years, but finally purchased land in Elkhorn township, which he cultivated until his removal in 1882, to Monnt Sterling, where he has since made his home.
Mr. Ranney was married in 1877, March 3, to Melinda C. Perry, who was born No- vember 12, 1847, in Brown county, Illinois. Of late years he has been one of the most prominent real-estate dealers in the place, having laid out an addition and built more residences in the past ten years than any one other individnal; he erected the Ranney Block, one of the handsomest business struc- tures in Mount Sterling, and has been one of the most enterprising and energetic support- ers of the county's interests.
Politically he is identified with the Demno- cratic party. He served as Justice of the Peace in Elkhorn township, has represented the Second Ward on the Board of Aldermen, and in 1882 was elected Sheriff of the county ; four years later he was elected Treasurer of the county, and in 1890 he was made Justice
of the Peace. He has been a director of the Building and Loan Association since its or- ganization, and in all the walks of life lias shown himself a stanch, reliable man, worthy of the confidence reposed in him by the com- munity in which he lives.
*
JON. ALEXANDER K. LOWRY was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylva- nia. November 7, 1829, a son of Joseph Lowry, a native of Franklin county, Penn- sylvania. The paternal grandfather, Adam Lowry, was a uative of Ireland, but was the descendant of Scotch ancestors; he emigrated to America, accompanied by his family about the year 1780, and settled near Chambers- burg, Franklin county, Pennsylvania; he died at the age of ninety-five years in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. His son Joseph learned the blacksmith's trade, but engaged in agricultural pursuits in Arinstrong county, where he had settled previous to his marriage; he bought a tract of timber land, cut out the trees to make a spot for the erection of his cabin, and also built a shop where he followed his trade in connection with his farming; he there spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1853. He married Eliza- beth Kerr, a native of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of William Kerr, who was born in the north of Ireland, of Scotch ancestry; he settled in Pennsylva- nia after landing in America, and he and his wife there spent the remainder of their days.
Alexander K. Lowry was reared and edu- cated in the county of his birth; hic taught school one term in Indiana connty, Penn- sylvania, and in 1848 and 1849 was en- gaged in clerking in a country store. From
176
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF CASS,
1850 to 1853 he was bookkeeper for the owners of the furnaces in Bedford county, and from 1853 to 1855 he was clerking. Before the end of the latter year he emi- grated to Iowa, going via the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Keokuk, and thence by team to Poweshiek county, being one of the first settlers in Grinnell. At that time there was not a mile of railway in the State of Iowa; the central and western portions of the State were very sparsely settled, and the Missouri river bounded the frontier. Mr. Lowry began business by opening a hotel, and soon after was appointed Post- master upon the establishment of an office at that point. He remained at Grinnell about a year and a half, and then went to Pennsylvania, the home of his youth. It was not long, however, before he emi- grated to Dakota county, Nebraska, where he purchased a claim of Government land and on which he remained six monthis. Returning to Grinnell at the end of that time he embarked in mercantile trade, and also began the study of law. He was ad- mitted to the bar in 1858, and soon after came to Macomb, Illinois, where he engaged in practice until 1861; in this year he re- moved to Mount Sterling, and devoted him- self to legal work until 1864, when he made a trip to California, going via the Isthmus. Arriving in the Golden State he opened a hotel, which he kept for three years at Marys- ville, and then came back to Illinois, the return trip being made via the Nicaragua route.
Mr. Lowry has been twice married; in 1855 he was united to Sarah McCartney, a native of Indiana county, Pennsylvania, who died in 1870. Mr. Lowry's second marriage occurred in 1872, when he was united to Martha J. Means, who was born one mile
from Mount Sterling, Brown county, Illinois; she died in February, 1888. Two children were born of the first marriage, Clara B. and Hattie; the latter is the wife of James L. Gray, and has one child, Mary Vivian.
In politics Mr. Lowry affiliated with the Democratic party until 1869, but since that time he has supported the principles of the Republican party. He was elected County Superintendent of Schools in 1861, was County Treasurer in 1863, and in 1886 was elected a member of the State Legislature. In these various offices lie discharged his du- ties with marked ability, reflecting great credit upon himself as well as his constituency. At the present time lie is a member of the School Board, filling the office of president.
EV. MICHAEL CLIFFORD has been pastor of St. Mary's Church, Mount Sterling, Illinois, for more than twenty years, and during this time has been a faith- ful servant to his Master, and has won the esteein and adıniration of the people with whom he has labored. He was born in county Limerick, Ireland, and his ancestors for many generations were natives of the same county. He received his early education in the Latin school at Charleyville, county Cork, and later became a student at All Hallow's College, Dublin, from which institution he was grad- uated in 1862. In July of the same year lie crossed the sea to America, and came directly from the seaboard to Illinois.
His first charge was at Bunker Hill, Ma- coupin county; thence he was sent to Sanga- mon connty, and removed from this point to Morgan county, where he remained until 1872, when he came to Mount Sterling and took charge of St. Mary's congregation.
--
177
SCHUYLER AND BROWN COUNTIES.
This is the first Roman Catholic Church of Mount Sterling, having been founded more than fifty years ago; the present structure is a handsome brick edifice, with a seating capacity of 500, and the membership num- bers 185 families. The parochial school under the care of the church is in charge of the Dominican Sisters, and has an attendance of eighty-five. Since Father Clifford has been pastor of St. Mary's, improvements have been inade to the extent of over $10,000; a residence for the priest and one for the Do- minican Sisters are included in the work accomplished by him. He has been devoted to the interests of his people, and in him they find that wise counsel and loving ad- monition which has been a safe guide on the pathway of life.
H. SIELSCHOTT, Beardstown, Illi- nois .- The United States, the grand- est government that shelters a people, possesses alone of all the governments of tlie world, the privilege which makes it possible for each individual to force his way throughi the ranks of the many and become one of the few. Emerson says " it is purpose that differ- ences men," and the man who, by birth or its equivalent, enjoys the possibilities of a high and noble purpose, under such a government, and who through energy, tact, and strict integrity overcomes the obstacles that engulf smaller men, who levels the impossibilities of other men to his own convenience and makes them his opportunities, is that man of purpose, and is by the law of natural selection a leader. It is to such men that society and progression owes its highest attainments ; and it is of one of those whose straightforward career has made his name worthy the pages of history, that this sketch is written.
. A. H. Sielschott was born in the busy prov- ince of Hanover, Germany, in 1835. He is a son of Frederick and Amelia Sielschott, who were also natives of Hanover. His parents were of that sturdy conservative element that has enriched the great Empire of Germany and advanced it to the front rank in the world's history of great soldiers and states- men, and placed it in close touch with the advance of civilization and the fellowship of men. They were farmers owning their land, and as is characteristic of that eminently worthy husbandry, were given entirely to tlie cultivation of their land, leaving travel to those who were less inspired with the liabits of their forefathers. They were never out- side the borders of their loved fatherland, but lived out their allotted time, happy, and con- tented, with the pleasures and prosperity their home life and patriotism afforded thein. They each attained the good age of three score years and ten.
The boyhood of A. H. Sielschott was prac- tically the sanie as that of other boys whose parents were devoted to labor and frugality. At the age customary in his native land, Mr. Sielschott entered the public schools and acquired a classical education in his native tongue. After leaving school and being of a decidedly progressive temperament and en- dowed with a full share of native pluck, he decided to leave his home and try for his fortune in the broader fields of America. In the early part of 1854 he left Bremen on the steamer Hansa, ticketed for New York. Ar- riving there he soon pushed boldly westward and reached Beardstown in the fall of that year. Here lie decided to remain, and here with but a five-dollar gold piece in his pocket he began the life that has been so full of good for himself and also for the community. Mr. Sielschott did not waste any time looking for
178
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF CASS,
an easy job, but with determination and energy took hold of the first honest work that presented itself. He was familiar with farm work and naturally bent his energies in that direction. He engaged to work on a farm, and went at it with a will. While working and while resting he kept his brain busy evolving plans for the future, and speculating honestly, and with a method well worked out, he advanced step by step in popularity and position until he had acquired not only a com- fortable income but the higher victory, name- ly, the confidence and respect of all who knew him. In 1876 he was elected by a large majority to the office of Sheriff, and so satis- factorily did he discharge the duties of his office that he was repeatedly re-elected until he had held the office for an unbroken period of ten years. After ten years in office Mr. Sielschott had reason to hope for a rest from public service, but he was almost immediately elected to the office of County Treasurer, and held that important office until 1890, a period of four years. In 1889 the First State Bank of Beardstown was organized and Mr. Siels- chott was elected its president, an office which he has continued to hold ever since. Under his wiee direction the bank has prospered, and is to-day one of the richest banking or- ganizations in the State. Its principles are sound, and it enjoys a financial solidity far beyond any possible event or turn in values.
Mr. Sielschott's record in the government affairs in the city and county is a mnost unus- ual and remarkable one. In addition to the fourteen years in which he discharged the important duties of Sheriff and Treasurer of the county, he has served five terms as Mayor of the city of Beardstown. A single terin in any office, no matter how important, seldom determinesa man's fitness for high cominenda- tion. It is the repeated voice of the people
in recalling a man to public office-in making him his own successor year after year-that establishes beyond question that man's ability and worthiness.
Mr. Sielschott has also served many times as delegate to County and Congressional con- ventions. He is a Democrat, believing the principles of that great party to be in closer touch with the needs of the people, and in greater harmony with the progress of the age than all the planks, principles and platforms of all other political parties combined. In a word he believes Democratic doctrine ever- lastingly. right, and all opposition thereto everlastingly wrong. He has always sup- ported these principles fully and faithfully, and has done more than one man's share to establish purity in office and the great truth that public office is a public trust.
In business life Mr. Sielschott has been a promoter of many important enterprises, one of the most important of which was the con- struction of the fine bridge that spans the Illinois river at Beardstown. He is, also, identified with inany other worthy and pros- perous enterprises.
In March, 1862, Mr. Sielschott was married to Miss Ellen Piper, of Beardstown, a native of Hanover, Germany, who at the age of seven accompanied her parents to the United States and settled in Beardstown. They were worthy and consistent members of the Lu- theran Church. They died after having at- tained the good old age of four-score years.
Mr. and Mrs. Sielschott have three chil- dren: A. F. Sielschott, of the firm of Spring & Sielschott, of Beardstown; Alice A. and Mar- tha M. are still members of the family home. Both of the young ladies have received a splen- did education, and botlı are prominent in social inatters. The family worship at the Congregational Church.
179
SCHUYLER AND BROWN COUNTIES.
Socially Mr. Sielschott is a leading mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. Personally he is kind, courteous and affable. In a word, he possesses just such a personality as tlie intelligent reader would expect to find in conjunction with such an admirable record.
ENRY TRUE FOSTER, the well-known first settler of Beardstown yet living, was born on February 3, 1815, in Lin- coln county, Maine. He grew up and ac- quired a practical education at Warren and Newcastle, and when seventeen years of age went to Bangor, Maine, and spent three years in the clothing store of Thomas Furber, the first store of that kind in the city. When twenty years of age he came with his father to Illinois, where they had landed interests. After landing at Meredosia, on the Illinois river, he came to Beardstown, where Mr. Fos: ter has since resided. He has engaged in a variety of occupations, having been a farmer, merchant, manufacturer, grain buyer, packer, and dealer in grain. He was an active busi- ness man and was very successful in his many business ventures. He is generous to a fault, and never paused to consider his per- sonal gain or loss if an enterprise was started that was likely to prove a benefit to the city. It was through his personal efforts that the railroads were run to Beardstown. In 1861 he was appointed Postmaster of the place and held the office for seven years, and in 1868 was placed at the head of the municipality of Beardstown. He infused new life into the place by promoting the welfare of the city. He introduced new enterprises, and it is doubt- ful if there is another citizen of the city who has devoted so mneli time and energy to the development of that place as Mr. Foster. He
has been a prominent Republican in politics since the organization of the party. He has been an active worker in that party in local inatters. President Lincoln and he were per- sonal friends, and he was a member of the State Central Committee during the second campaign of Mr. Lincoln. He is a member of the Congregational Church of which he is a Deacon and of which he was for years a Trus - tee. Mr. Foster was ono of those who voted for William H. Harrison in 1836 and 1840.
Mr. Foster was married in Beardstown, 1839, to Mary De Haveu, of Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania. She was born, reared and educated in that city and came west when a young woman. She died at lier home January 11, 1888, at the age of seventy-seven. She ever proved herself a true and noble wife and mother, and her death was deeply felt by those she left behind her. She left two sons: Ed- win C., who married Isabel Dale and who now resides in Waterloo, Iowa; and Robert Harry, who inarried Emma Logan aud they live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are both prosperous young men.
FREDERICK W. ROTTGER, one of the most successful and enterprising busi- ness men of Mount Sterling, was born near Mendon, Prussia, August 8, 1844. His father, William Rottger, was born in the same country, and there was reared and mar- ried. In 1845 he determined to try his for- tunes in the New World, and left his family behind until he should seek out a home for them in the strange, new land. He located in Morgan county, Illinois, where he died about a year later. His wife was left in very humble circumstances, with four little chil- dren. In 1850 she brought lier family to
.
·
.
180
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF CASS,
America, sailing from Bremen and landing in New Orleans; thence they came via the . Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Naples, and completed the journey to Jacksonville by rail. Frederick W. was bound out to E. S. Hendrickson, a farmer then residing in Mor- gan county, with whom he remained until he had attained his majority. His early life was spent on the farın, but he managed to learn the art of telegraphy, and caine to Mount Sterling to accept a position with the Wabash Railway Company as station agent. For more than a quarter of a century he lias had charge of the company's business at this point, and by his years of faithful service has gained the entire confidence of the officials of the corporation. After lie had been in Mount Sterling a short time he began contracting for railroad ties, and has carried on this busi- ness continuously since that time. In 1874 he purchased an interest in the lumber busi- ness of C. M. Dunlap, and in 1882 bought the entire concern, since which time he has conducted the trade alone. In 1878 he added the grain business to his own interests, and has done a large amount of buying and shipping. He also has immense agricultural interests, and owns 800 acres of fine farmning land in Pea Ridge township.
Mr. Rottger was married October 18, 1865, to Eugenia Peters, a native of Steubenville, Olio, and a daughter of Stebbens and Alicia (Tracy) Peters; of this union five children have been born: Eugenia, Nina, Myrtle, Frederick W. and Winnifred. Mrs. Rottger is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Our worthy subject belongs to the Masonic order, being a member of Hardin Lodge, No. 44, A. F. & A. M., Delta Com- mandry, No. 48, K. T., and the Quincy Con- sistory. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party, and has represented the
people of lis township in many of the local offices; he was the first Mayor of Mount Sterling, and lias been a member of tlie County Board of Supervisors. He is also the choice of his party to represent Brown county in the State Legislature. He is a man of unquestioned integrity, true to his friends, and strong in the purposes he considers just and right.
ILLIAM B. DAVIS, proprietor of the Democrat Message, was born in La Fayette county, Missouri, July 10,
1865. His · father, Henry K. Davis, was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, and his father, Saniuel H. Davis, was a printer, and at one time published a paper in Wheeling, and later in Peoria, Ill. He spent his last days there. His son was also a printer, and followed his trade many years. He issued the first daily paper ever published in Peoria, and the first ever published in Champaign county, and during the war published the Lexington Union at Lexington, Missouri. It was a strong Union paper, and there his life was fraught with much danger. Later he established the Daily Advertiser at Kan- sas City, and it is now known as the Kansas City Times. Among the other places where he published papers were Paris, Texas, and Warrensburg, Missouri.
In December, 1874, he came to Mount Sterling and bought the Mount Sterling Democrat and continued its publication un- til his death, April 6, 1886. His wife's name was Mary Davis, of Cumberland, Mary- land, a daughter of John Davis. She now resides at Mount Sterling, where she has reared six childron.
William was ten years old when he came to Mount Sterling, and at the age of eighteen
181
SCHUYLER AND BROWN COUNTIES.
he began to learn the trade of printing in tlic office of the Democrat. In 1886 he bought the office and good will of the Mes- sage and consolidated it with the Democrat under the name of the Democrat Message. His mother still retains a half interest in the paper.
He married, in 1888, Laura G. Givens, of Mount Sterling, Illinois, daughter of John and Maria Putman Givens. They have one child, Catherine Maria. Mrs. Davis belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr Davis is a Democrat in politics, and belongs to the Cincinnatis, No. 287, K. P.
YRUS HORROM dates his birth in Dearborn county, Indiana, September 4, 1820. His father, Benjamin Hor- rom, was born in New York state, and when a young man moved to Ohio. A few years later he continued his way westward, and took up his abode in Dearborn county, In- diana, where he lived till December, 1828- At that time he started with his wife and nine children for Illinois, making the re- moval with ox teams, and landing in Cass county the following March. Here he en- tered a tract of Government land in town- ship 18, range 10, and erected a log house. The maiden name of his wife was Sarah Aus- tin, she being a native of the same locality in which her husband was born. They reared nine children, and on the home farm the parents died.
Cyrus Horrom was eight years of age at the time the family moved to Illinois. At the time Central Illinois was sparsely set- tled, and in the northern part of the State the only inhabitants were Indians. Game of all kinds was plenty throughout the State,
and the people dressed in homespnn. Little of the land in Cass county had been entered, most of it belonging to the Government. The means of transportation being limited, farın produce necessarily brought a low price. Corn was ten cents per bushel, good steers sold at half a cent per pound, and pork brought seventy-five cents per hundred pounds.
Mr. Horrom lived with his parents till he reached his majority. He then went to Marshall county and worked on a farın tlirce months. Returning to Cass county, he rented land of his father, and in 1845 settled on the farin he now owns and occupies. This farm is located on section 17, contains 145 acres, and is well improved with good buildings, etc.
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.