USA > Illinois > Brown County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 58
USA > Illinois > Cass County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 58
USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 58
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cultivated. The father died here at the age of sixty-four years, while the mother sur- vived lıim for a long time, dying at the ad- vanced age of seventy-three years. The Law- lers were originally from Ireland, where they were well-to-do people.
Our subject was one of a family of four- teen children, seven of whom are now living. He was reared in Woodstock township, and and received his education at the country schools of his day. He lived at home until he was twenty-two years of age, working on the farm and at his trade of coopering. He thien enlisted in the army, and served in the Mexican war for thirteen months, and now gets a Mexican pension. After returning from the war, he married, on May 7, 1848, Miss Sarah E. Pinkerton, who was born in Putnam county Indiana, June 14, 1831. She was a daughter of William and Anna (Jack- son) Pinkerton. Her father was a native of Kentucky, while her mother was a native of one of the Carolinas, having come with their parents to Indiana in a very early day. Her father died in Indiana, aged about thirty years, after which her mother moved to Illinois, lo- cating in 1855, in Rushville, later moving to Augusta. She is still surviving, and lives with her daughter, the wife of our subject. She had three children, only two of whom are living.
Joseph and Sarah Jackson were Mrs. Lawler's grandparents. They were pioneers of Indiana and later moved to Illinois. Mrs. Jackson died in Indiana aged fifty years, and her husband died in Illinois at the advanced age of ninety-six years. They were related to General Jackson, so famous in the war of 1812.
, David and Margaret Pinkerton, the grand- parents on her father's side both died in In- diana, at a very advanced age. They were
both natives of Kentucky, and of English an- cestry.
After marriage, our subject settled where he now lives, residing there continuously ever since. He built at first a little log cabin, in which he and his family lived, until 1865, when he erected his present substantial and comfortable liome. His farm was unim- proved when he bought it, but it is now one of the best farms in the country, being higlily cultivated, and well improved with sub- stantial barns for' grain and stock, besides other modern conveniences for the care of grain an other agricultural products.
Mr. and Mrs. Lawler have eleven children, nine of whom are living. Margaret E., mar- ried and has seven children; Henry W., mar- ried, having three children; Silas E., mar- ried, has four children; Albert C., married, has five children; Simon A. and Jane A., twins; Simon, a school teacher; and Jane, married, and lias two children; Nancy E., married, with two children; Hattie E., ınar- ried, and has one child; and Thomas A., at home, and works the farm with his father.
Our subject and wife* are consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and contribute liberally towards its support.
Mr. Lawler and family are highly re- spected by people of the community on ac- count of their many admirable traits of char- acter.
LEXANDER MOORE, the prominent citizen of Buck Horn township, whose biography it is our pleasure to present to our readers, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, December 23, 1821, son of Alexander and Sarah (Smith) Moore. Alexander Moore Sr., was born in Maryland, but came to
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Ohio with his parents, when very young, settling in Harrison county. He was one of eight children, and learned the millwright and carpenter trade, bnt followed farming princi- pally, and ran a horse-power mill for many years. He and his parents took up land in Ohio, that was wild and unimproved, and liere he lived in a log cabin all his days, dying on the first farm taken up of Government land, in that section, aged eighty-five years. His wife died on the same place when about eighty-eight, she being a native of Tenues- see. The subject's father on the father's side of the family was Alexander Moore, who inarried, and spent his last days in Ohio, dying when full of years. The father of our subject was a Justice of the Peace, and an old Andrew Jackson Democrat, and filled the different township offices, and was active in church and other good work at an early day. He helped to build the first church in that part of Ohio, a Methodist house of worship, and his family were members of it to the close of their lives. There is a record that some of the ancestors of Mr. Moore were on the way to join in the war of 1812, but peace was declared before they reached their destination. The father of Mr. Moore started out as a fifer, and his uncle as a drummer.
Our subject remained at home until he was seventeen years old, worked summers, and attended school winters, in the old log tem- ples of learning of that day, which were erected within a bit of clearing. At the age of fourteen he went to learn the cabinet- maker trade, and served three years for his board and clothes. At the age of twenty he commenced work at the lucrative trade of a carpenter, and continued at this for fifteen years.
Our subject was married November 30, 1841, to Elizabeth P. Johnson, who was born
in the same place as was her husband, and was the danghter of Nathan and Jane (Aul) Johnson, who were natives of Maryland, and spent their last days in Ohio; the mother died at the age of thirty-five years. Mr. Moore, of this notice, was one of five children, but one of whom is yet living. The first wife of our subject died where he now lives, aged forty-four years, and left five living of her twelve children. They are as follows: Martin L. lias five children ; Margaret J. has five chil- dren; Amanda has but two little ones, as also has Lizzie; Jolin C. is unmarried. Our subject was married a second time in Novem- ber, 18-, to Mrs. Mary E. (Gregory) Ayers. who was born in Pike county, Illinois, November 23, 1842, and was the daughter of John J. and Samantha (Barrett) Gregory. He was born in Tennessee, in 1814, and came to Illinois at a very early day, and died in Pike county, aged forty-seven years. His wife also died in the same county, about forty- four years of age. Mrs. Moore's first mar- riage was November 7, 1858, to Francis M. Ayers, who was born in Ohio, and enlisted in the early part of the war, and died from wounds received at Hartsville, Missouri. He was thirty-five years old when he died, and was a member of Company B, Captain Math- ews. She drew a pension from the Govern- ment until her marriage. She had three chil- dren, one of whom is William A., who has a family of three children.
After his first marriage our subject first followed the carpenter trade until 1856, when he sold his houses and lots and went to Kan- sas, but the next year he returned to Ohio, and that fall came back to Illinois, and bought eighty acres of land where he now lives. He first built a log house, and then built a per- manent dwelling.
·
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Mr. Moore has been a Republican ever since the formation of the party, and always votes that ticket. He was a Free Soiler until 1856. He and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, where they hold their membership. This large and prosperous fanily are much respected in their neighbor- hood.
OHN MERZ, general farmer and stock- raiser, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, March 21, 1829. He lost his mother when he was fourteen years of age. Her name was Margaretta Darmer, and her husband was Jolin Merz, who lived and died in his native province, at the age of sixty- seven. He was a shoemaker, and followed that trade in connection with his farming. He and his wife were long members of the Lutheran Church. Our subject is the eldest of three children. He grew up as a farmer boy and linen-weaver, and did not conie to this country until he was twenty five years of age. He landed in New York city in 1855, and came right on to Beardstown, and three . days later engaged as a farm laborer and has been a tiller of the soil ever since. He lias been very economical, like the most of his race, and has acquired a large property by real hard work. He is the only member of his family who has ever come to this country. He now owns 240 acres of very fine land, and has good farin buildings, having owned this since 1858, and strange as it may seem he has made every bit of his fortune by earnest, hard work, receiving help from no one.
He was first married in Beardstown, to Louisa Rohn, wlio was born and reared at her father's home, not far from Beardstown. She died after five years of married life,
being then only twenty-two years of age. She left one danghter, Louisa, who died at four- teen years of age, having been a very intelli- gent child. Mr. Merz was married in Beards- town a second time, to Miss Louisa Folks, born in Baden, Germany, who came to this country witli lier parents when very small. Her parents died in Schuyler county. Mr. Folks was a cooper by trade, and followed it all liis life.
Mr. and Mrs. Merz have six children: Louisa, Etta and Henry are married; Mar- garet, Charles and Nora are still at home. They are Lutherans in religion, and Mr. Merz is a Republican. They are among the best of Beardstown's German citizens.
ILLIAM ROHN, a practical farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Cass County, September 27, 1854. His father, Henry, came to the county in 1835, took up Government land near Beardstown, and here lived, labored, and died April 21, 1891. He was then eighty-six years of age. He was a native of Hesse-Darnistadt, of good German blood, came to this country in 1835 with his brother John, and they began life as fariners. Here this brother died when he was seventy years old. (For further family history, see biography of Henry Rohn in this book.) William's mother is yet living, very smart and active, and on her eighty-first birth- day, November 21, 1891, enjoyed the kind hospitality of her neighbors in the form of a surprise party.
William Rohn owns 160 acres in Home- stead, and eighty acres of bottom land. He has always lived on this farm. He is famous as a local Nimrod, having killed more ducks tlian any other man in this part of the State.
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF CASS,
He has been a hunter all his life, and has made some wonderful scores. In the spring of 1885 he killed 165 ducks in three and one- half hours. His shots are always on the wing, he always giving his game a chance. He has always carried off the prizes in the pigeon and other shooting matches. He takes great interest in these pursuits, and keeps a fine pack of hunting dogs.
He was married in Beardstown, to Gusta Mahan, born and reared in this county, and died, after fourteen years of married life, in 1891. She was thirty-two years of age. She was a good, worthy woman, and the mother of six children, those living being Edwin, Anna and Fred. He was married for the second time, to Anna Mann, who was born, reared and educated in Cass county. Her father, John, died some years ago, but her mother is still living in Beardstown. Both wives, as well as Mr. Rohn, have been worthy inembers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Rohn is a Republican in politics. They are very successful people, hard workers, and much esteemed by the whole neighborhood.
M. LANE, a successful wholesale and retail dealer in wines and liquors, lo- cated on East Main street, was born in l'ennsylvania, and was but four years of age when his people came to Illinois. His fa- ther, S. P. Lane, was born in New York, and was inarried in Pennsylvania, and later came to Winnebago county, Illinois. where he died, in April, 1869. Mrs. Lane still survives him and now lives in Cadillac, Michigan, and is sixty-seven years old. Her maiden name was Mary E. Finn, of Pennsylvania, of Gerinan ancestry. She came of a long-lived family,
her grandmother being at her death 105 years old, her mother eighty-five and her father ninety-five years of age.
Our subject was never married, but has devoted all his energies to his business. He has been engaged in it for more than ten years and by his own efforts has made his place headquarters for the best people in the city. He has lived in this city since 1871. He was engaged as a miller for some years. He enlisted from Cook county when only fif- teen years of age, as a member of the Seven- teenth Illinois Cavalry Regiment. He en- tered the army in 1863 and served until the close of the war, and also spent more than two years serving on the frontier. He es- caped unhurt, but saw considerable hard service and received his honorable discharge as a brave soldier. He is known in Beards- town as a great hustler and is a Republican in politics.
AMES NEELEY, foremnan of the store house of the St. Louis division of the Quincy Railroad, was born in Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, March 20, 1857. He was the son of James Neeley, a Pennsylva- nian who still lives in Philadelphia, over sev- enty five years of age. His business has been that of architect. His wife died when James was a few hours old. He was only twelve years of age when he came all alone to Beardstown in 1869, and has lived here ever since. He has gained the knowledge of the business of growing sweet potatoes and that industry was just being developed here. He received $20 dollars a month for his ser- vices. He was afterward variously engaged until he became of age and then connected
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SCHUYLER AND BROWN COUNTIES.
himself with the Quincy Railroad. This took place in 1879, and he was engaged as car inspector for six years and afterward for four years. He was foreman of the lumber yard, which position was similiar to the one which he now holds. He has been the fore- man of the store-house for three years and has charge of the receipts and distribution of all store house supplies.
He was married in Beardstown to Mary G. Fulks of Beardstown and a sister of R. B. Fulks (see biography for family history). Mr. and Mrs. Neeley attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Neeley is an active member. Mr. Neeley is a mem- ber of the subordinate and encampment lodges I. O. O. F., the former Ark Lodge, No. 7, and the latter Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 7, and has filled the chairs of both lodges. They have no family. Mr. Neeley is a Rc- publican in political, but is no office seeker, having no time to spare from his business.
OHN GEORGE FREY, who has retired from active business, and living in Beardstown in a pleasant home, was born in Würtemburg, Germany, March 9, 1827. He grew up and worked on his father's farm until twenty-eight years of age. In February, 1854, he took passage on a sailing vessel to New York city, making the trip in thirty days. He then settled at Lancaster, New York, but left that place in six months, and came to Beardstown, which he has since made his home, and has been fairly successful in life. His father, John Frey, died in Ger- many when cighty years of age. His wife had died many years before, they both being members of the German Lutheran Church.
What Mr. Frey possesses he has made by his own efforts. When he arrived in this city in 1854, he began as a laborer, and was variously engaged for two years. In 1856 he became connected with Mr. Bohlman, and continued with him four years, until he en- gaged with Mr. Anton Ruck and continued there until he retired from active business.
He was married in Lancaster, New York, to Miss Mary Hoearsch. She was born iu Würtemburg, Germany, August 13, 1824. She was a daughter of Mathias and Sarah Hoearsch, who lived and died in Würtemburg. They were birthright members in the Luth- eran Church. She was the only member of her family, who came to this country, com- ing on the same vessel that brought her husband. She died at her home in this city January 26, 1888, having been a member of the Fourth Street Church. Mr. and Mrs. Frey have had four children. Two are living: William, a turner in this city, and is a success- fnl business man; and Mary, who is house- keeper for her father. She is a dutiful girl and an intelligent young woman. Mr. Frey and family are members of the Fourth Street Lutheran Church, and he and his son are Democrats in politics, good quiet citizens and upright, straightforward men.
EORGE J. SCHMITT, a retired busi- ness man living on Sixth street, Beards- town, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 14, 1828. His parents were Casper and Mary Schmitt, who were born, reared, married and died in their native country. They were ineinbers of the Catholic Church and died in middle age.
Our subject was yet a young man when, in 1854, he came to this country and spent
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one year in New York city, working at his trade of cabinetinaker. After that lie jour- neyed around to many places, seeing the country, before he settled in Beardstown. He reached here in 1861, established a furni- ture business with his brother, Casper Schmitt, and by good judgment and honest dealing made money and retired from labor in 1882. He was married to Miss Mary Stoner, who was born in Beardstown, No- vember 3, 1837. When she was six weeks old the family moved to Texas, settling in Montgomery county upon a farm and there her father died a few years later. His par- ents liad both come from Germany and set- tled in Cass county, and were among the old- est settlers of the county. Mrs. Stoner is still living and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Schmitt. Althoughi nearly eighty-two years of age she is very bright and active. Her father was Fred Krohe, who came to Illinois very early and died here. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt have two liv - ing children, George J., Jr., now in charge of a drug store, No. 34 Washington street, Chicago; and Victor, who is connected with the same house.
EYTON R. KEITH, a prominent farm- er of section 29, Missouri township, is a native of that same township, having been born liere, July 26, 1856. His father, Peyton A. Keith, was born in Kentucky, January 15, 1824, was a son of Peyton R., who reared a family of the following children: Islam, James, John, Alexander, Peyton A., Mary, Eliza A., America, Susan, Caroline and Mary J. The grandfather of our sub- ject lost his wife in Kentucky, and in the fall of 1837, came to Illinois and passed the
winter of 1837-'38 in Missouri township. He then rented land in Mt. Sterling town- ship and later purchased land in the same place, becoming tlie owner of a good farm, where he finally dicd. His body rests in Mt. Sterling. His son, father of subject, was only a boy of thirteen when lie came to Illinois, and continued to live at home dur- ing his father's life, settling his estate after his death. He married Mary Moscs, a na- tive of Ohio, born in September, 1830, daugliter of William and Rlioda Moses, pio- neers of 185 -. After his marriage, the fa- ther settled on section 33, Missouri township. where he beeame the owner of 320 acres, im- proving it considerably. He lived here for many years, dealing in live stock, but the last fifteen years of his life lie was an invalid and so was unable to carry on the work of his farm. His death occurred January 12, 1887, but his wife is still living, on the old homestead. He was a stanch Republican, but was no office seeker. He lived and died in the faith of the Christian Church. He and his good wife had eleven children, as fol- lows: Peyton; John A., resident of Pca Ridge township; Joseph D. is on part of the old homestead; Francis Marion is on the old liomestead with his mother; Charles I. is also with his mother; Mary J. is the wife of Jolın W. Bell, and they are residents of Mis- souri township; and the other children all died in childhood.
Peyton, the namesake of his grandfather, was reared in his native county, where he at- tended the district schools and learned the vocation of farming. He remained at home until his marriage, when he settled on his present farm, where he owns 100 acres of fine land and carries on mixed farming.
Mr. Keith was married January 5, 1880, to Mary E. Bell, daughter of Ira and Emeline
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Bell. Mr. and Mrs. Keith have three chil- dren, Bertie Arthur, William Austin and Ira Anderson.
Mrs. Keith has nine brothers and sisters, namely: Isham died in Columbus, Indiana; James died in Missouri; Alexander, resident of California; Mary married James Kirk and died in Iowa, 1891; Mary J. married Richard Bruce and died in lowa; Eliza died in Mt. Sterling; America and Susan, married, are both deceased; and Caroline, who married General HI. Roberts and died in Missouri township.
Mr. Keith is a strong Republican in poli- tics and always supports the principles of his party. He is a worthy member of the Christ- ian Church, and lie and his estimable wife enjoy the respect and estcem of all their fel- low citizens.
OHN W. WEBB representative engineer of the Quincy Railroad, living at Beards- town, was born in Estill county, Ken- tucky, January 22, 1858- He was reared there until twelve years of age, when his par- ents moved to Daviess county, Missouri, and settled on a farm. Here he grew up on the farm with only ordinary school advantages. His father is Elijah Webb, son of Richard Webb, of North Carolina. The family came of old Maryland stock, and Richard was brought to Kentucky when eight years old by his parents, who settled on a farm. Here they died after improving the land to a con- siderable extent. Here Richard grew up and married Miss Clemy Tipton, born in Ken- tucky, in 1804. After their three children were grown up they removed to Daviess county, Missouri, and joined their son Elijah. They both died in this place, the wife in
1872, her husband ten years later. They both were Baptists. Their son Elijah, born in 1827, was a farmer in Keutucky and followed that profession all his life. He married Sal- lie A. Brinegar, born in 1841 in Kentucky. They now live in Harrison county, Missouri. Mrs. Webb is a member of the Christian Church, but Mr. Webb is a member of an- other organization.
John Webb is one of twelve children, of whom nine are yet living. He began his career in the railroad service in 1876 as a brakeman on the lowa division of the Quincy road. He was then living in Iowa. When he was located at Eldon, Iowa, lie was brakes- inan and extra conductor. Later he was a farmer in DeKalb, Missouri, for two years, and from there returned to the Quincy road, and has been employed by them ever since. He has gained the confidence of the road by his faithful service and good habits. He has been associated with the St. Louis division since June 10, 1886. He was a conductor of local and through freight trains and extra passenger conductor, and only had one wreck. That occurred in the winter of 1884, when engine 194 and eleven cars left the track at Vermont, Illinois. He is a practical man and has inade money at his business.
He was married in Wapello county, Iowa, to Miss Hattie Smock, wlio was born in the same county and was there reared and edu- cated. She is the daughter of Archibald and Hannah (More) Smock, natives of Ohio. They were married near Indianapolis, where Miss More and her parents had settled when she was a small child. Mr. Smock followed his vocation of farming, first in Indiana and then moved to Iowa, and, settling on a farm in Wapello county, remained there the rest of his life with his wife. They were both
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faithful members of the Baptist Church and were esteemed by all who knew them.
Mr. and Mrs. Webb have had four children, two of whom are dead. Those living are: Maude and Ernest E., two bright little chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Webb are attendants ou the services of the Christian Church, of which Mrs. Webb is a member. Mr. Webb is a K. of P., being a inember of the Beardstown Lodge, and he is a Democrat in politics. He and his wife are worthy citizens and are greatly liked for their many good qualities. Mr. Webb is a genial, warm-hearted man, with hosts of friends, and his good natured wife is equally esteeined.
S. COIL, editor and publisher of the Beardstown Enterprise, was born in
o Lincoln county, Missouri, October 24, 1860. His father, Jacob Y. Coil, was a na- tive of Kentucky, came of southern parents, who were a stout and long-lived people. Jacob Y. Coil had moved into Missouri after the birth of one child, became a farmer and was thus engaged in Lincoln county until his death in 1873, aged forty-two. He was a kind man to his family, a good neighbor, a prominent Mason and a Democrat in politics. He had offered his services in 1861, but was refused on account of disabilities. Mrs. Jacob Coil's maiden name was Viola Olive Durough of Ohio, and she is yet living, in Mexico, Missouri, the mother of ten children, nine boys and one girl, of whom six are living.
Mr. Coil is the only one of his family in Illinois. His paper is a forty-eight column quarto weekly, published in the interests of the Democratic party. It was started under its present title in Meredosia by F. W. Schierbaum & Company, and in 1879 the
plant was moved to Beardstown and con- tinued under the saine title. It was run as a daily and weekly. Mr. Schierbaum died in 1886 and C. H. Cummings took the paper as administrator, until Mr. Coil purchased the property in 1888. He is a practical news- paper man and has gone through all the ex - periences from printer's devil to his present position of editor-in-chief and publisher. He had many discouragements, but by dint of hard work lie has been successful in clearing himself from debt and in running the paper successfully. The same perseverance which enabled hini to gain a great part of his edu- cation by lamplight has served him well in his business. His paper lias a good circula- tion and is ably edited. He is now making it a paying investment and by his own efforts has made it the principal Democratic paper of the county.
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