Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 48

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Brink, McDonough & Co.
Number of Pages: 458

USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 48
USA > Illinois > Moultrie County > Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 48

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THOMAS L. CATHERWOOD, M. D.

THE Catherwood family are of Irish ancestry. Hugh, the pater- nal grandfather, was a native of Ireland, and there married Sarah King. Thomas K., the father of the subject of the following sketch, was the offspring of that marriage. He came to America in 1809, and settled in south-western Virginia, and there married Margaret Smith. He was a saddler by trade, and followed the busi- ness during the greater part of his life. He left Virginia in 1829, and removed to Sullivan county, Indiana, and remained there until 1849; then went to Vigo county, in the same state, and in 1857 came to Illinois, and settled in Moawequa, Shelby county, where he lived until his death. His widow still survives him, and is a resident of the county.

Thomas L. Catherwood is the only son and child born to Thomas K. and Margaret Catherwood; he was born in Abingdon, Virginia, July 5th, 1827. In his youth he had the advantages of good schools, and received a fair English education. At the age of fifteen he entered the State University at Bloomington, Ind., and took the scientific course, and remained there two years. While at school he read the standard text books upon medicine under the direction of Drs. Murphy and Helms, of Carlisle, Ind. After he left school he entered the office of the above-named physicians, and remained with them until sufficiently advanced to commence the practice. In the mcantime, however, he took a partial course in the Medical Depart- ment of the Louisville University at Louisville, Ky. On his re- turn from that institution, he commenced the practice at Middle- town, Vigo county, Ind. ; he remained in the practice from the 13th of April, 1847, until June, 1854, when he came to Moawequa, in Shelby county, Ills. In the winter of 1869-70 he attended lec- tures at the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated therefrom in the spring of 1870 ; then resumed practice at Moawequa, and remained there until April 20th, 1876, when he

removed to Shelbyville, and here he has continued the practice of his profession with great success to the present. In the last few years he has made the diseases of the ear and eye a specialty.

On the 3d of March, 1847, at Carlisle, Indiana, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Aiken. She died in 1851. By this union there were two children; but one of whom survives, wife of Dr. A. P. Hoxsey, of this county. On the 3d of September, 1856, he married his present wife, Carrie J. Hardy, a native of this state. By this union there are four children. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the lodge of A. F. & A. M., and is also a chapter member; he is a member of the I. (). O F., and beneficiary order of Knights of Honor, and A. O. U. W. Politically he is a democrat, but takes no further interest in politics than to exercise the right of suffrage. Iu the practice of medicine Dr. Catherwood has been very success- ful. He is a close student and progressive, and is well posted upon all modern discoveries in Materia Medica, and is not slow to apply them in his practice. As a man he bears an unblemished reputa- tion, and as a citizen he is public-spirited.

CHARLES T. REBER, M. D.

THE subject of the following biographical sketch is one of the leading and prominent physicians in Central Illinois ; he was born in Berks couuty, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1836 ; he is the third son in a family of seven children, five of whom are living. The Reber family is of German ancestry on the paternal side, and a mixture of English and French on the maternal. Dr. Reber had the advantage of a good English education in the public schools of his native State, and also an academic course. After his retirement from school he taught school for several terms. In 1853 he com- inenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Livingood, and afterwards continued in the office of Dr. D. L. Beaver, of Reading, and after making suitable progress he entered, in 1854, the Jeffer- son Medical College at Philadelphia, and graduated therefrom March 8, 1856, with the degree of M. D. He commenced the practice in Reading, and, continued there two years, after which he practiced in the county of Berks until the breaking out of the war; he then raised a company of soldiers and weut to Washington and offered his services to the government, but the authorities not being able to arm and cquip the soldiers, his services were not accepted ; he returned home, and soon after went to Harrisburg and stood a medical examination before the surgeon-general. He successfully passed the examination, and was commissioned assistant-surgeon and assigned to duty in the 48th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. In February, 1862, he was promoted and commissioned surgeon of the regiment ; he continued in that position until March, 1863, when he passed an examination for the hospital-service ; he was assigned to duty in hospital No. 8, at Beaufort, S. C., as assistant- surgeon. He was examined again at Hilton Head, for promotion, passed it successfully, and was placed in charge of Hilton Head as executive officer ; he was afterwards appointed medical purveyor and chief medical officer and health officer of Port Royal district ; his last appointment was on the staff of General Devens, as chief medical officer of the military district of Charleston ; he was acting in that capacity when mustered out of the service February 2, 1866. He was in active service for four years and five months; he returned home, and on the 18th of April, 1867, came to Shelbyville, Illinois, and here has continued the practice of his profession to the present time. In the science and profession of medicine Dr. Reber belongs to the progressive school of thinkers and practitioners; he is a close

ED BISOFE

ARKE

MEAT MARKET.

ARKET

ED. BISDEE'S MEAT-MARKET. 42 MAIN ST. SHLBYVILLE ILL.

W.F.THORNTON & SON. BANKERS.

ESTABLISHED A.D. 1859. BANKING HOUSE OF W.F.THORNTON &SON SHELBYVILLE, ILL.

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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

student, and has had the benefit of a varied and extensive practice. He is the author of a medical work called the "Paresis of the Sym- pathetic Centres, or the so-called Malaria." The work shows carc- ful study and patient investigation of the causes and effects of Malaria in all of its multitudinous forms. He is a member of the American Medical Association, Tri-State Medical Society, Illinois Medical Society, District Medical Society, Esculapian Medical So- ciety, Wabash Valley, and Shelby County Medieal Society. On the 20th of November, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Van Reed, a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania; by this union there are three children, one son and two daughters-all yet be- neath the parental roof. Both Dr. Reber and his estimable wife are members of the Refornied Church; he is a member of the order of A. F. and A. M. Politically he comes from a free-soil democratic family ; he was a supporter of John C. Fremont, in 1856, and in all subsequent general elections voted the republican ticket, and may be classed among the stalwarts ; he is an earnest advocate of the principles of his party, and his sage advice and bold aggressive action in times of great political contests, have been fclt and heeded in the counsels of his party. In his character as a man and citizen he is above reproach.

TRUMAN E. AMES.

THE Ames family on the paternal side are of English ancestry, and of the old Ames stock that descended from the Pilgrim fathers. His mother was Jennie Armin. She is of English birth, and came to America with her parents while yet in infancy. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the four sons. He was born in St. Law- rence county, New York, January 1st, 1850. He was reared upon the farm, and attended the public schools until his sixteenth year, when he entered the Academy at Hermon, in St. Lawrence county, where he remained irregularly for two years. After leaving the Academy he entered the Potsdam Normal School, and took the regular training course, fitting himself for teaching-a profession he proposed to adopt and follow as a means of livelihood. After his retirement from the school, he commenced teaching, and taught for eight years. In the fall of 1871, he came west to Illinois, and stopped in Windsor, Shelby county, and taught school for two terms near the village. Afterwards was principal for several terms of the school of Windsor. He had, however, before coming west, determined to enter the profession of law, and with that idea in view, read the standard text books upon law, while yet in New York. After he came west he continued his studies under the direction of Moulton and Chaffee, lawyers of Shelbyville. In the fall of 1875, he entered the Law Department of the University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and remained there two years, and graduated therefrom, and was admitted to practice in that State. At the June term, 1877, of the Supreme Court at Mt. Vernon, Illinois, he was upon motion admitted to practice in the courts of Illi- nois. While a student at Ann Arbor, during vacation, he received valuable instruction in the office of Judge Cooley, Dean of the Fac ulty of the University, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Michigan. After his admission to the bar he returned to Windsor, and began practice. He remained there until May, 1880, when he removed to Shelbyville, and formed a law partnership with J. William Lloyd, which still continues. Mr. Ames is of a studious disposition, in addition to a mind well trained by long habits of study, which fits him for the profession of law. Habits of study have also brought about active and increased mental power, and with the exercise of patience and industry, and with the assistance

of practice, to call into action knowledge obtained, we have no doubt that he will in the future take front rank in his profession.

On the 26th of May, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Dora, daughter of James A. Hilsabeck, an old and respected citizen of Shelby county. By this union there is one child-a son, named Edward Peer Ames.

Politically, Mr. Ames is a staunch Republican. In 1880 he re- ceived the nomination for the office of States Attorney, and not- withstanding the county is largely Democratic, he was defeated by a small majority.

He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and Knights of Pythias. He is an advocate of the cause of temperance.

EDWARD BISDEE.

MR. BISDEE was born in Somerset county, England, in 1845. His parents were born and lived through their lives and died in that county. They were farmers. Edward was raised upon the farm, and remained at home until 1865, when he became of age. He then concluded to emigrate to America in company with his brothers William and James. They came to New York, and went to the town of Waterloo, and there Edward learned the butchering business and worked there until 1870. He then came next to Indianapolis, Indiana, and carried on butchering in that city for two years. In 1872 he came to Shelbyville, Illinois, and here he and William, his brother, opened a meat market and continued partners until one year ago, when William retired from the firm, and Edward has continued the business to the present time. He has built up a good business, and has been very successful. He married Miss Mary Church in 1872. She was born in Ohio. By this marriage there are three children, named Charles, Frank and Bessie Bisdee. His wife is a member of the M. E. Church. Politically he is a Re- publican. He is among the enterprising active business men of Shelbyville. He understands his trade thoroughly, and has built up a good custom by trying to please his patrons and customers. He also packs pork during the winter season sufficient to supply the home market. A view of his business place can be seen on an- other page.

JOHN C. HUFFER.

THE subject of this sketch is of German ancestry on the paternal side. His grandfather, Isaac Huffer, was a native of Maryland, and lived opposite Harper's Ferry, in Virginia. He moved from there to Ohio, and settled in Fairfield county, and was among the first settlers of that portion of the State. He married a Miss East. By this marriage there were seven children. John, his son, and father of John C., was born in Harper's Ferry in 1784. He went with his father's family to Ohio, and therc remained until 1849, when he came to Illinois, purchased land in Shelbyville township, and there lived the remainder of his days. He died in 1877 at the advanced age of ninety-three years. He married Alcy Collins. She was born in Ohio. Her family were among the original scttlers of Fairfield county. She died in Shelby county in 1860. There were born to John and Alcy Huffer seven children, six sons and one daughter. The subject of this sketch is the third in the family. He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, February 16th, 1829. He came with his parents to Illinois in November of 1849. In 1850, he engaged in farming, in which he continued for two years, then moved to the town of Shelbyville and engaged in the grocery trade for a few years, then opened a meat market, and

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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

carried on the butchering business for five years. Failing in business, he saved enough to settle up in full with his creditors, but it left him without any means. He borrowed two hundred and fifty dollars, and, in February of 1859, started for Pike's Peak, where, in the gold diggings, he hoped to retrieve his fortune.

After his arrival at the Peak, he went to work in the mines. Mining, in his case, proved a failure. After spending all his money, he went down to Denver, and there, through the kindness of a friend, he got a start in the butchering business, and in it he made money rapidly. He remained there until the winter of 1860, when he returned to Shelbyville with the intention of removing his family to Denver, but the war breaking out, the Indians became restless, and crossing the plains was attended with extreme danger. He, therefore, abandoned the trip, and went to farming, and con- tinued until elected sheriff in 1866, when he moved into Shelby- ville, and here has remained to the present, except one year that he was in Arkansas, where he undertook to raise a crop of cotton and made a dismal failure. He returned home, then, and pur- chased the livery, feed and sale stables, and engaged in that business and buying and shipping horses and mules, and at present is still so engaged.

In January, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Bell. She was born in Pottsville, Pa. She died in October, 1873. By this union there were four children born-two sons and two daughters-two of whom are living, viz., George and Emma ; the other two died in infancy. On the 16th of April, 1878, he married Miss Mattie L Myers, his present wife. She was born and reared in Louisville, Kentucky. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Unitarian Church. Politically, Mr. Huffer was origi- nally an old linc Whig. His first presidential vote was cast for Gen. Scott, in 1852. In 1856, he voted for Fillmore, and in 1860, voted for Stephen A. Douglass, and since that time has been a Democrat. Mr. Huffer is one of the old settlers of Shelby county. Considerably over a quarter of a century has passed since he first came here, and in all these years he has born the reputation of a good, honorable and respectable citizen.

HOWLAND J. HAMLIN.

THE subject of the following brief biographical sketch is a native of the state of New York ; he was born at Lawrence, St. Lawrence county, July 13, 1850. His youth was passed upon the farm and in attending the public schools of his neighborhood, wherein he re- ceived the rudimentary part of an education. In his fourteenth year he was placed at school in the academy of Lawrenceville, N. Y., and remained there two years ; he then taught school one term in the district school of St. Lawrence county, after which he re- turned to the academy and entered upon and completed the course of study. At the closing exercises of his academic educa- tion he carried off the second prize for elocution. He now con- cluded to adopt the profession of teaching, and with that idea in view, applied for and was appointed principal, and placed in charge of the public-schools of Bangor, in Franklin county, N. Y. In the spring of 1868 he came west on a tour of observation, and traveled through the states of Missouri, Kansas and Iowa. He returned home in the fall of the same year, and entered the classical department of the Normal University at Potsdam, N. Y., and re- mained there prosecuting his studies until the fall of 1870, when, in company with E. P. Rose, nephew of Judge Rose, he came west for the second time, and stopped in Shelby county. From here he went to Moultrie county, Illinois, and taught school. In the spring

of 1871, he opened a select school in Windsor, Illinois, which was largely attended. His industry and zeal in his profession, and methods of teaching, meeting with general approval, he was in- vited and accepted the position of superintendent of the public schools of Windsor, and remained in that public capacity for three or four years, retiring from it in order to engage in the profession of law. During the time he was in charge of the school he read the standard text-books upon law, and commenced the study of his last chosen profession in connection with the law-office of Thornton & Wendling, of Shelbyville, Illinois. He pursued the usual coursc of studies, and after having made suitable proficiency he applied for admission to the bar at the June term of the supreme court at Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and after passing a rigid examination was ad- mitted to the practice. He commenced the practice at Sullivan, in Moultrie county, in August, 1875. He removed from there to Shelbyville, and entered into partnership with Thornton & Wend- ling, under the firm-name of Thornton, Wendling & Hamlin, which firm was succeeded by Thornton & Hamlin, Wendling having en- tered the lecture field. In 1879 the latter firm was succeeded by H. J. Hamlin, Judge Thornton removing to Decatur, Illinois. Mr. Hamlin is one of the rising lawyers of Central Illinois. Although young in years and of comparatively limited and short experience, he is already in the front rank at the bar of Shelby county. He · brings to the profession a mind well trained by habits of study and teaching, and peculiarly well fitted for the profession of law. He is a clear, logical reasoner, but also owes much of the success at- tained in his practice to his consummate tact and management of his cases. Tact succeeds where talent fails. Nothing succeeds like success ; it is the world's measure of success. In June, 1876, Mr. Hamlin was happily united in marriage to Miss Ella M. York, of Tazewell county, Illinois, daughter of Dr. Eli York, and niece of Dr. Jesse W. York, a prominent physician of Shelby county, now deceased.

SITTLER & LAUNEY.

GEO. W. SITTLER was born in Shelby county, Illinois, August 25th, 1847. His parents were from Westmoreland county, Penna., and came to Shelby county in 1841. Mr. Sittler commenced the photograph business in 1866 with Dr. Hannaman, and after learn- ing the business, purchased the gallery of Dr. Hannaman. In 1870 he married Miss M. Middlesworth, daughter of N. Middles- worth. She is a native of Shelby county.

A. R. Launey is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He was born December 10th, 1844. He is of French parentage. He came north in 1866, and engaged in the grocery business, and con- tinued in it until 1869, when he returned south, and remained one year; thence to Shelbyville and learned the business of pho- tography, and formed a partnership with Geo. W. Sittler, and together they have carried on the business and have been very suc- cessful. In October, 1868, he married Miss Mary L., daughter of Dr. Enos Penwell, of Shelbyville. By this marriage there are four children.

Messrs. Sittler & Launey are among the successful, and most artistic and skilful photographers of Central Illinois. They carry on the business in all its various branches, and excel in Crayon life- size pictures, and in India Ink work, water colors, pastel, ferrotypes and gun pictures. They are both in love with their profession, and keep pace with all the wonderful discoveries that are daily being made in the wonderful art of photography. Their work is as good as that made in any of the Metropolitan galleries in the large cities.

HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

175

Cyrus Hall

THE subject of this biographical sketch was a native of Illinois, and was born in Fayette county, August 29th, 1822. John Hall, his father, was a Kentuckian by birth. He was one of the pioneers of the State of Illinois, and settled in Fayette county about the time the State was admitted into the union. Cyrus Hall, while a resident of Fayette county, enlisted as a soldier in the Mexican war, end was a Lieutenant in Col. Ferris Foreman's regiment. He came to Shelbyville, in 1860, and engaged in hotel keeping on the corner where the dry goods store of James & Yantis now stands. He was in that business when the late eivil war broke out. As soon as the first gun was fired on Fort Sumter, he became arcused, and with patriotic ardor commeneed raising and organizing a com- pany of soldiers ; the first company raised in the county, to go to the relief of the union. He was elected captain, and his company became a part of the fourteenth regiment Illinois infantry, com- manded by John M. Palmer, afterwards Major-General, and Governor of Illinois. He participated with his regiment in the hard-fought battles of Shiloh, Donaldson, Mission Ridge, Corinth, Stone River, and numerous other battles of less note, and remained in the service over four years, or, until the close of the war. When Colonel Palmer was promoted to the command of a division, Cap- tain Hall, who had passed through the grades of major and lieuten- ant-colonel, was promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment, and re- mained in command during the remainder of the war. He was breveted brigadier-general for meritorious and gallant serviec on

the field of battle. He had the reputation of being the bravest among the brave. He never hesitated to lead where his men would follow, and was always at the front and head of his command in the thickest of the fight. He escaped unscathed, and returned home at the close of the war and engaged in the furniture trade. A few years after, he was appointed postmaster of Shelbyville, and held that office for over ten years, and up to the time of his death, which occurred September 6th, 1878.

On the 10th of April, 1849, he married Margaret Jane Knight. She was born Dec. 9th, 1824, and died February 23d, 1867. By this union there were seven children, three of whom are living. The names of those living are, Charles Eugene, Theodora Ellen, wife of Frank Munsel, and Lueia Lufkin Hall. On the 14th of August, 1867, he married Miss Sarah Lowe, a native of Fairfield county, Ohio. She was born in York county, Pa., Sep. 28th, 1835. She came to Shelbyville, Illinois, Oct. 22d, 1863. By the latter marriage, there are two children, both daughters, named Rella and Bertha, aged twelve and nine years respectively. General Hall was a devout and consistent member in life of the M. E. Church, and was an active and prominent member of the masonie fraternity, and was buried with masonic honors. He was domestic in his character, and loved his home and his family. He was a kind husband and an affectionate father, and his death was a sad loss to his family and to the community in which he was an highly re- spected, active and prominent member.

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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

J. WM. LLOYD.

THE remote ancestry of the Lloyd family is of Welsh origin. The name was originally McLeod, but in process of time was changed to the present name.

Rhodes Lloyd, the paternal grandfather-whose ancestors camne from England-is a native of Orange county, Virginia. He emi- grated to Kentucky in the year 18-, then removed to Indiana, thence again to Kentucky, where he remained until 1834, when he came to Illinois and settled in Springfield, where, with his wife- whose maiden name was Mary Turner-he still resides.

Wilson C. Lloyd, his son, and the father of J. Wm. Lloyd, was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on the 30th day of January, 1819. He came with his father's family to Illinois, and remained in San- gamon and Shelby counties until the fall of 1846. Soon after Moultrie county was organized, and the town of Sullivan laid out, he removed to Sullivan, and soon after commenced the merchant tailoring business and clothing trade in connection with others, and was a member of the firm of Haydon & Lloyd, general merchants, at the time of his death. At that time he was also circuit clerk and recorder of Moultrie county. His death occurred October 8th, 1856 He married Nancy, daughter of Reuben Wright. She is a native of Murfreesboro, Tenn., but was a resident of Shelbyville at the time of her marriage. Her father was one of the pioneers of Shelby county, a soldier of the war of 1812, and of the Black Hawk war in 18:2.

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Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 48

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : Brink, McDonough & Co. Number of Pages: 458

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Brink, McDonough & Co.
Number of Pages: 458