Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 30

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 860

USA > Illinois > Cumberland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 30
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 30
USA > Illinois > Jasper County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 30

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JONATHAN WILSON SHULL, physician, farmer and post- master, Johnstown, Ill., was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, July 12, 1833. His parents are Michael and Margaret ( Wilson) Shull, both natives of Virginia. His father formerly owned slaves, as did also the mother, and on their marriage they freed them. One owned by the father was valued at $2,000. Another owned by the mother was valued at $1,000. They were opposed to slavery-would not take any money for the slaves, but gave them all their freedom.

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Their marriage occurred in 1826, when they moved to Ohio. They had ten children, all of whom are now living; are married and have families. Two of the boys served in the same command, and re- turned at the close of the late war. They raised two other children, after raising their own. They are now married and have families, The father was a member of the Universalist Church, was a Mason and I. O. O. F., and in politics a Republican of the Lovejoy type. He is still living in this county at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. The mother died March, 1871, at the age of seventy years. Jonathan W. had good school advantages for those days. He came with his parents to Illinois in 1851, and settled on a farm in the south part of this county. He worked on the farm in summer and taught school in the winter. He taught four winters in this county, and attended Normal School at Paris, three months. He studied medicine under U. N. Mallett, of Effingham, one year, then under Dr. Ewart, of this county, for one year, then began practice with him at Greenup in 1860. He was married. December 27, 1860, to Mary A. Cook, of this county. He then settled in Greenup, bought property and began housekeeping. He taught two terms of school near Greenup during the winters of 1860-61, still attending to his practice. He enlisted in Company. B, Ninety-Seventh Illinois Infantry. July 19,1862, went into camp in September, when he was detailed as hospital steward, in which he served until October 19, when he was ordered to join his command in Kentucky. He went to Memphis. thence to Chickasaw Bluff, where the regiment was engaged in a battle, and " terribly bluffed;" thence to Arkansas Post, where the Union troops were victorious; thence to Vicksburg, where he was on detached service, in Young's Point General Hospital. Here he nursed a Captain of the Chicago Mercantile Battery, through a case of the small-pox, but did [not take the disease himself. This hos- pital was transferred to Van Buren, seven miles up the river. Pre- scribing steward was his position here. He did good service there, as many who are now living can testify. Chronic diarrhea was the prevailing disease. They were dying in that hospital from six to eight a day. The treatment formerly given was calomel, opium, camphor and quinine. Dr. S. being opposed to that treatment, changed it, using but little medicine, but attending to the diet. The result of that change was most salutary. In three weeks, his ward returned to duty. From Van Buren hospital he was transferred to Island 102, among the contrabands. While at the Van Buren hos- pital he was put in charge of the pest hospital. at Milligan's Bend.

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two miles up the river, where he took the confluent small-pox, was disabled about a month, but recovered and remained at the hos- pital until all recovered. While among the contrabands he went to Vicksburg to draw rations for them every ten days. Recruit- ing officers were there, after negrocs to fill State quotas. They offered the Doctor as high as $50 for every negro he would induce to enlist for them and bring to Vicksburg. This he promptly refused to do. His father's example was serupulously observed, not to traffic in human flesh. The Doctor ranked as hospital steward. He remained here about six months; thence to the contraband hospital at Young's Point. While there he was ordered back into the coun- try about ten miles, to a cotton-gin, to get a cupboard and lumber to enlarge the hospital; and while there he was attacked by a Company of twenty-five independent scouts, who were under com- mand of Captain Dishroom. of Mississippi. He would have been shot dead, as was a comrade by his side, had he not given the hail- ing sign of distress, which was respected-Captain D. being a Mason. He was taken to Falmouth, La., and there incarcerated in the county- jail, with promise of exchange in a few days. Hestayed there about a week, then went to Shreveport, as a prisoner of war, where he stayed about four months; thence to Rebel prison at Camp Ford, near Tyler, Texas. Here the Rebs put him in charge of the Union sick sol- diers. He was treated with the utmost deference. They gave him entire care of the sick and allowed him to go a radius of five miles in the country. Here he remained two months, at the end of which time the war closed. He joined his command at Mobile, Ala., and at Galveston, Texas, he was mustered out. He then returned to Greenup, being the first time he was home since he enlisted. He found the pill-bags in the identical spot where he had left them three years before. Not a bottle was moved, and everything had been scrupulously cared for by his faithful wife. He resumed prac- tice then, in which he has been engaged ever since, with good suc- cess. He moved to Johnstown, April 5, 1872. He has a good home of twenty acres where he lives. He has an increasing practice, and is classed among the best physicians and responsible citizens of the county. His children are Kate M .. James W., Margaret A., Ulysses G., Edna M., Dora, and Ethel E. Ulysses G. died in infancy. Kate M. is the wife of Allison Fleming, of this county, married September 18, 1881. Carrie M. is their child. Dr. and Mrs. S. are both members of the Universalist Church. In politics, he is a Repub- lican, with Greenback tendencies.

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JOHN W. SNODGRASS, farmer and lumber-dealer, was born December 17, 1837, in Hendricks County, Ind. His parents are John and Minerva (Douglass) Snodgrass, both natives of Kentucky. The father was a farmer, and a Democrat politically. Both parents died in 1878, the former at about the age of fifty-four, the latter at about the age of fifty; she was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. They had six children, five of whom are now living. John W. came with his parents to Cumberland County in 1857, arriving October 17, and settling within a mile of where he now resides. His father bought a part of the farm on which J. W. now resides, and began opening out a farm. Mr. S. has been working for himself since he was about twenty years of age. He was married in December, 1859, to Sarah J. Fairbanks, a native of this county. She is the daughter of Samuel and Fanny Fairbanks, natives of Ohio. The mother is still living in this county, being seventy-four years of age .. Her father died in September, 1876, at the age of seventy-one years. To Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass were born three children. The oldest died in infancy; Mary Frances and Nettie Ann, the other two, are living at home. Mr. S. had for a start $5 in money and two colts. He now owns 114 acres of land, all of which is under fair cultivation. He also owns a steam grist-mill, saw-mill and thresher, all of which are run by the same engine. Mr. S. is doing a good business in his various occupations, and is numbered among the prosperous, responsible and worthy farmers of the county. Mr. S. is a member of Toledo Lodge, No. 355, I. O. O. F. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. S. is a good neighbor, as kind to the poor perhaps as any person in the county, and is regarded by all as a first-class man.

GARRISON TATE, farmer, was born January 20, 1831, in Monroe County, Ind. His parents are John and Susannah (Carey) Tate, both natives of Tennessee. The father helped cut the timber from the ground where Bloomington now stands. He was a well- to-do farmer, and died September 7, 1864, in his seventy-first year, on his farm southeast of Bloomington. The mother died February, 1876, at the age of eighty-three. She was a member of the Old School Baptist Church. The parents had eight children, two boys and two girls still living. Garrison came to Illinois, March, 1854, and settled on a farm in Cottonwood Township, Section 35, and has remained here ever since. He is one of the old settlers of the county, and has been quite successful in business, now owning 247 acres of well improved land. He is well-known and highly respected as one of the good citizens of the county. He was married May 26,

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1852, to Jennette Adams, of Monroe County. Ind., by whom he had six children, viz .: John A., Mary J., Susan, David J., Joseph R., and Francis M. Mrs. Jennette Tate died March 26, 1875. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. She was a thorough bible-student, seldom reading any other book, and always reading her Testament through three times yearly. JJohn A. and Susan died in infancy. Joseph R. died September 17, 1873, in his fourteenth year. Mary J. died October 10, 1879, aged twenty-five years. Mr. Tate was married a second time, September 29, 1875, to Mrs. Eliz- abeth McCartney, a native of Kentucky. Her children by her former husband are Ida M., Henrietta and Alice. To Mr. and Mrs. (Mc- Cartney ) Tate are born Hattie E., Martha E., and a third which died in infancy. Mary J., is the wife of Perry Thompson and the mother of four children- Viola, Cora, Nora and Joseph G. The latter died in infancy. Nora died at two years of age. David was married July 18. 1883, to Minnie Bishop, of this county. Francis M. was · married March. 1879, to Mary White, of this county. This union is blessed with two children. Mr. Tate and wife are both members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The former has held the office of County Supervisor, and has been AAssessor for several terms. He is now serving his second term as Township Commissioner. In politics he is a Democrat of the Jacksonian type.

IZATUS WHITACRE, merchant, was born December 11, 1845, in Frederick County, Va. His parents are Asbury and Emeline (McKee) Whitacre, both natives of Virginia. The father died De- cember, 1881, at the age of fifty-eight years. He was a farmer and carpenter; in politics a Democrat, taking an active part in the affairs of the county. The mother died in March, 1876, at the age of fifty years. Both were members of the Baptist Church. They had ten children, seven of whom are now living. Izatus came with his par- ents to Coles County in 1857. His school advantages were good for those days. He prepared himself and taught in the public schools of Illinois fourteen winters, with an interval of two years. As a teacher he was eminently successful, giving good satisfaction to par- ents, employers, pupils and all concerned. Aside from teaching, he has worked on the farm, and in business he has been quite successful. Since March. 1883, he has been in the mercantile business in Janes- ville, under the firm name of Brashares & Whitacre. The firm carry the heaviest stock of dry-goods and groceries, perhaps, of any firm of the kind in this portion of the two counties. The firm man- ages the grain business of the town, also-an enterprise which bids

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fair to increase in importance. Mr. Whitacre was married April 2, 1871, to Harriet A. Phipps, of Coles County, IN. Six children have blessed this union, viz: Finnis A., John R .. Melva O., the next a daughter unnamed who died in infancy, Duley J. and James O. Melva O., died September 28, 1876, aged one year. The rest are living with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. W. are both members of the C. P. Church. Mr. W. is a member of the Masonic Order, Muddy Point, No. 396. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Whitacre spent one year on a farm in Miami County, Kan. They returned to Coles County in February, 1880.

HENRY WILLIAMS, retired farmer, was born November 5; 1811, in Bradford County, Penn. At the age of four years he went with his parents to Hardin County, Ky. His parents are Zabin and Lucy (Needham) Williams, the father a nephew to the Williams, founder of Williams'College. He was a mechanic and the father of six children, only one of whom is now living. The mother died at La- Porte, Ind., in 1837. Henry had no school advantages. He worked on the farm, in the still-house, in the saw and grist-mill, and at the carpenter's trade. At the age of seventeen he came to Harrison County, Ind. He worked on the farm and on the canal near Louis- ville, and later in a brick-yard, and on the jail at Corydon, Ind., just after the removal of the capital to Indianapolis. He then engaged in whipsawing timber for boats for some time. He was married, March 1, 1830, to Lucretia Beals, of Crawford County, Ind., but a native of Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Her grandfather, Oliver Hays, served the entire time in the Revolutionary war, coming home only one week to get married. In 1830, Mr. and Mrs. W. came to Cumberland County, Ind. There were no county borders then. They settled one-half mile due cast from Trilla, and have been liv- ing within two miles of that point ever since, over fifty-three years. That neighborhood to this day is called Beals' neighborhood. Beals' church, and Beals' graveyard are still there. That family and their connections occupy that territory, the most of them owning their own homes. There was no house in the township when they came. Mr. W. is the oldest settler in the township. Mrs. W. has not been farther from home than fourteen miles in fifty-three years. She is a good wife and mother, and her husband's success in life is largely due her untiring zeal and earnestness. They have had eleven children, eight of whom lived to mature years, viz .: Mary J., Henry W., David C., David B., Lucy E., Mahala R., Jesse M., Lorinda C., Wm. F., Zabin M., and Oliver H. David C. and

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Mahala died in infancy ; Zabin died at four years of age, and Oliver at twelve years. Lucy E. died October, 1865. She was the wife of Wm. Vincent. Mary J. is the wife of Josiah Goodwin; Henry W. married Nancy J. Stone. After her death he married Amanda Kelley. David B. married Phebe Landers; Jesse M. mar- ried Eliza Hagey; Lorinda C. married John T. Jones; William F. was married March 8, 1868, to Minerva J. Landers, of this county, a native of Crawford County, Ind. These parents have children --- John E., Essie B., and Mary A. Win. F. lives in Section 33, and is a well-to-do farmer. Mr. W. is a member of the Baptist and Mrs. W. of the C. P. Church. He has been very successful in business. He now owns 175 acres of land. When they started from Indiana, they supplied themselves with a bed and bedding and clothes enough to last them a year. Their money consisted of $1.50. On the way seventy-five cents was expended for ammunition. So they landed at their new home with " nary a dollar." His taxes were six and one- fourth cents the first year; since that they have been as high as $80 a year. At that time deer and turkey could be killed almost from the door of his cabin. Coons-eighteen, full-grown-have been " taken in" in one-third as many hours. Since that time things have changed. The keen edge of the hard times has been turned, and the desert has been made to blossom as the rose. The old sickle now lays rusting in the smoky loft, and the automatic binder, drawn by horses, has taken its place. His sons rent his farm. Their corn, sorghum and wheat prospects are good for this year. Mother Will- iams is a member of the C. P. Church. She is one of the original members of the C. P. Church, of " the good prospect congregation," organized forty-four years ago. She is one of the only two still liv- ing. Mr. W. had three sons and two sons-in-law in the army. In politics, the entire Williams family are Republicans.

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NEOGA TOWNSHIP.

G. W. ALBIN. M. D., was born in Lawrence County, Ind., December 17, 1822, the son of Joseph and Eliza ( Marsh ) Albin, daugh- ter of William Marsh, an officer in the war of the Revolution, and is of English-Irish extraction. His father was a native of Kentucky, and his mother was born near Philadelphia, Penn. His father emi- grated to Indiana in 1816, and settled in Harrison County. He died in Putnam County, Ind .. in 1863, and his mother in Lawrence County, in 1823. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1843 the subject of this mention began reading medicine at Clover- dale, Ind. In the winter of 1846-7 he attended lectures at the Indian- apolis State Medical College, which was then located at LaPorte. He practiced his profession for a time at Delphi, Ind., then went to North Arm, Edgar Co., Ill .; here practiced one year; then went to Coles County, Ill .; there remained four years. In the winter of 1851-52, he attended Rush Medical College, at Chicago; graduated February 19, 1852. In March, 1853, he came to Cumberland County. and settled four miles east of Neoga. In 1856 he removed to Neoga, and here has since lived and been in active practice. Dr. Albin erected the first dwelling house in Neoga. He was married Janu- ary 10, 1854, to Miss Cynthia C. Dryden. Mrs. Albin was born in Bedford County, Tenn. They have had five children, viz .: an infant that died unnamed; Mary C., Oscar W. C., May and William C. W. He is a Republican. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-Third Regiment Illinois Infantry, in 1864, and was discharged Septem- ber 26, 1864; was commissioned First Assistant Surgeon. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, I. O. O. F .: A. L. of H., and G. A. R. Dr. and Mrs. Albin are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is the second graduate of medicine that ever practiced in Cum- berland County. He is now the oldest practicing physician in the county. As a physician he has been very successful. He is one of the pioneers of Cumberland County, and a most influential citizen. A man is known by the work of his life.

JAMES M. ALBIN, a leading agriculturist and brother of Dr. G. W. Albin, of Neoga, was born in Putnam County, Ind., July 26, 1841, son of Joseph and Rosana (Sheeks) Albin, and is the twelfth in a family of fifteen children. He was married September 4, 1862, to Miss Mary J. Goddard. Mrs. Albin is a native of Virginia. They

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have four children, viz .: Joseph L., Charles M., Florence R. and Eugene C. Mr. Albin came to Cumberland County in March, 1871, and settled four miles east of Neoga. Here he has since lived, and has a well improved farm of 198 aeres. He is one of the best farm- ers in Neoga Township. He is a thorough Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Albin are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a prominent and an honorable man, and one of the most successful farmers in Neoga Township.

JAMES CLARK, farmer and stock-dealer, is a native of West Virginia, born September 20, 1840, the son of Cornelius and Abigail ( Wright) Clark, and is of English descent. The parents of Mr. Clark were natives of Massachusetts, and born near Boston. In 1856 they emigrated to Illinois and settled in Coles County, and here his father died the following year. In 1880 his mother was deceased in Decatur, III. On the 28th of November, 1866, occurred the marriage of Mr. Clark to Miss Lucinda Buchanan. Mrs. Clark is a native of Indiana. To this union have been born seven children, viz .: Mary, Rose, Carrie A., John J., George. Charles and Robert. Mr. Clark came to Cumberland County in 1859. and three years later he removed to where he now resides, and where he owns 430 acres of well improved land. The farm has many fine advantages as a stock farm, and is well improved. As a farmer and trader Mr. Clark has been successful. For a number of years he has been interested in Shorthorn cattle, and he has the finest herd of that stock in the county. Mr. Clark has a partner in the stock business. He is a Republican, Mason, and an upright citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has been an elder in that church for many years.

DAVID A. CALDWELL, farmer, was born in eastern Tennessee, May 16, 1831, is the son of Robert W. and Sibby (Russell ) Caldwell, the second in a family of eight children, and is of Irish lineage. His parents were also natives of Tennessee. In 1837 they emigrated to Boone County, Ind. They died in that county. The subject of our mention was married April 25. 1860, to Miss Ann E. Mount, daughter of Atwell and Lucinda Mount. Mrs. Caldwell was born in Montgomery County, Ind. They have nine children, viz .: Will- iam A., Frederick A., Robert W., Mary C., James C., Carrie R., Sibba E., Frank R. and Horace M. In the fall of 1861, Mr. Cald- well came to Neoga Township, Cumberland County, Ill., and made settlement four and one half miles northeast of Neoga, and there has since resided, and has 200 acres of well improved land. He is a

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Republican, and advocates the continued success of the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are members of the Presbyterian Church. They are taking great interest in the education of their children. Hle is a prominent citizen and a most pleasant gentle- man. The family is praised by all who know it. Frederick A. Caldwell. a son of the subject of this sketch, is one of the leading school teachers of the county, and an affable young man. He has commenced a course in Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, Ind. Mr. Caldwell comprehends the necessity of a finished education.

L. M. CASSTEVENS, farmer, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., January 21, 1831, and is the son of Thomas and Hester (Massey ) Casstevens. He is of Welsh extraction and the second in a family of nine children. Mr. Casstevens is one of the early settlers of Cum- berland County, coming here and making settlement in 1844, in Neoga Township, and here he has since resided. The plat on which he settled is situated four and one-half miles northeast of Neoga. He was one of the first in all that region of country to begin im- provements. The marriage of Mr. Casstevens took place in October, 1854, to Miss Amanda McCartney, a native of Indiana. To this marriage has been born seven children, of which only two are liv- ing, viz .: Andrew T. and Joseph W. In 1866 he moved to the site of the present residence. His farm consists of 280 acres of good land, and which Mr. Casstevens has splendidly improved. The suc- cess that attends him has come up through the avenues of industry and economy. Mr. and Mrs. Casstevens are members of the Baptist Church. He is a well-to-do farmer and a Democrat.

MRS. MARY E. COLE, wife of William J. Cole, deceased, was born in Ohio County, Ind., May 20, 1847, is the daughter of John B. and Rebecca Baker, is the fourth in a family of six children, and is of German deseent. Mrs. Cole was married February 20, 1866, to William J. Cole, a native of Indiana. In October, 1866, they came to Coles County, Ill., and there remained two years, and then came to Cumberland County. To this union were born two children, viz .: Fannie R. and Wilburn A. Mr. Cole died July 9, 1872. He was a soldier in the late war; a member of Company C, Thirty-Seventh Indiana Volunteers; served three and one-half years. He was a Republican and an honorable citizen. Since the death of Mr. Cole she has spent seven years at her native home in the Hoosier State. She now resides in Mattoon, Ill. She owns 110 acres of well im- proved land in Neoga Township, Cumberland County, Ill. Mrs. Cole is a most amiable woman, and one of the leading ladies in Mattoon.

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NEOGAA TOWNSHIP.

P. L. DEVORE, farmer, was born in Brown County, Ohio, September 8, 1843, is the son of Peter M. and Sarah (Day) De Vore, the fifth in a family of eight children, and is of Scotch-German descent. Ilis parents were also natives of Brown County, Ohio. His father died in that county in 1876, and his mother in 1878. The subject of our notice enlisted in the United States Army, September 20, 1861, in Company B, First Ohio Zouaves, Thirty-Fourth Regi- ment, as a private, but was discharged as a sergeant, March 30, 1865. He was wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill, Virginia, and was taken prisoner October, 1864. IIe saw the scenes and withstood the hardships of Libby Prison for five months. Mr. DeVore was married December, 1867, to Miss Sallie E. Parks. Mrs. De Vore is a native of Cumberland County, III. To this union have been born six children, viz .: Alfred L., Flora, John W., Emma, Thomas W., and Frank. In September, 1880, Mr. De Vore removed from Brown County, Ohio, to Cumberland County, III., and has since resided one mile southwest of Neoga, on a farm that he purchased of his brother in 1878. The farm contains 137 acres, and is one of the best stock farms in Cumberland County; also one of the best improved farms in the county. He is a thorough Republican; cast his first Presi- dential vote for " Old Abe." Mr. De Vore was a splendid soldier, is one of the most prominent men in Neoga Township, and an hon- orable citizen. Mrs. De Vore is a member of the Christian Church. He is a member of the G. A. R.

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Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 30

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 860

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 860