USA > Illinois > Cumberland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 31
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 31
USA > Illinois > Jasper County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 31
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MORTON DOW, tile manufacturer, was born in Switzerland County, Ind., March 20, 1839, is.the son of Joseph and Augustine (Ichiband) Dow, the second in a family of five children, and is of Scotch-French extraction. His father was born in Scotland, and his mother in France. They came to America about 1836, and settled in Switzerland County, Ind., and there they were both deceased, father in 1862, and mother in 1881. The early life of Mr. Dow was spent on the farm. He was married, December 25, 1862, to Miss A. M. Gale, daughter of A. E. Gale, formerly of Jefferson County, Ind., but who now resides in Cumberland County, Illinois. They have three children, viz .: Cora C., Charles M., and Edmond E. The sub- ject of our notice came to Cumberland County, Ill., in April, 1865. He has lived in Neoga since 1867, save one year. Mr. Dow first engaged in the lumber business, then changed to general merchan- dising, in partnership with C. D. Green. For a number of years he was in the employ of Tracy Kingman. In January, 1882, he bought a one-fourth interest in the Neoga Mill. and sold the same in January,
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1883. In February, 1883, he formed a partnership, in the manufact- ure of drainage tile, with W. B. Phillips. He is the junior member of the firm known as Phillips & Dow. He is a Republican. He has long been identified with the business interests of Neoga, and is loyal to all causes that are for the bettering of general humanity and the country.
G. F. DOUGHERTY, M. D., was born in Lawrence County, Ind., September 24, 1855; son of Isaiah and Sarah (Harsey ) Dough- erty. His parents were born in Indiana. He is the second in a fam- ily of three children, and is of Irish-English descent. His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. His parents came to Cumberland County, Ill., in 1877, and settled in Neoga; came in March, and his father died here the September following. His mother now resides in Neoga. The literary education of Mr. Dougherty was confined to the common schools of Indiana and the Shoals Academy, at Shoals, Ind. In 1876, he began reading medicine, at Shoals. Ind., in the office of Dr. D. Gaddis; remained there only a short time, and then came to Neoga, and continued the work under the instruction of Dr. L. II. Mason. In the winter of 1878-79, he attended lectures at the American Medical College. at Saint Louis; also, the winter of 1879-80, and graduated, June 1, 1880, from that institution. Since that time, he has been practicing his profession in Neoga. In 1882, he formed a partnership with Dr. F. M. Richardson, which still con- tinnes. He was married, October 15, 1878, to Gilla Sawyer. They have had three children, viz .: Edina, Kittie, and Clyde. Kittie is deceased. He is a Democrat; is a member of the I. O. O. F. As a physician, he has been successful. He is one of the prominent young physicians of eastern Illinois, and his future as a practitioner indi- cates much.
JAMES EWING, pioneer, was born in Tennessee, Novem- ber 3, 1804, the son of James and Mary (Thompson ) Ewing, is the fourth in a family of six children, and is of Scotch-Irish extraction. The father of Mr. Ewing was a native of Virginia, and his mother of North Carolina. His parents were deceased in Tennessee. His father had attained to the advanced age of more than ninety years. The year 1827 dates the coming of the subject of this sketch to Edgar County, III. There he resided until 1854, when he came to Cumber- land County. He is one of the few men yet living that served as a soldier in the Black Hawk War. In 1833, he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Ewing, an own cousin of his. Mrs. Ewing died in November of the year following, and he was next married, three
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years later, to Miss Mary Alexander, and to them were born four sons and four daughters, viz. : Milton A., Sirus K., George F., Josiah A., Martha V., Flora E., Linda J., and Emma C. Mrs. Ewing died in May, 1864, since which time Mr. Ewing has remained a widower. In 1874, he quit the farm and became a resident of Neoga, but still owns a farm, which is moderately well improved, and is located two miles east of Neoga. Mr. Ewing has long been a thorough advocate of the principles of Republicanism. He is one of the men who cast their ballots in what was known as the Wabash Precinct. The Ewing family has a long line of ancestors, and was known in Amer- ica many years before the war between the United States and Great Britain. Mr. Ewing is one of the first settlers of Illinois, and is one of its representative men.
JAMES M. EWING, farmer, was born in Vigo County, Ind., July 31, 1825; son of Alexander and Margaret L. ( McColloch) Ewing, and is of Scotch-Irish extraction. The parents of Mr. Ewing were natives of East Tennessee. In 1824, they emigrated to Vigo County, Ind., and there remained two years; then removed to Edgar County, Ill., and here his father died in 1851. His mother died in Cumber- land County, in 1866. In 1854, the subject of our notice came to Cumberland County, Ill., and settled three miles east of Neoga, in Neoga Township, and here he has since resided. His marriage took place February 12, 1861, to Miss Prudentia T. Stone. Mrs. Ewing was born in Livingston County, N. Y. They have three children, viz .: Whitney L., Norton E., and James T. He is a thorough Repub- lican. In 1877, Mr. Ewing was elected Supervisor of Neoga Town- ship, and served three terms. He is a Royal Arch Mason ; made a Mason in 1860. He is one of the best and most successful farmers in Neoga Township; owns 239 acres of good land. He is a prominent citizen and a most honorable man. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. He is one of the early settlers of the county.
C. D. GREENE, general merchant, is a native of Gallia County, Ohio; born March 13, 1838, is the son of C. D. and Sarah E. (Porter) Greene, the third in a family of ten children, and is of Scotch- English extraction. His father was born in Vermont, and his mother in Ohio. In 1857, his parents emigrated to Cumberland County, Ill. Here his father died in 1868. His mother now resides in Indianap- olis. Mr. Greene's paternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. The schooling of the subject of this mention was confined to the common schools of the Buckeye State. He enlisted
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first in the three months service at the beginning of the war; was in the first regiment that went to the service from Illinois. He re-en- listed in Company B, Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, January 2, 1862, for three years, and was honorably discharged January 6, 1865, at Savannah, Ga. He was at the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Atlanta, Fort Donelson, etc. He was married October 22, 1865, to Sarah E. Bell. Mrs. Greene is a native of Indiana. To this union have been born four children, viz .: Conie B., James B., C. W., and Charles A. The first two are dead. After his marriage, he began farming. In May, 1866, he engaged in the mercantile business in Neoga, and in this has since continued. In 1882, he built the brick block he now occupies. The same is 40x80 feet, and is the best constructed and most conveniently arranged business house in Cumberland County. He is a thorough Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Greene are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the principal merchants in eastern Illinois; his stock excels any- thing in Cumberland County. He is a man of many fine qualities, and a most amiable citizen.
THOMAS R. HANCOCK, editor and proprietor of the Neoga Weekly News, was born near Greenup, Cumberland County, III., December 30, 1843, and when about one year of age he removed with his parents to Licking County, Ohio, where he and they remained until Thomas was about sixteen years old, when all returned to Cumberland County, and where he has since resided. The carly life of Mr. Hancock was divided between attending school and work- ing on the farm. Three years of his life were given to the service for the protection of the American flag, enlisting July 26, 1862, as a private in Company B, Ninety-Seventh Illinois Infantry. He was soon promoted to the office of Corporal, and then to Sergeant. He was in thirteen hard-fought battles. After returning from the serv- ice, he taught school for a time. His time for a number of years was divided by various occupations, viz .: farming, clerking in a store, and school teaching, until he purchased the Neoga printing office of J. L. & W. H. Allison. For five years, he has had complete control of the paper, and has been instrumental in elevating the standard of the News and greatly increasing its circulation and influ- ence, until it now stands second to none as a local paper in southern Illinois. The marriage of Mr. Hancock took place November 1, 1869, to Miss Vinia E. Graham, of Vigo County, Indiana. Mrs. Hancock is an intelligent and most amiable woman. He is a thorough Republican, and an influential newspaper man.
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WILLIAM HI. HANCOCK, salesman for C. D. Greene and brother of Thomas R. Hancock, editor of the Neoga News, was born at Hebron. Ohio, December 3. 1847, is the son of Thomas and Leah (Wiseley) Hancock, and comes of English-Irish blood. When the subject of our notice was eleven years of age he emigrated from Ohio to Cumberland County, Ill., and made settlement near the town of Neoga, in Neoga Township. The early life of Mr. Hancock was spent on the farm. When eighteen years of age he began the painting business, which he carried on during the summer and clerked in a store in the winter. In this way his time was divided for about four years. Since 1872 he has been a dry goods salesman, and has been elerking in the store of C. D. Greene for seven years. Decem- ber 22, 1868, he was united by the marriage vows to Miss Huldah J. Shore, daughter of John N. Shore, of Clay County, Ind. To this union have been born six children, viz .: Cora E., Gertrude L., Ora B., Mary A., Charles B. and William R. Ora B. and William R. are deceased. The principles of the Republican party are closely adhered to and supported by Mr. Hancock. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Hancock is one of the self-made and self-informed men of Cumberland County, and one of its most thorough and enterprising representatives. On the general topics of the day he is always well informed. Mr. Hancock is taking much interest in the education of his children. As a sales- man he is unexcelled by any man in Cumberland County. He is a true and highly respected gentleman.
WESLEY HICKERNELL, boot and shoe dealer, was born in Lisburn, Cumberland Co., Penn., June 10, 1832, is the son of Jacob and Sarah (Myers) Hickernell, thesecond in a family of three children, and is of German descent. While the subject of this notice was yet in his infancy his father was deceased, and at nine years of age he began supporting himself and making his own way in life. He worked on a farm until sixteen years of age, and then began a three years' apprenticeship at the shoemakers' trade, after which time he and an older brother opened a shoe shop at Andersonstown, Penn. In 1852 our subject came to Ohio and settled in Madison County, and here he was married March 17, 1853, to Miss J. E. Woods. Mrs. Hickernell was born in Madison County, Ohio. They have had six children, viz .: Hettia, Ora, L. W., Frank M., Dollie and Delia. In 1854 he removed to Wisconsin, and there remained two years, and then came to Cumberland County, Ill., and settled on a farm east of Neoga and there lived until 1873, when he came to Neoga and
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engaged in his present occupation. He now has a good stock of boots and shoes. He has Democratic proclivities; cast his first Pres- idential vote for James Buchanan. He has taken an active part in polities. He is a Mason. Mr. H. owns 130 acres of well improved land, and one of the best boot and shoe stores in Cumberland County. He has made his own way through life, and has much pioneer experi- ence that he loves to relate. He struggled against poverty for several years, but is now in comfortable circumstances. They are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the prominent men of Neoga.
ROBERT M. HUNTER, old settler and farmer, was born in what. was Morgan, but now Noble County, Ohio, January 21, 1830, son of James and Martha (Marshall) Hunter, is the third in a family of seven children, and is of Irish descent. His parents were born in Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio at a very early day. They died in that State. The marriage of the subject of our notice occurred May 13, 1857, to Miss Sarah C. Bailey. Mrs. Hunter was born in Wash- ington County, Ohio. They have six children, viz .: Carrie K., Lucy L., Nellie, Howard B., Sarah E. and Anna S. Mr. Hunter came to Illinois in 1858, and settled in Neoga Township, where he still lives, and owns 200 acres of well improved land, located three and one half miles northeast of Neoga. He is a Democrat; cast his first Presidential vote for Buchanan. Mr. Hunter has been Road Commissioner in Neoga Township six years. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a leading farmer and an influential citizen. When he came to Cumberland County he made settlement on the wild prairie, and has improved the same.
JOHN K. KELLY, farmer, was born in Clark County, Ind., October 19, 1817, the son of William and Margaret (Kelly) Kelly, the youngest in a family of thirteen children, and is of Irish lineage. His father was born in " Old Kaintuck," and his mother in Tennes- see. About the year 1805, his parents emigrated from Kentucky and settled in Clark County, Ind. ITis father was an 1812 soldier, and one of the first settlers of Indiana. The marriage of the subject of this notice took place in May, 1850, to Miss Mary A. Manaugh. To this union were born four children, viz .: Margaret J., Otis M., John H. and Mary C. Mrs. Kelly died September 12, 1856. Mr. Kelly was next married, January, 1860, to Mrs. Mary Neal (formerly MeLain). They have three children, viz .: Martha E., William J., and Lena. Mr. Kelly came to Cumberland County, Ill., in the fall of 1864, and settled in Neoga Township, three miles northeast of
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Neoga. Here he has since lived. He owns 219 acres of well improved land. and is one of the successful and leading farmers of Neoga Township. He is a Republican, and one of the prominent men of Cumberland County.
THOMAS LACY, farmer, was born in Oldham County, Ky., October 10, 1825, is the son of Jesse and Lucy (Willhite) Lacy, the second in a family of six children, and is of English-German extrac- tion. His parents were natives of Virginia, but in youth were removed to Kentucky, from which State they emigrated to Owen County, Ind., when the subject of this mention was about nine years of age. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Lacy came to America prior to the Revolutionary War, and was a soldier in that conflict. Until Mr. Lacy had gained his majority, he remained at home and worked for his father on the farm; after this time, the realities of life dawned upon him for himself. His marriage took place August 20, 1837, to Miss Evaline E. Long. They had eleven children. Mrs. Lacy died February 17, 1877. He was next married, August 20. 1879, to Mrs. Mary A. Elder. To this union have been born three children. Mr. Lacy came to Cumberland County in 1856, and set- tled in Neoga Township, and here he now resides. He owns 300 acres of good land. He is one of the many who came up through the old Whig line, and is now a Republican. Mr. Lacy has been trustee of Neoga Township for six years, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty-eight years. Mr. Lacy's first wife was a member of the same church, but his present wife is a member of the Christian Church. He is one of the prominent farmers and citizens of Neoga Township, and an honorable Christian gentleman.
B. H. LAWSON, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Coles County. Ill., April 26, 1851, is the son of Thomas F. and America .1. ( Wortham ) Lawson, and is of English-French lineage. His parents were born in Kentucky. In 1840, they emigrated to Illinois, and settled in Coles County, and were among the first settlers in that part of Coles County. In 1852, they removed to Cumberland County. and here his father died in 1854. The subject of our notice worked on the farm until he was seventeen years of age, and then he began trading in stock for Col. T. A. Apperson. his step-father. In 1872. he took a business course in the Terre Haute Commercial College, and graduated from that school in December. the same year. He was married October 28, 1875, to Miss Mary Kelly. Mrs. Law- son is a native of Clark County. Ind. They have had three children.
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viz .: Lucy A .. Fonrose, and Tracy (deceased). After his mar- riage, he began farming on that part of the old Lawson homestead that he came into possession of by the death of his father. He now owns 283 acres of well improved land, which is one of the best stock farms in Cumberland County. He is a Republican: has been Township Collector for three years-1878, 1879 and 1880. In 1880, he was nominated for County Clerk in the Republican convention, but was defeated by L. W. Brewster. He has always taken an active part in politics. He is one of the most prominent young men and farmers in Cumberland County. Energy and industry form largely his composition.
J. W. MILLER. ex-County Judge and farmer, is a native of Clark County, Ind., the son of Martin and Susan C. (Mitchell) Miller, born December 8, 1828, is next to the youngest in a family of ten children, and comes of German blood. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and were born near the City of Brotherly Love. They emigrated from Indiana to Cumberland County, Ill., in a very early day. In this county they were deccased. father in 1870 and mother six years later. When the subject of this mention had gained his majority, he began life's battle for himself. . He was awarded the advantages and privileges of much more than an ordinary edu- cation, and Mr. Miller made good use of these blessings. For a number of years he taught school, and was considered a most sur- cessful teacher. In 1852, Mr. Miller came to Cumberland County, and settled in Neoga Township, where he began improving a farm. On the Ist of January, 1852. he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa E. Ketcham, who was also a native of the Hoosier State. To this union have been born twelve children. viz .: Amanda J. J., Meltidas. Margaret B., America A. M .. Ella. James M., Mary E., Sarah L., Cora A .. Lora, Charles L., and Ira O. Politically, Mr. Miller is known as an Independent, but of late years he has been casting his vote with the Republicans. In 1873, he was elected County Judge of Cumberland County, on the Independent ticket, and was re-elected to the same office in 1877. Mr. Miller is one of the leading husbandmen in the county, and a most prominent citizen. Th . family is extensively known and greatly respected.
DAVID NEAL, farmer and stock-dealer, is a native of North Carolina, born June 27. 1826. son of Daniel and Letitia ( Perdue) Neal, is the second eldest in a family of twelve children, and is of French-Irish blood. The parents of Mr. Neal were also natives of North Carolina and early settlers of Indiana. having in 1831 emi-
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grated to Wayne County, that State. His father was one of the most enterprising and prominent of Indiana's early men. The Dem- ocratie party always had in him a true representative and earnest advocate. His death occurred in Wayne County, Indiana, in 1845. The mother of Mr. Neal now resides in Randolph County, of that State. When the twenty-second anniversary of the birth of the sub- ject of this mention came round, it found him out in the sea of life for himself. February 12. 1850, he was by the holy bonds of matri- mony united in marriage to Miss Martha Rainier, a native of New Jersey. To this union have been born five children, viz .: Sarah E., William R., John C., Benjamin F. and Mary A. Of these, three are living. In 1865 Mr. Neal came to Cumberland County, and settled in Neoga Township, where he has since resided. Mr. Neal now owns 200 acres of good land. His farm is one of the best improved in Cumberland County, and one of the most productive. Hle is one of those men that believes in the advancement of science in agriculture as much as anything else, and the condition of his farm warrants such fact. Politically, Mr. Neal has Democratic convictions, and is one of the leaders of his party in the county. In 1880 he was elected Supervisor of Neoga Township, and served one term. Mr. Neal is a man of more than ordinary qualifications, and is well-informed on all the leading issues of the day. He is worthy of the extensive respect that he commands.
JOHN PETERS, farmer and liveryman, was born in Switzerland County, Indiana, July 4, 1822. is the son of Henry and Margaret (Dunn) Peters, the second eldest in a family of eight children, and is of German descent. The father of Mr. Peters was a native of Vir- ginia, and his mother of Kentucky. His parents were among the early comers of Cumberland County, Illinois. His father died in this county, in 1875, and his mother was deceased in Coles County, in 1880. The early part of the life of the subject of this mention was spent on a farm in his native State, and then he was united in marriage April 10, 1845, to Miss Louvisia Hugle. Mrs. Peters is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio. To this marriage have been born eight children, viz .: William H., Margaret, Napoleon B., Julia Ann, John W., James B., Ellen and Charles N. In 1865 Mr. Peters came to Neoga Township, Cumberland County, and purchased 160 acres of raw prairie, and this farm he began improving the next year. Mr. Peters now owns 224 acres of well improved land just south of Neoga. He cast his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk, and has been a life-long Democrat. In July, 1883. he engaged in the livery business
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in Neoga. and the same has been successful beyond his expectation. His father was a soldier in the 1812 and Black Hawk wars. Mr. Peters enjoys an extensive acquaintance and commands much respect.
W. B. PHILLIPS, farmer and tile manufacturer, was born in Madison County, New York, February 17, 1824, the son of Brazilla and Betsey (Heminway) Phillips, and is of Scotch extraction. The parents of Mr. Phillips were born in Massachusetts. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. and his paternal grandfather a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His father died in New York, in 1851. In 1837 the subject of our notice came to Allen County, Indiana, and settled northeast of Fort Wayne. In 1854 he came to Illinois and settled in the northeastern part of the State. In 1857 he came to Cumberland County, Illinois, and settled in Neoga Township, and here he has since lived. He was married October 19. 1843, to Miss Nancy MeCourtney, of Allen County, Indiana. They have four chil- dren. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Fifth Illinois Cav- alry; was discharged on account of ill-health, March, 1863. For a number of years Mr. Phillips was interested in the Neoga Mill. In the fall of 1882 he began the manufacture of drainage tile. The fac- tory has a capacity of making 60,000 tile (different sizes ) per month; has a splendid shed 40x170 feet. There is in connection two exten- sive kilns. Mr. Phillips is the senior member of the firm known as Phillips & Dow. He is a Republican and a Mason. He has been Treasurer of Neoga Lodge, No. 279, for sixteen years. He is one of the extensive farmers of Neoga Township. The tile factory is one of the best in Cumberland County. He is one of the leading men in Neoga, and one of its principal citizens.
HENRY H. REX, dry goods clerk, was born in Mifflin County, Penn., December 26, 1835, is the son of Henry and - (Barn hart) Rex, the youngest in a family of three children, and is of German lin- eage. The Rex family came originally from Reading, Penn. In 1836. it removed from Lancaster to Mifflin County, Penn., and there his father was murdered, in 1836, for money that he was supposed to have had on his person. The body was never found. His mother died when he was six weeks old, and his father was murdered when he was about seven weeks old. In his infancy, he was in the care of a widow lady by the name of Margaret Haller, and was supported by Derry Township, in Mifflin County, Pen. The deformity of Mr. Rex is due to ernel treatment in infancy, previous to his being placed in the hands of Mrs. Haller. The township supported him until he was nine years of age. In 1854, he began clerking in a drug
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and hardware store in Lewistown, Penn. In 1860. he left that posi- tion and came to Logan County, Ohio, and there remained until 1861, when he emigrated to Edgar County, III. In 1866. he came to Neoga Township, Cumberland County, Ill .. and one year later came to Neoga, and here he still resides. He was married Septem- ber 20, 1865, to Miss Harriet M. Ewing. Mrs. Rex is a native of Edgar County, III. They have had two children, viz .: Oliver S. and Minnie B. He is a Republican. Mr. Rex has served as Township Clerk and Town Clerk for six years; he is at present a member of the Town Council. He has been a salesman for twenty-one years. and is the second oldest salesman in Neoga. Mr. Rex has more than an ordinary education, which he obtained under the most trying circumstances, paying his own way through college. He is a most affable and pleasant gentleman.
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