Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 32

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 32
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 32
USA > Illinois > Jasper County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 32

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

T. J. SHORT, general merchant, was born in Randolph County. Ill., March 11, 1856; son of Thomas E. and Sarah (Harmon) Short. and is of Irish-English extraction. His parents are natives of Ran- dolph County, Ill. The Short family was first known in Kentucky. and emigrated to Illinois in 1819. The subject of our notice remained at home and worked on the farm for his father until he had attained his majority. In the fall of 1879, he came to Neoga and engaged in general merchandising, and in that he has since continued. He has been successful beyond his own expectations. Mr. Short has $5,000 invested in his business, which is steadily increasing. He is a thorough Republican; cast his first Presidential vote for Hayes. He is one of the promising young business men of Neoga. and a thorough gentleman. By energy and industry he has succeeded, and his pros- peets for a prosperous life each year become more extensive. Mr. Short already has a trade that has become extensive, and his cus- tomers are known for miles around. In his store you can always find choice goods at prices within the means of all.

W. H. SINGER, miller, was born in Wayne County. Ohio, July 24, 1841, is the son of Christian and Mary A. ( Lowe ) Singer, and is of German-English extraction. His parents were born in Pennsyl- vania. In 1820 they emigrated to Wayne County, Ohio, and there remained until the fall of 1882 when they came to Neoga, where they now reside. The grandfathers were soldiers in the war of 1812. During the boyhood days of the subject of this mention he worked on his father's farm. In 1858 he began learning the millers trade at Wooster, in the mill of A. Jolliff, serving an apprenticeship of three years. He enlisted in the cause of his country in April. 1861,

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in Company E. Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In June following he re-enlisted in the same company and regiment for three years; was in many hard-fought battles. He was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, on the 6th of May. 1863, and discharged JJune 5, 1863. After returning from the service he attended school six months. In 1864 he came to Charleston, III .. and for two years was foreman in Tinkey's mill. In 1868 he went to Tipton, Mo., and for four years was foreman in the Tipton Mills. Mr. Singer came to Neoga in 1874. and leased a one-half interest in the Neoga mill for one year. He purchased a one-third interest in the mill in 1875, and one year later he owned a one-half interest. In 1882 he became the sole proprietor and owner of the Neoga mill. The mill (one of the best in Cumberland County) was built in 1863, re-built in 1881. The " roller " system was put in in July, 1883. The mill has a capacity of fifty barrels of flour per day, and meal one hundred barrels per day. The machinery throughout is of modern improvement. The flour is equal in quality to any manufactured in eastern Illinois. Mr. Singer was married October 24,1867, to Miss Mary A. Lewis, of Charleston, Ill. Mrs. Singer was born in Delaware County, Ohio. They have two chil- dren, viz .: Minnie A. and Dollie E. He is a Republican, cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln, and has always been loyal to the Repub- lican cause. He is one of the most enterprising, and one of the sub- stantial business men of Cumberland County. He was a good soldier, and is a most amiable citizen and gentleman.

B. R. SPENCER, miller, was born in Carroll County, Ky., Sep- tember 5, 1834, is the son of David and Rachael ( Long ) Spencer. and is of Scotch-German lineage. When the subject of this notice was eighteen years of age he began learning the trade of an engineer. In 1853 he began serving an apprenticeship at the millers' trade. His life, for the most part, has been that of a miller and engineer. In 1865 he emigrated to Cumberland County, IN., and settled in Neoga, and has since resided here. For six years after coming to Neoga he was engineer in the Neoga Mills. In 1871 he began discharging similar duties in the Neoga City Mill. Since 1879 he has been the miller in the Neoga City mill, and also general manager of the mill. His marriage took place February 9, 1860, to Miss Emaline Davis. Mrs. Spencer was also born in Kentucky. They have five children, John W., James B., Ora V., William M. and Leslie W. He is a Democrat. and cast his first Presidential vote for Fillmore. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and is one of the charter members of the I. O. O. F. Neoga Lodge. No. 347. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal

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Church. As a miller his reputation stands second to none in Cumber- land County. Ile is an honorable citizen and a pleasant gentleman.

MRS. A. E. STONE, dealer in millinery, fancy goods and notions, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 12, 1844, daughter of John and Maria Bradman, who were natives of the Old English Empire. Mrs. Stone comes of pure English blood. Her father came to Amer- ica in 1810, and her mother some years later. Her parents were among the pioneers of the Queen City, where they lived for a num- ber of years, and moved to Kentucky where they resided until the breaking out of the late war, when they emigrated to Cumberland County, III., and settled in Neoga, but subsequently removed to Beardstown, Ill. The subject of our sketch remained in Neoga, and for a series of years taught school, at which she was most successful. The marriage of Mrs. Stone occurred November 28, 1865, to Mr. J. M. Stone, a native of the Empire State. Since 1870 Mrs. Stone has been engaged in the millinery and notion business. With a cash capital of $150 the business was commenced, but the same has increased to at least $3,000. Her stock of goods is unequaled in Cumberland County, and thirteen years of active, energetic business and practical experience places her in the front ranks of the millinery trade. Mr. Bradman is a man of much prominence and has always been a strong anti-slavery advocate, and removed north in 1861 lest his sons should be made to do service in the rebel army. After coming to Illinois two of his sons became soldiers in the Union Army. Mrs. Stone is one of the most enterprising citizens of Cum- berland County, and is one of the principal business representatives of Neoga. She is one of the leading workers in the Presbyterian Church and Sabbath school, a thorough temperance advocate, and one of the most eminent women in southern Illinois. Mr. Stone has been in ill health for twelve years, and has spent much money and traveled extensively to regain his health, but all to no avail. He is a Republican in politics.

LUKE VAUGHN, farmer, was born in Owen County, Indiana, January 9, 1841, is the son of Thomas and Isabella (Hooley ) Vaughn, the youngest in a family of five children, and is of German-English extraction. His father was born in Kentucky and his mother in Indi- ana. His parents came to Cumberland County, Illinois, in 1856, and settled in Neoga Township, and here his father died in 1876. His mother still resides in Neoga Township. The subject of this notice was married December 23, 1863, to Miss Mary Groscup. Mrs. Vaughn was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. They have had these chil-

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dren. viz .: Thomas. Isabelle, Louisa. Nancy. Lucetta. John W .. Mary E. and Florence. Mr. Vaughn now owns 140 acres of good land, the same being a part of the old Vaughn homestead. He is a Democrat in politics, and a leading citizen. Mrs. Vaughn died October 24. 1882. She was a most amiable woman and beloved by all who knew her.

FRANKLIN D. VORIS. dealer in grain, hay, general farm ma- chinery and live stock. was born in Bath, Summit County, Ohio. April 7. 1846. is the son of Peter and Julia (Coe) Voris, and is of Dutch- English lineage. His father was born in Pennsylvania, in 1799, and his mother in Connecticut, in 1808. They emigrated to Summit County, Ohio, at a very early day, and were among the pioneers of that county. His father represented Summit County in the Lower House of the General Assembly, of Ohio, from 1844 to 1846. In 1857 the Voris family came to Coles County, Ill .. and here the mother of Mr. Voris was deceased the year following, and his father died in 1880. The paternal grandparent of the subject of this brief. was a soldier in the war of 1812. At seventeen years of age Mr. Voris began learning the jewelers' trade in Mattoon. At this he contin- ued to work for five years. In 1868 he came to Neoga. Cumberland County, Ill .. and immediately engaged in the grain and live stock business, in partnership, with a man by the name of Mc Andrew. The firm was then styled McAndrew & Voris, and of which Mr. Voris was the junior member of the firm and general manager. In 1876. Mr. Voris assumed sole control and ownership of the business, and has been doing a very extensive business since; has for the past five years done an average business of $100,000 annually; business increasing each year, he employing from twenty-five to thirty men. He came to Neoga in limited circumstances, but now has good credit. He was married at Mattoon, Ill., January 19, 1870, to Miss Loekie McMum. Mrs. Voris is also a native of the Buckeye State. born in 1846. They have had born to them five children, viz .: an infant that died unnamed, Ray, Alvin M., Henry C., and Lovis M. He is a thorough Republican; is also a member of the Masonic Fraternity and I. O. O. F. He is a man of much force of character. and is greatly respected. Mr. and Mrs. Voris are members of the Presby- terian Church. Mr. Voris had five brothers in the late war, viz .: Col. A. C .. Henry, Capt. Samuel, Willis and Roswell R., who died in Andersonville prison. Two others died of injuries received in the service, and the two that are yet living were severely wounded. The Voris family has always been noted for its patriotic principles and devotion to country and flag.

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CAPTAIN MAHLON VOTAW, furniture dealer and under- taker, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio. November 8, 1826, the son of Isaac and Susanna ( Woolman ) Votaw, and is of French-Scotch descent. His father was born in Loudoun County, Va .. and his mother in the State of New Jersey. In 1803 his father came to the territory that now composes Columbiana County, Ohio. In that county he died in 1851, and his mother in the same county in 1881. The subject ot this mention at the age of twenty years began millwrighting: worked at the trade four years in Ohio. In 1853 he came to Cum- berland County. Ill .. and assisted in erecting the-Greenup Mills. He was married January 25. 1855, to Miss JJosephine Baker. They had two children, viz .: Otis and Francis M. The first is deceased. Mrs. Votaw died in December, 1858. He was next married October 25. 1859. to Miss Delilah Reece. To this union were born seven chil- dren, viz .: Lyman T., Mary E., Oran M., Susan, Alice, Alvin E. and Willie. Mrs. Votaw died April 6. 1873, and for his third wife he married, September 2, 1883, Mrs. Marcella Comstock, who is a native of Ripley County, Ind. In August, 1862. Mr. Votaw enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty- Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and as such served one month, and then promoted to the position of Orderly Sergeant. He was made First Lieutenant, August 12, 1863, Captain, April 25, 1864, and was discharged, July, 1865, at Springfield, Ill. He was at the battles of Perryville, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga. the siege of Atlanta, etc. The war over, and Mr. Votaw is found at Neoga, engaged in the furniture business. For many years he has taken an active part in politics, and been one of the party leaders in Cum- berland County. He has always been one of the most public-spirited, wide-awake men in the county, and has always advocated and aided all public improvements that have been for the good of the county. He was one of the leaders in the movement of Neoga's sec- ond railroad. in 1872-a company known as the Paris, Neoga & Saint Louis Railway Company. of which company Mr. Votaw was president. In 1881, a new company, styled the Charleston, Neoga & Saint Louis Railroad Company was formed, and of this he was also president. Mr. Votaw was a brave and true soldier, and is a citizen of honorable worth and distinction.

J. T. WALLACE, meat-dealer and fruit merchant, was born in Dearborn County, Ind .. March 6, 1845, son of Thomas and Sarah (Lancaster) Wallace, is the youngest in a family of four children, and is of Scotch-German lineage. In 1863. Mr. Wallace came to

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Cumberland County, Ill., and for five years lived and farmed in Neoga Township, and then removed to Centralia, Marion County, and engaged in growing all kinds of fruit. In 1878, he returned to Cum- berland County, and has here since resided. The marriage of Mr. Wallace to Miss Laura Stevens took place September 9. 1869. They have three children, viz .: Minnie E., Edgar, and Clarence. In Sep- tember, 1883. Mr. Wallace engaged in the meat-market business in Neoga. The business of fruit-growing he is still interested in, and in which he is having much success. His orchards and vineyards at Neoga are very extensive, and each year he continues to make addi- tions. Mr. Wallace is one of the most extensive small-fruit dealers and shippers in Cumberland County. In 1883, he became the pat- entee of " The Common Sense Tree Protector," which has proved to be a most valuable invention. Mr. Wallace is a stanch Republican in politics.

CAPTAIN A. T. WELMAN, farmer and stock-dealer. was born in Oldham County. Ky., December 7, 1828, the son of Andrew A. and Elizabeth ( Williams ) Welman, and is of English-German extraction. His father was born in Virginia and his mother in Kentucky, and in 1845, they emigrated to Morgan County, Ind. Captain Welman re- mained at home until he was nineteen years of age, when he enlisted in Company B. Fourth Indiana Regiment of the Mexican service; served about two years, then returned to Indiana. He was married Decem- ber 18, 1849, to Miss Sarah J. Pruett. They had three children. Mrs. Welman died in 1855. He was next married in 1859. to Miss Mary Greenlee, of Morgan County, Ind. This union has had four children born to it, Captain Welman enlisted in the late Rebellion June 23, 1861, in Company A, Twenty-Third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a private. August 6, 1861, he was commissioned Cap- tain of his Company. He resigned his command January 12. 1863, on the account of ill-health. On the 15th of June 1863, he re-en- listed in Company D. One Hundred and Seventeenth Indiana Volun- teers; was Captain of that Company. He received his final dis- charge in October, 1864. In 1878, he removed with his family to Shelby County, Ill., and there remained until 1882. when he removed to Cumberland County, Ill., now residing two and a half miles east of Neoga. He has 224 acres of good land. He is a Mason; made such in 1861. He is one of the prominent farmers and citizens of Cumberland County. They are members of the Christian Church.

CAPTAIN PHILLIP WELSHIMER is a native of Fairfield County. Ohio, born November 4, 1826, the son of Frederick and Cathe-

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rine (Peters) Welshimer, and is of German lineage. His father was born in Pennsylvania and his mother in Maryland. The Gazette and Express publishes as follows. in its issue of April 12, 1844, at Lancaster, Ohio. concerning the death of the grandparents of the Captain on his mother's side : " Died, on March 4th last, at his residence in Clear Creek Township, Abraham Peters, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, seven months and eight days. On the 4th inst., his aged widow followed him to the world of spirits. She had attained the age of eighty-four years, one month and seven days. This departed pair were among the first settlers of Clear Creek Township, and had long endured together the privations and hardships of a pio- neer life. They had been united in wedlock sixty-four years, and left twelve children, ninety-six grand-children, and one hundred and sixty-four great-grandchildren, and one of the fourth generation. Among all their descendants, only one had died in the last forty years." The early life of Captain Welshimer was spent in working on a farm and elerking in a store. The spring of 1848, dates the coming of this man to Cumberland County, and his settlement in Cottonwood Township, where he remained two years and then removed to Greenup and engaged in general merchandising, and remained until the spring of 1857, when he came to Neoga. In 1860 he engaged in the merchandise business, and in this he continued until his enlistment in the United States Army. He assisted in raising the first ten regiments sent out by the State of Illinois. He enlisted in Company B, Twenty-First Illinois Infantry, and soon after his enlistment he was elected First-Lieutenant of the Company. Immediately after the battle of Stone River, he was commissioned Captain of his Company on the account of meritorious conduct at that battle. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga, and was held as a prisoner of war for seventeen months. For seven months he withstood the miseries and ills of the famed Libby Prison. He was discharged at Saint Louis, May, 1865. In 1868, Captain Welshimer was commissioned postmaster at Neoga. This position he still retains. The Neoga postoffice is one of the most completely arranged and systematically managed offices in the State. He is assisted in the office by Miss Eva Henderson. In 1856, Captain Welshimer was commissioned JJustice of the Peace, and has held the office for more than a quarter of a century. He was married, in 1847, to Miss JJulia Pickering. They had six children, viz .: Ellen R., Alice W., Theodore M., who was accidently killed April, 1865, by the bursting of an anvil that was used in celebrating Lee's surren-

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der; Lucy A .. Charles. and Frederick G. Mrs. Welshimer died March 12. 1871. He was next married, in 1872. to Miss Malinda McNutt. Two children have been born to them, viz .: Frank M .. and Phillip. Captain Welshimer is a true Republican and a man of sterling merit.

WILLIAM RICHARD WHITE, natural mechanic and patentee of manyinventions, was born in 1844, and is the son of B. W. and Eliz- abeth White. The early life of Mr. White was one of depression. sor- row poverty and sore affliction, and was mainly spent in Cumberland County. Ill. For two years. however, he lived with his parents in Coles County. At one year of age, he was deprived of the use of his eyes, and in this condition he remained for eight years. At eleven years of age, he had recovered his sight to such an extent that he began attending school. At eighteen years of age. he began teaching school. at which occupation he continued about fourteen years, and was one of the most noted pedagognes of his day. In addition to his school-teaching, he taught singing-school and deliv- ered lectures on astronomy. In 1867, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss H. E. Keller, daughter of Riley Keller. To this union have been born five children, four daughters and one son. In 1876, he lost his property and home. After this. he traded for a time, but. in 1878. he received the right to a patent fence, and sold about $40,000 worth of the patent. The greatest work of the life of Mr. White was the invention of the " Drive Gate," a few years later. This is. without question, one of the best and most useful patents of the kind ever placed before the public. He has in one year alone sold $50.000 worth. By energy and economy, Mr. White has amassed quite a large amount of property. Besides his property in Neoga, which is among the best and most conveniently arranged that the town affords, he has 2,000 acres of valuable land. Mr. White of to-day is quite different from the White of fifteen years ago, as far as financial responsibility is concerned. for he is now worth at least $40,000, and at that time he was almost penniless. In addi- tion to making himself and family comfortable and surrounded by luxuries, he has done much for his kinsmen. He is one of the lead- ing and most publie spirited men in southern Illinois, and one of the most charitable and generous. He is with his fortune the same common personage that he was in his poverty. He has many friends. and is familiarly called " Happy Bill White. the generous man." He has a sound education, and is well read generally. But for lack of space. we would gladly publish some choice stanzas of poetry on his

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patent gate. which are wholly original and of his own composition. S. F. WILSON, druggist, was born in Washington County, Ind., February 10. 1840. is the son of James and Ann ( Hutchison ) Wilson, and of English-Irish lineage. His father was born in North Carolina, and his mother in Kentucky, and emigrated to Indiana at an early day, and were among the pioneers of the Hoosier State. In 1852 they removed to Cumberland County. Ill., and settled two and a half miles southeast of Neoga. There his father died in 1867, and his mother died, in Neoga, in 1882. His paternal grandfather was a noted surgeon in the Revolutionary war. The subject of our notice worked at home for his father until he had attained his majority. He enlisted in the cause of his country in May. 1861. in Company B, Twenty-First Illinois Infantry, and participated in the battles of Fredricktown, Miss .: Perrysville, Ky., and Stone River. Tenn. At the latter battle he was wounded. He was discharged April 1, 1862, and re-enlisted December 16, 1863, in Company G, Sixty- Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry : finally discharged March 21, 1866. During his second service he was commissioned First- Lieutenant. He was married November 14, 1867, to Miss M. J. Reed .. Mrs. Wilson was born in Ohio County, W. Va. They have three children, viz .: Ambler F., Frank R. and Lena P. He is a Republi -- can; is a member of the Masonie Fraternity. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are leading members of the Presbyterian Church. Since 1871 he has been engaged in the drug business in Neoga, and has the most exten- sive line found in Cumberland County. Mr. Wilson is one of the men of true merit of Cumberland County, and one of the most patri- otic men in the State.

IRA M. WRIGHT, dealer in grain and produce, was born in Switz- erland County, Ind., June 9, 1836. is the son of Alfred and Lucinda (Buchanan) Wright, and comes of English-Irish origin. His father was born in Maryland and his mother in Indiana, and they were among the first settlers of the old Hoosier State, having come there in 1821. It was not until the subject of this sketch had reached the twenty-fifth mile stone in life that he began working for himself. having worked for his father until that time. In August. 1861, ho enlisted in the United States Army, in the Third Indiana Cavalry. HIe served three years, and was honorably discharged in October. 1864. He was at the battles of Gettysburg. Antietam, Fredericks- burg, Second Bull Run, Wilderness and Petersburg. In JJanuary. 1864, Mr. Wright went to Arkansas and engaged in cotton growing for two years, at which he was successful. In 1867 he came to.

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Neoga, and has been a resident of the town ever since. He first engaged in the grain business, and then added produce dealing, and in this connection he has been since engaged. The business, which was meagre at first. has become quite extensive, and he now does at least $30,000 worth of business annually. He was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah E. Shaw. of Vevay, Ind., May 15, 1868. To this union have been born three children, viz .: AAda M .. Edward C. and Walter II. He is an earnest Republican: a member of the Knights of Honor and the G. A. R., and one of the principal business men of Neoga. There is not a more enterprising man in Cumberland County than he, nor a more useful citizen.

JOSEPH M. YOUNG, liveryman, was born in Vigo County. Ind., September 22, 1821. is the son of Samuel M. and Margaret ( Mc- Kashey) Young, the fifth in a family of fourteen children, and is of Irish origin. His father was born in North Carolina and his mother in Kentucky. They emigrated to Vigo County, Ind., in a very early day and were among the pioneers of that county .. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his paternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. His parents both died in Vigo County. Ind., on the old Young homestead, where they had lived for half a century. Mr. Young was married December 4, 1843. to Miss Matilda Van Cleve. To this union have been born four chil- dren, viz .: Mary E., Samuel T., William H. and Margaret J. Samuel T. died of injuries received in the late war. He enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, May 16, 1864, and was discharged September 28, 1864, at Mattoon, Ill. Mrs. Young died February 7, 1861, and Mr. Young was next married, December 24. 1861, to Miss Mary E. Keller. Mrs. Young was born in Jackson County, Ind. Mr. Young came to Cumberland County, III., in September. 1854. and settled ten miles southeast of Neoga. He rented a farm for two years, then bought eighty acres of prairie, and afterward bought forty acres more. In 1881 he sold it and bought 100 acres one mile east of Neoga. In 1878 Mr. Young came to Neoga, and here he has since resided. In 1878 he engaged in the livery business, and in this he still continues. In addition to his farm he has quite a number of town lots. He has been successful in life. He is a Republican in polities, and also a Mason. He is one of the pioneers of Cumberland County.

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Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 32

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