Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 50

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 50
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 50
USA > Illinois > Jasper County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 50

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WILLOW HILL TOWNSHIP.

chinery. In 1866, he married Cerilda Chapman, a native of JJasper County, who died in 1870. He next married Sarah M. Parr, a native of Marion County, Ind., and is the parent of two children-Emily A. and Calvin W. Mr. Debow is a Democrat, and an influential citizen. The firm of JJones & Debow are also grain dealers, having charge of the grain house at Hunt City.

JEREMIAH DOTY, farmer, was born at Willow Hill in 1846, and is the youngest son of Daniel and Isabel ( Ritter) Doty; the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of North Carolina. Daniel Doty entered the land now owned by his son, in the early days of Illinois. Jeremiah Doty was reared, educated and has done business in Willow Hill. Part of his farm has been platted as town lots, known as " Doty's Addition," said farm now containing seventy-five acres, all improved and under good cultivation. In 1865, he married Elizabeth Dickey, a native of Indiana, who died within one year, and in 1867 he wedded Martha J. Smith, likewise of Indiana, which union gave issue to six children-Samuel O., Martha E., George F., James N., Daniel H., and William N. Mr. Doty is a lifelong Dem- ocrat, a member of the Predestinarian Baptist Church, and a much esteemed citizen.

W. H. EIDSON, M. D., postmaster at Willow Hill, was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1816, and is the youngest son of Henry and Naney ( Bunch) Eidson, natives of Virginia, where they died in 1846 and 1854, respectively. When about twenty-two, Dr. Eidson began to study medicine, under Drs. Lynaweaver & Helfenstine, and began practice at twenty-five. Soon after he removed to Indiana, and afterward to Marshall, Ill., where he practiced dentistry, and later moved to Willow Hill, being the second physician in the township, where he soon had a successful practice. At the time of war he enlisted in the Thirty-Second Illinois Volunteers, serving at Fort Henry, Donelson and Shiloh, and afterward as enrolling officer. He then resumed practice, but from enfeebled health, retired in 1880, and gave the business to his son, devoting his time to post-office duties, having served about one-half of twenty-nine years as post- master. Dr. Eidson is a Knight Templar in the Masonic Order, and he has been Master of the local Lodge; he is also a member of the G. A. R., the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was Secretary and Director of the D., O. & O. R. R. R. He was for three years County Commissioner, JJustice, four years, later Township Treasurer, and has been President of Town Trustees for several years. He was a Democrat, after 1860 a Republican, and is now an Independ-

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ent. In 1846, he married Catherine Coffman, of Maryland, with a result of three children-Henry A., Catherine E. and Laura J.

HENRY A. EIDSON, M. D., was born November 9, 1846, at Mexico, Ind., and is a son of Dr. W. H. Eidson. He was reared and educated at Willow Hill, also taught two terms before becoming of age, served as clerk, assisted in the survey of the D., O. & O. R. R. R., and afterward engaged in mercantile business and as agent for the rail- road company. Having previously read medicine with his father, he attended and graduated from Rush Medical College in 1880, and suc- ceeded to his father's practice, to which he has added considerably. He belongs to Cooper Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Newton Chapter and Gloria Commandery. He is now Master of Cooper Lodge, and Vice Grand in the I. O. O. F. He is independent in politics and an influ- ential citizen. Dr. Eidson was married the day after his graduation to Anna F. Radcliff, of Ohio, who died December 28, of same year. In 1882, he married-Miss Mary J. McCartney, of Neoga, III.

JOB FITHIAN, farmer, is a native of this county, was born September 7, 1840, and is the eldest son of Glover and Mary (Catt) Fithian, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Indiana. Job Fithian was reared near Brockville, and there remained until his twenty-first year. In 1861, he enlisted in the Thirty-Eighth Illinois Infantry, and was engaged at Pilot Knob, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Perryville, Stone River and Chickamauga, where he was wounded in the right arm. He afterward re-enlisted, and was in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and after passing through Louisiana and Texas, was discharged at Victoria. In 1867, he married Eveline Dickey, a native of Indiana, by which nuptials he became the father to five children-Albert, Lizzie, George, Davy and an infant girl. Mr. Fithian has several times been possessor of the old homestead, and now has a farm on Section 30 west, consisting of ninety-six acres, all well improved and being cultivated. Mr. Fithian has long been a Democrat, but is liberal and intelligent, and stands in the foremost rank of citizenship. He is a member of the G. A. R., and has held several township offices.

E. C. FLINN, attorney-at-law, was born in the year 1818, in the State of North Carolina, being the third son of Josiah and Cath- erine (Mozer) Flinn, both natives of the "Old North State." When our subject was nine years of age the family moved to Greene County, Ind., where he attended an old-fashioned subscription school for thirty days. In 1855, he was admitted to the bar of Greene County, under Judge MeDonald. In 1861, he removed to Jasper County,

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Ill., and in 1880, after a State examination, was admitted to the bar of that county, where he has since practiced his profession most suc- cessfully. Mr. Flinn, in 1844, married Phebe Christenburg, a native of Indiana, with a result of one child, Amanda Holt. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church several years, and was Justice of the Peace for fourteen years in Indiana, and has been a Republican since the administration of Buchanan. Mr. Flinn is wholly a self-made man, and a valued and deserving citizen.

M. L. GETTINGER, M. D., is a native of Darke County, Ohio, was born in 1858, and is the third son of Henry and Mary (Buff) Gettinger, natives respectively of Maryland and Ohio, who moved to Sullivan County, Ind., when the Doctor was about six years of age, and where he was reared. He was educated at the Union Chris- tian College, at Merom, and subsequently became a student of the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, but graduated at the Amer- ican Medical College of Saint Louis. His first location was at Annap- olis, Ill., but soon after came to Hunt City, where he has since been engaged in a successful practice, and has grounded a flattering repu- tation. In 1880, he married Caroline Hoskins, a native of Indiana, which union has given birth to one child, Mary J. Dr. Gettinger is a member of the I. O. O. F. He has always been a Republican, and is an influential and respected citizen.

W. H. HIGGINS, deceased farmer and stock-dealer, was a native of Boone County, Ky., having been born in 1835. He was the third son of William and Nancy Higgins, supposed to have been natives of Kentucky. Our subject was reared in Kentucky until he attained his majority, when he emigrated to this township and settled on the estate now the property of his heirs. It contained originally 160 acres of improved land, of which his widow now owns the home and 100 acres. October 14, 1875, he married Mary I. Ireland, a. native of Illinois, with an issue of one child, James W. By a former wife, Margaret Ireland, he was the father of six children, viz .: Dora B. (Ping), Harvey A., Julius W., Mary F., Orlando A. and John I. Mr. Higgins died April 29, 1880. He was a member of the Masonic Order, in politics a Democrat, a prominent farmer and a highly respected citizen.

G. R. HOPPER, farmer, is a native of Hancock County, Ind., was born in 1845, and is the eldest child of James and Verlinda (Walker) Hopper. Our subject was brought to manhood and edu- cated in this township, and afterward bought the farm of his father, who now resides at Oblong. This farm comprises 134 acres, all im-

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proved and well cultivated, situated in this township, and forty acres in Crawford. In 1865, he enlisted in the Thirty-Second Illinois Volunteers, and served six months. In political matters he has always been identified with the Republican party, and is a member of the G. A. R. and of the Missionary Baptist Church. In 1866, he married Martha J. Hurt, a native of Virginia, who died in 1879. He next married Elvira J. Meritt, a native of Indiana. Mr. Hopper is the parent of six children, viz .: James H., Albert W., Francis M., Estella V., George W. and Roy A. He is also a valuable and worthy citizen.

GEORGE W. JONES, senior member of the firm of Jones & . Debow, proprietors of the Hunt City Mills, was born in Johnson County, Ind., in 1831, and is the third son of Abraham and Mary (Parr) Jones, natives respectively of Virginia and Tennessee. Mr. Jones was educated at Greenwood, reared in his native county, and there remained until twenty years old, at which period he came to this county and purchased land in Brockville settlement. He has been a resident of Willow Hill ever since, and has been owner of various farms, in extent from 40 to 380 acres, and now is owner of two farms of 140 and 120 acres respectively, which in the main are improved and well situated. Mr. Jones taught school for ten win- ters, and managed a saw-mill for five years. He is a member of the Baptist Church, was for four years Justice of the Peace, and has held other township offices. He is a Democrat, and one of Willow Hill's best citizens. July 11, 1851, he married Rachel Stretcher, a native of Ohio. Their family consists of seven children, viz .: John E., Sylman, Tylman W., William, Otis, Allen and Lillie.

J. B. McNAIR, carpenter, was born in 1839 in Rush County, Ind., and is the third son of Thomas and Pruda (Keeler) McNair, natives of New York and Indiana, who came to this township when our subject was ten years old, and entered over 300 acres of land. When J. B. McNair was twenty-two years of age he enlisted in the Thirty-Second Illinois Volunteers, and served at Forts Henry and Donelson, the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, LaGrange, Bolivar, siege of Vicksburg, and others. At Natchez he re-enlisted, after which he was sent up the Ohio and Tennessee rivers, then joined Gen. Sherman's march, appearing in the grand review at Washington, and thence going to Leavenworth, where he was discharged, having risen to be Second Lieutenant. He was wounded while on march, the minie-ball being yet lodged in his face, and from long and ardnous service his health is permanently broken. In 1864, on the 7th of

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April, he married Tempa, daughter of Dr. W. H. Eidson, and native of Ohio; they have one child, Daisy K. Mr. McNair is a Past Master and Chapter Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the G. A. R. He is a liberal Republican, and an esteemed citizen.

W. F. MASON, is a native of Livingston County, III., and was born November 20, 1851. His ancestors were Virginians; his parents resided in Marshall, Ill., for four years and afterward moved to Willow Hill about 1856, where our subject was reared and edu- cated. When sixteen years old he began elerking with Haynie, Eidson & Co., at which he continued seven years. In 1874, with Henry Curtis, he began business for himself, having a stock of about $2,800, and has built up a good and increasing business. Mr. Curtis sold his interest, in 1877, to Mr. Cottrell, who in 1878 sold to Mr. Mason, who has since managed the business and has a well-selected stock valued at perhaps $6,500. In June, last, he purchased the stock of Stewart Bros., invoiced at $4,088, exclusive of the building. Mr. Mason's business has been a steady, growing one, and his career has been prosperous, with no untoward current except a safe burglary, on March 14, 1883. Mr. Mason is a Republican, a rising merchant, and an esteemed citizen.

J. A. MERRICK, farmer, stock and grain dealer, was born August 19, 1825, in Petersburg, Ind., where he was reared, educated and where he remained until the age of twenty-five years, at ' which period he commenced the dry goods trade at Hutsonville, Ill. In 1868 he came to Willow Hill and purchased 500 acres; he also has 280 acres of timber in Indiana and 280 in addition to his farming land in this county, besides a partnership in other land. In 1854 he married Belle G. Huston, a native of Illinois, who died in 1856. His second wife is Lizzie Moore, also a native of Illinois, and he is the parent of four children-William J., Henry L., George M. and Ira A. Mr. Merrick has dealt very largely in stock and in grain since he came to this county. When the Whig party became defunct he joined the Republican ranks. For four years he was a director of the D., O. & O. R. Railroad, and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Merrick is a leading and influential citizen.

JOHN MILLER, farmer, is the third son of James and Nancy (Kennedy ) Miller, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Ken- tucky. Our subject was born in Crawford County, Ill., in the year 1831 and reared in this township, whither his father came in the early days. When twenty-four years of age John Miller married Lucy A. Ping, a native of Vigo County, Ind., who died in 1863, and in 1865

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-JASPER COUNTY:

he married his present wife, Elizabeth A. Gold, a native of Tennes- see. Mr. Miller is the father of five children-William, Elisha, James E., Mack A. and Redmond. Mr. Miller has bought and exchanged a quantity of farms since he entered his first land. His present farm comprises 120 acres, the major portion of which is ara- ble and productive. Mr. Miller is a member of that most honorable of organizations-Freemasonry; he is a member of the Republican party, once having been a Whig, and is a communicant of the Bap- tist Church and an enlightened and liberal citizen.

CAPT. T. K. MILLER, farmer, stock and grain dealer, was born July 26, 1826, in Crawford County, Ill., and is the eldest son of James and Nancy (Kennedy) Miller, natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky respectively. The father of Mrs. Miller was a judge of Crawford County for more than twenty years. The father of our subject came to Indiana, then a territory, in 1816. When Captain Miller was twenty years of age his father died, leaving the family in his care, and in 1849 he entered 120 of the 600 acres that he now owns, 300 of which are improved, the land being about equally prai- rie and timber, containing, also, stone and stonecoal. For the last twenty years he has been engaged in stock dealing, and has likewise dealt somewhat in grain. In 1850 he married Mary A. Gould, of East Tennessee, which union produced seven children; Rachel Mur- phy, Columbus C., Sherman, Kimball, John, Gilbert and May. In 1861 Mr. Miller enlisted in the Fifty-Fourth Illinois Volunteers, of which he was made Lieutenant, and afterward Captain. They fought Forrest in Tennessee, at the siege of Vicksburg. drove Price out of service, and remained in that department until 1865, when he resigned, having served three years. In politics he has been Whig, Abolitionist and Republican. He is a member of the Baptist Church and of the G. A. R.

WILLIAM H. MUCHMORE, farmer, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, was born in 1836, and is the eldest son of Benjamin P. and Louise (Robison) Muchmore, both natives of Ohio. The par- ents of our subject removed to Indiana when he was young, and in that State he received his rearing and education. After he was four- teen years of age he removed to Crawford County, Ill., where he remained until he was of age, and purchased ninety acres of land, which contains some improvements, and sixty of which are under good cultivation. In 1857 he married Eliza Ireland, a native of Jas- per County, which marriage gave being to six children-James, William, Leonard, Alvia, Savana and Lillie. Mr. Muchmore is a

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member of the Masonic Fraternity and of the G. A. R. He is also a grounded Republican, from which principles he never deviates except in county elections, and he is a valuable citizen.

WILLIAM C. PARKS, hotel and boarding-house keeper, was born JJuly 1, 1837, in Breckinridge County, Ky., and is the third son of Seth and Mary (McCoy) Parks, natives respectively of New York and Virginia. He was reared and educated in Kentucky, remaining there until about twenty-four years of age, and worked at farming. There he attended Eldorado Seminary and taught two terms of school. In 1863 he enlisted in the Thirty-Fifth Kentucky (Mounted) Infantry, which was employed in protecting citizens from guerilla raids; he was Orderly Sergeant, and discharged in 1864. In April, 1865, he removed to Willow Hill Township and purchased 120 acres. May 27 1866, he married Amanda Layman, a native of Kentucky. She died May 2, 1883, leaving three children-Ada, Lorena and Bertha. In November, 1881, he came to Hunt City, and built his present place of business, which is now a first-class hotel, of which Mr. Parks is the genial host and liberal caterer. He is a member of the Masonic Order, of the G. A. R. and of the Presbyterian Church. He is politically a Republican, and has held various town- ship offices.

E. W. PARKS, railroad and express agent, also dealer in grain, was born in Kentucky, in 1845, and is the youngest son of Seth and Mary (McCoy) Parks. - E. W. Parks was reared until his twentieth year, in Breckinridge County, Ky. He then purchased a farm in this township, which he managed eleven years; it contained 120acres, all cultivated and improved. This he exchanged for a store in Hunt City, having a $3,000 stock, in which he continued until 1881, when he lost, by fire, everything except an insurance of $2,000, after which he built the building now occupied by T. H. Weck. November 26, 1868, he married Miss Elizabeth Clemens, a native of Kentucky, with a result of two children-Jesse E. and Claude. Mr. Parks there- after engaged in the grain trade,in which he has since been an operator. Since the establishment of the D. & O. R. R. he has been its ticket and express agent, and his son, Jesse E., a telegraph operator. Mr. Parks is a member of the I. O. O. F., of the Presbyterian Church, and was postmaster of Hunt City from the time he entered business until July, 1883. In politics he is independent, with a leaning toward the Democrats, and an enterprising and valuable citizen.

I. B. PARR, farmer, is a native of Shelby County, Ind., and was born in 1830. He is the youngest son of Matthias and Sarah C. (Kim-

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ball) Parr, the first a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Ten- nessee. Our subject was reared, educated, and found a home in John- son County, Ind., until he was twenty-three years ofage, and at this period he purchased his farm of 250 acres. In 1849, he married Mary A. Stretcher, a native of Ohio, and his second wife was Mrs. Sarah Stretcher, a native of Virginia. He is the parent of six children- John E., Sarah M., Matthias B., Armilda J., Thomas J. and Willet L. Mr. Parr has taught in all twenty terms, and has held several township offices. He is politically a Democrat, religiously a mem- ber of the Predestinarian Baptist Church, and socially an upright and deserving citizen.

M. H. PERRIN, carpenter and Justice of the Peace, was born in 1838, in Breckinridge County, Ky., and is the youngest son of Will- iam and Sally D. (Hardin ) Perrin, natives of Virginia and Kentucky. William Perrin lived to be nearly eighty-five years of age. M. H. Perrin remained at his home in Breckinridge County, Ky., until 1864, when, having learned the carpenters' trade, he came to Willow Hill, where, except for a period of two years at Mattoon, he has remained and pursued his calling. In addition to the trade, he has contracted successfully, and employs constantly from one to six men. He is the only contractor in the place, and has increased his trade from year to year. In 1866, he married Missouri Cooper, a native of Ohio (who was so named by the editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer; her sister was also named by the said party, Virginia), with an issue of three children-Ida, Washington MeL. and Henry K. Mr. Perrin is a mem- ber of the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities, in which he has held the chief offices. He is also a member of the Mutual Aid Associa- tion of Galesburg, and the Good Templars. He is a firm Democrat, and acted as Justice for two years.

J. R. REESE, farmer, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1843, and is the second son of Elias and Mary (Harding) Reese, natives of Penn- sylvania. Excepting an absence of three years in Virginia, our sub- ject was reared and educated in Lycoming County, Penn., from which point he emigrated to this State and purchased the Evermond Mound Farm, on which he has since resided. This property is peculiar and superior, lying high, and commanding a fine view of the surrounding landscape. The base of the land is red and white sand, covered with a stratum of fine walnut loam. It embraces between 100 and 200 acres, and is nearly all improved and cultivated. In 1862, Mr. Reese enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-Second Regiment Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, and at once moved to Arlington Heights, thence

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to Fredericksburg, South Mountain, Harper's Ferry, Warrenton and Chancellorsville, where he was captured, confined at Belle Isle, and later, exchanged and discharged. In 1868, he married Mary J. Moore, of Hutsonville, Ill., which marriage was productive of three children- George L., Maggie B. and Ralph I. Mr. Reese is a firm Republican, a member of the G. A. R., and of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His father was once owner of a farm adjoining the battle-field of Bull Run.

HUGHI F. SANDERS, farmer, was born in Orange County, Ind., in the year 1850, and is the fifth child in the family of Wright and Elizabeth (Ashcraft) Sanders, the former a native of Indiana, and the latter of Kentucky. Our subject found a home, education and . training, in Orange County, until he attained the age of seventeen, whereupon he came to this township, and in 1876, purchased his pres- ent farm of 116 acres, partly improved and cultivated. In 1870, he married Mary E. Downey, a native of Indiana, who died in 1876. His second marriage was with Susan E. Shafer, a native of Illinois. He is the parent of two children-Lydia M. and Daisy A. Mr. Sanders is a grounded Democrat, a consistent member of the Baptist Church, an esteemed member of the I. O. O. F., and one of Willow Hill's reliable and efficient citizens.

G. M. SELBY, farmer, is a native of Rush County, Ind., was born in 1830, and is the eldest living son of Hasty and Richel (Johnson ) Selby, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Kentucky. Mr. Selby was reared at home until his majority, when he went to Clin- ton County for three years, after which he returned to Willow Hill, and one year later purchased his present farm, which contains 150 acres, the greater portion of which is well cultivated and improved. In 1851, he married Hester A. Baker, a native of Indiana, who left the world in 1858. He afterward married Elizabeth Stewart, a native of Shelby County, Ind. Mr. Selby is the parent of five children- Viola, Ann E. and John (twins), and Alvin and Calvin (twins). In politics Mr. Selby has always voted with the Democratic party, and has held several township offices. He is a member of the Oild Fel- lows fraternity, and is among the township's leading citizens.

FREDERICK A. SEMPSROTT, farmer, is a native of Germany, was born in the year 1829, and is the eldest son of Diedrich and Anna Sempsrott, likewise natives of Germany. Frederick received his schooling and home training in Germany, where he remained until he was seventeen years of age, at which period he removed to America, settled in the commonwealth of Indiana, and lived there

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five or six years. In 1862, he removed to his present location, which embraces 215 acres of land, well improved and mostly cultivated. In 1842, he was joined in matrimony to Anna Steinforth, a native of Germany; this union has given being to seven children, viz .: Charles, Henry, Carrie, Lizzie, Anna,; William and John. Mr. Sempsrott is and has been long identified with the principles of the Republican party, and is a useful and respected citizen.

MILTON SIMS, farmer, was born in Kentucky in 1823, and is the second son of Thomas and Lucinda ( Hudson ) Sims, both natives of Kentucky. Milton was a resident of the commonwealth of Ken- tucky until his eighteenth year, when the family moved to Rush County, Ind., and about seven years later he entered his present farm of 240 acres, nearly all of which is in good cultivation, and with commodious buildings. In 1849, he married Priscilla Harlen, of Jasper County, who died in 1859, leaving eight children, viz .: Mar- tha A. (Johnson), William, Marion, Richard, Ida, Georgia A., Norah L. and Docia L. Mr. Sims afterward married Sarah (Ireland) Mitchell, a native of Indiana. Mr. Sims was in former times a Whig, but since the decline of that party has been identified with the Democrats. He has been Supervisor, and held other offices in the township; he is an enterprising citizen, and a member of the Baptist Church.

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Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 50

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