USA > Illinois > Cumberland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 72
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 72
USA > Illinois > Jasper County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 72
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-RICHLAND COUNTY :
1861, he enlisted in Company I. Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry and serv- ed with that regiment in all its marches and engagements until nearly the close of the war, being mustered out at Savannah, Ga., in Janu- ary. 1865. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Knoxville, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and many other lesser engagements. He also accompanied Gen. Sher- man's army in the memorable march to the sea. After his return from the army he opened a small country store at Amberson's Valley, Frank- lin Co., Penn., where he remained until 1871, when he removed to Sum- ner, Lawrence Co., Ill., where he engaged in general merchandising. He was also extensively engaged in the grain and agricultural imple- ment trade. In 1881, he sold out his business at Sumner and bought a large farm in Noble Township, Richland Co., Ill., where he engaged extensively in agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1883, when he was compelled to relinquish farming on account of failing health. In September, 1883, he opened a dry goods store at Olney, Ill. He carries a large and well selected stock of dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, and carpets-the latter being a specialty-amounting to about $30,000. His is by far the largest stock of the kind in the city. He was married in August, 1865, to Mary E. Me Elheney, a native of Pennsylvania. Eight chil- dren were born to them, only six of whom, four sons and two (laughters, are living. Both he and wife are members of the Catholic Church. In politics Mr. Eckenrode is independent.
D. L. EDMISTON, grocer, was born January 31, 1837. in Clark County, Ind. He is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Newell) Edmiston, who were natives of Ohio. His father worked at the painters' trade, also engaged in farming pursuits. In about 1850, the family emigrated to Illinois; settled in Claremont Town- ship. and there the subject of this sketch was reared. He enlisted, in 1862, in Company H, One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Infantry, which was afterward consolidated with the Seventy-Seventh Illi- nois. He served three years and participated in the engagements at Magnolia Hills, Black River, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson and others. At the close of the war Mr. Edmiston came to Olney and engaged in painting, and continued this business till 1878. On account of failing health he was obliged to abandon this trade; then bought out the grocery house of B. F. Moore and has since been engaged in this business: he also carries on a branch store which he opened in September, 1883.
CHRISTIAN EGGLER was born in Canton Berne, Switz- erland, December 13, 1838, and is the eldest of nine children, eight still living, born to William and Anna ( Weiss) Eggler. William Eggler was educated, reared and married in Switzerland, his native land, and was employed there as an engineer on a steamboat for many years. In 1850, or 1851, he came to Richland County and entered and bought 300 acres of wild land, in Preston Township. He improved a farm and resided upon it until his death, on January 1, 1877. For many years Mr. Eggler ran the engine in Mr. Newell's
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OLNEY CITY AND TOWNSHIP.
pork packing establishment, at Olney. He and wife belonged to the German Reformed Church. Christian Eggler, the subject, received a limited education in his native Switzerland. At the age of eleven years he emigrated to the United States. with his parents. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Benton Cadets, who formed a part of Gen. Fremont's body-guard. He was mustered out in January, 1862. He was then employed as a laborer about the pork and grain house of John Gun, of Olney, for some two years. After this he was employed as engineer in the Butler Street Flouring Mills for some sixteen years. While here the boiler bursted and he narrowly escaped with his life. During this time he also owned an interest in, and a part of the time helped to run the first steam threshing machine ever run in Richland County. In April. 1882, he purchased an interest in a saloon. in company with Henry Von All- men, at Olney, and is still engaged in that business. In 1865, Mr. Eggler married Phebe A. Arnold, a native of this county. They have had nine children, of whom two sons and four daughters are living. The parents are members of the German Reformed Church. He belongs to the Subordinate and Select Knights, to the A. O. U. W., in which he is now I. W., and to the G. A. R.
GOTTLIEB EGGLER, dealer in boots and shoes, was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, March 16. 1845, and is the fifth of the nine children born to William and Anna ( Weiss) Eggler. Gottlieb received only an ordinary education in rude schoolhouses. In the spring of 1863, he began to learn the shoemakers' trade. In May. 1864, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment until October 22, 1864, when he was mustered out, at Springfield, III. He then finished learning his chosen trade, and worked for several years at it. In 1870, he opened a boot and shoe house, and has followed this business ever since. He has a very well selected stock of goods and has a large patronage. In the year 1866, he wedded Maria O .. daughter of Lloyd Rawlings, a pioneer and noted hunter. They have had three children-one son and two daughters. The parents belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. in which Mr. Eggler has held various official positions. He is a member of Olney Post, No. 19, G. A. R., and is a stanch Republican. He is an early settler. and is very prominent in business eireles.
WILLIAM ELLIOTT (deceased) was born in Rowan County. N. C., in 1810. At an early day his father, James Elliott, moved to Barren County, Ky., from there to Washington. Ind., with the intention of coming to Illinois, but was prevented from settling in the territory on account of the war of 1812. As soon after as prac- tical he settled in Lawrence County, Ill., near Sumner. In 1824. William moved with his father to where Olney now stands. Here he purchased 160 acres of land of David Rollins. Some of the prin- cipal portion of Olney has been built on this. In 1851. James, the father of Willium, diedl. The latter improved so well the oppor- tunities that were at that day offered to him that at his death, in
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-RICHLAND COUNTY:
1874. he was worth upwards of $50,000. He was twice married- first to Elizabeth Shidler, in 1828, by whom he had two sons. This lady died in 1830. In 1834, he married Alta Webster, a native of New York. John Elliott, the only living child of William Elliott, was born in Richland County, Ill., November 3, 1833, and with the exception of two years he has resided on the old homestead. He has been married three times-first, December 12, 1854, to Ann M., daughter of Lemuel and Clarissa (Broughton) Truitt. She was born in Maryland, February 14, 1836, died April 12, 1863. She was the mother of three children-Jeannette, born February 25, 1855; Ira G., born October 24, 1860, died July 20, 1880, and Harry F., born March 15, 1862. Mr. E. next married, April 27, 1865, Evalena B. Grass, she being the daughter of Alford H. and Susan Snyder. She was born in Lawrence County, III., July 3, 1838, and died August 29, 1873; four children were born to them-James H., born January 26, 1866; William, born July 16, 1868; Robert, born September 18, 1869, and John, born September 12, 1870 ; died March 8, 1871. Mr. E. was next married, December 9, 1875, to Mrs. Mary A. Zook, daughter of Jacob and Martha (Dunbar) Willhous. She was born in Berks County, Penn., October 16, 1838. One child has been born to them-Walter, born February 23, 1876; died Jan- uary 15, 1877. Mr. E., as was his father, is a Democrat and public spirited, taking an active part in all local enterprises that pertain to the better interests of the community. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church.
WILLIAM FERRIMAN was born in the Island of Jamaica, November 10, 1835, and is the fifth of fifteen children born to George and Elizabeth A. (McGill) Ferriman. William was educated in the English subscription schools of Edwards County. At the age of twenty-one he went to Grayville, and was employed there as salesman in a wholesale and retail hardware and grocery store for abont five years. On April 15, the day after the firing on Fort Sumter, Mr. Ferryman, being patriotic, went to Albion and helped recruit a company of 102 men, which was disbanded after repairing to Camp Anna, near Jonesboro, III., the quota being full. In Sep- tember he helped recruit Company I. Thirty-Eighth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, and was elected First Lieutenant. In the spring of 1862 he was made Quartermaster of that regiment, and served till October, 1864, when it was mustered out of the service, at Jones- boro, Ga., by reason of expiration of the term. Our subject again engaged in a general mercantile trade at Noble, in this county, and was also a contractor on a railroad. In 1869 he went on the road as a commercial traveler, in which capacity he has been engaged ever since. Mr. Ferriman married, September 6. 1866, Alice H., daughter of Judge John M. Wilson, one of Olney's pioneers. They have one child. a son-Frederick II. Mr. Ferriman is a member of the A. F. & A. M .. and S. P. R. S.
CHARLES FERRIMAN was born in AAlbion, Edwards Co., Ill., July 28, 1842, and is the ninth of fifteen children born to George
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OLNEY CITY AND TOWNSHIP.
and Elizabeth A. (McGill) Ferriman, natives of England and of the Island of Jamaica, respectively. George was brought up in the parish of Westmoreland, was married there and followed mer- cantile pursuits, and was a sea captain, as his father owned vessels running from the West Indies to England. In 1837 he came to the United States, and to Albion. Edwards Co., III., followed merchan- dising until his death, June 14, 1863, in the communion of the Epis- copal Church. His wife is a member, and they founded that branch of the church which is in Albion. Charles received a good education, and at thirteen years of age went into his father's store. He remained until he was twenty, then went to Bridgeport and opened a general store for G. Kleinwart, remaining there eighteen months. In the spring of 1864 he enlisted in Company I. Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but was soon discharged, and in that fall engaged as traveling salesman for firms in Cincinnati until 1872, when he engaged in a wholesale trade on his own account there, in company with Gideon Burton. In January, 1878, he sold out and was a trav- eling salesman and collector for Shipley, Crane & Co.'s boot and shoe house, in Cincinnati, and is still employed by them. In November, 1876, Mr. Ferriman came to Olney, and has lived here since. He has a large sample-room over the Olney National Bank, and his res- idence is very fine, and is tastefully arranged. He has been a mem- ber of the City Council for a term. Mr. Ferriman was married Sep- tember 12, 1867, to Mary A., daughter of Henry Ocorr, of Hart- ford, Conn. Her father participated in the border wars in Kansas, and now lives in Milwaukee, Wis. They have two children, a son and one daughter. They are communicants of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Ferriman is a member of A. F. & A. M .; R. A. M .; R. & S. M., and S. P. R. S., is a Republican, and for years has been chairman of the Republican Central Committee for the Sixteenth Congressional District.
FRANCIS H. FISK, M. D., was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Janu- ary 15, 1836, and is the eldest of six children born to Robert W. and Mary O. (Ransom) Fisk, the former a native of Duchess County, N. Y., and the latter of Cincinnati, Ohio. In early life, Robert W. Fisk removed to Cincinnati, where he learned the trade of a boiler maker and machinist, at which he became an expert. He put in the engines and machinery for the first water works erected in Cincinnati. He also put in the machinery, and for a time was engineer on one of the first steamboats on the Ohio River. In 1810 he removed to Ripley County, Ind., where he soon after commenced the study of medicine at Milan, Ind. In 1850 he graduated from the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio. He then com- menced the practice of his profession in Indiana, where he remained until 1861, when he came to Olney, Ill. Here he practiced with good success until his death, which occurred in June, 1874. He was a member of the Universalist Church, and also of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. He was commissioned Assistant Surgeon in the Volunteer Service of the United States during the late Civil
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-RICHLAND COUNTY:
war, but soon afterward resigned. In 1856 he was elected by the Democratic party of Ripley County, Ind., to the State Senate. Fran- cis H. Fisk, the subject of our sketch, received a good common school and academic education in youth. At the age of eighteen years he commenced the study of medicine with his father, and in 1857 graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute, of Cincinnati, Ohio. In September of the same year, he went to Arkansas, where he commenced the practice of his profession, remaining about two years. In 1859 he went to the Choctaw Nation where he practiced for another two years, and then went into the Cherokee Nation, where he practiced most of the time during the late civil war, be- ing Surgeon of the First Cherokee Regiment (that of Col. Stand Waite), C. S. A. Waite was afterwards appointed Brigadier-General, and Dr. Fisk served on his staff as Surgeon. In the latter part of 1865 he removed to Upshur County, Texas, where he practiced until 1869, when he went to Springfield, Mo., and where he remained until 1874; thence to Saint Louis, Mo., remaining only one year. In 1875 the Doctor came to Olney, Ill., where he has since practiced his pro- fession with success. He was married in May, 1866, to Lizzie (Heas- let) Witcher, a native of Texas, and a niece of Senator Matt Ward, of Texas. Three children have been left to them, one son and two daughters. Both the Doctor and wife are members of the Congre- gational Church. He is also a member of Olney Lodge, No. 76, A. O. U. W., and of Olney Legion No. 18, Select Knights, A. O. U. W. He is Vice President of the Eclectic Medical Association of the State of Illinois, and holds a prominent position in the National Eclectic Medical Association. In politics he is a Democrat.
CALVIN U. FISHEL was born in North Carolina, December 22, 1846, and is the second of nine children born to William and Re- gina ( Vogler) Fishel, both natives of North Carolina, and of German descent. William Fishel was educated and married in his native State, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years. In 1850 he removed to Bartholomew County, Ind., where he was also engaged in farming. In 1867 he came to Richland County, Ill., where he resided until his death, which occurred April 20, 1879. He and his wife were members of the Moravian Church. Calvin U. Fishel, the subject of our sketch, received only an ordi- nary common school education in the primitive log schoolhouse of the Indiana frontier. He was employed on his father's farm until he was sixteen years old. In May, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Sixty-Seventh Indiana Infantry, and in the following September he was taken prisoner at Munfordville, Ky., and after about forty days was paroled on the field. In November, 1862, he was trans- ferred to the Eighteenth (United States) Infantry, from which regiment he was discharged in May, 1863, at Indianapolis, Ind. In December, 1863, he again enlisted, in Company A, One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry, in which Company he was second duty Sergeant. On August 6, 1864, at Atlanta, Ga., he was se- verely wounded in the right hip, and was again wounded in the right
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OLNEY CITY AND TOWNSHIP'.
breast, at Nashville, Tenn., December 15, 1864. He rejoined his regiment at Washington, D. C., in February, 1865, and accompanied it in the Wilmington expedition. He was mustered out with his regiment, December 2, 1865, at Charlotte, N. C. After his return from the army, he was employed as a farm laborer in Bartholomew County, Ind. In 1867 he removed to Tipton County, Ind., in August, 1868, came to Olney, Ill., and in October, 1872, went back to Tipton County, Ind., but in December, 1876, he returned to Olney, where he has since resided. He was first married February 19, 1868, to Louvina A. Bess, a native of Indiana. Three children blessed their union, and all are yet living. Mrs. Fishel died September 28, 1876. Mr. Fishel was next married, October 31, 1879, to Mrs. Elizabeth J. (Midkiff') Clark, who died May 18, 1883. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Fishel was next married in November, 1883, to Mrs. Mary E. (Lemkey) Wachtel, a native of Illinois. She is a member of the P. M. Church. Mr. Fishel is a member of Olney Post, No. 92, G. A. R.
ROBERT FLEMING, of Combs & Fleming, saw, corn and feed mills, was born November 5, 1830, in Ireland, and was a son of James Fleming, a teacher in Ireland for twenty-seven years in one school. In 1849 they emigrated to the United States, and came to Highland County, Ohio, and there followed farming. In 1854 Robert came with his parents to Olney, and has since followed the business of milling. The firm of which he is a partner was es- tablished on August 1, 1883. The capacity of this mill is about 200 bushels of corn and feed, and 4,000 feet of lumber, per day. Mr. Fleming has been a member of the Board of school directors for four years in Olney, and of the Board of County Commissioners for one year. He was married in the year 1851, to Christina Caley, a native of Highland County, Ohio. She died in 1876, leaving five sons and two daughters. She was in her forty-seventh year. In 1879 Mr. Fleming married Mary E. Baldwin, of Indiana, and she is the mother of three children.
DAVID FLEMING, farmer, was born March 17, 1837, in county Tyrone, Ireland ; he is the son of James Fleming, who fol- lowed the profession of teaching, in his native land, having taught in one school twenty-seven years. In 1849 the family emigrated to Highland County, Ohio, and there engaged in farming; in 1854 they came to Richland County, Ill. David remained in Ohio till the breaking out ofthe war, when he enlisted, in 1861, in Company I, Thirty-Ninth Ohio Infantry, served four years and fifteen days, and participated in the sieges of New Madrid and Island No. 10, and the battles of Iuka and Corinth, and was with Sherman in most of his engagements on his march to the sea. At the close of the war he returned to Ohio, remaining there but a short time ; he then came to Olney, and has lived here and in the vicinity since. He owns a farm of thirty acres where he resides, and is devoted to farming pursuits. He has been two years a member of the City Council. He was married in 1874 to S. L. Brown, of Saint Johns,
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BIOGRAPHICAL, SKETCHES-RICHLAND COUNTY :
N. B. One daughter gladdens their home. Mr. Fleming is a mem- ber of the G. A. R.
CHARLES B. FLETCHER was born in Hardin County, Ky., January 3, 1838, and the following year his parents came to Law- rence (now Richland) County, and located three miles east of Olney ; there his father entered forty aeres of land, lived there six years, then moved to this township and entered forty acres prairie, also forty acres in the timber. His father lived here till his death, which occurred in the fall of 1867, in his sixtieth year. Charles B. now owns this land, and having added to it. owns in all 120 acres. He married, in 1861, Aurelia F. Blain, of Hancock County, Ky. She died March 12, 1882, in her forty-fourth year, the mother of seven children-William H., James A., Daniel B., John W., Jacob B., George F. and Mary E. The past seventeen years Mr. Fletcher has been a school director. He is now Highway Commissioner.
THEO. A. & DAN. W. FRITCHIEY, proprietors of the Olney Republican, were the fifth and youngest respectively in a family of eight children born to Benjamin and Elizabeth (McQueeny) Fritehey, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and Irish de- seent. Benjamin Fritchey was educated and married in his native State. He, early in life, engaged in mercantile pursuits at Harris- burg, Penn., where he remained for several years ; he then removed to Peoria, Ill., where he remained about two years, when he returned to Pennsylvania. He next removed to Baltimore, Montgomery Co., Ohio, where he was engaged in the general mercantile business for several years, afterwards removing to Darke County, Ohio, where he remained some ten years. He returned to Montgomery County. and in 1870 came to Olney, where he was engaged in merchandising until his death, which occurred in April, 1876. Mr. Fritchey and wife both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Fritchey is still living at Olney, and her sons, the subjects of this sketch, make their home with her. Theo. A. was born in Mont- gomery County, Ohio, April 24, 1855. He received only an ordi- nary common school education, and at the age of twenty, formed a partnership with his cousin, G. W. Fritchey, in the grocery business at Olney. After about eighteen months he retired from the busi- ness, and entered the office of Wilson & Hutchinson, as a law stu- dent, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1880. In June, 1881, he formed a partnership with JJudge James C. Allen, the firm being known as Allen & Fritchey. It is one of the leading firms of the county. Mr. Fritchey was City Attorney for one, and City Clerk for two terms. He is a member of K. of P., and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In May, 1881, he purchased The Richland County Republican, and since changed it to the Olney Re- publican. Dan. W. was born in Darke County, Ohio, September 16, 1862, and received a good common school and academic education. At the age of thirteen he commenced to learn the printers' trade. with E. B. Barnard, of the Olney Times, with whom he remained for four years. He was deputy postmaster at Olney for about eighteen
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OLNEY CITY AND TOWNSHIP.
months. Since May, 1881, he has had the editorial charge of the Olney Republican, and is the accredited correspondent of the Saint Louis Globe-Democrat and Chicago Tribune for Richland County.
JACOB FRITSCHLE was born October 25, 1814, in Baden, Germany. At the age of fourteen he came with his parents to Stark County, Ohio ; there they settled on a farm. In 1839 he came to Lawrence (now Richland) County, where he entered ninety-five acres, which he improved as his means would allow, and added from time to time, until he had in all over 300 acres, ninety acres of which he has sold to his son. He has a very comfortable brick house, which he built in 1862, at a cost of about $1,500. His barn was built in 1881, and cost $550. Other buildings cost about $300. He was married, in 1838, to Lydia Steffe, of York County, Penn. She died in 1855, aged thirty-five years, the mother of nine children-John, Sarah, Jeremiah, Isaac, Sophia, Henry, David, Louise and Margaret. His second marriage, in August, 1856, was to Elizabeth Smith, of Carroll County, Ohio. They have had six children, five living-Su- sanna, Mary, George, Martin and William. They lost Davis, Oeto- ber 6, 1872, in his eleventh year. Susanna is now the wife of the Rev. A. E. Best, of New Bethlehem, Clarion Co., Penn., where he is actively engaged in the ministry.
MRS. HARRIET GADAU, formerly Harriet Arnold, was born in Olney Township, June 7, 1841. Her parents were among the earliest settlers of the county. She married Peter Sherer, De- cember 10, 1857 ; he was born in Germany, April 29, 1830. When six years of age he came with his parents to America ; they re- mained a short time in Ohio, then came to this locality, where he lived till his death. He became the father of ten children, eight living-George, Elizabeth, Anna, John, Peter, Margaret, Minnie E. and Harriet. Henry Gadau married Mrs. Sherer, August 15, 1882. He is a native of Germany, and has resided in Edwards County the past fifteen years, where he owns a farm.
FRANK P. GILLESPIE, County Treasurer, was born in Washington County, Penn., October 13, 1838, and was the seventh of ten children born to William L. and Elizabeth ( Beall ) Gilles- pie, natives of Washington County, and of Irish and English de- scent respectively. William was educated and married in Pennsyl- vania, where he followed farming until the spring of 1853, when he removed to Illinois, settling first near Springfield, and residing there for some three years. In 1856 he came to Jasper County, and bought a farm near Saint Marie, where he lived until his death, on May 27, 1862. His wife died one week later, on June 5, 1862. They were both devout members of the Catholic Church. During the administration of Taylor and Fillmore, Mr. Gillespie was a clerk in the Census Department at Washington. Frank P. received a good education, and was employed on his father's farm until he was twenty-five years of age, when he began clerking in a store at Olney, remaining there some fifteen years. In November, 1877, he was elected Treasurer of Richland County, and was re-elected in the
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