Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 73

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 73
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 73
USA > Illinois > Jasper County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 73

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).

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-RICHLAND COUNTY :

year 1879, and again in 1882, the latter time for four years. Mr. Gillespie was married September 12, 1864, to Mary A. Kelly, of York, Penn. Four children have been born to them, of whom two, John B. and Ellen L., are living. He and wife are both members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Gillespie is a Democrat in politics, and one of the leading citizens of Richland County.

HENRY GODEKE was born in the Province of Hanover, Germany, April 9, 1849, and is the youngest of five children born to Frederick C. and Johanna F. (Walbrecht) Godeke, both natives of Hanover. Frederick C. Godeke in early life learned the weavers' trade, following it in connection with farming several years. He was for a time a soldier in the Hanoverian Army. In 1858 he emigrated to the United States and settled in Warrick County, Ind., where he bought a farm, and where he resided until his death, July 10, 1860. Henry Godeke, the subject of our sketch, received a fair common school education in his native land, and also in the United States. At the age of seventeen he went to learn the gun- smiths' and tinners' trades, at Georgetown, Ohio, serving an ap- prenticeship of four and a half years, after which he followed the gunsmiths' trade as a journeyman. In 1873 he opened a gunsmiths' shop at Columbus, Ky., where he remained one year. In 1874 he came to Olney, Ill., where he opened a shop and has since been do- ing a good business. He was married, November 28, 1876, to Liz- zie Von Alman, a native of Indiana. Two children have blessed their union. Mr. Godeke is a member of no church. Mrs. Godeke is a member of the German Reformed Church. Mr. Godeke is a mem- ber of the Olney Lodge, No. 76, A. O. U. W., and of the Select Or- der of Uniformed Knights, A. O. U.W. In politics he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM GODEJOHANN, cigar manufacturer, was born in Prussia, October 21, 1849, of parents Casper and Franziska C. (Moch- lenbrock ) Godejohann, Prussians, William being their only child. Casper was brought up and married in his native land, and followed agricultural pursuits. In 1857, he brought his family across the ocean to the United States, settling first in Macon County, Ill. He remained there until 1865, when he went to Belleville. In 1864, his wife died, in the membership of the Lutheran Church. In 1865, Mr. Godejohann remarried, and moved to Fayetteville, and in 1873, came here, then returned to Fayetteville, living there until his death, March 26, 1882, belonging to the Lutheran Church. William's schooling was very limited. He worked on a farm until his sixteenth year, when he was apprenticed to the trade of cigar-making at Belle- ville, serving there for three years, when he worked for the firm from which he had received his instruction for about seven and a half years, became a partner, and in 1873,exchanged stock with P. J. Kaercher, of Olney, and to-day has a successful trade. He employs from seven to twelve men, and is turning out about 350,000 cigars annually. His is the most extensive factory in this part of the State, and his trade extends through southwestern Indiana. In 1871, he married Louise Lubben, of Saint Louis, Mo. They have had four children,

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OLNEY CITY AND TOWNSHIP.

of whom three are living. Mr. Godejohann belongs to Olney Lodge No. 76, Olney Legion, No. 18, Uniform Order of Select Knights, A. O. U. W., and is a Republican.

JOHN GRUBER, boots and shoes, was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, February 12, 1847, and is the oldest of four children born to John and Susan ( Ameter ) Gruber, both natives of Switzerland. John Gruber, Sr., was educated and married in his native land, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years. In 1850. he emigrated to the United States and settled in Olney Town- ship, Richland Co., Ill., where he was engaged in agricultural pur- suits until his death, which occurred in the summer of 1853. John Gruber, Jr., the subject, received a limited common school educa- tion in youth, but has by his own endeavors, since he became a man, acquired a fair practical business education. After his father's death he made his home with his uncle and stepfather, until he was seven- teen years old, when he went to learn the shoemakers' trade, serv- ing an apprenticeship of two and a half years. He followed the trade until 1869, when he was employed as a salesman in a leather store at Olney, for about three years. In 1872, he removed to Mount Carmel, Ill., where he was engaged in the draying business for four- teen months. He then returned to Olney, where he was again employed in the same leather store until 1879. He then accepted a position as traveling salesman for a harness and collar manufactur- ing house in Evansville, Ind., and continued in that business for four- teen months. In the fall of 1881, he opened a boot and shoe store at Olney, and has since done a good business, in that line. In August, 1876, he was appointed school treasurer of Olney Town- ship, which office he still holds, and in the spring of 1883, was elected Clerk of the same township. He was married, October 23, 1870, to Frances F. Dorney, a native of Wabash County, III. Six children were born to them, only three of whom are living. Mr. Gruber is a member of Olney Lodge, No. 140, A. F. & A. M., also, Richland Lodge, No. 180, and Olney Encampment, No. 61, I. O. O. F. Of the last named body, he is at present treasurer. He is a Democrat, and one of the enterprising business men of the city.

JOHN VON GUNTEN, JR., County Clerk, was born in Olney, December 27, 1853, and is the second of the nine children born to John and Catherine (Hauck) Von Gunten, natives respectively of Berne, Switzerland, and of Germany. John, Sr., was a baker and fol- lowed his trade for a time in his native land. When a young man, in 1849, he emigrated to the United States, and settled at Louisville, Ky., working at his trade for a few months. In the same year he came to Olney, and again followed his trade for three years, when he was married. In 1852, he engaged in the dry goods business here, and continued in it until 1879, at which time he retired from active business. Mr. Von Gunten, Sr., and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church. He was one of the Aldermen for a time, and assisted in securing brick sidewalks for the city of Olney. He was also a director for the G. M. Railway, which was consolidated

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-RICHLAND COUNTY :

with another road during his term of service, and became the P., D. & E. Railway. John, Jr., was well educated at the Olney com- mon schools, from his fifteenth year until he went into his father's store, and took charge of his business for about one year. In 1877, he ran for County Clerk on the Democratic ticket, and was elected to that office in 1882, and still holds it. He belongs to the Olney Lodge, No. 140, A. F. & A. M., of which he is W. M., and also to Richland Chapter, No. 38, R. A. M., Olney Council, No. 55, R. & S. M., and Gorin Commandery, No. 14, K. T. In politics Mr. Von Gunten is a Democrat, and is one of this county's most enterprising and prominent men.

HARVEY M. HALL was born in Amherst, Hancock County, Maine, February 9, 1838, and is the oldest of five children born to Henry and Lucy E. (Archer) Hall, both natives of Hancock County, Maine, and of Scotch and English descent, respectively. In early life Henry Hall graduated at the Polytechnic College, of Bangor, Maine, and for some years after was employed as a civil engineer in his native State. In about 1854, he purchased 160 acres of wild land in Switzerland County, Ind. Two years later he moved on the place with his family, erected a small frame house, and subsequently im- proved a farm upon which he resided until his death, which occurred in August, 1859. Harvey M. Hall, the subject of our sketch, received a good scientific and mathematical education at the Polytechnic Col- lege, of Bangor, Maine, in youth. At the age of fifteen years, he left the college and went into the ship yard at Ellsworth, Maine, to work for his uncle, where he learned the trade of ship-building. In the latter part of 1857, he came West, remaining about six months with his parents in southern Indiana. He then went to Hannibal, Mo., where he was employed as engineer in the construction of the Han- nibal & Saint Joseph Railway, and afterward in the bridge depart- ment of the same road, until in October, 1863, when he returned to Switzerland County, Ind. In August, 1864, he recruited Company I, One Hundred and Seventeenth Indiana Infantry, in three days, of which Company he was commissioned Captain. He remained with his regiment until the close of the war. Immediately after his return from the army he was employed as foreman in the bridge depart- ment of the O. & M. Railway, and located at Osgood, Ind. In October, 1872, he was promoted to assistant superintendent of bridges and building for the West and Springfield Divisions of said railway. October 1, 1881, he was appointed superintendent of bridges, build- ing and water supplies, for the entire line of the O. & M. Railway, which position he still holds. As a civil engineer, architect and draughtsman, Mr. Hall has no superior in the Southwest. He was mar- ried in 1858, to Olive Montanye, of Switzerland County, Ind. Three children, all living, have blessed their union. Mrs. Hall is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hall is a member of the Ma- sonic Fraternity, being a member of all the Masonic Lodges of Olney, viz .: A. F. & A. M., R. A. M., R. & S. M. and K. T. He is also a member of Peoria Consistory S. P. R. S. He was W. M. of

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OLNEY CITY AND TOWNSHIP.

Osgood Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in Indiana for four years, and is now serving his second term as Commander of Gorin Commandery No. 14, K. T.

ALONZO E. HARRELL, foreman and draughtsman in O. & M. Railway shops at Olney, Ill., was born in New Marion, Ripley Co., Ind., December 20, 1853, and is one of seven children born to Will- iam D. and Nancy A. (Hill) Harrell, natives of Indiana, and of English lineage. William D. was educated and married in his native State. He learned the trade of wagon maker, and later on, that of carpenter, which he followed for a number of years. For the last three years of his life he was employed as a bridge carpenter on the O. & M. Railway. He died on June 4, 1877, in his forty-seventh year, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the A. F. & A. M., R. A. M. and I. O. O. F. Mrs. Harrell was a Bap- tist. Alonzo E. Harrell was well educated in a classic and scientific way. August 6, 1872, he began on the bridge construction form of the O. & M. Railway,and has steadily advanced. He is now chief assist- ant in the office of the superintendent of bridges, buildings and water supplies on said railroad. In November, 1881, Mr. Harrell came to Olney, and has since resided here. On October 1, 1876, he married Helen H. Franck, a native of New Albany, Ind., and a daughter of John P. and Virginia (Crook) Franck, early settlers of New Albany. Mr. Harrell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is also of the Masonic Fraternity, and is a stanch Repub- lican. He is one of our most prominent and enterprising citizens.

CHRISTIAN HASLER was born in Switzerland, August 20, 1845, and is the youngest of four living children born to Peter and Margaret (Von Allman) Hasler, both natives of Switzerland. Peter Hasler was educated and married in his native land, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1853. Christian Hasler, the subject, received a fair education in the common schools of Switzerland and the United States. In 1857 his mother and family emigrated to the United States, and settled in Olney, Ill. Here he was employed on a farm in the summer, and attended school during the winter season, until he was seventeen years old. He then served an apprenticeship of three years at the harness-makers' trade. Soon after completing his trade, he opened a shop at Olney, where he has since been doing a successful business. He is the most extensive manufacturer of harnesses and saddles in the county. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-Fifth Illinois Infantry, and served with that reg- iment until the close of the war, being mustered out at Murfrees- boro, Tenn., in September, 1865. He was married in October, 1868, to Susan Bohran, a native of Switzerland. Seven children have been born to them, only five of whom are living. He and his wife are both members of the German Reformed Church. He is also a member of Olney Lodge No. 140, A. F. & A, M .; Richland Chapter No. 38, R. A. M., and Richland Lodge, No. 180, I. O. O. F. In poli- ties he is a Democrat.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-RICHLAND COUNTY :

ISAIAH HEAP (deceased) was born August 2, 1825, in Ohio, and in 1839 he came to this locality, and worked for his brother-in- law till the age of twenty-one when he married Rachel G. Powell. She was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, March 18, 1825. He died April 30, 1882, the father of the following children :- Benjamin F., Samuel D., Margaret Ann (now Mrs. Crawley), Rebecca J. (now Mrs. McClure ), Isaiah, Clara Belle, and Emma May. Mary Alice died in 1882, aged twenty years. Mr. Heap, with his son Benjamin F., served in the late war.

JOSEPH C. HERRON was born in Franklin County, Ind., Jan- uary 30, 1857, and is the oldest of four children and the only son of John and Salome F. (Jenkins) Herron, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Indiana, and both of English descent. The ancestors of the Jenkins' in America were among the Puritans who landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. When but a lad, in about 1840, John Herron removed with his parents to Butler County, Ohio, where his early education was received. Afterward the family removed to Franklin County, Ind., where John was mar- ried. In early life he learned the blacksmiths' trade, which he fol- lowed for about ten years. He then learned dentistry at Mount Car- mel, Ind., and has since practiced that profession in that town. In September, 1883, he removed to Olney, Ill. Joseph C. Herron, the subject, received a very fair education at the common schools, and at the National Normal, of Lebanon, Ohio. At a very early age he was employed in his father's dental office, but did not study the pro- fession regularly until some years later. He began his career as a teacher, continuing that profession for about one year. January 1, 1877, he commenced the study of dentistry under his father's instructions, with whom he practiced for a time. On March 3, 1881, he graduated from the Ohio Dental College, of Cincinnati, and in the same month came to Olney, Ill., where he opened a dental office, and has since been doing a thriving business. When a young man he held for a time the position of assistant postmaster, at Mount Carmel, Ind. He is a member of the Universalist Church, and also of all the Masonic bodies in Olney, viz .: A. F. & A. M., R. A. M .. R. & S. M., & K. T.

CHARLES HINMAN, insurance agent, was born in Bartholo- mew County, Ind., April 3, 1840, and is the sixth of the eight chil- dren born to Titus M. and Emily (Jeter) Hinman, natives of Penn- sylvania and South Carolina, respectively, and of English descent. Titus M. was taken by his parents to Franklin County, Ind., when about ten years old. He was well educated, going through college, and afterwards married here. When sixteen years old he was engaged in the Indian wars, and distinguished himself under Gen. Harrison. He followed the distilling business in early life, but becoming convinced of the evil of such a traffic, sold his distillery for almost nothing, and in 1832, went to farming in Bartholomew County, where he lived till 1851, then to this county, and con- tinued in the same business until his death in October, 1865. IIc

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OLNEY CITY AND TOWNSHIP.

filled various offices during his lifetime, and was an Abolitionist. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belonged to the A. F. & A. M., R. A. M., R. & S. M., and K. T. Charles A.'s school advantages were very limited, and were received wholly in the log schoolhouses. Since he attained manhood he has acquired a good business education. On April 16, 1861, Mr. Hin- man enlisted in a company recruited for the Eighth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, but the quota being full, he was sent home. July 16, 1861, he again enlisted, this time in Company H, Thirty-Eighth . Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until May 18, 1863, when he was discharged at Jefferson, Mo., on account of a severe wound in the right lung, received at the battle of Stone River. After his return from the war he attempted to follow agricultural pursuits, but was compelled to abandon it and engage in traveling. For the past three years he has been special agent of the Rockford Fire In- surance Company. In 1865 Mr. Hinman was married to Annie Hood, a native of Olney, who has borne him seven children, of whom four, three sons and a daughter, are left with them. £ The parents are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Hin- man has held various positions in that body for eighteen years. He belongs to the Subordinate Lodge of I. O. O. F., and to the K. of P., and in political fields carries the Republican flag.

HORNER BROTHERS are the proprietors of the Horner Bros.' Elevator. This structure was erected in about 1869; it has a capacity of about 70,000 bushels, and is one of the finest, as well as the most conveniently arranged elevators in southern Illinois. It cost about $10,000. In 1882 the Olney National Bank was organized; John N. Horner assisted in its organization, and was then chosen Vice-Presi- dent, and afterwards re-elected for a second terni.

KINNETH D. HORRALL, hardware, was born in Daviess County, Ind., June 9, 1838, and is the only child of John and Rebecca (Johnson) Horrall, natives of Vermont and Wabash County, and of English and Scotch descent, respectively. John came to Daviess County, Ind., in an early day, bought a farm and resided upon it until his death in 1840. He was a veteran of the war of 1812, and he and wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Kinneth D. received an ordinary education in log schoolhouses, and began to learn the tinner's trade at the age of fourteen, but in about a year returned to farm work. He again adopted his trade, and served in all an apprenticeship of five years. In 1852 he came to Olney, and in 1856, opened a stove and tinware store, which he has carried on to the present time. In 1861 Mr. Horrall added a stock of hard- ware, and has now the largest stock in southern Illinois, consisting of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves and tinware. In May, 1860, Mr. Horrall married Sarah J. Baird, of this town. Seven children bless this union. The parents belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an early and prominent settler, and a good business man.

BENJAMIN F. HUNTER, farmer, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, March 11, 1829, and was the eldest of ten children born to

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-RICHLAND COUNTY :

James and Harriet N. (Neel) Hunter, the former a native of Clinton County, Ohio, and the latter of Kent County, Md., and of Irish and English descent, respectively. James was educated, reared and followed farming in his native county, continuing in this pursuit until the time of his death, on September 27, 1846, at the age of forty-one years. On February 18, 1874, Mrs. Harriet N. Hunter departed this life at the age of sixty-seven years, having been since girlhood a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ben- jamin F. Hunter received a limited education in log schoolhouses, and was employed in farm work until he attained his twenty-third year. Afterward, he farmed on shares for a time, and then bought a. partially improved farm of forty acres, adding to this until he owned a well-improved farm of 110 acres. From 1857 to 1859 he was engaged in the boot and shoe business at Cuba, Clinton Co., Ohio. In August, 1862, Mr. Hunter enrolled as a private in Com- pany C, Seventy-Ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with the regiment in all its engagements until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, and in the memorable march of Sherman to the sea. After the battle at Peach Tree Creek, he was promoted to Color-Sergeant,and while carrying the colors was wounded, as the surgeon said, mortally. He was placed in an army wagon and carried over rough roads for seven or eight days before he received any attention. On the jour- ney he lost almost all his clothes, and what he wore was stiff with blood. On March 24, he was taken to a temporary hospital at Goldborough, and was afterwards transferred to Newberne, N. C. In the latter part of April, he was taken to David's Island in New York Harbor, where he remained until his discharge, June 12, 1865. On his return home he farmed, but was obliged to hire all the labor done, as he was not able to perform any mannal labor himself. For one year Mr. Hunter lived in Blanchester, and then removed to Clarksville, Clinton Co., Ohio, and in October, 1870, traded his farm there for one of 200 acres in Denver Township, in this county. He resided on this farm until 1877, when he rented it and came to Olney, where he has lived since that time. Mr. Hunter was married on July 31, 1851, to Elizabeth J. Moon, a native of Clinton County. They have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter do not belong to the church. In polities he is a Republican, is an enterprising man and a respected citizen of this county.

TIMOTHY W. HUTCHINSON, attorney, was born in Oxford County, Maine, November 21, 1832, and is the younger of two liv- ing sons born to Galen and Olive (Flint) Hutchinson, both natives of Maine and of English descent. Galen Hutchinson was educated and married in his native State, where he was engaged in agricult- ural pursuits for many years. In 1841 he removed to New Hamp- shire, where he purchased a farm and saw mill, and lived until 1861, when he returned to Oxford County, Maine, where he was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1875. Mr. Hutchinson was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; Timothy

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W. received a fair common school education. From his nineteenth until his twenty-ninth year, he was engaged in going to school, teach- ing and working at the carpenters' trade. He graduated from Urbana University, Ohio, in 1859, and from the Cleveland Law School in 1860, and was admitted to the bar at Van Wert, Ohio, in the same year. In 1863 he went to Louisville, Ill., where he practiced his profession for four years. In 1867 he came to Olney, where he has since practiced with excellent success. In the same year the firm of Wilson & Hutchinson was established, and is now one of the leading law firms of Richland County. Several young men, who have since risen to eminence in the profession,received their first instructions in this office. In about 1869, Mr. Hutchinson was appointed register in bankruptcy, which position he is still holding. He was married in April, 1861, to Anna L. Canby, a native of Logan County, Ohio. They have had four children, three sons and one daughter, given to them. Mr. Hutchinson is not a member of the church, but holds to the doctrine of Swedenborg. In politics he is a Republican, and is one of the prominent attorneys of the place. He is also extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits, attending to his fine, improved farm of some 400 acres.

GEORGE D. JOHNSTONE, confectioner and dealer in musical instruments, was born in Mendota, La Salle Co., Ill., July 22, 1858, and is the eldest of the three children born to Alexander C. and Jane (Truman ) Johnstone, natives, respectively, of Aberdeen, Scot- land, and of London, England. Alexander received an excellent education in his native city, and began studying law there. When a young man he emigrated to the United States in the interest of a liquor house of Liverpool. After his arrival in this country he went to Chicago, and was employed as book-keeper for a while. In about 1852 or 1853, he went to Mendota, Ill., married and followed the gro- cery business. In 1859 he went to California in search of gold, and in 1860, returned for his family. He sought his fortune in Califor- nia, but was unsuccessful. He resides now in Gilpin County, Colo- rado, and owns some valuable gold and silver mines. Mr. John- stone belongs to the Presbyterian, and his wife to the Baptist Church. George D. was well educated in the schools of Colorado, and in the spring of 1878 returned to Mendota, graduated in a commercial course, and taught in the institution for a time. He afterwards taught a village school for fifteen months. In 1880 he entered the Union College of Law, at Chicago, and graduated in 1882, when he went to Saint Paul, Minn., and was admitted to the bar, in that State. He practiced in the office of Lorenzo Allis, one of the old- est attorneys there. In 1883 he abandoned the profession on account of ill health, and came to southern Illinois. Here he accepted an agency for the Western Cottage Organ Company, with headquarters at Olney. He is also engaged in the confectionery business with W. A. Startsman, who is also with him in the musical merchandise bus- iness. They have one of the finest confectionery stores in southern Illinois, and carry a large stock of musical instruments and mer-

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Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 73

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