Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 77

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 77
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 77
USA > Illinois > Jasper County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 77

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES -- RICHLAND COUNTY :

married, in Loudoun County, Va., Nancy Morrison, of English- German descent. Mr. Shaw and his wife have been for more than forty years consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and Mr. Shaw is highly esteemed and respected.

JOHN T. SHAW, grocer, was born in AAlleghany County, Md .. May 18, 1832, and is the youngest of ten children born to John and Charity (Ricketts) Shaw, both natives of Maryland, and of English descent. John Shaw was educated and married in his native State. where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for several years. In 1833, he removed to Knox County, Ohio, where he bought a farm. upon which he resided until 1839, when he sold the farm and removed to Danville, Ohio, where he was engaged in the hotel business until his death, which occurred August 28, 1842. Both he and his wife were members of the Christian Church. For several years he was a Justice of the Peace, in Knox County, Ohio. John T. Shaw, the sub- jeet, received his early education in the primitive log schoolhouse of the early day. At the age of fifteen, he went to learn the har- ness-makers' trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years, after which he followed the trade at various places in Ohio for about four years. After this he was employed in his brother's boot, shoe and clothing store, at Coshocton, Ohio, until 1857, when he removed to Olney, Ill., where he opened a clothing store, but sold the same about one year afterward, and engaged in the boot and shoe trade. In 1860, he entered a dry goods store as a salesman, where he remained about seventeen years. He then removed to Casey, Ill., where he had the management of a general store for two years. In the spring of 1880, he returned to Olney, where he was employed for a time in a dry goods store. In December, 1881, he opened a grocery and provision store at Olney, where he has since been doing a good business. Mr. Shaw was married January 10, 1858, to Clara Beck, daughter of Aaron Beck, one of the pioneers of southern Illi- nois. To Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, seven children have been born, only two of whom are living. Mr. Shaw and wife are consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which church he has held various official positions. He is also a member of I. O. M. A., and the I. O. G. T. In polities, he is a Republican, and is one of the enterprising business men of the county.

JOHN HI. SHEPHERD, City Marshal, was born in Mercer County, Ohio, July 23, 1843, and is third of ten children born to Henry L. and Catherine ( Perry ) Shepherd, natives of Maryland and Ohio, and of English and Irish descent, respectively. Henry L. was educated in Ohio, and when a young man moved to Mercer County, where he afterward married. In 1844, he went to Warren County, Ind., settling near Walnut Grove, where he entered and bought 120 acres of wild land, and improved a farm. He lived there until the fall of 1852; then sold his property, came to Preston Township, this county, and bought a farm of 160 acres, known as the Dickey Phillip's farm. In the spring of 1862, Mr. Shepherd enlisted in Com- pany A, Sixty-Third Ilinois Volunteer Infantry and was soon after

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appointed Commissary of the regiment. After the siege of Vicksburg, in which he took part, he received leave of absence, but died on the way home, at Memphis, September 19, 1863. John H. was fairly educated, and was employed on the home farm until he attained the age of twenty-two years. After the death of his father, the care of the family devolved upon him, and in 1865, he commenced farming for himself on shares in this county. In 1867, he removed to Olney, and engaged in the butcher business for nine years, when he fol- lowed the stock business until the winter of 1882. In April, 1880, he was elected Constable, and in April, 1883, was made Marshal of the city of Olney, which office he now fills. He was married on June 15, 1865, to Sarah Mc Williams, of this county. They have had six children, of whom five survive. Mr. Shepherd is a member of Olney Lodge, No. 76, 1. O. U. W., in which he has held the office of Overseer two terms. He has been Trustee one term and is now Receiver. In politics he is a Republican, an carly pioncer, an enter- prising and valued citizen of the city.

CHARLES SHULTZ was born in Prussia, June 28, 1838, and is the youngest of ten children born to Christian and Dorothea (Housel) Shultz, both natives of Prussia. Christian Shultz was a soldier in the Prussian army during the latter part of the Napoleonic wars, participating in the battle of Waterloo, and in the occupation of Paris, in 1813. In 1852, he emigrated with his family to the United States, landing at New Orleans. Ile died of cholera, near Memphis, Tenn. Charles Shultz, our subject, received a fair common school education in his native land. After his father's death, the family settled at Evansville, Ind. In 1853, our subject came to Olney, Ill., where he was employed for two years on a railroad. In the fall of 1861, he went South, in the capacity of sutler, with the Thirty- Eighth Illinois Infantry, remaining until the fall of 1863, when his stock was captured by Gen. Wheeler's command, he being at home at the time. By this he sustained a loss of $11,000. In 1864, he came back to Olney, erected a store building, and put in a stock of groceries and provisions in company with Mr. A. Klinsworth, under the firm name of Shultz & Klinsworth. Nine months later the firm was dissolved. Mr. Shultz then engaged in the dry goods trade, at which he has since been doing a good business. He carries a large and well selected stock in his line, amounting to from $10,000 to $20,000. Ile is also extensively engaged in the grain and wool trade. His annual sales, in all departments, average $75,000. Mr. Shultz was one of the city Aldermen for four years, and a member of the County Board of Supervisors for three years. He was married, in March 1861, to Sarah E. Gaddey, a native of Lawrence County, III. Nine children were born to them, seven of whom are living. Mr. Shultz is a member of Olney Lodge, No. 140, A. F. & A. M., and also of Richland Lodge, No. 180, 1. O. O. F.

HERMAN H. SHULTZ was born in Richland County, III., January 30, 1858, and is the only living child born to Henry and Fredricka ( Wisherop) Shultz, both natives of Prussia. Henry

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-RICHLAND COUNTY :

Shultz was a soldier in the German army three years. In 1852, he emigrated to the United States, first settling at Evansville, Ind., and afterward bought 160 acres of wild land in Edwards County. Ill. This he commenced to improve, but soon sold out and bought a farm in Olney Township, Richland Co., Ill., where he has since resided. His wife died May 16, 1858. Herman H. Shultz, the sub- ject, received a good common school education in youth. At the age of seventeen he left home and was employed as a laborer on a farm in the northern part of Illinois for three years. He then returned to Olney, and was employed as a salesman in a dry goods store for some eighteen months. He then farmed on shares in the northern part of the State, for two years, when he again returned to Olney and clerked in the same store for six months. In April, 1883, he opened a grocery and provision store, at Olney, where he is doing a flourishing business. He was married, October 16, 1879, to Lizzie E. Black, a native of Pennsylvania. Two children have blessed their union. Mr. Shultz is a member of the Lutheran, and Mrs. Shultz of the Presbyterian Church. In polities he is a Democrat.

MAJOR HARRISON M. SPAIN, real estate and war claim agent, was born in Gibson County, Ind., December 24, 1834, and is the sixth of the ten children born to Archibald and Sarah ( Garwood) Spain, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky. At the age of fifteen, in 1813, Archibald Spain moved with his parents to North Carolina, and two years later to Indiana Territory, settling near Vineennes. Ile was married in 1819, and soon after removed to Gib- son County, entered land and resided thereon until 1867. when he moved to Patoka, same county, where he died, October 3, 1869. in his seventy-second year. Harrison M. Spain remained on the home farm until July, 1862, when he recruited part of a company for the Sixty-Fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and afterward Company E, Eightieth Indiana Infantry, of which he was commissioned Captain. In April, 1864, he was appointed Provost-Marshal of the Second Division (same corps), under Gen. HI. M. Judah, and served as such until the close of the war. May 1, 1865, he was promoted Major. and under that title was mustered out in June, 1865, at Salisbury, N. C. During his service, he took part in the battle of Perryville, Ky., Burnside's East Tennessee campaign, the Atlanta campaign, the bat- tles of Franklin and Nashville, Tenn., and many other lesser engage- ments. At the battle of Franklin the Major captured Capt. W. Wirt Thompson, of a Mississippi regiment, who reluctantly gave up his sword, saying that he would rather leave his dead body on the field than surrender it, as it was a present from his company and had never been dishonored. The Major generously promised that if both lived until the close of the war he would return the sword. In 1874, Capt. Thomp- son, having been elected a member of the Mississippi Legislature, wrote the Adjutant-General of Indiana for Major Spain's address. A correspondence ensued, and in February or March, 1874, the promise made on the battle field was fulfilled. Just before he was mustered out the editor of the Salisbury Banner gave the Major a very

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high compliment. AAfter his return from the army, the Major engaged in the drug trade at Princeton, Gibson Co., Ind. In 1873, he retired from the drug business and has since been engaged as a real estate and war claim agent. In March, 1882. he came to Olney, Ill., where he still resides. The Major was married in December, 1866, to Mary A. Wallace, a native of Gibson County, Ind. Three children have been left to them, one son and two daughters. Major Spain is a member of Olney Post, No. 92, G. A. R .; he is a Republi- can, and is one of the enterprising business men and respected citi- zens of the city and county.

JONAS SPANGLER, farmer, was born May 25, 1817, in Mifflin County, Penn. When two years of age his parents moved to Wayne County, Ohio, and there he was reared on his father's farm. His father died in 1844, aged sixty-seven years. In 1839 the subject of this sketch came to Lawrence (now Richland) County. When in Ohio he learned the carpenters' trade ; this business he continued here about twenty years ; he then removed to his present farm of seventy-one acres, located within the city limits ; he also owns 440 acres of land in Preston Township; all of this property he has acquired by hard work and strict attention to business. He was married, in 1841, to Philora E. Barney, a native of Vermont, by whom he has had five children, of whom there are living one son and two daughters. His son. Nelson, enlisted, in 1863, in the Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry, was soon after taken prisoner, and con- fined in Andersonville prison, where he died.

ARCHIBALD SPRING, Sheriff of Richland County, Ill., was born in Edwards County, October 28, 1839, and is the eighth in a family of nine children born to Sydney and Hannah (Prichard) Spring, both of English nativity. Sydney was well educated. In 1820 he came to the United States, and settled at Albion, Edwards C'o., IH. He was the first naturalized in this State. Ho soon after married, and afterwards started a nursery ; the first in the State. He was Surveyor of Edwards County, and held office for many voars. He was Justice of the Peace also for years. Mr. Spring died in 1879, at the age of eighty years, in the communion of the Epis- copal Church. His wife also belonged to the Church. Archibald received an ordinary education, and at the age of fourteen went into a drug store at Grayville, Ill., remaining one year, also clerking in a dry goods store two years. In 1858 he came to Olney, clerked for three years, and in April, 1861, enlisted in Company D, Eighth Illinois Infantry. Mr. Spring served for three months, then re- turned home, and in August, 1862, re-enlisted in Company B, Eighty-Seventh Illinois Infantry, and was made Second Lieutenant, and in August, 1863, was promoted to First Lieutenant. He had command of his company, however, during most of the war. He participated in many engagements, and was mustered out at Spring- field, Ill., July 4, 1865. He was engaged for one year, here, at the dry goods business, and in 1866 was elected Sheriff of Richland County. Mr. Spring again engaged in the dry goods trade, which

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-RICHLAND COUNTY :

he followed for eight years, and in 1875 went into the livery bus- iness. He was made Sheriff again in 1882, and is filling that office now. Healso breeds fine stock, and owns Norman English draft and thoroughbred horses and Alderney cattle, beside owning the white mare " Maggie Webb," a noted and beautiful animal. Mr. Spring was married on November 23, 1871, to Lillie Kleinworth, of Albion, Edwards Co., Ill. They have had four children, but only two are living-Clyde and Ella. Mr. Spring is a member of the A. O. U. W., of the G. A. R., and in politics is Republican.

WILLIAM A. STARTSMAN, confectioner, was born in Olney, Ill., on September 7, 1862, and is the oldest of three children born to Luther M. and Sarah R. ( McWilliams) Startsman, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Ohio. They were of

German and Scotch-English descent respectively. When a young man Luther M. Startsman came to Olney, Richland Co., Ill., where he was married, and where he was engaged in the manufacture of furniture for many years. At the

breaking out of the late civil war he recruited Company D, Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, of which company he was chosen Cap- tain. He served with his regiment in all its marches and engage- ments until the fall of 1864, when he resigned on account of failing health. After his return from the army he resumed the furniture business at Olney, continuing the same until 1869, when he removed to Missouri, and from thence to Kansas, where he resided until his death, which occurred in October, 1873. William A. Startsman, the subject, received a fair education at the common and graded schools of his native city. At the age of fourteen he went into a drugstore, at Olney, as a salesman, remaining two and a half years. After this he was employed as book-keeper in an agricultural store for about one year. In 1880 he accepted a position as traveling salesman for a wholesale notion and gents' furnishing house in Saint Paul, Minn., and continued in that business for two years. In January, 1883, he returned to Olney, and engaged in the music business, but continued it only a few months. In June, 1883, he opened a confectionery and ice cream parlor, on Main Street, in company with George D. Johnstone and George F. Wisshach, under the firm name of Johnstone & Co. Theirs is one of the finest establishments of the kind in southern Illinois, and they are doing a flourishing business. They are also extensively engaged in the sale of all kinds of musical instruments. During the first eight months of 1883 they sold over one hundred pianos and organs.

WILLIAM STEWARD was born February 8, 1813. in Gibson County, Ind., and at the age of ten, came with his parents to Law- rence (now Richland) County, and settled two miles cast of Olney; there he lived on his father's farm till his marriage in 1834, to Pris- cilla Bullard, also born in Gibson County, Ind .; they then moved to their present farm of 130 acres, where they have ever since lived, and which place is one of the old land marks of this locality. They have a family of three children-Mary M., Lucinda, and James C.

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OLNEY CITY AND TOWNSHIP.

THOMAS L. STEWARD was born in Gibson County, Ind., December 18, 1818. At the age of six he moved with his parents to Lawrence (now Richland County). They first entered eighty- three acres of land where his house is now situated, and were among the earliest settlers of the county, and now own 206 acres, which are well improved, with a comfortable house, barn and other out- buildings. Mr. Steward has held many important offices, both county and local; he was one of the first Constables after this county was divided from Lawrence, and served about twelve years ; also part of this time was Deputy Sheriff. He held the office of County Treasurer one term, and ex-officio Assessor. He was afterwards elected Sheriff, holding this office four years, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace almost constantly. He married, January 26, 1843, Catharine Stites, of Tennessee; she died February 14, 1858, aged thirty-two, the mother of these children-Alfred J., Enoch J., Levi M., George W., Melvina D., Susan C., William T. (died September 4, 1879, aged thirty-two). July 15, 1858, Mr. Steward married Mary A. Smalley, of Ohio. She died in March, 1860, aged forty years. She bore him one son-Solomon P. His third marriage, November 6, 1860, was to Martha Finley, of Ohio, born June 22, 1822. They have three children-Eli F., Jonathan P., Addie J., and lost Violet by death, in infancy. His sons, Alfred J., Enoch J., and William T., served in the late war.

A. J. STEWARD was born November 27, 1843, in Olney Town- ship, and here reared till the breaking out of the war; he then en- listed in Company E, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, as private, was pro- moted to Commissary Sergeant, and was honorably discharged November 5, 1865. He participated in the battles of Grierson's raid, siege of Port Hudson, battles of Franklin, Tenn., Nashville, Tenn., and others. He then returned and worked on his father's farm till 1867, when he bought a farm of seventy acres; he now owns 140 acres, mostly improved. He was married November 1, 1866, to Emily Craig, who was born in Lawrence County, III. They have four children-William C., Edgar N., Agnes G. and Arthur R. Mr. Steward is a member of the A. O. U. W.

ROBERT N. STOTLER, Superintendent of the County Schools and cashier of the First National Bank, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, April 22, 1850, and is the fifth of a family of nine children born to Isaac and Mary A. (Skimming) Stotler, natives of Alle- ghany County, Md., and of Scotland, and of German and Scotch descent, respectively. Isaac Stotler was reared and married in his native State. Soon after his marriage, in 1836, he moved to Clinton County, Ohio, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1858, when he came to Preston Township, in this county, and bought a farm, where he resided until his death, in 1877. He was not a member of the church, but was an earnest temperance man. Robert N. received a good education at common schools, at the State Nor- mal School of Illinois, and the National Normal of Lebanon, Ohio. He was engaged from 1869 until 1881 in teaching most of the time,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-RICHILAND COUNTY :

in this and Jasper County. In 1881 he was appointed Deputy Cir- cuit Clerk at Olney, and held this position until May, 1883, since which time he has been cashier of the First National Bank at this place. In 1877 he was the Democratic candidate for Superintendent of Schools in this county, but was defeated. In 1882 he again ran for the same office, was successful, and still holds that position. Mr. Stotler is a member of Marmion Lodge, No. 52. K. of P., in politics he is a Democrat, and is one of the rising young men of Richland County.

HON. HENRY STUDER, retired, was born in Switzer- land, March 1, 1823, and is the youngest of eight children of Peter and Margaret (Ruby ) Studer, natives of Switzerland. Peter lived in his native land during his lifetime and there was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. He died in April, 1843. He was in the French army for two years, being one of the Swiss recruits, in the army of Napoleon I, and during the famous Russian Campaign in Germany. he was a sharp-shooter, and the rifle used by him at that time is still in the possession of his son. He and wife belonged to the German Reformed Church. Henry received a fair education and during his youth was engaged in agriculture and teaming; he was for a while a guide for tourists among the mountains, and in December, 1849, came across the Atlantic to New Orleans. He then came directly to what is now German Township, in this county, and farmed on shares for a time, then went to Madison County, and was there fore- man in a stave and cooper shop until 1855. Mr. Studer then worked at the cooper's trade, at butchering, and was in a drug store and grocery as clerk. continuing in the grocery and drug business for four years. In 1861 he enlisted as a member of J. C. Fremont's body guard, as First Lieutenant. When Gen. Hunter succeeded in command, he was mustered out, and was appointed Deputy Pro- vost-Marshal of the Thirteenth District of Illinois. He also at the same time was engaged in the wholesale grocery trade at Olney, and built some seven or eight residences in the city. In 1878 he was appointed one of the Commissioners to the Vienna Exposition by Governor Beverage. He has lived retired since. He was for two years Street Commissioner, a member of the Board of County Sup- ervisors; City Marshal for six years; and also Deputy Sheriff and City Collector. In 1882 he was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature from the Forty-Fourth District, consisting of Rich- land, Clay, Edwards and Wayne counties, then receiving a large majority over other candidates. In 1847 Mr. Studer was married to Elizabeth Von Almen, of Swiss descent. They belong to the Ger- man Reformed Church. He belongs to the A. F. & A. M., R. A. M .. R. & S. M., K. T., and of Peoria Consistory S. P. R. S. He is a stanch Republican and helped organize that party in 1856.

HENRY SWALLEN, JR., was born in the Canton Berne, Switzerland, October 16, 1813, and is the oldest of three children born to Henry and Anna (Saylor) Swallen, both natives of Switzer- land. Henry Swallen, Sr., was educated and married in his native

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land, where in early life he learned the cabinet makers' trade, which he followed for several years. For some twelve years he was an officer in the Swiss army. In 1829 he emigrated with his wife and family to the United States, and settled in Stark County, Ohio. Here he bought unimproved land and subsequently improved a farm, upon which he resided until 1866, after which he made his home with his children until his death, which occurred in 1870. Henry Swallen, JJr., the subject, received an ordinary education in the common schools of his native land. He was employed on his fath- er's farm until he was twenty-one years old, then on various public works in Ohio and Pennsylvania for five or six years. In 1839 he came to what is now Preston Township, Richland Co. Ill., where he entered 120 acres of land, erected a log cabin, and subsequently improved a farm. In 1845 he sold this farm and bought another in the same township, where he resided until April, 1860, when he rented the place and came to Olney. Here he was engaged in teamning for some seven years. He then engaged in the coal trade, and has con- tinned that business ever since. In 1881 he formed a partnership with William Newal, under the firm name of Swallen & Co. They are the most extensive coal, wood, and grain dealers in the city. He has held the office of Alderman and Street Commissioner of the city, and was also a member of the County Board of Supervisors. Mr. Swallen was married in April; 1838, to Mary Mufley. a native of Pennsylvania. Eleven children were born to them, only six of whom are living. Both Mr. Swallen and wife are members of the Evangelical Association, or Albright Church. He is also a member of Olney Lodge, No. 180, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Republican, and is one of the old pioneers of Richland County.

WILLIAM A. THOMPSON, M. D., was born in New Haven, Conn., April 8, 1845, and is the ninth of ten children born to Will- iam S. and Nancy J. ( Eaton) Thompson, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of New York. They were of English-Scotch and Holland-French descent, respectively. William S. Thompson. was educated and married in his native State, where he was engaged for many years in the manufacture of malleable iron and hardware, at Newark. In about 1840, he removed to New Haven, Conn., where he was engaged in the same line of business, for many years. In 1879, he came to Olney, Ill., and has since made his home with his son, the subject of our sketch. William A. Thompson, the sub- ject, received a good education at the common schools and at Rus- sell's Commercial and Collegiate Institute, and Military Academy, of his native town, which is a preparatory department of Yale Col- lege. At the age of twenty he went into his father's factory as superintendent of the pattern-making department, where he remained several years. In the meantime he commenced the study of medi- cine with Dr. J. T. Halderman, of Columbus, Ohio, and in 1867, at- tended a course of lectures at the Starling Medical College. He still continued the hardware business for several years. In 1874, he came to Olney, Ill., which has been his home ever since. In 1878, he

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Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 77

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