USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Historic sketch and biographical album of Shelby County, Illinois > Part 34
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BIOGRAPHIES.
1851. Three years after this sad event, viz., in June, 1854, he moved to Moweaqua, Shelby county, Illinois, and entered upon his profession- al duties. On the 3rd of September, 1856, he was married to Miss Carrie J. Hardy, of Bloom- ington, Ill., and this couple are the parents of four children : AAda, the wife of Thomas J. Steid- ley, of Ridge township : Harriet B., Mrs. Enos Scarborough, of Shelbyville ; and Frank and George, who died in young manhood. For five years during the doctor's stay in Moweaqua, he owned and managed a farm in the vicinity of that town ; and during his residence in this same place his thirst for knowledge led him to matric- ulation with the Miami Medical college, at Cin- cinnati, (., from which institution he was gradu- ated in the year 1870. In April of 1876, he came to this city where ever since he has made his home. Doctor Catherwood was not a soldier, but was a witness of the bloody struggle at Pittsburg Landing. he being there on private business : his only real taste of war was lending aid in caring for the wounded and dying during and after this engagement. For three years, 1858 -1861, he was postmaster in his home village. During his residence here, he was for four years surgeon for the Big Four, and under Cleveland's last administation, was on the pension board. He is a member of the Shelby County, Central Illinois, and State Medical societies, and also of the F. & A. M., the K. P .. I. O. O. F .. K. of H .. and A. O. U. W. lodges. In politics the doctor has been a life-long democrat, but with strong prohibition proclivities. Both himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He is the owner of a large and well selected library and of a comfortable home in the north central part of the city. As a practitioner his skill is undis- puted, and his judgment reliable. His practice has been large and long, and thousands in this
county have looked upon him as their family physician. As a gentleman, we find him cour- teous, affable, well-informed ; an up-to-date man who has grown okl in body only.
JAMES A. BABB.
The gentleman of whom we now write is known throughout the county as the okl and re- liable photographer of Shelbyville. He was born May 8th, 1855. in Osage county, Missouri. His father and mother were B. F. and Visa (Harper) Babb ; she died in 1874 in Barkersville, Mo. In 1879. Mr. Babb left his native state and came to Sullivan, Moultrie county, Illinois. At this place he engaged in photography, and after a period of four years removed to Jefferson City. continuing in the same employment. In 1881, he came to Shelbyville, and on the last day of August, this same year, was united in marriage to Miss Mary E .. daughter of Abram and Mary Oliver. Mr. Oliver is now, in his declining years, kindly furnished a home with Mr. Babb. Mrs. Oliver de- ceased in 1891, was the first white girl born in Shelby county.
Mr. and Mrs. Babb are the parents of six children, two of whom died in childhood. The other four are: Tony ()., now with a wholesale photographer in St. Louis: Edith M., wife of William Lumpp ; Pearl \ ; Flossie K ; and Mar- gery L.
Mr. Babb is a member of the Board of Edu- cation : a charter member of the K. P., Redmen and Woodmen lodges in this city. Ilis entire family are members of the First M. E. church. In his chosen line of work Mr. Babb is a success. The photos for making many of the plates which adorn this book were made in his gallery, and it is with pleasure we refer to his excellent work- manship and prompt, gentlemanly treatment.
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BIOGRAPHIES.
DOCTOR W. J. EDDY.
Favorably known among the best practition- ers of Shelby county, is W. J. Eddy. His rank among the best is adjudged because of his wide practice, his success in the treatment of disease. and his frequent calls in consultation with other physicians. His birthplace is the city of Shelby- ville, and it was here, on the 13th of October. 1857. he was born into the world. His father. for whom the doctor is named, was a native of Cork, Ireland. He was born in 1830, and com- ing to this country in the year 1848, engaged in shoe-making. His mother was Miss Mary J. Roberts, of Cornwall, England ; she was born in 1832. and came here in the year 1843. Thus it will appear that the doctor's veins are filled with genuine Celtic blood. His parents died in the years 1889 and 1865, respectively. The doctor was the second of four children : Mary 11., who is the wife of Rev. A. H. Rusk, pastor of the MI. E. church at Davis City, lowa : W. J .. of whom we write: John R., deceased in 1899, leaving a wife and two children : and J. H .. who is a phy- sician in Decatur, Illinois. By a second mar- riage to Rachel Barrett Mr. Eddy became the father of one daughter and three sons: Valma E .. who is a resident of this county; R. T., who is mentioned in our chapter on the "Bar;" (r- land, a dentist in Deeatur, and who is the hus- band of Blanch Alloop; and Dowling, a lawyer by profession, but who is now in the Klondike.
Since the doctor was twelve years of age he has known how to provide for himself. His was a boyhood of work. He worked on a farm. learned the trade followed by his father, and when old enough, and far enough advanced. be- gan teaching school. He was finally able to at- tend school at Valparaiso, Ind., and subsequently at the State Normal University. Carbondale. Ill. After deciding to make medicine his study, he
attended the Chicago College of Physicians and Surgeons, and was graduated from this institu- tion in 1885. Since that time he has taken three post-graduate courses : A course in Opthalmol- ogy in Chicago ; a course in Polyclinics in Chi- cago, and a course in Electro Therapeutics in Indianapolis. These special courses, in addition to the regular work required for the M. D. degree, have fitted the doctor for the place of eminence which he now fills.
In 1888, on the igth day of September, he was united in marriage to Miss Carrie V .. daugh- ter of Dr. N. F. Chafee. of Shelbyville. Miss Chafee was an accomplished young lady who had taught for several years in the city schools. To this couple have been born three children : llazel, October 5th, 1891 : William Chafee. July 27th. 1895: Mary Josephine. September 9th. 1(,00.
The doctor is a member of the F. & A. M .. Knight Templar, and K. of P. lodges. In poli- tics he has ever been an out-spoken republican. though never a bitter partisan.
He is a courteous, accomplished. Christian gentleman. As a citizen he is resepeted : as a practitioner he is reliable, having a complete li- brary and office appliances of great value. The latter includes a Static machine for general elec- trical appliances, and X-Ray work : indeed, noth- ing is spared which enables a man to find out and master diseases : as a husband and father he has no greater joy than in the bosom of his family, and there he may ever be found when not on professional duty. He is an official mem- ยท ber of the First M. E. church, and his church fel- lowship is shared by his estimable wife. Theirs is a Christian home, a noble work, and we have yet to learn where the circle of their friendship is narrowed by aught save the limit of their ac- quaintaneeship.
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BIOGRAPHIES.
JUDGE THOMAS H. RIGHTER.
In writing the genealogical and biographical , sketch of the one whose name heads this article, we are gratified that data is furnished us which enables us to begin with the great great grand- father. Very few of those who read this review have any material proof that the Darwinian theory of our ancestry may not be the right one. and that such uncanny relatives do not belong to their family, not three generations in the past.
In the study of the Righter family we shall find that the name has been changed in its spell- ing, as is true of so many others. These changes may have been for convenience sake, or, as is more frequently the case, for euphonious reasons.
In the middle of the eighteenth century, one. John Reichter by name settled as a pioneer in the Keystone state. He was a native of Germany and in that country had taken for a wife Miss Katharina Baker. This couple were the parents of five children : three of the sons were given to the patriot cause, and served under Washington in the Revolutionary war. These three were : John, Jacob and Peter ; the names of the other two children were Abraham and Hannah.
John, after the war, was married to Miss Martha Franklin, the great grandmother of our subject. These were the parents of the follow- ing named children : Abraham, John, Jacob. Mariah, and Peter. This last named one, the grandfather of the judge, moved to Kentucky in the year 1800, thus becoming one of the early set- tlers of that commonwealth. At this point, one thread in our genealogical line is broken. The name of Peter's bride is unknown, but the name of his children follow: George, Grove. Peter. and Mary.
The first named of these, G. Grove, the father of the judge, was born in Kentucky in the
year 1806. At the age of twenty-four he was united in marriage to Miss Salome Kilbourne ; the ceremony took place in Hamilton county, Ohio, whither he had then removed. He after- ward emigrated to Shelby county, Indiana, and died there about the time the Civil war began. Of this marriage, twelve sons and two daughters were born. The daughters and four sons are de- ceased.
T. H. Righter, the youngest of these four- teen children, was born near Morristown, Ind., Nov. 21st, 1860. He has no recollection of his parents, they having died while he was yet an in- fant. He was reared by his sister Katherine and his brother Q. C. Righter. After the judge was thirteen years of age, he worked upon a farm during the summer season, and attended school during the winter. This he continued until he began teaching in the year 1880. This was, in- deed, a rugged ladder to climb, but over similarly rough rounds have men climbed to the loftiest . attitudes of human achievement.
After teaching for some time, he was able to attend school at Lebanon, Ohio, and at Val- paraiso, Ind. He read law with Judge Truman E. Ames, and also with Hon. 11. J. Hamlin, at- torney general. In 1893 he was admitted to the bar, and immediately began the practice of law in this city.
On the first day of January, 1894, he was united in wedlock to Miss Laura E. York, an ac- complished young lady who was a teacher in the city schools. One child has blessed this union- Gertrude Salome, who was born November 9th. 1899.
"Ah! what would the world be to us If the children were no more ? We should dread the desert behind us Worse than the dark before.
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JOHN W. YANTIS.
BIOGRAPHIES.
What the leaves are to the forest, With light and air and food, Ere their sweet and tender juices Have hardened into wood- That to the world are children : Through them it feels the glow Of a bright and sunnier climate Than reaches the trunks below. Children are better than ballads That were ever sung or said : For they are living poems. And all the rest are dead."
In 1898 Mr. Righter was honored by being chosen County Judge. As an official, we have yet to hear one of his decisions criticised.
He is courteous, affable and approachable. He is a self-made man who is not too greatly impressed with the importance of the man who made him. We account it a pleasure to know him, and speak sincere words concerning the esteem in which he and his estimable wife. are held by the entire community.
JOHN W. YANTIS.
John W. Yantis is a name familiar through- out Illinois. He has been, during recent years, the almost constant sharer of public honors. For four years he served as supervisor of his town - ship (Shelbyville), being at that time the young- est man ever chosen for the position. During two of these years, he was chairman of the board. At the expiration of this term of service, he was again tendered the nomination for the same po- sition, but declined, as he was chosen as a mem- ber of the State Board of Equalization. After serving his district in this capacity, he received appointment from Governor Altgeld as secre- tary of the Railroad and Warehouse Commis- sion. While serving on this board. he repre-
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sented this commonwealth before the national meeting of the Railroad Commissioners with the Interstate Commerce Commission, which con- vened in the city of Washington. Mr. Yantis has ever been identified with the interests of the local democracy, and, in the campaign just passed, further honors were bestowed upon him. He was re-elected to a membership in the State Board of Equalization. In one congressional campaign he was unanimously recommended by this county for a seat in Congress, and only lacked one vote of securing the nomination. Mr. Yantis is a true son of the county, having been born within its bounds May 13th, 1855. His father. Daniel, was a native of Maryland, but emigrated with his parents to Ohio when he was four years of age. His (John's) mother was Elizabeth Longenbaugh, a native of Ohio. This couple came to Illinois in 1853. John is the youngest of fifteen children, and was reared upon his father's farm in the northwestern part of the county. At the age of nineteen, he entered the college at Westfield, Illinois: afterwards, he spent one term in the college instituted in Shel- byville under the firm name of Wilson & Hul- hurst. During the time spent in this institution he worked. Saturdays, mornings, etc., as clerk for Kleeman & Goldstein. Afterward, Mr. Yan- tis entered the Bryant & Stratton college in Chi- cago, and was graduated in a business and com- mercial law course in the year 1876. In this same year, he was married to Miss Tracy J. James, a native of this county. To this couple were born two children-Mabel, now Mrs. Charles Neher, of this city : and Juanita, an ac- complished young lady who was graduated from the High school in 1900. In 1881 Mr. Yantis suffered the loss of his wife. He was subsequently married to a sister of his former wife, Miss Cor- delia James. Two children bless this union-
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BIOGRAPHIES.
Inez, who completes her high school course this present year, and Ambrey Leon.
For a period of thirteen years, beginning with February, 1878, Mr. Yantis conducted a general merchandise business in this city, having for a partner Mr. J. A. James. After the dissolu- tion of this partnership he opened a real estate and loan office. He is a member of the follow- ing organizations: A. O. C. W., 1. O. O. F .. F. & A. M .. K. T .. K. P., Eastern Star, Modern Woodmen, Rebeccas and Modern Americans. Two of these organizations he has served in a conspicuous manner, having acted as Depart- ment Grand Master for Illinois in the Odd Fel- lows' order, and for two years as Grand Master in the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Hle has also represented local interests. in the su- preme meeting of this organization. Mr. Yantis and his entire family are members of the Metho- (list Episcopal church, and he is on the official board of this organization. He lives in a beau- tiful home of his own, situated about one block from the court house. Mr. Yantis is a gentle- man. He seems to have the happy faculty of serving the people in a public capacity, without making enemies or reflecting discredit upon himself. He also seems to have escaped un- scathed those repulsive habits which so often affix themselves to our public men. Ile is cour- teous and affable, and we think it but fair to pre- dict these successes of his earlier life are but the earnest of more splendid achievements yet to come.
ATTORNEY GENERAL H. J. HAMLIN.
"Howland J. Hamlin was born in St. Law- rence county, New York, on the 13th day of July, 1850. He was educated in the district schools,
and at Lawrenceville AAcademy, at Lawrence- ville. N. Y., and finished his education at the State Normal University at Potsdam, N. Y. He came to Illinois in 1870 and was engaged in teaching in the public schools in Shelby and Moultrie counties for some time. He was Super- intendent of the Public Schools at Windsor, Illi- nois. He read law with Judge Anthony Thorn- ton, Ex-Judge of the Supreme Court of Illinois, and George R. Wendling. He was admitted to practice at the Supreme Court in June, 1875. He at once entered into partnership with Judge 'Thornton and George R. Wendling, which part- nership continued until Mr. Wendling retired from the firm and entered the lecture field. The firm then became Thornton & Hamlin, and the partnership existed for several years, until Judge Thornton removed to . Decatur, Illinois, when Mr. Hamlin became the head of the present firm. Hamlin & Kelley. Mr. Hamlin has been one of the most prominent lawyers in Central Illinois for several years. He has prosecuted and de- fended some of the most noted criminal cases tried in the State. He has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in nearly all of the counties of Central Illinois, and many in Southern Illinois. He has also had quite an ex- tensive practice in Chicago. He is considered among the most successful lawyers at the bar in the state. He is known to be a man of the high- est integrity and his reputation as a lawyer is without blot or blemish. He has been promin- ent in Republican politics for a long time. Has served upon the State Central Committee for sev- eral years. He was a delegate to the National Convention that nominated Mr. McKinley. He was Chairman of the last Republican State Con- vention and in his speech made before that con- vention outlined the policy that should be pur- sued with regard to the questions of expansion.
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BIOGRAPHIES.
In speaking of the argument made by Mr. Ham- lin on that occasion, the Inter-Ocean said as fol- lows :
" "The great speech of the Republican Con- vention at Springfield in 1900 was made by Judge Hamlin. As permanent chairman he was delegated, in a measure, to speak for the party in Illinois, and he spoke in no uncertain tones. He recalled the campaign of 1896 by a clear statement of issues that he might more clearly show that the republican party had redeemed its pledges. The platform of 1896 promised the prompt passage of a new tariff act, and a return of prosperity under the republican policy. The Dingley bill was passed, and in ten months the excess of exports over imports' was $500,000,000 : the exports of goods manufactured in America exceeded the imports of goods manufactured in foreign countries by over $4.000,000. and every- where there was greater industrial activity and increased prices for American products. This was putting the case in a nutshell to illustrate the results of a return to republican policy.
"Mr. Hamlin treated state affairs with the same definiteness, showing the slovenly incom- petency and dishonesty of the Altgeld adminis- tration in contrast with the thorough-going busi- ness methods of the Tanner administration. He swept over the record in a way to make plain facts and figures pay a finer tribute to Governor Tanner than words of warmest eulogy. Starting with the statement that Governor Fifer at the close of his adminisration turned over to the Altgeld administration a cash balance of $2.500,- ooo in the treasury; and at the beginning of his first fiscal year Governor Tanner found a deficit of $2,000,000. Mr. Hamlin showed what energy, honesty, and economy in administration had ac- complished under Governor Tanner. Never did national or state administration have in any
republican convention more telling and striking points made in its favor 'than Mr. Hamlin pre- sented in his speech. There was not much gen- eralization : there were no common-places or platitudes : but swift blows that rang when they struck home. to rouse the spirit of stalwart re- publicans.
"The most significant of all Mr. Hamlin's utterances was that referring to the war policy of the administration. Others had spoken of the limitations imposed on the government waging a war of humanity, but Mr. Hamlin outlined a policy that "would strike the last vestige of Span- ish treachery and cruelty from the Western hemisphere," and that would mark a new epoch in the history of this country. When he spoke of Commodore Dewey's raising the stars and stripes in the Philippine Islands, there to stay. the convention went wild with enthusiasm. No other utterance of the day met with prompter and heartier approval, and no plank in the plat- form was more enthusiastically applauded than that declaring the United States should hold such conquered territory as would be advantageous to its interests in time of war and peace. On the same day W. J. Bryan, speaking at Omaha, de- clared against retaining Puerto Rico or the Phil- ippines. Time will show whether he spoke for his party or not, but no one can doubt where the republicans of Illinois stand on the question.' "
"In 1896. when the Free Silver craze swept over the state. Mr. Hamlin was called upon by the Congressional Committee of the Eighteenth District to speak in each county in the district. He spoke at Vandalia, Illinois, early in July and the speech made there was made into a campaign document. and was circulated throughout the district. It was pronounced a complete answer to the Free Silver and Free Trade arguments ad- vanced by his opponents. He is regarded as one
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BIOGRAPHIES.
of the ablest campaign speakers in the state, and no name that has yet been mentioned for any office on the state ticket would add more strength to the ticket than that of Mr. Hamlin. Shelby county has never before asked for a state office."
The above epitome of Mr. Hamlin's life is taken from the Shelbyville Weekly Union. In addition to this we make mention of his election, by an overwhelming majority, to the Attorney Generalship of Illinois ; the foregoing article was published during the campaign.
Mr. Hamlin was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. York, of Windsor, June 8th, 1876. The bride was the daughter of Dr. Eli York, one of the oldest physicians in his township, but de- ceased some years since. After the death of her mother, Miss York, then but a child, was taken into the home of Dr. Jesse York, one of Illinois' most famous physicians, where she was reared to womanhood. Mrs. Hamlin is a bright, viva- cious woman who is the centre of a wide social circle. To this couple five children have been born. We subjoin the family record : Howard B., born Dec. 1877; Agnes Y., born Nov. 1879; H. J. Jr., born Dec. 1884; Jesse Y., born Dec. 1887 : Mary B., born June 1890. The last named died in infancy ; Jesse is in school here in Shel- byville : H. J. is completing his course in the Western Military Academy at AAlton, Ilinois ; Agnes, a graduate of the Georgetown Univer- sity, Washington, D. C .. is at home. She is possessed of a rich and cultured voice, and, through her womanly graces and acquired abil- ity, takes a prominent place among the young people of the city ; Howard is engaged in busi- ness in Chicago. The Hamlin residence is on North Broadway, and is a recognized centre of hospitality and royal entertainment. Few men carry public honors with more grace than Mr. Hamlin. He is bound to be a people's man. He
is never too busy, and never too conceited to speak to an acquaintance, no matter how poor or lowly that acquaintance may be. We hear the sentiment voiced almost daily, "Mr. Hamlin will be Governor of Illinois some day." Because of our personal acquaintanceship with the man, be- cause we know his worth, because we believe in his fairness, ability and manhood, we unite in swelling this sentiment.
HON GEO. R. GRAYBILL.
Known especially in press and political cir- cles throughout the entire county is the name Geo. R. Graybill. He was born near Lancaster, Ohio ; the date of his birth being Jan. 30th, 1854. When he was but two years of age, his parents. Samuel R. and Sarah (Carlisle) Graybill, emi- grated to this state. His childhood was spent upon his father's farm in the southern portion of this county. Like other farm-lads he knew the meaning of toil, and the value of a dollar earned by manual labor. His parents resided in this county until their death, which occurred in 1896 and 1872, respectively. George attended the common school in the country district of his home, and afterward matriculated with the University of Illinois. He was also under private tutorship in the city of Chicago, thus completing a first-class education.
During his youth and young manhood, he was able to finance his educational plans by clerking in a store and by teaching school. In August, 1885 he took charge of the Shelbyville Democrat, a paper mentioned elsewhere in this volume, and has since continued as its editor. In the year 1888, on the 18th day of January Mr. George Graybill and Miss Etta M. Laughlin, of Shelby county were united in marriage. The
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BIOGRAPHIES.
bride is the daughter of James and Henrietta (Murphy) Laughlin. She was educated at the Dixon college, and is an accomplished lady who . takes delight in domestic, literary, musical and Sunday school work. To this couple have been born five children, the first of which died at birth. The others whose names and birthdays follow, are : Fay Laughlin, April 16, 1890; Clara May, July 25, 1892 ; Leo Carlisle, July 23. 1894 ; Hen- rietta Sarah, Nov. 22, 1896.
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