Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 92

Author: Dyson, Howard F., 1870- History of Schuyler County. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1126

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SKILES, William C .- The stern and substan- tial qualities which have inspired and accom- plished successful. pioneering in all places and stages of the world's progress, were manifest in the Skiles family at a very early period of the history of America, and ever since have spelled success and honor for the numerous members widely scattered over this broad continent and especially well represented in Schuyler County. to which the first arrival came in the middle 'twenties. Of the latter-day exponents of honor- able and useful living. one of the best known and most successful is William C. Skilles, owner of a farm in section 14. Browning Township. in which township he was horn October 1. 1844. a son of Moses and Mary (Luttrell) Sklles. na-

tives of Kentucky. Mr. Skiles' grandsires were soldiers in the Revolutionary War, the paternal grandfather coming to Schuyler County, III. from Missouri, the maternal grandparents arriv- ing from the South. Both were with General Jackson at the battle of Horseshoe Bend, both practiced agriculture with excellent results in Sebuyler County, and both lived to the ripe age of ninety years. The grandmother Luttrell was a remarkable woman, and attained the age of 102 years. During the early settlement of the county she had many thrilling experiences with the Indians. Her busband first settled in Brown- ing Township, but later moved to the uplands, and the first yoke of oxen he used in the town- ship was loaned him by the grandfather Skiles. His daughter. Mary Luttrell, was the second wife of Moses Skiles, and the mother of two sous and one daughter, of whom James Skiles is a retired farmer of Nebraska, and the daughter is the widow of Thomas Tracy, of Schuyler County. The first wife of Moses Skiles was formerly a Mrs. Swazey, whom he married in Missouri, and whose son, T. J. Skiles, now lives in Browning. Ill. The third Mrs. Skiles in girl- hood was known as Melinda Lynch, who became the mother of five children: Vernla, widow of James Mitchell of Browning: Rosa, widow of Martin Glover, of Astoria. Ill. ; Moses is a farmer of Browning Township; Lewis died in Nebraska at the age of thirty years ; David L., Charles C., and George, all three, deceased.

William C. Skiles' mother died when he was about seven months old. and he was then taken to the home of his maternal grandparents, with whom he remained until attaining his majority. Ilis youth was filled with bard work and respon- sibility, but he managed to acquire a practical common school education. upon which he has built by the research of later years. In 1861 he was united in marriage with Margaret J. Price, a daughter of Permenius Price, a native of Ten- nessee, with whom he started housekeeping on the old Luttrell farm, where seven of their children were born to them, one being born before the breaking out of the war. Of these, William is a farmer of Littleton Township; Mary is the wife of L. Parker. of Browning Township. and has seven children: James I. is farmer of Browning Township: Amanda ( deceased) was the wife of John Stambaugh; Thomas is a farmer in Fulton County; Min- nie is the wife of a farmer in Fulton County ; and Ross is a resident of Peoria. Ill. The mother of this family died in 1875, and in 1899 Mr. Skiles married Mrs. Maria Perkins, born in Schuyler County. July 4. 1-50, daughter of Elijah Wisdom, who came as a boy from Ten- nossee in 1827. Mr. Wisdom still is living with his daughter and son-in-law. Mr. and Mrs. Sk'les. the only survivor of fourten children, which his mother reared among the findest of sur- roundings, nover owning or using a cook store. or any artificial light save a tallow dip. Mr. Wisdom has two children living. Mrs. Skiles and Fannie, wife of Charles Hendricks, of Quincy,

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

Ill. He was a member of the Eighty-fourth Illi- mois Volunteer Inantry during the Civil War. lle is now eighty-four years ofdl, his wife having died in 1871. Mrs. Skiles has been thrice mar- ried, her first husband being Allen Robertson, by whom she had four children: Curtis, of Browning Township: James, of Beardstown; Wiliam, of Browning Township; Carrie, wife of Ernest Skiles, of Browning Township. The father of Alten Robertson was a soldier in Com- pany C. Third Missouri Cavalry, during the Civil War, and his death occurred In February, 1877. The second husband was I. P. Perkins, who was a soldier in the Third Illinois Civatry, dur- ing the Civil War, and died in 1889, leaving one daughrer. Wealthy, now deteased, who was wife of B. F. Lancaster. Mr. and Mrs. Skiles have a daughter. Fannie, now in school.

Atter Fis last marriage Mr. Skiles took charge of his terms of family acres on Section 16 in Browning Township, where he has a comforta- ble home within half a mile of where he was born, and where he has been engaged in general farming And stock raising. He is a Democrat politicaliy aud has held a number of local of- fices, including that of member of the Board of Supervisors, Mr. Skiles is a man of fini charac- ter ard excellent judgment, and well sustains the reputation for integrity and usefulness es- tald.shed in the dawn of the county's history by the sires on both sides of his family.

SLACK, Nathaniel G., M. D., (deceased) .- A bright and bendivent career in the medical pro- fession was terminated by the decease of the respected and well remembered physician above named, whose practice in Rushville. Schyler Commis. Il .. extended over a period of nearly thi ty years. That the memory of his faithful, comrid rate and self-denying attention to his mimeromus patients in Rushville aud the sur- rounding country is still warmly cherished by its benefi aries, is grateful evidence of his fidelity to the implicit trust reposed in him and to the high ideals which dominated his professional ea- reer. The subject of this memoir was born in England, April 9. 1820. his father, John Slack, also being a native of that country, where he spent his entire life. Some time after the death of John Slack, his widow married again, and coming to the United States. settled in Illinois. where she and her husband made their home in Fulton County. The latter, whose name was Potts, died a few years after their arrival in this country. Nathaniel G. Slack was a mere lad when his father died, and was only approximat- ing manhood when he accompanied his elder brother to the United States. He first located in Rhode Island, whence after a time. he pro- ceeded to Illinois, and took up his abode in Ful- ton County. There he shortly afterward became a moupil in the academy at Farmington, and after remaining for a time in that institution. pur- sued a course of stadly at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He next taught school for several terms, and sub- sequently studied dentistry, in the practice of

which he engaged. This he abandoned in order to attend the lectures of the lowa Medical Col- lege at Keokak, lowa, and then commenced the practice of medical; at his home in Fulton County. In 1859 he removed to Rushville, where I . continued in practice, and soon attained gen- eral recognition as a skilltul and successful phy- sirian and surgeon. This professional standing he junimained for many years, acquiring an ex- lessive and remunerative practice. Ile was also id utitied with mercantile pursuits, being inter- sind to a considerable extent in the woolen mitts at Rushville. His death occurred August 9, 1557.

On November 12, 1858, Dr. Slack was united in marriage with Eliza C. Berry, who was born in Fulton County, III., a daughter of Ilenry C. Berry, a native of Berkshire, England. Mr. Berry came to America with his family in early days, settling in Canada. Thence he moved to Fulton County, Ill., about the year 1539. By trade be was a miller, and alternately followed farming for a livelihood. In Fulton County he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. During the latter part of his life he went to California, where he died. Mrs. Slack is still a resident of Rushville, where she is surrounded by every com- fort, and enjoys the cordial esteem of numerous friends.

In politics, Dr. Slack was a supporter of the Republican party. During the Civil War. he aried in the capacity of United States Marshal. Aside from his professional attainments and services, his memory is cherished as that of one of the patriotic, public spirited and useful citi- zels of Rushville.

SMITH, Josepli H .- To none of the old settlers of Schuyler County do the changes which have takoon place during the past fitty-nine years scom more marvelous than to Joseph II. Smith, a ro- ti, ed farmer of Rushville, Mr. Smith bas watched the passing of the round log house; the subserip- tion school ; the dense hazel brush ; the hungry and inquisitive foxes which made lite miserable for everyone but themselves; the gentle deer, of which he saw eleven in one herd; the wild tur- koys and other small game: the scythe, eradie, flint light and tallow dip. From the other elze of his life he still watches with interest the com- ing and going of the present generation of work- ers, those to whom have been shifted the burdens of agriculture. hut everywhere upon his own place are the evidences of his handiwork, of his untiring perseverance through the storm and sunshine of his long life. Mr. Smith has had his own way to make in the world ever since he was old enough to make his labor of value. Born on a farm in Jefferson County, Ind., February 14, 1433. he is a son of Michael Smith, a native of Somerset County, Md .. and grandson of William Smith, also born in Maryland. Besides himself. Int two others of his father's children are ily- ing. namely: Oliver P. Smith, of the State of Washington. and William N. Smith, a resident of Mount Vernon. Ill. Melinda ( Reamer) Smith,

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

mother of Joseph II., was born in New Jersey, a daughter of David and Nancy ( Smith) Reamer, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, re- spectively. David Re: mer was a gunsmith by trade, and he followed the martial fortunes of Washington for seven years of the Revolutionary War, starking his musket on the battlefields of Bunker Hill and Brandy wine, and enduring the bitterly cold winter at Valley Forge. Mr. Smith now holds as his most prized relie the pocket- book which bis maternal grandfather carried through the Revolutionary War. The Reamer family is long lived, Melinda ( Reamer) Smith having lived to the unusual age of ninety years, ber death occurring in 1900.

Michael Smith moved from Indiana to Bain- bridge Township, Schuyler County, in 1848, and engaged in farming and stock raising until his death in 1852. Joseph H. bad the best advan- tages procurable in his township, but even these were meagre compared with those the children of the present day enjoy. He was a sturdy and industrious lad, and being left fatherless at the age of nineteen. a large share of the home re- sponsibilities fell upon his shoulders. The fol- lowing year, in 1853, he was united in marriage to Sarah Jane Teenogle, a native of Boone County, Ky., who came with her parents to Schuyler County in 1S19, she being then thirteen years old. Surviving her parents and the other children in the family beside herself are : Thomas HI. leenogle. of Beardstown, Ill., and Mrs. Mel- vina F. M. Hodges, of Rushville. Mr. Smith bas voted the Democratic ticket ever since old enough to form political opinions, and he served four years as Constable of Bainbridge Township and sixteen years as Road Commissioner. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith are devout members of the Gap- tist Church, which she joined about fifty-five . years ago. To his first purchase of forty acres of land. Mr. Smith has added until he now owns 160 acres, all under cultivation. His farm has many fine improvements. excellent machinery, and substantial facilities for caring for products and stock.

SMITH, S. Darwin, M. D .- A comparatively re- cent recruit to professional circles in Rushville is Dr. S. Darwin Smith, one of the young and enthusiastic practitioners who recognize the ever widening possibilities of their calling, and whose judgment and research is untrammeled by mental fixity or blind devotion to the tenets of the past. Dr. Smith was born in Woodstock Township, Schuyler County, Ill., December 20, 1870, of Southern ancestry, his father, S. S. Smith, hav- ing been born in Brown County, Ill., of which his paternal grandparents, Abraham and Mary E. ( Ilendly) Smith, natives respectively of Lex- Ington. Ky., and Virginia, were early set- tlers. His mother, formerly Lizzie (Cook) Ma- gruder. was born in Schuyler County, Ill .. a daughter of T. P. W. and L. M. (Bennett) Ma- gruder, the former born in Baltimore, Md., and the latter in Shepherdstown, Va.

. Dr. Smith's original field of activity was upon

his father's farm in Woodstock Township. He received a practical common school education while still at home, and mally entered the Chl- cago Homeopathic Medical College, from which he was graduated in the class of March, 1896. Through successtul competitive examination he secured a year of training as an interne in the same hospital, and for the following five years conducted a general practice in Astoria, Ill., coming to Rushville in the fall of 1902. Ile al- ready has made many friends and built up a practice extending over a farze area of the town and surrounding country, and by his faithful- ness, skill, and ready adaptation to the demands and amenities of his calling, gives promise of extended usefulness in an appreciative commu- nity.

Dr. Smith renounced bachelorfood March 1. 1405, marrying Anna Reed Freer, a native of Chicago. Ill., and of their union there is a son, Edward Magruder Smith. The doctor is a Re- publican in politics, and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and the Court of Honor.

SNYDER, Madison O .. (deceased), for many years a leading farmer of Littleton Township. Schuyler County, 10 .. and later engaged in real estate and five insurance business in the town of Littleton. Il., where he also held the office of Postmaster, was born in Schuyler County. J., July 21, 1410, a son of David and Cassandra ( Walker) Spyder, ratives of Virginia and Ken- mely, respectively, the birthplace of his father being in Breckenridge County. in the former State. Their marriage took place in Virginia in 1822. and two years later. they moved with temos to Illinois, locating in the vicinity of Rush- ville. A few years later, Divil Snyder outered land in Sections 9 and 16, Rushville Township, where in course of time, he became The owner of 250 acres. The ground in this locality was so swampy and boggy when he first located there as to be of very slight value. David Suyder died on his farm March 5. 1558. his widow sur- viving him until June 6. 1:69, when she also departed this life. Their family consisted of five daughters and five sons, of whom only one son, William F. Snyder, of La Crosse. Hancock Connty. Ill., is now living. A daughter. Mrs. Julia Wheat, of Littleton, Schuyler County, re- cently passed away.

Madison O. Snyder received his education in the district schools, and remained with his mother until a year after his marriage, when he moved to a farm four miles south of Littleton, on which he lived until 1969. In that year he bought 120 acres in Section 10. Littleton Township, which he partly improved, and successfully followed farming there for seventeen years, In 1597. he took up his residence in the town of Littleton, buying a house and lot and the postoffice build- ing. thereafter devoting his attention to the firo insurance and real estate business. In which he continued up to the time of derease, October 21, 1907.

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

The marriage of Mr. Snycer took ida e Nove 10- ber 13, 1861, on which date Mary J. Lambert became his wife. Mrs. Snyder was born in Rushville, til. December 18. 1511, a daughter of William and Catherine (Dennis) Lambert. natives of Kentucky. Her father was a minister of the Christian Church and an early settler in Schuyler County. Seven children born of this union were: Catherine L., who married Samuel Frank Sloan. and now lives at Watertown, S. D .; Nellie, who married Oel D. Ross, of La Prairie. Hancock County, Ill. : Olive, who is employed as a clerk in Macomb, Ill .; Grace (Mrs. Iosea B. Winters), of Littleton Township ; Elmora W .. wife of Charles D. Wells, a resident of Littleton. Ill. ; Clarence O., a farmer of Littleton Town- ship, and Nina Florence, who is still at home.

Politically, Mr. Suyder was a Republican and bore a prominent and influential part in local affairs. Ile held the office of Township Asses- sor, five years; that of Collector, one year; and served eight years as Justice of the Peace. Ile was appointed Postmaster of Littleton by Presi- dent MeKinley. assuming the duties of that of- fice February 14. 1508, which he continued to occupy up to the date of his death. He also held the office of Notary Public under the ad- ministration of Gov, Tanner and Gov. Yates. in fraternal circles, Mr. Snyder was identified with the A. F. & A. M., having belonged to the Rush- ville Lodge from 1861 to 1884, when he assisted in organizing a lodge in Littleton, Ill. Ile was also a member of the M. W. of A. The reli- gious connection of Mr. Snyder was with the Baptist Church, of which he had been a member since 1865, and in which he had officiated as deacon and trustee from 1875 up to the time of his demise. Mr. Snyder was one of the fore- most citizens of the county where his entire life had been spent, and no members of the commu- nity were held in higher esteem than he and his worthy wife, who survives him.

STEELE, George Burton .- A comparatively re- cont and well equipped recruit to the profes- sional life of Rushville is George Burton Steele. a young man of well defined purpose, and suffi- cient energy and patience to accomplish much as a legal practitioner. Born on a farm one and a half miles northeast of Pleasantview. Schuyler County. Ill .. December 10. 1878, Mr. Steele is descended on both sides of his family from very early setlers of Ohio, in which State were born his paternal grandparents. Theodosius S. and Mary ( MeEwen) Steele, whose agricultural in- terests were identified with the vicinity of Rush- ville. On this farm of their own clearing was born James M. Steele, father of George Burton. who grew to manhood and married Rachel Strong. a native of Pleasantview and daughter of George W. and Frances ( Quinn) Strong. the former horn in Columbiana, Ohio, and the latter a native of Louisville. Ky. George Lee Strong. the American progenitor of the Strong family in America, was born in Ireland, and after settling In Virginia, married Nancy Kennedy, a native of

louisville, Ky. Thomas Quinn strong, great- grandfather of George Burton, and son of the immigrant, was born in Virginia, and after mov- ing to Ohio married Elizabeth Lewis, one of the Buckeye State's native daughters.

After the death of his mother, when he was Seven years old. Georg Burton Steele lived until his majority with his grandmother, Frances Suomnd, and his uncle, Charles K. Strong. While achieving his preliminary education principally through study at home, he graduated from the Pleasantview High School, Kennedy's Normal at Rushville, and the Rushville Business College.

At the age of eighteen he entered upon his six year's of educational work, and during that the gained an cuviable reputation as a practical and capable teacher. Hle then was appointed Deputy County Treasurer, under his uncle. Charles K. Strong, and while discharging the duties of this office reid law under Thomas E. Bottenburg. of Rushviff. Admited to the bar of Illinois, April 6. 1905, he bezan the practice of his profession in Rustville September 1, 1905, and during the ensning year has had no occasion to regret his choice of location.

December 25. 1901, Mr. Steele was united in marriage to Bertha B. Bestler, a native of Naper- ville. 111. Mr. Steele is a Democrat in poli- ties, and fraternally is connected 'with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Steele is at present City Attorney for the city of Rushville, III.

STOVER, Samuel .- For more than sixty-three vears the Stover family of Bainbridge Township has been a strong and continuous factor in the best progress of Schuyler County; for its mem- bers have been concerned not only with the ma- terial phase of its history. but with the develop- ment of its educational system, which tends to the production of the higher wealth of mind. and which is so closely related to the substantial prosperity of any community. Education is a stimulant to broad action and has an ennobling influence on all the labors of the world, so that both Samnel Stover, the pioneer in agricultural work and civic organization. and D. Marion Sto- ver. his son, who has accomplished so much for the school system of the county, are entitled to no sinall share of the credit of establishing so- cial order and elevating the standard of their lome communities.

The late Sammel Stover was a Virginian, born in Page County, that State, on the Sth of No. vember. 1813. and his father. also born in the OM Dominion. was of German ancestry. In 1816 the family moved to the southern part of Licking County, Ohio, where the grandfather (also Samuel) engaged in farming and there passed his last years. There Samuel Stover. Jr .. married Maria Campbell, a daughter of Peter I .. Campbell, their union occurring in the fall of 1843. The Campbells moved to Schuyler County, Il., and settled on what is now Sectlou 4. Balnbridge Township. The father was an act- ive Democrat, was elected County Treasurer and

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

assessed the entire county before it was organ- ized into townships, finally dying on the old farin. In the spring of 15H Samuel Stover, with his wife and one child. Milton L. Stover, settled in the same section, the improvements on the farm of 100 acres, consisting of a rude double log cabin. The land was very heavily timbered, and the father immediately conneured to ent down and burn the large logs. One hundred and twenty acres was finally cleared and reclaimed to the uses of agriculture, and the farm is today one of the finest in the township, in 1906 producing eighty-seven bushels of corn to the nere. The old log cabin remained the family home until 185S, and here most of the thirteen children were born; but in the year mentioned Samuel Stover erected with his own hands a fine residence near the modest house of the pioneer period. There the mother died September 20. 1571, a devout woman reared in the faith of the Primitive Bap- tist Church, whose life was in striet accord with the principles of her belief. Three of her thir- teen children died in infancy. After his second marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Rouse. Mr. Stover retired from the old farm to Rushville, where he resided until his death, August 8, 1898, and where his widow passed away March 14, 1901.

Samuel Stover was long one of the prominent citizens of Bainbridge Township. taking an es- pecial interest in the early educational affairs. Ile was a Democrat, filled various township of- fices of trust. and. like his father-in-law. Mr. Campbell. was in inany ways prominently con- corned in the founding of the county govern- ment. He was a faithful, enterprising. large minded and warm hearted man. a good husband and father, and a strong citizen. His religious belief. to which he was closely attached. was that of the Primitive Baptist Church.

The children of the family who survived their infancy are as follows: Milton L .. who is farm- ing in Johnson Conmy, Neb. ; Oscar A., a resi- dent of Inshville, Schuyler County ; Thomas C., who died at the age of fourteen years; D. Ma- rion, a sketch of whose lite follows ; Horatio H., now deceased ; Horace F., a resident of Lincoln, Neb. : Dora I., who married W. R. Hoskins, now living in Wolsey. S. Dak. : Rollin M., and Robert C., both residents of Rushville. IN .: and Zelma E., a school teacher of Minneapolis, Minn.

D. Marion Stover was born in the old log cabin of the family homestead in Section 4, Bainbridge Township. on the 27th of October. 1848. and is now the owner of the home place of 160 arres. which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. After receiving an education in the district schools and the Gem City Business College, of Quincy. Il] .. he devoted the larger portion of his life to self-improvement and the instruction of others. While fitting himself for his profession he assisted his father upon the farm, and in 1872 began teaching in the d'strlet schools of Schuyler County. continuing this work until 1856. His executive ability and modern methods, with his popular personal qualities. so established his reputation as an educator and

gained him so secure a footing with the public, that he was nominated by the Democracy as a candidate for County Superintendent of Schools. His strength is shown in the fact that he was elected by a greater majority than anyone else on the ticket, and was also returned for a second term of four years. During the eight years of his service in this important office, from jest to 18H, the schools of the county Were managed with decision and ability, the valuable reformis which were made being dictated by a common- sense determination to give pijnis the training \ which they coubl utt ize, rather than the ant- birion to be thought radical or unique. The re- sult was that the schools were brought to a high degree of practical efficiency and that he intro- duced a course of study similar to the one now used in every county in the State. Mr. Stover was not a candidate for re-election, and has since taken no active part in politics. For the past four years he has served as principal of the school of Frederick. and was re-elected for the term of 1907-08.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 92

Author: Dyson, Howard F., 1870- History of Schuyler County. 4n Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1126

Author: Dyson, Howard F., 1870- History of Schuyler County. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1126