Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 107

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 107

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).

hls son near Springfield ; Francis Marlon, farming in Curran Township; Eliza, who mar- ried John Greenwood, both being now deceased ; Emily, the second wife of John Greenwood, de- ceased ; Eunica, who marrled John Foster, both deccased ; Matilda, who married Davld E. Mc- Ginnis; Jasper D .; Robert; Permelia; and Sarah, who married William Scott, both being deceased.

William Gibson Miller was reared on the farm in Chatham Township and attended the subscription school of his time, entering upou his duties on the home farm as soon as he was tall enough to reach the plow handles. He remained on the home farm until 1858, when he was married to Nancy Baker, who was born in Loami Township, the daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Robertson) Baker, pioneer farming people of Sangamon County who are now de- ceased. After his marriage, Mr. Miller located in Loami Township, where he took possession of sixty-three acres of prairie land. Mr. Miller had been raised in the timber and, as the year 1859 was a very wet one and his crops failed, he became discouraged and finally returned to the place of his birth to take charge of the home farm of his father, who was becoming old and feeble. Here he remained until August 9, 1862, when the patriotic speeches, the wav- Ing of the flag and the rattle of drums brought vividly before him all of the teachings of hls father, and so enthused him that he offered his services and was accepted as a meuiber of Company I, Seventy-third Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being mustered in at Camp Butler. In a few days the regiment was or- dered to the front, direct to Louisville, Ky., and thence to Covington. On October S, 1862, the regiment participated In the battle of Perry- ville; on December 21, came the battle of Stone River; on September 19 and 20, 1863. Chick- amauga ; Missionary Ridge November 24 and 25, and Rocky Face May 9, 1864. Between all these great struggles there had been battles of minor importance, skirmishes and marches, in which Mr. Miller had served faithfully with his comrades, and at Chickamauga he received a wound in the head. He declined admission to the hospital after this wound, but at Mis-

1467

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

sionary Ridge he received a severe wound in the left forearm and was sent to the hospital at Nashville, Teuu., where he remained until July 22, 1864. He rejolned his regiment the night before Sherman swung around Atlanta, and was just too late for that battle, but par- ticipated in the battle of Spring Hill, on Novem- ber 29th ; Franklin November 30th, and Nash- ville, December 15th and 16th. Mr. Miller served with one of the bravest and hardest- fighting regiments that was ever gotten to- gether during the war. Always ready and eager for service, the Seventy-third was time and agaiu sent into some of the most desperate con- flicts of the Civil War, at Chickamauga alone losing 147 men. Company I, having gone into the battle with a complement of seventy-three men, was reduced to twenty-seven, and only five of these were able to auswer roll-call. Mr. Miller had contracted rheumatism during his long and arduous service, and he also had sus- tained a harder blow than any received in his numerous battles, when, at Mammoth Cave, Ky., October 16, 1862, he received word of the death of his young wife whom he had left at home. It was, therefore, somewhat as a broken man that he was discharged at Camp Butler in 1865, and went to see his motherless chil- dren who were being cared for by his sister Sarah. He remained in the old home until 1866, when on June 28th of that year he was married to Sarah A. Hall, who was born in Loami Township, January 9, 1845, a daughter of Thompson and Eveline (Jacobs) Hall, one of the old and honored families of Sangamon County. Mr. and Mrs. Miller settled on a farm in this township, but in about 1877 moved to · his parents' home on Section 22, Loami Town- ship, where he took up elghty acres on which there had been no improvements made. He hullt a three-room house, to which he has since added, now having one of the nicest homes in his part of the township, and cultivating an ex- cellent farm of 202 acres.

Mr. Miller can justly be considered one of Sangamon's energetic, enterprising, public- spirited citizens, and has always given his sup- port to movements of an educational or religious character, as well as those which tend to the advancement of agricultural and commercial Interests. He is vice-president of and a stock- holder in the Farmers State Bank of Loami, one of the stroug financial institutions of this section. In his political relations he is a Re- publican, hut has never sought public prefer- ment, although always working along the lines of good government. He and Mrs. Miller have always held membership in the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

The children born to Mr. Miller and his first wife were: Henry E., conducting a large ranch near Denver, Colo .; and Mary, who hecame the wife of Louis Jarrett, hut dled May 30, 18SS, her husband now heing a resident of Loami Township. To Willlam G. and Sarah A. (Hall) Miller, the following children have heen horn:

Minnie May, born March 8, 1867, died April 6, 1867; William Madison, born July 29, 1871, died in August, 1873; Oscar, born August 2, 1873, married Olive Campbell, and is now con- ducting a farm near Cheadle, Canada; Lucy, born August 13, 1875, married Melvin Dodd, a farmer of Loami Township; twins, who died in infaucy ; Edna, born November 19, 1882, married Cecil Keplinger, a farmer on a part of the old homestead; Nellie, born March 30, 1886, married Fletcher Blackburn, a farmer near Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ili.

MILLIGAN, Clarence Wilbur, M. D .- During the past decade there have been so many changes and discoveries in medicine and surgery that the physician and surgeon of today faces an entirely different situation than did his pre- ceptors when they commenced practice. Even the courses, by means of which the present phy- sician fits himself for his life work are entirely. different and much more exacting, aud when he enters upon his practice he has already au experience which took the older physician years to acquire. Springfield is the home of some of the representative medical men of the day, and one who has already made himself felt as a careful, conscientious and skilled practitioner is Dr. Clarence Wilbur Milligan, whose office and residence is at 724 East Capital Avenue.

Dr. Milligan was born at Edinburg, Ill., De- cember 29, 1885, a son of George W. and Eliza M. (Firey) Milligan. He attended the public school of Edinburg, Ill., where his parents re- sided, including the high school, aud when he decided upon a medical career, entered the med- ical department of the St. Louis University, from which he graduated in May, 1908. In June of that year he located at Springfield, as an in- terue at St. John's Hospital, where he remained one year, then began the general practice of his profession. He belongs to the regular school of medicine, and although as yet he has not spe- ciallzed, he is much interested in several dis- eases, which he Is carefully studying. He is a member of the Sangamon County Medical Soci- - ety, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce of Springfield, fraternally is connected with the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pythias, and in religious faith is a Methodist.

On November 17, 1909, Dr. Milligan married Miss Katherine W. Becker, their union taking place at Springfield. He belongs to the younger generation of medical men, not only because of his youth, but also on account of his train- ing, and is regarded as one of the most reliable, as well as skilled physicians and surgeons of Sangamon County.

MILLS, Charles Francis, editor, Springfield, Ill., was horn in Montrose, Pa., May 29, 1843, a son of Bartlet Hinds and Delia (Halsey) Mills, was educated at Shurtleff College, Upper Al- ton, Ill., and entered the Union Army during his

1468

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Senior year before graduation, as a private in Company C, One Hundred aud Twenty-Fourth Illinois Volunteers, but in 1863 was promoted to Hospital Steward, U. S. A., which office he held until the end of the war. After the war he became a student in Bryant & Stratton Com- mercial College, Chicago, also studied medicine (allopathle) and practiced in the army to a ilmited extent. May 26, 1869, he was mar- ried near the city of Springfield, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Bennett (now deceased). He later hecame a farmer and breeder of Improved stock, and has beeu 'editor and publisher of "The Farm Home," an agricultural weekly, at Spring- field, since 1890. He has also been prominently Identified with agricultural affairs, having served as Secretary of the Saugamon County Fair; Chief Clerk, Assistant Secretary and Secretary of the Illinois State Fair; Secretary of the American Live Stock Association and the American Fat Stock Show; Secretary of the Illinois Department of Agriculture; chief clerk for the Secretary of the Live Stock Show, Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893; Secretary for Chief, Department of the Live Stock Uni- versal Exposition at St. Louis, 1904; Secre- tary and President of the American Berkshire Association; Secretary of the American Clydes- dale Association; Presideut of the Amer- ican Ancestral Association; Secretary of tbe American Association; one of the Live-Stock Herd-Book Secretarles; member of the Amer- ican Breeders' Association, the American Short Horn Association, and the American Shire Horse Association; Secretary of the American Berkshire Congress, etc. Mr. Mills drafted and secured the passage of the bill creating the Illinols Farmers' Institute and was State Sec- retary of same for several years; and was or- ganizer and Secretary of the Commission of the Illinois Farmers' Hall of Fame. He has served in the Illinois National Guard, as Captain and Adjutant Fifth Infantry, Major and Quarter- master of the Second Brigade, Colonel and As- sistant Adjutant General, Hls rellgions rela- tions are with the Presbyterian church, and in politics he is a Republican. As editor he has been associated with the publication of the Year Books of the American Clydesdale Association (S vols.), the Amerlcau Berkshire Association (10 vols.), Illinois Department of Agriculture (4 vols.), Reports of other societles and of Live Stock Shows of World's Falrs (1893 and 1904). His home is at 322 South Second Street, and his office at 508-510 East Monroe Street, Spring- field, Ill. From this record It will be seen that there are few men who have been as busy as has been Col. Mills.

MINER, Lewis Henry, editor of the Illinois State Journal, Springfield, Ill., was born in that clty January 31, 1860, a son of Orlin Henry and Ellen Maria (Smith) Miner, the former a na- tive of Vermont. born May 13, 1825. After spending some sixteen years In the State of Ohio, in 1851 Orlin H. Miner came to the city

of Chicago and there engaged in the watch- making business, later engaging in the same business In the City of Springfield. In 1857 after the election of Jesse K. Dubois as State Auditor on the first Republican State ticket, Mr. Miner was appointed Chief Clerk iu the Au- ditor's office, a position which he retained until December, 1864, when on the retirement of Mr. Dubols by resignation, he succeeded to the of- fice of Auditor to which he had been elected at the November election, thus serving more than a full term. After retirement from office, Mr. Orlin H. Miner became a stockholder and Di- rector of the Springfield Irou Company, but died May 27, 1880. His widow still survives and is a resident of Springfield.

Lewis H. Miner received his early mental training in the Springfield city schools, follow- ing the Civil War, and naturally imbibed the patriotic principles of the Republican party which had inspired his father, as a fellow citi- zen of Abraham Lincoln, during the most dramatic period of the Nation's history. Mr. Miner was appointed postmaster of Springfield, July 1, 1899, by President Mckinley, and served one term.

On August 8, 1899, Mr. Miner married Georgia May Watson, a danghter of Charles F. and Sa- mantha A. Watson, and they have had three children, two sons and one daughter, namely : OrlIn Watson Mlner, deceased, Theron Bushnell Miner and Allce Stokes Miner, the two last named still living.

MINER, Orlin H. (Vol. I, p. 378.)

MINER, Smith .- Pawnee is the home of a number of men who have retired from the duties which once engrossed them, and who are enjoy- ing a rest well-earned by their labors of the past. One of these is Smith Miner, born in Jer- sey County, March 2, 1849, a son of Smith and Patty Miner, the former horn in Virginia. The parents married in that State, moving to Jer- sey County in 1820, and there the father died, in 1849. Later, the mother married and moved to Morgan Connty, Ill., where she died, in June, 1862. There were three children in the Miner family, one dying in infancy, and the others be- ing: Benjamin, born in Jersey County, died in Memphis, Tenn., while in the army, and Smith. There were no children by the second marriage of the mother. Both the Miner and Davis fam- ilies were old ones in Virginia, the former orig- inating in Germany.

When he was only twelve years old, Smith Miner left home, finding employment with va- rious farmers in Sangamon Connty, and attend- ing the Hopewell school. In 1870 he rented a farm, continuing to operate it for four years, following which he was engaged in varlons lines of work until 1890, when he entered the employ of the Pawnee Railroad Company at Pawnee. continuing thus for fifteen years, when in 1905 lie retired. in national affairs he votes the straight Democratic ticket, but in local matters

1469

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

supports the man best fitted for the office. While living in Madison County; he served six consecutive years as Collector, and has held the samme office for two terms in Pawnee. For thirty-five years he has been a member of the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Miner Is a Methodist, while Mr. Miuer carries out the Golden Rule in his dealings with his fellow meu.

The marriage of Mr. Miner occurred in Madi- son County, November 28, 1869, to Clara C. Jones, born in that county, May 20, 1849, a daughter of Martin aud Elizabeth Jones. Both were natives of Madison County aud there died. There were seven children boru to the first mar- riage of Mr. Jones : Charles, Marinda, and Mrs. Miner, living ; Norcrass, Palestine and Margaret, deceased, and one who died in Infancy. Later he married Eliza Kirkendall, but she bore him 110 childreu. The Jones family settled in Madi- son County, Ill., at an early date, and particl- pated in the stirring events of that day. Wheu a girl, Mrs. Jones' grandmother started home with a neighbor girl to pay a visit, but changed her mind and came back. The other, going on her way, was killed by the Indians, as was her mother, and this would have been the fate of Mrs. Joues' grandmother, had she not altered her plans.

Mr. and Mrs. Miner have had three children : Dalsy, born in Sangaiuon County, October 23, 1871, married F. M. Masters, resides in Fort Smith, Ark., three children-Glenn, Clara and Morrell ; Tule K., born in Madison County, May 30, 1876, is in the employ of the Clayton Dry Goods store and lives at home; and Benjamin H., born in Madison County, April 3, 1886, lives at home, being in the employ of the Chicago & Great Westeru Railroad Company as a surveyor.

During the many years he has been a resi- dent of Pawnee, Mr. Miner has made many frlends, and is numbered among the most es- teemed of its citizens, and one who cau always be depended upon to give public-spirited support to all measures looking toward securing good government.

MISCHLER, Phil .- The social life of Spring- field presents delightful opportunities for the display of charming hospitality, and the leaders here are noted for their lavish entertaining. Mr. Mischler is one of the most popular men In Sangamon and adjoining counties, where he Is so well and favorably known as buyer for The John Bressmer Dry Goods Company. one of the largest companles of its kind In Illinois.

Mr. Mischler was born in Springfield, III., January S, 1847. a son of Philip and Elizabeth Mlschler. Mr. MIschler received an excellent education and business training, and since 1867 has discharged the dutles of his responsi- ble position In such a manner as to command the confidence of his employers, reflect credit upon hls ablllty as a business man, and also to add to the prestige of his concern which he represents.

On May 8, 1877, Mr. Mischler was united in

marriage with Susie E. Schick, at Mt. Pulaski, Ill. Three children have been born of this union : Agnes E., Helen V. and Frances M. Miss Agnes Mischler Is recognized as one of the leaders in musical circles throughout Central Illinois. She has beeu most carefully trained in the best musical conservatories of Chicago aud is making use of her talent by imparting iustruction to pupils who come to her from the city and surrounding towns. Miss Mischler has entertained thousands who have listened delighted to her interpretation of the masters, aud Springfield is very proud of her.

Mr. Mischler is a Democrat, is a member of Company C, Flfth Illinois National Guard, an enthuslastic member of the Knights of Colum- bus, Springfield Council No. 364, he is easily the leading spirit of his lodge. He is also a. most liberal supporter of the Roman Catholic Church, and is highly regarded In his con- gregation.

A tireless worker, and accustomed to come in contact with a large circle of business meu, Mr. Mischler . enjoys a wide acquaintanceship, and understands how to conduct the line of business in which he is engaged, and preserve the dignity of his position. Both he and his' family staud amoug the foremost representa- tives of Springfield society, and have contrib- uted thelr full share towards the development of present very desirable conditions.

MITCHELL, John F., a veteran of the Civil War aud for many years foreman in the rolling mills at Springfield, has lived retired for the past eight years. He occupies the comfortable home at 1505 North Elghth Street which was built thirty-eight years ago, and besides this prop- erty owns various clty lots. He was born near Youngstown, Westmoreland Couuty, Pa., Febru- ary 2, 1845, son of George Mitchell. The fa- ther was born in Pennsylvania, iu 1819, and was a son of Rev. Mitchell, who came to America from Ireland and married a lady of German ex- traction. After the death of his parents George Mitchell accompanied his brother James to Westmoreland County and there worked at his trade of blacksmith, which he had previously learned. He also learned the trade of tauuer, but did not follow that to any exteut. He inoved to Johnstown, Pa., and there for some years followed his trade, continuing same for a few years after his location in Springfield in 1873. Later he worked at the rolling mill under the supervision of his son John F., then a foreman. He was a muember of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was a Democrat, and while living in his native State held various county offices. He died In 1897 in Springfield, where his wife also passed away. Their children were as follows : Isabelle died at the age of twenty-four years; John F. : Ellen, Mrs. August Andre. of Pennsyl- vania : Thomas, of Madison. Ill .; Mary Ann, wife of John Barren, of Springfield; Sue. Mrs. Harry Price, of Colorado; George, of Chicago ; Lou, Mrs. Robert Williams, of Colorado; James,

1470

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

of Springfield; Joseph, in the West; Phronia, Mrs. Seymour, of Los Angeles, Calif.

After receiving his education in the schools of Johnstowu, Pa., John F. Mitchel learned the trade of blacksmith with his father, and was employed in this capacity by the Cambria Iron Works, remaining iu their employ several years. On August 12, 1862, he eniisted at Harrisburg as a private in Company B, One Hundred Thirty-third Penusylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Butler and Col. Spekman. The regiment was assigned to the Fifth Army Corps and participated in the Battles of Antietam, South Mountain; Fredericksburg, aud minor en- gagements, being mustered ont at Harrisburg at the expiration of uine months, in 1863. Mr. Mitchell returned home and for a few months resnmed his former occupation, then entered the 'employ of the Government in the rolling miiis at Chattanooga, where he remained untii the close of the war. He went to Pittsburg, worked two years at his trade, and there in 1867 mar- ried Miss Margaret Elizabeth Crumb, who was born in Richland County, Ohlo, February 8, 1843, daughter of Nicholas Crumb. Her mother died when she was an infant and she was reared by her grandparents, David and Mary (Catts) Early, farmers of Columbiana County, Ohio. David Early was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his wife, who died as the result of a severe fall, at the age of ninety-three years, was well and strong up to that time.

After his marriage Mr. Mitcheli worked five years in Baltimore and one year in St. Louls. then came to Springfield and soon found em- ployment in the rolling miils, where he was soon promoted to the position of foreman. He kept this position for a period of twenty years, and at the time of retiring from active life in 1903 was one of the most trusted employes of the company. He was aiways most carefui and painstaking in the discharge of his duties and the work which was done in his department was of the best. He is a life-long Democrat and is a member of Stephenson Post G. A. R. While not a member of any religious organization, he frequently attends the Third Presbyterian Church, to which his wife beiongs, and is a generous supporter in its good cause.

Children as follows were born to Mr. Mitcheli and wife: Frank died at the age of two years; George L., at home; John Elmer, also at home; Waiter R., of Springfield; Arthur H., Eugene, Leroy, of Springfield; Ralph, of Los Angeles, Calif. Mr. Mitchell's successful career weli il- lustrates what a man may accomplish by am- bition and industry, thongh unaccompanied by the assistance of money or influential friends.

MITTS, Edward Grant .-- The history of the business houses in Sangamon County, indicates that the advancement which has been univer- sally shown is the result of persistent effort in- teiligently directed hy enterprising men, who understand their work in ail its details. A prosperons merchant of Springfield, who con-

trols a large trade, Edward Grant Mitts, of No. 1128 South First Street, was born in Dawson, Iil., April 12, 1870, a son of John and Naucy Ellen (Myers) Mitts, the former born in Rich- mond, Va., June 26, 1834, and the latter in Chillicothe, Ohlo, August 15, 1840. The father (a farmer by occupation) was personaily acquainted with John Brown, of Harper's Ferry fame, and took part in the notabie incidents of that period. He was one of the early settlers in Sangamon County and held many offices in his community.

After attending iocai schools Edward Grant Mitts went to Illinois College at Jacksonvilie. He grew np on a farm, learning habits of thrift and economy which were to assist him ma- teriaily later in iife. Upon leaving coliege he entered the government service as rallroad maii cierk, and iater began manufacturing stock and poultry food. Stiil iater he took up general publicity and commission advertising. He eventually established himself in his present business and is now handling a general iine of merchandise.

Mr. Mitts is a Methodist and has always been a steadfast Republican. When he was twenty-one years old he jolned the Masonic fraternity and he has taken the degrees up to and including the Thirty-second. Aiways true and loyal, Mr. Mitts believes that true friend- ship is one of the most valuable things on earth. Benevolent, although not ostentatiously so, the recipient of his generosity often does not know the donor of the gift, Mr. Mitts is a man whose friends are many, and who is rightly numbered among the solid citizens of the Capital City.

MOHR, Anthony .- The farming interests of Sangamon County are in the hands of men who have made the business of farming a iife study, and to this fact may be credited, to a large de- gree, the flourishing conditions to be found there. Anthony Mohr, who, with his sister Franciska, lives on his excellent tract of eighty-seven acres of land on Sections 14 and 15, Woodside Township, is one of the scientific agricultnrists of Sangamon Connty. He was born in this town- ship, December 30, 1861, a son of William A. Sr. and Maria Ann (Buittman) Mohr.

William A. Mohr, Sr. was born in Wevels. bnrgh, Westphalia, Germany, in which place both his parents spent their entire Ilves, and (as is the custom in that country) he served his time, two years and seven months, as a soldier in the Prussian Army. After receiving his hon- orable discharge in 1855, he emigrated to Amer- ica, and came by way of New Orleans to St. Louis, Mo., and thence to Springfield, Ill. He located near the village of Pleasant Plains and married Elizabeth Hines, of Nassau, Germany. To them were born two sons: one, born August 2. 1857, died September 7, 1857, and the other, Frederick, born January 11. 1859, died Febru- ary 15, 1859. The mother of these children died on March 14, 1859. All were buried near Spring-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 107

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774