Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 109

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 109

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The grandfather of Mr. Moyer was one of the pioneers of Sangamon County, aud at an eariy day opened and conducted a tavern on the State Road, which is uow known as the Bradford, later enteriug land which he oper- ated until the time of his death. His trade was that of a millwright and, in addition to his farming operations, he couducted several mills and warehouses. Charles Moyer, the father of Charles E., was born in Pennsylvania in 1822, and was reared on a farm in Lehigh County, but after coming to Illinois, was married in

Gardner Township, where he made his home until 1884, when he sold his farm there to purchase one in Salisbury Township, tbis be- ing his place of residence at the time of his death. He and his wife were the parents of nine children : William H., who died in Pleas- ant Plains in April, 1909; Charles E .; Anna May, wife of James Jones, a grocer of Peters- burg, Menard County; George, a resident of Williamsville; John, a brick-mason, who died in October, 1908; a daughter who died in in- fancy ; Ella, the wife of James Merry, a farmer near Williamsville; Ada, the wife of George McKinzie, a resident of Williamsville, with whom Mr. Moyer's mother makes her home; and Daisy, who died in young woman- hood in 1900.

Mr. Moyer was reared on the home farm and received his education in the district schools. At an early age he had to take charge of the home farm, and remained in charge until he was twenty-six years of age, when one of his brothers took up the work where he left off. On August 12, 1891, he was married to Lucy I. Crawford, who was born in Salisbury Town- ship, November 2, 1864, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Box) Crawford, both natives of Kentucky. The Crawford family came from Kentucky to Illinois in 1858, and about 1875 removed to Missouri, where Mr. Crawford died in 1879, when his widow came back to San- gamon County, and here the remaining days of her life were spent, her death occurring March 6, 1899. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Crawford, namely : a child who "died in infancy; Campbell W., a resident of Chatham, III .; Margaret A., wife of Alpha A. Miller, a farmer in Gardner Township; Cath- erine E., wife of Hosea Baker, a resident of Spaulding, Ill .; Mary E., wife of Marion Miller, a farmer of Salisbury Township; Amaretta, tbe wife of Christian Knudsen, a farmer of Is- land Grove Township; Mrs. Moyer ; and James Madison, a resident of Jacksonville, III.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Moyer rented land in Gardner Township, where they remained until 1894, at which time they rented land in Montgomery County, and Mr. Moyer operated 320 acres there until 1898. In that year he took charge of the Hugh Gardner farm of 200 acres, and continued to operate tbis un- til 1902, when he purchased a run-down eighty- two acre farm in Gardner Township, which he developed into one of the best properties in the township. Having purchased the prop- erty for $82.50 per acre, in 1906 he sold it for $125.00 per acre and purchased a fifteen acre tract within the corporation limits of Pleasant Plains, and here he has devoted his atten- tion to the breeding of pure Duroc hogs and Orpington chickens, of which latter he has now forty-one. Mr. Moyer is a self-made man, having started life empty-handed and built up his present prosperous condition through his own ability. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Christian Church, in which he is

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

a Deacon and his wife a member of the Mis- sionary Society. He is a Republican in poi- itics and a stanch adherent of temperance, while his fraternal connection is with the Pleas- ant Piains . Lodge of Odd Feilows. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer had one child who died in infancy, but on October 13, 1910, they adopted a child. . Bernice.

MUELLER, Gerhard Anton .- The German- American element is one of the hest this country knows. Germans are industrious, thrifty and loyal, and when they come here they bring with them many customs we would do weli to foilow. Few are poor and many Germans help in sup- porting institutions to care for destitute persons of other nationalities. A leading business man of Springfield who demonstrates in his everyday life his sound principles and reliable judgment, is Gerhard Anton Mueller. He was born in Leer Ostfriesland, Germany, April 5, 1849, a son of Hane and Catherine (Loop) Mueller. The father was a manufacturer of furniture, and carried on that line of business ali his life, which ended while he was on a visit to his sou, in 1872. His remains are interred in beautiful Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield.

Mr. Mueiler was educated in his native land, and when he finished school came to the United States, locating at Indianapolis. He remained there a short time and when he was seventeen years old came to Springfield. This was in 1868, and since then this city has been his home. After holding several positions as book- keeper and clerk Mr. Mueller embarked in business for himself, and has been eminently successful in his endeavors.

In 1873 Mr. Mueller was married, in Toledo, Ohio, to Regiua Huher, daughter of William and Elisabeth Huher. Her father was a mer- chant of Westphalia, Osage County, Mo. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mueller, of whom the following are living: George Adolph ; Elise Regina ; Eda ; Fred; William and Mar- guerite.

One son, George A. Mueller, is in business with his father. The family reside in their pleasant home on the southeast corner of Seventh and Reynolds Streets.

Mr. Mueller is a man of pleasing manner, and his genial, kindiy nature wins for him hosts of friends. He can aiways he depended upon to give his support to any measure that is calculated to he of benefit to his community, and his charities are numerous.

MUELLER, Hans Edward .- The younger gen- eration of Springfield's business men are prov- ing that they are alive, active and progressive, in favor of improvements and desirons of de- veloping the Capital City to its fullest extent. Among these representative citizens is Hans Edward Mueller, who was born in Springfield, November 27. 1874. a son of the late lamented Henry F. Mueller and his wife, Genevieve (Kun) Mueller. Henry E. Mueiier was born in

Germany in June, 1844, and came to America u 1863, locating first iu Indianapolis, where he remained until his removal to Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1867 he came to Springfield, where the re- mainder of his life was spent. He worked for some time as manager for Robert Rudolph, and iater established a business of his own. He operated under the firm name of H. E. Mueller & Company, first at the corner of Sixth and Jef- ferson Streets, and several years later, a short time before his death, purchased property and located his business at 712 Adams Street, be- tween Seventh and Eighth. He became known as oue of the leading business men of Spring- field and had a high standing in various eircles. He enjoyed to a large degree the companion- ship and confidence of his family and immediate friends, being a man beloved hy many for his kindly disposition and upright character, and his charities were so large that no one but himself knew of their extent. Soon after coming to the city he purchased his beautiful residence, which became known as "Mapieiawn," on Douglas Avenue. In April, 1868, he married Miss Genevieve Kun, and the following twelve children were horn of this marriage: Mrs. Kate Jones, of Springfield; Hans Edward Muelier, formerly of Toledo, but now of Spring- field; Mrs. Jennie Smith, of Indianapolis, Ind .; Mrs. Ciara McKinnie, of Springfield; Mrs. Stella Westerberger, of Springfield; Mrs. Anna Fisbeck, of Terre Haute; Herman, Paul and Kurt, all of Springfield; the Misses Hulda and Mayme Mueller of Springfield and Robert, of San Francisco. Cal.

Henry E. Mueller passed away at his home March 11, 1905. He had been ill for some time and suffered a paralytic stroke the day before his death. He was one of the best known men in the city and owned large real estate inter- ests 'there, besides his business and mining in- terests in the west. He was a man who readily made friends and retained their respect and esteem.

Hans F. Mueller, third child of his parents, was educated in the public schools of his native city and at early age entered his father's husi- ness, of which he took charge at the latter's deati. He has also been interested in generai contracting and pursued that line of business for some time at Toledo, Ohio. While in that city he served two years as Sergeant in the Ohio State Volunteers.

On October 10, 1906, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mueller and Miss Mary Alice Green- halgh, daughter of James and Mary Greenhalgh, of Chicago. Mrs. Greenhalgh resides with Mrs. Mueller, but the father is deceased. He was for twenty-seven years a mechanic for the Wahash Company and later with the Iliinois Central Railroad Company for ten years prior to his death, and was oue of the road's trusted employes. One son, James Edward, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Mueller, July 10, 1907. Mr. Mueiier is a Republican and. while not con- nected with any church, is Protestant in reiig-

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

1477

ious belief. He is one of Springfield's bright youug business meu, of pleaslug manner, and enjoys the confidence of his busluess associates.

MULLIGAN, William Thomas, a prosperous farmer aud stock-raiser on Sectiou S, Island Grove Township, Sangamon Couuty, was born at Sinclair, Morgau County, Ill., September 27, 1867, a son of Samuel and Naucy C. (McCon- nell) Mulligan, the former a native of Couuty Fermanagh, Ireland, born June 25, 1826, and the latter born iu Ralls County, Mo., March S, 1833. He came to America at the age of twelve years, then beginniug life on his own account. He was a son of well-to-do pareuts, but hav- ing heard of the advantages offered to young men in the New World, left home in 183S, landing alone in the city of New York. He came west aud began work as a farm hand in Morgan County, Ill., aud finally purchased eighty acres of land on his own account, near Sinclair. He erected a log cabin and other- wise improved his land and continued at odd times to work by the day or month, and thus was able to provide for his liumediate wants while developing his farm. He was thus engaged when the war broke out, and he was one of the early volunteers, in 1861 becoming a member of Company I Tenth Illinois Infantry. Ile went to the front with his regiment and served for some time under General Thomas, for whom he named his first-born, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Mulligan took part in many long marches and heavy engagements, but never shirked his duty and proved a brave, faithful soldier. He accompanied General Sherman ou the "March to the Sea." At the end of the three years for which he had enlisted he re-enlisted and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged.

After the close of the war Samuel Mul- ligan returned to Morgan County and continued the improvement of his land. which occu- pation he had left to go to the defeuse of the cause he considered right. He was mar- ried, January 2, 1867, to Mrs. Nancy C. Craig, and they located on his farm, where they es- tablished a good home for themselves and their children. His health was much impaired from his hard service in the army and he had to content himself with such achlevements as he could manage in the work of improving his farm, but accomplished his cherished pur- pose of becoming a land owner lu his adopted country. Death claimed hinu October 14, 1872, and he now rests in the cemetery near Sinclair. He was a devout and faithful mem- ber of the Methodist Church and always ready to perform his part in the support of church work. He was a Republican after the organiza- tion of that party, and was honored and re- spected as a man of honor an Integrity. was a great friend and adiulrer of General Thomas, known by his familiars as "Pap Thom- as." Two children were boru to Samuel and Nancy Mulligan : William Thomas, of this

sketch, and Sarah, who married Rev. W. M. Hailey, ot Barry, Ill., editor of the "Barry Record," and they have four sons and one daughter-Howard William, Arthur Bowman, Foster, Margaret Lucile and Cordell Stephen. Mrs. Nancy Mulligan died August 3, 1905, and is buried at Coucord, Ill. She was a devout and faithful member of the Methodist Churchi and much loved for her noble character and good deeds.

William Thomas Mulligan was reared on the farm his father had purchased, remaining there until the death of the latter, when the mother moved with her childreu to Concord. Morgan Couuty, where he attended the public school. He later attended Whipple Academy at Jacksonville two terms, and after leaving school accepted a position as attendant

at the Hospital

for the Insane at Jack-

sonville, where he worked fifteen months

under Dr. H.

F. Carriel, and in 1891

began working on a farm. On August

26, 1891, he married MIss Ella Kirby, born at Murrayville, Morgan County, April 3, 1863, a daughter of John and Fannie (Leaks) Kirby, both natives of England. Mr. Kirby was a leading farmer of his section of Mor- gan County and a good citizen, and he and his wife were active members of the Methodist Church. He died November 27, 1909, and his widow now resides near Franklin, Morgan County. Mr. and Mrs. Kirby had four daugli- ters and two sons, namely : Emma, Rachel, William, George, on the home farm with the mother ; Mrs. Mulligan ; Anna, deceased.

After his marriage Mr. Mulligan and his wife settled on a farm on Joy Prairie, Morgan Couuty, where they lived three years. Two children were born to them': Fletcher Kirby, August 6, 1892, and Vern, December 1, 1893, and later at Berlin, Glen S. born March 26, 1896. In 1894 Mr. Mulligan and hls familly removed to the vicinity of Franklin and in the follow- ing spring to Berlin, Island Grove Township. where he rented 135 acres on Section S, which he has now operated fifteen years. He pays particular attention to stock-ralsing.

Mr. Mulligan has been most successful in his farming operations and is known for his honest purpose and earnest efforts, by which he has proven himself worthy of the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. He is most practical and progressive in his methods. as is well shown by the results of his fifteen years in his present location. An upright and public-spirited citizen he has many friends. IIis farm is what is known as the Rose Place, and upon it he keeps a good grade of stock and reaps a high degree of success from all branches of his farming. He has always been actively interested in school work and, for the past nine years, has been a member of the Berlin School Board, lending his influence to hiring the best teachers and other good move- ments. This school is one of the best in. the county and a matter of pride in the commun-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

ity. Mr. Mulligan and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he holds the position of Steward, and for the past five years has been Superintend- ent of the Island Grove Sunday School.

MUNROE, Grafton, D. D. S .- One of the repre- sentative dentists of Springfield is Dr. Grafton Monroe, who is pleasantly situated at No. 304 Ferguson Building, corner of Sixth and Mon- roe Streets, while hls residence is at No. 1300 North Fifth Street. He was born at Annapolls, Md., August 5, 1863, a son of James and Matilda Rebecca (Walter) Munroe.

Dr. Munroe is a graduate of St. John's Col- lege of Annapolis, Md., Class of 1882, degree of A. B. The further degree of A. M. was con- ferred on him by the same school in 1890. His dental training was obtained in the University of Pennsylvanla, from which he graduated in 1885, with a degree of D. D. S. He also grad- uated from Edward H. Angle School of Ortho- dorthia, of St. Louis, Mo., 1900. From the time of his graduation until 1888, Dr. Munroe prac- ticed dentistry at Annapolis, Md., and then moved to Springfield, Ill., which has since been his home. There he has built up a large and constantly growing practice. some of his patients having been with him all these years.

On October 2, 1890, Dr. Munroe was united in marriage, at Springfield, Ill., with Bettie Jane Brown. Three children have been born of this marriage: Ogden Brown, Frances Jose- phine, and Grafton, Jr. (deceased). In national matters, Dr. Munroe is a Republican, but in local affairs he votes for the man he thinks will best fill the office. He was bronght up a Methodist, but later became a Presbyterian, and now is a supporter of that church.

Dr. Munroe is one of the solid men of Spring- field, whose example tends to elevate the tone of the community. He has many warm, per- sonal friends here, and is justly recognized as one of the leaders In his profession in Sangamon County. He Is the author of the article in this work entitled "The history of Dental Surgery in Springfield and Sangamon Connty."

MURPHY, James, who for many years carried on farming in Sangamon County, since 1905 has lived in the city of Springfield, retired from ac- tive life. He Is a representative Irish-Ameri- can citizen, Intelligently Interested in whatever concerns the public welfare, and ready to per- forin the dutles of good citizenship. He was born In County Galway, Ireland, In January, 1839, son of Mathlas and Catherine (Lynsky) Murphy, also natives of Ireland. The parents spent thelr entire llves in Ireland, where the father was a farmer, and they were parents of three sons and one daughter, and of these chil- dren but two survive: James, of this biography, and Patrick, who lives in Ireland.

Mr. Murphy received his education in his native country and helped with the work on his father's farm until he came to America, in

1864. He landed iu New York City and came thence direct to Sangamon County, but soon afterwards spent six months in St. Louis. Re- turning to Sangamon County, he took up farm- ing and followed this occupation until retiring from active life a few years since.

October 10, 1871, Mr. Murphy was married in Springfield, Ill., to Miss Rebecca Walker, who was born In Boston, Mass., June 9, 1848, a daughter of John C. Walker. Mr. Walker was born In Limerick, Ireland, and his wife in Dub- lin. He came to America as a young man and for many years worked in the ship yards at Boston. He was married there and when Mrs. Murphy was two years old the family came to Sangamon County, making the journey from New York by stage. They settled on Lick Creek and Mr. Walker helped lay ties at the time of the construction of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, which was then being built through that part of the State. An uncle of Mrs. Mur- phy was serving as Road Master, and Mr. Walker worked for the company the remainder of his life. The family lived for some time in a log cabin on Lick Creek, then moved to Chat- ham, where the father died May 7, 1888, and the mother March 15, 1877. They were parents of one son and seven daughters, of whom six children now survive, those besides Mrs. Mur- phy belng: Letitia, Mrs. John Canham, living near Auburn, Sangamon County; Mary, wife of Jacob Hoggsheimer, of Durango, Colo .; Ra- chel, wife of Jerry Morford, of Monutayr, Iowa ; Sarah, wife of Edward Neil, of Bronson, Iowa ; Robert, of Springfield.

Five children were born to Mr. Murphy and wife, of whom four survive, namely : John M., the oldest, of Sloux City, Iowa; Carrie, de- ceased ; James O., at home; Robert, of Spring- field; and Lettle B., at home. There are four grandchildren In the family. Mr. Murphy well remembers Abraham Lincoln, whom he knew personally. He Is a member of St. Agnes Par- Ish Roman Catholic Church, and his wife be- longs to the Presbyterian Church. He is a Dem- ocrat in political belief. He owns a very com- fortable home at 925 West Jefferson Street, Springfield, and has many friends in the neigh- borhood, as well as in other parts of the county.

MURPHY, Patrick (deceased), was long well and favorably known in Sangamon County. For years he was a farmer, but then became a railroad man, and in each capacity wielded a genial personal Infinence which made him be- loved by all who were so fortunate as to be as- sociated with him. He was born in Connty Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1841. a son of Thomas Murphy, a farmer. and was brought to the United States by his parents in 1843, when he was about two years old. The family settled near Chathan, on Sugar Creek, Sangamon County, Ill., where Mr. Murphy carried on farming, and where he and his wife died. Of the four sons and four daughters of Thomas Murphy only two daughters are now living :

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Mrs. Stacla McKelvey, of Springfield, Iil .; Mrs. Bridget Kelley is living in Kansas.

Patrick Murphy was educated in common schools in Sangamou County, aud in his earlier years worked for his father on the home farm. Soon after the begiuniug of the Civil War he eulisted in Company C, Tenth Illinois Cavalry, at Springfield. He took part in much hard ser- vice, was iu a good deal of spirited fighting, aud served until mustered out at the end of the war, at Sau Antonio, Tex. His brother Michael was a member of the same company for the same period. Returning to Sangamon County, Patrick Murphy resumed farming. After his marriage he operated a farın uear Buffalo two years, then became an employe of the Wabash Railway Company. Iu 1873 this service was begun, and it was continued till July 12, 1880, when he was accidentally killed. He was a Democrat and a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Mr. Murphy married Alice (Barregarye) Dwyer, at Springfield, in 1870. She was born in Ireland, November 25, 1843, a daughter of Ed- ward Barregarye, who came from her. native county, Tipperary, to the United States, set- tling at Buffalo, Ill., where the father dled, and the mother died in Ireland. They had two sons and two daughters: Matthew, the surviving son, is a citizen of Springfield. Alice Barregarye married John Dwyer, at Springfield, in 1865. . He was a native of Tipperary, Ireland, and died In 1869, leaving a widow and two daugh- ters, one of whom, Miss Bridget Dwyer Mur- phy. is living. Mrs. Murphy bore her second husband five children, three of whom survive: Thomas Murphy, of Buffalo, foremau for the Illinois Traction System ; James, of Evanston, Ill .; and Mary, a member of her mother's household.

MURRAY, Alexander B. (deceased), was for many years a resident of Springfield, and was well and favorably known for his industry and ability in the line of work which he followed for over thirty-five years. He was employed seven- teen years by the Wabash Railroad Company as general foreman of their bridge building de- partment. He had the good-will and esteem of all with whom he was associated and at his death was widely mourned. He was born near Aberdeen. Scotland, December 27, 1850, son of Hugh and Margaret Murray, also natives of Scotland, where they lived on a farm. He spent his boyhood on the farm with his father and was educated at Peterhead. Upon leaving school he learned the trade of carpenter and bridge-builder, and at the age of nineteen years emigrated to America. He located first at Chi- cago, and was employed by various roads, be- coming a foreman and contractor. ITe reached his position with the Wabash Road by reason of his ability and integrity, his career having been marked by industry and energy. He died May 31. 1904, and is buried in Oak Ridge Ceme- tery, Springfield. He left a widow and eight .

children to mourn his loss, besides a large circle of friends. He was affiliated with Blue Lodge No. 71, A. F. & A. M .; the Maccabees, the Wood- men, the Court of Honor and the Scottish Clans. He was a member of the Presbyteriau Church and in later life was a Democrat.

Mr. Murray was married, at Little Rock, Ark., March 18, 1876, to Miss Susle Spriggs, who was born in Muskegon County, Mich., daughter of William and Charlotte (Thornton) Spriggs, who were boru near Liverpool, England. The children born to Mr. aud Mrs. Murray were as follows : Anna Louise is married and lives iu Springfield ; William Egbert is married aud lives in Moberly, Mo. ; Alexander is married and lives with his mother; David F. is unmarried aud lives iu Kansas City ; Margaret S., married and living in Springfield; Jessie, Hugh and Thomas S., are single and reside with the mother, the latter two atteuding school. Before coming to America Mr. Murray had served iu the Scottish Volunteers.

MURRAY, George W .- Springfield, as the Cap- ital of Illinois, uaturally cau boast of more than its share of meu of legal ability residing within its limits; men who are recognized the country over as authorities on all matters pertaining to the law in all its branches, and among this class. may be mentioned the eminent jurist, Judge George W. Murray, whose reputation, es- pecially as Judge of the Juvenile Court, is na- tional. Judge Murray was born July 7, 1839, in Covington, Miami County, Ohio, a son of David and Elizabeth (Mikesell) Murray.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 109

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