Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 121

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 121

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).

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

the remainder of his life, retaining the title of General, which he had won during the war. He also gained distinction In connection with his services as Government Surveyor.

John F. Pogue attended college in Ohio, hav- ing been prepared for the course by a boyhood spent in farm work and attendauce on the district school. Following his leaving college he taught school in Montgomery Connty, from 1854 to 1856, having moved to the State in the former year. At the outbreak of the war he en- listed, in April, 1861, one of the first to respond to President Lincoln's cail for troops, serving three years and three months as a non-commis- sioned officer. He participated in the Siege of Vicksburg as well as other important engage- ments, and was wounded. Returning home, he resumed the labors interrupted by his military career, but in 1866 went to Lafayette, Ind., which continued his place of business for five years, during which time he was engaged In a mercantile line, but once more he came to Ilii- nois, and for twelve years successfully operated an extensive oil business in Springfield, event- ually retiring.

Mr. Pogue was married in Springfield, April 8. 1868, to Virginia V. Fox, born in Sangamon County, in 1842. Her parents were also Vir- ginians, who came to Sangamon County at an early day and remained there the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Pogue have had one child, Grace May, born May 30, 1869. Mr. Pogue has been a Republican since the forma- tion of the party, and served as Township Clerk and for many terms was School Director, rendering the community valuable service by the interest he displayed in educational mat- ters. From 1863 to 1865 he was in the Provost General's office at Springfield. He belongs to tile G. A. R., and the Veterans' Union, and is interested in both organizations. The First Methodist Church, of Springfield holds hls uem- bership, and for years he has been its loyal supporter, both as to means and energy. Like his forebears, Mr. Pogue has always been fond of his home and loved ones, but he has been ready to render service to those who needed it, and his nelghbors and ali who have been associated with him appreciate and honor his many ex- celient traits of character.

POPE, Obadiah, well kuown farmer, postoffice Buffalo, Sangamon Couuty, Ill., is of German and old American stock and combines the good qualitles suggested by that statement. He was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., August 29, 1834, a son of Peter and Sarah (Wilson) Pope, natives respectively of Germany and North Carolina. His father, a farmer, was brought to America by his parents, when he was com- paratively young. The family lived in North Carolina for many years, until the father died. After that event Peter went to Tennessee, lo- cating in Jefferson County, where he farmed until his death, which occurred in 1872. His widow died at the home of her son in Sanga-

mon County, Ill., in 1875, aged eighty years. They had three sons and three daughters, all of whom except the subject of this sketch are dead.

Obadláh Pope was educated iu Jefferson County, Tenu., iu a pioneer school-house with log walls, slab benches aud greased paper win- dow panes. He worked ou his father's farm until he attained his majority, then learned the wagon-maker's trade In Morristowu, Tenn., and worked at it there uutii the Civil War be- gan. Then he enlisted as a soidier in an in- dependent compauy and fought for his country for a short time. Obtaining a discharge, he entered the government service as a carpenter and a maker aud repairer of wagons. At the eud of the war he resumed farmiug iu Ten- nessee. Iu 1872 he came to Sangamon Couuty, Ill., and after operating one farm three years, removed to another at Lanesville, where he remained thirty years, then retired from ac- tive life aud took up his residence in Buffalo, · selling his fine farm of 160 acres. He was Road Commissioner of Lanesville Township and was twice elected Justice of the Peace, winning a reputation as a model official. His religions and political affiliatious may be dis- missed with the significant statement that he is a Baptist and a Republican.

Mr. Pope married Miss Mary Adams, in Jef- ferson County, Tenn., May 5, 1855. She was boru in Washington. County, that State, Octo- ber 4, 1839, a daughter of Henry and Rhur (Nave) Adams. Her parents were both born in Tennessee aud her father was a farmer there until his death. The wife also died there. She is one of a family which consisted of two. sons and three daughters, all of whom except herself have passed away. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812. To Mr. and Mrs. Pope were born tweive children, five sons aud seven daughters. Peter lives at Dawson, Ill .; Melissa is dead; Henry is dead; Sally is the wife of Albert Ketcham, of Dawsou; Samuel, at Dawson; Kate is the wife of Ottis J. Ilunter, a Nebraska farmer; Angelina is Mrs. Leonard ScruggIns, of Lincoln, Colorado; John at Lanes- ville, Ill .; Leonard at Riverton; Nellle, wife of Alexauder Reynolds, of Rochester; Ida, wife of J. G. Sock, of Eagle, Neb .; Grace, wife of Roscoe C. Cox, of Moberly, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Pope have thirty-two grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

PORTER, Harry C., an energetic young business man of Springfield, member of the firm of Porter & Brisk, was born in Alexis, Warren County, Ill., October 4, 1877, son of James I. and Martha (Dorland) Porter, both natives of Pennsylvania and for the past thirty-five years residents of Alexis. Harry C. Porter is the sec- ond of three children and was educated in the common and high schools of his native town, leaving when within two months of graduating from the latter. He had previously been em- ployed during vacations in potteries and on

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

farms, clerking in stores, and in various other occupations.

After leaving school Mr. Porter worked for a railroad, beginning as messenger boy and be- ing promoted through various grades to the position of traveling freight agent. At the end of four years he resigned his position and accepted an agency in Springfield for a large company, and formed a partnership with Mr. Brisk. He is energetic and ambitious in a business way, has a pleasing personality and is popular with his friends. He is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church and in politics is a Republican. He is affiliated with the B. P. O. E. and is well known In fraternal circles.

Mr. Porter was married, in Taylorville, Ill., December 6, 1904, to Miss Ivy Dickerson, of Rochester, and they have one child, Dorothy.

POWELL, William E., a retired farmer living in Williamsville, Ill., was born in Fayette County, Ill., June 21, 1831, a son of Seymour and Angeline (Carter) Powell natives of Vlr- ginia. In 1830 the father moved to Effiingham County, Ill., and there died, in 1879, aged eighty- seven years. He was a farmer by occupa- tion and a most worthy and excellent man, who became prominent in his community.

The education of William E. Powell was re- ceived in Effingham County, and as a boy he was very fond of hunting and fishing. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and has fol- lowed them all his active life. Settling down on a farm in the connty in which he was reared, Mr. Powell spent a number of years as an energetic and industrious farmer, so that lie was able to retire from active life in 1902, com- ing tlen to the village of Williamsville, where he has become one of the substantial and re- spected citizens of this pleasant little com- munity.

On July 11, 1862, Mr. Powell joined the Seventy-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served nearly four months, being mustered out at Chicago, Ill. He spent a portion of this time gnarding bridges and prisoners, acquitting himself with credit and faithfully performing all the duties assigned him. Mr. Powell is a man who impresses all with his reliability and integrity, and is able to win and retain vali- able friendships. In religions belief he is a Methodist. while politically he is a Republican. Mr. Powell has well earned the rest he now enjoys.

The first inarriage of Mr. Powell occurred in Effingham County, March 14, 1859, to Anna E. Doaty, who was born in 1843 and died April 27, 1872, having had nine children, of whom three survive: Saralı A., married Charles En- gert, was born October 7, 1861, three children, -Eugene, Walter and Lagora; Mary A. J. En- gert, born December 27, 1859; and Crabell, born December 21, 1865; married L. M. Elliott. On August 12, 1872, Mr. Powell was again mar- ried in Effingham Connty, to Ellen (Leffler) Anspaugh, widow of Solomon Anspangh, to whom she had beeu married in 1862. They had

three children before the death of Mr. Ans- pangh in 1869, namely : Mary, who married Charles Newbern and they have twelve chil- dren ; Emma J., who married John Burns and they have two children; and Albert I., who married Clara Jackson, and they have fonr children. Mr. and Mrs. Powell became tlie parents of the following children: Lillie M., deceased, born July 16, 1873; Edward T., born December 20, 1874, married Ada Hale; Johil C., born October 28, 1876, married Stella Rell- frow ; Charles E., born December 31, 1878, mar- ried Sallie Yonnger; Thomas B., born Febril- ary 10, 1881, married Mamie Tipsword; Lola, born November 24, 1882, twin of William, mar- ried Isaiah Tipsword, while William married Hattie Hnstead; Cleveland, born Jnie 1, 1885; George, born April 16, 1887, and Bennie twin, of George, died. Mrs. Powell has forty grand- children and six great-grandchildren.

Mr. and Mrs. Powell and family are very prominent in their community. Having lived in Springfield and its vicinity for so many years, they were, of course, acquainted with Abraham Lincoln. One of Mr. Powell's most pleasant memories of early days is of a foot- race he ran with Mr. Lincoln, the venerable Peter Cartwright acting as jndge npon that occasion. The Powell family took an active part in pioneer affairs, Seymour Powell serving in the Black Hawk War nnder Mr. Lincoln, and being mustered ont at Alton, Ill. Mrs. Powell's father, Solomon Leffler, gave up his . life in the Union canse, dying while in service during the Civil War. Mr. Powell is also proud of the fact that his father was employed in the construction of the State House, for he likes to think that he and his have borne tlieir part in making improvements in tlie conn- ty he loves so well.

POWER, Charles A .- It is given to somne men to commence their business career with noth- ing and through perseverance and courage to achieve ultimate success. The man who starts out with his fortune already made is handi- caped from the beginning, for there is no pres- ent need to act as a stimulating impetns to urge him forward. When he takes unto him- self a wife, the rich man does not have to exert himself to provide for necessities, and therefore is robbed of much honest pleasure and desirable encouragement of his efforts. Charles A. Power of Springfield, is one of the best ex- amples in this city of what a man can ac- complish if he only possesses the right amonnt of willingness to work, and knows how to save his money.

Mr. Power was born in Springfield, May 14, 1852, being a son of Manrice and Margaret (Smith) Power, both natives of Ireland, wlio transmitted to their son many of the desirable qualities. The father was a shoe-maker by trade, and during tlie war made his home at Chatham, Sangamon County, but in 1866 re- turned to Springfield, where he continued to reside until his death.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Charles A. Power attended the publle schools of Chatham, Ill., while his parents lived there; later becoming a student of the Christian Brothers' school, and the Springfield publle schools. He learned the cabinetmaking trade in the furniture store of Mr. Westenberger, with whom he remained three and one-half years, during this time thoroughly mastering the business. No better example of his work can be found than his own two-story re- sidence at No. 1401 Whittier Avenue, Haw- thorne, which he built.

On September 10, 1873, Mr. Power and Miss Elizabeth White, of Springfield, who was born in Fancy Creek Township, were united In mar- riage. Mrs. Power's father was also a native of Ireland, who died during her infancy. Al- though Mr. and Mrs. Power have no children of their own, they have reared three and are among the most charitable people of Spring- field. Both are consistent members of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Mr. Power heing a very generons supporter of it and an earnest worker In its ranks. He he- longs to its regular societies, as well as to the Western Catholie Union, Council No. 364, Knights of Columbus; to the Modern Woodmen of America; to the Mystic Circle; to the Loyal Americans and the Royal Circle. In politics, he is a Democrat.

Mr. and Mrs. Power are delightful enter- talners and their pleasant home is often the scene of charming gatherings, hoth always dis- playing that hospitable instinct which is so char- acteristic of the people of Erin and their des- cendants. In church and social circles both are very popular, and whenever sorrow enters the homes of any of their friends, it is to these two good people that the afflicted come for both sympathy and material help, and never in vain.

POWER, Charles P., was born on the farm where he now resides, in Fancy Creek Town- ship, February 14, 1882, and belongs to a family that has taken a prominent part in the affairs of the locality for several generations past. He is a son of James England and Laura (Foster-Chord) Power, the former born on the old Power homestead in Sangamon County, De- cember 1, 1824, and the latter born at Peters- hurg, Menard County, October 7, 1847. The father was born and reared on the farmn where his father, George Power, settled in 1821. George Power was born in Fayette County. Ky. year. February 18. 1798, his father being a native of Virginia, who had lived for a time in North Carolina before going to Kentucky. When ahout ten years of age George Power accompanied his parents to Bath County, Ky., and was there married on February 10, 1820. to Nancy Wil- cockson. They had hut two children, one born in Bath County and the other in Fancy Creek Township. They located, upon their arrival In 1821, on the Power homestead near Cantrall, which has since been the family home. Mr.

Power held varions civil and military offices, including : a commission dated September 15, 1827, from Gov. Ninian Edwards, as Major of the Twenty-fifth Regiment Illinois Infantry, under the military laws then in existence; com- mission from Gov. Reynolds, dated June 4, 1831, as Lientenant of a company of mounted volun- teers in the Black Hawk War; commission as Justice of the Peace, fromu Gov. Edwards, dated July 25, 1828, and a similar document from Gov. Reynolds, dated September 3, 1831; com- mission for same purpose from Gen. Joseph Dnn- can, August 27, 1835; one from Gov. Thomas Carlin, August 27, 1839; one from Gov. Thomas Ford, August 14, 1843, the whole covering a period of nineteen years in this office. He huilt the first frame house in the connty north of the Sangamon River. He engaged in business with a cash capital of but five dollars and hy earnest effort and good management hecame the owner of two thousand acres of choice farm and stock land, which is now in the possession of his descendants. He erected a famlly vault on his farm. at a cost of five thousand dollars, soon after the death of his elder son. who was the first person to be buried there. His elder son, horn in Bath County, Ky., May 2, 1821, came with his parents to Sangamon County the same year, and there married, January 6, 1843, Nancy J. Barnett, five children being born of their union. He was elected County Judge in 1857 and reelected in 1861, dying while in office March 2, 1863, after which his widow resided in Springfield.

James E. Power, younger son of his parents, was reared on the farm near Cantrall and spent his entire life in farming. He was married and continued to live on the homestead, whichi he inherited. One small huilding now remains on the farm that was erected soon after George Power came to the place where he established a permanent home. It was on this ground that the slaves were freed about 1837. Mrs. Lanra F. Power is a woman of prominence in the com- munity.

George Power was awarded a gold-headed cane for the most skillful feat of horseback riding hy an elderly gentleman, at the fair held hy the Sangamon County Agricultural Soclety in September. 1876, the presentation being made hy the President of the organization, ex-Gov. John M. Palmer, in the presence of a large gathering. Mr. Power was the eldest of tho five competitors, being then in his seventy-ninth

PRICKETT, David .- The Honorable David Prickett was of English ancestry, his father, George Prickett, emigrating to America some time before the Revolutionary War and settling in Maryland. In the struggle for Independence he cast his lot with the American patriots and fought for the freedom of the Colonies. The coat-of-arms of the Prickett ancestry is a full- antlered Buck Deer. Soon after the elose of the Revolutionary War, George Prickett, the father

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

(who was a lawyer and a planter), removed with his family, consisting of his wife and six chil. dren, from their Maryland home to Frankliu County, Ga. To all the children except one had been given Bible names of Hebrew origin and significance, namely : Abraham (the father of many) ; Isaac (Laughter) ; Jacob (a sup- planter) ; Elisha (the salvation of God) ; John (the grace of the Lord) ; David (well beloved) ; and George, who was given his father's name, being the exception. David Prickett was born in Franklin County, Ga., September 21, 1800, and, in 1809, eame with his parents to the then Territory of Illinois, the family locating at what is now Edwardsville, Madison County. Here David made his home for nearly twenty-five years. The Prickett family being thus among the early settlers, had much to do in the mak- ing of the early history of the State with which it was prominently identified.

Abraham Prickett was a member of the Con- stitutional Convention of 1818, which framed the first State Constitution of Illinois, and was also a member of the first Legislature held un- der this constitution at Kaskaskia in 1818-19, this being the last Legislature to mnect in the original State capital.

David Prickett was a graduate of the law department of the Transylvania University at Lexington. Ky. He completed his collegiate course during his twenty-first year and on No- vember 15, 1821, was admitted to the bar at Edwardsville, where he served as Judge of the Probate Court, following which was his ap- pointment as first Reporter of the Illinois Su- preme Court. While he was practicing as an attorney, the late U. S. Senator John M. I'almer began the study of the law in his office. In 1826 he was elected a member of the Fifth General Assembly from Madison County, the sessions of this body being then held at Van- dalia. Letters and speeches left among his papers indicate that the affairs of the young State of Illinois were then in a chaotic con- dition. At the time of the meeting of this scs- sion a determined effort was made by men of nerve and sound judgment to improve the exist- ing deplorable conditions. The punishment of criminals at this time was cruel and partook of barbarous customs, such as the whipping post, confinement in stocks, branding, cropping and the gallows. In furtherance of proper reforms, the first State Penitentiary was established at Alton, largely through the instrumentality of Representative David Prickett. The system of the Judiciary was one of the most exciting topics before this session. The people were inuch op- posed to the plan of Judges of the courts be- ing appointed and holding offiee during life or good behavior. This General Assembly abol- ished the office of Circuit Judge and imposed their duties on the Supreme Judges. It also revised the laws of the State, which required the issue of a volume of statutes of 380 pages, printed by Robert Blackwell of Vandalia. Up

to this time the Judges of the Circuit Courts charged the jurors on the facts and, in many cases, made long stump speeches to the jury on the facts in the case ou trial. The Fifth Geu- eral Assembly corrected this evil also. by con- fining the instructions of the court to the law in the case only. This session of the General Assembly lasted seventy-eight days and passed 143 laws, all of which were of the highest im- portance to the new State. During Mr. Prick- ett's legislative term, he was commissioned by Governor Coles, aide-de-camp to Geu. Samuel Whitesides, which extended to service iu the Black Hawk War. His notable associates in the Black Hawk expedition, were: Gen. Stillman, Commandant ; Zachary Taylor, afterwards Pres- ident of the United States; Lieut. Jefferson Davis, afterwards President of the Southern Confederacy ; Abraham Lincoln, afterwards President of the United States; William S. Hamilton, son of Alexander Hamilton, the great Federalist ; Robert Anderson, of Fort Sumter fame, and many other men who afterwards be- came distinguished in American History.

Mr. Prickett was elected Clerk of the House for the Seventh General Assembly (1830-31), and by successive rcelections served in the same capacity in every General Assembly up to the Eleventh (1838-40), serving in the latter from December 9 to February 3, 1840, this being the first session held in Springfield-after which he resigned. He was also made Assistant Clerk of the Fifteenth General Assembly, held in 1846-47; up to the time of his death in that year.

Having moved with his family to Springfield before the capital was located there, Mr. Prickett took a very active part in securing that result, contributing liberally of his means and time to aid successfully the enterprise; and being one of the signers of a note, dated March 22, 1838, for $16,666.67, given by the citizens of Spring- field, covering a balance due on $50,000, which had been pledged by the citizens, together with two acres of land, to secure the location of the capital in their town.

In 1837, he was elected State's Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit, composed of the counties of Pike, Calhoun, Greene, Morgan, Sangamou, Tazewell, McLean, Mason and Macoupin. Other official positions of importance held by him in- cluded that of Treasurer of the Board of Canal Commissioners, to which he was appointed by Gov. Carlin, in 1839, and he was elected to the same position by the Legislature in 1840 for a second term. In 1843, he was appointed by Gov. Ford, Commissioner of the State Bank of Illi- nois, his duties as specified by the Legislature being to reduce the public debt of the State one million dollars and to place the bank in process of liquidation.

In 1845, David Prickett and James W. Keyes, father of the late Charles A. Keyes of this city, were appointed by the Democrats of Central Illi- nois as a special committee to wait on James K. Polk, the newly elected President of the United

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States, at his home in Nashville, Ten., to pre- sent the desires and claims of their Democratic constitneucy for presidentlal consideration. The result of this commission was quite satisfac- tory to the Democrats, whose chosen representa- tives they were.

Hon. David Prickett, was married January 24, 1834, at Tremont, Tazewell County, Ill., to Charlotte Gritlith, who was born March 9, 1806, in Chester County, Pa. They removed to Spring- field in 1835. Here Judge Prickett purchased a tract of land comprising nine acres, bonnded by Capitol Avenne, Edwards, Second and Third Streets. . The house in which the family lived has been removed and in its place stands the first Supreme Court Building ever erected hy the State of Illinois. It is quite a coincidence, that this heautiful and costly building should stand on the home site of the mau who was ap- pointed, nearly a century ago, the first Reporter of the Court which occupies this temple of Jus- tice. Unto Judge Prickett and his wife, five children were born : Christiana G., born Angust 13, 1835; Thomas G., born December 23, 1837; Gibson R., born Jnne 30, 1840; Hannah O., born January 15, 1842, and died 21st of May, 1909, and another daughter, Susan, who died in infancy. The three surviving children all reside in Springfield. Christiana G., now (1912) resides in a beautiful modern home on a part of the original Prickett site in the tull enjoyment of the comforts and consolation of a happy, well spent lite, and has the love and es- teen of her relatives and of her many life-long and devoted friends and neighbors. Thomas G., is a retired attorney at law, while Gibson R. resides with his sister, Christiana G., looking after the business interests of the estate.

The Hon. David Prickett, after a useful and strenuous life, passed away in 1847, and his re- mains rest in the beautiful Oak Ridge Cemetery at Springfield. He was a man of more than or- dinary ahllity and force and of the highest in- tegrity. As a public official he executed the many highly responsible trusts which had been committed to his care with rare fidelity and honesty, demonstrating his peculiar fitness and capacity as a public official.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 121

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