Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 122

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 122

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"Tis of the brave and good alone

That good and brave men are the seed ; Yet training qulekens powers unborn, And culture nerves the soul for fame.

PRICKETT, Thomas G .- Thomas G. Prickett, second of the five children of David and Char- lotte G. Prickett, was born in Springfield, De- cember 23. 1837. He was educated at the Char- lottesville Seminary, New York, from which he gradnated in 1854. He entered the army during the rebellion with the rank of Captain In 1862. and served for one year on the staff of Gen. John A. McClernand. afterwards reading law under the preceptorship of General McClernand ; graduating with the title of Bachelor of Laws

from the Law Department of the Michigan State University in 1865. He was twice elected City Attorney of the City of Springfield, and also served as Alderman in 1874-76. On November 3, 1886, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mar- garet (Johnstone) McRoberts, whom he sur- vives. Mr. Prickett is a well known, popular citizen and attorney at law of Springfield and Central Illinois, and is beld in high esteem for lils many excellent qualities of head and heart, as a citizen and a neighbor by his many friends. He is one of the best posted and reliably in- formed men in the State as to the early history of the State and the men who started Illinois on her wonderful march to success. .

PRICKETT, Mrs. Charlotte (Griffith), was born in Chester County, Pa., May 9, 1806, and was married to the Hon. David Prickett, in Tremont, Tazewell County, Ill., January 24, 1834. Mrs. Prickett died in Springfield,, Ill. in 1876, aud was buried beside her husband in Oak Ridge Cemetery. She was of Quaker parentage on her mother's side, being the daughter of Dr. Thomas Griffith and Christiana Gibson Griffith, who In- ter-married iu the State of Maryland, where Dr. Griffith was born. Shortly after their marriage they removed to Pennsylvania and afterwards to Richmond, Ind., where Dr. Griffith remained until coming to Tazewell County, Ill., with his family In 1828. He was a man of more than ordinary ability and skill in hls profession, a graduate of the Medical College of Baltimore and commissioned by the Royal Medical Society of London, England, to investigate and ascer- tain the Materia Medica of the Herbage and Flora of North America. Ile was a kind and affectionate husband and indulgent father, highly respected and esteemed by all who were favored with his acquaintance. Ile died and was buried in Tazewell County, where his re- mains rested until the death of his wife in 1852, when they were removed to Oak Ridge Cemetery and placed by her side.

The ancestry of the Glhson family traces back to John Gibson of Boustod Hill, Burg on the Sands, who was born in 1699. in County Cumberland, England, on the shores of the Solway, just Inside the line of the old Pict's Wall and about five miles from Carlisle. He was a member of the Society of Friends or Quakers ; his father, also John Gibson, was per- secuted for liis religious faith. Shortly after his father's death, his mother removed to Lur- gan, Connty Antrim, Ireland. He married in Ireland Christiana Harlan, whose ancestry on the mother's side Is traced to the Norman Kings. Thomas Gibson, son of the above, was born in Lurgan, Ireland, 1723, and came to Pennsylvania with his parents at the age of six years, and. in 1751 he was married. His daughter, Mrs. Christiana Gibson Griffith, the mother of Mrs. Charlotte G. Prickett, the subject of this sketcli, was born in Pennsylvania in 1768. and died in Springfield, Ill., at the age of 85 years.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Mrs. Prickett was the mother of five children of whom mention is made elsewhere in this connection. She was a woman of most lovable character, highly educated and refined; devoted herself to the culture, comfort and moral train- ing of her family, and early sought indelihly to impress them with habits of industry, selt- reliance, integrity, patriotism and morality. She was possessed of a kind, sympathetic na- ture, ever ready and active in relleving the necessities and distress of others. Being a woman of high ideals and social qualifications, her beautiful and spacions home was always the seat of pleasure and enjoyment to the many friends of her young and ambitious hushand. Among these were men of the highest honors in State craft and of social standing. Thus surrounded by an affectionate family and con- genial friends, she hestowed a graceful and charming hospitality npon a large circle oť de- voted admirers.

PRICKETT, Mrs. Margaret (Johnstone), was horn in Smallholm, Parish of Lochmahen, Duin- friesshire, Scotland, July 15, 1841, the young- est of eight children born to John and Mary Neckelson Johnstone. Her mother dled in Scot- land when she was two years old. In the fall of 1851, her father, Mr. John Johnstone (heing the oldest son of the family and, under the laws of England, sole heir to its landed estate-tbe same having descended from father to son, tor nearly four hundred years), after providing for some of his relatives, who were In less favored circumstances, by placing them in possession of enongh of the old estate to secure their com- fort through life, disposed of the remainder, bid adieu to his native land and came to Amer- ica, settling with his four daughters, Elizabeth, Jane, Mary and Margaret, and John, James, David and William, his fonr sons, on what was tben known as the Constant farm, consisting of 240 acres on Wolf Creek in what is now Wil- liams Township, Sangamon County.

THE JOHNSTONES OF ANNANDALE .- The John- stones, at one time among the most powerful. as they are now one of the most ancient, of the Border Septs-with the winged spnr as their ap- propriate emblem, and the words, "Ready, ae'a Ready," for their motto-were originally settled in the East Lothian, but for over four hundred years they have held extensive possessions in the Western Marches. The first of the family, Sir John De Johnstone, was one of the Scottish Barons who swore fidelity to Edward II of Eng- land in 1896. ( His great grandfather also, Sir John De Johnstone, was conspicuous for his valor in defense of his conntry in the reigns of David II and Robert II.) In 1310, he defeated an invading army and two years later was ap- pointed Guardian of the Western Marches. His son, Adam Johnstone, was one of the Command- ers of the Scottish Army at the battle of Stark in 1448, in which a signal victory was gained over

the English invaders. Sir Adam also took a prominent part on the royal side in the desperate struggle between James II and the Douglases, and was very instrumental in the suppression of the rebellion of that great house against the Crown. He was awarded by the King a grant of land in Lanarkshire, and the Johnstones of Annanl- dale have ever since horne along, with their an- cestral arms, the Heart and Crown of Douglas as a memorial of the important service rendered to the Royal cause by their ancestors at that critical perlod. Sir Adam, the eldest son, was the progenitor of the Annandale or main branch of the family, while Matthew, his second son, who married a danghter of the Earl of Angus, chief of the Red Douglas, was the ancestor' of tbe Westerhall hrancb.

On March 25, 1859, at the home of her father, Margaret Johnstone was nnited in marriage to John McRoberts of Springfield, Ill. He died January 22, 1SS2. By this marriage two chil- dren were born to her: Mary N. McRoberts, who married Judge Charles E. Messerly of Scdalia, Mo., and James J. McRoberts, also of that city. On November 3, 1SS6, she was married to Thomas G. Prickett, an Attorney-at-Law of Springfield. On March 27, 1912, after an ex- emplary and good life, her remains, accompa- nied by a sorrowing husband and a large circle of devoted friends, were affectionately laid at rest in the heantiful Oak Ridge Cemetery, at Springfield.

Mrs .. Prickett was endowed hy nature with those noble and exalted traits of heart and brain which tend to the loftiest heights of true womanhood. Deprived, as she was, of the ten- der and loving care of a fond mother while so yonng, she naturally looked to her father for that affection, care and training she so much songht and required. To him she told her child- hood troubles; to him she looked for protection and comfort. While on his knee at the Scottish fireside, in song and story she learned of the wars and triumphs of her ancestry and became fully imbued with the moral of their motto. It was her gniding star through life, that at duties' call, whetber from ber God, her King, her country or in every day life, she must be "Ready, ae'a Ready." Though she had hut little schooling before leaving Scotland at the age of ten years, she had committed to memory her Catechism, many of the Psalms and chapters in the Bible. She also memorized many of the songs of Burns and seemed to know them all. She loved her native land above all others.

"She dinna lo'e this conntry less, but she loe'd the malr her a'in,

There was that a pouin at ber heart, to see Scotland ance again :

Thongh ye talked to her o' 'ither lan's, be they far awa' or near,

Ye could na win her lo'e awa' fra'e tbe lan' to her sae dear."

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

She was au active and earnest member of the Mary A. Lawrence Circle of the Kings' Daugh- ters, a Society devoted to charitable purposes. While she cheerfully acquicsced in its many modes and measures for the betterment of the unfortunate and needy, at heart she was op- posed to outward show or publicity of charitable acts, often so necessary in the workings of such societies. The mauy sacrifices she made iu be- haif of those she loved and held most dear, as well as to those less fortunate than herself in the biessings of this world-ali administered iu strictest privacy unknown to her circle-af- forded her that inward satisfaction so consol- ing to her life and so noble in the sight of heaven.

She was ever ready to counsei siience in those who spoke to her of the fauits, misfortunes and mistakes of others. She never had an unkind word for any and would ofttimes say: "Would there were some gift a'ge us, to see ourseal's as ithers see us." If so we would be more char- itable and forgiving to one another, less vain and self-conceited and help to make this world brighter and happier for ali.

Among her writings are found the foliowing beautiful iines, which show the true trend of her Scottish heart :

"The bonnie hills of Scotland, so majestic and so grand,

Their summits crowued with glory, 'tis my own, my native laud ;

Is it any wonder theu, that my heart with rap- ture thriils

When I behold the beauty of those bonnie Scot- tish hills?

"Those bonnie Scottish hills, Oh ! how dear they are to me ;

Their summits pointing skyward and their bases by the sea,

Many changes do I fiud, which my heart with sadness fills,

But no changes can be noticed in those bonuie Scottish hilis.

"Those bonnie Scottish hiils, where my girl- hood days were passed,

Where oft I wandered happily and the future tried to cast ;

Many are our day dreams bright that the fu- ture ne'er fulfills,

Yet happy were my day dreams on those bou- nie Scottish hills.

4 "Now my bonnie Scottish hills I will bid you all adieu,

In my home beyond the ocean I will ofttimes dream of you ;

And in the after time of life, if my Father only wills,

I'll oft behold the grandeur of ye bonnie Scot- tish hills."

PRIEST, James A. (deceased), who was a prominent farmer and citizen of Sangamon County, was boru in Ohio, May 2, 1833, a son of Chauncey aud Mary Priest, natives respect- ively of Ohio and Massachusetts. His father came comparatively early to Sangamou County and farmed within its borders as long there- after as he lived. Mr .. Priest's great-grand- father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and the history of his patriotic service will long be cherished by his descendants.

Iu the family of Chauncey and Mary Priest were three sons and two daughters, of whom only two survive. The subject of this notice began his education in Ohio and began there the acquisition of his practicai knowledge of farm- ing under the able preceptorship of his father. He was only twelve years old when his parents brought him to Sangamon County, where he at- teuded school aud continued his labors on the home farm. He farmed in the county in all his subsequent years except during two years when he was so employed in Christian County. He was a Republican in political faith and a mau of great public spirit, who had mnuch to do with the affairs of his community, always heip- ful and patriotic. He passed away in 1870.

Mr. Priest married Mary Daiey at Springfield, in 1859. She was born in Ireland, August 15, 1835, a daughter of John Daley. Her parents both died in their native iand. She came to the United States with an uncle and for four years thereafter lived iu Baltimore, Md. Then she came to Springfield, where she married. She had two brothers and a sister, all of whou are dead. She bore her husband one son, Henry Priest, who is the manager of au elevator at Lanesville, Ili. She is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. She has a comfortable home in Buffalo.

PRIEST, John W. (deceased) .- In recalling the life and services of John W. Priest, who for years was a prominent factor iu the develop- ing of the enterprises which have been vastly beneficial to Springfield, a long path backward must be traveled, his early experiences belong- ing to an era that seems distinctly remote from the things of today. He camue of hardy stock, pioneers from Vermont to western New York in days when transportation was by means of ox- teams and the traversiug of a hundred miles was accomplished only after days of arduous travel.

John W. Priest was born at Pomfret, Windsor County, Vt., and died in Springfield, Ili., June 7, 1887. His parents, both of English extrac- tion and presumably of the farmer class, left Windsor County for St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and it is recorded that in order to assure a safe crossing of the ice on Lake Champiain, the oxen were shod with wooden shoes. The new home proved to be a tract in the virgin forest, and

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

even as a child of seven years, John Priest was called on to help his father In clearing a spot on which could be built the first semblance of a home. He grew in strength and in stature and in the course of years was his father's maln dependance in the developing of a farm, prov- ing himself a worthy and filiai son. When he reached man's estate he formed domestic ties of his own and in 1835, with his wife, Olive Wakefield, made a wagou journey, interrupted by a passage on the Erie Canal, to Montgomery, Ala., that southern city being selected mainly on account of the delicate state of his young wife's health. Mr. Priest engaged in the stove business and worked at the tinner's trade until it became evident that his wife could not long survive, and they returned to New York, where she died in 1840.

At the time of his wife's death Mr. Priest was thirty-one years of age, his birth having occurred October 18, 1809, aud he was In the flush of manly vigor. To walk a part of the way from St. Lawrence County, N. Y., to the prairies of Illinois did not appear a very formid- able feat, and as he had no other means of transportation but the lakes and Erie Canal and no railroads led to Sangamon County or cen- tered at what is now the busy and populons Capital, he made most of. the long journey on foot. He entered into the brick manufacturing business in Springfield, and being a pioneer in this line, became an extensive manufacturer, the brick all being made by hand. He was a good business man and through foresight and business judgment his undertakings became suc- cessful. He was engaged in farming for many years and in a number of other enterprises. He established a furniture and stove store on the north side of the Square in Springfield, and this became a landmark in the city. At various times he invested In land, acquiring a section near Pana, Christlan County, and 500 acres in Clear Lake Township, near Springfield, and the original patents for this land are preserved by his descendants.

Mr. Priest's first wife was Olive Wakefield, whom he married at Parishvllle, N. Y., in 1835. His second marriage took place in 1845, when he married Lucinda Stafford, at the home of her brother, Orson Stafford, in Springfield, Ill. She was born at Rochester, Ill., September 10, 1826, and died in 1851. She came of an old English family that settled in Rhode Island in 1700, the emigrant ancestor being Edward Staf- ford, who married Margaret Green, and their son, Joseph Stafford, married Orpha Sweet, they becoming parents of three sons: John, Jo- seph and Stephen. If these three sons Joseph married Nancy Green and their oldest son, also named Joseph, was born April 25, 1759, in Kent County, R. I. The last-named, although reared in the faith of the Society of Friends, became a soldler in the Revolution. serving under his relative, General Greene. A rather remarkable coincidence was that he chose for his bride a young woman named Orpha Sweet, they being

the second couple in the family with Identically the same names, the first being his grandpar- ents. Ten children were born to Joseph and Orpha (Sweet) Stafford, some of whom came to Sangamon County, Ill., where they married and identified themselves with other old fam- llies, and the name of Stafford frequently ap- pears on Important papers and in valuable rec- ords, there being at that time many prominent representatives of the family. Caleb Stafford, father of Mrs. Priest, was born June 22, 1789, and in 1804, accompanied his parents to Essex Connty, N. Y. He later served in the War of 1812, married Rebecca Eggleston, and in 1836 came with his family to Illinois. He died May 7, 1855, and his wife in 1843.

To John W. and Lucinda M. (Stafford) Priest four children were born, namely : Ollve, was married, in 1867, to George C. Latham, a rep- resentative of one of the prominent old families of Springfield ; Mary E.,, who is the widow of Silas Wright Currier; two others, John Orson and Emma Rebecca, died in infancy. Mr. Priest was married in 1853, to Catherine Wright, of Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., who died In 1875. In 1878, he was married to the estimable lady who survives him, Mrs. Pheobe Eggleston, a resident of Springfield.

For many years Mr. Priest was an active and useful citizen, accepting the responsibilities of public life and performing the duties pertain- ing to them with the faithfulness of a man of high ideals and pure motives. He was long a member of the School Board and at various times was President of that body, his daugh- ter, now Mrs. Mary P. Currier, having received a diplomna which was signed by her father. For several years, at different times, he served as Alderman, and in 1856-58, and again in 1870 and '71, served as Mayor of the eity. It was during his incumbency of the latter office, that many city utilities were installed, and through his personai effort city bonds were sold in New York tbat enabled Important public improve- ments to be made. Hls name is indissolnbly connected with the history of street paving and the installation of the city water works, and for a number of years he was President of the lat- ter company. In ali his public-spirited efforts, he was apparently inspired by no idea except the advancement of the general welfare and tbe establishing of laws and methods that would be of perpetual valne. In this way the influence of hls beneficial life continues long after he has passed from the scene of life.

PROKOPP, Joseph W .- Among the successful farmers of Sangamon County who spent most of their lives within its limits may be men- tioned Joseph W. Prokopp, who owned a weli cultivated farm near Spanlding. He was born November 13, 1858, son of Joseph A. and Bar- bara (Shingle) Prokopp, the former of whom was born in Friedland, Bohemia, In September, 1830, and the latter In Ohlo, March 12, 1830. The father came to America as a young man

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

and was an early settler of Sangamon Connty, where he spent the remainder of his life in farming. They spent forty-five years on one farm, where both died, the father April 1, 1907, and the mother, March 6, 1910.

The boyhood of Joseph W. Prokopp was spent on a farm and he was educated in the schools of Sangamon Connty. As soon as he was old enough he began, to help with the work on his father's farm and when he started out for himself continued in similar work. He lived on the old homestead, for twenty-four years, until recently. He now resides in Middleton, Tenn., and owns 277 acres there. In 1910 he spent some time visiting in Arkansas. He is an energetic and intelligent farmer and has a natural aptitude for this line of work. He stands well with all and is known for a pub- lic-spirited, nsefnl citizen.

Mr. Prokopp was married in Randolph Conn- ty, Ill., July 8, 1886, to Mary L. Queffemme, danghter of Amhrose and Cecil Queffemme, who came from France and settled in Randolph Connty at a very early day, buying the farm where they now live. Mr. Qneffemme was born March 1, 1829, and died Angust, 1911, aud his wife was born December 12, 1819, and besides Mrs. Prokopp they have two other children : Adolph, born November 13, 1857, a farmer liv- ing in Missouri, and Alfred, born April 22, 1858, a farmer living on the old homestead in Ran- dolph County. Fonr children were born to Mr. Prokopp and his wife: James. horn April 11, 1890; Lncy, March 5, 1897; May, October 26, 1899; William, May 14, 1904. They are all fine, well-grown children and a credit to their parents.

Mr. Prokopp is a member of the Roman Cath- olic Church, in politics is a Republican, and takes an active interest in every issue or move- ment affecting the general welfare of his com- munity. His eldest son, James A. Prokopp, now resides in Springfield, Ill.

PRUITT, Edgar C., County Superintendent of Sangamon County Schools. Mr. Pruitt came to Sangamon County in 1885 and began his work as teacher at the Pleasant Hill school, two miles east of Springfield. He taught in the country schools of the county for eighteen years, was principal of the East Springfield school for two years, and was elected to the office of County Superintendent of Schools in 1906. He Is now serving his second term as Superintendent.

Mr. Pruitt was born Nov. 5, 1863, at Para- gon, Ind., and came to Illinois In 1870.

He is a member of the Christian church.

PRUNK, Charles J .- The stirring events of the 'sixties, when men's lives were in constant jeo- pardy, and characters were developed over- night, are bnt faintly appreciated by the pres- ent generation, who have not lived through them. Every old soldier, remembering what he suffered for his conntry and flag, knows that no honor can be too great for him and those

who were his comrades on the hloody battle- fields which preserved the Union at such fright- fnl cost. One of the representative veterans of Sangamon County who returned home to de- vote himself to the peaceful occupation of farm- ing, is Charles J. Prunk, of Mechanicsburg Township. He was born in Clark Connty, Ohio, May 13, 1838, son of John and Nancy Prunk, natives of Virginia. They were married in that State, soon thereafter migrating to Clark Conn- ty, Ohio, where they bonght land, remaining there nntil 1848, when removal was made to Cooper Township, Sangamon County, Ill. Here land was bought, upon which both died, she in 1852 and he in 1863. There were eight chil- dren of their family, bnt Charles J. Prnnk is the only one who survives.

Charles J. Prunk attended the public schools of Cooper Township, which were very different in those days from what they are today. A primitive log honse sheltered the children, who sat on rnde slabs made into seats. When there was any floor aside from that provided hy Mother Earth, it was made of rongh puncheons. Yet the pupils learned well the lessons taught in these schools, for they were eager for knowl- edge and wore their few books to scraps. In An- gust, 1862, feeling that he conld not remain away from the front any longer, he enlisted In Com- pany E, One Hundred Fourteenth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, being assigned to Virginia, General Burnside's Division, Army of the Po- tomac. Mr. Prunk participated in the battles of Vicksburg and Shiloh, and was on the March with Sherman to the Sea, returning through the Carolinas to Washington, where he took part in the Grand Review. On account of sick- ness he was honorahly discharged at Spring- field, at the close of the war.

In February 1868, Mr. Prunk was married to Melissa Dickenson, born In Sangamon County, Ill., danghter of George and Amanda Dicken- son, natives of Kentucky. They have one dangh- ter, Clara, who married Charles Taylor. Mr. Taylor, who died, leaving her with one son, Charles Walter, now a bright young lad of fourteen years. Mrs. Prnnk died December 4, 1905, and Mrs. Taylor now keeps honse for her father.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 122

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