Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 123

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 123

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Following his marriage Mr. Prunk began farming in Mechanicsburg, leaving the home- stead where he had resided up to that event, owning part of that land. He on this place lived until fifteen years ago, when he sold his farm and moved to Mechanicsburg, and there has since lived retired. In politics Mr. Prnnk is a Republican, but has not desired office. He is a Methodist in religious faith and has taken an active part in church work, contributing liber- ally towards its support. Like most of the old soldiers, Mr. Prunk takes a deep interest in the G. A. R., helonging to Stephenson Post, of Springfield. In both war and peace Mr. Prunk has proven himself a good citizen. Hard- working and thrifty, he not only made a living. for himself and family, hnt provided for his old age and established his reputation for fair and

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honorable dealing. Quiet, never forciug him- self upon public notice, but trying to do his full duty as he sees it, Mr. Prunk has made many friends who are proud of his war record, and glad to be numbered among those deemed worthy a place iu his coufidence.

PUFFINBARGER, Martin, of an old and hon- ored family in Sangamon County, is a native of the county and a veteran of the Civil War. He was born December 25, 1838, son of William and Mary (Harris) Puffinbarger, the father a native of Maryland and the mother of Ohio. The father removed to Ohio as a young man, was there married, and soon afterward, in 1832,

came to Sangamon County, settling on a farm south of Springfield, later entering 120 acres of government laud there. He operated this iand, which he had improved, for many years, theu sold it aud removed to Christlan County, where he spent the remainder of his life, both he and his wife dying on a farm there. There were six sons and three daughters in the family, of whom four sons aud one daughter now sur- vive, namely : Willlam C., of Oswego, Kan .; Jackson, of Christian County; Mary, wife of Jacob Cordman, of Oswego, Kan .; Martin, of this sketch. Martin has a half-brother, Doug- las Puffinbarger, living in Kansas.

Mr. Puffinbarger was educated in the public schools and reached man's estate on his father's farm. He was acquainted with Abraham Lin- coin and his first vote was cast for Stephen A. Douglas. During the early days of the Civil War he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Lackey, and at the end of three months was mustered out and discharged at Springfieid. He had participated in several skirmishes, mostly in Missouri, and after his service re- sumed farming, which he has since foilowed. With the exception of three years spent in Christian County, he has spent his entire life in his native couuty, and has been on a farm during that entire period, with the exception of two years spent in the city of Springfield. He rents a good farm on Section 10, Cotton Hill Township, where he has ilved the past two years, and has a pleasant home there. This land is well improved and In a good state of cultivation.

Mr. Puffinbarger was married in Springfield, in September, 1869, to Mary Lettie Martin, who was born in Christlan County, Ill., June 26, 1851, daughter of Eli Martin, an early settler of that county, who followed his trade of black- smith there until his death. Four children were born of this union, of whom two now survive: Ida M., wife of William Boyle, of St. Louis, has one son, William E. Boyle; Hattie A., wife of Lawrence Furlong. lives with her father. Mr. Puffingbarger is a Democrat in politics and ready to perform every duty that devolves on hlm as a citizen.

PUGH, Jonathan H. (Voi. I, p. 435.)

PUGLISI, Stephen, who has built up an excel- leut trade in the line of fruit and produce in the city of Springfield, is a native of Italy, born November 25, 1863. He is a son of Dominick and Vittoria Puglisi, the father beiug inter- ested in various lines of business at Messina (the scene of the memorable earthquake of a few years ago), including the occupations of carpenter aud builder, mine dealer and whole- sale grocer. At the age of nineteen years Mr. Puglisi left school and came to the Uuited States and learned the trade ot barber at Brook- lyn, N. Y. In 1SSS he came to Springfield and embarked in his present business at 218 North Fifth Street, where he conducts the largest en- terprise of Its kind in the city. During the year 1910 he handled one hundred and fifty car- loads of fruit aud produce, and he has won a reputation for fair dealing and first-class goods that is a valuable asset.

Mr. Puglisi was married in Springfield in 1890 to Sarah Fotl, a native of Milazzo, Italy, who came to America as a small child, and two children have blessed this union, Victorla and Dominick. The family reside at 3231% North Sixth Street and attend the Church of SS. Peter and Paul. Mr. Puglisi is Independent in politics and belongs to the Order of Wood- men. He is well regarded by his patrons and has many warm friends in the city.

PURVINES, Achiiles Newton .- It is with the greatest pleasure that we present the name of this honored citizen-soldier and pioneer farmer of Sangamon County, to the readers of this work. Ile was born on Section 29, Cartwright Township, where his sister Mrs. Thomas White was born, and has since made her home. He was a son of Samuel and Mary ( Irvin) Purvines, both born in Cabarras County, N. C., he in 1800, and she iu 1802. Both families came from North Carolina, settling In Sangamon County in 1820, and in this county the parents were married. Samuel Purvines was a sou of John Purvines, born in Pennsylvania in 1769, moviug to North Carolina prior to the Revolution, en- listing from that State iuto the Coutinental Army, serving in it for five years. Much later, he moved to Illinois, locating one mile north of Pleasaut Plaius where he entered land from the government, and there made his home until death claimed him in 1832. On this same farm, Samuel Purvines passed away, in August, 1852, while his wife died in October of that same year. Samuel Purvines and wife were parents of eleven children, three of whou died in in- fancy, eight growing to maturity, as follows : Tabatha married Robert F. Hamilton, dying in 1909, aged eighty-two years; Lydia A., married J. C. Boue, dying In 1867; A. N., born December 1, 1832, the subject of this review ; Matilda, widow of Thomas White of whom further meu- tion is made elsewhere In this work; Frances was the fourth wife of J. C. Bone, dying in 1909; John F., a resident of Springfield, is nearly seventy years old; Rachei M., widow of James

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Zane, resides in Carthage, Mo., aged sixty- eight years; Samuel S., residing In Pleasant Plains. No family has done more to reclaim, build up and beautify Sangamon County than that of Purvines. Coming to the county iu 1820, when the State had been in the Union for but a short time, the grandfather of our sub- ject settled on Section 20, and later his son en- tered land on Section 29. The family has been prominent in agricultural life and successful as farmers and stock raisers. The old grand- father was one of those who offered up his life to secure liberty for this country, and follow- ing that led a thrifty, industrious existence. The younger generation are sustaining the repu- tation made hy the honored pioneers for good citizenship and excellent farming. It is be- cause of such families as this, that Illinois has attained its present promineuce.

Achilles Newton Purvines received his edu- cation in the subscription schools of the county, attending one held in the old log school house with its puncheon floor, slab benches and mud and stick chimney. The primitive fireplace was lined with rocks. The parents of the children had to pay a certain amount per child, so that the education of his eight children cost Samuel Purvines considerable amount, but he believed in education, and gladly denied himself to give them the advantages these schools afforded. At the same time, he expected them to assist on the farm, and as soon as one was old enough to plow, he was set to work driving three and four yoke of oxen to break the wild land. Mr. Purvines forgets the hardships of those times, and delights to look hack to those early days of the settlement of the county. He retains an old cradle and reap hook and in looking at them recalls the happy days at home before death inade auy break in their household. He re- members his mother using the old spider to cook her corn pones in the fireplace. Until one year of her death, the mother used these primitive utensils, preferring them to those of more mod- ern pattern, and Mr. Purvines contends that corn pone cooked as she used to make it, is far superior to anything now produced. In his hoy- hood, Mr. Purvines dropped corn hy hand until his father bought the Brown corn planter. Al- though reared to primitive methods In his farm- ing, Mr. Purvines has kept abreast of improve- ments, and has the latest improved machinery on his premises.

Like his honored grandfather, Mr. Purvines responded to his country's call, enlisting August 8, 1862, in Company F, One Hundred and Four- teenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry for three years' service, or until the close of the war. The regiment was organized at Springfield, and was sent in November, 1862, to Memphis, Tenn., and assigned to skirmishing duty. In the spring of 1863, the regiment participated in the Slege of Vicksburg, and other engagements in Ten- nessee and Mississippi. In June, 1864, Mr. Pur- vines was wounded at Guntown, Miss., In the right ankle. With this painful wound, he and

his regiment managed to escape, but were pur- sued with bloodhounds, but managed to get into the swamp, where the water killed the scent. They subsisted seven days on wild blackberries and bark from the trees, suffering terribly. Mr. Purvines In his crippled condition tramped to Memphis to rejoin the portion of his regiment which had been transferred to that city, spurred on by the fear of imprisonment in the dreaded Andersonville, where some of his company were confined for thirteen months. Reaching Memphis, he was put in the hospital, and kept there for two months until able to rejoin his regiment. Following this he was sent to Little Rock, Ark., to reinforce General Steele; then to Nashville, Tenn .; thence to Mohile, Ala., where niews reached the command of the surrender of General Lee. The regiment was returned to Vicksburg, and there mustered out in August, 1865, being honorably discharged at Springfield, Ill. In 1863, Mr. Purvines was promoted to First Duty Sergeant, retaining this office to the close of the war, although he often performed the duties of his captain.

After the war, he returned to the old home, soon thereafter buying 120 acres of land on Section 3, which is now his home. Immediately, he began to improve this property, erecting com- fortable bulldings, tiling the land, and huying new machinery. He now owns 345 acres in one hody on Sections 3 and 4, and 90 acres in Sec- tiou 29, Cartwright Township, a total of 435 acres. He has a beautiful residence of modern pattern. Mr. Purvines was the first man in the connty raising Percheron horses and was among the first to begin breeding fine horses, short-horn cattle and Poland-China hogs. He has become a leader iu hreeding all kinds of stock. All his life, Mr. Purvines has heen iden. tified with the best interests of Sangamon County, and has always been public-spirited. He was first a Whig, but upon the formation of the Republican party, he joined issues with Abraham Lincoln with whom he was well ac- quainted, and is proud to say that he was one of Lincoln's hirelings. He has never sought public office, hnt has continued to content him- self with the duties of a good citizen. For the past few years, he has practically retired from active life, while he still makes his home on the farm, surrounded by friends and the com- forts of home, gained through the efforts of a husy, well-spent life. Socially he is a member of the Dick Johnson Post, G. A. R., of Tallula, Ill. No hetter or truer citizen of soldier ever lived in Sangamon Conuty than A. N. Purvines of whom we-write.

PURVINES, Burton Lee .- An agricultural life is one of the healthiest and sane there is, for under the blue sky and amid the influences of nature, the farmer learns to take a hroader view of life and humanity, than when crowded in the coufines of a large city. His living is as- sured him from his land, and if he understands his work, an Income as well. Few farmers of

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today are content to follow old lines, but are brauching out, and specializing in many lines. Still there are many who prefer to devote them- selves to general farming, and all are benefiting from the experiments conducted by the govern- ment and private individuals. One of the lead- ing agriculturalists of Sangamon County, is Burton Lee Purvines, who owns a fine tract of 400 acres. He was born on a farm near Pleas- ant Plains, May 22, 1875, a son of Green Lee and Louisa (Potter) Purvines, the latter of whom was born in Menard County, near Peters- burg, Ill., a daughter of Elijah Potter. Elijah Potter was born in White County, Ill., but in early manhood moved to Menard County where he died. Abraham Lincoln made his home at the house of Mr. Potter's mother while a clerk in the store at Old Salem, and Mr. Purvines has never changed his views regarding that great man, for whom he early formed au attachment and to whom he gave an unrestricted admira- tion.

The boyhood days of Mr. Purvines were spent much the same as those of other farmer youths of his vicinity, the time not needed on the farm, being spent in attending the district schools of his locality. Owing to the faillng health of his father, his time was pretty well occupied, and when his father died on December 20, 1894, he assumed full charge of the place. In 1895, Mr. Purvines assisted his mother in erecting a beautiful home on Church street, Pleasant Plains, but continued to operate the home farm of 268 acres.

On September 14, 1898, Mr. Purvines was united in marriage with Miss Susie Harring- ton, daughter of George T. Harrington, whose biographical sketch is giveu at length else- where in this work. After marriage, Mr. Pur- vines returned to his birthplace, and he and his wife gave their attention to farming and stock- raising. This continued until 1904, when after a very successful career as an agriculturist. Mr. Purvines built a cottage on Main street, in Pleasant Plains, still continuing to operate the farm in its entirety. In 1907, he rented a por- tion of the home place, but continues his farm and stock operations from Pleasant Plains, own- ing 400 acres of rich farm land. In 1910, this land averaged sixty bushels to the acre, he having planted 225 acres in corn.

Mr. Purvines is one of the representative men of his county and State, being very progressive in his methods and beliefs. He is prominent fraternally, belonging to Pleasant Plains Ma- sonic Lodge, No. 700, and Welcome Lodge No. 770, I. O. O. F., while both he and his wife are con- nected with the Eastern Star Lodge. They are consistent members of the Christian Church, in which they are active, giving liberally of both time and money. In political matters, he has always been a Democrat, and can be depended upon for hard work in securing the election of the candidates of his party. Such people as these are the very backbone of any community, for they not only are influential in material mat-

ters, but the effect of their upright, Christian lives is felt by all who come into contact with them.

PURVINES, Elijah Alexander .- Among the representative agriculturists of Sangamon County may be mnentioued Elijah Alexander Purvines, who is carrying on operations in the eastern part of Pleasant Plains. Mr. Purvines was born in Menard County, Ill., December 22, 1863, a son of Green Lee Purvines. When Mr. Purvines was about eleven years of age, the family located in Cartwright Township, and as soon as he was able to reach the plow handles, he began to do his full share of the work on the home farm, and so continued to operate about forty acres of land with his father uutil reaching his majority. He was married Oc- tober 17, 1888, to Elizabeth Watkins, who was born west of Petersburg, Menard County, whence her family had come from Kentucky, this branch of the Watkins family having been founded here about 1820, by her grandfather who made the trip overland. Mrs. Purvines was the daughter of Samuuel and Mary ( Wol- dridge) Watkins, who are still living on the old Watkins farm. Of their eight children, all are still living, as follows: Jennett, the wife of Zadock Thompson, a merchant of Petersburg, Ill .; Elizabeth, who became Mrs. Purvines; Evans G., a prominent farmer of Menard County ; Elias, who carries on operations north- west of Petersburg; Walter, a farmer and stock breeder of Menard County ; Edgar, an agricul- turist engaged in operations west of Petersburg ; Hattle, the wife of Christian C. Juhl, a farmer near Petersburg; aud Nona, the wife of Ira R. Abbott, owner of the electric light plant at Petersburg. Samuel Watkins was one of the prominent agriculturists of his section of Men- ard County, where he operated about 2,500 acres of land, and he was often urged to accept political honors by his fellow townsmen of the Democratic party, but being a man of a quiet and unassuming nature, he always preferred to give his time to his farm and his home.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Purvines settled on a part of his father's farm in Cart- wright Township, and there he successfully carried on operations on 300 acres of laud until 1902, in which year he built a beautiful home in the eastern part of Pleasant Plains. In ad- dition to about 400 acres in this county, he owns a tract of 320 acres in Cowley County, Kans .. and 850 acres in Potter County, Tex., a total of 1,570 acres. His Sangamon County land produced eighty bushels of corn to the acre in 1910, and he has also been very successful in the breeding of stock. He is one of the intelli- gent and progressive farmers of the county, and his operations have always been carried on along scientific lines. Much of Mr. Purvines' success may be attributed to his wife. who has assisted him in many ways as only the agriculturist's wife can help him. While not a member of any speclal church, Mr. Purvines is always ready to

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contribute towards church or charitable move- ments. Ifis political belief Is that of the Demo- cratic party. Ile is very fond of travel, believ- ing that it Is an education and means of broad- eniug the miud and increasing one's fund oť knowledge, and in 1900, with his brother-In- law, he took an extensive Europeau trip, visit- ing the Paris Exposition, Germany, Switzer- land and Deumark.

To Mr. and Mrs. Purvines there have been born four children as follows: Talvi V., born December 9, 1889; Rollie, born March 12, 1892; DeWitt L., born April 29, 1893; and Mary J., born May 22, 1906. Mrs. Purvines and her chil- dren . affiliate with the Christian Church. In 1901, Mr. Purvines, with his son and daughter went to Texas, where they broke out 300 acres of land, on which they raised a large erop of corn and maize, and later erected a home. During his absence Mrs. Purvines raised 100 head of hogs without the aid of any one. Mr. Purvines is a representative of the best type of Illinois agriculturist and may be depended upon to creditably maintain and substantlate the name of one of the State's pioneer families.

PURVINES, Green Lee (deceased) .- Prom- inent among the names of representative and distinguished citizens of Sangamon County, Ill., should be placed that of the late Green Lee Purvines, who during a long life spent here and In Menard County established a reputation for uprightness of character and sterling In- tegrity in every walk of life. He was a native of Sangamon County, born in Cartwright Town- ship, near Pleasant Plains, November 10, 1826, a son of Alexander C. and Margaret ( Wedding- ton) Purvines, both natives of Cabarrus County, N. C.

Alexander C. Purvines was born March 16, 1794, and continued to make his home in his native county until 1819, when, accompanied by his wife and child, he emigrated to Sanga- mon County, and here three other children were born to him and his wife, Albert B. Purvines was born October 25, 1818, in North Carolina, and died in Sangamon County, Ill., March 11. 1839; John W. was born in this county October 25. 1821. and died in 1841; Elizabeth F., was born June 23. 1824, and died in 1852; she had been the wife of John C. Bone, who is also de- eeased and Green Lee was the fourth in order of birth. Mr. Purvines' mother died in Janu- ary, 1831, and the father was married a second time to Mrs. Jane Hamilton, nee Coleman, and by this union there were eight children.

John Purvines, the grandfather of Green Lee. was born In Lancaster County, Pa., in 1873, and it is supposed that the family is of French ex- traction ; that it emigrated from France to Ire- land, and thence to the Colonles prior to the Revolution, locating in Pennsylvania and other eastern States. It is thought also that the name was originally spelled Purviance, as writ- ten, one Rohert Purvlauce, in the courts of Cabarras County, N. C., and as signed by Davld

S. Purvlance in the capacity of witness on two occasions In the Illinois courts, John Purvines removed to Mecklenberg County, N. C., in 1775, and to Cabarras County iu 1779. During the Revolutionary War, he enlisted in the company of Capt. James White, attached to a regiment commanded by Colonel Davis, and the company marched to a point in South Carolina, where the entire militla of the Carolinas had assem- bled under General Rutherford. Soon after- ward occurred the battle of Stone River, July 20, 1779, In which Mr. Purvines participated. Later, in 1781, he eulisted as a private horse- man in the company of Captain William Penny, being attached to the army under young Gen- eral Gates at Lynch Creek, theuce to Rugsby Mills; was present at the capture of Fort Orangeburg, S. C., iu May, 1781; was a member of a foraging party which was attacked by the Tories, his horse shot, he being wounded him- self and his saddle captured. At another time he was a member of a foraging party which visited an old mill. While there they were sur- rounded by a detachment of Tories. Mr. Pur- vines was the only one who evaded capture, which he managed to do by jumping from a window Into the river, and by swimming he succeeded in making his escape, although fired on by the Tories several times. The close of the war found him under the command of Col. Wade Hamptou and General Sumter, and when he was mustered out of the army he had a rec- ord of nearly five years of fighting. In 1819, he went to Sangamon County, Ill., and there the death of this patriot occurred In 1833, and there a monument to his memory was erected by his friends.

The boyhood of Green Lee Purvines was much the same as other boys of his day and locality, his spare time being given to attendanee at the smuall district school house, and much attention paid to the work of the home farm. On reach- ing man's estate, he started out to farm on his own account ou an eighty-acre tract in Menard County, which had been given him hy hls fa- ther, Later he purchased the adjoining elghty acres, and on this tract he made his home for upwards of a quarter of a century. On selling that place, he bought a farmu two miles east of Pleasant Plains in Cartwright Township, to which he added from time to time until he had accumulated 500 acres of fine farming land, all uuder a high state of cultivation aud improved with large substantial bulldings.

On February 4, 1862, at the home of the bride in Menard County, Ill., Mr. Purvines was united In marriage to Louise Potter, a native of that county and a daughter of Elijah and Eliza- beth (Green) Potter. Mr. Potter was born in White County, Ill., February 24, 1813, and his wife in Overton County, Tenn., October 30, 1818, and when five years of age came to IllInols with her parents In a wagon. Mr. Potter died March 23, 1870, and his wife August 16, 1888, hotlı heing interred in Greenwood Cemetery, Tallula. To Mr. and Mrs. Purvines there were

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born three children : Marietta, wife of J. Ilenry Irwiu, an extensive farmer in Cartwright Town- ship; Elijah Alexauder, farmer living in the village of Pleasant Plains; aud Burton Lee, who owus the old homestead.

PURVINES, James O., a retired farmer re- sldiug at Pleasant Plains, Ill., was born a mile and a half northeast of his preseut home. Feb- ruary 11, 1845, a son of Alexander C. and Jane (Coleman) Purvines. The father was a native of Cabarrus County, N. C., and came to San- gamon County about 1823, being atuong the "Snow Birds" who struggled so hard for ex- isteuce iu early days. The mills were so far distant they had to mash their own corn for meal and they lived among the Indians for neighhors. Mr. Purvines was born March 16, 1794, and died iu Illinois July 16, 1861. He was a man of strong character and prouounced views, always ready to defend the honor of his State. He was one of the founders of Cart- wright Townshlp. At the time of the Mormon trouble at Nauvoo he took a load of muen and started for that place, although having no gun himself. Those who were armed started to the front and Mr. Purvines took a neck yoke from his wagon and started to do battle with it, but found it unnecessary to take any active part in the fight. When the excitement was over they returued to the work on their farms, none the worse for the adventure. Deer and other wild game helped furuish meat for their larder. Their market was St. Louis, to which place they hauled wheat and sold it for twenty-five cents per bushel and sold dressed hogs for $1.75 per hundredweight, making the trip with ox teams. Mr. Purvines was a man of energy and determination and at the time of his death was one of the extensive land holders of his part of the county. Ile saw the wild prairie aud heavy timber land converted Into fertile farus and the Indian hut give way to the home of the farmer. He helped build the Richland Baptist Church aud was an earnest Christian. His latch-string was always left on the out- side and the traiu of families moving westward who passed his place found a stopping place and a chance for rest at his home. His widow survived until October, 1878. She was a woman of high character, who was always cheerful amid the trails of pioneer existence and held in warm regard by all who knew her. Her maiden name was Jane Coleman, and she was born January 28. 1806. Her first marriage was to George Hamilton, by whom she had two sons and a daughter, namely : Robert F. Ilamil- ton. died and left a family In Illinois ; Martha C. married Asural Emory, a wealthy land owner living near Cuba, Mo .; George K., died at Pleasant Plains. After the death of Mr. Hamil- ton she became the wife of Alexander C. Pur- vines, who had been married before, and hy his first wife had children as follows: Alfred, born October 25. 1818. died in young manhood ; John W., born October 25, 1820, died in 1821; Elizabeth became the wife of Jack Bone,

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 123

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