Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 124

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 124

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her birth occurred June 23, 1824; Green Lee, boru November 10, 1826. The mother of these children bore the name of Lisbou before her inarriage.

By his second marriage Alexander C. Pur- vines had children as follows: Margaret, horu September 5, 1832, quarried Abraham Duff and died In Texas about 1909; Williamu G., born September 3, 1834. lives at Pleasant Plains ; Nancy S., born August 9, 1836, dled in young womanhood; Sarah E., born July 17, 1838, married Mr. Hill Armstrong and died without leaving children; Alexander J., horn August 3, 1840, died In Kausas ahout 1907 and his widow in 1908; Itha L., born September 12, 1843, wife of E. L. Bone, of Petersburg, and muother of William Bone, a noted lecturer ; James O., of this sketch; Edgar C., born July 11, 1847. The mother of these children gave teuder motherly care to fourteen children and also reared four grandchildreu, making eighteen children who had grown up in her household. She and her husband gave the children such educational advantages as they were able.

James Oscar Purvines attended the Purvines district school and was reared to farm work. He remained on the farm until coming to Plea- sant Plains in 1891. May 5, 1874, he married Miss Mattie Harnett, born near Circleville, Ohio, June 25, 1851, daughter of James B. and Mary (Pontious) Harnett. Her father died In Ohio, December 1, 1865, and in 1869 her mother brought her children to Pleasant Plains, where she bought a home aud where her death oc- curred March 12, 1896. She had twelve chil- dren, of whom four now survive: James P., married Mary Blaney, iu 1876, and is a contract- or and builder of Pleasant Plains ; Molly, widow of S. S. Purvines, of Pleasant Plains; Sarah, wife of Morgan Luse, of Garnett, Kan., recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary ; Mrs. J. O. Purvines; Catherine, Wilson and Joseph died unmarried; Susanna ; Daniel, de- ceased ; Elizabeth married Dan Donovan and is deceased; Louisa married a Chas. McLane and died at Circleville, Ohio, iu 1882. Mr. Pur- vines purchased a beautiful home at Pleasant Plains and has since resided there. Their chil- dren are : Merry May, born April 25. 1875, graduate of the high school of Pleasant Plains, and of Sangatuon College; George O., horn July 22, 1877. a graduate of the State University, has for the past eight years been Assistant Cashier of the Farmers State Bank at Tallula. and is a young man of business abillty and promise; Libbie Jane, horn October 20. 1879. wife of James A. Daniels, Assistant Cashier of the bank of Heyworth. III,, has two children, David Russell, born in March, 1903, and Gwen- dolyn, born July 21, 1906; Louana, born Jann- ary 26, 1882, died September 24, 1885; Flor- ence M., born June 21. 1SS9, is a post-graduate of Pleasant Plains High school and the Nor- mal of Bloomington, and has for the past three years been a teacher at Pleasant Plains High School. The children of this family have been given many advantages in the way of edu-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

cation, etc., aud have been fitted for honorable positions. Merry May is known throughout central Illinois as an expert horsewoman aud an excellent judge of the merits of horses. For the past fourteen years she has been onc of the most successful teachers of Sangamon County and commands the highest salary. She has wor many medals for her riding at state and county fairs and is noted for her easy and graceful carriage. She is a lover of fiue horses and an expert in training a fine saddle horse. Her sister Florence is also an excellent horse- woman and both daughters are well known as teachers of ability, having many friends.

Mr. Purvines has been identified with the best interests of his community and county and has taken an active part in all movements for the general welfare and progress. In early life he accompanied his father when the latter sold corn for eleven cents per bushel after hauling it a long distance, but times have greatly changed and he has been one of the most suc- cessful men of the county.

PUTNAM, Samuel, a prominent and well- known citizen of Spaulding, Ill., where he served several years as Postmaster, is now retired from active life. He was born in Delaware County, N. Y., July 8, 1838, a son of Jeremiah aud Hannah (Roe) Putnam, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of New York. The father was a shoemaker by trade, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He set- tled in Delaware County at an early day and there followed his trade of shoemaker until his death. He and his wife had three sons and four daughters, and those surviving besides Samuel are: Charles, a retired merchant liv- ing in New York, and two daughters now re- siding in Delaware County.

Mr. Putnam acquired his education in his native county and worked on a farm after leaving school, continuing in this line of work uutil he came to Illinois in 1861. He then worked several years on a farm near Buffalo, and later engaged in the manufacture of tile at that place. Some years later he engaged in the same business at Cedar Rapids, Ia., but lived there only a short time, then returned to Sangamon County and spent a short time at Riverton. He worked several years in the em- ploy of the Spaulding Nursery Company, and, in 1898, received the appointment of Postmaster of Spaulding, being re-appointed twice and hold- Ing the position eleven years. He conducted a general store in the village during this time, but has now retired from active life. He has spent a busy, profitable life and has been suc- cessful to a fair degree. Mr. Putnam enjoys the confidence and regard of a large circle of friends aud well merits thelr good opinion.

December 31, 1863, Mr. Putnam was married, at Delavan, Ill., to Miss Anna Browner, born in Rushville, Ill., December 11, 1838, daughter of John Browner. Mr. Browner was a native of Maryland and his wife of Virginia. They .

were married in Columbia, Ky., and were early settlers of Rushville, locating there about seventy-five years ago aud remaining there un- til their deaths. They had four sons and four daughters and of these but three now survive: Mrs. Putnam; a son living in Denver, Colo .; and Mrs. Mary Fiske, of Chicago. To Mr. Put- nam and wife two children were born, Gertrude and John. The former is the wife of William Bell and they live on a farm near Rochester. John lives with his father and mother, married Jessie Stutters, and has four children : Amy, Roy, Gertrude and John.

PUTTING, William Fred, a successful manu- facturer of Springfield, Ill., was born in St. Louis, Mo., December 26, 1SCO. His parents, Frederick W. and Catherine (Sheer) Putting, were both born in Germany in the years 1828 and 1832 respectively. Frederick W. Putting was engaged in contracting business in the city of St. Louis for a number of years subsequent to his arrival in America, and later moved his family, cousisting of three boys and four girls, to Worden, Ill., where he continued to be an active business man until the time of his death.

Of the sons, William was the second in age. When about fifteen years old he manifested a strong interest in mechanics and immediately began to learn the blacksmithing trade. He labored hard and industriously, working in vari- ous shops and factories until his ability as an artisan was generally recognized. During the mouth of October, 189S, he opened a general blacksmithing business in Springfield on a small scale. His ability, together with his honesty and thrift, soon developed a business that de- manded larger quarters, so he was obliged to move four times to accommodate his patronage. In this manner he grew from a repairer to a manufacturer of vehicles.

Mr. Putting was married to Ida F. Klaus, daughter of John and Rosina Klaus, at Moro, Ill., on the 10th day of October, 1882. The male llne of the Klaus family for generations, until now, without exception, were mechanics and artisans.

Mr. and Mrs. Putting have had three chil- dren, all of whom now are prominent citizens of Springfield: Oscar J. Putting, an able at- torney of the Sangamon County Bar; Rosa V. Riefler, wife of Carl Riefler, Auditor of the Court of Honor ; and Edward H. Putting. now the junior member of the manufacturing firm of W. F. Putting & Son.

The manufacturing business of which Mr. Putting is the head is the largest of its kind in this part of the state. Thus, by early ambi- tions, long and persistent toil and labor, Mr. Putting, entirely without assistance, has risen to a position of high credit and respect among his fellow townsmen.

Religiously he is a member of the German Lutheran Church. Politically he, as well as his two sons, are stanch Republicans, always ac-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

· tive for good government and the welfare of the party.

Mr. and Mrs. Putting continue to enjoy good health, and from all indications will yet spend many a happy day in their comfortable home at No. 316 North Glenwood Avenue.

PYLE, William A., one of the best-known farm- ers of Woodside Township, Sangamon County, Ill., is a large iandowner and has been very successful in his operations. He owns a very pleasant home on Section 21 and enjoys all the comforts and conveniences of modern times. He is a native of Sangamon County and has witnessed the remarkable development of his section of the State during the past eighty years. Mr. Pyle was born November 13, 1830, and belongs to one of the earliest families to settle in Sangamon County. His grandfather, Nicholas Pyle, came from England and first lo- cated iu South Carolina. He was married in Carolina during the Revolution, his wife's maid- en name being Ann Black, and some of their children were born there and the others in Kentucky, where they lived later. They moved to Christian County, Ky., and thence to St. Clair County, Ill., remaining there a short time, and about 1825 came to Sangamon County.

Thompson Pyle, the father of William A., was born in Kentucky and became a farmer. He accompanied his father to Sangamon Coun- ty and settled on a farm near where his son William now lives. He entered land from the Government and both he and his father died on this land, the former December 19, 1870. Thompson Pyle married Margaret Moffit, also a native of Kentucky, whose death occurred in 1896. They became parents of ten children, of whom four are living.

William A. Pyle was educated in Sangamon County and iu his boyhood worked on his fath- er's farm, where he has lived ever since. He now owns 340 acres of excellent farming land, part of which was entered from the Govern- ment. He has done much himself toward the development of his farm, but now rents inost of it to tenants and has practically retired from business life. He was born the year of the deep snow and is a member of the "Snow Bird Club," of Sangamon County.

Mr. Pyle is one of the most highly respected meu of his part of the county, is popular with his many friends, and persoually is a genial, whole-souled gentleman. kindly in manner and nature, and a representative of the highest type of citizen. He is always ready to forward every worthy cause and takes great interest in public affairs. He is a Democrat in political belief. Mr. Pyle is unmarried.

QUINN, Edward .- The agricultural States have always offered attractive opportunities for farmers, and none more than Illinois. During the 'fifties and 'sixties the tide of emigration brought with it many sturdy, industrious, hard- working men from more eastern States, and they remained, becoming well-to-do through cul-

tivatiug the land they secured before it attained its present high value. One of the men who was far-sighted enough to appreciate the fact that in this State he could obtain something worth while from his work, is Edward Quinn, now living retired in Springfield. He was born in County Tyroue, Ireland, in May, 1836, being a son of Patrick and Mary (McHugh) Quinn, both of Ireland. The father was a farmer and he and his wife never came to America, but died in their native land. He passed away in young manhood, leaving a widow and three sons and three daughters, of whom Edward Quinn was the youngest and is the only sur- vivor.

After a boyhood spent according to the cus- toms of his time and country, Mr. Quinn came to this country in 1854. He had helped his father on the farm, and proven himself a good son, so that when he landed in Philadelphia, on May 16th, he found ready employment, for he had learned obedience to his employers, and how to give fair measure for the wages paid him. Four years later he left Philadelphia, coming west to Morgan County, where he re- sumed his farming work. In 1862 he located in Sangamon County, which has since continued to be his home. He rented eighty acres and this he made his home until 1900, when he re- tired to Springfield.

Mr. Quinn was married in Springfield, in November, 1880, to Anua McCool, born in Done- gal, Ireland, whose parents never left their native land, dying there. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Quinn : Frank J., manager of a large shirt and overall factory of Cairo, Ill., resides in that city; and May A., in the employ of the Stevens Dry Goods Company, re- sides at home. There is one grandchild in the family. Mr. Quinn knew the lamented Abra- ham Lincoln and is proud of the fact. He owns his well-kept home at No. 610 West Capi- tol Avenue, as well as other city realty, and is in comfortable circumstances. In political faith he is a Democrat. A strong Roman Catholic, he is connected with St. Agnes Parish, and is one of its liberal supporters. Kind-hearted, genial, and an excellent type of the best class of his countrymen, Mr. Quinn has many warm friends and holds the confidence of his asso- ciates.

QUINN, Patrick Joseph .-- Ireland has given the United States some brilliant statesmen, and re- liable business men. There is something in the character of an Irishman that wins friends, and when he also possesses excellent business judgment his success is assured. A representa- . tive of the genial, popular son of Erin, whose home has been in Springfield since 1881, is Patrick Joseph Quinn. Mr. Quinn was born in County Mayo. March 12, 1861, a son of Patrick and Ann (Morrissoe) Quinn, both of whom were also born in County Mayo. There they married and spent their lives, the father dying in 1896 and the mother surviving until 1905. He was a farmer all his life and a hard-working

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

man. He and his wife were Catholics and brought up their three sons and fonr daughters In the same faith. One daughter is now de- eeased and two sons and two danghters came to the United States.

Patrick Joseph Quinn arrived In America In 1881, coming direct to Springfield. He had re- ceived a fair common-school education in Bal- laghadereen, Ireland, leaving school wheu six- teen years old to help his father on the farm. When he arrived at Springfield, however, he did not engage in agricultural work, but ob- tained employment in the watch factory. He also worked In the rolling mills and in the parks, finally, In 1904, embarking in his present business.

Independent in pollties, Mr. Quinn gives his support to men and the measures, rather than to any partieular party. He has never aspired to public office, but is Ilberal in his sup- port of charities and movements he believes will work out for the ultimate good of the community. Mr. Quinn belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters, and is a consistent and lib- eral supporter of St. Agnes Catholic Church, to which he belongs. On June 26, 1889, Mr. Quinn was married to Mary Tobin, born in County Waterford, Ireland, daughter of William and Bridget (Flynn) Tobin of the same county. They came to America about 1872, when Mrs. Quinn was five years old. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Quinn, but only three sur- vive: William, who is with the Chicago & Alton railroad; Anna, at home, was educated at St. Agnes School and the Ursuline Convent ; and Bernardine, also at home. Mr. Quinn has accumulated considerable property in Spring- field, and has displayed his confidence in the future of the city by thus largely investing.

RAAB, Henry. (Vol. I, p. 438.)

RACHFORD, Thomas W., who now holds the position of City Electrician of Springfield, was chosen because of his ability and technical knowledge, in preference to others less well qualified to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the position. Ile was born in Chenoa, McLean County, Ill., November 13, 1870, son of Thomas and Catherine (O'Brien) Rachford, both na- tives of Ireland, where the former was a farmer. Thomas Rachford and his wife emigrated to America and settled on a farm in McLean County.

The early education of Thomas W. Rachford was acquired in the public schools and he after- wards attended Grand Prairie Seminary, at Onarga. Ill. He was reared In the Catholic faith. He is skilled in electrical work and has' had valuable experience. In political views he is a Democrat and fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen and the Knights of Columbus. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Ile owns the property where he resides, at 336 North Fifth Avenue, Springfield.

Mr. Rachford was married, June 28. 1905, at

Alton, 111., to Miss Kathryn Kelly. Three chil- dren were born of this nnion, namely : John Kelly, born May 30, 1906; Kathryn Agnes, June 10, 1908; Thomas Walter, Jr., March 15, 1910. Mt. Rachford is highly esteemed by his asso- ciates and has many friends. Ile is a man of energy and ambition, making the most of his opportunities and giving his best services to the city by which he Is employed.

RAGAN, Jonathan (deceased), for many years a resident of Mechanicsburg, . Ill., was one of that village's most highly respected citizens. He was born in Washington County, Md., March 9, 1831, a son of John and Sarah (Cra- mer) Ragan, both of whom died in the East when their son was quite yonng. The father was a farmer by occupation.

The education of Jonathan Ragan was ac- quired in Hagerstown, Md., and after leaving school he learned the trade of printer, which he followed in Hagerstown until coming West, in 1866. IIe came direct to Mechanicsburg, his home for the remainder of his life. Ile worked at farming for several years and under the ad- ministration of President Cleveland served as Postmaster of Mechanicsburg. Later he fol- lowed his trade, conducting a printing office for several years. He was well regarded by his fellow-citizens and served one year as Constable. In politics he was a Democrat. In later years he served as caretaker of the Christian church and of the school house at Mechanicsburg. IIe was a devout member of the Christian Church, as is his widow.

Mr. Ragan was married in Hagerstown, Md .. October 9, 1852, to Miss Sarah Young, born in Frederick County, September 14, 1828, daughter of Frederick and Lydia (Bowersocks) Young, both natives of the same county. Mr. Young was a tailor by trade and condueted a shop in Johnsville, Md., where the family resided many years. They removed to Mechanicsburg In 1865, and there the parents died. There were five children, of whom two still survive: Mrs. Ragan, of Mechanicsburg, and Mrs. Martha Fortune, a widow, living in Springfield.

Six children were born to Mr. Ragan and wife in Hagerstown and two after they located in Mechanicsburg, and five children are living, namely : Richard H., Anna, Mrs. John R. Wood- cock. Mrs. John Anderson, Mrs. Maggle Sam- onds. Richard H. Ragan, a resident of Spring- field, married Miss Mary Hall, of Mechanics- burg, who died in March, 1903, having borne four daughters and one son, and four children are now living, namely : Anna, living with her grandmother, Mrs. Ragan; Bertha, deceased ; Elizabeth, wife of George Cox, of Springfield ; William. of Mechanicsburg and Hallie, of Springfield. Lydia Ragan married Amos Bene- dict, who was a soldier in the Civil War and Is now deceased, and of their children four are living. namely : Gertle, wife of Frank McCoy, of Springfield : Cora, married A. II. Kanahan, of Lanesville; Jesse, of Springfield; Christina,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

wife of Charles Barnett, of Springfield. Mrs. John Anderson and her husband live on a farm north of Decatur, having eight chil- dren, namely : Edna, wife of William Weed- man, of Glenarm, and her twin sister, Ethel, wife of Carl Hnff, also of Glenarm; Ciara, Cor- delia, Georgia, Roy and Grace, all at home. Maggie Ragan married John Samonds, of Springfield, and their children are: Katie, wife of Carl Wilson, of Virden; Arthur, Ernest, Leslie, Byron, Russell, Clarence, and Harold, all at home.

Mr. Ragan had many friends in the commu- nity and was missed from many circles. He took welfare. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His widow has a com- fortable home in Mechanicsburg.

RAGLAND, Joseph .- Kentucky furnished to the Western States many excellent men who had the instinct that prompted pioneers in the days when what is now a mighty commonwealth was a wilderness peopled by savage Indians. One of the men who owes his birth to this fine part of the country is Joseph Ragland, one of the scientific farmers of Sangamon County, owning thirty-fonr acres of rich land in Williams Town- ship. He was born September 30, 1858, in Kentucky, a son of Hugh and Eliza (Mears) Ragland, both natives of Kentucky. Hugb Rag- land followed farming all his life, never leaving the Blue Grass State, where he and his wife passed away, after . rearing a fine family of four sons and three daughters to do tbem credit. He was a soldier in the Mexican War, serving to the end. He lived to the ripe old age of seventy-four years, dying in full pos- session of the confidence and esteem of his neighbors.

Joseph Ragland was brought up on the Ken- tucky homestead, working on the farm for bis father, and attending the schools of his neigh- borhood. Having heard so much of the rich San- gamon County farm lands, however, in 1881 he left his bome to come there, and immediately engaged in farming in Williams Township. After five years there he returned to Kentucky, where he continued farming until 1906, when once more he located in Williams Township, buying thirty-fonr acres in Section 7, which has been his home ever since. There he carries on farming and gardening, and has been eminently successful.

Mr. Ragland was married in 1879, to Bettie Walters, born in Kentucky, and they had three daughters and two sons, three of whom sur- vive: Nannie, wife of George Durham, of Frank- lin, Ill .; Mary, residing with her sister, Mrs. Durham; Frank, who resides in Kentucky. Mrs. Ragland died in 1895. In 1902 Mr. Rag- land was married to Nan Blanton, also of Ken- tucky, no issue. She died in 1907. On August 15, 1910, Mr. Ragland was married to Mrs. Margaret Parker. of Springfield, born in New Jersey, but a resident of Springfield and San-

gamon Connty for fifty years. Her father was a merchant in New Jersey, where botb her par- ents died. The Methodist Church claims Mr. Ragland's membersbip, while in politics he is a Democrat. He is an excellent farmer, wbo understands thoroughly what he is doing, and his land has increased in value very materially since it came into his possession.

RAHMAN, Herman .- The history of the Civil War has never been fully written, and never can be, for it is impossible to give in detail what the soldiers suffered, or what their after life has been, hampered by the effects of ex- posnre and neglect. Although the nation rests under a beavy debt of gratitude to the veterans, they appear to estimate their services at much less than do those who come after, who, profit- ing by the results, know what the cost really was. One of the honored veterans living in Springfield, is Herman Rahman, a German-born citizen who risked life in defense of his adopted country. Mr. Rahman was born in Neiderland, May 7, 1839, a son of Fackka and Mary (Benz) Rahman, natives of Germany. In 1847 the father emigrated to America, settling first in Pelleville, Ill., but later removing to St. Louis, where he died. In his native land he was a farmer.

Herman Rahman had few educational ad- vantages, his schooldays being limited to his native land and a short period after arrival in America, for his services were required to help . support the family. Upon coming to Illinois, in 1856, Mr. Rahman located near Tallula, where he remained until the outbreak of the war. He enlisted from Camp Butler, in Com- pany F, Twenty-eighth. Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, participating in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Spanish Fort, Belmont (Ark.), Hatchie River, and the charge at Jackson, Miss., being discharged at Springfield, in 1865. He then settled down in Springfield, which has since been his home. Mr. Rahman belongs to Stephenson Post, G. A. R., of Springfield. In politics he is a Republican.

On December 6, 1869, Mr. Rahman was mar- ried at Rockport, Mo., to Minnie Martin, born near Berlin, Germany, December 16, 1849. Her parents never came to America, but died in Germany. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rahman, eight of whom survive : Dorothy Louise, wife of Charles Lloyd, of Whiting, Ind .; Marie, of Chicago; Angie, wife of Bert Fernandes, of Jacksonville, Ill .; Whilma, at home; William, of No. 101 Osburn Avenue, Springfield; Frank, of Toledo; Harry, of Springfield, and Lewis, at home. There are eight grandchildren in the family. For some years Mr. Rahman has been living . retired, after a long and useful life, and during which worked in the rolling mills at Springfield. He readily makes and retains friends, and enjoys the confidence and respect of his neighbors and associates.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 124

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