Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 126

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 126

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Mr. Rechner was married, October 19, 1892, to Miss Lena Bansbach, who was born in Baden. Germany, daughter of William and Francesca (Galen) Bansbach. both of whom dled In Germany. She was the fifth child in a family of five daughters and two sons, of whom

four daughters and one son live in America and one daughter and one son live In Germany. Mrs. Rechner died January 9, 1908, and was burled in Calvary Cemetery at Springfield. She left eight children, namely : Frances Kath- eriue, Lucy Mary, August William, Louis Joseph, Theresa Elizabeth, Irene Agnes. Irma Moily and Charles, twins. Mr. Rechner is a member of SS. Peter and Paul Rouian Catho- lic Church, of which Rev. Riesen is pastor. He belougs to St. Vincent's Society, the Western Catholle Unlon and the Catholic Order of For- esters. The family reside at 715 North Fourth Street. Mr. Rechner has been able to accumu- iate considerable city real estate in Springfield.

REDMOND, James .- The Irish are generally recognized as belng amoug the brightest and most geuial people lu the world. Wherever an Irishman is found he is sure to have friends aud to have attalned some degree of success iu whatever ilue he has followed. Some of the most highly-esteemed residents of Spring- field are natives of Erin, and among them none occuples a better position in the confidence of the community than James Redmond, veteran of the Civil War, and a merchant. Mr. Red- mond was born in Dublin, Ireland, March 1, 1835, a son of John and Martha (Munlo) Red- mond, natives of Ireland, where the father was a inerchant, dealing extensively In dry goods.

Ou September 1, 1860. James Redmond came from England to New York City, after having been educated in that country, to which his parents moved. Arriving In this country, Mr. Redmond soon became imbued with the spirit of the times, and when his adopted land needed his services, he promptly enlisted, In 1861, in the Union army, serving three years and being honorably discharged. During his time of serv- ice he proved his bravery and iearned to love the country he was risking his life.to defeud.

After his miiltary service Mr. Redmond came to Springfield, where he embarked In a dry goods business, conducting it very successfully. From time to time he proved his confidence In the future of the city by investing in its real estate, until now he Is a large property owuer. He is a cousistent Catholic, belonging to St. Joseph's Church, to which he subscribes iiber- ally. Poiltically he is a Republican, but has never come before the people for election to office.

February 13. 1865, Mr. Redmond was mar- ried In Springfield to Margaret Fitzgerald, and they have one son, Frank, born In Springfield in 1871. Mrs. Redmond's brother was a weli known business man of Springfield. Although now somewhat advanced in years, Mr. Red- mond is active and takes a lively interest in business. His recollections of early days, and of the stirring eveuts of the war are interest- ing and well worth Inserting in this too brief biography, did space permit. Too many of the veterans of Springfield have already been called Higher, so added honors are shown the sur-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

vivors by the grateful people who realize what this country owes the brave Boys in Blue.

REED, Charles M., a representative farmer and stock ralser of Loami Township, Sangamou County, Ill., is a native of the county, born lu Cartwright Township, Juue 24, 1857, son of William aud Ellzabeth (Allen) Reed, the for- mer a native of Ohio and the latter of New Jersey. Elizabeth Allen was born May 8, 1828, and iu 1840 accompanied her father to Butler County, Ohio, where she became acquaiuted with William Reed, and they were married ahout 1854, after which they came to Sauga- mon County and settled ou laud iu what Is now Island Grove. His father, John Reed, had seven sons, and bought a large body of land nearby, giving each of his sons a farm. All seven sons married and had children, except Robert, and William was the fifth in order of birth. The ouly ones of the family now living in Sangamou County are Charles M. aud his brother George M.

William became a prominent farmer and was respected by all who knew hiu. His father dled In Island Grove Township about 1861. In politics William Reed was first a Whig and later a Republicau. He was a quiet, even- tempered man, his wife never seeiug him out of humor, and he nad wany warm persoual friends. Children as follows were born to him and his wife: John W., a dairyman of Long Beach, Cal., Charles M .; Mary E., wife of Hugh Pollock, and they have four children-Harry, Elizabeth, Stella and Margaret; Mary, of New Berlin, with whom her mother resides'; George M., on the old home farm. Mrs. Elizabeth Reed (second) Joshua Drake, who is deceased, and they had one child, Frank, now Principal of the Edwards School, in Springfield. Will- iam Reed's death occurred in 1863. John Reed was one of the founders of the Presbyterian church at old Berlin and the family have al- ways been in the front In publle enterprises. The seven sons of John Reed settled near. the home farm and this locality became known as the Reed Settlement.

Charles M. Reed spent his hoyhood much the same as other country boys and was edu- cated in the district schools. He helped with the farm work and remained on the home farm after the death of his father, until he reached his majority. He was married, February 13, 1878, to Miss Amy J. Van Doren, and soon after began working by the month. His wife is a daughter of Peter C. and Margaret ( Hathaway) Van Doren, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New Jersey. Mr. Van Doren and his wife were married In 1829 and in 1831 moved to Saugamon County, locating in Cnr- ran Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives, he dying In 1903, at the age of eighty-five years, and she died at the age of seventy-two years, having been born In 1820. Both were devout Methodists and reared their children in the same faith. Of thelr nine children eight still survive: Sarah, widow of

S. P. Gibsou, of Loaul; John M., a farmer of Oklahoma ; E. H., died in Wichita, Kan., In 1906; Cornelius, a farmer living near Chatham ; Hannah M., widow of William Nixou; Barbara H., married Johu Ebersalt, and they live near Petersburg, Ill .; William L., a farmer near Chatham; Mary, wife of Hiram Alexander, of Chatham; Amy, Mrs. Reed.

In 1880 Charles M. Reed took charge of the home farm and remained there uutil 1883. He has since operated various large farms in San- gamon County, and has been one of the en- terprising and Industrious farmers In the vi- cinity. In 1905 he rented a farm In Loaml Township. He has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits and has won success through energy and intelligence. He now has 385 acres under his charge, in 1910, havlug 145 acres in corn, forty in wheat aud thirty- five in oats. He raises pure-bred Duroc Jer- sey hogs, and now has 75 head of these auim- als that are eligible to registration. For ten years he hought and shipped hogs. He has the Oxford sheep and helieves in keeping the best grade of all kinds of stock.

Mr. Reed and his wife have had children as follows : Linford, horn January 8, 1879, a farmer living near Coffeyville, Kan .; Pearl, born Sep- tember 2, 1883, at home; Blanch, born Novelu- ber 29, 1886, wife of Morris Kessler, man- ager and superintendent of the light plant at Auburn, and they have one child, Lora Imo- gene; Ella M., born March 15, 1889, for the past three years one of the most successful teachers In Sangamon County, commands a high salary ; Ernest, born August 4, 1891, at home; Edna, born July 19, 1894, a student in Auburn High School; Ida Mary, born September 15, 1896; Helen, born February 25, 1903. Lin- ford Reed was married (first) to Nina Trox- well, who died, leaving one child, Florence E., now living with her Grandfather Reed, and Linford Reed married (second) Miss Bertha Bohe Newman, whose grandfather was one of the noted Methodist Episcopal ministers of early days.

Mr. Reed has always taken an active inter- est in political matters and stanchly supports the principles of the Republican party, being ready to advance any measure he believes will be of benefit to his community. He served five years as Road Commissioner of Chatham, and soon after locating In Loami Township was chosen as the leader of hls party. He was nominated and elected in 1902 to the office of Supervisor on the Republican ticket, receiving a handsome majority against a strong Demo- cratic opponent. During 1907-08 he was one of the strongest members of the Board. In 1909. having secured the entire confidence of the people, received a much larger majority than hefore. He has served as chairman of the huilding and printing committee, and in this connection has always lost sight of his personal interests and tastes in his conscien- tious endeavor to serve the people in the best possible manner. He is a member of the I.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

O. O. F., in 1890 joined the M. W. A., and both he and his wife are members of the Royal Neighbors and the Rebekahs. The family are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Loami, and have given generous support to its good work.

REED, Patrick, a retired farmer residing at No. 1954 East Capitol Avenue, Springfield, Ill., has been a resident of Sangamon County for fifty-four years. He was born in County Mayo, Ireland, March 17, 1821, a son of Dominick and Mary (Hopkins) Reed. Dominick Reed was also a native of County Mayo, Ireland, and there spent his entire life engaged in farming. His wife, who was a daughter. of Thomas Hop- klns, also spent her life there and, of their ten children, Patrick was the only one to come to the United States.

Patrick Reed received but a limited educa- tion in his native country, going to work at an early age on his father's farm. On February 3, 1854, he was married to Bridget Cassedy, daughter of John and Catherine Cassedy and two years later they came to New York from Liverpool on a sailing vessel, the Ibert Gallatus, which took seven weeks to make the voyage. After his arrival he located for a time near Camden, N. J., where he worked on a farm, his wife doing housework. For thirteen years Mr. Reed worked with the construction gang of the Chicago & Alton R. R., receiving ninety cents a day and having to wait two years be- fore he was pald .. He then moved to Chatham, Ill., where he rented a farm for several years, but by this time his children were old enough to help him, and he subsequently purchased a farm of 240 acres in what is now New Berlin Townshlp, paying down $1,000 and golng In debt for $11,000, which he paid In seven years, although his contract allowed him ten years to . complete the payment. To accomplish this re- quired close economy, and the raising of large crops, and his success In this line is shown by the fact that, In one year, he sold 10,000 bushels of corn at sixty-eight cents per bushel. In their early days after coming to Springfield, in or- der to aid her husband, Mrs. Reed took in wash- ing, during a part of this time working for Mrs. Lincoln at ' $1.25 per day. About 1896 Mr. Reed turned the management of his farm over to his son and moved to hls present home in Springfield. He has erected several houses there, in addition to the one which he occupies. He Is a stanch Democrat in politics, and he and Mrs. Reed are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Reed : Thomas, who married Kate Heffer- ton; Mary, twin sister of Thomas, married Thomas Solon; Kate, at home; John, married Ellza Scanlan and dled in 1904; William, mar- ried and lives on the home farm; Dominick, married Ann Carrigan, also resides on the home farm; Frank, married Hannah Carrigan, and resides In Springfield : Annie, married Frank

Flesch a contractor of Springfield; Joseph is single; Maggie, is Mrs. Patrick Carrigan of Springfield ; and three died in infancy.

REES, Hon. Thomas .- Springfield can boast of many men of more than local reputation, aud its prominent meu are to be found in all lines of business and in the professions. Naturally enough its best known men are those who have held, or are now holding, public office, but most of these have been well known in other ca- pacitles before entering political Ilfe. Such is the case with the Hon. Thomas Rees, ex-State Senator and publisher of the Illinois State Reg- ister, whose reputation in newspaper circles is national. Mr. Rees was born in Pittsburg, Pa., May 13, 1850, son of William and Mary (La- Forge) Rees, and his literary ability is prob- ably inherited from his father, who was a newspaper man and the first man to recognize the literary ability of Samuel L. Clemens ("Mark Twain"), having paid hlm for the first of his articles, which were published in Mr. Rees' paper in the year 1856.

Thomas Rees was but ulne years of age when his father died, and four years later he began to solve the serious problem of making his own way in the world by entering a printing estab- lishment at Keokuk, Iowa. He worked several years at the trade. In 1876, he began business on his own account, forming a partnership with Judge John Gibbons, now of Chicago, George Smith and H. W. Clendenin, which connection was maintained with the latter two, until the death of Mr. Smith In Springfield in 1886. He Is still associated with Mr. Clendeniu in the publication of the Illinois State Register. The partners purchased the Keokuk "Constitution," and although this had been a losing investment to its former proprietors, it proved a big suc- cess in the hands of the new firm, Mr. Rees being the business manager, and in 1881, it was sold at a good profit. In June of the same year the partners purchased the Illinois - State Reg- ister from the late John M. Palmer, of which Mr. Rees has since been business manager. He is thoroughly familiar with every department, from typesetting and press work to writing and compiling.

For years Mr. Rees has been a member of the Illinois Press Association, of which he was President during 1891 and 1892. He was sent as a delegate from Illinois to the National Edi- torial Association conventions in St. Paul, De- troit, Chicago, Galveston, and other places. He is a member of and has served on the Advisory Committee of the Associated Press, and is a member of the American Newspaper Publishers Association and other organizations. He Is a 32d Degree Mason and is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Arcanum and the Royal Circle, having held official rank in the two latter-and was for a term Exalted Ruler of the Elks. He has been for many years a member of the Executive Com- mittee County Democratic Committee and has

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

acted as chairman of the City Democratic Com- mittee. In the fall of 1902, he was nominated and elected to the office of State Senator. He was Chairman of the Citizeu's Armory Com- mittee that accomplished the building of the State Armory and Arsenal of Springfield, and succeeded in a short time in raising a subscrip- tiou of $50,000 for purchase of the ground, which was presented to the State by the citi- zens of Springfield.

During his term as State Senator, Mr. Rees secured to Springfield the erection of the Su- preme Court Building, which is considered a most beautiful specimen of architecture, being built on truly classical lines. He secured for the State Board of Agriculture, the enlarge- ment of the machinery hall, the completion of the coliseum buildings, the woman's building, the dairy building, the only permanent cattle building and a number of other permanent im- provements on the State Fair grounds. In addi- tion to these items, he also secured the bullding of the new power plant in connection with the State House, the hospital building at Camp Lincoln. a magnificent school building for the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at Jackson- ville ; also, extensive improvements on the build- ings and grounds of the Insane Asylum and the State School for Blind at the same place. He introduced and secured the enactment of the law creating the Good Roads Commission of the State of Illinois, which is doing much for the improvement of the highways of the State.

In addition to writing a number of technical papers on the publishing business for editorial conventions, he has been the author of several pieces of work of a more literary nature. Hav- ing travelled extensively in nearly every State in the Union and in a number of foreign coun- tries, he has given the readers of the State Register the benefit of his observations as he traveled, having attained a considerable repu- tation as a descriptive writer.

In 1906, he made a long trip through Cuba and Mexico and on his return wrote a book of over 400 pages on these very interesting coun- tries, under the title of "Spain's Lost Jewels." In 1908, he made an extensive trip through Europe and wrote a similar book describing the several countries in which he travelled, under the title of "Sixty Days in Europe." Both these books were published by the Illinois State Reg- ister Company and have proven quite popular. Mr. Rees has also written a number of selec- tions in verse.

He was married July 17th, 1901, to Lou Hart of Gardner, Illinois.

REESE, John H. (deceased), for some years a resident of Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, where he was known as a highly re- spected and substantlal citizen, was a native of North Carolina. born January 9, 1829, a son of Samuel and Mary (Rhodes) Reese, both na- tives of the same State. The parents became early settlers of Shelby County, Ill., where the

father purchased land and engaged in farm- ing. He died there and his wife afterward moved to Dallas, Tex., where she purchased land and there her death occurred about thirty years ago. She had two other sons besides John H .- Joseph and Henry, both of whom remained in South Carolina.

Mr. Reese acquired his education in the pub- llc schools of Shelby County, and when old enough began to help in the work on his father's farm, continuing in this occupation during the remainder of his life. For a num- ber of years he lived on a farm three miles southeast of the place occupied by his widow. Upon his marriage, he lived for a time near Pawnee, Ill., and also owned land southwest of the present home place, which he sold and then purchased sixty acres of land on Section 8 of Cotton Hill Township, where he lived from 1878 until his death, which occurred on his birthday in 1885. He was a Republican in polltics and an active and useful member of the Methodist Church, living an earnest and consistent Christian life. He improved and cul- tlvated that farm and was successful in his operations. It is now owned by his widow.

Mr. Reese was married in Cotton Hill Town- ship, October 10, 1863, to Phoebe Funderburk, daughter of David aud Hannah Funderburk, and a native of Sangamon County. Her father served three years in the war of 1812 and came to Sangamon County in 1819 before there was any Springfield, and two years later married Hannah Hinkle. He and his wife had five sons and three daughters and besides Mrs. Reese those living are: Alfred N., David, Sarah (Mrs. Voyles), now living in Jefferson County, Mo., and at present writing ninety years of age. Mrs. Reese has had five childreu of whom four sons are living: Samuel D., 'George Washington, Edward G. and William Warren. George W. lives with his mother. Mary Frances died in Infancy. Mrs. Reese has nine living grandchildren. She has reared her children to honorable man and womanhood and is much esteemed by her many friends. Be- sides her home in Cotton Hill Township, Mrs. Reese owns land in the vicinity of Glenarm.

REFINE, Antonio De Frates (deceased) .- It is touching to note the care with which so many of Springfield's reliable men provided for their families, so that when death clalmed them the loved ones were left in comfortable circum- stances. These men were fully alive to the grave responsibilities resting upon their shoul- ders, and never shirked their duty or put their own comfort first. One of the men deserving of special mention because of his fidelity to duty, was the late Antonio D. Refine, born on the Island of Madeira, in December, 1830, a son of De Frates Refine and Frances (De Frates) Refine. The parents died in Spain, where the father was a truck farmer.

When only thirteen years old. Antonio came to Springfield, which continued his home until '

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

hls death. He learned the brick-layer and plasterer trades, and always had plenty of work. He was engaged on a number of the leading buildings put up in Springfield during his residence there. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and died sustained by Its faith, March 22, 1897, his remains being in- terred in Oak Ridge Cemetery. In political faith he was a Republican, but never desired office. When his adopted country had need of his services he enlisted August 14, 1862, in the Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, serving until 1865, when he was mnstered ont. When the G. A. R. Post was organized, he joined it in Springfield and continned one of its active members the re- mainder of his life.

Mr. Refine was married in Springfield, Sep- tember 22, 1861, to Mary Roderlck, born in Port of Spain, in 1848, danghter of Mannel C. and Homaya Roderick, born on the Island of Madeira. Mr. and Mrs. Refine had children as follows: James, born November 17, 1869, is marrled and resides at No. 1105 East Milier Street ; John C., born March 27, 1872, is mar- ried and lives at No. 1329 East Adams Street ; Laura, born November 11, 1877, married An- drew Leahy, a carpenter, and lives in St. Louis; William L., born September 15, 1883, is un- married, lives in Quincy, Ill .. where he Is a painter ; and Daniel is married, living at home with his widowed mother at. No. 1101 East Miller Street. Mrs. Refine is a most excellent lady, who is beloved by her family and friends, to whom she has ever been a good neighbor, ready to give sympathy and material help iu time of sickness or other trouble.

REGAN, Michael .- Prosperity after years of toil is the reward which has attended a num- ber of the retired farmers now living in Spring- field, and it is well deserved, for few men work harder than the agriculturist. One of the men representative of his class is Michael Regan, of No. 417 West Canedy Street, who has resided In Sangamon County for a number of years. He was born in County Mayo, Ireland. Jan- uary 1, 1837, son of William and Bridget (Duffy) Regan, both natives of that country, who lived and died there.

The educational advantages of this lad were poor, but with customary Irish keenness of in- tellect, he made the most of them and worked faithfully on his father's farm until he was twenty years old. when he ieft. salling from Liverpool for New York City ou thie salling vessel, "General McClelland," Captain Trask cominanding. After three weeks on the water he landed. with but $2.50 in his pocket. To the ambitious young Irishman, however, this was bnt of little Importance, for he immediately secured work laying brick in Union Hill, N. J., remaining until he had sufficient to come west to Jersey County, Ill., where at Jersey- ville he worked several months for $27 per month. He then went to Menard County to work in a brick yard for a season. In the

fall of 1865 he came to Springfield and was a hod carrier and section hand on the Chicago & Alton Railroad for several years. In 1867 he returned to Menard County to resume work in the brick yard for a season, when he rented a farm in Petersburg and remained on it for twelve years. He then rented a farm from J. C. Taylor, at Chatham, for twelve years more, following which he bonght 176 acres in New Berlin Township, on which he lived until 1903, when he retired and moved to Springfield, buying his present home.

On February 13, 1866, Mr. Regan was mar- ried to Annie Cassidy, of Springfield, who was born in Connty Mayo, Ireland, daughter of John and Catherine (Hannan) Cassidy, both natives of Connty Mayo, Ireland, and both of whom died in Ireland. Mrs. Regan came to America in 1803. She was one of the follow- ing children : Michael, of Ireland, who married Catherine Qninn; Nancy, Mrs. John Roddy, of Ireland; Catherine dled unmarried; John, of Ireland ; Bridget, Mrs. Patrick Reed, of Spring- field ; Patrick, of Ireland, married Catherine Dooney ; Mrs. Regan and Mary, Mrs. Michael Manyan. Mr. and Mrs. Regan became the par- ents of the following children : Anna, at home; Willlam, a farmer of this county, married Bridget Cody ; Thaddeus, of Anburn, married Nellie Sullivan ; Catherine, at home: Mary, Mrs. S. W. Cook, of Fancy Creek Township; and Mlchael, on the home farm, who married Sarah Patton. Mr. Regan belongs to St. Ag- nes Catholic Church. He is a stanch Democrat. Ail through life Mr. Regan has been a hard worker, never shirking any duty, but striving to perform every obligatlon faithfully and to better his condition.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 126

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