Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 133

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 133

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In 1858 Mrs. Eleanor Routt brought part of her children to Morgan County, Ill., and made her home with her son James J. for many years before her death, which occurred in 1SS3, at the age of seventy-four years. She had a sls- ter, Ann Loar, who lived near Jacksonville. James Jackson Rutt inherited his love of books from his father and grandfather, who were well- educated and intelligent men. He received his education in the district school and applied him- self to his studies in earuest, making the most of his opportunities.

Being imbued with a patriotic spirit, Mr. Routt enlisted, January 5, 1864, in Company A, Twenty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, tak- ing part in many long marches and never faillng

to perform the duties assigned to him. In Mo- bile, Ala., he was for sixteen cousecutive days under fire, and his hearing was much affected by the explosion of a magazine, which has always been a great sorrow to hlm. The regl- ment crossed the Gulf July 2, 1865, and went on to Brownsville, Tex., where they remained until mustered out March 15, 1866, receiving honorable discharge at Springfield May 13th, after which Mr. Routt resumed farming in Morgan County.

Que of the most exciting experiences Mr. Routt had during his service in the army was just previous to the fight at Mobile. The twen- ty-eighth was in camp at New Orleans, having been concentrated there for Fort Morgan, and they were loaded on to the ship "George Pea- body," for transportation to Mobile, sailing out the mouth of the river into the Gulf. They had about 150 mules on the lower deck and the meu on the upper deck, the vessel being heavily loaded. They were struck by a heavy stormn, the water washing over the lower deck, and the rope attached to the rudder broke. The Cap- tain began to berate the soldiers, who went to the lower deck and threw the mules and wagons into the water, remained on the lower deck the better to balance the boat, and fastened a rope to the rudder and to the mast-head. The pilot instructed some of them how to guide the ves- sel and they returned to New Orelans, then took another steamer for Mobile, landing at Fort Morgan and marching to Spanish Fort, and thence to Mobile.

Mr. Routt was married, December 25, 1867, to Martha A. Sayre, a native of West Virginia, who came as a child with her parents to Illi- nois. She was a daughter of Jonathan and Rachel Sayre, who later became residents of Greene County, Ill. After his marrlage Mr. Routt followed various occupations for a time, but most of the time was engaged In farming in Sangamon and Morgan Counties. In 1905 he retired from active life and bought his pres- ent comfortable home in Loami. He has been very successful in his operations and has a rep- utation for industry aud integrity. He has many friends in both Sangamon and Morgan Counties, and after locating in Loami was giveu the contract for mail messenger, performing his duties to the satisfaction of the public.

Children as follows have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Routt: Charlotte E., born In Morgan County, September 2, 18GS, married Jay W. Mc- Pherson, March 7. 1SSS, and they had four children. Mr. McPherson died May 31, 1902, after which his widow married (second) John W. Street, by whom she had one child, Lyle C., born June 11, 1906; Emma J., born October 29, 1871, married S. E. Martiu, a farmer living near Raymond, Ill., and they have eleven chil- dren-Buell, Ernest, Halbert, John, Oland, Ce- cil, Alma, Stanley, Harold, Glenn and Lucile; James H., born April 29, 1874, married Bertha Martin. and they have one child, Mabel ; Anna May died unmarried, at the age of twenty-seven

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years; George E., boru March 3, 1883, married Stelia Dodd, lives on a farm west of Loami, and they have three children-Dorothy, Helen and Martha ; Rena B., born April 23, 1889, married George P. Powell, and they have one child, Fred. Mrs. Poweli is a devont Christian, hav- ing united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at the age of sixteen years. The oldest daugh- ter, Chariotte, had four children by iner first husband ; Ciifford Ray McPherson, born Febru- ary 23, 1889, is in the livery business at Chat- hạm; Orviii L. J., born December 30, 1891, at home; Truman P., born October 17, 1896, died October 15, 1908; Loie Sayre, born Angust 15, 1001, died August 24, 1903. Mr. McPherson was a farmer by occupation and a devout member of the Baptist church.

For the past forty-four years Mr. Rontt has been a member of the Odd Fellows, being a charter member of Lodge No. 901, at Loami. He is a Republican in politics and liberal in his views on most subjects. In 1909 he was elected Poiice Magistrate and received an ap- pointment, signed by Governor Deneen. He has lived in Loami the past ten years and is con- sidered one of the town's best citizens.

ROWLEY, Timothy W., a well-known and highly respected citizen of Springfield, Ili., is a native of the city, born October 25, 1854. He is a son of Reuben and Minerva Rowley, the former a native of New York and the latter of- Illinois. The father disappeared when Timothy was a boy and was never again heard of, and the mother died when he was smaii. Reuben Rowiey was engaged in stock bnying and also owned a farm. The boyhood of Timothy W. Rowiey was spent on a farm and when a young man he engaged in railroad work, which he foliowed ten years, after which he engaged in mining in Sangamon County, Ili. In 1894 he moved to Juneau Conuty, Wis., where for six years he was engaged in farming, then returned to Sangamon County and has since lived in Springfield. He ilas been self-supporting since early boyhood and by good management and industry has been able to accumulate some property. As a boy he sold milk to the soldiers in Camp Butler, near Springfield, during the Civil War.

Mr. Rowley was married in Menard Connty, Ili., September 24, 1882, to Miss Harriet Boring, a native of Morgan County, Ill., daughter of Lee and Nancy B. (Stewart) Boring. both na- tives of Iiiinois. Mrs. Rowiey's grandmother lived to be ninety-two years of age and passed away in Springfield. Her father is deceased and her mother lives in Wisconsin. Ten chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rowley, of whom six survive: Cornelia B., born in Tal- lula. Ili., August 19, 1883, married Frank Gai- liger, lives in Wisconsin and has four children; John B., born in Morgan County. April 27, 1885, married Vivian Hedrick, and lives in Athens, Ill. ; Reuben L., born in Jacksonville, Ill., June 25, 1889, served three years in the regular United States Army and is now farming in

Texas; Etta N., born at Jacksonvilie, Decem- ber 28, 1891, lives at home; Ralph B., born in Springfield, July 31, 1893, and Arthur B., born in Juneau County, Wis., December 20, 1897, at home. Mr. Rowiey has always been honest and reliable in his business transactions and in religion foliows tile teachings of the Golden Rule, which he tries to carry out in his daily life. He takes great interest in the progress and welfare of the community and in politics is a Repnbiican. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and eujoys the society and companionship of his many friends. The family reside at 1908 South Fourteenth Street, where they have a very pleasant home.

RUDEN, Fred .- Love of country and trne patriotism is fostered in the shadow of the Aips, and no people are more loyal than natives of Switzerland. These sturdy people bring with them also, when they emigrate to a new coun- try, a desire to work and a capacity for saving, tanght them from the cradle. One representa- tive of this desirable class "of foreign-born American citizens is Fred Ruden, a retired printer living at No. 912 East Carpenter Street, Springfield. He was born September 6, 1842, a son of Fred and Anna (Lainge) Ruden, natives of Switzerland. The father was a farmer and he and his wife never came to America, but lived and died in their native land.

Fred Ruden grew up under their firm yet kindiy rnie, attending school and working hard on the home farm. Later he learned the trade of printer and worked at it before coming to America in 1878. He landed in New York City and came thence direct to Springfield, which has continued to be his home. For eighteen years he was in the employ of the Rokker Printiug Company, and also worked in the shops of the Wabash Railroad Company for several years. However, in 1899 he retired, feeling that he had earned a little leisnre. Through industry and thrifty habits he had saved enongh to purchase his home, and is in comfortable circumstances.

Mr. Ruden was married in Switzerland in 1874, to Mary Strobel, also a native of that conntry, where her parents both died. Ten children were born of this union, three of whom now survive: Fred, Jr., engaged in retail oil business in Springfield; Charles and Louis, both living at home and engaged in conducting a grocery. There are four grandchildren in the family, of whom Mr. Ruden is very proud. He belongs to Trinity Lutheran Church. His political sentiments make him a Democrat bnt he has never sought office. All who know this kindly Swiss gentieman admire his persever- ance and steadfast purpose to make a place for himself in the land to which he came in young manhood.

RUMSEY, Aaron Burr (deceased) .- The de- scendants of the Burr family are very proud of

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

· their counectlou with the distinguished states- man who was at one time vice-president of the United States and one of the most brilliant meu the country has produced. One of the meu who came of this line was Aaron Burr Rumsey, boru in Westport, Conn., May 29, 1803, son of Aaron and Sallie (Burr) Rumsey. The former was born in Fairfield, Coun., July 1, 1772, and the latter in the same place, November 10, 1774. Aaron Rumsey was captain of a merchantman vessel. Sallle Burr was a cousin of Col, Aarou Burr, who was Vice President at the time her son was born, having missed the presidency by but one vote, aud the proud young mother was pleased to name liim after her distinguished relative.

Captain Rumsey traced his aucestry back to the Mayflower passengers, two of his forehears having signed the immortal act (iu the cablu of the little vessel) which was really the birth of the new nation eventually to become the uiost powerful iu the world. Prior to this eveut, the Rumsey family goes back to William the Con- queror's advent into Eugland, and probably 18 connected with the Mauor House ju France. founded lu 1126. With such ancestry behind hlm and trained by as careful a mother as he was blessed with, Aaron Burr Rumsey grew up into a healthy, normal boy, attending school in Westport and New York City, possessing re- fined tastes and industrious habits. He became supercargo, probably on his father's boat, which salled between New York and the West Indies, exchanging the products of both countries. Later he became connected with the wholesale mercantile trade In New York City, and amassed what was then cousidered a fortune. His grief at the loss of his first born son, Webster, led him to confide too much iu his partner, and he had the misfortune to suffer a betrayal of his trust. Having lost his fortune, he came to Il- linols, taking charge of the first railroad in the State. Once more he became rich, acquiring · large property interests in both city and coun- try, owning over 3,000 acres of iand at one time.

Mr. Rumsey took a deep interest in the mat- ters which brought about the Civil War. He had belonged to the New York Seventh, but even before the outbreak of the war he was too old to serve, although he offered his services cheerfully. However, he drilled twenty young men, every one of whom gave gallant service to the country they all loved so dearly, Mr. Rum- sey was a member of the first anti-slavery soci- ety, with Willlam Lloyd Garrison, Weudeli Phil- lips and others of equal prominence, and suffered all the inconveniences and dangers Incident to holding such views. This society met at night on a canal boat which ran to Utlca, in order to be unmolested in their conferences. Mr. Rum- sey lived to send bis three sons to the war. In religious faith he was a Presbyterlan, was El- der of the Brainard Church, New York City, and all his life kept the Sabbath Day holy. He voted the Free Soii ticket until the nomination

of hls friend and neighbor, Abraham Lincoln, for whom he cast his vote, although at that time he had uo hope of this election, so he was pleas- antly disappointed at the astonishing results.

On August 20. 1833, Mr. Rumsey was married in New York City, to Lucetta Crane, daughter , of Morris and Abigail (Sickles) Crane, born in Jersey City, October 30. 1806. She was de- scended from Robert Treat, Governor of Con- necticut for thirty years, and associated with the famous Charter Oak. The Cranes date hack to Charlemagne. Mrs. Rumsey was a woman of great beauty and possessed a most tender and affectionate disposition, which gained her the love and respect of all with whom she was brought into contact. Mr. and Mrs. Rumsey had childreu as follows: Wehster, born June 13, 1834, in New York City; Sarah, born February 6, 1837, in the same clty ; Harriet, born Decem- ber 5, 1838, in Westport, Conn .; Gerard, born January 6, 1840, also at Westport, as was Charles, born April 8, 1841; Frederick, born Oc- toher 4, 1842, at Westport; Arthur Wellesley, born May 3, 1844, and Rachel Sickles, born July 28, 1846, both in New York City.

Mr. Rumsey had the confidence and respect of his nelghbors. Hls ideas of manly integrity were of the highest, and he was often consulted on matters of husiness. It was characteristic of him that he would much prefer to suffer him- self than to inflict suffering upon others. He and his wife were fine siugers and belonged in early life to the Handel & Hayden Musical Society, of New York City. The death of Mr. Rumsey occurred February, S. 1875. His wife survived him nine years, as she passed away March 20, 1884.

RUNKLES, John G., a retired miner of Spauld- Ing, Ill., has heen a resident of Sangamon County since early boyhood. He was born near Zanesville, Ohio, October 17, 1852, a son of Wil- liam H. and Louisa Frances Runkles, the former born in Maryland and the latter in Ohio. WIl- liam H. Ruukles accompanied his father to Ohio and learned the trade of cooper as a young man. He followed his trade many years iu Zanesville and vicinity and brought his family to Spring- field, Ill., where he engaged in his trade, and later took up mining, moving to Riverton in 1866, and there the famlly lived several years. He died In 1875 and his widow In 1883. They were parents of five children, two sons and three daughters, and four children are now liv- Ing : John G., subject of this sketch; Jacob. of Spaulding; Mrs. Minerva Shriber, of Peoria, and Mrs. Ellzaheth Cone, of Springfield.

Mr. Runkles received his education in the school at German Prairie, Sangamon County, where he had come as a small boy, and after- wards learned the trade of meat cutter. which he followed several years. He then engaged In mining, and followed that occupation until a few years ago, when he retired from active life. He has made his home In Spaulding, Riverton and Springfield during this time. He is a Demo-

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crat in politics and fraternally is connected with the Red Men. He is well known as an industrious and useful citizen, who has made his own way in life through his industry and perseverance, and has made many warm friends. He is a man of good principles and is esteemed by all with whom he comes into contact.

Mr. Runkles was married in Springfield, in 1887, to Sarah A. Stark, of an old pioneer fam- ily in Sangamon County. Her father, John Stark, served In the Civil War and was an honored citizen of the county. Three children were born to Mr. Runkles and his wife, of whom two survive, Charles and Stephen A., both of Riverton. There are three grandchil- dren in the family.

RUNNELS, Jesse .- The old soldier of today is in a measure rewarded, not only in the form of a pension by hls government, but with the plaudits and admiration of those who know of his past bravery. Yet all this is but small re- turn for what he suffered and risked, and the time will come when the men who fought to preserve the Union will be numbered among the greatest heroes the world ever knew. One of the men who fought bravely and well dur- ing the Civil War is Jesse Runnels, of Spring- field, now a retired farmer residing at No. 312 South State Street. He was born on a farm in Clear Lake Township, Sangamon County, October 13, 1840. His parents, Willis M. and Julla Ann (Baker) Runnels, came from Ken- tucky to Illinois over seventy years ago, locating in Clear Lake Township, where the father died in young manhood. He had two children, Jesse being the elder. His brother Willis now lives in the State of Missouri. Mrs. Runnels had been married before, and had one child by her first husband, named Alfred Waddell, who re- sides at Fort Scott, Kan. She died when Jesse was but four years old and at that tender age he was taken by his Grandmother Baker, and reared by her and his grandfather, Jacob Baker. The latter was a farmer of Clear Lake Township.

Jesse Runnels grew to manhood on his grandfather's farm, receiving the usual educa- tional advantages offered the country boy of that period. When 22 years old. he enlisted as a private at Camp Butler, on July 25, 1862, in Company I, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for three years, or during the war. The regiment was assigned to the Western Army, and he participated in many hard-fought battles, including those of Vicksburg, Guntown, Tupelo. Nashville, Mobile, and others. His brother Willis was in the same company. After his discharge Mr. Runnels came back to his grandfather's farm, to resume peaceful operations.

In 1868 Mr. Runnels was married in Clear Lake Township, to Charlotte Haines, of Roches- ter Township. daughter of Nicholas and Eliza- beth (McCarty) Haines, both natives of Ohlo, who came to Sangamon County when Mr. Run-

nels was a small child and died here. Mr. Run- nels had purchased 160 acres in Clear Lake Township, and to it took his bride, but soon thereafter sold it and bought a small farm of forty-six acres in the same township. This con- tinued to be his home until the fall of 1898, when, feeling that he had done his full duty, he retired, coming to Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Runnels became the parents of three children: Flora, Mrs. James Chancellor, of Springfield; Elizabeth, at home, and Willis, a farmer of Clear Lake Township, married Charlotte Miller. Mr. Runnels owns his home, as well as his farm, and is a well-to-do, prosperous man, who has accomplished much during his industrious life. He is a consistent member of the Chris- tian Church. The . Republican party receives his loyal support. His connections with the G. A. R. are pleasant and he enjoys meeting old comrades and with them Ilving over the scenes so full of interest to a soldier.

RUPP, Philip .- The young German emigrant coming to America has great hopes of success, and, if he possesses industrious inclinations and frugal habits, is more than likely to attain the height of his ambitions. In this country are none of the restrictions which are placed upon the workman in Germany, and he is able to rise more rapidly. Hls early training teaches him to save and invest, and he soon becomes a proprietor instead of a workman. A case in hand is that Philip Rupp, of Spring- field, now living in a well-earned retirement after years of successful business life as a baker. He was born in Bingen-on-the-Rhine, Germany, February 14, 1835, being a son of Jacob and Mary (Haas) Rupp, natives of Germany. The father was a farmer who lived and died in Germany. His widow came to America in 1SSS, but four years later returned to her old home. She was born February 5, 1813, and died Au- gust 13, 1898.

Philip Rupp was brought up in Germany, leaving home when eighteen years of age, and landing in Brooklyn, N. Y. He worked at an upholstering business for twenty dollars per year. although he was a baker by trade. In 1853 he came west to Detroit, where he fol- lowed hls trade for five years, coming to Springfield in 1857, working at his trade and going south every winter and returning in the spring. In 1862 he established himself in a confectionery business. In 1865 he rented and later bought the building and established a bakery business on Washington Street and con- tinued hls bakery until 1892. In that year he moved to Springfield Township, a mile and a half east of Springfield and became a farmer. He bought sixty acres divided into three frult farms and bullt a good house on each place. In 190S he retired, returning to Springfield. and selling his farms. He owns his beautiful home at No. 200 South State Street and other real estate.

Mr. Rupp was marrled in Springfield, III.,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

June 16, 1862, to Genevieve Neuer, born in Ulm, Germany, July 15, 1841, who came to the United States in 1860, although her parents never left their native land, dying there at an advanced age. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rupp: John, of Springfield ; Mary, who married Adolph Walder, a machinist of the Chicago & Alton railroad; Barbara, who married a Mr. Wltley, of Colo- rado; Victorla, who married R. Richard, a butcher of Los Angeles, Cal .; Jacob, of Den- ver, Col .; Philip, a clerk in Buck's hat store, and his twin sister, Genevieve, wife of Joseph Stevens, who is living in Fresno, Cal. Five grandchildren and one great-grandchild have been born in the family. Mrs. Rupp died Sep- tember 11, 1901.

Mr. Rupp is a Mason. In politics he is a Republican but has never aspired to public of- fice. He is one of the best representatives of German-Americans in Springfield, and would be regarded as one of the desirable citizens anywhere he cared to locate. His efforts have always been directed towards the securing of good government and schools, and he can always be counted upon to exert his influence towards these ends. Mr. Rupp was a member of the "Wide Awakes" Republican Club during Lin- coin's campaign, which serenaded Mr. Lincoln at his home after his nomination. Mr. Rupp was a personal friend of Mr. Lincoln and admired him very much.

RUSSELL, James K. P .- In every community are to be found men who rank much higher than their neighbors by reason of superior men- tal endowments. Many of these men cultivate their natural ability until they are able to command attention in both private and public life. They are to be found in all callings and professions. While their attention during busi- ness hours is given to their work, when they are over, these men of intelligence are free to pursue other studies and to further develop their minds. One of the most interesting men of Springfield is James K. P. Russell, whose study of phrenology has made him noted along these lines and afforded him much intellectual pleasure. He was born in Muncie, Ind., July 31, 1844, a son of Elijah and Susan (Anderson) Russell, natives of Ohio and Delaware. The father, a farmer, moved from Ohio to Indiana, in boyhood. Later, he came to Bond County, Ill., where his death occurred.

It was in Bond County that James K. P. Russell grew up. attending school and working on the farm, passing his boyhood as do so many country boys. However, a different spirit burned in his breast, and he resolved to learn something of the great outside world. Dur- ing his more mature years, he has carried out that ambition, having traveled over nearly all of the United States, and as he Is a keen ob- server, has made good use of his travels. On February 4, 1865, when barely twenty-one years old, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-

fourth Illinois Infantry, and was mustered out November 18, 1865. He served under General Sherman, Colonel Wood commanding his regi- ment, and participated in the various engage- ments of the Tennessee and Carolina campaigns. From August to November he was an inde- pendent soldier with no government record. On account of his army experience, his associations with the G. A. R. are exceedingly pleasant. Upon his return he interested himself in sev- eral lines of business and now owns and con- ducts one of the best regulated meat markets in the city.

On October 30, 1891, Mr. Russell was mar- ried, at Decatur, Ill., to Lizzie Dowd, born Oc- tober 10, 1860, in Pennsylvania, daughter of Patrick and Julia Dowd, natives of Ireland. Patrick Dowd was a soldier in the Civil War. One child, John Russell, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Russell, on February 15, 1894, at Mo- weaqua, Shelby County, Ill. Mr. Russell is a consistent Republican and has often been called upon to represent his party in public office, al- ways discharging the dutles involved, faithfully and honorably. He is a member of the Chris- tian Church, and finds in that body a congenial rellgious home. A man of high intelligence, he has pursued the study of phrenology until he is an adept in the science, and believes thor- oughly in it and its disclosures.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 133

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