Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 140

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 140

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

the United States, which he reached iu 1867, not having made the trip with the rest of the family. He came direct to Springfield and en- tered the employ of the Chicago & Aiton Rail- road Company, working in the freight house. Two years later he was transferred to the round- house, and, after four years in all, became fire- man. He worked twenty-four years for this company, and one year in the rolling miils, when he entered the Wabash Railroad shops, where he remained a short time, leaving to enter the City Engineer's office. After three years there, he was appointed park policeman, served a year, then returned to the City Engineer's office. However, popular demand made him return to his position as park policeman, and he is now guarding the interests of the people in this capacity.

Mr. Sheehan was married in Springfield, in May, 1872, to Bridget Tobin, born in Troy, N. Y., April 29, 1850. Her parents, coming from Ire- land, located in Troy, later coming to Spring- field, where they died when their daughter was but five years old. She was brought np by her grandmother. The following children were born. to Mr. and Mrs. Sheehan : Catherine, wife of Ed- ward Davelin, of the fire department; Ellen, wife of A. R. Connelly, an insurance agent, of Springfield; Mary, in the employ ot the Illinois Watch Company; Margaret, living at home, and James, a painter of Springfield. Mr. Sheehan has a pleasant home at No. 121 West Reynolds Street, and is in comfortable circumstances. He is a member of the Court of Honor. A good Catholic, he belongs to St. Agnes Roman Catho- lic Church, of Springfield. In political convic- tions he is a Democrat, and he lives up to his views. Genial, courteous and with the chivairy of his race, Officer Sheehan has friends all over the city and is one of the most popular men on the force.

SHEEHAN, William Patton, proprietor of the Hotel Wabash, located on the corner of Teuth and Washington Streets, Springfield, Ill., is a well-known and popular citizen and successful in business. He was boru in Ashland Connty, Ohio, December 25, 1853, and through his father is of Irish descent. He is a son of William and Mary (Patton) Sheehan, and grandson of John Sheehan, a farmer of Cov- ington, Ky., who married Mary Putnam. The great-grandfather, John Sheehan, was a Revo- lutionary soldier.

William Sheehan was a native of Tuscarawas County, OMfio, and became a Captain in the Mexican War. He located at Perrysville, Ash- land County, where he died at the age of sixty- four years. His wife, who was a native of Lexington, Ky., died in Perrysville, in 1907, at the age of ninety-two years. She was a daugh- ter of John Patton, who was a native of New England and a soldier in the Revolution, partici- pating in the Battles of Lexington, Concord, Cambridge and others. He was wounded at Lexington by two builets which penetrated his

left shoulder, and he carried them to his grave. John Patton moved from Massachusetts to Ohio, and later went to Keutncky with Daniel Boone, locating iu Lexington, where his death occurred.

William Pattou Sheehan spent his childhood at Perrysville, Ohio, and when fifteen years old volunteered his services as a soldier in the Civil War, being refused on account of his ex- treme youth. When sixteen years of age he became a water boy on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago railroad, became a brakeman, later a fireman, and eventually a locomotive en- gineer. After being hurt in a railroad wreck he became a conductor, iu 1881, on the Wabash railroad, and filled this position until the strike of 1894, when he became freight conductor for the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis road, working for this company until 1905, when he accepted a position as passenger conductor on the Gulf Coast road. He was at Brownsville, Tex., at the time of the trouble with the negroes, whom he hauled in and ont. After working two and one-half years for this road he resigned his po- sition aud returned to Springfield. He was ap- pointed as Inspector for the Board of Health and served in this office until December, 1909, when he resigned and took hold of his present business. He is enterprising and progressive iu his methods and has established a good patron- age. His parents were members of the Episco- pal Church, but he is not connected with any church. In politics he is a Democrat, and he is affiliated with the Order of Railway Con- dnetors of America, and is a charter member of Camp No. 454, Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, and Massasoite Tribe of Red Men.

Mr. Sheehan was married (first) in Steu- benville, Ohio, in 1870, to Miss Jenuie Parr, who died in Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1SS4. He married (second) in Fostoria, to Miss Ada Her- ald, daughter of William Herald. Her father and brother William were both killed in the Civil War. Mr. Sheehan had one child by his first marriage, Lillian, Mrs. Victor Wise, of Los Angeles, Cal. By his second marriage he had no children. Since his marriage Mr. Shee- han has made his home at different times at Crestline, Ohio; Fort Wayne, Ind .; and Spring- field, Iil. He is well known in railway circles and is Secretary of Lincoln Division No. 206, O. R. C.

SHEPARD, James R .- It seems aimost impos- sible to give any account of the life of a veteran of the Civil War that will give him full credit for his bravery and loyalty. It was no easy matter for a man to leave all he held dear and offer himself as a target for the bullets of the enemy, as well as subject himself to all the dangers attendant upon life in camp, yet how many did it, and few, if any, escaped perfectly nnharmed. One of the honored veterans of San- gamon County is James R. Shepard, a retired farmer of Illiopolis, who was born May 27, 1839, three miles east of Decatur, Macon County, Iil.

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He is a son of Stephen and Mary (Hawks) Shepard, the former born in Westmoreland County, Va., and the latter in Kentucky.

Stephen Shepard was a farmer, who came to Macon County in 1828, taking up eighty acres of the raw iand. Afterwards he bought sixty acres one mile west and one north of this city of which he made a fine farm, operating it untii his death, in 1858. During the Black Hawk War he defended his home and community by serving as a soldier. He and his wife had thirteen children, but none survive except James R. The Shepard family is of English origin, aithough the records are not definite enough to permit their insertion here.

James R. Shepard uot oniy attended the dis- trict schoois of Macon County, but graduated from Brush College, and is a weli educated man. He worked on the farm for his father, growing up among healthy country surround- ings, and was still engaged in farming when the war cioud hurst, and he enlisted on June 27, 1861, at Springfield, in Company A, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving six months under the command of Colonei (afterwards Brigadier Generai) Grant. The regiment ieft Springfield July 3, going to Missouri. Among other batties, Mr. Shepard participated in those of Frederickstown (Mo.), Coriuth, Perryvilie, Knob's Gap, Stoue River, Chickamauga, Liberty Gap, Pine Mountain, Kennesaw Mountaiu, At- lanta, Joneshoro, Franklin, and Nashville as weil as many skirmishes. He was made First Lieutenant, and was mustered out with that rank at San Antonio, Texas, in December, 1865, and discharged at Camp Butler, Springfield.

Returning to Macon County, this hrave sol- dier quietiy resumed his farming, thus contin- uing untii 1906, when he located in Iliiopolis, although he still owns eighty acres of valuable Macon County farm iand, as weil as his home in Illiopoiis. While residing in Macon County Mr. Shepard served as School Director. He heiongs to Morgan Post No. 208, G. A. R., and to Camp 265, Modern Woodmen. For twenty years he has been a consistent member of the Christian Church.

On December 1, 1868, the former brave young lieutenant was married at Decatur, to Maria Anderson, born in Ross County, Ohio, August 27, 1842, a daughter of William Anderson. The latter came to Iliinois in 1859, buying a farm in Macon County that was the site of Brush College, and there lie lived for many years, but later sold it to return to Ross County, Ohio, where he died. Mrs. Anderson bore the mai- den name of Nancy Hali and was a lla- tive of Kentucky. Of the nine children she bore her hushand, uot one survives aside from Mrs. Shepard. Mr. and Mrs. Shepard have had three daughters: Minnie and Edith live at home; Grace married James Dennis and they live on a farm in Piatt County. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis have two children. Robert and Myra, who are the pets of their grandparents and aunties. Miss Minnie and Miss Edith are

charming ladies, who assist their mother in making the Shepard home one of the most pleasant in the neighborhood. Mr. Shepard is justly regarded as one of the representative men of Sangamon and Macon Counties, and has many friends in both localities.

SHEPHERD, Louis Pitner .- It is due to the ef- forts of energetic, progressive and intelligent farmers that agriculturai conditions in Sanga- mon County are now in such a healthy condi- tion. Inteiiigeut cuitivation of the soil, recog- nition of the value of crop rotation, tiling, grad- ing, draining and ditching, and the use of modern machinery, have improved conditions wonderfuliy, and one of those who have as- sisted in the advancement of farming in the county is Louis Pitner Shepherd, who is operat- ing a valuable farm in Woodside Township. Mr. Shepherd was born in Sangamon County, July 1, 1884, a son of Charles Miller and Sarah (Ford) Shepherd.

Charies Miller Shepherd came as a hoy from Virginia and settied in Sangamon County. He was educated in the common schools and Con- cordia College at Springfield. He eniisted as a soldier in the Civil War, heing a member of the Eleventh Regiment, Missouri Volunteer In- fantry. For three years he was in partnership with his father and brothers, and then hranched out on his own account, and spent the remain- der of his life in agriculturai pursuits in Sanga- mon County, accumulating a large property, be- coming a man of affairs in his community and being the owner of the Straw Bridge farin, on which he died. He was the father of three boys, all of whom are now carrying on agriculturai operations in Sangamon County.

Louis Pitner Shepherd attended the common schools of his native place and iater secured a college education, attending the University of Illinois. He and his brothers, Charies Ray- mond and Alva Ford, were brought up to lead farming iives. As soon as he ieft school he at once engaged in agriculturai pursuits, and has continued to foilow this line to the present time. His politics are those of the Republican party, but he has never desired to. hold public office, preferring to give his time and attention to his excellent farm. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church.

Mr. Shepherd was married, November 25, 1908, in Gienarın, Sangamon County, Iii., to Geneva Fountain Lard, a daughter of Jacob F. and Esteila (Leach) Lard. He was born in Sangamon County, but she was a native of Pike County. Mr. Lard is a prominent farmer of Bail Township. Mrs. Shepherd was born July 16, 1887. in Sangamon County, where she has spent her entire life. They have no children.

SHEPHERD, Thomas A., a leading farmer and husiness man of Ball Township, Sangamon County, is one of the largest landowners of the community, and has spent much of his life on the farm he now occupies, where he was born

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

December 4, 1860, being of Welsh desceut. He is a sou of Thomas B. and Arminda (Pyle) Shepherd, the formuer boru in Maryland, aud died February 2, 1911. Mrs. Shepherd, who was born in St. Clair County, Ill., October 13, 1838, dled lu Sangamou County, Jauuary 30, 1907, and both she and her husband are buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield. Thomas B. Shepherd was an early settler in Sangaiuon County, where he became a prominent aud successful farmer. A sketch of his life suc- eeeds the oue of his son Thouias A.

The boyhood of Thomas A. Shepherd was spent on his father's farm aud he received his education In the country schools of Ball Town- ship, where he applled hluself to good advau- tage. He has always been toud of outdoor life and sports of all kinds, and as soon as he was old enough took up farmiug on his own acconut, spending twenty-three years on the farm owned by Willlam Pattersou, which he has since pur- chased. He came to the old home farm to live In 1906 and has siuce carrled on the farm. He owns 580 acres of land iu Ball, 160 iu Divernon and 200 acres in Pawnee Township. He Is progressive In his methods and pays considera- ble attention to raising stock, having his farm well stocked with eattle.

Mr. Shepherd is an enterprising business utan, and September 1, 1909, in company with E. A. Baxter and M. C. White; organized the Pawnee State Bank, of whleh he is President. The bank is patronized extensively by the farm- ers of the locallty, and has a capital stock of $25,000. Mr. Shepherd Is recognized as a man of ablllty and good judgment, and has won suc- cess through his own efforts, making the most of opportnnitles that have come his way. He . is interested in public affairs In the community and supports various measures which he con- siders will be of benefit to the people In gen- eral. In politles he is a Republican and frater- nally a member of the Masonic Lodge at Paw- nee. The famlly to which he belongs is well known in Sangamon County, where they are held in hight esteem by all.

Mr. Shepherd was married in Ball Township, December 24, 1882, to Miriam M. Weber, the ceremony being performed by Rev. William Poe, of Oak Ridge Methodist Church. Mrs. Shep- herd was born in Sangamon County, October 5, 1864, and Is a daughter of George P. and Vienna (Meader) Weber, both natives of Sangamon Connty, the former born In Springfield. Three children have blessed this union : Stella M., born December 25, 1885; George W., Angust 15, 1890: Thomas C., November 7, 1893.

SHEPHERD, Thomas B. (deceased) .- To have lived in one connty for three-quarters of a cen- tury is to have seen and partieipated in almost unbelievable changes, to have watched the country grow from a wilderness Into a flourIsh- ing, abundant farming sectlon. to have seen the little towns develop into large citles and new towns and villages spring up, and to have seen the wilds of nature conquered by the onward,

progressive mareh of man. There are few peo- ple In Sangamon Couuty who can look back over seventy-five years spent there, aud recall with anecdote and reminisceuee the early days of this section, but this was the privllege of the late Thomas B. Shepherd, who during the last years of his life, retired ou North Fifth Street, Pawnee, Ill., who came to Sangauion County in the spring of 1836. Mr. Shepherd was boru iu Washington County, Md., Septem- ber 28, 1835, a son of Thomas C. and Ellen (Miller) Shepherd.

The progenitor of the family In America was Thomas Shepherd, a native of Wales, who came to Virginia. He settled ou the south bank of the Potomac River, near Blue Ridge, and took up several thousand aeres of land, and the place was named Shepherdstown, in his houor. He sold lots and acre tracts, and required that an annual quit-rent of five shilllugs be pald per- petnally. The will which granted this land to hlin is now owned by Thomas B. Shepherd, cov- ers eight pages of foolseap, and Is dated Au- gust 20, 1776, being of uruelt historic value.

Thomas C. Shepherd, father of Thomas B., was born lu Shepherdstowu, Jefferson County, W. Va., June 28, 1806, and was marrled there July 3, 1834, to Ellen Miller, who was born June 24, 1813. They made thelr home at Blackford's Ferry, Washington County, Md., until 1836, when they, with Grandfather Shepherd, Joseph, Amanda, James and Thomas B. Shepherd, started for Illinois in wagons, and, after a journey of six weeks, reached Sangamon County November 17, 1836, locating on a farm six miles sonth of Springfield that had been pur- chased by Mr. Shepherd the spring previous. Five children were born to Thomas C. and EI- len (Miller) Shepherd, namely : Thomas B .; John H., born February 21, 1838, married Octo- ber 6, 1869, to Am Pyle, aud the one child of this unlon, Arminda, lives in Pawnee; Mary E., who died in Saugamon County ; William B., born June 6, 1840, married October 23, 1867, Elizabeth H. Brown, who was born October 20. 1848, near Wheeling, W. Va., and now Ilves in Woodside. Ill., and has one child ; and Charles M., born November 18, 1841, served three years In Company B, 11th Missourl Volunteers, mar- rled November 11, 1867, Sarah E. Ford, and died June 15, 1910, In Pawnee, leaving three chil- dren-Charles Raymond. Alva and Louis.

Thomas B. Shepherd Is the only survivor of the party that made the wagon trip across the country In 1836. He was educated In the country schools until elghteen years of age and then took a course in the Illinois State University (Its buildings now being the property of Concordia College), at Springfield, Ill. Ile lived at home until his marriage, at the age of twenty-four years, at which tlme he went to live on a farm in Ball Townshlp. He lived on the same farm for forty-seven years, but after the death of his beloved wife left It and came to Pawnee, where he lived retired until his death. On October 26, 1859, he was married to Arminda Pyle, who died January 30, 1907. Her father, Alfred

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Pyle, was an early settier of Sangamon County, and both he aud his wife died in Ililuols. To Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd there were born three children : Thomas A., the eldest, born Decem- ber 4, 1860, residing on the oid homestead, mar- ried Miriamu M. Weber, daughter of George P. Weber, aud has three children: Stelia M., mar- ried, June 19, 1911, to Chester Baker, of Paw- nee Township; George W. and T. C., ali living at home. Aun E., the second child, born De- cember 12, 1862, married George W. Davidson, of Divernon, son of Samnel Davidson, and has three children : Flossie S., Lelia S. aud George, Jr., all at home, and Mary E., the youngest child, born October 24, 1864, married Charles W. Anderson, and they lived with Mr. Shepherd iu his beautifni Pawnee home, and have two children, Lesiie and Nelile.

Mr. Shepherd was a member of the Method- ist Church and In political views he was a Re- publican for many years, but later acted with the Prohibition party. He died February 2, 1911, and both he and his wife are buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield.

SHEPHERD. Thomas D., a retired farmer iiv- ing at 1506 East Capitol Avenue, Springfield, Iii., and an honored veteran of the Civil War, was born at Lawrencevlile, Iii., March 27, 1843, son of Henry Harrison and Adeline (Hackley) Shepherd, both natives of Virginia. The ma- ternal and paternal grandfathers were soldiers in the War of 1812 and the father of Henry H. Shepherd came to Illinois, where he dled at the age of one hundred and eight years. Henry H. Shepherd was a merchant all his life and be- came cashier of a bank in Lawrenceville, the sec- ond bank organized in central Illinois. His wife died In 1852.

The education of Thomas D. Shepherd was received in Lawrenceville and Olney, Iil., and his childhood was spent on a farm. He began working in a drug store after leaving school and lived in Lawrenceville until after the war, then moved to Washington, D. C., and untii 1870 was engaged in drug business there. In that year he came to Sangamon County, Ill., and later located on a farm in Christian County, where he spent nineteen years in farm- iug, since which he has lived in Springfield. He was an energetic and prosperous farmer and has the respect of all who know him. He has never married, but is of cheerful disposition, friendly manner and social tastes. He is a Methodist in religious belief and has aiways been an active adherent of the Republican party. He belongs to A. J. Weber Post No. 421. G. A. R.

Mr. Shepherd eniisted, first, In Company K, Seventieth Illinols Infantry, was given rank of Sergeant, served three months, and was mus- tered ont, October 20, 1862, at Alton, Iil. He re-enlisted in Company K, Ninth Indiana Cav- alry, at Vincennes, Ind., served three years and was mustered ont at Vieksburg. Miss., in 1865. at the ciosc of the war. He then was appointed

in the regular army, becoming Second Lieuten- aut of Company K, Eieveuth United States In- fantry, served a year and was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant, after which he served another year. After the war he was Comiuan- der of Libby Prison and was the last officer in charge of Jefferson Davis before he was sent back to Richmoud. He received his final dis- charge at Richmond, Va., having been in the Government service nearly six years. He was wounded in the shoulder at Frankiin, Tenn., and was aiso shot in the head and arm. He was taken prisoner at Suiphur Trestle, Ala., and escaped whiic crossing Dutch River. He spent some time in the Tennessee mountains with nothing to eat save corn bread. At one time he was hit on his breast with a bullet, but was saved by an album which he was carrying in his pocket, so that although every face was punctured and every picture rulned, it did not penetrate his body. Among the battles in which he participated were Nashville, Franklin, Sul- phar Trestle, Spring Hill, and others too nu- merous to mention. He bas every reason to feel great pride in his record as a brave and falthfui soldier.

SHERMAN, Lawrence Y., lawyer, former legis- lator aud Lieutenant Governor, and present head of the State Board of Administration, was born in Miami County, Ohio, November 6, 1858; at three years of age came with his parents to Industry, McDonough County, Ill., but wben ten years oid went to Jasper County, where he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the public sehools of that locality and in the law . department of McKendree College, at Lebanon, Ili. Meanwhile he was engaged in teaching for a time in botin Jasper and St. Clair Counties and, after graduating at McKendree Coliege iu 1881, located In Macomb, McDonough County, where he began the practice of his profession in 1882. Later he served one term as City Attorney of Macomb, and in 1886 was elected County Judge, at the expiration of his term in this office en- teriug into partnership with George D. and Da- mon G. Tunniciiff, the latter serving for a short term as Justice of the Supreme Court by ap- pointment as successor of Judge Pinkney H. Walker.

In 1894 Mr. Sierman was a candidate for the Republican nomination for Representative In the General Assembly from the McDonough District, but withdrew to prevent a division in party ranks. Two years later (1896) he was nomin- ated for that office and elected, and subsequently reelected for three successive terms. during the last two terms (the Forty-first and Forty-sec- ond General Assemblies) serving as Speaker of the House. In 1904 he was nominated and elected Lieutenant Governor on the Republican ticket, serving during Gov. Deneen's first term. At the expiration of his term as Lieutenant Gov- ernor in 1909 he was appointed by Gov. Deneen President of the newiy created State Board of Administration. a position to which he was re-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

appointed in 1911, for a full term of six years. This board has general supervision of all State Charitable Institutions in Illinois (seventeen in number), a position for which Mr. Sherman, by hls integrity, benevolent temperameut and exec- utive ability, is especially well suited, and his administratiou has met with marked success.

SHERMAN, Lawrence Y. (Vol. I, p. 608.) SHIELDS, James. (Vol. I, p. 478.)

SHIPP, Clark Brahm, a prominent attorney of Springfield, who for a number of years has filled the office of Police Magistrate with abllity and credit, and to the general satisfaction of the citi- zens, has won distinction in his chosen profes- sion. He is actively interested in every move- ment he thinks will be of benefit to the people in generai and is identified with the progress and improvement of the city. He has been a member of the Bar but a few years, but has shown promise of a successful career in his chosen field, and is recognized as a rising young lawyer. He was born in Petersburg, Ill., Octo- ber 29, 1879, son of Columbus and Farinda Jen- nie (Goff) Shlpp. Columbus Shipp was engaged in mercantile business in Petersburg.

After attending the public schools of Peters- burg and Knox College, at Galesburg, Ili., Clark B. Shipp began his legal education and was ad- mitted to the Bar. He had for some time been in the employ of the Republic Iron & Steel Com- pany, of Springfield. He was first elected to his present office In 1906 and was re-elected in 1908, both times being a candidate on the Democratic ticket.

From 1896 until 1899 Mr. Shipp served as a member of Company C, Fifth Illinols Infantry. He belongs to St. Paul's Episcopal Pro-Cathe- dral, and is prominent in fraternal circles, being affiliated with St. Paul's Lodge No. 500, A. F. & A. M., and to Springfield Lodge No. 158, B. P. O. E., being Past Exalted Ruler of the latter order. He is a Democrat in political views and actively interested in public affairs. He has formed many warm personal friends. among whom he is well llked and popular. He is lo- cated at 611 South Seventh Street and is un- married.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 140

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