Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 142

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 142

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).

The boyhood of Mr. Simpson was spent in do- ing odd jobs, working on a farm, and attending school, and when he was twenty-two years of age he apprenticed himself to J. K. Adams to learn the trade of blacksmith. The work was hard and the hours long, he often starting in at daylight and working so late that he would ueed candlelight, and his first year's work netted him $60. while for the second year he received $72. In 1861 he hired out as a journeyman with Joel H. Ellis, near Old Berlin, and in 1862 went to work at Petersburg, but during the same year located in Pleasant Plains and there purchased a shop of his own.

On November 6, 1867, he was united in mar- riage with Julia B. Butler, who was born De- cember 4, 1847, daughter of Stephen H. and Nancy (Coats) Butler, the former born Novem- ber 12, 1818, in Adair County, Ky., and the lat- ter December 16, 1825, in Warren County, Ky. They were married February 27, 1845, and were parents of twelve children. After his marriage, Mr. Simpson went to housekeeping in Macon County, but eventually returned to Pleasant Plains, purchased land on East Main Street, and in 1874 built a fine home, where he and Mrs. Simpson have resided to the present time. They have had these children: William Edward. born August 16, 1868, conducting a drug store at Gridley, Cal .; Sally E., born April 29, 1870, is the wife of H. H. Hansford; Mary E., born June 10, 1872, is the wife of Robert B. Smith, a farmer of Auburn Township; Berthia Jane, born December 27, 1874, is the wife of L. A. Green, and resides near Porcupine, Mont .; Alice Belle,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

born May 13, 1877, Is the wife of W. W. Smith, of Auburn, Ill .; and Essie Ruth, born Decem- her 10, 1885, is the wife of Dr. M. D. Hender- son, of Pleasant Plains.

Early in life Mr. Simpson joined the Chris- tian Church, and has aiways continued iu that faith. He is a stanch adherent of Temperance and has always fought the liquor traffic. Mr. Simpson has served on the village Board of Trustees. His fraternal connection is with the Good Templars.

SIMPSON, William R., one of the best-known farmers of Ball Township, Sangamon County, Ill., where he has spent his entire life, was boru on the farm he now occupies, on Section 22, January 22, 1862, and Is a son of Robert G. and Martha A. (Stont) Simpson, both natives ot Fayette County, Ky. Robert G. Simpson was born May 3, 1826, and has spent all his life iu farming, being now the owner of a farm uear Glenarm, Ill., where he is living, at the age of eighty-five years. His father, a native of Ken- tucky, died when Robert was but seven years of age, from cholera. Some years later Robert G. Simpson's mother, Rebecca Randolph Simp- son, married William Chambers, of Kentucky. Robert G. Simpson came with them to Sanga- mon County, Ill., when he was eighteen years of age, the trip being made in wagons. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers lived in Sangamon County a number of years, then removed to Macomb, McDonough County, Ill., where Mr. Chambers died in 1855. Mrs. Chambers died in 1866. Martha A. Stout was brought by her parents to Sangamon County when she was six years old, the famlly making the trip with a wagon. Her parents were natives of Kentucky and came to Sangamon County in 1835 and her father died in the honse where he first settled on coming to Illinois. Mrs. Stout died later at the home of her son, Philemon, near the old homestead. Mrs. Martha Simpson was born April 1, 1829, and died on the farm in Ball Township, Janu- ary 6, 1908, being buried in Stout Cemetery. Both families were early settlers in Sangamon County and became influential and well known.

As a boy William R. Simpson was very fond of outdoor life and spent many happy hours in hunting. He was early taught to perform his share of the tasks on the farm and was edu- cated in the country schools near his boyhood home. He engaged in farming on his own ac- count when he was old enough, and has been successful in his operations, bringing his land to a high state of cultivation and paying care- ful attention to all the details of his work. He carries on general farming, carrying on sixty acres belonging to his father and renting con- siderable land. He is held in high esteem for his many fine qualities of mind and heart, and is aiways ready to lend his aid to those in sick- ness or distress. Although not a member of any church, he tries to follow the Golden Rule and believes in practical Christianity. He is a man of good principle, honest and reliable, and

in his dealings with his fellow men has always been actnated by justice and fairness. He is a Republican in principle, but in local affairs votes for the man he believes will best carry ont the wishes ot the people and act for the greatest good of the greatest number. Frater- nally Mr. Simpson is a Modern Woodman, being affiliated with Sugar Creek Camp, of Glenarm, Ill. He takes an active interest in the cause of education and progress, and any movement for the uplifting and benefit of his fellows. He is now serving in the offices of School Director and Road Commissioner.

Mr. Simpson was married in Sangamou County, December 24, 1889, by Rev. Wheeler, of Pawnee, to Miss Addie Hall, born at Witt, Montgomery County, Ill., December 16, 1865, daughter of Jim and Sarah (Williams) Hall, both natives of Tennessee, who came to Sanga- mon County, where the former died, and his widow still resides there. Mr. Hall was a prom- inent farmer and stock-dealer, and his father, who was a native of Tennessee, died in 1865. The Grandfather Williams was a native of Ten- nessee, and died in 1889. Two children were born to Mr. Simpson and his wife: Leslie H., horn June 11, 1891, and Mata E., born October 22, 1894. Leslie attended the country school and afterwards graduated from the Caldwell High School (where the danghter is now a stn- dent), then engaged in teaching in Sangamon County.

SIMS, David Hudson, a substantial farmer and large landowner living at Latham, Logan County, Ill., is a native of the place where he now resides, born July 8, 1838. He is a son of David and Elizabeth (Elston) Sims, who lived on a farm at Latham. The father, who was of Scotch descent, was born in Charlotte County, Va., January 1, 1801, and the mother was born in Henry County, Ky., March 5, 1806. David H. Sims was educated in his native county and was reared to farm work, iu which he has since been very successful on his own account. Be- sides the 400 acres he owns at Latham he also has 160 acres in Kansas, 160 acres in Texas aud several hundred acres in old Mexico.

Mr. Sims earned a good record as a soldier, enlisting as private in Company H, Thirteenth Infantry. He was promoted to Second Lieu- tenant, three months later to rank of First Lieu- tenant, and in 1865 was again promoted. At the close of the war he resumed his farming operations. He has been successful in his agri- cultural operations and is recognized as a man of energy and ability.

Mr. Sims was married, at Marshalltown, Iowa, July 4, 1860, to Miss Ann Burkes, who was born June 30, 1845, daughter of James and Marcy Bnrkes. Three children blessed this union, namely : Mrs. Clara M. White. born De- cember 6, 1866; Myrtle R., Mrs. Huston, born January 21, 1875; David Benjamin, born Janu- ary 6. 1882. Mr. Sims is a Republican in poli- tics and he is a member of the Christlan

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Church. Ile has been a member of the Masonic Order for fifty years, for forty has been a men !- ber of the Knights of Pythias, and also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Sims is Vice President of the Springfield & Jackson- vilie Internrban Railway Company, engaged in constructing an electric line between the two cities.

SIMS, George Washington, a successfui truck gardener living at 1261 West Jefferson Street, Springfield, Iil., owns a fine house and two lots there. He is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, born . March 17, 1838, son of James and Lucy Ann (Shackford) Sims, both born in Vir- ginia, the father in 1811 and the mother in 1815. James Sims was a farmer and shingie maker, and he and his wife located six miles west of Springfield in 1865, living there until their deaths. The father died in 1887, and the mother in 1891, and both are buried in the United Brethren Cemetery west of Springfield. James Sims enlisted in 1862, and served in the Union Army. He had two sons who 'also served in the war and one of them was captured by the enemy and held eight months in Libby Prison, Thirteen children were born to Mr. Sims and his wife seven now living besides G. W .- George John, James, Austin, Angelina, Nancy and Lucy Ann.

George Washington Sims received his educa- tion in an old log schoolhonse in his native State where the seats were hand-made slabs, He remained with his father on the farm until he was nineteen years old, then worked a year at the trade of cooper, after which he took up farming as an occupation and also made rails and posts. He was an active and vigorous young man and has cut from the stump and corded up five cords of wood in one day; and remem- bers cutting one tree on Spring Creek from which he made fourteen cords of wood. He remein- bers Abraham Lincoln very well, having visited lis home a number of times. He has been active in the interests of the Democratic party and in 1894, was elected Road Commissioner. serving three years. He is a member of the Union Baptist Church and is interested in its good work. He is a public-spirited and enter- prising citizen and has always given his sup- port to measures which he thought would be of public benefit. He has lived in Sangamon County about fifty-five years and is well known as an upright, honest citizen. He has won success as a farmer through industry and per- severance and has always worked hard.

Mr. Sims was married, in Springfield, January 1. 1870, to Mrs. Rachel (Coweli) Fox, daughter of William and Rachel Cowell of Monroe County, Ill. Mrs. Cowell died in 1848, and Mr. Coweil in 1855. Rachel Cowell married (first), William Fox. by whom she had two sons and one dangi- ter: Sarah, John W. and Charles E .. all iiving in Sangamon County. Mr. Sims and his wife became parents of five children, namely : Austen

M., a fruit farmer near Springfield; Mand, wife of Fred Spangler in the empioy of A. C. brown; Frankiin, a cement finisher of Springfield ; Jessie, wife of Marion Hibbs, a cement worker and fin- isher of Springfield. Mr. Sims has had fifteen grandchildren of whom eleven survive, and Mrs. Sims has three great-grandchildren. Mrs. Sims is one of a family of fourteen children, and was born July 10, 1848. Both she and her husband are active and enjoy good health and take great pleasure in the society of their descendants.

SIMS, James. (Voi. I, p. 481.)

SIMS, James P., Principal of time Iles School, at Springfield, Ill., has been engaged in educa- tionai work ever since he was twenty-two years of age, and has acceptabiy filled numerons im- portant educational positions. He was born on his father's farm in Gardner Township, four miles west of Springfield, July 7, 1858, and is a son of Thomas A. and Mary E. (Robison) Sims.

Thomas A. Sims was born in Culpeper County, Va., October 3, 1835. In 1856 he came to Illinois, lived in McLean County for one year, and then came to Gardner Township, Sangamon County, where he has followed an ag- riculturai life. In 1862 he eniisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company I, One Hun- dred and Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until 1865, when he was honorably discharged and mustered out. He served with General Grant in the Vicksburg campaign and was made a prisoner during the Red River expedition, and confined in a miii- tary fortress at Tyler, Tex., for thirteen months.

James Perry Sims attended the country schools in Gardner Township and the Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind. He was oc- cupied on the home farm until he was twenty- two years of age, then turned hls attention to teaching school, and has been identified with educationai interests ever since. His beginning was, made in Gardner Township near Farming- dale, Ill., and he continued teaching in differ- ent sections for thirteen years. In 1894 he came to Springfield as Principal of the Iles School, and has been identified with the same ever since. He is an earnest educator and works tirelessly to realize his ideals in school advancement, while at the same time he is practical in his methods.

Mr. Sims was married near Curran, III., Sep- tember 25, 1888, to Margaret M. Foster, who was born there July 3, 1$70, a daughter of Sam- uel L. and Lydia (Lee) Foster.

Mr. Sims is a member of the Chamber of Commerce at Springfield. He beiongs to Ty- rian Lodge. No. 333, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a Republican. With his wife he attends the First Methodist Episcopal Church. Their pleasant home is situated at No. 851 South Lin- coln Avenue, Springfield.

SIMS, John O., a retired farmer living in Springfield, where he is well known as a veteran

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of the Civil War, and has a host of friends, was horn iu Muskingum County, Ohio, February 27, 1841. He is a son of Reuhen J. and Julia A. (Babcock) Sims, who lived eighteen years on a farın in Muskingum County. The father was born in Rappahannock County, Va., and the mother iu Muskingum County, Ohio. The fa- tber of Reuheu J. Sims served in the War of 1812 and lived to the age of ninety years. The great-grandmother of Jobn O. Sims was a Miss Search, and when she was twelve years old she saw General Washington marching to Trentou, N. J. The hoyhood of Reuben J. Sims was spent in the Old Dominion, and when he was of age he moved to Ohio, living eighteen years in that State. Iu 1852 he moved to Sangamou County, Iil., arriving at his destination October 14th. He followed farmiug in Sangamon County from then until his death.

John O. Sims spent his childhood on a farm and attended school iu the little log huiiding of one room which stood near his father's house. The furnishings of this building were very prim- itive, the seats having heen hewed ont by hand. Mr. Sims helped his father until he was twenty years old, then began farming on his own ac- count, and a year later enlisted in the Civil War, in Company B, One Hundred Thirtieth Illi- nols Infantry, under Captain William Prescott, the date of the enlistment heing April 15, 1862. Ife was mustered out at Springfield, June 21, 1865. The first hattie in which the regiment participated was Port Gihson. then came Cham- pion Hilis. Black River Bridge, Vicksburg aud Jackson, Miss., after which they were trans- ferred to the Department of the Guif. under N. P. Banks. They were out on the gulf in a se- vere storm, but weathered the gale and landed on the southeastern coast of Texas, where they wintered, and in the Palm Leaf Swamps Mr. Sims shot at the first alligators he had ever seen. He was taken prisoner at the Battie of Sahine Cross Roads. hy Price, Kirby Smith and Johnson, and with many others of his regiment was held prisoner for a period of thirteen months, at Camp Fort Tyler. Tex., heing thus held at the time of the assassination of Presi- dent Lincoln and the surrender of Lee. Their rebei guards piloted them through until they couid start home. Mr. Sims conducted hiuiself creditably throughout his service and gave to his country several of the hest years of his life.

At the close of the war Mr. Sims engaged in farming in Sangamon County. and after oper- ating a farm there eighteen years, moved to Denver, Colo., where he spent two years and seven months, lived for a time in Cedar Rapids. Iowa, and in 1896 returned to Illinois, purchas- ing property at 1503 South Walnut Street. Springfield, which has siuce heen his home. He sold his farm before moving west and is now retired from active life. Mr. Sims has been successful in his operations and has weli earned the rest he now enjoys. He is justly proud of his family and their public spirit. which he has himseif emulated, and is considered a useful,

representative citizen. lle is affiliated with Post No. 30, G. A. R., of Springfield, and stands weil amoug his comrades.

Mr. Sims married (first), in Springfield, No- vemher 28, 1866, Sarah, daughter of Daniei aud Elizabeth McCiain, the former a native of Cape May County, N. J. Mr. McCiain and his wife came to Iiliuols iu 1851, locating six miies west of Springfield, where they lived to be very old, and where their deaths occurred. Mrs. Sims died February 19, 1891, having horne six daugh- ters and oue son. Those of the childreu uow living are: Lura, wife of John Kennedy, a farmer of Christian County, Iil .; Elizabeth, liv- ing at home with her father; Ciarence E., a printer living iu Chicago, was born .March 24, 1886. Mr. Sims has graudchildren, as follows :

Mary, Agnes, Malachi, Terca, Bertha and Anua, ail children of Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy. Mr. Sims married (second) October 24, 1894, Anuie E. Nalin, who died in 1900. She was a daughter of Josiah Naliu, who came to Christian County, Ili., in 1828, making the jouruey on horsehack. Hle first built a log house and hegan developing a farm, and now owns a fiue property. Mr. aud Mrs. Sims were married at the Naliu School House, three miles south of Pana, Iii.

SIX, H. A .- Realty vaines in Springfield have risen steadily from the days when the Capital City was but a little hamiet and the imposing State House was oniy a dream of the future. Now city iots are heid for prices that would have made tbe pioneers muarvel, and farm lands adjacent are benefited thereby. Because of this activity the reaity business has enlisted the services of some of Sangamou County's repre- seutative men, and one who has specialized on it aud the handling of horses is H. A. Six, an importaut factor in the life of Springfield. He was horn at Winchester, Scott County, III., De- cember 31, 1870, son of John W. and Naucy (Clifton) Six, natives of Scott County and Na- ples, Ill. The Six family have heen residents of Scott County since pioneer days. The parents of H. A. Six lived there untii fifteen years since, when they moved to Moultrie County, Iil., which is uow their piace of residence. They are farm- ing people aud own a nice farm.

11. A. Six went to the country schools, aud grew up in Scott County. He came to Spring- field iu 1903, establishing himself in a boot and shoe aud gents' furnishing goods husiness, hut in 1907, realizing the better opportunities of his present iine of work, he sold out and entered this field. He bas been remarkably successfui in all his business dealings and owes much of his prosperity to the fact that he always gives the "other man" a square deal and cau be im- piicitly trusted.

On June 19, 1895, Mr. Six was united in mar- riage, in Macon County, Iil., to Maud Bromley, born near Decatur, Ill., daughter of F. D. Brom- ley, a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Six are the parents of three children: Roy, fifteen years old; Joe, thirteen years old. and Frank, ten. In politics,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Mr. Six is a Republican. His life has been so filled with business details that he has had no time for fraternal diversions. His business and his home round ont his time, but his friends always find him genial and ready to lend a help- ing hand whenever they are in tronhle or ať- fliction visits their homes. Such men as he tend to raise the standards of morality and to de- velop good government.

SLADE, James P. (Vol. I, p. 482.)

SMELLEY, William F., one of the representa- tive citizens of Sangamon County, who, after many years of active endeavor in varions lines of husiness all over the country, is now living retired in his comfortable home at Breckenridge, is a native of Illinois, having been born at Vandalia, August 6, 1832, the son of John R. and Sarah (Hutchison) Smelley, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee respectively. John R. Smelley, who was a tailor by trade, came to Illinois in 1830, at the time of the "Deep Snow," and settied in Vandalia, where he conducted a tailoring establishment and also operated a hotel for some years. He was a soldier during the Black Hawk War, and parti- cipated in the Battle of New Orleans. Two brothers of William F. Smelley were also sol- diers, one serving in the Mexican War and the other in the Civil War. John R. Smelley died in 1839, his widow surviving him but two years, and they were parents of six sons and fonr daughters, of whom there are but two survivors: William F. and a daughter, Mrs. Alice A. Clark, a resident of Olathe, Kans.

William F. Smelley was educated in the sub- scription schools of Fayette County, and later attended a business college at Indianapolis, Ind., also being a pupil in the school that was held in the old State House at Vandalia. At the age of fourteen years he started to learn the trade of carpenter, which he followed for a long period in Vandalia. About the time of the Civil War he started for Texas with a drove of horses, but sold out before reaching his destina- tion and went to Kentucky, where he was en- gaged in farming for a short time. He then re- turned to Indiana, but eventually went to Van- dalia and later to Paris, Iil., where he engaged in contracting, erecting many houses. He lived in Paris for some time, and eventually went to Indianapolis, but about the time of the organiza- tion of Guthrie, Okla., he traveled overland to that place and opened a restaurant, which he conducted successfully for a period of several years. Later, going to Kansas City, Mo., be en- gaged in business there for two years, at the end of which time he opened a restaurant hnsi- ness in Springfield, which occupied his atten- tion up to the time of his retirement, and siuce then he has made his home in Breckenridge. He has been a member since 1853, and has beld every office, in Friends Lodge of Odd Fellows. He is a Methodist in religious belief, and ad- heres to the principles of the Republican party,

having always taken an active interest in pub- lic matters. Mr. Smelley has been successful in his business ventures, and now, in the evening of his life, can look hack over a well-spent career.

On November 25, 1862, Mr. Smelley was mar- ried at Vevay, Ind., to Elleu J. Protsman, who was horu in southern Indiana, the daughter of farming people of that State. One child, now deceased, was born to this union. Mrs. Smel- ley died March 4, 1863, and Mr. Smelley was married (second) in Juue, 1866, in Madison County, Ind., to Mary Brookins, who was born in Indiana in 1838. Her father, who was a na- tive New Yorker and a dairyman farmer, came down the Ohio River to Indiana at an early date. To this union there were born five chil- dren, of wbom three now survive: John R., a farmer of Cooper Township, Sangamon County ; Berlin, who is a resident of Bonneterre, Mo .; and Laura, a schoolteacher at the Sand Hill schoolhouse, who keeps house for her father. There are three grandchildreu in the family.

SMITH, Albert .- A number of the farmers of Sangamon County, after spending a number of years in agricultural pursuits, have retired from their farms to take up some other line of work. This is true in the case of Albert Smith, one of the reliable men of Springfield, now en- gaged in house-moving and teaming. He was born at Burlington, Iowa, August 10, 1848, a son of Evans and Mary M. (Church) Smith, natives of the States of Iowa and Indiana, re- spectively. The father was a farmer, who early settled near Burlington, where he farmed until his death, and his widow died in Spring- field in 1898. There were four children in the family, three daughters and a son, but Albert Smith and his sister, Mrs. Hackett, of Spring- field, are the only survivors.

Albert Smith went to school in Iowa and worked on his father's farm. In 1850 he moved to Christian County, Ill., where he worked on various farms, eventually coming to Sangamon Connty. He farmed until he located in Spring- field, where for thirteen years he has conducted a flourishing house-moving and teaming busi- ness.

In 1893 Mr. Smith was married in Spring- field, to Carrie Young, born in Macon County, Ill., daughter of Frank Young. He was an early settler of Illinois, who engaged in farm- ing in Macon County, continuing there until his death. Mrs. Young is also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had a son born to them, Albert, of Chicago. In 1900 she passed away, having been a most sweet and lovely woman, and a true Christian in every way.

Mr. Smith is a Roman Catholic. Politically he is a Democrat, but was a personal admirer of Abraham Lincoln from the time he first saw him and made his acquaintance. Mr. Smith was one of the many who gathered to pay their last respects to Mr. Lincoln at the saddest funeral Illinois ever knew. The pleasant fam-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

ily residence at No. 2305 East Kansas Street is owned by Mr. Smith. He has always been de- voted to his work and has strlven hard to do what he believed to be right, consequently has prospered, for nothing profits more in the end than strict honesty and fair dealing.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 142

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