Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 145

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 145

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Sherman T. Smith was educated in the Springfield schools, and like any healthy, well reared boy, was fond of outdoor sports and en- joyed his excellent home. After leaving school he engaged in various lines of business, meeting with more than a fair measure of success. He is now in a real estate business and feels satis- fied with its results. He is an expert on city and farm realty and his services are often de- manded. Whenever occasion has arisen Mr. Smith has been found ready to contribute more than his share towards securing public improve- ments and the betterment of the community in general, and is one of the reliable, first-class men of his locality. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen and Eagles. In rellgious faith he is a Methodist and lives out the faith he professes. His political sentiments make him a Repub- lican, but he has never aspired towards public advancement.

On September 3, 1903, Mr. Smith was married at Louisville, Ky., to Maud May Smith, born at Decatur, Ill., June 22, 1882. Her father, Fred Smith, was one of Decatur's best known citizens who was a painter and decorator by trade. The mother of Mrs. Smith bore the mai- den name of Millie Painter. She and Mr. Smith were married in Decatur, where she died, but he passed away in Memphis, Tenn. Their chil- dren were: Maud May and Lettie, surviving, and James, Bennle and Lloyd O., deceased.

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Mr. and Mrs. Sherman T. Smith have had tour children : Leota May, born January 17, 1904; Sherman T., born March 6, 1906, both at Spring- field; Girard Stowe, born June 12, 1908, at Gl- rard, Ili .; and Dorothy Beli, born November 2, 1910, at Springfield, ill. Mr. Smith may weli be said to be an excellent example of what a man should be. Sociable and genial, he makes and retalns many friends, but, above all, lets nothing interfere with hls iove of his tamlly, and their gatherIngs are delightful events, whether they take place in the famlly home or at the several residences of the younger gen- eration. Such a family, bound together as closely as It is, is a powerful influence for good in any community, and Springfield is all the bet- ter for the residence in it of such men as Sher- man T. Smith, his father and his brothers.

SMITH, Sylvester B .- Sangamon County is proud of the fact that many of its residents have settled there, after years spent in other localities, satisfied that within its confines are to be found more advantages than elsewhere. Such citizens are well worth having and become important factors In any community which they may select as a permanent.home. A represen- tatlve of this class is Sylvester B. Smith, a farmer residing at Illiopolis. He was born In Danville, Ky., May 1, 1849, being a son of Larkin II. and Mary A. (Van Arsdall) Smith, both natives of Kentucky, where he was a farmer, and hls remains were interred on the place where he was born. He had the misfor- tune to lose his wife when Sylvester B. was eight years old, she having borne him five chil- dren, three of whom survive. The grandfather on the paternal side of the house was a soldier in the Mexican War.

The education of Sylvester B. Smith was se- cured in Kentucky, and like most country boys, he helped his father on the farm. Living as he did in the south, his sympathies were with the Confederate cause, and he entered the serv- ice, acting as teamster for a short time, until taken prisoner at Bowling Green, and sent to Loulsville, Ky. There he went into the Federai service in which he spent about two years. He made a trip from Camp Nelson to Atlanta, Ga., with a team and three trips to Nashville, Tenn., with 1,000 head of cattle each-one trip under Captain Yuke, one under Whlte and one under Thurman. Returning home, he farmed with his father until 1869, when he moved to Scot- land County, Mo., remaining there for three years, during which tlme he was engaged in farming. Following this he spent one year in Marion County, coming to Illinols in 1872. For four years he worked on a farm In Morgan County, returning to Missouri to marry, after which he came back to Illinols and settled in Cass County. For two years he farmed there, going thence to Texas, where he spent three years, still farming. Not satisfied with condi- tlons in Texas, he returned to Cass County, and farmed there for three years; then farmed iu Mason County and spent two years in Virginia,

Ill. The following three years were spent by him in Springfield and for two years he was a gardener in Louisville. Having tried many places, he finally located In Illlopolis, where he has lived for the past seventeen years.

Mr. Smith was married (first) in Fairmont, Mo., In 1874, to Frances Duell, born in Scotland County, that State. Iler father was a Captain In the Confederate army. In 1890, Mr. Smilth was marrled for the second time, his bride be- ing Fronia Lybarger, born In Effingham County, Ill. Her father, an old settler of that county, moved to Sangamon County In 1SS9, where his death occurred. Mrs. Smith passed away Jan- uary 21, 1907, having been the mother of four children, two of whour survive: Everett E. and Howard R., both at home. Mrs. Smith was a lovely lady, of devout Christian character, and lier loss is deeply telt by her family.

Mr. Smith is a Democrat and has been active in the work of his party, being elected on its ticket as Tax Collector of Illiopolis Township, and serving one term. He is a member of the Christian Church and Is one of the substantlal, reliable men of the congregation. His nelgh- bors have always found him a man of honor, upright in his dealings, and ready to respond to a call upon his sympathy, and he numbers friends wherever he has lived. Those who know him best appreciate his many excellent quall- ties, and are proud to be counted among those whom he honors with his esteem and confidence.

SNIVELY, Ethan A .- In these days when any item relating to Illinois' greatest man is seized upon so eagerly, it is very interesting to note that there is a resident of Springfield whose first work in a printing office was helping to get out an extra announcing the first nomina- tion of Abraham Lincoln. Ethan A. Snively ls this man and his name is associated with vari- ous journalistle efforts in this part of the State. He was born In Cuba, Fulton County, Ill., Feb- ruary 17, 1845, a son of Henry and Sarah (Ste- venson) Snively. The father was a merchant at Cuba, where the son Ethan attended school until he was fifteen years of age. He learned the printer's trade, and In January, 1866, issued his first copy of the "Times," at Rusliville, Ill. In 1868 he sold this and established another paper at Galesburg, Ill., under same name, the "Times." In May, 1869, he sold this and in Oc- tober. 1871, became the publisher of the "Ma- coupin Inquirer" at Carlinvilie. In 1SS3 he sold this and retired from journalism.

Mr. Suively has always been a prominent Democrat and his services were recognized by. his election in 1S7S to the office of Clerk of the Supreme Court for thirty-five counties compris- Ing the Central Grand Dlvislon, he being re- elected in 1SS4 and again in 1890. He was ap- pointed minority member of the Board of Par- dons In 1897 by Gov. Tanner, and returned by Govs. Yates and Deneen, his suitability for that office being recognized by the severai chief ex- ecutives of the State.

On February 23, 1876, Mr. Snively was mar-

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ried at Carlinvilie, III., to Catherine McKim . DnBois, no issue. Mr. Snively belongs to the Episcopal Church of Springfield, and has al- ways been one of Its firm and generous support- ers. In his official life he has shown himself to be a man of unswerving integrity of purpose, who steadlly adheres to what he believes Is right, and the work he has accomplished can- not be easily overestimated. He has long been one of the men of whom Springfield Is justly proud, realizing that he Is representative of its best and highest interests. Mr. Sniveiy is the anthor of the article in this work entitled "State Properties."

SNODGRASS, Nelson (deceased) .- In the death of the late Nelson Snodgrass, Clear Lake Town- shlp, Sangamon Connty, lost a prominent and well-known citizen, who had spent most of his Ilfe there. He was born near Vincennes, Ind., in 1834, and was a son of William Snodgrass, also a native of Indiana and a farmer. The par- ents were early settlers of Sangamon County, having previously lived for a time in Logan Connty, Ill., and lived many years on a farm in Clear Lake Township, where both died.

In his boyhood Nelson Snodgrass helped his father develop and cultivate the farm, and re- ceived his education in the country schools of Clear Lake Township. When he was old enongh to choose his occupation in life he chose farming, and began working for himself In Clear Lake Township, moving to the farm now occupied by his widow April 18, 1868. He was an ambitions and energetic farmer and reaped excellent re- sults from his work. He was prominent in the conncils of the Republican party, casting his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He served several years as Road Commissioner in Clear Lake Township.

October 4, 1855, Mr. Snodgrass was married in Mechanicsburg, to Parthenla Viar, who was born in Clear Lake Township, September 23,' 1838, daughter of Richard Vlar, born May 9, 1806, in Kentucky, and his wife, Julia A. (Henry) Viar. Mr. Viar came to Sangamon Connty at an early day and settled on a farni near Rochester, carrying on farming there until his death, March 11, 1855. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass : Samnel H., born December 22, 1856, dled July 30, 1894; Delcena Bell, born November 23, 1858, married Ed Baker, and they live on a farm In Clear Lake Township; Rachel Ann, born April 22, 1861, died February 20, 1865; John W., born Angust 4, 1864, lives in Springfield ; Lanra C., born Octo- ber 6, 1869, died April 3, 1870, and Julia E., wife of Samuel Waddells, a farmer of Clear Lake Township. There are three grandchildren and two great-frandchildren in the family. Mrs. Snodgrass owns the farm of ten acres in Clear Lake Township, where she has lived over forty years. She was a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln, attended his funeral, and has a clear memory of many incidents connected with his life in Springfield. Her father furnished many

ties for the construction of the Wabash rail- road.

Mr. Snodgrass was an active and devont mem- ber of the Christlan Church, to which his widow also belongs. He won many friends by his high character and sterling worth, and his loss was deeply felt, uot only by his immediate family, but by many others as well. He continued ac- tively engaged in farming until his death, which occurred on his farm February 7, 1900.

SNODGRASS, · William Henry Harrison (de- ceased), who was for many years prominentiy Identified with the agricultural and official life of Sangamon Connty, and whose widow now re- sides on the original 160-acre tract in Cotton Hili Township, entered by Mr. Snodgrass's father, in pioneer days, was born November 27, 1842, in Sangamon Connty. He was a son of James and Nancy (Moon) Snodgrass, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Ken- tncky. The parents came to Illinois and set- tled in Saugamon Connty at an early date, long prior to the "Deep Snow," the father entering 160 acres of land from the Government, and later purchasing more property, continning to farm on this iand nutil his death. There were two sons and five danghters in the family, all of whom are now deceased.

William H. H. Snodgrass was educated in a log schoolhouse in Cotton Hill Township, and during his boyhood days assisted his father in the work of the farm. He spent his entire life on this property, and at the time of his death, which occurred Jnly 15, 1907, was the owner of the original 160-acre tract. Mr. Snodgrass was for eight years Depnty Sheriff of Sangamon County, was for ten years a Justice of the Peace and also served for several terms as Assessor and Collector of hls township. His father had been for some years Constable of the township in which he lived. He was a Trustee in the Meth- odist Church, which his widow and family have always attended. Both Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass were personal friends of Abraham Lincoln.

On January 2, 1862, Mr. Snodgrass was mar- ried in Cotton Hill Township, to Miss Sarah Hall, who was born in Franklin Connty, Ohlo. February 19, 1844, the danghter of Lemuel and Hannah Hall, the former a native of Delaware and the latter of Maryiand. Mr. Hall, who followed the occupation of farming, went to Franklin Connty, Ohio, at an early date, but . several years later moved to Sangaman County, and in 1854 located in Cotton Hill Township, where he engaged in farming and continned at that occupation until his death, which ocenrred in 1886, his wife having died in 1854 In Ohio. Mr. Hall was a soldier during the Black Hawk War and was well known and highly respected in his day. Of his family of three sons and five daughters all are deceased with the excep- tion of Mrs. Snodgrass. To Mr. and Mrs. Snod- grass there were born nine daughters and three sons. and of these five are now living, namely : Dora, the wife of Charles Dewese, liviug on a

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farm in Sangamon County; Mary, the wife of Albert R. Carey, also In Sangamon County ; Eva, living at home; Hester, the wife of M. J. Sand- ers, living near Pawnee, Sangamon County ; and William B., who lives with his mother on the farm on Section 10, Cotton Hill Township. There have beeu elght grandchildren In the family, all of whom are living.

SONGER, Mrs. Lydia M., widow of the iate Thomas J. Songer, has lived for the past twen- ty-three years in the home she owns at 1730 East Kansas Street, Springfield, Ill. She was born in Callaway County, Mo., January 28, 1852, daughter of William and Eliza J. (Free- man) Walls, both natives of Callaway County. The parents lived on a farm in Missouri and afterward moved to Illinois, where they took up thelr permanent residence. The father died when she was about twenty years of age. The ancestors were early settlers of Missouri.

Mrs. Songer speut her childhood on a farm and was educated in her native State. She came to Illinois with her parents and was there married to Thomas Jefferson Songer, who was born in Marion County, Ill. Mr. Songer en- listed about 1862, iu Company G, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving to the end of the war. He took part in many battles in the southern campaigns but was never wounded nor taken prisoner. He was a farmer by occu- pation and a progressive. public-spirited citizen. He was a devout Methodist and in politics was a Republican. He died at his home in Spring- field, May 18, 1904, and Is burled in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Seven children were born to Mr. Songer and his wife, namely : Eugene E., born April 4, 1872, Ilving in Jersey County, Ill .; Arthur L., born February 7, 1876, died August 1S. 1910; Stella, born February 7, 1878, wife of John Randeth, living in Peoria, III .; Fayette M., born April 4. 1882, living with mother in Spring- field ; Myrtle L., born December 6, 1SS6, widow of Henry Slim, residing near Springfield; John F., born April 27, 1892, lives in Springfield, is with the Springfield Gas Company; Willie F., born March 2, 1889, lives in Ohio. Arthur L. Songer enlisted at Springfield, April 27, 189S, in Troop D, First Illinois Cavalry, was inus- tered out and re-enlisted as Sergeant, at In- dianapolis, September 17, 1899, in Company C, Forty-first United States Volunteer Iufantry, and went to the Philippines, where he served in Northern Luzon, and then returned to Angel Island, Cal., where he re-enlisted in Company D, Twenty-first United States Volunteer fantry, served eighteen months in the Philip- pines and returned to the United States, and to Springfield, where he died.

Mrs. Songer is beloved by her family aud many friends and Is a woman of strong char- acter and kindly disposition. She Is a devoted mother and has given her children all the ad- vantages within her power.

SOUTHER, Mrs. Nannie (Latham) .- There are few meu who have attained prominence in life who do not attribute much of thelr success to the influence aud fostering care of their mothers. One of Springfield's representative men, Latham T. Souther, is frauk in confessing the part his honored mother, Mrs. Nannle (La- tham) Souther, has borne In his life. Mr. Souther's able article on banking and other financial institutions, of Springfield, has awakeued considerable interest in this History of Sangamon County.

Mrs. Souther was boru in Elkhart, Ill., a daughter of Richard and Margaret ( Stevensou) Lathau, farmniug people, who were associated with agricultural interests at Elkhart and in the vicinity of Springfield. Mrs. Souther came to Springfield at an early age, and there was educated. She remained at home until she was married, in Springfield, In September, 1873, to George H. Souther, a native of Massachusetts, born in 1840. Mr. Souther was a soldier lu the Civil War aud a good and brave man. Later in life, with the formation of the Grand Army of the Republic, he joined that order, and cou- tinued with it until his death in 1905. After the war he was appoluted Pension Agent, being regarded the best man for that position, and dis- charged Its duties faithfully and conscientiously. Mr. Souther was one of the early bankers here, being for many years at the head of the Sau- gamou Loan and Trust Company. Three chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Souther: La- tham; Lucy Abbott (now Mrs. W. J. Galbraith), of Tucson, Arizona; and Elizabeth. Mrs. Souther is a consistent member of the Christian Church. She is a true type of the tender, gentle, Christian woman, who makes the ideal wife and mother. Her family revere and love her, and her neighbors appreciate her many virtues.

SPARKS, Elijah,-Land in Sangamon County is so valuable that many of the farmers are de- voting it to specialtles, realizing that this method of farming produces a larger income than those which involve the handilng of larger acreage. One of the progressive farmers of this class Is Elijah Sparks, of Section 32, Williams Township. He was born in Tennessee In 1822, a son of Truelove and Polly ( Anderson) Sparks, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee. Truelove Sparks went from North Carolina to Kentucky with his father at a very early date, settling on a forty-acre farm, which they oper- ated for several years, but not being suited, they moved on to Sangamon County, locating on a farm west of Springfield. Truelove Sparks there entered 320 acres from the Government, located near Williamsville, and held possesslon of it for ten years, then sold it, moving to Mis- souri, where he bought a small farm. As this was during the disturbed perlod of the Civil War, he returned to Sangamon County, resum- ing farming in the vicinity of Sherman. Still

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later he went to Nebraska, where he farmed for several years. Once more he came to Illinois and for five years farmed there, then returned to Missouri, where he bought eighty acres of land. This he operated to the time of his death, which took place when he was ninety-six years old. His second wife also died on this farm, his first wife having died when Elijah was a small child. There were eight children, fonr sons and four daughters, in the family of Truelove Sparks, and three of the sons served during the Civil War, two being wounded in the siege of Vicksburg and dying from the effects of their wounds. Of this large family Elijah Sparks is the only survivor.

The education of Mr. Sparks was received in Sangamon County, and he worked on the sev- eral farms owned by his father, finally adopting agriculture as his calling. For the past few years he has resided on his present property, but in early manhood worked for a short time at blacksmithing. Althongh now in his eighty- ninth year, he is haie and hearty, carrying his age lightly.

The marriage of Mr. Sparks occurred in Williams Township, October 23, 1862, to Mary Ann Garner, born in Indiana, January 11, 1843, danghter of Andrew Garner, of Tennessee. The family moved to Indiana, where Mr. Garner engaged in farming until his death. There were five sons and three daughters in his fam- ily. His father was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War and the family has been prominent in the history of the several communities in which its representatives are to be found. Mr. and Mrs. Sparks became parents of the follow- ing childreu: Polly, wife of Thomas Renfro, residing on a farm near Sherman: Laura A., wife of Gilbert Moore, also on a farm near Sherman; Matthew, on a farm north of Sher- man; Lydia, wife of John Mills, residing in Williams Township; Flora, widow of James F. Mills, lives with her sister, Mrs. John Mills; Noah, at home; Oliver C., on a farm in Will- iams Township; Jane, at home. There are thirty-one grandchildren in the family and one great-grandchild.

Mr. Sparks is a fine specimen of the farmer of early days. Although he has worked hard all his life, and has been subjected to many of the hardships incident to pioneer days, he has enjoyed excellent health and has accomplished much of which he may well be proud. He has lived to sce his children grow up abont him, developing into useful men and women, and is very proud of them and his many grandchildren. The old home is becoming too small to hold all the connections when there is a gathering, as there often is, but the warm. cordial welcome which each member receives from the grand old man and his wife compensates for a little crowding.

SPEED, Joshua Fry. (Vol. I, p. 495.)

SPIES, Gustavus .- The Germans are great homemakers and rejoice in being able upon

special occasions to gather about them the dif- ferent generations of their families. A venera- ble married couple of Springfield who have al- ready celebrated their golden wedding, and can look back npon long, useful and prosperons lives, and who are now crowned with the satisfaction of seeing their childreu succeed, are Mr. and Mrs. Gustavus. Spies. Gustavus Spies was boru on the Rhine, in Germany, September 6, 1828, being a son of Philip and Catherine (Steffis) Spies, both natives of Germany. Philip Spies served in the seven years' war with Napoleon, and five years under the old King William. By occupation he was a carpenter and found ready employment in his native land, but after the death of his wife, decided to emigrate, coming to America in 1856. He came on to Springfield, which remained his home, and he resided with his son Gustavns until his demise.

After a boyhood spent in Germany, where he was educated, and having worked in the ship yards of his native place, Gustavus Spies came to America in 1852, remaining in New York eighteen months after landing. At the expira- tion of that period he came on to Springfield, where he soon identified himself with many of the city's business interests. For seven years he was connected with the city police depart- ment, and gave an efficient service. He has al- ways been a Democrat and belongs to SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

Mr. Spies was married in Springfield, Sep- tember 17, 1856, to Katie Banman, born in Baden, Germany, Jannary 3, 1831. Her mother died in Germany, following which the father ·came to the United States, locating in Spring- field, which continued his home until he, too, passed away. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Spies: Mary, wife of W. R. Grubb, of Chicago; Katie, wife of Frank Neff, of Springfield; Leona, at home, and six who are deceased. There are four grandchildren and one great-grandchild in the family. On Sep- tember 17, 1906, Mr. and Mrs. Spies celebrated their golden wedding, and the occasion was cel- ebrated by a reunion of the family. The lives of these two most excellent people are filled with pleasant memories of the past and they can recall many events of the times when Lin- coln and Douglas were every-day figures in the life of the city. They remember the stirring events of the Civil War and the no less im- portant ones of later days, and in recalling them live over again their youth and middle age, and carry the listener with them. They reside at their home, 231 West Edwards Street. Mr. Spies also owns a residence on the opposite side of the street and one on West Washington street, besides city lots and other real setate.

SPIKRE, Noah W. (deceased), who carried on farming all his active life, lived retired in Springfield, Ill., a few years before his death. Mr. Spikre was born near Terre Hante, Ind., September 18, 1858, and after receiving his ed- ucation in the country schools near his home,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

engaged in farming with his father. He was a son of Samuel and Eliza (Lister) Spikre, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. Samuel Spikre spent most of his life on a farm near Terre Haute. He served two years in the Civil War, was wounded and brought back home, where he recovered.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 145

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