Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 146

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 146

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As a young man Noah W. Spikre removed from his native State to Greene County, Ill., where he engaged in farming.and continued un- til his retirement from active life. He was an enterprising and ambitious farmer and became fairly successful in his operations. He located in Springfield, but on account of failing health moved to the country, where he dled, May 9, 1891, on a farm near Roodhouse, Ill. His re- mains were interred at Richwoods Cemetery. He was a devout member of the Christian Church and was affiliated with the church in Springfield located at Fifth and Jackson Streets. In politics he was a Republican, though he never took a very active part in public affairs. At the time of his death he had hardly reached the prime of life, and left a widow with a fam- iiy of small children to care for and rear. Mr. Spikre had won many friends and his loss was keenly felt by all who knew him. He was a man of strict Integrity and reliability. actuated by high principles in his dealings with his fel- iow men.

The marriage of Mr. Spikre occurred Febru- ary 21, 1881. in Richwoods, Ill., when he was united with Miss Alice Hopper, a native of Pike County, Ill., born February 20, 1865, daugliter of John and Mary (Lingo) Hopper, the former born in Greene County and the latter in Ten -. nessee. John Hopper's father, Joshua Hopper, was one of the first settlers of Greene County, coming there from Kentucky with an ox tean. in 1830. and at the time of his death owned 1,400 acres of land in Greene County. IIe be- came a prominent citizen in the community and the family was highly respected. Children as follows were born to Mr. and Mrs. Spikre: Roy Lee, unmarried and living in Wyoming; William F. Is married, lives at 118 East Mason Street, Springfield, and has one son-Lloyd : Jesse C .. a tailor, living at Litchfield. Ill .. is married and has one daughter, Bettie L .; Noah F .. unmar- ried and living with his mother, who owns the home at 705 East Cook Street.

SPINDEL, Eugene F., an enterprising farmer of Rochester Township. Sangamon County, is a na- tive of Illinois and has spent a large part of his life in Sangamon County. He was born in Cbristlan County. November 21, 1865, son of James W. and Mary E. (Tucker) Spindel. the father born in Loudoun County, Va .; October 14. 1827, and the mother born in Ball Town- ship, Sangamon County, June 1, 1849. James W. Spindel was a farmer by occupation and came to Peoria County, Ill., at the age of seven- teen years, two years later made a visit to his old home, then came to Sangamon County and located on the Vandevere farm ncar Edinburg, soon afterward. He purchased land and be-

came actively engaged in farming in Christian County and in 1871 moved to Missourl, where he remained six years. There are eight chil- dren in the family, those besides Eugene F. be- ing : John William; Aquilla H., a farmer of Cooper Township; Mary E., wife of M. D. Lang- ley, of Taylorville, Ill .; Joseph E., of Sanga- mon County ; Minnie, wife of O. C. Campbeli, of Sangamon County; Charles D., a farmer of Taylorville; James V., a farmer of Charleston, Ill. The father of these children had five sis- ters and three brothers and has a sister now living in Oklahoma.

Eugene F. Spindel worked on farms by the day and month until he reached his majority, receiving his education in the public schools of Sangamon County, Ill., and Greene County, Mo. In 1893 he went to Churdan, Jowa, spent about seven years there, and returned to Illinois il1 1900. He has been a farmer all his active life and about ten years ago began farming for himself, making a speciaity of raising corn and wheat. He has had much experience and car- ries on his work with an energy and care that insures his success. He is recognized as a man of excellent business judgment and a substan- tial citizen. His mother was a member of the Christian Church and his father was a Method- ist. Mr. Spindel is a Democrat in political views. He is unmarried, as is his brother, J. W., and the two rent land from George E. Ross and operate it in partnership.

SPRINGER, (Rev.) Francis. (Vol. I, pp. 495- 496.)

SPRINGER, Frank S., the enterprising Secre- tary of the American Berkshire Association, is connected with various other stock and breed- ers' organizations, and has contributed not a little to their progress and success. Mr. Sprin- ger was born at Fort Smith, Ark., October 29, 1870, and came to Springfield with his par- ents in 1880. He is a son of John G. and Fran- ces Amanda (Stratton) Springer, he a native of Sangamon County, Illinois, she of Sebastian County, Arkansas. John G. Springer served as Quartermaster of the Tenth Iilinois Cavalry, from 1861-65, and his father, Francis Springer, served as Chaplain in the same regiment.

The education of Frank S. Springer was re- ceived in the public schools of Springfield and he graduated from high school in the Class of 1890. He worked for a time In 1889 as clerk In the employ of the Springfield Coal Associa- tlon, and after leaving school worked for a year in a clerical position with the Damson Brick & Tile Company. From 1892-95 he worked for the American Berkshire Association, in 1896 for the American Southdown Breeders' Association, from 1897-1900 for the American Short-Horn Breeders' Association ; May 10. 1900, was elected Secretary of the American Southdown Breed- ers' Association, and January 28, 1903, was elected Secretary of the American Berkshire Association, while still holding the office of Sec- retary for the American Southdown Breeders' Association. IIe is an enthusiastic and energetic

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

business man and active in the work of the in- terests he so well represents. He Is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of Springfield ; of John A. McClernand Camp No. 4, Division oť Illinois Sons of Veterans; is Secretary of the Illinois Swine Breeders' Association, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Illi- nois Live Stock Breeders' Association. He has . an office for the transaction of his business at 5101% East Monroe Street, and his residence is located at 701 Sonth Walnut Street. He is well known in business and social circles and takes an active interest in public affairs. In political views he is a Republican. He is an active mem- ber of Grace Lutheran Church, of Springfield.

Mr. Springer was married in Springfield, July 10, 1904, to Miss Chariotte Brnce, who was born in Montgomery Connty, Ill., April 27, 1874, daughter of James and Sarah (Davis) Bruce, the mother a native of Sangamon County, Ill., and the father of New York city. One child has blessed this nnion, Katherine Frances, born May 10, 1909.

SPRINGER, William M. (Vol. I, p. 496.)

STANTON, Samuel M., a carriage and wagon maker, carpenter and general builder, who es- tablished himself at Loami, Ill., in the fall of 1908 is an experienced and skillful man in his line of work and enjoys a liberal amount of pat- ronage, for which he gives very satisfatory re- turns. Mr. Stanton was born amid quiet, conn- try surroundings but a naturally adventnrons and inquiring spirit led to his early changing his environment, and before he had reached manhood he had visited different sections of his native land and also had gained considerable experience as to the practical side of life. He was born on a farm near the village of Loaml, April 29, 1879, a son of. Benjamin and Susan (Cook) Stanton.

Benjamin Stanton, the father, was born at Chattanooga, Tenn .. March 4, 1838, and on Jan- uary 11 1864, was married in Sangamon County, Ill. to Snsan Cook who was born at Hillham, Tenn., August 6, 1842. A colony made up of the Cook, Bilyeu and Lyons families, all settled in the same section of Sangamon County at the same time, although the Cooks subsequently re- turned to Tennessee. Mrs. Stanton has reached her sixty-seventh year and resides on the old homestead in Loaml Township, where she is still the center of the domestic circle, occupy- ing the place that none bnt a good mother call fill. Of the twelve children born to Benjamin and Susan Stanton, four died in infancy. The brief record of those who reached maturity is as follows: Sarah is the wife of Edward Hayes and they reside at Loami; Jesse is a railroad man and also lives at Loami; James is a sec- tion foreman on the Chicago, Peoria and St. Louis Railroad, and lives at Loami, Ill .; Mary is the wife of Henry Armstrong and they live at Loami; Joseph is a farmer in Sangamon County ; Edward resides on the old home place and married Linnie McMann; Lydla, who is

now deceased, was the wife of W. D. Hayes, a resident of Loami, and she is survived by three children-Myrtle, Verna and Everett; Samnel M. is further mentioned. On both sides of the family Mr. Stanton can trace an honorable an- cestry. His great-grandmother came from Scotland. Ilis paternal grandparents were Jesse L. and Annie (Bilyeu) Stanton, the for- mer ot whom was born at Sparta, Tenn., Octo- ber 8, 1804, and survived until October 8, 1886. He was reared in times and among surronnd- ings that gave him a strong physique, as well as a taste for military life, and in 1824, when troops were required by the United States Gov- ernment to place certain Indian tribes on res- ervations, he was a soldier in Florida, and later, when a man ot fifty years, was ready to shoul- der his mnsket and fight for a cause he believed at that time to be right. In 1861 he became a private in a regiment of cavalry commanded by Col. Sidney Stanton, nnder Gen. Bragg, C. S. A., and participated in the battles of Chickamanga, Lookont Monutaln, Murfreesboro and Franklin, and at the latter place was one of the first to go over the breastworks under the command of lis brave relative, Col. Stanton, who fell in this charge. Mr. Stanton was honorably discharged in August, 1863. The fortunes of war left his old southern home in ruins, and with a number of his kindred he then turned his eyes to the North and finally invested in land in Loami Township, with his son Benjamin, settling on the same September 27, 1867. The remainder of his life was one of comparative comfort and both he and wife survived until they were abont seventy-one years of age. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was always a Democrat in political views. He had two sons and two daughters: Benjamin, James, Mary and Lydia, James, who resides at Loami, being the only one now living.

Benjamin Stanton grew up in his native place, and when Civil War was precipitated followed his father's example. In 1861, he enlisted for service in support of the Confederate canse. He first entered Capt. Bilberry's company, under Col. Sidney Stanton, but was later transferred to Gen. Morgan's command and participated in the battles in which his honored father also fought. In 1863 he accompanied the party here- tofore mentioned and settled in Loami Town- ship, Sangamon County, Ill., where he passed forty-fonr peaceful years, his death occurring on January 26, 1908. As noted above, his widow still survives. Her parents were Sanford and Laura (Rooks) Cook. both of whom were na- tives of Tennessee. They had five children, namely : Samuel, who died in the Confederate Army; and Sarah, Margaret, Snsan and Lu- tina.

Samuel M. Stanton attended the common schools and helped in a boyish way with the farm dntles until he was fifteen years of age, at which time he decided that he would like to see something of the world beyond the environment of the farm. He did not stop to gain his fath- er's permission, but very shortiy afterward was

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

glad to have hls hearty welcome wheu the wan- derer had realized that home was the best place after all. During the next two years Mr. Stan- ton faithfully performed all the duties failing to his share In conducting the farmn. About 1897 he and one of his friends concluded to join the U. S. army, and went to St. Louis, Mo., for that purpose, but the former was uot accepted on account of his age and then bought a tleket for Russellville, Ky., Intending to try his fortuue lu that State. Want of space prevents an ex- tended telling of the interesting story of how he placed confideuce In a stranger and in that way lost his ticket and found himself alone in St. Louis, with a capital of thirty cents in his pocket and of his subsequent makeshifts until he once more reached home. For three and oue- half months he was Ill with a fever and after he recovered again went south. A natural me- chanic, he soon gained a first-rate knowledge of the carpenter's trade and had no trouble In securing work. In Tennessee he built houses and barns, and acquired land, stili owning a farm of sixty acres situated in Overton County. On September 1, 190S, Mr. Stanton returned to Sangamon County and bought a building in Loami, which he fitted up as a carriage, wagon building, and repair shop, and is doing a fine business. Being well acquainted with his own and contingent trades, he is able to contract, build and paint any kind of vehicle, or repair the same. He has developed into one of the practical and successful business men of the place.

On October 18, 1899, Mr. Stanton was mar- ried (first) to Miss Ora Judson, a native of Illinois, who died August 15, 1903. She was a consistent Christian and had been a church member from the age of twelve years. Their one child dled in infancy. He was married (second) in April, 1904, to Miss Grace Wright, of Waverly, Ill., and they had two children, Frances E., born in 1905, and Elizabeth, born in 1907. His third marriage took place March 1, 190S, to Miss Dovle Buck, a native of Hillham. Tenn. Mr. and Mrs. Stanton are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He votes with the Prohibiton party. He belongs to the fra- ternal order of Maccabees, and Mutuai Pro- tective League.

STARK, Hardin B. (deceased), was a farmer of enterprise and success and a citizen of more than average influence. He was born In Ken- tucky, April 29, 1829, a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Stark, natives of the Blue Grass State and farmers. Of three sons and two daughters only the subject of this notice survives. He was educated In Kentucky and during his boyhood days worked on his father's farm. On coming to Illinois he settled In the southern part of the state, where he farmed for a time. Later he was employed on a steamboat plylng between Golconda and New Orleans. Soon after the beginning of the Civil War he enlisted, in Alex- ander County, Ill., in Compauy G, Sixth Illinois

Cavalry, with which he served in the rank of Sergeant. After having participated In many engagements, great and small, he was mustered out at Camp Butler, near Springfield. Settling at Mechanicsburg, he farmed there until his death, which occurred January 30, 1869, and is resting iu the Mechanicsburg cemetery. Iu his political affiliations he was an ardent Republi- can. He was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church and was identified with the Masonic frateruity.

Mr. Stark married, in Saline County, III .. June, 1852, Miss Frankie Reynolds. She was born in Tennessee,. September 5, 1833, a daugh- ter of David Reynolds, a farmer in that county, where he and his wife dled. The mother also was a native of Tennessee. She bore her hus- band ten children and of these only Mrs. Stark, one son and another daughter are living. The son, Isaac Reynolds, lives ou a farm in Lanes- ville Township, and one daughter, Mrs. Lucy Moore, lives In Springfield. Mrs. Stark, now seventy-elght years old. owns a fine home and other property at Mechanicsburg. To her late husband she bore eight children, seven of whom survive. Fannie, the eldest, is the wife of Al- bert Hutchinson, of Rochester, Ill., and they have four children. Belle is Mrs. Johu Herman ; Bertha is the wife of Charles Bullard of Spring- field. Earl was the next born. James, of St. Louls, Mo., married Miss Emma Behymer, of Mechanicsburg, and they have children named -. Charles, Alta. Frank and Bertha. Nora, Mrs. Shultz, lives in Mechanicsburg. Sarah married Allen Webber, of Fayetteville, Ark., and they have five children: Cora. the eldest, ls Mrs. James Maybury ; Frederick was the next born. and after him Margaret; Georgia Is the wife of Lonk Cowen; Grace is the youngest. Mrs. Stark's daughter Mary is dead. Her son Thomas, of Muskogee, Okla., married Miss Alice Mench, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. Hardin Stark, of Mlles, Texas, has a son named Thomas. Minnie, the wife of William Hale, of Spaulding, III., has elght children. Pearl married Charles Duffy, of Bradford, Ill. Frederick married Miss Laura Isley, of Spaulding. Ill .. and they have children named : James, Maude, Bessie, Cath- erine and Grace. The children of Nora, wife of . Alfred Shultz, engineer of a coal mine at Me- chanicsburg are named : Ralph, Thomas, Benja- min, Eliis, Francis, Lafayette, Alice. Louls, Ger- aldine and . Donald. Loved by children and grandchildren, respected by all who know her, Mrs. Stark is passing her declining years in peace and plenty and looking forward with a Christlan's confidence to a happy reunion with the husband of her youth, in a bright land where there is no parting.

STARKWEATHER, Daniel H .- Prominent among the agriculturists of Sangamon County, may be mentioned Daniel H. Starkweather of Section 22. Township 13, Range 5, Divernon Township, who although he has passed his ser-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

enty-second year is still carrying ou active operations. Mr. Starkweather was born in Mor- gan County, Ill., November 13, 1838, the son of Asa Starkweather. Asa Starkweather was born Jannary 9, 1807, in Vermont, and came to Illi- nois by wagon in 1834, entering land in Morgan County. In 1839 he moved to Jersey County, where he carried on farming until his death, September 23, 1845. Just before coming to Illi- nois, he married Lonisa Harvey, who was born in Vermont August 7, 1812, and died December 12, 1856.

Daniel H. Starkweather was educated in the schools of Jersey County, attending subscription school the first year and when he was seventeen years of age, he started farming with his sisters and brother. In 1864, he went to Greene Conn- ty, where he remained for two years, and on Mareh 8, 1866, located on the farm on which he now resides, and where he has continued to car- ry on operations to the present time. He now has a property comprising 160 acres of excellent farming land, valned at $200 per aere, on which the most extensive improvements have been made. The buildings are in the best con- dition, the land is properly fenced and graded, and Mr. Starkweather operates his

land in a scientific manner, paying attention to crop rotation and using modern methods throughout. Mr. Starkweather is a Republican in politics and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, but since voting for President McKin- ley he has favored the Prohibitionists, being a stanch member of the Temperance party. For many years he was a Justice of the Peace in his township, as well as a member of the school board from 1873 to 1895, and for some time clerk of that body. He also served as Road Commissioner and in lesser offices. His religious affiliation is with the Baptist Church, and he has always heen active iu church and charitable clr- cles.

Mr. Starkweather's first marriage occurred in Jersey County, Ill., Angust_ 21. 1862, when he was united with Lnemnda S. Kirkpatrick, who was born in New Jersey and dled April 3, 1865, in Greene County, Ill., having been the mother of two children : Amanda, who died in Greene Connty, December 22, 1864; and Emily W., born in Jersey County, May 28, 1863, was married July 10, 1893. to P. S. Hulett, of Montgomery County, Ill., by whom she had six children .- Helen, Elon C., Park S., James E., Dow D. and Don H., the latter two twins. Mr. Starkweather was married (second) in Jerseyville, Ill., Feh- ruary 25, 1866, to Sarah A. Utt, who was born in Greene County, Ill., December 9, 1841. Her father, Adam Utt, was an early settler in Greene County, coming thence from Pennsyl- vania, her grandparents having come to the latter State from Germany. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Amella Baxter, was born in Kentucky in 1814, and came with her hrothers to Greene County. Ill., by horseback during the early days. She was married to Adam Utt, January 14, 1841, by Moses Lemen,

the ploneer Baptist preacher. Mrs. Starkweath- er's grandparents on the maternal side were of Irish descent and came to Kentucky in the early days, both dying In that State. There were six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Starkweather : Walter, horn February 28, 1867, dled Novem- ber 12, 1868; Charles, born November 24, 1871, died December 3d of that year: Harry, horn February 18, 1873, died February 24, 1873; Asa E., born March 9, 1869, residing on the old homestead, married Panline S. Rechards, March 16, 1893, and they have four children,-Lela C., Saralı B., Inez M. and Harvey C .; James A., born December 30, 1876, was marrled June 30, 1903, to Juliette Hoyt, of Chicago, and is now principal of schools at Kalamazoo, Mich., having gradnated in 1901 from Shurtleff College; and Bessie, born December 5, 1880, marrled W. B. Dyson, of Sangamon County, has two children, Geraldine and Roscoe S., and lives near the home farm.

STARNE, Alexander. (Vol. I, p. 503.)

STEIN, Adam, a retired citizen of Springfield, Ill., , was horn in Bavaria, Germany, May 22, 1829, son of Adam and Katrina (Schnettler) Stein. The father was a cabinet-maker and died at the age of fifty-two years. Adam Stein, Jr., was one of eight children and the second son of his parents, and had a brother, Frank Stein, who enlisted in 1861 in a New York regi- ment and was killed in the Battle of York- town, Va., in 1863. Adam Stein went to school until he was fourteen years of age and then worked on his father's homestead nntll he eml- grated to the United States, in 1851. He made the voyage on the saillng vessel "Northumber- land," which took forty-five days to cross. He landed In New York with bnt abont ten dollars in his possession, and soon went to work for a show-case mannfacturer, receiving hls board and clothes and twenty-five cents every Sunday for spending money. At the end of six months he went to the Isthmus of Panama and began working on a railroad, but at the end of another six months returned to New York on account of fever, and spent some time in a hospital.

In 1855 Mr. Steln enlisted for five years In the Regular United States Army, and was sta- tioned at Fort Lynch, Fort Clark and Fort Da- vis, Tex. He was discharged at Camp Hudson, Tex., and returned to New York. He was mar- ried, in October, 1860, to Miss Susan Rittman, and they removed to Springfield, Ill., where he found employment, first sawing wood and after- wards in varions capacitles, belng employed eighteen years as janitor of the Edwards School. He has been hard-working and indus- trious, a type of the best kind of citizen, ready to take an interest in publlc enterprises and do his share toward promoting them. He Is a de- vout member of the SS. Peter and Paul Ger- man Catholic Church and active in church work. Mrs. Stein died May 1, 1907, and is ,buried in Calvary Cemetery. She was a de-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

voted wife and mother and bore her husband children as follows: Norman A., born in 1861, a merchant of Springfield, married Mary Mid- den, and they have three children-Rose, Wil- helmina and Marie; Annie, born in Springfield, April 3, 1866, married Frank Harbauer, who died in 1901, leaving her with three children- Susie, Alma and Frankie. Mr. Stein is a stanch Democrat and has adhered to the principles of his party since becoming a citizen of the United States. He resides at 842 South Second Street.

STEPHENS, Henry C., now living retired in the comfortable home at 1153 North Fourth Street, Springfield, Ili., was for many years identified with mining euterprises in that city and vicin- ity. He was born in Jacksonville, Ili., October 25, 1856, son of William J. and Margaret (Dodd) Stephens, the former a native of the West In- dies and the latter of Kentucky. The father went as a boy from the West Indies to Eng- land, where he received his education, and came to America as a young man. He spent a short time in Chicago, then came to what is now Vir- ginia, Ill., and taught in the community. He piatted and named the town of Virginia, and in this enterprise was assisted by Dr. Hall, a weaithy land owner of Cass County. Later Mr. Stephens moved to Jacksonville, Iil., aud for many years taught school in that city. His spe- cialty was the teaching of grammar, and he aiso taught .writing, being considered one of the most learned scholars of the State of Iiiinois in the line of rhetoric, composition and similar subjects. Among his pupils after he located in Springfield were the sister and brother of Gov- érnor Yates, whom he instructed in grammar and writing by private lessons. He was ap- pointed by the eider Governor Yates to a posi- tion in the Adjutant General's office, and during his residence in Springfield was often employed by public speakers to correct their ad- dresses. In later life he returned to Jacksonville and engaged in farming, and aiso taught school at a town called Little York. He was employed for a time in the office of the County Cierk in Jacksonville, Iil., and finally moved to Virden, Macoupin County, Iil., where his death oc- curred. He and his wife had nine children, six daughters and three sons, and seven of these children are now living. The father reached the age of ninety-two years.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 146

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