Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 149

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 149

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).

SUTTON, Francis M .- Cultivating the rich Sangamon County soil has proven a profitabie occupation for those men who have known how to do it correctiy and to market their products" so as to earn something more than a bare liv- ing. The present prosperous condition of the farmers has heen brought ahout by a few pro- gressive spirits, who would not rest content until they had changed the conditions that forced a man to produce food stuffs at a loss. One of the Sangamon County farmers, who was always ahead of the times in his work was Francis M. Sutton who spent the last days of hls iife in Springfield. He was born in Madi- son County, Iii .. Juiy 7, 1835, a son of Josiah and Nancy (Swane) Sutton. The parents came from North Carolina to Madison County, at an early date, and from there moved to Bond County, where both died, having aiways been farmers.

Francis M. Sutton was educated in Madison County, and worked on his parents' farm until . he began farming for himself. For twenty years he farmed in Macoupin County, then bought land in Sangamon County, which he brought to a high state of cultivation. On August 4. 1893. he retired and located in Springfield where the

family made a permanent home. He was a member of the Christian Church and in politics was a Democrat. ,

On March 5, 1868, occurred Mr. Sutton's mar- riage, In Madison County, to Loulsa J. McVey, born September 16, 1849. Her father was boru iu Madison County, iu 1824, while her mother, whose maiden uame was Calaua Guthrie, was born in 1832, and now lives in Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton had the following children : Walter J., lives in Colorado; Mayme E., mar- 'led Oliver West, employed by the Electric Light Company, of Springfield; and Rosetta, wife of Henry Baird, traveling salesman for motorcycle works, of Rutland, Ill. There are two grandchildren: Catherine Baird, born Oc- tober 4, 1900, and Carter R. West, born April 15, 1903. Mr. Sutton's residence is at No. 1307 East Phillips Avenue, where the family friends are aiways made weicome. They are ail weil knowu in Springfield and are highly respected. Mr. Sutton Is remembered with respect by all who knew him.

SWEENEY, Arthur T .- Springfield has a repu- tation that extends all over the State, for the exceilence of its hotels. No better accommoda- tions can be found iu Illinois, than those given by the hotel men there, who know how to make their guests comfortable and to provide for them iu every way. One of the best kuown, and most popuiar hostelries of the city is the one pre- sided over by Arthur T. Sweeney, who, during a . somewhat extended experience as a traveling man, learned just what was jacking in many hoteis, and what was needed to make them homelike and comfortable. This experience is now being put to good use, and his patrons are glad to return to him when they are brought back to the city on business.

Mr. Sweeney was born in Johnson County. Mo., August 17, 1870, a son of William H. and Saralı Sweeney, the former born in Ireiand, May 10, 1838, and the latter in Christian County, Ill., June 15, 1835. The father was an engineer, who upon coming to this country located at Pana, Ili., but after five years there went to Johnson County, Mo., and spent thirty-two years within its confines. During the Civil War, he enlisted, serving bravely from 1861 to 1865.

After a boyhood spent In Christian County, Ill., and Johnson County, Mo., Mr. Sweeney went to St. Lou'ls to attend school, and upon leaving went on the road for the Deering Binder Compauy. Later he engaged in farming, then obtained employment with the Water Depart- ment of Springfield, remaining until he took charge of hls present hotel. He Is an Odd Fel- low and Modern Woodman. In politics he is a Republican, and he has been of service to his party.

Mr. Sweeney was married at Taylorville. Ili., November 19, 1897, to Eva Ada King, boru in Beatrice, Neb .. December 26, 1882. The fam- lly moved from Nebraska to Girard, Ill., in 18SS.

1652

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney : Elaua F., boru Aprii 6, 1900; Pearl I., born May 30, 1904; Arthur D., born October 24, 1906, and Elisworth J., born February 2, 1908. Mr. Sweeney is a genial man, whose pleasing manner and knowiedge of the worid make him eminently fitted for his present work. He is well kuown ali over his part of the State and his business Is in a flourishiug condition.

SWIGART, Charles Philip. (Vol. I, p. 515.)

TACKETT, Jesse .- Many of those whose ener- gies have beeu directed towards pursuits in various parts of Illinois, when ready to retire, settle in Springfield, where so many urban ad- vantages are offered. There they can enjoy the comforts of city life, without foregoing those of a more rural community. One of the meu who has proven his faith in Springfield, is Jesse Tack- ett, now living retired at No. 2303 East Kausas Street. He was born in Menard County, March 3, 1850, a son of John and Elizabeth (Helvesta) Tackett, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, re- spectiveiy. The father, who was a farmer, came to Menard County at au early date, entering 100 acres of land, but later sold it for one hun- dred dollars per acre. He farmed In the county for many years, but went to Johnston County, Mo., where his later years were spent, and there he died in 1878. He lost his wife when Jesse was an Infant. There were five children in the family, of whom Jesse and a sister. Mrs. Triu- vella Stephenson, of Washington, Ind., are the survivors.

Jesse Tackett attended school in Menard County, and later the oue at German Prairie, Sangamon County. During his boyhood days he worked for his father, and continued to farm all his life, untii his retirement. While retain- ing an interest in his farm, he also engaged with the Springfield Roiling Milis, and later with the Springfield Boiler Company. He owns his pieasant home, as well as other property in the city, and is a man of means.

On November 7, 1896, Mr. Tackett was mar- ried in Riverton, to Nettie McCarty, born In Springfield July 4, 1858. Her father was a Sangamon County farmer, but both he and his wife are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Tackett have no children. Politically Mr. Tackett is a Republican. His religious convictions make him a member of the Christian Church, of which he is a liberal supporter. He Is a rellable, re- sponsibie man. whose sympathles are always with conservative methods. and who is anxious to see the preservation of good government and the advancement of the city.

TALBOTT, W. A .- The records of Springfield show that the city is the home of a number of reliable, industrious men, engaged in various lines of activity, who realize the advantages offered by residence in the Capital City. Those who have families often choose it as a home because of the excellent schools, where their children can se-

cure a good education. Among those who are helping to make the city better in every way, by living upright lives and exerting weli-meant in- fluence In the right direction, may be numbered W. A. Talbott. He was born at Curran, Ill., September 2, 1871, a son of David C. Talbott and his wife Elizabeth, farming people. They io- cated in Woodside Township in 1879, and since then have made that locality their home, de- veloping and operating a farm that has become valuable.

W. Talbott supplemented his common school education with a course at the Spring- field business coliege, after which he went into the service of the Ohio & Mississippi Raiiroad. Later he engaged with the Buffalo & Ohio Rail- road, and proved himself so efficient that he was made conductor. He is careful and consclen- tious, and no man has done more in his way than Mr. Taibott to make his road as near per- fect as possible.

On January 29, 1896, Mr. Talbott was united in marriage with Frankie E. Gattan, born in Sangamou Couuty, July 25, 1874. Her father was a farmer and stockman, who accumulated considerable property In this work. Two littie ones have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Taibott, Dorothy Jane, on October 2, 1898, and Georgetta E., on March 10, 1901. Mr. Taibott is a Republi- can, but has never sought to come before the people in any public capacity. His fraternai reiations are with the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, and they are pleasant ones. The Methodist Church holds his membership, and he has always given liberally of his means towards its support. Taking him all in all, Mr. Talbott is a man whom any community might well be proud to claim as a citizen, for he belongs to that class which forms the backbone of the nation.

TANNER, John R. (Vol. I, p. 518.)

TARBET, Dr. William L .- Probably no man in Sangamon County is better known than the Rev. William L. Tarbet, who is now retired after many years of service as a preacher of the Gospel, and the oldest member of the Presby- tery of Springfield, of which he was head for a long period. Dr. Tarbet was born in Blount County. Tenn., August 8, 1825, a son of Hugh and Margaret (Kelly) (Engleton) Tarbet. The paternal grandfather of William L. Tarbet came from Virginia and located in Tennessee, where he became a farmer and slave-owner, and where his death occurred, while the maternai grandfather was of Scotch birth, a native of Edinburgh, and came to Tennessee during the early days in its history. Hugh Tarbet was born in Augusta County, Va., December 17, 1791, and his death occurred in Paducah. Ky., Octo- ber 19, 1872. As a young man, he went to Ten- Dessee. where he met and married Margaret Keily Engleton, born in Blount County. Tenn., March 24. 1900. After their marriage, the couple went to Hardin County, Tenn., where Mr. Tar-

1653

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

bet taught school and served as Clerk of the Courts, hnt finally went to Paducah, Ky., where the remainder of his life was spent.

William L. Tarhet received his education at Jackson College, Tenn., from which he was graduated in 1847, and for one year following, he engaged In teaching school at Savannah, then for two years he tanght in the male academy in Lawrencehnrgh, Tenn., during which time he was licensed and ordained. He then became stated supply to Brick Church and Coruersville in Giles Connty, Tem. At this time the Synod sent him to Nashville on Synodical work and after nine months he returned to Giles County, and took charge of Bethany Church for three years, In 1859 going to Virden, Ill., where he continued as pastor of the Presbyterian Church until 1881. Dr. Tarbet then went to Carrollton, Greene County, aud spent three years in the same capacity. and following that was pastor of the Pisgah and Unity churches in Morgan Coun- ty for sixteen years, after which he went to Jacksonville, Ill., and remained there three years, then hecame stated supply at Divernon for three years, where he has since lived re- tired, only filling the pulpit when there was a vacancy. For twenty-five years, he was trustee of Blackburn University at Carlinville, when the Hon. John M. Palmer was chairman of the Board. Originally, an Old Line Whig, he is now a Republican. He was commissioner to the Gen- eral Assembly ou five occasions. After the nom- Inatlon of Abraham Lincoln for the presidency, Dr. Tarbet called on him after his nomination, and after the President's assassination, he was on the Receptlon Committee when the hody was brought to Springfield for burial, he standing at the casket when the public were viewing the remains. Dr. Tarbet was also a great friend of "Uncle Dick" Oglesby. In 1895 he made a trip abroad and was In Rome, London, Paris, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Venice, Florence, Antwerp, Brussels, Cologne, Heidelberg, Baden Baden, Milan and many other places of interest, as a member of Frank C. Cook's party.

Dr. Tarhet was married in Bowling Green, Ky., in June, 1853, to Emma Hall Colvert, who was born In Giles County, Tenn., and died April 14, 1885, in Morgan County, Ill., having been tlie mother of five children : Mary L., horn In Nash- ville, Tenn., January 22, 1855, died in Virden, April 6, 1874; Ellen G., born in Giles Connty, Tenn., August 12, 1857. died August 13, 1887 ; William L., horn In Giles County, January 21, 1859, married Alleta E. Bishop of Lincoln, Ia., and now lives In Chicago; Harry B., born hui Virden, November 18. 1861, died in Vandalia. July 18, 1887, being at the time Principal of the city schools ; and Emma. H., born in Virden. December 5, 1864, residing at West Tisbury, Mass., but has been teaching innsic at Bnchanan, W. Va .. and divers other places.

On September 2. 1891. Dr. Tarbet was mar- ried (second) in Jeffersonville, Ind., to Martha Ann Potter, born In Butler County. O., August 17, 1833, daughter of Samuel and Fannie (Bry-

ant) Potter, the former born in 1801, in But- ler Connty, O., and died in Indiana, Jannary 30, 1876, while the latter was born in Hamiltou County, O., October 1, 1812. Grandmother Pot- ter ( Rhody Miller) was born in New Jersey and was the first white woman north of Fort Hamilton, O. A monument has been erected on the site where the old Fort Hamilton stood.

There were nine children in the family of Mrs. Tarbet's parents, uamely : Elizabeth, Mary, Martha A., Marie, Emeline, Margaret, Rhody, Abble, Ellen, William B. and Samnel S.

TAYLOR, A. J .- Among the successful business men of Sangamon County, Ill., may be named A. J. Taylor, of New Berlin, where he has lived for more than half a century. His birth oc- cnrred at Westport, Falrfield County, Conn., Oct. 7, 1850, and he is a son of Fraucls and Henrietta B. (Morehouse) Taylor, both also na- tlves of Connecticut. The family is of English origin and several generations lived in the State above named. The father of Francis was Daniel Taylor, who spent his entire life In Connecticut. Francis Taylor was born at Westport, November 27, 1821, and was married in his native State, where he carried on farming for several years before coming to Sangamon Connty, Ill., In 1851. He followed farming for a few years near Bates, and in 1858, removed to a farm near New Berlin, where he purchased eighty acres of land, which became the nuclens of his large land interests iu the vicinity. He hecame very successful in his operations, becoming well known in financial and business circles in the county. He made a specialty of stock-raising and kept a good grade of stock. He added to his land from time to time as his financial condition warranted, and finally hecame the owner of 500 acres of ex- cellent farming land. He retired late in life to New Berlin, and there his death occurred in November, 1SSS. By his first wife, who died in Sangamon Connty, in 1863. he had four children, namely : Mary, married Frank G. Conlter, a farmer of Sangamon Connty; A. J., of this sketch ; Francis I., a farmer living near New Ber- liu; Edward, a farmer of Bates. By his second wife, whom he married after settling In Sanga- mon County, Francis Taylor also had fonr chil- dren, as follows : Charles R., a farmer of Sanga- mou County ; William, died young ; Dr. Harriet S., practicing her profession in Chicago; Fred D .. a business man of Chicago.

The education of A. J. Taylor was acquired in the public schools of New Berlin, and he re- mained on his father's farm and assisted In its conduct until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began work on his own account, first working for the Wabash Rallroad Company as agent at various stations along the line, and afterward becoming book-keeper for his father and brother, under the firm name, F. Taylor & Son, who were condneting a general store In New Berlin village. Upon the death of his father, A. J. Taylor, remained in the position of sales- man and book-keeper with his brother, F. I. Tay-

1654

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

ior, who continued the business in his owu name until the summer of 1894, when the building and stock were destroyed by fire. Mr. Taylor who owned the building In which the business was conducted, rebuilt in a short time subsequent to the fire, erecting a substantial brick block with store rooms on first floor and office rooms and opera house above, nis brother retiring from mercantlle pursuits following the loss of hls stock by fire. A second fire in December, 1907, destroyed the later bullding and this was re- built the following summer and is a duplicate of the one erected in 1894. His business success has come to him as a result of his excellent business tralning and hls natural ability along commercial iines. He has shown good judgment in carrying on his affairs and is considered one of the rep- resentative business men of hls community. He has invested in various other enterprises in San- gamon County and has become influential and prominent in financiai circies, having iand in- terests in Sangamon County and elsewhere from which he receives good returns. His business reputation is of the best, and his name stands for honesty and reliability. Mr. Taylor has taken great interest in the development of San- gamon County, where most of his Ilfe has been spent, and has a large number of friends here. In political views Mr. Taylor is a strong sup- porter of the measures and men of the Republi- can party. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church of New Berlin and is ready to iend his support to any wortby cause which he considers will be of general benefit to the community.

TAYLOR, Edmund Dick. (Vol. 1, pp. 519-520.)

TAYLOR Family, The, is prominent in the his- tory of Westport, Conn. The first John Taylor located In Windsor before 1640, and his name is found in an ancient publication called "Con- necticut Historical Collections," page 127, owned by the writer of this article, who wishes thus to make a connected history between the new one in which this will be found, and the old one.

John Tayior was a person of property, charac- ter, and influence; his will is to be found in the probate office. Hartford, Conn .. dated Nov. 24, 1644. He was among those West Country People who. in Piymouth, England organized what is now the "Congregatlonai Church" of ancient Windsor, Conn., the oldest Congrega- tionai Church in New England. They had em- barked on the "Mary and John," which sailed two weeks before the rest of Governor Win- throp's fleet. After five or six years' residence in Dorchester, Mass., they removed to Windsor, Conn., one of the original towns in the State in 1639. In January, 1645, John Taylor, of Wind- sor, saiied from New Haven for England, to transact some private business. The ship in which he took passage was the first one built in the Colonies. Its name seems to be lost but it was known in Coloniai History as "The Phantom Ship" for it never was heard from again, as none of those who sailed returned to tell the tale.

Jobn of Windsor was born in England. He was twice married and had two sons, one of them John of Northampton, Mass., born at Windsor, Conn., 1641, and married November 18, 1662, to Thankful, daughter of Henry Woodward of Southampton. He was "Captain of Militia" and very prominent in town affairs. He was kliled May 13, 1704, by Indians, of whom he was in pursuit after they had destroyed the vil- lage of Pasemuck, which Is believed to have been near Westport, Conn. Their son, "Lleutenant John," married Waite Clapp. It Is asserted of him that he bullt the "Taylor-Finch" house in the early part of 1700. Later Judge Finch mar- ried Miss Taylor, hence the present name. At this date, 1905, the house is wonderfully weil preserved, with rooms on elther side of the iit- tle square front hall, up from which runs the narrow winding stairway, which is a feature of all New England colonlal houses. The panellng of wood in the front rooms extend from the floor to ceiling, and the windows are placed without regard to size, or spacing or height, but evi- dently as it must have seemed most convenient to the builder. Going up the front stairs, one finds a delightful little cubbyhole, just the place for odds and ends, and so easily reached. The sun shines brightly through the windows of the parlor chamber ; here are the original doors and paneling, and from the windows the same mag- nificent view over roiling hili and meadow, which John and his wife must often have enjoyed. Down two steps we go into a little low room under the sioping roof, with just space for a trunk at the farther side. From here a door opens into a dark room where a great white- washed chimney, "the warm heart of the house," occupies most of the space. Part way up the garret stairs the steps branch off to the north and south attics, lighted by the little four paned windows at either end. The hewn oak beams are overhead, and one can see the worm eaten roof boards under the shingles, which have been in place about 200 years. In the dining room which was the original kitchen, the ceiling is just six feet high with a broad beam through the center. The great fireplace is in this room, and when the family gathered in long winter evenIngs, here the apples were roasted, and the cider warmed on the hearth and the nuts and stories were 'cracked. No doubt the "Country Stick" was sometime brought into requisition, a hollow tube six or eight feet long with a mouth piece at one end and an ear trumpet at the other, where the young men and maidens might carry on their iove making without seriously disturbing the rest of the family-not very satisfactory, per- haps. but they had to adapt themselves to their environments then as now. In the King Street Cemetery, Westport. Conn., is the moss covered double-stone that marks the graves of himseif and wife and which tells us that Lieutenant John Taylor died November 18. 1724, aged seventy- seven years, and that "Mistress Waite, ye wife of Lieutenant John Taylor, died January 23. 1721, aged fifty-one years."

1655

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Lieutenant Josiah Taylor, second son and child of Lieutenant John and Waite Clapp Tay- lor, was born October 17, 1701, and died Febru- ary 11, 1781. He was married August 2, 1729, to Thankful French. Their son Ahijah was born September 22, 1740, married Isabella Wy- ley. From "Connecticut Colonial Homes" the following description is taken referring to West- port : "Across the highway a few rods east of "Washington Inn" may be seen an old Elm Tree stump, near which until two or three years ago stood the home of Ahijah Taylor, grandfather of Mr. Theodore Taylor of Westport. We have a valuable record of Ahijah's loyalty and courage while he' was serving in a Connecticut regiment iu 1764, under Israel Putnam, in the French War at Detroit. Bradstreet's little army had beeu sent to relieve Detroit. Israel Putnam was Lieutenant Colonel and gave to Ahijah Taylor at this time his "warrant as Second Ser- geant in the Fifth Company, a Battalion, where I am Colonel. Given under my hand and Seal at Arms at Detrolt, this 13th day of September, 1764. Signed by his own hand, Israel Putnam, Lieut. Colonel." This commission was found among the papers of Charles Wiley Taylor, M. D., son of Ahijah, about the year 1884, and is now in the "Norwalk Historical Society."

Dr. Charles W. Taylor, brother to Captain Dan Taylor, taught school for awhile in Fonda, N. J., and boarded with the father of William H. Se- ward, and had William H. for a pupil. W. H. was Secretary of State in Mr. Lincoln's Cabinet. Among the children of Sergeant Ahijah and Isa- belle Wiley Taylor was Dan (not Daniel), who was afterward called "Captain Dan" by virtue of his Captaincy in "The Home Guard's" of West- port. He was born January 18, 1778, married November, 1804, to Sallie Adams. . She was born September 28, 1787. and was a daughter of Aaron and Rhoda (Hanford) Adams, of West- port, Conn. Her father was one of the wealth- iest and most influential men of that section of country.

Captain Dan and Sallie Adams Taylor began housekeeping in a pretty new home built for them. It is plainly visible in the picture of Westport, page 414, in the above mentioned Historical Collections, and is now marked with a cross, so that the descendants may know it. It has since been beautified by a Mansard roof and fine porch, and a picture of it as it now looks, hangs in the writer's room, and is called "The Old Homestead," owned still by one of the family. It stands on a high hill in Westport and commands a fine view of the surrounding country as well as the Saugatuck River. Here

the young men and maidens enjoyed tbe great "House Warming" that was held there after the wedding at the home of Sallie Adams, a hundred years ago. Sallie Adams Taylor was one of the loveliest of women, calm, sweet, and serene, as her picture indicates, loving a bit of fun, too, as well as any one could. Her son tes- tified of her that he never saw her angry in his life, but then you and I know she must have

been angry a good mauy times, but had a for- tunately sweet way of not showing it. She died July 1st, 1865, aged seventy-eight years, ten months .. Captain Dan died in July, 1859, aged eighty-one years, seven months. He was almost one hundred years older than his youngest grandchild, a son, his only living namesake, Frederick Dan Taylor, born 1876.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 149

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