Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 15

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 15

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Erviu D. Boynton attended district school and Brown's Business College of Jacksonville, and then returned to the farm, where he as- sisted his father. On November 18, 1SS0, he

married Kate L. Carrington, of Riverton, Iowa, born in New Berlin, November 27, 1860, daugh- ter of Wesley and Cassie (Grant) Carrington, natives of Kentucky, whose families were early settlers of Illinois. Mrs. Boynton's grandfather was a cousin of General Grant. Mr. Caring- ton moved to Riverton, but later went to Mis- souri, where he died, but his widow survives, liviug with her daughter, Mrs. Robert Oder, of Oklahoma. After thelr marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Boynton settled on their farm on Section .18, Cartwright Township, on which they have made many excelleut Improvements, develop- ing it into one of the finest properties in the county. They have a beautiful home with all moderu improvements, including hot and cold water, hot water heat and electric lights. The barns and other out-buildings are in like mod- ern condition, and here they enjoy life sur- rounded by city conveniences. Eight children have been born to them: Lora, born October 3, 1881, married R. Gardner, a contractor and builder of Arapaho, Okla .; Delia, born Decem- ber 30, 1884, married H. Clyde Irvin on De- cember 8, 1909, he being a farmer near Scran- ton, Ia .; Charles S., born October 3, 1886, mar- ried Lela Zane of Pleasant Plains, daughter of Robert H. Zane, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work; Ben B., born October 1, 18SS, taking a six years' course in the law de- partment of Anu Arbor, Mich., a most brilliant student, possessing every requisite for a pros- perous future; Edgar D., born December 14, 1890 at home; J. Farman, born November 21, 1893; Ruben R., born October 30, 1896, and Rhenna L., born May 16, 1899. The older chil- dren have been carefully educated and Mr. Boynton plans to pursue the same course with regard to the younger ones.

For many years Mr. Boynton has been ac- tively engaged In feeding and shipping stock, his annual shipment belng about 500 head of cattle, but recently he has been leaving much of the details to his sons. In his home was put the first telephone in this part of the county, he having helped to organize the Boyn- tou Telephone Co., in 1901. The company started with only forty patrons, but now have about 1,000, and the service is as nearly perfect as it is possible for any to be. He was also one of the organizers of the Building and Loan Co. of Pleasant Plaines, of which he was Presi- dent for several years. The Warren and Boyn- ton State Bank, of New Berlin, was another en- terprise in which he has been largely interested, helping to organize it in 1897 and serving as its President. This bank does a general banking business and Is a very reliable institution. C. B. Warren is Cashier. Mr. Boynton owns 1,066 acres of land, all in Cartwright Township, which is highly developed. He has always ad- vocated improvements and cheerfully paid the large increase in his taxes resulting from their inauguration. For fifty-two years he has made his home in Cartwright Township and is very much attached to it. . Fraternally he belongs.

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to the Knights of Pythias, the Court of Honor, D. O. K. K.'s and the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he Is a stanch Republl- can, and was the first of his party to be elected Supervisor from his township. He held this of- fice for four years but since then has declined public office. In 1881, he was elected School Director, made Clerk of the Board, and for twenty-nine years has continued to give his ser- vices to his district, advocating the payment of good wages, and the erection of substantial school houses. Mr. and Mrs. Boynton are mem- bers of the Pleasant Plains Baptist Church, and have many friends In it as they have all over the county.

BRADFORD, William Austin, Attorney-at-Law. -A man versed in the laws of the country, as differentiated from the business man or poli- tician, has always been a recognized power. He can always be depended upon to conserve the best and most permanent Interests of the whole people, and without the practical judgment of such meu, the efforts of the statesman and the industry of the business man and mechanic, would prove futile. The reason for this is not far to seek. The professional lawyer is never the creature of circumstances. The profession is open to talent and no definite prestige or suc- cess can be attained save by indomitable en- ergy, perseverance, patience and strong men- tality. All of these attributes are possessed by the successful attorneys of Sangamon County, and of them one who has attained an enviable preeminence is William Austin Bradford, of Springfield.

Mr. Bradford was born in Sangamon County, nine miles west of Springfield, August 16, 1875, a son of William Talbot and Grizella Ann (Parkinson) Bradford. The father was born in Sangamon County, near Bradford Station, on the farm he now owns, while his wife was born on the Parkinson farm in Curran Township, Sangamon County. For years William T. Brad- ford was a farmer, but he now resides at No. 131 Walnut Street, Springfield. Both the Brad- ford and Parkinson families were among the very earliest pioneers of the county and are associated with its early history, as reference to that part of this work devoted to the gen- eral records of the county will show. Bradford Station was named for James Bradford, grand- father of William Austin Bradford.

After a course at the district schools, William A. Bradford attended the Springfield High School, from which he was graduated, iu the Class of 1894. Following this, he spent two years in the literary department of the Illinois Wesleyan University, at Bloomington. For the next three years he was engaged in taking a law course in the Northeru Illinois College of Law, at Dixon, Ill., and when he was graduated from it in 1900, it was with the degree of LL.D. In August of the same year Mr. Bradford came to Springfield, where he opened a law office, continuing alone uutil December, when he

formed a partnership with Henry A. Converse, now assistant District Attorney, and this asso- ciation lasted until Mr. Bradford was appointed Master-in-Chancery in September, 1905. He was reappointed two years later. in 1907, and held that office until May 1, 1910, at which time he formed a partnership with Albert D. Stev- ens, under the firm name of Stevens & Bradford. This firm was dissolved in November, 1910, and Mr. Bradford is now practicing his profession alone. He is a strong Democrat in his political views. and is a power in his party.

On June 22, 1905, occurred the marriage, in Chicago, of Mr. Bradford and Clemence Crews, born at Mt. Vernon, Ill., a daughter of Hon. Seth F. Crews, an attorney of Chicago, and his wife, Helen Ridgway (Slocum) Crews, both of whom are now residing at Oak Park, III. Mrs. Bradford was one of five children born to her parents. Mr. Crews served in the General Assembly and has been very active in politics as a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Bradford have two children. Helena Crews and Virginia Crews. Mr. Bradford belongs to the K. of P. No. 262, having passed all the chairs and served as Representative to the Grand Lodge. He also belongs to the D. O. K. K., of which he was Supreme Representative, to the Imperial Pal- ace from Medinah Temple No. 99, at San Fran- cisco, in 1902. In religious faith he is a Metho- dist and not only active in the church to which he belongs but has served two years as Superin- tendent of the Sunday School. The law has in Mr. Bradford a stern, inflexible exponent. al- though personally . he is a man of deep sym- pathies and wide interests. Although in the very prime of life, Mr. Bradford can look back upon much that he has successfully accom- plished, and his progress is the result of his painstaking efforts, coupled with native ability.

BRADSHAW, Elijah, a prominent and successful farmer of Ball Township. Sangamon County, was born in Pike County, Ill., July 18, 1830, and is a son of Jonas and Betsy (Sawyer) Brad- shaw. the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Illinois. Jonas Bradshaw moved from Pike County to Logan County, iu 1847, and his wife died in Pike County, about 1837. His father was a native of North Caro- lina and died in Richmond, Va., while Mrs. Bradshaw's father was a uative of Illinois and died there.

After receiving his education in the subscrip- tion schools of Illinois, Elijah Bradshaw worked on the home farm until the death of his father and afterwards worked in a mill and in a cooper shop, but later again turned his attention to farming. He moved from Pike County to Logan County and in 1847 located in Sangamon County, soon afterwards came to his present farm, where he owns 163 acres of excellent land. He has always worked hard and has brought his farm to a high state of cultivation. In 1871 he spent several months visiting in Texas, but otherwise has spent his entire life In his na-

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tive State. IIe has a good standing in his com- muuity as a man of reliability and Integrity and has many warm friends. He is a Repub- lican in political principles, but generally votes for the mau rather than the party. He is not conuected with any church, but in his daily life endeavors to follow the Golden Rule and Is a kind friend and neighbor. He has served for the past twelve years as School Director and is also serving as Road Commissioner. Ile is not affiliated with any fraternal organizations.

Mr. Bradshaw has been twice married, first, March 4, 1852, to Lila Shoup, who died in Sau- gamon County, in April, 1870, her children all having died in infancy. Mrs. Bradshaw was a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Downing) Shoup, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. and both died in Sangamon County. Mr. Bradshaw married (second) Emily Shoup, a cousin of his first wife, Decciuber 3, 1874, and she died May 12. 1888. She was a daughter' of James and Ellen Shoup, both na- tives of Ohlo, the former of whom died in Logan County, Ill. Two children were born of this union : Jolin, born in 1875, and George T., Sep- tember 19, 1879. John was married, March 17, 1904, to Myra Newcomer, and they now live with his father. They have two children, IIelen E., born March 29, 1906, and Marjorie, horn May 17, 1910. George T. Bradshaw was mar- ried, in 1901, to Lillie Mayberry, and they live near Pawnee aud have one child, Bernard W.

BRANSON, Edward R., formerly connected with various newspapers in Springfield, Ill., and now practicing law in that city, Is respected by all who have the pleasure of knowing him, and stands high in social and professional circles. He was born in Petersburg, Ill., June 27, 1875, and Is a son of Judge Nathaniel W. and Fannle D. (Regnler) Branson, the former born in Jacksonville, Ill., May 29, 1837, and the latter in Petersburg, October 29, 1837.

Nathaniel W. Branson graduated from Illinois College in 1857, studled law in hls native city, with David A. Smith, and in Janu- ary, 1860, was admitted to the Bar, entering upon the practice of his profession at Peters- burg. In 1867 he was appointed Referee in Bankruptcy for the Springfield District, a posi- tlon he held thirteen years. He was elected to the General Assembly In 1872 and re-elected In 1874; served as a Delegate from Illinois to the National Republican Convention in 1876, and for several years was a member of the Board of Trustees for the State Institution for the Blind at Jacksonville, part of the time as Presi- dent of the Board. He became prominent In his profession and his ability and fitness for the positions of public trust to which he was elected were generally recognized. He was one of the most highly respected citizens of Peters- burg, and spent a large part of his life in that city. Mr. Branson died at Ottawa, Ill., Febru- ary 27. 1907, and his demise was widely mourned. He had served ten years as a mem-

ber of the Illinois State Board of Law Exam- iners, being for some time its Secretary aud Treasurer.

Edward R. Branson was educated at Illinois College aud the University of Chicago. He was one of six children, four of whom died in iu- faucy. Ile early showed a taste and fituess for newspaper work, and was at different times connected with the "Illinols State Journal," "Illinois State Register," and "Springfield News" of Springfield, and for oue year owned the "Lincoln News." He began practicing law in 1908 and now has an office In the Ferguson Bullding in Springfield. He was editor-iu-chief of "Lawyers' Brief-Notes and Selected Cases," a publication designed for the use of lawyers exclusively, and has had other experience in text-book writing and legal editorlal work.

He was married November 24, 1909, to Alma L. Schneider, of Athens, Ill., who died eighteen months later. Mr. Branson is a member of Cliuton Lodge No. 19, A. F. & A. M., of Peters- burg. He is Identified also with the Authors' Club and the Commercial Association of Springfield.

BRAYMAN, Mason. (Vol. I, p. 59.)

BREESE, Sidney Smythe .- The successful law- yer of today has to meet and overcome legal difficulties not presented to Lincolu or Douglas. Corporation law, international complications, insurance rulings and changes in procedure, have given rise to many conditions which require deepest thought and constant reading to handle. One of those who are bringing to the work of their profession the enthusiasm of youth and the careful training of latterday jurisprudence is Sidney Smythe Breese, of Springfield. IIe was born near Carlyle, Clinton County, Ill .. January 14, 1878, being a son of Sidney Sam- uel and Caroline Stewart (Moore) Breese, the former born at Kaskaskia, the first Illinois State Capital, August 13, 1835. and the latter at Belleville, St. Clair County, Ill., Septeruber 16, 1836.

The Breese family history is interesting, as the following proves ; In Trinity Church Yard. New York City, stands a unique monument, not far from the graves of Alexander Hamilton and Charlotte Temple, on which appears this epitaph :

"Sidney Breese, June 9, 1767. Made by himself. Ha, Sidney, Sidney, Lyest thou here? I here lye Till time has flown

To Its extremity."

This is the in memorian, prepared by Sidney Breese, one of the merchant princes of his day, to mark his own grave. He was a Welsh gen- tleman who, after some years of service in the Royal Army, came to America and settled in New York, in 1756, aud dled. leaving one son,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Samuel. This son Samuel lived in New Jersey, was a colonei in the Continentai Army, and by profession a lawyer. His sou, Arthur Breese, was born in that State, graduated from Prince- ton, adopted the law as a profession, and moved to Whitestown, near Utica, N. Y. Here he marrled Catherine, daughter of Judge Heury Livingston, of Poughkeepsie, who had served as Major in the Revolutionary Army.

Henry Livingston was a member of that fa- mous family of New York, all descendants of the Earl of Linlithgow ; Robert Livingston came to America from Scotland, and among his de- scendants are found Chancellor Livingston, of Declaration of Independence fame, Brockholst Livingston, of the United States Supreme Court, and Edward Livingston, President Jack- son's Secretary of State.

The sister of Arthur Breese married Dr. Jedadiah Morse, and from this union sprung Professor Samuel Finley Breese Morse, inventor of the telegraph.

To the marriage of Arthur Breese and Cath- erine Livingston were born nine children, among the most famous of whom were Samuel Llv- ingston Breese, Rear Admiral of the United States Navy, who served in the War of 1812, in the war with Mexico, and in the Civil War; and Sidney Breese, United States Senator from Illinols and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois, grandfather of Sidney Smythe Breese.

Sidney Breese was born in New York State, July 15, 1800, graduated from Union College in 1818, and on December 24, 1818, responding to an invitation from Elias Kent Kane, arrived in Kaskaskia. Here he was appointed Assist- ant Secretary of State and commenced the study of law, being admitted to the bar in 1820. He was successively Postmaster, Assistant Secre- tary of State, State's Attorney, United States District Attorney for Illinois, first official re- porter of the Supreme Court, Judge of the Cir- cuit Court and later of the Supreme Court, and United States Senator. In 1831 he published Breese's reports of the decisions of the Supreme Court of Illinois, which was not only the first law book published in Illinois but the only one of any kind. In 1823 he married Eliza Mor- rison, daughter of William Morrison, of Kas- kaskia, cousin of Colonel Don Morrison, and aunt of William R. Morrison ( Horizontal Bill). In 1832 Sidney Breese served with distinctlon as Lieutenant-Colonel in the Black Hawk War. He was elected Judge of the Circuit Court in 1835 and moved from Kaskaskia to Carlyle, Ill. In 1841 he was elected Judge of the Su- preme Court, and in 1842, United States Sen- ator. Sidney Breese was one of the originators and active promoters of the Illinois Central Rallroad, and on his report as Chairman of the Committee on Public Lands, was based the grant of alternate sections of land to the State of Illinois, for the building of that road. He was also one of the originators of the Pacific road, and as early as 1846 he pointed out the

acquisition of the Philippines by the United States. In 1849 he retired from the United States Senate, and in 1855 was again elected to the Circuit Bench. Two years later, iu 1857, he was once more elected to the Supreme bench, where he remained until his death, in June, 1878. He was twice Chief Justice of that Court. Judge Breese was the father of fourteen chii- dren, six of whom, two daughters and four sons, survived hlm. Of these four sons, one was a Captain iu the United States Navy, and one a Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, both serving through the Civil War; another was a lawyer and served in the Civil War as Lieutenant in the reguiar army ; the fourth son, Sidney Samuel Breese, was a farmer. and be- came the father of the Mr. Breese of whom we write.

Sidney Samuel Breese married Caroline Stewart Moore, daughter of Smyth Moore and granddaughter of Risdon Moore, a Senator from the St. Clair district In the 'tweutfes, and prom- Inent in the convention fight of 1824. She is also a sister of Charies C. Moore, a member of the House of Representatives in 1885, during the Morrison-Logan senatorial fight. The mar- riage of Mr. Breese and Miss Moore occurred in June, 1859, near Carlyle, Ill., and they had four sons and four daughters, three of the lat- ter dying in infancy. The father died February 18, 1891, his widow still surviving hlm and be- ing (1910) in excellent health.

Sidney Smythe Breese was educated in the Carlyle High School and Marmaduke Military Institute, of Sweet Springs, Mo. His boyhood was a happy, healthy one, for he enjoyed ali athletic sports. Having decided to become a lawyer, Mr. Breese commenced studying in the office of State's Attorney Thomas E. Ford, at Carlyle, taking his bar examination at Ottawa, Ill., in March, 1899, and receiving his license to practice at the April term (1899) of the Supreme Court. On December 11 of that same year he moved to Springfield, where he com- menced the practice of law, in which he is stlli actively engaged, having become one of the prominent exponents of his profession in San- gamon County.

Politically Mr. Breese is a Democrat and he takes an active interest in party matters, es- pecially in municipal affairs. He is a strong believer in the Commission form of Municipai Government and was one of the active members of the Committee of lawyers which drew the Bill for that purpose which passed the Legisia- ture at the Special Session in 1910. He has been a member of the Board of Supervisors of Sangamon County and Is President of the Civil Service Commission of Springfield, having been appointed to that position by Mayor John S. Schnepp June 7, 1909. Mr. Breese is a prom- inent Mason, being Past Master of St. Paul's Lodge No. 500, A. F. & A. M., and is Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master of Masons of the Thirtieth Masonic District of Illinois. He was made a Mason in Scott Lodge

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

No. 79, Carlyle, Ill., December 2, 1899 and after moving to Springfield affiliated with St. Paul's Lodge. He Is Past Chancellor of Percivale Lodge No. 262, Knights of Pythias, having joined the order at Carlyle, but transferred to the Springfield lodge. Although he holds member- ship in no church Mr. Breese was baptized and reared In the Episcopal Church.

On June 13, 1908, Mr. Breese was married at Milwaukee, Wis., to Miss Grace May Moran. She died at Springfield April 2, 1909, after a married life of a little over nine months. No Issue. Mr. Breese is a young man of dellght- ful personality, and is social by nature. Being fond of good reading, he has read extensively. not only along the line of his profession, but on general toples as well, and takes pride in being well posted on public matters. Energetlc, thorough. and determined in action, Mr. Breese Is a factor to be reckoned with in Springfield affairs.

BRENNAN, James (deceased) .- Some of the rep- resentative men of Sangamon County have gone to tbelr last reward after having spent a life of earnest endeavor in behalf of their loved commu- nity. Certain names are associated with the ploneer history of the county, whose representa- tlves came from other parts of the country, or from foreign shores, there to build better than they imagined. To them Is due the credit for the magnificent condition of Sangamon County today. Their children, born and reared in the atmosphere of pioneer conditions, developed into stalwart men and women, able to deal suc- cessfully with the more complicated problems of advanced clvlllzation.

One of these representative pioneer families bore the name of Brennan, and one who for many years was a leading factor In the life of Buffalo was James Brennan. He was born in Ireland March 12, 1825, a son of Irish parents, who died in their native land. The young manl was educated in Ireland, being reared on a farm, hut was not satisfied with the opportunities of- fered him there. He eagerly listened to all he heard of the land beyond the seas, and in 1855, leaving home and kindred, set fortb, filled with hopes and ambitions. Landing in New York, be came direct to Sangamon County to engage in farming, continuing that occupation until the day of his death. In 1858 he bought ten acres of land near Buffalo, In Buffalo Hart Township, upon which he erected a comfortable. house.

This continued to he his home and in it he died, September 2, 1908, after having lost his wife on May 24th of that year. For fifty-one years this house had been their home, and the two were greatly attached to it. In it their children were born, and they had suffered the loss of some of them while under its roof.

Mr. Brennan was married In Springfield, in January, 1858, to Mary McGarry, born in Ire- land, in May, 1834. IIer parents died In Ireland. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. · Brennan, four sons and three daughters, and of

tbem five survive: William resides in Spring- field, being a clerk in Squire Connelly's office ; James lives on a farm near Buffalo; Minnle, wife of Timothy Duggan, Ilves on a farm In Buffalo Heart Township; John and Emma live on the farm that is the homestead. There are nine llving grandchildren in this famlly.

The Democratic party always held Mr. Bren- nan's support, he supporting its principles and candidates with unfaltering loyalty. From boy- hood he was a devout member of the Romau Çatbolle Cburch, giving it a warm and gen- erous support and dying firm in its faitb. The life of such a man as Mr. Brennan points its own morai. Coming to a new country, poor and friendless, he worked hard and made a home for blmself and bls family. Wbile caring for his wife and the children sent them, he never forgot hls duty as a citizeu, nor neglected bls religlous duties. Whenever a neighbor was in trouble be turned instinctively to the genial, warm-hearted Irisbman, while his wife depended upon Mrs. Breunan for assistance in various family troubles. James Brennan and his wife rejoiced in the happiness of their assoclates, but thelr friendship was best felt when sorrow entered a household. Then it was that they proved themselves and bullt up in the hearts of all who knew them a mouument more endur- ing than any fashioned of marble, and infinitely more priceless. The children of this most excel- lent pair bave every reason to he proud of their descent from such parents. They were proud of their children and interested in their welfare, and, wbile they sorrowed over those who were takeu away, they bowed to the decree, realizing that they had only been lent for a short period. To such as these Sangamon County owes much, and their children an infinite debt they can discharge only by living as their parents would desire.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 15

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