Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 170

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 170

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Mr. Workman was married April 9, 1899, to Mary N. Clark, born at Paimnyra, Macoupin County, Ili., October 9, 1869, daughter of Wil- liam R. and Angeline (Jolly) Clark, the former born in Old Berlin, Ill., and now residing in Springfield, and the latter, born at Franklin, Morgan County, Ill., who died December 11, 1894. Four children have been horn to Mr. and Mrs. Workman, namely : Don, born January 11, 1890; Russell, December 10, 1891; Virgil S., .November 30, 1893; and Helen, born Decem- ber 23, 1895, who died March 4, 1908. The old- est son, Don, has had a business college course and is now connected with the Vredenburgh Lumber Company, of Springfield, having en- tered their service iu 190S. Russell and Virgil are students.

Mr. Workman is a member of the Supreme Court of Honor, Mutual Protective League, the Eagies and the Masonic fraternity. He is a Baptist in his religious views, while his politics are non-partisan. He has done considerabie to bring about the Commission form of Govern- ment and has studied extensively on that sub- ject on various trips through the West.

WORKMAN, Stephen (deceased) .- Many mem- bers of the Workman family have attained prominence in Sangamon County, hut none has been more beioved, or left a wider gap, than

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

the iate Stephen Workman, when he passed away from this life. Mr. Workman was born In Sangamon County, March 6, 1853, and died on the home farmu in Loami Township, Decem- ber 15, 1895. For a number of years he was one of the enterprising and successful fariners oť his locallty, speclaiizing on stock raising, and was the owner of an excellent property on Sec- tions 22 and 23, Loami Township, contalning 280 acres, near the village of Loami. His entire life was spent in the county, his father, Jacob Workman, and his grandfather, William Work- man, having come from Tennessee to Illinois about 1830. Locating in Sangamon County, William Workman secured land upon which he reared his family, teaching them the basic principles of honest and upright living. There Jacob Workman grew to manhood and married Nancy Taylor, born In the county. Turning his attention to farming, Jacob Workman operated a farm in Loami Township, where he spent hls last days. He and his excelient wife were the parents of seven sons and one daughter.

Stephen Workman went to the school of his neighborhood giving his father his assistance in tilling the soil of thelr home farmn. Continuing at home until he attalned his majority, he then began working for himseif. Llke many another young farmer, before going on a farm for himn- self, he married, this event occurring in Chat- ham Township, April 8, 1875, when he was united to Sarah E. Workman, daughter of John Workinan, who died iu March, 1910. IIe was brought to Illinois when a iad, in 1830, and there reared. He married Caroline Campbeli, daughter of John Campbell. Sarah E. Work- man was brought up In Sangamon County, and prior to her marriage was one of the most popular teachers there. Mr. and Mrs. Work- man began their married life on a part of the homestead, which later Mr. Workman pur- chased, and upon which Mrs. Workman is now living. It was in 1879 that he became the own- er of his first eighty acres, although he did not have sufficient money to make it a cash transac- tion. The land was only partly inuproved, but this did not discourage him, and he labored iong and faithfully to make it productive. From time to time he invested his profits and savings in other land, until at his death he owned 282 acres, which is as good land now as can be found in the county.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Workman were as follows : Flora who died in early woman- hood; Melvin, a farmer of Loami Townshlp; Ollie, wife of John Jacobs, aiso a farmer of Loaml Township; Gracc. wife of Jesse Dodd. of the same township; Bertha, wife of Fred H. Mills, aiso farming In the same township ; Dora. wife of Richard Edwards, a farmer, and Rus- seil at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Workman early connected themselves with the Christian Church, of Loami, In which Mr. Workman be- came Deacon and Elder, and was always one of its most faithful supporters. He was con- nected with the Modern Workinen of America.

and enjoyed his fraternal relations. Ail his life, which was unduly cut short. Mr. Work- man never shirked a duty or ieft a task uncon- pleted, and it was his pleasure to attribute much of his success in life to his wife. IIe re- garded her business ability as superior to his own, and never failed to call upon her for ad- vice in every transaction he undertook. After his death Mrs. Workman assumed control of the property, and has since lived on the farm, operating it with the assistance of her son. She is a lady of culture and distinction, who commands the respect and confidence of ail with whom she is brought into contact. Mr. Work- man was a man of unblemished character, truth- ful and painstaking in speech and action, and left many warm personal friends behind him to mourn his loss and respect his memory.

WORKMAN, William H .- Tie rich farm lands of Sangamon County offer many inducements to the progressive farmers to deveiop stiii further, for the yields are immense and the soil is suited to a variety of crops. One of the men who is profiting from his experience in agricultural ilnes ls William H. Workman, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser on Section 26, Loami Township. He was born in this township, April 12, 1862, a son of Isaac Workman, onc of the pioneers of the county whose sketch is given at length elsewhere In this work.

Mr. Workman was born and bred on a farm, and educated In the district school of his neigh- . borhood, so he is essentially a son of the soil. He remained at home until twenty-four years of age, when, in 1886, he went to work on a farm as a laborer, and following that vocation did whatever he could find to do in the way of honorable employment. On August 1, 1889, he was united in marriage with Miss Minerva Car- son, who was born in Chatham Township, Jan- mary 4, 1862, a daughter of John and Eilza- beth (Workman) Carson. The mother, Mrs. Carson, is a daughter of David Workman, who was a brother of William Workman, the grand- father of William H. Workman, the subject of this sketch. Both the Workman and Carson families are prominent in Sangamon County history. Mr. and Mrs. Carson finaily moved to Kansas where Mrs. Carson dicd about 1875, when the famliy returned to Loaml Township.

After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Workman rented land in Loami Townshlp for a year, then in 1890, rented eighty acres from Peter Work- man. There they lived until 1896, when they engaged in farming on a Carson farm, and having saved some money, bought twenty acres on Section 26. On this there was already a smali two-room building, and they have since built a pleasant cottage and have set out a large variety of fruit trees, including apple. peach and cherry trees, with small frults In great profusion. In this iine thelr farm has become one of the most productive properties in the county, showing the results of constant and systematic labor.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

One child shares thelr home, Eva Alta Car- son Workman, born July 3, 1899, a very intel- ligent little girl now In the sixth school grade, and the pride of her parents' hearts. She is much interested in the family history and proud of the honorable names she bears. Mr. Work- man has been active In the Republican party, and Is Interested In educational matters. So- cially he is a member of Camp No. 848, Modern Woodmen of America. While not a member of any church, Mr. and Mrs. Workman have al- ways given liberally of thelr means to further religious work, and are very charitably In- clined. . Hard-working, thrifty and able to make the most of their opportunities, they have suc- ceeded In making for themselves a delightful home, and are giving thelr daughter the ad- vantages neither of them enjoyed In thelr youth. By an honest and upright Ilfe Mr. Workman has won the confidence and respect of the community with which he has dwelt for the last forty-eight years.

WORTHEN, Amos Henry. (Vol. I, p. 601.)

WRIGHT, John W., a highly respected citizen of Springfield, now retired from active life, and and a veteran of the' Civil War, is a native of Pike County, Mo., as were his parents. He was born March 10, 1839, a son of John and Mar- garet Wright, both of whom died in Pike County. The father was an extensive farmer and before the war held a large number of slaves. John

W. Wright was reared on a farm and spent his entire active life In agriculturai operations. Since 1862 he has been a resident of Illinois and has Ilved most of this time in Sangamon County.

In 1861 Mr. Wright was forced to join the Confederate Army, but ran away, and in De- cember, 1863, enlisted in Company K, Ninety- ninth Illinois Infantry, under Captain Cooper, serving to the end of the war. He was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La., but was paid off at Camp Butler, Ill. While serving in the Con- federate army he participated in the Battle of Pea Ridge, and while fighting for the other side took part in the Battles of Mobile, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakeley, and many skirmishes. He en- dured great hardships in his service the worst while a member of the Confederate Army. He joined the Unlon Army because he believed thelr cause was right, and came to Berry, Ill., to en- list. He is a member of the G. A. R. He made a good record as a soldier, and one who had the courage of his convictions.

Mr. Wright was marrled, in 1867, to Loulse Walker, born in Missouri, daughter of John and Lucy Walker, both natlves of Kentucky. Two children blessed this union: Lavinia, born .June 16, 1879. and John, July 12. 1SS1. Mr. Wright is a typical whole-souled, Southern gentleman, and Is liked by all who know him. He is a member of the Baptist Church and has been a Republican since old enough to vote. His resi-

dence is located at 2025 East South Grand Ave- nue.

WRIGHT, Thomas .- No country in the world produces more industrious and thrifty men than Scotland, and wherever her people locate they are accorded a hearty welcome, for they make the best of citizens and help to develop the sec- tions they select for permanent homes. Thomas Wright, who for years was one of the practical farmers of Sangamon County, but having suc- ceded in accummulating an ample competence, Is now living retired in Illlopolls. He was born in southern Scotland, September 1, 1841, a son of John and Helen (Wilson) Wright, both na- tives of Scotland.

John Wright and his wife came to America in 1844, landing in New Orleans, whence they came up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to Sangamon County, and located on a farm in Clear Lake Township, eventually buying It. There were eleven children In the family (sev- en sons and four daughters), five of whom were born in Scotland, of these W. W. Wright, now living northeast of Illiopolis, and Lillian, wife of William Johnson, In Illiopolis.

The first teacher of Thomas Wright was Har- rison Ide, who taught in a frame school house in Illiopolis, and he was followed by several others during the time Mr. Wright went to school. While he was doing this he also helped on the farm, assisting his father until the lat- ter's death in 1852. Following this, until 1855, when she passed away, Thomas Wright was his mother's helper, but at that time he bought eighty acres near Illiopolis, where he farmed for several years. He then sold his first farm, buying 160 acres across the line in Macon Coun- ty, on which he resided for sixteen years, when he also sold this property and moved to Illio- polis, where he purchased hls present home, liv- ing in it ever since.

On March 25, 1873, occurred the marriage of Mr. Wright In Macon County, to Catherine E. Simpson, born in St. Clair County, Ill., where her parents, natives of Illinois, were engaged in farming. They later came to Sangamon Coun- ty, spending the remainder of their lives there. Mrs. Wright was one of a family of six sons and five daughters, seven of whom survive, al- though Mrs. Wright died in 1906. She and her husband had four daughters; Elizabeth, wife of Arthur Sutherland, living on a farm in Macon County ; Dora J. lives at home; Lillian R., wife of William G. Engling, lives in Youngstown, Ohio, where he is a teacher of manual train- ing in the city schools; and Catherine, who Ilves at home. The two young ladies are en- deavoring to take their mother's place in the. household In making a pleasant home for their father. There are five grandchildren in the family.

Mr. Wright is a Democrat, and for several years served as School Treasurer of his town- ship. For many years he has been a valued and

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consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally he beiougs to Camp No. 166, Mod- ern Woodmen of America. Having come to Sangamon County at an early day, Mr. Wright recails mauy extremely interesting events con- nected with those tiuies. He was a passenger on one of the first traius on the Wabash Rail- road, which was then known as the Great West- ern. He has the distinction of having attended the funeral of the great Lincoln, and keenly re- calls the terrible grief of everyoue on that sad . day.

Having worked to good effect, Mr. Wright owns his beautiful home, and some very vain- able farm land, his investments having beeu made carefully and thriftily. Possessing the confidence of ail who kuow him, Mr. Wright is passing his years in the comfort his former ia- bors entitle him to, and no man is muore highly esteemed in the commuuity.

WRIGHT, Rev Thomas B., who was for many years a member of the Methodlst Illinois Con- ference, has for the past nine or teu years been a resident of Rochester, where he is now suc- cessfully engaged in real estate business. Rev. Wright was born at Virden, Ill., April 16, 1856, a son of Preston and Susan (Dawson) Wright, both natives of Kentucky. Preston Wright set- tled near Virden iu 1849, carried on agricul- tural operations there until about 1885, and died in 18SS. He and his wife had eight children, namely : Nancy Jane, David Allen, Sarah Fran- ces, Mary Margaret, Malinda Dorinda, Thomas B .; and Arabelle and Tina, deceased.

After completing the course in the common schools, Thomas B. Wright entered the high school at Virden, but left a short time before graduation, and later taught in Montgomery, Macoupin and Sangamon Counties, Ill., and one year in Kansas. He is largely self-educated, having a taste for literature and study, and for ten years before his admission to the Con- ference, in 1SSS, studied with this end in view. He served In pastorates at Raymond, Pleasant Piains, Williamsville and Rochester, Ill., and for four years was editor of the Illinois Methodist Journal. He was successful in his work in his various fields of labor and accomplished a great deal of good. Since 1902 he has been a super- mimerary servant of the church and has es- tablished an excellent and lucrative business in Rochester. He has for sale, property in Ar- kansas and Texas, as well as in Illinois, and is interested in various other enterprises. He is an enterprising and energetic business mau and looks carefully after every detail under his charge.

Rev. Wright was married (first) April 18, 1876, to Emma D., daughter of Seth and Mary B. (Day) Wright, who died June 20, 1896, hav- ing borne two children : Mary, born January 28, 1879; and David A., born January 27, 1882, died at the age of two and one-half years. Mary was married, June 27, 1900, to Kingsley E. Pease,

and in October of the same year she and her husband started for the missionary field, be- coming residents of Malaysia. They had been feliow-students in a seven-year course of study at Northwestern University, from which they graduated with honor, and for a time both occu- pied chairs as teachers in the Anglo-Chinese Boys' School in Singapore, Malaysia. Mr. Wright was married (second) to Liliian, daughter of Miiton and Adeline (Cooper) McCoy, the former a pioneer settler of Sangamon County and the latter born there November 22, 1830. Mr. Mc- Coy and his wife were married March 29, 1848, and celebrated thelr golden wedding anniver- sary. Mrs. McCoy, who was loved and esteemed by all who knew her, died December 16, 1900, leaving children as follows: Sylvester, Jacob C., Jane; Loretta, wife of O. C. St. Clair, of Chicago; Jesse K. marrled Ada Fairchild, of Springfield; Mary married Edwin Puffenbarger, of Rochester Township, Sangamon County; Lii- lian, Mrs. Wright. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy had one son, Valman B., who died when three years old. One daughter has blessed the uniou of Mr. Wright and his second wife, Helen E., born August 10, 1898. Mrs. Wright is a gifted mu- sician, and she, as well as her husband, is a zealous worker in the cause of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wright is a strong advo- cate of the principles of Prohibition. He has the confidence and esteem of all who have time pleasure of his acquaintance and has a number of warm personal friends.

WYANT, Perry Oliver (deceased), a native of New England, came to the State of Iliiuois as a young man and there spent the remainder of ilis life, a highly-respected, useful citizen, sincerely mourned by his family and mauy friends. Mr. Wyant was born on a farm near Hartford, Conn., June 7. 1824, son of Joim Wyaut, also born in Connecticut, who spent his life in agri- cuiturai pursuits in his native State. Perry O. Wyant had a brother, George, who served in the Civil War and was killed in the Battle of Gettysburg. The family was prominent in Con- uecticut, and the name stood for integrity and sterling worth.

The boyhood of Perry O. Wyant was spent on his father's farm and he received his education in the public schools near Hartford, after- wards working with his father until ile began to learn the trade of tailor, which he followed the rest of his active life. As a young man he came to Illinois and located near Rockford, Winnebago County, where he continued work- ing at his trade and became successful in this line. He was able to retire after several years spent in Illinois and his last years were passed in well-earned rest. His wife is a devout men- ber of the Methodist Church and an active work- er in its cause. In politics he was a firm Dem- ocrat, although taking little part in public af- fairs. He was universally esteemed where he was known and had the full trust and confi-

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dence of ilis associates. At tile time of his death, which occurred in Winnebago County, Ill., August 10, 1866, he ieft a widow and three smail children to mourn his loss.

Mr. Wyant was married, in Winnebago Coun- ty, December 28, 1853, to Miss Sarah Hays, born in Canada, September 23, 1835, daughter of Samuel B. and Catherine (Grovaro) Hays, the former born in New Hampshire and the latter in Canada. Three children were born of this union, namely : John, born October 24, 1861, . was married iu Colorado, in 1904, to Anna Nei- son, resides in Pekin, Iii., and they have no children; Theresa Irene, born in Winnebago County, in 1853, married James R. Brown and they reside iu Springfield and have six children : George, Fred, Alice, Myrtle, Sadie and James ; William, died December 23, 1902. Mrs. Wyant was married a second time, to Michael J. Fox, who died March 17, 1903, having been born in 1819.

WYATT, Charles E .- Generosity and good-na- ture have not interfered with the material progress of some people. Because of splendid energy, thrift and foresight, they are able not only to build up a good business, but to earn and retain lasting friendships. A valued citizen and honorable business man of Springfield is Charles E. Wyatt, a real estate dealer. He was born on a farm in Morgan County, Ill., April 27, 1858, a son of James M. and Martha J. (Luttreli) Wy- att. The Wyatts are traced back to colonial days in Virginia, whence they migrated to Ken- tucky, and still later to Illinois. The Luttrell family is an old one in Kentucky, and its repre- sentatives came to Illinois at an early day. Both James M. Wyatt and his wife. however, were born in Morgan County, Ill. William J. Wyatt, a member of the family, enlisted in the Mexican War as a private, and was promoted successfully until he was mustered out as Col- onel, and now, at the age of eighty-five years, is President of the Mexican War Veteran Asso- ciation. Ile also served four years in the Civil War. Another relative, William T. Luttrell, served in the Civil War four years. Still an- other relative, James M. Wyatt, was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, so that the two fami- lies have borne well their part in the various confiicts which have convulsed the country, while their material welfare speaks well for their Scotch-Irish descent. James M. Wyatt. father of Charles E. Wyatt, died on a farm in 1872, but his widow survives, residing upon this property, although now eighty-four years old. The children born to this excellent couple were : Charies E .; John william, of Oklahoma ; Eila M., who married David I. Martin, and re- sides in Oklahoma ; Frederick L., of Enid, Okla .; Maggie Alberta, who married Charles Louden. and James M., deceased.

The first twenty-four years of his life Charles E. Wyatt spent on a farm, and he was educated at Wainut Grove public school. When he had attained this age, he went to Virden, Iii., where

he was engaged in a mercantile business for four years. He then bought a farm north of Virden, operating it for ten years. Once more he located in Virden, but after four years there, bougiit another farm north of it, and resided un- til coming to Springfield in 1905, in order that his children might have better educational ad- vantages. Soon after coming there, he became interested in timber lands, now owning 20,000 acres of these lands in Arkansas, as well as con- siderable realty in Springfield, which includes his own beautiful residence at No. 60S South Walnut Street, For twenty-seven years he has been a member of the Odd Fellows, and is affiliated with Prairie State Encampment; has belouged for twenty years to the Modern Wood- meu, and was a member of the old Knights of Labor organization. Politicaliy he is a Demo- crat, and while a resident of Virden he served as Commissioner. He is now before the public as a candidate of his party for the same office, and if elected, his former experience wili be of benefit to him and his constituents. While not connected with any religious organization, he is liberal iu his contributions to them all.

Mr. Wyatt was married in Virden, November 22, 1871, to Margaretta J. Johnson, of that place, daughter of Henry M. and Adeline (Bur- vines) Johnson. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt: Raiph H., December 2, 1SS6, and Ethel A., May 22, 1889, Having a wide reputation for honesty and industry, and having lived wisely and temperately, Mr. Wyatt is an Ideal candidate for an office in which he will represent so many important interests.

WYATT, William J., Deputy Sheriff of Sanga- mon County and one of the most conscientious and capable officials of the county, has long been associated with the development of his part of the State. He was born near Jacksonville, Iil., January 5, 1834, a son of Thomas and Re- becca (Kirkman) Wyatt, natives of Todd County, Ky., and farming people. The family migration to Morgan County, Ill., took place at a very early day, and in 1830 Thomas Wyatt engaged in farming four miles from Jackson- vilie, remaining on his property for many years. Eventually, however, he went to a farm near Murrayville, Morgan County, staying there for twenty years. At the expiration of that period he moved back to the oid place, but later sold it and came to Springfield, which continued his home until he went to Macoupin County. There he died in 1896, and his wife also died in Ma- coupin County.

William J. Wyatt went to school in a little log schoolhouse and strove earnestiy to gain an education. At the same time he worked on his father's various farms. Later he came to Riverton, first being employed on the Wabash railroad. Later he went into a grocery business, but had the misfortune to lose it by fire in 1889. He has served in a number of official ca- pacities, being Justice of the Peace for two terms and Magistrate for the same period. For

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

two terms he was Constable, and he is now acting as Deputy Sheriff of the county. In poli- tics he Is a strong Republican, and is prominent in the councils of his party.

Mr. Wyatt had an interesting war experience, having enlisted in 1862, from Morgan Connty, Ill., in Company F, One Hundred First Illinols Volunteer Infantry. He served abont three years, and participated in many battles, in- cluding the Siege of Vicksburg. He was mus- tered out at Memphis, Tenn., after taking part in General Sherman's wonderful southern cam- paign, and returned home. A grateful Govern- ment pays him a pension in recognition of his loyal service. Like so many of his old com- rades, Mr. Wyatt belongs to Stephenson Post, No. 30, G. A. R., and in the reunions finds much pleasure.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 170

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