Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 26

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 26

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Mr. Carnes was married at Paris, Ill., Sep- tember 1, 1872, to Miss Nancy Jane Dyke, a na- tive of Ross County, Ohio, born in 1845, daugh- ter of William and Mary (Daily) Dyke, the former born in England and the latter in Ohio. William Dyke came to Illinois in 1864 and died

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

in Chatham, iu 1890, his wife having died in Ohio. Two children were born to Mr. Carnes and his wife: Mabro L., born at Sidney, Ili., September 12, 1873, and Ambro D., born at Williamsville, Ill., October 10, 1876. Ambro is deceased, but his daughter married W. G. Hat- ten, lives at Chatham, Ill., and has had seven children, three of whom survive. Mr. Carnes was married (second) to Miss Hannah R. Dona- than, who was born in Indiana, daughter of Martin V. and Elizabeth (Hamilton) Donathan, both of whom were born in Kentucky, and they moved to Indiana, where they lived but a short time. One child was horn to Mr. Carnes by his second marriage, Magnus May, born at Carroll- ton, Ky., February 12, 1908.

CARSON, John M .- Some of the older farmers of Sangamon County have retired from their ac- tive labors, establishing themselves in one of the pleasant villages, where they enjoy the fruits of their labors. One of these retired farmers who stands high In general esteem is J. M. Car- son, of Loami, born in Fayette County, Ill., March 17, 1837. a son of John and Margery (Parkinson) Carson, who were, it is believed, natives of Tennessee. They were married in Madison County. Ill .. moving to Sangamon County about 1820. From there they went to Fayette County, where the father died. Later the mother returned to Sangamnon County, mar- rying John Campbell. There were nine children born to her first marriage, four of whom sur- vive : William P., of Loami; Amanda, wife of Peter Campbell, of Chatham Township; Isaac, of Oregon, and J. M. There was no issue by the second marriage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are now deceased, she dying at the age of sev- enty-one and he at the age of eighty-five years, firm in the faith of the Baptist Church of which he had long been a member, and one of the rep- resentative men of the county.

When he lost his father, J. M. Carson was hut a lad and accompanied hls mother back to Sangamon County. Later he lived in Morgan County, and when twenty years old began farm- ing on rented land in Chatham Township, San- gamon County, stili later going to Loami Town- shlp. In 1855 he married Elizabeth Workman, daughter of David Workman. Her father was a brother of William Workman. and an uncle of Isaac Workman. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Carson located In Loami, but in 1857 re- moved to Crawford County, Kan., where they bought iand, remaining until about 1862, when they returned to Sangamon County and stayed until the close of the war. Once more they went to Crawford County, Kan., inaklng it their home until 1876, when Mr. Carson traded his property there for land in Maxwell Township, which he later sold, buying a farm in Chatham Township. When he'sold the latter he bought another farm, adjoining Loami, and this con- tinued the family residence untii 1901, when he sold it, buying a pleasant home in the eastern part of Loami, where he is spending his declin-

ing years. Ten childreu were born to him and his wife, but ouly four survive: Amanda, wife of Tecumseh Greeuing, of Chatham Township; Minerva, wife of William II. Workmau; Louisa, wife of Samuel Workman, of Loami, who con- ducts a meat market ; Peter, a farmer in the vi- cinity of Loami. Lydia married Thomas Tor- reuce but is dead, as is her husband; Johu D., died at the age of sixteen years, and the other children died in infancy. The mother of this family passed away in 1876, being buried near Arcada, Crawford County, Kan. Ou March 25, 1SSO, Mr. Carsou was married to Mrs. Sarah Jane Hudson, daughter of Levi Campbell, a na- tive of Tennessee. Mrs. Carson was born June . 20, 1843. Her father died when she was only a chiid. She has oue sister, Mary F., wife of Kirk Lary, of Garnett, Kas., and a brother, Staley D. Campbeli, of Ponca, Okla. Mrs. Carson had two children by her first marriage, one of whom died in infancy, the other being Lucy E., wife of James Greer of Loami, where he is a contractor and builder. In religious faith Mrs. Carson is a Baptist. Mr. Carson has always voted the Democratic ticket.

CARSON, William P., stiil residing on his farm, Sectiou 29, Maxwell Township, has practically retired from active life, being able to afford to do so, for his 320-acre farm yields him a good iucome. He was born in Woodside Township, Sangamon Couuty, December 25, 1830, during what was known as the big snow, which covered the entire State for three and one-haif to four feet deep. He is a son of John Carson, born in South Carolina in 1794, and grandson of James Starrett Carson, also born in. South Carolina. The great-grandfather, John Starrett Carson, whose name appears in the history of the Caro- lina States, came of Scotch-Irish ancestry, es- tablishiug himself in South Carolina at an early day. He was one of six brothers who came to the United States, locating in the Carolinas.

James S. Carson, grandfather of William P. Carson, was a soidier in the Revolutionary War, joining the army when still a boy, and par- ticipating in the battle of King's Mountain. At the close of the war he went to Tennessee, where he reared his family, and there John Car- son, father of Wiliam P. Carson, grew to man- hood's estate, enlisting in the War of 1812. Upon the expiration of his military service he returned to Tennessee, only to find that his father had sold the home and moved to Illinois. The son followed the father and in 1818 estab- lished his home in Madison County. There he married Marjory Parkinson, whose birth oc- curred in Tennessee. Soon after their marriage they went to live in Morgan County and about 1820 came to Sangamon County where Mr. Car- son bought wild land to the extent of 300 acres In Woodside Townshlp, developing it into one of the finest farms In the county. Stili later he moved to Fayette County, there dying No- vember 19, 1844, aged fifty years. After this sad event his widow, with her family, returned

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to Sangamon County. Later she became the wife of Jolin Camphell, of Chatham Township. She hore her first husband nine children, all of whom attained maturity, and of them three now survive, two brothers and a sister.

William P. Carson was rcared on a farm in Sangamon County, attending the subscription schoois held in log houses, with puncheon floor and slab seats. He was early called upon to do a man's work and remalned with his mother until he was twenty-oue years old, when he ob- tained employment by the month with other farmers. On April 5, 1855, Mr. Carson married Minerva Workman, of Loami Township, a daugh- ter of David Workman, an early settler of the county, who came from Bourbon County, Ky.

Like so many young farmers, Mr. Carson rented land as soon as he married, and within a year bought eighty acres on Section 29, in what is now Maxwell Township, moving to it Aprii 5, 1856. There was a small log cabin on the property and in it they resided for six- teen years. At the time they located there the wiid pralrie grass was higher than a man on horseback, but they soon had the land under cultivation and it is now the best farm in the township. From time to time Mr. Carson added to his original purchase, untii he now owns 200 acres. The log cabin has been replaced by a substantiai frame residence and splendid barns are provided to shelter the stock.

Mr. and Mrs. Carson became parents of nine children : David, horn February 7, 1856, Ilves in Idaho; Sarah, born February 7, 1858, mar- ried John D. Burton, of Loami Township; Johu Calhoun, born October 21, 1859, died January 29, 1890; Elizabeth, boru April 7, 1862 married John Adams; Lydia Ann, born April 9, 1864, married J. W. Workman, a farmer In Maxweli Township; Lee, born January 23, 1867 is op- erating the old farm; Amanda, born July 23, 1869, married Mayhew Workman, a farmer of Loami Township, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Nancy, born November 14, 1872, and Dlana, born November 10, 1874, are both deceased. Politically Mr. Carson has always been a strong Democrat, casting his first vote for Franklin Pierce. While never caring for office, ne has served in minor township offices. Mrs. Carson. is a mem- her of the Presbyterian Church. The Carson family are widely known, and their friends are always cordially welcomed at the hospitable home, over which Mrs. Carson presldes with kindly intent.

CARSWELL, Thomas .- In seeking the reason of personai success one invariabiy finds that the men who rise to positions above thelr fel- lows are those who have everiastingly kept at what they started out to accomplish and, through sheer perseverance, have finally reached their goal. These are the kind of men that have brought Sangamon County to its present state of prosperity, and one whose name may be mentioned In this connection is Thomas Cars-

well, now iiving retired after a long period spent in agricultural pursults. Mr. Carsweli is a native of Scotland, born November 15, 1830, son of Thomas and Jane (Hunter) Carsweil, who spent their lives in farming in that country.

Thomas Carswell spent his hoyhood and youth on his father's farm, and received his education in the schools of his native country. In 1857 he came to America and engaged in farming in Sangamon County, Ill., whence in 1866 he removed to Christian County, but in 1889 returned to Springfield, where he has since made his home. Mr. Carswell's occupa- tion has always been that of a farmer and un- til recently he was the owner of considerabie farming property near Springfield. A Repuh- iican in politics, Mr. Carswell served eight years as Justice of the Peace in South Fork Town- ship, Christian County, and for four years has held a like position in Springfield. His re- ligious connection is with the Methodist Church.

May 3, 1866, In Christian County, Ill., Thomas Carswell was united in marriage with Caro- line D. Fox, who was born in Virginla, August 19, 1831. In 1842, when Mrs. Carswell's par- ents first located in Ilinois, her father, who was a prominent physician, was the only doctor between Springfield and Taylorsville. Of the eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Carswell, five are living : Amanda, wife of John T. Sheppard, engaged in real estate and insurance business ; Charles HI., engaged in the grocery business at Pawnee, Iil .; Alice C., wife of Jacob Lemon, living on a farm south of Pawnee; J. B., con- nected with the Johnson Hatcher Company, marrled Anne E. Byers; and Albert B., of the Johnson Hatcher Company, married Mamie Bolz. Mrs. Carswell's maternal grandfather, Thomas Leslle, was a coionei in the Revolution- ary War and she is eligible for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution.

CARTER, Darius .- After many years of tilling the soil the average farmer comes to a time in his life when he feels that he has earned a rest and that his years of hard labor should be rewarded by retirement. Usually, however, he finds it hard to break away from hls years of habit, but once he settles down in the groove of the new order of things, he makes one of his community's best citizens. Darius Carter, a veteran of the great Civil War and a highly esteemed retired citizen of Springfield, was born west of Auburn, Sangamon County, Ili., June 6. 1845, and is a son of Platt Star and Flora M. (Carter) Carter.

Platt Star Carter was born June 29, 1815, In Warreu, Conn., where his wife was born July 25, 1815. He came from Connecticut to Spring- field in 1838, but two years later returned to his native State and was married. He then came back to Sangamon County, with a two- horse wagon, and settled on a farm near Au- burn, where he remained until 1851. He then moved to Waverly, lived there until 1909, and in that year went to Girard, Ill., where he is

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

now living at the remarkable age of ninety- five years, his wife having died in 1904, wheu eighty-nine years of age.

Darius Carter went to school at Waverly, Ill., and spent his youth much as do other far- mers' sons. He was reared to the heavy toll of the farul, and on reaching his majority took charge of his share of the property, which he continued to work until his retirement. In 1896 he removed to Decatur, Ill., where he re- sided until 1904, then settled iu Springfield .. During the Civil War Mr. Carter enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regl- ment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served about four months. He is a Republican in po- litical matters, was Town Clerk iu' Springfield Township in 1907, and iu 1893, 1894 and 1895 was Road Commissioner iu Laomi Townshlp, and Tax Collector of Springfield Township In 1908. He is fraternally connected with Hazel Camp, Modern Woodmen.

On April 29, 1873, Mr. Carter was married at Waverly, Ill., to Sarah Poor, born October 1, 1850, near Knoxville, Tenn., whence her par- ents came to Waverly, Ill., in 1866, her father being engaged in farming. Both of Mr. Carter's parents are now deceased. Of the four chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Carter, one daughter died at the age of twenty-six years; Chester R. was accidentally killed March 2, 1910, while in the discharge of his duties as an employe of the Wabash Railroad Company; Frederick M., Is foreman of the warehouse and yards of the National Oil Company ; and Avis B. is the wife of Judge Rice, living at No. 1315 East Jack- son Street, Springfield, salesman for Ball Broth- ers, clgar dealers and manufacturers. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have two grandsons and one grand- daughter.

CARTMEL, Marion .- Tilling the soil is the old- est occupation known to man, antedating history itself. Through all the ages the farmer has been a person of importance, and never more so than to-day, when the whole country is de- pendant upon him and his products. Sangamon County has produced some of the best farmers in the State, and among those who, for many years, were connected with the agricultural in- terests of this locality, none stands higher than Marlon Cartinel, now living in retirement at Riverton, after years spent in active work. He was born in Clear Lake Township, July 19, 1845. a son of John M. and Mildred R. ( Rair- don) Cartmel, the former born in Bath County, Ky., in 1802, and the latter born in Virginia, May 24, 1807.

Jolın M. Cartinel came to Sangamon County in October, 1830, with his father, Andrew Cart- mel, who entered land from the Government the same fall, to the extent of eighty acres, and there he lived until his death. Andrew Cartmel was a Virginian, born in March, 1766. but later moved to Bath County. Ky., and thence to Sangamon County. After his father's demise, John M. Cartmel continued to farm the

eighty acres of land until he, too, died, iu 1883, near Walnut, Kan., while ou a visit to his son James. He had three sons and five daughters, two of whom survive: Marion, subject of this sketch, and John W., of Tecumseh, Okla., a prosperous farmer of that locality.

Marion Cartmel grew up, as did the other boys of his neighborhood, alternating attendauce at the district school with work on the farm, and later having the advantages offered at the German Prairie sehools, at the place now kuown as Bissell. He succeeded to the old homestead entered from the Government by his grandfa- ther of which he owned sixty acres and which he later sold. He owns his comfortable home iu Riverton, which is surrounded by three acres of laud. He has lived there since April 29, 1905, when he retired from his farm. He served as School Director for seventeen years in Clear Lake Township. The Christian Church, of Riverton, holds hls membership, and he is a liberal supporter of its work.

Mr. Cartmel was married, north of Spring- field, February 1, 1872, to Mellison O. James, horn at Laurel, Franklin County, Ind. June 30, 1852. Her father, a shoemaker, came to Spring- field at an early day but after four years in that city went to Rush County, Ind., coming back to Springfield in 1870, to engage in mining. Still later the family moved to Barclay, where both parents died. Mr. James was a loyal man and served his country in both the Mexican aud Civii Wars. He and his wife had nine chil- dren, seven of whom, including Mrs. Cartmel, survive. Mr. and Mrs. Cartmel became parents of seven children, five of whom are living : Margaret M., who resides at home; Bertha, wife of R. W. Beeler, lived on a farm uorth of Springfield, one child, Emerson C .; Myrtle, wife of Fred Todd, lives on a farm southwest of Illiopolis, one child, Mildred E .; Viora, wife of Arthur Lanham, lives on a farm at Edina, Mo .; and Ada, wife of Joseph Wilson, of River- ton, one child. Velma O. There are three grandchildren iu the family.

Mr. Cartmel has every reason to be proud of his work as a farmer. Not only did he take care of his family and rear his children to be useful members of society, but he bore his part in his township aud church, and laid up a com- petence sufficient to provide for himself and wife in their declining years, and leave a con- siderable estate to his heirs. When all this is the result of the patient, untiring endeavors of a man who had no advantages of wealth or po- sition to help him, there is considerable ground for credit, and those who know Mr. Cartmel best realize that he is fully entitled to all that is accorded to him.

CARTWRIGHT, Peter. (Vol. I, p. 82.)

CARTWRIGHT, William, now living retired in his handsome home at 2140 North Ninth Street, Springfield, spent many years working at the

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

trade of ironworker in that city. He was horn at Scranton, Pa., June 3, 1857, a son of John and Mary (Rees) Cartwright, the father a native of England and the mother of Wales. The father, also an ironworker by trade, came from Englaud to Scranton and there the family lived many years, moving thence to Springfield in 1870. There were four sons aud five daughters in the family, one child heing horn in England, and the following now survive: Edward, living on Ridgely Avenue, Springfield; William; Mrs. Margaret Pritchard, of Springfieid and four other daughters. The parents died in Springfield.

Mr. Cartwright received his education in the public schools of Pennsylvania, supplemented hy a course in the Springfield schools. He iearned the trade of ironworker as a hoy and followed it many years. Later he spent twenty-five years with the Devereaux Mines,, at Springfield, he -. ing company man, during this time heing em- pioyed in what was then known as Ridgely. He is well known in the city, where he has many friends, and is established in the confi- dence of his community. He has worked hard since early youth and has endeavored to make the most of his opportunities for advancement.

Mr. Cartwright married Victoria Pritchard in March, 1876, at Springfield. She is a daughter of Thomas Pritchard and was horn in Boston, Mass., September 24, 1860. Her father was a native of England and her mother of Ireland. He was an ironworker hy occupation and moved from Boston to Philadelphia, where his death occurred. His widow afterwards came to Springfieid and there spent the remainder of her life. To Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright twelve chil- dren were horn : Mary married Thomas Miller, a member of the Springfieid police force; Mar- garet, married Ralph Houston ; Carrie, wife of Thomas Murray; Lottie. Mrs. Dapron : Daisy, wife of Cari Maniey ; Wiiliam, Edward, Thomas, David and Leo, ail at home; two died young. Those surviving are ali residents of Springfieid. There are twelve grandchildren in the family.

CARVER, Felix (deceased) .- Many of the ear- lier residents of Sangamon County, who drew from its fertile soil, a comfortable fortune. have passed away, hnt what they accomplished still lives, and is remembered not only hy their fam- ilies, hit the locality which they helped to make what it is today. One of these sturdy. reliahie. successful farmers of the county. who prior to his death was a resident of Springfield. was Felix Carver. horn in Dayton. Ohio, October 4. 1830. He was a son of Jacoh and Elizabeth (Hoover) Carver. hoth natives of Ohio. The boyhood of Mr. Carver was passed on his fa- ther's Ohio farm, while he attended school, and assisted in work about the home. Thus he grew up into a helpful manhood, and when he came to Sangamon County, in 1832, he was able to put into practice the knowledge he had gained in Ohio, eventnaly developing a fine farm of. 160 acres in Clear Lake Township. For a non-

her of years, he served his district as School Director, and was one of the influentiai citi- zens of the township. In 1896, Mr. Carver re- tired from the farm, moving to Springfield, where he died, September 23, 1908, firm in the faith of the Christian Church of which he was a consistant memher. His remains are interred in beautiful Oak Hili Cemetery.

Mr. Carver was married in Springfield, Jan- ary 22. 1857, to Rachel T. Donner, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Hunter) Donner, hoth of whom are now deceased, and lie in Oak Ridge cemetery. Mrs. Carver was born in San- gamon County, May 7, 1841. She and Mr. Car- ver had the following family : Alhert, horu De- cember 17, 1862. is married, residing at 120 West Allen street: Henry, born April 4, 1871 ; Frank, horn March 7, 1873; Charlie V., born February 14. 1875. and Marguerite Mae, horn September 16, 1878, and two who are deceased. Mrs. Carver has spent her life in Springfield and its vicinity. and owns her residence on South Second Street, where she is now enjoying the comforts her well-spent life has entitled her to. She is a charming lady, kind-hearted, devoted to her home. family and Presbyterian church. and she Is honored and heloved by a wide circle of warm personal friends.

CARVER, Albert, was educated in the public schools of Sangamon County, and was graduated from the Springfieid High school in June, 1SS5. Four years later, he was graduated from the University of Iiiinois at Champaign, with the degree of B. S., and was selected hy the faculty as one of the ciass orators. He went to Europe in 1891, and spent a year in post-graduate work at the University of Berlin, Germany. Return- ing home, he conducted a chemical laboratory in Chicago where he did ali kinds of work, as a manufacturing and analytical chemist, until elected to the position of professor of chemistry and physics in the Springfield High school in the fall of 1895. He served as Assistant Prin- cipai for three years, and at present is at the head of the department of physics.

On August 12th. 1896. Professor Carver was united in marriage to Miss Elizabethi C. Pay- ran. who was one of Springfield's most efficient teachers.

CARVER, Margarite Mae, was educated in the public schools of Sangamon County, graduated from the Springfield High school in 1898. She has spent much time in travel, hoth in this country and Europe; taught for a number of years in the county schools, and later in the Springfield public schools. She is an active inemher of the First M. E. church of Spring- field and resides with her mother at No. 838 South Second Street.

CARVER, Frank .- The Carvers are one of the oidest families in Sangamon County, the grand- father of Frank Carver having hrought his fam- iiy there hefore the winter of the "Deep Snow," and located in Ciear Lake Township, where they

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

have since resided. Frank Carver was born there March 7, 1867, and Is a son of Felix and Rachel (Donner) Carver, the former a native of Ohio, born near Dayton in 1827, and the lat- ter a native of Clear Lake Township. Fellx Carver accompanied his father, Jacob Carver, to Sangamon County, and lived on a farm In Clear Lake Township the remainder of his life, passing away September 24, 1908. The mother now iives on South Second Street, Springfield. There were five daughters and two sons born to Jacob Carver and wife, all of whom are now deceased. Felix Carver and wife were parents of children as follows: Elizabeth, the oldest, wife of Michael Grubb, of Riverton, now de- ceased; Albert, a teacher in Springfield High School; Henry, living fonr miles east of Spring- field; Charles, of Springfield; May, wife of Wil- liam Newlin, a railway mail clerk residing at Springfield ; Frank, of this sketch.

Mr. Carver has spent his entire life in Clear Lake Township and has Ilved on his present farm of fifty acres, which he owns, for the past nineteen years. He received his education In the vicinity and worked for his father in boy- hood. He is an industrious and wide-awake farmer and follows modern methods and ideas in his work. Fraternally he beiongs to Mud Lake Camp No. 629, Modern Woodmen of America, of Riverton, and he and his wife are members of the Royal Neighbors. Both are members of the Christian Church.

Mr. Carver's marriage occurred in Clear Lake Township, July 9, 1890, when he was united with Christina Zorn, who was born in Gardner Township, May 20, 1873, daughter of Henry Zorn and wife, both natives of Germany. Mr. Zorn was three years of age when his parents brought him to the United States and located at St. Lonis, later coming to Springfield. 111. A short time later he removed to Salisbury Township, and lived there until thirteen years of age, then, at his mother's death, went to Havana, Ill. At the age of twenty-two years Mr. Zorn began farming In Gardner Townshlp and continued this occupation until he moved to Springfield. His wife was brought to the United States at the age of five years. Of their children two sons and five daughters are now living: Mrs. Mary Wenneborg, wife of Otto Wenneborg, a coal operator of Farmersville, Ill .; Rose, wife of Eliner Glasebrook, of Peoria ; Elma, Mabel and Leo, at home with their par- ents; Howard, a pharmacist of Cincinnati, Ohio. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Carver. namely : Arthur, a member of the United States Marine Corps, located in the Phii- ippine Isiands; Elsie, teaching school in Men- ard County; Felix, Ruth, Bernard, Frank, Ra- chel and Violet, all at home. The family stand well in the community and have a wide circle of friends.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 26

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