Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 27

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 27

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CARY, Albert Ross, a prosperous and well-known farmer of Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon

County, is a native of the connty, born in Roch- ester Township, February 23, 1859. He Is a son of Samuel H. and Annie (Fogle) Cary, the former born in Delaware, November 11, 1823, and the latter born in Ohio, in 1830. As a young man Samuel H. Cary removed from Delaware to Ohio, where he was married, and later he and his wife came to Sangamon Connty, where he died October 17, 1900, and was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Rochester Town- ship. His wife died April 4, 1882. They came down the Ohio River from Marietta to Cairo, thence up the Mississippi to Keokuk, where they remained a short time, then came to Quincy, Ill., and later by wagon to Springfield, and spent the remainder of their lives near that city. The parents of Mr. Cary were natives of Ireland and died in Delaware, and the parents of Annie Fogle removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio and died there. Samnel H. Carey was a farmer by occupation and was successful in his operations.

Albert R. Cary attended the country schools of Cotton Hill Township and afterwards cn- gaged in farming, which occupation he has since followed. He has spent his entire life in his native connty, living first In Rochester and later in Cotton Hill Township, and has spent bnt little time outside the county, having made a trip to Ohio and another to Kansas. He is a useful, reliable citizen and an intelligent, ener- getic farmer, having the respect and esteem of all who know him. Besides hls farming inter- ests he is a stockholder in the farmers' Eleva -. tor Company, of Breckenridge. In politics he has always been a Democrat, has served as School Director and was elected Assessor two terms, but defeated for this office in 1910. He is the owner of 115 acres of land in Cotton Hill Township and takes pride In its fine condition. He is fond of his home and belongs to no fra- ternal societies. Though his wife is a member of the Christian Church, he is affiliated with 110 religious organization.

Mr. Cary was married in Cotton Hill Town- ship, March 28, 1890, to Mamie E. Snodgrass, born in Sangamon Connty, Jnne 27, 1869, daugh- ter of William H. H. and Saralı C. (IIall) Snod- grass, farmers of Cotton Hill Township, and na- tives of Sangamon County and Ohio, respectively. Four children have blessed this unlon: Elton Ray, born in Sangamon County, April 12, 1891; Don Floyd, November 25, 1893; Ada Bell, Jnne 11, 1900; Clarence Ross, August 11, 1909.

CASLICK, Nicholas, a retired farmer living at 1115 North Fifteenth Street, Springfield, Ill., was born in Jersey County, Ill., October 10, 1844, and spent his early years on his father's farm receiving his education principally in the public schools. He is a son of Nicholas and Madeline (Garber) Caslick. both natives of Switzerland, the father born in 1799 and the mother in 1812. The father came to America in 1823 and the mother about the same time.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

He lived in Jersey County until his death, in November, 1864, and his widow also dled on the farm there in 1893.

As a boy Nicholas Caslick learned the detalls of farming and he followed this occupation most of his active Ilfe. Soon after leaving school he entered the army, and in 1866 left the service then began farming at Grafton, Ill., where he lived until 1892, then moved to Edgar, Neb., and thence to Springfield in 1906, retiriug from ac- tive life. He was an enterprising and success- ful farmer aud was able to retire from active Ilfe in 1906. He owns the home where he re- sides and is highly respected in his community.

Mr. Caslick served in the Civil War, jolning Company K, Ninety-seventh Illinois Infautry, and beiug later transferred to Company C, Thir- ty-seventh Illinois Infantry, which regiment spent the latter part of Its services in Texas, heing mustered out at Houston, that State, in May, 1866, and finally discharged in Springfield on the last day of that month. They had traveled 17,000 miles, nearly 3,300 of it hy marching. He participated in the battles of Vicksburg, Spauish Fort and others, and made an ex- celleut record as a soldier. He joined the G. A. R. in 1875. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows, which he joined in 1870; in religious views is a Methodist and lu politics is a stanch Republican. He is a man of good hahlts and undoubted honesty aud integrity. Though well aloug In years he is as erect of bearing as in his youth. He is fond of outdoor exercise and as a boy was much interested in ball-playing. He is very fond of his home and children and greatly enjoys the society of his friends.

Mr. Caslick was married, in Grafton, Jersey County, Ill., December 2, 1868, to Miss Vrania Journey, who was born in Virginia, in 1850, daughter of Samuel aud Vranla Journey, both natives of France. She knows very little of her parents or ancestry. Children as follows were born to Mr. and Mrs. Caslick : Effie E. born November 10, 1873; William N., born In 1876; Katherine, December 7, 1880; Velma A., Novem- ber 26, 1882; Ina G., Arthur H; Edith A., born September 26, 1889; Carrie T., November 17, 1891.

CASSERLEIGH, Peter, of Springfield, a veteran of the Civil War and a highly respected citizen, was horn in Dublin, Ireland, June 18, 1844, son of Peter and Marie (Gorman) Casserlelgh. The father was a Queen's Counsellor In Ireland and in 1857 came to the United States, settling in Lincoln, Ill., where he died soon after.' Peter Casserleigh, Sr., was a son of Bernard Casser- leigh, who was connected with the Courts in Dublin. He was married In Dublin and his wife died before he came to the United States. They were parents of seven children : James, Peter, Bernard, John, Susan, Maria and Ellen, all of whom came to the United States excepting James, who died in Australia, ahout 1880. Of

the others, three are living: John, Peter and Maria.

Peter Casserlelgh, Jr., was educated in Ire- land and Illinois and lived in Lincoln with his father until thirteen years of age, then came to Springfield and learned the trade of printer, which he had begun on the "Lincoln Herald," In Lincoln. He worked first on a Springfield evening paper known as the "Perfectly Iude- pendent," and was employed on various papers in the city until the Civil War, when he en- listed. Though badly crippled he has been hard- working and industrlous, in spite of much suf- fering. At present he is iu the employ of the "Illlnols State Journal," and was for fifteen years employed on this paper while Mr. Paul Selhy conducted It. Mr. Casserleigh Is liked by all his employers aud is a faithful, conscientious worker, who is determined to perform his full share of work and earn his own way In the world.

July 15. 1861, Mr. Casserleigh enlisted in Company A, Thirty-eighth Illinois Infantry, he- Ing mustered in at Camp Butler, under Captain Henry A. Alden, and served nearly three years. He was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., where he received his final discharge. Mr. Casserlelgh was wounded at the Battle of Chickamauga, was sent to the hospital at Nashville, where he remained nine months, his term of enlistment expiring while he was still there and was dis- charged July 15, 1864. He carrled a hullet in his right hip for twenty-three years afterwards. He received three wounds and spent the night on the field of battle, weak from his injuries and without food for twenty-four hours, then was taken in a wagon eleven miles over a rough road to Chattanooga, where he was put in a field hospital and remained five weeks before he was sent to Nashville. He took part in the Battle of Fredericktown (Mo.), and was then ap- pointed Sergeant of Signal Corps. He was with the army in the advance to Pea Ridge, took part in hattles at Brownsville (Tenn.), Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Iuka, Liberty Gap, Ringgold (Ga.), Chickamauga and many skirmishes, besides be- ing sent on many scouting expeditions. He is one of the original members of the G. A. R. and has a copy of the first CoustItution published by the organization.

Mr. Casserleigh was marrled, at Springfield, December 22, 1866, to Miss Hallle Metcalf, born in Waverly, Ill., April 14, 1849, daughter of Dr. John and Mary (Wyeth) Metcalf. Her Grand- father Metcalf was at one time a large slave holder and in later life located at Greenfield, Ill .. where he died. Dr. John Metcalf came to Illinois In an early day, became a highly re- spected citizen of Waverly, aud died in Galves- ton, Tex., in 1858. His father was a native of Kentucky. Mary Wyeth was a daughter of George Wyeth, and was born July 3, 1819. George Wyeth was a native of Pennsylvania and a successful business man aud banker. He came to Illinois aud dled there. Dr. John Metcalf

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

and his wife were married at Manchester, Ill., and became parents of seven children : Julia, Ed- win, George, Hallie, Fredericka, Richard and John. Mrs. Metcalf's father was a signer of the Deciaration of Independence and his wife was a niece of Robert Fulton, who gave her a silver spoon which is now a valued possession of Mrs. Casserleigh. Mr. Casserleigh and his wife had six children, all of whom survive : George Marcy, born in Springfield, February .29, 1869, married Maude Claybaugh, of New Orleans, where they live, and they have two children-Hallie and Henry ; Elmer Ellsworth, born in Tallula, Ill., June 2, 1870, married Viola Irwin, of Spring- field, where they live, and they have one child, Ellsworth; Percy Ashton, born in Springfield, October 8, 1875, lives at home ; Henry B., born in Springfield, November 25, 1876, married Lettie Black, of White Hall, and they live in Spring- field and have one child, Catherine; John Met- calf, born in Springfield, March 1, 1880, Is nn- married and iives in Colorado; Hallie, born in Springfield, October 30, 1889, lives with her parents.

At the close of the war Mr. Casserleigh located in Waverly, Ill., where he lived until after his marriage, then returned to Springfield, where he has since ilved most of the time. He and his family are members of the Christian Church. He is a Republican in politics and one of the original members of the Typographical Union. He was formerly a member of the Odd Fellows. The family reside at 320 South Second Street.

CATLIN, Maicoim, a generai farmer and stock- inan of Section 20, Gardner Township, was born in St. Louis, Mo., April 8, 1871, a son of Ephraim Catlin and his wife Metella who bore the same name and was a distant relation. The father still resides in St. Lonis. For a number of years he was a druggist, and then began galn- ing controi of the Catlin Tobacco Co., founded by his father, Daniel Catlin. For years, he was the leading factor in its large operations, and still retalns a heavy block of its stock. He was prominent in financial circles for a iong period, and is still active in some lines. Los- ing his first wife about 1872, he married again, his second wife being Camila Kayser, by whom he had two children: Ephraim and Emilie, both married, the latter to Arthur Sheppley of St. Louis.

Malcolm Catlin was the only child of his fa- ther's first marriage and was but a year old when he lost his mother, so his grandmother took charge of him and he was brought to Gardner Township and reared among healthy country surroundings, attending the district school. Later, he went to the Western Military Academy at Alton, Ill., and after a six years' conrse, came back and for two years assisted in caring for the farm. On October 21, 1896, he was married to Lanra Cresswell, born in Loami Township, December 16, 1869, daughter of John C. and Mary A. (Gibson) Cresswell. David C. Gibson was one of the first settlers of

that part of the county. John C. Cressweil was born near Carlinville, Ill., and at an early day moved to the vicinity of Loami. He came of Scotch ancestry. His death occurred about 1876, while his widow survived him until 1891, both dying on their farm. They had five chil- dren : Catherine, died in infancy ; Alice mar- ried James L. Buckley of Arms Pass, Tex., is- sue,-Blanch, Dalmer and Norman; David E., married, Issue,-Bertha L .; Lizzle, married Eu- gene Champlain of Chicago, issue,-Alfred H., Percy. C. and Bessie E., and Mrs. Catlin.

On their wedding day Mr. and Mrs. Catlin came direct to their present beautiful home on Section 20, Gardner Township, comprising eighty-two acres of well cultivated land. Mr. Catlin is a practical farmer and makes a spe- cialty of experimenting with new varieties of seeds, believing that no seed is too good or too high priced for his purposes. His abundant crops testify to the wisdom of his methods. Mr. and Mrs. Catlin have two children: Mai- colm, born February 3, 1898; Carmella Marie, born May 28, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Catlin have affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of Farmingdaie, Ill. A stanch Republican, he has served his party for a number of years as School Director. The people of his district owe him a heavy debt for his endeavors to se- cnre the best teachers for the children, for he believes in giving to them every educational advantage that iies within the province of the Board. Snch men as he make up the great backbone of the nation, and his influence for. good is widespread.

CHAMBERS, James, Jr. (deceased), who for twenty-five years operated his farm near Cnrran, Sangamon Connty, was prominent in his com- munity and interested in its welfare and pro- gress. He was a successful farmer and devoted himself assiduousiy to developing his farm and bringing it to a high state of cultivation. He was born in Maryiand, February 25, 1812, son of James and Mary E. Chambers, the former also a native of Maryland. The parents were farmers.

After obtaining an education in the public schools of his native State, James Chambers, Jr., helped with the work on his father's farm, liv- ing with his parents until he moved west and settled on a farm in Sangamon Connty, Iil. He was a man of quiet habits, cared nothing for public office, and was not connected with any fraternal orders. In politics he was a Repub- lican and in religious matters was a prominent member of the Methodist Church.

Mr. Chambers married, in Springfield, Ill., March 30, 1852, Miss Mary Lee, who was born in Dover, Del., whose father was a farmer near Dover. Six children were born to Mr. Chambers and his wife, namely : Lnella, born January 8, 1855, is nnmarried and resides at Morrisonville, Ill .; Mrs. Neilie Bilderbach, born October 13, 1856. is a widow and resides at 1501 South Coi- lege Street, Springfield; Alice, born October 4,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

1858; Mary Emma, born June 22, 1860; Lydia, horn November 9, 1863, deceased; James Wil- liams, born July 31, 1866. Mr. Chambers died April 22, 1871, and was buried in a private bury- ing-ground near Curran. He left a, widow and six children ou his farm near Curran. Mrs. Chambers is also deceased. They were well known and highly respected members of society and representative of the best interests of their community, their greatest public service being to rear their six children to honorable man and womanhood.

CHAPMAN, J. S .- Retirement from any line of active endeavor does not necessarily mean a cessation of interest in the progress of events, but often rather the securing of leisure for more intelligent study of civlc matters. One of the substantial citizens of Springfield is J. S. Chap- man, a retired engineer, residing at No. 116 South State street. He was born in Greene County, Pa., April 15, 1829, a son of John and Permelia (Rice) Chapman, natives .of Lancas- ter, Pa., and Virginia. The father farmed in Greene County, Pa., for many years, but later moved to Wayne County, Ind., engaging there for two years in farming, when he weut to Mad- ison County, Ind., to follow his trade of brick mason. There he spent two years more, then came to Sangamon County, which continued his home until his death, the mother having died in Madison County. There were six sons and six daughters in the family, of whom three children survive: Abijah, of Ottawa, Kan., aged eighty- eight years; Stephen G., of Pueblo, Cal., aged eighty-six years, and J. S. John Chapman was in the War of 1812, while Abijah Chapman was in the Mexican and Civil wars. The great-grand- father, Stephen Gilbert, was a Revolutionary soldier, serving under General Washington. His wife, Rachel Gilbert, lived to be 115 years of age. On the maternai side of the house the an- cestors originated in Scotland, and on the fa- ther's side in Germany.

J. S. Chapman was educated in the subscrip- tion schools of Madlsou County, Ind., and during his boyhood worked on the farm, thus continu- ing until sixteen years old. He then began work- ing on the Indianapolis & Madison Railroad as switchmau, Later he became fireman, but left to engage with the Indianapolis & Bellefontaine Railroad for seven years. Hls next employment was with the Pennsylvania Railroad as engi- neer, but two years later he went with the In- dianapolls & Pennsylvania Railroad for a year. He was with the Wabash Railroad, running from Fort Wayne and remained with that company for three years. At the time the Great Western Rallroad was in course of construction, he came to Illinois by the stage route. An uncle of his, Stephen D. Gilbert, then controlled many stage routes in the western country, and Mr. Chapman accepted a position with the Great Western Railroad as engineer. After three years In the employ of that company he began in Oid Berlin,

thus continuing until the spring of 1860, when, stimulated with the idea of western migration, he went to Pike's Peak, where he prospected with remarkable success. After a year there, satisfied with the results of his trip, he returned as far as Omaha, Neb., and enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Missouri Volunteer Infantry. After a service of five montlis he returned to Old Ber- lin to resume his farming. He continued farm- ing there two years, then settled on a farin west of Springfield, where he remained seven years. His next change was made when he moved to Menard County to farm for two years. Mr. Chapman then bought a saw-mill at Peoria, con- ducting it for four years, then located near Mon- roe City, Mo., but after two years there moved to Athens, Menard County, where he had the misfortune to lose his wife. He remained at Athens for six years, then came to Springfield where he has since llved, and is now making his liome with his son. He is a Republican, and was at one time Deputy Sheriff in Sangamon County and for sixteen years served as Constable.

On February 14. 1864, Mr. Chapman was mar- ried on the line between Morgan and Sangamon Counties, to Susan M. Auberry, born in Ken- tucky, February 8, 1839, a daughter of John Au- berry, born in Kentucky, as was his wife. A farmer, he came to Sangamon County in hopes of bettering his condition, locating near Loami, where his wife died, and he dicd in 1864.' He and his wife had three sons and three daughters, two of whom survive : George Auberry, of Iowa, and Mrs. Sarah McDaniels, of Kansas. Mrs. Chapinan died in November, 1894. She and her husband had seven children, three of whom are now living: John, a hoisting engineer, of Spring- field, married Rachel Jordan, born in Menard County, six children-Forest, Eunice, Otho, Eva M., Gladys and Dorothy E .; William E., a · hoisting engineer, of Zeigler, Ill., and Jacob, of Zeigler.

CHESNUT, John A. (Voi. I, p. 89.)

CHILD, John L .- One of the oldest settlers of Sangamon County, is John L. Child, now living retired from active life at his beautiful home at 547 West South Grand Avenue, Springfield. Mr. Child came to Illinois at the age of five years, in 1833, and has resided in Sangamon County seventy-six years. He was born at Potsdam. St. Lawrence County, N. Y., March 23, 1829, son of Stephen and Hannah (Lyman) Child. the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New York. The father of Mrs. Child, John Lyman, was a Surgeon in the War of 1812.

Stephen Child, with his wire and children, accompanled a party consisting of fourteen families, from New York to Sangamon County, Ill., the journey extending over a period of eight weeks. They held services each Sunday while on the way, having a clergyman in their party, and all came direct to Sangamon Town, where they settled. Mr. Child bullt a house out on the prairle and founded the Town of Farmington,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

now known as Farmingdale. Stephen Child was engaged in farming all his life, and both he and his wife dled on his farm near Farming- dale. They were the parents of four children, of whom but three now survive, namely : Stephen, living at Farmingdale; Mrs. Martha Anderson, of Richland, and John L.

John L. Child was educated at Farmingdale, and after leaving school worked for his father. He was engaged In farming all his life until about ten years since, when he moved to Spring- field and retired from active life. He was en- ergetic and industrious, careful in the manage- ment of his affairs, and possessed considerable business ability, so that he was able to accumu- late considerable property, owning a farm at Farmingdale, the house where he resides, and other property. He and his wife enjoy good health and are highly esteemed by thelr many friends. They attended the funeral of Abraham Lincoln and both remember him well. They also attended the first State Falr held in Illi- nois. They have witnessed many changes In Sangamon County and have been greatly Inter- ested in the progress of the county. Mrs. Child is a member of the Christian Church and Mr. Child is a stanch Republican, having always supported the principles of that party.

The marriage of Mr. Child occurred at Rich- land, Ill., when he was uuited with Mary E. Anderson, who was born there April 17, 1836. Her father, General Moses K. Anderson, was born near Bowling Green, Ky., November 11, 1803, and marrled in 1827, Miss Cassarilla, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Stroud, of Dlck- son County, Tenn. After their marriage they came to Sangamon County, where Mrs. Ander- son died, in 1850, leaving six daughters and three sons. Mr. Anderson married (second) his first wife's sister, who was a mother to his chil- dren, and she died in 1880. He located in Cart- wright Townshlp and accumulated seven hun- dred acres of land, where he remained until 1860, then moved to Springfield. Soon after the Black Hawk War he was elected Brigadier Gen- eral of the State Militia. and at the removal of the capital to Springfield, in 1839, Gen. Anderson was appointed by Gov. Carlin, Adjutant Gen- eral, which office he filled from 1839-57, and during this time rode horseback from Sangamon County to Nauvoo, Ill., the seat of the "Mormon War." Gen. Anderson also served as Justice of the Peace twenty-eight years, and held varlous other local offices. He dled in Spring- field and those of his children who survive are: Mrs. Child; Mellnda E., Mrs. Joseph Potter, of Jacksonville, Ill .; Marena E., Mrs. William P. Mitchell, of Springfield, and George W., of Enid, Okla. Gen. Anderson was a member of the well-known "Snow Bird" Club.

Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Child, namely : Frank and Charles. both engaged In farming. There are five grand-children and one grand-daughter lives with Mr. Child and hls wife in Springfield.

CHILDERS, John .- It will not be long before the Grand Army of the Republic will be rep- resented only by spirlt processions which ought to pass with each Decoration Day before the mind's eyes of the rising generations. Each year finds the ranks sadly depleted. Many of the old soldiers would have lived longer had it not been for Injuries to body and health re- ceived during those wonderful campaigns which will go down Into history as the greatest ever planned and executed by man. One of those yet left is John Childers; of Springfield, born In Knoxville, Tenn., In July, 1835. He is a son of Isaac and Lottie (Lewis) Childers, both born in Tennessee. The grandfather on the paternal side of the house was a prominent divine of the Methodist Church In Scott County, Ili. When John Childers was but a child his parents moved to Christlan County, Ill., and here he grew to manhood, alternating attend- ance at the district school with assisting his father, who was a farmer. He remained at home until the outbreak of the Civil War.

In 1862 Mr. Childers enlisted in Company H, One Huudred and Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, participating in the engagements at Holly Springs, Mulligan Bend, Little Rock, Slege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Lookout Mountaln, Kene- saw Mountain, the Seven Days Battle of the Wilderness, and was with Sherman on his fa- mous March to the Sea and back through the Caroliuas, as well as In other battles of less importance, belng mustered out in 1865, at Washington, D. C., and discharged at Camp. Butler, Springfield. He belongs to Stephenson Post, G. A. R., and is one of its enthusiastic members. The Methodist Church claims his membership and support. He is a stanch Re- publican, feeling that he can do no less than up- hold the principles of the party founded by the great Abraham Lincoln.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 27

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