Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 3

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 3

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ANDREW, John .- While an Englishman never forgets the land of his birth, he readily adapts himself to the different conditions of a new land, and becomes one of its most desirable citizens, for the people of Great Britain are born colonizers. Sangamon County has been fortunate in that it has secured so many resi-

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dents of English nationality, among whom one notable example is Johu Andrew, now living retired in Springfield. Mr. Andrew was born in Lancastershire, England, August 30, 1843, being a son of James and Sarah (Scholes) Andrew, natives of Oldham, England. The father was a weaver, rounding out a useful life in his native land, as did his wife. John An- drew had one brother, who also came to America. When last heard from this brother, William, was living at Bradford, Pa.

John Andrew came to America in 1868, after having received a good common school educa- tion and learned the trade of a machinist. He sailed from Liverpool in August, landing in New York September S, and went from that city to Philadelphia, but after a short time went to Fall River, Mass. This not suiting him, he went to Lowell, Mass., and later returned to Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade. His next change was made when he moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., where he spent a year, then he went to St. Louis. This continued his home until 1874, when he came to Springfield, securing a position with the rolling mills, re- maining with this concern until it closed. He was then in the employ of the city government as engineer at the pumping station for six years, and still later became first engineer at the old shoe factory, but since 1904 he has lived re- tired, feeling that he has earned his rest. Ir politics he is a Republican but has never de- sired public office.

The marriage of Mr. Andrew took place in Dewitt County, Ill., November 1, 1876, when he was united with Bridget Reynolds, born in Ire- land, a daughter of James Reynolds, who brought his family to America in 1868, settling in Dewitt County, where he farmed until his death. Mr. Reynolds and wife had four sons and three daughters, those living being : John, of Clinton, Ill., a machinist; William, a park policeman of Chicago; Mrs. Celia Cunningham, of Springfield, and Mrs. Andrew. - Fifteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew, seven of whom survive: Elizabeth, wife of Ralph Suymon, of the Franklin Art Company, of Springfield ; Katherine, wife of John Muller, a carpenter in the employ of the C. A. Power Planing Mill of Springfield; Sarah, wife of William Kramer, a baker; Celia, James, John and Frank, all at home. Mr. Andrew owns his pleasant home, a store, and several other pieces of property in Springfield, having accumulated them by hard work and persistent saving. Be- ing a keen shrewd inan, he has been able to invest his money to advantage and now is en- joying the result of his foresight.

ANSELL, Oscar, proprietor of the Oscar Ansell Machine Shop, on South Third Street, Springfield. is a practical machinist and an enterprising busi- ness man. He established his present enterprise at the location it still occupies, in 1889, and has been steadily increasing his output since. He was born in Elmira, N. Y., November 27, 1863,

and came to Springfield with his parents in boyhood, receiving his education in the schools of the latter city. His father, William Ansell, was born iu Peru, N. Y., March 21, 1832, and when four years of age accompanied his parents to Riga, Monroe County, N. Y., where he grew to manhood. He did not attend school after he was ten years old, but began at that age to work on a picker in a woolen mill. He worked successively at carding, spinning, weaving and fiuishing. He was married, at Elinira, May 18, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Oliver, who was born in England, January 4, 1838, and came to the United States with her mother, brothers and sisters, when she was five years old. She is a daughter of John and Mary (Davis) Oliver. John Oliver located at Auburn, N. Y., and for a few years carried on farming in the vicinity. then moved to Elmira. He was a woolen worker by trade and before his death located in Spring- field. Ill. His wife also died in Springfield.

William Ansell located in Springfield in 1866. and for twenty-four years was employed at Thayer's woolen mill. Later he worked eleven years in the city electric light plant. He pur- chased his present home in Springfield in 1868. William Ansell enlisted, at Elmira, N. Y., as pri- vate in Company B, One Hundred Sixty-first Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged at the end of the war. His wife is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church and in politics he is a Republican. He belongs to the Masonic Order. He and his wife had children as folows: Oliver died at the age of six years ; Cora A., Mrs. Chis- holm; Oscar, Mary Elizabeth ; Fred died at the age of twenty-three years ; Jane Scott: Alice D. married W. S. Wooley, of Auburn, Ill.

Stephen G., father of William Ansell, was born at Portsmouth. England, and was a car- penter by trade. He came to the United States about 1820 and settled in St. Lawrence County. N. Y., where he married Jane York, a native of Yorkshire, England. Later he moved to Monroe County, N. Y., where his death occurred. His children were: Thomas, of Elkhart, Ind., mar- ried Jane Story, of Lagrange County, Ind .; George C. deceased; Annie married John Ran- som, of Rochester, N. Y .; Mary Ann married John Hoffman of York, Pa .; Stephen. of Penn- sylvania ; Edmund deccased; William. John York, father of Mrs. Stephen G. Ansell, came to the United States from Yorkshire, England, and died in Monroe County, N. Y.

Oscar Anseli left school at the age of thirteen years and went to work in a rolling-mill ma- chine-shop, which was about three miles from his home. As there was then no strect ear he walked both ways. After completing his ap- prenticeship he worked as journeyman machinist until embarking in his present enterprise. IIe has been obliged to increase his capacity be- cause of increased business, and now employs fourteen inen.

Mr. Ansell was married, in 1885. to Miss An- nie Schwarburg, of Springfield. and they have two children, Edna Marie and Raymond II. Mr.

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Anseli owns a handsome residence at 109 Alien Street, Springfield. He is a self-made man and is active in the councils of the Republican party. He served six years as a member of the City Council. He and his family are members of the Second Presbyterian Church and he is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias.

APGAR, LeRoy .- The varied interests of Spring- fieid are of such magnitude that almost every branch of commercial activity is represented. Where so much building is being constantiy done there is, of course, an ever-growing demand for hardware, and supplying it is engaging the attention of one of the live business men, LeRoy Apgar, wbo, through practicai experience, knows just what is needed. He was born in Spring- field, Iii., March 25, 1885, a son of Aaron Apgar. The fatber was born in Ohio and for fifty-four years made Springfield bis home. He became well known as a skillful carpenter, working on some of the largest buildings in the city. In 1846 he made the trip across the country to California in a wagon, and returning, settled down in Springfield, where he died fourteen years ago. The mother died when LeRoy was but three weeks old.

The motheriess iad grew up in Springfield, where he went to school, and his records show that he was a bright pupil of good, industrious habits. After working for some time in a brick vard he learned the carpenter trade, at which he worked for six years, and, aithough be was successful, he then decided to embark in a hard- ware business, having recognized the possibil- itics of such an enterprise. His faith has been justified, for he has been very successfui and now controls an excellent trade in all kinds of hardware and kindred goods.

On February 6, 1907, Mr. Apgar was united in marriage, in the city of Springfield, witb Lil- lian Ciayton, who was born in 1882, no issue. Mr. Apgar belongs to the Retail Clerks' Union, and takes an interest in the organization. He is a Methodist and a Republican. Industrious, progressive, and public-spirited, Mr. Apgar is a valued citizen and one who can always be de- pended upon to do his fuii duty whatever the circumstances.

ARMSTRONG, William Henry .- Iliinois would still be a prairie State in reality if it were not for the fact that. years ago, there came into it a brave, hardy people who were filled with a de- termination to conquer the wilderness and make for themselves comfortable inomes on the govern- ment iand. Every county in the State has its list of names of pioneers who settied there. brought up their children to assist in the work of developing the region, and left their mark upon the agriculturai. industrial, educational. political and religious life of the community where they located. The Armstrong family is one which has many representatives in different parts of Illinois, and one of them now residing in Mechanicsburg Township, Sangamon County.

is William Henry Armstrong. He was born at Atlanta, Iii., May 3, 1876, son of Leonard J. and Mary ( Judy) Armstrong, and a grandson of John Armstrong, of Kentucky, aud Jacob and Martha (Musick) Judy. Both the Armstrong aud Judy families came to Iilinois in pioneer days, making the trip in the usual fashion of the times, with a covered wagon, and all were farmers. Mr. and Mrs. Judy retired aud located in Atlanta, where they died.

Leonard J. Armstrong and Mary Judy were married in Atlanta, December 24, 1872, foliowing which eveut they rented iand uearby and oper- ated it for two years. They then moved to Piatt County, Iil., where they bought a farm, living upon it until their demise, the mother passing away April 28, 1897. They had children as follows: William Henry ; Frank L., born Janu- ary 24, 1878, of Kindersley, Canada ; Junietta, born February 17, 1880; Mrs. T. J. Campbell, of Deiand, Ill. ; Albert MI., born Aprii 10, 1882, of Sangamon County ; Nellie May, born April 10, 1885. Mrs. R. O. Copeland, of Arcoia, Ili .; Roy L., born March 5, 1887, of Sangamon County ; Bertha B., born October 3, 1888, of Deland ; John J., born May 7, 1891, lives with his brother William H .; and Earl E., born October 16, 1892, dicd February 10, 1893.

William Henry Armstrong was educated in the public schools of Deiand, remaining at home until he was twenty-six years old. At that time he bought 160 acres of iand in Piatt County, hiring a man and his wife to keep bouse for him. Later he sold this farm, buying 360 acres in the same county. In the fali of 1904, he sold this property, buying 489 acres in Mechanics- burg Township, which he has since devoted to generai farming and the raising of Shorthorn cattle, Duroc-Jersey hogs and Plymouth Rock chickens. In 1910, he bought 160 acres near Waggoner, Montgomery County, Ili., which is be- ing operated for him by his brother Roy.

Mr. Armstrong was married March 15, 1905, to Elizabeth D. Holton, born Aprii 3, 1875, in Lincoin, Iii., daughter of Rev. T. T. and Eilen Holton, the former a minister of the Christian Church. Mrs. Armstrong died September 3, 1906. On February 3, 1909, Mr. Armstrong married Mary Agnes Fullenwider, born October 12, 1885. at Mechanicsburg, daughter of Homer and Jen- nie (Ragland) Fuilenwider, natives of Me- cbanicsburg, Ili., and Fisherville, Ky. Mrs. Arm- strong was educated in Mechanicsburg schoois, attending the high school there, and is a iady of charming personality, who sbows a gracious hospitality to her guests. Mr. Armstrong is a member of the Christian Church, while bis wife is a member of the Methodist denomination. In politics he is a Republican and is now serving his district as School Director. IIe is a live. progressive young man and is making a decided success of his life work, ably assisted by his wife. Understanding every detail of farming, he is in- culcating new methods and is a recognized au- thority on agricultural matters. Socially he and his wife are important factors in the township

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and have many friends in Sangamou and adjoin- ing counties, where they are well and favorably known.

ARNOLD, George W., dealer in Pilot acetylene generators, Pleasant Plains, is as well and fa- vorably known as any business man in his part of Sangamon County. He is a uative of Miami County, Ohio, born Octoher 6, 1865, a son of John and Hannah Arnold. The latter was horn in Virginia and early in life was takeu hy her parents to Miami County, where she grew to womanhood and where she met and was wooed and won by Mr. Aruold. They were married about 1848. Their son Jobu lives at Loveland, Colo .; their daughter Mary, widow of Charles Eklaw, lives at Paxton, Ill .; their son George W., is the immediate subject of this sketch. The family came to Illinois in 1868 and set- tled on a farm in Cartwright Township, Sau- gamon County. Mr. Arnold died in the follow- ing year and Mrs. Arnold survived until 1894. They were reared in the faith of the Dunkards, but she became a member of the German Bap- tist Church. For some years after her hus- band's untimely death, Mrs. Arnold remained on the farm, but eventually moved to Pleasaut Plains where she passed away.

When his father died George W. Arnold was only about four years old. He was brought up on the farm and educated in the public schools. In 1885 he came with his mother to Pleasant Plains, where, at the age of twenty- one years, he embarked in general merchandise trade. He was thus engaged in 1886-91. tlien sold out his business to become a carpenter and builder. After a time he became a member of the building firm of Harnett and Arnold, his partner being J. P. Harnett. They erected the Sangamon College building. the store huildiug of John Lehman, and many other sightly public structures, and some of the finest village and farm residences in that part of the county are monuments to their skill and enterprise. In 1902 Mr. Arnold disposed of his partnership in this business to Mr. IIarnett and engaged in his present venture as dealer in Pilot acetylene gen- erators. He has installed lighting plants in many of the leading public huildings and pri- vate residences in his part of the State. The automatic acetylene generators that he handles have made their way in competition with gas and electric systems of illumination. It is probable that Mr. Arnold has found an advant- age in his intimate practical knowledge of huilding. Ilis skill in placing the lights adds much to their efficiency.

March 10, 1886. Mr. Arnold married Miss Ardia Hamilton, daughter of R. F. and Tabytha (Purvins) Hamilton, pioneers in Sangamon county who have gone to their reward. Mrs. Arnold was born in Cartwright Township. She bas borne her husband seven children. two of whom died in infancy. Their son Hoyt A., born August 1, 1SS8, was educated in the public school at Pleasant Plains and entered the em-

ploy of a concern controlling a chain of five- and ten-cent stores and made himself so pro- ficient and so useful that he was given charge of an establishment at Iowa City, Iowa. Lee H. Arnold, boru April 5, 1890, finished his course in the Pleasant Plains school. In 1906, be en- tered the United States Navy and was stationed on the flagship Connecticut and made the tour of the world with the Atlantic squadron, visit- ing many important foreign ports. When the squadron, consisting of sixteen vessels, sailed for Seattle in 1908, Mr. Arnold went to San Francisco to witness its departure. On the completion of the voyage in 1910, Lee, having served four years, was honorably discharged and has found a satisfactory husiness connec- tion with a five- and ten-cent store at St. Paul, owned by a company that has about 400 such enterprises iu different cities of the United States. Rollie Arnold, horn September 16, 1896, is in school; Phyllis, born February 27, 1902, and George HI., born June 7, 1904, are the "babies" of the family.

Mr. Arnold has been satisfactorily successful in life and knows no dearer duty than properly educating his children and settling them in use- ful occupations. His home is one of the most modern in the vicinity, with up-to-date heating and illuminating apparatus, and all else to cor- respond. In politics he is a Democrat and as such has been elected to several important local offices. He has ably filled the office of Town Clerk and in the spring of 1909 was chosen Tax Assessor for the second term. He and his wife are active and helpful members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, of Pleasant Plains.

ARNOLD, John H .- Those who gave up their lives on the battlefields of the Civil War, did not suffer after all as have those who lived to carry in their bodies during forty-five years or more, the reminders of what it cost to save the Union. It is easy enough for one who has never faced the deatb-belching guns of war to rise to heights of oratory over the high call of patri- otism; true heroism lies in living when each day is a long-drawn-out agony because of a response to that same spirit of loyalty to flag and country. The man who enjoys the distinction of being Springfield's oldest living veteran of the Civil War is John H. Arnold, who was fearfully wounded at the Siege of Atlanta, after years of faithful service. Mr. Arnold was born in Clay County. Ky., and comes of good, honorable, brave, Kentucky stock. The date of his birth was January 1, 1833, so that be is now (1912) seventy-nine years old. His parents, Ander- son and Nancy (Pierce) Aruold, were also born in Clay County, Ky., where the father died, but the mother moved to Springfield when John H. was six months old, and lived there until she passed away in 1898. The Arnold family is a fighting one, for Grandfather Arnold and his son, Anderson Arnold, both served in the Black Hawk War, distinguishing themselves as hrave and loyal men.

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John H. Arnold was educated in Springfield, but early learned to work ou a farm, aud was engaged iu that peaceful occupation when he felt constrained hy his love of his country, to enlist, in 1862, in Compauy E, Eighty-fifth Il- linois Volunteer Iufantry, serving uuder General Shermau. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Blg Spring, Buzzard's Roost, Look- out Mountain, Gordon's Mill, Peach Tree Creek, Stoue River, North Chickamauga, and others of less importance. At the Siege of Atlanta .he was the color bearer and thus was the target for the enemy. When he fell, still cliuging to the flag, which he bathed with his blood, he was riddled hy niuc bullets. He has never fully recovered from this, although he has earnestly endeavored to round out his life industriously and uncom- plainingly. Ile is au honored meuiher of Steplienson Post, G. A. R., aud also belongs to the Volunteers of America. In politics he is a Republican, steadfastly upholding the princi- ples he fought to have established, and for which Abraham Lincoln was martyred.

The marriages of Mr. Arnold occurred in Springfield, the first one heing celebrated in 1866. There was no issue. Ou May 28, 1903, Mr. Arnold marrled Mildred Amie (Taylor) Large, horn in Winchester, Scott County, Ill., October 29, 1870. Her father served through the Civil War, and spent his mature years in Springfield. One child has been adopted by Mr. aud Mrs. Arnold, Richard Harvey Ellsworth Arnold, horn August 16, 1907. The family resi- dence at the corner of Phillips and Ohio Streets, is owned by Mr. Arnold, and is surrounded hy a large lawn which covers a double frontage. Dur- ing his life Mr. Arnold has had many experiences and at all times has oheyed the call of duty, regardless of what it might cost him.

Mrs. Mildred A. Arnold was born in Win- chester, Scott County. III .. October 29, 1870. She is a daughter of Alexander and Mary Fran- ces (Cothern) Taylor, her father born in Ken- tucky, in 1841, and her mother in Virginia, iu 1842. The former died in 1893 and the latter in 1907. Mrs. Arnold's maternal grandfather, William Burnwell Cothern, emigrated from Vir- ginia to Illinois by wagon, settling in Illiopolis, where he farmed. Both the Cotherns and Tay- lors were old Southern families and extensive slave owners.

Mrs. Arnold belongs to a family of six chil- dren born to her parents: Alexander; Willlam ; Belle, wife of George Guthrie; Leonora, wife of James Stofer ; Mary Ann, wife of James Woods, living near Springfield; and Mrs. Arnold.

In May, 1890, Mrs. Arnold was married in the English Lutheran Church, to James Large, later a member of the Illinois General Assembly. One child, John M., was born April 2, 1891. In 1903 she hecame the wife of John H. Arnold, as before noted. She is interested in current events and keeps herself posted with regard to them. She is devoted to her home and hushand, but Is also active in social matters, and possesses a pleasant, genlal manner, attaches people to

her, and has many friends wherever she may happeu to be.

ASH, George W .- The pioneers who came to Sangamon Couuty never imagined that land here would some day he held at the fancy prices now prevailing, and yet they themselves laid the foundations for this wouderful advancement, and to them should be given full meed of praise. One of the meu who is fortunate enough to be the owner of some of this high-priced farm-land is George W. Ash, of Section 12, Williams Town- ship. He was boru iu Ashville, Miss., March 13, 1848, a son of Ira and Amanda V. Ash, both of Mississippi, the father heiug born Juue 22, 1815. These parents married, July 28, 1838, in Lou- isiana. From there they came to Illinois in 1850, locating north of Springfield, in Sangamou County, on a farm of 160 acres, which the father bought and farmed until his death in 1853, his wife dying in the same year. They had two sons and two daughters, all of whom are deceased except George W. Ash and his sister, Mrs. Harvey F. Bruce, who resides on a farm north of Springfield.

George W. Ash was educated in the schools of Springfield, at the same time working on the homestead, thus learning how to farm profit- ably. Adopting farming as his occupation, Mr. Ash looked ahout him for a good location, and selecting Williams Township, moved there forty years ago. Ten years later he moved on his present farm of sixty acres, which is now worth $250 per acre.

On December 23, 1875, Mr. Ash was married iu Williams Township hy Rev. Worlds, of the Pres- byterian Church, at Springfield, to Miss Laura Smith, born in the township, Aug. 8, 1856, daughter of Philip and Rebecca ( Hendricks) Smith, he of South Carolina. Her mother was born in Kentucky, where the father moved, later coming to Sangamon County, where they be- came ploneers of Barclay. Later they removed to a farm north of Barcley, where the father lived until a few years prior to his death, which occurred in Williamsville, his last home, and there the mother also passed away. There were seven sons and five daughters in the Smith family, of whom three survive: Mrs. Ash ; Henry, a resident of Kansas, married to Har- riet Kenneman, five children; and John, a resi- dent of the homestead in Williams Township, married Amanda Brown (second wife), three children ; his first marriage having been to Mar- that Williams, two children. Mr. and Mrs. Ash became the parents of three sons and five daughters; Rebecca, wife of George Marsh, of Springfield ; five children-Bessie, Willard, Harold. Alherta and Helen Mary; Oscar mar- ried Adla Hanson, who died January 9, 1908, after bearing him two children, the surviving one being Lora, and he married (second) Lll- lian Henselln, of Minnesota, where they reside; one child, Philip E .; Lula married James Fer- ry and they live in Indlana and have four children-Eva, Hazel, Lloyd and Mary ; Dalsy

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married James Burge and they have one child, Earl; Leo married Ruth Hawker, of Ewing, Mo., and they reside in Springfield and have no issne; and Mary, living at home, as do Fay and Edith.

For a number of years Mr. Ash has been a Methodist and has given the church his hearty support, both in money and work. He believes in the good influence of churches and has brought up his children in the faith he snp- ports. A hard-working man, he farms scientif- ically, rotating his crops, nsing improved ma- chinery, and raising a good grade of cattle, hav- ing proven by experiments that nothing but the best pays on a farm. His children are a credit to him and his most excellent wife, and they greatly enjoy a family reunion, when the mar- ried ones return with their families to enjoy once more the hospitality of the homestead. There is no more beautiful sight than a inan and his wife surrounded by their children and grandchildren, all of whom are making the most of their opportunities and developing fine characters. It is snch people as the Ash family who form the great backbone of any nation, for they always prove to be reliable, substantial, and willing to advance, although conservative enough to consider first and see if proposed im- provements are for the best interests of the majority.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 3

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