Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 33

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 33

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William H. Conkling was married in 1884 to Miss Sadie J. Thompson, of Jacksonville, Iii., who died in 1905, leaving two children, Grace H. and Aimee J. In 1907 Mr. Conkling married Miss Margaret McMauus, daughter of Patrick aud Ann McManus.

Mr. Conkiing was born and reared in Spring- field and took an active part iu many public affairs. In 1893 he was one of the citizens who came forward with a proposition to secure to the City of Springfield a home in which to trausact its municipal affairs, the resuits of which accomplished the erection of the present City Hail. He was selected by Mayor Wheeler in 1897 as City Comptroiler serving four years, when Mayor Wheeler was appointed as Post- master, and Mr. Conkling's appointment as Assistant Postmaster demonstrates that his services were vaiuabie as a public official. Mr. Conkling was prominentiy connected with the erection of many municipal improvements in addition to the City Haii, and was an active worker in the Republican ranks. He was a pupii of the public schools, graduating from the Springfield High School in the ciass of 1878, directiy after which he entered the employ of Christian Wolf, then a prominent aud success- ful batter and furrier, where he remained ten years, then he and C. J. Giblin purchased the stock of Mr. Woif and two years thereafter formed a partnership with C. D. Roberts, which arrangement continued untii his appointment as City Comptroller in 1897.

Mr. Conkiing is a thirty-second degree mason, a member of Eiwood Cammandery K. T., a member of Navarre Lodge No. 142, Knights of Pythias, also holds membership in the Modern Woodmen, Court of Honor, Eiks and Sangamo Ciub, and is one of the Directors of the Spring- field Commercial Association. The Second Presbyterian Church holds his membership.

Mr. Conkiing was the founder of Hawthorne Piace, that beautifui addition and the first mod- ern one ever platted in the City of Springfield. The record of this young man demonstrates that

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

many of the sons of great men follow in the footsteps of their fathers, and make their lives successfui, as well as ieave monuments to the memory of their zeai and enterprise.

CONNELLY, Terrence .- Ireiand has sent to this country some of her best sons and these inen inake excelient citizens and never lack for friends. Some of the most popular men of Springfield are those who owe their birth to the Emerald Isle. and one of these is Terrence Connelly, residing on Rochester Road. He was born iu County Donegai, Ireland, in August, 1848, a son of William and Margaret (McShirey ) Conneliy, both of Ireland. Tile parents never emigrated, rounding out their lives in Ireland, where they were farming people. They had three sons and two daughters, but Terrence is the only survivor.

Terrence Connelly was educated in Ireland aud during his boyhood worked on the farm. As a young man he sailed from Queenstown to Quebec, wbence he went, a short time later to Montreal, and there spent several years. He then came to Chicago, but two years later came on to Springfield, arriving in 1865. Immediately he found employment with Hunter & McNeill. cattle dealers, continuing with them for three years. He then became coachinan for former Goveruor Matteson, following which he traveled through the country selling dry-goods. After four years of this he began farming, but still later engaged in work at the St. Nicholas Hotei. For some time he was in the Springfield woolen inills, and following this was an employe at the State House for two years. Fourteen years ago, he came to live in his present house on the edge of Springfield, surrounded by five acres of land, and is now engaged in gardening.

In August, 1875, Mr. Connelly was married in Springfield to Miss Anna Conlon, born In County Mayo, Ireland, where ber parents iived and died, although her brother Peter is now a resident of Springfield. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Connelly : William enlisted during the Spanish-American War and served In the Philip- pines; John resides in Champaign County, Ili .. where he farms; Louise Is in the employ of the John Bressmer Company ; Mamie married Ar- thur Sherdon, of Champalgn, and the rest are deceased. Mr. Conneliy Is a Democrat. He is a devout Roman Catholic, belonging to St. Pat- rick's parish. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and has been con- nected with Liberty Camp for twenty years. His land Is very valuable and he takes great satis- faction in It and the magnificent vegetables he raises there. After so many years of changes, he takes pride and satisfaction in his permanent home.

CONNOLLY, Major James A .- Few names are more familiar in the great State of Iilinols and to Sangamon County in particular, than that of Major James A. Connolly, distinguisbed alike in the profession of iaw, in military achieve-

ments, in political iife, and in public service. He was born at Newark, New Jersey, Marci S, 1842, a son of Wliliam and Margaret (McGuire) Connolly. Although he came of an agriculturai family and environment, Jaines A. Connolly very early gave indications that bis ilfe career would reach far beyond his father's field and ambitions. As a boy, he was apt, even when a student in the common schools of Morrow Coun- ty, Ohio. His ability was still more forcibly shown after he entered Selby Academy, at Chesterville, and iater when he was a law stu- dent at Mt. Gilead, Ohio. Upon his admission to the Ohio bar in 1859, he began practice with his former preceptor, Judge Dunn, of Mt. Gi- lead, and continued with him for one year, when in 1860, ile established an office of his own at Chariestou, Iii.

In the meantime the Civil War had broken out, and in 1862, tbe young attorney put aside the rich promise of the future in his profession, to become a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as- sisting in raising a company of which he was elected Captain. On the organization of the regiment, he was chosen Major. With his com- quand, he joined the Army of the Cumberland, and was active in ali the campaign that ciosed with the battle of Chattanooga. He was then assigned to duty as Division Inspector of the Fourteenth Army Corps. Major Connolly was afterward connected with Sherman's army on Its memorable march to the sea, and accom- panied the victorious forces to that great and impressive showing of loyalty and patriotism, the Grand Review at Washington City. On many fieids, he had shown his valor as an of- ficer, winning recognition and was awarded tbe rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

After his honorable retirement from military life. Major Connolly returned to Charieston, and there resumed his professional dutles con- tinuing the private practice of law until March, 1876, when he was appointed United States District Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, continuing au incumbent of that office until June. 1885. when he retired on account of a change in the administration. When the Re- publican party regained ascendency, he was re- appointed to the office, by the late President Harrison, July 1, 1889, and continued to serve through four more years. In the meanwhile, Major Connoily had become a very Important factor In State politics, having been twice elected to the State Legislature, there serving on the Judiciary, Railway and Library committees. In 1886, he was the candidate of bis party for Congress and In the contest carried both his own and Morgan Counties, reducing the normal Democratic majority of 4.000 to 900. In 1888, he refused a second nomination for Congress, but, in 1894, and again in 1896, he was re-nom- inated. In each case being elected. In May, 1884, he was appointed Solicitor of the Treas- ury. by President Arthur, an appointment con- firmed by the United States Senate, but he de-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

clined the honor. In 1888, he was a candidate before the Republican State Convention for Governor, and received a flattering vote. In 1886, he entered into a law-partnership with Thomas C. Mather, which continued until the death of the latter. His present partner is Carey E. Barnes.

Major Connolly was married at Gambier, Ohlo, February 9, 1863, to Mary Dunn, daughter of Jacob Dunn, and sister of his former precep- tor and law partner, Judge Dunn. Major and Mrs. Connolly attend the services at the First Presbyterian Church, Springfield. He is fra- ternally affiliated with the Masons, the Elks, the Loyal Legion and belongs to the Graud Army of the Republic, having been Department Commander of the latter for 1910-11.

CONNOLLY, James Austin. (Vol. I, pp. 116- 117.)

CONREN, John, who has been a resident of Riverton, Ill., for the past thirty-five years, has spent most of his life in farming, but has re- tired from active pursuits. He is well-known and highly regarded in the community as a pub- lic-spirited and useful citizen and has mauy friends. He is a native of County Wexford, Ire- land, born in 1835, son of Richard and Ellen (Doyle) Conren, also natives of that county. The parents spent their entire lives in Ireland, where the father was established In business as a cattle buyer aud carried on farming. There were two sons aud five daughters born to them, of whom but three children survive, John and two daughters.

John Conren spent his boyhood on a farm aud received his education in his native county. He continued farm work until 1870, when he came to America, landing at New York, whence he went to Litchfield County, Conn., and worked on a farm one year. He heard of the wider oppor- tunities offered in the west and came to Spring- field, Ill., where he secured work at the city water works. A year later he was employed in the work of excavating for the State Capitol, and when that work was completed, engaged in farming in Sangamon County.

A few years since Mr. Conren retired and now owns property in the village of Riverton. He was reared in the Roman Catholic faith and is a devout member of that church. Politically he is a Democrat, but has never taken an active part in public affairs. He is a man of good character and unquestioned integrity and much interested iu the welfare of the community where he lives. He is unmarried.

CONROY, Martin, of Springfield, Ill., was born in County Mayo, Ireland, March 11, 1844, son of Martin and Catherine (Magrar) Conroy, the former born in County Mayo, in 1822, and the latter in County Galway, in 1825. The father was a farmer by occupatlon and both he and his wife died many years ago in County Mayo. Martin Conroy Jr., was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of

his native couutry. He was very fond of cricket and football as a boy and liked outdoor life. After leaving school he worked at herd- ing sheep and cattle. At the age of ten years he went to Liverpool, England, and for twenty years worked in the coal mines in the vicinity. In 1869 he came to America and located in Springfield, where he resumed the occupation of miner.

Mr. Conroy was married, In Virden, Ill., November 25, 1872, to Miss Catherine Dlegnan, who was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, in 1856, daughter of Patrick and Catherine Diegnan, both natives of County Roscommon, who spent their lives on a farm and died In Ireland. Children as follows were born to Mr. Conroy and his wife: Martin J., born June 20, 1879; Patrick, born in 1881; William, in 1886, and Edward in 1889. Martin J. is an iron moulder, Edward, a book-keeper, and the other two sons follow mining. All reside in Spring- field. Mr. Conroy is a man of quiet tastes and very fond of his home and children. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church and in politics is a Republican. He joined the Loyal Americans and the Catholic Order of Foresters in 1895. He has always been very hard-work- ing, industrious and thrifty, and is much re- spected in his community. He owns his home at 1125 Reservoir Street.

CONVERSE, Albert L., a resident of the city of Springfield, Ill., since 1846, has for many years beeu promineutly identified with the civil and official life of his community, and Is recognized as one of the leading business men of central . Illinois. He has been prominent in political affairs in his part of the State and, as the choice of the Democratic party, served during the Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth General Assemblies of Illinois, during which time he acted on the Revenue, Appropriations, Agricul- ture, Sanitary, and various other important Committees. Mr. Converse has for nearly forty years been greatly interested in agri- culture and stock-raising, and has exhibited very practical knowledge and experience In his operations along these lines. He is Inter- ested in every movement calculated to bene- fit his community and has been one of the leading figures In the development of some of the leading industries in his part of the State. He has the best interests of his city, county and State ever at heart, and at the same time has been able to attain personal financial suc- cess to a very gratifying degree. The birth of Mr. Converse took place at Plainesville, Ohio, June 29, 1842, and he is a son of Henry and Nlana J. (Priest) Converse, natives of New Hampshire and Vermont, who were mar- ried in New York, soon afterward moved to Alabama and thence to Ohio, where the father became a farmer and oil-manufacturer. In 1846 he removed with his family to Springfield and there purchased the land now occupied by Albert L. Converse and his brother.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Henry Converse became a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Sangamon County and took a prominent part in public affairs. He served nine years as a member of the Board of Supervisors and was active in educationai and religious work in Springfield, his work and in- fluence in this connection being of lasting beue- fit to the city. He was a man of high inteili- gence and true worth and won many lasting friendships among the best class of citizens, in both public and private life. He was for many years identified with the Baptist Church. His death occurred in Springfield, January 25, 1889, his wife having passed away in 1882. They had celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary nine years before his death. Henry Converse left two sons to mourn his loss: Albert L. and William O., both residents of Springfieid.

Albert L. Converse received a good education in the public schools of Springfield and applied himself to his studies with interest and pleas- ure. He read medicine with Dr. Charles Ryan, of Springfield, and afterwards attended lec- tures at the Northwestern University at Evans- ton, Ili., graduating from the medical depart- ment with the Class of 1864. He spent ten years in the successfui practice of his profession in Macon and Sangamon Counties, but on ac- count of failing health abandoned his profes- sion and, having cousiderable laud, took up the pursuit of agriculture and stock raisiug. Among the large enterprises which he helped organize and conduct is the Springfield Paving Brick Company, which does a large business and makes frequent shipmeuts of its output throughout Iilinois and iuto adjacent States. During this time he has served many years as President of this company and has helped · promote many other iocal enterprises. He has been active in local politics and served three years as Supervisor, for two years of which he was Chairman of the County Board. Since the Democratic party adopted the platform upon which they nominated William J. Bryan as their candidate for the Presidency, Mr. Con- verse has abandoned their ranks and has affiliated himself with the Republican party, in whose interests he has been an indefatigable and useful worker, expressing his views on public occasions with great force. He is an eloquent and interesting speaker and is very practical in his ideas and suggestions. He has traveied extensively throughout the United States and has twice visited Europe. He is an active member of the Baptist Church and fraternally is a Master Mason. He has spent most of his life in his present home at 1346 North Eighth Street.

Mr. Converse was married in Springfield, September 6, 1864, to Miss Henrietta, daughter of Aaron Thompson, of Springfield, and six children have blessed this union, namely : Florence, born in 1865, died at the age of six- teen years; Anais, born in 1867, widow of Dr. Frank B. Smith, of Springfield; Oiive, died at

the age of nineteen months; Henry A., an At- torney, born in 1875; Albert E., a Dentist, born in 1881; Henrietta, born in 1890. The children attended the fiftieth wedding anniversaries of both their paternal and maternal grandparents.

COOK, (Gen.) John. (Vol. I, p. 120.)

COOK, John F., who for twenty-six years was identified with the contracting and painting business in Pawnee, Iii., and who is now living retired from business activities, has been con- nected for a long period with the official life of Sangamon County. Mr. Cook was born in Gray- son County, Ky., September 23, 1847. a son of James J. and Poliy ( Ashley) Cook. His paternal grandfather was born iu Mercer County, Ky., where he spent his entire life attaining the at- vanced age of ninety-four years, while his mater- nai grandfather, a native of Grayson County, Ky. died in Missouri at the age of ninety-six years, James J. Cook was born in Mercer County, Ky., and was married in Litchfield, Ky., to Polly Ash- ley, who was born in Grayson County, that State. He spent his entire active iife in agricultural pursuits, and is now living retired, having reached the age of eighty-nine years, while his wife died in. 1866. They were the parents of the following children : John F., Squire, Evan, William, Robert, Daniei J., Solomon, Nancy J., Sarah E., and Amanda E., ali born iu Grayson County, and all now iiving except William, Solo- mon, Sarah A. and Nancy Jane.

John F. Cook received his education in the public schools of Grayson County, Ky., and re- mained at home until he had attained the age of twenty-five years, at which time he left the home farm and began to learn the painting trade. He came to Sangamon County, and lo- cated in business in Pawnee, where he has since resided, gradually working into contracting and making his business successful. He was always an energetic and enterprising business man, and his many sterling qualities gained him many friends. This, when considered with the fact that he aiways lived up to the letter of every contract made by him, assured iris business suc- cess, and he succeeded in accumulating a com- petency that permitted him to retire from active business iife. On August 1, 1864, Mr. Cook en- listed at Litchfield, Ky., in Company G, Thirty- fifth Regiment Kentucky Mounted Infantry, un- der Captain Meredith, but in October of the same year was sent home on account of sickness, and never rejoined his regiment. He is a member of the Anti-Horse-Thief Association. In poli- tics he has always been a Republican, with Pro- hibition leanings, as he is a strict temperance man. He has been a member of the Village Board, Game Warden, Constable and Deputy Sheriff. With his family he attends the Metho- dist Episcopal Church.

On July 12, 1883, one mile east of Pawnee, Ill., Mr. Cook was married, by the Rev. William Wheeler, to Mary Nicholls, who was born Oc- tober 13, 1858, in Ciinton County, Ili., daughter

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

of William H. Nichoils, a wagon maker, born June 24, 1830, in Ciinton County, and Maria (Edsell) Nichoils, horn in Illinois and died at Dawson, March 16, 1864. Mr. Nicholls was mar- rled fonr times, his first marriage, which oc- cnrred June 3, 1855, to Maria Edsell, resulting in the birth of four children; Ida A., Mary, Allce B. and William. Mr. Nicholls was married (second) September 7, 1865, at Dawson, Ill., to Nancy Miller, and there were the following children born to this nnion: Onetta and Otto H., who are deceased; Olive B., Oma J., and Annie E. Mrs. Nicholls died in Sangamon County, Ill., December 23, 1878, and Mr. Nicholls was mar- ried (third) December 20, 1883, to Mrs. Sarah (Brooks) Winchester, at Niantic, Ill., she dy- ing in a hospital at Springfield, April 25, 1897, aged thirty-nine years. On June 3, 1903, Mr. Nicholls was married (fourth) at Virden, III., to Ina Hildreth, and she now lives at Virden, where he died June 23, 1907, being hnried in the Divernon Cemetery.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cook, namely : Lena, born August 25, 1878, mar- ried Charles Tilley, of Buffalo, Ill., and has three hoys-Ronald, Panl and Ray ; Maud, born February 6, 1886, of Pawnee, Ill., married Wal- ter Sannders, and has two children, Frank and Stanley ; Mabel, born January 23, 1890, and Flossie, born December 28. 1893, at home.

Mrs. Cook's paternal grandfather was born January 1, 1800, and died in Clinton County, Ill., May 24, 1856. after a life spent in agricultural pursuits. Grandfather Edsell died in Jersey County, Ill., where he had lived for many years. There were nine children in the famlly of Mrs. Cook's paternal grandparents : John, born Sep- temher 23. 1823, died in August, 1903; Catherine, born September 11, 1825, living in Pawnee; Sarah, born February 8, 1827, died Jnly 21, 1827 ; Elizabeth, born September 19, 1828, died September 5, 1833; William, born June 24, 1830, died June 30. 1903; Alfred J., born Sep- tember 9, 1832. now living in East St. Louis, Ill. ; Isaac T., born December 5, 1835, died May 11, 1889; Finley, born July 22, 1842. dled Febru- ary 12, 1862, heing killed in a runaway accident ; and Lucinda C., born July 12, 1840, now living in Pawnee, Ill.

COOLEY, Charles H. (deceased) .- The late Charles H. Cooley was descended from Vir- ginia ancestors, who lived and died in the Old Dominion. His parents were Joseph and Sarah (Ragsdale) Cooley and he was born in Virginia. March 31, 1817. His father, a farmer, also operated a mill on the north fork of the Holstein River, near Lynchburg. There were three sons and three daughters in the family, of whom Marion Cooley, of Scotland County, Mo .. is the only survivor.

Charles H. Cooley was educated in public schools near his boyhood home and grew up as his father's assistant on the farm and in the mill. Ile came to Sangamon County, Ill., In 1844, but soon went to Nauvoo, Ill., where

he farmed one year. Then he returned to Sangamon Connty, bought land and farmed in Clear Lake Township for several years, until he sold his holdings there in order to remove to Buffalo Hart Grove, where he continned farming some years, removing thence to a farm near Spaulding, Ill., which he purchased and which he worked tili he retired from active life. He then located at Dawson, where he died in 1894 and where his widow and mem- hers of his family are living at this time. He was a Democrat, a man of decided public spirit and for twelve years honorably filled the office

of School Director. He was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, as are also Mrs. Cooley and members of her household.

Mrs. Cooley was Miss Nancy E. McDaniel. She was born near Barclay, Sangamon County, a daughter of William M. McDaniel, a native of Bracken County, Ky. Her mother was of Illinois nativity, born on the site of Barclay. Mr. McDaniel farmed and ralsed stock In Sanga- mon Connty until his death, which occnrred March 29, 1854. Mrs. McDaniel survived till 1899, dying at her home in Riverton. Philip Smith, Mrs. Cooley's grandfather, was a sol- dier in the Black Hawk War. She had a brother and two sisters. Her brother has passed away; her sister Lillie is the wife of William Randolph, who lives near Spanlding, Ill .; her sister Kate married Albert Libka and lives near Riverton, Sangamon County.

The home and other property of Mrs. Cooley at Dawson rank with the good property of the town. She bore her husband eight children, six of whom are living. The eldest of these is Virginia, a teacher and a member of her household. Her sons Charles H. and Lonis C. live in Dawson. Lillie M., a danghter living with her mother, is a teacher in the Dawson public school. Her danghter Ethel M .. is the wife of James Rutherford, of Rochester, Sanga- mon County. Marion G. Cooley Ilves in Mon- tana.

COONS, James (deceased) .- The hardships en- dured hy the early farmers of Illinois cannot be appreciated by the present generation, who are used to the conveniences of today. Yet if it had not been for the efforts of these pioneers the mighty Commonwealth, of which we are all so proud, would still be a wilderness, with wild animals prowling over the vast expanse of prairie. The Coons family is one which was prominently associated with the development of this locality, and one of them who was for many years a successful farmer of Clear Lake Town- ship was the late James Coons. Ile was horn in 1833. a son of Martin and Margaret (Grims- by) Coons, natives of Kentucky. Martin Coons moved to Morgan County, Ill., from Kentucky in 1829. and, locating on a farm on Big Indlan Creek, five miles north of Jacksonville, made it his home for a quarter of a century. After the death of his wife he went with his family to Sangamon County, in 1850, and settled on a

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 33

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