Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 36

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 36

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December 28, 1904, Prof. Crook married, at Chillicothe, Ohio, Miss Florence Wayne Pur- dnm, who was born at that place December 4, 1875. They have three children, Elinor, born August 27, 1907; William Henry, born January 10, 1909, and Robert Purdum, born May 23, 1911. Prof. and Mrs. Crook are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his political convictions, he is a Republican, and it is a part of his creed that a public office is a public trust. For fraternal organizations in general, he has never had any taste, but he is identified with a number of scientific bodies, and retains his in- terest in his old college Greek fraternity. He was twice Secretary and twice President of the Science Club of the Northwestern University ; was twice Honorary Cnrator of the Chicago Academy of Sciences; is a member of the Sigma Xi, (an honorary scientific society) .; belongs to the National Geological Society and the Acad- emy of Sciences of St. Louis; is a Fellow of the A. A. A. S., a Fellow of the Geological Soci- ety of America ; Mitglled Der Dentschen Geolog- ischen Gesellschaft. He was the organizer of the State Academy of Science, and its Secretary during 1907-10.

CROWDER, James H. (deceased) .- Kentucky has given to Illinois some of its best citizens. The people of the Blue Grass State came of pioneer stock that pushed bravely into the wil- derness and redeemed it from the savages. When the offspring of these ploneers grew to maturity the same love of adventure, the same longing to carve out new homes, assailed them, and they in turn sought new territory, and thus many of them came to Illinols, finding here con- genial surroundings. The late James H. Crow- der, who for many years was a prosperous far-

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mer and stock dealer of Sangamon County, was born in Green Connty, Ky., a son of John C. and Polly (Lasswell) Crowder, natives of Ken- tncky and Tennessee. The father was a farmer and stockman, who in 1824 brought his little family from Kentucky to Illinois, locating in Sangamon Conuty, where they farmed for years. Eventually the parents moved to Spring- field, where both passed away, having rounded ont useful lives.

James H. Crowder was brought up in Sanga- mon County, attending district school and work- ing with his father. Those were primitive times, but he never thought he was in any way harmed by the hard work and hardships, for they devel- oped his character and made him able to mcet his after experiences bravely and well. In 1849 he secured 160 acres of land, which he began developing into a stock farm. In time he be- came the owner of abont 200 acres, and was recognized as one of the best farmers and stock- men in Sangamon County. However, iu the later years of his life he met misfortunes and reverses came. In one respect he was fortu- nate In having a wife who was a true companion and helpmate, and through her nntiring efforts he was well provided for up to the day of his demise. Gradnally he began dealing in stock and his business was conducted npon an ex- tensive scale. His death occurred April 15, 1900, at the family residence, No. 1241 West Edwards Street. He had retired from his farm in 1875, moving to Springfield, which continued to be his home until his death. In politics he was a Republican, but, although he cordially supported the candidates of his party, he did not care for public life. He early joined the Meth- odist Church, of which his wife was a member.

On April 10, 1849, Mr. Crowder was married in Springfield to Mary Ann Wright, born ill Kentucky, November 7, 1831, a daughter of Thomas O. and Jane (Phillip-Sparks) Wright, who came to Sangamon County when Mrs. Crowder was eight years old. There are two of the Wright children surviving: Thomas Wright, of Springfield, and the widow of Rev. Armenstrant, a minister of Griggsville, Ili., during his life, and there Mrs. Armenstraut still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Crowder had no issne. Mrs. Crowder was interested in her home and the work of her church, and was a pleasant, kindly, Christian woman, who accom- plished much good and had many warm friends. Mrs. Crowder is now deceased.

CROWDER, Rev. Thomas Jefferson (deceased), for many years prominent in the Methodist Church, and an active supporter of Prohibition, was one of the honored residents of Springfield. He was born May 28, 1835, in the west end of Springfield, a son of John C. Crowder, born in Green County, Ky., in 1802, who there married Mary Laswell. With his wife and two children, he came to Sangamon County, in 1824, entering land in what is now the west end of Spring- field, and becoming one of the most successful

farmers of his locality, raising fine stock. He died in his farm during an epidemic of cholera, in 1863, and is buried on the home farm.

Thomas J. Crowder was educated in the conn- try schools and even in childhood was a great reader of the Bible, and espoused the cause of temperance at a very tender age. He signed the pledge when twelve years old, and Abraham Lincoln guided his hand as he wrote his name. This occurrence took place in a school honse, after the to-be-distinguished man had addressed an enthusiastic audience on the subject of tem- perance. Having always been of a religious turn of mind, Thomas J. Crowder began preach- ing when not more than eighteen years of age. He held charges in both Kansas and Nebraska during the stirring days in the history of those two States, and, needless to say, advocated the Free Soil principles, suffering for his ideas.

On January 14, 1874, Mr. Crowder was mar- ried in Jacksonville, Ill., to Martha Tomlin, who was born on her father's farm at Pleasant Plains, September 11, 1839, but later lived in Jacksonville. She is a member of the State His- torical Society and the W. C. T. U., having been connected with the latter for thirty years. In the Second Presbyterian Church she is a strong and influential member, and gives much atten- tion to its Missionary Society. All her life she has been a teacher in the Sunday school, and she shared in her husband's advanced temperance ideas. Mr. and Mrs. Crowder had children as follows : J. Willlam, at home; Elizabeth, Mrs. John E. George, of Springfield; Martha Lonise, at home; and Edward, of Springfield.

Mr. Crowder passed away February 22, 1911, being seventy-five years and nine months old. During his long and active life he gave liber- ally of his time and mental attributes to the various causes he so deeply loved. He enlisted for service in the Civil War and although re- fused on account of physical defects, served in the Home Guard. He held many responsible offices, belonging to the Republican party after its formation, until the Prohibition party be- came national, and he always acted as his con- science dictated. In 1895 he located In Spring- field, at No. 926 Governor Street, where his death occurred. His work as a member of the State Historical Society cannot be over-esti- mated, and he wrote a number of treatises to defend his position and advance his canse. Charitable and loving, following out In his dally life the principles of the religion he taught, Mr. Crowder rounded ont a nseful life, and when he died the whole community sorrowed as over the loss of a personal friend. He had lived in stirring times; the earlier part of his life was spent in struggling to help free the black man from the curse of slavery, and the latter part was equally strenuous in behalf of the slaves of alcohol. Snch a man will never be forgotten ; the good he accomplished will live on into eter- nity, and men will grow better, civic conditions will improve, and the cause of Prohibition and religion advance, because of the never-ending

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IIISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

efforts of those whose sole purpose in life is to uplift their fellows.

CROWDER, William A. (deceased), for many years a resident of Springfield, Ill., was one of that city's inost useful and worthy citizens, being ready to give his support and influence to the promotion of any public movement or en- terprise. He was a native of Springfield, born April 15, 1842, son of Washington and Isabel (Laughlin) Crowder, the former born in Lex- Ington, Ky., July 9, 1813, and the latter, also a native of Lexington, born September 27, 1817. The father was a farmer and came to Sanga- mon County in an early day, settling just out- side of Springfield, where the remainder of his life was spent.

The education of Willlam A. Crowder was acquired In the public schools of Springfield and in a business college in that city. After leaving school he taught for several years in the business college then conducted by Messrs. Rutledge & Davidson, and then moved to Oska- loosa, Ia., where he worked in the grocery store of his uncle two years. He then re- turned to Springfield, and after working two years for his father on the farm, took a posl- tion as book-keeper in the grocery store of George Connelly, where he remained eight years. Theu for a short time he filled a sim- ilar position in the employ of A. H. Saunders, after which he retired from active life. He was an industrious aud faithful worker and looked after the interests of his employers care- fully. He won many friends in the course of his residence in Springfield, and his loss was keenly felt in many circles. His death occurred at his home, 806 North Tenth Street, Spring- field, in 1891, He was a devout member of the Methodist Church and in politics was a Repub- lican.

Mr. Crowder married In Springfield, November 31, 1865, to Isabel Lauterman, a na- tive of Springfield, born December 23, 1841. Her father came to Springfield from Lexing- ton, Ky., at an early day and entered land where the State House now stands, aud after- ward entered land which is now included in Washington Park. His wife came from Greens- burg, Ky., to Springfield, also in an early day. He died in 1863 and she in 1861, both in Spring- field. The Lauterman family lived near the home of Lincoln in Springfield, and were often favored with his visits, so that Mrs. Crowder has many pleasaut memories of him, having known him well as a neighbor. Ten children were born to Mr. Crowder and his wife, of whom seven are now living, namely: Charies L., of Springfield, a baggage-man in the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railway Company ; Fred C., also of Springfield ; George E., of St. Louis, a pressman by trade; William L., of Springfield, linotype operator for the Spring- field News; Ethel B., wife of F. L. Irwin, of Fresno, Cal .; Gertrude, wife of William Pan- nell, a stationary engineer living In Springfield;

Henrietta, wife of Arthur Billington, an em- ploye of the Illinois Watch Company. Mrs. Crowder has five grandchildren.

CRUDDEN, Patrick (deceased) .- Springfield is in the center of a rich inining district that at- tracts workers from all over the world. The mines give employment to thousands of men, who find in the dangerous occupation a means of obtaining a livelihood. Patrick Crudden, now deceased, was a coal miner there., He was born in County Monahan, Ireland, in 1827, and was a genial, warm-hearted, hard-working man, who had friends wherever he went. He was a son of Barney and Mary (Matthews) Crudden, both born in Ireland, where the father was a farmer.

Growing up In Ireland, Patrick Crudden lived with his parents and worked on their farm, until he came to America in search of better opportunities. About 1866 he located in Spring- field, which continued his home until his de- mise, May 4, 1907. His remains were interred in Calvary Cemetery he having been a consis- tent member of the Catholic Church. In politi- cal faith he was a Democrat, but never cared for office.

Mr. Crudden was married in Durham, Eng- land, in 1853, to Bridget McCardle, born in Ire- laud, January 5, 1839, a daughter of John and Alice (Murray) McCardle, also natives of Ire- land. Mr. McCardle was a farmer in Ireland, which remained his home until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Crudden had the following children : Patrick, born May 9, 1857; Mary Anna, born May 7, 1859; Burnett, deceased, born December 22, 1869; Alice, deceased, born January 1, 1868; Rose, born July 5 1870; Kate, born in 1874; Margaret, born January 5, 1882. Mrs. Crudden's home is at No. 1803 East Jackson Street. The family are prominent in the Catholic Church, to which all belong. The respect and confidence which Mr. Crudden inspired for his honesty and integrity, won for his family a recognized place in the commuunity, and they are reaping the benefit of his hard work and sterling traits of character.

CULLOM. Shelby M. (Voi. I, p. 125.)

CUMBERWORTH, George H .- Many representa- tive meu of Sangamon County, after being en- gaged in a number of other undertakings, re- turn to the cultivation of the soil, believing that in nothing else can they obtaiu such satisfactory results from their investments of time and money. One of the progressive farmers of Cap- ital Township Is George H. Cumberworth, born twelve miles from Sheffield, in Derbyshire, Eng- land, October 17, 1859, a son of Henry and Caro- line (Hawkins) Cumberworth, both uatives of England. Heury Cumberworth was a miner, who followed his calling in his native land until he left for America in 1866, sailing from Liver- pool and landing in New York. From that city he came direct to Springfield, where he found

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employment with the Wabash Railroad Com- pany, but after a year with that company com- menced farming. For four years he farmed, but then began mining, and is stili in that line of work, although now seventy-eight years old. His home is in Gardner Township. He had the misfortune to lose itis wife, June 3, 1895. Their family of three children are all living; George HI .; Joseph, a farmer of Capital Township, and Mrs. Anna Cummins, of Gardner Township.

The education of George H. Cumberworth was obtained in a ward school in Springfield. He came to America a year after his father. After leaving school his first work was on his father's farm, but later he went into the mines, and con- tinued in them nntii he was thirty-two years of age. At that time he embarked in a moving and transfer business in Springfield but after con- tinuing it a quarter of a century, sold out, and in 1902 bought his present farm in Capital Town- ship.

The mariage of Mr. Cumberworth occurred in Springfield, October 18, 1893, to Mary Davis, born in Illinois, January 6, 1856. Her father was a farmer, but is now deceased, as is the mother. Mr. and Mrs. Cumberworth are the parents of two children, Earl and Clara, botil of whom are at home. The Methodist Church holds Mr. Cumberworth's membership. He has voted the Democratic ticket since attaining his majority, but does not seek public office. Fra- ternaily he belongs to the Royal Americans. He is one of the progressive men of his town- ship, thoroughly abreast of the times, and un- derstands and appreciates the immense possi- bilities of agriculture.

CUMMINGS, Joseph .- There are many men now living who remember well the great martyr Abraham Lincoln, whom the world recognizes as the greatest American. They recall the man as they knew him in Springfield, remembering nothing but good, and even to this day their eyes fill with tears as they think of his fate. One who has this distinction is Joseph Cum- mnings, a retired farmer of Illiopolis, born in Ross County, Ohio, July 17, 1832. He is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Shriver) Cum- mings, the former born In Maryland in 1803, and the latter in Little York, Pa., in 1822. Robert Cummings was a farmer and came to Illinois in 1840, settling in Logan County on a farm which he continued to operate up to the tline of his death, in 1865. The family born to himself and wife comprised ten children, but all who survive are Joseph Cummings; Mrs. Elizabeth Corn, of Coffey County, Kan .; Mrs. Catherine Trolipp, of Delavan, Tazewell County, Ill. ; Mrs. Margaret Payne, of Normal, Iil.

Joseph Cummings was educated in the conn- try school near German Prairie, Clear Lake Township, and during his boyhood he worked for his father on the farm. Learning this line of work in his youth, Mr. Cummings has car- ried it on all his life in Sangamon and Logan Counties. In 1898 he moved to Ililopolis

Township, but in 1906 retired to the village, buying his present very comfortable home.

On October 25, 1866, occurred the marriage of Mr. Cummings and Miss Mary J. Cochran, . in the old American House at Springfield. She was born in Franklin County, Pa., in 1834, a daughter of Samuei Cochran, who came to Il- linols in an early day, locating in Sangamon County, where he engaged in farming, thus continuing until his death. Mrs. Cummings died in 1900, having borne her husband three children : Mary E., wife of George Rose of Pekin, Iil .; Winfield S., of Sangamon County ; and Laura F., of Deland, Iii. There are two fille grandchildren in the family.

The religious connections of Mr. Cummings are with the Methodist Church. He is a Re- publican and had the honor of casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Cummings greatly inisses his wife, whose death was a great shock to him. She was a lovely lady, whose sweet and Christian character endeared her to everyone who knew her. After a long and useful Ilfe Mr. Cummings is now enjoying the fruits of his well-applied industry.

CUMMINGS, Peter (deceased), who for many years carried on a farm In Sangamon County, Ill., passed away in the prime of life, leaving a widow and five children to mourn his loss. He was born in Quebec, Canada, and received his education there. His father, Edward Cum- mings, a butcher by trade, was born in Ireland, and his mother, Alice (Butler) Cummings, was . a native of France. The parents were married in Canada and there spent the remainder of their lives.

Mr. Cummings joined the navy in boyhood and served several years. He came to Sanga- mon County after the close of the Civil War and there became a successful farmer. He was married in Sangamon County, November 11, 1870, to Adaline Slaven, born in Pike County, Ill .. daughter of W. H. Slaven, a native of Vir- ginla, while his wife was born in Tennessee. W. H. Slaven was an early settler of Pike County, where he carried on farming for a time, then removed to Iowa and spent the remainder of his life there, passing away January 31, 1865. His widow survived him until June, 1876, and dled in Williamsville. Mr. Slaven enlisted in a Missouri regiment for service in the Civil War. Five children were born to Mr. Cum- mings and his wife, of whom four survive: William, a painter living in Springfield; Nellie, wife of Jerry McGrew, of Williamsville, has two children, Bessie and Henrietta ; Thomas, in the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company, lives at Taylorville; George, a chef, living at Williamsville.

In religious views Mr. Cnminings was a Methodist, and his widow is a member of the Baptist Church. He was a Republican in poli- tics, but took no active part in public affairs, being much devoted to inis home and family. He died January 21, 1887, in his fortieth year,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

and was buried in Walnut Hill Cemetery. He was respected and esteemed by the entire com- munity where he had lived many years, and his loss was genuinely mourned by many friends. For the past twenty-three years his widow has lived in her present home in 'Wil- liamsville, which she owns. Mr. Cummings was an enterprising and industrious farmer and up- right and honest in all his dealings, enjoying an excellent reputation among his associates.

CURRIER, Mrs. Mary Priest .- No names in the long list of prominent and useful men of Illinois stand higher, or have a better chance of pre- servation against forgetfulness, as generations sweep ou iuto eternity, than those of Priest and Currier, both of which are so intimately asso- ciated with the history of the State. The re- markable careers of John W. Priest and Silas Wright Currier, have already been covered in another portion of this work. Their successes were built on such firm foundations, that only total oblivion can erase their names from the tablets of Illinois' great and noble men. Their descendants and those who were in any way as- sociated with them, have every reason to be proud of them.

Mrs. Mary Priest Currier, daughter of one of these men and widow of the other, is one of the most highly esteemed ladies of Springfield. She was born in that city, November 2, 1848, daugh- ter of John W. Priest, whose biography ap- pears on another page in this volume. Mrs. Currier is a graduate of the Springfield High School, and learned in her home those virtues aud housewifely characteristics which have made her so excellent a wife and mother. She did more, however. Realizing very early in girlhood that she possessed a mind that was masculine in its strength. she daily added to her store of knowledge growing up interested iu all that took place about her. She has taken au active interest in all that tends to the advance- ment of womanhood and character, having served on the Board of Managers of the King's Daugh- ters' Home for Old Ladies, and the Home of the Friendless; is a member of the Woman's Club of Springfield; is a life member of the Daughters of the American Revolution; is a member of the King's Daughters, of the Foreigu and Home Missionary Societies of the Baptist Church, and the Ladies' Aid Society. No mere words can do justice to what she has accom- plished through her efforts and influence. It is to suchi women as she, that so many of the im- proved couditions in Springfield, and the State of Illinois, are due. Mrs. Currier is entitled to several bars on the insignia of the Daughters of the American Revolution, from the fact that she is a descendant of several participants in the war for American Independence. and is also entitled to membership in the society of Colonial Dames.

On July 15, 1878, Mrs. Currier was united in marriage with Silas Wright Currier, born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., January

S, 1846. One daughter, Mary Currier Hatcher, was born in Springfield, June 19, 1880, a full sketch of whose life will be found elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Currier has long been an active and very efficient member of the Central Bap- tist Church of Springfield.

CURRIER, Silas Wright (deceased) .- When a man who has been a power in any community dies, his loss is felt keenly, and it is then that his true worth is first realized. His work among his fellow citizens had been going 011, quietly and steadily, but had not been appre- ciated until his taking away deprived others of the benefit of his labors, so it was not until then that they could fully sense his true merits. Silas Wright Currier, one of Springfield's fore- most men, whose death robbed the community of an able. upright citizen, was born in Pots- dam, N. Y., January 8, 1846.

Frederick Currier, the father of Silas W. Cur- rier, was born in Vermont, in 1806, of English and Welch ancestors, and his life occupations were those of a farmer and carpenter. He was married to Adeline Ellis, whose ancestors fought in the Revolution, born in 1810, in Ver- mont, of Scotch lineage. They had the follow- ing children : Mrs. Hannah Hand, now a resident of Flushing. L. I .; Mrs. Adeline Roe and Mrs. John Young, both of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Edward F., who resides iu Oneonta, N. Y .; Franklin, a Civil War veteran, who died in Michigan; Theodore, also a soldier, who died at David's Island during the war; Silas Wright; Henry and George, both of whom died at Norfolk, N. Y .; Harriet, who died at Brooklyn, N. Y., at the age of seventy-two years; and Ida, who died in infancy. The father passed away at Norwood, N. Y., in 1882, and his widow died in Brooklyn, in 1899.

Silas Wright Currier was a business genius, and he had no peers in the line of organization and promotion. The one thing, and the only one, that held him back was his utter refusal to take part in any plan that would deprive others of their just and full due. Clean, hon- est and upright in all of his own dealings, he could not see his way clear to associate himself with others who were not as scrupulous. Mr. Currier was the organizer of the Elevator Mill- ing Company, which purchased the old Eastman elevator and later erected a plant and ware- house. This business grew to extensive pro- portions becoming one of the most important industrial interests in Springfield. He remained in the capacity of president and treasurer of this large enterprise up to the time of his death, his service covering a period of sixteen years. In addition he was a stockholder and Director in the State National Bank; a stock- holder in the Springfield Paving Brick Com- pany. a heavy stockholder in the Hotel Silas, which he himself erected; was also engaged in farming in Clear Lake Township, Sangamon County, and in Christian County, III. Mr. Cur- rier's interests were of a varied character, but

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he haudled them all in that keeu, decisive mau- uer that marks a leader iu the business world, notwithstanding the fact that for years, he was handicapped hy poor health.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 36

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