Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 37

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 37

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On July 15, 1878, Mr. Currier was married, in Springfield, to Mary E. Priest, a native of that city, born November 2, 1848, daughter of John W. Priest, one of Springfield's most prom- inent citizeus, whose biography appears on an- other page in this volume. One daughter, Mary (Currier) Hatcher (whose blography also ap- pears elsewhere in this work), was horn of this uniou, June 19, 1880. Fraternally, Mr. Currier was connected with the Elks and belonged to the Sangamo Club. He was always a generous cou- tributor to church, fraternal and charitable movemeuts, as well as to any enterprise that promised to he of henefit to Springfield or the State. The uame of Silas Wilght Currier will ever be associated with all that is sincere aud upwright, and he will be remembered as an example of the highest type of citizenship. His death occurred November 20, 1902.

DALBEY, James Eastman, member of a family that has loug heen prominent In Springfield, Ill., was born at the family home at 1157 North Third Street, October 23, 1876, the only son of Joel and Araminta L. (Power) Dalbey, the paternal aucestors being of Scotch-Irish paren- tage and the maternal ones English. The Power family emigrated from Kentucky, where they were people of position and prominence, to San- gamou County, Ill. Joel Dalby was born in Pickaway Couuty, Ohio, ahout 1827 or 1828, and passed his boyhood on a farm there. As a young man, he and two of his brothers came to Springfield, Ill., and shipped live stock from there. The parents of James E. Dalhey were married in Springfield and made their home at the house on North Third Street which has since been owued and occupied by the Dalbey family. The father died in 1903 and the mother in 1906. They were members of the First Pres- byterian Church aud were parents of two chil- dren, Jenny Emeline, who was born in 1872 and died in 1876, and James E.

In boyhood James Eastman Dalbey attended the public schools of his native city, from which he graduated with the class of 1895, and when eighteen years of age entered the employ of the Municipal Electric Light Company, where he works at the present time. He has become a skilled and capable electrician and is one of the city's most trusted employees. He is most thorough and conscientlous In his work and has thus been able to secure an advance In his position from an inferior one in the beginning to one of Importance and responsibility.

Mr. Dalhey was married in Springfield, No- vember 14, 1906. to Miss Bertha Kelly, daugh- ter of the late J. H. and Tllda Kelly, and one child has blessed this union, Araminta Tilda. Mr. Dalbey inherited the family home at the death of his parents and has kept this hand- some place in good repair. He and his wife

are members of the United Brethreu Church, of which Mr. Dalhey is Trustee at present. Mr. Dalbey is a Republican in National elections but iu general votes for the best man, regard- less of party affillations.

DAMKUS, Joseph K., a well-known citizen of Springfield, Ill., was horn in the village of Sothkalneie, Russia, March 19, 1875, his par- ents being natives of the same village. The father, Baltrameius Damkus, was boru in 1825 and died in 1910, and the muother, Antinie Tomoszaitis, was born in 1832 and died in 1907. The father was a farmer and he and his wife spent their entire lives In Russia. They were parents of ten children, nine sons and oue daughter, Joseph K. being the ninth child. They were: Benedict; John; Tom ; Frank; William; Michael, died at the age of thirty-elght years; Anton died at the age of twenty-one years; Joseph, named after the old- est child, who died three years of age; Sister Weronika, lives in Russia.

In youth Mr. Damkus was unable to attend school, and Is practically self-educated. He re- malned at home and worked on his father's farın until eigliteen years of age, when he came to America, arriving in 1893. He remained In Chicago uutil 1896, being employed at various kinds of work. but in that year came to Spring- field. Iu 1897, he returned to Chicago, but the following year came again to Springfield, where he located permanently. He followed coal min- ing several years, and in 1906, under the ad- quinistration of Mayor David Griffiths, was ap- pointed on the police force. He has served as police officer under the administrations of Mayors Roy Reece, and John Schnepp. He is Independeut in political views, and is a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He has made the most of his opportunities for education and improvement since coming to America, and is able to speak ten different lan- guages, beiug a natural liuguist.

Mr. Damkns was married in Springfield June 11, 1901, at the Church of the Immaculate Con- ception, hy Father Hickey, to Isabel Adomaltys, who was born in Balandzin, Russia, in 1876, a daughter of Michael and Peatronely Adomaltys Sztokans. Her father was boru in 1844, and died in 1902, and her mother, born in 1849, dled in 1SS6. Mrs. Damnkus is the oldest of three children, the others helng Annie and Anton. Mr. Damkus and wife have two children : Joseph Silveryans, born June 20, 1902, and Dionizijans M., born October 22, 1903. The family are well known and have a number of friends. They reside at 1809 North Tenth Street. Mr. Dam- kus is of striking appearance, being six feet one and one-half inches In height, and weighs 340 pounds.

DANIEL, Nathan T .- One of the important fea- tures of all Illinois cities Is the location there of retired farmers who, after years devoted to the tilling of the soil, have given up active pursuits

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and are prepared to devote more time to the study of civic conditions. Nathan T. Daniel has made Springfield his home for some years and iu earlier years was a well-known agriculturist. Ife was born in Clay County, Ill., November 10, 1847, a son of John and Paulina (Barrah) Daniel, the former born in Clay County, Ill., in 1824, and the latter in Ohio, in 1825. The father was a farmer and spent his life in Clay County, where his death occurred. The pa- ternal grandfather was a soldier of the Mexi- can War, who located in Clay County, Ill., at a time when that locality was but sparsely settled.

Nathan T. Daniel grew up in Clay County, working on a farm, and he has devoted his life to this class of work. In the fall of 1866 Mr. Daniel left Clay County, going to Kansas, where he remained until 1871 when he moved to In- diana. In 1875 he returned to Clay County, whence he came to Sangamon County, whichi has since been his place of residence. Mr. Daniel served under Custer, in Company S, Nineteenth Kansas Cavalry, participating in the battle of Antelope Bluff, in which Chief Black Kettle was killed. In addition, he was a participant in other less important engagements. While a stanch Republican, Mr. Daniel has not taken an active part In public life, but can always be counted upon to give an active support to any enterprise he believes will be beneficial to the community at large. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian.

Mr. Daniel was married in Clay County, Ill., August 20, 1875. to Sarah Davis, born In Ohio, in 1855. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel : Estella, born August 28, 1876; Flora, born in October, 1878; Edward, born April 29, 1880; Elizabeth, born November 7, 1882; Louls E., born In October, 1884; John, born April 2, 1886, and Alma, born Angust 30, 1892. The family have a pleasant residence at No. 1700 East Maple Street. Ife Is a man of pleasing inanner, social in his tastes, and has a number of warm personal friends in Sangamon and Clay Counties. Before his retirement he had owned and developed a fine farmi which was one of the best in his neighborhood. His suc- cess was due to his industry and thrift, as well as to his knowledge of the best methods of farming.

DANIELS, James M., who has long been a resi- dent of Sangamon County, Ill., and has seen many changes take place In this section, has the distinction of being one of the self-inade men of Pleasant Plains, where he is now en- gaged in the poultry, egg and fish business. Mr. Daniels was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, No- vember 18, 1841, a son of John and Percilla (Radcliff) Daniels, and a grandson on the pa- ternal side of a Revolutionary soldier who served throughout the war.

The parents of Mr. Daniels, both natives of West Virginia, were married in that State, which they left about 1827 to go to Chillicothe,

Ohio, where seven of their fourteen children were born. Of their children those living are: Nancy Daniels, widow of Chesley D. Smith, now residing in Oklahoma City, Okla .; Samuel, who resides in South Dakota; and James M. In 1849 John Danlels and wife settled in Cart- wright Township, Sangamou Couuty, but In 1852 the family went to Davless County, Mo., and lived until 1858, then moved to Abingdon, Ill. While at this place the mother and two chil- dren died of cholera, there being an epidemic In Illinois at that time, and the father returned to Daviess County, Mo., where he remained until his death in February, 1865.

In 1860, when but nineteen years old, James M. Daniels decided to returu to Illinols, work- lug his passage back by helping his brother-in- law, William Willis, drive his stock from Mis- souri to Sangamou County. He had left with a cash capital of teu cents in his pocket, but during a friendly scuffle with his brother, Johu, lost this small sun. John Daniels afterwards went to Centralia, Ill., and there died. Thrown thus on his own resources, James M. Daniels se- cured work by the month in Illinois and about 1866 had saved enough to rent a farnı. On Jan- uary 9, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Parkison, who was born near Circleville, Ohlo, November 15. 1850. daughter of Hngh and Ellen Frances (Jackson) Parkison, natives of New York and Baltimore, Md .. re- spectively. The Jackson and Parkison fam- lies both removed to Circleville, Ohio, where Mrs. Daniels' parents were married, and they came to Illinois in 1856, settling in Cartwright Township, where Mr. Parkison carried on farming until 1874, in that year removing to Christian Connty. Here he purchased a farm, which he operated until his death abont 1892, while his widow still survives, having reached the ripe old age of eighty-five years. To them there were born a large family of children as follows : Stephen, who died at the age of forty- one years ; David, who died In 1901, when fifty years of age; Carrie, who was the wife of George Sutton, both being deceased; Sarah, who died at the age of sixty-four years; John, who lives with his mother at Millersville, Ill .; Joseph. a retired merchant of Springfield; Ella, the wife of Thomas W. Knott, of Millersville ; Anna, the wife of Cyrus Moore, of Assumption ; Minnie, the wife of Edward Allison, of Chicago ; William, a farmer near Pana; and Newton, residing at Shelbyville, Il1.

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Daniels located on a farm and In 1871 purchased a farm in Cartwright Township, which Mr. Danlels oper- ated until 1882, then selling out to buy the farm now operated by Marshall Grider. In 1887 that farm was sold and Mr. Daniels en- tered the Inmber business, but for the past few years he has been engaged in the egg, poul- try and fish business at Pleasant Plains. He can look back with pleasure over his inany years of hard work, from the time when the present town of Pleasant Plains was but a mud-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

hole and the country wild and uncultivated, and can also take pleasure in the fact that he is now a substantial business man through the efforts and industry he has expended, from the time when his capital was ten cents. Mr. and Mrs. Daniels now reside in a pleasant home on East North First Street, where all the friends of the family are sure of a hearty welcome. They have long been members of the Methodist Church and Mr. Daniels, while never seeking public preferment, has always been interested in Democratic politics. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America at Pleasant Plains.

Mr. and Mrs. Daniels have had four chil- dren : David, born September 4, 1869, a travel- ing lumber salesman whose home is in Spring- field, married Olive Smith; Luther, born Sep- tember 18, 1871, section foreman for the Cen- tral Pacific & Saint Louis Railroad Company, married Mollie McGraw and has one child, Velma; Hattie, born October 10, 1873, is the wife of Albert Irwin, of Flora, Ill., and has two sons-Loran and Leonard; and James A., born October 15, 1876, Cashier of the bank of Heyworth, Ili., married Miss Libbie Purvines and had two children, Russell and Guinlin.

DASHER, Edwin Huston, Sr .- Sangamon County has an established reputation all over the State for the quality and excellence of its instructors, through whose efforts the schools of this locality have been developed so remark- ably. One of the men who have been largely instrumental in bringing out this desirable con- dition of educational affairs, is Edwin Huston Dasher, Sr., now of Pleasant Plains, Ill. Mr. Dasher was born at Columbus, Ohio, November 19, 1873, being a son of George Clay and Fran- ces Beatrice (Thomas) Dasher. The father was born at Lewisburg, Ohio, June 12, 1845, while his wife was born at Columbus, Ohio, September 19, 1851. For a quarter of a century, the father was a teacher, during which time he was professor of mathematics at Columbus, Ohio, besides holding numerous superintenden- cies. His parents came from Virginia, and were of German descent. The Dasher settlement in Ohio occurred in 1835. The Thomas family came from the North of Ireland, so Mr. Dasher has good, sturdy ancestors back of him.

Mr. Dasher graduated from Lincoln High School in 1893, from the Interstate Correspond- ence School in 1901, and Brown's Business Col- lege in 1910. He located in Sangamon County in 1907, when he settled at Pawnee, coming there from Christian County, Ill. He began teaching school September. 1893, at Blue Grass, near Atlanta, Ill., remaining there for a year. He then took charge of schools near Morrison- ville, and taught there for nine years, when, in 1897, he taught at Monegan for a year. In 1898, 1899 and 1900, he taught at Shiioh, and for the following two years was at Evergreen. From 1903 to 1904 he taught at White Oak; returned to Evergreen for a year, and then, in

1905, went to King. In 1907 he taught at San- ders, and during 1908 and 1909 was Principal of the Pawnee High School, now holding the same responsible position with regard to the Pleasant Plains High School, receiving a salary of ninety dollars per month. Mr. Dasher has always been enthusiastic regarding his work, and never neglected any opportunity for en- larging his scope or broadening his outlook. He is a man who possesses in marked degree the power to impart knowledge, and has always been very popular with the pupiis and their parents, who have appreciated his efforts. Believing in organization, Mr. Dasher is an ac- tive and valued member of the Sangamon County Teachers' Association and the Illinois State Teachers' Association.

On January 18, 1899, Mr. Dasher was united in marriage at Morrisonville, Ill., with Clara Reasoner Lyles, born near that town, December 30, 1880. Mrs. Dasher's parents, John W. and Harriet J. (Bettis) Lyles, came to Christian County, Ill., in 1869, locating one mile south and one mile east of the southeast corner of Sangamon County. Mr. and Mrs. Dasher are parents of the following children: Daniel Ar- chie, born July 24, 1902; Mildred Evelyn, born October 6, 1906; Edwin Huston, Jr., born June 23, 190S, and Roscoe Wiley, born November 20, 1910. Mr. Dasher's conscientious scruples and principles make him a Prohibitionist. In re- ligious faith he is a Methodist, and for six years was superintendent of a Sunday School near Pawnee and one year at Pawnee. Alive, thoroughly abreast of the day, keenly interested in everything pertaining to his profession, Mr. Dasher is one of the best teachers this county has ever secured, and his valuable services are estimated at their true worth.

DAVIDSON, George W .- One of the most prominent farmers of Sangamon County, Ill., is George W. Davidson, who is aiways ready to lend his influence and services to any public enterprise in his community, or to help those in trouble or need. Mr. Davidson was born in Ball Township, Sangamon County, March 12, 1855, son of Samuel and Amanda (Knuckles) Davidson whose biography appears on another page of this work.

In boyhood George W. Davidson attended Oak Ridge School in Pawnee Township, and lived at home until he was thirty years of age. He then began farming on his own account and has been very successful. He bought and shipped stock for many years, and has been en- terprising and progressive in his operations, be- ing a man of excellent business judgment. He is very found of fox hunting and outdoor sports of all kinds, and spends many of his hours of leisure in this diversion. He has traveled but little, being very fond of home and devoted to his family. He now owns 410 acres of fine farming land on Section 10 of Divernon Town- ship, and carries on general farming, besides caring for his other business interests. He is

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

a stockholder in the Divernon Grain Elevator Company.

Mr. Davidson was married in St. Louis, Mo., October 22, 1888, by Rev. Matthews, to Ann E. Shepherd, born in Sangamon County, Decem- ber 12, 1862, daughter of Thomas B. and Ar- minda (Pyle) Shepherd, the former a native of Maryland and the latter born In St. Clair Coun- ty, Ill., October 13, 1838, dled In Sangamon Coun- ty, January 30, 1907, being burled in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield. Mr. Shepherd has re- tired from active life and lives in Pawnee. Mr. Davidson and his wife have three children, namely : Flossie L., born August 18, 1889; Lella F., December 3, 1891; and George S., April 15, 1907, all at home. Mrs. Davidson is one of three children, the others being: Thomas A., the old- est, a prominent farmer of Sangamon County, married Marian M. Weber and they have three children-Stella M., George W. and Charles R .; Mary E., married Charles W. Anderson, who died In March, 1901, and she now lives in Paw- nee and has two children-Leslle C. and Nellle S. Mr. Davidson was one of nine children, of whom four are deceased.

In politics Mr. Davidson is a Democrat, but usually votes for the man rather than for party. He has served as Road Commissioner and School Director. Fraternally he belongs to Co rt of Honor No. 334 and to the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 200, at Divernon. He and his fam- ily are earnest members of the Methodist Church and active in church and benevolent work.

DAVIDSON, Samuel, now living retired from active life, on Section 3, Pawnee Township, Sangamon County, Ill., has carried on agricul- tural operations all his life and has been suc- cessful to a gratifying degree. Mr. Davidson was born in Davidson County, Tenn., October 19, 1821, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Hall) Davidson, the former born In North Carolina and the latter in Tennessee. The fa- ther was a farmer and was brought by his parents to Tennessee when a boy, Davidson County, that State, being named after his fa- ther, John Davidson moved from Tennessce to Indiana, bringing his family with him, and later came to Illinois. He located first at Vandalla, and afterward moved to Macoupln County, where both he and his wife died, on a farm about four miles west of Girard. The maternal and paternal grandfathers of Samuel Davidson dled in Tennessee, where they had located at an early day.

Samuel Davidson received his education in the country schools of Illinois and Ilved on his father's farm until he reached his majority, then lived in the family of Abner Knotts until his marrlage. He has been a resident of Ill1- nols since he reached the age of five years and has lived In hls present home since 1857. He was a hardworking and energetic farmer and brought his land to a high state of cultivatlon. He has lived retired for several years and hlres

the work done by others. but retains charge of the conduct of the farm. He owns 160 acres of excellent land and has good substantial build- ings on same. He and his wife have witnessed the remarkable development of ceutral Illlnols, as she was born in Sangamon County and he has spent most of his life in the State. His parents came with a wagon from Tennessee, and the family bore the hardships and dangers incident to early froutier Ilfe.

The marrlage of Mr. Davidson took place in Ball Township, May 9, 1850, when he was united by Rev. Bradshaw with Amanda Knuckles, daughter of John and Ann (Collins) Knuckles, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of New Jersey. The father of Mr. Knuckles was a native of North Carolina, where his death occurred, and the father of Ann Col- lins, who was born in Virginia, also died in that State. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Davidson, of whom four are deceased. Those living are: Samuel M., born September 5. 1861; Thomas J., born March 4, 1864, mar- ried Carrie Johnson; George W., born March 12. 1855, lives near his father, Is the owner of 560 acres of land, and married Anna E. Shep- herd; Amanda V., born May 26, 1866, is un- married and lives at home; Miriam, born Oc- tober 5, 1868, is the second wife of Samuel Stout; Charles C., born June 5, 1872, died August 25, 1892 ; Ann, born April 24, 1881, mar- rled John Moore, and died February 18, 1905; Emma A., born March 25, 1858, was the first wife of Samuel Stout (who marrled as hls sec- ond wife her sister Miriam), and died Sep- tember 13, 1891; Douglas, born June 25, 1853, died November 6, 1869. There are thirteen grandchildren in the family.

Mr. Davidson and his family are active mem- bers of the Methodist Church and live up to the principles and tenets of thelr falth. He has been a resident of his present home more than half a century and Is well known and much respected by the entire community, as a man of sterling worth and high character. He is a Democrat in politics and served many years as School Director. He has also been for many years a Trustee in the Methodist Church and is Interested in every good cause.

DAVIES, Morgan A .- One of the men of Sanga- mon County iu whom burns the fire of poetic genlus is the well known poet, Morgan A. Da- vies, who was highly honored at the Columbian Exposition in 1893, as well as upon many other occasions. He is a native of Wales, born March 15, 1845. being a son of David and Amelia (Jones) Davies, the former born In London, England, and the latter in Wales. The paternal grandfather was an eminent divine of the Bap- tist faith, while the maternal grandfather was prominent In local affairs, serving his parish as Road Commissioner for forty years. Botlı parents of Mr. Davies spent thelr Ilves In Great Britain, dying in Wales, and he is the only one of his family to come to the United States.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

After a boyhood spent in hard work for his father and iu the Welsh mines, during which tlme he received no educational advantages, Mr. Davies came to the land of promise, land- ing at Castle Garden, July 19, 1869. At once he. found employment in the mines at Akron, Ohio, where he remained until 1877, when he removed to Macon County, Mo., there embark- iug in a grocery business. From that location he weut to New Mexico ; thence to Spring Val- ley, fiually settling at Divernon, Ill., which is now his place of residence. Since locating here he has taken an active part in local matters, being a strong Republican, and aslde from act- Ing as Election Judge upon many occasions, is now Justice of the Peace.

Ou May 13, 1875, Mr. Davies was married at Coal Valley, Rock Island County, Ill., to Lucy Phillips, born in Wales, who came here when only one year old. Her parents, Willlam and Ilaunah (Reece) Phillips located first in Iron- town, Ohio, upon their arrival in the United States, but later removed to Coal Valley. Still later they went to Carroll County, Iowa, where both died on a farm they had bought. The grandparents of Mrs. Davles never left Wales., Mr. and Mrs. Davles became the parents of one child, a son, Ithel B., born in Rock Island County, Ill., February 29, 1876. Mrs. Davies was one of six children born to her parents. She and another were born in Wales, but the remaining four were born in the United States.

Mr. Davies is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Red Men and Foresters, and is next to the oldest member in the first named lodge. His religious affiliations are with the Congregational Church. Since early youth he has been connected with this denomination and counts his religious experiences as among the happiest of his life. He Is a man who car- ries his religion with him, not making a task of carrying out its mandates, but enjoying them, and his influence, for good Is deeply felt by all who are brought into contact with him.

Without regular scholastic training, Mr. Davies has taught himself, and has developed his talents until he is one of the best representa- tives of Welsh poesy the country knows. Dur- ing the World's Fair at Chicago Mr. Davies had the distinction of being sent to It as the repre- sentative of the Welsh Literary World, and while there gained many honors. His genlus was recognized and he has a number of medals won during that perlod. Whlle enjoying his poetic work, Mr. Davles has not neglected prac- tical matters, but has amassed a considerable amount of property, a portion of which has been gained from his writings, and is one of the solid men of Sangamon County. His verse rings with the true Welsh spirit, and his words of encouragement have raised many a drooping spirit and brought back into the fold more than one straying brother, who had forgotten early teachings in the glare of worldly pursuits. Mr. Davles' son is a shareholder and Manager of the Bradley Knitting Company, of Delavan,

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 37

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