Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 4

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 4

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ATHERTON, Dr. Albert, retired physician and banker, has done much to Impress his person- ality on the community in which he has long lived and labored, always with a sense of his responsibility to the public. He was born in Morgan County, Ill., October 23, 1828, a son of Jonathan Atherton. The father was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1803, a son of the Rev. Theophilus Atherton, also of New York nativity. The family of Atherton is of Eng- glish descent and is related to that of the Har- pers represented by the proprietors of the great publishing house of Harper & Brothers and their successors. The Atherton family was established in New York before the beginning of the last century. Rev. Atherton settled in Pickaway County, Ohio, about 1820. Not only was he a pioneer there in the work of the Presbyterian Church, but was also an educator and farmer. Jonathan Atherton was reared on the farm and educated under his father's able supervision. He married Ann Johnson, a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., and a daughter of Richard John- son, who became a pioneer settler in Pickaway County. In 1826, abont two years after his marriage, he moved with his wife to Illinois and they located among early settlers in Morgan County, where he developed a good farm, on which he reared a family of children and died about 1862. Hls widow lived some years after hils death and passed away at the residence of the immediate subject of this sketch. She had three children who reached maturity, the surviv- ors belng Dr. Albert Atherton and a danghter, Mrs. Alice B. Howard, of South Dakota.

Dr. Atherton grew to manhood in Morgan County, and attended public school until he was prepared to enter Illinois College at Jacksonville. As an aid to his medical studies and as a useful experience, he tanght school several terms. He studied for his profession at Arcadia, Morgan County, and took lectures in St. Louis, Mo., in the winter of 1851-52. He gradnated with the Class of 1853 and began practice at Cartwright, Sangamon Connty. In time his ride was widely extended. Ile was an active and successful member of his profession in the county until abont 1870, when he. began gradually to put aside professional cares. During the Civil War period he was a stanch defender of the Union. He has been an ardent Republican since the organization of the party in 1856, but has never been an aspirant for public office. Soon after coming to Sangamon County he bonght land near Pleasant Plains, where he developed a farm which he still owns. It contains 160 acres and is under successful cultivation. He estab- lished a drug store and grocery at Pleasant Plains, which he conducted profitably for some years. He was one of the organizers, about 1880, of the bank of Tracy, Bukman and Com- pany, later the bank of Atherton, Richardson and Company, which has long been known as one of Sangamon County's solid financial in- stitutions. In 1906 It was reorganized, with increased stock, as the Pleasant Plains State Bank, with Dr. Atherton as President and A. Q. Irwin as Cashier.

Dr. Atherton married, in August, 1856, Miss Sarah Ann Hayes, a native of Lancaster County, Pa., daughter of August Hayes who, after she had heen reared and educated in her native town, became an early settler in Illinois, to which State he brought his family. The writer is able to include the following items of in- terest concerning the children of Dr. Atherton. Elma C. married Robert Lane, the present Mayor of Pleasant Plains; Albert is a leading merchant at Jacksonvile, Ill .; Mary Alice is Mrs. George Harnett, of Springfield, III .; Au- gust lives on a part of the old family home- stead: Edward J. Is Assistant Cashler of the Pleasant Plains State Bank and is represented by an independent sketch in this work; William, prominent in public and political matters, is Supervisor of Cartwright Township and is ope- rating the Atherton homestead; Mabel Is the youngest of the survivors; two have died- Franklin, aged for years, and LeRoy in in- fancy. Dr. and Mrs. Atherton are prominently helpful in the work of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.

ATHERTON, Edward Jonathan .- The banking institutions of the country, controlling the fi- nancial affairs of the people, have to associate with themselves men whose names carry weight. Their officials must be of nnblemished character and high standing, or the business suffers. The Pleasant Plains State Bank is fortunate in hav- ing among its officials a young man of the con-

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nectious aud ability of Edward Jonathan Ather- ton, who comes of one of the most honored of Sangamon County families.

Mr. Atherton. was horn March 24, 1869, at Pleasaut Plains, and has grown up among the people whose interests he uow represents. He is a son of Dr. Albert Atberton, and his wife Sarah Ann (Hayes ) Atherton, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Atherton graduated from Whipple Academy, Jacksonville, Ili., Class of 1890, the first class to receive di- plomas from the institution. He then taught school for eight years, later attending the Iu- diana University, at Bloomington, and at the close of his junior year entered the senior class of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, graduating with the Class of 1901, with the degree of A. B. Immediately thereafter he entered the Pleasant Plaius State Bank, where he is now Assistaut Cashier. He ably discbarges the duties of his important positlon.

The marriage of Mr. Atherton took place on June 30, 1902, at Sycamore, Ill., when he was united with Sadie Chenoweth Athons. Mr. aud Mrs. Atkinson have two children-Tracy Leon aud Dwight Wilbur. Mr. Atherton is a Repuh- lican in politics and a Metbodist in religiou. He is one of the most reliable and conservative young meu of Pleasant Plains, and he and his charming wife have gatbered abont them a con- genial circle of friends.

ATKINS, Palmer .- The power of the press has always heen recognized and the men who have assisted in establishing and maintaining that migbty influence have borne more thau their part in molding public opinion. It is aliuost impossible to carry through any project without the support of the newspapers of a community, and many a man of measure has been defeated hecause of a lack of harmony between the pro- moters and the press. One of the veteran news- paper men of Springfield . is Palmer Atkius, whose services are gratefuliy remembered by the inany to whom he was, for a number of years, the mouthpiece of popular demand. He is now living retired at No. 1416 South Seventb Street. For nearly fourteen years he was con- nected with the "Illinois State Register." As is true of so many Americans, Mr. Atkins traces his ancestry back to one of three brotbers on his fathers side who came to this country from Engiand in 1750. They came of sea-faring stock of a family of whalers or mercbantinen. These hrothers located at Middletown, Conn., and two of them who engaged in the whaling trade, were lost at sea. The third, Seth, the great-great-grandfather of Palmer Atkins, died at Middletown. His grandson, Seth, went to Lewis County, N. Y., heing an early settler of the place, and engaged In farming. His son, aiso Seth, and father of Palmer Atkins, was born in Middletown, Coun .. in 1819, but was reared in Lewis County, N. Y. He became well- known as a manufacturer of stoves, making a specialty of manufacturing stove fronts. In

1856 lie came west with his family from New York City, which had bceu his home for some years, and located iu Chicago. Later he moved ~ to Mouruouth, Warreu Couuty, Ill., where he had charge of the Pattee Plow Works. His death occurred there iu 1892. In political af- filiatious lie was a Democrat. Palmer Atkins was his only child, horn of bis marriage in New York State to Jane Palmer, daughter of John Palmer, Superintendeut of the Erie Canal. Mrs. Atkins died in Chicago, iu 1857.

The Paliuer family were originally frou Not- tinghamshire, England, and Walter Palmer, who was boru iu Englaud in 1598, came to Stou- iugtou, Conn., in 1653. He married Rebekah Short. Mr. Atkins' great-grandfather, John Palmer, was a member of the Continental Armny from Connecticut. His son, also uamed John Palmer, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was in the war of 1812, while his uncle, George Palmer, also a sou of John Paliuer Jr., served in the Mexicau War, being fatally wounded at the battle of Chepultepec, near the city of Mexico. This, with the military career of the subject of this sketch, makes four suc- cessive generatious who estabiisbed a war rec- ord from the Revolution to the Civil War period.

Palmer Atkins was horn on the site of old Fort Stanwix (N. Y.), of Revolutionary fame, August 28, 1842, and lived in New York State until he was fourteeu years of age, when he was hrought hy his parents to Chicago. After studying in the puhlic schools of both New York and Illinois, he attended the semi- nary at Mt. Morris, Ill. When only seventeen he began learning the printer's trade in the office of the "Dixon Telegraph," remaining there un- til the outbreak of the Civil War, wheu be en- listed as a private, joining the first company organized in Dixon, May 24, 1861. This was Company A, Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. Although a mere lad, he endured hard- ships bravely. The company was mustered into the United States service May 24, 1861, by Capt. John Pope, afterwards Commander of the Army of the Potomac, for three years' ser- vice or during the war. Their first engage- ment was at Wilson Creek, Mo., when Gen. Lyon was killed. Later Mr. Atkius participated iu the battie of Pea Ridge, in which the regi- ment iost 187 out of 460 men, and in the un- successful campaign against Vickshurg, was with Gen. Curtis in Arkansas, and later took part in the battles of Jackson, Champion Hills, the siege of Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Mis- sionary Ridge, Ringgold Gap and Madison Sta- tion. From the latter the regiment was or- dered home to he mustered out. During the greater part of this time Mr. Atkins acted as staff printer and speciai messenger at Gen. Grant's beadquarters, taking many of the cipher dispatches. On April 19, 1864, while at Hunts- ville. Mr. Atkins was detailed to take charge of all the mail of the Fifteenth Army Corps, com- manded by Gen. John A. Logan, which heavy responsibility was faitbfully discharged by him.

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He was finally discharged June 18, 1864, and returning home, resumed his priutiug business. He has always been foremost in advocating all public measures he has believed would result in the betterment of bis community, and is rightly considered one of the representative men of Springfield. He is a member of Stephenson Post No. 30, G. A. R., also of Springfield Lodge No. 465, I. O. O. F., of which he is Past Grand Master, and he aud his wife are members of the Second Presbyterian Church.

ATKINSON, George W., who has been a resident of Sangamon Couuty for more than sixty years, and now lives retired from an active life in tbc village of Riverton, is a native of Piqua, Ohio, born January 7, 1837. He is a son of William and Rachel (Nevius) Atkinson, both natives of New Jersey and the father a blacksmith by trade. William Atkinson followed his trade several years in his native State, tben removed, by wagon, to Obio, where he lived until 1849, the date of his coming to Illinois. Besides work- ing at his trade he bought and sold cattle and horses, driving them to market. The family made the trip from Ohio to Illinois by wagon, consuming several weeks on the journey, and on the way the son, George W., then a young man, counted fifty-four deer. They remained in Springfield a few months, having arrived there November 15, 1849, occupying a house near where the Chicago & Alton Railroad depot now stands. They spent four years on a farm on Fork Prairie, and in 1855 moved to the old Prather farm near Sherman, where they spent two years, then the father purchased 320 acres of land in Shelby County, where he lived about eight years and then returned to Fork Prairie and spent two years there, after which he re- moved to Missouri. He lived in the latter State but a short time. then returned to Fork Prairie and spent the remainder of his life with his son George, his wife having died in Missouri.

John Atkinson. father of William, served in the War of 1812, as also did Jacob Nevius, father of Mrs. Atkinson. To William Atkinson and his wife nine sons and three daughters were born, of wbom seven survive: John, aged ninety years, living in Iowa; Mrs. Catherine Brooks, of Dayton, Ohio; Mrs. Hannah Magell, deceased ; Jacob, a retired farmer and stock buyer, living in Iowa; Elbert, having a black- smith and wagon shop at Anamosa, Iowa; Zenith L., a blacksmith living in Iowa : Thomas B., who conducts a blacksmith shop in the West, and George W.

After the death of his father George W. Atkin- son continued farming until 1900, when he retired from active life and purchased a comfortable home in 'Riverton, which has since been his home. He was a resourceful and intelligent farmer and became very successful, belng now possessed of considerable property.

Mr. Atkinson was married, in Rochester Township, in 1860, to Cordelia Ann Bashaw, a native of the township, born in 1845, daughter

of James Basbaw and his wife, of Keutucky, who were early settlers of Sangamon County, where they spent the remainder of their lives on a farm. Mr. aud Mrs. Bashaw were parents of four sons aud two daughters. Mrs. Atkinson died in 1877, having borne her husband five chil- dren, four of whom are living : Harriet umarried Tryleue H. Trotter, proprietor of a blacksmith shop at Riverton; Lecta, married George W. Cockrell, and they live on a farm near Rocbester; Nicholas B., a resident of Pekin; Walter, living in Riverton. Mr. Atkinson has five living grand- children. He is a Republican in politics and is a member of the Baptist Church. He is well re- garded as a public-spirited and useful citizen, aud highly esteemed iu his community. He al- ways had a warm friendship for Abraham Lin- coln, and iu his younger days frequently ran foot races with that illustrious man and also had his company in many games of marbles. Mr. Atkinson takes au active interest in the public welfare and is willing to lend his active support to any worthy cause for the public good.

AUXIER, Daniel Jefferson (deceased), for sev- eral years a resident of Springfield, was born near Mason City, Masou Couuty, Ill., in 1844. His father, Johu Auxier, was a Kentuckian, moved to Illinois at an early day, and became owner of a large tract of land in Mason County, including the present site of Mason City. He was au extensive dealer in land and stock, and became a stockbolder in the first railroad built in that section of the State. He was a thor- ough and able business man and successful in his enterprises. He died suddenly at his home near Mason City. He married Eveline Lane, of a good Southern family, who weut to live with her son William, at Bismarck, and died there. Children as follows were born to this union: Daniel J .; William ; Benjamin, went to Missouri to live; Mary, Mrs. Alvin Dowell, of Saint Marys, Kan.

Daniel J. Auxier was about ten or twelve years of age when his father died and he lived with his widowed mother until going West, after his marrlage. He received an ordinary educa- tion and his father was preparing to send his children to college when bis own death oc- curred. Daniel J. continued to carry on the home farm for many years. He was married. in Springfield. October 3, 1870, to Miss Caroline Lucinda Patterson, of Springfield, daughter of Isaac D. and Sarah (Hall) Patterson, the former of wbom is deceased. Mr. Auxier lived on the home farm four years after his marriage, then moved to Cass County, Iowa, where he bought a farm of 160 acres. At the end of four years he sold his Iowa farm and located in Springfield. becoming foreman in a rolling mill, and later worked fifteen years in a lumber yard, where he was employed until his death. He was a devout member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church and a strictly temperate, good man. He was honest and upright in all his dealings and had a large number of friends. In politics

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he was a Democrat. Mrs. Auxier is a member of the Christian Church.

Children as follows were born to Mr. and Mrs. Auxler : Ella Vern, was married October 10, 1900, to Sylvester Dillard, and they have one child, William J. ; Sadie Evelyn married William White, of Springfield. Mr. Dillard was born at the old Dillard homestead, four and one-half miles northwest of Springfield, iu January, 1874.

AVOLT, Christopher .- Riverton is the home of some of the most substantial men of Sangamon County, who having retired from various lines of industrial activity, seek a congenial home where they cau enjoy urban advantages with- out the restrictious which attend residence in larger centers of civilization. One of these meu is Christopher Avolt, of Riverton, formerly one of the most prosperous of carpenters. IIe was born August 26, 1839, in La Salle, Ill., a son of John and Catherine Avolt, natives of Germany. who transmitted to their son many of their sterling German characteristics. John Avolt came to America In youug manhood, lo- catlug in La Salle, Ill., where he lived until his death. While he and his wife were the parents of three sons and one daughter, Chris- topher Avolt is the only survivor.

Mr. Avolt grew up in La Salle, attending the primitive school of his day and working on his father's farm. Later he learned the carpenter trade, working at it In La Salle for many years. When the war broke out he enlisted from La Salle in Company H. Eleveuth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, serving three years, and being dis- charged at Vicksburg, Miss. He participated in many engagements, including those of Fort Donelson, . Vicksburg. Shiloh, Corinth and many others, and being wounded in the first named. HIe served as Corporal of his company, and was a gallant and brave soldier. At the close of his military experience, he returned to La Salle, remaining there until 1872, when he came to Springfield. Being a skilled workman, he there found ready employment, and worked at his trade until he settled in Rivertou, which has continued to be his home. Mr. Avolt belongs to Stephenson Post. No. 30, G. A. R. In political convictions he is a Republican. being proud to belong to the party Abraham Lincoln helped found.

The marriage of Mr. Avolt occurred in La Salle. Ill., in 1868. when he was united with Anna Hughes, born in Wales. Her parents came to America, first settling in La Salle, where they lived for several years, later going to Riv- erton. where both died. Mrs. Avolt died in Riverton. in 1886. leaving a sorrowing husband and six children to mourn her loss. These chil- dren are: Maggie, wife of Ferd Volkmar, of St. Louis; Elizabeth wife of L. G. Duncan. a car- penter and builder of Riverton, with whom Mr. Avolt makes his home; John, of Pawnee, Ill. ; Thomas, of Riverton, and David, of Girard. III., as well as one who is deceased. There are two grandchildren in the family. Mr. Avolt owns

property In Riverton, aud is in receipt of a pen- sion from the government in grateful apprecia- tion of his services. He has worked hard all his life and has done his full duty, both as a soldier and as a private citizeu.

AYERS, Eugene Morgan .- This is the age of the young man. Many of Springfield's most success- ful business men are still under forty, yet have attained material prosperity. Of these the majority have worked their way up from comparative poverty to affluence, and amoug them one deserving of more than passing men- tion is Eugeue Morgan Ayers, born in Perry, Pike County, Ill., December 2, 1875, a son of Lewis and Katherine Eleanor (Morgan) Ayers, natives of Pennsylvania and Upper Alton, Ill. The father is a painter by calling and is now residing in Chicago, but the mother died in 1899. Engeue M. was their only child. Lewis Ayers Is a Republican and a member of the Christian Church, in which he takes an active part.

Eugene M. Ayers has fought his way up. Leaving school at New Salem, Ill., when only thirteen years old, he came to Springfield to work in the Wabash shops. After eight mouths in the planing department he was errand boy at Weems laundry for two years, then found employment ou the Wabash railroad as peanut boy. A year of this gave him the experience he felt he needed before embarking In his pres- ent business, which he has successfully prose- cuted ever since.

Mr. Ayers was married on August 26, 1894, to Adeline Leeder, born in Springfield, daugh- ter of William F. and Flora (Ripstein) Leeder. natives of Germany, who had six children, of whom Mrs. Ayers was the fifth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Ayers are the parents of four children : Katherine. Russell. Dorothy aud Arthur, bright young people.

The Democratic party has in Mr. Ayers a stanch supporter. although as yet he has not represented it in any 'official position. Fra- ternally he has connected himself with the orig- inal Order of Owls. His religious home is in the Christian Church, towards which he liberally contributes. He is a live, energetic young man, and one deserving of all praise for his industry and earnest endeavor to better his condition and not to allow adverse circumstances to discourage hhın.

BABCOCK, Andrew J. (Vol. I, p. 30.)

BABENEL, Peter (deceased) .- The older genera- tion of Springfield well remembers Peter Babenel. the veteran piano bullder, whose almost perfect work and genial manner endeared him to many. He was born in France, January 22, 1819, and his life was a varied one. A son of Eugene and Elizabeth Babenal, also natlves of France, Peter Babenel was carefully reared, and taught the piano-making trade. Believing that there was more opportunity for him in

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America, the youug Freuchman emigrated and found plenty of work of the kind he under- stood and was able to do so thoroughly. For fifty years he made Springfield his home, aud gained the confidence and respect of all who came into coutact with him. He was a member of the last regiment to leave Springfield for the Civil War, and was a brave and faithful sol- dier. The death of this good man occurred July 22, 1872, aud he was laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery. When his wife passed away 011 September 11, 1902, she was placed by his side.

Peter Babenel married Mahala Hoffer, born in Jacksonville, Ill., September 4, 1826. She was there educated and prior to her marriage was a dressmaker. They had children as fol- lows : Emma, born December 31, 1854, Is mar- ried and resides in Springfield; Walter, born February 12, 1856; Mrs. Carrie Saylor, born January 26, 1857, is a widow and resides at No. 618 Walnut Street, Springfield; Lilly, boru in October, 1862, resides at Decatur, Ill. ; George, born March 4. 1865, is married and resides in St. Louis ; and Maud, born in 1869.

Peter Babenel was a Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 4, and was also an Odd Fellow. He early connected himself with the Presbyterian Church, to which his wife also belonged, and gave it his hearty support. In political con- victions he was a strong Democrat, but never held office nor desired to do so. He was a man who never restrained himself with regard to making friends. Few doors in Springfield opeued so easily and hospitably as his. There was ever a place at his board for friend or strauger, and uone ever applied to him for help, who did not receive it. His uiemory survives because of his higli personal attributes.

BACHMANN, Carl (deceased), who for many years carried on farming iu Islaud Grove Town- ship, Saugamon County, Ill., was a public-spir- ited and useful citizen aud highly respected by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Mr. Bachmann was born in Ludolphshausen, Hanover, Germany, August 2, 1823, and in his native land learned the trade of weaver, which he followed until coming to America. After the death of his father he brought his mother and two sisters to America. making the trip in 1848. They remained a short time in Phila- delphia, then removed to St. Louis, where he obtained work on the levee, carrying sacks of salt. His neck was often raw from the burdens he carried for loading ships, but he would not leave his work, as he had his family depending upon him for their support. His sister Minnie became the wife of Charles White and they removed to Kansas, where both died.

In 1851, with his mother and remaining sister, Mr. Bachmann removed to Island Grove Township, where he worked by the month many years, and in 1855. deciding to marry, rented a farm in the township. His marriage occurred in June of that year to Miss Agnes Strone, a

native of Germany, who came to America alone. Mr. Bachmann and his prospective bride walked to Springfield, obtained a license, were married, and spent the first night of their married life in a log hotel, where the only room that could be given them contained a single small bed, on which the bride slept, while her husband com- posed himself on a pile of sacks in a corner on the floor. It was a rude building, the stars be- ing plainly visible through the roof. In the quorning they started on their honeymoon trip back to Island Grove Township, where they be- gan housekeeping iu a small one-room log cabin. He and his brother together had rented 320 acres of land aud became very successful farm- ers. They afterwards divided the land, each taking 160 acres, having by that time purchased the tract. Mr. Bachmann was au industrious and thrifty mau and prospered accordingly. IIe became one of the honored citizens of his com- munity and remained on his farm until 1895, when failing health led him to retire from active life. He rented property in New Berlin, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away May 21, 1897, at the age of seventy-three years, having been born in August, 1823. He had made many friends by his genuine goodness and honest, upright life, and his funeral was largely attended. He was a faithful member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church aud an active worker in its interests.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 4

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