Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 49

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 49

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Growing up in his native county, Mr. Fain attended the locai schools and worked for his father on the homestead, remaining at home . until he attained his majority. During the war he was a brigade teamster in the employ of the United States government, serving under General Frye for a period of two years. Re- turning home after the war, he resumed farm- ing, remaining there until 1870, when he came to Illinois, first settling in Paris, but a short time afterwards located near Greenridge, Mo., and spent three years. During this time he farmed and worked at plastering. Returning to Paris in 1874, he remained there a year and then came to Sangamon County to engage in farming. The year following he located at Dawson, from which place he directs his farm- ing operations, and for years worked at his trade, as plasterer. He has served as Constable and in other local offices upon more than one occasion, giving his constituents a fair and hon- orable administration. Fraternally he is a member of Dawson Lodge, A. F. and A. M., of the Dawson Camp of Modern Woodmen, No. 712, and is now one of the Trustees of his camp. His wife is a member of Dawson Chap- ter No. 203 Eastern Star, and is Social Matron of that organization, The Christian Church holds his membership, he being one of its El- ders, while Mrs. Fain belongs to the Methodist Church, being a member of the Ladies' Aid Society.

The marriage of Mr. Fain occurred in Me- chanicsburg, Ili., September 19, 1876, when he was united with Arabelle Constant, born in Dawson, February 2, 1855. She is a daughter of Jacob Constant, born in Fieming County, Ky., while her mother was a native of St.

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Clair County, Ill., aud both are now deceased. Mr. Coustant came to Saugamou County at au early day, becomlug one of the county's most progressive pioneers. There were eight chil- dreu in the Constant family, of whom four sur- vive: David, of Kausas; Mrs. Mary Shanklin, liviug south of Dawson on a farm, her husband beiug deceased; Albert, of Decatur; Mrs. Fain, and Mrs. Ilarrlet E. Ball, of Dawsou, III. Mr. and Mrs. Faiu are the parents of two chil- dren, one of whom survives: William E., a prominent attorney of Springfield. Mr. Fain owns his beautiful home as well as other val- uable property lu Dawsou.

In all his endeavors Mr. Faiu has been very materially assisted by his wife, who is a lady of unusnal capacity and intelligent comprehen- sion. For years she has taken an active part in church and lodge work and is looked upon as a leader amoug her associates. Both are known to a wide circle of personal friends aud be- loved for their many endearing traits of char- acter, as well as natural ability aloug various lines.

FAITH, John W. (deceased), who was a resident of Springfield, Ill., several years before his death, was for some time employed by the Bal- timore & Ohio Railroad Coupany as bridge carpenter aud builder, and did considerable contracting on his own account. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 5, 1829, was reared . on his father's farm and received his educa- tlou in Germany. He was a son of Paul and Mary (Trulten) Faith, the former a native of France and the latter of Germany. The family lived on a farm in Bavaria, and there the father and mother spent their last days. John W. Faith came to America as a young man, and lived in Illinois from 1850 nutll the time of his death. IIe was an industrions and energetic man and a good citizen, and had mauy friends among his associates. He was devoted to his home and family and at his death was genuinely mourned in many circles. He was a devout member of the Catholic Church, and after hecoming a citizen of the United States esponsed the princi- ples of the Democratic party.

Mr. Faith was married, in Cumberland, Md., May 3, 1853, to Miss Mary Rose Saunders, who was born iu Loudoun County, Va., February 24, 1834, daughter of John and Mary P. (EI- der) Saunders, the former born in Loudonn County and the latter in Frederick County, Md. Children as follows were born to Mr. and Mrs. Faith : Mary Agnes, unmarried, lives at home with her mother, and owns and conducts a Cath- olic. book store at 212 South Seventh Street, Springfield ; Joseph V., auditor in the employ of the International Harvester Company, is married and lives in Auburn, N. Y .; Mrs. Mar- garct A. Gaynor lives on a farm southeast of Springfield.

John W. Faith died at his home in Spring- field, December 6, 1863, and was buried in Cal- vary Cemetery. Since 1883 his widow has Ilved

in her owu home at 222 East Allen Street, Springfield.

FARGO, William, foreman of the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Rallroad yard at Spring- field, is a faithful employe of this road whose associatious with it extend over a considerable period. He was born on his father's farm near Altamout, Ill., October 12, 1871, and here he grew to mauhood, attending school in both Ef- fingham aud Fayette Countles. He worked on the farm until he was sixteen years old, aud at this time he began railroad work In Illinois, go- lug theuce to Michigan for the Grand Truuk line, and then to North Dakota, where he al- ternated rallroad work with farming. He was then eugaged on construction work on what later became the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Rail- road, moving to Spriugfield In 1893. He hecame foreman of the constructiou train section aud did efficient work. Later he became a coal miner, but returned to rallroad work as section foreman at Elsah, heing transferred back to Springfield where for the past fourteen years he has been in the employ of the same road, he- ing advanced to car inspector, car repairer, as- sistant foremau, and eventually was made fore- man of the yards, which responsible position he now holds.

Mr. Fargo is a son of Fred E. Fargo, born in . Germany, the original way of spelling the name being Farchow, which was Amercanized to Fargo for convenience. The father came to the United States after marrying, and located on a farm in Effingham County, hut died in Fayette County. His wife died when William M. was an infant. The other children were: Minnie, Mrs. William Slater ; Gustave died in Nebraska ; Mary, Mrs. Ramsey ; and Bertha, Mrs. James Train, of St. Elmo, Ill.

Mr. Fargo was married in Springfield to Miss Emma Klutt, no Issue. Mr. and Mrs. Fargo have adopted an orphan boy, Wilbert, whom they are rearing as their own. They are meu- bers of the German Lutheran Church and in politics Mr. Fargo is a Repnhllcan. They are most excellent people, who endeavor to assist others less fortunate than they, aud Mr. Fargo Is very popular with his men.

FARLEY, John, now living retired in Spring- field, Ill., Is well known In the community from the fact of his having raised and marketed some of the finest cattle produced in Sangamon County, where he carried ou a farm for many years. He was born in County Meath, Ireland, March 12, 1837, son of Philip and Elizabeth Farley, both natives of Ireland, where they lived on a farm. The father came to America, landing at New Orleans, spent a short time there. came to Springfield and lived for a time with his son John, then mnoved to Chicago, where his death occurred. Mrs. Farley died in Ire- land. They were parents of eleven children, five sons and six daughters, and but three of these children are uow living.

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John Farley attended school in Ireland as a boy and worked ou bis father's farm. IIe completed bis education after comiug to Amer- ica, making the trip in 1853. Ife landed in Philadelphia and remained in that vicinity a year, working on a farin. He then removed to Chicago, but after spending a few weeks there engaged iu farm work and was also employed for a time as engineer iu a mill at New Ber- lin two years. Mr. Farley was employed for a time at the old Cheuery House in Spring- field. He again eugaged in farming, left it to engage in teaming, but returned to farming and secured a farm in Springfield Township, where be met with fair success. At one time he owned a fine team of horses, wbich be ex- bibited at many fairs, where they took many prizes, including the first premium at the State Fair. He became well known for a man of energy and enterprise and won many warm friends. For the past forty-two years Mr. Far- ley has lived at his present home, which he owns, at 328 West North Grand Avenue, and remembers the neighborhood when it was in the woods. He has seen many changes and im- provements in Springfield . and vicinity, and weil remembers Abraham Lincoln, having played hand-ball with him. Mr. Farley is a Democrat in politics and is a devout member of St. Joseph Parish of the Roman Catholic Church.

Mr. Farley was married, in Springfield, De- cember 8, 1866, to Miss Jane Nugens, who was born in County Meath in 1822, aud died in Springfield in 1905. Her parents spent their entire lives in Ireland. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Farley : a daughter, who died in infancy, and one son, John, a machiu- ist living in Chicago.

FARNSWORTH, James, a retired business man of Spaulding, Ill., is a representative and public- spirited citizen of his community, and by his energy and good judgment has been financially successful to a gratifying degree. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, January 17, 1844, son of Natbaniel and Elizabeth (Kelly) Farns- worth, both natives of England and the father a miner. The parents spent their entire lives in England and the father died in 1865, the mother having died when James was an infant. There were five children in the family, four sons and one daughter, and all survive save one.

The education of James Farnsworth was acquired in England, where he took up the occu- pation of mining when a youth. He followed this line of work all his active life. On May 23, 1885, he sailed for New York from Liver- pool, landing June 4tb, and came direct to Riverton, Ill., where he arrived June Sth, and soon found employment in the mines there. He rose to the position of manager and won the confidence of his employers and those working under him. He was well informed in the de- tails of the work under his charge and carried it on with intelligence and ability.

Mr. Farnsworth was married in Lancashire.

England, November 7, 1868, to Miss Sarah A. Lee, born in Ireland in 1849, daughter of Samuel and Anne Lee, the former a native of Belmont, England, and the latter of Ireland. . Her father enlisted and served seventeen years in the English army, and the family moved to Ireland aud lived there many years, but finally returned to Englaud, where both parents died. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Farns- worth, of whom seven are now living : Elizabeth, wife of John Scarragood, of Barclay; Thomas J., a mine manager, also of Barclay ; James H., living in Spaulding; Nathaniel, of Riverton; Katherine, wife of Matthew Campbell, living in Springfield ; Sarah J. and Agnes R., of Spring- field. Mr. Farnsworth has twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Mr. Farusworth owns a comfortable home in Spaulding, besides other property. He has been a resident of the county more than a quarter- century and has won many warm personal friends. He has been retired from active life some time. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

FARRANT, Thomas Martin (deceased), a well- known citizen of Springfield, Ill., was a native of Sangamon County, born May 10, 1855. He was a son of Henry and Bridget (Murner) Far- rant, the former born in England and the latter in County Cork, Ireland. Henry Farrant was a dry-goods merchant and hatter, and came to the United States when a young man. He located in Sangamon County, Ill., where he car- ried on farming many years. His death occurred in Springfield, November 29, 1883, and both he and his wife are buried in Calvary Cemetery, Springfield.

The boyhood of Thomas M. Farrant was spent on his father's farm in Sangamon County aud he was educated in the Springfield schools. After leaving school he carried on farming untii three years after his marriage, and for some time conducted a farm near Fancy Prairie. He afterwards worked in the rolling mills and at the time of his death had been for some time a foreman in a coal mine. He lived in Spring- field some years and there his death occurred, April 3, 1898, and his remains were buried at Fancy Creek. Mr. Farrant was a kind friend and neighbor, devoted to his home and family, and his memory is honored and respected by all who knew him. He was a devout Catholic and a member of the church, at Sixth and Eastman Avenue, Springfield. He was all his life an ardent Democrat, although never active in public affairs. He was a man of honesty and industry, of good habits and principles, and a useful. upright citizen.

Mr. Farrant was married, at Springfield, September 21, 1875, to Miss Martha Thomp- kins, born in Logan County. Iil., January 10, 1855, daughter of James J. and Susanna (Keen) Thompkins, both natives of Ohio. Children as follows were born of this union: Thomas, a mine operator, unmarried; Margaret married

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George Davis, of Springfield, and they have one child, Lilly; Nellie married John Angwin, of Iowa, aud they have one child, John Jr .; Charles, nnmarried, living at home; William is married, lives at 138 Cook Street, Springfield, and has one son, Willie; Mattie, Emma and Marcia at home; Ernest, attending school in Springfield. The family reside at 1334 East North Grand Avenue.

FAUSSAUER, Frederick (deceased), late of Clear Lake Township, Sangamon County, Ill., was a successful and well-known farmer re- garded with esteem and confidence by all who knew him. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church and was interested in the moral and material welfare of his community. Mr. Faussaner was born in Hesse-Darinstadt, Germany, May 17, 1826, son of Frederick Faus- sauer, also a native of Germany, where lie spent liis entire life, as did his wife. The father was a farmer by occupation and served some time in the German army.

Mr. Faussauer lived in his native country nil- til 1862, and received his education there, at- tending school until fourteen years of age. Hc worked on his father's farm in youth and later took up the occupation of mining, which he fol- lowed several years. In May, 1862, he went to England and sailed from Liverpool for New York, where he landed after having spent fifty- two days on the journey. He moved to Coshoc- ton, Ohio, where he lived one year, spent a time in Zanesville, and in 1864, came to Illinois. He located in Sangamon County in 1867, and pur- chased the farm which his widow now occupies. He originally had eighty acres, but increased his holdings to 125 acres, cultivating this farm until the time of his death.

Mr. Fanssauer was married in Germany, March 4, 1862, to Margaret Lockhart, a native of Germany, whose parents spent their entire lives in that country. Six children were born of this union, all of whom are now deceased, Mrs. Faus- sauer living on the home place with her daugh- ter-in-law, widow of John Faussauer, who has one child. The older Mrs. Faussauer owns the farm and is well known and highly respected in the neighborhood where she has lived so many years. Mr. Faussauer died November 18, 1905, and by his death the community lost an upright, useful citizen. He was buried in Mechanics- burg Cemetery.

FAUSER, Konrad, a representative German- American citizen of Springfield, has lived in the city since 1890, and has been engaged in vari- ons lines of work. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, June 26, 1846. a son of Abraham and Margaret (Fauser) Rantz, natives of Ger- many. He was educated in his native land and at the age of sixteen years emigrated to Am- erica, assuming his mother's maiden name, which he has since borne. He took out naturalization papers as soon as possible and has been a patriotic and useful citizen of his adopted

country. He entered the regular United States Army, in New York City, in 1867, and served three years as private. His health was failing and he left the army, going to Louisville, Ky., where he was for twenty years engaged in vari- ous occupations, then came to Springfield. He was injured during his service in the army and has since beeu in poor health, so that he is hardly able to perform any manual labor, but through his determination and ambition has al- ways been occupied in some kind of work, and at present is employed by the Park Board, of Springfield. He is a warm personal friend of Harry Ide, a member of the Board, and stands well with his associates. He is industrious and faithful in the discharge of his duties.

Mr. Fauser was married, June 5, 1902, to Miss Elizabeth Hess, danghter of George and Anna (Deinlien) Hess, both of whom were born in Germany. George Hess was an old soldier and died about 1893; his wife died about two years later. A son, George Hess, died about two years after his mother, and Mrs. Fauser is the only one surviving of her family. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fauser. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, as is also his wife, and he is now a Republican, al- thongh formerly a Democrat. He is insured with the Prudential Life Insurance Company. He is well known and has a large number of warm personal friends, whose society he greatly enjoys.

FAWCETT, D. Frank .- Principal of the Stnart school of Springfield, and a leading educator of this State, was born in Clinton, Ind. He was educated carefully, attending public school in both Indiana and Illinois, after which he took the scientific course at Westfield College with class of 1883, graduating therefrom. Still later he took the classical course at Otterbein Univ- ersity, Ohio, Class of 1889. With a view of thoroughly preparing himself for a life of teaching, he went to Harvard and the Univer- sity of Chicago for special studies. Having fully equipped himself, he began teaching dis- trict school and afterward at Taylorville, Ill., and so completely did he prove his ability, that he was offered and accepted the principalship of schools at Morrisonville, and later at Rock- ton and other cities, from which he was called in 1910, to take charge of the Stuart school of Springfield.

On August 22, 1899, Prof. Fawcett was mar- ried at Jacksonville, to Lillie W. Griffith, born three miles east of Mechanicsburg, Sangamon County, Ill. Two children have been born to Prof. and Mrs. Fawcett, one now living, Har- riet Pleasant Fawcett. She was born Angust 6, 1900.

Prof. Fawcett is a Mason and a member of the Eastern Star. While he is a member of the United Brethren Church, his wife is a Methodist. In politics, Prof. Fawcett is a Re- publican. Having spent ail his life preparing for and carrying out the work he felt he was

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destined for, Prof. Fawcett is fitted for it by inclination and careful training and brings to it the powers of a sagacious, cultivated and highly receptive mind. The pupils nnder hls fostering care show the effect of his methods and stand among the best trained in this part of the State. (Since this sketch was written Prof. Fawcett has removed to Seattle, Wash.)

FAWCETT, J. W. (deceased), was a leading farmer in his part of Sangamon connty, and late in life was for some years an influential resident of Buffalo. He was born in Clay Coun- ty, Indiana, December 12, 1846, and died April 3, 1899. His parents were John and Minerva (Jenkins) Fawcett, natives respectively of Vir- ginia and Indiana. His father moved from his native State to Indiana, where he lived till 1858, when he came to Illinois, locating in Jas- per County. There he farmed ten years, then moved to Sangamon Connty and located on a farm near Buffalo Hart, on which he lived out the remainder of his life and where his wife also passed away. They had five sons and three danghters, of whom the following survive: Frank is a school teacher at Springfield; John is in the real estate business at Des Molnes, Iowa; Walter is a farmer in Shelby County, Ill.

J. W. Fawcett was educated in conntry schools in Indiana and passed his hoyhood and yonth In assisting his father in the operation of the home farm. He gave his life to agriculture with considerable business success. He was a mem- ber of the Christian Church, with which his widow has long been identified. In political affiliations he was a stanch Republican. He married, at Taylorville, Ill., August 6, 1868, Miss Margaret Burch, who was born in Miaml County, Ohio, February 4, 1846, a daughter of Daniel Burch. Her father also first saw the light of day in Mlaml County, Ohio; and her

mother was born in Piqua, that State. It was at Piqua that they were wedded. Mr. Burch farmed in Ohio till 1851, when the family moved to Jasper Connty, Ill. There he continued In the same occupation till 1858, then settled in Sangamon Connty and was a farmer in Mechan- leshurg Township till 1869, when he removed to Montgomery County, Kansas, where he bought land which he operated till July, 1909, when he died, aged ninety years. His wife died there in August, 1SS6. They had five sons and two danghters, all of whom are living: Harrison, the eldest, is a citizen of Angusta, Kansas, a retired farmer ; Mrs. Fawcett was next in order of birth; Louis is a farmer in Jasper County, Ill .; Charles is farming in Oklahoma ; Webster is an Arizona farmer; David is farming in Oklahoma; Mrs. Mary (Burch) Dosh lives in Kansas.

Mr. and Mrs. Fawcett became the parents of seven children, of whom the oldest living is Mrs. Emma (Fawcett) Nnckolls, wife of Samnel Nuckolls, an elevator manager at Osbornvllle, Christian County, Ill .; Maggie F. married Louis

Mulkin and lives at Niautic, Ill .; Minerva is the wife of Omar Hall, a farmer of Christian Coun- ty, Ill .; Whit and Emmett live with their mother. Mrs. Fawcett has four grandchildreu.

FERGUSON, Benjamin Hamilton (deceased), long one of the most prominent business men of Springfield, Ill., was for thirty-five years connected with the Marine Bank and for many years its President. He was a lifelong resident of Springfield, his birthplace, and was active in public affairs. He was one of the most highly respected citizens and well known men of the city and his loss was genninely monrned in many circles. Mr. Ferguson was born De- cember 5, 1835, and was a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Irwin) Ferguson, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Monongahela City. Benjamin Ferguson was a contractor and bnilder and died in Springfield In 1812. He was a member of the Washingtonlan So- ciety, a temperance organization, to which Abraham Lincoln also belonged, and about the time of the death of Mr. Ferguson Mr. Lin- coln made an address on the subject of tem- perance in the Second Presbyterian Church of Springfield, the date of this occasion being February 22, 1842. Mr. Ferguson was married in Pennsylvania and came to Springfield iu 1835, and his children were all born in this city. They were: William, a prominent law- yer, who died in California ; Elizabetli, married Jacob Bunn, of Springfield; Robert, died in Springfield, though his home was in Auburn, Ill.

Benjamin H. Ferguson received his early education in the schools of Springfield. He left school at the age of sixteen years, and was then clerk and bookkeeper in the store of Jacob Bunn. After his return from the war he entered the Marine Bank, being Cashier for several years, and advancing to the office of President of that sound, substantial, conserva- tive institution, one of the oldest banks in the State. Mr. Ferguson carried out the established policies of the bank in every way and under his careful and able administration it pros- pered and maintained the position of trust and confidence it had held so many years.

Mr. Ferguson was a stanch Republican all his life and active in the interests of the party. He was united in 1866 with the First Presby- terian Church of Springfield, and his widow is also a member of that church. In August, 1862, Mr. Ferguson recruited Company B, One Hundred Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and was elected its Captain, serving as such two years. He participated in the Siege of Vicksburg, the battle at Jackson, and in many lesser engage- ments. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being affiliated with Stephen- son Post, of Springfield.

Besides being prominent as a banker Mr. Fer- guson was for many years a successful mer- chant, having established a crockery and glass- ware store at the corner of Monroe and Sixth

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Streets, Springfield, in 1868, where he conducted one of the largest establishments of its kind In the city and did an Immense business. He was one of the most upright and honorable ot men and possessed the full confidence of all who came in contact with him in business or social life. He was Interested in any measure calculated to be of public benefit and promoted the welfare and progress of the community in many ways.

Mr. Ferguson was married at Springfield, June 16, 1864, to Miss Alice, daughter of Judge B. S. Edwards, who was a prominent lawyer in Springfield and served as Judge of the Cir- cuit Court. His biographical record appears on another page in these volumes. She was horn in Springfield. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fergusou. The widow now re- sides at the beautiful hoque at 815 North Fifth Street.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 49

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