Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 52

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 52

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).

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died iu Springfield, December 14, 1897; Thomas, married in Springfield, Mary Smith.

As a boy Patrick Fitzpatrick had few educa- tional advantages, atteuding school only at odd times until he was seventeen years of age, when he left his native country, crossing to Euglaud. There he worked for two years on the docks at Liverpool, when he sailed for what he believed to be the "Land of Promise." He had but lit- tle money wheu he landed at New York City, but made his way to Williamsburg, N. Y., where he was employed by a firm in manufacturing soap and candles, remaining two and a half years in that city, during which time his first marriage took place. He was married at the Church of SS. Peter aud Paul, Brooklyn, by Rev. Sylvester Maloue, to Mary Hopkins, a na- tive of Tuam, County Galway, Ireland. They had no childreu.

Leaving Williamsburg, Mr. Fitzpatrick went to Philadelphia, where for three years he was employed in the street-car stables. He then lo- cated in Springfield, Ill., arriving in that city in May, 1855, and soon after hegan working for Post Brothers, grain dealers. He was later employed in the hardware store of B. L. Fox, and still later in the general store of John Williams & Company, remaining with the latter firm eighteen years and leaving to go into busi- ness for himself.

Mrs. Fitzpatrick died May 6, 1891, aud Mr. Fitzpatrick married (second) October 4, 1892, Miss Margaret A. Walsh, the marriage tak- ing place at the Church of the Immaculate Con- ception in Youkers, N. Y., the ceremony beiug performed hy Rev. Charles R. Corley. One child was born of this second marriage-Flor- ence Marie. The first Mrs. Fitzpatrick was a devout member of St. Agues Roman Catholic Church, of which Mr. Fitzpatrick was' trustee for eighteeu years.

Mr. Fitzpatrick was engaged fifteen years in the grocery business ou his own account, at the corner of Spring and Cook Streets, but retired from active business iu 1900. He purchased a lot at 113 West Cook Street ou which he erected a residence in 1856. His death occurred Feb- ruary 11, 1908, at eighty-one years of age. A mau of fine physique and of high mental abil- ity, he was well fitted for business life, being naturally energetic and possessed of excellent health. He was the founder of his own for- tune, having made his own way in life from the age of seventeen years, aud by availing himself of his opportunities, became the owner of considerable real estate.

FLATT, Charles Samuel .- When an institution cau obtain the services of a reliable man for a responsible position, it is not likely to dispense with him unless forced to do so hecause of his own desire. The fact that Charles Samuel Flatt has been chlef eugineer of the St. Nicholas Hotel for the past twenty years, speaks well for both him and the concern employiug him. Mr. Flatt was born in Westfield, Unlon County, N.

Y., iu October, 1857, a son of John A. Flatt, born in Ipswich, Deconshire, England, about 1821, and grandsou of Samuel Flatt, a farmer. John A. Flatt had no educational advantages, but was a keen, shrewd man, who, recognizing the better opportunitles offered iu the United States, came here with his wife and the two children then born to them. They lauded iu New York about 1852, locating ou a farmi, but came to Jersey County, Ill., In 1863, where the father continued farming, uutil his death in 1891. His wife died at the age of seventy-seven years. Iu religious faith, they were Baptists. The children born to them were: Mary, de- ceased; James, deceased; George of Spring- field ; Charles S .; John A. of Tallula, Ill., mar- ried Jeunie Rice, and Lillie, married Richard Ryan of Jersey County.

Charles Samuel Flatt was seven years old when his parents located in Jersey County, Ill., and there he attended school until fifteen years of age. A natural mechanic, his boyish fingers were constantly at work fashioniug appliances for use on the farm. When he was fifteen, be left home, aud worked among the farmers in his native county until his marriage, when he moved to the southeru part of Saugamon Coun- ty, to farm until his eugagement with John McCreary, proprietor of the St. Nicholas Hotel, as superInteudeut of his dairy farm, but in 1891, came to Springfield to assume the duties of chief engineer of the hotel.

Ou August 13, 1880, Mr. Flatt was married to Miss Mary Francis Boyant of Jersey Couuty, Ill., daughter of .Aarou and Ellin (Bartlett) Boyaut. Mrs. Flatt died Juue 24, 1909, after a long illness. A consistent member of the West Side Christian Church, in his funeral ser- mon her pastor referred touchingly to her deep Christianity. He declared in substance that, although she had been shut in her own home for years, she practiced true Christianity and exerted a powerful influence through her pa- tience and tenderuess. There were four chil- dren born to her and her husband: Charles Royal, on a ranch iu South Dakota, married Pearl Browuing; Carltou G., of Springfield ; Truman, also of Springfield, and Jessie B. of Nashville, Tenn. Mr. Flatt also belongs to the same church as his wife. A strong Republican, he served one term on the Board of Education, and has been a member of the County Central Committee. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias, being Past Chancellor of Capital Lodge No. 14, and is also a member of the Red Men, being Sachem of Iuna Lodge No. 117.

FLEMING, Matthew (deceased) .- Ireland sends many of its best sons to American, where they develop into our hest citizens uuder more favor- ahle conditions than they are given in their na- tive land. Sangamon County has always wel- comed this class realizing how much the coun- try owes to the brilliant minds and keen wits of the sons of the Emerald Isle. One of the men who ably represeuted all that is best in his

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fellow country-men, was the late Matthew Flem- ing, who for years was a farmer of Riverton, Ill. He was horn in Connty Karlo, Ireland, in March, 1830, a son of Patrick and Bridget (Felming) Fleming, both of Ireland. The father was a weaver, who never came to this country, and he, his wife and their five sons and two daughters have now all passed away.

Growing up in his native land, Matthew Fleming attended the local school and worked for his father until 1857, when he came to America, landing in New York, from there go- ing to Vermont, where he spent six years farm- ing. He then came to Springfield, Ill., where he lived for a few months when he removed to Chatham and there spent a year farming .. Then returning to Springfield, he spent a year in the city, when he again engaged in farming in Clear Lake Township. In 1869, he located at Riverton and there worked in the Howlett distil- lery for a number of years. His death occurred July 16, 1894, his family losing a beloved mem- ber and the community a reliable citizen. He was a consistent member of the St. James Catholic Church, and in politics a Democrat.

On January 29, 1854, Mr. Fleming was mar- ried to Johanna O'Shanghnessy, born in Coun- ty Carlo, W. Ireland, in December, 1828, a daugh- ter of Patrick O'Shaughnessy, a native of Ire- land who came to America, joining his sons at Springfield, who had come before him but died soon after his arrival. His wife died before the family came to America. There were three sons and two daughters in the family, two of the sons remaining in Ireland. Those surviv- ing are, John; Mrs. Margaret Daley and Mrs. Fleming. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming became the parents of ten children, eight now living: Brid- get, wife of William Smith, Superintendent of mines at Springfield; Patrick, janitor of the Franklin Life building, Springfield; Margaret, wife of Leon Bosquet, a carriage maker of St. Louis ; William, a blacksmith, died November 6, 1905; James, living in Springfield, is a mine manager; Elizabeth married Millard Mitchell, a master mechanic of a large brewery in Brook- lyu, and her twin, Marie, wife of William Gragg, a manufacturer of ladies' garments at Decatur ; Johanna, wife of Michael Layden, a farmer of Riverton; Lawrence, with the Illinois Hotel Company, Springfield. There are thirty- eight grandchildren and four great-grandchill- dren in the family. Mrs. Fleming owns her com- fortahle home in Riverton, in addition to other property. She is a pleasant lady, devout in her religious views, and devoted to her large family. She was a worthy helpmate for her husband, al- ways encouraging him and supporting him in his endeavors to lay aside something that would provide for them in their old age.

FLETCHER, Benjamin F., a retired farmer of Springfield, Ill., is a veteran of the Civil War and belongs to one of the pioneer families of Sangamon County, being of the third generation of Fletchers who have lived there. He was

born in Ball Township, Sangamon County, De- cember 13, 1839, and is of Scotch-Irish ancestry through his grandfather, John Fletcher, who was born in Rockbridge County, Va., in 1774, and married Elizabeth McElvaine. He and Francis Brown bronght their families to Sangamon County, Ill., in 1830. Mr. Fletcher entered eighty acres of land in what is now Ball Town- ship, but died a few months later, his widow surviving him twenty-eight years and dying in 1858. He had come to the new home in the hope of bettering his financial condition. He and his wife were buried side by side in the West Graveyard.

Job Fletcher, son of John Fletcher, was horn in Virginia in 1801, and served as Captain of a military company in Kentucky, where lie mar- ried Frances Brown, who was of German line- age, and following farming in that State until he came with other members of the family to Sangamon County. He opened up a farm on Panther Creek and was much interested in the progress and improvement of the community until his death, in 1884. His wife died in 1882. in her eightieth year. He had divided 320 acres of land among his children and was known as one of the successful and practical farmers of the neighborhood. He was a man of large frame, six feet in height, hut thin and wiry, and was well able to cope with pioneer conditions, making a good home for his wife and children. There were eight children in the family : Elizabeth, who died after her mar- riage; William and Frances, who died in child- hood ; John S., died at the age of twenty-three years; Preston lives in Montgomery County, Ill .; Panlina, widow of Francis E. Dodds, of Springfield; Benjamin F .; Virginia, wife of C. G. Brown, of Divernon, Ill. All were born upon the home farm adjoining that of R. II. Easley, except Elizabeth, and all attended the early subscription schools of their neighbor- hood, remaining at home until their marriages except those who died young. The father of this family was a large landholder and became highly respected hy all who knew him. He was a public-spirited and useful citizen and in reli- gions faith was a Presbyterian, contributing generously to the support of the church and assisting in organizing Pleasant Grove Church in an early day, and later helped organize one at Divernon, where two of his daughters were then residing. His interest was deeply cen- tered in his family and he put forth every effort to provide for the future of his children and for their comfort while they lived under his roof.

Benjamin F. Fletcher attended the suhscrip- tion schools and later the public schools, and grew to manhood on the home farm. In An- gust, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, One Hun- dred Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and' took part in the Battle of Jackson, Miss .; the Siege of Vickshurg and Guntown, and at the latter place was captured and held prisoner from June, 1864, until April 28, 1865, spending

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some time in Andersonville Prison. After the fall of Atlanta he was transferred to Millen, bnt later was returned to Andersonville, where he remained until about the close of the war. He had been wounded in the head at Vicksburg, but his injury was without serious results. In May, 1865, at Camp Butler, Ill., he was hon- orably discharged from service.

At the close of the war Mr. Fletcher re- turned home and in 1867 was married to Miss Mary Drennan, who was born in Ball Town- ship, in 1847, and they became parents of four children, all born on the old home farm in Ball Township. One died in infancy and the otbers are: Cyrus O., on the home farm; Myra F., wife of Dr. J. T. Woodward; Dr. F. D., a grad- uate of Rnsh Medical College, now practicing his profession at Chatham, Ill. Mrs. Woodward gradnated from Lincoln University and Cyrus took a three-year course at that institution.

Upon the death of his father Benjamin F. Fletcher took charge of the old home place and received as his share of the estate 200 acres of land. He purchased the Interest of his broth- er and sister, and has added to his original holdings from time to time, so that he now owns 500 acres of well improved land. He made many improvements on the farm and made his home there until November, 1901, when he purchased a handsome residence at 326 West Jackson Street, Springfield. He is a stockholder in tbe Bank of Auburn, of which be was one of the organizers and for many years Vice President. lle served as a member of the Board of Super- visors from Ball Township and also held vari- ous other offices in the township. In politics he has always been a Republican, and though never an office seeker, has done his duty when called upon for public service. He became a member of the Masonic Order in 1865, at Au- burn, Ill .; became a charter member of Chat- bam Lodge, and now belongs to Lodge No. 4, Springfield. He also belongs ito Stephenson Post No. 30 G. A. R., and to Abraham Lincoln Regiment of Union Veterans. For most of bis life be has belonged to the Cumberland Presby- terian Church and he and his wife have been active in church and Sunday School work. IIe has always tried to do all he could to help in the uplifting of his fellow-men, and by the ex- ample of a noble life has given belp and inspi- ration to many. He bas won the confidence and esteem of all who have been associated with him, and now, retired from active life, sur- rounded by comforts and friends is enjoying a well-earned rest.

FLETCHER, Francis D., M. D., a prominent phy- sician located in the village of Auburn, Ill., Is well known in that vicinity, where his entire life has been spent. with the exception of a few years spent at college. He belongs to a family that has been well known in Sangamon County since 1830, when his great-grandfather, John Fletcher, settled on a farm in Ball Township. Dr. Fletcher is a son of Benjamin F. and Mary

(Drennan) Fletcher, natives of Ball Township. The family history is given further in the sketch of B. F. Fletcher, appearing in a previ- ons section of this work.

Dr. Fletcher is a native of Ball Township, born March 7, 1879, and was reared on his father's farm, attending the district school until he was sixteen years of age, when he entered Lincoln University, taking a three-year conrse in literature. In 1898 he entered Indiana Med- Ical College at Indianapolis, where he spent one year, in 1899, he entered Rnsh Medical College at Chicago, graduating with the class of 1902, and in the fall of that year en- gaged in practice at Chatham. He was well fitted for his work and soon built up a gratify- ing practice. He was already known to most of his patients and bad their confidence and respect. He has a well-equipped office and has won a good standing in the community.

October 24, 1904, Dr. Fletcher married Leona A. Nuckolls, born in Auburn, Ill., daughter of J. T. and Martha Nuckolls. Mr. Nuckolls is a member of a pioneer family In Sangamon Coun- ty and formerly carried on farming, but is now a retired and honored citizen of Anburn. Dr Fletcher is a member of Masonic Lodge No 523, of Chatham, also of the M. W. A., and his wife is a member of the O. E. S. He casts his ballot with the Republican party and takes a commendable interest in public affairs.

FLETCHER, Preston B., one of the oldest native-born residents of Sangamon County, Ill., now retired from active life, has been a bnsi- ness man of keen judgment and energy. He was born March 4. 1834, a son of Job and Frances (Brown) Fletcher, the former a na- tive of the Shenandoah Valley, Va. The par- ents were married in Kentucky, to which State the father was taken at the age of six years, and they lived on a farm there until 1830, then moved to Ball Township, Sangamon County, and located on the farm where Job Fletcher died in 1883, his wife baving died in the same house In 1877. Job was a son of John Fletcher, a native of Virginia, who settled in Sangamon County in 1830 and died there the same year. The father of Frances Brown was also a native of Virginia, and died in Macoupin Connty, Ill., in October, 1834, at the age of seventy-five years, his widow passing away eight years later at the age of eighty-six. Job Fletcher, the fa- flier of Preston B., was one of the historic char- acters of Sangamon, having served in five ses- sions of the General Assembly-two in the Ilonse aud three in the Senate, in the latter be- ing one of tbe celebrated "Long Nine" with Abraham Lincoln in 1837, which secured the re- moval of the State Capital from Vandalia to Springfield.

Preston B. Fletcher received his education in the public schools of Ball Township, lived at home until he was twenty-one years old, and worked hard on his father's farm. He then moved to land on which the town of Divernon

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now stands, living there from 1855 nntil 1868, and in the latter year moved to Bates Connty, Mo., where he was engaged for twenty years In farming and dealing in stock. In September, 18SS, he returned to Divernon Township, and in 1892 moved to Montgomery County, where he carried ou farming until 1908, then again re- turned to Divernon Township and lives with his daughter, Mrs. Lizzie Elswick. She owns 120 acres of land in Section 16, Divernon Township.

Mr. Fletcher was married (first) in Sanga- mon Couuty, in 1855, to Sarah Wright, a native of the connty, horn in 1831 and died in Kansas City, Mo., in 1888. Seven children were born of this union : Joh, Benjamin, Lyda, Stuart and Albert, deceased; Lizzie, horn in Sangamon Connty, October 23, 1856, was married, Septem- her 7, 1877, to John R. Elswick, of Iowa, who died May 19, 1897; Lloyd F., born in Bates County, Mo., July 22, 1870, married Pearl El- ger, in Kansas, and they now live in Kansas City, Mo. John R. and Lizzie (Fletcher) Els- wick had children as follows: Clifford, horn August 15, 1878, In Bates Connty, Mo., lives on the farm with his mother, married, in April, 1902, Minta Commons, of Iowa, and they have one child, Vernon E., born in Sangamon Coun- ty, November 13, 1908; Luln, born March 3, 1880, in Bates County, marrled Edgar Whit- marsh of Wisconsin, and they now live in the State of Washington, and have one child, Mil- dred, born in Washington, in 1907; Nellie, horn Jannary 20, 1883, in Barry County, Mo., mar- ried Louis Plamondon, a native of Washington, in August, 1902, and they had one child, de- ceased. .

Mr. Fletcher was married (second) March 16, 1892, to Comfort Lyman (nee Mitchell), whose father was a miller in Springfield, hav- ing come to Sangamon County in 1844, hut eventually returned to Ohio, where he died. Mrs. Fletcher died in Montgomery Connty, Oc- toher 20, 1908, having horne no children. Mr. Fletcher has two great-grandchildren.

There are but three persons living in the community who were residing in Sangamon Connty at the time Mr. Fletcher was horn. He attended the first State Fair In 1853 and the next year took a prize for the hest yoke of oxen exhibited. He took premiums for hogs in other years, and had four that averaged 840 pounds in welght at the Fair at Jacksonville in 1859. He also had hogs that took premiums at the Fair held in St. Louis in 1861. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and, in political views, has heen a Republican since the organization of that party. His first presidential vote was cast for Fillmore and later he voted for Ahra- ham Lincoln. The Fletcher family have always heen prominent in forwarding every movement calculated to he of benefit to the community and one respected wherever its members have re- slded.

FLETCHER, Ruffin D., superintendent of the plant of the Chicago, Wilmington & Vermilion

Coal Company at Thayer, Ill., is a veteran of the Civil War and is highly esteemed in his community. He was born near Clarksville, Tenn., December 2, 1840, son of John H. and Alice (Bennyworth) Fletcher, the former of Scotch descent and the latter a native of Lin- colnshire, England. The Fletcher family emi- grated to America and settled in what was known as Scotch Neck, N. C., and the grand- father of Ruffin D. Fletcher married a Miss Winnifred Hunter, afterwards hringing his fam- ily to Montgomery County, Tenn., locating on the farm which was the home of his son John H. and the hirthplace of the subject of this sketch. In the spring of 1851, the Fletcher famlly left Tennessee and came to Illinois, locating at Fay- ette, Greene County, where John . Fletcher pur- chased a farm, which he sold in 1855, and moved to Macoupin County, where his death occurred in 1878. His widow survived him many years, . dying in 1906, at the age of eighty-four years. Both were buried in what is called Charity Churchyard, slx miles west of Carlinville. Mr. Fletcher was horn in 1802, and his wife was a danghter of Joseph Bennyworth, horn near Boston, Lincolnshire, England, who emigrated to the United States about 1831. They located at Philadelphia, spent ahout one year at that city, then moved west to Chesterfield, Il1. While on the road from Alton to Chesterfield, Mrs. Bennyworth was taken with cholera and died, and her remains are huried at Chester- field. Mr. Bennyworth and the rest of the fam- ily located on a farm near Chesterfield hut he survived only a short time after the death of his wife, and after his death, his daughter Alice was left in charge of the family as their honse- keeper, there heing two of her hrothers at home and one in Philadelphia.

Nine children were born to John H. Fletcher and wife, of whom eight reached maturity and one, Johnnie, died at the age of four years. The oldest child was Ruffin D., and the others were : Reuhen Ross, horn in Tennessee, served in Company F, One Hundred Twenty-second Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and fell in the Battle of Parker's Cross Roads, Tenn., December 31, 1862, was huried on the hattle field, in 1866, removed to the National Cemetery at Corinth, Miss., his grave being No. 2043, and on Decor- ation Day in 1908 his hrother Ruffin decorated his grave; Narcissa married Jesse Graham and hoth are deceased, having had three children, -- Lula, Renhen and Fanny; Sarah W., married Jesse Rhoades, who served for many years as County Clerk of Jasper County, Mo., and lived at Carthage, dying in office, had twelve children, four of whom now survive, and his widow still resides at Carthage; Choron is married the sec- ond time, has twelve children, and resides on a . farm in Mason County, Ill .; Alice, wife of John Corder, a farmer near Nilwood, Ill., and they have seven children; Mary, widow of George R. Moore, her hushand having died in January, 1910, and she now resides on the old home near Ceutralia, having had six children; Johnnie B.,

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above named; Martha, born in 1863, married . houses and a twenty-six room hotel. He also Samuel McPherson, a farmer near Wichita, Kan. erected a large store building and a handsome residence for himself, locating permanently in the town July 17, 1900. He has been one of the most successful superintendent of central Illi- nois and is the second oldest employe of the company, the oldest being A. L. Sweet, its President, who has been with it since its or- ganization, about 1867. Mr. Fletcher and hls secretary, R. H. Hayes, were the original set- tlers of the village of Thayer, and Mr. Fletcher has made it possible for the miners to own the homes they occupy, only two residents of the town being renters. The father and mother of these children were both of the Baptist faith and active workers In the cause. In early life, he was a Whig and later became a Democrat, and while strong in his beliefs, yet accorded others the right to their own opinions and was llberal in his benefactions, never turning from his door an applicant for help, being most kind and sympathetic by na- ture. He united with the Baptist church at the age of twelve years and always held his relations with that denomination, being loved and honored for his upright life. He served as Justice of the Peace and his decisions were always just and fair, for he believed the laws were fouuded on justice to all.

Ruffin D. Fletcher was reared in his native place to the age of twelve years, and there be- gan his education. His father was his first teacher and school was held in a log cabin. The boy was often chastised by the father for his pranks in school, being active and mis- chievous, but his mind was as active as his body and he always kept a good standing In his class. In 1852, he accompanied his parents and their other children to Fayette, Ill., three years later went with them to Nilwood, and after spending a few years on his father's farm there, became clerk in a store, which position he held until 1862, enlisting July 15th of that year in Company F, One Hundred Twenty-second Illinols Volunteer Infantry, for three years, the company being organized at Camp Palmer, Carlinville. In September of that year, the regiment was sent to Trenton, Tenn., and in De- cember, they participated in the battle at Park er's Cross Roads, where Mr. Fletcher's brother was killed. July 14, 1864, they participated in the Battle of Tupelo, Miss. He served as clerk to Post Quartermaster of the Freedman's Bu- reau, at Cairo, Ill. Mr. Fletcher was mustered out at Moblle and was honorably discharged at Camp Butler, Ill., July 15, 1865, having spent three years in faithful service. While he was a native of Tennessee his complete sympathy was with. the Unlon cause. .

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 52

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