Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 6

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 6

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Until 1868 Wesley Baldwin carried on a farm in Christian County, then removed to Sangamon County and continued farming until 1898, when he retired from active life and came to his present home. He owns a good piece of prop- erty in Mechanicsburg and is one of that town's most respected citizens. He was successful as a farmer and is a useful, public-spirited citizen.

Mr. Baldwin was married (first) in Fulton County, in 1866, to Lucinda Baldwin, who was not a relative, although bearing the same sur- name. She was a native of Missouri and died in 1875, having borne her husband three sons, who survive, and one daughter, who is deceased. The former are: Fred R., a resident of Lonis- ville, Ill .; Edward, of South Dakota; Alonzo, also of South Dakota. Mr. Baldwin married (second) January 2, 1878, at St. Louis, Mo., Mrs. Sarah A. (Kelly) Holmes, born in Mis- souri, January 15, 1830, daughter of William Kelly and his wife, the former born in Ireland and the latter in Germany. Mr. Kelly came to America as a young man and first located in Sangamon County, but a short time later re- moved to Missouri aud spent two years there, after which he returned to Mechanicsburg Townshlp, where he spent the remainder of his life on a farm. The mother dled in Kansas, where she had gone for a visit. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly were parents of seven sons and eleven daughters, of whom eight daughters now sur- vive. Mr. Kelly enlisted from Springfield for service in the Civil War, in Company A, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, served three years, then was taken sick, was brought home and soon afterward died. Two of his sons served in the same company and both were killed in service. Mr. Kelly was personally acquainted with Abraham Lincoln, with whom he worked and split rails. Mrs. Baldwin was also personally acquainted with the Lincoln family and visited the home many times. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin became parents of two chil- dren and of these only one survives, Dovey, wife of Samuel Farmer, a blacksmith of Mechanics- burg. Mrs. Baldwin's first husband was James H. Holmes, by whom she had nine children, of whom six are now living: Elizabeth, Tilda,

William, Sarah, John, Joseph (now residing in California) ; Elizabeth married Reuben Bene- dict, custodian of the cemetery at Mechanics- burg; Tilda is wife of Samuel T. Metcalf, a farmer of Mechanicsburg Townshlp; William is a farmer near Blue Mound, Ill .; Sarah is the wife of Clement Murphy, also a farmer of Me- chanicsburg Township; John is also a farmer of the same township. There are eleven grand- children in the family and two great-grandchil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are members of the Christian Church, and in politics he is a Republican.

BALE, Wiiiiam Jacob .- The younger genera- tion of farmers is setting an example in agricul- tural work to those of an older day. One of tlie progressive young men engaged in farming is William Jacob Bale, of Sectiou 26, New Berlin Township, born near Allendale, Green County, Ky., the oldest post-office in the State, August 16, 1874, a son of John Elliot and Susan (Close) Bale, both natives of Green County, although of New Jersey Dutch Revolutionary stock. The paternal great-grandfather came from northern New Jersey to Green County, Ky., where he conducted a grist-mill and saw-mill on Brush Creek, the structure standing for one hundred years, when, in the summer of 1910, a new mill was built on its site, by Barney Marcum. This ancestor was one of the pioneers of Kentucky and a most excellent man, whose efforts to rid the country of Indians made him well known. His son and grandson were also prosperous, be- coming well known in Green County. John E. Bale was brought up in this county, where he still resides, and In which his eight children were born, seven of whom survive: William J .; Peter R., on the old home; Katie, wife of Charles Woodward, a farmer of Shelby County, Ill. ; Alice Mary, wife of Frank Scott, a farmer of Green County, Ky .; Dennie E., wife of Will Scott, a farmer of Green County, Ky .; John Lewis, on the home farm; Ernest Lee died at the age of six years; Carrie Ann, wife of Frank Howell, also on the old farm. All of these children have been carefully educated, and brought up to habits of thrift and industry, and all are members of the Baptist Church, although the family originally were connected with the Presbyterian denomination. Mr. Bale is a Den- ocrat in his political faith.

William Jacob Bale attended district school and worked on the farm, and, being the eldest, much was required of him. He remained at home untii his marriage, on Angust 23, 1893, to Maranda Jane Marcum, daughter of Green- bery Marcum and his wife, Rebecca (Trent) Marcum, the former also a native of Green County, Ky., while the mother was born in Breckenridge County, but is now deceased. The children by this marriage were: Nannie B., wife of James Bell, a farmer of Green Couuty. Ky .; Mrs. Bale ; John M. died in infancy. Mrs. Bale was born March 13, 1877, in Green County. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bale rented

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

land iu Green County but, although successful, he felt that there was more opportunity in Illi- nois, so in November, 1897, they left their old home to move to Pike County, Ill., where he went to work on a farm by the month. In the fall of 1902 he came to Sangamon County, en- gaging for five years with William Kerr, but in 1907 be rented 160 acres on Section 26, New Beriin Township, where he has heen producing bountiful crops. He takes pride in keeping up the property, and has so improved it that it is now one of the best-kept farms in the township. Mr. Bale is raising the hest breed of Duroc- Jersey registered hogs, averaging from forty to fifty head annually. He also has five fine horses and is a modern farmer and stock-ralser in every respect.

Mr. and Mrs. Bale are the parents of seven children : Arthur Green, born July 31, 1894; Rebecca S., born August 17, 1896; George Wil- liam, born August 24, 1898; Blanch Ann, born July 9, 1901; Charles G., born April 29, 1903; John E., born March 22, 1905; and May, born April 22, 1908. Mr. Bale is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, No. 531, New Berlin. While not a member of any church, both he and his wife attend the Baptist Church. Polltically he is a Democrat and interested in the progress of his party. He and his wife have many friends here whom they are happy to en- tertain with true Southern hospitality.

BALL, Theodore Kellogg .- There are few men who, having made a success in one of the learned professions, turn to business fields and there achieve equal prominence, yet this is what Theodore Kellogg Ball has done. He is one of the representative contracting carpenters of Springfield, but at one time was a successful at- torney. Ile was born near Perry, in Pike County. Ill., July 10, 1848. a son of Gideon O. and Delia A. (Kellogg) Ball. The father was horn in Fredonia, N. Y., while the mother was born near Perry. By occupation the father was a carpenter and he came to Pike County, Ill., in 1847, continuing to make it his home until his death. For over five years he was a soldier in the regular army, participating in the Florida battles and other engagements against the In- dians. Of the three children born to himself and wife Theodore K. is the eldest, the others being, Emma and Lydia A. Emma became the wife of Jol J. T. Ball and lives at Fredonia, N. Y., he being a conductor on the traction sys- tem, while Lydia A. was married and died July 25, 1906.

Theodore Kellogg Ball was educated in a country school near Perry, but left it at the age of eleven years to work on a farm owned by his step-father, his mother having married Uriah Elledge after the death of Mr. Ball. Here he remalned until he was nineteen years old. At that time he went to Griggsville, Ill., to engage in a transfer business. continuing in it from 1867 to 1872, this being the first enterprise of its kind in the town. In the latter year he be-

came traveling salesman for the Singer Manu- facturing Company, remaining with this con- cern until the spring of 1876, when he entered the Sheriff's office at Pittsfield, the county seat of Pike County. After four years of faithful service he hecame salesman for a firm in Pitts- field, with Pike and surrounding counties as his territory, handling agricultural impiements for two years. In 1883 he was made Chief of Police at Griggsville and held that office until 1888. During his incumbency of it he studied law and in 1888 was elected City Attorney, with offices at Griggsville. After two years in that office he began taking an active part in politics, receiving an appointment through Secretary of State Hendricks during the Altgeld administra- tion, and was at the capital from 1893 to 1897, sinch which time he has been a contracting car- penter.

Mr. Ball was marrled on September 17, 1867, to Anna Cadwell, born in Griggsville, March 1, 1853, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Carroll) Cadwell. The latter was a direct descendant of Charles Carroll, whose name appears as one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Cadwell had four chlidren : Eliza- beth. who died when sixteen years old; John; William C_ of Washington, and Mrs. Ball. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ball, ten of whom survive: Albert; Harriet E. wife of J. R. Phillips ; Mary D., of St. Louis, a clerk in the Traction System; Thomas E., de- ceased ; Florence M., Daisy, Noble, Maude, Theodore E .; I. J., deceased; John W., and J. Frank. Mr. Ball is a Democrat. Ile belongs to the Christian Church. He is a member of the Carpenters' local union, in which he holds office. The pleasant family home on West Carpenter Street was built hy him.

BANCROFT, George Robert, a lifelong resident of Springfield, Ill., was horn in that city, April 25. 1843. Mr. Bancroft has lived retired many years, and though unable to take an active part in affairs on account of his invaildism, he is still keenly interested in what is taking place in the community and in the outside world, and through the medium of the newspapers keeps in touch with current events and issues. IIe is well known in Springfield and has many warm friends who greatly enjoy his companionship. Ile is best known as a veteran of the Civil War, in which he made a record of which he is justly proud. Mr. Bancroft is a son of Jonathan Coburn and Frances S. (Stone) Bancroft, na- tives respectively. of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and Vermont. His great-grandfather, Colonel Philip Stone, commanded Vermont Militia in the Revolutionary War and the Stone family were prominent in early Vermont history. The Bancroft family were early settlers in New York and George R. Bancroft is a third cousin of George Bancroft, the historian.

Jonathan C. Bancroft at one time conducted a brick-making plant at Springfield, Ill. IIe had emigrated to Michigan and in 1827 to Illinois,

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wbere the remainder of his life was speut. His wife came to Springfield from Vermont iu 1831, and there spent the remainder of her life. They were pareuts of three children.

George R. Bancroft spent his childhood just outside of Springfield aud received his educa- thon in the public schools. After leaving school he engaged in newspaper work and afterwards in various other occupatious. December 16, 1863, Mr. Baucroft enlisted at Springfield, in Company G, Tenth Illinois Cavalry, serving uutil July 7, 1865. During part of bls service he was under the command of General Steele Reynolds in Sheridan's cavalry. Among the Interesting experiences he relates is that of the time when his regiment was engaged with bushwhackers near Bayou Des Arc, in Arkansas, July 8, 1864, when, out of the two hundred fifteen men wbo took part In the skirmisb on the Union side, hut one bundred aud fifteen escaped, aud Mr. Bancroft was the only unmounted man who got away safely. He made a good record as a soldier and did bis full duty in defence of tbe cause for which he had enlisted bis services. lle had many narrow escapes and slept many nlghts in the woods aloue. He was highly es- teemed by his comrades, wbo recognized his bravery and true wortb.

At one time, In 1864, Mr. Bancroft was sent out with a scouting party, consisting of 350 men, under Captain Bates, and they were sent to Ilickory Plains. Ark., to capture a party of bushwhackers, but the latter made their way into woods so dense that they made their es- cape. Upon returning to camp they fed their horses and prepared to spend the night, and as it was rainlng Mr. Bancroft took shelter in a corn crib, where he soon fell asleep. His com- panions lett the vicinity and forgot to arouse him, so that when he awoke be found himself in the midst of a gang of bushwbackers, wbo supposed it was some trick of the Yankees. He started away from them and when he had pro- ceeded about 300 yards he was followed, but coming to a sharp turn in the road took to the timber and walked about two miles in the woods, when he was safe from further pursuit. He was then ahout thirty-five miles from Little Rock. and after spending all night and the next day in the woods eame out at Grand Prairie, where he found another gang of bushwhackers, but the grass was high enough so he was not dis- covered. He took a wrong road while trying to reach Little Rock and the trip was thus made longer for him. At sundown, having traveled nearly all day. he came to the railroad and. proceeding to walk along the tracks, was ar- rested by a Union picket as a spy. Ile was subjected to some two hours of questioning by tlie Colonel of the regiment (an Ohio one). in spite of his blue uniform, and finally was cleared of suspiclon, given supper and a bed. and even- tually returned to his owu company, where he had been reported by his former comrades as captured by . bushwhackers.

At one time Mr. Bancroft and three comrades

were given a pass to hunt for hogs, but warned not to go more than two miles from camp. When they were some distance away Mr. Ban- croft asked the others not to proceed fartber away from the camp, but as they refused to keep witbin tbe prescribed limits, be remained with them and they were about uine miles away when they shot three hogs lu a field. They were there surprised by a gang of about thirty- five bushwhackers, who fired upon them, but they all made their escape, though Mr. Bancroft became separated from the otbers in the con- fusion and baste of their departure from the scene. Two holes had been shot through his clotbes and a hole cut lu his saddle, but he was uninjured. His companions, who returned safely to their company, on account of their passes, re- ported Mr. Bancroft as killed in the encounter, and when he reached the Union Ilnes he was again arrested by the picket ou duty, but soon rejoined his commaud.

July 7, 1864, the day before the incident previously meutioned as taking place near Bayou Des Arc, after darkness had settled down on the camp, several men being on picket duty, oue on vidette duty and slx on post, Mr. Ban- croft warned the corporal of suspicious noises near tbem and asked that the five men who lay asleep on the ground should be awakened. How- ever, though Mr. Bancroft believed it was the enemy, the corporal insisted it was nothing more than cattle or hogs, and refused to give the alarm. Just then fifty Confederate soldiers made a charge in the darkness and captured the corporal and all the men except the man on vidette and Mr. Bancroft, the two latter ming- ling with the enemy and making their escape through reason of the darkness. They then fired thelr carbines and help soon arrived. but not before the enemy had taken the prisoners away. They had also taken Mr. Bancroft's horse and he was afterwards given a mule to ride.

Soon after bls enlistment and before he had learned much of military life, Mr. Bancroft drew a new rifle and ammunition, and being ad- vised by an old soldier to practice by firing at a tree, put up a target of paper and proceeded to try his skill. This was strictly against the rules and three hundred yards away was a picket post of infantry, and after several shots had been fired among them they lay down on the ground to he out of dauger. They captured Mr. Bancroft and he was put in jall at Little Rock by the Provost Marshal. However, the veteran who had got him into the trouble ex- plained matters, and Mr. Bancroft was released.

At the time of the secession of the Southern States Mr. Bancroft was working at the office of the State Journal in Springfield, carrying dis- patches from the telegraph office to the office of the paper, and while performing this duty car- ried tbe news of the secession of the various States as they came In. He took many dis- patches to Governor Yates at the Revere House. and often delivered them as late as twelve

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

o'clock at night. Mr. Bancroft also worked six weeks, in 1861, in the bullet department of the old armory on North Fifth Street, Springfield. Upon returning to Springfield at the close of the war, he was unable to engage in any mannal labor, being badly crippled in his lower limbs as a result of senrvy, and since then has been a semi-invalid. In 1862 he was employed by the Goverment as driver of an ammunition wagon, under General Herron.

Mr. Bancroft is liberal in his religious views and esponses the canse of the Prohibition party, having voted that ticket for twenty years.

BANSBACH, Joseph, whose successful career as a grocer demonstrates what can be accomplished by a man if he be indnstrions and possess a thorongh knowledge of business methods. Mr. Bansbach was born in Baden, Germany, March 18, 1860, a son of Wilhelm and Frances (Golahn) Bansbach, natives of Germany, the former born February 29, 1836, and the latter in Baden. The father was a farmer, who spent his life in hls native land, and died there in August, 1885, his widow surviving until January, 1889. They were devout members of the Roman Cath- olic Church and had the following children : Joseph ; Theresa, wife of Kilian Krinn; Peter, of Germany; Mary, wife of Lonis Hemberger, of Springfield; Helen, wite of August Rechner, living at the corner of Twelfth and Reynolds Streets, Springfield.

Joseph Bansbach was educated in the schools of Germany and worked for his father until he came to the United States in 1885, when he was twenty-five years old. He first worked as a teamster for the Reisch Brewing Company, of Springfield. bnt In January, 1892, estab- lished his present store and has continued to handle a general line of groceries, controlling a large trade.

On July 15, 1885, Mr. Bansbach was married, in Springfield, to Anna Repp, born in Germany, Jnne 10, 1862, daughter of Anton and Mary (Eck) Repp natives of Germany, who had six children. Mr. and Mrs. Bansbach have had five children : Mary, Valentine, Rose, Otto and Panline. Mr. Bansbach belongs to the Western Catholic Union, St. Vincent's, and Loyal Amer- icans, and carries United States accident In- surance. His religious affiliations are with the Catholic Church. He owns his business prop- erty, as well as his home, and is in comfortable circumstances. Possessing traits of character, characteristic of the German, Mr. Bansbach has gone steadily forward, always industriously and thriftily making his money earn a good interest. He is genial and kind-hearted and makes friends, not only among his customers, but wherever he is known, and is one of the substantial men of Springfield.

BARBRE, William E., commercial salesman, formerly a resident of Sangamon County, but now of North Dakota, is one of the men who helped to develop the agricultural regions of

this locality. He was born in the connty Janu- ary 5, 1859, being a son of James L. and Lucinda (Dixon) Barbre, natives of Indiana, where he was born March 4, 1834, and she September 6, 1833. The father came to Sangamon Connty at a very early day, entering land and farming. He married there, continning his farming nntll his retirement, when he went to Taylorville, where he now resides, aged seventy-seven years. Hls wite Is also living. There were nine children in the family, of whom fonr survive: William E .; Mrs. Minnie Marshall, of Colorado; Mrs. Hattie Wade, of Springfield, and Mrs. Georgia Search, also of Springfield.

Mr. Barbre was educated in the schools of the county and assisted his father on the farm, until he attained his majority, when he began farming for himself. He continued this line of work until 1900, when he engaged with the Racine Sattley Company, as traveling sales- man, with headquarters in North Dakota. He belongs to the United Brethren Church. In polltles he is a Democrat.

On September 3, 1879, Mr. Barbre was mar- ried in Mechanicsburg, to Flora A. Jacobs, born March 6, 1860, in this connty, being a danghter of Adam and Lucinda (Garren) Jacobs, natives of Sangamon and Jefferson Counties, Ill. Mr. Jacobs was a farmer, dying in 1869, but his widow survived him until 1904. There were two sons and one daughter in the family, and but two survive. Mrs. Barbre died April 3, 1896, having been a devoted wife and mother. She had borne her husband seven daughters and one son, three of whom died in infancy, those living being: Mrs. Pearl Grubb, wife of Gordon Grnbb, of Mechanicsburg; Jesse, of Delaware, Okla .; Grace, wife of Charles Bell, of Lanesville; Flora, a resident of Mechanics- burg, and Fern, adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Garren. There are five living grand- children in the family.

BARKLEY, James Henry .- The military record of Springfield eqnals that of any in the country, and the city and State have furnished as many noted soldiers in our last two wars, as can be boasted of in any territory of like size. One of the best known figures in military circles in the State, whose reputation is not, however, confined to Illinois alone, is Gen. James Henry Barkley. veteran of both the Civil and Spanish-American wars, and now Deputy United States Marshal. General Barkley was born February 17, 1844, on a farm near Lexington, Ky., a son of Robert Lee and Harriet (Boyd) Barkley, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively.

The Barkley famlly originally came from Ire- land, and has been an unusually long-lived one, the General's great-great-grandfather reaching the age of one hundred and two years; his grandfather ninety-six years, and his father eighty-six years. Robert Lee Barkley owned plantations in Gibson Connty, Tennessee, raising cotton and tobacco, but later moved to Jackson, Miss., where he was engaged In railroad con-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

tracting, subsequently becoming a railroad of- ficial. In 1857 he came to Springfield, and en- gaged in farming until his retirement, his death occurring in that city. Mr. Barkley was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics was first a Whig and later a Republican, but never desired public office.

James Henry Barkley received his early edu- cation in the schools of Jackson, Miss., and later attended the institution at Pleasant Hill, where Supt. John L. Wilson was his instructor. He left this school at the age of eighteen years, to en- list in Company G, Que Hundred Fourteenth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and served on General Bucklin's staff, being in charge of his mounted orderlies. After being mustered out of the ser- vice in 1865, he returned to Springfield and en- gaged in the house-furnishing business with John McCreery, whose son now conducts the St. Nich- olas Hotel. Later, this partnership was dis- solved, and Gen. Barkley engaged in the same business with Isaac Nutt, whom he subsequently bought out, the firm name becoming J. H. Bark- ley & Company. Some years later, he took as partner his son-in-law, Mr. P. M. Lax, a sketch of whose life will be found in another part of this volume. This connection continued until 1898, when Pres, Mckinley appointed Mr. Bark- ley Brigadier-General during the Spanish-Ameri- can War. He reported to General Fitzhugh Lee, and remained until after Dewey's memorable victory, when he returned to Springfield and be- came connected with the Culver Construction Company as Superintendent, and while serving In this capacity tore down, and rebuilt the Lin- coln monument. He was later, appointed Crier of the United States Court by Judge J. O: Hum- phrey, and subsequently became United States Deputy Marshal, in which position he is now serving. In 1868, General Barkley was one of the organizers of the Governor's Guard, being inade Lieutenant, later First Lieutenant, then Captain of Battery B, and finally Colonel of the Fifth Regiment, which rank he held until he was appointed Brigadier-General by Gov. Fifer. Ile was senior officer, and mobilized the troops, naming the camp "Camp Tanner." He com- manded a brigade and division, under Gen. Fitz- hugh Lee, and after his service was completed, he resigned his commission.

Gen. Barkley is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F. and the Knights of Pythias. He passed through the chairs of Capital Lodge No. 14. was elected Grand Outer Guard at Pe- oria, went through the chairs of the Grand Lodge, and was elected Grand Chancellor at Quincy, serving one term. At Rock Island, he put the movement for a Pythian Home on its feet, and a year later, was elected Supreme Rep- resentative without being a candidate. At Mil- waukee, he was elected Brigadier-General of the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, and has been reelected every four years since. He is now Senlor General of the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias of the World. In his po- litical bellef, Gen. Barkley is a Republican.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 6

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