Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 90

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 90

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LITTLE, Samuel N., senior partner in the Little & Sons Livery Company, Corner of Fourth and Adams Streets, Springfield, was born in Flem- ing County, Ky., In February, 1811, and was brought by his parents to St. Clair County, Illinois, In the spring of 1818. The following year (1819) his father came to Sangamon County, locating in what was afterwards known as Little's Polnt, three miles southwest of the court house, on what Is now known as the Wiggins Farm. He raised one crop and in 1820 bronght his family and settled, living there nntll his death, January 1st, 1848. This was the home of Samuel N. Little until the autumn of 1881. when the family moved into the city.

On January 29, 1843, Mr. Little married Eliza M. Morgan, daughter of Daniel and Mary Morgan, early pioneers of Illinois. To this nnion there were six children, thrce sons and three daughters, also an adopted daughter : William H., Gershom J., Sanford H., Mary E., Harrlet C., Minerva C., and Francis Z. Little. The three sons were engaged in the livery busi- ness with their father, who established the husi- ness in 1851. Mrs. Little died March 15, 1902.

William H. Little was born March 16, 1845. He married Cordelia Perkins and was after-

wards killed in a railroad wreck on the Chicago & Aiton Rallroad near Chicago on August 17, 1873. He was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery In Springfield, Ill. Sanford H. Little died on June 4, 1900.

Gershom J. Little, the surviving son, was born February 19, 1847, in Sangamon County. He read medicine and graduated from Rush Medical College of Chicago in 1868. He prac- ticed only a few years and then went in husl- ness with his father. Mr. Littie has been twice married, his first wife being Nellie A. Crafton, a daughter of Edward Crafton, to whom he was united Jannary 2, 1867, hnt who died in Feh- ruary, 1868. He next married Margaret E. Conner, a danghter of Edward L. Conner, this event occurring October 27, 1874.

To Mr. and Mrs. Little two danghters were born,-Nellie Louise, who died in infancy, and Georgia M., who was born September 9, 1883. She attended St. Agatha's School from the time she was a small child until she graduated. On October 15, 1903, she was married to Glenn Davis Smith, of Chicago, who is now engaged in the automobile business on Sonth Fourch Street. They reside with their parents at 523 South Sixth Street, Springfield, Ill.

LITTLEJOHN, James, of Divernon, Iil., who for many years carried on coal mining In this State, has now retired from active life and has erected a comfortable home in the village. He was born in Reckerton, Scotland, December 3, 1830, son of Willlam and Jane (Gihson) Littlejohn, natives of the same place. The father was born Jannary 12, 1805, and the mother January 31, 1804, and hoth died in their native town, he in 1880 and she in 1882. He came to America to visit his son James, hut soon after returned home. He was a coal miner and spent liis entire active life in this occupation. Eleven chil- dren were born to him and his wife, nine sous and two danghters, and hut two of these children survive, James, of this sketch, and one daugh- ter Jannie, wife of Joseph Hynds, a farmer of Oklahoma.

As a small hoy James Littlejohn attended the schools of his native town, and at the age of nine years began working in the mines there, remalning in that occupation until 1869, the date of his emigration to the United States. He went first to Braidwood, Ill., and engaged in mining there. He continued until 1898, when, hls health failing, he removed to Sonth Wil- mington and lived there nntil 1903, the date of his coming to Divernon, where he bullt a fine two-story residence, which he now occupies. He has made many friends In the vicinity and has the good-will and esteem of all who know him. In politles he is a Republican and he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, being ever ready to further any good cause and worthy object with which he is made acqualnted.

Mr. Littlejohn was married at Killiwenen, Scotland, August 21, 1858, to Miss Mary Fergn- son, a native of that place, and daughter of

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James and Barbara (Conin) Ferguson, also born there. The father was a weaver by trade, aud he and his wife were parents of two children, Mrs. Littlejohn, born August 1, 1836, and a son, both of whomu are deceased. Eleven children were born to Mr. Littlejohn and wife, of whom five sous and four daugh- ters now survive, namely : William, a miner, living at home with his father; Janny married William Walker, an electrician living in Chi- cago; George, in charge of a mine at Thayer, Ill., where he lives, married Margaret Kinnen- harm; Mary, widow of Joseph MeLaughlin, lives in Chicago; James is a miner and lives with his father; Isabella married William Smith, a brick-mason residing at Jollet, Ill .; John is a miner, lives at Divernon, and married Jenny Buckley ; Finley, a miner living at Divernon, is a member of Divernou Baseball Team, and married Stella Welch; Grace married William Thomas, a miner of Divernon. There are twenty- one grandchildren and three great-grandchildren in the family.

LITTLER, David T. (Vol. I, p. 341.)

LITTLETON, Walter Franklin, of Springfield, a conductor in the employ of the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad Company, was born at Cobden, Union County, Ill., July 5, 1862, son of Thomas William and Nancy Ellen (Bean) Littleton. Thomas W. Littleton was born in Tennessee and when a small boy accompanied his parents to Illinois. His father, Ephraim Littleton, was a pioneer in Union County, and settled near Western Saratoga, where he died. Thomas W. Littleton was reared on a farm, recelving a common-school education, and when thirty-five years of age became employed on a railroad, as engineer, car inspector, and In various other capacities. He dled in Centralia, Ill .. In 1893, and his wife died on the farm near Cobden, in December, 1SS0. Their chil- dren were: Walter F .; Olive died at the age of twelve years; Phena, Mrs. H. P. Rendleman ; Iola, Mrs. Martin Cavaness; Cora. Mrs. John Neville ; Rosie, Mrs. Charles Clemmle ; William, deceased ; Gertle, Mrs. Coe Melvin.

When seven years of age Walter F. Little- ton began his education in a log schoolhonse in Union County, and lived on a farm until he was seventeen years of age, then learned the blacksmith trade at Murphysboro. Ill., three years after leaving home becoming employed as a brakeman for the Illinois Central road from Centralia to Cairo, Ill. He worked In varlous capacities on the railroad until 1894, the time of the big rallroad strike, when he was out of work. From 1895-98 he was freight con- ductor for the Chicago & Alton Railroad, then became connected with the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad, working for them until 1903. when he went to work for the St. Louis & Southwestern road, returning to the employ of the Chicago, Peorla & St. Louis road In May, 1909. He is an experienced and able conductor.

a man of honesty aud good habits, and stands well with his associates. He Is well known in railroad circles and has a large number of friends.

Mr. Littleton was quarried, in Evansville, Ind., In March, 1886, to Miss Mattie M. Short, of Evansville, and they had children as follows: Edna Augusta ; Freddie and Charles, deceased ; Beulah; Marguerite, deceased. Mr. Littleton is not a member of any church. He Is a Republi- can in politics and fraternally is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and the O. R. C.

LITTREL, William (deceased) .- The virtues and good qualities of a man are oftentimes not fully appreciated until he has passed from this life. Deeds which were little noticed dur- ing his lifetime, spring into prominence after his demise, and reflect credit upon his kind- ness of heart and singleness of purpose. Es- pecially has this beeu true in the case of the late Willlam Littrel, of Springfield, who dur- ing a long and useful life showed forth in his actions the faith he early professed when he joined the communion of the Methodist Church, and his memory is enshrined, not only in the hearts of his immediate family, but in the thoughts of those with whom he was brought into contact in both a social and business way. Mr. Littrel was born in Jefferson County, Ky., March 22, 1848. a son of Perry and Mary (Conroy) Littrel, farming people, who came to Springfield at an early day, participating in the history of those times and assisting in developing the city. Mr. Littrel passed away December 24, 1890, and his remains are in- terred in the beautiful Oak Ridge Cemetery.

After a boyhood spent with his parents, Mr. Littrel started out in life for himself, becom- ing one of the best known mnen iu his line in Sangamon County. Through a thorough knowl- edge of his work and his keen, sagacious busi- ness methods, Mr. Littrel became one of the prosperous meu of Springfield, dying in the very prime of life, honored by all who knew hin. He was a Methodist and a Democrat, but never cared for public office. His marriage occurred in Springfield June 30, 1870, to Nancy Miller, born on a farm in Coshocton County, Ohio, March 30, 1850. The family came from Ohio to Springfield, in 1868, and this city has since been the home of Mrs. Littrel. A brother of hers, David Miller, owns aud operates a fine farm about fifteen miles south of Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Littrel became the parents of the following children : Frank, Mrs. A. C. Ander- son, Mary Elizabeth, Nancy, married and re- siding iu Chicago; Cora Ida and Ellen, the latter living with her mother in Springfield. Mrs. Littrel has a beautiful home at No. 141S East Monroe Street.

The life of a man who spent his time attend- ing to his own business and living up to his standards of Christianity. points a moral that the rising generation will do well to heed. He left a sufficient fortune to provide for his dear

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ones and place them beyond the necessity of worry. While he was takeu away at a time when he was just beginning to feei able to enjoy the good things of life, he did not spend his brief span of years in vain, but has left behind the example of a well-spent life.

LOCHRIDGE, Robert Henry, an energetic and successfui farmer of Section 5, Auburn Town- ship, Sangamon County, Iil., was born in the county, January 17, 1850, son of John Milton and Jane (Nuckolis) Lochridge, who lived on a farm in Chatham Township. The family were early settlers of Sangamon County, and tile grandfather of Robert H. Lochridge. John Lochridge, was born in Virginia. He was mar- ried, in Kentucky, to Margie Killough, and in 1826 they moved to Owen County, Ind., and thence to Sangamon County, where they arrived October 20, 1838. To them were born eight chil- dren, all deceased, except Mrs. S. Steele, of Indiana.

John Milton Lochridge was born in Mont- gomery County, Ky., January 15, 1814, and in 1837 came to Sangamon County, Ill., where he purchased a farm. He became one of the lead- ing farmers and representative men of the southern part of the county. He was married, July 2, 1840, to Miss Jane Nuckolis, and to this union were born five sons and three daughters, and four of these children survive : the three daughters died in infancy ; John Wiii- iam died December 17. 1905; James Monroe, a soldier in the Civil War, now lives in Au- burn; Andrew H., retired and living in Auburn; Robert H .; Charles E., a farmer living near Amelia, Tex. John Milton Lochridge was an industrious and thrifty farmer and at the time of his death owned 340 acres of fine land. He was often elected to township offices, and served several terms as a member of the Board of Supervisors. He was a Republican in politics. He acquitted himself ably and honorabiy of all the duties of public and private life and was one of the most honored and trusted men of his day. He lived to see mauy changes take place in the county and township, being a res- ident of the county from 1837 until the date of his death, November 9, 1905. His widow survived him but a short time and passed away December 24, 1905.

An ancestor of Mr. Lochridge, his great- grandfather, John Lochridge, was a soldier in the Revolution, taking part in the Battles of Guilford Court House, Cowpens, and many others, and in later life drew a pension for his services. He lived in Virginia and was married there. Since the family came to Sangamnon County they have been actively interested in measures of public interest and contributed their share to the progress and development of the community in which they have lived. They have been active in church and religious mat- ters, helping in the building of churches and schools, and have always been identified with the nplifting and educating of the people. John Milton Lochridge and his wife lived in Sanga-

mon County over sixty-five years, happy and coutented, and in their later years were surrounded by their children, who had settled on neighboring farms.

The youuger days of Robert H. Lochridge were spent on the farm where he was born, he attended the district school and helped with the work on the farm, beginning to follow the plow at the age of eight years. He remained on the farm until twenty-two years old, then was married, May 3, 1871, to Miss Eilan Hough, who was born in Lewis County, N. Y., July 22, 1853, daughter of Horace and Emily (Rich) Hough. She has uo recollection of her mother, who died when she was a child. After their marriage Mr. Lochridge and his wife settled on a farm in Ball Township, where they lived until 1884, then sold out and moved to Kan- sas, but returned in 1887 to the scenes of his boyhood days and settled on a farm in Section 5, Auburn Township. He improved the land and erected a beautiful home.

Mr. Lochridge is a member of the I. O. O. F. and his wife beiongs to the Rebekah Lodge. He now has 160 acres of land in a high state of cultivation and raises a good grade of stock. For the past five years he has made a specialty of the Duroc Jersey hogs. He shipped 56 head of these hogs raised by him, receiving $9.55 per hundredweight, May 3, 1910, and these hogs averaged a weight of 300 pounds.

One child blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lochridge, Emily Daisy, born December 9, 1876, who was married, June-4, 1896, to Benjamin F. Lewis, a native of Auburn Township. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have two children: Robert Lochridge and Benjamin Wilbur, born respect- ively, July 21, 1905, and May 17, 1910. They reside on the home farm of the parents. Mr. Lochridge and his wife and daughter are all active members of the Presbyterian Church of Auburn, and Mrs. Lochridge belongs to the Ladies' Aid Society. Mr. Lochridge is a stanch Republican and has always voted for the sup- pression of the liquor traffic. He has never used tobacco or liquor in any form and is a man of good principles and high character.

LOEB, William .- Springfield is proud of the fact that it is a musical center and that it ap- preciates the efforts of its musicians. One who has long been associated with musical matters in the Capital City and given of his best to its advancement and pleasure, is William Loeb, com- poser and organizer. He was born in Hems- bach, Baden, Germany, June 24, 1841, and, com- ing from the land of music, there is no wonder he excels in the art. He is a son of William Loeb, Sr., and his wife, Anna Katherine (Young) Loeb, both natives of Germany. The elder Mr. Loeb came to America in 1848, bringing his young son with him. The trip was made by way of New Orleans, whence the family came to Springfield, and there the father found ready employment as a blacksmith. He made that city his home until his death, which occurred in 1852, when he was in the midst of his career of

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useful endeavor. Short as was his time there, though, he helped to found the Lutherau Church, of which he was an earnest member.

William Loeb, Jr., was brought up In Spring- field, learning his father's trade, at which he worked, but his musical genius soon began to ex- press itself, and he abandoned his trade to teach music, making a specialty of the violln. His in- terpretations of the masters and of his own com- positions on this instrument are truly remark- able.

On February 20, 1865, Mr. Loeb was united in marriage to Emelia Bock, a native of Sax- ony, Germany, daughter of Carl Frederick and Wilhelmina (Schmidt) Bock, who came from Germany to Wisconsin at so early a day that the Indians were still numerous there. There they followed farming with cousiderable profit. Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Loeb, eight of whom survive and all of whom have more or less a musical talent: Adam Frederick, married; Henry; William; Mrs. Anua Judgens; Charles; Adolph married to Margaret R. H. Ziegler, daughter of William Ziegler, formerly of Lancaster, Pa., is a profes- sor of music; Albert is married to Emma Thorn- burgh, daughter of J. W. Thornburgh; and Mrs. Clara Hartman. All are residents of Springfield and among the city's most highly esteemed peo- ple.

Mr. Loeb is a member of the order of Mod- ern Woodmen of America. A Lutheran in re- ligious falth, he belongs to the German Church of Springfield, and his work in connection with its music makes him especially valued there. He is a pleasant, kindly man, devoted to hls profession, and with many warm, personal friends in the community who are attached to him, both because of his genius and on account of his many excellent qualities.

LOGAN, Stephen Trigg. (Vol. I, p. 343.)

LOGAN, Rev. Thomas Dale .- The need of the age Is a spiritual awakening, bringing with it a deeper religion, patriotism, honor, and a love of truth. Material possessions are very well in their place, but they should not be permitted to usurp the more important things of life. Char- acter, truth, honor, justice, love, faith-these are the things of real worth beside which the value of the world's wealth fades into Inslg- nificance. The need of the hour is to get things in right proportion again, to cease permitting the material to crowd out the spiritual, but ungrate- ful, indeed, is the work of those who are try- ing to bring about such a change. Thomas Dale Logan, who has been pastor of the First Pres- byterlan Church of Springfield, Ill., for nearly a quarter of a century, is one who has labored long and faithfully in this great work. He was born January 29, 1851, in Pittsburg, Pa., a son of John T. and Henrietta L. (Bryan) Logan.

John Logan, the paternal grandfather of Dr. Logan, was born In County Armagh, Ireland, and died when John T. was but two years old.

The paternal grandmother, Mary Kennedy, was the daughter of James and Jane (Maxwell) Kennedy, and a member of an influential family of Lancaster County, Pa. The maternal great- grandfather, George Bryan, was a member of the First Continental Congress in 1765, Presi- deut of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania in 1778, Justice of its Supreme Court from 1780 to 1791, and the author of a law for the Aboli- tion of Slavery in 1779. Hls son, also named George, was Secretary of State for Pennsyl- vania, and his wife, Maria Mayer Steinman, was descended from a prominent German Mo- ravian famlly in Bavaria.

John T. Logan was born In Baltimore, Md., October 1, 1809, and in his youth learned the hardware business iu Lancaster, Pa., whence he went to Pittsburg in 1829. He engaged in busi- ness there in 1831 under the firm name of Logan & Kennedy, and the firm still continues (in 1910) under the name of the Logan-Gregg Hard- ware Company. Mr. Logan was active in busi- ness and religious affairs In Pittsburg, and in that city his death occurred April 17, 1871. He was married March 17, 1842, to Henrietta L. Bryan, born at Harrisburg, Pa., July 5, 1814, and she died In Pittsburg, December 17, 1897.

The childhood of Thomas Dale Logan was passed at the family home in Allegheny (now a part of Pittsburg), Pa., and his preparatory · schooling was secured in Newell Institute, a private school. He graduated from Lafayette College In 1869, at the age of eighteen years, and in 1874 graduated from the Western Theo- logical Seminary. He taught school at the New- ell Institute during 1872, and was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of Allegheny of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., in April, 1873. On leaving the theological seminary in April, 1874, he supplied the Second Presbyterian Church of Meadville, Pa., for six months, and was called to the pastorate of that church and ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, January 20, 1875. He was released from that pastorate in September, 1888, and on October 7, 1888, began hls labor in the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, where he was installed November 13, 1888. Dr. Logan was baptized and brought up in the faith of the Second Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg, and united with the Brain- erd Presbyteriau Church at Easton, Pa., in 1867, while attending college. He transferred his membership to the North Presbyterian Church of Allegheny untll belng ordained to the minls- try. He was Clerk of the Presbytery of Spring- field for thirteen years, Chairman of the Com- inlttee on Home Missions of the Presbyterian Synod for Illinols for twelve years, and a mem- ber of the General Assemblles of the Presby- terlan Church of 1881, 1891, 1896 and 1908. He is a Republican in political views, but is bound by no party ties, being absolutely independent in his cholce of a candidate. On graduating from LaFayette College, he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and three years later the degree of Master of Arts, and in 1894 he re-

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celved from the same college the honorary de- gree of Doctor of Divinity.

On March 22, 1877, Dr. Logan was married at Meadville, Pa., to Caroline B. Mahoney, born at Meadville, a danghter of John and Ellzabetb (IIarrison) Mahoney. Four children have been born to this union : Howard, Elizabeth Harrison, Marjorle Sybilla and Elsie Caroline.

LONERGAN, John (deceased), was a resident of Springfield, Ili., for many years. He was an nprigbt and useful citizen, and Interested in the progress and welfare of the city. He came to Springfield in 1854 and during his iife there witnessed inany changes and Improve- ments. He was a devout member of St. Jo- seph's Catholic Church and In politics was a Democrat. He had formed many friendsbips and was genuinely mourned by his family and friends. He was born in County Kiikenny, Ire- land, in 1823, and his parents died in Ireland. He was educated in his native country and worked on his father's farm as a boy, being occupied In farming until his emigration to America in 1854. He spent ten weeks on the ocean voyage and ianded in New York, where he remained but a short time before iocating in Springfield, which was his bome until his demlse. He worked at various kinds of em- ployment, but mostly at gardening, and his first empioyer was Judge Logan. He was a diligent and careful worker, and took pride in the excelleuce of the work he accomplished.

Mr. Lonergan was married in Springfield, at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. to Miss Margaret O'Grady, born in Connty Lim- erick, Ireiand. Her parents died in Ireland. and when Mrs. Lonergan came to America sbe spent six weeks on the voyage. Five children were horn to Mr. Lonergan and his wife : Bridget, wife of Thomas Finnegan, of Spring- field; Anna died in 1906; Thomas, of Spring- field. married Catherine Murray; Mary, un- married ; John W., of Chicago, Ill. Miss Mary Lonergan was born in Springfield, and has spent her entire life in that city. She now owns the home where she resides, at 222 Union Street. She is weil known and has many friends.

LONG, Alexander P .- To look back over a long and usefui career with the realization that the years have not been spent in vain, but have been productive of material and spirituai ad- vancement, is a satisfaction to any man. Spring- field bas a number of reiiabie, worthy men, who, when their appointed tasks bave been finisbed. have settled there to spend their money and give the city the benefit of their experience and foresight. Such a man is Alexander P. Long, whose residence in Springfield has identi- fied him with many of its snhstantiai interests. He was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., May 1. 1833, a son of Jobn and Rebecca A. (Parks) Long, the former born in Adams County, Pa., in November, 1806, and the latter in New Jer- sey, in November, 1812. The father was a

stone mason. The paternal grandfather was a soldler in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. John Long was married in Hunting- don County, Penn., where be resided until 1847, then moved to Bedford County, where he re- mained until his deatb, which occurred in 1868, when he was sixty-two years of age. Hls widow survived him untii 1891, wben she passed away in Erle, Pa., She and her husband had three sons and four daughters.

Alexander P. Long attended the conntry schoois of Bedford County, foiiowing which he farmed for ten years there, and then entered the empioy of the Huntingdon & Broad Top Railroad, wbere he remained for seven years, becoming foreman. In 1862, however, he was badly injured, a iocomotive blowing np, and for elght months was forced to remain away from work. After he recovered he was given a position as engineer of the same road, and filled it for two years, leaving to enter the employ of the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad Company as engineer. During the following sixteen years be acted as engineer for this road, but then removed to Springfield with his famlly, wbich has since been his home. There for four years he was engineer on the Wabash Railroad, then entered the Deffenhaugh Planing Mill. After four years there, as engineer, he became engineer for the Vredenherg Planing Mili, and acted in that capacity for ten years, when he retired. Mr. Long is a member of True Americans and the B. L. E., Lodge No. 117, of Erie, Pa. He is a member of the Methodist Church and is one of its ilberai snp- porters.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 90

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