Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 96

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 96

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At that time, all of the timber laud bad been secured, and Mr. Martin not having faith In the prairie land would uot invest in it, al- though at that time he could have purchased it for three dollars per acre. About 1858, he moved to Schuyler County, and in 1860, was killed by the premature explosion of a twelve-pound can- non that was fired off to celebrate Fourth of July, when Abraham Lincoln was candidate for the presidency. Ilis widow went to Sedgwick Connty, Kas., where she passed away, Septem- ber 28, 1871.

Green W. Martin was only six years old when he was brought to Cartwright Township, and although taken away when his father died, he came back to Pleasant Plains and began working on the farm of Angnstus W. Hayes, continuing with him for two years, and render- ing very efficient service. In 1870, he went west, stopping in Kausas to visit his mother. From there he weut to Colorado Springs, and thence to Cripple Creek, where he mined with his brother Willian. They located the Sumult mine, in what they named Globe Hill. Here they sunk a shaft 240 feet, striking rieb pay ore, and then Mr. Martiu sold his share for $41,000 spot cash to W. S. Stratton, wbo later became one of the wealthiest mine owners of Cripple Creek, the Summit mine proving to be one of the best opened up in that locality. Still iater he went to Jasper County, Mo., settling there in 1879. near Carthage. Finally he returned to Pleasant Plains, and bought 160 acres on Section 16, Cartwright Township, settling down upon it. In 1876, Mr. Martin married Ollie Sampson, but she died in Jasper County, Mo., leaving one son, Thomas L., who is married, having two sous and two daughters, and is now residing near his father in Cartwright Township. The other two children of this first marriage of Mr. Martin's died in infancy. On December 19, 1892, Mr. Martin married in Cripple Creek, Em- ma Pleines, born in St. Louis, Mo .. December 16, 1874, a daughter of Conrad and Emma ( Muller) Pleines. These parents went to Den- ver in 1879, prior to the time when any trains ran to Leadville, so as that place was their destination. the trip had to be made by wagon. They remained in Leadville, a short time, but moved about, the father trying to locate a pay- ing mine. Finally removal was made to Colorado Springs, and there the father died. December 19. 1899. His widow still resides in Colorado Springs.

Mr. and Mrs. Martiu settled down on their farm home, and began making the many improve- ments which now add to its value, including a very comfortable twelve-room house, substantial barns and necessary outbuildings. They became the parents of seven children : Mary O., born June 30, 1894, died July 12, 1909; Amy F., born June 7. 1897: Effie Leta. born January 9, 1899; Luia Bell born April 1, 1901; Ruth C., born December 31, 1903; Emma L .. born December 9, 1904: Alice Green, born June 6. 1907, and Frank Courad, born September 23, 1910.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Mr. Martin was very snccessful in his farm- ing, and added to his holdings, buying in 1898, eighty acres on Section 17, Cartwright Town- ship, on which he erected a good honse and put in a good orchard. He was perfectly satisfied with his achievements, for he carried ont the dearest wishes of his boyhood and young man- hood becoming the owner of a farm in his cbosen locality. He was a Democrat, politically, and fraternally was connected with the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 700, and the Odd Fellows of Pleasant Plains. IIe stood very high In the community, and was regarded as a represent- ative farmer of the hest class. Mr. Martin died February 12, 1911.

MARTIN, John Herbert, of Springfield, is a typical British-American citizen, interested In the advancement and progress of his community and doing his full dnty as a member of society. Although not active iu public affairs he is well informed on the issues of the day and especially as regards local questions. He is a native of Devonshire, England, born September 21, 1871, son of Samuel and Mary Rebecca (Rawlings) Martin, both also natIves of Devonshire, the fa- ther horn May 1, 1833, and the mother in June, 1835. IIer parents died when she was a small cbild, and she was reared by an aunt in the city of London. Samnel Martin was engaged in cop- per mining and both he and his wife spent thelr entire lives in England, where he died in July, 1891, and his widow a few years later. They were parents of the following children : Willlam, who was drowned; Elizabeth, wife of Jim Stick- ler, of England; John Herbert, of this notice; Charles Andrew, deceased; Sophia, deceased ; Willlam Edward, of England; Mary Ann and Emma, twins, the former wife of Jack Righton and the latter the wife of Joseph Armstrong, both of England ; Annie M., wife of Ralph Righ- ton ; Jessle, wife of William Wilkenson ; Ellen, wife of John Grahamn. The father of these chil- dren served for two years In Monnted Artillery H. Ninety-fifth Regiment of the English Army.

Mr. Martin received his education in the schools of Devonshire and Durham County, and learned gardening. He came to the United States and located in Springfield. He is a Democrat in politics and an Episcopalian in re -* ligious belief. For many years before leaving England he was prominent as a gardener and florist. aud held office from April 10, 1893, to October, 1897, as Secretary of the Gerrow-Heb- burn-Monkton and Hedworth Society, which corresponds to the agricultural societies of onr own country. He has held the offices of Secre- tary and Treasurer, Vice President and Presi- dent of the U. M. W. A., and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and Red Men organizations.

Mr. Martin was married in St. Anthony Ro- man Catholic Church. Durham, England. by Rev. Father P. M. Clark, In 1890, to Anna Cherry, who was born in Newfield, Durham, England, June 22, 1865. daughter of William and Isabel (Dickson) Cherry, the father born

in Durham County, in July, 1820, and the mother born December 9, 1826. The father died In July, 1904, and the mother still survives. There were five children born to Mr. Cherry and wife, namely : William, Edward, George; Isabel, wife of Luke Foster, and Anna, Mrs. Martin. Five childrenswere born to Mr. Martin and wife, only one of whom now snrvives, Wil- liam Edward, born June 12, 1894, employed as foreman at the Illinois Watch Company plant.

MARTIN, Joseph W. (deceased), for many years a resident of Springfield, was born in Ohio County, Ky., not far from Owensboro (Daviess County), November 16, 1838, and was left an orphan at an early age. When nine years of age he eame to Sangamon County, with an uncle, James Lynn. He attended the public schools of. Ohlo County, Ky., and Sangamon County, III., and was reared to farming, which he followed until he retired from active life and moved to Springfield. After his marriage he began farm- Ing on his own account, purchasing ninety acres of land in Buffalo Hart Township, Sangamon County, where he became successful and held various public and private offices of trust. He served on Grand and Petit Jnry for years, and acted as guardian for several persons. He was a prominent and highly esteemed citizen and a liberal contrihntor to several churches. He was not a member of any church, but had a leaning toward Methodism. After locating in Spring- field he attended the Presbyterian Church. He was public-spirited and enterprising, and in politics was a strong Republican.

Mr. Martin was married (first), September 11, 1864, to Miss Mary Jane Robison, danghter of Johu W. Robison, who died on the home farm July 8, 1888. He was married (second) Sep- tember 11, 1895, to Mrs. Mary E. (Glose) Davis, daughter of MartIn Glose, who was a well- known farmer of Logan County, Ill., and hy his second marriage had two children. Mr. Mar- tin moved with his family to Springfield, In 1906. By his first marriage his children were: Jesse, deceased ; William H., Robert, Lena M., Ernest A. By his second marriage his children were : Alvine Mckinley, died at the age of five years; George D., died at the age of eight years.

Mrs. Martin was born in Fulton County, Ind., October 12, 1857, and when a babe moved with her parents to Ohio. Later they came hack to Indiana and, when she was eleven years old, to Sangamon County, III. She was married (first), at Lincoln, Ill., July 4, 1878, to James T. Davis, who was born east of Elkhart, III., and there reared to mauhood. His father, Cyrus Davis, was wounded at Shiloh and died from the effects of the wound before reaching home. He was also a veteran of the Mexican War. James T. Davis died at Mt. Pnlaski, III., November 24, 1890. He and his wife had four children : Maud, Mrs. Ralph McIlvaine, of To- peka, Kan .; Bessie, Mrs, Sidney Reid, of Spring- field ; Lols Nancy, Mrs. Clarence Unsbee, of Springfield ; one child died in infancy.

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MARTINAITS, George .- A number of the resi- dents of Springfield have been attracted there by the coal mines, which yield profitable em- ployment to those willing to run the risks and endure the hardships of the work. One of the men thus engaged is George Martinaits, an ex- cellent citizen, living at No. 1212 North Eight- eenth Street. He was born in Russia, December 26, 1884, a son of Dzmgmont and Anna (Pas- loes) Martinaits, both born In Russia, he in 1844 and she in 1854. The father was a farmer who died in his native land in 1903, where his wife still lives, aged fifty-seven years. There were six children in the family : Charles, Mary, Martin, Elizabeth, Anna and Wilease.

Mr. Martinaits was educated in the schools of his native place, and from childhood assisted his father on the farm. In 1907 he came to the United States, landing at Philadelphia. three months he was at Bethlehem, Pa., and then traveled over the country looking for a place that suited him. Finally, in 1908, he set- tled in Springfield, and this has since continned to be his home. He went to work at once in the mines. In religlous faith he is a Catholic and politically Republican. Mr. Martinaits has had the advantage of extended travel. Like so many of his countrymen, he speaks other lan- guages, in addition to Russian and English, and is ambitious to advance still more. It is re- markable that these strangers from a foreign shore can come here and in so short a time be- come men of standing in their community.

MARX, Jacob .- In reviewing a city like Spring- field, located in the center of the fertile Middle States, it is astonishing how many of its most prosperous men are of German birth. Coming here when the city, and even the State, was in the throes of evolution, these frugal, industri- ous. well-tralned Germans became excellent Americans, and to them is due much of the pres- ent prosperity. One of these representative Ger- man-Americans is Jacob Marx, now retired, re- siding in his own home at No. 1015 South Twelfth Street. He was born in Treis, Ger- inany, April 22, 1832, being a son of Jacob and Gertrude (Sanger) Marx, farming people of Germany, who never left their native land. They had nine children, four of whom survive. The father served bravely as a German soldier.

Brought up in his native land Jacob Marx served for nearly a year in the German Army. His father was taken sick, and to enable him to take care of the farm and family, the king gave him an honorable discharge. He decided that there was more opportunity for him in America, so sailed on May 9, 1857, landing at Quebec, whence he came direct to Springfield and went to work in a stone quarry, where he remained for a number of years, in the employ of Blains Stone Quarry. For two years he was in the em- ploy of Spaulding Murray as a nurseryman and following this, was a gardener for some years. Then for eighteen years he acted as janitor of the Court House. The next ten years were spent

by him in the Wabash shops, but a few years ago he retired to enjoy a well-earned rest.

On November 22, 1859, Mr. Marx was nuited in marriage at Springfield, with Margaret Placer, born in Germany, December 26, 1840. Her parents did not leave Germany, dying there. Mrs. Marx died March 22,. 1892, having had fourteen children, six of whom survive: Mar- garet, wife of Adam Layendecker, of Springfield, she having died March 17, 1911; Joseph, fore- man of the Schnepp & Barnes Printing Com- pany; Veronica, wife of Jacob Layendecker ; Catherine, wlfe of Henry Schmelter, a miner of Springfield; John, in the employ of the Illinois Watch Company ; Pauline, at home, her father's housekeeper ; Thomas, employed in the Wabash shops. There are twenty-five grandchildren in . the family. Mr. Marx owns his beautiful home, as well as other property In Springfield, and is in comfortable circumstances. He belongs to the Church of the Sacred Heart, being a devout Ro- inan Catholic. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never sought public honors. He is a stanch, loyal, true-hearted man, whose life has been spent in doing his duty, and he stands high in the estimation of his fellow men. Mr. Marx was personally acquainted with the great Abraham Lincoln.

MASON, Harry Howland; publisher of the "Pawnee Herald," one of the leading newspaper men of Sangamon County, has been instru- mental in molding public opinion for many years, and is now numbered among the brilliant ex- ponents of his profession in his part of the State. Mr. Mason was born near Saybrook, McLean County, Ill., December 18, 1874, a son of James Alfred and Lovenia Florence (Mc- Collister) Mason. The father was born in Swansea, Mass., in 1836, and the mother in Ohio in 1850. The father was long prominent in the affairs of Tazewell County, having come west as a boy and worked his way up, and eventually became a prosperous grain merchant, but is now living retired in Delaven. He was a leader in the Democratic party for many years, and held many local and some county offices. Mrs. Mason comes of good old Presbyterian stock. She is a woman of rare executive ability and superior intelligence. The Masons figured In New England history from its earliest settle- ment. The grandfather on the paternal side was an officer in the War of 1812 and his wife wou distinction by carrying a message on horse- back, through storms and darkness, from the American Commanders, she being part of the time under fire.

Harry Howland Mason was educated in the public schools of Delavan, Ill., and was brought up with his four sisters, being the only son. Hls childhood was uneventful save as to incl- dents which occur to any active boy. From childhood he showed pronounced mechanical skill. Being apprenticed In a newspaper office, he worked as printer and reporter until 1903,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

when he engaged in the publication of the "Pawnee Heraid," and is stili its publisher.

For fourteen years Mr. Masou served iu Com- pany K, Fifth Infantry, Iilinois National Guard, passing from rank of private through all the non-commissioned grades, and fiually being commissioned First Lieutenant by the late Gov. J. R. Tanner. While with the Fifth he was on active service in many tours of strike duty in the troublous times of the early 'nineties. In politics Mr. Mason is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to the Moderu Woodmen of America, and has held various camp offices. As yet he is unmarried.

A conservative man, Mr. Mason is slow to make friends and has few confidants, finding much pleasure iu his books and writings. When ile does admit anyone to his coufidence, he re- tains such friendship indefinitely. For some years he has been recognized as a successfui newspaper writer on daily papers and weeklies, and is particularly strong in his writing of politicai stories on

a non-partison basis. Through his paper Mr. Mason has made a name for himself in Sangamon County, where his ability is recognized and appreciated.

MASSEY, John, one of Sangamon County's old- est and best-known citizeus, and an honored veteran of the Civil War, now lives retired at his comfortable residence at 302 Logan Avenue, Springfield, Iil. Mr. Massey was born in Mor- gan County, Ill., December 25, 1844, son of Jen- kins and Susan (Morgan) Massey, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Wells County, Ind. The parents were farmers and moved to Sangamon County when John was young, re- maining there the remainder of their lives. They had seven children.

John Massey received his education in the public schools of Sangamon County, and has been a resident of that county since childhood, except for eight years spent in Logan County, when a young man. He was reared on a farm and lived with his parents until he reached man- hood. He enlisted, April 29, 1864, in Sanga- mon County, in Company E, Fifty-seventh Illi- nois Infantry, under Captain Kenyon, serving to the ciose of the war. He was mustered out in Chicago, in July, 1865, having never been captured. but having had many very narrow es- capes and having seen some very hard fighting. Mr. Massey participated in the Battle and cam- paign of Atlanta, in the Battle of Chattanooga, Sherman's March to the Sea, the Battle of Alla- toona, and skirmished to Savannah, Ga., where he received a gun shot wound in the right wrist. Ile was with the re-enforcements for Grant at Richmond, where there was hard fighting, and was present at the hurning of Columbus. S. C. He took part in the Grand Review at Washing- ton, and had an excellent record as a brave and faithfui soldier. ready to give his best for his country. He narrowly escaped capture at Alla- toona, where his brother was wounded. IIe is a prominent member of the local G. A. R.

At the close of the war Mr. Massey returned to Sangamon Couuty aud engaged iu farming, in which ile became very successful, and in 1899 retired from more active labors. He is a de- vout member of the Methodist Church and in politics is a Republican. He is au enterpris- ing and representative citizen, ready to forward any public movement he believes is for the geu- rai welfare, and activeiy interested in public affairs, although he does not care for public office. He is justiy proud of his record as a sol- dier and his many friends appreciate his sterling qualities of mind and heart and his high charac- ter. He owns tile home where the family reside, where they have lived since 1899.

Mr. Massey was married, at Lincoln, Ili., in 1870, to Sarah A. Johnson, born in Nichoias County, Ky., March 5, 1839, daughter of John T. and Sarah E. (Ham) Johnson, both natives of Kentucky. One child has been born of this union, James R. Massey, born April 24, 1876, who received his education in the public schools of Springfield, taught schooi for several years, and is now connected with the Hoenig Electric Company, one of the largest electrical contract- ing firms of Springfield or Central Iiiinois.

MATHENY, Charles R .- Among the substantial farmers who crossed the Alieghanies from the Shenandoah Vailey through Cumberland Gap, were James Matheny and his wife, Diana, and their children. One of these, Charles Reynolds Matheny, in eariy manhood was licensed in the Methodist ministry. He was located for a time at the ancient settlement of Harrods- burg in Kentucky, but about the year 1805 was sent as a missionary to the Iliinois Couutry. He located at Lebanon, in what is now St. Clair County, the future site of McKendree College, where his eider children were born.

His wife, Jemima Ogle, was a daughter of Captain Joseph Ogle, who was notable among the settlers in the Ohio Valley as a militant Christian of the most aggressive type, a force in the religious life of the scattered settle- ment and a strenuous Indian fighter as well. Captain Ogle was commissioned by Governor Patrick Henry on the 2nd day of June, 1776. He was in command in vigorous fighting against the British and Indians at Fort Henry ( Wheel- ing), W. Va., in 1777. He soon after removed to the west and. in the words of one of the early histories, was "one of its bravest de- fenders." and Ogle County, Ill., was named in his honor.

The organization of civil and educational af- fairs in tile new communities was a matter of much interest to Charles R. Matheny and he developed much aptitude for them. He was a member of the last Territorial Legislature at Kaskaskia (1817), and Representative from St. Clair County in the Second General Assembly after the adoption of the Constitution in 1818. In 1821 the seat of government for Sangamon County was established at Spring-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

field and the County was organized, and he re- moved to Springfield to assist in these matters.

He was Clerk of the County Court from the organization of the Connty until his death, which occurred in 1839. For some years he was also Clerk of the Circuit Conrt. He was active in the organization of the village of Springfield and was President of the Board of Trustees from 1832 to 1839, with the excep- tion of the year 1834. Among his. associates on the Board of Trustees were Stephen T. Logan, the most distingnished lawyer of his day in Illinois; Samuel H. Treat, afterward Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of Illinois and later Judge of the United States Courts for the Southern District of Illinois, and Abraham Lincoln.

Charles R. Matheny was a strong advocate of higher education at the time when popular sentiment was strongly opposed to it, and was one of the Trustees of Mckendree College in its early years.

Of the children of Charles R. Matheny, five sons grew to manhood. One, Dr. Lorenzo Dow Matheny. a physician of mnch promise, died at the beginning of his career. The other fonr. Noah W. Matheny, James H. Matheny, Charles W. Matheny and Elijah Cook Matheny, had a large part in the political, professional and business affairs of Springfield and Sanga- mon County for nearly half a century, during the period of most active development.

MATHENY, Charles R. (Vol. I, p. 355.)

MATHENY, Noah W., eldest son of Charles R. Matheny, was born in St. Clair County, Ill., July 31, 1815, and succeediug his father as Clerk of the Sangamon County Court, by succes- sive re-elections remained in office for thirty-four years, retiring in 1873. He was a man of great popularity and executive ability. His methods in the filing and preservation of papers and rec- ords have been largely followed to the present day. He acquired great familiarity with the mat- ter of probate law and the settlement of estates, and this, with his sound judgment and strength of character, made him for a generation the arbiter of family disputes, and adviser of the public and often of the Bar, In the matter of probate law and practice.

He accepted many trusts of much Importance and executed them with fidelity and snccess. He was a Director of the First National Bank of Springfield for many years, and soon after his retirement from office in 1873 became its Presi- dent. From this time during the remainder of his life he devoted his time and efforts closely to the husiness of the bank and contributed largely to its progress and success.

Like his father. Noah W. Matheny was active in religious and educational affairs. For some years he was an earnest member of the City Board of Education. He was also active in the work of the First Methodist Church, of Spring- field, in its old building at Fifth and Monroe

Streets. When the need of a Methodist Church in the north part of the city became felt, he took an active part in the organization of the Second Methodist Church (now the Kumler Methodist Church). He transferred his membership and support to the new and feeble organization and was a regular attendant during the remainder of his life.

He was married to Miss Elizabeth Stamper, daughter of the Rev. Jonathan Stamper, of De- catur. He died at his home iu Springfield on the 30th day of April, 1877. His widow, a daughter, and two grandsons still reside at the family home.

In recognition of his services to the First Na- tional Bank the Board of Directors have quite recently placed his portrait in the Directors' Room. An upright and model citizen, he en- joyed the respect of the entire community.

MATHENY, James H., was born at Lebanon, St. Clair County, Ill., in 1818, the year of the admission of the State of Tilinois into the Union. Wheu about two years old his father moved to Springfield. He attended the village schools and at the age of fifteen began to as- sist his father in the work of the Courts. When he was a young man he became an ardent politician of the Whig School and an enthusias- tic admirer of Henry Clay. In 1840 he was one of a party of nine young men from Sanga- inon Connty who went over-land to Nashville, Tennessee, to hear Ciay at a great meeting, in the Harrison-Tyler Presidential Campaign. This pilgrimage attracted much attention. They were received with great honor in some lo- calities and with much opposition in others.

For the next thirty years-the Golden Age of political oratory in America-James H. Matheny was an active and effective political speaker in every campaign and an earnest student of public questions. In recognition of this, In 1847 he was elected as a member of the Convention that formed the Constitution of 1848 of the State of Illinois.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 96

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