USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 44
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BARTLETT, Sylvester Joseph, now practically retired, was once usefully connected with some important construction and other railroad work for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and has always been a man of probity and high standing. He was born in Penobscot County. Maine, February 29, 1844. a son of Josiah and Nancy (Taintor) Bartlett, natives of Maine. The grandfather, Josiah Bartlett, also came from Maine. The father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1860 moved to western New York looking for better conditions for his work. There he died in 1SGS.
The interesting life history of Sylvester Joseph Bartlett practically began with his enlistment for service during the Civil war, November 10, 1863, in Company C. First Long Island Volunteer Infantry at Wellsville, N. Y., as prior to that he had been a farmer boy, alternating work on the homestead with attendance at the local schools. With his enlistment. however, he shouldered the responsibilities of a man and soldier and saw service in Chattanooga and other places of lesser importance. After receiving his discharge at Harper's Ferry, in 1864, he re-enlisted June 10, 1864, in Company I. One Hundred and Eighty-ninth New York Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to service at Petersburg, Va., after- ward taking part in the battle of Five Points and many others. During the entire period of lis service, he was never wounded nor taken prisoner, and received his final discharge at Arlington Heights, June 1, 1865, having parti- cipated in the memorable grand review at Wash- ington, D. C.
After returning home. the young soldier worked with his father until the latter's death, when he went to Lawrence County, Ill., and engaged with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad as a member of the construction gang. After four years of that work, he spent two years at Vir- ginia with the same railroad, and then was made section foreman for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Beardstown. A few years later he was promoted to be general foreman of the railroad yards, holding that responsible position for twenty years. He then retired. although he has done some work as flagman at crossings to fill in his time.
In June, 1872, he was married at Flora. Ill .. to Bridgeteen Tower, who was born in Clay County. Ill., and died in 1894, The two children of this marriage are: Margaret, who is Mrs. A. W. Whiteford, of New York City ; S. J., Jr .. who is of Swan Creek, Ill., being an agent for
GOTTLIEB NOLLSCH
MRS. GOTTLIEB NOLLSCH
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the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Mr. Bartlett belongs to the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and has been a presiding priest since 1904. In politics he is a Prohibitionist.
BAUJAN, Otto William, a miller, and the fore- man of all the elevators in the city of Beards- town operating under the name of Schultz, Baujan & Co., merchant millers, is one of the leading men of Cass Connty and one who is leaving his impress upon contemporary business history here. He was born at Beardstown, March 10, 1871, a son of John and Catherine (Yeck) Baujan, natives of Germany. The father came to Cass County from Germany in 1852, while the mother arrived here in 1854, making the trip with her brothers. John Baujan was a brickmaker by trade and later he con- ducted a milling business, under the name of J. Baujan & Co., until his death Jnly 4, 1889.
Otto William Baujan was educated at Beards- town and learned the milling business, follow- ing which, for five years, he was in the employ of the firm of J. Baujan & Co., merchant millers. He then went into business for himself and conducted the same for ten years, then sold and associated himself with his old firm, having been employed by them for the past fifteen years. He is a good jndge of human nature and is able to handle his men in a manner satis- factory to all.
On May 24, 1894, Mr. Baujan was married in Cass County to Nellie F. Dnchardt, born in Cass Connty, February 6, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Baujan have had two sons: Finas W. and Rayman R. Mr. Baujan owns his home at Beardstown, and is in comfortable circumstances financially. In politics he is a Democrat, while fraternally he belongs to the Maccabees, the Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. He was reared in the faith of the German Lutheran church but does not belong as a member to any religions organization.
BAXTER, Albert Crum, A. B., M. D .- Persistent effort along one line, when intelligently directed, is certain to bring a measure of success, and in nothing is this more true than in medicine. Even the most intelligent physician and surgeon of today finds it necessary to continue his studies and reading in order to keep abreast of the times, and one who has succeeded to an un. usual degree is Dr. Albert Crum Baxter, of Springfield, who, for some years, has been a representative member of the medical protes- sion in Sangamon County. He was born Octo. ber 9, 18SO, at Literberry, Morgan County, Ill., a son of Hiram Bennett and Ellen (Crum) Baxter.
James Baxter, who founded the family in America, came from his native place, County Tyrone, Ireland, during the American Revolu- tion, and located at Pittsburgh, Pa. After his arrival he married Rebecca Riddle, who was born at Berlin, Germany, so that Dr. Baxter springs from sturdy stock on both sides. Later,
James Baxter moved to Ohio, selecting as his home the present site of the city of Dayton, and there his son, William Baxter, was born August 1, 1804. In 1815 the Baxter family came still further west, making the trip down the Ohio River in a flatboat to Madison, and in that neighborhood, in 1828, William Baxter was married to Jane Kerr, a danghter of Josiah Kerr, a Scotchman who had come to this local- ity about the same year as the Baxters. The first home of the newly married couple was a one-room, one-story ronnd log house, equipped with a door and window, a puncheon floor and stick-and-mud chimney. No nails were used in building this primitive cabin, weights being used in conjunction with poles to hold the roof in place, while the door was fastened with wooden pins. After many years spent in this house, Mr. Baxter replaced it with a large stone struc- ture built from stone from his own quarries, and it is still in excellent repair. The children born to William Baxter and wife were twelve in number, ten sons and two daughters, and seven of these sons served their country as sol- diers during the Civil war.
Hiram Bennett Baxter, the sixth son of Wil- liam Baxter, was one of those who served as a soldier, and he was born September 22, 1840. Enlisting as a private in Company K, Twenty- second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, he rose to the rank of captain, taking part in the cam- paigns of the Army of the Cumberland, and his company was in the front on the memorable march of General Sherman's forces to the sea. Twice wounded, he served nntil 1865, when he was honorably discharged. Of the seven sons who were soldiers, no two were in the same regiment or same battle, and the Baxter family was the only one in this section that sent so large a contingent to prove its patriotism. In 1866 Captain Baxter came to Morgan County, Ill., and followed various callings, including teaching school, conducting a general store at Literberry, and filling contracts for a railroad company. Becoming interested in agricultural matters, he began farming in 1SS1, near Ash- land, Ill., and now owns 1,707 acres of very valuable land. He is not a member of any church, but contributes liberally to religious work. On October 4, 1876, Captain Baxter was married to Lydia Ellen Crum, a daughter of Abram Alvin Crum, of Literberry. The paternal grandparents and parents of Mrs. Baxter came from Kentucky and southern Indiana in 1831 to Morgan County, Ill., and secured land from the government at $1.25 per acre. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Baxter were of the Bu- chanan and Liter families, of English and Ger- man origin, respectively. and they came from Virginia to Illinois in 1832. Mrs. Baxter passed away March 26, 1907, having had two sons: Albert Crum Baxter, and William Abram Bax- ter, the latter being on a farm in Cass County.
Albert Crum Baxter, after attending the schools of his district, in 1897, entered Whipple Academy, at Jacksonville, from which he was graduated in 1900, and then took a literary
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
course at the Illinois College. In 1903 he began the study of medicine in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was graduated from its medical department in 1907, with the degree of M. D., having previously obtained his degree of A. B., in 1904. from the literary de- partment. He belonged to the Phi Beta Pi fraternity, the Gynecological staff, and the Phagocytes. In order to secure experience, Dr. Baxter was connected with the Morgan Hos- pital, of New York City, during the summer and fall of 1907, but in the winter of that same year came back to Illinois, and located at Springfield, where he has developed an excel- lent practice.
On April 15, 190S. Mr. Baxter was married at Beacon, Mich .. to Miss Ethel J. Mitchell, born in Michigan, a daughter of Joseph and Janet (Wassley) Mitchell, natives of England. Dr. Baxter is a Knight Templar Mason. and also belongs to Springfield Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and Ansur Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, being one of its officers. He belongs to such leading professional bodies as the Amer- ican Chemical Society, the Sangamon County and Illinois Medical Societies, and the American Medical Association. Politically he is a Re- publican.
BAXTER, Hiram Bennett, one of the extensive landholders of Illinois, and a well known and respected citizen of Cass County, was born near Madison, Jefferson County, Ind., September 22. 1840. He is of Scotch-Irish and Pennsyl- vania-Dutch ancestry, his parents William and Jane (Kerr) Baxter being natives of Ohio, the former born in the city of Dayton in 1804. His grandfather, James Baxter, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, came to the United States about the time of the Revolutionary war, set- tling near Pittsburgh, Pa., where he married a German lady whose name was Rebecca Riddle. Mr. Baxter's maternal grandfather, Josiah Kerr, was a native of Scotland.
Hiram B. Baxter is the sixth of twelve chil- dren of a family of ten sons and two daughters. The mother of this family died May 27, 1855, and the father subsequently married her sister, Margaret Kerr, by whom he had one son. The father was a prosperons farmer, and died on his old farm in Indiana, Angnst 25, 1861, at the age of fifty-seven years. Hiram B. Baxter was reared on a farm, attended the district . schools, and at the age of eighteen years was himself teaching a district school in his native county. On July 14, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany K, Twenty-second Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, for service in the Civil war, and was mustered into the service at North Madison, Ind., by Colonel (afterwards General) Thomas Wood. He participated in the Mississippi cam- paign under Fremont. Hunter and Curtis, tak- ing part in the engagement at Glasgow, in which Major Tanner of his regiment was mortally wounded ; was in the batle of Pea Ridge, Ark .. and at the seige of Corinth, Miss. He then
accompanied his regiment in General Buell's army to Louisville, Ky., a distance of nearly 400 miles, and participated in the battle of Perry- ville, Ky., where he received a severe rifle wound in the left knee. Of the thirty-five men in his company who were engaged in that bat- tle. but eight remained to answer the roll call next morning. Ten were killed, thirteen wounded. and four were captured nnhurt. The wounded were all made prisoners for the night.
Mr. Baxter rejoined his regiment at Mnr- freesboro, Tenn., after the battle of Stone River, in February, 1863, and then received his com- mission as first lieutenant of his company, being promoted from a sergeancy. In the absence of the captain, who had been wounded at the battle of Stone River, Lieutenant Baxter assumed com- mand of the company. The regiment remained at Murfreesboro until June 24, 1863, when it marched with General Rosecranz' army on the Tullahoma campaign following the army under General Bragg to Chattanooga. Lieutenant Baxter's command was assigned to the work of guarding a pass in the mountains near the battle ground of Chickamauga, and thus was not engaged in that battle, and was then cooped up with the balance of the army of the Cumber- land under General Thomas in Chattanooga, subsisting on short rations for two months, until re-enforcements arrived under Hooker from the east. and Sherman from the west, with General Grant to take command. Then the army aroused from its lethargy and cap- tured Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge in a grand charge all along the line, driving the enemy from their vantage ground at every point. Lieutenant Baxter was in command of Company G of his regiment in the charge on Missionary Ridge. being temporarily assigned to take charge of that company, and was in Sheridan's Division of the Fourth Corps, and ascended the ridge near where Bragg's headquarters were established. Immediately after the battle, on the next day, with his command he started in pursuit of Longstreet to relieve Burnside at Knoxville, Tenn., arriving there after a hard, forced march to find Burnside's army safe and the enemy gone. The Union army remained there for six weeks, subsisting principally by foraging over the surrounding country, camping in the woods without tents or blankets, with snow on the ground, and a damp, cold wind blowing most of the time. The men cut the timber and built huge fires to keep themselves warm. taking turns at night to keep the fire burning, and to watch that the sleepers did not get hurned. Under such circumstances, Lien- tenant Baxter re-enlisted as a veteran and with his company returned to Chattanooga, where they were re-mustered for three years more, or during the war. He then returned to Indiana, on a veteran furlough of thirty days. At the expiration of the furlough, he went by rail with his command. to Nashville, Tenn., and they marched to Chattanooga. where the company and regiment were assigned to Gen. Daniel Mc- Cook's brigade, in the organization of Sher-
,
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man's army for the Atlanta campaign, and the march to the sea. Mr. Baxter was at Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca and Rome, Ga., where, in command of his company, he was again wounded in the same leg as before. He remained in the hospital and on a furlough until August 29 following, when he was honorably discharged by the secretary of war on account of "disability from gunshot wounds."
Lieutenant Baxter then returned to his home in Indiana for a time and attended a commercial school at Indianapolis. Recovering from his disability in a marked degree during the fall and winter, he again entered the service in the following February, as first lieutenant of Company B, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and upon its or- ganization, he was made captain of the com- pany and served as such until the end of the war, being mustered out at Indianapolis, Ind., September 6, 1865. Six of Captain Baxter's brothers served in the Federal army during the Civil war, no two of them being in the same regi- ment, and all survived the conflict, and six of them are living at this time. Among the seven brothers of the Baxter family, there were two captains, one first lieutenant, one corporal and two privates, all of whom enlisted as privates. The combined service of these brothers aggre- gated nearly fifteen years.
After returning home at the end of the war, Captain Baxter for a time was a clerk in a railroad office at Indianapolis, but becoming dis- satisfied he turned his attention westward, and on December 15, 1866, with $700 in his pocket, he arrived at Jacksonville, Ill. Near this place for a short time he worked on a farm, built fences and did. all snch tasks as came to his hand. in the meanwhile becoming acquainted with the people. He then tanght school for four years near Jacksonville and Literberry. At the latter place, for nine years, he was afterwards engaged in merchandising, and also filling the position of postmaster, was also railroad agent, justice of the peace and notary public, was addi- tionally engaged in the making of brick, and ' in furnishing the railroad with ties, posts, wood, etc. On January 21, 1881, he moved to the farm upon which he now resides in Cass County, Ill., about eight miles from Literberry. He and his two sons are now the owners of 1,707 acres of land, 1,407 acres of which are included in his homestead in Cass County, and 300 acres in Mor- gan County. He devotes his time to the feeding of stock and the management of his farming interests.
On October 4, 1876, Mr. Baxter was united in marriage with Lydia Ellen Crum, who died March 26, 1907. She was the only danghter of Abram A. Crum, of Morgan County. Mr. and Mrs. Baxter became the parents of two sons : Albert Crum, who is a physician and surgeon of Springfield, Ill. ; and William Abram, who is at home on the old farm (Bildmore Place) with his father. In politics Mr. Baxter is a stanch, protective tariff Republican. Fra- ternally he is a member of the John L. Douglas
Post, G. A. R., of Ashland, Ill., and was its first commander. Aside from being a well in- formed man and the owner of large tracts of land, Mr. Baxter's military record as detailed in this sketch enables him to bestow a priceless heritage of honor to his posterity.
BAXTER, John Henderson,-The modern farmer is no longer conteut with old methods and ordi- nary surroundings, but is wide awake and pro- gressive, supplying himself with modern equip- ment, comforts and conveniences. He is making architecture and landscape gardening allies of agriculture. One of the best examples of this class of farmers in Cass County is John Hender- son Baxter, of township 18. range 10. He was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., December 25, 1857, a son of Rev. Nathan and Mary (Devault) Baxter, natives of the same place.
John H. Baxter was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Tennessee, coming to Illinois in the spring of 1885. IIe worked on a farm and taught school in Christian County. On July 22. 1886, Mr. Baxter married Miss Minnie Brauer, born in Cass County, III., a daughter of Frederick W. and Elizabethi (Brunker) Brauer, natives of Germany and early settlers in Cass County.
After living in Chandlerville, Ill .. for four years. Mr. Baxter moved on a lovely Sangamon bottom farm containing 440 acres. This farm, one among the most valuable properties in the county, was an inheritance of Mrs. Baxter from her parents and is called "Pinehurst." In 1904 Mr. Baxter's health failed and he moved with his family to central Texas and located in the city of Waco so that he might educate the two chil- dren. In 1911. having partially regained his health, he moved his family back to the Illinois farm and began extensive improvements. He is erecting the best and most beautiful residence in Cass County in which gray and white Portland cement form the most important building materi- als. This house is a model in architecture, con- venience and comfort, semi-bungalow in style, and is lighted by electricity, heated by the Moline System of Vacmim Steam, and has the most modern phimbing system anywhere, and churn- ing, clothes washing and vacumm cleaning are all done with electricity. More than 6000 feet of wire and ninety Tungsten lamps are used in the lighting. The ontbuildings will also be lighted with electricity.
Mr. and Mrs. Baxter became the parents of two children: Ivan Elijah, who was born Sep- tember 16, 1SSS, and Grace Mae, who was born February 8, 1891. These children were educated in Baylor University. Waco. Texas, the best school in the "Southland." The son holds the record in the institution in Latin and Greek. He took the degree of Bachelor of Arts and won a scholarship to Brown University. Providence, R. I., taking the degree of Master of Arts. After graduation he was elected to the chair of Latin in Georgetown College, Georgetown, Ky., and also occupied the chair of history in St. John's Military Academy, Delafield, Wis. He was a
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
successful teacher but had to retire because of failing health, and then turned to agriculture. Both children live with their parents and all form a happy family.
Mr. Baxter and children are members of the Missionary Baptist church. Mrs. Baxter is a Cumberland Presbyterian. Mr. Baxter is a Pro- hibition Republican, and a Modern Woodman. He is a great advocate of education for the farmer's children, and is an important factor in the moral and agricultural advancement of Cass County.
BAXTER, William Abram, whose connections with the agricultural interests of Cass County are important, is one of the leading farmers of this section. He was born on Bildmore Place, this county, where he still resides, September 18. 1887, a son of Hiram Bennett and Lydia Ellen (Crum) Baxter. The father was born in Jefferson County. Ind., September 22, 1840, and the mother in Morgan County, Ill., February 3, 1855. The father was a captain in the Civil war, and has been a farmer for many years, he with his son owning and operating 1,707 acres of land in Cass and Morgan counties. An extended sketch of Hiram Bennett Baxter is to be found elsewhere in this work.
William Abram Baxter attended the common schools of Cass County, following which he took a course in the Illinois College, and then as his inclinations were for an agricultural life, he joined his father in farming and has so con- tinued, becoming an authority upon matters re- lating to his calling. He and his father spe- cialize upon feeding stock.
On October 18, 1913, Mr. Baxter was married to Willie Amelia Mitchell, at Ashland, Ill. Mrs. Baxter was born in Cass County, a daughter of William and Reasie (Skiles) Mitchell. Mr. Baxter has so devoted himself to his agricul- tural work that he has found no time for out- side diversion, but he is an excellent type of sturdy, intelligent young manhood, and he and his kind are making Cass County what it is today.
BEARD, Robert Lee, a resident of Arenzville, Cass County. Ill., is a well known, enterprising and prosperous farmer and stockraiser, whose finely equipped and well-improved farm of 204 actes is situated in township 17. range 11, Cass County. He is a native of the township which is his present home. and was born September 25. 1805. a son of John C. and Mary Ann (Batis) Beard, of Augusta County, Va. There his par- ents grew up and were married, and in the fall of 1555 moved to Illinois. They bought a farm. mostly timber land, which from time to time Jolın C. Beard increased in extent until he owned 300 acres at the period of his death, which was well improved by his labor. He was a useful and public-spirited citizen, and had held several local offices. He died in 1881, and his widow passed away in January, 1902, at the age of seventy-six years. Of the thirteen children of their union, those now living are as follows :
Margaret, who is Mrs. T. B. Fozzard, of Morgan County, Ill. ; Fannie, who is Mrs. J. D. Springer, of Cass County, Ill .: Elizabeth, who lives at Arenzville, Ill .: Henry C., who is a resident of Sour Lake. Tex. : William W., who is of Vir- ginia, Ill. : and Robert L. and Amanda J., now Mrs. Joseph P. Dreesbach, are of Arenzville.
Robert Lee Beard attended the district schools in his youth, and has always lived on the home farm. On October 22, 1896, he was united in marriage with Lena E. Kircher, born in Cass County. Ill .. July 21. 1872, a daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Rahn) Kircher, natives of Get- many. After their marriage Mrs. Mary Ann Beard moved to Arenzville, but Robert L. Beard continued to reside on the home place and after his mother's death he purchased the 204 acres belonging to the other heirs. He has done gen- eral farming and has raised cattle and hogs. Mr. Beard and his wife have the following chil- dren : John Russell, Robert Raymond, Mildred Elizabeth. Mary Mae. Robert Lee, Roland Glenn, John Richard and Lena Lucille.
Mr. Beard is a thrifty farmer, a man of sound judgment, and a useful member of the com- munity. In politics, he is a Democrat. He has served the public as school director since 1907.
BEGGS, John, one of Cass County's highly re- spected citizens, and a man of distinguished antecedents, resides ou his farm which is situ- ated in township 17. range S, Cass County, five miles northwest of Ashland, Ill. He was born in Morgan County, Ill., near Princeton, August 7. 1831. and is a son of Charles and Mary (Rud- dell) Beggs, and a great-grandson of James and Elizabeth (Hardy) Beggs. Very little has been preserved of their history but it is known that they came to the United States from the north of Ireland and located in New Jersey and they had, at least, two daughters, who married and reared families, and two sons, one of whom. Thomas, was born in the United States. He married Elizabeth McDowell, who was of Scotch descent but was born in Ireland. Thomas Beggs was an officer in the Revolutionary war and died of camp fever in 1778. Of his children there were: James. John. Charles. George and Elizabeth, the last named becoming the wife of John Naylor.
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