USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 46
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BLACK, William Littleton, president of the Cen- tennial National Bank of Virginia, and one of the most astute financiers of Cass County, as well as a man of sterling capability and upright- ness, has long been an important factor in money circles in Cass County. He was born in Ten- nessee, June S, 1829, a son of William and Mary S. (Vaughn) Black, who were married Decem- ber 4, 1823. When William L. Black was an infant, his parents moved to Scott County, Ill., and in 1845 came to Cass County, locating six miles southeast of Virginia. There the mother died January 9, 1SS1, and was buried on the tarm in the family lot. She was born in Ten- nessee, November 1, 1803. After her death, the father, born January 3, 1796, moved to Virginia, and there died October 6, 1SS4, and is buried by the side of his wife, he being then eighty-nine years old. By birth he was a Georgian. His great-grandfather was a soldier in the American Revolution.
William L. Black was reared on a farm, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until he was about fifty years old. In 1878 he moved to Virginia in order to give his children better educational opportunities, and has since made the county seat his home. Upon first coming to Virginia he engaged in a mercantile busi- ness with his brother for about eighteen years, but later, after suffering a loss by fire, he en- gaged in a grocery business on his own account and was in this line for seven years. He then sold and has lived retired since August 15, 1904. He was alderman of his ward for six years, was township treasurer for twenty years while living on the farm, and has always taken an active part in local affairs. He was elected president of the Centennial National Bank on the first Tues- day in January, 1896, and has since continued at the head of this institution. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, having joined that order in 1879, and belongs to the Christian church, which he served as treasurer for many years.
On March 24, 1857, by Reverend Callaway, of the Christian church, he was married to Andro- mache Naylor, who was born December 13. 1829, and died January 31, 1879, and is buried in Wal- nut Ridge Cemetery. She was a daughter of Alexander and Martha (Clark) Naylor. It is interesting to note that four members of the Naylor family married four of the Clark fam- ily. The latter family claims descent from George Rogers Clark, who settled in Kentucky in 1775, procuring the organization of that ter-
ritory. Mr. and Mrs. Black became the parents of three children: Alice, who is the surviving widow of John S. Martin, who died May 9, 1905, has three children, Leslie, Frank and Lorene ; Carrie, who died March 5, 1912; and Frances, who is Mrs. G. L. Snively, Mr. and Mrs. Snively have one daughter, Virginia, and they live at Louiston, Ill. Mr. Black still owns 160 acres of land on section 29, township 17, range 9, in Cass County, which he has improved. On this prop- erty he carried on general farming and stock- raising. Before his father died, the latter owned 200 acres of farming land in Cass County, so it can be scen that the Black family has been largely interested in agricultural matters since locating in this county.
BLACKBURN, William R., M. D .- There are few places of its size that have such skilled physi- cians as Virginia, and among them no one stands higher than Dr. William R. Blackburn, a physi- cian and surgeon of note. He was born in Schuyler County, Ill., in 1867, a son of Robert S. and Tameretta (Harmon) Blackburn, and fourth in the order of birth of the six children born to his parents, and the eldest of the three of the second marriage, the other three having been born of a prior marriage.
William R. Blackburn has shown himself a dependable person since early manhood, for when he had completed his public school course and had attended Knox College and the State Normal School, he took charge of his father's mercantile business at Brooklyn, and after the latter's death, carried it on until he could sell it profit- ably and settle the estate. Until 1895 he was upon the road as a traveling salesman, but in that year he entered the Barnes Medical College, of St. Louis, Mo,, and was graduated therefrom in 1898. Immediately thereafter he began prac- ticing, first in Grundy County, Mo., but in Febru- ary, 1900, went to Fulton County, Ill., and in October, 1910, came to Virginia, Ill., where he has since remained, immediately proving his worth, and subsequently gaining distinction. He has been president of the Cass County Medical Society, of which he is now treasurer, and he also belongs to the Illinois State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. Fra- ternally, he is a Mason, having joined the order in his native county. He belongs to the Pres- byterian church. While he has never taken an active part in politics, he is now serving as president of the Virginia board of health.
While living in Fulton County, Ill., Dr. Black- burn married Emily Riley, a daughter of Wil- liam and Elizabeth (Barlow) Riley. There are no children.
BLAIR, William .- As is the case of many of the best farmers and best citizens of whom the chap- ters of this volume bear record. William Blair, a farmer, who is favorably known throughout the vicinity of his home in Chandlerville, Cass County, is of Irish paternity. His father, Hugh Blair, who was born in Ireland in 1843, was one of the early settlers of this region, and worked
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six years for Dr. Chandler in a packing house, which once stood on the site where Chandlerville now is located. The mother, Mrs. Susan (Cowan) Blair, who still survives, and is a resi- dent of Chandlerville, was born in North Caro- lina, September 17, 1841. Hugh Blair started farming land belonging to Dr. Chandler and sev- eral years afterwards bought land in Richland Precinct, in the same county, to which he added from time to time by other purchases. Thus he finally acquired 200 acres, which he later sold, retiring then to Chandlerville, where he died June 20. 1913. The children of Hugh and Susan (Cowan) Blair were as follows: David, of Easton, Ill. ; William; Mary, now Mrs. Clinton Pasley, of Girard, Ill. ; Samuel, of Cass County ; John. deceased ; George, Harry and Louis, all of Chandlerville ; and Lee, a teacher in the high school at Havana, Ill.
William Blair was born in Richmond Pre- cinct, Cass County, Ill., February 17, 1864, and in boyhood attended the district schools of his neighborhood, and remained on the home farm in that vicinity until the time of his marriage. On April 14, 1889, he was wedded to Henrietta Davis, born December 26, 1866, in Fulton County, Ill .. a daughter of Ralston and Susan (Martin) Davis, the former a native of Wisconsin, and the latter of Fulton County, both now deceased. Following his marriage, Mr. Blair made his home in Chandlerville Precinct. and in July, 1909, bought 131 acres in section 1S, townsbip 18, range 9. together with eleven acres in section 20 of the same township. He is engaged in general farming. and also raises horses, cattle, mules and hogs. Mr. Blair and his wife have two children, namely : Otis E., of Chandlerville, Ill., a vet- erinary surgeon ; and Edgar T., of Champaign, Ill., a medical student. Politically William Blair is a member of the Democratie party, and has served as school director since 1904. He is iden- tified with the Court of Honor and the Banker's Lite Company.
BLOHM, John W., a successful farmer and stock raiser of Cass County, was born in this county, January 22. 1863. a son of John W. and Minnie ( Schoppa ) Blohm, natives of Germany. The father engaged in agricultural pursuits after he came to Cass County. Ill., from Germany in 1845, at that time entering land from the goverll- ment. On the property thus aequired he farmed the remainder of his life. His wife was brought to Cass County from Germany by her parents and was married in this eounty.
John W. Blohm grew up on his father's farm and followed the life of the majority of country lads, attending the district schools during the winter months and assisting with the agricul- tural work in the summer. After he left school he continued to assist his father in improving the homestead until he bought 200 acres of land for himself. Of this he sold eighty acres, but later bought forty acres, now having 100 acres in one body. and he not only operates this, but all the adjoining property he can rent. his operations being carried on upon an extensive
scale. IIis methods are such that he is making a suceess of his work, and he is recognized as one who understands farming thoroughly.
On January 18, 1890, Mr. Blohm married Emma Coleman, born in Cass County in 1871, a daughter of Charles and Alice (Treadway) Coleman, natives of Germany and Cass County, respectively. Mr. Coleman is a farmer and stockraiser. Mr. and Mrs. Blohm have had six children, namely : William C., Nellie May, Alice, Ruth, Elizabeth and Doris. For the past fourteen years Mr. Blohm has been a school director, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. For twenty years he has been a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man who makes and retains friends as he is sociable and good natured, and those who know him speak very highly of him in every respect.
BLUME, Charles .- If a snug competency, ac- quired by patient and unremitting labor in agri- cultural pursuits. is evidence of good qualities in a farmer, Charles Blume is entitled to rank among the most efficient and successful of his class in the vicinity of Beardstown, Cass County, Ill., where he has long made his home. As in the case of a considerable proportion of the farming element of this and other counties of the state. Mr. Blume is of German origin, and is one of the oldest residents of this section, having lived in Cass County nearly fifty years. Beginning in a humble way, he has plodded on, until by industry, economy and thrift. he has reached a position where he can enjoy all the eomforts of life for the remainder of his years.
Charles Blume was born in Prussia. Germany, December 18, 1846. He emigrated to the United States at an early age. and proceeding to Illi- nois, located in Cass County in 1866, working at the outset for different farmers at $10 per month. In 1871 he purchased eighty acres of land, on which he earried on farming for six- teen years. At the end of this period he bought 200 acres more, 40 of which was in timber. Here he has since been engaged in general farm- ing. devoting a portion of his attention to the raising of stock. His farm is situated in town- ship 18, range 11, n, and is deemed one of the most desirable in this vicinity. All his undertakings have met with success, and he is looked upon as a prosperous and substantial farmer.
During his youth Mr. Blume enjoyed the ad- vantages of the publie school system in his native land. and is an intelligent man and a well informed member of the community. On Feb- ruary 23, 1876. he was united in marriage with Carrie Stuke, born in Cass County, a daughter of William and Mary (Lucking) Stuke, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Blume have had three children, namely : William and Annie, both of whom died in infancy; and Robert. who is at home and assists his father on the farm, having received a common school education in the neighborhood. Mr. Blume is a member of the Lutheran church, of which he lias served
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as a trustee for many years. In politics he acts with the Democratic party.
BOONE, Howard B., M. D., physician and sur- geon, at Chandlerville, Ill., is one of the med- ical men of Cass County who is doing much to maintain the high standard set for those of his profession, and at the same time proving him- selt a most desirable and public-spirited citizen. He was born at Tocopola, Miss., May 30, 1871, a son of William Sanford and Ophelia (Wat- son) Boone. The father was born in Georgia, and without doubt belonged to the same family as the illustrious Daniel Boone of Kentucky.
When he was twelve years old, Howard B. Boone had the misfortune to lose his father, and he then came to Chandlerville, Ill., to live with Dr. N. H. Boone, who reared him and to whom Dr. Boone feels he owes a heavy debt. After being graduated from the high school of Chandlerville, Howard B. Boone spent four years in Eureka College, at Eureka, Ill., from which he was graduated in 1893, with the de- gree of A. B., and in the fall of that year he entered the medical department of the North- western University of Chicago, from which he was graduated June 17, 1897, with the degree of M. D. During his vacations, Dr. Boone im- proved his time by spending those months in Chicago hospitals. After his graduation in 1897, Dr. H. B. Boone came back to Chandlerville where he immediately entered upon an active practice in conjunction with Dr. N. H. Boone and this association has since continued. He has been a progressive leader in church and public school work and for many years was president of the board of education of Chand- lerville, and during his incumbency in that office, the present modern high school building was erccted. While a Democrat in his tendencies, Dr. Boone is an independent voter. Under- standing the importance of sanitary arrange- ments, Dr. Boone has done much to improve the building laws of Chandlerville, as evi- denced by the new school and church build- ings, and he is ever to be found on the side of progress. He is a Master Mason, a Modern Woodman, and belongs to other fraternal organ- izations. Professionally he is a member of the Cass County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical As- sociation. Dr. Boone is a firm believer in and ardent supporter of the faith of the Disciples of Christ, and tor sixteen years has been super- intendent of the Christian Sunday school of Chandlerville, and for years was president of the Cass County Sunday School Association and is now a member of the executive committee of the same association.
On December 21. 1897, Dr. Boone was mar- ried to Una May Hall, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Hall. Mr. Hall was noted as a scientist, and at his death, when Mrs. Boone was a child, left a large geological collection which is now in the hands of the Hall family at Athens. Ill. Dr. and Mrs. Boone have had two sons. Brooks Nathaniel, the eldest and only
survivor, was born June 26, 1900. Their second son, who was born two years later, only lived a short time. Dr. Boone owns 240 acres of land near Chandlerville, his residence and another residence property at Chandlerville. He owns stock in and is a director of the Peoples State Bank of Chandlerville, and is a man of sub- stance as well as one of the leading medical men of Cass County.
BOWMAN, William C., is numbered among the older residents of Cass County, Ill., and is one of the best known and most favorably regarded farmers within its limits. He is approaching the half century period of his life in the county, which began in his early manhood, and after long tilling the soil in this vicinity with success- ful results, has withdrawn from active pursuits, and is spending the later years of a busy life in leisurely and comfortable reitrement. Having reaped the practical fruits of an industrious ca- reer, he is now resting in the enjoyment of a well earned reputation for economy, sobriety, good judgment and honorable dealing.
William C. Bowman is a native of the state of North Carolina, where his birth took place in Alexander County, November 14, 1849. His par- ents were born in the same state, his father, Jesse Bowman, being a native of the same county. and his mother, Sarah ( Hefner) Bowman, of Catawba County. Both died in North Carolina. Coming to Illinois in 1869, their son, William C., worked for twelve months on a farm in Cass County, after which he rented different farms for five years. Then, buying forty-six acres lying nine miles east of the town of Virginia, he started farming for himself and continued until he sold the place about five years later. His next farm comprised eighty acres, and after re- maining on it ten years, he disposed of it. pur- chasing a 160-acre farm two miles north of Vir- ginia. Forty-six acres of this he subsequently traded for forty-nine and one-half acres located half a mile distant. There he lived from 1853 until 1901, when he moved into Virginia. al- though he continued to conduct the farm until the fall of 1911. when he rented the place out and retired from active life. Besides grain farming. he always engaged in raising horses and Poland-China hogs.
Mr. Bowman was first married in October, 1872. to Melinda Haynes, a native of llinois. born in Cass County. They had one son. Carl Theodore, who died in infancy, and the mother died in 1875. On February 14, 1879, at Jackson- ville. Il., by Rev. David Strain, Mr. Bowman was wedded to Emma Boatman, who was born in Randolph County. Mo., Jamary 9, 1562, and is a daughter of Nelson and Elizabeth (Todd) Boatman. natives of near Lexington, Kentucky. They came to Cass County, where both died. They had the following children : Della, who be- came Mrs. Edward Millner, of Peoria. Ill., has two children, Engenia and Virginia M. : William 1.ce, of Rock Island, IH. : May, who married Ilow- ard Jockish, of Cass County, and they have Reta D., Mary E., Marjorie G., and Dorothy M. : Harry
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J., of Rock Island ; and Myrtle E., Reta B. and Jessie E., all died in infancy. Politically Mr. Bowman is a Democrat. He and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has officiated as a trustee since 1904.
BRANDON, Paris A., M. D., whose success as an eye and ear specialist proves the wisdom on the part of members of the medical profession in devoting their time and attention to specified branches of their calling. Dr. Brandon has made his name known in several Illinois cities, but is now located, his patients trust permanently, at Beardstown. He was born at Rochester, N. I., October 22, 1830, a son of John and Margaret (Walker) Brandon. The father was born in Monroe County, N. Y., while the mother was a native of Virginia. Until 1844 the father was a farmer, but in that year went to Virginia, where he conducted salt works in Campbell County, that state, for five years. He then went to Bartholomew County, Ind., and bought a tract of land on which was a saw and grist mill, and was engaged in operating these mills until his death, which occurred about nine years later. His widow moved to Decatur, Ill., where she died July 2, 1906, at the extreme old age of ninety-nine years ten months and seven days.
When he was twenty-one years old Paris A. Brandon was graduated from the Mann Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, and began practicing at St. Omer, Ind. Two years later he went to Indianapolis. With the first call for troops for the Civil war he enlisted in April, 1861, and was commissioned by Governor Morton of Indiana as surgeon in the Seventh Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry. In 1863, when the company was re-organized, he eontinued as surgeon, and remained in the service until September 9, 1865, when he was honorably discharged.
At the battle of Cheat Mountain he was shot in the head. He also participated in the battles of Martinsburg, Phillipi and others of lesser importance. After his discharge he went to North Grove, Ind., and began the practice of his profession, but a year later located at Decatur, where, with two brothers he specialized in diseases . of the eye and ear, and conducted a large infirmary. This partnership eontinued nine years, and then Dr. P. A. Brandon went to Quincy, Ill., where he practiced five years. For the next year he was at Virginia, Cass County, and then located at Beardstown, where he has sinee continued, devoting himself to diseases of the eye and ear.
Dr. Brandon was married in 1853 to Lodema Lee, a native of St. Omer, Ind., and they had seven children : John L., who is of Pana, Ill .; William S., who is of Lockport, Ill .; Margaret, who is deceased; Caroline, who is deceased ; Ada, who is Mrs. Charles Peernot, of Kansas City, Mo .; Dora, who is Mrs. A. L. Coil, of Beardstown ; and Jesse D., who is at home. After the death of his first wife, he married (second) Jane Rosenberger, widow of Judge Havkluft, and they had one son, Harry, who is of Pueblo, Colo. The second Mrs. Brandon died December
29, 1872. On January 14, 1902, he married (third ) Victoria O. Coil, widow of Jacob Coil. By her first marriage Mrs. Brandon had six children, namely : Lacount, Joseph, Albert S., William Noah and Laura ( Mrs. Foree), of Mis- souri. Dr. Brandon has always been a Demo- crat. He was made a Mason at Quincy, Ill., and has attained to the Royal Arch degree.
BRAUER, Mrs. Anna E .- The lady whose name furnishes the caption of this biographical nar- rative, one of the most estimable among the many farmers' wives who have managed attract- ive homes in Cass County, Ill., was born in Menard County, Ill., November 30, 1861. She is the widow of Louis E. Brauer, formerly a well known and prosperous farmer of Cass County, who was born in this county, in the vieinity of the village of Arenzville, July S, 1854. The father and mother of Louis E. Brauer were natives of Hanover, Germany, whenee they emigrated in early life to this country and settled in Illinois.
On reaching manhood, Louis E. Brauer en- gaged in the work of raising grain and stock. He had received a good common school education in his earlier life. He was married on Novem- ber 5, 1879, in Menard County, by Rev. William Fotsch, to Anna E. Blome. Soon after marriage they moved to Christian County, Ill., where they lived seven years on a farm. Returning at the end of this period, first to the Baxter place, in Cass County, he later settled on another farm, of 239 acres, where he remained twenty-two years, when death terminated his career. June 27, 1912. He was buried in the Hickey cemetery. Politically, Louis E. Brauer was eonnected with the Republican party, and served in the eapacity of sehool director about eight years. In religious belief he was an adherent of the Methodist church.
Mrs. Brauer's parents were George and Eliza- beth (Moral) Blome, natives of Hesse Cassel, Germany, whence they emigrated, in 1855, to Beardstown, Ill., from which place they moved to a farm which Mr. Blome bought in Menard County. This farm Mr. Blome still owns, but on account of the poor health of Mrs. Brauer's mother they prefer to make their home with her daughter, Mrs. Brauer, near Oakford. Mrs. Brauer's farm, containing 239 acres, is situated in section 21, townsbip 19, range S. To her union with Louis E. Brauer were born nine ehildren, as follows: George W., Albert F., Julia M., Minnie E., Henry L., Edward C., Elsie L., Louis E. and Anna E. Of these, three are married and engaged in farming for themselves. while four dwell at home, and two are at Ston- ington in Christian County.
BRAUER, Henry Louis .- Cass County contains a considerable proportion of the younger ele- ment of agriculturists among its representative farmers, and of these not the least worthy of mention is Henry Louis Brauer, an industrious and energetic resident of the vieinity of Oakford. He was born in Cass County, April 13, 1SSS, and
-
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is a son of Louis Ernest Brauer, who was born in the same county, near Arenzville, on July S, 1854. The maiden name of his mother was Ann Elizabeth Blome, born in Menard County, Ill., No- vember 30, 1861. Louis E. Brauer devoted him- self to the cultivation of the soil throughout his active lite. He passed away June 27, 1912, re- spected by all who knew him. After his marriage he moved to Christian County, Ill., where he lived on a farm for seven years, and for five years on a farm west of Chandlerville. He car- ried on farming on 239 acres of land during a period of twenty-two years, near Oakford, at the end of which time his busy career came to an end. In early lite he had acquired a fair com- mon school education. In politics he was con- nected with the Republican party, and served about six years as school director of his district. He was a member of the Methodist church.
In boyhood Henry Louis Brauer attended the district schools of his neighborhood, after which he devoted his time to working on the farm. His present tarm consists of 1261% acres of good land, and is located on sections 17, 20, 29, township 19, range S, in Cass County, Oakford, Ill., being the postoffice address.
On October 17, 1911, Henry Louis Brauer was united in the bonds of wedlock with Talitha Mc- Henry, whose birth took place in Menard County, Ill., October 30, 1889. She is a daughter of Goren and Mary (Hillyer) McHenry, the former of whom was born in Menard County, September 11, 1860, and the latter, July 8, 1863, in the same county. They have one child, Ewell Edward, born November 26, 1912.
Henry Louis Brauer supports the Methodist church, and in political affairs he adheres to the policies of the Republican party. He is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 724, of Chand- lerville; the M. W. A .; and the Eastern Star, Mrs. Brauer also being a member. Mr. Brauer is an intelligent man, of firm character, and is respected by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
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