USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 64
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James W. Milstead attended the Mount Pleas- ant Ridge district school and resided with his parents until his marriage, when he rented land in Richmond Precinct for two years. In 1890 he bought 185 acres in that same precinct, to
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which he has added eighty acres. At the time he became its owner, the land was but partly improved, but he has made many improvements and purchased farm appliances, and now car- ries on general farming and raises cattle and hogs, being very successful in his work.
On November 15, 18SS, Mr. Milstead married Elizabeth Wing, born in Cass County, May 6, 1862, near Chandlerville, a daughter of Egbert and Eliza (Davis) Wing, and their children are: Arthur, who is of Chandlerville; Roscoe, who is of Richmond Precinct ; and Leo, Charles, Effie and James, who are at home. In politics he is a Democrat, while fraternally he belongs to the Chandlerville Lodge, I. O. O. F., and the Newmanville Lodge, M. W. A.
MOHRMAN, Casper .- The following lines con- stitute a narrative of the experience of one who was for many years a well known citizen of Beardstown, where he had many friends, and one who, in the dark days of the country's sorest need, although born on a foreign soil, gave his best service in the war for the preservation of the Union. While a member of this community, Casper Mohrman was among its busiest men, and all his duties both public and private were fulfilled with a fidelity and constancy that caused him to be highly esteemed as a hus- band, neighbor and friend, and made his death deeply deplored by all who knew him.
Casper Mohrman was a native of Prussia, Germany, where his birth took place March 16, 1846. His mother died in the old country, and Casper came to the United States with his father, William Mohrman, about the year 1850, and proceeding to Illinois, located in Beards- town, where the elder Mohrman followed differ- ent occupations. Casper attended the public school whenever possible in his boyhood days, and when quite young, learned the butcher's trade, which he followed until the time of his enlistment in the Union army. This occurred at Peoria, Ill., May 24, 1863, and he became a member of Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was honorably discharged October 28, 1864.
In the spring of 1874, Mr. Mohrman was mar- ried to Louisa Beck, who was born in Beards- town. Their children were as follows: William, of St. Louis; Simon, of Brown County, Ill. ; Grover C. and Nora, twins, the latter being Mrs. George Micherbach, of St. Louis; Rosa, of Beardstown ; and Emil, of Highland, Ill. The mother of this family died in 1889.
After his military service was over, Mr. Mohr- man was somewhat unsettled until his second marriage. This event took place in June, 1901, when he was wedded to Sarah Moorman, a native of Beardstown, and a daughter of Casper H. and Catherine M. (Schroeder) Moorman, who were of German nativity, and came to Beardstown in 1845. In Germany, Casper Moorman was a miller by trade, and after emi- grating to the United States he became a brick- layer and plasterer. The children born to the second marriage were as follows : Cather-
ine, widow of Rev. Mr. Vetter; Magdalena M. and Sophia E., both deceased, (the latter hav- ing been the wife of F. A. Mack) ; Sarah; and Gustaf, who died in infancy.
After working a number of years for Anton Rink in the brewing business, Mr. Mohrman opened a liquor store, which he conducted until 190G, when he gave it up, and in the fall of that year, met with a serious injury, breaking his collar bone. He had a second accident. At Joplin, Mo., while walking over a bridge to attend the funeral of his brother-in-law, he fell, and was so badly hurt that he died the same night, August 26, 1909. His remains were brought to Beardstown, where they were buried in the home cemetery. Mrs. Mohrman is living in comfortable circumstances at her home in Beardstown, and has a wide circle of friends. Her husband was a man of very kindly disposi- tion, and all who knew him cherish his memory. Politically, he acted with the Democratic party.
MULLEN, John .- Those who know John Mullen, and recognize in him one of the substantial agriculturists of the vicinity of Virginia, Ill., find it hard to believe that when he came to this section of Cass County, sixty-four years ago, he was a poor Irish emigrant lad, with naught save his ambition and determination to succeed to aid him in his struggles with the world. That he has risen to his present posi- tion of prosperity is due to his tireless perse- verance, his thrift and good management, and his strict adherence to honorable principles. Mr. Mullen was born May 16, 1835, in County Antrim, Ireland, and is a son of Thomas and Isabell (Harron) Mullen.
John Mullen received his education in the public schools of his native land, and was there reared on his father's small farm. Believing, however, that his native land held out little opportunity for gaining independence and posi- tion, Mr. Mullen decided to try his fortunes in the United States, and accordingly, as a lad of sixteen years, he embarked upon a sailing vessel and came to this country by way of New Orleans. He was on the ocean and Missis- sippi River for nine weeks and three days, and because the latter was frozen he was com- pelled to lay up at St. Louis, Mo., waiting for a break-up of the ice. After three weeks, how- ever, his money gave out, and with several families he started to walk to Virginia, Ill., a journey that was accomplished in a week's time. After three weeks of sickness, caused by an attack of typhoid fever, he secured employment with a Mr. Elliott, and after one summer with this gentleman began work for Doctor Chandler, at Chandlerville. He spent six years on a farm, and then, buying a team and renting a tract of land, engaged in operations on his own account. Mr. Mullen rented land for six years, and then purchased 160 acres of his present farm, at that time all in the timber. Upon this he first built a primitive log cabin, in which he resided while starting to clear the place from the brush. In the following spring he was able
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Af. . Treadway and Family
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to put under croppage a few acres, and from that time on his success was steady and grew rapidly. Subsequently he rented some cleared land from James Armstrong, and each year cleared a little more of his own land, constantly adding thereto until he is now the owuer of 280 acres, all in one body except forty-five acres, and of this 165 acres are under the plow, the remainder being devoted to timber and pasture land. He has always carried on general farm- ing and stockraising, and has been successful in his ventures because he has always labored hard and faithfully and has made a study of his vocation and the best methods of pursu- ing it.
Mr. Mullen was married in August, 1860, to Miss Sidney Armstrong, born in County Derry, Ireland, daughter of John and Nancy (Cook) Armstrong, and to this union there have been born the following children: John, a resideut of Christian County, Ill .; Tillie, who is de- ceased ; Robert, of Christiau County ; Charles, oť Cass County, Ill .; Samuel, of Chandlerville ; James, of Cass County, Ill .; Joseph, of Brown County ; Annie, wife of Louis Salzman, who con- ducts Mr. Mullen's farm ; William, of Chandler- ville ; and Lula, who married Luther Schoon- over, of Brown County; and two who died iu iufaucy. The mother of these childreu died April 19, 1899, and was buried in Chaudler- ville cemetery.
Mr. Mullen is a Republicau in politics, and has always resided aud voted in Chandlerville Precinct. He has taken an active interest in public affairs, and has been honored by election to office, serving in the capacities of supervisor and school director. His fraternal connection is with the Masonic Blue Lodge, at Chandler- ville. In a railroad accideut at Flora, on his return from a visit at Ricelaud, La., in 1903, Mr. Mullen sustained an injury to his left haud which necessitated its amputation.
NEEDHAM, Elijah, postmaster at Virginia, Ill., is a man who has lived up to what he believes to be his full duty and faithfully discharged the trust reposed in him when he received his present appointment from the government. Mr. Needham is a native of Cass County, having been born four miles northeast of Virginia, Octo- ber 31. 1855, a son of James and Cecelia (Wilkie) Needham, the former a native of Eng- land, while the latter was born in Scotland. Both had been married prior to their union. They had three children, namely: Cecelia, who is Mrs. John Miles of Cass County ; Nancy, who is a teacher in the Missouri Wesleyan College ; and Elijah. The list of the children by their former marriages, is not complete. Both James Needham and wife died in Cass County in 1893.
Elijah Needham attended the common schools oť his district, the Virginia High school and the Illinois State Normal school, being graduated from the latter institution in the class of 1SSS. Following this, he began teaching in Cass County, and for four and one-half years was principal of the Ashland High school. In 1896
he came to Virginia and embarked in a book and stationery business, continuing it until 1902, when he was appointed postmaster of the Virginia office. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Wood- men, and is secretary of the first uamed, having held that office for about nine years. For the past fourteen years he has been president of the Virginia school board. The Methodist church holds his membership.
In 1891, Mr. Needham married Catherine Behler, a daughter of John and Sophia (Fuuk) Behler. There are uo living children of this marriage.
NEWMAN, Alexander, who is not only a native son of Cass County, but is also one of its pro- gressive men and successful agriculturalists, owus one of the best developed farms in his precinct. He was born May 29, 1857, a son of Robert and Mary (Mangus) Newmau. Robert Newmau was born iu what later became West Virginia, in 1834, while his wife was born in Franklin County, Va., in 1831. They were mar- ried in Carroll County, Va., March 11, 1853. They came to Illinois in the same year, laudiug at Beardstowu on October 16, trom whence they went into the country and located at Oregon Poiut. There Robert Newman begau working by the wuonth, and so coutinued for nine years, at the same time carefully saving his mouey and at the expiration of that period entered eighty acres of land, and at that time he only had to pay twenty-five cents per acre for it. It was all wild brush land, and required much hard work to bring it into a proper state of cultivation. From time to time he has added to his acre- age until there are now 146 acres of land in his homestead. He has been thrice married and survives all his wives.
Alexander Newman lived with his father and a step-mother until he was twenty years old, during that time securing a public school edu- cation. He then located on a farm of 160 acres which his father had bought for $2,250, aud rented it for twenty-three years, but in 1900, he bought the place, on which he carries on general farming and stockraising, being one of the muost successful muen in his line at this time, in the town. When he took charge of the property, only thirty-five acres were cleared. the remainder being in wild brush, but now all but thirty acres have been cleared, this being in timber.
On October 29, 1878, Mr. Newman married Ellen A. Cunningham, born near Virginia, Ill., a daughter of Thomas and Euphemia ( Wilkie) Cunningham. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Newman are as follows: Mary E., who resides at Virginia : Florence, who is Mrs. Charles Russell of Cass County: Grace, who is Mrs. Silas White of Pleasant Plains, Ill. ; Edith, who is Mrs. William Drake of Cass County ; Harry, who resides in Cass County, married May Haxton : and Arthur, Jennie, Roy aud Charles, all of whom reside at home. Mr. New- man is a Republican, but is not an officer seeker,
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
confining his energy to the management of his private affairs.
NICHOLSON, Edgar Ellis, who was appointed postmaster of Beardstown, Ill., on May 1, 1911, and one of the best known men of Cass County, was born June S. 1879, a son of John S. and Eliza Jane (Buck) Nicholson, natives of Eng- land and of Cass County. Ill. The mother died in September. 1900. The father was born in 1832 and died in 1911. In 1841 he came with his parents to Meredosia, Ill., via New Orleans, and lived on a Morgan County farm for ten years. Later the family came to Beardstown, where the father worked in a newspaper office until 1861, when he became the manager of the plant and so continued until 1866, at which time lie secured control of the Central Illinoian, and under this title he conducted the paper until 1SOS, when it was consolidated with the Star and then was issued a weekly and daily edi- tion. His partner was Cad Allard, and the name was changed to the Illinoian-Star, and the paper made a daily, and prior to 1904 John S. Nicholson had bought his partner's interest. In 1904 he was appointed postmaster and served for seven years, dying in office. He had long been an active worker in the Republican party.
Until 1900 Edgar E. Nicholson lived at home, but in that year he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he was engaged in a printing business with his brother. C. B. Nicholson for two years. then returned to Beardstown and joined his father in the newspaper business, becoming city editor of the Illinoian-Star, and he and his father continued associated until the latter's death in 1911. In 1904 F. M. Fulks bought an interest in the paper, and in 1906 Edgar E. Nicholson became sole proprietor. On January 1. 1914. Mr. Nicholson sold the business to the Schaeffer Publishing Company. He has been prominent in Republican ranks, and for eight years has been secretary of the Cass County Central Committee. Since 1911 he has been a member of the Beardstown board of education, and in 1913 he was made a member of the Library board, which he serves as treasurer. Fraternally he is identified with the Elks and the Masons at Beardstown.
In September, 1904, Mr. Nicholson was married to Anna V. Smith. a daughter of H. A. and Margaret (Brightbill) Smith, natives of Harris- burg, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson have had three children: Jane, who was born in Novem- ber, 1905; Virginia, born May, 190S, and died December, 1909, and Marion, who was born in August. 1910. Mr. Nicholson and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.
NISBET, George Whitfield, is one of the success- ful general farmers and stock breeders of Cass County. As a man he is proving in his every day life that industry and integrity pay and that the farmers of this region have fine oppor- tunities to advance themselves if they follow in the same paths. Mr. Nisbet was born in Vir- ginia Precinct September 19, 1875, a son of
William and Elizabeth (Massey) Nisbet, the former a native of Preble County, O., and the latter of Brown County, Ill.
Growing up on the home farm property, Mr. Nisbet attended the schools of his district, and the Virginia High school, and assisted his father until his marriage, which took place on April 12. 1905, when he was united by Rev. Brown, of Jacksonville, to Celia Woodward, born at Winchester, Ill., February 14, 1878, a daughter of E. D. Clinton and Mary (Petefish) Woodward, natives of Cass County, Ill. One daughter, Mary Elizabeth, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Nisbet, on June 2, 1906.
After his marriage Mr. Nisbet went on his brother's farm east of Virginia, and there spent three years, during which period he built a modern farm house upon an eighty acre farm he owned in Virginia Precinct. When this was completed, he moved into it, in 190S, and oper- ates this farm with forty acres more located three miles northwest of his homestead, which he also owns. On these properties he carries on general farming and raises Poland- China hogs, shorthorn and Hereford cattle and draught and road horses. Additionally he raises stock on 400 acres near Virginia, a farm that is owned by Mrs. Nisbet. who also owns 160 acres south of Virginia, together with several properties in Virginia.
In his religious views. Mr. Nisbet is a Pres- byterian. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served as a school director for three years. A man of purpose, he has steadily forged ahead, and is recognized as an excellent representa- tive of the progressive agriculturists of Cass County.
NISBET, Newell T .- The Nisbet family, or rather the two brothers and one sister whose residence is on the old Nisbet homestead in township 17. Cass County, Ill., can boast of one of the finest farming properties to be found in this part of the state. Throughout its entire extent of three quarters of a section of very productive land, are noticeable the evidences of perfect order of arrangement. careful manage- ment, thorough cultivation and domestic com- fort. In fertility and productiveness, as well as in all its equipment of machinery for oper- ation, and for the breeding and care of stock, Cass County presents to view no more com- plete and attractive place. As far back as 1839 it was composed of several different farms conducted by their respective owners, but the interests have been merged in the course of time into one compact farm.
Here was born Newell T. Nisbet, a son of William and Elizabeth A. (Massey) Nisbet, the father born in Preble County, Ohio, and the mother a native of Illinois, whose birth took place at Mount Sterling. They were married in Cass County and settled on a part of the above mentioned land. William Nisbet, who had always followed farming and stockraising, died on this place in March, 1892, at the age of eighty-four years, and his widow passed
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
away in January, 1903, when sixty-seven years old. Their children were as follows: Chal- mers, who died in 1SSS; Walter, who died in 1882; Jolin, of township 17, Cass Connty ; James S., who died in infancy ; Newell and Bethune, on the home-place ; George, of Cass Connty ; and Mary, who keeps house for Newell and Bethnne. These three have always lived on the home place, and on it the brothers do general farm- ing, also raise hogs extensively, and raise and feed cattle and horses.
In his youth, Newell Nisbet attended the dis- trict schools of the neighborhood, and later was a pupil in Brown's Business College, Jack- sonville. Bethnne received his early education in the common schools, the Virginia Academy, Brown's Business College and the Illinois Col- lege. They have a comfortable brick residence built by their father, and they erected in 1903, a spacions frame house of twelve rooms, with all modern improvements, in which they live. The religious connection of Mr. Nisbet is with the Providence Presbyterian church. In poli- tics he is a Democrat, and has served efficiently as road clerk, and in other capacities.
NOLLSCH, Alfred Julius .- Perhaps there are few counties where modern methods of farming prevail more extensively than in Cass County, for the agriculturalists of this region appreciate the effect such a course produces. One of these progressive farmers is Alfred Julius Nollsch, born in Cass County, on the homestead, a portion of which he now occupies, December 28, 1876, a son of Gottlieb and Catherine (Hobig) Nollsch, natives of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. The ma- ternal grandfather, John Hobig, came to Cass County, but died in Sangamon Connty. When only nineteen years old, Gottlieb Nollsch came to Cass County, and here married, settling then on a farm to which he added until he owned 607 acres. On his homestead he built a fine brick house, and became one of the heavy general farmers and stock men of the county. His death occurred May 30, 1897. His widow lived on the farm until 1902, when she moved to Virginia and there died, December 8, 1912. Both had been previously married, and by the father's first marriage there were the following children : Lawrence, of Sangamon County ; William, of Missouri ; and Benjamin, of Peoria, Ill. By the mother's first marriage to a Mr. Mauler, there were the following children: Elizabeth, who is Mrs. H. P. Lampert, of Cleveland, Ohio; and Carrie, who is Mrs. J. O. Robinson, of Spring- field, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Nollsch had the follow- ing children: Anna M., who is Mrs. William Emerich, of Virginia; Margaret, who is also of Virginia ; Walter A., who is of Springfield, Ill .; Thomas C., who is on a portion of the home place ; George H., who is of Sangamon County ; Alfred J. ; and Phillip G., who is of Denver, Colo. Alfred J. Nollsch attended the public schools of his district and grew up on the homestead. His portion of the farm amounted to 120 acres, and he built the house and other structures now on it and has a very fine property, on which he
carries on general farming and stockraising. On April 10, 1901, he married Mae L. Marcy, of Chandlerville, Ill., a danghter of Lemnel H. and Lucretia (Smith ) Marcy, natives of Cass County. The paternal grandfather was Charles Marcy. Mr. and Mrs. Nollsch became the parents of children as follows : Alberta Marcy, Jnlins Gott- lieb, Catherine Lucretia and Elizabeth Marie. Mr. Nollsch is a Methodist, and has been a steward and also a trustee of that church, and superintendent of the Sunday school since 1900. He is progressive in his political views. For a number of years he has been a school director. The Knights of Pythias and the Modern Wood- men of America, of Chandlerville, hold his mem- bership. A man of advanced ideas, he is a worthy example of Cass Connty's best farmers, and his past indicates that his plans for the future will include additional substantial im- provements.
NOLLSCH, Thomas Charles, a farmer of mod- ern ideas and successful endeavor, belongs to the old Nollsch family of Cass County, which is so well and favorably known and spoken ot at length elsewhere in this work. Thomas C. Nollsch was born on the family homestead, October 18, 1870, a son of Gottlieb and Catherine (Hobig) Nollsch. His boyhood was spent on the farm, he alternating assisting his parents with attendance at the district school, and did not farm alone nntil 1902. In that year he began renting a portion of the homestead, thus con- tinuing for five years, when he became a tenant on land in Oregon Precinct, but within a year, he moved to Sylvan Precinct. There he rented a house and worked for various farmers until the following fall, when he bought seventy-five acres of the homestead. On this he now resides and carries on general farming and also raises horses, cattle and hogs.
On May 22, 1902, Mr. Nollsch was married by Rev. M. M. Want, of Jacksonville, to Cora May Wyatt, born in Oregon Precinct, Angust 5th, 1873. a daughter of Fenton and Alice (Carver) Wyatt, of Cass County. Mr. Wyatt is deceased, but his widow lives at Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Nollsch have had two children: Greta Alice, born June 17, 1904, and Ralph Emerson, born January 21, 1906. A Methodist, Mr. Nollsch is connected with the church of that denomination at Chandlerville. Politically he is a Progressive. The Knights of Pythias of Chandlerville hold his membership, and he is popular in that order, as he is elsewhere. He donated the ground and assisted in getting up the petition to locate the Oak Dale schoolhouse, built in 1911.
OWENS, Thomas A., whose success as a farmer and stockraiser may be directly laid to his nat- ural leaning toward that line of business, and the effort he makes to carry on his work intelli- gently and according to modern methods, was born in Jo Daviess County, Ill., January 17, 1861, a son of Johnston and Margaret (Irvine) Owens, born in County Donegal, Ireland. In 1852 they came to the United States, locating in Greene
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County, Ill., from whence they went to Jo Daviess County, Ill. In 1853, the father went to Cali- fornia in qnest of gold and spent two years there, then returned to Illinois, and after a short time spent at Carrolton, he and his wife went back to Ireland. There they spent six years, and then once more came to this country, and for a year made their home at Galena, Ill., and following this they lived on a farm, nntil 1879. Then the father bought forty acres of land in Cass County, in township 1S, range 9, Oregon Precinct, where the father died August 17, 1899. The mother survived him, dying July 6, 1908.
Thomas A. Owens was the only child of his parents, and he remained at home and attended the schools of his district in boyhood. In Jan- nary, 1SS9, he went to Chandlerville, where he opened a grocery store, but sold it within six months and returned to the homestead, and has been engaged in farming and stockraising ever since. On August 25, 1SSS, he married Hannah Gould, who was born at Table Grove, Iowa, and died October 20. 1SS9. She was a daughter of Samuel A. and Mary (Inches) Gonld, natives of Ohio and Scotland, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Owens had one daughter, Margaret Mary, who was born October 16, 18S9, and was educated at the Science Hill district school, and is keep- ing house for her father.
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