USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 71
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about twenty-seven years. In the year 1831 he came by wagon to Illinois and settled in Morgan County, and was accompanied by his wife and three children, Elias, Margaret and Jonathan. After living some time in Morgan County, he settled in Macoupin Couuty, whence, three years later, he moved to Waverly, Morgan County. In 1850 he settled in Cass County, Ill., buying 200 acres of land at $15 per acre. Subsequently he sold this for $80 per acre, and it is now valued at $200 per acre. Retiring from active pursuits in 1877 he moved to the city of Virginia, Ill., and lived here until his death, October 28, 1891, his wife who was born in 1807, having passed away June 8, 1880. The remains of both lie in the Virginia cemetery. There were nine chil- dren : Elias, deceased ; Margaret (Mrs. Ambrose Buraker) of Memphis, Mo .; Jonathan, deceased ; William, deceased ; Ann Eliza, (Mrs. J. N. Sin- clair), of Virginia ; Sarah J., (Mrs. Henry Bevis) . of Urbana, Ill. ; Philemon ; Emeline (Mrs. John W. Turner), of North Dakota ; and Mary Frances, deceased. The father was twice mar- ried, first to Tacy Phillips, a daughter of William Phillips, and second to Barbara Stith. He was an old time Baptist and officiated for many years as a deacon and took great interest in church work.
Philemon Stout, Jr., was born March 5, 1840, in Morgan County. Ill., twelve miles northeast of Jacksonville, and received some book instruc- tiou in the district schools. He was reared on the farm and lived with his father.until the time of his marriage. While living at home he taught school two terms in his home district. In his younger days he herded cattle ou the prairies in pioneer times, and knows the meaning of some of the privations incurred by the early settlers. After leaving the home farm iu 1875, Mr. Stout located in Virginia and engaged in the lumber business with P. H. Bailey. They started a lumber yard, afterwards buying out two other dealers, and several years later sold out. Subsequently Mr. Stout went into partner- ship with Charles Wilson. This continued eleven years and then the concern was sold to Lee H. Skiles. Since 1894 Mr. Stout has been living in retirement. He has financial interests in the Petefish-Skiles & Co. Bank, of Virginia, Ill., aud is also one of the directors.
Mr. Stout was married, September 27, 1871, at Girard, Ill., to Miss Ella Walker, a daughter of Richard Spencer and Mary Ann ( Wood) Walker. She was born in Greene County. Ill., near Carrollton, May 12, 1847, and came to Cass County with her parents. The Walkers located southcast of the town of Virginia, on what is now known as the Black farm, and this farm was sold to Mr. Black by Mr. Walker, who was an intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln. While living iu Morgan County, now a part of Cass County, Mr. Walker was elected to the state legislature, and served two terms. He served in the Black Hawk war as a captain, and Mrs. Stout has two silver spoons made from the mountings from her father's sword carried in that war. By his first wife, Lucinda Hunter, to
whom he was married in Kentucky, and after- ward settled in Illinois, he became the father of Napoleon, Marcella, Lucy aud Elmira. He was born May 22, 1801, in Kentucky, and died August 20, 1885. His second wife was Mary Ann Wood, to whom he was united January 16, 1845. She was a daughter of Lewis and Lydia (Marsh) Wood. the latter a native of Vermont. Seven children blessed their uuion : Ella (Mrs. Phile- mion Stout) : James H., born March 8, 1851, of Palmyra, Mo .: Fannie, born January 20, 1853 (Mrs. F. L. Thompson), of Los Angeles, Cal .; Lavina L., born August 20, 1855 (Mrs. Edward Burnett), who lives iu Girard, and three who died in infancy. The mother of Mrs. Stout was born January 1, 1816, and passed away March 10, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Philemon Stout had two children : Gertrude (Mrs. L. O. Skiles), born June 8, 1873, wife of the county clerk of Cass County ; and Richard Lee, born September 21. 1877, died January 21, 1879.
Mr. Stout is identified with the A. F. & A. M., having been initiated in the Cass County court- honse when the corner stone of the high school was laid. He is also affiliated with the I. O. O. F., and has passed the chairs. For a num- ber of years he has been school trustee of town- ship 17. range 10. Within his recollection, land was purchasable near Ashland for twenty-five cents per acre, which is now held at $200. Mrs. Stout is a member of the Christian church and is highly respected by all who know her, as is her worthy husband.
STOWELL, Leslie Rockwell, one of the repre- sentative stockraisers and cattle feeders of Cass County, whose work as an agriculturalist has won him well deserved praise, is operating his father's farm of 500 acres on sectiou 16, town- ship 18. range 8. He was born in Cass County, May 10. 1885, a son of Rockwell V. and Nancy (Struble) Stowell, the former born at Rich- field Springs. N. Y., iu 1849, and the latter in Morgan County, Ill., in 1849. Rockwell V. Stowell came to Cass County when ouly five years old with his parents, and in 1910 moved to Petersburg. Ill., turning his 5co-acre farm over to his son. For many years he had been olle of the leading farmers and stockraisers of the county. This farm was the one which be- longed to Mrs. Stowell's parents. and when her father died, Mr. Stowell bought out the other heirs aud developed it into the fine property it Now is.
Leslie R. Stowell began studying in the country schools, later taking up eighth grade work. and then entered Whipple Academy at Jacksonville, Ill., from whence he went to the State University at Urbana for one year. He has spent his subsequent life in farming and feeding and raising stock, and is developing into an expert in these several lines.
On October 16. 1912, Mr. Stowell was mar- ricd at Indianapolis, Ind., to Margaret V. Flatt, born in Macoupin County, Ill., July 22, 1891. They have one daughter. Marjorie E., born June 17, 1914. Mr. Stowell is a Republican, but
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has never entered public life, confining his political work to casting his vote for the candi- dates of his party. The Methodist church of Newmanville, Ill., holds his membership and benefits by his generosity. A man of strong con- victions, Mr. Stowell is not backward in living up to what he believes is right, and is not toler- ant of wrong doing or laxity of thought or action, so that his influence for good is strong in his neighborhood. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Chandlerville.
STRENTER, Albert Frank, M. D .- The Cass County Medical Association numbers some of the most efficient physicians and surgeons among its members of any similar society in the state. One of them, who stands very high with his associates and in public esteem, is Dr. Albert Frank Strenter of Arenzville. He was born near Meredosia, Ill., in February, 1875, a son of Henry and Catherine (Rieman) Strenter, natives of Hanover, Germany, and of Meredo- sia, Ill. The fathier came to Morgan County, Ill., from Germany, in boyhood. He became an engineer of a gristmill, and so continued for a number of years. Subsequently he married the widow of John Rison, and they had two sons, Frank and John, both of Meredosia, Ill. Soon after his marriage, the father moved to a farm owned by his wife, and there she died. Later he married Catherine Rieman, and they had the following family : Minnie, who is Mrs. John Theovald, of Jacksonville, Ill. ; Anna, Mrs. John Bauchamp, of Meredosia, Ill. ; Emma, who is the widow of George Beauchamp, of Arenz- ville, Ill. ; Edward, who is of Morgan County, Ill. ; Albert, Frank, and William of Galveston, Tex. Mrs. Strenter died December 3, 1911. In 1897 Mr. Strenter retired, and moved to Jack- sonville where he now lives.
Albert Frank Strenter was educated in the public and high schools and the Illinois Col- lege. Deciding upon entering the medical pro- fession, he matriculated in the medical depart- ment of the Northwestern University, Chicago, and was graduated therefrom in the spring of 1906. In the meanwhile, however, the young man had had considerable business experience. He had spent his boyhood on his father's farm, and when eighteen years old bought a one-third interest in a sawmill, thresher and clover huller, in partnership with J. Risor & Co., and liad charge of the outfit for two years. He then sold and bought a half interest in a general store at Meredosia, the firm name being Beau- chan & Strenter. After a year, he sold to his partner, and with C. M. Skinner put in the first electric light plant. Six months thereafter, he took a trip of a year through some of the west- ern states, and after returning to his father's farm, conducted that property of 320 acres for two years. It was then that he resumed his studies, attending the high school and Whipple Academy, before going to the Illinois College. After his graduation from medical college, he secured an appointment with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad at Lake City, Iowa.
After a year he moved to Arenzville and in June, 1907, opened an office at Arenzville where he has developed one of the largest practices in this part of the state. Professionally he belongs to the Cass County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Med- ical Association.
In July, 1906, Dr. Strenter married Ida MI. James, born at Meredosia, Ill., a daughter of George and Melvina (McClaine) James, natives of Cass County who live at Meredosia. Mrs. Strenter is a member of the Methodist church. In politics Dr. Strenter is a Republican.
STRIBLING, Henry C .- Though Cass County soil is admirably adapted for agricultural pur- poses, had it not been for the efforts and per- sistence of its farmers. the lands would never have been brought to their present high state of cultivation, consequently much credit must be given to those who have been industrious. Henry C. Stribling, a prosperous farmer of township 17. range S, was born in Cass County, July 16. 1852, a son of Isaac Milton and Mar- garet A. (Beggs) Stribling, natives of Ken- tucky. The father came with his parents to what is now Cass County when about nine years old, in 1830, his father being Benjamin Stribling. Isaac Milton Stribling entered land just west of Virginia, which was then almost entirely covered with timber, and later became the owner of a large amount. The mother of Henry C. Stribling died on this homestead in 1857. and the father married (second) Mariah Carr, born in Cass County, who outlived hin, dying in 1907, he passing away in April, 1898. By his first marriage, the father had the fol- lowing children: Johanna, deceased, who mar- ried William Hitchcock ; J. T., who died at Ash- land in 1911; Kate, who is Mrs. Bowles, of Palmyra, Mo .; Henry C .; Louisa, who is Mrs. John Virgin, of Virginia, Ill. By his second marriage the father had a family as follows: Emma, deceased, who was Mrs. Louis Savage, of Cass County : Carrie, who is Mrs. Louis Pete- fish, of Springfield, Ill .: Helen, who is Mrs. Luther Conover, of Chicago, Ill .: William, who is of Virginia. Ill .; Harriet, who is Mrs. Dr. Tutten. of El Paso. Tex .; Frank Milton, who is at Lee's Summit. Mo .; George, who is deceased ; Lizzie, who died in childhood ; and Howard, who is of Washington, Ill.
Henry C. Stribling passed his boyhood upon the farm, and attended the schools of his dis- triet. In 1875 he bought a farm of 200 acres in township 17. range S. Cass County, which had been already improved, by James Short. its owner, a very early settler of this locality. Since then Mr. Stribling has made many im- provenients, and has carried on general farming and stockraising, being an extensive feeder of horses, cattle and hogs.
In October, 1882. Mr. Stribling married Miss Maggie B. Newman of Ashland, Ill., a daughter of Jesse and Esther Newman of Cass County. The following children were born of this mar- riage, all of whom died in infancy: Jessie Eliz-
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abeth, born July 1, 1884; I. M., born October 15, 1887; Louise, born February 11, 1890, and Maggie Bernice, born January 11, 1892. Mrs. Stribling died January 16, 1892. Mr. Stribling married (second) December 19, 1894, Miss Edna V. Middour, who was born April 22, 1872, at Ashland, a daughter of David and Serena (Eliel) Middour, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Stribling have two children: William Clinton, who was born October 11, 1895; and Glenn, who was born February 13, 1897, both of whom are at home. Mr. Stribling has served as a school director since 1884, being elected on the Republican ticket.
STRIBLING, William B .- Until a recent period the gentleman whose name appears above was extensively engaged in farmning and stockraising in the vicinity of Virginia, Cass County, Ill., and also raising many fine blooded horses, but is now living in retirement. He is a native of the county in which he makes his home, where he was born December 13, 1865, and is a son of Isaac M. and Maria (Carr) Stribling. The paternal grandparents, Benjamin and Millie (Horn) Stribling, born about 1797, were natives of old Virginia, where they were married.
Isaac M. Stribling was born in Logan County, Kentucky, January 13, 1821. When nine years old his father brought him to Morgan, now Cass County, Ill., buying land and becoming a farmer. He moved near the town of Virginia and developed into one of the most extensive land owners in western Illinois, having, when he died, the title to about 3,000 acres in Cass County. He passed away April 13, 1898, his widow following him to the grave January S, 1909. He was twice married, his first wife being Margaret Beggs. She was a daughter of Cap- tain Charles and Mary (Ruddell) Beggs, and was born in Clarke County, Ind., December 23, 1821, and died December 26, 1856. This union resulted in five children. The second wife was Maria Carr, and nine children were the issue of their union. Emma D., deceased, who was the wife of Louis Savage, of Ashland, Ill. ; Carrie L. (Mrs. L. A. Petefish), now ot Springfield, Ill. ; Helen (Mrs. L. W. Conover), of Chicago; Wil- liam B. ; Harriet (Mrs. T. H. Tuten) of El Paso, Tex. ; Frank M., of Lees Summit, Mo. ; George G. and Lizzie, deceased; and Howard H., of Spo- kane, Wash.
In early youth William B. Stribling received training in the public schools and then applied himself to farming. On March 7, 18SS, he was married to Roberta Gertrude Hall, a daughter of Robert and Ann (Dupuy) McClure, the latter being a native of Kentucky and the former being the first white child born in the town of Virginia. After his marriage Mr. Stribling moved to a tarm of 200 acres lying south of the town, to which, during the following year, he added 200 acres more, engaging extensively in the raising and shipping of stock. In 1900 he established his home in Virginia, from which point he superintended his farm work until
1909. Then he sold the land, and has since lived in retirement. He is a well known horse fancier, and has devoted much time to raising fine blooded stock. Until the time of his mar- riage, he traveled extensively with his horses. The names of his children are: Reine B. (Mrs. Dr. D. A. Yowell), of Virginia, Ill., and Robert Milton, at home.
Politically, William B. Stribling has always supported the Republican party, while his wife, who attended Knox College, Galesburg, favors Democratic principles. Fraternally, Mr. - Strib- ling is affiliated with the B. P. O. E. No. 3271 Jacksonville ; L. O. M. No. 857, Beardstown, and the K. of P. of Virginia. Mrs. Stribling is a member of the Royal Neighbors.
The Carr family, to which the mother of Mr. Stribling belonged, were among the early settlers of Cass County, where they became extensive farmers and influential people.
SUTTON, Benjamin R .- For nearly a century the same family name has been associated with the ownership of some of the most valuable farming properties in western Illinois, and several of these properties are located in the county of Cass. Among them is the ex- tensive and highly productive farm belonging to Benjamin R. Sutton, which is mainly situated in section 19, township 19, range S. Here its owner, besides conducting general farming oper- ations, devotes a good part of his attention to the raising of stock, making this his home.
Benjamin R. Sutton was born in Cass County, Ill., March 24, 1857, on the farm which is his present home. His father was Nathan Sutton, a native of New Jersey, where he was born January 22, 1819. The maiden name of the mother was Elizabeth Ann Lemar, and her birth took place in the state of Indiana, on Septem- ber 8, 1822. The father was a farmer by occu- pation. At the age of twelve years the son ac- companied his parents to Michigan, near Ann Arbor, where the family remained a short time, moving then to Illinois and settling in Cass County. Benjamin received a good district school education in his neighborhood during his youthful days and spent his leisure time in rendering assistance on the home farm. Since attaining the age of maturity, he has carried on the farm work along the original lines, be- stowing much care on the stock feature of the enterprise. All his undertakings have been crowned with success, and he ranks as one of the foremost farmers of western Illinois.
The marriage of Benjamin R. Sutton took place January 6, 1SS1, to Jennie Morgan, who was born October 27, 1856. Mrs. Sutton is a daughter of William and Elizabeth Morgan, old residents of Cass Connty. They have had tliree children : Estella, who is now deceased, was Mrs. Leeper ; William Ernest; and Charrey IS., who became the wite of Daniel Kridbaum. In religious belief Mr. Sutton and family are adherents of the Baptist faith. Politically, he is in accord with the principles of the Repub- lican party, and by it elected has filled the
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office of school director, and served in the capac- ity of commissioner of two drainage districts. In the matter of fraternal orders, Mr. Sutton has been affiliated with the A. F. & A. M. for about thirty years, and is a member of Chandler- ville Lodge, No. 724. He is a very popular citizen, a man of genial temperament and amiable disposition, always ready to assist any one who is in need, and his charities though un- demonstrative, have been numerous and con- stant.
TAAPKEN, John D., who is one of the best known and most industrious and thrifty of the farmers and stock raisers of Cass County, Ill., lives in the vicinity of Tallula, his farm being situated in section 28, township 18, range 8, and consists of 162 acres of very productive land. Mr. Taapken was born in Hanover, Ger- many, January 20, 1850. His father, John F. Taapken, born in the same province, was by trade a shoemaker, and there married John D. Taapken's mother, whose maiden name was Mary Boalster, a native of the same place. On one occasion, while the father was busy at the work of his trade, he found he had exhausted his supply of a certain kind of leather. Start- ing out to secure an additional quantity, he became bewildered in a blinding snowstorm, and met with a fatal accident. His death left his widow with the sole care of several small children. In 1870, the mother with her family started for the United States, taking passage on ยท a sailing vessel, which consumed forty-eight days on the trip across the ocean. They finally reached Menard County, Ill., where she settled down and lived for nine years. John D. Taap- ken and his brother rented land, on which they carried on farming, but ultimately, the former purchased the farm he now lives on in Cass County, which he cleared and improved. Mr. Taapken received his education in the country schools, using what spare time he could for that purpose, and then applied himself to farming.
On March 14, 1884, in Menard County, Ill., Mr. Taapken was united in marriage with Mary Hansill, a native of that county, and they have eight children, namely : John H., Frank, Henry J., Harry, Powell, Mary H., Anna, Julia and Deeicks.
Mr. Taapken is a very hard working man. Be- sides grain farming, he is a breeder and raiser of shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs; but, whatever be his cares or perplexities in the course of work, he is almost always good- natured and sociable. His religious connection is with the Lutheran church, of Petersburg, Ill., and he has served the public as school director for three years. He is well liked by all, and is considered a good farmer and a good citizen.
TAYLOR, Angus .- Of the seven children that resulted from the union of William Taylor and Mary E. Horrom, former old residents of Cass County, Ill., all the sons followed their father's lead and became prominent and prosperous agri- culturists, known throughout the country for
their intelligence, enterprise and culture, and ranking among the foremost members of the community. Sketches of Robert A. and John H. Taylor, brothers of Angus Taylor, both of whom carry on extensive farming operations in the same vicinity, may be found in this vol- ume, and each illustrates the family record which their father's ability and energy initiated in earlier times. The gentleman to whom the present writing pertains well maintains the high credit shown in the personal narratives of those mentioned.
Angus Taylor was born October 5, 1872, in Cass County, Ill., one mile east of Chandler- ville. His father was of Scotch nativity, while his mother was born in Cass County, in Hickory Precinct, on the Sangamon River bottom. In the spring of 1877, Angus moved with his parents to the Horrom farm in that vicinity. In early youth he attended the district schools in his neighborhood, and was a pupil in a Lincoln business college, also taking a course in Lin- coln University, and afterwards resuming the work of the farm. The name of Mr. Taylor's place is the "Valley View Farm." It comprises 300 acres, all on the river bottom, except eighty acres, which is on the bluff and used for pastur- age. After his marriage Mr. Taylor settled on a farm belonging to his father, on the Sanga- mon River bottom, in township 18, range 10. He now does general grain farming and raises Percheron horses, Aberdeen cattle, Poland- China hogs and Plymouth Rock chickens. In the summer of 1910 he built a fine stucco house, which is entirely modern, having electric lights, furnace heat, hot and cold water, etc.
On August 24, 1897, Mr. Taylor was married to Emily Treadway, born in Monroe Precinct, Cass County, Ill., a daughter of Franklin M. and Ellen Eliza (Pratt) Treadway, the former born in Monroe Precinct, and the latter in Vir- ginia. The grandparents of Mrs. Taylor were Amos and Elizabeth (Miller) Treadway, of Vir- ginia ; and John Wilkes and Emily (Savage) Pratt, the former born in Maryland, and the latter in the state of New York. Grandfather Pratt was the first county clerk of Cass County. Grandmother Pratt was a daughter of John Savage, one of the early sheriffs of Cass County. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are as follows : Mildred Ellen, William Marion, Miriam, Kenneth Archibald, Angus Donald, Emily Christine, and Vivian Pratt.
Mr. Taylor is a member of the Presbyterian church of the Sangamon River bottom, in which he has officiated as elder since 1894, and has been clerk of the session since 1904. In politics he is a Democrat, and held the office of road commissioner six years, serving as county com- missioner from 1909 to 1912. He is identified with the M. W. A. Picon Camp No. 530, of Chandlerville.
TAYLOR, John Horrom. Yet a young man, the gentleman whose name appears at the head of the following sketch is one of the most prom- inent and well-to-do among the more prosperous
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
agriculturists of Cass County. He is a native of the county, having been born on the Sanga- mon River bottom, in township 1S, range 10, on January 20, 1879. He is, moreover, not only one of the most prominent and prosperous of the farmers of this section, as well as one of its most extensive stockraisers, but one possessing a cultivation somewhat unusual in men of his occupation, and a fund of information that causes him to be accepted as an authority on many questions arising in the community where he lives, and where all his days have been spent.
John H. Taylor is a son of William and Mary E. (Horrom) Taylor, the former a Scotchman by birth, and the latter a native of Cass County. The birth of William Taylor occurred February 10, 1819, and that of Mary E. Taylor, February 10, 1840. The father came to the United States and located in Ohio in 1837, settling in Illinois in 1839. John H., who was the sixth of their seven children, lived with his parents until 1896, attending the district schools in early youth, and the Chandlerville High school at a later period. In 1897 he entered Lincoln (Ill.) University, from which he was graduated in June, 1902, with the degree of B. L.
Returning then to the home farm he operated the place, with R. A. Taylor, until the time of his marriage, September 20, 1909. On this date, he was wedded to Edna Elliott Taylor, a native of Elkhart, Ill., and a daughter of Chelsa L. and Sarah Josephine (Allen) Taylor, the father of Columbus, Adair County, Ky., and the mother of Greggsville, Pike County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have one daughter, Marjorie Caroline, born July 10, 1910.
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