USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 42
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BOYD, Josiah L., a successful lumber merchant and respected resident of Palmer, was born on the old Boyd homestead near Palmer, April 25. 1850, a son of Alfred and Zillah (McCormick) Boyd, the former of whom was born in North Carolina in 1809, and the latter in Kentucky in . 1814. The father moved to Tennessee with his parents, and thence to Kentucky, locating in Christian County, where they remained until 1839. In that year he made the trip overland in a prairie schooner, and located one and one- half miles north of Palmer, in Christian County. For a year he rented land, and then entered eighty acres of government land, to which he added until he had 280 acres. For the follow- ing forty years he lived on this farm, dying November 13, 1880. The mother died July 9, 1877, aged sixty-three years. In politics he was a Republican.
Josiah L. Boyd was born in the log house his father erected on his farm, and attended the schools of Bear Creek Township. Until he was twenty-five years old, he remained with his father, and then located on forty acres of land given him by his father, to which he added forty acres by purchase and operated this farm until 1881. In that year he moved to Palmer and embarked in the grocery business, continu- ing in it for ten years, when he branched out and added a stock of dry-goods, handling both lines until 1895. From then on until 1904 he was in a large grain business, with an elevator pt Palmer, and handled cattle and continued his farming operations, being a very busy man.
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In 1904 he started in the lumber business and has since then devoted himself to its conduct.
On May 6, 1875, Mr. Boyd was married to Miss Lanra Hewitt, who was born January 24, 1853, in Johnson Township, a daughter of Wil- liam T. and Andromache (Gibson) Hewitt, natives of Virginia and Christian County, Ky. They came to Illinois in the early forties and located in Johnson Townshp, taking up govern- ment land, becoming the owners of 3,400 acres. The father died on his farm in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd became the parents of nine children as follows : Zella Ann Shrout, who lives at Palmer, issue : Ione, Merle and Duane; Laura Eunice, who lives at Taylorville, married Wal- ter Craig, issue: Josephine and Marion ; Olive Edna, who married Alpha Lohr, lives on the old Boyd homestead ; Emma Lotus, who married James Bradley, has one child, Imogene ; William L., who married Anna Klamm, has one son, Lesley C .; Velma Gertrude; Ross Hewitt who is in the Detroit-Chalmers factory at Detroit; Byron B. ; and Ruth M., who is at home. Mr. Boyd is a Mason, Odd Fellow and Modern Woodman of America, and in politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Boyd is a member of the Eastern Star, and both are Presbyterians.
BOYLE, John Waldron, president of the Farm- ers State Bank of Stonington, is one of the lead- ing financiers of Christian County. He was born in Ireland, in July, 1856, a son of Patrick and Eliza (Waldron) Boyle, natives of Ireland, he born in 1834, and she in 1844. The father was a farmer and commission merchant. In 1860 the family came to the United States and located at Meriden, Conn., where the mother died in 1864, and the father some two years later.
John W. Boyle attended the schools of West Meriden, Conn., and worked for his father until fifteen years old, when he came to Christian County and began working for farmers in Ston- ington Township, so continuing for three years, when he commenced learning the blacksmith trade, and for some time worked at it in dif- ferent places, including Taylorville. He then established himself in business at Stonington with D. Palmer, the association continuing for ten years, terminating with Mr. Palmer's death. Mr. Boyle then formed a partnership with George Ritscher and they continued together for ten years, when Mr. Boyle sold and went into the implement business. In politics Mr. Boyle is a Democrat and he has been very prominent, serv- ing as mayor of Stonington from 1908 and 1913 ; was an alderman from his ward for ten years, tax collector for three terms, and has always been an efficient man in office. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Loyal Order of Moose. The Holy Trinity Cath- olic Church holds his membership.
On August 12, 1890 Mr. Boyle was married at Stonington. to Julia Agnes Stepleton. a danghter of Matthew and Anna (Flynn) Stepleton. natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Boyle became the parents of the following children : Anna Eliza, who was born August 6, 1891; Marie A., who
was born March 29, 1896; Frances Ruth, who was born January 9, 1899; John Kenneth, who was born November 16, 1902; Helen Dorothea, who was born August 16, 1905 ; and Vincent, who was born September 24, 1909. In addition to his other interests he owns five business rooms and a number of residences at Stonington. He is president of the Farmers State Bank, and a heavy stockholder, and has always shown good judgment in his conduct of his own and of public affairs.
BRAMEL, Charles W., dealer in lumber, cement and coal at Mt. Auburn, is demonstrating the efficacy of modern methods in the conduct of business, with satisfactory results. He was born in Mosquito Township, July 12, 1SS9, a son of Robert Bramel. Until he was twenty- three years old, Charles W. Bramel remained at home, making himself useful in the conduct of the farm, and at the same time he attended the public schools in his district. At that age he be- gan farming on his own account, and remained on a farm nntil August 28, 1916, when he moved to Mt. Auburn and established himself in his present business. Although the undertaking is still in its infancy, he has already shown what he can do, and his future prospects are very bright for the development of one of the largest concerns of its kind in the county.
On October 9, 1912, Mr. Bramel was married at Decatur, Ill., to Bertha Browning of Mt. Au- burn. a daughter of Henry C. Browning. Mr. and Mrs. Bramel have two children, namely : Mildred P. and Dolly Wilma. Mr. Bramel be- longs to the Masons and Odd Fellows of Mt. Auburn, and the Moose of Taylorville. His enterprise and industry are proverbial, and his success is assured, for he has always succeeded in whatever he has undertaken, and is a young man of intelligent foresight and pleasing per- sonality.
BRAMEL, Horace L., one of the enterprising farmers of Mosquito Township, residing on Sec- tion 31, is part owner of 560 acres of as fine land as can be found in Christian County. He was born in the house now occupied by his mother, in this section, September 12, 1890, he being a son of Robert E. and Mary B. (Milligan) Bramel. Growing np on his present farm, he attended the schools of his district, and has worked on this farm all his life.
On October 25, 1911, Mr. Bramel was married to Ruth A. Dunn, at Decatur, Ill., by Reverend Ewing, of the Methodist Church. She was born in Christian County May 14, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Bramel have two children, namely: Marjorie F., who was born September 5, 1912, and Robert E., who was born March 22, 1914. Fraternally Mr. Bramel is an Odd Fellow. He is a Democrat, but aside from doing his duty as a citizen in casting his vote, he has not been active politi- cally. Hard working, industrious and thrifty, he has made a success of his work, and undoubtedly has a bright future before him. The magnifi- cent farm was left to him and his mother from
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
his father's estate, and he is improving it still further and adding very materially to its value. His mother is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.
BRANYAN, Alexander, manager and vice presi- dent of the Farmers Grain Company of Assump- tion, is one of the leading grain dealers of this locality. He was born in Assumption Township, one and one-half miles northeast of the city of Assumption, November 24, 1867, a son of James and Catherine (Pitcairn) Branyan. James Bran- yan was born near Duncannon, Pa., in December, 1828, and was reared in his native state, becom- ing an ironworker. Catherine Pitcairn Branyan was born in Scotland and was brought to the United States when a child by her parents. Her father, John Pitcairn, was a son of John Pit- cairn, and he was the first of the family to locate in this country. One of the brothers of Mrs. Branyan, Robert Pitcairn, at the time of his death was superintendent of the Pittsburgh division of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad ; and another brother, Hugh Pitcairn, was United States consul at Hamburg, Germany, under Pres- ident Mckinley. Shortly after their marriage, James Branyan and his wife came to Illinois, locating in Jersey County, where they rented land, but in the fall of 1865 they moved to Assumption Township, Christian County, where he bought 160 acres of land, to which he added from time to time until he had 520 acres at the time of his death which occurred in 1910. His wife had died previously. They had ten chil- dren, eight of whom survive. Robert, who was a farmer of Assumption Township, died in No- vember, 1914; Mary E., who is the wife of Au- gustus Wilson; Laura, who is the wife of J. A. Montgomery of Assumption Township; James, who lives in Assumption Township; Alice, who lives at Assumption: John, who lives at Assumption ; Alexander ; Margaret, who is the wife of W. E. Wolf of Logansport, Ill .; and Fannie, who lives at Assumption, and one who died in infancy. The mother was a member of the New Light Church, which was established at Pittsburgh, Pa. The father was a Mason, belonging to Bromwell Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Assumption. In politics he was independent. He served as road commissioner of the township, and was secretary of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, from its organization until his death.
Alexander Branyan was reared in his native township, and attended the schools of Assump- tion, remaining at home with his parents until his marriage in April, 1897, with Alice Brown, a daughter of J. C. Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Bran- yan have three children, namely: Ervel A .. Lois V., and Leland R. After marriage Mr. Branyan located on a farm in section 36, Assump- tion Township, which contained fifty-six acres. and lived there until 1909, when he moved to Assumption, having at that time ninety-six acres. Upon his removal to the city he was made man- ager of his present company, and a member of the board of directors, and in 1915 he was further
honored by being elected vice president. In politics he is independent, and was on the vil- lage board, and has served as alderman, and on the school board, giving entire satisfaction to the best element in these offices. The Methodist Church holds his membership.
BRANYAN, James, one of the leading farmers of Assumption Township, owns and operates a fine farm on Section 36. He was born in Jersey County, Ill., in December, 1861, a son of James and Catherine (Pitcairn) Branyan. James Branyan was born at Duncannon, Pa., and was there reared, while his wife was born at Glas- gow, Scotland. When she was about fifteen years old, her parents brought her to the United States, making the trip on the same vessel that brought Andrew Carnegie and his parents to this country. The Pitcairn family located at Allegheny, Pa., and there she and the future millionaire grew up as neighbors.
James Branyan and Catherine Pitcairn were married at Pittsburgh, Pa., and then came to Illinois, first settling in Jersey County, but in September, 1865, they located on a 160-acre farmi in Assumption Township, Christian County. This farm is now the property of James Branyan. They erected a house on their farm, and it was the first one to be built within a radius of several miles, and at that time there were only a few buildings at Assumption. For a number of years this continued the family home, and here the mother died in 1892, and the father then moved to Assumption where he died in October, 1902. They were the parents of ten children. Robert, who died in November, 1914; Mary Ellen, who is the wife of Augustus Wilson of Rosamond, Ill .; Laura, who is the wife of John Montgomery of Assumption ; James, Jr .: Alice, who lives in Assumption Township; Fannie ; John, who lives in Assumption Township: Alex- ander, who lives in Assumption; Margaret, who is the wife of William Wolf. and one who died in infancy. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father was a Mason, and was independent in his political views. He was the organizer, and for a number of years served as secretary of the Assumption Mutual Fire Company, and was a very well known and highly respected man.
James Branyan the younger was reared in Assumption Township, and attended the Assump- tion schools. For some years he was associated with his father in business, but in 1897 he located on his present farm, where he has since resided. On December 15. 1897, Mr. Branyan was married to Laura Dill, who was born in Assumption Township, June 23, 1875. a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Carr) Dill. They were born, reared and married near Columbus, Ohio, where they lived for six or seven years after their marriage, being engaged in farming. They then came to Christian County, Ill., and until the year of tlie big cyclone, continued farming, when Mr. Dill went into the elevator business at Assumption. and for thirty-five years was manager of the Milligan Elevator Company. He was one of the
Vernondo Minis
Lyle &. Minnis
HELEN J. MINNIS
Otillie & OMinais.
Mary J. Minnis
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IHISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
best known men of this locality, and one who held the confidence and respect of his associates. He and his family belonged to the Christian Church, and he was a member of the Assumption Lodge, A. F. & A. M. for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Dill had eleven children, six of whom are living, namely : Ellsworth, who lives in the state of Washington ; Frank, who is also living in the state of Washington ; Mrs. Branyan; Alma, who is Mrs. Frank Steiger, of Decatur, Ill .; Jessie, who is Mrs. Charles Doolin of Decatur, Ill. ; and Clo, who is Mrs. Ralph Mohn, of Assumption Township. Mr. and Mrs. Branyan have two chil- dren, namely : James, who attended the Assump- tion High school and took a short course in agriculture at Millikin University, Decatur, Ill., is now at home; and Kenneth, who is attending the Assumption High school. The family belong to the Christian Church, in which Mr. Branyan is an elder. He belongs to Assumption Camp, M. W. of A., and in his political views he is inde- pendent.
BRANYAN, John P., a successful farmer of Section 36, Assumption Township, is one of the representative men of Christian County. He was born in Jersey County, Ill., July 11, 1865, a son of James and Catherine (Pitcairn) Bran- yan, natives of Pennsylvania and Scotland. The mother came to the United States with her parents and they located in Pennsylvania. She was married at Pittsburgh, Pa., and from there she and her husband came to Illinois, locating in Jersey County. In October, 1865, they came to Christian County, and settled in Assumption Township, where they lived until 1897, at which time removal was made to Assumption, where he died in October. 1902. When he came to As- sumption Township he bought 160 acres of land, and went into debt for the most of it. When he retired he owned 280 acres of land comprising his homestead, and 240 acres of land near Rosemond. A Republican, he later affili- ated with the Greenback party, and held a number of township offices. It was he who or- ganized the Farmers Mutual Fair, was first its president and later its secretary, being one of the best known men of Christian County. Of his ten children, eight are now living: Robert, who died December 15, 1914; one who died in infancy ; Mary E., who was the wife of Gus Witson; Laura, who is the wife of J. A. Montgomery of Assumption Township; James, who is a farmer of Assumption Township ; Alice, who lives at Assumption ; John P .; Maggie, who is the wife of William Wolfe of Nobles- ville, Ind .; Alexander, who owns an elevator at Assumption ; and Fannie, who lives at As- sumption.
their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Branyan moved on their present farm which they have greatly im- proved having now fine buildings and many mod- ern improvements. Their children are as fol- lows: Fay A., who was born September 17, 1890, was graduated from the Assumption High school and the Charleston Normal school, and is now a teacher in the West School at Assump- tion ; and Robert H., who was born November 1, 1899; Alfred M., who was born February 14, 1902, and Everett, who was born May 27, 1905, are all in school ; and one who died in infancy. The family belong to the Methodist Church, of which Mr. Branyan is a trustee. In politics he is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. and his father was a Mason. Mr. Branyan also belongs to the Horse Thief Protective Association.
BRENTS, Marion C., at present custodian of the parks of Taylorville, is one of the well- known and respected men of Christian County. He was born at Taylorville, Ill., April 14, 1861, a son of William C. and Mary (Martin) Brents, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Marion C. Brents had the misfor- tune to lose his father before his birth, but he was reared by a good and careful mother until about fourteen years of age, when she, too, was called to the beyond. With the usual ups and downs he reached manhood. lle followed farming on a farm left him by his father for about twenty- seven years, when he bought a twelve-acre tract which was a part of the old home farm that fell to his half sisters, and there he followed garden- ing and fruit growing until three years ago. At that time the city of Taylorville bought fifty-five acres of land for park purposes, and the park board appointed Mr. Brents custodian, and gave into his hands the work of developing a park, which he has accomplished to the satisfaction of the taxpayers.
In 1882 Mr. Brents was married to Miss Helen Killman, a daughter of George W. and Matilda (Newman) Killman, natives of Kentucky. The mother came to Illinois, and located at Taylor- ville in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Brents have three children, namely: Herman C. Brents, who is employed by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, in the freight department at Springfield, Ill .; Wil- liam M. Brents, who volunteered for service in Company I. Sixteenth Infantry ; and Alma H. Brents, who is at home attending high school.
BRENTS, Thomas W., one of the prosperous farmers of Christian County, is successfully operating land on Sections 17 and 20. Taylorville Township. He was born on the Elliott farm in this same township, April 7, 1857, a son of Samuel and Caroline (Keller) Brents. The father was born in Kentucky in 1812, and the mother in Pennsylvania in 1834. When he was a young man the father was brought to Taylor- ville Township by his mother, and here educated. He followed farming and learned the carpenter trade, at which trade he worked in Taylorville
John P. Branyan was reared on his father's farm and attended the local schools. On Novem- ber 27, 1889, he was married to Luella Clark, who was born in Shelby County, Ill., August 16, 1871. a daughter of George and Nancy (Wat- kins) Clark. Until she was fourteen years old she attended the schools of her district. and she remained at home until her marriage. After and in the neighborhood, doing considerable
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building. Later he bought land and also entered some acreage from the government, and spent the remainder of his life in Taylorville Town- ship where he died in 1865, at the age of fifty- three years. The mother died May 14, 1915, aged eighty years. In politics the father was a Democrat. The Christian Church held his membership.
Until he attained his majority, Thomas W. Brents remained at home, and obtained his edu- cation in the public schools of Taylorville Town- ship. His first independent labor was on a rented farm, which he operated for two years. lIe then bought land in Bear Creek Township, but sold it and bought another farm, in Taylor- ville Township. In 1902 Mr. Brents was elected sheriff and held the office for four years, follow- ing which he returned to his farm, but four years later he was re-elected sheriff. After com- pleting his second term, he once more returned to his own farm where he still resides, and is operating 270 acres.
On Oct. 31, 1878, Mr. Brents was married to Miss Martha A. Langley, a daughter of Robert and Irene (Clark) Langley, of Kentucky. Mr. Langley was born in Taylorville Township, and Mrs. Langley came with her parents to Illinois and located in Bear Creek Township, later going to Johnson Township, where they were married. Still later the Langleys lived at Taylorville, where the father of Mrs. Brents died in 1907. and the mother in 1908. In politics the father was a Republican, and both he and his wife belonged to the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Brents have one child, Homer, who was born July 9. 1884. IIe married Irene Stroh and they have one son, Thomas Hurley, born January 21. 1909. IIomer Brents is a partner in the hard- ware business of Brents & Purcell of Taylorville. Mr. Brents not only was sheriff, but has served as commissioner and supervisor, and was an efficient official. His politics are Democratic. Fraternally he belongs to the Elks.
BRIDGES, William T., M. D., one of the leading physicians of Christian County, now engaged in an active practice at Stonington, was born near Ramsey, Fayette County, Ill., May 21, 1860. a son of James I. and Sarah J. (Sturgeon) Bridges, natives of Kentucky. The family moved to Indiana, where the father was engaged in farm- ing until about 1850, when removal was made to Illinois. Until 1895 the father continued his farming operations, but in that year retired and went to Ramsey and there lived until he died. The mother died February 18, 1908. The father was a Democrat and served on the school board for a number of years. The Baptist Church held his membership.
William T. Bridges attended the public schools of Fayette County, and the high school at Ramsey, following which he attended college at Valparaiso: Ind. After returning to Illinois, he was engaged in teaching school in Fayette and Montgomery counties, and at the same time took up the study of medicine with Dr. W. P. Gordon
of Ramsey, thus continuing for about three years. He then matriculated in the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, Mo., from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 188S. For a short period thereafter, he practiced medicine in Marion County, Ill., and then in Clinton County, Ill., from whence he went to Illiopolis, Sangamon County, Ill., and there he remained nearly five years. In December, 1894, he perma- nently located at Stonington where he has since remained, and here he has built up a very de- sirable and valuable practice, and has been in his present office for the past seven years.
On May 1, 1895, Dr. Bridges was married to Miss Mamie P. Constant, who was born January 10, 1870, at Illiopolis, Ill., a daughter of John W. and Clara (Ingles) Constant. Dr. Bridges is a member of the Baptist Church and one of the organizers and the only living founder in Stonington of the Baptist Church here. IIe has held every office in the Sunday school and church and is now president of the board of trustees, and has been for years. For eight years Dr. Bridges has been president of the B. Y. P. U. and now of the library which contains over 400 volumes. In politics he is a Democrat. Very prominent in the Knights of Pythias he has been chancellor and commander for three terms and is now master of the exchequer of the order. For twenty years he has been recorder of the Court of Honor. Professionally he has taken an active part in the organization and maintenance of the Christian County Medical Society, of which he was second president, and he also belongs to the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. For three years he has been president of the Stonington Chautauqua As- sociation, and largely instrumental in securing the continuance of its annual meetings.
BROCKELSBY, Charles Henry, a substantial farmer of Section 2, Buckhart Township, is a man whose connection with agricultural matters makes his name a familiar one in Christian County. He was born north of the fair grounds in Sangamon County, Ill., February 1, 1860. a son of Charles and Amelia (Barber) Brockelsby; natives of England, who were reared, educated and married in their native land. Charles Brockelsby learned the milling trade in England and followed it for a number of years prior to coming to the United States. The trip across the ocean was made in a sailing vessel which took six weeks to make the passage. For a time he worked at his trade in Ohio, and then came to Sangamon County. Ill., where he was engaged in farming. Later he was made engineer in the old distillery in his locality, and was thus en- gaged the remainder of his life, dying in San- gamon County, as did his wife.
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