USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 64
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Following his return home from military serv- ice, Mr. McQuigg concluded to enter Vermilion College, Ohio, and make an effort to finish his education, deciding however, to drop the study of Greek as he did not think that would be an aid to him in the profession of law, which he intended to take up as his life work. In this college finishing the regular course, with the exception of Greek but including a French course. without delay he entered the law office of A. S. McClure, of Wooster, Ohio, who was one of the best lawyers in that part of the state and had served several terms in Congress. While reading law in this office, in the fall of 1865 he entered the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and took the full course, being graduated in the spring of 1867 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. After his gradu- ation he went to his parents' home in Ohio and soon thereafter to Columbus, where he was ex- amined in the district court of that state and was admitted to the bar. Immediately he es- tablished himself as a resident of Pana, Ill., where he formed a partnership to practice law. with A. C. McMillen. This partnership was dissolved six months later and Mr. McQuigg con- tinued alone in practice until 1898, when he formed a law partnership with E. E. Dowell, who had read law in his office until he was ad- mitted to the bar. During all the time he was alone, Mr. McQuigg had a large practice and gave strict attention to his business, and since, he has been in partnership with Mr. Dowell their business has prospered and given the best of satisfaction.
Mr. McQuigg has been married three times. His first marriage was to Miss Marion Patton, of Pana, June 8, 1869, at the home of her wid- owed mother, Mrs. Martha Patton. IIer father, William R. Patton, a railroad contractor, died when she was a child. Mrs. McQuigg was born at Allegheny, Pa. She died January 22, 1883, a woman of fine endowments, well educated and highly respected by all who knew her. Two children survived her: Myron W., who is a traveling contractor and resides with his family in Kansas City; and Florence M., who is the wife of Ilarry White. Jr., a banker in Indiana, P'a .. where they are living happy and contented. The second marriage of Mr. McQuigg took place February 12, 1887, to Mrs. Mary E. ( McKenney ) Amberson, of Allegheny, Pa. Mrs. McQuigg died April 12, 1887. She was a very accomplished
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
lady and was greatly admired. She is survived by a daughter who was born to her first mar- riage, who is now Mrs. Lewis Overholt, formerly of Pana but for some years residing in Chicago. Both Mrs. White and Mrs. Overholt are grad- uates of a female seminary. The former is a good public speaker, and the latter is well known in social and musical circles in Chicago, being highly gifted in music. The one son of Mr. and Mrs. Overholt prefers the climate and environ- ments of Pana rather than Chicago and makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. McQuigg. On Sep- tember 15. 1892, Mr. McQuigg was married to Miss Sadie McKenney, a sister of his former wife. She at that time was a resident of Alle- gheney and is a daughter of William and Mar- garet McKenney, the former of whom was con- cerned with iron interests at Pittsburgh for many years. Mrs. McQuigg is accomplished and refined and is also home loving and domestic in her tastes.
When Mr. MeQuigg came to Pana to enter upon the duties of his profession, he was some- what hampered by limited means, and thus was able to purchase but a small law library, but he went to work energetically, with the determina- tion to make the law a success and to elevate its practice as far as it was in his power, so that those coming in contact with it would see that the law is a very honorable and highly accom- plished profession. He has accumulated one of the most valuable law libraries in the county and also a well selected literary library. He has always been faithful to his clients, courteous to the court and bar, has never squandered his money foolishly and has always been liberal to the poor. No one ever came to his office in want or stopped at the back door of his dwelling house, if worthy, who ever went away empty- handed. Mr. McQuigg's investments have gen- erally been in real estate with which he was well acquainted, for he has seemed to be a good judge of that kind of property, and now, from his investments in real estate, he has 1.500 acres of valuable agricultural land within six miles of Pana.
Mr. McQuigg has never had any desire to hold office, although when he was a young practi- tioner he was elected city attorney for several terms, but in later years would not consent to make the race for any municipal office. In what was known as the Tikden campaign in 1876, when everything in this part of the state went Democratic, he was nominated on the Republican ticket for state's attorney, and although the county went nearly 900 Democratic, he was only defeated by eighty-three votes and could have been elected if he had been fairly freated by an element of Republicans in the neighborhood of Taylorville. The only time afterward that he ran for any position was as elector on the Garfield Republican ticket in the presidential election of 1SS0, wheni he was elected with all the Republican electors in Illinois. He has been an active member of the Republican party ever since the election of Lincoln, believing in the
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principles of that party and has voted for every Republican presidential nominee since the days of the great president, having voted for him both times he was a candidate.
As a lawyer, Mr. McQuigg has won an enviable and honorable reputation which he is worthy of, by the skill and ability which he has always manifested in the prosecution of his chosen pro- fession. Both in public and private life he has been true to all that goes to make up an admir- able character, and the high and sincere regard of many friends is freely given him. Both he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church and have an abiding faith in its doctrines.
McTAGGART, Alexander H., a retired farmer of Pana, who during former years was an important factor in the agricultural life of Christian Coun- ty, was born in Washington County, Ohio, Janu- ary 15, 1841, and died at Pana, Ill., January 5. 1917. He was a son of Neil and Catherine (Lonichan) McTaggart. His father was born in Argyle, Scotland, January 1, 1811, and, farmer by calling. he came to America in 1831 and settled in Washington County, Ohio, where he bought 160 acres of land. He moved to Marion County. Iowa, in 1864, and bought 200 acres of land and remained there until his death in August, 1894. In politics first a Whig, later he became a Democrat and then a Republican. The Presbyterian Church had his support. The mother was born in Ayre, Scotland, in April, 1817, and died in Washington County, Ohio, in May, 1861, She also was a Presbyterian. Neil and Catherine McTaggart had the following children : David, who is deceased; Neil, who is deceased ; Daniel A., who is a retired farmer and banker of Knoxville. Iowa; Isabella, who married, is now deceased ; Hugh E., who is a railroad conductor in Oklahoma ; Duncan D., who is deceased ; Mary J., who married, is de- ceased ; Douglas D. (2), who is a traveling sales- man, of Omaha, Neb .; and Alexander H.
After attending the schools of his native coun- ty, Alexander H. McTaggart worked on his father's farm until June 20, 1861, when he an- swered the first call for three-year men for serv- ice during the Civil War, and enlisted at Cool- ville, Ohio, in Company K, Thirty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Col. John Grosbeck. Ile was mustered into the service at Camp Den- nison, Ohio, serving until June, 1865, when he was discharged at Louisville, Ky., and later was mustered out at Camp Dennison. Ohio. En- listing as a private, he was promoted through the ranks until he was first lieutenant of Com- pany D. The Thirty-ninth was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, Sixteenth and Sev- enteenth Corps, and was first under General Pope. He was at New Madrid, Island No. 10, siege of Corinth. Iuka, and in all the Atlanta campaign from Chattanooga to the sea, and up through the Carolinas, the last battle being at Bentonville, N. C .. after which the regiment marched from Raleigh, N. C., to Washington, D. C., and took part in the grand review. Mr.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
McTaggart was once wounded, at the battle of Atlanta, Ga., in the left shoulder, which incapac- itated him for service for about two months.
On July 18, 1865, Mr. McTaggart was married in Washington County, Ohio, to Miss Margaret Brown, who was born iin Washington County, Ohio, November 16, 1840, and died at Pana, Ill., November 30, 1913. Her parents, James and Elizabeth (Ralston) Brown, were born in Scot- land and came to America about 1831, settling in Ohio, where they farmed for a period and then came on to Shelby County, Ill., arriving there in 1870, and remained in that neighbor- hood until death. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McTaggart, namely : Edwin H., who was born in Shelby County, Ill., August 11, 1870, is a dentist and lives at Junction, Tex. ; William F., who was born in Shelby County, Ill., August 3, 1872, is engaged in an automobile business at Pana ; and Arthur C., who was born in Shelby County, Ill., February 17, 1874, is en- gaged in farming on the home farm in Shelby County. comprising 140 acres, which was owned by his father.
Mr. McTaggart came to Illinois in 1866, and engaged in farming in Shelby County until 1895 when he retired from active business. In 1900 he came to Pana. and made it his home ever afterward, his residence having been at No. 415 Kitchell Avenue, which house he bought in 1900. In 1SSS he was elected a presidential elector for the Eighteenth district, and in 1894 was elected as a representative to the Thirty- ninth General Assembly of Illinois, and served on several committees. In 1905 he was appoint- ed postmaster of Pana and served for eight years, his political affiliations being with the Republican party. A charter member of Oconee Post. G. A. R., he was post commander, and when he later transferred his membership to Pope Post No. 411, G. A. R., he was made its commander and retained that office. TIe was on the chief staff and served as aid-de-camp for two years, and was also junior vice com- mander of the Department of Illinois. He was very active in the councils of his party, serving on committees, and acting as delegate to district and state conventions. The Presbyterian Church held his membership. Mrs. McTaggart was a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, and was very active also in the work of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
McWARD, David, a substantial retired farmer of Taylorville, who is accepted as one of the best types of the modern agriculturist Christian County has produced, was born in Ireland, August 20, 1846, a son of Richard and Eliza (Wilson) McWard. The parents were natives of the same place as their son, and there died. the father at the age of fifty-eight years, and the mother at the age of ninety years.
David McWard grew up in Ireland where he was educated, and when twenty years old. he came to the United States to join his brother Robert, in Sangamon County, Ill. For a time
after his arrival, David McWard worked among the farmers by the month, and then was in Cot- ton Hill Township as a renter for two years. He then went to White Oak Township, Montgomery County, and spent a year. His first purchase of land was an eighty-acre tract in King Township. Christian County, but he later sold it and leased a farm in Ricks Township. It was wild prairie land, but he improved it and lived on it for five years. Leaving this he bought 120 acres in Johnson Township, adding to it until he had 395 acres and lived on it for forty years, or until his retirement. He also bought 200 acres cast of Clarksdale, Johnson County, and still owns both farms. In 1910 he retired and moved to Taylor- ville where he bought a comfortable residence that he still owns. He has other farm property in Illinois, his entire holdings amounting to 1,180 acres in Illinois, and 23712 acres in Kansas. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, having belonged to this order for thirty-eight years. In politics he is a Democrat. For many years he has been a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church.
In 1865 Mr. McWard was married to Miss Ellen Homer, a daughter of Andy and Helen (Elliott) Homer, natives of Ireland, who moved to the vicinity of Glasgow,. Scotland, where the father had a valuable farm. Still later he went to Barehead, Scotland, and there died. It was at the latter place that Mr. and Mrs. McWard were married. Their children are as follows: Sarah. Eliza Jane, Richard. William, David, Mary Ellen. Letitia, Margaret, Robert, Amy and Maud, of whon Robert died at the age of nineteen years. When Mr. McWard first came to Illinois deer and other wild game were plentiful on his farm. His remarkable success in life has come through hard work and intelligent thrift, and no man stands any higher in Christian County than he.
McWARD, David, Jr., one of the leading farm- ers of Bear Creek Township, is a native of Christian County, having been born in Ricks Township, near Hog Lake, April 6, 1874, a son of David and Ellen ( Holmes) McWard. When he was a year old, David McWard, Jr. was taken by his parents to Johnson Township, and he attended school there and in Bear Creek Town- ship. Until he was twenty-eight years old he remained with his father, but at that time bought 120 acres of land in Bear Creek Township, that he has since increased to 320 acres, all of which he devotes .to general farming and stockraising.
On September 3, 1902, Mr. McWard was mar- ried to Miss Mary Suites, of Johnson Township, a daughter of Charles and Illinois (Walker) Suites, who were natives of New Cumberland. Ohio, and Greenwood Township, Christian County, Ill., respectively. The father of Mrs. McWard came from Ohio to Illinois when a young man, and bought land, and he is still living in Greenwood Township. In politics he is a Democrat, and he belongs to the Modern Wood- men of America. Mr. and Mrs. McWard have three children .: Vinton, who was born July 16, 1904; William, who was born February 11, 1906 ;
JAMES WHITE
MRS. JAMES WHITE
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
and Mabel, who was born December 22, 1907. Mr. McWard belongs to the order of Moose. In politics he is a Democrat.
MEACHAM, James W., postmaster of Roby, where he is a prosperous merchant, is one of the substantial and representative men of Christian County. He was born in Sangamon County, November 13, 1866, a son of John H. and Leah (Jarrett) Meacham, farming people of Christian County.
James W. Meacham attended the schools of Christian County, and lived on the family home- stead until 1903, when he embarked in his pres- ent business, and has built it up through his honorable methods. For a time Mr. Meacham had as a partner A. E. Belt, but the association was later severed, when Mr. Meacham bought his partner's interest, and since then he has continued alone. A Democrat, his services to his party received material recognition in his ap- pointment as postmaster in 1913, and he still , retains that office.
On September 26, 1894, Mr. Meacham was united in marriage, at Roby, Ill., with Abbie Dean, who was born December 31, 1867, in Maeon County, Ill., daughter of John D. and Ellen A. (Harlett) Dean. They have one son, Donald C., born October 16, 1896. They have also reared Paul D. Lahne, who was born February 3, 1901, having taken him when he was ten days old. Mr. Meacham belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In addition to his other interests, he owns stock in the elevator at Roby, and is one of the live men of the place, whose efforts are being exerted toward further development of business here.
METEER, C. W., was well and favorably known at Pana, where. for many years, he was one of the valued employes of the American Express Company. Ile was born at Sharpsburg, Ky., July 4. 1846, and he died November 28, 1914, at Pana, Ill., at age of sixty-eight years. He was one in a family of four sons and two daugh- ters born to his parents of whom one son and two daughters survive. When C. W. Meteer was eight months old his father died, and the mother brought her family to Pana, Ill., although the Meteer family still has representatives in Ken- tucky.
In 1880 C. W. Meteer was married to Ellen Eller, and they became the parents of three children, namely: Amy, who was born August 9. 1881, married O. II. Metcalf, and they have one child. Wayne; llarry W., who lives at Chi- cago and is with the American Express Com- pany, was born in 1884, is married and has two children ; and Elizabeth M., who was born November 20, 1895. All of Mr. Meteer's business life was spent with the American Express Com- pany, and he was highly esteemed by his em- ployers as he was faithful in the discharge of liis duties, and very capable. The Methodist Church had in him a faithful member. When he died he was a school trustee, and his frater- nal connection was with the Modern Woodmen
of America. Mrs. Meteer was reared by her step-mother, and came of a fine old Kentucky family.
MICHAEL, James B., for years one of the leading business men of Assumption, where he was engaged in a hay and grain brokerage busi- ness, was born near Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio, March 23, 1856, a son of Jacob and Mary (Walters) Michael. The father, who was born in Maryland, was educated in his native state and became a large farmer and stockman there. Later on in life he went to Muskingum County, Ohio, where he was married, bought land and dealt in stock until 1865. In that year he came to Shelby County, Ill., leaving after a short time for Iowa, where he operated a farm for four years. Still later he came to Assumption, Ill., where he bought a residence, and lived in retirement until his death in 1885. The mother died in 1872.
James B. Michael remained with his parents until he was eighteen years old. attending school and assisting his father. He then rented a farm in Christian County, Ill., and operated it for ten years. In 1887 he went to Iowa, and buying a farm in Ringgold County operated it for four years. Returning to Christian County, he located at Dunkle Station in Assumption Township, onl the Illinois Central Railroad, and engaged in a grain and hay business, and operated a hay- pressing machine. IIis business grew to propor- tions that justified his moving to Assumption, and there he established a like enterprise, and at the same time continued the business at Dunkle Station. In 1884 he shipped over 400 acres of hay. Subsequently, with his brother Jacob, he started a grain and hay business at Deeatur, Ill., but later bought out his brother, and con- tinued personally to conduct all branches of his business. During this period of activity, he bought 160 acres of land in Assumption Town- ship, and owned it in conjunction with his several business houses, which he was operating at the time of his death in 1911, when he was fifty-six years old. He was a member of Hack- berry Camp No. 251, M. W. A. A Democrat, he served for a number of years on the village board, and was prominent in local affairs. Start- ing in life without means, through hard work and thrift, he made a small fortune, and firmly established himself in the confidence and friend- ship of his associates. During his business career at Assumption, he suffered the misfortune of having his hay and grain elevators destroyed by fire on three separate occasions. He also lost two hay barns by tornadoes, but he did not allow these losses, heavy though they were, to dis- courage him, but kept working to accomplish his purpose, and was very successful in every respect.
On June 9, 1885, Mr. Michael was married to Miss Celina Audibert, of Assumption, a daughter of Peter and Clarice (Burgess) Audibert, born in the vicinity of Quebec, Canada. The parents were married in Canada, but later eame to As- sumption, Ill., where the father of Mrs. Michael was in the employ of the Illinois Central Rail-
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
road. Mr. and Mrs. Michael had six children, nameły : Ina, who married L. J. Behl, a druggist of Assumption ; and Eva, Lelah, Eula, James and Wayne.
MILLBURG, John H., one of the prosperous farmers of Ricks Township, and a man widely and favorably known in Christian County, was born in Ricks Township, February 17, 1868, a son of Adam and Lena (Brookamp) Millburg, farm- ing people, who had nine children. Until he was twenty-two years old, John H. Millburg worked on the farm with his father, and then went to Waggoner, Ill., where he spent eleven years. He then bought three eighty-acre tracts of land, situated on sections 19, 29 and 30, Ricks Township, and devoted himself to raising cattle and hogs. Of late years he has turned much of the active management over to his son-in-law, Ben Boehler. This farm is one of the finest in the county, the farm buildings being numerous and commodious, the equipment of the most modern kind. It is Mr. Millburg's opinion that the best is none too good in conducting his work, and his success proves that he is right. lle owns an automobile.
On August 26, 1890, Mr. Millburg was married to Louisa Wittekamp of Ricks Township. Mr. and Mrs. Millburg have had seven children, as follows : Lena, who was born September 5, 1891. was married to Ben Boeliler, and they have two children, Maria and Mildred ; Einma, who was born June 1, 1892, was married to Abe Rhodes, a farmer of Ricks Township, and they have one child, Marcella ; Cecelia, who was born August 28, 1895, was married to William Kelmel, a farmer of Ricks Township; Josephine, who was born March 18, 1899; Florence, who was born November 29, 1903 : Marie, who was born Decem- ber 17. 1906 ; and Elenora, who was born August 0, 1908. The Catholic Church holds the family membership. Mr. Millburg owns stock in the First National Bank of Morrisonville, and is one of the directors of that institution. He has served his district as a school director, and has proven himself at all times as worthy the con- fidence reposed in him.
MILLHON, Homer B., M. D., one of the leading physicians of Owaneco, and a man who stands high in his profession, was born in Locnst Town- ship, September 28. 1870, a son of Jeremiah and Catherine (Law) Millhon, natives of Ohio, who came to Christian County, Ill., about 1863, locat- ing in Locust Township, where the father died April 27. 1908, the mother surviving until July 30, 1914, when she passed away, having been born Angust 24, 1834, while the father was born October 25, 1832. A man of prominence in Lo- cust Township, he became a charter member of Owaneco Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and both he and the mother were active members of the Christian Church, of which he was a trustee for many years. They had three children, as follows: Robert M., who is a farmer of Locust Township : Campy, who is the wife of Sontine T. Danford of Owaneco; and Homer B.
Homer B. Millhon was reared on his father's farm in Locust Township, and there received his preliminary educational training. After leaving the public schools, he taught school for nine years, but in 1899 began the study of medicine in the medical department of the Northwestern University, having previously studied for a time at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at St. Louis, Mo. In 1903 he was graduated from the Northwestern University, with the degree of M. D., and came at once to Owaneco, where he has since continued in active practice. Dr. Mill- hon was one of the physicians who secured the hospital at Taylorville, and has served on its staff ever since. He belongs to the Christian Connty Medical Society, the Illinois State Medi- cal Society and the American Medical Associa- tion. In politics he is a Republican, while frater- nally he is a Mason.
On October 2, 1906, Dr. Millhon was married in Locust Township to Miss Rosella Clawson, a daughter of Warren A. and Margaret (Clin- son) Clawson, of Christian County. Dr. and Mrs. Milllion have one son, Jeremiah Andrew, who was born March 16, 1908. In addition to his income from his large practice. Dr. Millhon has one from eighty-five acres of land he owns in Locust Township. A man of education, his influence is directed toward securing for his community better advantages along every line and improvement in sanitary conditions.
MILLIGAN, David J., now deceased, was one of the extensive farmers of Christian County, and a forceful factor in the life of Mt. Auburn Township. He was born in Christian County, Ill., November 13, 1833, a son of Furgus Milli- gan, and he died December 26, 1913, on his homestead. On January 26, 1864, David J. Mil- ligan was married in Mt. Auburn Township to Rachel Hunter, born in Christian County, Ill., March 10, 1843, a daughter of William and Mary E. (Dickerson) Hunter, natives of Kentucky, who were farming people of Christian County for many years. They owned 135 acres of land in Mosquito Township, and when Mr. Hunter died, Mr. Milligan bought the Hunter homestead, later adding to it until he had 500 acres of land on which he lived until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Milligan had the following children : Mrs. Mary B. Bramel, who lives on the farm, her children being,-Charles W., who was married to Bertha Browning, has two children, Mildred P. and Dolly W., and Horace L., who was married to Ruth Dunn, has two children, Marjorie and Rob- ert F .; Mrs. Martha Eddy Henderson, who died April 12, 1914, leaving the following children,- John A., who married Margaret Hilton, has two children, William A. and Martha J .; Lena B., who was married to Clyde Hardbarger, has three children .- Anna L., David J. and Floy 1. ; and Charles E., who married Mary Dande- line, had the following children,-Virgie M., who married Orval Allen, Velma F., Veta M. and Verna A. Mr. Milligan was a Mason and always voted the Democratic ticket. He was supervisor of his township for one term. Not
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