USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 67
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I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand and treas- urer, and he is a member of the order of Rebekah's, and serves that fraternity as treas- urer. Coming of an old and honored family, Mr. Padgett lives up to its traditions, and is typical of the best class of Christian County men.
PALMER, W. R., a retired farmer, who for- merly took a prominent part in agricultural matters, is now living at Morrisonville. He was born in Devonshire, England, September 15, 1846, a son of William and Sarah (Rattenbnry) Palmer, and one of five children. The father was a farmer and substantial man. In 1869 Mr. Palmer came to the United States, and stopped for five years in Ricks Township, Chris- tian County, on rented land. He then bought a farm on section 27, in Ricks Township, and con- ducted it until 1911, when he moved to Morri- sonville.
On June 24, 1881, Mr. Palmer was married to Eliza G. Horn, a daughter of James Horn and Susan ( Short) Horn. Mr. Horn was a con- tractor. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer became the parents of the following children: William John, who was born March 12, 1882, is conduct- ing the homestead, and married Miss Clickner and they have two children,-Alice Ruth and Gladys Louise; Nellie, who married Ralph Free- man, a mechanic, was born March 9, 1885; and Edith, who was born June 18, 1893, married Ray Wilson, a merchant. In politics Mr. Palmer is a Republican and he was a school director for twenty-nine years, drainage com- missioner for seventeen years, and highway commissioner for six years. His fine farm of 200 acres in Ricks Township is one of the most valuable in the county, and he still owns all of it, and the greater part of the improvements on it were made by him.
PARKER, C. M., teacher, educator, publisher. No calling brings into play a more diversified exhibition of capability than that of teaching. In order to rise to any distinction in that pro- fession, it is necessary first to possess the nat- ural inclination towards the work, withont which it is almost impossible to render efficient service, and superimposed upon this must be a training that is almost perfect in its details, coupled with a long and varied experience. The life of a conscientious teacher is one of self abnegation and sacrifice that has its reward in the realization that young minds are developed properly and characters trained so that in the future when the stress of life is brought to bear upon them, they are able to meet all demands promptly and effectively. Illinois has produced some distinguished men who have devoted them- selves to this honored calling, and perhaps none of them stand forth more prominently than the late C. M. Parker, of Taylorville. Mr. Parker was born near Wilkesboro, N. C., September 17, 18CO, a son of Samuel S. and Elizabeth (Call) Parker. After the death of the father, during a period of service in the Confederate army, the mother was again married, to John K. Lundy,
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and in 1867 the family came to Christian County, Ill., to join relatives.
While still a lad. C. M. Parker suffered the loss of his stepfather, and his mother died two days later, so he was left with five half sisters and brothers to the care of relatives. The lad was of too independent a spirit, however, to long remain dependent, and he not only soon became selt-supporting, but as soon as able took the three surviving members of the little family into his own home and assisted them in securing an education.
After acquiring what schooling he could, in the intervals of farm work, Mr. Parker studied by himself and fitted himself for a teacher's certificate, which he secured when only eighteen years old. He then taught school in the country schools of Christian and Macon counties, and the city schools of Taylorville until 18SS, during that period taking a six months' course at West- field College at Westfield, Ill. When Mr. Parker first entered the educational field, there was little or no system observed in the conduct of the rural schools, and the matter of supervising and grading them received the attention of some of the master minds of the period, among them being Mr. Parker, who for a quarter of a century published the state course of study, acting as agent of the state association. This course, which now embraces 288 pages, is used in the majority of the counties of the state, and in a number of the other states. Its present form is largely due to Mr. Parker, and if he had accom- plished nothing more, the cause of education would owe him a heavy debt. In June, 1887. Mr. Parker founded the School News, which was de- signed to explain the outlines of the state course of study, but later the scope was materially widened and the circulation increased, until the publication was sent all over the country. He also published and circulated millions of copies of his Penny Classics, and Picture Studies, the idea of both of them being original with Mr. Parker. The School News printing plant was destroyed by fire, July 11, 1909, together with a 30,000 edition of the course of study, and large editions of 400 other publications, but fortunately the plates were preserved. and with customary energy Mr. Parker resumed publication, and erected a fire-proof building on the site of his old one, in which he was able to give much more efficient service. For many years Mr. Parker lectured upon the Course of Study, at Teachers' institutes in Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania, and in this way he not ouly instructed others, but was brought in close contact with teachers. learning their needs, and sharing in their ideas and views. He was practically the author, and published the work on orthography, known as Cavins' Orthography, which method revolution- izes the teaching of this subject.
In addition to his connection with educational interests, Mr. Parker was vice-president of the Farmers' National Bank of Taylorville, presi- dent of the Home Building and Loan Association. treasurer of the Christian County Telephone Company, vice-president of the Taylorville
Chautauqua, a member of the library board, and president of the township high school board of education. Not only was he a member of the Baptist Church, but he was superintendent of the Sunday school of that denomination at Taylorville, and chairman of the executive com- mittee when the State Sunday School conven- tion met at Taylorville in 1903.
In 1883 he was married to Leoncra L. Wright, and they had four children, namely: Minnie Parker Stults; Jennie Parker Richards; Lieut. Howard K. Parker, of the Third Field Artillery, N. G. N. Y .; and Charles Leroy, who has suc- ceeded to his father's business. C. M. Parker's death occurred August 24, 1916, after a year of ill health, and interment was made at Oak Hill Cemetery, Taylorville. No better tribute can be paid to the memory of Mr. Parker than that offered by his friend and admirer, F. G. Blair, state superintendent of public instruction of Illinois, which is quoted in full :
"C. M. Parker, An Appreciation.
"He was practical. No doubt hie dreamed dreams and saw visions in education but he dreamed with his eyes open and all his visions sprang from and were a part of the day's work. His theory was a definite aim and plan of work ; his work was an expression of his theory. No one would call him an educational reformer. He lacked the big acclaim, the big voice and the big word. Yet everything he touched grew bigger and better. His method was quiet, simple and direct. He wrote no prospectuses, no introduc- tions. no forewords. He began with the begin- ning of a matter, and closed with the ending.
"He knew that the educational heaven was not reached by a single bound ; that every teacher must climb to its summit round by round. There was need of a ladder whose near end should rest upon the plain solid earth. IIe did his part in making that ladder and in fixing it firmly for unsteady and inexperienced feet. No one saw more clearly than he that the big day's work in the public schools was done by the plain teacher. No one knew better than he that the outcome of the whole educational matter depended upon the way she did that city's work. No one did more than he for strengthening her hands for the doing of that day's work. He had learned the lesson that there was neither time nor opportunity for the foolish virgin to get oil for the lamp after the bridegroom was an- nounced. That bridegroom he knew would appear in every schoolroom, every time a teacher called a class. He not only filled the teacher with a desire for light but he helped her to fill her lamp with the stuff that made the light. He formulated no new theories in education. nor wrote new books to restate old ones. He re- joiced that others could and would do all that. In fact, he rarely. if ever, wrote or spoke on all educational topic. He worked through others. His thought dropped from another's pen. Ilis ideas took form above another's name. Yet all the while he thought and planned and worked. He thought, and the School News opened in the
8.216. Wirl
Carrie E. Werl.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
hands of ten thousand working teachers. He 1863, died in infancy ; Elizabeth, who was born planned, and a new course of study arose out of the old. IIe worked, and the children in a thousand schools were better taught.
"He saw clearly the near end of the educa- tional heaven and gave full measure of his thought and life to the great cause by helping the teacher to do in a bigger and better way her (lay's work."
.
PARSONS, Lemuel, now living retired at Rose- mond, Ill., was for years one of the leading men of Christian County and he stands ex- tremely high in public estimation. He was born at Hinsdale, Mass., December 5, 1825, a son of Lemuel and Achsah (Richards) Parsons, being one of nine children born to his parents. His paternal grandfather was also Lemuel Parsons.
His education was limited, being acquired in an old time schoolhouse, sitting on a slab for a seat, with no back, and so high his feet could not touch the floor. He also had one term in a select school, and one year in the first normal school in the United States, conducted by Holl. Horace Mann. Then he taught school two years in New York state; one year in Massa- cliusetts ; four years in Connecticut, after which his health failed and he took a short sea voy- age. On his return he secured a position in a summer resort on an island, where he remained two summers, and taught school in the winter. Hle then went to Brandon, Miss., where he taught in the high school one year. IIe was next employed to teach in the "Magruder Col- legiate Institute" at Baton Rouge, La., where he was associated with Benjamin D. Magruder, who afterwards was elected for two terms judge of the Supreme Court of the State of Illi- nois. Mr. Parsons remained in this school for six years. When the Civil War broke out, it was too uncomfortable for a northern man to remain in the south, so one month after Fort Sumpter fell, he with other northern men, took a boat for Cairo, Ill. At Memphis, Tenn., they were held as prisoners and searched, and weapons taken from them, but, after one night, were allowed to continue their journey by rail. On reaching Cairo, their hearts were filled with joy at the sight of "our boys in blue" and the "Stars and Stripes" waving above them.
He has been a staunch Republican all his life, and at the age of ninety-two is still as staunch. He was Justice of the Peace for a long term of years and he was supervisor of his town- ship for ten years. One of the founders and charter members of the Congregational Church he has always been loyal to it.
While living in the south, Mr. Parsons was married to Mary E. Moxley, who died in 1878. and they had the following children : Mary Mc- Gruder, who was born in January, 1860, was married to the celebrated literary character, John H. Glotfelter, vice-president of the normal school at Oshkosh, Wis., and she taught with him for some years, and she was named for Judge McGruder of the Supreme Court of Illi- nois; lIenry Moxley, who was born March 22,
August 7, 1865, died in 1875; and Nellie, who was born September 29, 1867, lives in Kansas City, Mo., and is the wife of W. P. Morley. a commission merchant, and they have four chil- dren. In 1881 Mr. Parsons was married (sec- ond) to Mrs. Ione Maxon of Springfield, Ill., a daughter of John Paine of Springfield, a furniture dealer. Mrs. Parsons has had three children : Paul, who was born June 27, 1873, died at the age of twenty-four years, having been a gradu- ate of the Northwestern University of Chicago. taking highest honors; Mildred, who was born May 14, 1878, married Elzy C. Cavins. an ex- school teacher, now a farmer of Coles County, Ill., and they have five children ; and Lemuella. who was born November 20, 1883, married Her- bert Wilcox. They live in Anthony, Kas., and have four children.
PAYNE, Harlen Aaron, a farmer of Bear Creek Township, and dealer in horses, and operator of a threshing machine, is a man of large in- terests and progressive ideas. He was born in Meade County, Ky., December 8, 1862, a son of James and Harriet (Buckler) Payne, both natives of Kentucky. The paternal grand- parents were natives of Virginia. The parents never left Kentucky, where both died, the father having been a farmer and stockman on a large scale. His political views were in accordance with the principles of the Democratic party. and the Baptist Church held his membership.
Until he was sixteen years old IIarlen Aaron Payne lived in Kentucky where he attended the public schools. At that time he went to Mis- souri. later to Arkansas, and then July 17, 1880, arrived in Bear Creek Township. Until he was twenty-one years old, he worked for Fletcher IIaines of that township, but after attaining his majority he rented the Kirkwood farm for seven years. Moving to Palmer, he bought his present farm of 179 acres in its vicinity and since then has been very busy developing his various lines.
On March 25, 1885, Mr. Payne was married to Miss Edna Dailey, of Bear Creek Township, a daughter of Jesse and Katherine (Deal) Dailey. natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respec- tively, and old settlers of Christian County. They spent a time in Macoupin County upon first coming to Illinois, but soon migrated to Christian County and both died at Palmer, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Payne became the parents of four children, Roy, and three who died in infancy. Roy was born January 5, 1887, and was married to Viola Durbin and they became the parents of the following children: Lucy Lucille, Edna Maria and Julia Lavaughn. Mr. Payne belongs to the Odd Fellows. Ilaving always voted the Democratic ticket, he supports the principles of his party and served as a school director for twenty years.
PEABODY, Charles A., one of the substantial farmers of Taylorville Township. although for some years a resident of Taylorville, is a man widely and favorably known throughout Chris-
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tian County. Ile was born in Christian County, Ill., July 28, 1848, a son of William S. and Sarah (Button) Peabody, natives of Stonington, Conn. The father came to Christian County with the Stonington Colony, and when the town, founded by the colony, was vacated, he bought the town site. The paternal grandfather, Deacon Samuel Peabody, was the moving spirit in the coloniza- tion scheme, and brought his family of five sons and five daughters with him, to all of whom he gave 160 acres of land. His death occured in 1853 when he was drowned in Flat Branch Creek, near the town he had helped to found. The father conducted the 160 acres given him by his father and the 160 acres of the town site he had acquired by purchase, and later bought at three different times eighty acres of land, so that he had in all 570 acres of land in Stoning- ton Township, where he died in 1885. In addi- tion to his farming he did considerable work as a carpenter, and built many of the first build- ings at Taylorville, including the first log jail. Ile was a strong Baptist. Until the formation of the Republican party, he was a Democrat, but thereafter espoused the principles of the new party. The mother died in 1895.
Charles A. Peabody attended the schools of Stonington, and for a year, the schools of Mt. Zion in Macon County, Ill. For some years he was a farmer and feeder of stock in Stonington Township, where for three years he served as assessor, and he was also supervisor for two terms. Then he went west, and remained there for thirteen years, but returning bought land in Taylorville Township, which he has since con- ducted. although later he moved to Taylorville.
On April 20, 1872, Mr. Peabody was married to Miss Mary Shaw of Christian County, a daughter of Samuel Shaw. Mr. and Mrs. Pea- body have five children, as follows: Howard, who is at Fargo, N. D. ; Ross E., who is a far- mer located six miles east of Taylorville ; Grace. who is Mrs. II. C. Pence of Taylorville; Ruth V .. who is Mrs. Dr. Hoffman of Allentown, Pa. : and Christy A., who is a farmer, located eleven miles east of Taylorville. Mr. Peabody is a Methodist. The Republican party and candi- dates receive his support. Fraternally he be- longs to the Odd Fellows. The family home at No. 537 N. Cherokee street, is a very pleasant one, and here Mr. and Mrs. Peabody entertain their friends.
PEABODY, Henry Augustus, one of the retired men of Taylorville, and one with widely diversi- fied interests in Christian County, was born in Prairieton Township, this county, September 27, 1848, a son of Amos Prentiss and Wilhelmina ( Stecker) Peabody, natives of Stonington, Conn., and Germany, respectively. The father and grandfather came to Christian County at a very early day, and were among the founders of the Stonington Settlement. The father became a farmer of Stonington and Prairieton townships, and was active until within a few years of his death, which occurred in 1897, when he was eighty-two years old. The mother died in 1850.
Both were consistent members of the Baptist Church.
HIenry A. Peabody began to be self support- ing when he was only fourteen years old. At that time he wrapped up his few personal pos- sessions in his coat, and after leaving home worked on farms until February, 1875, when he came to Taylorville, where he made his home until he bought 120 acres of land in Prairieton Township, which he conducted for some years. When the farmers organized granges in the sev- enties, Mr. Peabody, as a man of recognized business ability, was asked to look after the work, and for three years did so, and then bought them out. For over twenty years he was actively engaged in a grocery and implement business at Taylorville, but sold his interests in these lines in 1899, and since then has been engaged in supervising his farm and writing some life insurance business. In addition to his farm he owns four residences and five lots at Taylor- ville. Recently he conducted the store owned by the A. Colegrove estate.
In 1880 Mr. Peabody was married (first) to Jennie E. Jones, who died in 1893, leaving one son. Frederick A. In 1900 Mr. Peabody was married (second) to Lucy Jane Rape. In politics he is a Republican, and he belongs to the Baptist Church, Mr. Peabody was one of the organizers of the Knights of Pythias lodge in 1875, and be- came a charter member of the Modern Woodmen of America in 1885, and a charter member of the Court of Honor in 1895.
PEABODY, John Randall, born in Stonington Township, Christian County, Ill., February 26, 1868, was a son of James Allen and Sarah Eliza- beth (Hewett) Peabody. The father was born in Stonington, Ill., January 6, 1844, and died October 2, 1908, while the mother was born in North Stonington, Conn., March 24, 1840, and (lied May 26, 1916. The grandparents on the father's side were members of the Stonington colony that came to Christian County, Ill., from North Stonington, Conn., in 1836.
After attending the public schools of his native township, a business college, and the University of Illinois, Mr. Peabody settled down to farming, in which calling he has ever since engaged. On September 25, 1895, he was mar- ried at Oak Hill, Jackson County, Ohio, to Maude Evelyn Henson, daughter of Larkin (1807-189S) and Elizabeth (1820-1906). Mrs. Peabody died at El Paso, Texas, March 7, 1903, leaving the following children : Dorothy Alice, born August 1, 1897 ; Paul Henson, born October 5. 1898; Ernest Elliot, born January 6, 1900; Mildred Elizabeth, born December 12, 1900; and Albert Allen, born August 14, 1902.
After the death of his first wife, Mr. Peabody was married (second) to Lucy Eleanor Farns- worth at Grove City, Ill., on March 17, 1904. She was born at Lowell, Ohio, August 14, 1857, and is still living.
Besides the farm where he resides, Mr. Pea- body has other real estate interests in Mosquito Township, Christian County, Ill., and in Jackson
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
County, Okla. Although farming is his principal business, he has considerable stock interests in many leading business institutions. He is a member of the Baptist Church, an independent in politics, and a citizen in whom the character of rugged ancestors displays itself in the candor and honesty of a true American.
PEAT, George Henry, one of the enterprising farmers of Bear Creek Township, is a native son of Christian County. He was born in King Town- ship, February 20, 1876, a son of Thomas and Phebe (Armour) Peat. The father was born in Ireland, and the mother in Hardin County, Ky. When he was eighteen years old the father left Ireland, and after stopping a time in Philadel- phia, Pa., went to Delaware. From there he came to White Oak, Ill., and worked on farms for a time. Marrying, he moved to King Town- ship, Christian County, where he bought eighty acres of land, then wild prairie, and lived on it until 1883, when he moved to Bear Creek Town- ship and bought 160 acres of land, adding to it until he owned 440 acres. Here his death occurred Jannary 26, 1910, when he was seventy- one years old. The mother survives, and makes her home at Morrisonville, Ill. In politics he was a Republican, and the Presbyterian Church held his membership.
George Henry Peat spent his boyhood in Bear Creek Township, and attended its public schools. For three years after attaining his majority he worked among the farmers, and then assisted his father on the homestead for a number of years. Leaving home he farmed in Macoupin County for a year, but on his re- turn he resumed his farming in Bear Creek Township. Following this he spent a year on a farm near Taylorvile, was a year in Stoning- ton Township, and then went to Ricks Town- ship.
On October 7, 1908, Mr. Peat was married to
1 Miss Leela Snodgrass, of South Fork Township, a daughter of Samuel and Amelia Snodgrass, farming people of South Fork Township. Mr. and Mrs. Peat have three living children, name- ly : Frank, born August 18, 1909; Ruth, Jan- uary 5. 1911; and Hilda, January 24, 1914; Ione, born November 30, 1913, died July 20, 1915. In politics Mr. Peat is a Republican, while fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows. His fine farm of eighty acres of land is well managed and yields banner crops.
PEAT, Samuel, one of the progressive farmers of Bear Creek Township, belongs to one of the old families of Illinois. He was born near White Oak, Sangamon County, Ill., October 13, 1866, a son of Thomas and Phebe (Armer) Peat. When still an infant he was brought to King Township, Christian County, by his parents, and has lived in Christian County since 1869. In February, 1883, the family moved to Bear Creek Township.
In 1898, when he was thirty-one years old, Samuel Peat was united in marriage with Miss Lelia Oates of Taylorville, Ill., a daughter of 22
S. E. and Ruth (Nelson) Oates, natives of Vir- ginia. Mr. Oates, after his marriage, came to Illinois, and after living for a time at Clarks- dale, moved to Johnson Township, where he en- gaged in farming and worked at his trade as a carpenter. Mrs. Oates died February 25, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Peat became the parents of three children, namely: Mildred M., who was born August 9, 1908, died January 24, 1911, at the age of three and one-half years; Wayne, born January 29, 1912; and Ethel J., born June 15, 1915.
After his marriage Mr. Peat rented land for a number of years, and then when his father died, lie inherited eighty acres of land. He later bought out the other heirs and now has 120 acres of land on section 36, and is devoting it to general farming and stock-raising, specializ- ing on raising horses, cattle and logs. In poli- tics he is a Republican, while his fraternal affiliations are with the Modern Woodmen of America.
PECK, William, agent for the Standard Oil Company, is one of the reliable, responsible business men of Taylorville, with residence at No. 704 E. Adams Street. He was born in Vernon County, Mo .. February 18, 1868, a son of Wil- liam and Mary J. (McDonald) Peck, natives of England and Kentucky. The father came to the United States with his parents, who located in May Township, Christian County, Ill., but later moved to Missouri. The mother was brought to May Township by her parents, her father having previously bought a farm in this locality. After the death of William Peck sen- ior, in Missouri in 1870, his wife returned to May Township with her children and lived there until 1900. when she moved to Stoning- ton, where she died in 1908 aged seventy-eight.
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