USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 72
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SELL AND KOLLAR, the leading contracting firm of Pana and its vicinity, is composed of William F. Sell and Anton Kollar, who entered into partnership in 1914. They carry on a gen- eral contracting business in concrete work and brick pavement, such as paving, sewer work, water work construction and are extensive dealers in building materials. Their plant is located at the northeast corner of Fifth and Oak streets, where they have a large two-story brick building, recently constructed, which con- tains their offices, stables, warehouses and simi- lar premises, all on a very large lot. This firm has built the Thomas McTaggert garage and the sewerage disposal plant at Pana, beside about 35,000 square yards of paving and has done some paving at Flora. Ill. .
William F. Sell was born at Paris, Ill., November 10, 1875. a son of Felix and Priscilla (Runkel) Sell. The father was born in Ger- many, and came to the United States abont 1850, settling in Paris, Ill., where he died in 1896. He was a wagonmaker and woodworker. The mother was born in Lebanon, Pa., and died at Paris, Ill .. in 1903. William F. Sell was edu- cated in the grade schools of Paris, Ill., and learned the trade of carpenter which he fol- lowed for several years. In April. 1898, he en- listed for service during the Spanish-American War in Company HI. Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry at Springfield. Ill., and served for one year at Jacksonville, Fla .. Savannah, Ga., and Havana, Cuba. He was a non-commissioned officer, and was mustered out at Camp McKin- zie at Augusta, Ga., May 2, 1899. Following his discharge he was agent for the Standard Oil Company at Paris. Ill., and Pana. Ill., for ten Years, between 1899 and 1909, when he em- barked in a livery and teaming business at Pana, continuing it for five years, when he formed his present partnership. He is a Mason, having reached the Knight Templar de- free. and is a Shriner as well. an Odd Fellow. Knight of Pythias and Elk, and in politics is a Republican. Mr. Sell was married in February. 1006, at Pana, Ill., to Emma Randal, a daugh-
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ter of W. C. and Mary Proffitt. She was born at Pana. There are no children of this mar- riage.
Anton Kollar is the son of Joseph and Josephine (Adelstein) Kollar, natives of Cilly, Austria. The parents died in their native land in 1901 and 1894, respectively. Mr. Kollar came to Pana in 1889, and engaged in coal mining with the Penwell Coal Mining Company for four years, and then went to Wallace, Idaho, and engaged in gold mining for eighteen months. Ile was then in a lumber and logging business for three years, when he returned to Pana and was in the restaurant and buffet business on east Second street until 1014, when he went into his present line. His establish- ment on East Second street was called the Farmers' Friend. Mr. Kollar was married to Rosa Mary Kutnir, a daughter of John Kutnir, and their children are as follows: Amy, who was born in Cilly, Austria, married Antony Laeno, a clothier of Springfield, Ill .; John, who was born at Pana, is in the medical department of the Northwestern University of Chicago; and an adopted daughter, Rosa, who was born in Adelspacker, Austria, who is at home.
SHAFER, Josephus Coleman, senior member of the responsible firm of Shafer and Pitzer, funeral directors and embalmers of Assump- tion, is one of the foremost men of his calling in Christian County. He was born in Fair- field County, Ohio, July 7, 1853, a son of George A. and Catherine (Myers) Shafer, natives of Fairfield County. Until 1854, the father en- gaged in farming in Ohio, but in that year he moved to Christian County, Ill., and in the same year left for Tazewell County, Ill., where he continued to farm until 1873, when he returned to Christian County, and located on what is known as the Shafer farm, located one-half mile west of Assumption, and this remained his home until 1885, when he took up his residence in Assumption, remaining there until his de- mise, which occurred January S, 1895. The mother lived until June 16, 1917, when she too passed away. The parents had children as follows: Silas A., who is a coal operator of Assumption, Mowequa and Pana; Josephius Coleman ; Samuel HI., who died in infancy ; Dr. George R., who died in 1903, was a resident of Peoria ; Samantha Jane, who is Mrs. I. L. Long of Assumption; Ida Artisia, who is Mrs. W. L. Eaton of Owaneco; and Viola, who is Mrs. Horace Wilson of Wrights, Cal. In religious belief the parents were members of the United Brethren Church, but after the father's death. the family, with the exception of Josephus Coleman Shafer, became members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, he joining the Christian Church in 1888, since which time he has been one of its most forceful factors.
After attending the country schools at Wash- ington, Tazewell County, Ill., Josephus C. Shafer came to Assumption with the family when he was twenty years old, and for the sue- ceeding two years he was engaged in working
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
on the homestead. He then entered a hard- ware and implement business with his brother, continuing with him until 1884, when he sold and moved to Kansas and remained there until 1887. He then returned to Assumption and entered into his present business, and has con- tinued in it ever since.
On February 22, 1881. Mr. Shafer was mar- ried (first) to Miss Clara C. Benepe, of Litch- field, who died January 8. 1882. On July 15, 1884, Mr. Shafer was married (second) to Miss Tranna E. Ellis of Washington, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Shafer had two children, namely : George E., who died July 27, 1912; and Frances Ethel, who is Mrs. Stanley Pitzer. Mr. Shafer belongs to the Knights of Pythias. His firm is prepared to offer a dignified and satisfactory service.
SHANNON, Ben F., formerly a well known and successful agriculturalist of Taylorville, who ex- emplified during life the value of intelligent work upon farm land, demonstrating that it is one of the most profitable kinds of business, is now de- ceased. He was born in Laporte County, Ind., September 5, 1853, a son of James and Mary (Garwood) Shannon. natives of Ireland and Ohio, the birthplace of the latter being in the vicinity of Hamilton. The father was a farmer in Indiana, and after coming to Christian County, he continued his operations along this line, buying land in Prairieton Township, where he died in 1894. The mother is also deceased. The children born to them were as follows : Charity, Jane, Catherine, William, Ben and Harriet.
After attending the district schools of Indiana, Ben F. Shannon attended those of Prairieton Township, and worked on the homestead. When he grew to manhood's estate he invested in farm land, and owned and operated 560 acres in Christian County, and a farm of 120 acres at Aberdeen, S. D. In addition to raising and ship- ping a large amount of cattle, he milked about thirty head of cows, carrying on a large dairy business. Ben F. Shannon and his brother Will owned six properties at Taylorville, four of which have residences upon them. Two unmar- ried sisters, Charity and Harriet, and a married sister Mrs. Clawson, and the two brothers lived together at No. 508 Cherokee Street. In religious faith Mr. Shannon was a Methodist. His po- litical ideas inade lim a Democrat. Fraternally lie belonged to the Elks and Moose. In every respect he measured up to the standard of a successful, broad-gauged man and prosperous farmer. and Christian County did well to keep him and his type within its borders for it needs such as they to develop and enhance its interests. Mr. Shannon died March 29, 1916. and in his · death Taylorville and Christian County lost one of the best citizens this section has produced.
SHARP, George Riley, for many years a prom- inent farmer on Section 32, Buckhart Township, Christian County, was born in Claiborne County, Tenn., January 3, 1830, a son of William and Barbara (Hunter) Sharp. William Sharp was
born in Tennessee in 1799, and followed farming and blacksmithing in his native state until 1836, when he came overland to Illinois and took up government land in Macoupin County, improving it, being among the early settlers of that locality. Here his first wife died in 1838, and the follow- ing year he was married (second) to Miss Eliza- 1 eth Wilson, of Macoupin County, and they lived on the farm until 1863, when William Sharp moved to Buckhart Township, Christian County, and bought a farm of eighty acres, improved it and lived on it until 1869. In that year he went to Missouri, and remained in Barton County for three years, and there the second Mrs. Sharp died, in 1871. In 1872 William Sharp returned to Christian County, and made his home with his son, John Sharp, until his death June 30, 1875, when he was seventy-six years old.
George Riley Sharp was reared in Tennessee and Macoupin County, Ill., and remained on the home farm with his father until he was twenty- three years old, at which time he came to Chris- tian County, and lived with his brother Henry Sharp until he bought a farm and then operated it. He erected a residence and other buildings on the farm, and added to his original purchase until he owned 406 acres of land. 226 acres of . which were in Taylorville Township, and the remainder in Buckhart Township. In 1872 he moved to Sharpsburg, where he was made post- master and railroad agent, and also operated a general store in partnership with Elijah Hanon, his wife's brother. Mr. Sharp was one of the founders of the village which bears his name although he returned to the farm in 1873, and liere his widow still resides, and here he passed away on June 29, 1887, aged fifty-seven years. HIe was a farmer upon an extensive scale, spe- cializing in stockraising, and was a business man of considerable standing. When the First Na- tional Bank of Taylorville came into existence, he was one of its founders, and continued on its directorate, the remainder of his life. For nine successive years he represented his township on the board of supervisors, and in 1880 was elected to the lower house of the State Assembly from the Thirty-fourth Senatorial District. serv- ing for one term. He also rendered efficient service as township collector. One of the found- ers of the Universalist Church of Sharpsburg, he served it as treasurer and librarian, and Joseph Hlanon was moderator and John Sharp was clerk.
The Sharp family has been a prominent one in the history of the country, the great-grand- father, William Kirk Sharp, having been a soldier in the American Revolution, in Colonel Baylor's troop of Light Horse Cavalry. William Kirk was a gunsmith manufacturer at Harper's Ferry. He was born in Virginia, later going to Tennessee and in 1835 moved on into Illinois, dying near Scottsville, Ill., between the age of eighty and ninety years, about 1838.
On September 28, 1856, George Riley Sharp was married to Miss Susan Hanon, who was born February 19, 1838, and they became the
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
parents of the following children : William V., who died when eighteen years and six months old, ou the homestead ; Pruella, who is the wife of W. D. Waller of Taylorville Township; Mary A., who is the wife of J. L. Deeren, of Sharps- burg; George E., who is at home; Emma A .; Mabel Jane, who was the wife of E. S. Deeren, died February 23, 1914; Nina Pearl, who is at home; and four who died in infancy. Mrs. Sharp owns 220 acres of the old homestead where she makes her home.
Martin Hanon, the father of Mrs. Sharp, was born April 27, 1799, in Tennessee, in the vicinity of Nashville. On October 10, 1823 he married Sarah Miller, of Kentucky, born October 5, 1806, a thrifty and industrious woman and highly re- spected by all who knew her. With his father, Michael Hanon, he came to Illinois Territory in 1812, with ox-teams, and Michael died in Gal- latin County in 1817, where he had taken up government land. Following his death, Martin Hanon brought his mother and her children to Christian County, Ill., in 1818, before it was formned into a separate section, and they located in South Fork Township, on what is now the Squire Council farm. At this time the land was nearly all wild prairie, but Martin Hanon de- veloped his farm into a valuable one and grew with the times. Later he sold this first farm and bought another in Taylorville Township, adding to it until he had 240 acres, mostly tim- berland. There were plenty of Indians here when he came and he is recorded as the county's first white settler. By trade he was a cabinet- maker and casket-maker, and he also made shoes for his family. At his home were held the first religious services in the county, for there were then no schoolhouses or churches, and people canie to them for miles about. Later on these services were held in the little log schoolhouse he and others erected in the neighborhood. Mar- tin Hanon made his home with his daughter Mrs. Sharp, during his later years, dying at the home of a daughter Mrs. Cyrene Mason, where he had gone ou a visit, January 25, 1879, being within three months of his eightieth birthday.
Elijah Hanon, brother of Martin Hanon, taught the first school in Christian County, in 1827, in a log cabin two miles northeast of Tay- lorville.
SHARP, Henry Hunter, was for many years engaged in farming in Buckhart Township, and was a man of substance in Christian County. He was born in Claiborne County, Tenn., Decem- ber 20, 1824, a son of William and Barbara (Hunter) Sharp, the former, who was of Scotch- Irish and German descent, being born in Ten- nessee in 1799. The latter, who was of German descent, was born in either North Carolina or Virginia, from whence her family moved to Tennessee. In 1836 William Sharp and his family moved to Macoupin County, Ill., locating in the northern part, and there the mother of Henry Hunter Sharp died in 1838. Later the father was married to Elizabeth Wilson. He was a farmer and blacksmith.
Henry Hunter Sharp bought land for $5 per acre long before the B. & O. Southwestern Rail- road was built. With his brothers, John and Riley, and others, he secured the location of a depot of this road near their farming property, which station now bears the name of Sharpsburg, having been named after the Sharp brothers. At that time the land was but little cultivated, and all of it had to be broken with oxen. The brothers built on their land, John erecting a log house and Henry and Riley one of frame, and they added to their acreage until they owned
more than 300 acres apiece. Henry Hunter Sharp remained on his farm until he moved to Taylorville in 1889, where he engaged in a feed stable business, with Josiah Hill, and continued the same until his death in 1890, at the age of sixty-five years. At the time of his death he was one of the oldest Masons in Christian County. He attended the Baptist Church. In politics he was a Democrat and he held a number of township offices, for many years having been road commissioner. During the Mexican War he served his country as a soldier, enlisting in June, 1846, in company G, under Captain J. Wyatt, First Illinois Volunteers, Colonel John J. Harden having command of the regiment. He was in the battle of Buena Vista where Colonel Harden was killed. IIis brother John ac- companied him through the war. He was honor- ably discharged from the service in 1847.
On June 26, 1851, Henry Hunter Sharp was married to Clarinda Redfern, born September 26, 1833, a daughter of John and Matilda (Miller) Redfern. Mr. Redfern was born in one of the southern states, and came in young manhood to southern Illinois, and later to Macoupin County, where Mrs. Sharp was born. Finally he located at Scottsville, Macoupin County, having been a farmer all of his life. Mrs. Redfern was born in Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp became the parents of the following children : James Riley, · who lives at Taylorville, was married to Flora Taylor, October 28, 1875, and they have the following children, Iles, Mack Hunter and Flossie I. : Matilda, who was married to Hiram White, February 21, 1878, has had the following children. Everett, deceased, Royal H., Gordon, Clarinda E. and Floy L .; John Sargeant, who lives at Eureka, Ill., was married to Lelia Hinesley, February 22, 1883, and they have had the following children, Earl, deceased, Blanche, Grethen A., Ellis, and Mildred ; Abbie Jeanette, who lives near Pawnee, Ill., was married to John WV. White September 28, 1882, and they have the following children, Myrtle Y., Marcia Hunter and Monte, both deceased ; Lucina Bell Sharp, who lives at Edinburg, Ill., was married to Dr. C. A. Stokes December 25, 1888, and they have two children, Hiram and Clifford ; Henry Edgar, who lives at home, was married to Ethelinda Wood March 12, 1890, and they have the follow- ing children, Halley W., Lloyd E., Millard K. and Mary Ailene; George N., who died at the age of sixteen years ; and Dwight, who was mar- ried to Dora Hinkle April 6, 1910, has the fol-
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
lowing children, Charlotte C. and Doris C., and lives near Pawnee, Ill.
SHARP, Henry Wilson, who is now deceased, was for many years an honored resident of Taylorville, and formerly an agriculturalist of note, whose labors resulted in the accummulation of considerable property and well earned recog- nition in his line. He was born in Anderson County, Ky., near Lawrenceburg, February 25, 1838, a son oť Francis and Amanda (Redden) Sharp. The father was a native of Anderson County, Ky., and the mother was born in Vir- ginia. After retiring from agricultural work which had absorbed him, the father came to Sangamon County, Ill., and after a short period, located at Pawnee, Christian County, where he died in 1881, aged seventy-two years. The mother also died at Pawnee. In, politics he was a Democrat, and in religious faith he was a Presbyterian.
Until he was twenty years old, Henry Wilson Sharp lived in Anderson County, Ky., where he worked on the farm and attended the public schools. After coming to Sangamon County, he worked for David Miller and for others for three years, and then returned to Kentucky for his bride to whom he was married at Harrison- ville, she being Mary Ruth Hedden, a daughter ot Simon and Salina (Webb) Hedden, of Shelby County, Ky. Mr. Sharp brought his wife back with him to Illinois and began farming, renting land there until he went to Mt. Auburn, Ill., where for four years he was engaged in farming. He then went to Benton County, Iowa, but re- turned to Illinois and bought 120 acres in Taylorville Township, eighty acres in Buckhart Township, forty acres more in Taylorville Town- ship. 160 acres adjoining the forty acres, eighty acres adjoining the original purchase of 120 acres, and 600 acres in Kansas, Mrs. Sharp selling the last named purchase later on. Mrs. Sharp still owns 480 acres of land all in Chris- tian County in three farms, and her comfortable home at Taylorville which includes three acres of land. Mr. Sharp was a stockman who operated extensively, and was associated with this line of business with Mr. Jacob Lawrence for twenty years, being so engaged at the time of his death. While conveying a car load of cattle to his Kansas ranch, he was taken ill on the train, and although removed to a hotel at Augusta, Kas., and medical aid summoned, he died March 9, 1891, aged sixty-three years. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow, politically a Democrat, while the Presbyterian Church held his membership with regard to religious matters. Starting out in life entirely without means, he became one of the wealthy men of Christian County, and one who was held in the highest respect as the best type of selfmade man.
Mr. and Mrs. Sharp had six children, as fol- lows: David M. who is in Taylorville; Mildred who died in infancy ; Kelsey ; Bertha who died in 1887, aged twenty-three years, was married to Charles Bower; Clara who is at home with
mother; and Ruth who died in 1891 at the age of twenty-eight years, was married to Harry Willoughby. Mrs. Sharp's father was a native of Kentucky who came to Illinois with his wife, to Johnson County, buying 160 acres of land, on which the mother died at the age of thirty-six years. The father returned to Kentucky with his children. Later he married (second) a Miss Stevens of Kentucky and returned to Illinois, locating in Christian County, dying in Taylor- ville Township, aged fifty-six years. All his life he was a farmer, and was a heavy stock raiser. A prominent man he was a very strong Democrat, and served as supervisor of his township, but never solicited office.
SHAW, Reuben Noel, now deceased, for many years was one of the forceful factors in the development of South Fork Township, and Taylorville, and his memory is cherished by those who had the honor of his acquaintance. He was born in Boone County, Ky., December 9, 1854, a son of William and Eliza (Roush) Shaw, natives of Kentucky and Virginia, re- spectively. The father was of Scotch-Irish de- scent, and after farming in Boone County, Ky., came to Illinois when Reuben N. Shaw was' a year old, locating in South Fork Township, Christian County. Here. he operated the 240 acres of land he acquired, and also owned 200 acres additional. Both the father and mother died on their farm. They belonged to the Methodist Church.
Reuben N. Shaw attended the country schools, later taking a commercial course at the Quincy, Ill., business college. Returning to Christian County, he bought 240 acres of land in South Fork Township, and also became the owner of an additional 200 acres, and on this property carried on farming and stock raising. About 1896 he withdrew from the active work of the farm, although he maintained his super- vision of its affairs, and devoted himself to buying and shipping stock. In the meanwhile he acquired an interest in the Taylorvlle National Bank and the Cisly Elevator Com- pany, and he also owns stock in the Kincaid Bank.
On April 10, 1880, Mr. Shaw was married to Sina Richardson of South Fork Township, born November 23, 1854, a daughter of Harvey and Rebecca (Council) Richardson, natives of Illi- nois. The father was a farmer and stockman of Christian County until his death May 19, 1871. The mother died May 10, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw became the parents of five chil- dren, as follows: Walter, who married Floy White, is a farmer of South Fork Township; William, who is a veterinary surgeon of Paw- nee, Ill .; Bruce, who is cashier of the Kincaid bank; Mabel, who is at home; and Bernice, who died aged one day. Mr. Shaw died Decem- ber 18, 1914, and was interred in Bethany Cemetery, and in his passing Taylorville and Christian County lost one of their representa- tive men. He was a member of the Methodist Church. Fraternally he belonged to the Modern
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
Woodmen of America, and was a Knight Tem- plar, Thirty-second Degree and Shriner Mason. A strong Democrat, he had served in a number of the township offices, and was a school director at the time of his demise, having held that office for many years.
SHELDON, Salmon Maxwell, a successful farmer of Section 33, Buckhart Township, has turned his attention to cultivating the soil with very gratifying results. He was born on his present farm February 17, 1847, a son of Salmon B. and Evelyn (Maxwell) Sheldon. The father was born at Leyden, Mass., March 15, 1811, and the mother was born at Guilford, Vt., April 12, 1813, he being a pioneer in the Methodist Episco- pal Church, a staunch friend of the same and always a liberal contributor. After being reared and educated in Massachusetts, the father was married in Vermont. He and his father and brothers cleared 500 acres of land in the vicinity of his birthplace, but he later began selling bibles and clocks, traveling through the Caro- linas during 1835. Saving his money, and with a little given to him by his father, he was able to come to Illinois in 1838. and buy the farm on which his son, Salmon M. Sheldon, is now living. While he erected his house, the first one of frame in the township, he boarded with a Mr. Ferguson at Possum Point. He had acquired 1,000 acres of government land, but the entry fees absorbed all his money, and he had to go into debt for his equipment, and conditions were very hard for some years. Ill health, with fever and ague, was his portion and when the panic came ten years later, all his earnings were swept away. He and his wife then took a trip over- land to Ohio in a one-horse wagon, while she stopped there, he went on to Massachussetts, and appealed to his father, who advanced enough money to save 240 acres of land for him, he leasing them from his father. By the time the Civil War was over, he had repaid the money, and added to his acreage until he owned 505 acres, and continued to reside on his farm until his death,. November 20, 1879, when he was sixty-eight years, eight months and eight days' old. During his lifetime he was well liked for his sterling character, and was genial and com- panionable and no one ever lost a dollar in deal- ing with him. He was no fossil but always abreast of the times, ever interested in the ad- vance of humanity, material, mental or spirit- ual : delighted in a good story in book or paper which he would often read aloud to the family. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was one story so read when it first appeared. Is it necessary to say he stood for the freedom of the blacks when such a stand was not popular? During the Centennial at Philadelphia, in 1876, he paid it a visit in com- pany with his son. Salmon Maxwell. He is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Ill. "The mother" had an excellent education for that time, having successfully taught school be- fore her marriage, also one term at Possum Point after part of her children were grown. She was an interesting conversationalist and kindly
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