USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 73
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
helpful to neighbors in need which gave her a welcome alike in the log huts of the pioneer or the homes of the more prosperous. She was born April 12, 1813, died Sept. 30, 1869, aged fifty-six years, she also being buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery. They had five children, name- ly : Mary E., who became the wife of C. P. C. Miner of Leyden, Mass., died in 1867; Emma Isadore who became the wife of Lucius Bradley of New York, died in 1876; Lenora Sheldon who died in 1891; Salmon M., and Abby Jenette who died in 1872.
Salmon Maxwell Sheldon grew up on his pres- ent farm and alternated herding cattle and farming with attending the local schools. At his father's death he bought out the other heirs to the homestead, he having already paid his father $3,500 for 100 acres by work at $25 per month, so that he now has 445 acres of land, and that occupied by Sheldon Park. This he bought from Dr. Stokes to be used for the Chautauqua grounds. He secured the co-operation of his neighbor in order to secure annual meetings, and the undertaking has been a great success, not in a material way, but in advancing the culture and intellectuality of the community. Some idea of the progress made is shown in the fact that in 1901 the movement commenced with a one-day Prohibition picnic, and reached in 1916 a nine-day program which cost over $1,600. Mr. Sheldon is manager of the Chautauqua, and donates the use of his park to the association. He is a Pro- hibitionist and very active in party work. He also conducted the first steam thrasher in the county and did so for sixteen years. The Meth- odist Church holds his membership.
On February 4, 1874, he was married to Mary Isabella Wood, of Dixon, Ill., born October 27, 1849, a daughter of Judge Lorenzo and Mary Wood. Mrs. Sheldon died January 28, 1881, hav- ing borne him the following children: Jennett Isabella, who was born January 6, 1875, is a grad- uate of tlie German-American Hospital Training School of Chicago, and is now a trained nurse ; Victor L., born October 14, 1876, who is a gradu- ate of the University of Illinois is a mechanical engineer and junior partner in the Peter Eichler Heating Company of St. Louis, Mo .; and Maud Lillian, who was born April 10, 1880, is a teacher in a Chicago High school, having graduated with the B. A. degree of Natural Science. On January 22, 1884. Mr. Sheldon was married (second) to Mahala K. Hosmer, a daughter of Josiah Kellogg of Shelburne, Mass., a black- smith and farmer. To this marriage four chil- dren were born, namely: Warren Maxwell, born October 5, 1888, is a graduate of the Illinois Agricultural School of the University of Cham- paign, Ill., and is at home; Henry Kellogg, born April 13, 1892, is a graduate of the electrical engineering department of the University of Illi- nois, and is at Aurora, Ill .; Francis Hosmer, who was born September 26. 1900, is at home; and one, born October 27, 1885, died in infancy. The children are graduates of the Taylorville High school. Mr. Sheldon now in the afternoon
982
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
of life is greatly enjoying his increasing library of the best writers on the deeper meanings and values of life in relation to the long past of the human race and its unending future.
SHEPHERD, Roscoe R., who owns and operates 200 acres of very valuable land in Mosquito Township, is one of the substantial men of Christian County, and stands very high in his community. He was born on this farm January 3, 1883, and has never been off it for more than six months at a time during his life. He is a son of S. R. and Laura (Cox) Shepherd.
After being graduated from the township schools and the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Ill., lie settled down as a farmer. Although he was engaged in operating the home- stead, it did not become his until about 1917. Mr. Shepherd handles cattle, hogs and mules in large quantities, and is very successful in his operations for he understands his work thor- oughly, and farms scientifically. He inherited 160 acres and to this added forty acres by purchase.
On November 1, 1904, Mr. Shepherd was mar- ried to Goldie G. Bottrell, at Springfield, Ill., by Reverend Heidelbaugh. She was born in Mos- quito Township, December 17, 1885. They have one living child. Margaret, born December 15, 1906. Their other child, Roscoe F., born August 20, 1905, died the same day. The family belong to the Methodist Church of Mt. Auburn. In politics he is an independent, preferring to cast his vote for the man he deems best fitted for the office, instead of tying himself down with party lines. At present he is a school director, and is interested in educational matters.
SHETLER, John C., a prosperous farmer of section 28, May Township, is one of the sub- stantial men of Christian County. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, near New Phila- delphia. August 27. 1862, a son of John and Eliza Shetler, both natives of Ohio. The father was a farmer upon an extensive scale in Ohio, which state he left when John C. Shetler was about five years old, and coming to Christian County, Ill., located near the present farm of his son. Here he bought 283 acres of land and operated it until his retirement when he rented his property. The death of the father occurred at the home of his son. in 1907, when he was eighty-four years old. The mother passed away with her son in 1905, aged eighty-two years. After the formation of the Republican party, the father adopted its principles and remained steadfast to them the remainder of his life. The United Presbyterian Church held his mem- bership.
John C. Shetler was reared and educated in May Township, and remained with his father, until his majority, when he bought a farm in Locust Township, comprising 160 acres of land. After a time he bought eighty acres of land one-half mile east of Owaneco, Ill., and spent twelve years upon it. For the next nine years he lived in retirement at Decatur, and
then bought 160 acres in May Township, now owning 320 acres of land in Christian County, and on it carries on general farming and stock raising and feeding, and is very successful in his operations.
Mr. Shetler was married to Miss Carrie Bowersock, of Prairieton Township. Her parents were natives of Ohio who came to May Town- ship, this county, at an early day, living upon that farm until they bought another in Prairie- ton Township. There the father died, and the mother passed away in 1915, aged seventy-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Shetler have two living children. Hilonga and Clark, and they had one child, Sherman, who died in infancy. In poli- tics Mr. Shetler is a Republican both by in- clination and inheritance. His long experience and ample means make him a forceful factor in the agricultural life of this section.
SHULL, Ira J., now engaged very successfully in operating his farm on section 17, Taylorville Township, is a native son of Illinois, having been born in Virden Township, Macoupin County, January 1, 1869, a son of James A. and Nancy N. (Brubaker) Shull. The father and mother were born in the vicinity of Dayton, Ohio, but they were married in Virden Town- ship, where they rented land for a number of years, but later bought property in South Fork Township. Christian County, consisting of eighty acres, upon which they lived for twenty- two years. The father then rented land in Buckhart Township, but after eight years went to Assumption Township, and after ten years moved to Kimball, Kas., where he spent a year. Ile then returned to Illinois and bought a farm in Girard Township, Macoupin County, where he still resides, the mother also surviving. They are German Baptists. In politics the father is a Republican. They have seen many changes since they made the trip overland by teams from Ohio to Illinois with their people.
Ira J. Shull spent his boyhood in South Fork Township, and when twenty-two years old went to Buckhart Township where he spent a year. For the next three years he was in Stonington Township, and then moved to Macoupin County for five years. For the subsequent seven years he was at Taylorville, when in February, 1909, he went to Walnut, Kas., buying eighty acres on which he spent a year, but then returned to Stonington Township and spent another year. He then spent a year in Taylorville Township, and four years in May Township. In 1916 he took charge of his present farm, of 240 acres, and is conducting it in a very satisfactory man- ner.
On November 11, 1891, he was married to Etta M. Ladd, a daughter of John B. and Julia (Penn) Ladd of Pawnee, Sangamon County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Shull have two children, namely : Alva J., born October 5, 1892, who is a post- office clerk at Taylorville, Ill., and Ida E., born January 31, 1897, who is a teacher in the pub- lic schools. In politics Mr. Shull is a Republi-
983
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
can. The Methodist Church holds his member- ship. He is an experienced farmer and a man who has traveled extensively, and he is putting his knowledge to practical use.
SHUMWAY, Dorice Dwight. No history of Christian County would be complete without a record of the life and work of the late Dorice Dwight Shumway who played so important a part in the financial and industrial life of Tay- lorville. Mr. Shumway was born on a farm in Christian County, about four miles east of Tay- lorville. December 19, 1845, and died at St. John's Hospital at Springfield, Ill., January 20, 1914. He was a son of D. D. and Emily A. (Rountree) Shumway. Two of his brothers, also now deceased, Hiram P. and J. N. C. Shum- way, served in the senate of Illinois; a sister, Mrs. D. T. Moore, is also deceased ; but the sur- viving members of the family are as follows : A. F., who resides at Taylorville; Mrs. George Weber, who lives at Chicago; and Mrs. J. C. Tureman, who resides at Taylorville, Ill.
During his boyhood, Mr. Shumway's family moved to Taylorville, and he was educated in the schools of that city and those of Hillsboro, with the additional advantage of a winter's eourse at Normal.' Ill., during the winter of 1860-1, although he was forced by ill health to conclude his course. When only twelve years of age. however, he had begun to be self-sup- porting, for at that time he entered the employ of W. W. Anderson, who kept a general store at Taylorville, and he also assisted in the post office until 1859. During the winter of 1864-5 he taught a country sehool near Clarksdale, and then in 1866 he embarked in a business of his own, with his unele A. H. H. Rountree at Hills- boro. the two going into a general mercantile business, and continued together until 1869. when Mr. Shumway sold to his partner, and returned to Taylorville. Here he formed an association with his father under the title of Shumway & Sons. The death of the father, in 1870, necessitated the closing of this general store, and Mr. Shumway turned his attention in another line. and that summer, with his brother, the late H. P. Shumway, compiled the first set of abstract books ever made in Chris- tian County, which are still in use in the ab- stract office at Taylorville.
In 1871 Mr. Shumway commenced his bank- ing career when he formed a partnership with W. W. Anderson, under the name of W. W. Anderson & Company, and in 1874 the firm opened a branch bank at Pana, under the style of Anderson & Company, but a year later this concern was transferred to Hayward & Schuv- ler of Pana. Until 1882, Mr. Shumway con- tinued to devote himself to banking, but then went into a grocery business, and divided his attention between the two concerns until 1889. In the meanwhile, in 1887, when the Taylorville Coal Company was organized, Mr. Shumway took stock, and was made secretary of the company, succeeding to the office of general manager in 1890. Until the organization of the
Springfield Coal Company, which bought the Taylorville, Riverton and Springfield mines, Mr. Shumway continued to be general man- ager, but at that time was made vice president and treasurer of the combination. In addition to his other interests, he was president and the largest stockholder of the Christian County Implement Company and vice president of the First National Bank of Taylorville from 1894 until his death. He was one of the chief organ- izers of the Citizens Gas Light and Fuel Com- pany, and the Taylorville Electric Company, which he consolidated under the name of the Taylorville Gas & Electrie Co., of which he was president. In 1905 he built the large building now occupied by the Taylorville Mercantile Company, which he had organized, and of which he was president, this being the first de- partment store at Taylorville. For two terms Mr. Shumway served as a member of the city council of Taylorville.
On September 25, 1877. Mr. Shumway was united in marriage with Miss Mary I. Finley, born in White County. Ill., a daughter of Dr. WV. M. and Lucy (Watson) Finley. Mr. and Mrs. Shumway became the parents of three sons, as follows: Glenn Finley, Hiram McLin and Dorice Dwight. Fraternally Mr. Shum- way belonged to the Masons and Elks, and took an active part in both orders. A man of the highest personal character and business in- tegrity, he rose to a commanding position. and merited the distinction and honors which came to him.
SHUMWAY, Glenn, who has had as much to do with the intimate development of Christian County as any man of the younger generation. was born at Taylorville. May 13. 1879, a son of Dorice D. and Mary I. (Finley) Shumway. After attending the public schools of Taylor- ville and the Western Military Academy at Alton, Ill., from which he graduated in 1899. Glenn Shumway returned to Taylorville and engaged with the Henson & Cheney Hardware Company for four years. Following that he be- came manager for the Springfield Coal Mining Company, of Mine No. 6. later becoming a stock- holder and director of the company. He still retains his interests in the concern, but he re- signed his position as manager in 1914. He is, at the present time, vice president, being also one of the directors.
In 1900 Mr. Shumway entered the Christian County Implement Company, founded by his father, and, for the past ten years has been president. Mr. Shumway was elected president of the Citizens Gas. Light and Fuel Company in 1904 and held that office for a year. when the company was sold to the Taylorville Gas & Electric Company. Ever since it was founded, Mr. Shumway has been'a director of the Taylorville Mercantile Company and was its president for two years. Since 1914 he has been a director of the First National Bank of Taylorville, succeeding his father at the time of the latter's death. In addition to all these
984
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
many and varied interests, Mr. Shumway owns farm interests in Christian County and super- intends the farming operations. When his father died, he was one of the three executors of his estate.
On April 22, 1908, Mr. Shumway was married to Isabelle Wooll of Hillsboro, Ill .. a daughter of Charles M. and Juliet (Phillips) Wooll, natives of England and of Montgomery County, Ill., respectively. Mrs. Wooll was a daughter of Burell Phillips and a sister of Judge Jesse Phillips of the Illinois bar. Charles M. Wooll was formerly a dry goods merchant of Taylor- ville, a member of the firm of French & Wooll. Mr. Shumway was reared a Democrat. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Elks.
SIDLES, Albert A., a prosperous farmer on Section 25, Buckhart Township, was born near Whitehall. Greene County, Ill., March 28, 1852, a son of Alexander and Nancy ( Crosson) Sidles, natives of Warren County, Ohio, where they were married and engaged in farming until 1848. In that year they came down the Ohio River to ('airo, Ill., and then up the Mississippi River to Apple Creek, locating near Whitehall, Ill. There they operated land for three years. Removal was then made to Sangamon County, where the father bought 120 acres of land, improved and operated it, and here the father died January 1, 1860, and the mother September 27, 1901, on the farm of her son, Albert A. Sidles. The father was a Democrat, and a member of the Methodist Church. The paternal grandfather, Israel Sidles, was a soldier of the Mexican War.
Albert A. Sidles spent his boyhood in Sanga- mon County, where he attended the public schools, but on account of his father dying when he was only eight years old, he was, when still a mere child, forced to assume heavy responsi- bilities, and his educational training was some- what neglected. When he was twenty-one years old he moved on his present farm, which his father had taken up from the government when still living in Greene County. Until 1901 he lived on it, making many improvements, but in that year moved to Stonington, where he lived for nine years, doing during that period odd jobs of carpenter work to pass the time, but then returned to his farm in Buckhart Township, where he and' his wife are now living. In politics he is a Democrat and was district school clerk for a quarter of a century, and a school director for twenty years. For two years he served as assessor of Stonington Township. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow. The Methodist Church holds his membership.
On July 15, 1873, Mr. Sidles was married to Miss Eva L. Bowman, born in Clinton County, Ohio, a daughter of John and Eliza ( Hum- phreys) Bowman, also natives of Clinton County, Ohio. In 1858 the family came to Ulli- nois, and for four years operated land in Ver- milion County, but then moved to Shelby County. and continued farming for seven years more. At that time they came to Buckhart Township. Christian County, buying a farm of eighty
acres, on which they have since resided. Like the people of their day, they made the trip to Illinois from Ohio with horses and wagons. Mr. and Mrs. Sidles have two children. namely : Jessie M., who married David Elliott ; and Artemas A., who married Alice Edmonds, and they have one daughter, Catherine Louise.
SIMONS, Joseph, a former farmer of Assump- tion Township, was for years one of the pros- perous agriculturists of Christian County. He was born in Prussia, Germany, August 21, 1832, a son of Jacob and Barbara (Rumirsbaugh) Simons, who spent their entire lives in. Prussia, the mother dying in 1835, and the father pass- ing away after Joseph Simons had left his native land for the United States. The only other child, Susanna, lived and died in Prussia, leaving a family.
Until he was twenty-five years old, Joseph Simons remained in Prussia, and then made the trip to this country in a sailing vessel of the Lloyd Steamship Line, from Antwerp to New York, the trip consuming five weeks. For twenty-two days they encountered very severe weather, so that the sight of land was very wel- come to the passengers and crew. After land- ing, he came immediately to Illinois and ob- tained employment in the construction work of the seminary at Aurora, and then worked on a farm, in the vicinity of Aurora, for which he received thirteen dollars per month. In 1858 he went to Menard County, and remained there until 1862, working at farm labor for $150 per year. In August. 1862, he enlisted for service during the Civil War, in Company C, One hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, was sent to Cairo, Ill., under Capt. Mallory, served through the Vicksburg campaign, being present at the surrender of that city, July 4, 1863. Later he was in the two battles at Jack- son. Miss., but was injured at Guntown, Jan- uary 12, 1864, having his arm shattered by a musket ball, and later suffered an amputation of the arm. The operation was performed by a Confederate surgeon at Mobile, Ala. Being taken prisoner by the enemy he was confined at Macon. Ga .. and from thence was sent to Ander- sonville, where he was kept for four months. Upon his release at the close of the war, he was making his way home, and had reached Vicks- burg when he received the terrible news of the death of President Lincoln. He was mustered out at Camp Butler, Springfield, Ill., in August, 1865, having been a brave soldier.
Returning to Menard County, he settled up his affairs, and deciding upon engaging in busi- ness on his own account, he looked about for a location and found one to suit him at Assump- tion which was then a small village. He opened a small restaurant, later added a grocery de- partment, and continued in business until it was wiped out by fire. He immediately rebuilt, but in 1880 sold, and bought a half interest in a block on Hickory street, where he erected a fine residence in 1890, and during 1891 and 1892, he built two stores, and became a part
985
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
owner in the opera house, which was a large . work, and moved to Pana, Ill., where he built brick building, which was destroyed by fire in a handsome home at No. 411 South Locust Street, and there he has since resided. He is a Master Mason, a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 1901. Since then Mr. Simons had sold some of his Assumption property, and invested in farm lands in Assumption and Locust townships. He began buying farm land in 1867, and since then had become the owner of 866 acres of land all of which he developed until it is now under cultivation and very valuable. His children are living on his various farms,
On November 6, 1867, Mr. Simons was mar- ried to Miss Flora M. Bickner, horn in New York City, who came to Illinois with her par- ents, her father, Edward Bickner, being one of the early settlers of Christian County. Mr. and Mrs. Simons became the parents of the fol- lowing children: Jennie, who is the wife of Michael Donovan, lias twelve living children and one who is deceased ; Joseph, who married Mrs. White, a widow; Jacob, who was named for his grandfather, married Margaret Ryan: Eliza, who is the wife of Daniel Ryan; and William, who married Mary Bantner. Mr. and Mrs. Simons with their children, belonged to St. Mary's Catholic Church, which Mr. Simons as- sisted in building, contributing very liberally towards that purpose. He had been one of the trustees of it for several years, and also of the parochial school connected with the parish. A Democrat, he served for one term as alder- man of Assumption, but otherwise neither sought nor desired public office. He started out in life for himself at the age of fourteen years and in the business world he achieved both success and an honorable name. He came to America to become an American citizen and no native son of this land was more loyal to the Stars and Stripes and to our republican form of government than was this honorable veteran of the Civil War. Mr. Simons lost his beloved wife March 1. 1915. At his advanced age he deeply felt his great loss until his death which came two years later, on April 23. 1917. His life was one of great energy and is deserving ot worthy mention in this volume.
SIMPSON, Wesley, a retired farmer, who is living in comfort at Pana after years of suc- cessful agricultural operations, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, Jannary 9, 1831, a son of Alexander and Eliza (Evans) Simpson. The father was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., and died in McPherson County, Kan. For a num- ber of years he engaged in farming in Ohio, Illinois and Kansas. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was a Repub- lican in politics. The mother was born in Ire- land. and died at Rosemond, Ill., and was also a Methodist.
In the spring of 1852. Wesley Simpson came to Illinois and lived in Pike County until 1856, when he returned to Ohio to be married. In the spring of 1857 he came back to Illinois, and settled in Christian County. buying 160 acres of land in Greenwood Township, and always after- ward applied himself to the cultivation of his land. On May 12, 1903, he retired from active
On January 17, 1856, Mr. Simpson was mar- ried at New Cumberland, Tuscarawas County. Ohio, to Miss Sarah J. Cheney, a daughter of Rev. Shadrack and Mary Cheney. She was born in Jackson County, W. Va., February 14, 1834, and died in Christian County, Ill., May 30, 1873. In her religious connection she was a Metho- dist. There were nine children born of this marriage, namely: Asa Olin, who is a farmer of Christian County; William Grant, who is a farmer in Oklahoma ; Clyde, who is a farmer in Christian County: Austin Ulysses, who is a physician at Seattle, Wash .; and five who are deceased. On December 6. 1877, Mr. Simpson was married (second) to Miss Martha S. Che- ney, a niece of his first wife and a daughter of James F. and Elizabeth (Scott) Cheney. She was born in Louisville, Ky., November 1, 1853. and is still living. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was her mother, who was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, September 11, 1848, and died at Pana. Ill. Her father was born in Jackson County, W. Va., June 4, 1825, and died at Pana, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson became the parents of five children, as follows: Frank, who was born February 7, 1880, is a farmer of Christian County : Emma J., who was born March 5, 1882, married Fred Seiler, a clerk in Schuyler & Son's Bank at Pana : John A. Logan, who was born September 21, 1SS5, is a farmer of Christian County ; Mary, who was born November 26, 1SSS. married W. R. Nye, a telegraph operator of Decatur, Ill .; and Ella. who was born June 4, 1895, is at home. All of the children were born in Christian County.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.