USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 75
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Thomas R. Snow was reared on his father's homestead, and attended the district schools, re- maining at home with his mother until he was a grown man, taking care of her until her death. On November S, 1881, he was married to Mary Burrus, who was born February 28, 1865, in Fayette County, Ill., and attended its schools. Afteir their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Snow lived on the homestead for thirteen years, and in the spring of 1895 they came to Christian County. Mr. Snow owns 160 acres of valuable land and has always followed farming, making a success of his work. He is a breeder of a good grade of Short Horn cattle and Percheron horses. Of their four children, Owen F., deceased, mar- ried Nellie Beard and they had two children, Ione and Halden; Laura was graduated from the Assumption High School and is a public school teacher; W. L. married Edna Russell, lives with his father; and Julia is the wife of Ed. Jesswine of Shelby County. Mrs. Snow died June 19, 1911, a consistent member of the Methi- odist Church of Assumption, to which Mr. Snow also belongs. He is a member of the Blue Cross Lodge, K. of P., and the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a Republican in politics. Mr. Snow was elected highway commissioner of As- sumption Township by a majority of over sev- enty, when the township has a normal Demo- cratic majority of 100. His majority when elected supervisor was 174, and he still holds the office.
SNYDER, S. J., who is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business at Edinburg, is one of the highly respected men of Christian County. He was born near Columbus, Ind., September 13, 1854, a son of Samuel B. and Mary Snyder. Early in life the father was a millwright, but later on he engaged in farming in Indiana, so continuing until he retired a few years prior to his death, which occurred about 1897. The mother had passed away about two years previ- ously.
After attending the district schools, S. J. Snyder went to the Columbus, Ind., schools and he assisted with the farm work until he was sixteen years old. At that time he began learn- ing the carpenter trade at Columbus, and fol- lowed it for three years. He then went into a carriage and wagon factory at Columbus, and remained in it until he was twenty years old, and then in 1868. he came to Grove City, Ill., and went into partnership with J. W. Hartsode, but bought him out in 1879, continuing alone until 1886, when he sold his wagon and carriage business, and embarked in a grocery, boots and shoes and hardware business, and conducted that until the fall of 1898. In October. 1898, he moved to Edinburg, Ill., and embarked in a furniture and undertaking business, in partner- ship with R. K. Johnson, and this association continued until 1908. when Mr. Snyder bought out Mr. Johnson, and since then he has con-
tinned alone. His equipment is such that he renders a dignified and satisfactory service as an undertaker, and he is called upon by patrons from a wide territory. Desiring to keep abreast of the times in his equipment, Mr. Snyder has recently invested in an elegant motor hearse. So satisfied are the people of Edinburg with his services, that no other undertaker has deemed it worth while to locate there and enter into competition with him.
On June 4, 1876, Mr. Snyder was married at Grove City to Luella Burdge of Grove City, and ' they have three children, namely : Mary Florence, Mabel, and Charles A. R. Mr. Snyder is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics a Democrat, he was county coroner for one term. Fraternally he is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Modern Wood- men of America.
SPATES, George W., a dairy and stock farmer of May Township, proves his enterprise by the manner in which he is handling his farm. He was born in May Township, August 16, 1867, a son of Alfred and Mary E. (Limer) Spates, early settlers of Christian County, and highly respect- ed people of this locality. In addition to at- tending the public schools of his native township, George W. Spates was given the advantages afforded by the Springfield Business College, from which he was graduated in 18SS. Upon his return to May Township, he operated a por- tion of his father's homestead until 1892. After several changes during which time he rented sev- eral farms, in 1903 Mr. Spates moved on his present farm of 120 acres which he had pur- chased, and to which he later added forty acres. Realizing the profits in the dairy business, Mr. Spates went into this line of agricultural work, and has one of the finest herds of Jersey cattle in the state, numbering sixty head, and carries on a large butter and cream business. His farm is known as the Oak Lea Farm.
On December 31, 1891. Mr. Spates was united in marriage at her home in White Oak, Ill., with Miss Lois A. Kerns, born January 15, 1872, at Palmer, Ill., a daughter of John D. and Hattie (Goodrich) Kerns. Mr. and Mrs. Spates be- came the parents of seven children, as follows : Mary Gladys, born November 19, 1892; John Alfred, born August 4, 1894; Edith Elizabeth, born April 21, 1896; Ruth Beatrice, born Sep- tember 21, 1898; Gerald Edward, born June 14, 1901; Harriet Winifred, born June 30, 1904; and George Limer, born March 4, 1916. In politics Mr. Spates is a Republican and has served as highway commissioner and school director for many years, and a part of a term as supervisor. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Methodist Church holds his membership.
SPATES, William A., a general farmer of May Township, was born on his present farm, which he owns, on Section 6, February 3, 1881, he being a son of Alfred and Mary (Limer) Spates. The paternal grandparents were natives of Virginia and Tennessee, and the grandfather came to
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Tennessee to be a pilot on the Tennessee River. He was married in Dickson County, Tenn., in 1844, and not long thereafter moved to Christian County, Ill., where he bought land. Subse- quently he went to Montgomery County, Ill., and died near Hillsboro, Ill., where the grandmother also passed away. He was a Presbyterian and she belonged to the Methodist Church.
Alfred Spates was born in Dickson County, Tenn., March 15, 1838, a son of John T. and Luella ( Harris) Spates. He was reared and educated in Christian County, Ill., and there re- mained engaged in farming until le enlisted in 1861 in Company G, Forty-first Illinois Volun- teer Infantry for service during the Civil War, at Decatur, Ill. During his three years of serv- ice he was in the battles of Shiloh, Siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, and other engagements, and was honorably discharged at Springfield, Ill. Coming back to Christian County, in 1866 he bought eighty acres of land in May Township to which he added until he now owns 280 acres, but in 1907 retired to Taylorville where he built a comfortable residence and is now living in comfort. He is a Republican and Methodist. On November 4, 1866, he was married, and his wife is a daughter of William Limer, a native of England, the ceremony taking place at the home of the bride's parents in Stonington Town- ship, this county. Alfred Spates and wife be- came the parents of three children, namely : George W., W. A., and Lena B. Wetzel.
William A. Spates attended the public schools of his native township, and took a six months' commercial course at the Springfield Business College. Returning home, he resumed farming on the homestead where he continues to reside.
On September 6, 1905, William A. Spates was married to Miss Edna Handel, born March 6, 1882, in Owaneco, Ill., a daughter of William and Phoebe ( Jones) Handel of Taylorville. The father was born in Virginia, and the mother at Bangor, Me. When a small boy the father was brought by his parents to Illinois, and the family located at Pittsfield, Pike County, where he learned and followed the carpenter trade. Later he came to Locust Township, Christian County, , but after twenty-three years of farming, he retired to Taylorville, where he worked at his trade and served as a justice of the peace. He died February 20, 1917. The mother died in 1914, aged seventy-one years.
Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Spates adopted a daugh- ter, Wilma B., boru April 4, 1907. Mrs. Spates is a member of the Country Woman's Domestic Science Club. Both she and Mr. Spates are Methodists.
SPENGLER, Henry, now deceased, was one of the substantial agriculturalists of Mt. Auburn Township, where for years he was engaged In operating his magnificent 240 acre farm, now occupied by his son, Robert Spengler. Henry Spengler was born near Springfield, Ill., but after growing up there, moved to Christian County about thirty years prior to his death, which occurred February 29, 1912.
Henry Spengler was married to Elizabeth A. (Hazlett) and they had the following children : Lura, Edwin, Zella, Melvin, George, Lewis, Al- bert, and Robert, who are living, and one who died in infancy. The mother of these children died June 24, 1916, on the old homestead, hav- ing survived the father for more than four years. In politics Henry Spengler was a Dem- ocrat.
Robert Spengler has spent his life upon his father's homestead, where he was born and reared. He attended the schools of his township, and was graduated from the Springfield High school in June, 1911. Following that he spent a year at Columbia University. Coming back home, he took a business course in the Spring- field Business College, and then began farming and has continued in that profitable line of endeavor ever since. He is a Mason and a mem- ber of the high school fraternity, Alpha Delta Sigma. In politics, like his father, he is a Democrat. There is no family in Christian County today that stands higher in public opin- ion than his, and the younger generation are living up to the high standard set by their father.
SPENGLER, Melvin M., manager of the Bo- livia Farmers Grain Company, and owner of the Spengler Elevator at Bolivia, is one of the lead- ing business men of Bolivia, and one whose energy and capable foresight are assets to his community. He was born in Christian County, October 19, 1880, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Hazlett) Spengler. The parents, who were farming people of Christian County, are now deceased.
Melvin M. Spengler remained at home until he was twenty-nine years old, and until then was interested in farming. In 1905 he became manager of an elevator company, and in 1911 bought the Russell Grain Company's holdings at Bolivia, whose elevator had a capacity of 25,000 bushels. When the second elevator was built, with the same capacity as the first, Mr. Spengler bought considerable stock in the new company, and was made its manager. During 1916 he handled about 150,000 bushels of corn at sixty-five cents per bushel ; 45,000 bushels of oats at thirty-five cents per bushel, and 10,000 bushels of wheat which sold from ninety-two to $1.40 per bushel. In addition to his interest in the elevators, Mr. Spengler owns a share in his mother's estate of 240 acres of land. Some idea of his standing with his stockholders is shown in the fact that he serves the Farmers Elevator and Grain Company as secretary and treasurer without bond.
On October 3, 1909, Mr. Spengler was married at Rochester, Ill., to Daisy Ross of Sangamon County, Ill. She died October 14, 1914, leaving no issue. Mr. Spengler is a Democrat, and is now serving his township as supervisor, giving the board the benefit of his hard business sense and appreciation of values. A man widely known and universally respected, Mr. Spengler is a credit to any community.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
SPURLING, Harry .- The artist is born, not . 1865. Doctor and Mrs. Stearns became the made, and some of the most skilled in this line have not had the advantage of training, but have been able to put upon canvas their ideas and to bring before the public in an en- during form their conception of nature as she really is. One of these artists whose work has received the highest enconiumis from people all over the country is Harry Spurling of Taylor- ville, whose sketches of live stock have gained him much renown.
Harry Spurling was born at Pleasant Plain, Ohio, July 1, 1874, a son of Samuel F. and Eve (Starkey) Spurling, natives of Ohio. The father was engaged in farming in his native state until his death which occurred December 1, 1907. The mother, who survives, makes her home in Ohio.
After attending the public schools in his dis- trict, Harry Spurling took a two-term course at the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, and then was engaged in farming in Ohio for some years. Always artistic, he found it useful to make sketches of his live stock for his own use, and in time branched out until he became an author- ity, second to none in the country, in this line of artistic work, and has done more than all the other artists engaged along this avenue put together.
Mr. Spurling is a practical farmer as well as an artist, and has made some notable experi- ments in stock breeding which are destined to make him equally famous. Knowing and un- derstanding live stock as he does, having made such a close study of them and their habits, he is able to determine what traits in certain strains are most desirable, and in this way to so interbreed as to bring out in the product characteristics which will prove worth perpet- uating.
STEARNS, Hiram Anderson .- One of the phy- sicians and surgeons of Christian County who during life made his name a household one in this section, and dying left behind him a stain- less name and unblemished reputation, was Dr. Iliram Anderson Stearns of Taylorville. Doc- tor Stearns was born at Massena, N. Y., April 2, 1862. Having decided upon a medical career, he supplemented the preliminary training he re- ceived in the public schools of Massena, with a course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the University of New York, from which he was graduated at the age of twenty years, and had he been older he would have carried off the honors of his class as he was a very brilliant student. Later on he took up post graduate work at his old college.
Following his graduation, Doctor Stearns en- tered upon a general practice at Antwerp, N. Y., there residing until 1891, when lie moved to Taylorville, Ill., and here he soon established himself in the confidence of the community, building up a large and lucrative practice.
In 1884 Doctor Stearns was united in mar- riage with Delia Wiggins, at Antwerp, N. Y. She was born at Antwerp, N. Y., February 1,
parents of one daughter, Bernice, who was born June 24, 1888. Mrs. Stearns died October 10, 1896, and after her demise, Doctor Stearns on account of failing health, moved to Oakdale, Cal., where he died April 2, 1S98. In religious faith he was an Episcopalian. His political views made him a Republican. Fraternally he was a Mason and a member of the Eastern Star. A man of wide reading and broad information, he naturally took an important position in civic matters, although he never wished to become a candidate for public honors, preferring to exert his influence as a private citizen. While his life was a short one, being terminated when he was in the very prime of life, he accomplished much during his brief span, and left humanity and his neighborhood the better for his having been here.
STEPHENS, Edward, a retired farmer of sec- tion 33. May Township, was formerly one of the most active in Christian County. He was born in Monroe County, Ohio, January 25, 1830, a son of Edward and Mary Magdalena (John- son) Stephens. The parents were born in Pennsylvania where they were married, and the father developed extensive farming interests. Subsequently he with his father drove over- land to Monroe County, Ohio, and there entered land from the government. There the grand- parents passed away. In the meanwhile the father, Edward Stephens, grew to manhood, at- tending school and farming, and when he had attained to manhood's estate, returned to Penn- sylvania and was there married. Returning to Monroe County, Ohio. he resumed his farming, and continued there until he migrated to May Township, Christian County, making the trip with wagons and teams. Upon his arrival, he bought the farm owned by Major Shumway in May Township, and there spent the remainder of his life, and here he and the mother botlı died. During the early days he drove his stock to St. Louis and Chicago markets. In politics lie was a Democrat, and the Methodist Church held his membership.
Edward Stephens remained in Monroe County, Ohio, until March 1, 1856, when he commenced the trip overland that was to take him and his family to May Township. After his arrival in Christian County, he bought land. for which he paid $2.50 per acre, and added to his original purchase until he had 500 acres of land. Mr. Stephens still lives on the old farm where for so many years he was en- gaged in farming.
STERNBERG, Mrs. Katherine (Bahr), one of the higlily esteemed women of Morrisonville. was born in Baden, Germany, November 1, 1845. a daugher of John Balır. When she was twenty years old, Mrs. Sternberg came to the United States, in company with a sister. For a time she was at Butler. Montgomery County, Ill., but in 1869 came to Morrisonville, where she has since resided. By her first marriage. she had
-
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
two children, namely : Charles, who was born March 5, 1868, is now a resident of St. Louis, Mo .; and Fred, who was born April 19, 1870, resides at home. On May 1, 1873, she lost her first husband. On October 20, 1874, she was married (second) to Moses Sternberg, oť Mor- risonville, a hotel man and restaurant keeper. Mr. and Mrs. Sternberg became the parents of three children, namely: Dora, who was born August 24, 1877, was married to John Stencil; they had two daughters, and after his death, she was married (second) to James Hauk of Chi- cago; Theodore, who was born April 2, 1881, died in boyhood ; and Leopold L., who was born June 25, 1884.
Leopold L. Sternberg received an excellent educational training, including a course in Baden Baden, Germany. For eight years he was an instructor in music, but when he came to Morrisonville in 190S, he established himself in a retail confectionery and bakery business and carried it on for four years. On January 21, 1913, he began his career as an insurance agent, and is the resident representative of the Sun Insurance Company of London, England, the dis- trict manager for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, and also represents a general line of fire insurance companies and has developed a fine business. He and his mother are devout Catholics. In political views he is a Democrat. The Bahr family is an old and hon- ored one in Germany, and the American repre- sentatives of it, in the persons of Mrs. Stern- berg and her children, are worthy of it in every particular.
STEVENS, James Davis, retired farmer of Tay- lorville, whose success in life points out a moral for the rising generation in that it teaches that honest endeavor and thrifty economy bring gratifying results, was born in Switzerland County. Ind., August 29, 1830, a son of Abraham and Phoebe B. (Davis) Stevens, natives of Orange County, N. Y. When he was twenty-one years old. the father moved to Switzerland County, Ind., where he rented land until he moved to one owned by the mother, and improved it considerably. Subsequently he moved to Pike County. Ill., and bought a farm in Hadley Town- ship. In 1850, imbued with the gold fever, he started for California, but died on the way near Salt Lake City, and was buried at that point. The mother survived him until 1878, when she died at the age of sixty-eight years. At one time the father was a local preacher in the Methodist Church. Fraternally he was a Mason. The maternal grandparents moved to Indiana and later to Illinois, locating in McLean County where they bought 200 acres of land, living upon it for a number of years when they sold and went to Switzerland County, Ind., and there died.
At the time of his leaving for California. the father owned 160 acres of land in Adams Coun- ty, Ill., and upon it James D. Stevens was reared and subsequently operated this home- stead for a time, and then began farming for
himself in Pike County, later coming to Tay- lorville Township where he rented land until he bought 160 acres in May Township, on which he lived for forty years. In 1911, feeling that he had completed his period of working, he retired, moved to Taylorville, and is now enjoying the fruits of his labors.
In 1880 Mr. Stevens was married to Miss Eliza Krone, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah N. (Keister) Krone of Macon County, Ill., but na- tives of York County, Pa., who moved from there to Long Creek Township, Macon County, just east of Decatur. The father was a carpenter and farmer here in Illinois, although he taught school in his native state. After coming to Macon County he served as a justice of the peace and township treasurer, and was a man of importance. He died in 1878, aged seventy- two years. The mother died in 1892. In politics he was a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have had four children, namely : James H., who died in infancy; May Long, who lives in May Township; Bessie; and Harry K., who is at home.
STEVENS, Joseph Woodford, a retired cattle- man and farmer of Edinburg, who during his active years achieved considerable prominence in these two kindred lines, was born in Boone County, Ky., near Union, June 16, 1836, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Powell) Stevens. The parents were born, reared and married in Vir- ginia, and there the father developed into a farmer. Later on in life he went to Boone County, Ky., driving his family and stock over- land from Virginia to his new location, and upon his arrival resumed his farming activities, in which he continued the remainder of his life. He became a large stock dealer in Kentucky. although he was not an educated man, having only attended the little log school in his native state. When he took possession of his Kentucky farm, it was covered with heavy timber, all of which he had to clear off, and he had to con- tend with the Indians, which were still occupy- ing the state. Horses were scarce and very valuable, so he did all his plowing with oxenl. HIis death occurred in Boone County, Ky., when he was sixty-seven years old. The mother also died in Kentucky, passing away at the age of seventy-five years. The father was a Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church.
Joseph W. Stevens attended school held in a log schoolhouse in Boone County. This little schoolhouse was a typical one for those times, with its puncheon floor, split log seats, and a home-made blackboard. After completing his school days, he assisted his father on the farm until the latter's death, when in 1863, he came to Illinois and located in Christian County, where he worked on farms for thirty-five cents per day until he engaged with a Mr. Bell of South Fork Township, who gave him half of all he raised. As prices for produce were low, it was difficult for Mr. Stevens to make any money, so he also worked at the carpenter trade. In 186S Mr. Stevens' brother-in-law came from
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
Kentucky to Illinois. and the two operated land in South Fork Township until 1872, when Mr. Stevens moved to Pana, and engaged in farm- ing one mile north of that city until October 1, 1873, when he sold his crop and came to Edin- burg to join his brother-in-law, Buckner Black, in a general merchandise business. Mr. Stevens also handled stock and conducted a meat market, and dealt in wool. Later Mr. Black died, and Mr. Stevens retired and lived with his sister, Mrs. Rose Black, until her death in 1913. He now lives alone, and has a nice house. He
never married, but was himself one of ten chil- dren, as follows: Edward, Kate, James, Oscar, Demeteras, Joseph W., Polly, Eliza, Rosa and Melvina. When Mr. Stevens first came to Buck- hart Township in 1873. there was no sign of the present city of Edinburg, the land being all prairie and swamp, about a postoffice and store. He remembers very well the stage line that ran between Springfield and Edinburg. In politics he is a Democrat. His fraternal connections are with the Masonic order.
STEWART, Austin W., one of the best beloved l'esidents of Taylorville,' died during the morn- ing of September 20, 1913, and left behind him a record of which any man might well be proud. He was born at Columbus, Ohio, September 10, 1839, a son of Richard and Philena Stewart. When Austin W. Stewart was still a lad, the family removed from Ohio to Lewistown, Ill., and there he was reared, and attended the pub- lic schools. After attaining to manhood, Austin WV. Stewart moved to Jacksonville, Ill., and from that city traveled through Ohio. Indiana and Kentucky, representing a large hardware and milling equipment concern, covering consider- able territory for many years. His acquaint- ance was very broad, and his marked success in business was due, in part to his faculty of creating and retaining friends, and impressing those with whom he was bronght into contact with his sincerity of purpose. He was a Mason of high standing.
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