USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 76
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On June 5, 1875. Mr. Stewart was united in marriage with Miss Mary Garwood of Stoning- ton, Ill., a daughter of William and Catherine Garwood. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, but both of them died in infancy. Mrs. Stewart died May 8, 1898. Five years after her death, Mr. Stewart moved to Taylor- ville, where he erected a spacious residence at No. 521 N. Cherokee street, and with his two sisters-in-law, Miss Ida Garwood and Mrs. Jennie White, and his niece and nephew, Corena and Arthur Locke, he lived the balance of his life, surrounded by pleasant friends. His re- mains were laid to rest in the family lot in the old Stonington Cemetery. Throughout his life he stoutly maintained the high principles upon which he had raised the structure of his character, and he is remembered as one who exemplified true Americanism and upright man- lood.
STOGDELL, Benjamin F., one of the enter- prising farmers of Mt. Auburn Township, owns
forty acres of land on section 22, and twenty acres on section 8, and lives not far from Roby, so that he has all the advantages of urban and country life. He was born in Sangamon County, Ill., May 3, 1873, a son of Benjamin F. and Ann ( Kelly) Stogdell. Benjamin F. Stogdell, Sr., was born at Georgetown, Ky., April 3, 1838. Ann Kelly was born near Mechanicsburg, Sang- amon County, Ill., in 1842. They had eight children, of whom only two survive, namely : Benjamin F., Jr., and Jethro. She died near Mechanicsburg, Ill., July 28, 1879. Benjamin F., Sr., survived his first wife for thirty-five years, and for his second wife, was married to Nancy Jane Halley. His death occurred April 17. 1913, when he was seventy-five years and fourteen days old.
Benjamin F. Stogdell, Jr., was six years old when his mother died, and he was nine years old when the family came to Christian County, and here he attended the public schools. Until he was married in 1895, he remained at home. but in that year began farming on his own ac- count near Mt. Auburn, and in 1903 moved to his present farm, where he is profitably en- gaged in cultivating the soil.
On November 13, 1895, Mr. Stogdell was mar- ried to Miss Hattie Barnes, and they became the parents of nine children, namely : Cleo, Maggie, Ruth, Rollie, Pearl, Maude Marie, Delta Majorie, Dorothy and Geraldine Vivian, all of whom are at home.
Fraternally Mr. Stogdell is a member of the Buckhart Camp No. 725, M. W. A. A Demo- erat, he has been called upon to serve as town- ship collector and as school director and is still holding the latter office. A man of unusual ability, he has accomplished what he set out to do, and is held in high esteem by his asso- ciates and neighbors as well as all who know him. The family is an old and honored one in Christian and Sangamon counties, and its representatives are of excellent standing in every particular.
STOKES, Campbell A., one of the eminent men of his profession, now practicing at Edin- burg, was born in Fayette County, Ill., near Ramsey, January 28. 1859, a son of Bird and Margaret J. (Casey) Stokes. The father was born in Tennessee, and the mother near Ramsey, Fayette County, Ill. Leaving Tennessee when a small boy, the father was brought to Illinois by his uncle, who located near Ramsey and engaged in farming. In 1845 Bird Stokes en- listed in the army for service during the Mexi- can War, under Gen. Scott and Gen. Taylor, and after the close of the war returned to Fayette County. He was then married, his wife being a daughter of Thomas and Sally (Evans) Casey, and spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming, dying at the age of sixty years. The mother died at the age of seventy-two years. The father was a Republican and Methodist.
Doctor Stokes attended the public schools of Fayette County, and in 1879 he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio,
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from which he was graduated in 1882. Prior to his attending college he had taught school in Fayette County, and was well known in this section. In March, 1882, he located at Sharps- burg, in Christian County, remained there twelve years, and for the past twenty-three years has been at Edinburg, being one of the leading men of his profession in the county, with a large and valuable practice. He is a Republican. In fraternal matters he is a Thir- ty-second Degree Mason, a Knight Templar and Shriner.
In 1889 Doctor Stokes was married to Miss Lucina B. Sharp, a daughter of Henry and Cla- rinda (Redfern) Sharp, a sketch of whom ap- pears elsewhere in this work. Doctor and Mrs. Stokes have two children, namely : Hiram White and Clifford Sharp Stokes. For over twenty years Doctor Stokes has been associated with Doctor Milligen and been in active practice for thirty-five years. Doctor Stokes belongs to the Christian County Medical Society, the Illinois State Eclectic Medical Society, the Illinois Med- ical Society and the American Medical Associa- tion. For some time he has been a director of the First National Bank of Taylorville, and a director and vice president of the Turner State Bank of Edinburg, and is president of the Edin- burg Block and Tile Company.
STONE, Richard James, importer and breeder of Oxford Down sheep and one of the leading agriculturists of Stonington Township, is a man of unusual abilities. He was born at Bath, Eng- land, in Somersetshire, October 23, 1851, a soul of Isaac and Elizabeth (Ponting) Stone. The father lived at Bath all his life, where he carried on a contracting business.
Richard James Stone was the only one of his family to locate in America except Tom C. Ponting of Moweaqua, who was his uncle. He attended the common schools of Bath, England, and spent his boyhood in attending school and enjoying the normal sports of his age and com- munity. When old enough he learned the plas- terer's trade, and in 1871 came to Stonington, Ill. Inheriting a liking for stock from the Ponting side of the family, in 1876 he took up sheep breeding and since has exhibited at all the leading fairs of stock shows of the United States and has received more premiums for his stock than any other man living or dead, and has crossed the ocean twenty-five times with his sheep. For many years he was president of the County Farmers Institute, the Oxford Down Rec- ord Association, and the State Wool Growers As- sociation, and has held many other state livestock offices. Fraternally he belongs to the Elks, Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America. For many years he has belonged to the Republican organization of the county, but has never cared to take an active part in politics, and the offices he has held have been of minor importance. In 1912 Mr. Stone esponsed the principles of the Progressive party, huit in 1916 returned to the Republican party owing to the conditions de- veloped at the national conventions of the two
parties at Chicago. The family holds member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
On October 18, 1877, Mr. Stone was married at Blue Mount, Ill., to Miss Frances Salome Live- good, a daughter of Henry and Margaret Live- good. The father was born in Lower Windsor Township, York County, Pa., October 8, 1825, and the mother at Lancaster, Pa., July 18, 1825. In 1850 the Livegood family settled in Sangamon County, Ill., where the father engaged in farming until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Stone have six children, namely : Myrtle, who died in infancy ; Willie T., who died in 1908; Jessie May, who married Ilerbert Radwell ; Frances Salome. Tom Candy Stone, and Russel Harrison. Russel and Frances are still at home. Tom resides at Columbus, Ohio, having been graduated in 1914 from the University of Illinois, and is now teach- ing in the Ohio State University. Mrs. Stone has always been a great worker in the various church societies. In her home she has been the dominating factor, and has insisted upon neat- ness of house and surroundings. Mr. Stone owns 160 acres of land in Stonington Township. He has always been a ready conversationalist and having traveled extensively and read widely of books and papers, keeping well posted on current events, he relates events very entertainingly, and his advice is sought by many.
TAYLOR, Henry Clay, a retired farmer of Edin- burg, who belongs to one of the old families of Christian County, was born in Mercer County, Ky., November 13, 1869, a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Colliers) Taylor, both natives of Kentucky. After their marriage the parents spent some time in Kentucky where the father was engaged in farming, but in 1869 they came to Illinois, driving overland to Sangamon County, eighteen days being consumed in the trip. For two years the father was engaged in farming near Chatham, Ill., and then sold his crop and drove to Buckhart Township, Christian County and operated land two and one-half miles north of Edinburg, where both he and the mother spent the remainder of their lives. 1Ie was a Democrat and a Baptist.
Henry Clay Taylor spent his boyhood in Ken- theky and was sixteen years old when the fan- ily came to Illinois. Until the death of his father, he remained with him, and then he on- gaged a Mr. George for eight years. At the expiration of this period, with his brother, John Taylor, he engaged in farming until 1913, when John Taylor retired, and moved to Edinburg. Henry Clay Taylor later retired, and now divides his time between his brother's home and ('alifornia. he never having married. Frator- nally he is a Modern Woodman. In politics he is a Democrat, and the Methodist Church holds his membership. When Mr. Taylor came to Buckhart Township, Edinburg comprised a store, the post office, a saloon, and the rest of the present site of the city was wild prairie. Mr. Taylor has passed through many pioneer experiences, and in his boyhood the school he attended was held in a log house, and he had
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none of the modern advantages of the school children of today,
THOMPSON, Samuel, a successful farmer of Bear Creek Township, and a man of some im- portance in this county, was born in Ireland, June 25, 1855, a son of Samuel and Mary Ann (Bagnell) Thompson, both natives of Ireland, where their marriage occurred. In 1857 the father left Ireland and spent a short time at Jerseyville, Ill., but in 1858 went to Montgomery County and for a year was there engaged in farming. Leaving that section, in 1859 he came to Bear Creek Township, Christian County, and for three years rented land. He then bought eighty acres on which he moved and made some improvements, here dying in 1887, aged eighty years. The mother died in 1904, aged eighty- four years. They were earnest members of the Advent Christian Church.
Samuel Thompson has passed his life upon his present farm, and attended the schools of the neighborhood. When his father died, lie took charge of the farm, and he inherited and bought 1,386 acres in partnership with his brother, Jolin. Here they carry on general farming and are very prosperous.
In 1910 Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Nellie Lintwiler, a daughter of Joel B. and Mil- lie (Thomas) Lintwiler of Taylorville, Ill.
TOLLIVER, Louis J., one of the successful farmers of Taylorville Township, residing on Section 13. is an excellent representative of the best class of Christian County agriculturalist. He was born in Louisville Township, Clay County. Ill., August 13, 1868, a son of Wesley and Callyann (Cleveland) Tolliver. Wesley Tol- liver was born in Indiana, and his wife in Clay County, Ill., to which he came in young manhood and invested in farm property, and they were married in Clay County and made it their home until 1886, when they moved to Taylorville Township, Christian County, renting land here until Mr. Tolliver died. in August, 1890, aged fifty-four years. His wife died in 1891. aged forty-eight years. In politics the father of Louis J. Tolliver was a Democrat. In August, 1862, he enlisted for the Civil War, at Springfield, Ill., in the Fifty-eighth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, and served nntil the close of the war. being a brave and gallant soldier. Among other engagements, he participated in the battles of Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge.
Louis J. Tolliver was reared and educated in his native township and at Taylorville. His business career began with his renting a farmi in Taylorville Township which he operated until 1906, when he bought his farm of seventy- seven acres, and he also owns six acres on the edge of Taylorville, Ill. Since then he has devoted himself to operating his farms, and is one of the successful men in his line in this town- ship.
On February 19, 1891. Mr. Tolliver was mar- ried to Miss Minnie Elliott, a daughter of
Thomas and Ruth (Clayton) Elliott, of Taylor- ville. Her people were farmers, and are num- bered with the oldest settlers in Christian County. Mr. and Mrs. Tolliver are the parents of four children, as follows: Flossy, who mar- ried Con Norris; Vernon, who married Gladys Sanders, has one daughter, Phyllis; Gladys and Alberta. Fraternally Mr. Tolliver belongs to the Odd Fellows and Moose, and Mrs. Tolliver is a member of the auxiliary of the last-named order, He is a Democrat in politics and they belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Alert, industrious and economical, Mr. Tolliver has forged ahead, and is numbered among the worth while men of his section.
TOMLIN, Lee C., an extensive farmer of Mt. Auburn Township, whose holdings are among the heaviest in Christian County, is naturally a man of considerable prominence in his com- munity, and is highly respected. He was born in Pleasant Plains, Ill., December 11, 1862, a son of Edwin and Margaret (Carroll) Tomlin.
After attending the schools of liis district, Lee C. Tomlin went to the Springfield High school, being graduated therefrom in 1884, and then entering Hamlin University, at Minneapolis, Minn., he took a course in that institution. Fol- lowing the completion of his education, he went to .Missouri, and for the succeeding twenty-five years was engaged in farming. During this period he bought and operated a one-third inter- est in 8,000 acres of Colorado ranch land, which he later traded tor 900 acres of more valuable land in Christian County, and this he is now engaged in cultivating. He also owns 655 acres of land in Sullivan County, Mo., which he operates in general farming and stockraising. In 1915 he had 150 head of cattle, 200 head of hogs, and 60 head of horses and mules on his Missouri farm.
While living in Missouri, Mr. Tomlin was married to Bertha E. Prather, and they have two children, namely : Vera M. and Edwin T. In politics he is a Republican. The Methodist Church holds his membership. A man of his wealth and high standing necessarily is a force- ful factor in his community, but Mr. Tomlin exerts his influence judiciously and fairly, and has many warm friends among those with whom he is associated.
TUCKER, Jesse O., district manager for the Central Illinois Public Service Company of Illi- nois, with headquarters at Taylorville, is one of the forceful men of Christian County, and a notable addition to the life of this section. He was born in Ottawa County, Kas., September 12, 1SS1, a son of William Henry and Theo ( Moore) Tucker. The father was born near Nora, Ill., and the mother was born in Saline County. Ill. After spending some time on the family home- stead, the father went to western Kansas and took up a claim which he improved and made it his home for five years. He then went to south- western Missouri, bought a farm and lived on it for thirteen years, leaving it for a farm he
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
purchased at Ravenwood, Mo., where he now lives. The father and mother both are enjoy- ing good health at the respective ages of sixty- four and fifty-five years. In politics the father is a Democrat. The Baptist Church holds his membership.
Jesse O. Tucker grew up in Kansas and Mis- souri, and was graduated from Lamar College at the age of twenty years. He then took a course at the Union Academy at Anna, Ill., from which he was graduated in 1903. He then en- tered the University of Illinois in 1904, and was graduated therefrom in 1908, as an electrical engineer. Following this he entered the service of the Mckinley System of the Interurban Rail- road Company, surveying and as a civil engineer, and was with this concern for two years. When this company founded a board of operating en- gineers. Mr. Tucker became the electrical engi- neer for the C. O. and P. Railroad Company, and so continued for two years, and then on September 1. 1913, he became superintendent of station construction of the southern division of , the Central Illinois Public Service Company, holding this position six months, when he was transferred to Taylorville, being made first dis- trict engineer. In 1915 he became district man- ager, operating seventeen different towns and five mine substations. His work covers a wide area, and its responsibilities are heavy. In poli- tics Mr. Tucker is a Republican.
In 1911 Mr. Tucker was married to Miss Jes- sie Smith. a daughter of George Ramsey and Anna ( Rushton) Smith of Streator. Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker have one child-William Ramsey. Mr. Tucker is one of a family of eight children, as follows: Jesse O., Burton F., William B., Edward and Elma E., both of whom died in infancy, Edna C., Everett, and Myrtle M.
TURNER, Albert Franklin, M. D. Measured by the standard of conscientiousness and effi- ciency. coupled with experience and broad training. the physicians and surgeons of Chris- tian County show up as men of unusual capabili- ties and standing. One who is recognized as one of the leading representatives of his pro- fession in this part of the state, and meets the ahove requirements in every particular is Dr. Albert Franklin Turner of Taylorville. He was born in Effingham County, Ill., March 30, 1872, a son of Robert and Martha (Turner) Turner, natives of County Tyrone. Ireland. The father was a farmer and stock raiser in Illinois, where he died in 1907. The mother survives and makes her home at Cherokee, Iowa.
After attending the St. Elmo High school, Doctor Turner took a course at Greenup, Ill., and then one at the Valparaiso Normal school. He then completed his teacher's training by a course in the University of Illinois. To give himself a business training. he then took a commercial course in the Dixon Business Col- lege at Dixon, Ill. Doctor Turner then entered the National University of Arts and Science at St. Louis. Mo .. where he took the full medi- cal course of four years, being graduated there-
from in 1905, and in July of that,year he came to Taylorville where he entered upon a general practice, becoming one of the leading physi- cians of the county seat. Of late years he has confined his practice largely to office consulta- tion.
On January 19, 1900, Doctor Turner was married to Miss Tenna G. Gollogher of Shelby- ville, Ill., and they have one daughter, Dora- thea. Doctor and Mrs. Turner attend the Christian Church. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America and Elks, while his professional con- nections are with the Christian County Medi- cal Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and he believes in the value of these organizations. A man of sympathetic manner, earnest and thoughtful, Doctor Turner has been very suc- cessful in his practice, and is oftentimes called into consultation by his associates who recog- nize his learning and trained faculties.
TURNER, William Ezra, cashier of the First National Bank of Taylorville, and a man whose influence in financial matters is widely known and appreciated, is one of the best types of modern bankers. He was born at Taylorville, February 27, 1872, a son of John L. and Elizabeth (Haskins) Turner, natives of the vicinity of Bloomfield, Ind., and Jasper, Ind., respectively. The father came to Taylor- ville about 1865, and during the first years of his residence at this place, was a building con- tractor, but in later years became a brick and tile manufacturer, continuing in this latter line until his retirement about 1890.
William F. Turner attended the public schools of Taylorville, and later took a com- mercial course at the Gem City Business Col- lege at Quincy, Ill. Subsequent to this he taught school in Christian County for six years, for two years afterwards being an in- structor in McDonough County. He then as- sociated himself with the B. A. Turner Bank of Edinburg, with his brother, B. A. Turner, the bank subsequently becoming the Turner State Bank. For eight years Mr. Turner gave this institution invaluable service as cashier, severing his connections to come to Taylor- ville in 1905, to assume the position of cashier with the Farmers National Bank of this city, which office he held with credit to himself, and benefit to those interested in the welfare and prosperity of the bank. After the decease of his brother, B. A. Turner, in February, 1916, he was elected to the presidency of the Turner State Bank of Edinburg. In February, 1917, lie sold the Turner interest in the bank to Dorice D. Shumway and returned to Taylor- ville where he became connected with the First National Bank.
On July 27, 1897. Mr. Turner was married to Miss Edith F. Hitchcock of Lewistown, Ill., a daughter of Rev. W. H. and Susan M. Hitch- cock, natives of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have had three children, two of whom
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
survive, the eldest, an infant, being deceased. The others are as follows: Hazel Evelyn, who was born June 13, 1903, and William Willis, who was born December 23, 1904, both of whom are attending the schools of Taylorville. In religious belief Mr. Turner is a Presbyterian and is a valued member of the church of that denomination at Taylorville. His political views make him a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He served as a member of the East school board before the union of the districts, and was active in securing this merging of the two districts, and is serving his third term as school treasurer of his township. He was president of group No. 7 of the Illinois Bankers Association in 1908-9, and for three years was a member of the executive council of this same association, and has always exerted his in- fluence to secure better government and moral uplift in his community and business.
ULLOM, Elijah, a prosperous farmer of Rose- mond Township, owns 1,500 acres of as fine land as can be found in Christian County, and i's held in the highest esteem by his associates. He was born at Middleburg, Va., October 10, 1849, a son of E. H. and Minerva (Cox) Ullom. The father was twice married and had sixteen chil- dren by his two marriages. By trade he was a carpenter and cabinetmaker, and became a builder. During the winter seasons he taught school as he was a well educated man, and for sixteen years he was an educator, all of his efforts being confined to one school district.
In 1870 Elijah Ullom came to Rosemond Township, arriving on foot with but thirty-four cents in his pocket. The first day he found a job, and from then on he has prospered, he today owning some of the most valuable land in the county. His son and son-in-law assist him in caring for his large acreage, and he special- izes on raising stock.
Mr. Ullom was married to Rica Christian from Ohio, who was born in Germany, and they have had three children, as follows: Robert Little, who was born November 29, 1877, re- ceived an excellent education including a course in a commercial college, has taught school but is now a farmer, owning 320 acres of his own, and he was married to Ethel Holdsclaw of Chicago; Anna Frances, who was born June 27, 1880, was married to Charles Weaver of Rose- mond Township, a notary public and a farmer ; and Cora May, who was born January 28, 1883. Mr. Ullom is a Democrat in politics, and served as a highway commissioner for six years, was deputy sheriff for five years, and a school direc- tor for twenty years. The Methodist Church holds his membership. When he was a lad he had but few educational advantages, the schools being poor and the appliances of the crudest kind. Goose quills were used for pens and the juice extracted from poke berries was the only ink, but he made the best he could of his oppor- tunities and is today a well informed man. In addition to his other duties, he discharges
those pertaining to the directorship of Rose- mond Cemetery, and in every respect he is a representative and leading citizen and high- minded man.
UMPLEBY, James F., dealer in hay, grain, grass, cement and gravel, is one of the substan- tial business men of. Pana, and an excellent rep- resentative of the best citizenship of Christian County. He was born in Carroll County, Ohio, July 1. 1860, a son of Samuel and Nancy (Shuman) Umpleby, natives of Carroll County, Ohio. The father was a farmer both in Ohio and in Christian County. Ill., to which he came in 1861, at that time locating in Greenwood . Township. From there he went to Rosemond Township and lived for forty-five years, leaving that locality for Montgomery County, Ill., where he died February 9, 1910. The mother survives.
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