Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Edgar County, Part 132

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell
Number of Pages: 876

USA > Illinois > Edgar County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Edgar County > Part 132

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1846 .- John Hunter, Sheriff; Levi James, Coroner; Robert J. Scott, County Commissioner.

August, 1847 .- R. M. Dickenson, County Clerk; James W. Parrish, County Commissioner; James Jones, Treas- urer; Robert M. Dickenson, Recorder; Benj. F. Lodge, Surveyor.

August, 1848 .- Robert Clark, Sheriff; Richard Chil- dress. Corner; Willian D. Darnell, County Commissioner.

Special Election, August, 1848 .- James M. Miller, Jr., Circuit Clerk.

August, 1849 .- Samuel Connelly, County Judge; Robert M. Dickenson, County Clerk; John W. Blackburn, School Commissioner; Henry Neville, Treasurer and Assessor; Benj. F. Lodge, Surveyor.

August, 1850 .- James F. Whitney, Sheriff; George W. Turner, County Clerk.

Special Election, Nov. 5, 1850 .- Andrew M. Vance, County Commissioner.

November, 1852 .- Michael O'Hair, Sheriff; Thomas Crimmings, Coroner; William J. Gregg, Circuit Clerk.

November, 1854 .- John Means, Sheriff; Thomas Means, Coroner.

November, 1856 .- Michael O'Hair, Sheriff; William J. Gregg, Circuit Clerk; Otis Brown, Coroner.

November, 1857 .- A. B. Austin, County Judge; J. W. S. Alexander, County Clerk; J. H. Connely, Treas- urer; S. P. Reed, School Commissioner, B. F. Miller, Surveyor.

Special Election, Jan. 2, 1858 .- G. W. Rives, County Clerk.

November, 1858 .- William M. Snyder, Sheriff; Otis Brown, Coroner.

November, 1859 .- A. J. Baber, Treasurer; James A. Eads, School Commi -ioner; John Y. Allis .. Surveyor.

November, 1860 .- W. B. Latshaw, Circuit Clerk; M. E. O'Hair, Sheriff; Levi James, Coroner.

November, 1861 .- George K. Larkin, County Judge; A. B. Austin, County Clerk; A. J. Hogue, Treasurer ; W. G. Burnett, School Commissioner; B. F. Lodge, Surveyor.

November, 1862 .- William S. O'Hair, Sheriff: Levi James, Coroner.

November, 1863 .- A. J. Hogue, Treasurer; George Anthony, Surveyor; R. N. Bishop, School Commis- sioner.

November, 1864-Owen J. Martin, Circuit Clerk, John W. Sheets, Sheriff; George Titus, Coroner.

November, 1865 .- Andrew Y. Trogdon, County Judge; O. H. P. Forker, County Clerk; John W. Shank, Treasurer; Lewis Wallace, Surveyor; George Hunt, Superintendent of Schools.

November, 1866 .- Joseph H. Magner, Sberiff; Stephen J. Young, Coroner.

November, 1867 .- John W. Shank, Treasurer; Joshua Jump, Jr., Surveyor.

November, 1868 .- A. B. Powell, Circuit Clerk; H. M. Swisher, Sheriff; Stephen J. Young, Coroner.

November, 1869 .- R. B. Lamon, County Judge; A. J. Hogue, County Clerk; John Moss, County Treasurer; A. J. Mapes, Superintendent of Schools; G. W. Fore- man, Surveyor.

November, 1870 .- William S. O'Hair, Sheriff; Asher/ Arb Morton, Coroner.

November, 1871 .- William J. Hunter, Treasurer ; George W. Morton, Surveyor.

November, 1872 .- Henry S. Tanner, State's Attorney; A. B. Powell, Circuit Clerk; Bert Holcomb, Sheriff; Asher Morton, Coroner. .

November, 1873 .- R. B. Lamon, County Judge; George W. Baber, County Clerk; James L. Vance, Treasurer; R. S. Cusick, Superintendent of Schools.

November, 1874 .- Bert Holcomb, Sheriff; Asher Mor-) ton, Coroner.

November, 1875 .- James L. Vance, Treasurer; George W. Morton, Surveyor.

November, 1876 .- S. O. Augustus, Circuit Clerk; H. S. Tanner, State's Attorney; Charles Holley, Sheriff; J. W. Garner, Coroner.

November, 1877 .- A. Y. Trogdon, County Judge; Geo. W. Baber, County Clerk; A. J. Barr, Treasurer; W. H. Roth, Superintendent of Schools.

November, 1878 .- Chas. L. Holley, Sheriff; J. W. Gar- ner, Coroner.

November, 1879 .- A. J. Barr, Treasurer; J. W. Alli- son, Surveyor.

November, 1880 .- H. E. Rives, Circuit Clerk; J. W. Shepherd, State's Attorney; D. C. Phillips, Sheriff. H. W. Garner, Coroner.

November, 1882 .- A. Y. Trogdon, County Judge; W. O. Pinnell, County Clerk; Jonathan Ogden, Treasurer; James Stewart, Sheriff; R. S. Lycan, Coroner; D. T. Stewart, Superintendent of Schools.

November, 1884 .- J. W. Shepherd, States Attorney; H. E. Rives, Circuit Clerk; J. F. Stevenson, Surveyor; W. W. Wilson, Coroner.

November, 1886 .- A. J. Hunter, County Judge; K. Laufman, County Clerk; J. H. Handley, Sberiff; J. B. Wood, Treasurer; J. A. Kerrick, Superintendent of Schools.

November, 1888 .- F. P. Hardy, State's Attorney; H. E. Rives, Circuit Clerk; T. J. Brooks, Surveyor; W. M. L. Ferguson, Coroner.

November, 1890 .- A. J. Hunter, County Judge; K. Laufman, County Clerk; H. Musselman, Treasurer; R. S. Briscoe, Sheriff; J. A. Kerrick, Superintendent of Schools.

November, 1892 .- J. L. Vance, Circuit Clerk; Al Tan- ner, State's Attorney; J. E. Bonwell, Surveyor; F. D. Lydick, Coroner.

November, 1894 .- E. G. Rose, County Judge; Stephen Maddock, County Clerk; C. O. Chesnut, Treasurer; M. F. Winn, Sheriff; G. H. Gordon, Superintendent of Schools.

November, 1896 .- J. L. Vance, Clerk; H. H. Van Sel- ner, State's Attorney; J. E. Bonnell, Surveyor; F. D. Lydick, Coroner.

November, 1898 .- S. I. Headly, County Judge; E. E. Elledge, County Clerk; J. D. Hunter, Treasurer; G. W. Myers, Sheriff; Geo. H. Gordon, Superintendent of Schools.

November, 1900 .- James W. Cryder, Circuit Clerk; John W. Murphy, State's Attorney; J. E. Bonnell, Sur- veyor; D. D. Roberts, Coroner.

November, 1902 .- W. S. Lamon, County Judge; T. J. Brooks, County Clerk; G. W. Myers, Treasurer; W. A. Summers, Sheriff; G. W. Brown, Superintendent of Schools.

November, 1904 .- James Marley, Circuit Clerk; Walter Arbuckle, State's Attorney; James E. Bonnell, Sur- veyor; Dr. F. G. Cretors, Coroner.

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66 1

HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE PROFESSIONS.

EARLY MEMBERS OF EDGAR COUNTY BAR-LAWYERS WHO HAVE WON DISTINCTION AS SOLDIERS, IN POLITICS AND IN THEIR PROFESSION-ATTORNEY- GENERAL GEORGE HUNT-EARLY PHYSICIANS OF EDGAR COUNTY-SURGEON YORK VICTIM OF A COPPERHEAD MOB AT CHARLESTON, ILL .- OTHER PHYSICIANS WHO ACQUIRED HONOR AS SUR- GEONS OR SOLDIERS IN THE FIELD-ROSTER OF LIVING PHYSICIANS IN EDGAR COUNTY-PIONEER MINISTERS-CHAPLAINS CRANE AND WILKIN- PRESENT OCCUPANTS OF EDGAR COUNTY PULPITS.

The first lawyer in Edgar County who iden- tified himself with the community was Garland B. Shellady. He was a good lawyer, and in every way a useful citizen. He died in 1851. His son John also became a lawyer in 1861, and was engaged in the profession for over twenty years. He held the office of Master in Chancery for three terms. Kirby Benedict was a member of the Paris bar in early times when Mr. Lincoln attended court here, and President Buchanan appointed him to a judicial office in New Mexico. When Mr. Lincoln was elected President, Benedict came to Springfield to see him, expecting to be removed for par- tisan reasons; but Mr. Lincoln permitted him to retain his office on the score of old acquaint- ance. A legal firm of the older days was M. M. Dill and Henry Tanner. Mr. Dill was a man of little technical education, but of good sense and well acquainted with all the people and their ways. Mr. Tanner was well educated, a collegian, had been Professor of Mathematics in the State University at Bloomington, Ind . had a well-trained, logical mind, and was well read in legal lore and on every side. This firm was dissolved on Mr. Tanner's appointment as an Assistant Surveyor-General for the Terri- tory of Oregon. After his retirement from office Mr. Tanner returned to Paris and prac- ticed here until his death in 1896. He was County Judge for a time after the election of Judge Hunter to Congress. Judge Tanner was a native of England, as was indicated in some of his personal traits. He was a superior coun-

sellor-at-law and personally an excellent man, beloved by all who knew him.

James Steele was a lawyer in Paris for years and County Judge for a term commencing in 1853. At the expiration of his term as County Judge, he formed a partnership with T. W. C. Sale, which continued until March, 1861, when Mr. Steele became Chief Clerk of the Commis- sioner of Indian Affairs and remained in that position until June, 1866, when he was ap- pointed Circuit Judge by Governor Oglesby, as successor to Judge O. L. Davis. He was elected to the position in 1867 and held the office one term. Judge Steele was a delegate to the Re- publican National Convention of 1872, and served one term (1875-77) as a member of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission by ap- pointment of Governor Beveridge.

Another firm of lawyers in Paris was that of John W. Blackburn and Edward B. Munsell, both good lawyers and good men. Mr. Black- burn went to Denver, where he engaged in banking for a time; then resumed, the practice of law, and was appointed to a judicial posi- tion in Utah, where he died a few years since. Mr. Munsell retired from practice, having in- herited a handsome patrimony to the increase of which he devoted himself. He died recently. A. Y. Trogdon was an early member of the Edgar County bar, and was in a firm with John Shelledy and afterwards with R. L. Mckinlay. Mr. Trogdon was County Judge for thirteen years, being elected three times to that office. He dates back in the profession to the days when U. F. Linder, J. P. Usher, R. W. Thomp- son and D. W. Voorhees frequently appeared in court in Paris.

In later times, commencing with 1857, the Edgar County bar was composed of Henry Tanner, A. J. Hunter, James A. Eads, John B. Hannah, Sheridan P. Read, J. W. Blackburn, E. B. Munsell, A. Y. Trogdon, John W. Shelledy. R. N. Bishop, John G. Woolley, J. E. Dyas, James Steele, George Hunt, W. L. Foulke, C. V. Jaquith, J. W. Howell, Geo. Dole and H. VanSellar. A J. Hunter was prehaps more of a politician than lawyer, but was a very pop- ular speaker in the Democratic party. On the stump he was and is inimitable. He is in de- mand everywhere in Illinois and other States as a spellbinder. He has been twice elected to Congress, and twice elected County Judge. On the hustings he is, maybe, more fluent than exact, more eloquent than accurate in his state-

662

HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

ments; but that is a common habit with ora- torical people-besides, all is regarded as fair in political speaking as it is in war. Mr. Hun- ter is a most companionable and clever gentle- man.

Sheridan P. Read was a good lawyer, pains- taking and sensitive. When the Civil War came on he went into the field as Lieutenant- Colonel of the Seventy-ninth Illinois Infantry Volunteers, of which he soon became the Col- onel and which he commanded until he was killed in the battle of Stone River. James A. Eads came to Paris, in 1857, a young Ken- tucky lawyer. He and Amos Green were part- ners for a time. He was School Commissioner for one term and in 1861 was elected to repre- sent Edgar County in the Constitutional Con- vention that met in January, 1862, and framed a constitution which was rejected by the peo- ple. He was a good lawyer and a superior bus- iness man. Mr. Eads held many positions of trust and became very wealthy. He was receiver of the Paris & Danville Railroad Com- pany, and of H. Sandford & Company, and Vice-President of the First National Bank of Paris. He died in California, whither he had gone in pursuit of health.

Robert N. Bishop was perhaps the best all- around lawyer of the Edgar County bar at any time. He was a college educated man and descended from a long line of scholars, his grandfather having been President of Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, which was also his "alma mater," while his father was an edu- cator of good repute and engaged in teaching the higher mathematics, and the Latin and Greek languages most of his life. Mr. Bishop had a fine mental equipment and a preposses- sing physique and address. Possessing a happy combination of the analytic and synthetic in his mental outfit, he was formidable as a friend or foe at the bar. He could state a proposi- tion of law or fact more concisely and forcibly than any other member of the Edgar County bar. His comprehension was as clear and fresh as a June morning, and as calm; he was never excited in court, and never undone by the strategy of opposing counsel or adverse rulings of the court, and his resource in a law- suit always seemed equal to his needs. Mr. Bishop served as a member of the State Sen- ate one term (1870-72). He died in 1881.

George Hunt enlisted as a private in the Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 1861, and

served four years, retiring as Captain. He read law in Paris and was a member of the Edgar County bar when he was elected Attor- ney-General of Illinois in 1884. He was elected School Commissioner in 1865, and atter serving one term, was appointed Master in Chancery, continuing in this position from 1867 until his election to the State Senate in 1874, to which he was re-elected for two successive terms, serving until his election to the office of Attor- ney-General in 1884, to which office he was re-elected in 1888. General Hunt was small in physical stature, but of very superior mental mold. He was at his best as a counsellor-at- law. He had a brilliant career and died in Chicago in 1903, where he had located and engaged in the practice of his profession at the close of his last term as Attorney-General.

George Dole graduated from Jefferson Col- lege, Pa., in 1862, and at once entered the army as Adjutant of an Indian regiment in Kansas. He was soon promoted to Lieutenant- Colonel and served until the close of the war. He then came to Paris and began the practice of law. His success was assured as a money- making lawyer and business man from the start, and when he died in 1888 he was second in wealth only to Mr. Eads.

R. L. McKinlay has served in both houses of the General Assembly of Illinois several terms. W. L. Foulke is now in the law department of the Pension Bureau. Mr. Foulke served as pri- vate, Lieutenant and Captain in the Civil War, and his record in the army and everywhere else is without a flaw or stain. C. V. Jaquith is on the staff of the General Solicitor of the Big Four Railway System at headquarters in Indianapolis. J. B. Hannah served as Captain in the Civil War. He retired to his farm, a number of years ago, where he now resides.

The later members of the Edgar County bar are: J. W. Howell, H. S. Tanner (twice elected State's Attorney), J. W. Shepherd has served two terms as State's Attorney, Al Tan- ner has also served as State's Attorney, W. H. Clinton, F. W. Dundas, F. T. O'Hair, R. S.

Dyas, E. G. Rose (served one term as County Judge), S. I. Headley (also County Judge for one term), W. V. Arbuckle, G. A. VanDyke, James Lauher, Sidney Eads, H. H. Van Sellar (has served one term as State's Attorney), Frank P. Hardy (served one term as State's Attorney), John W. Doak, John Murphy (now State's Attorney), James F. Van Voorhees, T.

663

HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

J. Trogdon, F. C. VanSellar, G. B. Mckinlay, T. J. Coffman and J. G. Woolley, who went to Minneapolis in 1880, but is now in Chicago, editor of the "New Voice," a prohibition pub- lication.

PHYSICIANS.

Shubal York, John TenBrook, William Kile, L. L. Todd, H. W. Davis, S. J. Young, Edwin Woolley and A. J. Miller were the leading physicians in Paris. Thomas Smith, James Steele and Mark Rowe were in Grandview: O. Q. Herrick and John Mills in Kansas; Par- menio Yeargin in Elbridge and B. J. See, of Castle Finn. These were all well educated and worthy members of the medical profession. Dr. York became Surgeon of the Fifty-fourth Illinois Infantry and was killed in a melee between some copperheads and a party of soldiers who were at home on veteran fur- lough at Charleston, Ill., in March, 1864. Dr York was a personal friend of President Lin- coln, well equipped in his profession and 3. forceful public speaker.

Dr. Henry W. Davis enlisted as a private in the first company that went from Edgar County in the Civil War, and was soon pro- moted to be Surgeon of the Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was a good physician, quick and sure in his diagnosis, a very supe- rior surgeon, expert, original, daring and re- sourceful. He had a natural literary bent and a brilliant intellectual outfit, and in the use of language and the pen his equal was hard to find; he seemed to have been born with a pen in his hand and words in his mouth. He was the soul of honor and one of the man- liest of men. His career was brilliant but brief; he died in 1869.

Dr. John Ten Brook was an excellent phy- sician whose patrons never left him. He was a rare specimen of the old-time doctor in his manners and ways, visiting his patients on horseback-always well mounted-an elegant horseman and perfect gentleman, and repre- sented the best picture of the fine manhood of the earlier days of the county. He died in 1886, beloved by his patrons and neighbors.

Dr. L. L. Todd was a man of fine intellect, a lover of Burns and the other great poets, and of good horses. He was, withal, a successful physician, and removed to Indianapolis more than twenty years ago, where he died in 1903. Dr. Miller was the senior physician in Paris

for many years after Dr. Ten Brook's death. and his office was a sort of Mecca to the younger physicians, whither they went for counsel in difficult cases. He was independent and did little practice, except as counsellor, for a long time before his death, which oc- curred in 1900. Dr. Edwin Woolley was d good, safe practitioner and was much sought as counsel and otherwise. He was of delicate physique and was worn out, and died in 1889. Dr. Thomas Smith discharged the duties of a country doctor for a long time at Grandview, Ill., and performed them well in all respects, dying in 1878.

Dr. James Steele was one of the old-time doctors; was wealthy and retired on his farm lands years before his death. Dr. Orson Q. Herrick raised a company and became a Cap- tain in the Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. He was of splendid physique, of excellent mental equip- ment and skillful in his profession. He was soon promoted to be Surgeon of the regiment, and then as Medical Director of a Division .. He was a great lover of good horses and had hosts of friends. He died early in 1872. Dr. John Mills was a partner of Dr. Herrick, whom he survived for some time, but retired from practice years ago.

Dr. S. J. Young became Surgeon of the Sev- enty-ninth Illinois Infantry Volunteers in the Civil War; was twice elected Coroner of Edga" County and practiced in Paris until 1870, when he removed to Terre Haute, Ind. He practiced there with success, and is yet acting as a counsellor in the profession. He is a good physician and an admirable gentleman. Dr. Mark Rowe now resides at Redmon, Ill. He is one of Nature's physicians, and cannot help being a good doctor. He is wealthy and would retire from practice if the people would let him. He is well read in medical lore, has had long years of experience in his profession and an inexhaustible fund of common sense. Dr. Rowe is the last of the earlier physicians in the county now living.

Dr. Parmenio Yeargin was the earliest phy- sician in the field of those who are named here. He resided all his professional life in the town of Elbridge. He was never in a med- ical college, but read medicine and practiced until his experience, added to his natural good sense, was of more use than any library. His limited knowledge of materia medica was, per-

664

HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

haps, a good thing very often for his patients, as they wouldn't have so many kinds of med- icine to take, and would have more time to get well in a natural way.

Dr. Jeremiah Curl practiced in Paris many years with success. He was of the Eclectic School, and not only a good physician but, per- haps, the most learned Free Mason in all the lore of that order in the county. He retired from practice and died in 1872.

Dr. Paul Huston was the oldest physician and the first of those mentioned here to prac- tice in Paris. He was also an eclectic, having graduated at Worthington, Ohio, in the '40s. He ceased to practice long ago, unless called by special friends who had always sent for him. He invested in real estate early, and by waiting became rich. William Massie prac- ticed in Grandview, and also in Paris. Не was Surgeon of the Sixty-eighth Ohio Infantry, and came to Edgar County at the close of the war. He was a good physician and had the gift of expression to a happy extent.

Dr. James M. Steele, of Grandview, was a Virginian by birth and education; a man of excellent sense, well read in his profession and devoted to his profession. He was 2 member of the Illinois State Medical Society and often attended its meetings. It is related of him by one who was at a meeting of that society in Chicago when Dr. Steele was pres- ent, that a discussion was in progress on "Stomatitis Materni." Dr. Steele sat silent for a time; his hearing was dull and he did not catch on to the subject matter for a while, but at length he did and at the first chance he arose and said: "Mr. President, I now see what this talk is about-it is the 'suckin' sore mnouth.'" He then went on and gave an oral discussion 'on "Stomatitis Materni" more com- plete than all that had been presented by those to whom the topic had been assigned, and thus he treated the society to a surprise from a country doctor.

Dr. D. M. Camerer is one of the earlier phy- sicians, well read and skilled in the profes- sion, a fine type of the country doctor of for- mer decades, clever, genteel and indispensable. Dr. Samuel R. Gray came to this county in the sixties a young physician, married an Ed- gar County maiden of beauty and merit, and established himself in the profession in which he has been an honored and honoring mem- ber.

The present corps of physicians in Edgar County is not surpassed in any county any- where. Its members are all of middle age or younger, excepting three or four; are well educated and on a high plane in the profes- sion. It is only pertinent here to give the names and residences of these gentlemen. There are fourteen allopathic physicians now Dafevered in Paris, viz .: J. T. Musselman, W. A. me Buchanan, W. H. TenBrook, C. S. Laughlin, H. S. Bell, F. D. Lydick, E. O. Laughlin, W. H. L'un doctor Hoff, Z. T. Baum, L. O. Jenkins, H. McKennan, T. C. McCord, Floyd Davis, Albert Gumm, Al- bert W. Slaughter, Frank Link. There are three of the homeopathic school: G. H. Hunt. R. S. Lycan, N. P. Smith; and four Osteo- paths: Dr. L. F. Curl, Loretta L. Lewis, W. E. Davis and Harriet Rice. Physicians in the country towns and villages include: Dr. Wil- liam Ferguson, at Nevins; Dr. J. A. Evinger, Had the at Elbridge; Dr. J. G. Kilgore and Harry DAdie Shall Lycan at Vermilion. These gentlemen are nearly all members of the Wabash Valley Med- ical Association-a society of regularly edu- cated physicians organized many years ago, which meets semi-annually to discuss matters pertaining to the profession, and which has for one of its rules, "No quacks admitted." Some of these physicians are writers for med- ical periodicals, and are entirely capable in the literature of the profession. The people of Edgar County are to be congratulated on the excellence of the medical fraternity in the county and the absence of the quack and empiric.

This applies also to the following named gentlemen, who are practicing the profession in different places in the county: Dr. J. P. Slaughter, Logan; Dr. B. F. Darby, North Arm; Dr. F. J. Jennings, Scott Land; Drs. D. M. Camerer, S. R. Gray, J. R. McCulloch, S. B. Grose, G. L. Kerrick and J. F. McKibbin, O. R. Scott and A. J. Carson, Chrisman; Dr. Frank Parker Edgar, Drs. S. H. Hann, O. E. Glick and Frantz, Metcalf; Drs. Harry White and A. L. Dillon Hume; Dr. J. T. Hall, Palermo; Drs. J. V. White, H. C. Kerrick and Charles Handley, Brocton; Dr. J. G. English, Isabel; Dr. J. F. Apple, Borton; Drs. Mark Rowe and W. S. Jones, Redmon; Drs. J. P. Epperson and C. B. Hite, Kansas; Drs. A. K. Mosely and W. Mapes, Grandview.

Tanto a for years

665

HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

MINISTERS.

The ministerial profession has been graced and otherwise occupied by so many different persons that it is impossible that all should be mentioned here. The Rev. Joseph Curtis was the first minister to settle in the county. He came from Ohio and entered a tract of land now on the Clinton road, four miles northeast of Paris. He was a Methodist and organized the first religious society before the date of the organization of the county. He formed a Methodist class at the home of Col- onel Mayo in the Curtis neighborhood, none of whom are living now. Mr. Curtis was a native of New Jersey, born in 1787. He removed first to Virginia, and then to Adams County, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Hannah Shelby. He lost his property in the hard times after the war of 1812, and came west in 1818, stop- ping at Fort Harrison until 1819. He was a regularly licensed Methodist preacher, and itinerated in Ohio previous to coming to Illi- nois; but there being no circuit organized in Illinois at that time, he took to farming and raising young fruit trees, a business with which he was familiar. He had a family of four sons: David, Benjamin, Harvey and Isaac. He died in 1852. Harvey Curtis went west but the other sons remained in Edgar County. David became a Captain in the Seventy-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War; Benjamin engaged in horticulture, and Isaac turned his attention to agriculture, pro- ducing corn extensively on the fine lands he had acquired a few miles northwest of Paris. He was the first farmer in Edgar County to use tile in underdraining his land for farming. The Curtis family have ever been noted for integrity and other qualities of good citizen- ship.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Edgar County, Part 132

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Number of Pages: 876

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell
Number of Pages: 876