Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Edgar County, Part 142

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

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JOHN B. GALWAY, a retired citizen of Met- calf, and formerly a large farmer of Young America Township, was born Oct. 31, 1826, in Washington County, Pa., a son of James and Margaret H. (Beatty) Galway. Educated in the common schools of Pennsylvania, Mr. Gal- way taught school in his native state, and Oct. 30, 1851, was united in marriage with Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of John and Christiana

Mitchell, to whom have been born four chil- dren, of whom Roxana, wife of John O. Kiser, and James H., a farmer, are living. In 1862 Mr. Galway bought land and settled in Young America Township, having previously lived ill Vermilion County, where, as well as in Edgar County, he taught school during four winters. He now owns 485 acres of land in Young Amer- ica Township, occupied by a tenant since the proprietor located in Metcalf in 1890. Mr. Gal- way is a Republican, and has served his town- ship as Supervisor six years, and as School Director a number of years. Fraternally he is an honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Honor.

JOSEPH H. GALWAY, lumber dealer, Met- calf, Ill., and one of the early settlers of Edgar County, was born in Washington County, Penn., March 17, 1841, son of James and Margaret H. (Beatty) Galway, the former a native of Ches- ter County and the latter born in Washington County, Penn. The subject of this sketch came with his parents to Vermilion County, Ill., in 1853, settling in 1856 in Young America Town- ship, where he was reared to farming and edu- cated in the public schools. In 1867 he bought a farm of his own in the latter township, and conducted the same until locating at Metcalf in 1890, the same year starting a lumber busi- ness with his brother John. This partnership was severed in 1895, John O. Kiser purchasing the interest of John Galway, since which timo the firm name has been Kiser & Galway. In April, 1894, Mr. Galway was married to Louisa Butler, of Alton, Ill. He is one of the substan- tial and thoroughly reliable men of Edgar County, and his life has been an important factor in its agricultural, mercantile, and gen- eral upbuilding.

WILLIAM B. GALWAY was born in Wash- ington County, Pa., Nov. 28, 1828, a son of James and Margaret (Beatty) Galway. He was educated in the public schools of Pennsylvania, and in his youth taught school, first in Penn- sylvania and later in Illinois. He came with his brother John to Edgar County in 1854 and soon after turned his attention to farming and stock raising, in which he met with more than usual success. With his brother, he assisted a committee in organizing Young America Township, and they are the only two surviving members of that committee. He was the first

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

School Treasurer of the township and the first Town Clerk. He also held the office of Com- missioner of Highways and later served as Col- lector, Assessor, and Supervisor. He is a mem- ber of the Christian Church, and in politics is a stanch Republican. Mr. Galway enlisted, August 13, 1862, in Company K, One Hundred Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, during the Civil war, and served two and a half years. He par- ticipated in the battles of Perryville, Chicka- mauga, and Mission Ridge, being at one time disabled and confined in the officers' hospital at Lookout Mountain. He went out as ser- geant and was promoted to the rank of lieu- tenant. After the war he returned to his farm, which now consists of 1,155 acres, the greater part of which he rents. He still resides on the old homestead on Section 13, Young America Township. In 1900 Mr. Galway visited the continent and the British Isles, and he has also traveled a great deal through America, covering forty states. He spends his winters usually in Florida or California. In 1865 Mr. Galway was married to Miss Elizabeth How- don, and of this union one child was born, who died in infancy. He was again married, June 26, 1900, his second wife being Miss May Boone, whose parents came to Edgar County in 1853. Mr. Boone was in the Civil war and spent fif- teen months in Andersonville Prison.

WILLIAM GANO, live-stock dealer, Redmon, Ill., was born April 19, 1845, in Scott County. Ky., the son of John P. and Eleanor Gano, who were also natives of the Blue Grass State and came to Edgar County, Ill., in 1852. November 11, 1863, the subject of this sketch enlisted in Company F, Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, serving as First Orderly. He was wounded at Nash- ville, Tenn., Dec. 15, 1864, and was discharged Sept. 4, 1865. On March 17, 1869, he was mar- ried to Elizabeth Sitts, daughter of David B. Sitts, a native of Connecticut. In political views he is a stanch Republican, and served as Postmaster of Redmon for five years. In re- ligious belief he is a Presbyterian.

ALFRED GEILING, well known farmer of Edgar Township, Edgar County, and owner of 240 acres of land, was born May 20, 1851, in Pennsylvania, in which state his parents, Adam and Sophia (Kramer) Geiling, had settled, after coming from Germany in 1820. The an- cestral industry had been farming for genera- tions, and Mr. Geiling profits by the industry

and frugality of his forefathers, accumulating a competence by the exercise of these admirable traits. His farm is well equipped and stocked, and his home is a pleasant and comfortable one, and surroundings in keeping with his pro- gressive and intelligent ideas. His married life dates from January 22, 1879, when Mary A. Randall became his wife, she being a daugh- ter of Andrew Randall, a native of Ohio, but who now lives in Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Geiling have been born nine children, seven of whom are living: Jessie P., Carl E., Frank C., Emma M., Homer E., Roy A., and Ona V. Mr. Geiling's standing in the community is indicated by his association with the Brocton Lodge No. 297, I. O. O. F. Liberal in his polit- ical views, he favors the Republican party.

MILLARD F. GILLESPY, farmer, Paris Township, Edgar County, was born in Stratton Township, Edgar County, July 11, 1849, the son of James L. and Anna C. (Hague) Gil- lespy, natives respectively of Tennessee and Virginia, who came to Illinois in 1818 and lo- cated in Crawford County. The father served in the Black Hawk war, and removed to Edgar County as early as 1821. The subject of this sketch was brought up on the old homestead in Stratton Township, of which he now owns 241 acres, and in 1887 removed to Paris. On Sep- tember 26, 1876, he married Caroline Whalen, and they became the parents of seven children, two of whom are now living, viz .: Nellie G. and Charles M. Mrs. Gillespy died March 26, 1891. Politically Mr. Gillespy is a Republican, and has served as School Director in Stratton Township for several years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

BERT W. GILLIS, liveryman of Brocton, was born in Edgar County, Ill., April 26, 1873, a son of Milton, Sr., and Lucy E. (Hendrix) Gillis, elsewhere represented in this work. Reared on a farm until his sixteenth year, Mr. Gillis began his industrial career in a mercan- tile establishment, working his way up from the bottom round of the ladder, and in 1897 resigning from a responsible position to engage in his present livery business. February 22, 1899, he was united in marriage to Celestia F., daughter of M. O. Bandy, of Brocton, and with his wife is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Gillis is a stanch Re- publican, and as such has creditably served as Clerk of Embarras Township.

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

EDWARD E. GILLIS .- A promising and suc- cessful hardware, furniture, and undertaking business has been conducted at Brocton by Edward E. Gillis, since 1895. Formerly Mr. Gillis engaged in farming in Edgar County, of which he is a native son, having been born March 10, 1863. His father, William Gillis, came with his wife to Edgar County, from Ohio, in 1850, settling on government land, which he cultivated, and lived upon for the balance of his life. His wife still makes her home in Brocton, her family connections being dealt with elsewhere in this work. A marked pref- erence for general business resulted in Mr. Gillis' exchanging the farm for his present occupation, and his tact and grasp of the de- mands of the public have made him an impor- tant commercial factor. He is public spirited in the extreme, fostering education and gen- eral improvement, and has served six years as a member of the School Board, to which he was elected on the Republican ticket. A mem- ber of the Brocton Lodge No. 297, I. O. O. F., he is active also in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been a member for many years.

LINCOLN GILLIS .- Among the old reliable business concerns of Brocton is the hardware and furniture business of Lincoln Gillis, con- ducted for the past seventeen years in part- nership with his brother, and which has a firmly established town and country trade. Mr. Gillis is a native son of Edgar County, and was born Sept. 15, 1861. His parents, Williani and Mary (Simpson) Gillis, were born in Ohio, and moved to Edgar County in 1845, where the former since died, but the mother still makes her home in Brocton. With a public school education and a thorough home training as a foundation, Mr. Gillis engaged in farming on his own responsibility for several years, but since 1884 has lived in town, where, on Sept. 25, 1888, he was united in marriage with Emma Smith, a native daughter of Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Gillis have been born three children, Leah, Covey, and Mary. A Republican in poli- tics, Mr. Gillis is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, and in religion is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He represents the reliable and substantial element of the town, and is one of its most popular and prosperous merchants.

MRS. MARY E. GILLIS, Brocton, was born in Virginia, October 16, 1834, a daughter of Darius Simpkin, a native of the Old Dominion. She came to Edgar County, Ill., with her par- ents, and Sept. 5, 1852, was married to William O. Gillis, a native of Ohio, who located in Edgar County in 1850. Here he followed farm- ing until his death, Sept. 22, 1894. To Mr. and Mrs. Gillis seven children were born, two of whom are deceased. Those living are: Wil- liam H., Abram L., Edward C., Lulu M., and John. Mrs. Gillis has a pleasant home in the village of Brocton, where she is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM H. GILLOGLY .- The rugged gifts of industry and patience have brought a com- petence to William H. Gillogly, and enrolled his name among the successful and highly es- teemed native sons of Edgar County. Born August 6, 1858, his family was established in the state by his parents, J. D. and Sarah (Bain) Gillogly, who were born in Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively, and who still survive their immigration of 1856. Reared on a farm and educated in the district schools, Mr. Gil- logly has devoted his entire active life to till- ing the soil and raising stock, and now is the owner of 280 acres of land in Embarras Town- ship, upon which he has made many fine im- provements. February 22, 1883, Mr. Gillogly was married to Mary E. Thomas, daughter of James T. and Mary E. Thomas, of Edgar County, and who departed this life June 3, 1899. A daughter, Ellen E., was born to this union. Politically Mr. Gillogly is a Democrat, and he is now serving his second term as Road Commissioner. He is a member of the Brocton Lodge No. 297, I. O. O. F., and the Modern Woodmen of America, and in religion is iden- tified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HON. GEORGE H. GORDON, teacher and member of the State Legislature, Paris, Ill., was born in Indiana County, Penn., May 3, 1850, the son of Rev. David and Jane T. (Dickey) Gordon, natives respectively of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Rev. David Gor- don was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty-six years. The subject of this sketch came to Kansas, Edgar County, in 1873, and since that time his principal occu- pation has been school teaching. In political

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

sentiment he is a Republican, and in 1894 was elected County Superintendent of Schools for Edgar County; was re-elected to the same office in 1898, and in 1902 was elected to the Illinois State Legislature. On November 20, 1879, he was married to Miss Helen A. Fravel, a native of Ohio, and of this union nine chil- dren have been born: Charles F., Raymond L., George H., Willis O., Morris D., Hazel A., Frank A., Russell L., and Wendel H. Mrs. Gordon is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JAMES S. GORDON .- Established in 1867, the general merchandise business of James S. Gordon is one of the oldest enterprises of the kind in Redmon, Ill. The year previous, the genial and successful owner came here from Butler County, Ohio, where he was born Nov. 6, 1839, and where he was reared on the farm of his parents, William and Mary (Cartwright) Gordon, the former of whom was born in Ohio, and the latter in Maryland. On the maternal side Mr. Gordon inherited longevity, the trait being shared by his mother, now ninety-two years old, and living in Monon, Ind., and who, notwithstanding her many mile posts of life, enjoys good health, and is in hopeful spirits. Mr. Gordon is a Democrat in politics, and for the first eighteen years of his residence here was Postmaster of Redmon, Ill. He is liberal in his religious views, contributing impartially to churches and charitable institutions. Decem- ber 2, 1862, he married Mary E., daughter of Eli Statnaker, of Virginia, and of this union nine children have been born, four of whom are living: Minnie, Warren, Willard E., and Mabel C.

SAMUEL GRAHAM (deceased) was born in Washington County, Md., Feb. 23, 1821. He obtained a good commercial education in his youth, and also learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1846 he came to Edgar County, Ill., locating in Paris, two years later, and opened a black- smith, wagon and plow shop, which he oper- ated successfully for twenty-one years. In 1866 he engaged in the agricultural implement busi- ness and later purchased a 200-acre farm north- west of Paris, near the city limits, which is still known as the Graham farm. On August 9, 1848, he was married to Miss Margaret Whalen, of Nelson County, Ky., and to them six children were born, viz .: Josephine, de- ceased; Kate, wife of E. D. Jurey; Flora B.,

wife of Frank Adams; Charles; Samuel, Jr., and William A. Mr. Graham was for many years a devout member of the First Baptist . Church, and fraternally was a member of the I. O. O. F., being the last of the charter mem- bers of Edgar Lodge No. 91 of Paris, and was the only charter member to survive the fitti- eth anniversary of the lodge. Mr. Graham was a man of industrious habits, good business ability, and his death, which occurred April 27, 1902, was sincerely felt by his family and a large circle of friends.

WILLIAM A. GRAHAM, proprietor general notion store, Paris, Ill., was born in the city where he now resides, February 3, 1854, the son of Samuel and Margaret ( Whalen) Gra. ham. He was reared on his father's farm and obtained his education in the public schools, and since has been engaged in mercantile pur- suits. In the latter year he removed to Mont- gomery County, Kansas, where he was engaged in the hardware business for eighteen years. when he returned to Chicago and conducted a notion store on Forty-third street in that city. In 1897 he located in Paris, Ill., and estab- lished his present business, which has been a very successful undertaking, and in his estab- lishment may be found a full assortment of goods usually found in first-class stores of this character. Mr. Graham was married on Sept. 15, 1880, to Miss Ella Foster, and they have one child, Lottie S. In religious belief Mr. Graham is a member of the First Baptist Church, in which he is a trustee. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Order of Paris. and of the A. O. U. W. of Kansas. In addition to his store on Central avenue in Paris, he owns a farm adjacent to that city.

ARTHUR D. GREATHOUSE .- Through the exercise of such homely gifts as industry, com- mon sense and enterprise, Arthur D. Great- house has risen from a poor boy to wealth and influence, and command of large general farm- ing and stock-raising affairs in the neighbor- hood of Dudley, Edgar County, Ill. Mr. Great- house was born in Posey County, Ind., Jan. 1, 1867, the son of Benjamin F. and Bethana ( Welborn) Greathouse, the former born Aug- ust 26, 1841, died Jan. 17, 1877; the latter born May 17, 1847, and is still living. In his boyhood the subject of this sketch found little promise of encouragement, but, working on the

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

farm during summer, used his earnings in paying for his schooling during the winter. A break in the monotony came in his twelfth year, when he entered school at Mt. Vernon, Ind., where he remained several years, when, in the fall of 1885, he became a student at the Central Normal College, at Danville, in the

ARTHUR D. GREATHOUSE.

same state, which he attended one year. On February 22, 1888, Mr. Greathouse married Maggie B., daughter of Adin and Mary E. Baber, to whom has been born a son, Asa B. One year after his marriage, Mr. Greathouse having returned to Edgar County, Ill., located near Dudley in that county, where he was engaged in farming on rented land for several years. Through the exercise of economy and good management he accumulated means enabling him to branch out into more inde- pendent undertakings, and in partnership with his father-in-law, Mr. Baber, purchased the home farm of 360 acres, upon which he now lives. At present he owns over a thousand acres of land, devoted to general farming and stock-raising. Though not a member of any religious denomination, Mr. Greathouse is & regular attendant on the services of the Meth- odist Church. His career has been one of strug- gle, often under adverse circumstances, but in

the achievement of his success he has never lost track of personal honor, consideration for others or a wholesome wish to benefit the com- munity in which he lives.

DR. CHARLES A. HANDLEY, physician and surgeon of Brocton, was born July 2, 1869, in Coles County, Ill. His father, a sketch of whose life appears in this work, was a native of Illinois; his mother was also born in this state. He received his early education in Edgar County, and later pursued his medical studies at Louisville Medical College, from which institution he was graduated in 1894 He also attended the New York Polyclinic, graduating therefrom in 1896. He afterwards located in Brocton, and has successfully fol- lowed his chosen profession. On July 15, 1893, he was married to Leona D., a daughter of James B. Buckler, a native of Kentucky, but at present residing in Embarras Township, Ed- gar County. Two children were born of this union, Fern and Lois. Dr. Handley is a Dem- ocrat, and as such served as Deputy Sheriff of the county from 1886 to 1890. In his religious belief he is a Baptist and a member of that church. He is also a member of Brocton Lodge No. 297 I. O. O. F., and Lodge No. 921 Court of Honor.

JUSTINE H. HANDLEY, farmer and stock- raiser. Embarras Township, Edgar County, 111., was born in Clark County, Ill., April 6, 1844, the son of Michael and Susan C. Handley. The father dying when Justine H. was a child four years of age, he was taken by his mother to Coles County, Ill., where he grew to years of maturity. He was engaged in farming on rented land for a number of years, but in 1868 purchased sixty acres of land, to which he has made subsequent additions until he now owns 545 acres located in Coles and Edgar Counties. On September 29, 1867, he was married to Miss Lucinda J. Shields, daughter of Rev. John and Sarah Shields, and to them seven children have been born, viz .: Charles A., Rose E., D. Bruce, Ida B., James F., Sarah A., and Justine H. Mr. Handley is a Democrat in political belief, and was elected Sheriff on that party's ticket in 1886. Socially he belongs to the M. W. A. and I. O. O. F.

A. K. HARTLEY, stock dealer, was born near Chrisman, Feb. 11, 1854, a son of Nathan and

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

Elizabeth (Hoult) Hartley, both natives of Virginia, who came to Edgar County in 1832 and were married in the fall of that year. Later they returned to West Virginia and again to Edgar County in 1834, when he purchased land in Edgar Township, where he pursued the industry of farming and raising stock, until his death, which occurred July 4, 1871, his wife dying August 13, 1893. He was very success- ful in business and left an estate consisting of between 600 and 700 acres of land. Twelve children comprised his family, namely: Mary, Sarah, John S., Emily, Sophia, Elizabeth (de- ceased ), Isabel (deceased ), Joseph Owen, Elisha William, Artemissa, Marica, and Al- phaus K., who was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools, and also attending the academies at Clinton, Ind., Paris, and Chrisman. On October 1, 1879, the sub- ject of this sketch was married in Elizaville, Fleming County, Ky., to Levia, a daughter of Harrison and Mary Sousley, residents of Flem- ing County. Two children, Mima and Leota Orah, were born of this union. After his mar- riage Mr. Hartley settled in Edgar Township, where he engaged in general farming, and also turned his attention to the raising of cattle and other stock, and at the present time manages his own farm, which comprises over 300 acres. In 1900 he left the farm, removing to Chrisman, where he still resides, and maintains various interests, one of which is the lumber yard of Johnson & Hartley. He is also engaged in the elevator and grain business, the firm name being Hartley & Fair, and is a member of the Wabash Valley Telephone Company, a director in the Electric Light Plant Company, and a director in a bank of which he was at one time president. He votes the Democratic ticket, and was elected Supervisor in 1893, serving in that capacity until 1897. Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows and Rebecca Orders. Mrs. Hartley is a member of the Christian Church.

ELISHA WILLIAM HARTLEY, banker and farmer, was born in Edgar Township, one mile south of Chrisman, July 24, 1847, a son of Nathan and Elizabeth (Hoult) Hartley, both natives of West Virginia, who came to Edgar County in 1830. where they were married, sub- sequently returning to West Virginia, and later coming again to Edgar County. The family numbered twelve children, one of whom

died in infancy. Elisha W. was reared on a farm, where he worked until twenty years of age, then attended the Paris high school for a period of three months. The ensuing year he went to Kansas, traveling through the coun- try in search of health, then back to Illinois, where he passed three months at the Carbon- dale Academy, subsequently traveling through Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky, soliciting for the Carbondale Nursery. He then went to Bal- lard County, Ky., where he taught school for a time, later going to Columbus and obtaining employment in a grocery store, in which busi- ness he remained through the winter and spring, after which he was engaged in various occupations in Columbus, finally going to Mis- souri, where he secured a position with a lum- ber dealer, at which he continued until the death of his father, in July, 1871, when he re- turned home and assumed charge of the farmi, on which he resided until some time in the eighties. He now owns a farm of 180 acres, which he cultivates with only one assistant. In 1892 he assisted in organizing the State Bank of Chrisman, in which he is a stock- holder and director, R. S. Cusick being ap- pointed as president and continuing in office until 1893, when he was succeeded by Mr. Hart- ley, who held the position until the return of Mr. Cusick as president in 1896, Mr. Hartley being given the office of cashier. He also owns stock in the City Electric Light and Telephone Company. On October 15, 1886, he was mar- ried to Mamie, a daughter of Cassius and Emma (Barr) Chrisman. The town of Chrisman was named for "Mathias Chrisman," whose farm once covered the present site of the town. Mrs. Hartley is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Mr. Hartley is socially identified with the Odd Fellows and Court of Honor.

JAMES M. HAYES, who, with his brother. John T., owns and operates 170 acres of land in Kansas Township, Edgar County, Ill., was born Sept. 10, 1875, near where he now lives, a son of John C. and Lilly A. (True) Hayes, the latter a daughter of General James M. True, of Civil war fame. James M. remained at home until his eighteenth year, and then attended school in Omaha, Neb., for a couple of years, the following two years being spent in working in a warehouse. Coming to Edgar County in 1896, he started his present partnership with his brother in August, 1897, and since has

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

engaged in general farming and stock-raising on a large scale. He is a Republican in poli- tics; is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. ,

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Edgar County, Part 142

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