Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Edgar County, Part 145

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

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FRANCIS M. LINK, physician and surgeon, Paris, Ill., was born in the city where he now resides, July 21, 1879, youngest member of the family of Francis M. and Mary (Simms) Link, natives respectively of West Virginia and Simms Township, Edgar County, Ill. Simms Township was named in honor of Hall Simms, the maternal grandfather of Dr. F. M. Link. The subject of this sketch graduated from the Paris High School in 1897, and in the same year matriculated at Rush Medical

College, Chicago, receiving his degree of medi- cine from that institution in 1901. He began practicing his profession at Logan, Edgar County, but on May 16, 1901, located in Paris, where he has established a successful prac- tice and is gradually securing his share of public patronage. Socially the Doctor is a member of the County Medical Society and Aesculapian Society of the Wabash Valley, Masonic order, P. B. O. E., M. W. A., and the Tribe of Ben Hur. In religious views he is a Methodist, and in political relations a Republican. He is well known for his genial disposition and courteous manners, and, as a younger member of the medical profession, is becoming very popular.

HORACE LINK, merchant, was born April 27, 1868, in Paris Township, a son of James A. and Rebecca (Middleton) Link. The father was formerly engaged in farming, but has retired from active life and is now living in Paris. Horace attended the public schools of his native town, and later the State Normal School at Danville, Ind., where he was gradu- ated in a commercial course. He studied em- balming under Professor Dodge, of Boston, Mass., and also at the Chicago College under Professor Barnes, at that time State Examiner at Peoria under the State Board of Health. He was engaged in the milling business with his father at Paris for six years, and then became private secretary to C. P. Hitch, Grand Recorder of the A. O. U. W. in Illinois, a position he held for six years, when he was appointed general agent for the Franklin Life Insurance Company, in Springfield, Ill. On Oct. 1, 1901, he engaged in the furniture, house furnishing, and undertaking business with J. G. Brown under the firm name of Horace Link & Co. They have the best equipment for funerals in the city and own their own teams, hearses and ambulance. They handle a very extensive stock of furniture, and have every- thing needed in house furnishing excepting crockery and glassware. Mr. Link was mar- ried Dec. 21, 1892, to Miss Maude Rude, a daughter of F. M. and Sallie (Collemer) Rude. Her father was a pioneer merchant and for- merly City Treasurer of Paris. To Mr. and Mrs. Link have been born two sons, Paxson R. and Richard M. In politics Mr. Link is a Republican, and was elected City Treasurer, filling that office for two years, from 1899 to

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

1901. He is a member of the Modern Wood- men, A. O. U. W., and the State Undertakers' Association. In religion he is affiliated with the Methodist Protestant Church, of which he has been treasurer for eight years.

ALPHEUS LITTLE, farmer, was born in Butler County, Ohio, June 12, 1827, the son of Ezra and Elizabeth (Martin) Little, both natives of Ohio, who in 1831 removed to Mont- gomery County, Ind. Here he passed his boy- hood and early manhood, receiving his educa- tion in a log schoolhouse, but in 1857 removed to Edgar County, Ill., where he purchased land when it was cheap, securing 480 acres at $15 per acre. After giving eighty acres of this land to each of his three children, he sold an additional eighty acres and still has a quarter section remaining, being a part of Section 15, Edgar Township, where he now resides, engaged in general farming, which in- dustry he has followed through life. On Nov. 16, 1848, Mr. Little was married to Cynthia, a daughter of John and Abigail (Moneyhorn) Butcher, natives of Virginia, who came to In- diana about 1827, and where she was born Dec. 29, 1830. Three children have been born of this marriage, as follows: James Morris, Sarah E., wife of Benjamin Manning, and Han- nah M., wife of Howard Moyer. Mr. and Mrs. Little have twenty-one grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and in their home no death has ever occurred, although they have lost two grandchildren and one great-grand- child. For forty years Mr. Little has been a member of the Christian Church, of which he is a Trustee. He has also served as School Director, and socially is a member of the Le- gion of Honor and Loyal Sunday School Army of America. He and his wife are greatly inter- ested in church and Sunday-school work. Mrs. Little is teaching a class in the school. Mr. Little has two diplomas-one in the Old Testa- ment and one in the New Testament-of which he is proud.

CHARLES R. LIVINGSTON, editor and owner of the "Chrisman Courier," of Chris- man, Edgar County, Ill., since July 30, 1894, was born in Champaign County, Ill., June 12, 1871, a son of Samuel and Letitia Livingston, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively. but now residents of Rantoul, Ill. Mr. Livingston has been in the newspaper business since 1890,

inaugurating his wage-earning career in the office of the "Rantoul Press," and later being associated with both the "Champaign Times" and the "Champaign News," also "The Herald," at Cayuga, Ind. Nov. 20, 1895, Mr. Livingston married Nellie D. Murphy, at Terre Haute, Ind., of which union one daughter has been born, Deniza Fayelle. Fraternally Mr. Living- ston is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Court of Honor.

DR. HARRY LYCAN, physician and surgeon, Vermilion, Edgar County, Ill., was born in Paris Township, Edgar County, March 23, 1873, the son of Harain and Elizabeth ( Thomas) Lycan. He obtained his early education in the public schools of Paris; afterwards at- tended school in Danville, Ill., and finally grad- uated from the Marion College of Medicine in 1899. For four years after receiving his de- gree of medicine, he practiced in Paris, and located at Vermilion about 1902. On October 15, 1902, the Doctor was married to Coral E. Wilkin, daughter of William T. Wilkin. He is a member of the Christian Church, a Repub- lican in political belief, and belongs to the Aesculapian Society of the Wabash Valley.

JEREMIAH V. LYCAN, farmer, Symmes Township, Edgar County, Ill., was born in Mor- gan County, Ky., Jan. 28, 1820, son of Jere- miah and Elizabeth (James) Lycan. In 1831 his father came to Illinois, locating in Symmes Township, Edgar County, where he bought 200 acres of land and engaged in farming. His family consisted of ten children, five boys and five girls. Jeremiah V. Lycan was the sixth child in the order of birth, and spent his youth on his father's farm, attending the public schools during the winter months. He has been twice married, his second wife being Miss Lydia Ogden, and they became the parents of twelve children, five boys and seven girls, all of whom are living, viz .: John Milton, James N., Harvey N., Nancy A., widow of Thomas Slemons; Emily J., widow of Rylen Barnett: Sarah E., wife of William Slemons; Riley, Mary Ella, wife of Luther Taite; Lydia Isabel, wife of Jacob Perisho; Jeremiah V., Jr., Laura O., widow of Samuel H. Preston, and Olivia R., wife of William W. Perisho. Mr. Lycan owns 242 acres of good land, and devotes his time to general farming in connection with stock rais- ing. For many years he has filled the office of

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

School Director. In 1857 he joined the Chris- tian Church, of which he and his family have ever since been consistent members.

STEPHEN MADDOCK, retired farmer, El- bridge, Edgar County, Ill., born near his pres- ent home, Dec. 25, 1847, son of Nathan and Patience (McDonald) Maddock, natives of Pre- ble County, Ohio. The paternal grandfather, William Maddock, was a native of Georgia,

STEPHEN MADDOCK.

while the maternal grandfather, John McDon- ald, was born in North Carolina. Nathan Mad- dock came with his family to Edgar County in 1841, locating on a farm in Elbridge Township, and became the owner of 600 acres of land. He and his wife were the parents of five children, viz .: Elizabeth, deceased wife of Isaac Chilters; William R., deceased; John Q .; Stephen and Sarah L. (Mrs. Oliver Staley). Nathan Mad- dock was a Quaker in early life, but later be- came a member of the Christian Church. He died in October, 1894, aged seventy-nine years. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, and in the meantime attended the public school at Elbridge during the win- ter months. In 1864 he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served with his regi-

ment in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. Af- ter the close of the war he returned to Elbridge, and on Jan. 31, 1867, married Josephine Landes, daughter of Christian and Cornelia (Fulton) Landes, who came to Edgar County in the '30s. To Mr. and Mrs. Maddock five children have been born, viz .: Sarah, died when two years of age; William I., a prominent dentist in Chi- cago; Estella (Mrs. Frank Herrick) ; Bertha B. (Mrs. William Vickers), and Exie Anna, who resides with her parents. In political views Mr. Maddock is a Republican; has served as Town Clerk four terms, Collector one year, Supervisor two terms, and County Clerk from 1894 to '98. He was appointed Sergeant-at- Arms of the Illinois State Senate during the Thirty-sixth General Assembly and during the World's Fair Session in 1893. Socially he be- longs to the G. A. R. and has been a member of the Masonic Order for the past thirty-two years. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Maddock owns a fin ' 450-acre farm, but rents his land, he having been retired from active business affairs since 1893.

TERRENCE MADDOCK, hardware and im- plement merchant, Scott Land, Edgar County, Ill., was born Oct. 13, 1871, in Prairie Town- ship, Edgar County, the son of Frank J. and Serena A. Maddock. Until 1903 Mr. Maddock was identified with the grain and elevator busi- ness in Scott Land, and since has established a large trade in hardware and agricultural im- plements, having a complete stock of goods. March 31, 1897, Mr. Maddock was married to Ellen Bolen, daughter of James and Barbara Bolen, of Ridge Farm, and they have one daugh- ter, Helen. During 1900 Mr. Maddock served as Census Enumerator of Prairie Township. He is a Republican in politics, and fraternally connected with the Masonic Order.

SAMUEL C. MANN, a retired resident of Paris since 1864, and formerly a farmer of Ed- gar Township, was born on a farm on the county line between Darke and Preble Coun- ties, Ohio, August 27, 1831. His father, Jacob Mann, was a native of Pennsylvania, while his mother, in girlhood Abigale Campbell, was born in Ohio. The parents came to Hunter Township, Edgar County, in the spring of 1854, eventually retiring to Paris, where they died at advanced ages. Samuel C. Mann pre-

740

HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

ceded his parents to Edgar County in 1852, taking up government land in Edgar Township, which he developed and improved from raw prairie. Many obstacles met his advances to- ward success, for he was far from his neigh- bors, from country stores, and equally far from any timber land. In order to fence his land he was obliged to haul rails sixteen miles, and his available tillage property was comparatively small owing to the prevalence of swamps. Being without resources, and finding it neces- sary to ditch and drain his land, he paid for the same with his wedding clothes, than which no better evidence could be found of the meagreness of his assets at that time. He was not long at a standstill, how- ever, for abundant harvests and good management brought him

a competence, and in time he disposed of his Edgar Town- ship farm and purchased his present farm of 200 acres in Hunter Township. At the begin- ning of the Civil war he was largely instru !- mental in recruiting a company of seventy-six men. November 27, 1857, he married Rachel Snedeker, of which union there is one living son, Adam S., a resident of Texas. Mrs. Mann died in 1870. Mr. Mann afterwards married Mary J. Tucker, to whom has been born a daughter, Lulu M. Mr. Mann is a Democrat in politics, and in religion is a member of the Christian Church.

ANTHONY W. MARK, a prominent farmer ot Edgar County, whose farm and residence is on Section 15, Edgar Township, was born near Washington Court House, Fayette County. Ohio, Feb. 6, 1826. His parents were Joseph and Naomi (Bush) Mark, the former having been born in Pennsylvania on Oct. 1, 1800, the latter being a native of Virginia. They were taken when children, by their parents, to Ohio, where they died. Mr. Mark spent his youth on a farm in Ohio, and on June 6, 1850, was married to Miss Ellen Hoppes. In 1852 he came to Edgar County, and shortly after bought 200 acres of land at $6 per acre. Later he pur- chased an additional quarter section. Polit- ically he is a Republican, and in his religious faith is member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1850 he joined the I. O. O. F., and is the oldest living member of that order in the county. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mark, two of whom died in infancy. Those surviving are: Nancy Jane, wife of Jo-

seplı Van Dine; Josephine, who married M. B. Gossett; Mary H., wife of Morris Little; Mar- gery, wife of William Glass; Lewis E .; Wil-

ANTHONY W. MARK.

liam S .; Joseph H., and Carry H. Mrs. Mark died in 1902. On September 22, 1903, Mr. Mark married Catherine J. Wood, widow of Jonas H. Hanna.

JOHN MASON, a retired citizen of Redmon, was born Dec. 6, 1840, in Franklin County, Ind., a son of John and Christina Mason, the former being a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and the latter of Pennsylvania. He came to Edgar County in 1857, and for many years has been closely identified with the farming interests of that locality. He is now the owner of 776 acres of land, situated principally in Edgar County. For a period of fourteen years he was engaged in the mercantile business in Redmon, but now his time is entirely devoted to looking after his many interests. On July 22, 1866, Mr. Mason was united in marriage to Miss Caro- line, a daughter of John and Christina Gritz, who were natives of Germany and came to Coles County about 1850. Five children were born of this union, those living being Annie E., wife of R. E. Standley, and John W., who is Postmaster and a druggist at Redmon. Po- litically he is a Democrat. He is a member of

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

the United Brethren Church, and when the church was built, about twenty-five years ago, he was elected a trustee, which office he still holds, and for five years in succession has been elected by the quarterly conference as a lay delegate to the Lower Wabash Annual Con- ference United Brethren in Christ; is also a trustee of the Village Board of Redmon.

JOHN W. MASON, Postmaster, Redmon, Ill., was born in Coles County, Ill., April 9, 1872, the son of John and Caroline (Gritz) Mason. He was educated in the common schools, and for several years was engaged in merchandis- ing in Redmon. In political sentiment he is a Democrat, and has served as Postmaster of Redmon since 1892. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America.

WILLIAM H. McCORD .- Many native sons of Ohio have found their way to Edgar County, Ill., either through their own preference. or because of the emigrating inclinations parents. of their To the latter class belongs William H. McCord, who

was born in the Buckeye State Sept. 18, 1843, the son of William M. and Rachel ( Ma- honey) McCord, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively, and who brought their family overland to Edgar County in 1845. Mr. McCord has therefore been a resident of the county since his second year, and to it owes liis agricultural and educational training, as well as the success which has crowned his mature years. At the age of twenty-two, in April, 1865, he enlisted in Company B, Sixty- fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, returning thereafter to the home farm until his marriage, June 21. 1876. The wife of Mr. McCord was formerly Louisa C., born in Ohio, the daughter of Thomas and Anna (Kinsey) Thompson, na- tives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respec- tively, who came to Edgar County in 1864. To Mr. and Mrs. McCord has been born a son, William T., his father's assistant in managing the farm of 130 acres, purchased by Mr. Mc- Cord soon after his marriage. Mr. McCord is a Republican in politics, but in no sense an office-seeker. With his wife and son he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

CHARLES MCCOWN, representative of a pio- neer family of Edgar County, and owner of a profitable farm in Young America Township,

was born February 3, 1866, in the township where he now lives, a son of Jonathan and Olive McCown, the former of whom died April 15, 1882, and the latter Jan. 17, 1894. Mr. Mc- Cown has led a quiet and uneventful life, re- maining at home until after the death of his mother, and since managing a property of his own. January 19, 1888, he was united in mar- riage to Ida, daughter of George W. and Rhoda Estes, of Kansas, and they are the parents of

five children: Susie, Leeila, Elsie, Lulu, and Forest. Politically Mr. McCown is a Demo- crat; Mrs. McCown is an active member of the Presbyterian Church, contributing generously towards its support, as well as responding to other worthy causes, which abound in her neigh- borhood.

JAMES B. MCCOWN, farmer, Young America Township, Edgar County, Ill., was born in Humbolt Township, Sept. 14, 1849, the son of Jonathan and Olive Mccown, pioneers of Ed- gar Township, who settled in Young America Township in 1853, where they both died. The subject of this sketch early chose the life of a farmer, and has been very successful in his work, owning at the present time 440 acres of land, on which general farming and stock- raising is carried on. On January 5, 1885, he was married to Emma, daughter of J. T. and Catherine Mccown, and of this union three children have been born-Blanche E., Ilma N. and Wilbur C. In his political views Mr. Mc- Cown is a Democrat. He has served nine years as Road Commissioner, three terms as Drain- age Commissioner, and six years as School Trustee. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

ROBERT McCUBBINS, farmer, Paris Town- ship, Edgar County, Ill., was born on the farm where he now resides, Sept. 30, 1873, son of Robert G. and Martha McCubbins; reared and educated in Paris Township, and for the past ten years has been engaged in farming on the old homestead. On February 6, 1901, he was married to Inez Bond, daughter of Jerome and Georgia Bond, and of this union two children have been born-Grace and Iva. Politically Mr. McCubbins is a Republican, and is serving his fellow-townsmen as Highway Commis- sioner.

JOHN McKEE, Jr. ( deceased ) of Edgar Town- ship, Edgar County, Ill., was born March 28.

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

1836, the son of John and Rachel (Elsbury ) McKee, natives of Kentucky who came to Edgar County, Ill., in the early '20s and settled in the northeastern part of Edgar Township. They were the parents of ten children, the subject of this sketch being the ninth in order of birth. John McKee, Jr., obtained his education in the district schools. He became very successful as a farmer and owned 300 acres of land, and at the time of his father's death, which occurred August 30, 1877, inherited an additional 300 acres. At the time of the death of John Mc- Kee, Jr., April 24, 1888, he left 300 acres of land to his children, and 300 acres and the homestead to his wife, the latter estate being managed by the youngest son, Fred. At the age of twenty-one years Mr. McKee was mar- ried to Amanda Osborne, born in Champaign County, Ill., the daughter of Levis and Frances (Williams) Osborne, and to them seven chil- dren were born, viz .: Emma, Flora, Effie, Rob- ert, Marion, Levi Orion and Fred. In political views Mr. McKee was a Republican, and in religious faith a member of the Baptist Church in which he served as deacon. Socially he was affiliated with the Knights of Honor.

ROBERT LANG MCKINLAY, Grand High Priest, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 14, 1839. He graduated from the Cincinnati Law School, April 16, 1860, and entered upon the practice of his profession. At the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion he entered the service of his country in Company I, Twenty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, later serv- ing as Adjutant of that regiment, and after- wards as Captain of Company A, Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He settled in Paris, Ill., in the fall of 1868, where he has since resided. He early established a large practice as a successful lawyer, and soon attained the position of City Attorney to which place he was elected four terms. He has served as a mem- ber of both branches of the Illinois State Legis- lature several terms, and for many years was the representative leader of his (Democratic) party in that part of the State. He was mar- ried to Miss Margaret McMurchy of New Rich- mond, Ohio, on November 9, 1864, who passed away on March 25, 1897. To them was born one son and two daughters, viz .: George M., Marie Belle and Helen (deceased). In 1892 he was elected Grand Master Workman of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of the State

of Illinois in which capacity he acted for two years.

WILLIAM H. MCMULLEN, farmer, and native son of Edgar County, Ill., was born Jan. 16, 1847, son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Mil- burn) McMullen, natives of Virginia and Ken- tucky, respectively. Andrew McMullen came to Edgar County as early as 1836, settling on gov. ernment land in Edgar County, and, notwith- standing his extreme age, is still in the pos- session of his faculties, and enjoys good health. His wife is long since deceased. Through his marriage to Sarah E. Woodward, Feb. 10, 1870, William H. McMullen became allied with an- other pioneer family of Edgar County, Josiah and Sarah Woodward having arrived at an early day, the former in 1839, and the latter nine years later. To Mr. and Mrs. McMullen have been born eight children, one of whom 18 deceased. Those living are: Charles E .. Nellie E., Sarah G., David H., Mary A., Helena E., and William B. H. Mr. McMullen has lived on his present farm in Shiloh Township since 1870, and he has a fine and paying property. He has been prominent in Republican politics for many years, serving two terms as Township Assessor, and as clerk of the Drainage District No. 2, ever since the organization of the Drainage Commission. With his wife he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been trustee for fifteen years. Prior to her marriage Mrs. McMullen taught school in Illinois and Indiana for nine years. Mr. Mc- Mullen is one of the substantial farmers of Shiloh Township, and has gained a competence through the exercise of industry, practical business judgment, and integrity. He is a member of Edgar Lodge No. 829 A. F. & A. M., Hume, Ill .; also Hector Lodge No. 348 Knights of Pythias, Hume, Ill.

AMANDA J. (HEASELTINE) MEREDITH, Buck Township, Edgar County, Ill., was born in Ohio, and in 1869 came with her parents, William S. and Lydia (Williams) Heaseltine, to Edgar County, Ill., and located on the farm in Buck Township, where she still reasides. In the days when Mrs. Meredith first came to Edgar County, the farms were mostly all lying out to the "commons." She now owns eighty acres of land in Buck Township, given to her by her father, and is now managed by her hus- band, Leander W. Meredith, who came to Paris,

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

Ill., in 1893. Leander W. Meredith was born in Knox County Ohio, Jan. 4, 1843, the son of Benjamin W. and Daliliah (Welker) Meredith, who were also natives of the Buckeye State. In 1894 he was married to Miss Amanda J. Heaseltine. By a former marriage Mr. Mere- dith has three children: Eva E., Charles T. and Ida M. In political views he is a Repub- lican, and in religious belief a Methodist, while his wife was raised in the Presbyterian faith.

ANDREW MERKLE, farmer, Embarras Township, Edgar County, Ill., was born in Ross County Ohio, March 16, 1848, son of Charles and Eve (Slager) Merkle, natives of Germany who came to the United States, locating first in Ohio, and in 1853 removed to Embarras Town- ship, Edgar County, where the father died in 1885. Andrew Merkle chose farming for an occupation, and by his economy and industry has accumulated an estate comprising 800 acres of land. In February, 1870, he married Mag- gie Slager, daughter of Andrew Slager, a native of Germany who came to the United States and settled in Ohio, but in 1866 removed to Edgar County, where he died. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Merkle: Charles, Eve (deceased) and Minnie. In political views Mr. Merkle is a Democrat; has served as Com- missioner of Highways nine years, and School Director six years. He is a member of the Methodist Church at Borton, but formerly belonged to the United Brethren Church in which he served as Trustee and Treasurer. Fraternally he is a member of Brocton Lodge No. 297 I. O. O. F.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Edgar County, Part 145

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