Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 172

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

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Michael Zimmerman Kreider was descended on his mother's side from Dr. Henry Carpenter, who was born in the Canton of Berne, Switzer- land, in 1673, and came to America in 1698, set- tling in the State of Pennsylvania. Two years later Dr. Carpenter returned to Switzerland, and in 1704 brought his family to share his uncer-

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

tain fortunes in Pennsylvania. He died in 1749, and the impetus growing out of his successful life resulted in many of his descendants adopt- ing the profession of medicine. The Kreiders were millers in the pioneer days of both Penn- sylvania and Ohio, and it was John Kreider who, in 1750, took the first flat-boat down the Susquehannah River to Baltimore, loaded with flour of his own manufacture. Dr. Kreider was a member of the Lower House of the Ohio Legislature in 1832, and from 1833 until 1840 was Clerk of the Court of Fairfield County, his deputy, for a time, being John Sherman, later U. S. Senator and Secretary of State, but who then received $1 per day for his services. Dr. Kreider was a Mason of exalted rank and great influence, and in 1843 served as the first Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Ohio. He was the Grand Master of Masons of Ohio for three terms (from 1848 to 1850 inclusive), and while on his death bed, in 1855, was elected Eminent Commander of the Lancaster Com- mandery. In addition to holding an extensive practice, the Doctor was identified with various financial concerns, more especially with the stage lines of Ohio before the advent of the rail- roads. The natural deduction is that he was a man of great force of character, initiative and personal influence. He had the faculty of reaching out, and on all sides touching and utilizing the opportunities by which he was sur- rounded.

1870 arrived at Jacksonville, which, though not then a town of great promise, seems to have offered satisfactory milling inducements. From a small beginning the milling enterprise grew apace, until it became a monument to the sa- gacity and good management of a man with a definite aim, and with sufficient patience and perseverance to await the development of his plans. According to the traditions of his family Mr. Kreider should have remained a Jacksonian Democrat, but he had the courage to form his own political opinions, and espouse the cause of Republicanism after the Civil War. His service in that memorable campaign was brief, owing to defective eyesight, although he went out with the "squirrel-hunters," and served for a time on the Sanitary Commission. He was Postmas- ter of Jacksonville from February, 1898, until his death, and also served as Alderman of the Fourth Ward. The securing of the postoffice appropriation for a new building in Jacksonville was almost entirely due to his efforts, and he won for the city against tremendous odds. For many years he was active in the Jacksonville Merchants' Association. He was prominent in the Masonic order, being a member of the Hos- pitaler Commandery, Knights Templar, of which he was Eminent Commander in 1877, and Prelate from the early '90s until 1905. In early manhood he joined the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and for many years was a Trus- tee of Grace Church, of Jacksonville.

Owing to the illness of his father, young Ed- The first marriage of Mr. Kreider was sol- emnized in Ohio, July 20, 1855, with Mary Gates, who was born in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1835, a daughter of James Gates, of that Maine family of Gateses which sent repre- sentatives to Marietta, Ohio, about 1796, and who were among the first settlers of the Buckeye State. James Gates engaged in the jewelry business in Lancaster from 1826 until 1864. Mrs. Kreider died in November, 1861, leaving two children-Dr. George Noble Krei- der, now of Springfield, Ill., and Miriam Bal- lard. In Portsmouth, Ohio, January 3, 1866, Mr. Kreider married Mary McDowell, who sur- vives him and who was born in Portsmouth, Ohio. John McDowell, father of Mrs. Kreider, came of an old Virginia family, he being a merchant in Portsmouth at a very early day. Of the second marriage of Mr. Kreider there were six children: Thalia L., John McDowell, mund Cicero Kreider was recalled from the University of Ohio, at Athens, and at the age of twenty was confronted with the responsi- bility of settling the paternal estate and man- aging the stage lines. He was better fitted for the tasks than might at first seem apparent, for he had ever learned more from observation than from books, and, being his father's con- stant companion, had profited, through the prominence of the older man, by traveling ex- tensively and forming acquaintances throughout the State of Ohio. The estate and stage line business adjusted, in 1857-8 he engaged in bank- ing and real estate at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; but the panic of those years made success impos- sible, and resulted in his return to Ohio, where, at Logan, he engaged in the milling business, continuing thus from 1865 until 1869. With the thought of making that city his permanent resi- dence, he spent a year in St. Louis, Mo., but in . Phebe Jefferson, Edmund C. Kreider, Jr., Wil-

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liam J., and Mary Rees. The first and the last child died in infancy.

Many qualities of mind and heart contributed to the good will and popularity which bright- ened the life of Mr. Kreider. His good nature and sympathy seemed inexhaustible, and his quick, clear grasp of a situation, whether of a business nature or the immediate concern of a friend, made him a counselor whose advice was both received and heeded. He had that invalu- able gift in business and society of never for- getting a face, and always followed the fortunes of his friends-rejoicing in their successes and grieving at their sorrows. Hovering always over his life was the great spirit of humanity which makes the whole world kin, and during his sojourn in Jacksonville there were few houses of mourning which he did not enter to tender his sympathy or offer practical help. That his deeds were as bread cast upon the waters was apparent at the ceremony which preceded his final disposition, for rarely has the city of his adoption witnessed keener manifes- tation of grief. The great gathering in Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, September 10,1905, was swayed by a sense of loneliness and l'oss. Presiding were Reverends O'Neil, W. F. Short, Wilder, and Musgrove, and at the vault, the Knights Templar, with their imposing regalia- their militant, century-worn belief in the dignity and honor of manhood-invested the occasion with their beautiful and impressive ceremonial. Almost invariably had he been chosen to preside at the festivals of the great brotherhood of Masons, and his wit and adapta- bility had placed everyone on excellent terms with themselves and the world in general. In his home he had cared for orphaned relative children, and for others not relatives, and a pathetic reflection of this kindliness and gener- osity to the young was a beautiful floral design sent to grace his mute surroundings by the col- ored boy who conducted a shoe-shine stand near his residence. Mr. Kreider was of that rare class whose memory lives and works for the same high ends that were unwaveringly pursued by the man himself.

KUMLE, Sebastian, (deceased), formerly a prosperous farmer near Alexander, Morgan County, Ill., was born January 20, 1830, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, where he spent the first twenty years of his life. At the

end of that period, having had a good mental training in the public schools, and being reared to agricultural pursuits, he came to the United States to begin an independent career. Soon after arriving in this country he went to St. Louis, where he remained two years. He then made his home in Morgan County, Ill., where he secured employment as a farm laborer, subse- quently renting land and beginning agricultural operations on his own account. By perseverance, industry and economy, he had accumulated suffi- cient money by the year 1863 to purchase a farm, which, through the same diligence and frugality, was rapidly increased and improved. Besides general farming, he entered largely into the raising and selling of fine horses, cattle and hogs, and in this became very succesful. He was a man of untiring energy and rigid hon- esty. His busy life reached its termination July 28, 1901.

In 1852, Mr. Kumle was united in marriage with Gertrude K. Rush, a native of Germany who emigrated to the United States with her brother in 1850. Of the family of children born to them, five survive, namely: Joseph, a farmer and stock-raiser of Alexander, Ill .; Alves L., a farmer and Deputy Sheriff of the same place, a sketch of whose life appears in this connec- tion; William F .; John Emil; and Mary, wife of Hardman Seller, a farmer of Morgan County. The deceased was one of the old residents of Morgan County, whose rugged virtues and ster- ling worth developed the region to its present condition.

KUMLE, Alves L., a well known, popular and progressive farmer of Alexander, Morgan Coun- ty, Ill., who also officiates as Deputy Sheriff of the county, was born in Alexander, November 25, 1863. He is a son of Sebastian and Ger- trude (Rush) Kumle, natives of Germany, the father being born in Baden, January 20, 1830, and coming to the United States at the age of twen- ty years. The mother emigrated to this coun- try with her brother in 1850. After spending two years in St. Louis, Sebastian Kumle settled in the vicinity of Alexander, Ill., where he se- cured employment as a farm hand and after- ward conducted a rented farm. In 1853 by hard work, perseverance and economy he had saved sufficient money to buy a farm, which he improved and increased, until at the time of his death, July 28, 1901, he was one of the

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most prosperous agriculturists and substantial stock-raisers in Morgan County.

Alves L. Kumle attended the district schools in his boyhood and subsequently took a course in the Jacksonville Business College. From 1880 to 1885 he served as bookkeeper for the Cen- tral Illinois Banking and Savings Association of Jacksonville, known as the Central Bank. In 1856 he began operating the farm on which he has since lived. He and his wife are the owners of 225 acres, situated in Section 25, Town 15, Range 9, the tract being in a high state of cultivation, neatly fenced and im- proved with a fine group of buildings.

On November 9, 1886, Mr. Kumle was united in marriage with Alice G. Coultas, a daughter of Hon. Oliver and Margaret (Headen) Coultas. Mrs. Kumle is a woman of rare talents and many accomplishments. Four interesting chil- dren have blessed this union, namely: Harry C., born in 1887; Sebastian, in 1890; Margaret Emily, in 1891; and Fannie Belle, born in 1904, who died in July, 1905.

In politics, Mr. Kumle is a firm adherent of the Democrat party. In 1902 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Morgan County, by Sheriff H. J. Rodgers, whose duties he is capably and faithfully performing, in addition to ably man- aging his farm.

Fraternally, he is affiliated with Jacksonville Lodge, No. 152, K. of P., and with the Modern American Fraternal Order, No. 43. He and his wife are earnest and consistent members of the Christian Church at Antioch. Mr. Kumle has been identified with Morgan County all his life, and is highly regarded as an honorable, up- right man, and a citizen of high repute ..

LAMBERT, John, formerly an extensive and prosperous farmer of Morgan County, Ill., now living in retirement in Jacksonville, was born at Canaan, Conn., May 4, 1835, a son and only child of Eli and Elizabeth (Gleddell) Lambert, natives of Yorkshire, England. His mother had been previously married, and by the first hus- band had seven children, five of whom died young. The two who survived the period of youth were: Mary, who died when twenty years old; and Joseph, who died at the age of eighty- five years. Eli Lambert, who was employed in the woolen mills of the East, journeyed West in the spring of 1839-traveling by river, canal and stage-and located in Morgan County, where,

at $3.50 per acre, he bought 80 acres of land on Indian Creek, near Literberry. There he built a hewed-log cabin, which is still standing, con- taining one room, with puncheon floor, and bought a yoke of oxen and a horse. In the sum- mer of 1839 his wife, with her three children- her son, Joseph, being a young man-came down the Ohio River in a row-boat, camping along the way, and reached St. Louis from the mouth of the Ohio by steamboat. Thence the eldest son walked, while the mother and the two other children continued the journey by stage. John Lambert was then a little over four years of age. Eli Lambert died in 1846, at the age of fifty-four years. He was employed in the woolen mill at Jacksonville, and cleared up the farm in the winter. At a later period, he and his son bought a carding mill at Berlin, Ill., in which venture he lost nearly everything but the 80 acres which he first purchased. His wife died March 12, 1872, at the age of seventy- seven years.

In boyhood, Mr. Lambert attended the sub- scription school in the vicinity of his humble home, walking two miles to reach the log house in which he learned his first lessons. It had slab benches for seats, and a slab the length of the room for a writing desk. His first teacher in this school was a Mr. Snyder, whose charge for the term was $3 per quarter for each pupil. Mr. Lambert was eleven years old when his fa- ther died. As soon as he was able, he assisted his brother in clearing the farm, grubbing and other work, until the place was in good condi- tion for cultivating. He continued to make additions to the homestead property, until he was the owner of more than 500 acres of land, and in 1887 moved to Jacksonville, where he now lives in retirement.

On September 25, 1877, Mr. Lambert was united in marriage with Sarah Hickman, who was born in Morgan County, and was a daugh- ter of Edward Hickman, a native of England. He emigrated to this country and married Mary Shepherd, who bore him five children, as fol- lows: John E., who lives in Morgan County; Samuel I., a resident of Jacksonville; Sarah; William S., who died at the age of three years, and one child who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Lambert became the parents of three chil- dren, namely: Ada M .; May B .; and Edward E., who died in 1903, at the age of twenty-two years.

PHEBE G. STRAWN

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

Edward Hickman, Mrs. Lambert's father, was a soldier in the Civil War. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Company I, One Hundred and First Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of Resaca he was wounded, and died of gangrene resulting from the wound. His wife died October 6, 1900, aged seventy-two years.

In politics, Mr. Lambert gives his support to the Democratic party, and is a member of the Methodist Church. He is one of the few sur- vivors among the early residents of Morgan County, and to the sterling qualities possessed by him and his contemporaries-their honesty, industry, perseverance and endurance-its pros- perity is largely due.

LANE, (Rev.) John M., (deceased), one of the most devoted, faithful and efficient of the early ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Morgan County, Ill., was born in Madison County, Ohio, October 26, 1826. He was the youngest son of Rev. Joseph and Margaret (Krouse) Lane, natives of that State. His fa- ther was a teacher in the public schools, and also a local preacher in the Methodist Episco- pal Church. In boyhood Mr. Lane attended the district schools in Ohio, and in his nineteenth year became a pupil in the Danville (Ill.) Semi- nary, where his scholastic training was com- pleted. Quite early in youth, he was converted to Christ and united with the denomination to which his father belonged, in which a few years later he was licensed to preach.

In the fall of 1853, Mr. Lane was received into the Illinois Annual Conference of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and remained in that connection until his death. He was at one time junior pastor with Newton Cloud on the Lynn- ville Circuit, Morgan County, and was pastor for two years on the Concord Circuit. As to his church appointments, he was sent, in the fall of 1860, to a church in the western portion of Springfield, Ill., and there, in the summer of 1862, was stirred to patriotic ardor by the Presi- dent's call for 300,000 more men to serve the Union. Shortly afterward, while in charge of the church at Moweaqua, Ill., he was instrumental in raising a company of soldiers, of which he was made Captain. It was mustered into the service as Company E, One Hundred and Fif- teenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with Jesse Hale Moore, a former pastor of Grace

Church, Jacksonville, as Colonel. Mr. Lane went to the seat of war, and remained with the com- pany until his health was so much impaired that he was compelled to resign. While in the military service, he filled (on Sundays) a church pulpit at Alexandria, Va. He also preached, almost every Sabbath during his con- nection with the army, either in camp, or in the churches near which the soldiers were sta- tioned. Returning home in 1863, he spent some time, for the purpose of recuperation, upon the farm of J. Sibert, near Meredosia, Ill. In the fall of 1866, he was appointed to organize a church society in the then rapidly growing southeast section of Jacksonville, and the Brooklyn church structure resulted from his efforts in that direction. Death claimed him, however, before his task was finished. He died August 6, 1867, when the walls of the edifice were about two-thirds raised, a martyr to his country's cause.

On October 5, 1858, Mr. Lane was united in marriage with Mary E. Sibert, a daughter of Jeremiah and Eliza (Wildey) Sibert, the cere- mony taking place at their "Diamond Grove" home, in the vicinity of Jacksonville. Two children resulted from this union, namely; Wil- liam J., who resides with his mother in Jack- sonville; and Margaret L., wife of Charles S. Anthony, of Los Angeles, Cal.

Politically, the sympathies and views of Mr. Lane were in accord with the policies of the Re- publican party. His first Presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. In 1865, while in Meredosia, he was nominated on the Repub- lican ticket in Morgan County, as one of the Associate Justices of the Peace. Mr. Lane was a faithful and steadfast soldier of the Cross, and his diligent and untiring service in the cause of his Master resulted in the conversion of many souls. His mortal remains now respose in Diamond Grove Cemetery, near Jacksonville.

LANG, (Col.) Edward J., the efficient Superin- tendent of Building and Construction, and In- structor in Woodworking, at the Illinois Insti- tution for the Deaf, in Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ill., was born at Paris, Ill., April 10, 1867. He is a son of William H. and Mary A. (Casson) Lang, natives of Virginia. His par- ents journeyed to Illinois, and located at Paris, Edgar County. His father was a prominent con- tractor and builder of that city, where he died

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in 1903, his widow still surviving him as one of its residents.

In youth, Edward J. Lang attended the pub- lic schools of Paris, and graduated from the city High School, subsequently taking private lessons in architecture. He learned the carpen- ter's trade with his father, and became a build- ing contractor in 1892. In that line he .con- tinued until the time of his appointment to his present position. Since then he has discharged the duties of this office, making Jacksonville his home, with the exception of the period spent as Major in the Fourth Regiment Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, during the Spanish-American "War. He departed for Cuba with the regiment, January 1, 1899, serving in the Seventh Army Corps, under the command of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. The regiment returned to the United States May 6, 1899, and was mustered out at Augusta, Ga. Mr. Lang then resumed the du- ties of his former position in Jacksonville.

Col. Lang's service in the State Militia is worthy of notice. On April 20, 1887, at Paris, Ill., he enlisted in Company H, Eighth Regi- ment Illinois State Militia. He was promoted to be Corporal, then Sergeant, and in 1890 was elected Second Lieutenant. Soon afterward, he was elected First Lieutenant, and, in 1893, Cap- tain. He was twice elected Major of the Fourth Regiment Illinois State Militia, which had meanwhile been changed from the Eighth, and in that capacity he served, with high credit, throughout the Spanish-American War. After that war he was elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fourth Regiment, to which rank he was reelected June 8, 1904. On June 8, 1905, he was elected Colonel, which office he now holds, with regimental headquarters in Jacksonville.

On July 9, 1898; Col. Lang was united in mar- riage with Lillie Hybarger, of Paris, Ill., a daughter of Rufus and Margaret (Elledge) Hy- barger. Religiously, Col. Lang is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics, he is a Re- publican, and fraternally, is affiliated with Apollo Lodge, No. 57, K. of P., of Paris.

LARIMORE, Samuel Hugh, retired, Jackson- ville, Ill., was born on a farm two miles north- east of that city, March 14, 1834, and is a son of Thomas Jefferson and Priscilla (Broadwell) Larimore. His father, who was born in Bour- bon County, Ky., in 1799, was a son of Hugh Larimore, who emigrated to Kentucky from

New Jersey or Maryland. He came to Illinois in 1830, and between that year and 1833 took up Government land which is included in the present farm of Samuel H. Larimore. He left the State temporarily in 1833, spending a short time in Kentucky, but after his return passed the remainder of his life in Morgan County. For several years he spent his winters in Jack- sonville, for the purpose of giving his chil- dren the advantage of attendance at the col- leges of that city. In the early years in Mor- gan County he conducted a general merchandise store at Jacksonville, and he and his brother- in-law, Rev. James B. Corrington, erected a. home on the site of the "Pacific Hotel," East State Street. He was a devoted Methodist, was a Trustee of the Woman's College for many years, and at one time was a member of the State militia. Originally a Whig, he became a Republican upon the founding of that party, and though deeply interested in its welfare, never cared for public office. His death oc- . curred April 10, 1865.

To Mr. Larimore and his wife the following named children were born: Ann Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Mary Louise (deceased), mar- ried Asbury Milton Foster; Samuel H .; Pris- cilla; Thomas (deceased), who married Aquila. King; John Wesley, deceased; William Henry Harrison and Wilson Hobart, both of Girard, Kans .; Lydia Jane, wife of Dr. James Polk Wil- lard, of Denver, Colo .; Elizabeth Ann, deceased. Thomas J. Larimore was a public-spirited and influential citizen, and one whom others de- lighted to honor. He will be remembered by many of the older generation as a man of strong character and unquestioned integrity.

Samuel H. Larimore was educated in the early subscription schools and Berean College, a school established by the Christian denomina- tion in Jacksonville. Soon after the completion of his college course, he was employed by his father for a time in the manufacture of lin- seed oil. On December 30, 1858, he was united in marriage with Lucinda Stout, a native of Morgan County and a daughter of Theodore and Hannah (Phillips) Stout. Her father came from Ohio to Illinois about 1832 and located on a farm about seven miles northeast of Jack- sonville, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in June, 1864. His wife died in Sep- tember, 1852. The children of Theodore and Hannah Stout were: Emeline (deceased), was

Julius E. Strawr

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

married to Jonathan Sharp; Martha (deceased) , who married Aaron Hatfield; Sarah (deceased), wife of David Samples; Hattie (deceased), wife of John W. Martin; Margaret, wife of John P. Runkle; Mrs. Larimore; Louisa (de- ceased), who married William Self; and Theo- dore, of Jacksonville. By his second marriage with Emily (Dunlap) Foley he became the fa- ther of one son, William, now deceased.

After his marriage, Samuel H. Larimore en- gaged in agriculture on land given to him by his father. From time to time he made additions to his land by purchase until he now owns about 400 acres, all under cultivation. Since 1869 he and his wife have resided in Jacksonville; and during these years he has left the operation of his farm largely to others. Originally a mem- ber of the Brooklyn M. E. Church, he has of late years been identified with Centenary Church, in which he is Trustee. In politics he was form- erly a stanch Republican, and though still be- lieving in most of the principles of that party, he has voted the Prohibition ticket for a num- ber of years. Mr. Larimore and his wife have had seven children, of whom one son, William Francis, died at the age of two years. Those surviving are: Alice, wife of Arthur S. Ed- wards, of Greenfield, Ill .; May Emma, wife of Dr. F. H. Metcalf, of Franklin; Charles Wes- ley, who resides near Atlanta, Ga .; Samuel Bert and Myrtle (twins)-the former residing with his brother, Charles Wesley, and the latter at home; and Phœbe Helen, wife of Lloyd Wil- liam Snerly, of Jacksonville.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 172

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286