Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 175

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

USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County > Part 175

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Mr. McDonnell has two brothers and one sis- ter, viz .: James Franklin, of Morgan County; Patrick, of Chicago, and Margaret (Mrs. Michael Rabbitt), of Jacksonville. Patrick was a soldier in the Civil War. At the battle of Mission Ridge the color bearer was shot down, and Patrick, seizing the flag, bore it for some time, when he too was laid low with a ball in the thigh. He gave the flag to his Captain, and just as the latter planted the staff in the ground it was shot in two pieces. For his gal- lantry in this fierce engagement, Col. Alex. W. Raffen, commanding the Nineteenth Illinois Regiment, makes most commendatory mention of Patrick McDonnell. Since the close of the war he has been engaged in the wall-paper busi- ness, selling goods for prominent houses in New York and Chicago. His home is now in the latter city.

In politics, Mr. McDonnell gives his support to the Democratic party. He has no specific fraternal connections, but is identified with the great cause of humanity. In religion, he is a member of the Catholic Church. He is a man of upright character, and, in his business life, bears an excellent reputation.

McELFRESH, (Rev.) William McKendree, who resides at No. 629 Hardin Avenue, Jacksonville, Ill., has been actively engaged in ministerial duties, in association with the Methodist Church, for upwards of fifty years. He was born in Nicholas County, Ky., April 9, 1825, the son of John and Ann (Becraft) McElfresh, who had six children, William McKendree being the youngest.

Mr. McElfresh was reared on his father's farm and attended the local schools, but until he reached the age of twenty-two years was practically self-taught. His father and family removed to Morgan County, Ill., in 1834, and settled near Ebenezer, where John McElfresh had purchased a farm. John McElfresh and wife were both natives of Maryland. The for- mer was an able preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, being ordained a Deacon of the Baltimore Conference by Bishop Asbury, in 1815, and an Elder, by Bishop McKendree in 1817. He traveled with the leading lights of the Methodist Episcopal Church in that day, although he was entirely a self-made man. He obtained his education by extensive reading of the best of authors and in association with able men. He died in 1845.

In 1836, then in his eleventh year, William McElfresh professed religion at Ebenezer and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church the same day. On July 17,1850, he graduated from McKen- dree College, which subsequently conferred upon him the degrees of A. M. and D. D. During the period of working out the problem of his edu- cation he taught school several terms. In the fall of 1851 he entered the Illinois Conference, then holding its session in the city of Jackson- ville, Bishop Waugh presiding. His · superan- nuation occurred, in the fall of 1895, under the presidency of Bishop Joyce, and at the con- ference held in the city of Jacksonville.

For forty-four years Mr. McElfresh was in the regular line of the itinerancy, without any cessation; during that period was appointed to eight circuits, ten stations and two districts,

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

and in 1872 was a member of the General Con- ference held in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y.

On October 25, 1853, Mr. McElfresh was mar- ried to Matilda J. Belford, and of this marriage four children were born; two who died in in- fancy; Annie, who was a student of the Bettie Stuart Institute, Springfield, Ill., and the Illi- nois Wesleyan College, Bloomington, and died April 1, 1903; Katherin, who was a graduate of the Woman's College, Jacksonville, in 1884, later pursued a teacher's course in the Chicago Musical College, and married February 23, 1897, George Montgomery Blair, Sr., and has two children-William McKendree and Marian.

McFILLEN, James C., was born two miles west of Literberry, near Arcadia, Morgan County, Ill., October 18, 1849, a son of James and Mary (Patton-Henderson) McFillen. The former was a native of Ireland, where he was born June 24, 1801, and the latter of Morgan County. James C. McFillen was one of a family of six children, namely: Lizzie, widow of Charles Durfey, who lives in Chicago; James C .; Belle, wife of Jeremiah Cox, who resides near Jack- sonville, Ill .; Sarah L., wife of William E. Murray, of Literberry, Ill., who is in the imple- ment business; Amanda, wife of J. W. Hender- son, of Jacksonville; and Theresa, wife of J. R. Watt, of Jacksonville. The father came to the United States when a young man, and began working as a day laborer. He located in Mor- gan County during the '30s, and was among the earliest settlers of the county. He first worked in the Israel & Taggart distillery near Jacksonville, and afterward moved to the farm where his son James was born. There he lived until his death, in January, 1883. He was a member of the Catholic Church. He was thrice married, to his first union two children being born, namely: Bernard and Michael, deceased. His second wife was a Miss Haynes, who bore him one child, Mary A., wife of William Hen- derson, of Menard County, Ill. His third wife, previous to her marriage to him, was the widow of Ira Henderson, her maiden name being Mary Patton. Her father was David Patton, one of the early settlers of Morgan County.

James C. McFillen attended the district schools in boyhood, and remained at home until he was seventeen years old, when he began working by the month. This he continued to do for a few years, and then rented land until

1884, when he bought his father's old farm of 100 acres, which was also his own birthplace. There he remained five years, and then pur- chased his wife's home place of 112 acres, where her father died, and where Mr. McFillen now carries on general farming with successful results.

On February 17, 1876, Mr. McFillen was united in marriage with Alice K. Murray, daughter of James Murray, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. McFillen have had four children, but one of whom is living, namely: Elsie Edna, wife of George A. Dunlap, of Sangamon County, Ill., who has one child, James A. Of the three de- ceased children, Murray died at the age of eighteen months; Mabel I. passed away when four and a half months old; and Lela B. was eight years and four months of age at the time of her death. She had, however, been baptized, was an active worker in the Sunday-school and Epworth League Society, and was an excep- tionally bright child. In 1897 Mr. McFillen moved to Jacksonville to educate his daughter, Elsie, in the Woman's Department of Illinois College, from which she was graduated with the class of 1901.

In politics, Mr. McFillen is a Democrat. For eight years he served as District Commissioner and on November 7, 1905, was elected County Commissioner for a term of three years. Fra- ternally, he is affiliated with Jacksonville Lodge No. 4, I. O. O. F. He is a man of high character, and is respected by all who know him. Mr. and Mrs McFillen are both members of the Metho- dist Church.

MCKINNEY, Archie B., who is successfully en- gaged in farming near

Winchester, Scott County, Ill., was born in Lincoln County, Ky., May 27, 1857, near Mckinney postoffice, which was named after his grandfather. He is a son of Alexander and Rosa Belle Mckinney, of whom the former was born June 15, 1829, on a farm which became the site of the town of Mc- Kinney. His grandfather, Burton Mckinney, was a farmer born July 16. 1799, and his wife, Lucinda Hocker, was born October 3, 1804. They owned considerable property near the site of the town of Mckinney, and lived on a farm in that vicinity, but a few years before their deaths removed to Stanford, Ky., where they passed the remainder of their lives in retirement. Bur-

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

ton Mckinney died July 16, 1871, his wife hav- ing preceded him April 27, 1863. They reared the following named children: William F., Mary J., Alexander, Ann Eliza and Nathan H., all of whom are deceased; Fannie, widow of B. W. Dunn, of Stanford, Ky .; and James, who lives in that State. Alexander Mckinney was born, reared and died within two miles of Mc- Kinney. He married Rosa Belle Burton, a na- tive of Kentucky, and they began housekeeping on a farm in the vicinity of Mckinney, where they lived until the death of the husband. His widow still survives him, and is at the present writing (December, 1905) with her daughter, Mrs. Smith, in North Carolina. They became the parents of eight children, namely: Anna Belle and Mary E., who live under the mater- nal roof; William, who resides near the old home farm; Archie B .; Fannie, deceased; James, who lives in California; Samuel, deceased, and Bettie B. (Mrs. Smith), whose home is in North Carolina.

. Alexander McKinney carried on farming and stock-raising all his life, and left a considerable estate. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Christian Church, and both took a deep interest in religious work. In politics, he was a steadfast Democrat, and died August. 19, 1872.

In boyhood A. B. Mckinney received his men- tal training in the district and public schools, and remained at home until he was twenty-four years old. At that period he went to Missouri, where he was engaged in teaming. In 1882 he came to Morgan County, Ill., and bought 55 acres of land in Section 30, Township 15, Range 11, situated eight miles east of Winchester, Ill., and known as the Samuel F. Campbell farm. Mr. Mckinney has remodeled all the buildings on the place, besides adding several new ones. He now owns 127 acres in one body and successfully conducts farming and stock- raising. He devotes considerable attention to raising cattle, horses and Poland-China hogs.

On December 24, 1882, Mr. Mckinney was united in marriage with Eliza E. Campbell, a native of Morgan County, Ill., and a daughter of Samuel F. and Nancy F. Campbell. Five children resulted from this union, all of whom are living on the home farm, namely: Roy B., Emma, Nannie, Sallie and Beatrice.

In politics, Mr. Mckinney is a supporter of the Democratic party. Religiously, he and his

wife are members of the Christian Church, of which he was one of the Deacons. Mr. McKin- ney is one of the most thorough farmers in his section, is an upright man, and a citizen whose dutiful life reflects credit upon the community. of which he is so useful a member.

McPHAIL, Eugene Enos, who is successfully conducting a dairy business in Jacksonville, Ill., was born in Brown County, Ill., October 23, 1861. He is a son of Enos P. and Minerva (Pettigrew) McPhail, natives of Illinois. After receiving his early mental training in the pub- lic schools in the vicinity of his boyhood home, he applied himself to farming, and followed that occupation until 1898, when he undertook dairying, in which he has since been engaged. He came to Morgan County in February, 1898.

On March 29, 1883, Mr. McPhail was united in marriage with Mary Parker, a daughter of James Monroe and Jane (Clark) Parker, na- tives of Kentucky. Five of the children result- ing from this union are living, namely: Maude, Eugenia, Alta, George and John Russell. One son, named Roy Edwin, died at the age of twelve years.

Politically, Mr. McPhail casts his vote re- gardless of party ties. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian Church, in which he officiated as an Elder in New Salem, Ill., and was also Clerk and Superintendent of the Sun- day-school. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. He is industrious and energetic in his daily life, and is a man of upright char- acter and excellent reputation.

METCALF, F. H., M. D., a practicing physician and surgeon of Franklin, Morgan County, Ill., was born in Jacksonville, Ill., December 5, 1862, the son of Samuel and Martha A. (Huntley) Metcalf, the father being a merchant of Jack- sonville. The son was educated in the Jack- sonville schools and the Chicago Medical Col- lege, where he was graduated in 1886, and later, for three and a half years, followed his pro- fession in Kansas. In 1889 he settled in Frank- lin, Ill., where he has since conducted a very successful practice. He is a member of the American Medical Association, as well as of the State and County Medical Societies, and con- nected with the I. O. O. F. Dr. Metcalf was married, March 31, 1887, to May E. Larimore, daughter of Samuel Larimore, of Jacksonville.

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

MILLIGAN, (Dr.) Harvey W., (deceased), a most prominent, worthy and deeply lamented citizen of Jacksonville, Ill., and former Professor in Illinois College, was born in Alford, Berkshire County, Mass., April 26, 1830. He was a son of William and Laura (Edwards) Milligan, na- tives of Masachusetts. He grew up to manhood in New England-reared in a home circle, the heads of which inculcated in his mind and heart the sturdy virtues of Puritan stock. In 1853 he was graduated from Williams College, which, in 1856, conferred upon him the degree of A. M. It was his purpose to become a physi- cian, and, by dint of frugal habits and close · application, he completed a course of study in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1862. During his professional studies his sub- sistence was dependent upon his efforts as a teacher in the Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf in Philadelphia, in which he continued as an instructor until 1865. Being prevented, by lack of means, from immediately entering upon the practice of medicine, he accepted the position of Superintendent of the Wisconsin In- stitution for the Deaf, at Delavan, where he re- mained three years. He was offered a position in the Illinois Institution for the Deaf, in Jack- sonville, in 1868, which he accepted, and from that period became prominently identified with the scientific, philanthropic, educational and religious interests of that city. In 1882 he was made Professor of History and English Litera- ture in Illinois College, and became greatly en- deared to his pupils. The alumni of that insti- tution, during the last twenty years of Dr. Mil- ligan's life, always regarded him with affection- ate veneration. He was not only a preceptor ripe in wisdom, but sustained to them the rela- tion of an intellectual and moral father in his solicitude for their personal welfare and ad- vancement. He was the College Librarian when the complement of volumes was very slender, shelved in an obscure and narrow space, and superintended their removal, when greatly in- creased in number and quality, to appropriate quarters in the Jones Memorial Building. In- dependent of his college work, Dr. Milligan was intimately identified with the general edu- cational interests of Jacksonville. He was a principal promoter of the first Free Library and Reading Room, organized in 1874, and had the supervision of it until the Y. M. C. A. as-

sumed control. He was a Trustee of the Jack- sonville Free Library Asociation, and in this capacity, did much to pave the way for the present Public Library. He was a member of the Jacksonville Board of Education for two terms, and also of the Jacksonville Microscopi- cal Society (organized in 1870), and the Jack- sonville Historical Society, serving as Secretary of the latter body. Of the Jacksonville Horti- cultural Society and the Natural History So- ciety, he was the founder. Almost from its in- ception, he was Secretary of the Literary Union Club, in which his influence and usefulness were manifest and generally recognized. His records of the proceedings of this body are a rich store- house of knowledge. He was the author of a valuable work, entitled "The Government of the People of the State of Illinois," which occupies a high rank in literature of this character.

On March 16, 1856, Dr. Milligan was united in marriage with Josephine M. Wade, a native of Philadelphia and a daughter of Nelson and Royina (Mason) Wade. This union resulted in five children, of whom two survive, namely: Dr. Josephine and Laurance E.

In political convictions, Dr. Milligan was an Independent, believing in free trade and the gold standard. Fraternally, he was affiliated with Hospitaler Commandery, No. 31, Knights Templar, of which he was a charter member. During the later years of his life he was a very devoted and active member of the Congrega- tional Church, in which he was reared in his New England home. In this church he officiated, first as Clerk, and subsequently as Deacon. The Sunday-school and Bible class were always sources of deep pleasure and rich profit to him. Dr. Milligan was in every sense a model man, an ideal citizen, and a consecrated Christian. To all whose heart's desire yearns for "what- soever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report," his shining career affords an uplifting in- spiration.

MINTER, Mathew, instructor in shoemaking at the Illinois Institution for the Deaf, at Jack- sonville, Ill., was born in Wurtemburg, Ger- inany, March 1, 1847, the son of Michael and Margaret (Heilman) Minter, natives of Ger- many. In the fatherland, Michael Minter was by occupation a stonecutter. in 1854 he came to the United States with his family, landing in

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

New Orleans, where, three months after his arrival, he died of yellow fever. His widow, with her sons and daughters, then journeyed to Illinois, and settled in Jacksonville. business, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., June 21, 1831. He is a son of James E. and Mary (Mel- vin) Mitchell. In June, 1840, he came with his parents to Jacksonville, where, in boyhood, Mathew Minter received his education in the public schools of Jacksonville, and at the age of fifteen years, began learning the shoemaker's trade with Godfrey Tendick. He worked for that gentleman twelve years, after which, in 1876, he started in business for himself on North Main Street, Jacksonville. This enter- prise continued until September, 1897, when he was appointed to his present position. For twenty years Mr. Minter was an honored mem- he received his mental training in the public schools. In early manhood he applied himself to the milling business at the City Mills, being engaged in the buying and selling of wheat for about fourteen years. Subsequently, for about six years, he was engaged in the auction busi- ness on the Public Square, in Jacksonville. Still later, he undertook the manufacture of brick, in which line he was occupied for five years. At the end of this period he was ap- ber of the famous old Fifth Regiment Band, . pointed Deputy Sheriff and held this office six

and is in possession of a badge which he wore in that body while attending the funeral of Abraham Lincoln. He was personally ac- quainted with Mr. Lincoln, and heard the cele- brated Lincoln-Douglas debates. Mr. Minter is President of the German-American League of Morgan County.

On June 30, 1870, Mr. Minter was united in marriage with Eveline Tefft, of Jacksonville, a daughter of John and Rectina (Cobb) Tefft, who were among the earliest settlers of Morgan County. Politically, Mr. Minter is an earnest and active Republican, and from 1889 to 1891 served as a member of the City Council of Jack- sonville. Fraternally, he has been affiliated with the Masonic order for thirty-three years, and for thirty-four years, with the Odd Fellows. He is Past Master of Harmony Lodge No. 3, A. F. & A. M., of which he was Master for six years. He is a member of Jacksonville Chap- ter No. 3, R. A. M., and Hospitaler Commandery, No. 31. For thirty-four years he has belonged to Illini Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., in which he is Past Grand, and was Treasurer for six years. He is Past Chief Patriarch of Ridgley Encamp- ment, and was its Financial Secretary for nine years. He is Past Grand of the Rebecca Degree, I. O. O F., and a member of Jacksonville No. 30, Court of Honor. Mr. Minter is a broad minded, well informed, public spirited citizen, and holds a high place in the. esteem of the community in whose welfare he has felt a deep concern since he crossed the threshold of man- hood.

MITCHELL, James M., a worthy and well known citizen of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ill., who is successfully engaged in the coal

years. Finally, he began dealing in coal, and now handles about 10,000 tons per year, his yards being located at the intersection of the Chicago & Alton and Burlington Railroads.

On May 1, 1860, Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage with Catherine Fitzgerald, a daughter of John Fitzgerald. Eight children were the offspring of this union, as follows: Clara B. (Mrs. Ralph Reynolds) ; Ida (Mrs. E. Whit- mer) ; William, deceased; Edward M., Clinton, } of Jacksonville; Alexander, Stella and Clar- ence H., of Jacksonville. The mother of this family died in 1879, and in 1882, Mr. Mitchell was wedded to Lutha E. Brown, a daughter of Burton and Clara (Hilligass) Brown. This union resulted in four children, namely: Mina, Louise, Ruth and Fay, of whom the eldest is a teacher in the public schools and the others are students.

In politics, Mr. Mitchell adheres to the Demo- craitc party, and has served five terms as Alder- man. Religiously, he is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He is a thoroughly capable business man, straightforward and up- right in all his transactions, and is regarded as a substantial member of the community.

MOORE, (Dr.) Edmund, (deceased), a pioneer physician and surgeon of Morgan County, was born in Elphin, County Roscommon, Ireland, May 26, 1798, a son of Lewis and Ellen (Lock- wood) Moore. The paternal ancestry of the family is Scotch-Irish. Dr. Moore's mother was a descendant of the historic Shannon family, and had two brothers who attained great dis- tinction in British military and naval affairs. One of these, a Lieutenant under Nelson, com- manded a ship at the battle of the Nile, and

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

also fought at the battle of Copenhagen and at Trafalgar, where Nelson was killed. He died at the Soldiers' Home at Greenwich. Another brother, who became a General in the British army, was in the East India service for many years, and died while in the East, the husband of an East Indian princess.

When Edmund Moore was an infant in arms, his parents came to the United States, locating temporarily at Frankfort, Ky. Soon afterward they removed to Florida, then a Spanish colony, and subsequently to Louisiana, then under French dominion, remaining about five years in the two provinces. Returning to Bloomfield, Nelson County, Ky., the elder Moore took up a tract of land and spent the remainder of his life there. There Edmund Moore was also reared and educated. After reading medicine under the supervision of Dr. Bemis at Bards- town, Ky., and attending lectures at Louis- ville, he began practice under a State license at Rockport, Ind., remaining there until his re- moval to Morgan County. Ill., in 1827. Here he was examined and licensed by the State of Illi- nois. Upon arriving in Morgan County he pur- chased a tract of land located about one mile east of the farm now owned by George W. Moore, his son, erected a cabin, and occupied that place about six years, practicing his pro- fession and improving his farm. In 1833 he located on Section 29 of the same township, where he spent the balance of his life, dying there May 29, 1877.

Dr. Moore was a splendid specimen of man- hood, mentally and physically. He typified the "doctor of the old school," immortalized by Ian Maclaren, the Scotch novelist; for, during the half century of his residence in Morgan County, he was called upon to perform a vast amount of professional work for which he expected and received no remuneration. His practice neces- sitated very extensive rides throughout the sur- rounding country, and his trips to relieve suf- fering humanity were frequently attended by great personal risk, through exposure to the elements in a wild and sparsely settled coun- try. Most of his early practice was accom- plished on horseback, with the old-fashioned saddlebags. For many years there were no other physicians in his neighborhood, and it was not infrequently the case that he was called to ride as far south as Edwardsville. Many of his rides covered a distance of sixty

miles or more from his home. He became an acknowledged expert in the diagnosis and treat- ment of the fevers and other diseases peculiar to the Illinois and Mississippi valleys. During the Black Hawk War he was Surgeon of the Third Regiment of Illinois troops, which ren- dezvoused but was not called into active service. During the War of 1812 he had endeavored to enlist for the service under General Harrison in the Canadian campaign, but was not accepted on account of his delicate health.

Dr. Moore was well acquainted with Abraham Lincoln as a boy and man. While practicing his profession in Spencer County, Ind., he was frequently called upon to attend the Lincoln family, but lost sight of the future President after his own removal to Morgan County. After Lincoln's election to Congress, the two men met one day on the streets of Jacksonville, when the former, extending his hand to Dr. Moore, asked him if he did not remember his former patient. The Doctor finally recognized him and in later years reverted to the incident with feelings of great pleasure.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 175

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