Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 178

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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at marriages and at the funerals of pioneer set- tlers and members of their families. He was a man who, by his fine character and generous heart, endeared himself closely to a multitude of people, and during the last years of his long and highly useful life was highly honored and venerated. He was a striking figure in the earlier days of the county's history, and his strength of character endured with the passage of years to a remarkable degree. His family maintained a high position in the confidence and esteem of the inhabitants of Morgan .County, in which they were regarded as repre- sentatives of its best citizenship.

Robert T. Osborne received his education in the schools of Jacksonville. After the comple- tion of his education he returned to his father's farm, where he assisted in its management until his marriage, October 14, 1847, to Elizabeth J. Dewees, who was born January 26, 1830, the daughter of Nimrod and Elizabeth (Murphy) Dewees, early settlers of Morgan County. (An extended sketch of the Dewees family will be found elsewhere in this volume.) About this time Rev. Harrison Osborne removed to Jack- sonville, and rented his farm to his son, Robert T., who began its operation independently. In 1850 he removed to. a farm located on the Springfield road, on which was a small log cabin, and there he remained about six years. This farm consisted of unbroken prairie land, to the development of which Mr. Osborne set about with vigor. After six years of hard labor on this property he sold the land and purchased his father's farm, to the cultivation of which he devoted twelve years. He then sold the latter property and removed to Jack- sonville, where the balance of his life was spent. He erected the block now occupied by the firm of Phelps & Osborne, one of the finest business blocks in the city, and for about six years en- ·gaged in buying and shipping cattle. His opera- tions in this direction were successful, and upon his retirement from active business he possessed a handsome competency. For several years prior to his death, which occurred September 10, 1887, he lived quietly, enjoying the means which he had accumulated, and assisting those near and dear to him in their efforts to win success in the world of business. Early in life he united with the Christian Church at Antioch, of which his wife was also a member, and after his per- manent removal to Jacksonville transferred his

Howidenham

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

membership to the local organization. In poli- tics he was a Democrat, but was extremely lib- eral in his views. During the Civil War he espoused the cause of the Union, and contrib- uted generously of his means toward the sup- port of the Federal troops in the field. He never desired public office, preferring to devote his energies to his private affairs, though he never shirked his duties as a citizen. Frater- nally, he was identified for many years with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a broad minded, public spirited, liberal man, a citizen whom the people of Morgan County de- lighted to honor and in whom all had the greatest confidence.

To Mr. and Mrs. Osborne were born nine chil- dren, two of whom died in childhood. Those who attained maturity are still living. They are as follows: Almira, wife of Charles C. Phelps, of Jacksonville; Samuel D., also of Jacksonville; Georgia L., an attache of the State Historical Library at Springfield; Jessie, wife of Jesse Metcalfe, a banker of Girard, Ill .; Rob- ert T .; William C .; and Elizabeth D., wife of Frank L. Best, of Jacksonville.

PATTERSON, William, for many years an en- terprising and substantial farmer residing in the vicinity of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ill., but now living in retirement, was born September 1, 1832, in Carroll County, Ohio, the son of John and Isabel (McGaw) Patterson, na- tives of Scotland, the father being born near Dumfries. John Patterson was a farmer by oc- cupation, as was also his father. He remained at home until he was twenty-five years of age, then emigrating to the United States and set- tling in West Virginia. After being employed there two years, he removed to Carroll County, Ohio, where he entered 160 acres of Government land. This he clearcd, otherwise improved, and cultivated until his death in April, 1868. Isa- bel McGaw, who became his wife, came from Scotland with her parents at a very early pe- riod. They first built a log cabin and afterward a comfortable and spacious residence, and became the parents of ten children, namely: James, of Linn County, Kans .; Margaret and Rubena, de- ceased; Ruthema, who lives in Ohio; William; Adam, who was killed in the Civil War; Mary, who lives in Scio, Ohio; Martha, whose home Is in Richland County, Ohio; and Alexander, who lives in Morgan County, Ill. The mother of this family died at the age of forty-six years.

In boyhood William Patterson attended the subscription schools of that primitive period, and afterward pursued a course of study in the Hagerstown Academy. Subsequently, he taught school some years, and then remained at home until 1855. In. that year, he located in Cass County, Ill., where he passed two years. Thence he migrated to Iowa and Missouri, and then re- turned to Morgan County. In 1866, he bought a farm of 240 acres five miles northwest of Jack- sonville, Ill., the improvements on which were somewhat dilapidated; but he now possesses the most modern buildings and conveniences in his vicinity. He is the owner of 400 acres of land in one tract. During his active life he carried on general farming and stock-raising, but is now enjoying his later years in leisure and com- fort.

In 1857 Mr. Patterson was united in mar- riage with Mary A. Boston, a native of Cass County, Ill., and a daughter of Anthony and Louisa (Stevenson) Boston. Nine children were born of this union, namely: Louisa Williamson, of Jacksonville; Nettie Dewees, of Morgan County; Ulysses, deceased; George W., who oc- cupies a portion of the home farm; Torin, of Morgan County; Edward, of Jacksonville; Mar- tha and Maude, who are with their parents; and Leonard, who lives in South Dakota.

On political issues, Mr. Patterson is a positive Republican, and takes much interest in the suc- cess of his party, having filled most of the local offices in his vicinity. Mrs. Patterson is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his prime, Mr. Patterson was a model farmer, his intelligent, careful and systematic diligence and enterprise always securing satisfactory results. He is now enjoying the ample fruits of toilsome ycars, to which he is richly entitled.

PEAK, Jacob H., (deceased), formerly a promi- nent farmer of Morgan County, Ill., living on Section 13. Town 14, Range 9, where his widow, Mrs. Matilda Peak, still resides, was born in Anderson County, Tenn., May 26, 1829, the son of Absalom and Rebecca (Buttler) Peak, who were the parents of eighteen children. Upon coming to Illinois, the Peak famlly first settled in Scott County, where Jacob H. was reared to farming and educated in the public schools. On November 5, 1854, he was married to Matllda Campbell. daughter of J. B. and C. B. Campbell, her father being a native of Tennessee, but of Scotch and German descent, who moved to Illl-

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nois in the fall of 1830. To Mr. and Mrs. Peak seven children were born, four of whom survive, viz .: Mary L., wife of H. Q. Rimby, a merchant of Winchester, Scott County; Lois Kate, wife of Sherman Luttrell, a farmer of Morgan Coun- ty, and Lulu A., wife of Edgar L. Sweet. Mr. and Mrs. Sweet and Dora A., wife of J. P. Woods, now reside with Mrs. Peak and assist in the management of her estate.

Mr. Peak in his day was a typical Illinois farmer, beginning the battle of life with little or no capital, and by industry, thrift and good management accumulating a very valuable es- tate. He settled about two and a half miles north of the village of Franklin in 1868, and there began improvements on his farm, in 1877 erecting the present commodious residence. Improvements continued until the farm of 330 acres was brought to its present condition of fertility and completeness. Mr. Peak was a member of the Christian Church, to which faith his widow and children adhere. He served his district as Township Trustee, and in national affairs voted the Democratic ticket. He followed general farming in his later years, but previ- ously had been a breeder of Durham cattle and other thoroughbred stock. Mr. Peak died Sep- tember 25, 1894, and his widow, who survives him, resides on the family homestead with the mature relatives mentioned above, as well as her two grandchildren, Allyn P. and Cullen B., aged, respectively, seven and two years.

PAXSON, Stephen, pioneer Sunday-school mis- sionary and organizer in the Mississippi Valley, for forty years was a notable landmark in the West in Sunday-school work, and came to be known and esteemed as a veteran without a peer in Sunday-School service throughout the entire country. The story of his remarkable life is full of the elements of pathos, romance, heroism, moral reformation, masterful oratory, and sublime achievements unsurpassed by any of his contemporaries in any sphere and in any section of the country, or in any line of activity.

Mr. Paxson was born in New Lisbon, Ohio, November 3, 1808. His father died while his children were young, and circumstances forced the mother to seek homes for them among strangers. Stephen, who was next to the young- est of seven, had an impediment in his speech, which, under excitement, was fatal to any effort to make himself understood. His first appear-

ance at school-an event looked forward to through a long summer of toil and lonesomeness -produced such a state of nervous trepidation that, when called upon, he could not give his name or age, or any intelligible account of his mental acquirements. The children laughed, and the teacher stamped his foot impatiently, and harshly ordered the boy to go home, and sent by his hand a note requesting the people who had him in charge to teach him to talk be- fore they sent him to school. While yet a lad he was attacked by a painful disease known as white swelling, which rendered him a helpless cripple for a long time, and partially lamed him for life. The circumstance of the boy's lame- ness made a change in his occupation necessary, and he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a hatter. In his master's shop he became at once the butt of ridicule on account of his stammer- ing speech. The young apprentices showed him little mercy, and invariably called him "Stutter- ing Stephen." Little did he or any of them think that there was a resolute energy in that young breast which would avail to conquer na- ture's infirmity; that that very voice, so slow and hesitating now, would one day stir the hearts of multitudes as by the call of a trumpet.

Having an intense desire to learn to read, he began by learning the alphabet from the various signs painted in staring letters over the shop doors and the posters on the fences. Occasion- ally an old castaway newspaper would serve him well in the effort to learn to read. He also developed a wonderful capability and fondness for singing, which marvelously served him in his work in later years. The spirit of song seemed to subdue his infirmity and inspire him with the power of musical utterance.

In the year 1838, Mr. Paxson moved with his family to Winchester, Ill., at that time within Morgan County. The thought of God was not then in his heart. He was fond of worldly pleas- ures, especially of dancing, in which, in spite of his lameness, he became very proficient. He employed a fiddler, giving him a yearly salary to be ready at any time to supply him with music for that favorite amusement. It is also related that he often appeared on the street barefoot, and when provocation offered, he was ready for a pugilistic tournament. He never entered a church, or paid the least regard to re- ligious observances. Finally, through the per- suasive entreaties of his little daughter, he was

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induced to accompany her to her Sunday-school. That was the beginning of one of the most re- markable reformations and illustrious careers of usefulness that ever occurred. For four years he attended that school, never missing a Sab- bath. He was converted and united with the ehureh. At onee he became interested in or- ganizing Sunday-schools in other places in the county. He early saw the need of unification of methods of that work, and the better qualifica- tion of teachers. With that in view he first held a few mass-meetings of various schools within reach of each other in the woods.

April 20, 1846, having made due preparation therefor, he summoned the teachers of the county to meet in convention in the old Presby- terian church in Winchester. As early as 1832 similar methods had been adopted in some of the Eastern States with excellent results, but later that means of increasing the enthusiasm and the teaching power of those engaged in Sun- day-schools appears to have been little used, especially in the West. Mr. Paxson hit upon the same expedient, thus reproducing a com- paratively forgotten agency, and made it more widely popular than in former days. From it sprang up the system of County, State, and District Conventions-agencies which have now assumed national and international proportions.

The great trial of Mr. Paxson's life-his stam- mering speech-had now become almost unen- durable to him. He wanted to speak fluently and with effect in behalf of the work so dear to his heart. He began to think of attempting a cure. To this end he determined to study himself and the impediment that repressed the utteranee of his thoughts which smothered his heart, in their restless throbbing for expression. Surely he would find some way! For the reso- lute soul there is ever a path opened. He would watch and pray. He discovered at last, almost

by aceident, that, whenever he filled his lungs with air and expelled it slowly, accompanying his speech with certain gestures, the nerves seemed to relax and the words came with greater fluency and ease. He acted at once upon this hint, and practiced every day. He found to his joy and amazement that the key to the com- bination lock set upon his speech lay in his own hands. He felt himself a new man; now he need no longer hesitate about his fitness for the work of the Master. A heart aglow with zeai. and a loosened tongue-are not these sufficient

for the work whereunto he was called? Thence- forward, from Maine to the Gulf; from the At- lantle to the Rocky Mountains; in the wealthi- est and mnost cultured churches East, West and South; and in audiences of many thousands, as- sembled in the open air, he addressed vast mul- titudes who were swayed by his irresistible eio- quence; sometimes convulsing them with his drollery to laughter, then melting them into tears by the pathos of his experiences and mes- sages. Where no Sunday-school had before ex- isted, he organized 1,314 Sunday-schools con- taining 83,405 scholars and teachers, besides encouraging and aiding 1,747 other Sunday- schools with 131,260 scholars and teachers.

It should be remembered that when Mr. Pax- son began, and throughout most of his long and extensive itinerant career, the means of publie travel were very limited, so that he was forced to adopt primitive methods. In that matter, therefore, he used a horse which he appropri- ately named "Robert Raikes." In this way he assisted his master in organizing over 700 Sun- day-schools, and traveled a distance nearly as great as thrice around the world. He moved from Jacksonville to St. Louis, Mo., in the year of 1868, the Society having kindly given him the easier position of taking charge of the Book Depository in St. Louis, with liberty to travel whenever he felt disposed, to attend mis- sionary Sunday-school conventions, mass meet- ings, and spend his time in similar work. To business life he brought the same energy and enthusiasm which had characterized him in his Sunday-school work. He was truly a good and great man, and accomplished a great and ever- enduring work for the church and our country. He died in St. Louis, and is burled in the beautiful Belle Fontaine Cemetery.

A thrillingly interesting biography of Mr. Paxson was written and published by his gifted daughter. Mrs. B. Paxson Drury, from which has mostly been complled this narrative of one of the most distinguished citizens of Morgan County.

William Fryor Paxson. D. D., son of the pre- ceding, was born in Cherokee County. Ala., Sep- tember 8, 1837. He received hls education chiefly In Illinois College, Jacksonvlile. Iil., and entered the ministry In early manhood, and at once gave promise of unusual ability and promi- nence, which was fully realized in his subse- quent brilliant career. After a few years of suc-

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cessful pastoral service he entered upon the work of his distinguished father-the mission- ary work of the American Sunday-School Union -as Superintendent of the Southwestern Dis- trict. He brought to that work very great ex- ecutive ability and the gift of extraordinary public address. In order to raise funds for car- rying on the work in his district he frequently visited the Eastern and New England States, where he addressed large audiences which were thrilled by his eloquent appeals and moved to great liberality in contributions for his work. It was during the last of such visits, having been especially successful, that he was stricken by fatal illness, dying March 8, 1896, in Orange, New Jersey.

PERKINS, J. B., M. D., physician and surgeon, Franklin, Ill .- The great results in life are usually attained by simple means, and the ex- ercise of ordinary talents. The road of human welfare lies along the old highway of steadfast well-doing. Common sense, application, and perseverance accomplish often more than so- called genius. In no instance is this shown more plainly than in the medical profession, where undoubted worth is sure to win acknowl- edgment and advancement.

Dr. J. B. Perkins was born in Harrison County, Ky., on January 19, 1862, the son of A. J. and Mary E. (Eckler) Perkins, who died on their Kentucky homestead December 28, 1883, and November 18, 1902, respectively. After leaving the common schools of his native state he attended the Illinois Normal School at Dixon, graduating therefrom as a commercial student. He then began the study of medicine under Dr. B. T. McLean, of Franklin, who advised a course in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Sur- gery. The young man remained in this institu- tion from 1892 to 1895, graduating April 3d, of the latter year. Within twelve days after re- ceiving his diploma the new-practitioner was established in an office in Franklin, Ill., and since that date has more than held his own, be- ing accounted more than ordinarily successful in his professional work. On September 12, 1893, Dr. Perkins was united in marriage to Minnie M., daughter of Robert S. Colpitts, of Cass County, and of this union two children have been born-Ona May and Mary Roberta.

In his political views Dr. Perkins is a Demo- crat. He has been a member of the Town

Board, and was for four years Chairman of the Board of Health in Franklin, while for two years he has been President of the Board of Education. He is a member of the State and County Medical Societies, as well as of the American Medical Association; is an ardent Modern Woodman, and a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church.

PETEFISH, A. H., a successful and substan- tial farmer, was born in the vicinity of Arca- dia, Morgan County, Ill., June 5, 1858, the son of John R. and Lucy A. (Monroe) Petefish, who were married in Morgan County. Seven chil- dren resulted from this union, namely: Noah, a carpenter by trade, who lives in Kansas; Lydia, wife of J. J. Clark, of Arcadia, Ill .; Charles, who is in the implement business at Lawrence, Kans .; A. H. Taylor, who lives in Kansas; and George and Ellen, deceased. John R. Petefish was engaged in teaching for sev- eral years, afterward purchasing his first farm of 120 acres, where his son A. H. was born, and which is now the property of Mary E. Crum. There he lived until 1882, when he moved to Virginia, Ill., and retired from active life. Po- litically, he was a Republican, and fraternally, a member of the I. O. O. F. In his boyhood A. H. Petefish attended the common schools, and remained on the home farm until he was twen- ty-one years of age. At that time he began working on a farm by the month, being thus employed for several years. In the course of time he purchased land and now owns a- farm of 290 acres, upon which he successfully con- ducts general operations and stock-raising.

On February 21, 1891, Mr. Petefish was united in marriage with Sarah C. Bramer, who was born on the farm now occupied by Mr. Petefish, and is a daughter of John and Catherine (Rich- art) Bramer. Her father, who was born in Vir- ginia, January 7, 1806, when a young man, some time in the early 'thirties, moved thence to Ohio with his parents. He was a wagon-maker by trade, and worked as such after coming to Morgan County. His wife, Catherine (Rich- art) Bramer, was born in Ross County, Ohio, January 26, 1811, and moved to the Petefish farm soon after her marriage, where they lived in a log cabin. In 1842 Mr. Bramer built the brick residence on the farm. He and his wife had six children, namely: Mary E., who was born August 6, 1840, became the wife of A.

Qvaleati

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

Smith, and died November 21, 1904; Simon, born September 1, 1841, who died in infancy; William D., who was born October 18, 1842, and died January 26, 1865; Nancy E., who was born March 4, 1845, and died September 7, 1883; John H., who was born May 3, 1847, and is a farmer in Morgan County; and Sarah C., who was born October 8, 1850.

William D. was a soldier in the Civil War, belonging to Company B, One Hundred and First Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded in the battle of Resaca. The father of this family died June 18, 1877, and his widow passed her last days on the Petefish farm, dying March 19, 1900. She was blind for several years before her death. Mr. Bramer first entered Govenment land in Morgan Coun- ty, and ultimately owned more than 800 acres. He was a member of the German Reformed Church.

In politics, Mr. Petefish is a supporter of the Republican party, and has held the office of School Director of his township. He is a sys- tematic and progressive farmer, whose good judgment, energy and practical knowledge pro- duce satisfactory results. Socially, and in civic relations, his standing is of the best.

PETEFISH, George .- Clearly outlined against the shadowy past of Morgan County is the noble character and self-sacrificing life of George Pete- fish, a man who lent dignity and thoroughness to the time honored occupation of farming, and who walked quietly and with good intent among the changing conditions of the early days. Born in Rockingham County, Va., March 17, 1790, Mr. Petefish was the son of a Hessian soldier, who, as a servant of the king, came to America dur- ing the early part of the Revolutionary War. Prompted by a higher and nobler motive than had animated his earlier martial life, he es- poused the cause of the down-trodden Colonists, and exchanged his Hessian garb for the uniform of the followers of Washington.

Severe limitations hedged in the youth of George Petefish. According to the terms of his father's will, he was to receive six months' schooling, and, as far as is known to those most interested in him, the time allotted represents the extent of his educational advantages. The monotony of farming in Virginla was broken by the demand upon his energy created by the War of 1812, in which contest he served what Is

known as two tours, being stationed for the greater part at Norfolk, Va. In the fall of 1814 he journeyed with team and wagons to Warren County, Ohio, where he erected a rude log cabin in a timber clearing, and proceeded to cultivate the land which was to furnish his sustenance for many years. Disposing of all property not transferable by wagon, he came to Morgan County, Ill., a year previous to the deep snow of 1830-31, and for the second time in his life as- sumed the arduous duties of the pioneer.

Although deeply interested in all that tended to ameliorate the condition of the pioneers, and thus project the frontier further into the West, Mr. Petefish never sought or held public office of any kind. Originally a Whig of the Henry Clay type, he was a stanch supporter of the Repub- lican party from the time of its organization, a great admirer of Abraham Lincoln, and a be- liever in the Union of the States, which great consummation he lived to witness, his life draw- ing to a close in the summer of 1867. He was a deeply religious and unswervingly upright man, and his influence tended to deepen respect for the simple, kindly traits of human nature. Throughout life he was recognized and revered as a peacemaker, although he was alway firm in his maintenance of the right as he under- stood it. As illustrative of this dominant trait of his character, it is not known that he was ever sued, or that he ever- brought suit against anyone; therefore, as an arbitrator in the dis- agreements of others, whether in or out of court, his services were in great demand.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 178

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