Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 184

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 184

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The Herring family moved to Morgan County the same year as the Scholfields. Mrs. Schol- field's father was a button-maker and a farmer, and on his demise left a family of five children.

SOLOMON BULL

WILLIAM T. LUTTRELL

ROBERT SEYMOUR

RICHARD SMITH

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

SCOTT, Charles Edmond, D. V. S., a well known and successful veterinary surgeon of Jackson- ville, Morgan County, Ill., was born in Meta- mora, Ill., July 8, 1863, the son of James and Sarah (Spencer) Seott, natives of Northumber- land, England, and Morgan County, Ill., re- speetively. His father was born about the year 1824, and his mother, about 1829. The former died July 3, 1889, and the latter in Jacksonville, July 2, 1888. James Scott was a blacksmith and veterinary surgeon, in England. When he came to the United States, he first settled in Woodford County, Ill., where, for a short time, he followed the trade of blacksmithing, and then moved to Lynnville, where he was engaged as a blacksmith and earriage-maker. In 1866, he located in Jaeksonville and engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery, in which he eon- tinued until his death.

The subject of this sketch was three years old when his parents removed to Jacksonville. His elementary edueation was received in the public schools there, after which he became a pupil in the High School. He then pursued a course of study at Brown's Business College, Jacksonville, and finally at the Chieago Veter- Inary College, from which he was graduated in 1891. In the same year, he began the practice of his profession in Jacksonville, in which he has continued ever sinee with remarkable sue- cess. During recent years the veterinary sur- gery has made remarkable strides, and Dr. Scott has kept fully abreast of this advance and has eontributed his share to it, adopting new remedies and methods which scienee has proved to be superior and the value of which has been attested by the Doctor's suecess. He is a mem- ber of the State Veterinary Association.

On February 21, 1894, Dr. Scott was joined in wedlock with Lula Potter of Jacksonville, a daughter of Joseph and Melinda (Anderson) Potter, of a highly respected family of that city. One ehild, Potter Alexander, was born of this union, but died in infaney. Fraternally, Dr. Scott is affiliated with Jacksonville Lodge, No. 152, K. of P. Religiously, he is a consistent member of the Christian Church.

SEWALL, Eliza Ward (Middleton) .- Eliza Ward (Middleton) Sewall was born at Loeust Hill, near Nanjemoy Creek, Charles County, Md., July 27, 1795, the daughter of Samuel Ward Middleton, born in that county, Septem-

ber 4, 1755, and Catherine Taliaferro (Hooe) Middleton, born in Charles County, Md., near Efton Hill, November 1, 1865. The Middletons were thrifty, prudent people, and Samuel Ward, who spent his entire life on a plantation in Charles County, was no exception to the rule. He was fortunate in- the possession of a wife who had exeellent executive ability, and who was skilled above the average in the accom- plishments of her day. Among other things she was eredited with being able to knit in one day one of the long stockings worn by the men of that time, the stitches so arranged as to spell his name, and the day, month and year of his birth.

The maternal family of Hooe is traceable in English history to the year 1600, the coat of arms being a silver teapot with a lion's paw engraved upon it. Mrs. Sewall's maternal grandparents were Richard and Annie (Ire- land) Hooe, and her great-grandparents were Gilbert and Annie (Dent) Ireland. Richard Hooe's mother was a Taliaferro, the Taliaferro family having arrived from England over three eenturies ago. John, son of Robert, fought the Indians in 1692; Philip was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 1780; Benjamin, who was born in Virginia, and during the Rev- olutionary War served as a subordinate in Mor- gan's celebrated rifle eorps, was sent to Con- gress from Georgia from 1799 to 1802. Others bearing the name of Taliaferro won the rank of Captain, Major and Colonel.

Eliza W. Middleton was educated in a select school near her home in Maryland, and by pri- vate instruetion. Dancing in those days was regarded as a much greater accomplishment than at the present time, and in all ways was a much more graceful performance. None ex- ceeded in grace and ability Eliza W. Middle- ton, who not only attended the elasses in her neighborhood, but had private lessons as well. She also was well trained in the domestic arts, and at the time of her first marriage, September 23, 1817, to William Adams-who lived only two months after the union-was a wife ealcu- lated to adorn any station in life. The second marriage of this graceful, old-time lady, oc- eurred In Washington City, August 9, 1821, to Willlam Sewall, a man of domestic tastes, and honorable, upright nature. After their mar- rlage, Mr. and Mrs. Sewall lived in East and West Virginia for about eight years, and in

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

December, 1829, came to Jacksonville, Ill., where they remained until April 4, 1833. They then settled on a farm in Cass County, Ill., where Mr. Sewall died, his wife returning to Jacksonville in the fall of 1850, the better to ed- ucate her four younger children. After her children were married and established in homes of their own, she returned to Cass County and lived with her youngest daughter, Mrs. Harriet A. Goodell, near Chandlerville, where her death occurred October 5, 1874, at the age of seventy-nine years, two months and nine days.

Mrs. Sewall was a member of the Presbyte- rian Church, and was particularly active in church work during the pastorate of Rev. J. M. Ellis, one of the earliest clergymen of Jack- sonville. She was large hearted and charitable, and the possessor of a sweet and affectionate disposition. She was the mother of four daugh- ters and two sons: Henry Middleton, born March 6, 1823; Catherine Taliaferro Hooe, born No- vember 6, 1825; Susan Elizabeth, born July 30, 1829; William Winter, born February 11, 1832; Mary Middleton, born July 13, 1835; and Har- riet Abigail Sewall, born April 14, 1838.

SEYMOUR, Edward D., representative farmer and stockman, residing on Section 9, Township 13 North, Range 9 West, in Morgan County, Ill., was born on his father's farm a short distance north of his present home, January 22, 1834, the son of John and Sarah (O'Brien) Seymour, of whom a more extended sketch appears in connection with that of Robert Seymour. In his boyhood Edward D. attended a subscription school in his neighborhood, but, in later life, realizing the need of further instruction, was a pupil in the district school with his own chil- dren. He had already served as a member of the School Board, before he thus rounded out his education in his mature years, and had as- sisted in organizing the Providence School near his home. He left his father's homestead in 1857 and, in association with his brother Jar- rett, bought 220 acres of land, which later was divided and in 1859 the partnership was dis- solved. Edward D. now owns a fine farm of 200 acres, with substantial improvements made by himself. The farm which he occupies is one of the first settled in the county, being origi- nally the property of Isham Gibson, an early pioneer, from whom, in 1847, it was bought by John Seymour, his brother.

Edward D. Seymour was married January 22, 1857, to Anna W. Spires, daughter of John Spires, who came to Morgan County in 1831, and to them have been born seven children. Of. this family two are deceased, viz .: Albert, who died at the age of eleven months, and Oliver T., in March, 1899, aged twenty-four years. Those still living are: Marion Sylvester, a farmer; Sarah E .; Jeannette, who is the wife of A. J. Stice; Amanda Jane, wife of Charles E. Cris- well; and Mae, who is a graduate of the Jack- sonville High School and Woman's College, and . is now engaged in teaching. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Seymour votes the Prohibition ticket.

SEYMOUR, Robert, a well known and highly respected farmer and stockman, living in his pleasant, hospitable house on Section 3, Town- ship 13, Range 9, Morgan County, Ill., was born in North Carolina May 20, 1827, the son of John and Sarah (O'Brien) Seymour, both natives of that State, who came with their family to Morgan County, in 1829. The grandfather, also named John Seymour, came to the county later and died in Hart's Prairie, at the age of eighty- five years. The father, John Seymour, Jr., and his brother, James P., in 1829, entered 160 acres of prairie and 80 acres of timber land, consti- tuting a portion of the farm upon which Robert Seymour now lives, and which became the old homestead. The two brothers farmed in part- nership for a time, but eventually their business interests were separated. To John Seymour, Jr., and his wife, Sarah, were born six sons and three daughters, all of whom reached maturity, namely: Andrew J .; Agnes, who became the wife of J. H. Austin; Robert; Mary, who mar- ried John Hutchinson; Jared, Edward D., George W., and Henry McD .; and Mildred, who married John W. Woodmansee. The father, John Seymour, was born in North Carolina in the year 1800; was a very successful farmer, and became prominent in the community in which he lived. At his demise, March 10, 1856, he left a fine estate of 600 acres of land. His wife died in 1861.

Robert Seymour attended the district school in his boyhood and was educated to farming, an occupation which he has followed with success through the many years of his well-spent life. During this time he has maintained and in- creased the improvements of the homestead, and now owns an estate aggregating 740 acres.

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

Mr. Seymour was married in 1849 to Sallie Ann Burch, and they have reared to maturity the following named children: James P .; Mar- tha E. and Mary A. (twins); Wilmeth J., and Serilda L., the last named deceased. The wife and mother died in 1872. In August, 1872, Mr. Seymour was married to Mary Ella Wright, daughter of Thomas Wright. Mr. and Mrs. Sey- mour live happily in their pleasant home on the farm, enjoying the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Their labors and responsibili- ties are light, as their farm is leased and culti- vated by others. Mr. Seymour has been a life- long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Class Leader and Steward. of the same for forty-five years. He lives the simple life, and votes in support of Prohibition princi- ples; has served his district as School Director six years, and is familiarly and affectionately known as "Uncle Robert" by his friends and as. sociates.

SHARPE, Anne McFarland, M. D .- Of the women of Illinois who labor unceasingly to maintain the highest tenets of medical science, who apply intelligence, progression and expe- rience to the alleviation of human ills, and seek to arouse an interest in sanitation and health- ful methods of living, none have drawn nearer to the popular conception of professional dig- nity and usefulness than Dr. Anne McFarland Sharpe, Medical Superintendent of the Oak Lawn Sanitarium, at Jacksonville, Ill. Dr. Sharpe, who is a daughter of the late Dr. George McFarland, and granddaughter of Dr. Andrew McFarland, for many years Superintendent of the Illinois Central Hospital for the Insane. was born in Lexington, Ky., October 10, 1868. Her mother, formerly Mary Elizabeth Bush, also was a native of the Bourbon State. Both the McFarland and Bush families were represented in the Revolutionary War.

Dr. George McFarland, after a service in the Civil War, practiced medicine in Kentucky from 1866 until 1880. He then brought his family to the home of his father, Dr. Andrew McFarland, in Jacksonville, and in time became Assistant Physician of the Oak Lawn Sanitarium. Anne McFarland, who was twelve years old when the family located in Jacksonville, was gradu- ated from the Jacksonville Academy after a four years' course in 1887, and later took a course in bookkeeping and stenography at the

University of Kentucky. In 1888 she entered the Woman's Medical College, connected with the Northwestern University, at Evanston, Ill., from which she was graduated with honors March 30, 1891, and at once was installed as Medical Superintendent of the Oak Lawn Sani- tarium, thereby fulfilling the earnest desire of her grandfather, that she make a special study of the care of the insane.

In June, 1896, Dr. Anne McFarland married Vincent C. Cromwell, of Lexington, Ky., and thereafter made her home in her native city until the death of Mr. Cromwell in 1899. At . Jacksonville, Ill., January 2, 1901, occurred the marriage of Mrs. Cromwell and J. Thompson Sharpe, the latter born at Port Elizabeth, N. J., in November, 1864, whose father and grandfa- ther were both physicians. Since his marriage Mr. Sharpe has become the capable business manager of the Oak Lawn Sanitarium. Two children have been added to the Sharpe house- hold: Vincent Carroll Cromwell, born August 25, 1897; and a son, Maskell McFarland Sharpe, born Jannary 6, 1902. Dr. Anne Sharpe is a member of the Morgan County Medical So- ciety, the Illinois State Medical Society, the American Medical Society, the Rector's Aid So- ciety, the Home Economics Club, and the Coun- try Club. She is also a Colonial Dame and a Daughter of the American Revolution. For a number of years Dr. Sharpe was associate editor of the "Woman's Medical Journal," the only periodical of the kind published by women in the world. She finds a religious home in the Trinity Episcopal Church.

SHEPPARD, John Simpson, owner and man- ager of a fine farm in the vicinity of Jackson- ville, Ill., and resident of that city, where he holds an official position, was born on a farm six miles south of Jacksonville, on November 3, 1857, the son of Joseph J. and Mary E. (Coff- man) Sheppard. His grandfather, Thornton Sheppard, who was the first of his family to come to Illinois, was born in 1795 on the fam- ily estate in South Carolina. After living some time in Adair County, Ky., in 1830 hie settled in Morgan County, Ill., where he took up forty acres of Government land, which now is in the possession of the Sheppard family, still later becoming the owner of otlier lands. He carried on farming throughout his life, was also a Bap- tist minister for forty-nine years, and dled on

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

the old homestead in 1871, at the age of eighty years. His mother was a cousin of Gen. John- son, of Revolutionary fame. Joseph Johnson Sheppard was born September 10, 1827, in Adair County, Ky., and at the age of four years came to Morgan County, Ill., with his father. He received his mental training in the district schools of the county, and has also been engaged in farming all his life. He lives on the old homestead, six miles south of Jack- sonville, and is the owner of 1,000 acres of val- uable land. He was married June 20, 1854, to Mary E. Coffman, who is a native of Rocking- ham County, Va., and a daughter of Abraham . and Rachel (Howidishell) Coffman. Both of her grandfathers served in the Revolutionary War. Joseph J. Sheppard and his wife became the parents of the following children, namely: Emily Jane, who died at an early age; George W .; John S .; Irvin D .; Alice R., and Ulysses Grant (both deceased) ; Sylvester S .; McClel- lan; Clara; Luther and Lucy.

John S. Sheppard received his elementary education in the district schools, after which he was a student in Illinois College, and finally graduated from Brown's Business College, Jacksonville. He then worked on the home- stead with his father until 1888, when he bought a fine farm in Section 23, Township 13, Range 10, West of the Third P. M., and, although hold- ing public office in Jacksonville, still attends to the management of his extensive agricultural interests. He established his home in Jackson- ville, on October 24, 1898.

On November 13, 1888, Mr. Sheppard was united in marriage with Mattie L. Parker, of Brown County, Ill., a daughter of James M. and Jane (Clark) Parker. Three children have been born of this union, namely: Edna Lillian, born August 2, 1892; Russell and Randall (twins), born February 20, 1896. The two last named died when about six months old.

In politics, Mr. Sheppard is an unswerving Democrat. While living in the country he served as Township Trustee. He was ap- pointed Deputy Assessor of Jacksonville by H. J. Rodgers, during the last year of that gen- tleman's term of office, and J. W. Clary, the present County Treasurer, on assuming his of- fice, immediately appointed him to the same position. Fraternally, Mr. Sheppard is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias. He is an en- terprising, systematic and progressive farmer,

and in his public relations is regarded as a ca- pable and faithful official.

SHEPPARD, Joseph Johnson, retired farmer of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ill., was born in Adair County, Ky., near Jimtown, September 10, 1827. His ancestors were of Scotch and Irish origin. He is a son of Thornton and Elender (Hopper) Sheppard, the former born in North Carolina, and the latter a native of Kentucky. The father moved to Kentucky and thence, late in 1830, about the time of the "Deep Snow," came to Morgan County. In the spring of 1831 he built a small house on the north fork of Mauvaisterre Creek, and later bought a little place near his present home. The house was without a nail and had clapboard doors and frame. Afterward he built a hewed log house. His first purchase of land (40 acres) was made from Levi Buchanan, for which he gave two yoke of oxen and a wagon. But 10 acres of the land were broken, although it was all of good quality.

Thornton Sheppard preached in the Primitive Baptist Church for forty-nine years. In Illinois he ministered to four churches, walking twenty miles in order to cover his pastoral territory and receiving no pay for preaching or attend- ance. He did the same work in what are now Cass and Greene Counties, and at the Pisgah Sulphur Springs Baptist Church, in Morgan County, of which the family are still members. He died in his eightieth year, and four years after his decease, his widow, also in her eigh- tieth year, passed away. He carried on farming industriously, sought no official honors, and in the church was a peacemaker. He and his wife reared eleven children, of whom but three sons and two daughters are living.

Joseph J. Sheppard has resided in Jackson- ville since the fall of 1830. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-seven years old. His mental training in the country sub- scription schools was limited by reason of his father's lack of means, but the discipline in business matters which he received proved use- ful to him in after years, and he assisted the other children of the family.

On June 20, 1854, Mr. Sheppard was married to Mary Elizabeth Coffman, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Abram Coffman, who came to Morgan County with her parents in 1852 or 1853. The favored couple celebrated their gol-

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

den wedding in 1904, twelve children having been born to them as follows: Emma Jane, who died in infancy; George W., who is at home; John S., of Jacksonville; Irvin Dunlap, of Mor- gan County; Alice, deceased; Sylvester, of Mor- gan County; Emily R., the wife of Henry Paul, Jr., of Carlinville, Ill .; Clara, who is at home; Mcclellan, of Morgan County; Luther; Lucy, wife of J. Henry Scott; and Ulysses, deceased.

When Mr. Sheppard came to Morgan County deer were abundant. The snow was shoulder deep. There were no neighbors nearer than several miles. From this humble condition and these discouraging surroundings, a clear head, stout heart and diligent hands have lifted Mr. Sheppard into the ownership of 2,100 acres of excellent farming land, and he has the best rea- sons to be proud of the results of his labors, which he is now enjoying in contented retire- ment. Politically, he has always been identified with the Democratic party, although in local affairs he takes an independent course. He served as School Director for twenty-five years. In religious views, he is a Christian, but is not connected with any church.

SHORT, (Rev.) William Fletcher, D. D., edu- cator and retired minister of the Methodist Church, was born in Butler County, Ohio, No- vember 9, 1829, the son of Rev. Daniel Short, who came with his family to Morgan County in 1834, and was widely known and held in high esteem by a large circle of friends throughout Central Illinois, as an able and influential preacher of the Methodist Episcopal denomina- tlon. He was a member of the Twenty-first Gen- eral Assembly from Sangamon County. The subject of this sketch grew up on a farm, mean- . while experiencing the hardships and priva- tions incident to the life of a farmer's boy of that early period. About the age of twenty years, feeling himself called upon to enter the Gospel ministry, he decided to seek a colle- giate education, and accordingly entered Mc- Kendree College at Lebanon, Ill., where he pur- sued the regular course of study up to the senior year, when he became a student at the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, Ill., graduating therefrom in 1854. Before grad- uation he accepted a call to the principalship of the Missouri Conference Seminary located at Jackson in that State. After remaining there two and a half years, he tendered his resigna-

tion on account of impaired health, and en- tered the pastorate as a member of the Illinois Conference of the Methodist Church. The charges later held by him Included: Island Grove, Williamsville, Waverly and Winchester, each two years; Carlinville, three years; Hills- boro, one year; Grace Church, Jacksonville, three years, and as Presiding Elder of the Jack- sonville District, four years.

In July, 1875, Dr. Short was elected President of the Illinois Female College at Jacksonville, serving in that capacity for eighteen years. His administration, as the head of this important and flourishing institution, was characterized by a wise Christian policy, resulting in the ele- vation of the standard of scholarship, the estab- lishment of a home-like government and the em- ployment of a higher order of talent in the Art and Music departments. The result has been manifest in a marked increase in the pat- ronage and a broader and higher reputation ac- quired by the institution. In 1893 he was ap- pointed Superintendent of the Illinois School for the Blind at Jacksonville under the admin- istration of Governor Altgeld, retaining this po- sition for the period of four years. The addi- tion of several large buildings and the intro- duction of a number of other needed improve- ments, marked his administration of the affairs of the institution. After his retirement from the Institution for the Blind in 1897, Dr. Short reentered the ministerial field as Presiding El- der of the West Jacksonville District, which po- sition he continued to fill for six years. At the expiration of that period, having completed fifty years of service in connection with the Methodist Church, he retired from active min- isterial work. In August, 1854, Dr. Short was married to Sarah B. Laning, of Petersburg, Ill. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the Wesleyan University of Ohio in 1877.

As a citizen Dr. Short has always manifested a deep interest in public affairs, and has won a position as a favorite in social and religious circles, and also holds a high rank in the Ma- sonic fraternity. He has proved himself a man of strong patriotic impulse, and during the Civil War took occasion to express himself strongly in support of the Union cause. He made many patriotic speeches arousing the loyal enthusi- asm of his fellow citizens and, as a War Demo- crat, effectively assisting in mustering recruits

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

for the Union Army. No one in that day took a firmer stand, both private and in public, in opposition to the Rebellion and in support of the perpetuity of the Union.

The Short family is of combined Scotch-Irish extraction, illustrating, in its leading charac- teristics, the keen wit and vivacity of the one branch, with the sturdy firmness and vigor- ous manhood of the other. Dr. Short's most re- cent and important work has been in connec- tion with the preparation of the historical part of this work .- PAUL SELBY.

SMITH, (Captain) Alexander, retired, Jackson- ville, Ill., enjoys the distinction of having been the first man to enlist in the first company of the first regiment to go into camp for active service in the Civil War. Captain Smith was born in Eaton, Ohio, June 27, 1844, a son of Alexander and Ellen Elizabeth (Ritchie) Smith. His fa- ther, who was born in Petersburg, Va., removed to Pennsylvania, where he married, and thence migrated to Ohio. He died in Iowa in 1857. His wife was born in Montpelier, Vt.

Early in life Captain Smith started to learn the saddler's trade, and was thus engaged at At- lanta, Ill., at the outbreak of the Civil War. Upon receipt of the news from Washington and President Lincoln's first call for volunteers, he immediately abandoned his work upon a set of harness he was making, and hastened to enlist. This was upon the 15th day of April, 1861; but as the organization of his company was not completed until the day following, the date of enlistment has been officially recorded as on April 16th. A summary of his record in the service of the Union during the Civil War is as follows:

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 184

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