Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 185

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 185

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Enlisted as a private in Company E, Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, April 16, 1861, at Atlanta, Ill., at the age of sixteen years and ten months; promoted to Corporal April 29, 1861; re-enlisted and promoted to First Lieutenant July 25, 1861, at the age of seventeen years and one month; promoted to Captain at Corinth, Miss., November 12, 1862, at the age of eight- een years and four months; reenlisted in the veteran service, with the rank of Captain, De- cember 22, 1863, at the age of nineteen years and six months; mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 9, 1865, having just passed his twen- ty-first birthday; final discharge at Springfield, Ill., July 13, 1865. The principal battles and

campaigns in which he participated were as follows: Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, battle of Corinth, Town Creek, Ala., Florence, Ala., Georgia campaign, Alla- toona Pass, March to the Sea, Savannah, Caro- lina campaign, battle of Bentonville, Columbia, Neuse River Bridge, surrender of General Johnston's Army, and the Grand Review at Washington.

One of the most noteworthy incidents in the many engagements in which Captain Smith and his command participated occurred at the mem- orable battle of Allatoona Pass ("Hold the Fort.") His regiment there engaged, was armed with the Henry rifle, a sixteen-shooter, now known as the Winchester rifle. In this fight, in which twelve hundred men of the Union forces were pitted against the comparatively over- whelming force of six thousand Confederates, - Captain Smith's company suffered a greater loss, compared with the numbers engaged, than any other during the entire Civil War. He took into battle a company of fifty-one men, of whom forty-one were lost. During the engagement, one of the fiercest of the whole war, the flag . carried by the regiment was perforated by two hundred and seventeen bullets. It is also a fact worthy of note, that though Captain Smith was a participant in many of the most sangui- nary battles of the war, he was never captured by the enemy, was never disabled by sickness, and was never wounded. Through an error, common in the work of enrollment, his name appeared on the muster rolls as John Alexander Smith, and this name has been retained in the records at Washington to this day.

Upon the close of the war Captain Smith lo- cated at Mattoon, Ill., where from 1866 to 1869 he was employed as clerk in the "Essex House." In the latter year he removed to Jacksonville, becoming clerk, and afterward manager, of the "Dunlap House." This property ultimately fell . into the possession of the Northwestern Life Insurance Company, of Milwaukee, Wis., from whom he secured the title by purchase in 1880. This hotel, and the "Park Hotel," of Jackson- ville, which he purchased in 1883, have since remained in his possession. For the first few years of his proprietorship he managed both hotels at different times, until, after he had re- modeled the "Dunlap House," he devoted his time exclusively to the latter until January 1, 1904, when he leased it to others. Though still

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

owning both properties, he is now living in re- tirement at his attractive home, No. 1153 West State Street.

Though a stanch adherent of Republican prin- ciples, Captain Smith has never sought nor filled public office. He has taken an interest in but one of the secret or fraternal societies, aside from those organized by veterans of the Civil War-the Benevolent 'and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Matt Starr Post, No. 378, G. A. R., of Jacksonville, of the Mili- tary Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, and the Society of the Army of the Ten- nessee-the oldest of the Civil War societies, which was organized April 9, 1865, the day on which Lee surrendered.

Captain Smith was married April 7, 1875, to Josephine Marie Litzelman, who was born in Terre Haute, Ind., of Alsatian descent. Her fa- ther, Mathis Litzelman, located in Jasper County, Ill., where he resided for many years. Captain and Mrs. Smith have an adopted son, Alexander Smith, Jr., who enlisted for service in the Spanish-American War at Kansas City, Mo., with the Third Missouri Infantry. During the summer of 1904 he acted as manager of the "American Hotel," at St. Louis, Mo., erected for the accommodation of visitors to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

Personally, Captain Smith has taken a lively interest in those movements organized to ad- vance the general welfare of Jacksonville. He is honored by his fellow-citizens as a man of public spirit and exemplary character, and as one of the most devoted patriots of the great State of Ilinois. His splendid war record alone entitles his name to a position of honor among the citizens of the Commonwealth.

SMITH, Richard, (deceased), was born in Che- shire, England, on January 15, 1811, the son of Richard and Sarah Smith, natives of that coun- try. In boyhood he received a good mental training, was reared to manhood on a farm and subsequently was employed as clerk in a store. After his marriage to Elizabeth Garrett he con- ducted a dairy farm. In 1854, being desirous of giving his invalid wife the benefit of a sea voyage, he came to America on a sailing vessel and landed at Quebec, Canada, after being seven weeks on the ocean. Both Mrs. Smith and her son, George, died on the voyage and were buried at sea. Mr. Smith proceeded from Quebec to

Morgan County, Ill., and shortly afterward bought the farm upon which he died in 1872. The property, which he purchased of James Garrett, consisted of 110 acres of timber land, on which stood a small frame house in a clear- ing of perhaps fifteen acres. He was possessed of some means when he settled in Morgan County. Mr. Smith's wife, whom he married in England, was formerly Elizabeth Garrett, and five children resulted from their union, namely : Sarah, who became the wife of Rev. James Boi- court, a Methodist minister; Jane, widow of George Robson; and Elizabeth, George and Peter, who died young. The only member of this family now living is Mrs. George Robson. Her husband was a native of Yorkshire, Eng- land, born in 1835, and her marriage to him took place in 1860. After that event, Mr. Robson rented land for two years, and then came to the farm of his wife's father, where he died June 15, 1902. Mrs. Robson was nine years old when she came to Morgan County. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Smith was a member of the Wesleyan Church, and was active in religious and charitable work. He was an upright, conscientious man, and lived a blameless, useful life.

SNOW, (Rev.) Charles G., comes from New England stock. His grandfather, Eleazer Snow, of Bridgewater, Miss., served through the Revo lutionary War under General Putnam. His fa- ther was Libeas Snow. Charles was born in Oswego County, N. Y., December 30, 1817. He came to Ohio when a young man; and to Scott- ville, Ill., in 1841. He taught school for a few years in Ohio, and after arriving in Illinois, was engaged in that calling for a period of fifty-seven years-doubtless a longer time than any teacher in the State, if not in the nation. That honorable distinction was fitly recognized by the Illinois State Teachers' Association at their last session by complimentary mention and resolutions.

Mr. Snow's religious carcer began at Scott- ville, Ill., in 1843. In the same year he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Win- chester, Ill., under the ministry of Revs. Nor- man Allyn and William H. Milburn. He was li- censed to preachı by Rev. Peter Cartwright, D. D., in 1854, was ordained Deacon by Bishop Edward R. Ames, and Elder by Bishop Levi Scott. Mr. Snow possessed excellent natural

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

gifts, to which were added the advantage of fine mental discipline, and a large store of in- formation from reading. He was frequently employed in pastoral work, in which he served with much acceptability and usefulness. He still, at the age of eighty-seven, possesses much physical and mental strength and activity.

SPENCER, B. F., living on Section 31, Town- ship 13 North, Range 10 West, Morgan County, Ill., farmer and stockman, was born where he now resides February 21, 1845, the son of Wil- liam S. and Parthenia (Totten) Spencer. His grandfather, Elisha Spencer, was born in Eng- land and became a citizen of the United States, settling in Kentucky, and later removing to Lawrence County, Ill., where William S., the father of B. F. Spencer, was born. Both father and grandfather eventually removed to Morgan County at an early period in the history of that section of the State.

B. F. Spencer was reared to an agricultural life, in his boyhood attending the district schools. During the Civil War he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and First Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, for a period of three years, but after serving one year was discharged on ac- count of disability. Returning home he entered upon his lifelong occupation as a farmer. He now owns and operates the farm known as the old Spencer homestead of 160 acres, to which he has added many improvements since it came into his possession.

Mr. Spencer was married September 14, 1865, to Mary C. Peyton, daughter of James Isaac Peyton, who lived . near Warsaw, Ill., and to them have been born ten children, five sons and five daughters. Of these nine survive, viz .: Kate, wife of Robert Wagstaff; John H .; Thank- ful, wife of Virden Wagstaff; Frederick; Par- thenia, wife of Walter Chapman; Isaiah; Nelly, wife of Robert Chapman; Charles; and Grace, wife of Henry Osburn. Mr. Spencer has held the office of School Director for thirteen years, is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Republican in politics, and connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he holds the office of Steward.

SPENCER, John H., M. D., physician and sur- geon conducting a successful practice at Mur- rayville, Morgan County, Ill., was born on his father's farm five miles south of that place,

November 1, 1867, the son of B. F. and Mary C. (Peyton) Spencer. The father of Mrs. Mary C. Spencer, who was a farmer, moved from Kentucky to Hancock County, Ill., where he was one of the early settlers. B. F. Spencer, the father of John H., was born in Morgan County, a son of William and Parthenia Spencer, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter, of Indiana. They came to Morgan County at an early day, and there became successful farmers. He was a soldier of the Black Hawk War. Wil- liam Spencer's father, Elisha, great-grand- father of John H., came with his family to Illi- nois and died in Morgan County at the age of one hundred and four years. William Spencer had four sons in the Union Army during the Civil War, including B. F., the father of John H. They all enlisted in Company I, One Hun- dred and First Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and all returned. After the war B. F. Spencer en- gaged in farming. He and his wife, Mary C. Peyton, were married in Morgan County, and became the parents of ten children -- five sons and five daughters-John H. being the second in the family. Both parents are yet living on their homestead of 160 acres.

The boyhood days of John H. Spencer were spent upon the farm and in the public school. He later attended the American Medical Col- lege at St. Louis, Mo., graduating therefrom in 1902, and at once commenced the practice of his profession at Franklin, Ill, where he re- mained one year, when he removed to Murray- ville and established a good practice. He is a member of the Morgan County Medical Asso- ciation, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a Republican and frequently serves as a delegate of his party to State and County con- ventions. He was elected Coroner in 1896 for a term of four years, was reelected in 1904, and is the present incumbent in that office. He was also elected President of the Village Board of Trustees in 1904, and is now filling that position in a satisfactory manner. He is equal partner with his brother, I. F. Spencer, in 420 acres of land in Greene County, Ill., where they are successfully and extensively engaged in feeding and breeding cattle, hogs and goats.

Dr. Spencer was married December 21, 1899, to Ellen Strang and they have two children: Margaret L. and Clarence Strang.

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

THE SPRINGER FAMILY .- Among the early residents of Morgan County none have attained greater and worthier distinction than the Springer family, who came at an early day from Indiana. One of the best known in pioneer times was Rev. Levi Springer, a Methodist preacher of much ability, who was for a number of years regularly engaged in pastoral work in the county. He finally retired from the active ministry, and spent the remainder of his life on his farm near Virginia, Cass County, where he died. He possessed in large measure the af- fectionate respect of his pioneer fellow-citizens.

SPRINGER, (Rev.) Thomas B., brother of the preceding, was born in Washington County, Ky., April 2, 1795. He came from Indiana with his family to Morgan County, Ill., in 1847, and lo- cated in Jacksonville. He died December 13, 1861, at New Lebanon, Ind. His wife, Cath- erine Sandusky, was born January 14, 1796, in Washington County, Ky., and died August 9, 1872, at New Lebanon, Ind. Twelve children were born to them, all of whom, except Hon. John T. Springer, of Jacksonville, are now de- ceased. The father served the public faithfully for many years as a local preacher of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

SPRINGER, (Col.) Charles F., son of the pre- ceding, was born in Sullivan County, Ind., Au- gust 10, 1834, came to Illinois in 1848, and lo- cated at Jacksonville. In 1858 he graduated with honors from DePauw (then Asbury) Uni- versity, Greencastle, Ind. After his collegiate education he adopted the law as his profession. He enlisted in the military service early in the War of the Rebellion, on the 24th of February, 1865, was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel and was mustered out January 16, 1866. He was a Republican in politics, and in 1868 was chosen Presidential Elector on the Republican ticket from the Twelfth Congressional District of Illi- mois, and in the following year was elected to represent the Edwardsville Senatorial District in the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70. He died from diseases contracted in the service dur- ing the Civil War, November 15, 1870. By his death one of the best and noblest men passed away, with a record of honorable service com- plete and illustrious, and well rounded out by those Christian virtues which gave a crowning beauty and valne to his character.

SPRINGER, (Hon.) John T., brother of the pre- ceding, and son of Rev. Thomas B. and Cathe-

rine (Sandusky) Springer, was born in Sullivan County, Ind., Jan. 31, 1831. After completing his education in the Jacksonville public schools, and taking a brief course in Illinois College, he went to California, where for two years he was engaged in mining and as superintendent of a water-works system. Then returning to Jack- sonville, he began the study of law with Judge William Thomas and in 1858 was admitted to the bar, at once commencing practice in Jack- sonville, which he continued until 1883. In 1859 he was elected Commissioner of Public Schools for Morgan County, in which he served four years, as successor to Dr. Newton Bate- man, who had been elected State Superintend- ent of Public Instruction for his first term.

About 1883, having retired from the practice of his profession on account of the demands of his private business, he became a stockholder in the First National Bank of Jacksonville, and was subsequently elected President of that in- stitution, serving until 1897, when it surren- dered its charter and was reorganized as a private banking house. Of the original bank he was one of its first Directors. In 1864 and again in 1866 he was elected Representative from Morgan County in the State Legislature, serving two terms, and was prominently iden- tified with important legislation of that period, especially the enactment of the laws regulating corporations, and that which resulted in the erection of the east wing of the Central Hos- pital for the Insane.

On August 14, 1858, Mr. Springer was united in marriage with Sarah Henderson, a daughter of Cary Henderson. This union resulted in three children, namely: John Wallace, of Den- ver, Colo .: Nellie (Mrs. Edward M. Kinman), of Jacksonville; and Lula C., who died at the age of twenty-seven years. Originally a sup- porter of the Democratic party, since 1896 he has maintained an independent attitude in po- litical campaigns. Religiously he has no sec- tarian connection, although formerly a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. He is a man of superior ability, and his long career in Jacksonville has been conspicuous for its identification with measures of public interest. In his early life he gained some literary promi- nence by his correspondence and contributions to newspapers. A romance of California, from his pen, entitled "Frank and Lillian," was first published in the "Golden Era," of San Fran- cisco.

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

SPRINGER, (Hon.) John W., son of John T., was born in Jacksonville, Ill., July 19, 1858, gradu- - ated from De Pauw University, Greencastle, Ind., in 1878, studied law with his father, and was admitted to the bar in 1881. In 1890 he was elected a Representative in the Thirty- seventh General Assembly from Morgan County, He has resided for a number of years in Den- ver, Colo., where he has gained distinction by reason of his public and philanthropic services, and his connection with great financial inter- ests. He has been President of the National Live Stock Association seven years; is also Vice-President of the Continental Trust Com- pany of Denver, and the Continental Land and Cattle Company; besides being a member of a number of other large organizations. Origi- nally a Democrat, he espoused the cause of Re- publicanism on the money issue, and was the choice of the Colorado delegates for Vice-Presi- dent in the Republican National Convention in Chicago, in 1904.

SPRINGER, (Hon.) William McKendree, son of Rev. Thomas B. Springer, was born in New Lebanon, Ind., May 30, 1836. At the age of twelve years he removed with his parents to Jacksonville, Ill. He graduated from De Pauw University, at Greencastle, Ind., in 1858, and the same year located at Springfield, Ill., and com- menced the study of law. He also engaged in newspaper work, both at Springfield and Lin- coln, Ill. He was admitted to the bar in 1859, and began the practice of law at Springfield. In 1861 he received the degree of A. M. and in 1866 that of LL. D. from his alma mater, the latter being conferred upon him by Illinois Col- lege in 1890. Mr. Springer was married De- cember 15, 1859, to Miss Rebecca Ruter, daugh- ter of Rev. Calvin W. Ruter, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and author of an able work on church history. Mrs. Springer was a rarely gifted woman, and became widely known as author of a large number of magazine articles, and having written "Beechwood," "Self," "Leon," "Songs by the Sea" (poems), and "Intra Muros." It is said that the several editions of the last named book amounted to 300,000. Mrs. Springer died soon after her hus- band's death. An only son, Captain Ruter W. Springer, who is a Chaplain in the United States Army, survives his parents. Judge Springer was Secretary of the Illinois State Constitu-

tional Convention of 1862. In- 1870 he was elected a member of the Twenty-seventh Gen- eral Assembly from Sangamon County. That Legislature was principally engaged in the re- vision of the laws of the State, and in that work he took a prominent part. He was elected a member of the Forty-fourth Congress, from the Twelfth (Springfield) District in 1874, and was reelected successively until 1892, making a rec- ord of twenty years of continuous service in Congress. During his first year in Congress he introduced a resolution declaring the precedent of retiring from the Presidential office after the second term had become a part of our repub- lican system, and that any departure from that time-honored custom would be unwise, unpa- triotic, and fraught with peril to our free insti- tutions, which was adopted-yeas, 233; nays, 18.

In 1875 he was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Expenditures of the State De- partment, and was a member of many other important committees, as the Potter Committee, which investigated the Presidential election of 1876, and of the joint committee which reported the Electoral Commission bill of 1876-77. From 1882 to 1884 he delivered numerous speeches in Congress on the establishment of the tariff com- mission, and the revision of the tariff. He in- troduced a large number of notable bills in Con- gress, including the famous Springer bill, under which the Territory of Oklahoma was organized, and which created a judicial system for the Indian Territory; also the bill for the admission of Washington, Montana, and North and South Dakota into the Union as States. Among the notable bills introduced by Mr. Springer was the amendment to the bill granting $1,500,000 to the Centennial Commissioners, and his suc- cessful efforts inrecovering the amount through the United States Supreme Court, a procedure which won him a wide reputation. From time to time he was Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, Territories, Banking, Cur- rency and other important committees in Con- gress. On his retirement from Congress after twenty years of faithful and valuable service, on March 20, 1895, he was appointed by Presi- dent Cleveland as United States Judge of the Northern District of Indian Territory, and Chief Justice of the United States Court of Ap- peals in Indian Territory. His term expired December 12, 1899. During his incumbency in that office, he made his home at Muskogee, In-

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

dian Territory. On his retirement from the ju- dicial bench he removed to Washington, D. C., and there engaged in the practice of law. He was general attorney for the National Live Stock Association, and general attorney for two of the tribes in the Indian Territory.

When the controversy between the States of Missouri and Illinois came up over the alleged pollution of the waters of the Mississippi River, at St. Louis, by reason of the sewerage from the Chicago Drainage Canal, which resulted in bringing suit by the State of Missouri in the United States Supreme Court against the State of Illinois and the Chicago Drainage District,. he was retained as general attorney for the Chicago Drainage District. He contracted a cold during his last visit there on that business, to which he had devoted him- self almost wholly, having made a deep and thorough study of the case, and had the matter completely in hand for final arbitrament. (By a decision rendered by the Supreme Court of the United States, since Judge Springer's death, the ground which he maintained on this issue has been sustained.) Judge Springer was a man of plain and unassuming manners, and in his wide acquaintance, and official intercourse with people of all classes and parties, all were alike to him, whether rich or poor; whether of his own or another political party. He died at the family residence in Washington, D. C., Decem- ber 4, 1903, after a short illness of pneumonia. His burial was in Springfield, Ill.

SPRINGER, Francis M., one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ill., was born near Lexington, Fayette County, Ky., April 11, 1820, the son of Francis and Elsie (Runyon) Springer, all na- tives of that State. All of the family except the father came by team to Morgan County, in 1832, and he followed somewhat later, by water. They settled eight miles east of Jacksonville. Fran- cis Springer, who was a cabinet-maker by trade, was a soldier in the War of 1812.

The subject of this sketch was the eldest of a family of five children, of whom he alone sur- vives. He was twelve years old when he came to Morgan County. Shortly after his arrlvel he attended the subscription school in the vi- cinity of his home, first studying his lessons in a log school house, under the instruction of a gentleman named McClure. After his school

days were over, he commenced work at $6 per month, having often split rails for fifty cents per day. He worked out until about the year 1842, when, in partnership with Dr. Cassell and Robert Cassell, he boughta sawmillon the Mau- vaisterre, in the Cassell neighborhood, which they operated for several years. After his mar- riage Mr. Springer carried on farming until 1855, when he removed to Jacksonville, where the Cassell brothers and himself built the City Roller Mills. A year afterward Mr. Springer sold his interest, and has since, for many years, conducted a livery business.

On November 6, 1845, Mr. Springer was mar- ried to Eliza J. Alexander, a native of Ohio. This union resulted in the following named chil- dren: George, Mary, Laura, Kate, John and Hettie.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 185

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