USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County > Part 189
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VASCONCELLOS, Emanuel Martin, who holds the position of Purchasing Agent and Superin- tendent of Grounds of the Illinois School for the Blind, at Jacksonville, Morgan County, 111., was born on the Island of Madeira, March 4, 1852, a son of Joseph J. and Joanna (Martin) Vasconcellos, also natives of that island, where the father was born April 5, 1804, and the mother, in 1826. Joseph J. Vasconcellos was a prosperous farmer in his native place. He was born and reared a Catholic, but in 1848 em- braced the Protestant faith. On account of re- Ilgious persecutions ensuing, he and his family left their home in 1853. arriving in Jacksonville on November 25th of that ycar. All of hls prop- erty had been confiscated or stolen. He rcared a family of three daughters and six sons, all of whom are living except a daughter, Mary. Jo- seph J. Vasconcellos dicd in Jacksonville May 5, 1892, and his widow passed away September 1, 1898.
Emanuel M. Vasconcellos was but a babe when his parents brought him to Jacksonville. He
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received his early mental training in the public schools; attended the High School for two years; at a later period was a pupil in Whipple Academy for one year; spent two years in Illi- nios College, and was a student for an equal period in Hanover (Ind.) College. In 1876 he began teaching in the district schools of Morgan County, at Trinidad school, and taught the same school for eighteen consecutive years. He was engaged for the nineteenth season, but was compelled to abandon the task on account of sickness. In 1894, he accepted the office of Dep- uty County Clerk, and served in that capacity eight years. In May, 1903, he was appointed City Comptroller, but resigned on August 1st of the same year, in order to accept the position of Purchasing Agent, Storekeeper and Superintend- ent of Grounds at the Illinois School for the Blind. In 1887 he made an extended trip abroad, visiting the place of his birth and many other interesting points.
On October 6, 1881, Mr. Vasconcellos was united in marriage with Carrie Estaque, daugh- ter of John and Antonio Estaque, of Jackson- ville. Six children have resulted from this union, namely: Lillie Pearl, born July 31, 1882; Arthur Blaine, August 8, 1884; Blanche May, December 10, 1886; Estella Belle, June 5, 1889; Flora Ethel, March 2, 1892; and Gilbert Kalley, July 22, 1896.
In politics Mr. Vasconcellos is a Republican, and since reaching his majority has taken a lively interest in public affairs. In the spring of 1892 he was elected Alderman from the First Ward of Jacksonville and thus served for two years. He was Secretary of the Morgan County Republican Central Committee in 1888, and Chairman of the same committee in 1894, when Gov. Yates was chosen County Judge, at the first election which was successful for the ma- jority of the candidates on the Republican ticket. Religiously, Mr. Vasconcellos is a mem- ber of the Portuguese Presbyterian Church, which he joined at the age of eighteen years. He was Sunday-school Superintendent from 1882 until the union of that church with the United Presbyterian Church, in October, 1900, and afterward until January 1, 1904. He was Elder and Trustee for nearly the same length of time, and was for many years Treasurer of the Board. Since the union he has been Clerk of Elders and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Frater- nally, Mr. Vasconcellos is affiliated with the
A. O. U. W., Athens Lodge, No. 19, in which he officiated one term as Master Workman. He is a member of the M. W. A., and on December 3, 1889, was transferred from Duncan Camp, No. 132, to Jacksonville Camp, No. 912, of which he was Clerk for many years. He is affiliated with the K. O. T. M., Bena Tent No. 12, and was its first Record Keeper, which position he still holds. He belongs to Urania Lodge, No. 243, I. O. O. F., in which he has served two terms as Noble Grand. He is connected with Harmony Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M., and is a member of the Portuguese Philanthropic Society, in which he has served several terms both as President and Secretary and Treasurer.
VERTREES, Charles M., M. D., practicing phy- sician and surgeon, Murrayville, Morgan Coun- ty, was born in Pike County, Ill., March 1, 1838, the son of John and Nancy (Bradbury) Vértrees, the father a native of Hardin County, Ky., and son of John Vertrees, and the mother born in Withamsville, Ohio. They had a fam- ily of five children, viz .: Charles M., Mehitabel, Jennie, Nathan B. and Mary Eliza. Dr. Ver- trees' grandfather, John Vertrees, farmed in Morgan County, and his son John, father of the subject of this sketch, who was born in 1812 and was a carpenter and farmer by occu- pation, was a soldier in the Black Hawk War and later a great friend of the Abolition cham- pion, Lovejoy. The Doctor's maternal grandfa- ther, Nathan Bradbury, during the War of 1812, was for a time a prisoner on a British war vessel.
Charles M. Vertrees was reared on the farm, principally in Fulton and Knox Counties, and secured his preliminary educational training in the district schools. On May 25, 1861, he enlisted at Knoxville, Ill., in Company E, Sev- enteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being at that time a resident of St. Augustine, Knox County, and was mustered out at Springfield, June 4, 1864, with the rank of First Sergeant. He was wounded at Fredericktown, Mo., Octo- ber 1, 1861, and again at Vicksburg, May 22, 1862; took part in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and was for several weeks an in- valid in the hospital. After his discharge, in 1864, he rested a short time and then, on April 4, 1865, enlisted at Philadelphia, Pa., as Sergeant Major of the Seventh Regiment, United States Veteran Volunteers, receiving
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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.
his final discharge at Philadelphia, Pa., being in Washington City at the time of President Lincoln's assassination.
Soon after the war he attended onc term at Abingdon Coliege and began studying medicine under Dr. S. D. Pollock, continuing his pro- fessional course, in 1868 and 1869, at the Rush Medical College, Chicago. He then passed an examination before the State Board of Health and commenced the practice of his profession at Bath, Mason County, Ili., where he remained two years, and then, in 1876, moved to Murray- ville, where, for nearly thirty years, he has practiced continuously. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the State Society and the Morgan County Medical Asso- ciation, and was a member of the World's Congress of Physicians abroad. He has also been Examining Surgeon of the Bureau of Pen- sions in Jacksonville for nearly sixteen years.
Dr. Vertrees was married July 20, 1871, to Amelia D. Field, daughter of Drury F. Field, a physician and extensive land-owner of Mason County, Ill., and they have had three children, two of whom died in infancy. The surviving daughter, Sadie A., born in Murrayville, Ill., is the wife of Dr. W. U. Kennedy, of St. Louis, a prominent and rising physician of that city. Dr. Vertrees has served as President of the Village Board, on the School Board and as Township Trustee. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and carefully conducts a large and lucrative prac- ticc.
WATSON, Isaac, a prosperous and substantial farmer, who follows his occupation in the vicin- ity of Woodson, Morgan County, Ill., was born March 19, 1847, at Seaton, near Olnsey, Eng- iand, the son of John and Sarah (Hardy) Wat- son, also natives of that place. John Watson passed his life as a laborer in his native coun- try. Isaac Watson, while yet a child, moved with his parents to Cayton, near Scarborough, Engiand, where during his more mature years, he worked on a farm until May 6, 1869, when he came to the United States. He located near Jacksonville, Ill., and worked there as a farm hand until 1871, when he rented a farm and operated it himself. Six years later he bought a farm and now owns 200 acres of most valu- able and finely improved land, situated in the southeast quarter of Section 15, and 40 acres in
the southeast quarter of the northwest quar- ter of Section 14, all in Township 14, Range 10, west of the Third P. M., Morgan County. Mr. Watson claims the distinction of killing the last wolf seen in the county. He is known throughout Centrai Iiiinois, at ali "burgoos" and picnics, as an expert "burgoo"-soup maker.
On October 27, 1872, Mr. Watson was united in marriage with Sarah Jane Ranson, a daugh- ter of James and Sarah (Richardson) Ranson, of direct English descent. Her father was an carly and prominent settler in Morgan County and a farmer by occupation. This union re- sulted in five children, namely: Nellie G., wifc of C. E. Reynolds; Leonard R., who married Edith Meggison; Charles W .; Anne M .; and Sarah Elizabeth.
In politics, Mr. Watson is a Republican. He is one of the most careful, systematic and suc- cessful farmers in Morgan County, and bears the reputation of a worthy and useful citizen.
WEIR, Miller, a prominent citzen of Jacksoll- ville, and a Nationai Bank Examiner, makes his home in the handsome residence at No. 623 West State Street. He was born in Kentucky, July 2, 1859, a son of Edward Rumsey and Har- riet R. (Miller) Weir, both natives of that State. Edward Rumsey Weir's great-uncle, James Rumsey, was the inventor of the steam- boat (see Sparks' "Life of Washington") and had demonstrated its effectiveness on the Po- tomac River, in the presence of George Wash- ington, prior to the advent of Fulton. The father of Miller Weir was a lawyer, merchant, planter and politician-a very active and sa- gacious business man-and at one and the same time a slave owner and an Abolitionist. He was one of the three War Commissioners for Ken- tucky appointed by Abraham Lincoln on the breaking out of the Civil War. His home was at Greenville, Ky., and after the reverses of war, being left a comparatively poor man, accepted the appointment as Postmaster of Greenville. He was a candidate for Elector-at-Large on the Republican ticket in 1864, and was a confiden- tial advisor to Mr. Lincoin for Kentucky. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, his forefathers hav- ing settled in South Carolina in eariy coloniai days where they became active menibers of the Revolutionary party. Nearly ail the male mem- bers of the Weir family were soldiers in the Revolution, four great-grandfathers of the sub-
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ject of this sketch, besides at least ten of his great-grand-uncles, having participated in that conflict. Edward Rumsey Weir died in Ken- tucky in 1890, and his widow, an elderly woman of great refinement, now resides with Miller Weir, in Jacksonville, Ill. James Weir, the pa- ternal grandfather, when a young man migrated from South Carolina to Greenville, Ky., and was a surveyor by profession. Later he was a banker and merchant, and became very wealthy, owning no less than twenty-five stores in differ- ent parts of the country.
Miller Weir, the subject of this sketch, re- ceived his education in the High School at Leavenworth, Kans., living at the time with rel- atives there, and in the Greenville (Ky.) Col- lege, but the most valuable portion of his edu- cation has been gathered in the school of ex- perience. His commercial career began at Jack- sonville as a clerk, and for six years he was a boot and shoe merchant in that city. He was in the Revenue service in 1881, serving in the mountains of Kentucky, and, during the Harri- son administration, was Special Agent of the Eleventh Census in the Interior Department, at Washington, being also for a time prominent in the hardwood lumber business in Arkansas. He was then appointed Special Officer in the In- ternal Revenue Service for Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota; Field Deputy United States Marshal for the Quincy (Ill.) District; Assist- ant National Bank Examiner in New York City; and National Bank Examiner for the Dis- trict of Arizona, New Mexico and Northwestern Texas, for the Southern District of Texas, and finally for the Southern District of Illinois. Since coming to Jacksonville in 1877, Mr. Weir has continually made that city his home.
Mr. Weir is a member of the Congregational Church, at Jacksonville, and in politics is a Re- publican. He was married January 2, 1882, to Fannie C. Bancroft, daughter of Horace Ban- croft, formerly a prominent citizen and busi- ness man of Jacksonville, and they have one daughter, Fanita C. Weir.
WEMPLE, Edward, partner in the well known banking firm of Wemple Brothers, Waverly, Ill., was born three miles southeast of that place, April 12, 1847, the son of Jacob Anthony and Delia (Visscher) Wemple. His parents were of Dutch descent, representing one of the old substantial families of the Mohawk Valley.
In 1884 the family located upon the farm where Edward was born, the father accumulating a large estate prior to his death in October, 1887, his wife, the mother of Edward, passing away two years previously.
Edward Wemple received a thorough educa- tion in the schools of Waverly and at the Wes- leyan College, at Bloomington, Ill., and his mental training was strengthened by whole- some farm labor on the family homestead. He remained thus profitably employed until 1877, when, in partnership with Francis H. Wemple, his elder brother, he established the banking house of Wemple Brothers, which is acknowl- edged to be among the most reliable private financial institutions of the State. Their real estate transactions, in connection with the bank- ing business, have reached considerable propor- tions, the basis of the bank's stability being 1,400 acres of rich farming lands owned and operated by the Wemple Brothers.
On May 15, 1878, Edward Wemple was united in marriage with Martha Adeline Car- ter, daughter of Orrin Carter, a leading farmer of Morgan County. Their six children are Hattie Leonie, Mary Edith, Jay Earle, Leland Edward, Clarence Carter and Holland Russell. Mr. Wemple is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, a Republican, and in every respect a substantial and progressive factor in the pros- perity of Morgan County.
WEMPLE, Francis Holland, banker, Waverly, Ill., was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., August 27, 1840, a son of Jacob Anthony and Delia (Visscher) Wemple. Both his parents were of Dutch descent, and representatives of two of the oldest and most respected families of the historic Mohawk Valley. The founder of the Wemple family in America was Jan Barentsen Wemp (or Wamp), who came from Holland about 1640, and became one of the prominent members of the colony which set- tled in the manor of Rensselaerwyck, in the Hudson Valley. The Visscher family was founded in the Mohawk Valley shortly after- ward, the name first appearing in the annals of the ancient city of Schenectady, N. Y.
Jacob A. Wemple brought his wife and fam- ily to Illinois in 1841, locating upon a farm situated about three miles southeast of Wav- erly, in Sangamon County. There the remaind- er of the life of the elder Wemple was spent.
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He became the owner of about 400 acres of farming land of great value, led a quiet, unos- tentatious life, was deeply interested in the welfare of the early schools, and was active in the promotion of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died in October, 1887, and his wife passed away in 1885. They were the parents of three children, one of whom died at the age of five years. The remaining chil- dren are two sons-Francis H. and Edward, who are partners in the bank of Weinple Brothers.
The early life of Francis H. Wemple was spent on his father's farm in Sangamon County. His education was received in the common schools and the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, Ill. Removing to Waverly in April, 1869, he engaged in general merchan- dising for seven years as a member of the firm of Crain, Manson & Wemple. Disposing of his interest in this concern in 1876, in the following year he and his brother established the banking firm of Wemple Brothers, the old- est established institution of the kind in Wav- erly. This house was established entirely in- dependent of the mercantile business bank of Crain, Manson & Wemple, and has become recognized as one of the strongest and most reliable private banks in Illinois. Its basis is a body of 1,400 acres of rich farming land, which the brothers operate in connection with their financial institution. Their real estate operations are also quite extensive.
Mr. Wemple has taken an active and unsel- fish interest in the promotion of the best in- terests of the community in which he has lived for so long a period. He has served as Mayor of Waverly for several terms, and for a num- ber of years has been a member of the School Board, of which he has been President. He is also identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, having filled the office of Commander of John W. Ross Post, No. 331, of Waverly. His military experience extended over a period of ninety days, beginning with his enlistment in August, 1862, in Company G, One Hundred and First Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain McKee. Hc was elected Cor- poral, and filled the same post when mustered out.
On December S, 1870, Mr. Wemple was united in marriage with Mary Carter, a daugh- ter of Orrin Carter, who died March 9, 1900. They became the parents of five children, two
of whom are deceased. Those surviving are Charles Francis, Cashier of the bank; William Lester, an attorney practicing in New York; and Paul Wilbur, a student in Harvard Law School. Mr. Wemple is regarded as one of the most substantial citizens of Morgan County. He is a man of public spirit, on all occasions accom- plishing what he can for the advancement of the highest interests of the community.
WHITMER, Edwin, who is successfully en- gaged in the manufacture of brick in the out- skirts of Jacksonville, Ill., at No. 1500 East Railroad Street, was born in Macon County, Ill., October 16, 1863, a son of Henry and Anna (App) Whitmer. He received his early mental training in the district schools of that county, and learned the manufacture of brick under his father, who operated extensive plants at Litch- field and Decatur, Ill. Edwin Whitmer after- ward engaged in contracting and building, but upon locating at Jacksonville began the manu- facture of tile. After conducting this industry for some time, Mr. Whitmer commenced making . all kinds of brick for paving and building, The manufacture of this material so developed that he now operates eleven kilns, and the capacity of his plant is 10,000,000 brick per annum. In 1893 the output was 7,000,000.
On January 28, 1866, Mr. Whitmer was united in marriage with Ida Lee Mitchell, who was born and schooled in Jacksonville. Mrs. Whit- mer is a daughter of James Melvin and Cath- erinc (Fitzgerald) Mitchell. The latter died in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Whitmer have had three children, namely: Edith Helen, Vivian Cath- erine and Helen Beatrice. On political issues, Mr. Whitmer gives his support to the Repub- lican party. His religious belief is that of the Presbyterian Church. In fraternal circles, he is identified with the A. F. & A. M., K. of P., I. O. O. F., and B. P. O. E. He is a man of the highest principles, and all his transactions bear the stamp of strict integrity. The large propor- tions to which his business has developed are due to the untiring energy and diligent applica- tion to its details, which have characterized his conduct of the enterprise.
WIDENHAM, (Dr.) John Clark, who is success- fully engaged in the practice of dentistry in Jacksonville, Ill., was born in Peoria, Ill., April 7, 1852, the son of William and Charlotte B. Widenham, natives of Ireland and England. He
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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY. 1-
is remotely descended from the Widenhams of Mallow, County Cork, and County Limerick, Ireland, whose family motto was, "Pro Deo et Patria," with arms argent, two bentlets gules on a shield azure, a lion passant on the first crest and a lion's head proper.
In youth Dr. Widenham attended school in Peoria, after which he took private instruction in dentistry, and commenced the practice of his profession in his native city in 1871. He sub- sequently assisted for a time in a dental office at Elmwood, Ill., and then returned to Peoria, where he continued in practice until 1874, when he located in Jacksonville. In that year he be- came a life member of the Illinois State Dental Society, in which he has always taken an active interest. Dr. Widenham is one of the promo- ters of the Illinois Telephone Company, which transacts the larger part of the local telephone business in Scott, Greene and Morgan Counties, and of which he is a director and a member of the Executive Board. He became identified with the company when it had only a toll station in the city of Jacksonville, and has witnessed its development to the proprietorship and opera- tion of about 1,600 telephone instruments there, and 3,300 in the entire line. Dr. Widenham has platted two additions to Jacksonville, the most recent being a re-subdivision of Dewey Park, which is being rapidly improved with tasteful
dwellings. The Doctor's progressive public spirit is indicated by the fact that when a pe- riod of drought threatened to cut off the water supply of Jacksonville, he secured the services of an expert driller and discovered immedi- ately north of the city an abundant source of pure cold water. In this connection he endeav- ored to secure from the City Council a fran- chise whereby to utilize this supply for public purposes, such franchise containing a stipula- tion annulling it in the event of a failure of the guaranteed supply. The Council, however, re- jected the Doctor's proposition. Dr. Widenham has made an excellent professional record in Jacksonville. In business circles he is regarded as an able and sagacious man, and his social standing is of the highest.
On December 25, 1876, Dr. Widenham was united in marriage with Carrie L. Allen, a na- tive of Kentucky, and daughter of the late Dr. Robert W. Allen. Six children were born of this union, the first of whom died in infancy. Those surviving are: Margaret B., Allen W.,
Ruth M., William Whiting and John Maxwell. In politics, Dr. Widenham is a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. He was elected a member of the Board of Education in 1891, and served four years. In 1901 he was the Democratic candidate for Mayor, but was defeated with the balance of his ticket. In fra- ternal circles, the Doctor is identified with Jack- sonville Lodge, No. 152, K. of P. His religious associations are with the State Street Presbyte- rian Church, of which he is a Trustee. He is now serving as President of the local board of the Children's Home Society.
WIDENHAM, William, (deceased), father of Dr. J. C. Widenham, of Jacksonville, Ill., was born in Castle Widenham, County Cork, Ire- land, January 1, 1809, and came to the United States in 1838. The Widenhams were of Eng- lish origin, their remote ancestors being ad- herents of Oliver Cromwell, and from this family William Widenham was descended. In childhood he migrated from Ireland to Eng- land, and there received a thorough mental training, becoming especially proficient as a linguist.
In London Mr. Widenham learned the trade of a watch and chronometer maker and, at No. 13 Lombard Street, made instruments of great exactness and accuracy for the British Navy. On arriving in this country, he pro- ceeded direct to Peoria, Ill., and, having abund- ant means, bought farm land in that vicinity. At a later date, he opened a jewelry store in Peoria, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1883.
Mr. Widenham was united in marriage with Henrietta Benden, 'a native of Bristol, Eng- land, where she was born in 1819. Ten chil- dren resulted from this union, one of whom, a daughter, was born in London, England, where she died. Of the ten children but three are now living-Elizabeth and William Widen- ham, of Peoria, Ill., and Dr. J. C. Widenham, a prominent dentist of Jacksonville.
WIDMAYER, Charles Henry, ex-Mayor of Jack- sonville, Ill., and President of the Jacksonville Meat Company, was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, March 4, 1841, a son of Jacob and Fred- erica (Hoffstetter) Widmayer, natives of Wur- temberg, where the former was born in 1811, and the latter, in 1812. By occupation his fa-
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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.
ther was a blacksmithi. The family came to the United States in 1854, and settled in New- ark, N. J., whence they soon moved to Niagara Falls. There Jacob Widmayer died during the year of his arrival. His widow became the wife of Anton Muth.
The subject of this sketch received his early mental training In the public schools of Ger- many, and on coming to America acquired a knowledge of the English language. At Niag- ara Falls he learned the trade of a butcher. and followed it in Chicago from the fall of 1857 until the spring .of 1862. In the latter year he went to Omaha, Neb., with the inten- tion of hauling freight between that point and Denver, Colo., but the outbreak of the Salmon River excitement changed his plans, and he en- listed in Capt. M. Crawford's company of Gov- ernment emigrant escorts, destined for Walla Walla, Ore. He received his discharge, how- ever, at Auburn, in that State, and there worked at his trade for about four months, going thence to Pioneer City, Idaho. At the latter place he formed a partnership in the meat bus- iness with Charles Burkhalter, and was quite successful. When the Wind River gold ex- citement broke out, however, he went to Mon- tana, where he prospected for gold until the spring of 1863. This proving a failure, he lo- cated at Nevada City, and, in partnership with George Beringer, there conducted a meat busi- ness. This cooperation continued until Mr. Widmayer's leg was broken by a Texas steer. On recovering from the injury, he again ap- plled himself to prospecting in Montana, near the site of the present city of Helena, which was founded five days after he reached the spot. The Pioneer City partnership had con- tinued in the meantime, and Mr. Widmayer returned to that point and purchased his part- ner's interest in the business. He soon be- came dissatisfied; however, sold the concern In 1864, and started for Chicago, sailing from Vic- toria, B. C., via San Francisco and Panama, to New York. After remaining a short time in Chicago, he went to Jacksonville, Ill., reaching that city April 18, 1865. In that year lie formed a partnership in the retail meat busi- less with Leopold Wlegand, under the firm name of Wiegand & Company. This venture met with great success, and the firm continued until 1882, when Mr. Wiegand died. His widow then assumed his interest in the concern, and
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