Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 190

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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the business was conducted with her as a si- lent partner, until Mr. Widmayer bought her interest, and admitted his son, William F. Widmayer, as a partner, under the firm style of Widmayer & Son. Meanwhile, in 1879-1880, Mr. Widmayer, as a member of the firm of Wiegand, Widmayer & Bryant, had, opened an- other establishment in the old Nealy packing house, in the eastern portion of the city, and there, in 1889, erected a large and thoroughly- equipped plant. In 1892 this was destroyed by fire, entailing a heavy loss. Mr. Widmayer, however, immediately rebuilt the structure which is the one now owned by the Jackson- ville Meat Company. The retail business in connection with William F. Widmayer contin- ued until 1895, when the latter sold out to his father, who conducted the concern alone until 1898. In that year, together with the packing house, he disposed of it to the Jacksonville Meat Company, in which he became a stock- holder, and is now its President.

On August 13, 1865, C. H. Widmayer was married to Louisa A. Ream, of Hampshire, Kane County, Ill., a daughter of Levi and Mag- dalena (Schumacker) Ream, of German de- scent. From this union have resulted eight children, as follows: Ida, born in 1866, wife of Mont N. Ross, of Las Vegas, N. M .; Minnie, who died in 1867; William F., of Jacksonville, Ill., born in 1869; Lydia M., born in 1871, wife of W. C. Osborne, of Jacksonville; Emma, born in 1873, wife of Frank O. Smith, of Day- ton, Ohio; Carl, who was born in 1875 and died in 1883; Bertha, born in 1879, wife of Herman Voges, of Springfield, Ohio; and Ernest, who was born in 1877, and died in 1894.

Mr. Widmayer is a Democrat, and formerly took an active part in political affairs. Begin- ning in 1876 he served four terms as Alderman from the First Ward of Jacksonville. In 1882 he was elected Mayor of that city, and during his incumbency the present fine system of brick pavement was inaugurated. His admin- istration was signally successful, and In 1895 he was again elected to the mayoralty. Dur- ing this term of service, when all the city wa- ter supply was exhausted. the artesian wells were sunk, which now form the source of the general supply. Both of his administrations were noteworthy for public Improvements and economical management. In 1898 Mr. Wid- mayer was elected Sheriff of Morgan County,

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

and served in this capacity for four years. At the expiration of his term, he withdrew from active politics and devoted his attention ex- clusively to his business affairs.

Religiously, Mr. Widmayer has long been a zealous and consistent member of the Salem Evangelical Congregational Lutheran Church, in which he has officiated as Elder, and Presi- dent of the Board of Trustees, since 1877. He is noted for his charitable spirit, and has con- tributed liberally to various benevolent organi- zations. Mr. Widmayer has always maintained a high prominence in business and financial circles in Jacksonville, and is regarded as one of the foremost citizens of Morgan County.

WILKINSON, (Hon.) Ira O., (deceased), lawyer and jurist, was born in Virginia in 1822, the son of Otway Wilkinson, for many years a prominent merchant of Jacksonville. In 1835 he became, with his parents, a resident of Jacksonville, Ill., where he was educated and studied law with Judge William Thomas. On being ad- mitted to the bar he formed a co-partnership with Hon. Richard Yates, Sr., which was re- linquished on his removal to Rock Island in 1845. There he built up an extensive and suc- cessful practice, and in 1855 was elected and served two terms as Judge of the Sixth Judi- cial District, in which position he obtained an enviable record, and gave very general satisfac- tion. In 1867, he removed to Chicago, and be- came the senior partner of Wilkinson, Sackett & Bean. He was appointed by the Editorial Convention at Decatur on the 22d of February, 1856, a member of the State Central Committee which called the first Republican State Conven- tion held at Bloomington in May following.

Judge Wilkinson was unassuming in his man- ners, dignified and courteous in his deportment, and, without the circle of his intimate friends, somewhat inclined to reticence. He had a vig- orous and well-balanced mind, trained and de- veloped by liberal professional and general cul- ture. He possessed undoubted integrity, and in his practice united the probity and fairness of the Judge with the acumen and fidelity of the lawyer. He was thoroughly familiar with the general principles of the law, and in argu- ment he reasoned from his own premises, de- duced his own conclusions, and used cases only so far as they illustrated principles. He was a counselor rather than an advocate, and, as such,

was a very safe adviser. (See Hist. Enc. of Illinois, page 558.)

WILKINSON, William, the efficient Chief En- gineer of the Illinois Central Hospital for the In- sane, at Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ill., was born in Bound Brook, N. J., November 3, 1859, the son of Jacob and Maria (Breese) Wilkinson, natives of New Jersey. His father was born in Englishtown, Monmouth County, that State, July 13, 1814, and his mother, in the same town, June 22, 1820. By occupation, Jacob Wilkinson was a carpenter. During the Civil War he served in a New Jersey regiment, and after the con- flict was ended plied his trade in his native State until March, 1878, when he came to Illi- nois and located in Jacksonville, where he died July 8, 1882, his widow surviving him until Oc- tober 22, 1903, when she, too, passed away.

The subject of this sketch attended the public schools in his youth, and after his school days were over began learning the machinist's trade in Scott's Farm Machinery Manufactory, at Raritan, N. J. In 1878 he left this concern and accompanied his parents to Jacksonville, secur- ing employment with the old Jacksonville Car Company. When that company was dissolved he secured a position in the old Jacksonville & Southeastern Railroad Shops. When this line was merged with the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad and the new shops were built, he was employed there, remaining fourteen years in that connection. In June, 1895, he formed a partnership with Haller Higgins in the manufacture of cigar boxes, continuing in this line until 1897, when he was appointed ma- chinist in the Illinois Central Hospital for the Insane. In 1900, by reason of meritorious serv- ice in this position, he was promoted to be Chief Engineer. Mr. Wilkinson is a member of the Machinists' Union, and a Past President of the Trades and Labor Assembly.

On February 25, 1892, Mr. Wilkinson was united in marriage with Anna Probst, of Jack- sonville, a daughter of Christian and Clara (Schmalz) Probst. Four children have blessed their union, namely: Arthur L., born Decem- ber 13, 1892; Clarence W., April, 6, 1905; Paul L., February 12, 1899; and Ruth, June 22, 1903.

In politics, Mr. Wilkinson is a supporter of the Republican party, and religiously, is a Methodist. Fraternally, he is a Past Grand of Illini Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., and a member of

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

Favorite Lodge, No. 376, K. of P. He is also affiliated with the M. W. A. That Mr. Wilkin- son is a thoroughly competent and skillful ma- chinist, and worthy of the utmost confidence in the discharge of whatever duty he under- takes, is evidenced by his long connection with the Chicago, Pcoria & St. Louis Railroad, and his rapid advancement in the State Institution to his present important position.

WILLIAMSON, James H., for many years an enterprising and successful farmer near Jack- sonville, Morgan County, Ill., but now living in retirement, was born in Kentucky, February 16, 1831. He is a son of William and Isabel (Henry) Williamson, of whom the father was a native of Virginia, where he was born June 22, 1792. William Williamson was a farmer by occupation. He was first married March 23, 1815, to Ann Terhune, who was born May 7, 1793, and they had one child-William A. Williamson, who is deceased. Mr. William- son's first wife died January 2, 1816, and on December 7, 1817, he was united in marriage with Jane Cochran, who was born June 25, 1797. They became the parents of three chil- dren, namely: Anne, Samuel and Jane, all of whom arc deceased. The mother of these children passed away February 8, 1822, and on September 11, 1823, Mr. Williamson wed- ded, for his third wife, Isabella Henry, a native of Kentucky, born November 14, 1803. Six children resulted from this union, as follows: Mary, Elizabeth H., Margaret C., James H., John S., and Nancy M. The mother of this family died August 9, 1834, and shortly after- ward the father moved with his children to Illinois, settling about five miles northwest of Jacksonville, where he engaged in farming and teaching. These occupations he followed during the remainder of his active life, dying at the age of eighty-two years.

In boyhood the subject of this sketch at- tended the subscription schools of that period and supplemented the lessons there learned by diligent study at home. where he remained until March 1, 1855. In 1866 Mr. Williamson bought a farm of 63 acres five miles north- west of Jacksonville, which was but slightly improved. All the modern improvements were made by him, and he was engaged in general farming and stock-raising until his retirement from active life.

On March 1, 1855, Mr. Williamson was united in marriage with Amanda Bridgeman, who was born in Granger County, Tenn., August 10, 1835. Mrs. Williamson is a daughter of Martin and Anna Bridgeman, the father being a Virginian by birth, who in 1852 brought his family to Morgan County, where, with the ex- ception of eight years, he was a farmer for the remainder of his life. Hc died at the age of eighty-two years, and his wife passed away when seventy-nine years old, both being members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were the parents of nine children, as fol- lows: William, of St. Clair County, Ill .; ; Amanda; Henry, of Shelby County, 111 .; Cor- nelia, of McLean County, Ill .; John, of Mor- gan County, Ill .; Columbus, of Chapin, Mor- gan County, 111 .; Sarah, of Cass County, 111., and Laura, of Morgan County. Mr. and Mrs. James H. Williamson became the parents of five children, namely: Arcanna, John H. and Katie E. (deceased); Hattie, wife of Charles Patterson, living near her parents; and Arthur E., who resides on the old home place. In politics Mr. Williamson is a Repub- lican, and has held most of the local offices. Religiously, he and his wife have been mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than fifty years. In all respects Mr. Wil- liamson has been a representative farmer of Morgan County, and an exemplary and useful citizen.

WINTER, David, farmer, residing four and and three-quarter miles south of Jacksonville, Ill., ranks as one of the most successful and highly respected farmers of Morgan County, and represents the best type of the self-made American citizen of foreign birth. He was born in Yorkshire, England, May 13, 1826, the son of William and Mary (Morrell) Winter. His fa- ther was a brick and tile maker, a trade which the son learned in his youth, in addition to be- ing trained to agricultural pursuits. On Sep- tember 10. 1858, having determined to seek his fortunes in the New World, he sailed from Liv- erpool on the ship "Liverpool," a converted man-of-war, bound for America. Arriving in New York City, he first went to Jefferson County. N. Y., where for nine months he was employed on various dairy farms at $9 per month. Going thence to Pennsylvania, he worked in that State through the harvest season of

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

1850. Late in the fall of that year he started for Illinois, and near Franklin, Morgan County, he worked on a farm for about nine months, at monthly wages of $13. From that time until 1855 he was employed by the farmers of Morgan County. In 1854, in partnership with his brother William, who, in 1851, had emigrated from Eng- land, he rented a farm and raised a crop.

Convinced that good fortune was to follow as the result of his labors in the West, on Novem- ber 6, 1856, Mr. Winter wedded Nancy Redding, a native of Morgan County, and continued to rent and prosecute farming on land southeast of Jacksonville until 1866, when he purchased a portion of the farm on which he is now located, and where he has since resided. In that year he erected their first home, an unpretentious structure, which in 1894 gave way to the present beautiful residence. Success has attended the labors of Mr. Winter from the beginning, as a result of the care and attention bestowed upon his property, and the earnest cooperation of his devoted wife, who has shared equally with him the arduous duties necessary to success in agricultural life. As the result of the united efforts of this worthy couple, they are now in a position where they may enjoy the balance of their lives in quiet and comfort. Mr. Winter now has 432 acres of land in Morgan County and 240 acres in Nebraska. He still devotes his time to the cultivation of his home property, with the constant assistance of his wife, who is possessed of rare executive ability and care- fully manages the financial affairs of the house- hold.

Mrs. Winter was born on her father's farm east of Jacksonville, November 1, 1837, and is the daughter of Jacob and Artemesia (Wade) Redding. Her father, who was of German de- scent, died when Mrs. Winter was but three years of age, and was one of the earliest set- tlers of Morgan County, being one of the men who laid out the city of Jacksonville. Jacob Redding's wife was a native of Tennessee. Their eldest son, John Redding, the first white child born in Morgan County, died at the Soldiers' Home, at Leavenworth, Kans., in August, 1902, at the age of about seventy-eight years.

Mr. and Mrs. Winter have been the parents of fifteen children. Of these nine are living, named in the order of their birth, as follows: William Thomas, a farmer residing near Au- rora, Neb .; James Edward, also a farmer living

near Aurora; George Washington, a farmer lo- cated east of Woodson, Morgan County; Charles Henry, who resides near his elder brothers in Nebraska; Sarah Jane, wife of George W. Barn- hart, a farmer of Morgan County; Claude Oli- ver, also of Morgan County; Lillie May, wife of Joseph Helliwell, of Morgan County; Homer Morrell and Bessie Pearl, who reside with their parents. Six children are deceased, as follows: Mary Belle, who married Hiram Sorrell; Jane Elizabeth, Dorothy Ann, John David, Lula El- len and an infant.

The career of Mr. Winter may well be taken as an illustration for the present generation of the possibilities of accomplishment by a man who commences life with no other foundation than good health, industry and a determination to succeed. The fortune which he has amassed has come to him and his wife as the direct re- sult of their hard work and mutual assistance; and Mr. Winter very generously gives his help- mate the credit for the greater share of ingenu- ity in caring for his means after they had been accumulated.

WOLCOTT, Elizur, son of Elihu and Rachel (McClure) Wolcott, was born in East Wind- sor, Conn., August 7, 1817. When thirteen years of age his father removed with his fam- ily to Jacksonville, Ill., becoming one of the pioneers of the town. A few years later the son, Elizur, returned to Connecticut to be edu- cated, spending two or three years, first at the well known preparatory school at Ellington, and then going to Yale College, from which he graduated in 1839. He early showed a taste for reading, and in his college days had com- menced gathering books for the library which formed so important an element in his life during his subsequent years. After gradua- tion he spent a winter in general reading at his home in Jacksonville, and the following summer, in a canoeing trip on the headwaters of the Mississippi in what was then the Indian country. The following year he attended the Harvard Medical School, but concluded at the close of the year that he had made a mistake in the choice of a profession. At this time Mr. Wolcott had an opportunity to become a partner in a promising book and publishing house in Boston, which later fulfilled its prom- ise of success, but his inheritance from an uncle having been invested in Illinois bonds,

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

for which there was not sale at the time, he was obliged to forego the opportunity of enter- ing a business so much in accordance with his tastes, a matter of deep regret to him always thereafter. After a few months spent in a voyage to England as a sailor, he returned to Jacksonville.

On July 15, 1846, Mr. Wolcott married Mar- tha Lyman Dwight, formerly of Amherst, Mass., daughter of Daniel and Mary (Mattoon) Dwight. They had two sons who died young, and two daughters: Edlth Dwight, married in 1898 to Prof. John Herbert Davis, now of Lynchburg, Va., and May Mattoon, married in 1886 to Prof. Edward Bull Clapp, now of the University of California. After his marriage, Mr. Wolcott moved to his farm a few miles from Jacksonville, but he was not, either by taste or education, a farmer, and after a few years returned to town. For the next ten years he was occupied with the business of the Great Western (now tbe Wabash) Rail- road during its construction through Illinois, part of the time acting as Assistant Superin- tendent. He possessed a decided mechanical talent, a thoroughness which could not allow poor work to pass under his direction, and was unsparing of himself in securing the re- sults which he deemed necessary. At the end of ten years he broke down in health as a result of the strain to which he bad subjected himself. In 1862, having recovered his health, he entered into the milling business in part- nership with his brother-in-law, Mr. J. O. King, one of the best known citizens of Jacksonville, and for several years superintended the opera- tion of a flour-mill which they owned, retiring then from any further part in active business for the remainder of his lifc.

In all his business relations, Mr. Wolcott's probity was of the most scrupulous character, and his sense of justice absolute. He gave much time and energy to gratuitous public service. He was instrumental in the purchase 'and laying out of the Diamond Grove Ceme- tery, was several times a member of the City Council, a member of the Board of Education for several years, and Trustce of the Public Library for many years. The work in which. perhaps, he took the most satisfaction, and to which he devoted his timc and strength so long as they were needed, was in the con- struction of the Jacksonville Water Works,

and he was Superintendent of this important department of the public service for a number of years after its completion. Mr. Wolcott was for many years a member of the "Club," the first literary association formed in Jackson- ville, and composed of some of the leading clergymen, college professors, lawyers and business men of the city. At his own house, for nearly thirty-five years, a reading circle of friends and neighbors-men and women-met one evening each week. Mr. Wolcott's large fund of information, his remarkable memory, not only of the substance of what he had read, but of the very form of the wording-even though it might be something he had not seen for years-and his power of apt illustration of a thought, made him a valuable member of any club to which he belonged. Among them were the Art Club of Jacksonville, and the Plato Club, which also met at his residence for a number of years. Mrs. Wolcott's inter- est was not less strong in all literary and philosophical subjects, and their home was one of the centers of the intellectual life of the town.

Mr. Wolcott's library was a large and well selected one. The new and progressive thought of the day always attracted him. Em- erson and Carlyle especially interested him in his early years, and their works always found a place upon his library shelves as soon as published. Later he read with much interest the works of the leading scientists. But his tastes were catholic, and poetry, history, phil- osophy, science, travels and fiction, all found their place in fair proportion among his books. The use of his library was freely offered to any to whom it could be of use, and he was applied to by all classes and all ages for in- formation upon the large range of subjects on which he could assist them, and his time and interest were given without stint. He also had a collection of several thousand photographs of the best works of art in painting, sculp- turc and architecture, with many notes upon both the subjects and the artists. Mr. Wolcott spent the summers of the last twenty years of his life on the shores of Northern Lake Michigan, and his enthusiasm for the outdoor life of that region was that of youth.

Upon the death of Mrs. Wolcott in January, 1900, he visited his daughter, Mrs. Clapp. at Berkeley, Cal., where his death occurred on

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March 13, 1901, caused by a fall two weeks previous. He had reached his eighty-fourth year, and previous to this fatal accident, was in more than usual vigor of mind and body.

WOLKE, George, who is the proprieor of a gen- eral repair establishment for bicycles, automo- biles, etc., in Jacksonville, Ill., was born in Cumberland County, Ill., April 20, 1870, the son of Joseph and Minnie (Ludwig) Wolke. In boyhood, he received his mental training in the district schools of his neighborhood, and after leaving his father's farm was employed as a carpenter for three years. He then engaged in the business of repairing bicycles, etc., in Jack- sonville, thus continuing until 1903. In that year he established his present factory for the handling and repairing of gasoline engines, au- tomobiles and all kinds of motor vehicles, which he is still operating. He also deals in batter- ies and dynamos, his establishment being thor- oughly equipped for such purposes, and he him- self being an energetic, painstaking and ca- pable manager in this line of business. In poli- tics, Mr. Wolke ignores party ties, and casts his vote according to the dictates of his best judgment. Religiously, he was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, of which he is a faithful member.

WOOD, David, a prominent farmer of Morgan County, Ill., residing on Section 10, Township 14, Range 9, was born April 4, 1837, on his father's farm within three miles of his present home, the son of Samuel and Martha (Moore) Wood. His paternal grandfather was a native of Vir- ginia, was reared on the James River, and married his first wife in that State. Leaving Virginia, he located in Hart County, Ky., and after living there twelve years moved to Madi- son County, Ill., where his wife, Celia Gregory (nee Wood), died. He there married as his second wife Hessie Conlee, and later leaving Madison County, removed to Morgan County, Ill., and settled down to farming on the Mau- vaisterre, where he entered 100 acres of land which, in after years, he sold to his son Sam- uel. He died in June, 1865, in his eighty-sev- enth year, his wife, Hessie, having preceded him five years.

Samuel Wood, son of the preceding, was a successful farmer and business man, in 1874 was elected a Representative in the State Leg-

islature from Morgan County, and also served one term as Associate Judge of the County Commissioners' Court. He became one of the most extensive cattle-growers and dealers in the county, grazing from 1,000 to 1,500 head of cattle annually, and at the time of his death left an estate of 3,000 acres of land and $75,000 in cash, accumulated by his own enterprise and business ability without capital to start with. On January 5, 1832, he married a widow lady, Mrs. Martha Smith (nee Moore), who was a native of Kentucky and a daughter of a pio- neer settler of that State. She had two chil- dren by her first marriage, viz .: Grandison and William H. Smith. By this marriage Mr. Wood had eight children born to him: James, of Jacksonville; Elizabeth, who died aged about nine years; David, the subject of this sketch; Milton, who died in Springfield, Ill., in April, 1903; Iven; George; Julia A., the wife of James Beekman, residing near Pisgah, Morgan Coun- ty; and Richard S., who died near Jackson- ville, Ill. Mr. Samuel Wood was an enterpris- ing, public spirited citizen and consistent mem- ber of the United Baptist Church, which was organized in 1830, and which he joined in 1850. He died August 27, 1888, his wife having died in June, 1887.

David Wood was reared to farming, and, after attending a subscription school, at the age of nineteen began farming on his own ac- count on a quarter-section of land given him by his father, and which constitutes a part of his present farm of 2871/2 acres. It is a well improved farm possessing all modern improve- ments-a good residence, outbuildings, shade and fruit trees and well cultivated fields. Mr. Wood was married November 1, 1855, to Eliza E. Godbey, whose father was a native of Vir- ginia and moved to Illinois in September, 1830, settling near Petersburg, Menard County, where he engaged in farming. Mrs. David Wood died June 5, 1896, leaving four children: Ballard H., Samuel, Richard R. and Martha S. In January, 1901, Mr. Wood took for his second wife Mrs. Burrilla Sample (nee Boyer), who has one son, John W. Sample. Mr. Wood has served his district on the School Board a number of years, for four years has been Jus- tice of the Peace, and is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. In politics he is a Democrat and attends the County Conventions of his party.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 190

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