History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 121

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 948

USA > Illinois > Union County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 121
USA > Illinois > Pulaski County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 121
USA > Illinois > Alexander County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 121

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).

W. F. HARMAN, farmer, P. O. Olmsted, was born October 4, 1836, in Campbelltown, Lebanon Co., Penn., son of John M. Harman of Wittenberg, Germany, born 1797 ; he died in 1864 in Campbelltown, Penn., was a merchant and came to the United States in 1811, with his father, Martin Harman. The mother of our subject was Christiana Brown, born in 1800, in Lebanon County, in Londonderry Township, Penn. She died in 1875 in Dayton, Ohio, daughter of Philip and Barbara (Settly) Brown of German descent. She is the mother of six children now living-Gabriel B., Philip M., William F., our subject, Catherine, Christiana, Mary Rockey. Our subject was educated in Palmyra, Penn. ; learned the tailor trade, and followed it for twenty years at Palmyra. Then came to Pulaski County in 1878, where he has farmed ever since, identifying himself with the county in general. He is also Superintendent of the Sunday school, and he and wife are members of the Church of God. He has 260 acres of good land, all in one farm, with good buildings. He was married November 11,

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1863, in Palmyra, Penn., to Miss Sally E. Bracht, born in Lancaster County, Penn., March 16, 1843; she is a daughter of Samuel and Anna (Albright) Bracht, natives of Pennsyl- vania, farmers. She is the mother of two chil- dren-Seymour H., born November 14, 1864, and Stella M., born September 14, 1866. In politics, he is identified with the Democratic party.

WILLIAM M. HATHAWAY, physician, Olmsted, is a native of Peterboro, Madison Co., N. Y. He is a son of Peter Hathaway, born 1790, in Morristown, N. J. ; he died 1856, in Waterloo, N. Y. He was a glass cutter by occupation. The mother of our subject was Elizabeth Stevens, born in 1796, in Wales ; she died in 1868, in Pulaski County. Her father was Stephen Stevens, a mason by trade. She was the mother of nine children. Our subject was born July 24, 1824 ; he received a common school education in Oneida County, N. Y. Af- ter taking an academic course, he prepared for college at Geneva, N. Y., and then attended the Geneva College, after which he attended medical lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich., where he graduated in 1870, having, previous to that, practiced medicine for thirteen years, hav- ing taken his first course in 1855. After graduating, he returned to Caledonia, where he had first settled in 1857. He has followed his noble profession most of the time till the pres- ent day. He was elected County Superintendent of Schools in 1863, serving two years. Ten years after that, he was elected for a term of four years. In 1878, he removed to Chicago, where he practiced his profession for two years, returning to Caledonia in 1881. Our subject was married in the spring of 1856, at Auburn, N. Y., to Myra Johnson, born July 19, 1832, in Enfield, N. H., daughter of James and Eliza (Goodhue) Johnson, both natives of New Hampshire. Mrs. Hathaway is the mother of four children now living-George W., born October 13, 1859 ; Frank B., born Febru-

ary 17, 1863 ; Jessie E., born February 7, 1866, and Julian C., born May 30, 1868. Mr. Hathaway is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, Caledonia Lodge, No. 47. In politics, he has been identified with the Republican party.

GEORGE W. HIGGINS, merchant, Olm- sted, born August 28, 1847, in Wheeling, W. Va., son of Bernhard Higgins, a native of Wheeling, W. Va., where he died 1881. He was a saddler by occupation. He was a soldier in our late civil war. The mother of our sub- ject is Ann J. (Rankin) Higgins, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland. She is yet living at Cleveland, Ohio. She is the mother of seven children, viz .: Thomas H., William A., Eliza A. (deceased), Martha B. (wife of Rev. J. Hall), George W., Benjamin F. and Mary J. (wife of Rev. B. Smith, New Lisbon, Ohio. The oldest son, Thomas H., is a photographer, Will- iam A. is a sign painter, and Benjamin F. is a local editor on the Wheeling Journal. Our subject was educated in Wheeling, W. Va. In early life, he clerked on the Silver Moon steamer, running between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Memphis, Tenn. He was on the river for seven years, and then in 1872 he came to Cale- donia, Pulaski County, where he was married, in the same year to Miss Mollie Clemson, who died April 1, 1879, leaving two children, viz .: Ben M., born March 5, 1873, and Mollie C., de- ceased. April 26, 1882, he was married a sec- ond time to Miss Nannie Olmsted, born July 16, 1862. She is a daughter of George E. Olmsted, a son of Rev. Ed Olmsted. Her mother was Sallie (Timmons) Olmsted, whose mother, Nancy Timmons, is yet living, and may be classed among our pioneers. Our sub- ject entered in partnership with James Y. Clem- son in June, 1872, keeping a general merchan- dising store at Olmsted, Pulaski Co., Ill. He is also Postmaster, and in politics he is identi- fied with the Democratic party. Mrs. Higgins is a member of the Episcopal Church.

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OHIO PRECINCT.

MARCUS L. HUGHES, deceased, whose por- trait appears in this work, deserves to be remem- bered as one of the most enterprising and practi- cal farmers and business men of Pulaski County. Of busy men, he became about the busiest, not for a greed of gain, but because he had an instinct of activity and a fondness for business. He was born in Caledonia, Pulaski County, February 11, 1848 ; was educated at Notre Dame, graduating from that institution Febru- ary 1, 1866, after which he began farming on his own account, and not only became a prac- tical farmer, but engaged largely in stock- raising. His farm was the model farm of Pu- laski County, and everything about shows not only refinement but good judgment. He was married in Mound City, Ill., September 17, 1878, to Mrs. Mary E., widow of Dr. William Anonett, and a daughter of P. W. Stophlett, a native of Ohio. This union was blessed with two children, viz .: Marcus L., born August 11, 1879, and Edgar, born February 21, 1881. Mr. Hughes did not take an interest in outward forms of religion, but led practically a good life. His friendships were many, his acquaintances numerous, and his taking away in December, 1881, was widely regretted by all among whom he was known. He was a son of William A. and Sarah Hughes, who were among the early settlers of Pulaski County. He was born March 25, 1818, and died February 8, 1873 ; she was born November 30, 1825, and died October 25, 1854. They are the parents of three children.

R. M. JOHNSON, farmer, P. O. Olmsted, was born February 24, 1842, in Morgan County, Ky .. son of John P. Johnson, a farmer by occu- pation, a native of Virginia, yet living in Olm- sted. His father was Elijah Johnson, a native of Virginia. He died in Kentucky. The mother of our subject was Mary (Day) John- son, born in Kentucky. She is yet living in Olmsted, being the mother of nine children- Richard M., our subject, John, Henry, Fannie,

James and Alfred; Jefferson, Kelcy and George are deceased. Our subject received a common school education in Lewis County, Ky., where he spent his early life in tilling the soil and steam- boating, about six falls and winters, on the Ohio River. In 1864, he came to Pulaski County. where he has been engaged in various occupa- tions, viz .: First, farmed one year, and then for the next five years engaged in the mercantile business, and then once more went to farming. He now owns about 200 acres of land in this county. He is a self-made man, such as we generally find among our more energetic, wide- awake farmers. He was joined in matrimony December 29, 1868, in Caledonia, to Miss Isora L. Trahern, born July 30, 1850, in Union County, Ill. She is a daughter of Morgan and Sarah B. (Gayne) Trahern, natives of Tennes- see. Mrs. Isora L. Johnson is the mother of four children -- Flora B., born August 13, 1870; Joseph S., born April 13, 1873 ; Richard and Marcus are deceased. Mrs. Johnson is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Johnson is a member of the A., F. & A. M. fraternity, Grand 'Chain Lodge, No. 660. He now fills the office of Constable and School Director. In politics he has been identified with the Repub- lican party.

B. F. MASON, farmer and lumberman, P. O. America. Of our self-made men in this county who have aided in developing its re- sources, and whose example in life is worthy of imitation, we must count him whose name heads this sketch. Mr. Mason was born Feb- ruary 5, 1828, in Union County, Ind., where he was also educated. He is a son of Adam Ma- son, born December 23, 1795, in Pennsylvania, near Brownsville, a farmer by occupation. He died February 20, 1876, in this State. The mother of our subject was Sallie (Youse) Ma- son, a native of Pennsylvania, born July 26, 1800. She died December 15, 1840, in Browns- ville, Ind. She was the mother of six children, of whom two are now living-William Y., a

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farmer in Iowa, and Benjamin F., our subject, who was a contractor of public works for about three years in Indiana. In 1855, he moved to Warren County, Ill., where he was a tiller of the soil till 1865, when he sold out and came to Pulaski County, where he bought land and now owns 2,200 acres of land, of which about 800 acres lay in Johnson County. This is the fruit of a successful business career, and is showing what industry, energy and honest dealing, with good resources of a country, can do. On his arrival in this county, he paid some attention to the lumber business, and in 1871 he bought a portable saw mill, which he operates to the present day, cutting from $8,000 to $10,000 worth of lumber per year, cutting principally for the railroad companies. His home farm consists of 600 acres of good land, which was wild woods when he first came here, but now he has excellent buildings unrivaled by any in the county. Our subject has been no office-seeker nor politician, but has devoted his attention to the development of the resources of Pulaski County, with splendid success. He was joined in matrimony August 15, 1850, in Franklin County, Ind., to Miss Elizabeth Campbell, born November 19, 1832, in Franklin County, Ind. She is a daughter of Hugh and Lucinda (Ross) Campbell, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Mason is the mother of eight children now liv- ing -- Sarah E. Mangold, Alice E. Full, Oscar M., born April 1, 1859 ; Hughey A., born January 3, 1862 ; Charles H., born June 1, 1864 ; Will- iam C., born February 9, 1869 ; Mary E., born May 26, 1871, and Rosa S., born November 18, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Mason are people who enjoy the esteem and confidence of all with whom they come in contact.

JUDGE HENRY M. SMITH, Olmsted. Of the men in Pulaski County who stand high among their fellow-men, who have filled almost all the higher offices and whose character as a man, Judge or politician is unimpeached, we take great pleasure in recognizing him whose

name heads this sketch. Judge Smith is & true type of our pioneers, whose honest, rugged faces are fast disappearing. The many offices he has held speak for themselves and show that intelligence, uprightness, honesty and justice are appreciated the world over. The father of our subject, Daniel Lee Smith, was a native of Virginia. He merchandized in South Carolina and farmed in this county, to which he came in 1830, and where he died in 1857. The mother of our subject, Elizabeth (Hampton) Smith, was a native of South Carolina. She died in 1858 in this county. She was the mother of eight children, of whom five are now living-Eliza J. Carnes ; Elizabeth Carnes ; Henry M., our subject ; James G. and Julia Smith. Our subject was born May 3, 1820, in Newberry District, S. C., where he went to school about three years, after which he at- tended the schools of this county, walking five miles to and from school. He then worked on his father's farm till 1842, when he went to Lower Caledonia, where he worked for Capt. Hughes till 1844, when he was elected Sheriff of Pulaski County. He served four years, and in 1852 was elected Judge of the County Court, serving one year, when he resigned and studied law with Judge John Dougherty. He was admitted to the bar in 1857. in Caledonia, where he practiced law, also all over Southern Illinois, and has followed the calling of his no- ble profession ever since. In 1860, he was elected Circuit Clerk of Pulaski County, serv- ing eight years. In 1872, he was elected State's Attorney, serving four years. He was elected County Judge to fill a vacancy in 1879, and in 1882 he was elected to the same office for a term of four years. He is an active member and Senior Warden of the Caledonia Lodge, No. 47, A., F. & A. M. The Judge has been interested in the tilling of the bounteous soil of Pulaski County, and now owns a fine farm of 530 acres of land in this county. He has also been identified with the mercantile busi-

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ness of the country ever since 1863, when he started a general store in Caledonia, which burnt down in May, 1883. He now runs a general store in Olmsted, near his country resi- dence. The Judge has been married four times. His present wife is Mrs. Sarah Little,

whose maiden name was Swain. She is the mother of Bettie Muffitt, Henry M., Belle M. and Myra B. The Judge's second wife, Sarah A. Burton, was the mother of three children- Alice M., Hulda E. and Frank P.

WETAUG PRECINCT.

GEORGE P. BIRD, Superintendent of We- taug Mills, Wetaug, is a native of Ballard County, Ky., born September 29, 1860, a son of John H. and Virginia J. (Ward) Bird. The parents had two children, George P. being the only one living. Their mother is the present wife of Capt. W. A. Hight, of Wetaug. The subject of these lines obtained his first school- ing in La Salle County, Ill., and at Cape Girar- deau, and he afterward attended the College of the Christian Brothers at St. Louis, Mo. In 1877, he came to Wetaug, and worked in the flouring mills of this place. Three years later, he assumed the superintendency of the mills, which position he still holds. He was married, May 2, 1880, to Eliza A. Topping, born in 1860, a daughter of James Topping. Mr. and Mrs. Bird are the parents of one child-Bertha G., born April 4, 1881. In politics, Mr. Bird is a Republican.

JAMES B. COTTNER, physician, Wetaug, is a native of Union County, Ill., born August 3, 1828, a son of David and Catharine (Miller) Cottner, both of whom were natives of Stod- dard County, Mo. The father was a farmer. He moved to Union County in 1827, and died shortly afterward. He was a son of Frederick Cottner, a native of North Carolina. The mother of our subject died March 4, 1869, aged sixty-three years. She was a daughter of Nicholas Miller, of North Carolina. The parents were blessed with four children, James

B. being the only one living. The mother was. married a second time, to Matthew Anderson, by whom she had four children, one living-Isaac. The subject of these lines received what little education was afforded by the subscription schools of his native county. He first took up farming as an occupation, but living in the Mississippi bottoms, where there was a great amount of sickness, his attendance at the sick- bed was often required. Becoming more and more acquainted with the several remedies generally administered in various cases, and showing a special aptitude for his new work, he soon discovered that he could not both farm and doctor, so constantly were his serv- ices demanded in the latter direction. He therefore gave up farming, and bent all his en- ergies to the prosecution of his medical studies, and, for a period of thirty-one years, has been engaged in constant practice. He removed to Ullen, Ill., and afterward to Wetaug, in 1877, where he has since resided. He was married, January 29, 1861, to Julia A. Scott, born Jan- uary 29, 1837, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary Ann Scott. Dr. and Mrs. Cottner are the parents of two children, one of whom is living-Mary C., born February 29, 1863, the wife of James M. Anderson, a merchant in Wetaug .. In March, 1864, our subject enlisted in the Sixth Illinois Cavalry, Col. Lynch. They did active service in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, and were mustered out at Spring-

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field, Ill., July 2, 1865. In politics, the Doctor votes the Republican ticket.

CHARLES W. HARTLINE, farmer, P. O. Dongola, is a native of Rowan County, N. C., born August 27, 1833, a son of Henry and Sophia (Kesler) Hartline, both natives of same county. The father was a blacksmith and farmer, and he died when subject was about twelve years old. The mother died in 1881, aged seventy-three years. The parents were blessed with seven children, three living- Alexander, Mary and Charles W. The latter received his early education in the subscription schools of Union County, his parents having removed when he was about six years old. He afterward went a little in Pulaski County. He started in life as a farmer, and farming has since been his occupation. He has now 192 acres, which are given to general farming. He was first married in 1862, to Mary Ann Meyers, a daughter of John Meyers. By her he had one child-John, born September 4, 1864. Mrs. Hartline died in November, 1864. He was married a second time April 7, 1867, to Susan Casper, born January 1, 1835, a daugh- ter of Jacob and Eliza (Mowery) Casper. By her he has four children, three living- Minerva E., born March 29, 1869 ; Amy I., born Janu- ary 14, 1870, and Martha A., born August 16, 1874. Subject and wife are members of Ger- man Reform Church. In politics, he is a Democrat.

SAMUEL C. HARTMAN, farmer, P. O. Wetaug, is a native of Davie County, N. C., born October 22, 1834, a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Cruse) Hartman, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer ; he moved to Bond County, Ill., when Samuel was about seventeen years old, and a year later to Texas, where he remained two years. They returned to Union County, Ill., and purchased 330 acres of land, which he farmed for several years. He died at the advanced age of eighty- seven years. The mother died about 1863,

aged about sixty-three years. The parents had a family of nine children, seven of whom are living-James, Alexander, Elam, George, Mary, Sammie C. and Sarah. Our subject re- ceived his early education in the subscription schools of his native county ; he has always been engaged in farming. About 1868, he came to Pulaski County, and purchased 140 acres of land which is his present place. He engaged in general farming. He was first married to Elizabeth Hileman, who died about 1867. By her he had three children, two of whom are living-Sarah Ann, born February 15, 1862, and Mary Alice, born March 14, 1864. He was married a second time to Re- becca Hileman, who died January 8, 1873. June 12, 1873, he married his present wife, Mary J. Cline, born November 22, 1849, a daughter of Alfred and Catharine (File) Cline. By her he had four children, two living -- John E., born July 29, 1878, and Homer O., born September 25, 1880. Mr. Hartman and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He votes the Republican ticket.

CAPT. W. A. HIGHT, merchant, etc., We- taug. When we study the history of self-made men, persevering industry and energetic effort seem to be the great secret of their success. What is usually termed genius has little to do in the success of men in general. It is rather a matter of experience, sound judgment and a determined power of will. Such, in a measure, were the characteristics of the man whose name stands at the head of this sketch, and whose portrait appears elsewhere in this vol- ume. He came of an old Virginia family, and possesses in an eminent degree that court- esy and genuine hospitality for which the true gentlemen of the Old Dominion are everywhere noted. He was born in Richmond, Va., Janu- ary 27, 1820. His parents were Robert and Mary (Davis) Hight, the former a farmer who took a leading part in the affairs of his com- munity. During his long and active life, he

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was identified with many movements calculat- ed to promote the prosperity and welfare of the people and the neighborhood in which he lived. He served in the war of 1812, and was a great admirer of Gen. Jackson, and accepted him as his particular political patron saint. He died in May, 1871, at the age of about seventy- nine years. His wife survived him but one year, and died at the age of seventy-four years. They were the parents of eight children, of whom but four are now living-William (our subject), Emeline, Parlee and Robert M. The early education of our subject was attained in the old-time subscription schools near Nash- ville, Tenn., whence his parents removed when he was quite small. He afterward accompanied an uncle to Missouri, and while there attend- ed the St. Mary's school some two years. He then rejoined his parents, who had, in the meantime, removed to Union County, Ill. Here he attended school for about three years, com- pleting his education. At an early age, he launched out into the world, with a brave heart and a strong arm, and firm in the deter- mination to carve out his own way to fortune. His grand aim was to become a warehouse boy, and to gratify this laudable ambition he engaged to cut cord-wood, as the first step toward the realization of his dreams, and when, some time afterward, he went to Grand Tower, Ill., where he received the position of clerk in a store, the full fruition of his hopes was at- tained. He remained in Grand Tower for five years, and then went to Jonesboro, where he opened a store on his own account, which he operated for some two years, and then took in a partner. For about a year the firm was Hodges & Hight. In 1844, he, in company with Daniel Hileman, removed to Pulaski County, and located on the Jonesboro & Caledonia road, about twelve miles south of Jonesboro. Here they carried on a general store until 1861, at which time Mr. Hight pur- chased the interest of his partner, and has since

continued the same business. In 1859, before the retirement of Mr. Hileman, they removed to a point convenient to the railroad, which had been built since the commencement of their business intercourse, and which is still Mr. Hight's location. In 1876, Mr. Henry Mowery was taken in as a partner, and the present firm is Hight & Mowery. During his business life, Mr. Hight has been engaged in various enterprises, in all of which his keen sagacity and sound judgment have carried through successfully. He owns near four thousand acres of land, over two thousand acres of which lie in Pulaski County, and the remainder in Johnson County. He made a donation recently of about six hundred acres to the Catholic order of Benedictine. In 1877, he completed a fine flouring mill, known as the Wetaug Mills. They contain four run of buhrs, and do a large and profitable business. He also has the management of the Wetaug saw mills, and is interested in a number of other business enterprises in different parts of the country. He is at present one of the County Commissioners of Pulaski County, and is a Re- publican in politics. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to Caledonia Lodge, No. 47. Mr. Hight has five children living-Alexander, Arnette, Alice, Adelia and Josephine. As a business man, Mr. Hight ranks among the first in the county. He is decided, yet kind ; firm and resolute, yet in- dulgent, and an open-hearted, generous and true friend to all who win his trust and con- fidence.

JUDGE CALEB HOFFNER, farmer, P. O. Wetaug, is one of the old and respected resi- dents of Pulaski County. He came from Rowan County, N. C., where he was born May 11, 1814. His parents, John and Catharine (Powles) Hoffner, were natives of the same county. The father was a tiller of the soil. He died in 1841. His noble wife survived him until 1879, having passed her nintey-first birthday.

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The union of the old couple was blessed with ten children, only three of whom are living- Catharine, Sophia and Caleb. The latter re- ceived the meager education that the old sub- scription schools of Union and Pulaski Coun- ties afforded, his parents having removed from North Carolina when he was about six years old. He assisted his father on the home farm in early life, but becoming desirous of more active fields of operation, he sought life on the Mississippi, and from about 1836 to 1844 he was engaged at trafficking in produce between Cairo and New Orleans. He returned at the latter date, and located in Pulaski County, where he has since resided. His present farm consists of 300 acres, about one half of which is in systematic cultivation. He was united in marriage in 1838 to Amelia Knupp, born November 18, 1818, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Powles) Knupp. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffner are the parents of six children, two of whom are living-Amy, wife of William T. Freeze, of Mound City, and Henry A. In 1861, our subject was elected Associate Judge of Pulaski County, and he served a term of four years. He was re-elected to the same position in 1869, serving a like period. He is a man who has always held an enviable posi- tion in popular 'esteem, having administered the affairs of over twenty estates. He is a man who strives for good churches, good schools, good roads, and he always takes a deep interest in all enterprises calculated for the good of the people. In politics, he has been a Republican since the organization of that party.

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History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 121

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 948

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 948