History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 82

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 82
USA > Illinois > Pulaski County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 82
USA > Illinois > Alexander County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 82

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).

56B

BIOGRAPHICAL:

a family. The habits of industry and of fru- gality that were prominent factors in the boy- hood training of Mr. Safford, shaped his useful and successful career as a man. His opportu- nities for an early education were limited to a public country school, which was a crude af- fair as compared with the country schools of the present time. Mr. Safford's mother had a great desire that her children should be well edu- cated, and there was no sacrifice among the many she was called upon to make which she made more cheerfully than when she could provide good books for them, or give them op- portunities for study. She used to stimulate them to read, by reading to and with them, and she used to talk with them about the lives of the great and good benefactors of the world. And in every way she strove to incite them to seek after such knowledge as would enable them to do more for themselves and for others. When Mr. Safford was about eighteen years of age, he expressd a desire to study law, and the noble mother, ever on the alert to gratify every worthy aspiration of her children, made the way clear for him to follow out his inclination. He went to Joliet, III., and studied in the office of his cousin, William A. Boardman, Esq., at that time a prominent lawyer of that town. He proved a very apt student and gave promise of a brilliant career in the profession. But when he put the knowledge he acquired to a test, he found the practical application of it very distasteful to him, and he very soon abandoned the practice of law to enter upon mercantile pursuits. In this line of business he was very successful. First, because he gave to it his undivided attention, and second, be- cause he was sincere and truthful; and third because he was genial and courteous to all with whom he came in contact. After doing business for several years in Joliet, he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he continued in trade for five or six years .. While living in St. Louis, a very severe scourge of cholera was visited upon

the city. While some of his associates in busi- ness were carried off by it, he did not abandon his post, nor shrink from giving aid to those who were attacked by it. He always felt that his immunity from the disease was largely due to the fact that he had no fear of it ; he did not deviate from his regular habits and kept his mind constantly occupied. But during his resi- dence in St. Louis, he was brought to the verge of death by an attack of small-pox ; he attrib- uted his recovery to the considerate, tender care that was given him by friends. In 1854, a bank was established in Shawneetown. Ill., and he was appointed cashier of it. The only communication that Shawneetown had with the outside world, at that time, was by boats that ran upon the Ohio River. It not unfrequently happened that runs were made upon the bank, and at most unpropitious times, when the Ohio was at low water, and communication in conse- quence obstructed for days and sometimes even for weeks, by boats getting stranded on sand bars. It was upon such an occasion as this that a carpet-bagger made his appearance, and demanded the redemption of several thousand dollars of the bank's paper.

Specie had been sent for and was expected on a boat that was stranded, and in order to gain as much time as possible, the money was counted out in the smallest coin, from 10 cents upward, that the bank had on deposit. So much time was consumed in the counting of it that before the man left with his weighty load the boat arrived with re-enforcements that made the bank secure against a repeated run on it. There were some very primitive expe- riences connected with banking in that section of the country at that time. There was a man in the neighborhood who had accumulated something of a competency. He could not read nor write, and he had great distrust of those who could. He said he did not xant his sons to go to school, for if they were «lucated they might become great rascals. H xept his

56c

CAIRO.

money buried, but he lived in constant fear lest some one would find it. One day he came to the bank and asked to see Mr. Safford, and with great secresy divulged to him the nature of his errand. He wanted to know if he might, after unearthing his money, bring it and deposit it in the safe. He came and deposited it in install- ments, slung in bags across his saddle. He want- ed it all counted, but he did not want any writ- ing to show the amount on deposit. Shawnee- town was a border town between the North and South. The inhabitants were largely composed of Kentuckians, Tennesseans and Missouri- ans. Although there was a public school fund, there had never been a public school in the town. The one log schoolhouse it once had was burned to celebrate the victory of Gen. Jackson in New Orleans, and none had ever been built to replace it. Mr. Safford immediately went to work to get the public school funds in available shape. A public school was opened by Mr. Safford's sister in the Presbyterian Church. There was considerable opposition to it, and it was called the "Safford Ragged School." But it increased from six pupils the first week, to fifty the first month, and to the ingathering of all the children within a few months. Mr. Safford advanced the money to build a schoolhouse, and from that time to this Shawneetown has had as good public schools as are to be found elsewhere in the State. In 1858, the bank was removed from Shawneetown to Cairo, Ill., and Mr. Safford was still retained as its Cashier. When the civil war was inan- gurated, Cairo sprang at once into importance ; soldiers poured in from East and West ; every available building was seized upon for military purposes. Hospitals increased from one to many, and the din of battle was soon heard. The first engagement occurred at Belmont, twelve 'miles distant. All day cannonading was het1 }, and the excitement and anxiety was intense ? mong those who watched and waited. Gen. Gr t was stationed at Cairo at this time,

and commanded at the attack upon Belmont. A confidence and friendship sprang up between Gen. Grant and Mr. Safford that lasted until the latter's death. He was one of the first to appreciate the skill and predict the future brill- iant career of Gen. Grant. Even before the battle of Belmont, he wrote to his brother, then living on the Pacific coast, that if such a man as Grant could be put at the head of the army the success of the Union arms would be se- cured. While Mr. Safford did not take an act- ive part in the war, the great and innumerable services he rendered those who did will never be forgotten as long as memory lasts in regard to those trying and eventful times. Mr. Saf- ford was possessed of a judgment so candid, and of a mind so comprehensive, that his coun- sel was often sought after by those in respons- ible official positions, and his pecuniary aid was called into requisition from the highest to the lowest in command and service. Mr. Safford always responded so readily and generously, and withal so quietly, to calls for help that those most closely associated with him knew nothing of the amounts in money that he gave and advanced to soldiers. And it was not un- til after his death that unpaid notes revealed all that he had advanced to them and their families. It was said of Mr. Safford, that if any one asked a favor of him that he could not grant, that his refusal was so courteous that the man went away feeling almost as happy as if his request had been granted. As the war ad- vanced, the opportunities were often very great to take advantage of some speculation that had the prospect of great gain in it. But Mr. Saf- ford, when approached by those who were eager to have his clear-sighted business judgment brought to bear upon a scheme of such prom- ise, was often heard to say, "No, it shall never be said of me, whether my country wins or loses, that I speculated upon her misfortunes. What I make shall be done upon an open- handed, unswerving business basis." It will

56D

BIOGRAPHICAL.

never be known, except by those who drew up- on his bounties, how Mr. Safford upheld and strengthened the endeavors of those who worked in the hospitals and cared on the battle fields for the dead and the dying. He could not go into the midst of suffering himself. The writer well remembers taking him into a hospital, but before he had passed through one ward he became deathly pale and sick, and had to be helped out. But he was in the closest sympathy with those who did devote them- . selves to the work, and he gave unsparingly to help carry it on. Mr. Safford always identified himself with the best interests of the com- munity in which he lived. As soon as the country was restored to peace, and life and business moved on in its usual channels, he bent his efforts toward building up first-class public schools in Cairo. The best of teachers were selected, schoolhouses were built, and the public schools of Cairo became the pride and boast of its inhabitants.

The poor widows and orphans found in him an abiding friend, they came to him for advice, and if they had a pittance to be cared for he was the one to whose keeping it was intrusted. He was the first to establish a Savings Bank in Cairo, into which the mites of the working people could be put with safety, and thus help to encourage them to save, rather than to squan- der their earnings. When festal days occurred, it was Mr. Safford's custom to see to it that there was none so poor and friendless in the community as to be forgotten. He gave often without the recipients knowing the source from whence it came. He was one of those rare char- acters who lived to do good and to make others better and happier for his having lived, but so modest and unselfish was he that he wanted no praise for what he did, and his only reward was the consciousness that he had done good. Mr. Safford's position led him in close contact with young men, and his living example was an in- spiration to them. He was the soul of indus-

try; he never delegated to others duties that belonged to him. He never was in debt; when his means were limited, he lived within them. He never used intoxicating drinks in any form. He never indulged in the use of tobacco in any shape. He was temperate in all things, and his habits and tastes were all simple. He was never happier than when he saw others pros- perous, and he contributed to the success of a great many young men by encouraging them, and by helping them into good business habits. Mr. Safford was very jovial and fond of play- ing jokes upon others, but he could take a joke as good-humoredly as he gave it. He abhorred shams and pretensions. The writer was with him once at a hotel where there was a family who put on a great deal of style and made them- selves rather conspicuous in many ways. He remarked in regard to them : "They can afford to put on airs; the man has recently gone into bankruptcy, but we who pay our debts as we go along, need to move on quietly." Mr. Saf- ford's love for children and the ready confi- dence they gave him, spoke volumes for the beauty and tenderness of his nature. When quite a young man, his greatest pleasure in winter was to get a spacious sleigh and fill it with children unable to indulge in such pleas- ures, for a merry ride, and all his life he was ever mindful of ways to make children happy. Although married twice, he was never blessed with children of his own. He cared very little for society, but his home was everything to him, and was the center of genuine hospitality. Mr. Safford took no interest in party strifes, but was devoted to his country and its welfare, and he was always firm in his support of such men for office as he believed would best serve the public weal. Mr. Safford left his home in July, 1877, for a rest of a few weeks in New England. He spent a week at the sea- shore with an enjoyment of old ocean that was refreshing to witness. He was very fond of nature. and seemed a boy again in the buoyancy

56E

CAIRO.

and freshness of his spirit, when in close com- munion with her. His face was so expressive of geniality, that strangers were invariably at- tracted to him. He had the tender, shrinking nature of a woman, with all of the finest, no- blest traits of a man. He was most loyal in his friendships, and it can be truly said, that he had no enemies, but a host of friends ; he was so just and true in his dealings with men, that they could afford to differ from him in opinions, and yet harbor no feelings of ill will or distrust toward him. After leaving the sea- shore, Mr. Safford went on a visit to his native State. He seemed in perfect health. Along the journey he called the frequent attention of those traveling with him to the beauty of the scenery, his soul seemed attuned to all beauty in nature, and to all goodness in mankind. The day after his arrival, he was constantly occu- pied in rendering kindly services to those about him. He drove with an aged relative to the beautiful cemetery in Burlington. She said to him while driving, do you not have a dread of death ? No, he replied, it is inevitable, and comes in the order of nature, and when it calls me, I shall be ready and willing to meet it. This remark was made in the forenoon, and at 10 o'clock in the evening, he had passed on to that bourn from whence none return. He went for a stroll in the evening, accompanied by his cousin, and fell insensible on the street in a fit of apoplexy. He was taken to the home of his cousin, where he was visiting in Burlington, Vt., and regained consciousness so as to speak to those about him, but soon sank into a swoon, and passed away as calmly as if falling into a peaceful sleep. He had often re- marked that it would be his desire to die in harness, and so it was; up to the last hour, he was useful and happy in conducing to the hap- piness of others. Not alone did those who were nearest and dearest to him, feel that his loss was irreparable, but in business circles, in the Odd Fellows Lodge, to which he was at-

tached, in the public schools, and in all places where there was need of aid to further noble effort, he was missed and mourned.

"So calm, so constant was his rectitude,

That by his loss alone we knew its worth,

And feel how true a man has walked with us on earth."

HENRY HINSDALE CANDEE, Cairo. was born at Harwinton, Litchfield Co., Conn , on the 6th day of December, A. D. 1833. At the age of three years, his parents moved to Illi- nois and settled in the old town of Kaskaskia, where they resided till December. 1844, when, having been rendered homeless by the unprece- dented floods of that year, they removed to Cairo, Ill. At that date, the facilities for obtain- ing an education in Cairo were very meager. Mr. Candee's parents being anxious that their boy should receive an education, sent him, at an early age, to Jubilee College, a promising institution then just established by Bishop Chase at Robin's Nest, Peoria Co., Ill. ; but. be- fore finishing his education, young Mr. Candee was called home by the death of his father, and was compelled to seek employment and assist his mother in the support of herself and three children. He engaged in various occupations, learning telegraphy, etc., till finally, by the as- sistance of friends, he was enabled to purchase a grocery stock. He continned in this business till the outbreaking of the rebellion, when he entered the United States Navy, first as a Clerk in one of the departments at Cairo, and later receiving an appointment as Assistant Pay- master. He served on the United States Rc- ceiving Ships "Maria Denning " and - Clara Dolsen," stationed at Cairo, and in the office of the Fleet Paymaster. At the close of the war, he accepted a position in the City National Bank of Cairo, and was appointed Assistant Cashier. He remained in the bank about a year and a half, when he left that institution to engage in his present business, that of insur- ance. Mr. Candee ranks among the oldest res- idents of the city of Cairo. He was its first

56F

BIOGRAPHICAL:

City Treasurer, and has held other offices at the hands of its people. He is now a Notary Pub- lic and United States Commissioner, and holds other responsible positions, being the President of the Enterprise Savings Bank and a Di- rector of the City National Bank. In religion, Mr. Candee is an Episcopalian, and is a zealous member of the church. He is held in high es- teem in the councils of his church ; among

other positions, he is the Treasurer of the En- dowment Fund and the Secretary of the Prov- ince of Illinois-the first Province established by the American Church. On the 20th of Feb- ruary, 1868, Mr. Candee married Miss Isabella Shepard Laning, daughter of Capt. James Lan- ing (late of the United States Navy), at La Salle, Ill. One son-Henry Safford Candee- has been the fruit of this marriage.

ANNA PRECINCT.

UNION COUNTY.

ANNA PRECINCT.

OLIVER ALDEN, merchant, Anna, is a na- tive of Plympton, Mass., born August 7, 1828. His father, John Alden, was a farmer, a native of Massachusetts. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife and mother of our subject was born in Massachusetts, and died in her na- tive State. They were the parents of two chil- dren, of whom Oliver was the oldest child. He was raised on a farm, and educated in the com- mon schools. At twelve years of age, he left his home and apprenticed himself at the shoe- maker's trade. When he was sixteen years of age, he gave up the shoemaker's trade and be- gan learning the blacksmith's trade, and worked at the same in Massachusetts until he was twenty-two years of age. In the winter of 1850, he came to Illinois, and again worked at his trade until 1859. He first came to Jones- boro, Union County, in 1856, and three years later- engaged as clerk with John E. Nail, in a general merchandising store. He continued with this gentleman until 1862, when he engaged with C. M. Willard & Co. in the same business. In 1863, he bought the stock of goods of his former employer, John E. Nail, and engaged in business for himself. In 1879, he removed his stock of goods to Anna, where he is now doing a large and lucrative business. Mr. Alden was united in matrimony in 1853 to Miss Sarah Tripp, a native of Union County. She is a daughter of William and Frankie (Grammer) Tripp, who were among the first settlers of Union County. They were from Tennessee, but natives of Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Alden

have the following children, viz .: Abby, wife of L. T. Cook ; Alice, wife of H. C. Bouton ; Ern- est (John and Thomas-twins) Oliver, Betsey, Robert, Everett and Mary. Mr. Alden votes with the Democratic party.

F. P. ANDERSON, jeweler, Anna, was born in St. Paul, Minn., September 1, 1858, and is a son of Dennis and Mary (Cullen) Anderson, and one of a family of ten children-nine of whom are still living. He was educated in the High School at Shelbyville, Ill., whither his par- ents had removed in 1868. At the age of thirteen years, he apprenticed himself to the jeweler's trade with Mr. R. N. Mitchell, with whom he worked nearly eleven years, becoming a thorough and practical workman in every de- partment of the business he has chosen. In June, 1880, he came to Anna, Ill., and opened a jewelry store, a business he has successfully conducted ever since. He carries a large and well-selected stock of his line of goods, con- sisting of a full assortment of clocks, watches, jewelry of all kinds, together with a complete stock of picture frames, stationery, etc. His square dealing, gentlemanly manners toward his customers, and uniform courtesy, has won for him a large and profitable trade and hosts of friends throughout the county. Mr. Ander- son was married in 1881 to Miss Anna M. Dennis, of Pana, Ill., a daughter of Frank and Hannah (Colby) Dennis. They have one child-Ora, born October 28, 1881.

CAPT. HUGH ANDREWS, the second child of Samuel A. and Margaret (Ramsey) An-

BIOGRAPHICAL.

drews, was born in Dayton, Ohio, March 16, 1834. Samuel Andrews was a native of Penn- sylvania, born in 1802, and with his parents re- moved to Dayton in the year 1804. In this place he was reared and became a farmer. His father, Hugh Andrews, was a native of Ireland, who came to America in company with two brothers, and located in Pennsylvania. He was married in December, 1831. His consort was born in Hanover, Penn., December, 1811. They were both exemplary members of the Presbyterian Church. The issue of this mar- riage was eleven children, nine of whom, four sons and five daughters, survive to light with love and joy the evening of life of the venera- ble father. The mother passed away October 19, 1868. Capt. Hugh Andrews was reared in Dayton, and attended the common schools of that place, and afterward studied at Wittenburg, and graduated in law department of Ann Arbor University in 1864. In 1855, he came to Union County and taught school. In 1859, he went to California, and for three years was a travel- ler and miner in that wild, rough country. He returned to Union County in 1862, and entered the service of his country as a Captain of Com- pany D, One Hundred and Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and continued in this serv- ice for nine months. He had studied law with Judge James Baggott, of Ohio, and with Col. Dougherty, of Jonesboro, and in 1864, he entered upon the practice of the law, open- ing his office at Anna, where he is still in the active practice of his profession, and conduct- ing his fruit farm. In 1865, he was elected County School Superintendent, which position he filled with signal ability for four years. He entered into his office, finding it simply unor- ganized chaos. From this he brought order and placed the entire system of schools in Un- ion County upon their present successful career of usefulness. He organized teachers' insti- tutes, brought the teachers together and trained them to their work in a systematic way,

and thus created a high order of graded schools. He built the most of the schoolhonses that now ornamented the school districts of the county, and has here erected a monument that will stand for many years as a fitting tribute to his intelligence, his energy and fine executive abilities. Capt. Andrews was married to. Miss Kate E. Groff, October 8, 1867. She is a native of Lawrenceburg, Ind. Of this issue there have been eight children, of whom four, all girls, are now living, as follows : Christie L., Maggie, Mary and Sarah Belle. Capt. Andrews has had a busy life in Union County, practicing law, farming, and widely influencing the politics of the county, and filling important official positions. He has long been a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor societies, and has frequently repre- sented the first two in the Grand Lodges. He is a young man yet, hardly reached the prime of his mental life, and is well justified in look- ing forward to a most promising future, and being a man of noted integrity, a high sense of honor, and a genial, warm heart, with the best of social qualities, there is around him and among his extended acquaintance a host of friends who will rejoice at any and all suc- cess that may await him.

JOSIAH BEAN, farmer, P. O. Anna, is a native of Union County, Ill., born in December, 1835. His father George Bean, was born in Virginia in 1806, and was there raised and educated; arriving at his majority, he removed to Tennessee, and there married. In 1831, he removed to Union County, Ill., and settled in Jonesboro Precinct. He was a farmer by oc- cupation. He died in the fall of 1856. Eliza- beth (Taylor) Bean, subject's mother, was born in Tennessee, in 1807, and died in Union County, Ill., December 25, 1880. She was the mother of eight children, of whom the following are living : Thomas, Josiah, Amanda, wife of Henry Hess, Emma, wife of Marshall Rendle- man. Josiah, our subject, was raised on the

ANNA PRECINCT.

farm and educated in the subscription schools common in his day. At twenty-three years of age, he left home and engaged in farming on his own account. He commenced life in very limited circumstances, and has succeeded in accumulating good property, and is the owner of about 1,000 acres of good land. In May, 1858, he married Miss Caroline Hileman, a native of the county. They have the following children : George C., Monroe, Nancy, Emma and Carrie. Mr. and Mrs. Bean are members of the United Baptist Church of Anna. Polit- ically, he is a Democrat. He was at one time President of the Union County Agricultural Association for two years.

HARVEY CADY BOUTON, proprietor Farmer and Fruit-Grower, Anna, Ill. Some individuals spend a life-time in the endeavor to discover the avocation for which nature has best fitted them, and to which their talents can most profitably and usefully be directed. Not so with the subject of this sketch. Mr. Bouton was born to his business, his father and his uncle being old in experience in printing, publishing and general newspaper enterprise before him. His birth occurred on June 28, 1856, in Centreville, St. Joseph Co., Mich. From his infancy, he was accustomed to watch the manipulations of type and press, and while yet in his early boyhood handled the composing stick and rule. His education was received at good home schools, and at Notre Dame Uni- versity, Ind. After serving several years with his father in publishing the Jonesboro Gazette, he in March, 1877, struck out for himself, and began issuing the Farmer and Fruit-Grower in Anna, at first as a semi-monthly. In Decem- ber, 1877, it was made an eight-page weekly journal. In 1882, it was again enlarged, and has remained thus to the present time. On October 10, 1877, he was married to Alice Al- den, by whom he had one child, Susie S., born March 9, 1880.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 82

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