History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 86

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 86
USA > Illinois > Pulaski County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 86
USA > Illinois > Alexander County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 86

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).

ANNA PRECINCT.

family of five, three of whom are now living, viz .: Joseph M., a farmer in Kansas ; Davis W., real estate, Chicago, and John B., Post- master at Anna. He was raised on a farm, and his years of boyhood and early manhood were not years of prosperity and ease, but of labor and toil. He and his two brothers worked and saved their money, denying them- selves the luxuries of life, in order to educate themselves. Mr. Miller, when about twenty- six years of age, entered the Academy at Alton, having previously enjoyed but a limited attendance at the public schools, and was the first representative student in the State Normal School at Bloomington from Union County. In 1839, he accompanied his parents to Ten- nessee and remained there until after the death of his father. He taught school while in Tennessee, and upon his return he still followed teaching. After completing his education, he made Union County his permanent home. In 1864, he engaged in merchandising at Jones- boro, in copartnership with his brother Davis. May 1, 1870, he took charge of the post office at Anna, and in 1873 was appointed Post- master, and as evidence that he is "the right man in the right place," he has held the posi- tion ever since, having been twice re-appointed. In connection with his office, he carries on a large store of books, stationery, etc. He was married October 16, 1870, in Jonesboro, to Miss Frances Meisenheimer, a native of Ten- nessee. She died July 29, 1878, leaving two boys, viz .: John B. and Francis Jeffery. Mr. Miller is a Republican in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity, both of the Lodge and Chapter, also of the Methodist Church, of which he is Treasurer.

JOHN B. MILLER, farmer, P. O., Anna, was born in Union County, Ill., October 4, 1826, to Abraham and Nancy (Murray) Miller. He, a native of Rowan County, N. C., was born in 1799. In 1816, with his parents, emigrated to Illinois, and located in Anna Township,

Union County. Arriving at his majority, he engaged in farming, and continued the same to the time of his death, which occurred in Decem- ber, 1840. He was a son of Peter, also a na- tive of North Carolina, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and participated in battles in North and South Carolina. Subject's mother was born in Burke County, N. C., in 1796, and was married in 1818. She was brought to Illinois by her parents, who settled in Alexan- der County, on Clear Creek, in 1811, and sub- sequently in Anna Township, Union County, in about 1816 or 1818. They had previously set- tled in Cape Girardeau County, Mo., in about 1799. She was a daughter of John Murray, a soldier in the Revolution, first as a tory, and afterward a rebel. She died in Union County in 1882, and was the mother of nine children, of whom six are now living, viz .: Ezekiel M., Charles M., Jane, Nancy, Abraham and John B., our subject, who was the second child born. He was raised and educated in this county, and has been engaged principally in fruit-growing upon his farm, which is located in Anna Precinct, southeast of Anna. Polit- ically, Mr. Miller is a Republican.

ALEXANDER J. NISBET, lawyer, Anna, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio ; lived during child- hood at that place, St. Louis, Alton, Ill., Mad- ison, Ind., Louisville and Owensboro, Ky. ; was in Kentucky during war; came to Jonesboro, Ill., 1866 ; resided there a year and a half with his father ; went to McKendree College at Leb- anon, Ind., State University, Bloomington, and Chicago University ; graduated from Law De- partment of latter school in 1870. Went to Duluth, Minn. ; was appointed County Judge and Court Commissioner. Elected to same office on ticket with Gen. Grant at his last elec- tion. Resigned on account of bad health ; set- tled at Fond du Lac, Wis. ; remained there until his father's death in 1876. Came to Jonesboro ; has been there and at Anna since, in the prac- tice of law. Latterly, also engaged in raising

BIOGRAPHICAL:

fine blooded stock, hogs and sheep. His father, William Nisbet, was born and educated in Edinboro, Scotland; came to this country when he was about eighteen years old ; settled at Cincinnati, Ohio. Married Miss Amanda Lee, oldest daughter of Rodney J. Lee. She was first cousin to Admiral S. P. Lee, who commanded Mississippi and James River flotillas during the war, and Gen. Lee, who commanded Gen. Grant's cavalry at Vicksburg. Was in bus- iness at Cincinnati for some years ; came West, settled first in St. Louis, later at Alton. Came to Union County in 1854. Came ont of Cairo on first train over Illinois Central Railroad ; resided six miles east of Cobden until 1860. Made. by request, farewell speech to the first company of Gen. Logan's regiment that left this county-Com- pany C. Came to Jonesboro in 1860 ; resided there until his death, March 31, 1876. En- gaged in farm gardening ; was the first man to successfully introduce sweet potatoes North of Mason & Dixon's line in large quantities. Took an active part in all public enterprises.

C. L. OTRICH, druggist, Anna, was born in Union County, seven miles east of Anna. September 16, 1849, and is a son of Henry W. and Caroline (Pinninger) Otrich, he born in Rowan County, N. C .. in 1817, and died in this county. He was a carpenter and builder, and also a farmer. In 1837, he emigrated to Illi- nois. and located in this county. becoming the owner of one of the best farms (of 200 acres) in it, now owned by his son, George W. Otrich. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and a stanch Democrat. His wife, subject's mother, was a native of Rowan County, N. C., where she was born in 1818, and is now residing in this county on the old homestead. She was the mother of ten children, five of whom are yet living. Our subject was raised on a farm, and when eight- een years old left home and entered the State Normal School at Bloomington. Ill., having pre- viously attended Southern Illinois College at

Carbondale. He read medicine with Dr. Black, of Jacksonville, for eighteen months. In 1869, he began teaching school in Union and Menard Counties, and in 1873 engaged in the drug bus- iness as successor to Dr. Dodds, the firm being Parks & Otrich. He soon after, however, bought out his partner's interest, and lias since conducted the business alone. He was mar- ried, in March, 1878, to Miss Mary E. McClure, of Alexander County. She died March 11, 1880, leaving one child, Thomas McClure Otrich. In addition to his drug store in Anna, he in 1879 opened a similar store in Cobden, which is now under charge of Dr. Wilson Brown. His store in Anna is full and complete in its lines, is in the Otrich House Block, and known as "Egypt's Pharmacy." He is also interested in farming in Alexander County, and is an owner of the Otrich House Block. one of the hand- somest blocks in the city of Anna. He and four others are directors and have procured the right-of-way for a railroad from Jones- boro to Cape Girardeau.

CLARENCE K. PARKS, druggist, P. O. Anna, was born in Jonesboro, August 29, 1851, and is a son of Luther K. and Amira (Clay) Parks. He was born in Lawrenceburg. Ind., in 1819, and brought up on the farm, receiving but a limited education. He made several trips " down the river " on flat-boats loaded with the produce of the country. Of studious turn. he finally decided to become a physician, and in the fall of 1839. he commenced reading med- icine with Dr. N. H. Torbet, of Wilmington, continuing with him until October, 1841. He attended a full course of lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, and finally graduating at the St. Louis Medical College when under the management of Pope. He practiced his profession about twenty-five years. but for five years previous to his death, he only attended to office calls. He was not an active worker in politics but an ardent Republican. He was engaged in real estate for some ten years and made considera-

ANNA PRECINCT.

ble money ; he was an active member of the Masonic fraternity. His father, John Parks, was a native of Pennsylvania, but principally raised in Indiana, and was of Irish descent. Dr. Parks died in February, 1872, highly re- spected by all who knew him. The mother of subject was born in St. Charles County, Mo., in 1828, but raised near St. Louis, and is still liv- ing. She is related to Henry Clay, the great statesman ; her father was George Clay, a na- tive of Kentucky, and a Captain and owner of steamboats on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Subject's parents had six children, of whom he is the oldest now living, three of them being dead. He was raised in Union County and educated in the common schools, and at the age of seventeen years began clerk- ing in a drug store. He continued at this oc- cupation until 1873, when he bought a half interest of Dr. Dodds, and since 1877 has been in business alone. In 1874, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Bugg, of Alabama, a daughter of James and Rebecca (Baker) Bugg, natives of Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Parks have two children -Sybil and Henry. Mr. Parks is a Repub- lican in politics, following the example of his father before him. He is one of the active and wide awake young business men of the city, and highly respected citizen.

THOMAS H. PHILLIPS, attorney at law, Anna, was born in Belleville, St. Clair Co., III., November 23, 1827, to John and Laura (Tippy) Phillips. His father was a native of Virginia, born in 1789. During his life, he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a Lieutenant in the war of 1812, and after its close removed from Virginia to Kentucky. In 1816, he came to Illinois and settled in Williamson County, and after a few years removed to St. Clair County, where he died in 1817. His father, (subject's grandfather) was one of three broth- ers who came to America and settled in Vir- ginia, previous to the Revolutionary war; they were natives of Wales. The mother of our

subject was born in Tennessee, in 1797, and was married, in 1818. She died at Anna, III., October 14, 1875. Her father was a native of Germany, who emigrated to America, and settled in New York State. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and after its close he wandered away from his home and has not been heard from since. Thomas M. Phil- lips was of a family of thirteen children, of whom the following are now living : William, a carpenter of Springfield, Ill. ; Mary, wife of Isaac Whiteside, a farmer of Madison County, Ill. ; Elizabeth, widow of William M. Howell, formally Marion County, III. ; Capt. Isaac N., a farmer of Union County, who was Provost Marshal of this district during the war ; Nancy, widow of John W. Bundy, of Cobden ; Sarah, wife of E. H. Finch, of Anna ; Thomas H., our subject ; and Margaret, wife of Capt. L. M. Spery, a farmer of Cobden. Thomas H. spent his early life at home on the farm, and there received the benefit of the subscription .and common schools. When he was twenty-eight years of age, he entered the Shurtleff College of Illinois, and there remained two years. In 1867, he began reading law with Hon. William HI. Underwood, of Belleville, Ill., and was ad- mitted to the bar in the fall of the same year. In 1868, he began the practice of law at Pana, Ill., where he remained two years. In 1870, he came to Anna, Ill., where he has since re- mained. In September, 1882, he went to Wash- ington, D. C., and acted as Clerk in the De- partment of the Interior ; he resigned however on account of a disability in his right arm, and returned to his home at Anna in January, 1883. In 1867, he married, at Belleville, III., Miss Ellen A. Hughes, a native of the same place, and a daughter of Judge Jobu D. Hughes and Rebecca W. (Shannon) Hughes. He was a native of Virginia, who emigrated to Illinois, in 1820, and died in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have two children -Maurice H., born May 29, 1873, and Florence S .. born

BIOGRAPHICAL:

October 19, 1877. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and she of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M., Blue Lodge and Chapter ; also of the K. of H. Politically, he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He was twice nominated for the Legislature, and once for County Judge, but owing to the power of the Democratic party he was defeated. He is now City Attorney of Anna. During the war, he was Deputy Provost Marshal of this district, which included fifteen counties. He was Postmaster in 1872, and resigned after holding the office one year.

ANNA POTTERY, Anna. One of the old and valuable industries of this city is the Anna Pottery. It was established in 1859 by C. & W. W. Kirkpatrick, men thoroughly experi- enced in this line of business, and who can make more articles, both useful and ornamental, out of mud than any men in Illinois. Visitors to their extensive works, as they watch the busy hands molding the clay into hundreds of different shapes, find themselves unconsciously, as it were, repeating Longfellow's lines :

"Turn, turn, my wheel! This earthen jar A touch can make, a touch can mar; And shall it to the potter say, What makest thou?"

The establishment employs some twenty hands, and turns out annually a large amount of sewer pipe, jars of various sizes, fruit cans or jars, milk crocks and, in fact, almost every species of stoneware, together with bull-dogs, owls, snakes, hogs and illustrated railroad maps, pipes by the thousand, bull-frogs, and a variety of other animals and things too tedious to mention. One of their greatest curiosities is the " Pioneer Farm," made wholly out of clay, and fully noticed in a chapter in the historical portion of this work.

REV. WILLIAM RHODES, merchant, P. O. Anna, was born January 15, 1836, in Moultrie County, Ill. . His father, John Rhodes, was a

native of North Carolina, and was born in Ran- dolph County. In 1816, when but seven years of age, he removed with his father's family to Lawrence County, Ind. There he grew to man- hood, and in 1831 removed to Moultrie County, Ill. He married Rachel Senteney, born in Maysville, Ky., in 1813, and died of paralysis in 1881. He settled in his new home in Illinois, with no means for success, save a large en- dowment of industry, perseverance and hope, and with a companion whose power to perform well her part and sweeten the toils of pioneer life was his constant admiration. He is still living, and where he now sees well-improved farms he found an almost uninhabited wilder- ness. Eight children were born to him, seven sons and one daughter. Our subject was brought up on the farm and after receiving a full course in the common schools, he spent one year in the Sullivan Academy, one year at Bethany College, West Virginia, and one year at Eureka College, in Woodford County, Ill. He was converted at the age of seventeen years, under the preaching of Elder Etheridge, at his father's house, and united with the sect known as "Disciples " or the "Church of Christ." After completing his education, he began teaching, which he continued, together with farming, until 1862, when he was or- dained to the Christian ministry and has re- mained with that church and labored for its good ever since. In 1877, he came to Anna and engaged in the hardware business, and at the same time occupied the pulpit in the Christian Church. In 1882, he retired from business, leaving his sons to manage it, but he still retains his interest. He was married in Moultrie County, Ill., February 19, 1840, to Miss Sarah C. Souther, a daughter of Abra- ham and Catharine (Hardin) Souther, natives of Oldham County, Ky. She died in 1864, leaving one child, Thomas B. He was mar- ried a second time, November, 1866, to Miss Amanda J. Hatfield, a native of Greene County,

ANNA PRECINCT.

Ind., by whom he has four children, viz .: Rosa A., Rudolph A., William and John. The latter died when three years old. Mr. Rhodes has held six different discussions, one with an in- fidel on the Divinity of the Bible, the others upon religious matters with ministers of dif- ferent denominations.

J. H. SANBORN, M. D., editor Farmer and Fruit Grower, Anna, Ill., whose portrait ap- pears elsewhere, was born in Boston, Mass., May 21, 1834. His boyhood was passed in the Eastern States, in each of which he lived more or less time. After attending various in- stitutions of learning, and teaching several years, he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts at the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. Having an inclination for the profession of medicine, he studied two years with Dr. C. P. Gage, President of the New Hampshire State Medical Society, and a year with his brother, Dr. J. E. Sanborn, who was for several years Profess- or of Chemistry and Materia Medica in the Medi- cal Department, at that time, of the Iowa State University at Keokuk ; and, after attending courses of lectures at Harvard University Medical College, graduated in 1856 at the Medical Department of Dartmouth College, New Hampshire. He then attended supple- mentary partial courses in the Philadelphia Medical Schools ; returned to the New England States and practiced medicine about ten years. His health becoming poor, he went to Florida and remained there nearly four years as Land Commissioner of the Florida Railroad Com- pany, buying and selling land, locating set- tlers, and, as opportunity offered, practicing his profession. During these years, he wrote a long series of letters for the Country Gentle- man, and corresponded with other journals in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. These letters were widely copied, and were the means of first drawing attention to Florida and cans- ing that now immense annual pilgrimage of invalids and others to the land of the orange

and magnolia. In July, 1869, Dr. Sanborn came with his family to Anna, and during the following three years was Principal of the city public schools. Since then he has mostly given his time to fruit-growing, occasionally teaching during the winter. Almost from the first issue he has been a contributor to the Farmer and Fruit Grower, published in Anna. and for several years has acted as editor of the horti- cultural department. In 1857, he married Miss Hannah M. Moody, and had one child, Winifred, born March 31, 1861.

CHARLES S. SIMMERMAN, farmer, P. O. Anna, was born in Union County, Ill., March 20, 1847, and is a son of Peter and Jane (Frogge) Simmerman ; he, Peter, is a native of Virginia, and now residing in Johnson City, Tenn., engaged in the mercantile business ; his wife was born in Kentucky, and died in 1847. Charles S. was the only child born to her ; at three years of age he was taken to Texas by his grandfather, and was there raised by him on his stock farm. When he became twenty years of age, he came to Union County, Ill. In 1871, he bought his present farm of eighty acres. May 4, 1864, he married Miss So- phronia Jackson, a native of this county ; her parents, Reason and Rachael (Gullion) Jackson, are both natives of Kentucky. Mr.and Mrs. Sim- merman have six children : William H., Minnie B., Charles S., Cora J., Arthur L. and Lemuel.

W. H. SMART, clerk at Insane Hospital, Anna, was born August 22, 1844, and is a grandson of Ezra Smart, a native of London, England, a lawyer there, and of a very old English family. He came to the colonies be- fore the Revolutionary war, and served in the struggle for independence on the side of the Colonies. He was married in this country to Miss Chapman, by whom he had three children, viz .: Ezra, Edwin K. and Richard, the father of our subject. He was born in 1785, in Grafton County, N. H., and died in 1870 in Rumney, in that county. He was educated to the law

BIOGRAPHICAL:

under Josiah Quincy, and practiced the pro- fession for twenty years in Haverhill, N. H .; he was a member of the Legislature for nine- teen years, from 1841 to 1860. He married Ancena Chapman, born in 1784 in Grafton County, N. H., and died there in 1865; her father was also a soldier in the Revolutionary war. She was the mother of five children, of whom four are now living-Charles C., a brick manufacturer, in Rumney, N. H .; Caroline, wife of J. Greenough, a merchant, in Canter- bury, N. H. ; Harriet, wife of Frank A. Cush- man, a merchant of Lebanon, N. H., and William H., our subject, who was educated in Dartmouth College for the law. He read with Hon. A. F. Pike, of Franklin, N. H., and ad- mitted to the bar, in 1864, at Plymouth. He followed the profession nine years in Mexico, Mo. In 1871, he went to Charleston, S. C., where he had charge of John H. Deveraux's plantation, until 1878, when he came North, settling at Anna, Ill., where he commenced to work as an attendant in the hospital for the insane, and in the fall of 1882 he was appoint- ed Clerk, by Superintendent Wardner, a posi- tion he now occupies. He was married, April 19, 1872, at Sparta, Ill., to Miss Alexina A. Jacobs, a step-daughter of John E. Detrich, and who was born in St. Louis, Mo. They have one child, Willie R., born in June, 1873. Mr. Smart is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Knights of Honor, Anna Lodge No. 1892, of which body he is now Dictator.

JOHN SPIRE, painter, Anna, was born in Holland, Europe, October 9, 1835, to Leonard and Martha (Gerlhood) Spire, both natives of Holland. He was born in 1801, and in 1849, with his wife and family, he emigrated to Amer- ica. locating in Buffalo, N. Y., where he died the same year with the cholera. They had eight children, of whom three are living-sub- ject, the eldest ; Charles, living in Buffalo ; and Martha, wife of Van Blois, at Grand Rapids, Mich. Subject. was educated in the common

schools until he was fourteen years of age, when he was compelled to assist in supporting the family, which he did, working by the day at such work as he could find to do. At six- teen, he apprenticed himself to the trade of painter in Buffalo, and after learning the trade he came West to Paducah, Ky., and during the summer of 1854 worked there at journeyman work. He then went to New Orleans, and the next spring went to Cincinnati, but soon after returned to Paducah, and in the fall of 1855 came to Anna, Ill., where he has since re- mained, working at his trade of painting ; sometimes employs as many as cighteen men. In 1857, he married Miss Emily Knight, a na- tive of Kentucky, but raised principally in Williamson County, and a daughter of Alfred Knight, a native of North Carolina. Subject has two children-George Leonard and Ella, wife of T. B. Rhoades, of Anna. Mrs. Spire is a member of the Reformed Church. Mr. Spire is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Odd Fellows. Politically, he is a Democrat. He has been Mayor for two terms (four years), School Director, and a member of the Town Board for three years. He enlisted, August 15, 1862, in Company H, One Hundred and Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under com- mand of Col. Nimmo, and was at the siege of Vicksburg for forty-two days. He was mus- tered out of service as Fourth Sergeant in April, 1863. The regiment was consolidated with the One Hundred and Eleventh, and he was appointed to the same office, and afterward promoted to First Lieutenant in same com- pany, which he held until mustered out July 14, 1865. While in the army, he was not wounded nor captured, and never off duty.

L. E. STOCKING, M. D., Anna. This gen- tleman is a native of Collinsville, N. Y., born December 2, 1847. His grandfather, Ansel Stock- ing, was of Scotch descent, a blacksmith by oc- cupation. His father, Walter Stocking, a na- tive of Connecticut, was born in 1812. He is

ANNA PRECINCT.

now a resident of Caledonia, Mo., where he is engaged in agricultural pursuits, but he was formerly engaged in the mercantile business. He married Miss Rebecca (Downey) Stocking (mother of subject), a native of Vermont, born in 1812. She traces her ancestry back to Com- modore Downey, of the English Navy. She is the mother of nine children, five boys and four girls. Dr. Stocking was educated in the com- mon schools of Wisconsin, and took a prepara- tory collegiate course at Allen's Grove Acade- my, of the same State. At nineteen years of age, he entered the Michigan University, gradu- ating from the same in June, 1870. Soon after his return from college, he began teaching, and was Principal of the school at Potosi, Mo., also at Irondale, Mo. In about 1873, he began the study of medicine with Dr. L. T. Hall, of Po- tosi, Mo., and in 1874 he entered the St. Louis Medical College, and graduated from the same in March, 1876. He immediately began the practice of his chosen profession at Dardanelle, Ark., where he remained until 1877, when he came to Anna, Union Co., Ill. The following year, he was appointed First Assistant Physi- cian of the Southern Illinois Insane Asylum, a position he still holds. In Anna, September 6, 1876, he married Miss Helen L. Whiteman, a native of Watseka, Ill., born November 23, 1855. She is a daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Wright) Whiteman. The Doctor and wife are connected with the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the South- ern Illinois Medical Society, and the Tri-State Medical Association. In politics, the Doctor is identified with the principles of the Republican party.

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History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 86

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