USA > Illinois > Cass County > History of Cass county, Illinois > Part 37
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PETER W. RICKARD, farmer; P. O. Chandlerville; is a native of Windham County, Connecticut. He was born Aug. 26, 1823, and is the son of Peter and Mary (Heley) Rickard. His father was born in Massachusetts, in 1769, and died in July, 1823. He was killed in the Revolution- ary war. His mother was also a native of Massachusetts. She was born in 1783, and died in 1852. Peter W. was educated in Connecticut in the Duley and Thompson Academies. His early life was spent at the
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home of his brother-in-law, Erastus Childs. In 1844, he came to Cass County, where he has since remained, engaged in teaching school, merchandising and farming. At the present time he is tilling the soil of 220 acres of well improved land. In 1846 he was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Peas, who bore him one child, Henry, now living in Morgan County. He married a second time, Mary Harbison, who died a few years afterward, and in 1859 he married Mary C. Taylor, who has borne him six children, viz .: Charles E., John T., Frank M., Emma and James A. Mr. Rickard is a Republican, and he and Mrs. Rickard are members of the Congregational Church.
JOSEPH RAWORTH, farmer; P. O. Chandlerville; was born in Sheffield, England, Dec. 20, 1820, and is the eldest of two chil- dren, born to Ebenezer H. and Sarah (Wing) Raworth, natives of England. Ebenezer H. Raworth, who was a grocer, died Aug. 11, 1858, aged sixty-six years, and was interred at the Cemetery Church, Sheffield, England; his wife, born in 1799, died in 1824. Joseph received his primary education in the parish schools, finishing at Mooregate Academy, near Rotherham, England. In 1844, he came to America, landed in New Orleans the fifth of April that year, engaged in steamboating two years, taught school three months in 1846, went to Scott County, Ills., and began farm- ing, and in 1860 came to this county. He has since followed farming in this county, and now has 105 acres here and 320 acres in Nebraska, all of which has been made by his own labors, he having had only a crown in his pocket when he landed in New Orleans. He married in Mason County, Ills., in August 1857, Alice Tomlinson, a native of England, born in February, 1832. From this union six children have been born: Ebenezer, Mary, John, Emeline (deceased), Elizabeth, and Richard D. Mr. Raworth is a Greenbacker; he and his wife are Methodists.
ALFRED T. SMITH, miller, Chandler- ville; was born in Chemung County, N. Y., Jan. 20, 1831, to Samuel and Anna (Roads) Smith. Samuel Smith was born in New York, November 27, 1790; removed"to Illi- nois in fall of 1837, and settled in Menard County, where he followed the occupation of a farmer; in 1852 he removed to this county, where he also engaged in farming; he died Jan. 21, 1876; he was in the war of 1812. His wife, and mother of our subject, was born in Duchess County, N. Y., January 15, 1802, and died July 11, 1876; she was the mother of ten children, five boys and five girls, all of whom lived to maturity. Of the ten children, Alfred T. was the fifth child. When six years of age he came to Illinois with his parents, and at the age of twenty-two engaged as a farm hand; he contin- ued in that occupation about three years; then followed the trade of house painting in this county, until 1879, when he engaged in the milling business with Mr. W. W. Baker, at Chandlerville; the present firm is Smith and Carr; their mill is called Chandlerville Mills, and makes the well known brand of "Gilt Edge," flour in which they have a large trade. The mill has now a capacity of fourteen barrels per day, and they intend en- larging and improving it. April 15, 1866, he married Miss Laura J. Chapman, a native of Illinois, born Sept. 24, 1842, daughter of Jesse M., and Margaret (McGahan) Chap- man; he, born March 4, 1794, died November 5, 1871; she, born August 8, 1800, died April 27, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have five children: Albert, Charles C., Anna M., Laura and Edward. He is independent in politics.
B. H. SHANKLAND, retired farmer; P. O. Chandlerville; was born in Nicholas Coun- ty, Ky., Nov. 23, 1843, son of A. G. and Judith (Stoops) Shankland. He, A. G., was a native of Nicholas County, Ky., and was mar- ried Dec. 29, 1825, moving to Brown County,
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Ill., in 1853, where he remained till 1856, when he moved to his late residence, where he lived till death called him away, May ?, 1881, aged 44 years. He raised a family of nine children, four girls and five boys, all of whom are living, except one, Mrs. James Plew, who died three years ago. Mr. Shank- land was a useful and consistent member of the Methodist Church for over fifty years, and was loved and respected by all who knew him. His wife, who is still living in Brown County, was also a native of Nicholas County, Ky., and was born within 11 days of the birth of her husband. At the age of 19, our sub- ject left home, and began farming on his own account, but removed in 1874 to this county. In April, 1881, he retired from farming, and removed to Chandlerville. He owns about 600 acres of land. April 3, 1861, he married Miss Henrietta Briggs, a native of Brown County, who died in 1871, leaving five chil- dren, only one of whom is now living, Laura Belle, born Nov. 24, 1871. Feb. 2, 1876, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Dick, of Menard County, daughter of William and Jane Peak, natives of Kentucky. Two children are the result of this union: Lee, born May 30, 1878, and Ora, born May 20, 1881. Mr. Shankland served in the late war about six months, as a member of Company F, 135th Reg. Ind. Vol. He and wife are Methodists, and he is an A. F. and A. M., and a Democrat.
THOMAS P. TAYLOR, retired merchant, Chandlerville; was born in Lancashire, Eng- land, June 18, 1828, to Mark and Ann (Scott) Taylor; he, born in Lancashire, England, in J779, and died in 1844; she, born in Lanca- shire, England, in 1789, and died in 1864; she was the mother of thirteen children, of whom Thomas was the eighth. He began working in a cotton factory when eight years old, and was principally engaged in the factory until he was twenty-two years of age, when he came to America, and made his first stop in
Delaware County, Penn., and engaged in a woolen inill. In 1853, he went to Pottsville, Penn., and from there to Delaware, and then returned to Pennsylvania and remained about twelve months. In 1855, he removed to Illi- nois, and settled in Morgan County. In March, 1856, he removed to Cass County, and settled on the bottom lands, and engaged with one Mr. Fielding upon a farm, until 1862, when he bought a farm of about 250 acres in Cass County, and began farming on his own account. In 1877 he removed to Chandlerville, and engaged in mercantile business, which he continued until April, 1882, when he sold his business to Mr. Morse, and retired from active labor. In July, 1862, he married Miss Ann Fielding, a native of England; born Feb. 28, 1821; a daughter of James and Betty (Bellfield) Fielding. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were the parents of one child, who is dead. Our subject and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Politically, he is a Republican.
Z. A. THOMPSON, merchant; Chandler- ville; was born in Petersburgh, Ill., Dec. 27, 1858, to Aaron and Amanda ( Flinn ) Thompson ; his father was born in New Jer- sey, Jan. 28, 1810; was a sea captain and emigrated to Illinois about 1830, settling in Sangamon County, and removed to Menard County in 1835, where he is still residing, en- gaged extensively in stock raising and farm- ing. His wife, the mother of our subject, was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Sept. 22, 1837, and is the mother of five children, of whom L. A. Thompson is the second child. In addition to the ordinary schools, he attend- ed the Illinois College from 1814 to 1877, and in 1878 he entered the University of Ann Ar- bor, Mich., where he studied law. In 1879, he engaged in the mercantile business at Chand- lerville, where he has since remained engag- ed in the same business, and is at the present time considered one of the leading business
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men of the town. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. Politically, he is identified with the Democratic party.
PETER VOLLMERR, grocer; Chandler- ville; was born in Hanover, Germany, Aug. 6, 1848, to Peter and Margaret (Klinck) Voll- merr; he was born in Germany, where lie fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer, dying in 1881, aged eighty years. His wife, the moth- er of our subject, was also a native of Ger- many, where she died when Peter was an infant. They were the parents of six boys and one girl, our subject being the only one in America. He left his home when he was twenty years of age, and landed in New York, Dec. 14, 1868; then went to Charleston, South Carolina, where he remained two years. In 1870 he came to Chandlerville, where he en- gaged as a farm hand for about four years, when he built a fine brick block, and started in the grocery business, where he also con- duets a bakery. He has met with good sue- cess, having commenced poor, and is now among the leading business men of Chandler- ville. He was married in Cass County in 1876, to Miss Lettie Durring, a native of Ger- many, who is the mother of two children: Alice and John. He and wife are members of the German Lutheran Church; and he is a Democrat.
WILLIAM L. WAY, grain dealer, Chand- lerville; was born in Crawford County, Ind., Nov. 3, 1823, to Samuel and Ruth (Parr) Way. Samuel Way was born in Bristol, England; emigrated to Philadelphia, Pa., Ang. 18, 1819, and settled in Crawford County, Ind., where he married ; he came to this county in November, 1827, where he followed farming to the time of his death, which occurred in 1836; his wife was born in Adair County, Ky., and died in Chand- lerville, this county, in April, 1864; she was the mother of seven children, five boys and two girls, our subject being the oldest. At twenty-four years of age he engaged as
clerk in a store in Morgan County, Ill., and after two years went to Beardstown, where he was engaged by John McDonald, as dry goods and grocery clerk. He remained with Mr. MeDonald as clerk, one year, when the latter started him in business in Chandlerville under the firm name W. L. Way & Co., and after continuing under that name three years, Mr. Way bought out the interest of his employer, and carried on the business alone until 1865, when he sold out and went to Iowa, where he sold goods and packed pork. In 1867 he re- turned to Chandlerville, where he has since remained, engaged in the grain and mercan- tile business. He was married in this county in 1864, to Emeline, daughter of David Carr, and a native of this county. They have three boys : David Henry, assisting his father in the grain business, Thomas Edward and Will- iam Carr, also assisting their father. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and I. O. O. F.
ELIJAH WATKINS, livery and sale sta- ble, Chandlerville; was born in Cass County, Ill., Feb. 3, 1859, and is the son of William and Emeline (Hinchee) Watkins. His early life was spent in receiving such an education as the common schools of his native county af- forded, and assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. Being raised on a farm, Mr. Watkins in 1879 began farming on his own account, working a farm of sixty-five acres. In 1882 he bought, of Mr. Philo T. Norton, the sale and livery stable which he is now man- aging. By careful management, and study of the needs of the traveling public, he is making a success of this business. In 1879, he was married to Miss Anna Cone. Two children are the result of this union, viz .: Ora Lee, and an infant (unnamed).
FRANK ZILLION, farmer, P.O. Virginia; is a native of Prussia, Germany; born Aug. 24, 1825; son of Godfried and Louisa (Prong) Zillion, natives of Germany, where they both died. He is the fifth child of a family of
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eight children, and received his education in the common schools of his native land. At the age of sixteen he apprenticed to the black- smith's trade, at which he worked till 1855, when he emigrated to America, and landed in New York; moved to Illinois the same week; worked at Quincy at his trade for about a month, then came to this county, settled in Virginia, and worked by the month on a farm for three years. In 1858, he rented land in Sangamon County, Ill., which he farmed two years, then came back to this county and en-
listed in the 6th Ill. Cavalry, and after serving four years and two months, returned to this county, where he bought eighty acres of land, and has since followed farming. During his services he took part under Gen. Hunt, in the engagements around Nashville, Tenn. He married in this county in 1866, Kate Yeo- mens ; they have nine children, of whom seven are living, viz .: Joseph, Charles, Willie, Eliza, Frank, John, and Kate. Mr. Zillion is a Republican.
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ASHLAND PRECINCT.
ASHLAND PRECINCT.
ISAAC N. BEAVER, druggist, Ashland, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, Jan- uary 3, 1833, to Isaac and Rachael (Boyer) Beaver, natives of Virginia. His father was born January 5, 1793, and was a farmer by oc- cupation ; his death occurred May 1, 1847; his wife died in 1839, aged about thirty-five years; she was the mother of eight children, of whom Isaac was the sixth child. When he was thirteen years of age, he en- gaged to learn the trade of a tanner, at which business he remained about nine years, after which he farmed ten or fifteen years, and then entered the drug business. In the spring of 1880, he came to Ashland, this county, where he purchased the drug business of B. C. Randall, and has since continued in that business, at which he has been more than or- dinarily successful, and has built up a large and steadily increasing business. He was married in Champaign County, Ohio, March 7, 1854, to Miss Ruannah Hess, who was born in Seneca County, Ohio, June 26, 1832; she is the mother of six children, of whom three are still living, the balance of whom died in infancy; those living are Ella, wife of Dr. Shannon, of Industry., Ill; Ro- manus, living at home and interested in the drug business with his father; Orra, residing at Industry, engaged in the drug business, with his brother-in-law, Dr. Shannon. Mrs. Beaver is a daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Zerkle) Hess, natives of Virginia, and of German descent; both still living near Indus- try, Illinois. Mr. Beaver has been an active member of the fraternity of A. F. and A. M. for about 26 years, and has held offices of more or less importance about one-half of the time. Politically he has been a life long Republican;
always takes a part in any county enterprise that favors the interest of the county, such as churches, schools, and all other public im- provements.
JOHN BLANK, hardware merchant; Ash- land; was born in Germany, Nov. 15, 1840; re- ceived his education in his native land, and as- sisted in a bakery until he was seventeen years of age, when he emigrated to America, and lo- cated at Quincy, Illinois, where he remained about five years, and during the time learned the trade of a tinner. In 1871 he removed to Ashland, and worked for a Mr. Cullum, whom he bought out, and continued the bus- iness upon his own account; at present his store is well stocked with the goods usually found in a hardware store and tinshop com- bined. He was married Nov. 25, 1867, to Almira Best, who was born in Cass County, June 19, 1850; she is the mother of four children: Leonia, Delia, Gertrude and John. Mrs. Blank is a daughter of Wilson J. and Nancy (Miller) Best. John Blank, Senior, was a native of Germany, a farmer by occu- pation, and died in 1864, aged sixty years. Christenia Blank, his wife, was also a native of Germany, and died in 1847, aged about fifty-two years; they had six children, of whom John was the youngest. Although he is a man not much interested in politics, his sympathies are with the Republican party.
ALONZO F. BURNHAM, physician and surgeon, Ashland ; was born in Mason Coun- ty, Ill. June 29, 1853; son of Henry C. and Angeline (Currier) Burnham. Henry C. Burnham, a farmer by occupation, was born at Hampton, Windham Co., Conn., Jan. 30, 1826, and has, since 1853, resided in Salt Creek Township, Mason Co., Ill. ; his wife
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was born at Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y., Dec. 16, 1825 ; they are the parents of seven children. The doctor received his primary education in the country schools, and after- ward attended an academy. after which he taught school and worked on the farm. At the age of twenty-two he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. P. Walker, of Mason City, Ill .; and attended the Rush Medical Col- lege three winter terms and one summer term, and graduated in 1878. He came to Ashland, April 3, 1878, and entered into partnership with Dr. John Walker; they practiced in company until October, 1880, when, on account of ill health, Dr. Walker retired from the practice of his profession, and Dr. Burnham has since practiced alone, meeting with good success. He was married Oct. 29, 1879, in Mason Co., Ill., to Emma Blunt, a native of that county, born Jan. 3, 1859, daughter of A. A. and Martha A. (Trail- or) Blunt ; he was born in Hart Co., Ky., Feb. 21, 1831 ; she was born in Springfield, Ill., June 23, 1831 ; from this union they have had one child, P. Garfield, born April 4, 1881, died Aug. 2, 1881. The doctor is a Republican and a member of the I. O. O. F., the K. of H. and the A. O. F.
JOHN BEGGS, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Ashland; was born in Morgan County, Illinois, Aug. 7, 1831. At the age of eighteen he began farming in Morgan County, where he remained until 1858, when he removed to his present place of residence, where he has since remained, engaged more or less exten- sively in farming and in stock-dealing. His large and commodious farm residence is one of the finest in the county. 'He has been identified with the Republican party since the days of the old line Whigs. He was mar- ried in Cass County, Dec. 18, 1855, to Miss Sai- lie Sinclair, daughter of Samuel and Malinda (Bird) Sinclair, natives of Kentucky, both de- ceased. Mrs. Beggs was born in Morgan
County, March 16, 1834. She is the mother of seven children, viz .: Emma, wife of Ed- ward C. Beggs, of Ashland; Anna, Charles S., John T., Nellie, Myra and Samuel WV. Charles Beggs, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Rockingham County, Va., Oct. 30, 17:5; he was a farmer by occu- pation, and was a noted politician at an early day, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention that framed the constitution of Indiana; he served several terms in the Leg- islature of Indiana, and was captain of cavalry in the war of 1812, and was in the engage- ment at Tippecanoe; his death occurred Oct. 21, 1869. His wife, Mary Ruddell, a native of Hardy Co., Va., was born April 28, 1790, and died Aug. 4, 1871. She was the mother of nine children, of whom John, the subject of the sketch was the youngest. Religiously, himself and wife are connected with the Methodist Church.
JOSEPH BOWERS, farmer, P. O. Aslıland, was born in Derbyshire, England, Nov. 26, 1816. His early life was spent in the cotton factories of England, and when twen- eight-years of age he emigrated to Amer- ica, and located at Philadelphia; in 1849 he moved to Cass County, Illinois, and took upon himself the duties of farm life; in 1858 he purchased a quarter section of wild prairie, upon which he now resides. He was married in Cass County, July 19, 1846. His wife, Hannah Gill, was born in Yorkshire, England, March 6, 1817; she has borne him seven children: Richard, a prominent young farmer, living near the homestead; James, in Denver, Colorado, speculating in mines; Mary A., wife of Wat Sinclair; Thomas, farmer, single, living at home; Jennie, wife of John Sinclair, living near home; William, a graduate of the Illinois College, at Jacksonville, a teacher by profession; Joseph, at home. Mrs. Bowers was a daughter of Richard and Betty (Hinch- cliff,) Gill, native of England, deceased.
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ASIILAND PRECINCT.
Joseph Bowers, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of England, a me- chanic by occupation; born March 4, 1790; died April 8, 1854. Betty Howe, his wife, was also a native of England; born August 1, 1793; died December 29, 1856; they were the parents of fifteen children, of whom only four are now living, and of whom Joseph is the third child. Mrs. Bowers is a Metho- dist, and Mr. Bowers has always been identi- fied with the Republican party.
JOHN L. DOUGLASS, retired blacksmith, Ashland; was born at Madison, Jefferson Co., Ind., June 3, 1823; son of Asahel and Jane (Kikindall) Douglass. Asahel, a native of Connecticut, was born May 19, 1791, and died Jan, 21, 1880; his wife, born in Pennsylva- nia, Nov. 6, 1802, died Nov. 28, 1879; they were the parents of eleven children; John L., when two years of age, went with his parents to Lexington, Ky., thence to Metcalfe Co., that State, where his youth was spent in assisting his father in his mercantile and trading interests. When about twenty years of age he began blacksmithing with his father, and after having learned the trade, came, in 1857, to Virginia, this county, and the fol- lowing year removed to Ashland, and pur- chased a shop which had been in operation but a few months. Here he continued in business until 1881. He served as magistrate one year, and is now performing the duties of that office, having been re-elected in the fall of 18SI. During the late war, he entered the service in Co. I, Ist I. V. I., under Capt. Jesse F. Newman, the regiment being commanded by Col. Charles Fox, and remained in service three years. In Adair Co., Ky., April 27, 1847, he married America E. Yates, born in Kentucky, May 31, 1831, daughter of Mel- ford and Catherine (Creels) Yates, natives of Adair Co., that State. From this union twelve children have been born, viz .: Melford A., John W. O., Jane C., Orrin A. (died July 12,
1858; was the first person who died in Aslı- land), Louan, Rebecca C., Luther H., Maud L., Maria O., Mary E., George T., and Reu- ben C. M . Donglass and wife are connected with the Methodist church; he has been an active member of the I. O. O. F., for a num- ber of years; was one of the charter members of Oak Lodge No. 341, at Ashland. He was originally an old line Whig, and is now a Republican.
WILLIAM S. DOUGLASS, retired car- penter, Ashland; was born in Lexington, Ky., July 1, 1827. Ife received an ordi- nary education, and at the age of 22, left home and engaged in farming for about nine years; then learned the carpenter trade, at which he worked till 1862, build- ing some of the first houses erected in Ash- land, and assisting in the erection of the princi- pal business blocks of the town. In Jackson- ville, Ill., Feb. 20, 1855, he married Mary Virginia Job, born in Morgan County, Ill., Dec. 14, 1830, who has borne him four children, viz .: Charles F., Grace, Helen and Willie T. Dur- ing the late war, Mr. Douglass enlisted in Co. D, 114th Ill. V. I., under Capt. Berry, the regiment being in command of Col. Judy, and served three years, and during that time par- ticipated in fourteen battles. Mr. Douglass retired from active life some time since, has been a member of the town board of Ash- land, and school director for twelve years; he is a Republican, and was formerly a member of the 1. O. O. F.
ALONZO S. FAY, Lawyer, Ashland, was born in Virginia, in October, 1852; son of Perry and Ellen (Rasenberger) Fay. Perry Fay, subject's father, was born in New York in 1814, came to Illinois in 1848, and taught school till 1854, when he started West, and has not since been heard of; his wife, born in the State of Virginia, in 1820, died at Princeton, Ill., in 1858, leaving two children, viz .: Alonzo S. and Luela (died in July, 1881.) Subject
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followed farming for a time; then entered the Asbury Institute of Indiana, where after pur- suing his studies in the classical course for six years, he graduated in June, 1879. He then entered the law office of Epler & Callon, in Jacksonville; and, after reading law there two years, was admitted to the Bar at Springfield, Ill., in November, 1881; then formed a part- nership with Hon. J. M. Epler, and located at Ashland, where he is engaged in the practice of his profession. He is a Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. F.
WATSON W. GAILEY, Physician, Ash- land, was born near Newcastle, Pa., July 19, 1842, of Scotch parentage, and claims an an- cestry running back to the House of Stuart; the grand maternal uncle of his mother, Elizabeth Stuart Macready, being none other than Charles Stuart, the Pretender; his father John Gailey, is a descendant of one of those gallant Highlanders who were banished from their native land, and took refuge in the North of Ireland. Our subject, after obtaining an ordinary education, at- tended medical lectures in Philadelphia. In 1862 he entered the medical service of the United States, and was assigned to duty in front of Richmond. After the close of the war, the Doctor traveled to some extent, but finally located in Morgan Co., Ill., at the little village of Prentice, which has so decreased since the rise of Ashland, that it is almost obliterated. He has a fine practice. April 13, 1865, he married Miss Luella E. Carson, daughter of John and Nancy Carson, who bore him two children, Ernest C., and Louis, both of whom are dead. Mrs. Watson also died July 19, 1868. In January, 1873, he married Miss Lizzie M. Sinclair, daughter of Samuel Sinclair (Virginia Sam). Four boys have blessed this last marriage: Byron, Dar- win Spencer, Eugene Paul and Marsh Draper, the last named being now dead. In 1877 the Doctor built a fine residence at Ashland,
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