USA > Illinois > Cass County > History of Cass county, Illinois > Part 38
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where he resides. He has a very extensive practice, and always keeps fully up to the front in advanced medical and surgical prac- tice. He is a republican in politics and religion, meaning by the latter that he ac- knowledges the good in all churches.
LEWIS C. HEWITT, Farmer, P. O. Ashland, was born at Cape Newtown, New Jersey, May 22, 1849. At the age of 27 years he left home and began working as a farmer, Jocating in Cass Co., Ill., where he has since remained, engaged more or less extensively in farming. In 1877 be removed to his pres- ent place of residence, located three miles west of Ashland. His farm consists of 400 acres of choice rolling land, all under a high state of cultivation. He deals, to quite an ex- tent, in stock of all kinds. He was married at Virginia, Cass Co., January 4, 1876, to Miss Alice Long, who was born in Cass Co., Oct. 25, 1858. She is the mother of three child- ren, viz., Jessie, Allie, and Lewis. Mrs. Hewitt was a daughter of Jesse and Maria (Grisby) Long, both deceased. Thomas Hew- itt, the father of Lewis, who was born in New Jersey, was one of the early settlers of Menard Co., and still follows the occupation of a farmer; he was born in 1823. His wife, Abigail Hand, also a native of New Jer- sey, died in, or about, 1858, aged about thirty- four years. She was the mother of four chil- dren, of whom Lewis was the eldest. Po- litically, he has always been identified with the Democratic party.
SAMUEL L. HAMILTON, grain dealer, Ashland, a son of Charles B. and Sarah Claphan (Lucket) Hamilton, was born in Loudoun County, Va., Dec. 17, 1835. Charles B. Ham- ilton, subject's father, a native of Virginia, a farmer and merchant, died in 1864, aged 56 years; his wife, also a native of Virginia, is still living, and is about 73 years of age; of their nine children our subject is the third. Samuel L., in 1870 engaged in the mercantile business
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in Mason County, Ill., and after remaining there three years, removed his business to Ashland, his family accompanying him. In 1880, he sold out the mercantile business, and gave his attention to the grain and stock trade, but at present is engaged in grain dealing only. In May, 1870, he married Eleanor, daughter of Samuel Sinclair; she was born January 23, 1839, and died December 1, 1881, leaving five children, viz .: Charles S., Maud, Samuel S., Lloyd L. and Sarah E. Mr. Ham- ilton served three years and three months in the late war; he enlisted in Co. "F," 19th Ill. Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Allerd, Col. Scott commanding the regiment. During his army service he received an injury which laid him up for nearly two years. He is a Republican, and a member of the I. O. O. F.
WILLIAM M. JONES was born in the State of Indiana, County of Tippecanoe, on July 31, 1826, and came within four miles of where Ashland now is, in the spring of 1847; has seen, where Ashland now stands, growing in wild prairie grass, and has seen it also in a farm, growing grain, and now sees it in a beautiful little town. Commenced the prac- tice of law in 1857, was admitted to the bar as an attorney to practice law by the Supreme Court of the State, on October 20, 1871; came to the village of Ashland in the spring of 1870. Never studied law in attorney's office, except his own. Never was in college a day in his life; came here as soon as he was dis- charged from the Mexican war at Newport Barracks, Kentucky, and was mustered out at New Orleans. He also served in the late war for the suppression of the rebellion. He was a private in Co. D, 26th Ill. Infantry, and was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, and discharged at Springfield, Illinois. He was wounded in Mexico, and carried the bullet for thirty-six years, and then had it taken out, and yet he has received no pension, for he has never asked Uncle Sam for any help.
THOMAS B. LATOUCHE, merchant, Ash- land, was born in St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 8, 1852. At an early age he was employed in assisting his father in the mercantile business, and afterward clerked in Mason County. In 1875 he went to Ashland, and clerked for S. L. Hamilton until the fall of 1880, when he pur- chased the business from Mr. Hamilton, where he has continued since. His trade, already large, has steadily increased, until now he has the satisfaction of conducting one of the largest business interests at Ashland. He was married in Mason County, May 30, 1875, to Miss Capitola Dengler, who was born in Bath, Mason County, June 17, 1859. She is the mother of three children, viz .: Arthur, Myrtle, and an infant. Mrs. LaTouche was a daughter of George and Catharine Dengler, natives of Pennsylvania, still living. The father of our subject, John LaTouche, was born in Canada, was a merchant, and died in the army in 1861, aged about 35 years. His wife, Emila McClintock, was a native of New York State, and is still living, aged about 40 years, wife of Bernard Donlin. By her first husband she gave birth to three children, of whom Thomas was the eldest child. He has held the offices in the village of Ashland, of Clerk, Treasurer, and President of the town board. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party.
FRANK LOHMANN, farmer and brick- maker, P. O. Ashland, was born Dec. 3, 1834, in Germany, of which country his parents, Frank and Elizabeth (Burns) Lohmann were natives. Mr. Lohmann, Sr., our subject's father, died of cholera, Nov. 1, 1850, aged about 62 years; his wife died in 1865, aged also about 62 years. Frank, the youngest of a family of five children, received an aca- demic education in his native land, and assist- ed his father in the coal and salt business, and in running a boat. At the age of sixteen he began learning the bakery and brewing trade,
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and in May, 1855, came to America and located at Wheeling, W. Va; in March, 18:5, came to Ashland, and in 1876, started a brickyard, where he still carries on the brick-making business, and in addition is also engaged in farming. He had the misfortune to be burnt out once, with a loss of $3,500, but has since erected several brick blocks at Ashland, and has done much to make the town what it is. At Dixon, Lee Co., Ills., he married Dina Pahl, a native of Germany, born May 27, 1836; died in 1869. His second wife, whom he married June 26, 1876, is Artilicia D. Clark, a native of Menard Co., Ill., born in 1844. He has five children, viz .: Joseph B., Frank, Lewis, Sophia and Bertie. Mr. Loh- mann is a member of the Town Board, and of the County Central Democratic Committee; while at Beardstown he held the office of Supervisor. He is a Democrat, and a niem- ber of the A. F. and A. M., and Knights of Honor.
GEORGE M. LEITCH, painter, Ashland; was born in Lenawa County, Mich., July 11, 1852. At 14 years he engaged to learn the trade of coach painter, at which he worked in various places many years. Went to New Orleans, and was one of the force that frescoed the St. Charles Opera House. Upon his re- turn from the South he took a trip through Canada, frescoing churches, etc. Returning to the States, he eventually settled in Ashland, this county, where he has since remained, en- gaged in painting, graining and frescoing. He was married in Ashland July 24, 1877, to Miss Louisa A. Douglass, who was born to John L. and Ellen (Yates) Doug.ass, in 1860. She is the mother of two children, viz .: John W., born Oct. 10, 1881; Estella, Nov. 22, 1879. William M. Leitch, the father of our subject, was born in Huron County, Ohio, in 1816, a retired contractor and builder, liv- ing at Blissfield, Michigan. His wife, Emily S. Randall, born near Biddeford, Maine, in
about 1821, died Oct. 10, 1881. She was the mother of five children, of whom George, our subject was the third child. He has al- ways taken more or less interest in the politi- cal issues of the times, and his sympathies are with the Democratic party. His father and one brother were in Company C, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, and one brother, Captain of Company K, Eleventh Infantry.
ALFRED E. MICK was born in Tippe- canoe County, Ind., Dec. 22, 1837 His father, Daniel Mick, was born in Ross County, Ohio, and his mother in North Carolina. In an early day they left their native States, and located in Indiana, where they were married in the year 1836, locating on a farm in Tippe- canoe County. His mother died in April, 1851, and his father in September, 1822. They had nine children, five boys and four girls. After a preparatory course of study at Shawnee Academy, he entered Wabash Col- lege at Crawfordsville, Indiana, and two years later attended Asbury University at Green- castle, Indiana. In 1859 he left his native State, and located in Petersburg, Menard County, Ill., and was elected county surveyor in 1864, and filled the position until 1869. During President Johnson's administration he was appointed postmaster at Petersburg. Mr. Mick was elected county clerk in Novem- ber, 1869. During this time he was licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of the State, following that profession until 1827, when he purchased the Petersburg D. mocrat. In 1881 he published the Petersburg Re- publican, continuing until January, ISS2. In March of this year he established the Sentinel, which he is now publishing at Ash- land, Illinois. On April 15, 1865, he was married to Mary E., the daughter of Milo and Elizabeth A. Wood ; she was born in Morgan County, Ill., April 29, 1833. Milo Wood was a native of North Carolina, born May 23, 1795, and Elizabeth A. Wood was born in
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Tennessee Jan. 11, 1797; they emigrated to Illinois in the year 1820. Mollie O., Leslie P. and Claude W., constitute the children of Mr. Mick's family, now living. He was raised under the influence of the Methodist Church, but as yet has not become identified with any religious denomination. Mary E., his wife, has been a member of the Presby- terian Church for more than thirty years. In his political convictions Mr. Mick has al- ways been identified with the Democratic party. He is an Odd Fellow of fifteen years standing, and was one of the charter members that assisted in establishing Charity Encamp- inent at Petersburg, Illinois, about ten years ago.
NELSON A. NEWMAN, grocer, Ashland ; was born near Meredosia, Morgan Co., Ill., July 30, 1848. In addition to the common schools, he attended for a short time the Illinois College at Jacksonville, and Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Indiana. In 1871 he be- gan dealing in stock in St. Louis; is now en- gaged in keeping a first-class grocery. He was married at St. Louis, June 23, 1880, to Miss Louisa J. Rogerson, who has borne one child, Mildred, born May 15, 1881. Mrs. Newman is a daughter of Thomas Rogerson, a native of England, now living at St. Louis. Jesse T. Newman, the father of Nelson, was born in Marietta, Ohio, in 1824; followed different occupations, but principally mer- chandising. His death occurred July ?, 1881. His wife, Esther Jane Gillham, was born in Scott County, Ill .; she is the mother of nine children, of whom Nelson was the oldest. Politically he is identified with the Republi- can party; his wife is connected with the Presbyterian Church. The father of our sub- ject served as Lieutenant Colonel in the One Hundred and First Ill. Vol. Inft., organ- ized at Jacksonville.
JOHN G. PEARN, teacher, Ashland; was born in Beardstown, Cass County, Oct.
3, 1855, son of William and Mary (Mutton) Pearn, both natives of England, he being a farmer, and dead, she still living; they had five children. Our subject was educated at Lincoln University and McKendree College. March 30, 1880, he was married to Miss Annie Cunningham, born in Lebanon, Illinois, in 1858, daughter of R. F. and Mary (Risley) Cunningham. Mr. Pearn has been teaching school six years. He is an Odd Fellow and a Republican.
WILLIAM W. REDMAN, Postmaster, Ashland; was born in Logan County, Ky. Aug. 16, 1820, and was brought to Morgan County, Ill., when five years of age. At the age of seventeen years he moved with his parents to Van Buren County, Iowa, where he assisted his father upon his farm until he reached the age of twenty-one years, at which time he began farming for himself, and re- mained in Iowa until 1851, when he went to California, where he remained about five years engaged in mining. He then returned to Jacksonville, Ill., where he remained three years. In 1860 he came to Ashland and en- gaged in the drug business, afterward spend- ing three years upon a farm; in 1871 he was appointed deputy Postmaster, and in 18:4 was made Postmaster, which office he still holds. He was married Oct. 7, 1845, to Miss Nancy J. Rucker, who was born in Kentucky, in 1825; she is the mother of five children: Ra- banus, Carrie C., Lester L., Lua, and an infant not named, the two latter deceased. Mrs. Red- man was a daughter of John Rucker, a native of Kentucky, deceased. Solomon Redman, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, in 1794; a farmer by occupation; his death oc- curred in 1849. His wife, Rebecca Williams, was also a native of Kentucky, born in 1800, died in 1870; she was the mother of nine chil- dren, of whom William was the oldest. Him self and wife are members of the M. E. Church. Politically he is a Republican.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
REV. EDWIN B. RANDLE, clergyman, Ashland; was born in Madison Co., Ill., Dec. 15, 1852, to William S. and Sarah (Hans- barger) Randle; he was born in North Caro- lina, and was brought to Illinois by his parents when a child; a lawyer by profession, but conducts a farm also; now resides iu Chris- tian County. His wife, Sarah, is a native of Kentucky, and came to Illinois when she was about eighteen years old; she is still living, and is the mother of seven children, of whom our subject is the oldest. At the age of eighteen years, he began teaching, and continued in that occupation six years. In the fall of 1878, he joined the Methodist Conference at Jack- sonville, having preached one and a half years previously. His first pastoral charge was at Irving, Montgomery County, where he re- mained two and a half years, and then remov- ed to Harristown, Macon County, where he remained two years, and in the fall of 1881, came to Ashland, where he now has charge of the Aslıland Circuit. He was married at Har- ristown, Ill., Aug. 25, 1881, to Miss Mary Stookey, who was born at Bloomington, Ill., in August, 1856, to Daniel and Caroline (Goodner) Stookey, natives of St. Clair Co., Ill., and both still living. Mr. Randle has been an active member of the I. O. O. F. for several years. He acts as correspondent for the Christain Advocate, the church paper of the denomination in whose interest he so zeal- ously works, and his letters and contributions are able, interesting, and full of the love and grace of the Master, in whose footsteps he endeavors to tread.
JOHN L. REILEY, station agent, Ash- land; only child of Alfred T. and Mary (Lee) Reiley, was born in Howard County, Ind., Dec. 28, 1861. Alfred T., the father of our subject, is a farmer, and was born in Rush County, Ind., in 1829; his wife, a native of Tipton County, Ind., died Dec. 31, 1861, aged twenty-two years. Jolın L., after receiving
an ordinary education in Clay County, Ill., learned telegraphy in Isola, Ind., and, when a thoroughly proficient operator, took charge of the telegraph office at Farmingdale, Ill., where he remained thirteen months, then re- moved to Jeffersonville and stayed one and a-half years, after which he took charge of the station at Ashland, where he has since remained. At Jeffersonville, Ind., June 29, 1880, he married Flora B. Caddy, who was born in Allen County, Ohio, in September, 1862, who has borne him one child, Ethel, born Sept. 23, 1881. Mrs. Reiley is a daugh- ter of Charles and Anna (Straley) Caddy. Mr. Reiley owns a good village property, con- sisting of a house and two lots; himself and wife are members of the Methodist Church; he is a Democrat.
GEORGE M. RANDALL, clerk, Ashland; was born in Vienna, Scott County, Ind., April 21, 1856. His father, George W. Ran- dall, who followed the occupation of a farmer, was born in New Albany, Ind., in 1826, and died June 2, 1876. His mother, Mary J. Swope, who is still living, was born in Spencer County, Ky., in 1828; of her nine children, George M. is the fifth. He received a good education in the High School at Vienna, Ind., and having fitted himself for a teacher, taught school in Scott County, Ind., for some time; he afterwards taught in Cass County for six years. He has been engaged in his present business, clerking, in the employ of T. La Touche, for about three months. In Scott County, Ind., July 15, 1876, he married Jem- ima Whitson, a native of that county; born November 28, 1854, daughter of Lorenzo D. and Jemima (Collins) Whitson, both natives of Clark County, Ind., he, still living; she dead. From this union three children have been born, viz .: Linneaus, Olvia and Nor- man. Mr. Randall is a Republican.
SAMUEL, SINCLAIR, deceased, son of John and Rachael Sinclair, was born in Ten-
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nessee, July 17, 1808. After a residence of a few years in Kentucky, the family moved to Illinois, and finally settled on a farm some eight miles northeast of the city of Jackson- ville, in a settlement yet known under the name of Hebron, where they located in 1835. Here the heads of the family died, the mother in 1844, and the father in 1850. They were both consistent members of the M. E. Church. When about 22 years old, he married Miss Melinda Bird, by whom he had one daughter, Mrs. Sally (John) Beggs. This wife died in 1837. Oct. 22, 1845, Mr. Sinclair was married to Mrs. Myra A. Williams, relict of Page A. Williams, and daughter of John and Eliza- beth Rucker. Of this union there were born four children: Mrs. Elizabeth (Warner) Cow- ell, of Vernon Co., Mo. ; Samuel W .; Mrs. Mary T. (Leni) Leatherton, and William O. Mrs. Sinclair raised three children by her first husband, viz .: John, Ellen and Newton. Mrs. Sinclair's parents were natives of Virginia. Mr. Sinclair, immediately after his second mar- riage, moved to Apple Hill, Cass County, where he remained about eight years, when he sold his farm and moved to Panther Grove, Cass Co., where he bought 800 acres of very fine land. He died May 8, 1868. He was a member of the M. E. Church. He had the reputation of being a good citizen-honest, upright, temperate, and patriotic, and a kind, indulgent, affectionate husband and father. He made a specialty of fine cattle and hogs. The Sinclair family are of Scotch descent. Mrs. Sinclair is a native of Kentucky. She is a member of the M. E. Church. She had seven brothers and sisters, raised to maturity, viz .: Presley, Eliza, Sedonia, Elizabeth, Sarah, Greenberry, and Nancy. The homestead farm is now managed by William O., who was born June 19, 1855. His education was com- pleted in a high school, since which time he has been engaged in general agricultural busi- ness, and handling a large amount of stock.
He was married in Sangamon County, March 16, 1866, to Miss Eva Tomlin, daughter of Edward and Myra (Rucker) Tomlin, born July 20, 1855. They have one boy, Carl, born Jan. 31, 1877. Mrs. Sinclair is a con- sistent member of the M. E. Church. Politi- cally Mr. Sinclair is a strong Republican.
SAMUEL SINCLAIR, farmer, P. O. Ash- land; is a native of Loudoun County, Va., son of George Sinclair, a man of remarkable pru- dence and judgment, who brought up his family with great care. Our subject came to Morgan County June 8, 1-33, an anniversary of his birth, and entered 280 acres of land with a portion of $400, that he brought with him, afterward adding 40 acres more, making just one-half of a section. This land lies eight miles north-east of Jacksonville, near the little village of Sinclair, named in honor of our subject. After securing the land, he re- turned to Virginia, Loudoun County, and Oct. 28, 1834, married Miss Euphemia Craven, daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth (Shepherd) Craven, from which union there were born nine children: George, Ellen, Peter Akers, Virginia, Henry Clay, May and James, twins, Ruth and John. Mrs. Sinclair died April 23, 1861; she had been for many years a devout member of the Methodist Church, and a lady of many lovable qualities. October 21, 1863, Mr. Sinclair married Miss Dolly Beggs, daughter of Charles and Mary (Rudale) Beggs; and two children have blessed this second marriage: Emma Lou, and Maggie. The Sinclairs are of Scotch lineage, and trace their ancestry back to the famous Clan-Sin- clair, confreres of the Douglass and other noted Highlanders. George died 1850. Mr. Sinclair is a Christian gentleman, and has been a strong Union man, having given three sons to the cause during the late war. He owns 887 acres of splendid land, which is un- der a high state of cultivation, and contains all the modern improvements in farm appliances.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WILLIAM SYBRANT, farmer; P. O. Ashland; was born Jan. 11, 1823, in Wash- ington County, N. Y., of which county his parents, Samuel and Lydia (Robinson) Sybrant, were natives. Samuel, who followed the occupation of a farmer, died in 1859, aged seventy years; his wife is also deceased; they were the parents of seven children, our subject being the fifth. William, on attain- ing his majority, hired out as a farm hand, and, after having made some money, bought his first property in Crawford County, Pa. He came to this county in 1865, where he has since been engaged in farming; he owns 130 acres of land, on which he raises the usual grain crops. In Crawford County, Pa., in September, 1844, he married Sally Bassett, a native of Massachusetts, born June 25, 1823, daughter of Rufus and Mrs. (Colfax) Bassett, natives of Rhode Island (both deceased) and from this union one child has been born, viz .: Parmelia, wife of Joseph D. Turner. Mr. and Mrs. Sybrant are ,members of the Christian Church; he is a Democrat.
JOSEPH D. TURNER, farmer, Ashland; was born in England, Nov. 16, 1836; eldest child of a family of seven, of whom four are now living, born to John and Juliet (Dale) Turner, natives of England, and both
still living; he, a farmer, and also a mechanic, born in August, 1810, now residing in Henry County, Ills .; she, born in 1811. Joseph D., came to America with his parents, when he was but two years of age; attended school in Scott County, Ills., and came to Cass County, in 1856, where he has since resided, with the exception of the time he served in the army. At the age of 20 years he began learning the blacksmith trade, at which he worked twelve years. In this county, October 1, 1865, he married Pamelia Sybrant, born iu Pennsyl- vania, Ang. 5, 1845, daughter of William and Sarah (Bissett) Sybrant, both still living; he, a native or New York; she, of Vermont; from this union two children have been born, viz .: Ella Louisa and Mary Juliet. Mr. Tur- ner, during the late war, enlisted in Co. K., 33d Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. C. E. Lippincott, the regiment being com - manded by Col. Havey, and remained in ser- vice three years and two months. After leav- ing the army he engaged in farming, which occupation he has since pursued. He owns 156 acres of land on which he raises consider- able stock, as well as the usual crops. Mr. Turner is an adherent of the Republican party. His wife is a member of the Christian Church.
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ARENZVILLE PRECINCT.
ARENZVILLE PRECINCT.
WILLIAM F. ARENZ, druggist, Arenz- ville; was born in Arenzville, Jan. 3, 1860; son of Peter and Mary L. (Baerholdt) Arenz; parents of two children; he, deceased; she, still living. (A full sketch of Peter Arenz, subject's father, will be found in the historical portion of this work.) The subject of this sketch re- ceived his primary education in Arenzville, afterward finishing at Jacksonville, III., and engaged in the drug business in Arenzville, where he has since followed that business. He is a Democrat.
PETER ARENZ, harness maker, Arenzville; was born in Arenzville, Oct. 5, 1862, and is a brother of William Arenz, whose sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this work. His education was received chiefly in Arenzville; he also at- tended the Jacksonville Business College for some time. He began learning the harness maker's trade in Arenzville with Edward Heinz and has since followed that occupation there.
E. E. BEARD, farmer, P. O., Arenzville; was born in Augusta County, Va., Sept. 3, 1848, and is a son of John C. and Mary A. (Bates) Beard, natives of Virginia. John C. Beard, who was a farmer, died in March, 1881; his wife is still living; they had thirteen chil- dren. The subject of this sketch received his education in this precinct, where he began life as a farmer, and where he has since pur- sued that occupation. He married, in this county, Oct. 7, 1875, Julia Berry, a native of Jersey County, Ill., and daughter of David and Hannah Berry. Mr. and Mrs. Beard are the parents of three children: Clarence A., Grace, and John E. Mr. Beard is a member of Arenzville Lodge No. 481, I. O. O. F .; in politics he is a Democrat. His father came to this county twenty-seven years ago.
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