USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 37
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He, however, was, for one year, a resident of Missouri. In 1868 he purchased a section of land, which he still retains, west and ad- joining the section upon which the village of Willey now stands. Since he has been a resident of this county, his principal business has been farmning, trading, and shipping stock, in which he has been quite successful. His residence in the county dates from 1852. He made his brother's residence, A. D. Bond, of Buckhart town- ship, his home while he was traveling in the clock business.
On the 15th of April, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth E. Hall. She was born in Sangamon county, Illinois. She is the eldest daughter of Dickson Hall, who was among the early settlers of Christian county. Four children have been born to them-two boys and two girls. Mrs. Bond is a member of the Presbyterian church.
In politics, Mr. Bond is an ardent republican. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1860, and from that time to the present, has acted and voted with the party of his first choice. He is among the prominent and representative men in this community, and has served his township in the capacity of supervisor for five successful terms. He was chairman of that body for several years. As an official he looked carefully after the interests of his county and locality, and was a prudent and pains-taking officer. In this community, where he has long resided, none are more respected for their worth as a man and citizen than Abner Bond. He is a member of the honorable order of A. F. & A. M.
N. DOUGLAS RICKS.
AMONG the pioneers and carly settlers of Christian county was W. S. Ricks, father of the present sketch. He settled in what is now known as Bear Creek township as early as 1835, four years prior to the organization of the county. Both branches of the Ricks' family are of English descent. Their ancestors came to America and settled in the Carolinas at a time anterior to the rev- olution. They took an active and prominent part in that memora- ble struggle for independence. The family subsequently removed to Kentucky, where Mr. Ricks was born. After he came to Illinois he engaged in farming. Upon the organization of the county he was elected its first sheriff. He also filled other important positions and represented this district in the State Legislature. He married Margaret Bond, a native of North Carolina. By this marriage there were eleven children, five of whom are still living. The sub- jert of this sketch is the youngest of the family. He was born in Bear Creek township, March 7th, 1846. His youth was passed upon the farm and in attending the schools of his neighborhood in the winter months. As he advanced to manhood he engaged in teaching school for a short time and clerking in a store. From 1864 to 1867 he was engaged in farming and in the stock business. In 1869 he commenced the Title Abstract business. In 1870, '71 and '72 he was Deputy Cirenit Clerk under his brother, John B. Ricks. During this time he acquired a knowledge and familiarity with the records of the county, which indneed him to adopt as a business the making of Title Abstracts. After a careful investigation of the different systems he concluded that W. A. Barnes's was the best, and accordingly adopted it and worked up a set of records upon that plan. The snecess which has attended him justifies the wisdom
of his choice. No more complete or reliable title abstraet records can be found anywhere. He soon after added the loan business and general conveyancing. In 1873 he was appointed Notary Public, and in 1877 was reappointed. On the 21st of December, 1865, he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of E. G. and Margaret Spencer, of Marion county, Missouri. Six children have been born to them, two of whom are living.
In politics Mr. Ricks is a sound democrat and in thoroughi ac- cord with the principles of his party. He is a respected member of the ancient and honorable order of A. F. and A. M. Mr. Ricks in his manners is an agreeable and courteous gentleman, of a genial disposition and very popular among the citizens of his county, where he has been long and favorably known. In May, 1880, he received the nomination for Circuit Clerk from the democratic party.
F. M. MINNIS
WAS born on section 1, town 13, range 3 west, Christian county, November 3, 1832. His father, James Minnis. was a native of Christian county, Ky. The family were originally from Louisi- ana. The Minnis family came to Christian county in 1828, and purchased land of Dr. Alex. Ralston in the section above named, and remained there until the death of the father in 1857. He married Hester Ann Outhouse. She was also a native of Christian county, Ky. She died in 1873. There were ten children, five boys and five girls-all of whom reached maturity. Nine are yet living. John R. enlisted as a soldier in the late war, and was a member of Co. "A" 115th regiment, Illinois Infantry. He died while the regiment was at Camp Butler, from a congestive chill and lack of proper medical treatment. The subject of this sketch is the fourth in the family. He attended the public or subscription schools of his neighborhood and received instruction in the connnon branches. His education was limited, yet he has been able to conduct business in a methodical way and in a systematic manner. He remained at home until he was nineteen years of age, when he hired to work on the farm for his neighbor, Joel Potts. He worked for him two years, when his father entered forty acres of land, the same upon which the resi- dence of Mr. Minnis now stands. He then purchased forty acres more adjoining, and gave it to F. M., who had the privilege of paying for it at the cost price, which he in the course of time was able to do. Ife commenced its improvement in 1853. During this time he still boarded with Mr. Potts. In 1855, he purchased sixty acres more, and to this he has added until now he owns a large tract, all of which is well improved and under good cultivation. On the 3d of December, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Jane George. Her father, John George, is a native of Virginia. He came with his father to this state while yet a youth. Mrs Minnis' mother's maiden name was Mary Ann Bohannon. She was a resident of Christian county at the time of her marriage. There have been nine children born to F. M. and Jane Minnis, eight of whom are living. John William, the oldest, died in infancy; Henry Oscar, Matilda Josephine, Mary Elizabeth, Alphens Sylvester, E.ldie Elbert, Thomas Theodore, Willie and Carrie May, are all yet at home. Mrs Minnis is a member of the Baptist church. In politics Mr. Minnis is a democrat, and cast his first vote for James Buchanan in 1856, since which time he has been a member of the party. He is not a politician only so far as to exercise , his right of suffrage. He has been assessor for his township several terms. Farming and stock-raising has been his principal occupation through life, except from 1875 to 1878, during which years he was engaged in the mill- ing business in Pana, Illinois. In the latter year he moved back to his farm, and has remained there to the present. Mr. Minnis
RESIDENCE AND STOCK FARM OF F. M. MINNIS, SEC. 6. T. 13, R. 2. ( TAYLORVILLE TP. ) CHRISTIAN CO ILL.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
has been a successful farmer, which is attributable to his industry, good business tact and manner of doing business. In the neighbor- hood, and whereever known, lie is regarded as an honest, upright and fair-dealing man whose word is as good as his bond.
GEORGE WAGONER.
THE subject of this sketeh is a native of Illinois. The Wagoner family came originally from Virginia, and were the pioneers of two States, viz: Ohio and Illinois. George Wagoner, the grandfather, was a native of Virginia. He was born February 24, 1779, and was a brave soldier in the war of 1812. He moved to Pennsylva- nia, where he married Juda Worstbaugh. She was born Novem- ber 29th, 1798, and died in Sangamon county, Illinois, January 3d, 1862. Mr. Wagoner moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, where he remained until 1821, when he brought his family to Illinois and settled in Sangamon county, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred Dec. 24th, 1863. There were eleven ehildren born to George and Juda Wagoner, ten of whom are still living. There are descended from them seventy-eight grandchildren that are now living. Ozias, the father of the present sketch, was born in Ohio, Mareh 12th, 1814. John Wagoner, the brother of Ozias and eldest son, was a soldier in the Black Hawk war. Ozias moved to Menard county, to a place two miles and a-half north of Peters- burg. He was a resident there during the years 1831, '32, and rceollects well the "Deep Snow." He afterwards came back to Saugamon county, where he continued farming until 1858, when he came to Christian county and settled in South Fork township, where he purchased land. Two years later he sold out and removed to Buckhart township, and remained there until 1874, when lie re- turued to Sangamon county, where he is at present. He married Rebecca Jane Shephard, February 16th, 1837. She was born September 17th, 1817. She was a sister of James Shephard, who was for a number of years assessor and collector of Springfield, but better known, however, for his connection with the carly jour- nalism of Illinois-a business in which he still continues in Iowa. Rebecca J. Wagoner died October 27th, 1847, while a resident of Menard county. On the 12th of February, 1848, Mr. Wagoner married Hannah Leonard. She was born February 16th, 1828, and still survives. By the latter marriage there are two children. By the first there were five. George is the eldest son by the first marriage. He was born in Sangamon county, January 12th, 1838. His education was obtained in the subscription schools of Sangamon and Menard counties. His mother dying while he was yet young, he was placed iu charge of his unele; then with Dr. Allen, of Peters- burg, with whom he remained several years ; he was then sent to Springfield, and lived with T. V. Owens, who was in the drug trade. He worked in the store, did chores, went to school during the winter months, and afterwards lived with H. P. Cone, who was in the livery business, and from there returned home, where he re- mained until the war broke out. On the 25th of June, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company B., afterwards a part of the 11th Missouri Regiment. The company was organized in Springfield, Illinois, but the quota of Illinois troops being full the company went to St. Louis and entered the State service for thirty days, after which they were regularly transferred to the United States service. For six months after their organizatiou they were known as the 1st Regiment Missouri Volunteers. Colonel Bayles was the first eolonel. He was afterwards dishonorably discharged from the service, and Captain Plummer was appointed colouel. He was suc- ceeded by Colonel Mower, of whom it may be said that no braver man ever breathed or displayed more dauntless courage in the face of foe than he. The regiment went to Cape Girardeau, and after-
wards joined Pope's Army of the Mississippi. It received its first baptism of fire at Fredericksburg, Missouri. It was brigaded with the 8th Wisconsin, 5th Minnesota, 47th Illinois regiments, and comprised and was known as the "Eagle Brigade," from the fact of the 8th Wisconsin having the famous live eagle known as " Old Abe," who accompanied the regiment in all of their marches and was present in every battle in which they were engaged. His shrill scream could be heard above the roar of cannon and din of musketry as he followed the fortunes of the brave command through many a hard-fought battle. While the regiment was under Pope's command they took part iu the fight at New Madrid and capture of Island No. 10, after which they went to Tiptonville to silence the batteries and keep the rebel gunboats from coming up the river. To this brigade was attached, for a long time, Spoors' 2d Iowa and Dees' 3d Michigan batteries. From Tiptouville the command was ordered to Fort Pillow. During their stay there the Shiloh battle occurred. They were ordered to proceed to Cairo, and from there up the Tennessee river to Shiloh, where Pope's entire army joined Halleck's forces. From there they went and fought the battle of Farmington, and then moved out and occupied the battle-ground, and threw up breastworks preparatory to the in- vestment of Corinth. The evacuation of the place occurred soon after, when the command went into camp for instruction, where they remained until September, when they were ordered to inter- cept the rebel forces under General Price. Then followed the battle of Iuka, after which they came back, and ou the 3d and 4th days of October fought the desperate battle kuown as the second battle of Corinth. In this fight the gallant 11th Missouri did heroic work and saved the army of Rosencrans from complete rout. But in order to do this mueh they were compelled, with the assistance of the batteries above named, to charge and drive back the entire rebel force. So terrific was their charge, and so galling and de- structive was their fire upon the rebel forces, that it threw them into confusiou, and, before they could recover, the 11th Missouri was upon them with fixed bayonets and charging and driving them back with irresistible force. After the battle of Corinth the com- mand went with General Grant to Oxford, Mississippi, and then baek to Lagrauge, Tennessee, where they went into winter quarters. In the spring, as soon as an advance movement was made, they went to Vicksburg and participated in the siege and capture of that place. During the investment of Vicksburg they were a part of the command under Colonel Mower that fought the battle of Jaek - son, Mississippi. The 11th Missouri was also in the disastrous charge on tlie 22d of May, 1863, when the assault was made on tl.e works at Vicksburg, in which they lost eighty men killed outriglit. After the surrender the regiment went to Blackwater, when Mr. Wagoner was appointed Division Wagon-Master. His wagons were soon after captured at Guntown by General Forrest, after which lie returned to the regiment, and participated in the battle of Tupalo, and soon after was discharged. His discharge dates August 17th, 1864. He then returned home and engaged in farming in Buek- hart township, in which he continued for three years, aud then re- moved to Taylorville township. On the 1st of February, 1874, lic came to Taylorville and purchased the livery, feed and sale stables, which he has operated in addition to farming until the present. On the 4th of January, 1865, he married Miss Rachel Honnold, of this county. She was raised in Springfield, Illinois. Six children have been born to them, all of whom are living. Their names are : Frederick A., Annie Laurie, Albert, Charles Edward, Frank and Minnie Wagoner. He has been a member of the republican party since 1860, when he cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. His wife is a member of the M. E. Church.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
We have thus briefly sketched Mr. Wagoner's life. He was a gallant and brave soldier, as were also other members of the family. Four of them enlisted, shouldered their muskets and fought for constitutional liberty and the perpetuation of the union. All honor to them for their heroic conduct in the defense of the right.
DR. JOSEPH H. CLARK .- (DECEASED).
WAS born in Christian county, Kentucky, April 6, 1819. James C., his father, was born in Virginia, and at an early age removed to South Carolina, and subsequently to Kentucky. The Clark family are an old one, and came from England prior to the Revolu- tionary war. Bolan Clark, the great-grandfather of Dr. Clark, held three commissions under king George. James C., the father, married Hannah Henderson. She was a native of South Carolina, and her father a native of Ireland. James C. Clark moved to Illinois in April, 1844, and settled in Taylorville township, and re- mained here until his death in November, 1875. His wife, and mother of this subject, died in August, 1845. Dr. J. H. is the third of a family of twelve children. He commenced the study of medicine in 1838-9, under the direction of Dr. T. P. Poole, of Christian county, Kentucky. He attended the Washington Medical College of Ohio, since removed to Cincinnati, and now known as the Eclectic Medical Institute of Ohio. IIe graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. He com- meneed the practice in his native county in 1842, and in 1844 came to Taylorville. He entered land in Johnson township with a view to following farming and abandoning medicine. He however kept medicine on hand and prescribed for his neighbors which ultimately increased into a regular practice. In 1856, he moved into Taylor- ville and opened an office in the court-house. He remained in the practice until his death, which occurred March 11, 1880. He married Lydia D. Hardy on the 10th day of November, 1840. She is a native of Christian county, Kentucky. Twelve children have been born to them, five of whom are living.
Lewis Hardy Clark, the third son, was born on the 29th of June, 1844. He attended the country schools and received a good educa- tion. He read medicine in his father's office and under his direction, and in January, 1867, he attended a course of lectures in the Eclectic Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio. He returned home and began the prac- tice in connection with his father. In October, 1867, he again entered the above-named institution, and graduated therefrom February 9, 1868, with the degree of M. D. In 1872, both he and his father became members of the State Eclectic Medical Society.
On the 29th of October, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Elenora Maxwell. She was born and raised in this county. Her parents were natives of Ohio. One child, a daughter, has been the fruit of this union. Her name is Waunita Clark. Dr. Lewis H. Clark is a respected and active member of the order of Knights of Pythias, an ancient order of united workmen. In the practice of his chosen profession, both he and his father have been very success- ful. His practice is large and lucrative, and constantly increasing. He is a very pleasing gentleman, with good address, and bears the character of an honorable man.
Dr. J. H., the father, during his life was a democrat in politics, and was frequently honored by his party in being placed in office. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1848, and afterwards elected Associate JJustice for the county. During his occupancy of the latter office, the present court-house was built, at a cost of $16,000. He was a warm-hearted, generous man, of a most kindly disposition and even temperament, and had many friends in the county.
WILLIAM T. MARTIN.
THE subject of the following sketch is a native of Cherokee county, Alabama, and was born June 11th, 1844. His father, John Martin, was a native of Ireland. He removed with his family to Georgia, where both parents died while William T. was yet in his infancy. At the age of fifteen years he commenced the trade of printing, at Rome, Georgia, and afterwards worked in an office in Atlanta, and was a resident of that place when the rebellion broke out. He was among the first to enter the service. He enlisted in April, 1861, in Company A, 8th Georgia Infantry, under the com- mand of Colonel Bartow. He was in the command that captured Rickett's Battery at the first battle of Bull Run. His regiment was attached to General Lee's army, and he participated in all the hard-fought battles in which Lee's army was engaged. The regi- ment was a part of Longstreet's corps. After the battle of Gettys- burg Longstreet's corps was sent to Tennessee, and there he parti- cipated in the battle of Chickamauga and siege of Knoxville. He was afterwards exchanged from the infantry to the cavalry service, and while in that arm of the service the command acted as an escort to General Forrest. On the 7th of September, 1864, he was detailed as bearer of dispatches to General Price, and was taken prisoner while crossing the Mississippi river. He was sent to Chicago, where he remained a prisoner of war until after the sur- render of Lee and close of the war. He had also been captured at the battle of Antietam, but was soon after paroled, joined his com- mand, and took part in the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was wounded twice; the first time in one of the battles before Rich- moud, and at Antietam. After his release in Chicago he went to Macon City, Macon county, Illinois, and remained there several months, then came to Taylorville, where he worked at the printing business. In 1866 he returned south, and stayed one summer, then came back to Taylorville. In 1867 he went south again, then back to Evansville, Indiana, then to St. Louis, and in 1870 came again to Taylorville, and in 1871 purchased the Democrat and continued its publication until January 1st, 1880. On the 3d of February, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Sima O., daughter of Hon. W. S. Moore, of Taylorville. By this marriage there is one child, a boy named Robert H. IIe is a member of the I. O. O. F., and takes an active part in the deliberations of that body. In politics he is a democrat, and adheres to the fortunes of that party. As a newspaper manager Mr. Martin demonstrated his ability to run a newspaper successfully. He is a writer of more than ordinary ability, and a gentleman who bears a most excellent character in the community.
WILLIAM C. HAINES
WAS born in Virginia September 21st, 1832. Isaae Haines, his father, was a native of the same state, and was a preacher of the M. E. Church and circuit rider. In 1836 he came to Sangamon county, Illinois. Here he rode a circuit embracing a large portion of this county. He died in 1838. He married Lucy C. Furgerson. Two children were born to them who lived to maturity. After the death of Mr. Haines, his wife married Col. Thomas S. Young, by whom there was one girl, now the wife of W. I. Woodruff. Lucy Ann, the only sister of W. C., is the wife of J. N. Clark, and is a resident of south-east Missouri.
The subject of this sketch, in 1839, removed with his mother to this county, where she afterwards married as above stated. His youth was spent upon the farm and in attending the schools of the county. In his twentieth year he, in company with five others, made the trip to California with ox-teams by the overland route.
RESIDENCE OF B. HEGLE, PANA, CHRISTIAN CO., ILL.
SATTELY 18.70
BRO'S
AGRICULTURAL
WORKS.
SATTELY BRO'S. MANUFACTURERS OF PLOWS HARROWS& CULTIVATORS TAYLORVILLE, ILL.
THE SATTELY SULKY PLOW.
SATTLEY BRO'S. MANUFACTURERS OF THE SATTELY SULKY PLOW DEALERS IN FARM MACHINERY & FIELD SEED S. TAYLORVILLE, ILL.
SATTELY BRO'S, AGRICULTURAL WORKS, TAYLORVILLE, ILLINOIS.
The Library of the University of Illinois.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
The party left here on the 27th of March, 1852, and arrived in the " Golden State" on the 21st of August of the same year. While in California he engaged in mining for the greater portion of his time, also in grain dealing, and for a while kept a hay-yard in Sacra- mento city. He returned via the Isthmus and New York, and ar- rived at home on the 7th of October, 1859.
On the 15th of December of the same year he married Miss Lucy Ellen, daughter of E. S. Young, who was one of the early settlers, and the first County Clerk of Christian county. She died Decem- ber 14th, 1865. Two children are the fruits of this marriage, one of whom is living. Her name is Dora E. On the 1st of January, 1867, he married Miss Maggie E. Hancock, a native of Henderson county, Kentucky. Six children have been born to them, four of whom are living, and are yet at home. Their names are Dora E., Belle, William C., Irene, Eugene. Two died; their names were Maud E., who died in infancy, and Clarence W., who died in his fiftlı year.
Mr. Haines, after his return from California, engaged in farming, at which he continued until 1877, when he was appointed constable, and continued in that office and position until February, 1880. In 1878 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Clark, which office he held until Mr. Clark's death, when he was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to fill the vacancy, and is now Sheriff of the county of Christian. He has always been a democrat, and east his first presidential vote for James Buchanan in 1856, and since that time has been a stanch and consistent member of the party.
Mr. Haines, as will be seen, is one of the early settlers and pio- necrs of Christian county. He came here when this section of the state was young and undeveloped. He cheerfully bore his portion of the hardships and privations incident to the carly settlement of Illinois, and has lived to see what was then a barren and unin- habited wilderness grow to be one of the finest agricultural districts in central Illinois, and the landscape dotted over with the happy homes of hundreds of husbandmen. In his present official capacity he brings to the office a thorough knowledge of the duties thereto appertaining, and a large and extended acquaintance throughout the county. In the management of the office he is a prudent, care- ful and fearless officer, and the exceution of the laws will be care- fully attended to. He enjoys in a large degree the estcem and con- fidence of the citizens of Christian county.
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