USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 38
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SAMUEL II. MOSSLER.
THE subject of this sketch was born in the province of Pone- rania, on the coast of the Baltic Sea, in the kingdom of Prussia. The date of his birthi was November 26th, 1845. He is the third in a family of five children living, and received a liberal education in the sehools of his native land. His elder brother, Louis, came to America in 1859. and settled in Fort Wayne. Samuel followed him in 1863, and also came to the same place, where he remained a short time, when he went to Indianapolis and stayed there two years. In 1866 he came to Illinois, and stopped in Hillsboro, Mont- gomery county, where he remained until 1870, when he came to Taylorville, where he lias resided up to the present. In all of these years, or since his early youth, he has been engaged in merchandiz- ing : it has been the business of his life. When he came to Taylor- ville he purchased the interest of the elder Goldstein. The clothing- house of Goldstein Bros. was established as early as 1866. The partnership of Goldstein & Mossler continued until February, 1877, when it was dissolved, and Mr. Mossler has continued the business alone up to the present. The clothing-house of Mr. Mossler is the oldest in Taylorville, and since its first establishment bears the
reputation of having the largest stock of the best selected goods, and selling upon margins that has seeured to it a large patronage, which is constantly increasing as the merits of the house become known.
As a business man, Mr. Mossler early recognized the fact that to establish a trade and enjoy the entire confidence of the community, it was necessary to cater to the wants of the people and supply them with goods at such prices and terms as were at once reasonable and honorable. This is the secret of his success.
Mr. Mossler is a member of the honorable order of Freemasonry, and also a member of the I. O. O. F. and encampment. At present he is District Instructor in Odd Fellowship. In politics he gives his support to the democratic party.
On the second of March, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Eva Cohen, of Chicago.
JOHN G. DRENNAN.
THIS young and brilliant attorney was born in Caldwell county, Kentucky, December 3d, 1854. His father, John L. Drennan, was of Irish, and his mother, Henrietta (Wimberly), of French and German descent. Their earlier ancestors came from the old country to the Carolinas, thence to Virginia and Kentucky. The most of them were by occupation farmers. The family removed from Ken- tucky to Illinois in the fall of 1856, and settled at Mt. Auburn, in Christian county, near where they now reside on the old home- farm, where the subject of our sketch spent his earlier years.
John is the third child and son of a family of fourteen children, all of whom are still living. His education was obtained in the common schools, where, by his diligence and industry, he qualified himself for teaching at the age of seventeen, which occupation he followed during the winter months, and continued to work for his father on the farm during the summer until of age.
On the 15th of March, 1876, he entered the law office of Hon. John B. Jones, of Taylorville, and began the study of law, which he pursucd with energy and zeal, and was licensed to practice by the Supreme Court of the state, December 3d, 1878. In a most thorough written examination, our subject acquitted himself with unusual credit, receiving the highest grade in a class of seventeen applicants. On the first day of January, 1879, he was appointed Master in Chancery of Christian county by Hon. H. M. Vandeveer, one of the Judges of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which position he still fills with credit. About the same time he formed a law part- nership with his preceptor, Mr. Jones, which has, to all appearances; proved both agreeable and profitable to both parties. Mr. Drennan is yet young in his profession, though his success so far has been quite flattering. He has a preference for criminal law, in which, at this early period, he has manifested considerable taet and skill. He is studious in his habits and prompt in business matters.
Politically he is an earnest worker in the democratic party.
He is a man of pleasing address, frank and open, though firm in his convictions of right. Quick, logical and resolute, possessing excellent qualities for combining forces. With these united, together with good executive ability, we predict for him an honorable and successful career.
A. L. CLARK (DECEASED),
WAS born in Christian county, Kentucky, May 22, 1827. He came to Illinois about the year 1843. When he first came to the county, he worked for Dr. J. H. Clark. He afterward was deputy sheriff and constable. On the 19th of October, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Young, daughter of Col Thos. S. Young, an old set-
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
tler and prominent citizen of Christian county. By this union, there were eight children, five of whom are living. After Mr. Clark's marriage he continued deputy sheriff for two years, after which he went to farming. One year later he moved to Texas, and remained there for two and a half years. The elimate in that state not proving healthful to him, he returned to Christian county, and purchased a farm on Bear creek, and re-engaged in cultivating the soil. During his residence in the township, he was a prominent man, and took an active part in local affairs, and was elected asses- sor and collector for five or six terms. In 1878 he received the nomination for the office of sheriff, and was elected in the following November. He then moved to Taylorville, and entered upon his term of office. In his physical make-up, Mr. Clark was not a stout, rugged man, and from this cause was unable to do much work upon a farm, but he was possessed of an indomitable will and ambition, and this sustained and kept him up. In December, 1879, he con- traeted typhoid pneumonia during the sitting of the circuit court. He was slowly recovering from the attack, when a complication of diseases set in, and after a lingering and painful illness of about two months, he died February 1st, 1880. Even at his death he was in full possession of all his mental faculties, and gave unmis- takable evidence of his firm belief in a future life, and the immor- tality of the soul. He was a man who enjoyed the entire confidenee and esteem of the people in the community where he lived. He was a respected member of the order of Odd Fellows, and was followed to his grave by the members, who paid the last tribute to his memory and worth as a man.
CAPTAIN S. MCKNIGHT.
THE subject of this biographical sketch was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, January 6th, 1844. His parents were natives of Virginia, and emigrated to Illinois about the year 1830, settling in Greenfield, Greene county, Ill. They subsequently rc- moved to Seottville, in Maeoupin county, and in 1859, to Girard, Macoupin county. His mother died in April, 1864, at the age of sixty-four years ; his father died in April, 1868, at the age of seventy-two years.
Captain Mcknight is the youngest of a family of ten children, nine of whom are now living. He received a common sehool education in the schools of his native county. At the age of seventeen years, he entered a dry-goods store in Girard as clerk, and filled that position until August, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company II., One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Infantry Regiment, Colonel John I. Rinaker commanding. The Regiment organized at Camp Palmer, Carlinville, and private McKnight was elected First Sergeant of his Company. The Regiment was soon after ordered to the front, and remained in active service until the close of the war. He participated in every engagement of the Regiment during its three years' active service. On the 31st of December, 1862, he was promoted, and commissioned Second Lieutenant of his Company, vice Lieutenant Bristow, killed in battle at Parker's Cross Roads, in Tennessee. He served a short time as aid-de-camp on the Staff of Colonel Mereer, of the Ninth Illinois Infantry, commanding a brigade in General Dodge's Division, 16th Army Corps, but was relieved at his own request, and rejoined his regiment at Paducah, Kentucky, in the spring of 1864. Soon after his arrival at Paducah, he was appointed Assistant Inspector General on the Staff of Colonel S. G. Hicks, commanding the Post, which position he filled until after the assault on Fort Anderson at Paducah, March 24th, by the Confederate forces, under the command of General Forrest. At
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this battle, after the first repulse of the Confederates, he was sent out by Colonel Hicks with a flag of truce to mect a Confederate Staff officer coming in with a flag of truce, bearing a demand from General Forrest for the unconditional surrender of the Fort and Federal forces, which demand was promptly refused by the gallant old Colonel, S. G. Hieks, after which the Confederates made two more fierce and determined, but unsuccessful assaults on the Fort, suffering a loss of about one thousand killed and wounded. Colonel Hicks, in his official report of this engagement, makes special mention of the efficient and gallant services of Lieutenant McKnight.
He was soon after appointed Provost Marshal of the city of Paducah, which position he filled until June, 1864, when his regiment was ordered to Memphis, Tennessee, to join the forecs under General A. J. Smith. He served with his company until December, when at Nashville, Tennessee, he was appointed Aid-de- camp on the Staff of Brevet Major General Kenner Garrard, commanding the Second Division of the 16th Army Corps, and in that capacity participated in the battles of Nashville, on the 15th and 16th of December, 1864, when the Federal forces, under General George H. Thomas, defeated and annihilated Hood's army. He remained on the staff of General Garrard until the close of the war, and was breveted captain by the President for " gallant and meritorious conduet during the campaign against the City of Mo- bile and its defences."
After he was mustered out of the service in August, 1865, he re- turned to Girard, Macoupin county, and engaged in the dry-goods business. On the 15th day of May, 1866, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Virginia A., eldest daughter of B. Boggess, Esq., an old and prominent citizen of Girard, Ills. Three children have hallowed and blessed this union, two of whom are living, Emma Pearl and Robert Wade, aged respectively ten and six years. In 1870 he removed to Taylorville, where he has continued in the dry- goods and carpet trade up to the present time.
On the formation of the Illinois National Guards, under the mili- tia laws of the state, he assisted in organizing a military company in Taylorville, known as the Taylorville Guards, company B, 5th regiment, and was elected first lieutenant, and in August, 1877, was cleeted and commissioned eaptain, rice Vandeveer promoted, and in July, 1879, resigned to accept a commission as captain and in- spcetor of rifle praetiee, which position he now holds.
IIc is a republican in polities, and east his first Presidential vote for Gen. U. S. Grant in 1868, and since that time has adhered to the fortunes and principles of that political organization. Since his residence here he has been twiee elected President of the Board of Trustees of Taylorville.
Captain MeKnight, in his intercourse with men, is a kind, genial, sociable gentleman, and an enterprising, honorable business man, and as such, is esteemed by the entire community.
DR. A. L. PERRY.
THE Perry family, on the paternal side, arc of Seoteh ancestry. They came to America about the year 1798, and settled in North Carolina, subsequently removed to Kentucky, and at a later date, to Tennessee. John Perry, father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of North Carolina. He married Anna Thompson. By this union there were ten children, seven of whom are living. Dr. A. L. is the youngest of the family. He was born October 22, 1853. He received a good education in the schools of his native state. When nineteen years of age he entered the Grove Academy and received an academic education. He then commenced the
The Library of the University of Illinois
O & Nash SNYDER
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
study of medicine, under Dr. Woodard, of Springfield, Robertson county, Tennessee. After making suitable progress, he entered the inedieal department of the Vanderbilt University, at Nashville. He remained there through the terin, and then returned to Dr. Woodard's office, where he continued pursuing his studies until September, 1876, when he entered Bellevue Hospital Medical Col- legc, at New York, and graduated therefrom April 1st, 1878, with the degree of M. D. He stayed there until June of the same year, and took private instruction in the wards of Bellevue Hospital under the tuition of Prof. E. G. Janeway, a noted and promi- nent physician of New York City. During the time he was attending the medical college he was also receiving private instruc- tion from competent teachers.
In September, 1878, he came to Taylorville and commenced the practice of his profession, where he remains to the present. Dr. Perry is as yet upon the threshold of his professional life, but the prospects are bright for his attaining prominence in his chosen prc- fession. He early recognized that he who would attain eminence in the medical science, must be prepared to give his best thoughts, individual time, and whole energy to the work. Although he has had a thorough training in the best medical schools in the country, he realizes that he has entered upon a life-long study, and is therc- fore a student yet. We predict for him more than passing success. Personally and socially, Dr. Perry possesses rare qualities, and by his upright and manly life, while a resident of Taylorville, has won an honorable name and endeared himself to a large circle of friends.
ORRIN S. NASH.
THE Nash family are natives of Massachusetts, and are of English descent. Robert S. Nash, the father of the subject of this sketch, early engaged in the cultivation of the soil-a business in which he has continued for the greater portion of his life. Iu 1856 he came west and stopped for three years in Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin. In 1859, he removed his family and settled in Buckhart township, Christian county, Illinois. IIc farmed in that township until a few years
ago, and at present resides in the village of Sharpsburg, in this county.
He married Joanah Packard. By this union there were five children-three boys and two girls. Both girls are dead ; one died in infancy and the other was grown to womanhood, and at the time of her death was the wife of J. C. Nerberger. The names of those living are Orrin S., Robert and Edwin C. Nash.
Orrin S. is the eldest of the family. He was born in Franklin, Massachusetts, April 3d, 1843. He received an excellent educa- tion in the schools of his native state and in Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin. After the arrival of the family in Illinois, his school days practically ended. At the age of twenty-two, he commenced farming in Taylorville township. Two years later he took another farm in section 5 of the same township, where he has continued to the present time.
On the 23d of November, 1868, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Rachel S. Miner. Her maiden name was Shepardson. She was a native of Massachusetts, but was a resident of Brattleboro, Vermont, at the time of her marriage. She died June 6th, 1877, while on a visit east, where she had gone to be present at the " Golden Wedding" of her parents. There were two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Nash, viz: Edwin H. and May Lillian. The latter died in infancy.
In 1874, Mr. Nash was appointed agent for the Springfield and South-Eastern railroad, now the Ohio and Mississippi railway, at Sharpsburg, which position he still retaius. At the same date, he commenced trading and stock: shipping and grain buying, and from that time to the present he has been the business life of his village. He handles large quantities of grain and ships many car loads of live stock during the course of the year.
In politics, he is a republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1864. Mr. Nash belongs to the wide- awake, enterprising business men. He is active and energetic, quick to decide, and unchangeable in his decisions when once ma- tured. In all his business transactions and relations, he is regarded and known as an entirely trustworthy, honest and honorable inan.
TOWNSHIP AND CITY OF PANA.
HIS township was originally called "Stone Coal Pre- cinct," and was a part of Shelby county until the organization of Christian, in 1839, when it was included within the bounds of the new county.
The precinct was formed June 5, 1845, by the county commis- sioners' court, and was bounded as follows : "Beginning at the S. E. corner of the county, thence west nine miles to the middle of range one west ; then north six miles; thence east nine miles to the place of beginning." It included 54 sections, and took in "Bell's Grove." It derived its name from a small stream coursing through it, called Coal creek. Along its banks, stone coal is found outcropping in limited quantities.
The name was changed to that of Pana Township, Sept. 2, 1856,
on the petition of Mason French, and thirty other legal voters, pre- sented to the county court by Milan S. Beckwith.
The township is situated in the extreme south-east corner of the county, and comprises the whole of Township 11 North, Range 1 East.
It lies in latitude thirty-nine and a half degrees north, and in al- titude two hundred feet above the waters of the Illinois river. The dividing ridge, which causes the water to flow either to the Illinois or Kaskaskia rivers, lies between Pana and Taylorville.
The waters of this section of the county gravitate towards and empty into the Kaskaskia, a tributary of the Mississippi river. Lake Fork, Coal creek, and two or three small streams take their rise in this township and flow to the Kaskaskia river.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
The surface is a beautiful prairie; some parts, particularly the north-west, slightly undulating.
The soil is a rich, black loam, and highly productive. There are 30,720 acres of land in the township, as organized, and almost every acre susceptible of cultivation. It is estimated at the present time that from 700,000 to 800,000 bushels of grain, including corn, oats and wheat, are annually produced.
There are three railroads passing through the township, all of which intersect at Paua. The Illinois Central R. R. runs in a north- ern directiou ; the Springfield division of O. & M. R. R. enters it in the north-west corner and crosses in a south-east direction ; and tlie I. & St. L. R. R. passes through the center from east to west.
With eighteen or twenty miles of railroad, all connected with important lines, and a soil rich and productive, Paua township lias the elements for sustaining a large population.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
The first settlers of "Stone Coal Precinct " were as follows: Jared Malin, Abram Milligan and Thomas Bell, who came in 1839 ; Henry H. Bond, Andrew Hanson, Levi Hopson and Alfred Hop- son in 1840; Beujamin Girdon and John Abbott, in 1841 ; Joseph Edwards, James Edwards and William Pryce, iu 1846. Ignatius Butler and John Hanson also came at an early date
The first election was held at the house of Andrew Hanson, Aug. 2, 1845. Andrew Hanson, Thomas Bell, and Abram Milligan, were chosen first judges of the election. There were five voters in " Bell's Grove," residents of T. 1 west, who were attached to this precinct, making in all nineteen votes cast at the first election. Before the organization of the precinct, in 1845, the inhabitants voted at Taylorville.
Mr. Pryce acted as deputy tax collector in this precinct in 1845, and the whole amount of tax that year amounted to $7.60.
The first marriages were Wm. Pryce to Mary Jane Edwards, Feb. 15, 1844; and Win. Buzan to Jane Gordon, Sept. 1st, 1845, by Rev. Miles H. Abbott.
A notable event of that early day was the locating of a county road, from Taylorville to "Stone Coal Precinct." By this move- ment fraternal relations were established between this section and the county seat. Joseph Elwards, Andrew Hanson, and Wm. Hammer were appointed Commissioners at the September term of the county court in 1846. They viewed and located the road in November of the same year. It was surveyed by county surveyor William A. Goodrich, and Wm. Pryce and Henry H. Bond acted as chairmen. The survey began near the south-east corner of the county, and was run in a direct line to Taylorville, only making the head of Locust creek timber a point in the route. After its establishment, a furrow was run to mark more definitely the sur- vey and to guide the traveler over the wide uninhabited prairie.
"Stone Coal " post-office was established in 1854, and Milan S. Beckwith was appointed the first post-master. It was first located close to the Central railroad, below Pana, in Beckwith's store shanty, in which was kept a small stock of store goods, which was subsequently moved to Pana.
In 1848, Henry H. Bond, Jacob Hanson and Ignatius Butler were elected its first school trustees. At the first enumeration of children under the school law, there were only eighteen ; but with the advent of railroads in 1854, the population rapidly increased, and a further census of the children in 1856 exhibits the formation of three school districts, viz: No. 1 had eighteen; No. 2, 118, and No. 3, 116, making a total of 256. The number of districts have since increased to more than double, and all have neat, comfortable, and well furnished school-houses.
At one period in the history of this township, an effort was made to secede from Christian, and re-attach itself to Shelby county. This movement, however, was made before the days of railroads, or the existence of Pana; at a time when miles of unsettled territory intervened between it and the county-seat; and when indiffer- ence seemed to characterize the movement as to whether they went or stayed, as was manifested by the vote. But the inhabitants moved with a determined will in order to effect their purposes. A majority of the legal voters petitioned the legislature to pass an en- abliug act to aid in the transfer of township eleven, one east, from Christian to Shelby county. The act was passed February 15, 1851, directing an election to be held in the two counties on the first Monday of July, of the same year, to vote for or against the measure.
In Christian County, for secession, 17 votes.
Against, 220
In Shelby County, for receiving it, 109 6
Against, 3
The following are the first land entries in this township as shown on the county records : Jan. 6, 1836, D. S. and J. Greenough, W. half of N. W. quarter, section 24, eighty acres ; Jan. 23, 1836, J. S. Hayward and C Holmes, Jr., W. half of S. E. quarter, section 34, eighty acres ; Feb. 3, 1836, J. Black and J. B. Stapp, lot 1, S. W. quarter, section 30, eighty acres; lot 1, S. W. quarter, section 19, cighty acres, and lot 2, S. W. quarter, section 19, 115 16-100 acres.
CITY OF PANA .*
The city of Pana is situated near the center of T. 11 N. R. 1 E., on sections 15, 16, 21 and 22. It is the junction of the Indianapolis & St. Louis, Illinois Central, and Springfield division of the Ohio and Mississippi railroads.
'The history of this city dates back to the building of the Illinois Central railroad through this township in 1853-54. It was sur- veyed by C. A. Manners, for David A. Neal, at that time president of the I. C. R. R. company. The plat was recorded January 16, 1855. Additional plats were made the following year by P. C. Huggins, then in the interest of the Alton & Terre Haute road, and also by John S. Hayward, the owner of large landed interests in the town- ship.
The trains first began running on the I. C. R. R., March 24th, 1855, and it was not long after that the A. & T. II. R. R. was com- pleted and in operation as far as Pana.
During the construction of the Illinois Central railroad there was a cabin erected. There seems to be a difference of opinion as to who moved the next building here, whether it was M. S. Beck- with or D. Kincaid. Each of them had shanties moved to this point, and were the first merchants. However, we are inclined to think that M. S. Beckwith was first to move his shanty here, which was in 1874, from Beck's creek or "Stone Coal" post office. Mr. Beckwith kept in it a small stock of general store goods, and was also post-master. Kincaid and French had a small house, on wheels, which stood at the foot of the knoll in front of the freight house, in which they soll groceries, whisky, etc. They subse- quently erected a store-house north of the Walsh-Beckwith build- ing, and opened a more complete stock of goods. E. P. Sanders built and opened a store, south of the old Beckwith house corner ; Michael Walsh, A. G. Neel and Huggins and Edwards also built and opened stores in their respective order. M. S. Beekwith bought out Walsh, and in June, 1856, Major Little bought out Beckwith ;
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