USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 40
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In 1867 he removed to Pana and engaged in the hardware trade, at which he continued with success until 1870, when he entered the brokerage business, and soon after engaged in private banking in connection with Henry N. Schuyler, Esq. The partnership eon- tinued until 1875, when he retired from the bank in order to give his attention to his farms and other business which had beeome large, and required careful personal supervision. He also took charge of the St. James' Hotel, a valuable business property belong- ing to him. We may add that under Col. Hayward's judicious
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
and vigorous management the " St. James " has gained an enviable reputation as a first-class hotel. An exterior and interior view of this splendid hostelry ean be seen on another page of this work. Perhaps, however, that which has given Col. Hayward's name the widest notoriety is his connection with the show business-" Col. Hayward's Minstrels," "Col. Hayward's Cireus and Show Combi- nation " are well known in the amusement world. His connection with the show business commenced about 1871, and sinee that time he has eatered with excellent taste to the amusement of the people of the West. His love for the drama and desire to please the people of Pana, indueed him to arrange and fit up a superb Opera House, and furnish it throughout with elegant furniture, and every con- venience for the accommodation of the public, and also arranged the stage and made it of such proportions that the standard operas, dramas and spectacular plays could be produced here as well as upon the stages in metropolitan cities. An interior view of this elegant opera house can be seen on another page. In polities Col. Hayward is a staneh and reliable republican. His first presi- dential vote was cast for Gen. U. S. Grant, and all subsequent elec- tions have found him true to his first impressions and teachings in the school of politics. He is fearless in the defense of his ideas, as was sufficiently attested in the election that followed the enfran- chisement of the negro, under the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution. The conferring of the privilege of franchise, and the exercise of the right of suffrage by the negro, was exceedingly un- popular with a large majority of the citizens of Pana and vicinity, so much so, that an organized force was present at the polls to prevent it, but notwithstanding this foree, Col. Hayward demanded that they should be allowed to vote, and should be protected in the exercise of their rights, and defied the mob to prevent the colored citizens of Pana from depositing their ballots in the box. In the face of the mob, and under his protection, the first ballot ever east in Pana by a negro was safely deposited in the ballot box, and counted the same as any other American citizen. His bold stand for the right under such circumstances made him hosts of friends, and demonstrated his nerve and pluck, and love of fair play. In order that the republican party might have a more effective organization in this section of the State, he, in January, 1880, purchased the Argus, a democratic newspaper, and converted it into an exponent of republican principles. He fitted up the office at considerable ex- pense, with new type, steam presses, material, and the modern im- provements, and also introduced measures which infused into it a spirit of enterprise that rapidly brought it up, until now it is recog- nized as the ablest and most influential newspaper in this Congres- sional District.
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In 1875 the organization of the Illinois National Guards began. Col. Hayward was solicited to organize a company, which he did, and was elected captain. The State then organized the companies into regiments. Upon this organization Mr. Hayward was elected Colonel of the 5th Regiment National Guards, a position he filled with honor to himself and credit to the State.
He is an honorable member of the ancient order of Free Mason- ry, and has acceptably filled various offices in that order. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F.
On the 3d of October, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Flora M. Rood, She was born in Springfield, Mass., but was a resi- dent of Illinois since 1853; her father, E. D. Rood, is now a resi- dent of Milwaukee, Wis. This marriage has been blessed with four children, three of whom are living, all girls, and exceedingly bright and beautiful children ; their names are : Annie, Lora, and Ione Hayward. In conclusion, Col. Hayward is a kind-hearted man, full of generous impulses, and ever ready to lend a helping
hand, and help others over the rough and rugged places that beset life's pathway. He is a genial, pleasant man of good address and easy conversational powers, and bears about him the impress of a gentleman. In all his dealings he is honorable and honest. This is his reputation wherever known.
LOUIS SCHLIERBACH.
AMONG the prominent German citizens of Pana, none deserve more special mention than the subject of this sketeh. He was born in the Northern part of Prussia on the 4th of September, 1831. Louis Schlierbach, his father, married Sophia Bucksemsehute. There were three children born to them, two boys and one girl. The subject of this sketch is the eldest in the family. He received a good education in the excellent schools of his native land. After he came to America he attended day school for six months, and night school for two years. He landed in New York on the 28th of June, 1849. At first found work on a farm, and then tried gardening for a short time, neither of which he found pleasant or profitable. He then went to harness-making-a trade that he had learned in his father's shop, while yet a resident in his native land. Worked at his trade in New York city for five years, and then went into the grocery business, in which line he continued for five months. The business not proving remunerative, he went back to harness making, and has continued at it, with slight interruption, ever since. His father and family came to America in 1855, and in 1856 they came with our subject to Illinois and stopped in St. Louis, and from there went to Marine in Madison county, where they stayed six months, and then came to Pana. Here the mother of Louis died in 1864, and the father in 1878. While Louis was a resident of Madison county he opened a small shop, but there was no business. He therefore concluded to come to Pana, which had only been laid out a few years but there was a prospect of its becoming a business place in due time. When he first came to Pana he hired a carpenter to build him a house in which to open his trade; but there was little to do there in his line, and he therefore did whatever eame in his way, and labored at anything that offered until he could get work in his shop.
The country soon began to fill up. Farms were opened, land was tilled, and the wheels of commerce began to move, and soon there was a demand for harness. He stuck to the shop, and, metaphori- cally speaking, the shop stuck by him. He has made it a success, the result of understanding his business, being industrious and economical.
On the 15th of Sept., 1858, he married Louisa Bucksemschiute. She died Ang. 12th, 1860. On the 15th of Sept., 1863, he married Minnie, sister of his first wife. By this marriage there have been four children, two boys and two girls. Theodore Louis, the eldest son, is now a student in the Evangelical Lutheran College, near Chicago. Louisa, Henrietta and Frederick are yet beneath the parental roof. In politics Mr. Schlierbach has always been a de- mocrat. He has taken quite an active part in the local polities of lis town, and has represented his ward in the City Council. In all these offices he gave entire satisfaction to his numerous friends. He is a member of the ancient and honorable order of Free Mason- ry, and is both a Blue Lodge and Chapter member. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. S., and his wife are members of the Evangelieal Lutheran Church. Mr. Sehlierbach is one of the worthy citizens of Pana. He came here while the city was yet in its infancy. He has seen it grow from a few straggling cabins to be one of the commercial points and business places of Central Illinois, and, it may be said to his credit, that in all these years he has maintained his standing as a good citizen.
The Library of the University of Illinois.
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INTERIOR VIEWS OF ST.JAMES HOTEL, OPERA HOUSE & ARGUS PRINTING OFFICE. THEPROPERTY OF COL. J . A. HAYWARD, PANA, ILL. CAPACITY OF ST.JAMES HOTEL 70 ROOMS INCLUDING BATH ROOMS AND ALL MODERN CONVENIENCES: HAYWARD'S OPERA HOUSE CAPACITY 813, GAS,TWO FURNACES, FULLSET OF SCENERY, WITH GREEN ROOM, DRESSING ROOMS, PROPERTY ROOM, & ALL ATTACHES.
The Library of the Untvaraity of Illinois.
The Library of the University of Illinois.
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STOCK FARM AND RES . OF J. W. AUSTIN, SEC. 35, T. 12, R.I, E.(PANA TP.,) CHRISTIAN CO., ILLINOIS.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
N. N.SNYDER.
JESSE W. AUSTIN.
H.M.SNYDER.
MRS. MARY AUSTIN.
AMONG the substantial farmers and leading agriculturists of Chris- tian county stands the name of the gentleman who heads this sketch. He is a native of Hamilton county, Indiana. The ancestry of the Austin family is of English extraction. His father, George Austin, was born in Vermont in 1806. When in his twentieth year he came west and settled in Ohio, in the southern part of the state: this was in 1826. Two years later he moved to Hamilton county, Indiana, and engaged in farming, remaining there until 1832, when he came to Illinois, and settled in the south-eastern part of St. Clair county, where he followed farming until 1875, when he removed to Randolph county, where he at present resides, a hale, hearty man of over three-score years and ten. His occupation through life has been that of a farmer, in which he has been very successful. He married Polly Wright, who was also a native of Vermont. There were eleven children born to them-four sons and seven daughters. Seven of the children are still living.
Jesse W. is the third in the family, and was born September 19th 1832, in Hamilton county, Indiana. He was yet in his infancy when his parents moved to St. Clair county, Illinois, and is there- fore practically an Illinoisian,-his infancy, youth and manhood, having been passed in this state. Like most farmer-boys, he worked on the farm in the summer season and attended the schools in the winter months. His life was thus passed until he reached his eighteenth year, when he practically started out in life for him- self. At that age he went to St. Louis, where he remained for three
years, a portion of the time at work upon a farm and the balance in a livery-stable. Then he went to Cairo, Ill., where he remained nearly two years at work in a saw-mill, after which he returned home to St. Clair county and purchased a threshing machine, and in connection with his brother did threshing for the farmers in his neighborhood. Two years later he purchased land, and went to farming.
On March 19th, 1860, he married Miss Mary Miles, who is a native of St. Clair county, and whose parents were from the state of New York.
Mr. Austin continued farming in St. Clair county until March, 1867, when he sold out, and in April following came to Christian county and bought 160 acres of land in Sec. 35, T. 12, R. 1 E., and commenced its cultivation and improvement, upon which he built a house. In 1875 he added 240 acres to it, and the same fall he erected a large and commodious farm-house, barn and out-houses, a view of which can be scen on another page, and there he resides in comfort and enjoyment.
When he first came to Christian county and purchased the land, it was raw, unbroken prairie, and from this stage it has passed into a magnificent farm, and ranks as one of the best improved in the township and county. There is no less than six miles of hedge- fence, all of which is in fine, healthy condition, and kept trimmed in such a way as to render it ornamental and useful.
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As will be seen by a perusal of the foregoing, Mr. Austin's life has been principally passed upon a farm. He has made farming the chief occupation and business of his life, and it is not necessary for us to add that in this pursuit he has been successful. The fine farm, well improved, and well stocked with choice cattle, is an indication that success has crowned his efforts. He also has the proud consciousness that it has been the accumulation of his own toil and good management. He owes it to no freak of fortune or good luck, but to his own personal efforts, assisted by his excel- lent wife and helpmate.
In politics he was formerly a democrat, and cast his first vote for James Buchanan in 1856, and the second for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860. After the breaking out of the war he arrayed himself on the side of freedom and human rights, and from that time to the present he has been an ardent and warm supporter of republican principles.
He is not a member of any church organization, nor subscriber to any of the formulated or ritualistic creeds ; but he honestly be- lieves in " doing unto others as you would have others do unto you," and thinks that if this idea was lived up to the millennium would not be so far distant. He is a member of the honorable order of I. O. O. F.
In his marriage he has been happily blessed with four children- three sons and one daughter. Their names are Alonzo, William, Amy, and Owen Austin.
The foregoing is a brief biographical sketch of one of the most substantial farmers and best citizens of Christian county. In the district he is regarded as an honest, honorable and upright friend and neighbor. He is public-spirited, kind and hospitable; and in his home extends a friendly hand of welcome to all who come within its circle.
JOHN H. DAWDY.
THE Dawdy family are natives of Kentucky. David Dawdy, the father of John H., was taken to Tennessee while young, and grew to manhood in that state. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was in Gen. Coffee's division, under the command of Gen. Jackson. After the war, or in 1816, he came to the territory of Illinois, and settled in what is now known as Hamilton county. He remained there until 1822, when he returned to Tennessee, and re- mained there until 1827, when he moved to Shelby county, to a place four miles north of Shelbyville, where he died in 1852. He married Nancy Tindall, a native of Augusta, Georgia, who died three months after her husband. By this union there were ten children, five of whom have survived the parents.
John 11. Dawdy is the fourth in the family, and was born in Hamilton county, Illinois, near MeLeansboro, March 6th, 1820. His education, such as it was, was received in log school-houses with dirt-floors, and greased skins for windows. The teachers, if they turned up sober on Monday morning, made reasonably good in- structors for the remainder of the week. This was the pioneer era of the state. The school system of those days was crude, and the methods employed for imparting knowledge, if possible, cruder still. John 11. had therefore to content himself with but a slight knowledge of the rudimentary principles. He worked upon the farm until he became of age, when he commenced trading in horses, in which he continued for some time. He rode as Deputy- sheriff and farmed until 1819, when he discontinued farming, and gave all his time to the deputy business until 1854. He then en- gaged in merchandizing in Shelbyville, and continued there until the spring of 1856, when he came to Pana, and continued the busi- ness there until the latter part of 1858. In 1856 he was elected
Associate Justice for the county for the term of four years. At the expiration of his office he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has held that office ever since, with the exception of four years.
On the 25th of January, 1844, he married Miss Jane Frazier. She was born in Kentucky, but was raised in Shelby county, Ill., where she was living at the time of her marriage. There have been two children born to them, both boys. Their names are William H., who is a lawyer in Greenville, Bond county, and Charles, who is a clerk in Greenville.
Judge Dawdy is a democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for James K. Polk in 1844. During the war he was a Douglass democrat and a strong union man.
Both he and his wife and children are members of the Christian church, of which he has been a member for thirty years.
He is a strong advocate of temperance, and has always opposed the granting of license. He is a worthy citizen, and is much respected wherever known.
JAMES C. ESSICK.
THE subject of this sketch is a native of Chester county, Pa., and was born October 18, 1844. His father, James H. Essick, removed with his family to Shelby county, Illinois, in 1858, and engaged in farming until 1865, when he came to Pana, Christian county, where he died in Deeember of the same year. His wife, and mother of James C., still lives and resides with the subject of this sketch. James C. is the third in a family of six children, five of whom are still living. He was educated in the common and select schools of his native State, and Illinois. Having determined to follow the profession of law, he spent his leisure hours in reading and studying the standard text-books. He afterwards entered the law office of J. C. MeQuigg, and there pursued his studies for two years. He was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1870, and immediately en- gaged in the practice in which he has been very successful. Soon after his admission to the bar he was choosen corporation counsel for the town of Pana. He has been for a number of years past, and is now, local attorney for the Ohio and Mississippi Railway Company, also for the Indianapolis and St. Louis Railway Company. Has a lucrative practice, and ranks as one of the best lawyers in his county. He is a Republican in politics, and upon the temperance question is a prohibitionist. Mr. E., and his wife are active mem- bers of the M. E. Church. He takes an active part in the Sunday- school work, and has been for six years and is now superintendent. On the 4th of August, 1874, he was married to Miss Maggie C. Newell. She was born and raised in Canada. Her parents, Alfred and Harriet Newell, are natives of Yorkshire, England. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Essick, a girl and a boy -named Mary Emma and Charles AAlfred, aged respectively four and two years. In his manners Mr. Essick is a pleasant, courteous gentleman, plain and unassuming, and has many friends in Chris- tian county.
WILLIAM M. SMITH.
THE subject of the following brief biographical sketch was born in Virginia, August 2, 1834. His father, William D. Smith, was a native of the same state. He emigrated to Illinois in 1858, and settled in Montgomery county, where he still resides. William M. came to Christian county in 1856, and taught school on Bear creek in the years 1858-9, at what was then known as the " Upper School- House." The directors were : T. Leigh, J. Halcy and G. W. White. On the 27th of December, 1859, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Mccollum. Her parents were natives of
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FARM RES OF H.G. CONDER, SEC. 12, T.II, R.I,E. (PANA TP) CHRISTIAN CO., ILLINOIS,
" PLEASANT MOUND" THE DAIRY FARM OF C.W.SIBLEY, SEC.6, T. II, R. I, E, (PANA TP,) CHRISTIAN CO., ILL.
The Library of the Untversity of illinois
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Kentucky, but cmigrated to Illinois while Mrs. Smith was yet in her infancy. The McCollum family were the first settlers on Bear creek except the Durbins. Robert C. McCollum, her father, died while she was yet a child. There have been four children born to W. H. and Mary J. Smith. Their names are: Robert A. who is a druggist in Owaneco, this county, Jeannette A., Mary and W. Frank Smith.
Mr. Smith is one of the old settlers of Christian county. When he came here the country was young and unimproved. He has lived to sce it grow and prosper, and become one of the best counties in the state.
WILLIAM H. NEWCOMB.
THE subject of this biographical sketch was born on the 12th of February, 1841, in Montgomery county, Illinois. IIis father, William A. Newcomb, was born in Prince George's county, Virginia. He came to this state soon after it was admitted to the Union, and was known as " Major " Newcomb from having held a commission as Major in the State Militia, under Governor Reynolds. Was a carpenter, joiner and cabinet-maker by trade. Hc subsequently abandoned these trades, engaged in farming, and afterward in mercantile pursuits. When he came to Illinois he was possessed of little means with a large family depending upon him for support. He went resolutely to work and succeeded through good management and industry in making him and them comforta- ble, and above the wants and dangers of penury. Althoughi success- ful in life, yet he met with severe losses, which at the time threatened to sweep away the accumulation and toil of years. He remained in Montgomery county until 1864, when he moved to Pana, where he remained until his death in 1876. He married Ann Armbrister. She was born in Wythe county, Va. She died in Pana, in 1874. Nine children were born to them, six of whom have survived the parents. William H. is the seventh in the family. He remained at home until his cightcenth year, when he commenced traveling for an Insurance Company. Soon after he was engaged in farming, in which he continued for two years, then went west and stopped in Colorado for one year, where he became a miner. He then went to Montana Territory, and engaged in similar pursuits. He re- mained there until the fall of 1866, and was ordinarily successful. He made money and met with reverses,-losing at one time as much as ten thousand dollars, which was his entire fortune. Nothing daunted, however, he cominenced at the bottom and carefully and laboriously toiled up again. He returned to Pana in 1866, and in the spring of 1867 in connection with his brother Thomas J., engaged in the grocery and provision trade. This partnership lasted one year, when he formed a partnership with his father, which continued until the latter's death in 1876. Since that time his elder brother, J. W., has been his partner. As will be seen, Mr. Newcomb is among the oldest merchants in Pana, and one who has always borne an honorable name, and been recognized as one of the public-spirited and enterprising merchants of the place. On the 13th of August, 1871, he married Elvira Corley. She was born and raised in Shelby county, Illinois. Four children have blessed this union, two of whom are living. Their names are Myrta and Clinton Newcomb.
His wife is a member of the M. E. Church. Hc is an active member of the I. O. O. F., and the Royal Templars of Temperance. In politics he is an active and stanch democrat, and has been from the casting of his first vote to the present time. In 1878, he was honored by being elected Mayor of the city, and while in that office discharged the duties in a manner highly satisfactory to his numer- ous friends. As a man and a citizen, Mr. Newcomb is much respected.
DR. GEORGE W. PATTON.
THE Patton family were originally from England, from which they were driven by persecution to take up their residence in France. The branch from which the present family spring, subse- quently settled in the north of Ireland. William Patton, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Ireland, or in Pennsylva- nia soon after the arrival of the family in this country-the exact place of his birth is not known. He was engaged during his life in merchandizing, manufacturing, and subsequently in contracting and building public works. He built railroads and canals in the east, and several of the western states. His last work was building a portion of the Illinois Central railroad. He lived in Pittsburg, Sandusky, Ohio, Chicago, and moved to Pana about 1851, and died there in 1854. His family still remain there, and are among the early settlers of that section of the state and county. He married Martha Scott, by whom he had ten children. Dr. George W. is the sixth in the family. He was born in Armstrong county, Penn- sylvania, April 15th, 1840. He received a liberal education in the schools of Allegheny, Pa., Sandusky, Ohio, and after the family came to Illinois, he attended one term of school in Springfield, after which he returned to Pittsburgh and entered Scovill's College, where he remained two years. During all this time he read the standard text books upon medicine and anatomy. While in Pennsylvania he received private instruction in the knowledge of medicine. He came back to Pana and entered the office of Dr. R. G. Norris, with whom he remained four years, and then commenced the practice. In 1864 he attended lectures in the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, and in the winter of 1876 entered Bellvue Hospital Medical College, at New York, and graduated therefrom in the spring of 1868. He returned to Pana, and has continued the practice to the present time.
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