USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 41
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On the 21st of December, 1871, he married Miss Amie Brown, of Christian county, Ills. By this union there have been three children, two of whom are living. Their names are George Gordon and Cora Ethel. Mary Maud died in infancy.
In politics, Dr. Patton is a republican. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and belongs to the Blue Lodge and Chapter. He is a strong advocate of the cause of temperance, and is a total abstinence man. Both he and his wife are members of the New School Presbyterian Church. In his manners, he is a plain, unos- tentatious gentleman, honorable and honest in all his dealings. This is the character he bears among the people with whom he has lived for over a quarter of a century.
In the practice of medicine, Dr. Patton has been very successful. He has lived to see many of his professional brethren come to Pana, and commence the practice, but the hardships and fatigue incident to a physician's life in a comparatively new country soon had its effect upon many of them, and they would linger awhile, then go away to other places where the practice was not so laborious and where the remuneration was more certain.
J. B. SHAFFER.
THE subject of this sketch is a native of Franklin county, Pa. He was born January 31st, 1848. His father, John H. Shaffer, is a native of the same county and state. He removed to Illinois in 1857, and settled near the town of Pana, where he engaged in farm- ing, and later in the ice business, in which he still continues. He married Martha Bratton, a native of Pennsylvania. J. B. is the eighth in a family of eleven children, seven of whom are living. He received a fair education in the common schools of Pana and vicinity. At the age of twelve years, he entered the grocery and
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
provision store of H. S. Eichelberger, with whom he continued for seven years, after which he clerked in a dry goods and clothing store for one year. He then went back to the grocery and pro- vision trade, and has been in that business up to the present time, except one year and a half that he spent in Kansas, where he enter- ed land and engaged in farming. His health failing, he was com- pelled to abandon farming ; he then returned to Pana. In 1874, he purchased a stock of groceries, and since that time has been in the trade for himself.
On the 22d of December, 1874, he married Miss Victoria Abrell. She was born in Spencer, Owen county, Indiana. Her parents came to Pana in 1864.
In politics, Mr. Shaffer is a democrat. His first vote for presi- dent was cast for Horace Greeley, in 1872, since which time he has been a member of that party. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the order of A. O. U. W., Pana Lodge, No. 43. Mr. Shaffer is yet but a young man, just entering, so to speak, upon the business of life, but he has already given ample evidence of his ability to take care of business and manage in such a manner as to insure himself a competency in later years. He is industrious, economical and honest, which are the sure foundations and safeguards of future success.
Hle is much respected in his town, and was twice chosen city clerk. It is with pleasure that we record these few words in his favor.
E. C. REESE.
THE present efficient post-master of Pana was born in Franklin county, Ohio, May 20th, 1840. The ancestry of the family on the paternal side is Welsh, and on the maternal Scotch.
The father, Thomas Reese, was a native of Fairfield, Ohio. He was a miller by trade, and followed that business and farming the greater part of his life. He remained in Ohio until his death, which occurred in 1866. IIc married Elmira Dickey. By this union there were five children, all boys.
The subject of this sketch is the second in the family. He at- tended the common schools of his native state, and received a good education. After attaining his majority he entered the Ohio Wes- leyan University, where he remained two years; after which he re- turned home and engaged with the Miami Powder Company, and as their agent traveled through Indiana and Illinois. His father, dying in 1866, he returned home and spent the following two years in settling up his estate.
In 1870, he engaged with the Austin Powder Company, of Cleve- land, as their agent, and came to Pana, and located a Powder Mag- azine there, and made that the distributing point for a large scope of country in Central Illinois. Hle remained with the company until 1874, when he was appointed postmaster to fill out the unex- pired term of A. C. Vandewater. At the expiration of the term he was re-appointed by President Hayes for the full term, and at the present time fills the office and discharges the duties thereof in a manner highly satisfactory to the citizens of Pana and vicinity.
On the 3d of July, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Julda Case, who is a native of Franklin county, Ohio, but was a resident of Hanover, Indiana, at the time of her marriage. She is a graduate of the Oxford Female Seminary, and while a resident of Hanover, Indiana, had charge of the High School as Principal. By this marriage there have been three children, one boy and two girl -.
During the latter part of the war Mr. Reese enlisted as a private in the 133d regiment, Ohio infantry, and took part in the closing campaign of the war, under Grant in Virginia. In politics Mr.
Reese is a republican, and cast his first vote for John Brough, for Governor of Ohio, in 1863. Ilis second vote was cast for Lincoln in 1864, since which time he has been a stalwart republican.
He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. He is also a member of the ancient and honorable order of Freemasonry, and a member of the Chapter at Pana.
N. B. CHALFANT.
THE subject of this sketch was born December 9th, 1846, in Tus- carawas county, Ohio. His father, Abner Chalfant, was a native of Brownsville, Penna. He moved to Ohio in 1811, and settled in Jefferson county, and afterwards moved to Tuscarawas county, where he remained until March 23d, 1863, when he came to Illinois and settled in Clay county, where he died October 9th, 1865. He married Rachel McDonough. She is a native of Ohio, and is yet living in Clay county. The subject of this sketch is the eldest in a family of four children, two of whom are living. He received a good education in the common schools, and worked on the farm until February, 1865, when he enlisted as a private for three years in company B, 152d regiment, Illinois volunteers. The regiment was a part of the army under command of Gen. Geo. H. Thomas. The war being near its close the regiment did not participate in any regular battle, but did general duty. They were mustered out in September, 1865, at Memphis, and discharged at Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois. He then returned home to Clay county, and worked upon a farm ; afterward was Deputy Sheriff of Clay coun- ty, and then went back to farming again. Then removed to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where on the 13th of January, 1876, he married Miss Caroline Bourquin. Iler father was a native of France . He came to America and settled in Ohio at an early date in the history of that state. Mrs. Chalfant is the fourth in a fami- ly of nine children. She was born July 11th, 1848. Her mother died April, 1857, and her father April 21st, 1879. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Chalfant, named Edwin Bourquin and Otto Abram, aged respectively four and two years. In De- cember, 1877, Mr. Chalfant removed from Clay to Christian coun- ty. He first stopped near Ohlman, in Rosemond township, where he remained until March 2d, 1880, when he purchased land in the north-east part of section thirty, Pana township, where he at pre- sent resides.
In politics he is a republican. In the township and among his neighbors Mr. Chalfant is regarded as an honorable and upright man, of steady and temperate habits, and industrious. A view of his residence and farm is shown on another page of this work.
BERNHART HEGLE.
THE subject of this sketch is a native of Germany. He was born November 5th, 1826. He was fairly educated in the common schools of his native land. At the age of fourteen he commenced the trade of a butcher, and served two years of an apprenticeship, after which he worked as a master of his trade at the business to the present time. When in his twenty-eighth year, he left Germany and came to America, landing in New York on the 4th of August, 1854. He stopped in New York a short time, then went to Cincinnati, where he followed the butchering business for four years. He then removed to the town of Washington, in Tazewell county, Illinois, where he stayed two years; then to Peoria two years; then to Springfield, where he remained eight years, and on the 19th of Feb- ruary, 1870, he came to Pana, where he resided and followed the butchering business. During the time he lived in Washington he married Mrs. Sarah Clements, nee Varley. She
LOOKING WESTWARD.
RES. AND STOCK FARM OF T. T. AND N. J. WRIGHT, SEC. 4, & 5, T. II, R.I. E. (PANA TP. ) CHRISTIAN CO., ILL.
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The Library of the University of Illinois.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
is a native of Yorkshire, England. Her parents eame to Ameriea in 1831, and settled near Cincinnati, afterwards removed to Illinois and settled in Peoria county. He is a member of the Catholic church, and his wife a member of the Presbyterian. In politics Mr. Hegle has always voted and aeted with the demoeratie party. His first vote was east for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860. He is a member of the honorable order of I O. O. F., Pana Lodge, No. 610. Few men in Pana are more respected for their worth as a man and citizen than Mr. Hegle. In the business of his life he has been very successful, notwithstanding he met with severe losses and reverses. He is in a position to enjoy a life of ease should he so will it. What he possesses has been accumulated and gathered together by a life of toil and the practice of economical habits, which are so characteristic of the German people.
We eall the attention of the reader to a view of his residence on another page.
HENRY G. CONDER
WAS born in Mercer county, Kentucky, July 19th, 1826. The Conder family is of German descent. They came to America and settled in the Carolinas at an early day, and from there came to Kentucky. Thomas M. Conder, the father of the present sketch, was a stone-mason in his younger days, but afterwards engaged in farming. He married Naney Whittinghill. She was also a native of Kentucky. In 1840 he moved with his family to Owen county, Indiana, where he remained until 1858 or '59, when he came to Illinois, and settled in MeLean county, where he remained until his death, which took place March 17th, 1865. His wife died in No- vember of the same year. There were twelve children in the family, eight of whom have survived the parents. Henry G. is the second son. He remained at home at work upon the farm until his twenty- second year. During his youth he had but limited opportunities for receiving an education. On the 22d of June, 1848, he married Mrs. Diey A. Dawson, nee Scott, a native of Owen county, Indiana. By this union there have been ten children, six of whom are living. Mrs. Conder had two children by her former marriage, one of whom is living, viz: James A. Dawson. Both he and his brother, Samuel T., were members of Company B, 88th Regiment Indiana Volunteers, during the late war. They enlisted in 1862, and re- mained in serviee until the close of the war. The names of the children are: Claretta, wife of John Jehle. She died in February, 1875. She had three children, one of whom is living. His name is James Jehle. Franees Mary, wife of C. E. Tallon ; Isaae Floyd, married and at home on the farm; Naney E .; Millie, dicd at the age of two years; John H., Lizzie, Joseph T., died October 1st, 1875, in his fifteenth year; Eldie S., and Georgiana. After Mr. Conder's marriage he engaged in farming in Indiana, and remained there until 1854, when he removed to McLean county, Illinois, where he farmed until the spring of 1864, when he came to Pana township, in Christian county, purchased land in Section 12, and made a farm, put on the improvements, and there he has re- mained to the present. He may be regarded as one of the success- ful farmers of this county. A fine view of his farm and residence can be seen by reference to another page of this work.
In politics Mr. Conder is a democrat. He east his first presiden- tial vote for Lewis Cass in 1848, since which time he has been a member of that party. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church, and both by their walk and conversation show the sineerity of their belief. Mr. Conder's business through life has been that of a farmer and stock raiser; and in that he has been more than ordinarily successful. He started out in life unaided, and whatever he possesses has been the accumulation of his toil and
the practice of economy. In the community he is regarded as an honorable and worthy man, and a kind and obliging neighbor.
MAJOR W. B. LITTLE .- (DECEASED).
MAJOR LITTLE was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, June 19th, 1812. He was, while yet a young man, engaged in merchant tailoring, and had a large establishment in New York eity. While a resident of that State he was elected Major in the State Militia, and the title of Major elung to him through life. He came to Illinois about 1840 and settled in Alton, where he fol- lowed tailoring. From there he went to Staunton, Macoupin county, where he engaged in merchandizing. He soon after pur- chased a farm, and tried farming. He remained in the latter place until 1856, when he moved to Pana, where he eontinued merchan- dizing until his death, which took place July 21st 1874. He mar- ried Miss Esther L. White. She died in 1853. One son, Otis W. Little, is the only offspring of this union. On the 17th of Nov., 1870, he married Emily Rutledge. Her father was a native of Northumberland, England, and came to America in 1837, and set- tled in Terre Haute, Ind., where he remained until his death, which occurred March 9th, 1871. Major Little was a prominent and useful citizen of Pana. He was Supervisor of the township, and it was while acting in that capacity that he refused to sign the bonds issued in aid of the Springfield and South Eastern railroad. IIe refused to sign them on the general grounds that their issue was illegal, and that the conditions of the contraet had not been com- plied with on the part of the railroad company. For thus refusing he was abused and maligned, but time has shown that he was right, and the mass of the people wrong. The bonds have sinee been de- clared illegal and void by all the courts, wherein their legality was tested. They burnt him in effigy and forced him to resign his posi- tion as Supervisor for doing what he knew was his duty to do. Time, the great leveller, makes all things even, and to day all ae- cord him praise and applaud his honesty and firmness. He was also President of the Town Board for six years. In his death Pana lost an honorable and valuable citizen.
OTTO GOSSMAN.
AMONG the prominent and representative German citizens of Pana, stands the name of the subject of this sketch. He was born in the Kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, May 2d, 1846. His father was a merchant, and possessed of considerahle means, and he spared no pains or expense to fit Otto for the business ot' life. At the age of ten years he entered the Gymnasium, where he re- eci ed a thorough training in the elassies and modern languages, and in experimental and theoretical chemistry, botany, and materia mediea. He remained under the tuition of the best teachers in that institution for eight years, and then entered the University at Wurzberg and Munich, and stayed there for four years, and completed his studies in chemistry and pharmacy. After his grad- uation from the University, he coneluded to leave his native land, and accordingly set sail for America, and landed in New Orleans on the 1st of April, 1869. His first employment was in a drug- store in the above-named eity ; there he first put in practice his knowledge obtained iu the best schools of Europe.
Hle remained in New Orleans until 1870, when he came to Pana, Christian county, Illinois, and entered the drug store of P. M. Nichols as preseription clerk. Continued with Mr. Nichols for eight years. In October, 1878, he in connection with his brother, Frank Gossman, opened a drug-store, and from that time to the
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
present the firm of Otto Gossman & Bro. is recognized as one of the leading business houses of Pana.
On the 31st of March, 1875, Mr. Gossman was united in mar- riage to Miss Catharine Hebel. She is of German nativity. Her parents came to America while she was yet in her infancy. By this marriage there have been three children, two of whom are liv- ing, both girls. Their names are Mary Phillipina and Clara.
In religious faith Mr. Gossman is a member of the Catholic Church, while his estimable wife is a member of the German Lu- theran Church.
He is an active and valued member of the ancient and honora- ble order of Freemasonry, and belongs to Pana Lodge, No. 226, and Pana Chapter, No. 115, R. A. M. He is also a member of the Lodge of I. O. O. F. He takes great interest in the work of both bodies.
In politics Mr. Gossman is an ardent and stalwart democrat. He soon after coming to this country espoused the cause and prin- eiples of that party, and has been one of its most active and relia- ble members. Is of an enthusiastic nature, and whatever cause he champions he gives it his individual and best abilities. To say that he is most soundly indoctrinated in the principles of his party, is to say that which is evident to all who have any knowledge or acquaintance with him. During the last great national campaign, none were more enthusiastic, or gave more liberally of their means or time to the advancement of democratic ideas than he. He labored earnestly and actively, that the principles which he believed were for the best, should become the rule and guide in this great, free and prosperous country.
Such in brief is a biographical sketch of Otto Gossman. He brings to his business a mind trained in the best schools of Ger- many. Is a man of very liberal education, and possessing an open, hearty, frank nature. Of plain, unassuming manners and pleasing address. He belongs to the progressive school of men, and is full of push and enterprise. None will go further to do a kind act, or to help a friend than Otto Gossman. At the pre- sent time he is City Treasurer of Pana He is regarded by all as an honest and honorable gentleman,
ABNER J. MCWILLIAMS
WAS born in Belmont county, Ohio, November 27th, 1823. The ancestry of the family on the maternal side is English, and on the paternal Scotch.
The paternal grandfather came from Scotland. His descendants settled in Ohio at an early day in the history of that state. John Mc Williams, the father of Ahner JJ., was born in Ohio, and re- mained there until his death in 1824. He married Elizabeth Smith. She was born in Loudon county, Virginia. She survived her husband many years, and died at the home of her son, the sub- ject of this sketch, July 19th, 1870. There were but two children in the family, Abner J., and a daughter, who died while she was yet young.
Mrs. Mc Williams, after the death of her first husband, married John Brownhull. By this marriage there was no issue. The sub- jeet of this sketch had but slight advantages for receiving an edu- cation. His father dying while he was yet young, he was compelled at the early age of twelve years to take care and provide to a cer- tain extent for himself. Ile worked at farming, teaming and flat boating, and such other work as came readily to his hand, until his nineteenth year, when he came west in company with his unele to Illinois, settled in Pike county, where he remained until April of 1849, when in company with three others he made a trip in ox- teams to Oregon by the overland route. From Oregon he went to California in company with Gen. Joe Lane, who was territorial governor of Oregon at that time. While in California he engaged principally in mining. In 1853 he returned home to Pike county by way of the Isthmus of Panama. In 1854 he purchased one hundred and twelve acres of land in Pike county, and commenced farming. He continued there until 1866, when he sold out and came to Christian county, and purchased land in sec. 28, town. 12, range 1-E.
It was raw land, and all the improvements have been placed on it since he bought. A fine view of the farm and buildings can be seen on another page of this work. Here he has lived and culti- vated and improved the farm until the present. On the 7th of May, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha W. Fisk. She was born in Massachusetts, but was a resident of Pike county at the time of her marriage.
Mrs. Me Williams' parents, Eleazer and Lucy (Russell) Fisk, came to Pike county in 1840. Both died in that county. Mrs. Mc Williams was the eldest daughter. There have been four children born to Abner J. and Martha McWilliams, two of whom are living. Their names are John F., eldest son, now a resident of Colorado ; Henry A., died in his fourth year ; Mary Emily, who is yet beneath the parental roof.
Mr. Mc Williams is a member of the ancient and honorable order of Freemasonry, and was made a Mason in Salem Lodge, No. 56, Pike county, Illinois. His wife is a consistent member of the M. E. Church.
In polities he is a demoerat, and cast his first vote for Lewis Cass for president in 1848. Since that date he has adhered to the party of his first choice. While a resident of Pike county he represented his township in the board of supervisors. Since he has been a resident of this county he was elected justice of the peace, but he refused to qualify for the position. He has been by occupation a farmer. He started in life completely unaided. Thrown upon his own resources while yet a mere boy, and compelled to earn his own support, he early learned habits of industry and rigid economy. Starting in life with his hands and good health as his only capital, he has succeeded in carving out for himself a comfortable compe- tency, and at the same time made for himself a name for honesty and strict integrity, which after all is the best legacy to leave to posterity.
FARM RES. OF THOS. H. SCOTT, SEC. 9, T. II, R.I, E(PANA TP) CHRISTIAN CO., ILL.
T. H . SCOTT'S
MARBLE WORKS.
MARBLE WORKS OF THOS. H. SCOTT, PANA. ILL.
The Library of the University of Illtmais
ROSEMOND TOWNSHIP.
¡HIS township is situated in the south-eastern part of the county, and is known geographieally as Town 11 N., Range 1 West. It is bounded on the north by Locust, and on the east by Pana township; on the south by Montgomery county, and on the west by Greenwood township.
The surface is a beautiful, undulating prairie, with seattering patehes of timber, which are principally along the streams. For- merly there was considerable timbered land in the northern part along Loeust and Cottonwood creek <. The soil is like that of ad- joining townships, a rich, deep, black loam, and highly produe- tive.
It is drained by several small tributaries of the South Fork of the Sangamon river, which courses through the south-western part of the township. The principal tributaries are the Loeust and Cottonwood creeks, iu the northern part.
The Indianapolis & St. Louis railroad enters the township on section thirty-three, and passes out on seetion twenty-four, running in a south-westerly direction through the south-east part.
For many years, one or two families lived in the south-east eor- ner of this township, but the great body of it was uusettled and remained in its wild native state till the year 1855. It then at- traeted the attention of some eastern men, and soon the beautiful prairie was dotted over by the neat residene s of a New England colony. The principal movers in this enterprise were Benjamin R. Hawley and Brainard Smith. These gentlemen purchased in Feb. 1856, a traet of land embracing about 5,000 acres lying in a body ; one thousand of which was timbered. These lands were sold to the colonists, who soon improved and eltivated them. A striking feature in this traet was the large number of mounds, which were situated on nearly or quite every quarter seetion, eoni- manding beautiful sites for building. During the spring and sun- mer, these mounds were covered with beautiful roses and wild flowers ; hence the name Rosemond was suggested and chosen for the township.
The first settlement of Rosemond began Jan. 14, 1856, by Benj. R Hawley, from St. Louis, Mo .; Brainard Smith, from Sunderland, Mass. ; Benj. E. Warner and John Putnam, from Hinsdale, Mass ; Orlando M. Hawks, from Mass., and Johu S. Marviu, from Fishkill, N. Y. These six mnen eame first, and soon ereeted as many dwelling- houses, and at an carly day were joined by their families. They were soon followed by other emigrants from Massachusetts and New York. These first families brought with then the elreering cere- monies of a pure religion, and on the first Sabbath after their ar- rival a meeting for prayer and religious worship was held, thus laying the foundation of the settlement in the fear of God.
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