USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 46
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GEORGE W. WILLIAMS
WAS born in Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 27th, 1824; he is the son of Robert and Mary Williams. Robert Williams was a native of Providence, Rhode Island, and Mary Smith, his wife, was a native of the same place. They raised a family of seven children, (five boys and two girls) of which the subject of our sketch was the fifth. His ancestors were of Welsh descent, and Mr. Williams is a lineal de- scendant of the Puritan Minister, Roger Williams. Robert Williams was an undertaker and builder, and brought up his son George to the same business. IIc emigrated from Rhode Island to Ohio in about 1812, and settled in Franklin county near Columbus, where he followed his trade and carried on a farm. The subject of our sketch at an early age entered his apprenticeship under a man by the name of Boswell ; he remained with him three years, then emi - grated to Iowa, and began working at his trade in Muscatine county, which he continued for four years, then took a steamboat for St. Louis in the spring of 1844. He remained two years in that city,
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
building and contracting, where he lost his entire accumulations that he had gathered together in Iowa, by placing too much confidence in a supposed friend, who formerly was foreman in the shop where he first learned his trade, in Ohio, whom he met upon the levee when landing from the steamboat, at St. Louis. He was, of course, much clated at seeing an old acquaintance, and they immediately formed a partnership, which continued as long as Mr. Williams' money lasted. At the expiration of two years he found himself without a cent, and consequently compelled to start life anew. Un- der these adverse circumstances he then engaged with the American Hemp Company, doing business in Sangamon county, Illinois ; he went to that county in the fall of 1846, and was occupied in putting up the building necessary for the business, and subsequently ran one of the mills. He was employed by this firm about two years. It was here he first met Mary Hum- phreys, who afterward became his wife. They were married March 18th, 1847. She was a native of Fleming county, Ky., born June 6th, 1824, and was the daughter of Thomas L. and Sally Hum- phicys. The Humphreys are of Welsh descent. Mrs. Williams' grandfather, Owen Humphreys, was a native of Wales. His father cmigrated to Penna. when he, Owen Humphreys, was a child. He subsequently moved to Kentucky, where Owen Humphreys married a widow, Isabel Keith, whose maiden name was Lee. They were married in Fleming county, Ky. They had seven children born to them. Mrs. Isabel Humphreys died April 12th, 1823, in Bath county, Ky. Owen Humphreys, with some of his children, came to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving in the fall of 1828 or 1829, and settled three and-a-half miles southeast of Springfield. Thomas L., the father of Mrs. Williams, followed in 1830, and settled on the homestead, entered by Owen Humphreys. Her father's health was not good in this their new country, and he returned to his old place, where he remained until 1851, in which year, upon the eigh- teenth of March, his wife Sally died ; he then moved into South Fork township, Christian county, where he died Aug. 14th, 1864. Mr. Williams came to Christian county in 1851, and continuing bridge building with his other mechanical operations, worked suc- cessfully in this line of business until 1860, finally settling down to farming life upon the land which he now occupies, to which he de- voted his whole attention. He has an excellent farm of 240 acres, with substantial house and good outbuildings, a view of which is shown in this work. Mr. Williams has one daughter living, Mary T., the wife of Charles Payne, who resides within a short dis- tance of the paternal roof. The declining years of Mr. and Mrs.
Williams are brightened with the companionship of their two grandchildren, Nellie and George, who pass most of their time at the home of their grandparents, between whom a strong mutual at- tachment exists.
In politics Mr. Williams is a republican, casting his first vote for President Lincoln. In social life he is a pleasant, hospitable gentleman, and, together with his wife, enjoy the respect and good wishes of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.
WILLIAM G. GEORGE
WAS born in Sangamon county, July 29th, 1839. His father, Ed- ward George, was a native of Virginia. At the age of six years he was taken to Kentucky by his father. In 1831 he came to Illinois, and settled in Sangamon county, where he remained until his death in June, 1875. He married Catherine Whaley, who was of Eng- lish descent, and a native of Bath county, Ky. She died in Sept., 1855. William G. is the eldest of the boys and the third in the family. He remained at home until his twenty-second year, when he enlisted in Company "D," 33d Reg't. Illinois Infantry. He entered as a private for three years service, and passed successively through all the grades and was mustered out as Second Lieutenant of his com- pany. Ile entered the service in Aug., 1861, and in Jan., 1863, lie and the greater part of the regiment veteranized. He was mus- tercd out and honorably discharged in December, 1865. He re- mained, and participated in every battle that his regiment was in. The principal engagements in which he took part were Frederick- town, Mo., Vicksburg campaign under Grant, capture of Jack- son, Miss., and the campaign against Mobile, and its defences under Gen. Canby, and assisted in the capture of Forts Spanish and Blakcley. The regiment, after the war closed, did garrison duty at Vicksburg, Yazoo, and Meridian, Miss. On the 21st of February, 1866, he married Miss Anna E. Phillips, a native of Sangamon county, Ills. They have had six children, five of whom are living. Their names are Charles C. Owen C. Carrie L. William E. and Harry M. He is a member of the Christian Church. In politics he is a republican. Hle is a strong advocate of temperance. Hc came to Christian county in the spring of 1866, and rented land for nine years of Mr. Humphreys, after which he purchased 333 acres of the cast half of Sec. 2, T. 13, R. 4 W., where he at present re- sides. He is among the prominent farmers and stock raisers of his township. He has been collector of his township, and is univer- sally regarded as a good man and citizen.
GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP.
S one of the southern tier of townships in the county ; bounded on the north by Johnson, cast by Rosemond, south by Montgomery county, and west by Rick's town- ship. It is well drained by the South Fork and its tributaries. Along the margin of its streams is considera- ble timber. The soil is rich and fertile, and produces large quanti- ties of wheat, corn, rye, oats, hay, potatoes and vegetables.
For many years the " Upper South Fork" country, as it was usually denominated was sparsely settled. The carly settlers reared
their cabins along the skirts of the timber, whilst thousands of acres of wild prairie lands adjacent, remained in their native state. Un- entered, cheap lands seemed to be a drug in the market. The Government price was one dollar and twenty-five cents an acre. A noted land speenlator living in Hillsboro, for several years after the organization of the county, competed with this in offering timbered lands at the low price of seventy-five cents an acre, with few sales even at that figure. It was not nutil after the year 1850, that any material change took place.
FARM RESIDENCE OF GEORGE WILLIAMS, SEC. 32, T. 14, R. 3. (SOUTH FORK TP.) CHRISTIAN CO., ILL .
The Library of the Untreraity of Illinois
The Library of the University of Illinois.
FEED
LOTS
RESIDENCE AND STOCK FARM OF MRS. JOHANNAH MELUGIN, SEC. 29, T. 14, R.3, (SOUTH FORKTP.) CHRISTIANCO., ILL.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
The beautiful broad acres about that period began to attract. the eyes of emigrants, and the country rapidly filled up. The vacant lands were soon entered, and prices advanced from 75 cents to $5, $10 and $20 per acre. For many years after the organization of the county this whole section of country was attached to Taylor- ville precinct for voting purposes. This was a serious inconvenience. Early in the year 1852, with the influx of emigration, the people made a move for a new Justice Precinct. The petition asking for it, signed by William Linn and thirty-nine others, legal voters within said territory, was laid before the county court by Henry Riggs. The prayer of the petitioners was granted, and on the 3d of March, 1852, an order was passed forming the "Nevada Precinct." It comprised all of T. 11-2 and the south third of T. 12-2. It was the ninth precinct formed in the county. The place of voting at first was fixed at the "Nevada School House," but afterwards, on the 4thi of September, 1855, it was changed to the "Sassafras School House." James Pierce, James Linn and Henry Riggs were ap- pointed the first judges of election. Robert S. Welch was an act- ing justice of the peace, within the bounds of the new precinct; at the time of its formation each precinct was entitled to two justices of the peace and two constables. Ilenry C. Dickson was elected the other justice, Nov. 2, 1852, and at the same time Madison Bus- by and William Linn were elected constables. Thus was organized, officercd and set in motion the precinct of "Nevada." Who ori- ginated the name or why it was so called, at this date, is unknown. Amongst its oldest settlers may be mentioned Mylo Skinner, Wil- liam Virden, Duane Skinner, John McClurg, Chris. K. Durbin, George Wilcox, Daniel E. Walker, Bradley Skinner, Josephus and Leonard Durbin, Madison Busby, Francis J. White, Domenick Simpson, H. C. Dickson, John Busby, Peter Klinefelter, Old Na- than Durbin, William Walker, James Pearce, Robert S. Welch, James A. Dunn, James P. Walker, Ed. R. Skinner, James Linn, Cornelius Klinefelter. Daniel Micenhammer, John Miller, Edgar M. Thompson, John Carman, Dr. D. C. Goodan, Jerry Welch, a Mr. McFarland, George Compton, Peter Oller, John W. Miller, H. J. Shaffer, T. L. Bacon, Henry Riggs, Wm. Linn, Andrew S. Miller, and Wm. Sheham. There are several incidents connected with its carly history. On one occasion several of its citizens, among whom were Mylo Skinner, Duane Skinner and others, made a trip to Taylorville in the dead of winter, in a sled. On their return in the evening, a blinding snow storm set in as they entered the prairie of Johnson township. They continued to travel the whole night, supposing all the time they were making a bce line to the timber in a homeward direction, which, when reached, they might renew their reckoning. To their utter surprise, in the morn- ing, they found they had traveled round and round within a radius of a mile. They all suffered very much from the cold, and Mylo Skinner's feet were frozen, and he had to have a part of them am-
putated. In 1861 corn was a drug in the market, and brought only eight cents per bushel. A Mr. Johnson, of this precinct, used a portion of his crop that year for fuel, as a stroke of economy. It was published in the papers circulating in the east, and created not a little comment and astonishment. at the wanton destruction. In 1866, on the adoption of township organization, the precinct of " Nevada " came to an end, and was succeeded by Greenwood town- ship-embracing all of Town. 11, R. 2 west. The remainder of the territory of Nevada was absorbed by Johnson township. It was named Greenwood on account of its beautiful groves of timber. An election for township officers was held April 3, 1866. George W. Taylor was elected supervisor ; James Miller and Madison Busby its first justices of the peace. The lands in this township were originally surveyed by Enoch Moore, Dep. U. S. Surveyor, returned and certified Jan. 25, 1819, Wm. Rector, Sur. General.
Wm. Virdin entered the first land in this township, on the 11th of Feb. 1836. They were located on the W. 2, S. E. } section 36, 80 acres ; S. E. N. W., section 36, 40 acres, and S. W. section 36, 160 acres. April 13, 1836, Charles Sprague entered the W. ¿ , N. WV. 4 section 21, 80 acres ; and W. ¿ S. W. } section 21, 80 acres.
Below we append a list of township officers.
Supervisors-G. W. Taylor, elected 1866; John Miller, 1867, re-elected 1868, '69, '70 and '71; A. G. Ament, 1873, re-elected 1874, '75, and '76; John W. Miller, 1877, and re-elected 1878, '79 and '80.
Assessors -Nathan Stevens, 1876, re elected 1877; Madison Busby, 1878 and '79 ; Chris K. Hamel, 1880.
Collectors .- John Morrison, elected 1866; C. K. Hamel, 1867; Wm. T. Chency, 1868, and by re-election held the office up to 1874; Win. Busby, Sr, 1874; C. K. Hamel, 1875, and re-elected 1876; James R. Busby, 1877, re-elected 1878; Madison Busby, Jr., 1879, re-elected 1880.
Town Clerks -Gco. Taylor. 1876, re-elected 1877 ; C K. Hamcl, 1878, re-elected 1879; L. Busby, 1880.
Commissioners of Highways .- D. B. Chumley, 1876; Wm J. Pearson, 1877; Wesley Simpson, 1878; James Hawkins, 1879, Wm. J. Pearson, 1880.
Constables .- Elisha Compton, clected in 1877; Isaac Gorsuch, 1877 ; James A. Hawkins, 1878.
Justices of the Peace .- James Miller and Madison Busby, elected in 1866 ; H. C. Dickson and Madison Busby, 1870; George Taylor, 1878; James W. Estabrook, 1874; Wm. M. Warren and George Taylor, 1877 ; Elisha Compton, 1878.
Greenwood is one of the best wheat and corn producing town- ships in the county ; also con iderable attention is given to grazing and feeding of stock, which forms one of the leading industries of the people. It has within its borders many well-improved farms. Its inhabitants are an industrious and intelligent class of people.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
THE GOODAN BROTHERS.
AMONG the younger farmers of Christian county who have won success by untiring industry and shrewd business dealings, arc the Goodan Brothers, of Greenwood. Six of them manage the farm in partnership. All are natives of this State. Their father was Dr.
David C. Goodan, who was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, on the 9th of August, 1818, and was the son of Levi Goodan. The Goodan family was of English descent, and settled in Kentucky at an early day. When Dr. Goodan was four or five years old, his father moved with the family to Illinois and settled in Sangamon
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
county, where he was one of the earliest settlers. By reason of the absence of schools in Sangamon county, at that time, he was sent back to Kentucky to be educated. He studied medicine at Louis- ville, and after fitting himself thoroughly for the profession, re- turned to Illinois, and first began practice at Macomb in Me- Donough county. On the 20th of April, 1837, he married Catha- rine Von Ostran. She was born in Hunterdon county, New Jer- sey, on the 14th of June, 1819. Her father emigrated to this State in 1837, when Mrs. Goodan was a girl of seventeen. He came to Illinois with the intention of making his home in Fulton county, but on reaching Springfield an injury happened to his horses, and he settled in that place, though afterward he moved to Fulton county. He was a farmer by occupation.
After Dr. Goodan's marriage he lived for a short time in Me- Donough county, and then removed to the town of Canton, in Fulton county, where he praetieed his profession for four years. He next located in Springfield, and from that place moved to Kentucky, and established himself as a physician, at Paris, in his native county of Bourbon-the heart of the celebrated blue grass region. He resided at Paris two years, and, in 1844, settled at Taylorville. Taylorville was then a small town of a few families, and the sur- rounding country was very thinly settled. He afterwards prae- ticed medicine in Sangamon county, and returned to Christian county in 1857. His death occurred in Greenwood township, on the 29th of July, 1864. He was a man who possessed fine natural ability. IIe had acquired an excellent education, and his attainments placed him, as a physician, in the front rank of his profession. He was said to be the best penman in Christian county, and for a time held the office of Cireuit Clerk. Whatever faults he may have possessed, none could deny that by nature lic was a man of a kind heart and generous impulse, and that his in- telleetual qualities fitted him for a high rank in his profession.
Ten of his children are now living, all in Greenwood township, with the exception of one in the adjoining township of Johnson. Their names are as follows: Sarah G., now the wife of William Clunnley, William ; Mary Gertrude, who married Albert Young ; Louisa, David, John, Franklin P., Albert and Charles, who are twins, and Julia.
At her husband's death Mrs Goodan found herself with a large family of children, and with no means for their support. Their eirenmstances were extremely straitened, and the boys were com- pelled to find places on farms, where they could earn their own liv- ing. The oldest son, Clarkson V. Goodan, took charge of the family, and his home has always been with his mother. The boys were strong and healthy ; they had been raised to habits of industry, and all were willing to do their share of hard work. The first move which Clarkson made was to rent land on the prairie, in Greenwood township, and begin farming for himself. Albert and Charles, the younger boys, have always lived at home, and they assisted as they could in carrying on farming operations. The other boys found employment with other farmers. Having saved suf- ficient money to justify the attempt to secure a farm of their own, Clarkson, William, David, John, and Frank, together with their mother, bought their present farm in Greenwood township. They went to work with a will, and in spite of poor crops and bad sea- Sons, have managed to succeed. They are now in a promising finan- cial condition, and among the prosperons and progressive farmers of the county. Besides carrying on general farming operations they have been engaged, to a considerable extent, in raising and dealing in stock. During the last six years they have bought and sold large numbers of cattle. All are shrewd traders, have a sound judgment of stock, and are business men of good capacity Beside
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their own farm, they rent additional land. In the year 1880 they farmed a whole seetion of land, and raised 240 aeres of wheat and 240 aeres of eorn. All the boys, with the exception of Charles, are now jointly interested in their operations. Their farm consists of 228} aeres, and is situated in sections three and ten, of Greenwood township. A full page view of it may be found elsewhere. Charles was married on 1st of June, 1875, to Frances V. Shivers, daughter of Samuel Shivers, one of the carly settlers of Christian county, and is now farming in Johnson township.
William was a soldier in the army during the war of the rebel- lion. He enlisted in company G, of the 41st Illinois regiment, and was mustered in at Decatur on the 5th of August, 1861. After serving with his regiment for fifteen months, he was detailed for service with company G, of the 1st Missouri Light Artillery regi- ment, as acting forage master. After the expiration of his three years term of enlistment, he served in the 31st Illinois regiment to the elose of the war. He was in the Army of the Tennessee, and with the 17th Army Corps, and took part in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Metamora, the Siege of Vieksburg, and accom- panied Gen. Sherman on his celebrated march from Atlanta to the sea. After the Sherman raid, he was taken prisoner at Goldsboro, North Carolina; for a couple of weeks was a prisoner at Salisbury, and was exchanged just at the close of the war.
These enterprising young men have the satisfaction of knowing that what they have accomplished has been by their own efforts. As self-made men, they have demonstrated the fact that it is possi- ble for young men of energy and industry to raise themselves from poverty to independence. Much of their success is perhaps duc to the efforts of Mrs. Goodan, who has always endeavored to make the best of the eireumstances in which she was placed, to raise her sons to temperate and frugal habits, and to furnish them with such edu- cational advantages as were possible. It may be truthfully said that it is rare to find a family of so many sons, among whom bad habits are so few, and industry and sobriety so generally the rule. In polities all are demoeratie, with the exception of William, who was raised a democrat, but returned from his service in the army a republican. William is also one of the officers of Greenwood township.
JOHN W. MILLER
WAS born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, April 25, 1840. His father, John Miller, was of Irish descent; was born in Pennsylvania in 1805 ; and in 1817 moved with his father to Guernsey county, Ohio. His mother was Harriet Miskimen, who was of Scotch and German origin. In 1852, Mr. Miller's father moved to Christian county, and in the spring of 1853 settled where Mr. Miller now lives, in seetion 15 of Greenwood township. At the time of making this settlement, Greenwood township had but few inhabitants. About twenty families had settled along the timber. Between his father's house and Pana, no settlement had been made within a couple of miles of the direct road. His mother died in 1852, during the first summer after the coming of the family to this state. ITis father died in 1864. After his mother's death Mr. Miller lived at various places in the county, and two years with an unele in Ohio. He was married July 5th, 1864, to Julia A. Klinefelter, daughter of Peter Klinefelter. Her father was born in Pennsylvania ; moved from that state to Ohio, and settled in Greenwood township in 1851. Since 1861, Mr. Miller has been farming in Greenwood township. lle was first elected supervisor in 1867, and served for five succes- sive terms. He was elected again in 1877, and has represented Greenwood township in the Board of Supervisors ever since. Hc is a republican in politics.
KATE'M
LBECK
THE FEED LOTS.
THE STOCK FARM RESIDENCE &C. OF GOODAN BRO'S., ON SEC'S. 2, 3, & 10. T. II. R. W. GREENWOOD TP, CHRISTIAN CO., ILL. C.V. GOODAN, W. M. GOODAN, D. C. GOODAN, J. V. GOODAN, F. P. GOODAN, A. GOODAN.
The Library of the University of Illinois
The Library of the University of Ittake
· FARM RES. OF HARVY WOOD, SEC. 18, JOHNSONTP, 12 R. 2. CHRISTIAN CO., ILL.
OFFICE
RES. OF T.A. BALLARD.
GRAIN ELEVATOR, & HAY BARN OF BALLARD & MILLER, MILLERSVILLE, CHRISTIAN CO,/ L. NO. I ELEVATOR 2 CORN CRIB HAY BARN 4 OFFICE
RES. OF H. J. SHAFER, SEC. 3. GREEN WOODTP.(!) R.2 W. CHRISTIAN CO., ILL.
RESIDENCE & OFFICE OF J. B. MATTHEW, M.D. PHYSICIAN AND OBSTETRICIAN, MT.AUBURN, ILL.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
WILLIAM M. WARREN.
MR. WARREN has lived in Greenwood township since 1872. IIe was born in Piatt eounty, of this state, on the 17th of Dceember, 1847. On his father's side his ancestors were Irish, but mixed up with Scotch, English, and German. His great-grandfather settled in Delaware, and his grandfather settled at an early date near Cir- cleville, in Pickaway county, Ohio. His father, Bennett Warren, was born in Ohio; was married in that state to Eliza Donelson, and about the year 1840 emigrated to Piatt county, Illinois; he afterward died in Shelby county, as did also Mr. Warren's mother. William M. Warren was the youngest of a family of five children. He was principally raised in Shelby county, where his father removed when he was about nine years old ; his education was ob- tained chiefly by his own efforts, and the greater part of it after he returned home from service in the army. He was living in Shelby county at the time of the breaking out of the war of the rebellion. In November, 1863, he enlisted at Jacksonville, in Company M., 3d Illinois Cavalry. At that time he was one month less than six- teen years of age. He joined his regiment at Pocahontas, Tennes- see. Part of the time his regiment was attached to the 16th Army Corps, and subsequently to General Wilson's Cavalry Corps. He was present at the battles of West Point, Okalona, Guntown, and Tupelo. For a considerable part of his term of service his regi- ment was employed in fighting guerillas in Kentucky, and while there the men saw hard service. After the war closed, by the col- lapse of the Southern Confederacy, his regiment was ordered to Minnesota, arriving in that state in June, 1865, and thenee was dispatched for service against the Indians in Dacotah Territory. He was discharged at Fort Snelling, and returned to Shelby county, where he lived till 1872, when he came to Christian county.
He was married on the 24th of December, 1872, to Mrs Anna M. Miller, whose maiden name was Anna M. Morrison. She was born in Adams county, Ohio. Her first husband's name was Andrew S. Miller, by whom she had two children, Charles E., and Andrew J. Miller. By the present marriage Mr. and Mrs. Warren have two children living, James Bennett Warren and Enima War- ren. Rosa Florence, the next to the youngest child, died in infancy. Since living in Greenwood township Mr. Warren has been engaged in farming, and is a man who stands well as a citizen in that part of the county. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1877. In polities he has always been a republican.
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