History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 73

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 826

USA > Illinois > Clark County > History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois > Part 73
USA > Illinois > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois > Part 73

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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MARTINSVILLE TOWNSHIP.

CHARLES KNAPP DOUGLASS, mer- chant, Martinsville, was born in Clinton County, N. Y., April 4, 1852, to Prentice P. and Delia C. (Knapp) Douglass, both of whom were born in the State of New York. From New York, they removed to Indianapolis, Ind., and in 1S63 to Coles County, Ill., and in Decem- ber of the same year she died there. In 1866, he removed to this county, and in the fall of 1867 came to Martinsville and started into business with the firm name of C. F. Knapp & Co. December, ISTS, he died here, but was sent to the old home at Mooer's, Clinton County, N. Y., for burial; as was also his wife. Mr. Douglass was in the mer- cantile business for over forty years, and died at the age of sixty-five. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and then attended Westfield College, at Westfield, Ill. In 1869, after leaving school, he entered the First National Bank of Mattoon, Ill., and was book-keeper there till 1878. He then was elected cashier of the bank, by the directors, but, on account of entering busi- ness here, he had to decline the proffered position. In the summer of IS78, he bought out C. F. Knapp & Co., and has since had entire charge of the business. He carries a stock of general dry goods and clothing which averages abont $10,000 or $12,000, with yearly sales of about $25,000. When entering into business here, he had the ad- vantage of his father's popularity and trade, but by his close attention to business he has increased the business to quite an extent. In 1875, he was married to Miss Belle Johns, of Terre Haute, Ind., oldest daughter of T. B. Johns. She died January, 1878. Mr. Douglass is a grandson of Abel Knapp, of Mooer's, Clinton County, N. Y., and is a Re- publican in politics. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Circle Lodge of Mattoon. Ill., No. 707; also to the

Mattoon Chapter, No. 85; also to Godfrey De Bouillon Commandery, No. 44, Knights Templar, Mattoon, III.

S. A. FASIG, druggist, Martinsville, was born in Richland County, Ohio, February 2, 1846, to William and Elizabeth (Hibschman) Fasig. They were born in Lebanon County, Penn., he, March 13, 1801, and she August 24, 1803, and died February, 1882, and he is still living in Martinsville with our subject. They moved from Pennsylvania to Wayne County, Ohio, 1824. From Wayne County, Ohio, they moved to Richland County, 1834, and remained there till 1847; going first to the State of Missouri, but returned to Clark County almost immediately, and settled near Martinsville. By trade he was a weaver and brick-mason. In the winter time he would weave, and during the fall lay brick, and frequently farmed during the summer. He is father of twolve children. The oldest, a daughter, was born in Pennsylvania, before their removal to Ohio. Our subject is the youngest of the family. Only three are now living-Mr. Fasig and two sisters. When first coming here, Mr. Fasig bought 100 acres of improved land, within half a mile of the present incorporation, paying $3.25 per acre; but afterward entered other land in the neighborhood. Of the 100 acres, about forty of it was cleared when he bought it. Our subject was educated at the public schools of Martinsville. At the age of seventeen, he started into learning the saddlery and har- ness-making trade, and followed his trade in Martinsville for fifteen years, and then went into his present business of drugs and gro- ceries in 1877. In his business he is in part- nership with Harrison Black, now County Clerk. They carry a stock of about $4,000. and have an average yearly sale of about $12,000. He was married in Martinsville, 1865, to Miss M. E. Shaffnar. She was

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born in Ohio August 20, 1847, to George and Susan (Curtis) Shaffnar. She was a na- tive of Virginia, and he of Virginia also. and died in 1851, and she in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Fasig have one child-Oscar-born June 1, 1866. He is a member of the I. O. (). F. and a Republican in politics. He has held various township offices, Supervisor Clerk, and has been Township School Treas- urer for eleven years. From 1547 to 1856, Mr. Fasig lived in a cabin, 16x18, built of logs and covered with split boards three feet long; not having nails, these boards were held down by poles laid on top across the roof; but when the wind would blow it would make openings large enough to allow the snow to drift in. This cabin had its garret, and the boys had to sleep up there; and many mornings, when waking up, they would find the bed covered with snow, and also the floor; there was then a scramble to get clothes on and down to the open fire place as soon as possible. In this house (there were five children at the time) they would hold meetings, entertain ministers and other guests. For use during meetings, they had a number of benches made, which they would carry in when the meeting was held, but would be piled up on the outside when not in use. When first coming to this coun- ty, there were no grist mills in reach; so they had to depend on the uncertainty of "the horse mill." Many times Mr. Fasig's two older brothers would fill up two bags of corn and put them across a horse each and start to mill before daylight in order to get there first, and would then often have to come home late at night with no meal. In this way they frequently were left without any meal in the house at all, and their bill of fare would be lye hominy, pork, milk and potatoes.

DR. MARTIN FLENNER, physician, Martinsville, was born in Butler Conn-

ty, Ohio, September 16, 1810, to George and Mary (Andrew) Flenner. He was born in Maryland, and she in Virginia. The Doctor's grandfather Flenner came from Ger- many to Maryland. Mr. George Flenner died in Martinsville Township, 1866, at the age of seventy-six. The Doctor's mother died in Ohio. His father was a farmer all his life. Our subject was raised on a farm till he was twenty-one, and then studied medicine. He completed a course in the Ec- lectic School of Cincinnati, under President Curtis. The Doctor then began the practice of medicine in Ohio, and practiced there till he came to Illinois, 1834. When first com- ing, he settled on a farm about four miles north of Martinsville, where he remained for nine years, and during the time he practiced medicine and farmed. In 1863, he moved into Martinsville, and has been here ever since, and has continued the practice of his profession, but has been engaged in other business as well. In 1865, he started into the mercantile business, keeping a general store for about three years; but he did not give his time to the store. He has since engaged in the mercantile business, keeping tin and hardware for a number of years, and now has a stock of about $1,000. He was married first in Ohio, 1831. to Rhoda Fetherland. She lived only about a year after marriage, leav- ing one child-Mary Ann, now married and in Arkansas, near Little Rock. In 1842, he again married, to Ellza Cunningham. She died July, 1881. By this marriage he has five children -- Martin. Martha Ella, Loncedis and Lontillis (twins), Cerosca. February,

1882, he was again married, to Bernice Ram- sey; the Doctor being forty-two years her senior. The Doctor has been a hard worker during his lifetime, and has had a large prac- tice; bnt now has retired from active prac- tice, doing only office practice and attending

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MARTINSVILLE TOWNSHIP'

to an occasional case in the town; but has made a competence before quitting, having three farms which aggregate about two hun- dred acres. The Doctor owns the I. O. O. F. Hall and the store rooms underneath. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for many years. He has been a Republican in

politics since the party first started. For a number of years he was a preacher in the Universalist Church. He still holds to the same belief, but has not preached any for a few years. When the Doctor first settled here, most of the country was grown up with brush, the people were very poor, and a bug- gy was not to be found anywhere, and no style either. Young men and young women went to church barefooted on Sunday, and nothing was thought of it.

JOHN GAMBLE, drugs and groceries, Martinsville, was born in Martin County, Ind., June 27, 1837, to Thomas and Nancy (Daugherty) Gamble. He, born in Ireland, was married in Indiana, and came to this county in 1838, and died in Martinsville Township June, 1859. He spent most of his life in the mer. cantile business, being, as his son is, in the drug and grocery business, but at the time of his death living on the farm. The mother was born in Martin County, Ind., but died here, April, 1881, at the age of sixty-seven years. They were parents of eight children, of whom our subject is the third, the two oldest being daughters. Our subject came to this county with his parents, 1838, and has made this his home ever since. He received such an education as was furnished by the early schools of this county. In 1858, at the age of twenty one, he started in business for himself in Martinsville, and chose the same line as his father had carried, that of drugs and groceries. In 1864, he was married in Sullivan County, Ind., to Miss Amanda

Knotts, daughter of Ambrose Knotts. She was born in Sullivan County, Ind .. 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Gamble have had two children, one son and one daughter-Harry and Nel- lie. He is a lifelong Democrat, and is a men- ber of the Masonic fraternity. Since first starting, he has continued in the same busi- ness, and has been one of the most successful business men of the town. Besides his stock of goods, which averages about $8,000, and his property in town, he has about six hun- dred acres of land. He is also in the grain business, the firm being Gamble & Fessen- back. They have been in the grain-buying for about three years. His average yearly sales of drugs and groceries reaches about $18,000.

H. GASAWAY, Justice of the Peace and insurance agent, Martinsville, was born in Parke County, Ind., December 4, 1848, to Peter and Loveless (French) Gasaway. He was a native of Ken- tucky, born in 1815. She was a native of Indiana. was raised in Vermilion Coun- ty. Ind. She died in Newport, Ind., in 1852. In 1856. he left Parke County, and moved to Terre Haute, and from there to Sullivan, Ind., February, 1857, but resided there till July. 1867; returned to Terre Haute, and December. 1867, they moved to Marshall, III. He resided in Marshall till 1876, and then removed to Arkansas. Our subject had Mar- shall for his home till 1872, but most of the time was traveling in the photographing business. In 1872, he removed to this place, and was in the photograph business with V. B. Bean for five years and a half. He was then elected Justice of the Peace, April, 1876, and since has served as Justice of the Peace. In 1874, he began in the insurance business, and since that has represented most of the leading stock companies in the United States, at one time representing as many as

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BIOGRAPHICAL:

fifteen. He now is agent for the Ætna of Hartford, Phoenix of Hartford, the Phoenix of New York, the Hartford of Hartford, Continental of New York, the American Central of St. Louis, the German of Peoria, Ill. He has also been Notary Public since 1876. He received his education in the academy of Sullivan, Ind., but left school at fifteen years of age and entered a print- ing office at Sullivan, Ind., under Murray Briggs, and remained there over two years, and then went into the office of I. M. Brown, the Sullivan County Union office; remained with Brown for about six months. His father was one of the earliest photographers in Indiana, and our subject was raised to the business, and after quitting the printing office of I. M. Brown he followed photogra- phy till he entered upon his office of Justice of the Peace. He was married, November 18, 1879, in Martinsville, to Mrs. Rachel (Duncan) Wagner, daughter of George and Mary A. Duncan, and widow of A. B. Wag- ner. She was born in Sullivan County, Ind., February 10, 1856. Her parents were both raised near Terre Haute, Ind., and are both living in Martinsville-a farmer at present He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, becoming a member January 17,1870; he took his first degree in the Marshall Lodge, 133. In the summer of the same year took the chapter degree in the Marshall Chapter, No. 70. At present is member of the Clark Lodge, 603, at Martinsville; also retains his mem- bership in the Chapter of Marshall. He is also a member of the Success Lodge, 1204, Knights of Honor. of Martinsville. He is Democratic in politics. In 1880, he was re-elected Justice of the Peace, and is serving his second term. He has been Clerk of the village, serving three terms. He has represented the Success Lodge. 1204, in the Grand Lodge of the State twice, and has

filled the offices of Past Dictator, Reporter and Treasurer. and is at present Financial Reporter and Treasurer. In the Blue Lodge. A., F. & A. M., he has filled all of the offices pro tem., but has been elected Secretary, Junior Warden, and is at present Senior Warden.

J. W. GREENWELL, stock dealer. Martinsville, was born in Berkeley Coun- ty, Va., 1832, to John and Margaret (Curtis) Greenwell. They were both born in Virginia, but moved to Knox County, Ohio, 1834, and in 1847 came to Clark County, Ill., and settled in Parker Prairie, south of Casey. He died there in 1855, and she in 1854. By trade he was a carpenter, but also followed farming. They first moved into a rented cabin in Parker Prairie, when there were but three houses in the prairie, and when most of the land was Government land. There were only two schoolhouses anywhere near them; one six miles south of Casey, and the other at Mar- tinsville. These were also used to hold meetings in, and then if services were held in the community, it was in the private houses. They were the parents of ten chil- dren, of whom our subject is the eighth child. Five of the ten are now living. Our subject received most of his education in this county: attending the school near home, and then the one in Martinsville. In 1850, he left home and came to Martinsville, where he remained for two years. February, 1853, he was mar- ried, in Clark County, to Ellen J. Wood. She was born in Muskingum County. Ohio, 1827, to William and Mary (Lampton) Wood. They were both born in Virginia, and came to Clark County, Ill., 1840. and died here. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwell have three children living -- James W., George R. and Mary. After Mr. Greenwell was married, he moved onto his present farm, one and one-half miles

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MARTINSVILLE TOWNSHIP.

northwest of Martinsville, in Parker Town- ship. His farm now consists of 400 acres, all but fifty of which is in cultivation. Mr. Greenwell's occupation has always been that of farming and dealing in stock, and in 1877 he began buying and shipping live stock from Martinsville. His average yearly ship. ment of hogs reaches about a thousand head. When first starting into life for himself, he had nothing at all; and his success has been the result of his own energy. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. He is Republican in politics.

F. J. HAINES, operator and station agent, Martinsville. The subject of this sketch was born in Clinton County, Ohio, September 3, 1853, to Cyrus F. and Almira (Haynes) Haines, who are now both living in Hendricks County, Ind. He was born in North Carolina Novem- ber 27, 1830, she in Clinton County, Ohio, 1835. They have five children living, of whom our subject is the oldest. By trade, his father is a carpenter, and came from North Carolina when he was about fifteen years old. Our subject received his education in Clayton, Hendricks Co., Ind. When he was at the age of twenty years, he began to learn tele- graphing, under Mr. Hartwell, of Clayton, but now of Casey, and since beginning at Clayton he has been employed by the Van- dalia line. April 13, 1880, he was located at this point, and has continued here since, acting as agent and operator. July 2, 1878, he was married, in Keokuk, Iowa, to Louisa Menz, who was born in Highland, III., to John and Christina Menz. Mr. and Mrs. Haines have one little son, Harry Lee, born February 6, 1882. Mr. Haines is a member of the Knights of Honor; is also Republican in politics. Through close attention to busi- ness. and gentlemanly bearing, Mr. Haines has gained the good will of all in Martins- ville.

WILLIAM HAMMERLY. dealer in wines, liquors, etc., Martinsville, was born in Chilli- cothe, Ohio, September 27, 1843, to Joseph and Rosa (Kramer) Hammerly. He was born in Wurtemberg, and she in Baden, Germany. Immediately after their marriage, they came to America, and settled in Chillicothe, Ohio. In 1854, they came to Clark County, Ill., and settled about five miles south of Marshall. Our subject remained on the farm till 1857, when he went to Terre Haute, Ind., and learned the trade of weaver, working there for four years. September 22, 1861, he en- listed in Company E, Nineteenth United States Regulars, Capt. Mussey, of Cincinnati. He served the time of his first enlistment and then re-enlisted in the' Second Indiana Cav- alry under Capt. Debenbraugh. He then served till the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Edgefield, Tenn. Most of the time during the last year in service he was Orderly for Col. George Purdy, and still has passes which he had to permit his going through the picket lines. He was in the battle of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, etc., and went through the entire service without a wound-except having his feet frozen at Green River, Ky. After returning home from the service, he went to Indianapolis, where he remained till 1873. Two years of the time while in Indianapolis, he was engaged to Messrs. Smith & Edenbaugh in their stone and marble yards, and while with them he helped to erect Roberts' Chapel, on Del- aware street. In the fall of 1873, he came to Martinsville, and engaged in the confec- tionery and bakery business, and continued in the same till June, 1882. In February, 1882, he also took charge of the St. Nicholas House, of Martinsville, and was proprietor of it till November, 1882. June 23, 1882, he started into his present business, of dealer in wines, liquors, etc. September 23. 1871.

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in Indianapolis, Ind., he was married to Miss Sophia Richards. She is a native of Ind- iana, and daughter of Ruel and Elizabeth Richards. Both are now living in Terre Haute, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Hammerly have four children-Charles, Nora, Nellie and Harry. He is Republican in politics.

H. C. HOWELL, agricultural implements and Justice of the Peace, Martinsville, was born in Virginia, 1832, and was left an or- phan when six days old; his father died be- fore his birth. At his mothe.'s death, he was taken into the family of Coldwell Carr, and was raised as one of their own children until he was fourteen years old, when Mr. Carr told him who his parents were, and gave him the choice whether to learn a trade or go into a store. At first he chose the store, but after ten months' trial he was not satisfied with it, so he returned home and went to school for some time, and then entered the saddle and harness shop of Daniel Campbell, of Wash- ington, D. C., and remained with him for some years, and then went to Leesburg, Va, Loudoun County, and worked at his trade for about three years. Then to Martinsburg. Berkeley Co., Va., and was there during the cholera scourge of the place, where no one was allowed to leave the town for fear of spreading it. In 1856, he left Martinsburg, Va., and came to Martinsville, Ill., and went into the employ of William G. Files, in the saddle and harness business. Mr Files was also Justice of the Peace and Postmaster at the time. Mr. Howell carried on the busi- ness for Mr. Files till the time of his death -1860. He then succeeded Mr. Files in the saddle and harness business, and continued in that till 1861, when he entered the serv- ice, going in at the first call for three months in Madison's Battery, but they were never mustered in. So he returned home and en- listed in the One Hundred and Twenty-third

Illinois Infantry, and served till he lost his hearing and had to quit the service Angust, 1864. At the time he was disabled, he was First Lieutenant and had command of the Company. He was in the battles of Perry- ville, Ky., Milton, Tenn., Hoover's Gap, Farmington, Rome, Ga., etc. Also in the charge of Big Shanty. After returning home, he again went into his old business of sad- dles and harness, and continued till 1974,. when he sold out and engaged in his present business of agricultural implements. Since 1867, he has been Justice of the Peace in connection with his other business. In 1857, he was married to Catharine Alexander. She was born in Edgar County, Ill., 1839. They have four children living-Mary A. (Polk), Retta (Tyler), William C. and Lulu. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the I. O. O. F. and Knights of Honor, and is Republican in politics.

ISAAC ISHLER, Postmaster, Martins- ville, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, Octo- ber 15, 1841, to George and Martha (Gar- rett) Ishler; both were born in Pennsylvania. In 1852, they moved to Clark County, and have resided in this county and township ever since, and are now both living at Martins- ville. He is a cabinet-maker by trade. They had thirteen children, of whom six boys and five girls are still living. Our sub- ject is the second oldest son now living. He received most of his education in the school of Martinsville. By trade he is a cabinet- maker and undertaker, learning it at Marshall, with Nathan Husted. He worked at his trade till the beginning of the war. and then en- listed in Thirtieth Illinois Infantry-Capt. Bradshaw. He served nearly three years, and then re-enlisted with the veterans, serving for about four years in all. He entered as private, then was Corporal and Sergeant, but was brevetted Second Lieutenant at the

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close of the war. He was at Ft. Donelson, Champion Hill, first siege of Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, and Sherman's grand march to the sea. After his discharge, he came to Martinsville, and has been here ever since, working at his trade for some time, and then sold out his undertaking and furniture and went into clerking in grocery and provision store and post-office. His brother was Post- master under Hayes' Administration, but resigned about a year before the time was out, and our subject was appointed and has filled the office of Postmaster ever since. In July, 1875, he was married in this county to Sierra Nevada Bennett, daughter of George Bennett. She was born in this county. They have one daughter-Edna B. Our subject is Re- publican in politics. He and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F., of Martinsville. George Bennett, his wife's father, came to this county about 1839, and was one of the earliest in " Moonshine" prairie, his present residence. He moved from Ohio to this State.

JERRY ISHLER, merchant, Martinsville, was born in West Lebanon, Wayne Co., Ohio, December 16, 1842, to George and Martha

Ishler (see sketch of Isaac Ishler). Till the age of nine years, he lived in Wayne County, and then came to Clark County in May, 1862, and this has been his home al- most all his life since. He attended school in Wayne County, Ohio, till they removed to this place, and afterward in Martinville. At the age of eighteen, in 1861, he started to learn the trade of harness-maker, but soon after enlisted in the army. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Second Regiment Illinois Light Artillery-Capt. Relley Madi- son. He served till August 31, 1864, when he received his discharge at Springfield, Ill., at the expiration of his term of enlistment.

Most of the time they were in the Army of the Tennessee and the Army of the Missis- sippi, serving under Gens. Logan, Sherman, Grant, etc. Their active service commenced in Northwestern Missouri, but were trans- ferred to the Army of the Tennessee March, 1862, landing at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn .. and were engaged in the battle of Shiloh, in the siege of Corinth, and also in the battle of Corinth, November, 1862. They were then transferred to the army of the Missis- sippi, and did gnard duty at Memphis for a few months, and then started to meet Sher- man on his march to the sea, but met Forrest, Chalmers and Van Dorn, and were repulsed, lost all their battery, etc., and had to retreat back to Memphis-about 140 miles. That ended the active service of the company. After returning from the army, Mr. Ishler went back into the harness shop to complete his trade, continuing there till 1868. He then went to clerking in a general etoro. In 1869, he worked on the Vandalia road, as they were building it. Spring of 1870, he went to Kansas, stopping till October, 1870, and then returned and began clerking, and continued till 1871, in spring, and was elected Police Magistrate, and served for one term. In 1873, he engaged in business for himself, and has continued in a general merchandise business since. He carries a stock of about $1,500, with yearly sales of about $7,500. In 1875, he was elected President of the Town Board, serving for one year. He was commissioned Postmaster by Marshall Jew- cll, September, 1873, and held that office till 1SSO, and then resigned. He was married in 1865, in Martinsville, to Miss P. A. Neer, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, in October, 1843, daughter of Josiah and Martha Neer. They have four children -- Pontius, Nina, Lizzie E. and Jesse G. He is Republican in politics, and a member

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History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 73

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 826

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 826