History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 86

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 86
USA > Illinois > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois > Part 86

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).

HARVEY M. KESTER, P. O. Dolson, is a substantial farmer of Dolson Township. He is a native of Clark County, Ind., born De- cember 28, 1819, the third child of Daniel and Elizabeth (Carr) Kester, both natives of Kentucky ; he, a farmer, died about 1845, in Clark County. Ind .; she died in the same county as her husband about 1857 or 1858. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom lived to man and womanhood, three sons and three daughters, five now living, one girl having died. Our subject's early education was very limited, being received in the old subscription schools of his native county. In his early life, he assisted his father on the home farm, and after becoming of age, rented land in connection with his brother, Fielden S. In the spring of 1847, he came to this county, and in the fall of the same year purchased 160 acres of land, and

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by subsequent additions now has a farm of 440 acres in a good state of cultivation, about 130 acres being in timber. He also has an interest in 160 acres in Douglas Township. Our subject was married in 1860, in this county, to Lorinda Jane McDonald, a daughter of Edward and Naney (Dade) Mc- Donald. Mrs. Kester died May 2, 1878, in Dolson Township, leaving eight children, one having died. Those living are Fielden H., Elizabeth F., Nancy Ellen, Charles P., Mary A., Sarah Ann, Harriet C. and Amanda Jane. In politics, our subject is a Repub- lican. He has served two years as Assessor of Dolson Township, and is the present Treas- urer of Schools, Township 11, Range 13.

JACOB G. LYCAN, farmer, P. O. Dolson, is one of the old settlers of Dolson Township. He was born November 28, 1809, in Ken- tucky, a son of John and Nancy (Whitley) Lycan, he a farmer and blacksmith, born in North Carolina April 27, 1782, a son of Ja- cob G. Lycan, who was a son of Hance Ly- can, who was a son of Nicholas Lycan, of Swedish descent. The mother of our subject was born in Virginia January 19, 1787. They were married July 10, 1804, and were the parents of eleven children-Jeremiah, Will- iam W., our subject, Oliver W., Betsey S., Daniel W., Sarah, Dolly C., Nancy, Polly J. and Illinois. The father of our subject died February 15, 1856, in this county, and the mother March 31, 1872. Our subject was about eleven years old when his parents came to Edgar County, this State, where he received his early education. In 1832, he enlisted in the Black Hawk war, and served three months without seeing any active service. In the fall of 1832, he came to this county, and November 27 of the same year was married to Mary Lockard, born November 25, 1815, in Coshocton County, Ohio, a daughter of William and Mary (Doll) Lockard, he, of

Irish descent, she, born in Virginia. Our subject moved to his present place in the spring of 1834, and bought at first forty acres of land, and by several subsequent additions now has a farm of 420 acres, about 250 acres of which are in timber. Mr. and Mrs. Lycan are the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom are now living-William, born July 18, 1833, and died October 5, 1834; Jane, born January 8, 1835; Nancy Rebecca, April 7, 1839; James Milton, October 11, 1842; Daniel W., June 17, 1844, was drowned in the Pacific Ocean November 4, 1875; John Mills, August 16, 1846. died January 5, 1847; Ase- nath, October 16, 1847; Greenongh K., May 7, 1849; Mary, October 10, 1851, died Octo- ber 13, 1853: Jacob G., March 22, 1854; Martin P., June S, 1857. died September 19, 1857; Sarah L., October 5, 1858; and Amos B., May 23, 1862. In political matters, our subject votes the Democratic ticket.

JOSEPH B. STUARD, farmer, P. O. Dol- son, is a native of Pennsylvania, born De- cember 15, 1818, a son of James and Nancy (Ogden) Stuard, who were the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, our subject being the second child of the family. His early education was acquired in the old subscription schools of Indiana, to which State he came with his parents at an early age. The parents, who were farmers, both died in that State. In Johnson County. Ind., in December, 1840, our subject was married to Mary Jane Patterson. born Sep- tember 28, 1825, in Clark County, Ind .. a daughter of James C. and Jane (Kelley) Pat- terson, natives of Kentucky; he died March 24, 1865, and she when Mrs Stuard was very small. In 1849, our subject removed to his present place, and first purchased 120 acres of land, which has been increased by subsequent additions to 230 acres Mr. and Mrs. Stuard are the parents of twelve chil-

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dren, eight of whom are living-Nancy Jane, Sarah Ann, Mary Catharine, Lucy Mildred, Elizabeth Margaret, Lyman Booth, Emily

Frances and William Henry, Mr. Stuard is a member of the Clarksville Lodge, No. 713. I. O. O. F. In politics, he is a Democrat.

ORANGE TOWNSHIP.

JOHN J. ARNEY, farmer, P. O. Martins- ' Marshall, Ill. Miss Minnie, second child and only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arney, was born July 11, 1858, in Wyandot County, Ohio, and came with her parents to this State in 1866. She has taught school some in this county. She is a lady of more than ordinary energy. Frederick William Arney was born May 1, 1862, in Wyandot County, Ohio. He was educated in the common schools of the county, and has taught school some. George Franklin Arney was born March 16, 1865, in Wyandot County, Ohio, and came with his parents to this State in 1866. The parents and children of this family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ville, was born October 5, 1825, in Canton Basle, Switzerland, and immigrated to this country in 1851, settling in the State of Ohio, Delaware County; afterward moved to Wyan- dot County, near Upper Sandusky. In 1854, he was married to Miss Catharine Bussinger. In 1866, removed to Clark County, Ill., where he has lived to this date. He is a thriving farmer by occupation. Mrs. Catharina (Bus- singer) Arney was born August 1, 1832, in Canton Basle, Switzerland. She came with her parents to this country in 1845, settling in Wyandot County, Ohio. She was mar- ried to Jacob Arney in 1854. She is a woman of unpretending demeanor. yet zealous in re- gard to the moral culture of her children. " Strength and honor are her clothing. In her tongue is the law of kindness. She | looketh well to her household. Her children arise up and call her blessed." The union of Mr. and Mrs. Arney was blessed with four children, one daughter and three sons-John Jacob Arney. Jr., was born August 13, 1856, in Wyandot County, Ohio, and came with his parents to this State in 1866. He was edu- cated in the common schools, and attended college in Westfield, Ill., and at the Central Normal, Danville, Ind. He is a school teacher by profession. He was appointed census enumerator for Orange Township, in 1880. He was nominated for Superintend- ent of Schools by the Republican County Convention, in 1882. He read law in the office of R. E. Hammil and T. L. Orndoff. in

F. BLANKENBEKER, farmer, P. O. Martinsville. Mr. Felix Blankenbeker is a native of Harrison County, Ind., born on the 5th day of March, 1819. He is a son of Fe- lix and Mary Blankenbeker. The former a native of Virginia, where he was born April 25, 1785, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812, going from Kentucky, where his parents had moved when he was but five years old. He was married, in Kentucky, to Miss Mary Crisler, who was born in Virginia De- cember 4, 1787. They had a family of ten children, of whom Felix is the sixth. The family removed to Harrison County, Ind., about 1817, where the parents died, the mother in the year 1846, February 3, and the father in 1859, January 16. Subject was ed- ucated in the common schools and reared in his native county, where on the 6th of Au- gust. 1840. he married Miss Lucy Ann Utz,

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daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth (Baker) Utz. She was born in Floyd County, Ind., February 28, 1819. She died in Orange Township, April 27, 1859, leaving a family of nine children, of whom six are deceased, viz .: Martha J., born January 4, 1842, died January 1, 1856; Samuel C., boru May 22, 1843, married to Miss S. Atha; Julia A., wife of W. H. Rubottom, was born November 10, 1844, and died December 24, 1877, leaving four children ; John H., born August 23, 1846, died August 9, 1871; Benjamin F., born July 3, 1848, married to Matilda Sloan; Mary E., wife of William A. Simmons, was born September 4, 1850, and died January, 1874, leaving two children, one deceased; Christia A., the wife of John Lawrence, was born November 8, 1852; Sylvester, born De- cember 17, 1854, and died September 16, 1872; Amanda, was born September 13, 1857, and died September 9, 1872. Mr. Blanken- beker was married to his present wife, Sarah Hughes, widow of Edward Hughes, and daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Rubottom, on the 2d of February, 1860. Her father was born in North Carolina, in 1793, where he grew to manhood. He was married, in Indi- ana, to Miss Elizabeth Westfall, and died May 4, 1872. She was born in Ohio Octo- ber 7, 1800, and is still' living with her daughter, Mrs. Blankenbeker. They had a family of seven children; Mrs. B. is the sec- ond. She was born in Greene County, Ind., October 30, 1826. They have been blest with four children, viz .: Emma, born August 15, 1861, died July 19, 1862; Joseph F., born January 13, 1863. William, born April 1, 1865, died March 12, 1866; Sarah, born April 19, 1867. Besides these, Mrs. B. had two children as the result of former marriage, both of whom are dead-John W. Hughes, born July 11, 1848, and died iu infancy; William F., born August 19, 1850, and died

in infancy. Mr. B. came to this county from Indiana, in 1853, and settled in Orange Township, near where he now lives. He is engaged in general farming and owns a farm of 380 acres of land. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at St. Pauls. Have been members of the church for twen- ty-five years, sixteen years of the time held official connection, in the capacity of Class- leader and Steward. Mrs. B. has been con- nected with the church over forty years.

SAMUEL BLANKENBEKER, farmer, P. O. Martinsville. Samuel Blankenbeker is the seventh of a family of ten children of Felix and Mary Blankenbeker. He was born in Harrison County, Ind., October 11, 1821. He was reared on the farm, and educated in the common schools. He was married Octo- ber 26, 1843, in Indiana, to Miss Mary A. Hull, daughter of John and Susan Hull. She was born in Virginia February 8, 1826, and came to Indiana with her parents when a child. She died ou March 18, 1868. Their union was blessed with five children, viz .: Evaline, the wife of David Ferrel, born De- cember 16, 1844; George, born May 5, 1846, married to Naoma Dix; Ellen, wife of John Baker, born January 15, 1849, died on De- cember 16, 1869, leaving one child, Savilla Baker; Savilla, the wife of Wily W. Phil- lippe, born March 21, 1851; and William C., born June 15, 1853, married to Priscilla Fix. Our subject was married to his present wife, Elizabeth H. Cooper, widow of John Cooper, and daughter of Samuel and Agnes Midkiff, on the 13th of June, 1869. She was born in Shelbyville, Ind., June 15, 1832. Her father was born in Kentucky, and the mother, Agnes Rodopher, was a native of Virginia. They moved to this county from Indiana, in 1857. They settled in Martins- ville Township, where they died-the mother October 1, 1875, and the father September

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22, 1877. They were members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Blankenbeker came to this county in September, 1852, and settled where he now lives, where he owns a farm of 200 acres. He is engaged in stock-raising to some extent. He is a man who enjoys the confi- dence of the people, is a Democrat, and has several years served the township offi- cially.

J. M. ELLINGTON, farmer. P. O. Mar- tinsville, son of Jonathan and Ruth (Price) Ellington, the seventh of twelve children, was born in Madison County, Ohio, July 1, 1836. His father was born in Kentucky about the year 1801, and died in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1857. His mother, a niece of Gen. Sterling Price, of Missouri, was born in Ohio in 1805, and at this writing

(February, 1883), she is living in Orange Township. Clark County. Mr. Ellington moved to this county at an early day and at- tended the subscription schools of Orange Township, before the present system of pub- lic schools was inaugurated. In November, 1863, Mr. Ellington was married to Miss Mary Rubottom, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Westfall) Rubottom. Of this marriage, there are eight children living, two having died in infancy. Those living are Joseph F., Lizzie M., Sarah, Susan, Cora L., Anna G., May and Mary. Mr. Ellington has a well-improved farm of 120 acres in Orange Township, all in cultivation. In religion, Mr. Ellington is liberal. In politics, Dem- ocratic. He cast his first vote for James Bu- chanan.

ANDERSON TOWNSHIP.

THOMAS CRAIG, Jr., farmer, P. O. Mar- shall, son of William W. Craig and Catharine (Serwies) Craig, and grandson of Thomas Craig, Sr., was born in Anderson Township, Clark Co., Ill., June 27, 1853. Mr. Craig's father, William W., was born in Indiana September 21, 1826, and died in Clark County, Ill., in March, 1867. Catharine (Serwies) Craig, mother of the subject of this notice, was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, in 1827, came to America with her par- ents in 1829 or 1830, and at this writing (February, 1883), resides in Anderson Town- ship, Clark County. Mr. Craig was the third of eight children, five of whom are still liv- ing, three having died in infancy. Hav- ing completed his education in the public schools of his native county, Mr. Craig com- menced business life as a school teacher, and has followed that occupation for ten years;

in May, 1877. he was married to Miss Mary C. Holwick, daughter of Daniel and Adeline (Fogle) Holwick. The wife's father was born in Ohio about 1830; her mother, a na tive of the same State, was born about 1835, are both living (February, 1883) in Darwin Township. In politics, Mr. Craig is Demo- cratic, and he has been elected to several of- fices by that party. In April, 1874, he was elected Township Assessor, and served two years ; in April, 1876, Township Collector, serving one year ; in April, 1879, School Trustee, serving three years, and in April, 1882, Justice of Peace, which office he now (February, 1883) holds. Mr. Craig has a well-improved farm of 160 acres in Anderson Township, on which he resides.

JOHN HOLLER, farmer, P. O. Marshall, born February 6, 1828, in Wurtemberg, Germany. He is a grandson of Jacob M

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Holler, born and died in Germany ; he was a shoe-maker by occupation. His son, John Holler, Sr., was born 1800, in Germany, he died 1868, in this county. He served six years in the German Army; he was married · there to Anna Mary Mack, born 1800; she died 1855; she was the mother of five chil- dren, viz., Jacob, Henry, Katharin, Mary and John, our subject, who came to the United States with his parents in 1829, living several years in Little York, Penn., about eight years in Marion County, Ohio, and in 1841 he came to this county, where he was joined in matrimony, November 1, 1855, to

Dartha Strohm, born June 25, 1830, in Al- sace, Germany, daughter of George J. and Margaret E. (Spitler) Strohm. Mrs. Holler is the mother of eight children now living- Emma, born February 29, 1860; Lizzie, born November 7, 1862; Anna D., born September 9, 1864; Barbara E., born February 23, 1866; John A., born January 19, 1868; Katy, born April 15, 1870; Rosetta, born January 5, 1872; Flora U., born July 5, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Holler are members of the Evangel- ical Church. He has a farm of 155 acres, with good buildings; has been School Direc- tor. Mr. Holler is a Democrat.

Biographies Received Too Late for Insertion in Proper Place.

MARSHALL TOWNSHIP.

GEORGE A. HIPPARD, merchant, Mar- shall. While the term " he is a self-made man" is often so unjustly applied as to become a lit- tle monotonous, yet he whose name heads these lines is justly and fully entitled to the distinc- tion. Away back in the famous old State of Virginia, in Middlebrook, Augusta County, January 26, 1830, the subject of this sketch first saw the light, born of English parentage. His father, George, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1798, and is still living at Westerville, Ohio. His mother's maiden name was Sarah Lawman. His parents were married in 1828, and George A. is the second child of a family of eight chil- dren. The family migrated from Virginia to Richland County, Ohio, in 1837, where they re- sided about seven years, and removed to Preble County, same State. The mother died when the boy was twelve years old. Afterward the family removed to Butler County, Ohio, where the father remarried, and the family resided for many years. His father was neither rich nor poor, yet in such circumstances as to be able to give each of his children that best of all

capital, a good English education; though his means were such as to preclude any financial assistance, on arriving at full age young George received his first eduational instruction in Shel- by, and later in Camden, Ohio. His first vent- ure in life was at the age of fourteen, when he became an engineer in a woolen factory, and retained the position for two years. At the age of sixteen, he commenced to learn the tailor's trade, which he followed for many years, with varying success, but never disheartened -never discouraged. In 1856, he turned his face toward the West, and on a bleak, bluster- ing November day, he arrived in Marshall a stranger, with but 25 cents in his pocket. The prospect was anything but bright, but with that characteristic energy that has ever marked his life, he at once began to cast around for some- thing to do. He landed one evening and be- fore noon the next day had opened an humble tailor shop, and was waiting for his first job. In the great battle of life, pluck, vim and en- ergy are always victorious, aud never was this more fully illustrated than in this case. He

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battled along about a year, accumulating a lit- tle all the time, and at last was able to enlarge his business by purchasing a few pieces of cloth, thus adding a merchant tailoring depart- ment. By close application to his business and that fair dealing for which he has ever been known, and by which he laid the foundation of his future success, he prospered, and his busi- ness increased beyond his most sanguine ex- pectations. In 1860, he married Miss Lizzie Stinnett, a most estimable lady, who became the mother of two children .- the elder now Mrs. Cora Blakie, and William C. ]Iippard. His business under his careful management continued to prosper, his home was happy, and the future seemed bright indeed. But death crossed his threshold, and in December, 1863, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his beloved wife. In the spring of 1864, he put into execution a long-cherished design-that of entering the dry goods business. He there- fore closed out his tailoring establishment and investing his all in merchandise, launched upon the great and treacherous mercantile sea, on which so few float and so many sink. Many predicted that he would be engulfed. But heed- less of their prophecies, he kept bravely on. Being a splendid judge of every kind of goods, a safe and close buyer, he took advantage of every market, sold at small margins, dealt just and honorably with all, and soon weathered every gale and rode in the peaceful waters of prosperity and assured success. In August, 1874, he married Mrs. Mary A. Killie, two sons

being the result of this union. Mr. Hippard is in the very prime of life, of medium build, solid and compact, and deliberate in his move- ments. He is sober, temperate and industrious, and of active habits. He is a man of clear head, sound judgment and foresight, a born merchant. Ile is a man of generous impulses and warm friendships. Though occupied with thic affairs of trade, Mr. Hippard has always found time to post himself on the leading is- sues of the day, and has always been an ardent partisan, though never allowing political mat- ters to interfere with his business. From his majority until within the last few years, he was identified with the Democratic party, but be- came a convert to the financial theories of the Greenback party, and is known politically as a Greenback Democrat. In religious belief, we believe Mr. Hippard is a Presbyterian. He is also a Mason, It must be a matter of proud reflection for him, as he looks over the long and busy years that mark the pathway of his life, to think that from his humble beginning, by business probity, straightforward and hon- orable dealing. energy and perseverance, he has built up a business second to none in Eastern Illinois. IIis name is a household word in Clark County, and is known to and his custom sought by the prominent whole- sale merchants of the East. He is yet hale and vigorous, and destined, we hope, for many years to manage and superintend his extensive and constantly increasing busi- ness.

WABASH TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM MACHLAN, merchant, Macks- ville, Ind. William Machlan is a son of Homer and Catharine (Glover) Machlan, and was born in Clark County, Ill., November 30, 1855. His father was born March 31, 1831, in Rush County, Ind., and was the second of a family of three children of Will-

iam E. Machlan and Elizabeth Stiles ; the former born in 1799, in Pennsylvania, and the latter in 1804, in Lawrenceburg, Ind. Soon after marriage, they settled in Rush County, Ind., where the father died July 28, 1833, leaving three children, viz .: Sarah, wife of I. P. Brown ; Homer, and George

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W. Machlan. The mother afterward mar- ried Randolph Lee, with whom she lived un- til the time of her death, which occurred in March, 1860. Homer Machlan was married September 5, 1854, in Clark County, to Miss Catharine Glover. daughter of William and Nancy (Downey) Glover. Her father was born in Pennsylvania August 8, 1789, and served as a soldier through the war of 1812, and was married. September 23, 1819, to Miss Nancy Downey, who was born in March, 1777. They had a family of five children, of whom Mrs. M. is the youngest. She was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, April 24, 1832, and came to this county with her parents in 1852. Here the mother died, September 3. 1858. Her father subsequently

married Lucinda Travioli, and died at his home. December 14, 1872. Homer Mach- lan has a family of four children, of whom one is deceased, viz .: William T. Machlan, born November 30, 1855; Walter B., born October 24, 1857, and married to Miss Adelia Sims ; Ella M., born May 14, 1864, and died September 20, 1865 ; Nancy A., born August 16, 1867. Our subject was principally educated in Marshall, and married on the 23d of March, 1882, to Miss Jennie Broadhurst, of Vigo County, Ind. She was born October 5, 1862. Mr. Macklin, since April, 1880, has been engaged in the mer- cantile business on the Terre Haute & Dar- win road, in the southeast part of the town- ship of Warren; carries a stock of gen- eral merchandise.

CASEY TOWNSHIP.

B. F. WARD, editor Casey Banner, was born in Bath, Steuben County, N. Y., June 15, 1837. a son of David N. H. and Mary (Webb) Ward. His father was a physician, having graduated at Burlington, Vt. He emigrated West, and settled in Tuscola, Ill .. in 1860, and died four years later. He was a Royal Arch Mason, and was buried with honors by his lodge. The mother of our subject was a native of Allegany County, N. Y. At the time of her marriage she received 160 acres of land from her father, which now lies within the limits of the city of Hornellsville, N. Y. She died in Tuscola, Ill. She was a second cousin of Henry Ward Beecher, and our subject's un- cle, Josiah, married a sister of Horatio Seymour. The parents were blessed with seven children, three of whom are living -- B. F., W. H. and Flora. Our subject re- ceived a country school education, and was brought up in the drug store of his father,

and also, when quite young, worked in a printing office. In August, 1862, he enlisted as musician in Company B, Seventy-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served nearly two years. He took part in the memorable battles of Stone River, Lookout Mountain and the siege of Chattanooga, be- sides many other skirmishes. He was pro- moted to the position of Regular Army Hos- pital Steward, which he filled till the close of the war. At Nashville, he was Surgeon to a regiment of colored guards. He returned home, and afterward moved to Cumberland County, this State, and entered into partner ship with William M. P. Quinn, and prac- ticed medicine until 1872. He then started the original Casey Times, which he operated up to 1878, in which year it was removed to Marshall, and sold to a stock company, its name being afterward changed to the East- ern Illinoisan. He had charge of the paper at Marshall for one year. In 1879, he started

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History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 86

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