History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 91

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 91
USA > Illinois > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois > Part 91

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).

254

BIOGRAPHICAL:

young at the time to enter the army. Zal- mon served until the close of the war, when he was discharged. He was married April 1, 1873, in Sullivan County, Ind .. to Miss Cam- rie French, granddaughter of Gen. French of Revolutionary fame. They have three children, viz .: Ruth Pearl, Frank and Burel. J. D. was married November 24, 1881, to Miss Ettie Updyke, a daughter of Hon. William Updyke. The Ruddell brothers are enter. prising merchants of Robinson, and do a large and profitable business, amounting to some $15,000 annually. In November, 1881, Zalmon was unanimously elected Captain of Company E, Eighth Regiment Illinois Na- tional Guards, a position his experience in the late war eminently qualifies him to fill. Martha (Neal) Ruddell, mother of the Rud- dell brothers, subjects of the sketch, and whose portrait appears in this volume, was born in Boone County, Ky., December 25, 1805. She was married to George Ruddell in August, 1825. George, with his young wife, moved to Grant County, Ky., and set- tled in the unbroken wilderness, where they toiled amid hardships and danger, converting their wilderness home into a comfortable and profitable farm. In 1853, with her husband, she removed to Illinois, settling in Lamotte Township, in Crawford County. In 1855, the grim messenger of death deprived her of her husband and protector, leaving her with a large family of small children to educate and train for the duties of life, which duty she has performed nobly, the subjects of the sketch being the youngest of her charge. She is a faithful and devoted Christian. She joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in childhood.

JAMES N. SHIPMAN, dealer in grocer- ies, queensware, boots and shoes, etc., Rob- inson, was born in Martin Township, Craw- ford Co., Ill., February 25, 1853, son of

Savilla and Mary (Doyal) Shipman, he a native of Jackson County, Ind., born Octo- ber 6, 1824, she born in Crawford County, Ill., January, 1826, died October 9, 1874. Mr. Shipman was raised on a farm and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits till he entered the store of G. B. Hicks, of Hardinsville, where he remained about two years. In October, 1881. he engaged in his present business and is doing a good trade, carrying a full assort- ment of goods in his line.

ALBERT R. SHORT, druggist, Robinson, was born in Danville, Ill., June 17, 1853, and his boyhood days were spent in Vermil- ion and Champaign Counties. He came to Robinson in March, 1875, and engaged in the drug business, which he still follows suc- cessfully. His annual sales amount to from $8,000 to $11,000. He carries a complete stock of drugs and notions, and has an ex- tensive patronage. Subject was married Oc- tober 9, 1879, to Miss Mary King, a daughter of Ira King, of Robinson. The result of this marriage is two children Frank Alexander and an infant daughter, Carrie.

JAMES H. STEEL, whose portrait ap- pears in this book, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Penn., on the 23d day of June, 1823. His ancestors were of English, Scotch and Irish blood. At an early day in his life, his father removed to Terre Haute, Ind., taking him along. From that time forward until after he was of age, most of his time was spent clerking in Western stores. About the year 1849, he settled in the then small and new town of Robinson, having been pre- viously elected County Clerk of Crawford County. He held the county clerkship about nine years, part of the time by appointment to fill the vacancy caused by Hosea B. Jolly leaving this county and his office. Mr. Steel read law during the time he was County Clerk, and on the 13th day of July, 1857,

255

ROBINSON TOWNSHIP.

was licensed to practice law. From that time he successfully pursued his profession until the year 1865, when the Hon. Ethel- bert Callahan and himself formed a partner- ship for the practice of law in Robinson. That partnership continued about fourteen months; then owing to the failing health of Mr. Steel it was dissolved. For two or three years after the dissolution of the firm, Mr. Steel practiced alone, taking only such cases as suited his inclination and strength, after which time he entirely abandoned the law. Mr. Steel was one of the founders of the Re- publican party in this part of Illinois, and he stood firmly by the Government and the Union soldiers in the war for the preser. vation of the Union. He was a man of good business capacity, honorable and generous in his dealings, enjoyed the confidence and es- teem of his neighbors and the people of the county. On the 4th day of February, 1847. Mr. Steel was married to Miss Emily J. Otey daughter of James S. Otey, deceased. of this county. This lady was born in Palestine, of this county, and nobly helped and sustained him through their married life. To them were born six children. After a lingering ill- ness, Mr. Steel departed this life on the 2d day of December, 1872, leaving, surviving him, his wife and four children-Mrs. Will- iam C. Jones, James O. Steel, Charles H. Steel and Frank O Steel.

JAMES O. STEEL, attorney at law, Rob- inson, a son of James H. Steel, was born in this county January 7, 1848. He was brought up in Robinson, where he had good facilities for learning, and finished his education in Asbury University at Greencastle, Ind. He studied law under Mr. Hayward, of Olney, Ill., and attended one term of the law school at Ann Arbor, Mich. He was admitted to the bar in 1873, and has practiced his pro- fession in Robinson ever since. He was mar-

ried June 4, 1873, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Hon. William Updyke, of Robinson. They have three children -- Herbert, James H. and Kate. Mr. Steel is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and politically is a Republican.

CHARLES H. STEEL, Auditor Narrow Gauge Railroad, Robinson, was boru in Robinson September 8, 1856, and is a son of James H. Steel. He received a good education, finishing up by attending a select school for four years. He engaged in the abstract of titles, real estate business, etc .. and in 1881, accepted the position of Auditor of the S. E. & S. E. R. R. (Narrow Gauge). which position he now holds. He was mar- ried February 21. 1876, to Miss Loretta Miner, of Shelbyville. Ind. They have three children -- Erle, Emily and Gertrude. Mr. Steel is both a Mason and Odd Fellow.

F. ST. CLERGY, dentist, was born in Spain July 9, 1854. Went with his father, when quite young, to Buenos Ayres, S. A. He located in a little town about sixty miles from Buenos Ayres, by the name of Sinal- onio de Areco. At the age of twelve, he was sent to New York City, where he attended school under Prof. George Smiley, and grad- nated in dentistry. He practiced his profes- sion in dental offices in several of the lead- ing cities of this country. In 1872, he located in Robinson, his present home. He was married, October 5, 1878, to Miss Julia Mail, daughter of I. D. Mail. Has two chil- dren-Fernando Magarinhos and an infant.

CORNELIUS STEPHENSON, farmer and stock dealer, P. O. Robinson, was born No- vember 20, 1829, in Butler County, Ohio. He was raised in that county. He was mar ried, in that county, July S. 1855, to Miss Mary Hulse, daughter of Joseph Hulse. In 1857, he removed to Crawford County, Ill .. and purchased a farm of 160 acres in Section 4, Robinson Township. He improved it and

256

BIOGRAPHICAL:

built buildings, and has an excellent orchard; to this he has added 312, mostly under culti- vation. Raises an immense amount of wheat, oats and corn-wheat principally; keeps a large amount of stock. He has, for the last three years, produced an average of 800 bushels. He has a family of four children, three sons and one daughter, as follows: Mrs. Emma Wakefield, wife of Andrew Wake- field; Joseph C .; Benjamin F .; Cornelius H. Subject is a Democrat. His (subject's) father, Benjamin Stephenson, was born in New Jersey. Removed with his parents, at the age of four years, to Ohio-Butler County -where he remained till his death, which occurred in 1873 (June) aged about sixty- seven years. He followed the profession of farming, and became quite wealthy. He owned, at one time, about four hundred acres of land. He was married. in Butler County, to Miss Theodosia Lowe, by whom he had twelve children, of whom nine survive him. He was also a Democrat.

father, John H. Stephens, died in Robinson, September 7, 1877; his mother is still living in the town.

RICHARD TALBOT, editor, Robinson, was born July 19, 1848, in Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio. He is a brother of Percy J. Tal bot, whose sketch appears below. He re- ceived the greater portion of his education in his native village. He was married, March 22, 1875, to Margaret Crowley, born March 22, 1854, in Ohio. She is a daughter of S. B. and Elizabeth (Williams) Crowley, natives of Coshocton County, Ohio. Mr. Talbot enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served five months. His union gave him two children -Ida B. and Emma C. He engaged at the printing business in 1863; and had continued the same until he joined the editorial staff of the Constitulion, to which he now gives his entire personal attention. He is a "stanch Democrat." and works earnestly for the cause of that organization. Further notice made of him and P. J. in the history of the press of Robinson.

L. E. STEPHENS, surgeon dentist, Robin- son, is a son of John H. Stephens, and was born in Loudoun County, Va., September 8, 1845, PERCY J. TALBOT, editor, Robinson. The subject of this biography was born Au- gust 28, 1855, in Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio. His father, John, whose portrait appears in this work, was born September 21, 1797, in Tipperary, Ireland. He was not one of Fort- une's petted ones, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but a member of an industrious family. Early in his manhood, he became a citizen of Canada, and espoused the cause of that country, publishing a lively newspaper known as the Liberal. In 1839, he located at Somerset, Ohio, where he engaged in the hardware business, which he continued with success until 1863, when he withdrew and became a resident of Terre Haute, Ind., and subsequently of Robinson, Ill., and at the and when quite young came to Illinois with his parents, and located in Hutsonville, in this county; in 1854, moved to Porterville, and in 1871 came to Robinson. Subject received a good common education, and attended West- field College, iu Clark County, two years. After leaving school, he studied dentistry with his father, and in 1871 began the prac- tice of his profession in Robinson, where he has since resided. The subject was married, July 29, 1873, to Miss May G., a daughter of Judge James B. Trimble, of this county. They have a family of five sons and one daughter, viz .: Arthur G., Franklin A., John M., Frederick, Earle (twins) and Mabel. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and a thorough Democrat politically. His latter entered the newspaper business, taking

257

ROBINSON TOWNSHIP.

the management of the Robinson Constitu- tion September, 1863, his efforts in which are carefully noticed in the history of the press in another portion of this work. Mr. Talbot was a man of culture, liberal thought and decided opinion. He early imbibed the prin- ciples of the Whig party, at the extermina- tion of which he joined the Democratic party, in the interests of which he labored until his decease. He possessed a noble character, and his intercourse with his fellow-man was marked with that courtesy and suavity of manner which accompanies true manhood. " None knew him but to praise." When the time came for him to be stricken from life's roll on earth, he was prepared for life eternal. His deathı occurred September 22, 1874, in Robinson. He was married to Mary Jane Blake, born in Ireland January 5, 1817, and died in Robinson January 5, 1879. The result of the union was seven chil- dren, Percy J. received a limited education in the Robinson schools until he was nine years old, when he was taken to the printing office, to help maintain his father's family. He has learned the trade thoroughly, from " devil" up to editor. In 1879, he took one-half interest in the Constitution, since which time he has been an element in its his- tory. He was married, at Robinson, Sep- tember 16, 1879, to Martha F. Dickson, born February 28, 1859, in Robinson. She is a daughter of William C. and Caroline V. (Inge) Dickson. The result of his union has been one child-Gertrude M., born April, 1880, and died April, 1881. He is a Demo- crat.

SAMSON TAYLOR. County Treasurer, Robinson. The subject of this sketch, the accommodating County Treasurer, is a native Buckeye, born in Ohio (Champaign County), February 22, 1825. He removed to Craw- ford County, Ill., in 1848, and settled on a

farm in the present township of Honey Creek. He purchased a tract of eighty acres of land, and has since added sixty arres to it, making 140 acres, 120 of which are in cul- tivation. Politically, Mr. Taylor is a Demo- crat. He has taken an active part in politics, and has frequently been elected to the offices of Collector and Treasurer of the county, holding the latter office from 1861 to 1867. He was again elected Treasurer in Novem- ber, 1882. He sold goods in Crawfordsville from 1868 to 1874, when bis store was burnt out and he returned to farming. Subject is a leading Mason, having been a member of the fraternity since 1846. Mr. T. was mar- ried. June 18, 1846, to Miss Barbara Taylor (no relative, however), of Champaign County, Ohio. They have had the following chil- dren: Joseph B .. Sarah L., Julia A., Henry, Hiram, Mary A., Samson, James C., Charles A., John H., George, William S., David Y. The last four are dead.

PETER WALKER, of the firm of Bull & Walker, was born October 15, 1848, in Edin- burgh, Scotland. He came to America in 1871, and located in Indianapolis, Ind. He engaged in the dry goods business for one year, also, for a short time, at Terre Haute. In 1874, he located in Robinson, and engaged in the same business. September 5, 1873, he was married to Miss Emma Bull, daughter of E. F. Bull. They have two children -- Dale and Peter. He is a member of Odd Fellows, Knights of Honor and Knights and Ladies of Honor.

ALDRIDGE WALTERS, son of Jacob Walters, stock dealer and farmer, buys cattle principally, also hogs, horses and all kinds of stock. Was born October 28, 1837, a native of this county. When he began life for him- self he engaged in farming. Afterward in stock dealing in Lamotte Township. He owns a farm of 430 acres in Robinson Towu-

258

BIOGRAPHICAL:

ship. Also 40 acres in Lamotte Township. He removed to Robinson in 1872 and has made stock dealing his special business since. He was married on October 26. 1862, to Han- nah Mitchell, who died May 29, 1869. He was married to Margaret R. Mitchell March 17, 1870. She died July 16. 1875. He was married September 6. 1877, to Miss Martha Delzell. He has three children living, one by his first wife and two by his last, as fol- lows: Jacob S., Mary T. and Ollie P. He is a member of the Knights of Honor. His father, Jacob Walters, was born 1803, in Hamilton County, Ohio. He was married to Miss Mary Jeffries about 1833. He was the owner of about 600 acres of land at his death, on February 1, 1866.

JESSE S. WATKINS, farmer, P. O. Rob- inson, was born in Tuscarawas Conuty, Ohio, March 28, 1816. His father removed to Perry County, Ohio, when he was quite young, where he was mostly raised. Mr. Watkins came to Illinois in 1847, and located on a farm on Section 20, Robinson Township, which has since been his home. He first purchased 120 acres. only a part of which was improved. He now owns 206 acres, mostly under cultivation. He cast his first vote for Van Buren, and has voted the Dem- ocratic ticket ever since. He was married August 15, 1844, in Licking County, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Alexander, a daughter of Henry Alexander, Esq. They have one child living and two dead.

H. O. WILKIN, Robinson, was born in Crawford County, Ill., and was educated mostly in the common schools, attending for a time the high school at Marshall. In 1862, he enlisted in the Ninety-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infartry, which regiment formed a part of the Army of the Cumberland. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Hartsville, Chickamauga, and in the Atlanta

campaign. After leaving the army, he came to Robinson (in 1865), and engaged iu clerk ing for Haskett Brothers, which he followed eight years, when he went into the grocery business with S. B. Allen. He afterward sold out and went to Minnesota, remaining a year. when he returned and bought an in- terest in a mill; continuing in the milling business three years, he sold out and engaged in farming. He bought a farm which he operated for some three years and which he still owns. He again went into the grocery business (firm Wilkin & Callagan), but in December, 1882, sold out. Mr. Wilkin was married August 31, 1869, to Miss Sarah E. King, of Robinson, a daughter of Ira King. They have three children living - Ralph, Anna and Ira-and one dead, viz., Lelia.

WILLIAM N. WILLIS (Willis & John- sun), hardware, Robinson, was born near Indianapolis August 16, 1839, son of Toliver M. and Lucinda J. S. (Langster) Willis, and when quite young removed to Kentucky, hut afterward to Covington, Ind., where he worked for three years in the mar- ble business; he then engaged in clerking in a hardware store, which he continued for seven years for the same house. He came to Robinson in 1875, and began the hard- ware business here, which he has since followed, and is at present a member of the firm of Willis & Johnson. They carry a large stock of goods, and have an excel- lent trade. He was married May 8, 1872, to Miss Virginia Prather, daughter of Dr. C W. Prather, of Covington, Ind., and has a family of four children, viz .: Edna S., Pearl L .. William N. and Charles H. Mr. Willis is a member of the Knights of Honor, and of Knights and Ladies of Honor, and also the Baptist Church.

JOSEPH J. WILSON, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Robinson, was born June 11.

259

ROBINSON TOWNSHIP.

1825, in Morgan County, Ohio, and is a son of David Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, who removed to Illinois and settled in Craw- ford County in 1850. He died here about 1863. He has three sons and one daughter living-the sons all live in this county, and are David, Solomon and Joseph J., the sub- ject. The elder Wilson came from Ohio by wagon, over the old National road, passing through Zanesville and Dayton, Ohio, and on through Terre Haute. Joseph J., the sub- ject, was brought up on the farm, receiving a good common school education. He came with his father to Illinois, and some time later bought 160 acres of land one mile north of Robinson, and 20 acres of timber. Here he has since followed the business of farm- ing, raising wheat and corn mostly, producing annually about 800 bushels. He was married in the fall of 1859 to Miss Nancy Conrad, of this county. They have four children liv- ing, viz .: Isabel, Mary E., Joshua S. and Emma.

HON. WILLIAM C. WILSON, farmer, P. O. Robinson, was born in Palestine, Ill., on the 5th of November, 1832, and has spent his whole life in Crawford County. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Kitchell) Wilson; the former was born in Virginia February 11. 1790, and died in March, 1850; he came to Illinois in 1816, when the county was a comparative wilderness, and settled near Palestine, where he spent his life, mostly in farming; was for four years (1845 to 1849) Receiver of the Land Office at Palestine; his wife belonged to the Kitchell family, long prominent in the county, and was born in New Jersey in 1799. Their children were Eliza A., Robert C., John W., Jeretta, James, Hannah, William C. (subject), Martha and Asa W .; three died in infancy. Mr. Wilson, the subject, was brought up on the farm, and in those days farming was not the science

that it is now; ox teams were then common, and the old wooden mold-board plow. When he began work for himself, he had 80 acres of land, given him by his father. He now owns about 560 acres near Robinson, well im- proved His education was received in the common schools of the neighborhood, which he was unable to attend except during the winter season. When twenty years of age, Mr. Wilson was appointed Deputy Clerk, and served for one year; he was elected County Treasurer in 1854, for two years, and in 1856 postmaster at Palestine, which he held some time. He then engaged in the milling busi- ness, but retired from it in 1861; and the same year was elected County Clerk, a posi- tion he held for sixteen consecutive years; in 1879, was elected State Senator from the Forty-fifth District composed of the counties of Crawford, Clark and Jasper, and during the sessions served on the committees of Ap- propriation, Printing, Education, etc., etc., working actively during his term. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and of the Masonic fraternity. He is a Democrat in politics and cast his first vote for James Buchanan for President. Mr. Wilson was married December 4, 1855, to Miss Sue F. Waldrop, a daughter of Francis and Amelia (Redmon) Waldrop -- he a native of North Carolina, and she of Ohio. He died March 11, 1848, and she died March 22, 1874. Mrs. Wilson is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

THOMAS N. WILSON, proprietor ma- chine shop, Robinson, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, April 18, 1853. He came to Crawford County, Ill., in 1867. He engaged in farming a short time, and then went into the Western country on a trip; visited the Black Hills, from which he returned to this county in 1879. He purchased a saw mill and engaged in the lumber business, which

260

BIOGRAPHICAL:

he continued until the latter part of 1882, when he sold his mill and bought an interest in the machine shop he now operates. He owns four good dwellings in Robinson and thirteen vacant lots. He is a member of the Odd Fellows. Mr. Wilson was married April 28. 1880, to Miss May E. Myers, who died October 28, 1882. She leaves one child, Mabel Lenore, born September 29, 1882, who was about one month old at her mother's death.

J A. WISEMAN, Robinson, of the firm of Wiseman & Brubaker, of the Robinson Plan- ning Mills, was born January 24, 1849, in Cincinnati, where he grew to manhood with good facilities for education, and made good use of the opportunity. He took up his trade,

carpentering, at the age of fifteen, and at the age of nineteen he began contracting and do- ing a regular business for himself. He Io- cated in Robinson in 1875. He bought a planing mill and has run that in connection with a lumber yard and regular contracting and building business. He was married February 3, 1871, in Crawford County, to Miss Lucy C. Sheets, born in Terre Haute, Ind., July 5, 1848, daughter of John and Susan (Bayless) Sheets. This union has been blessed with four children-Minnie May, Maudie, William F., Mary Ella.

ABNER P. WOODWORTH, Cashier Rob- inson Bank, Robinson. (A sketch of Mr. Woodworth will be found in Palestine biogra- phies in connection with Woodworth family).

HUTSONVILLE TOWNSHIP.

LEWIS ADAMS, hotel, Hutsonville, is a native of Preble County, Ohio, born April 13, 1832. His father, Samuel Adams, is a native of New Jersey; he was brought to Pre- ble County, Ohio, by his parents, when he was eighteen years of age. In 1868, he re- moved to Cass County, Ind., where he is now living a retired life upon his farm. His mother, Emily (Cook) Adams, was a native of New Jersey, and died in Cass County, Ind., in 1872. She was the mother of nine chil- dren, of whom Lewis, our subject, was the second child. He was raised on a farm and educated from the common schools of his native county. At twenty-one years of age he engaged in the huckster busi- ness. In 1857, he engaged in the butter and egg business at Cincinnati. In 1858, he returned to Preble County, and en- gaged in the mercantile business in part- nership with Frank McWhinney, at Eldorado;

here he remained for about eight years. In 1864, he sold his interest in the store and re- moved to Galveston, Ind., where he engaged in the same business for himself. In 1870, he engaged in the saw mill business in part- nership with David Thomas. In 1873, he exchanged his interest in the mill for a farm. and remained upon the same about one year. In 1874, he again embarked in the mercan tile business, at Galveston, until 1876, when the crisis of that year swept away all of his property. In 1877, he again engaged in farm- ing, and the following year removed to Craw- ford County, where he engaged in the same business until 1879, when he bought his present business at Hutsonville, "The Adams Hotel." In his last vocation, Mr. Adams has met with success; his house is the best hotel of the county, and the geniality and courtesy of the landlord keep the house well filled. In 1854, he married Miss Hannah Shuman,

261

HUTSONVILE TOWNSHIP.

who has borne him eight children, of whom five are now living-Sarah, Emma, Anna, Frank and Harvey. Mr. Adams is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., and a Republican in politics.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 91

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