USA > Illinois > De Witt County > History of De Witt county, Illinois. With illustrations descriptive of the scenery, and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 44
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T'HOTV. BY F. " PEANF.
Ochand Butter
EDITOR and proprietor of the Clinton Public, is a native of Canada, was born in Coteau du Lac on the 11th of November, 1834. His father and mother were born in Ireland, and came to Canada but a few months before the birth of their son. His father, Michael Butler, was a soldier in the British army, and died at the age of thirty-four. His mother died in March, 1874, leaving Richard the only surviving member of a family of thirteen children. During the early years of the life of the subject of this sketch he fully experienced the keen pangs of poverty. His mother being left a widow with four young children, and without means, had to fight the battle of life with the odds against her. Richard's education was limited, having when he was but ten years old to begin work to help support the family. For two years he worked with a confectioner and baker in Montreal, but his health failing he had to try a change of occupation. He drifted from one class of work to another till finally he became an apprentice in the office of the London Free Press in 1849. From there he went to Ham- ilton and worked in the Canada Christian Advocate and other printing offices. In 1852 he went to Rochester, New York, and from that time to the present has been a resident of the United States, excepting a short time he spent in Hamilton, Canada, before and after his marriage. On the 19th of October, 1857, he was married to Miss Kate Scoll, of Niagara, Canada, the ser- vices being performed by W. G. Wright, pastor of the M. E. Church. In 1859 he left Canada, and came to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked as a compositor in the book room of the Meth- odist Book Concern, and on the Cincinnati Daily Enquirer. On the 1st of March, 1862, he bonght the office of the Oxford (Ohio) Citizen, which paper he published, excepting a few months he was in the army during the war, till 1869, when he
sold the Citizen and bought the Oberlin News. Butler's idea of a newspaper did not suit the faculty of Oberlin College. They wanted a religious paper ; he published a newspaper in which the local events of Oberlin had due prominence. In disgust he sold his paper after two years' hard work, to a theological student who had graduated from Oberlin College, and years afterward lost $1,000, through this same religious youth. His recollections of Oberlin are not pleasing in view of that $1,000 he lost by one of its shining lights. He then determined to follow Horace Greeley's advice and come west. His first point was Burlington, Iowa, where for a time he held the position of city editor on the celebrated Burlington Hawkeye. Not feeling at home while working for other masters than himself he came to Clinton, and on the 1st of March, 1872, bought the Clinton Public. During his ten years in Clinton he has met with fair success in business, and is now filling the office of postmaster. Butler is an ardent Republican in politics and a strong believer in the temperance cause. Both of these issues find in him a vigorous champion. He is not a believer in a third party movement to advance the cause of temperance, but insists that the Republicans are the true friends of of all reforms, and that the only hope for success in temperance legislation lies through the Republican party. In the local city elections he advocates the anti-license principle, and with some measure of success, for during the past ten years the city has been under an anti-license administration for more than one-third of the time.
As an Editor and manager of a newspaper, Mr. Butler has demonstrated his ability to give the people of De Witt county an excellent journal to whose support they can graciously con- tribute.
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PHOTO. BY ? @ FFASF
CAL Barnett
THIS country, the asylum for the oppressed of all lands, has been greatly enriched by virtue of religious persecutions through- out different parts of Europe. Perhaps none of these persecu- tions has contributed more of patriotic zeal in proportion to the number who sought homes here, than that of the old Scotch Presbyterians. Driven from their mountain-fastnesses, they first sought protection in Northern Ireland, and from thence came thitherward. To this class belong the ancestors of A. L. Bar- nett. When William Penn was directing the tide of emmigra- tion to his colony near Philadelphia they joined the movement ; thence went to Virginia. So that John Barnett, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, January 28th, 1781. His wife, Sallie Kenney, was of the same stock with himself. About 1789 the Barnetts threaded their te- dious way over the mountains to Kentucky, the "land of pro- mise" in the eyes of pioneers, John riding behind his father on a pack-horse. They located in Bourbon county, where Alexander was born October 15, 1810, being the third of the family in or- der of birth. At present there are but three living: Alexander, James, and Sarah ; whilst Robert Franklin, Mary (who was killed by lightning), Juliet, Elizabeth, and William have pass-
ed away. Mr. Barnett acquired a fair education when yonng, which has become rich in experience during his active life. He came to De Witt county in the year 1832. Was elected surveyor (the first in the county,) May 6, 1839, an office he held contin- nously for twenty years and six months. Then after a respite of almost equal time he was again elected in 1879, and now holds the position. Politically he has been during most of bis'life a Democrat, having cast his first hallot for Martin Van Buren. In 1832 be lost his vote (a fact always regretted, as he was an ad- mirer of Andrew Jackson ), because being on his way from Ken- tucky to Illinois ; but he had the honor of seeing a number of enthusiastic hoosiers drinking to " Old Hickory's health. Of late years, he has identified himself with the Greenback party. He was married to Elizabeth H. Hall, November 20, 1834, by whom he has had twelve children, five of whom died in infancy-three of them being triplets, and died when quite young,-and there are now living six. His wife is a most estimable woman, a mem- ber of the Christian church, and quite an active laborer in the Master's cause. Mr. Barnett is possessed of a strong, vig- orous mind, excellent constitution and great determination of character. He is a man whom his neighbors love to honor.
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1
ALITTI E
PHOTO BY FO PFASF.
many . Gretchen.
WAS born in Delaware county, Ohio, December 30th, 1840. Her father was a farmer ;by occupation. Ile was a true, good man, gentle and kind iu disposition, and possessed of a high sense of honor which was a controlling principle through life. His education was such as could be obtained in the early schools of Delaware. Her mother was a high-spirited lady, ambitious to succeed in life, and measurably well was she rewarded for her efforts. In her youth she had the advantages of the schools of the older States and acquired a very good education ; was quite proficient in drawing and painting. For several years she engaged in teaching in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In the early settlement of Illinois they moved to Ogle county, where her mother died. The family soon after returned to Ohio, where they resided until Mary was thirteen years of age, when they re- turned to Illinois, soon after which the father died, leaving fonr orphan children. This father so thoroughly impressed his own life and character upon his children by precept and example, bring- ing to his aid the memory of a mother's great worth, as to fit them for life's responsibilities, and enable them to resist when tempted to go astray.
Very early in life Mary conceived the idea of becoming a teacher but her opportunities were so poor that she hardly hoped to succeed. An nncle with whom she lived enconraged her, and in the schools of Clinton, to which place they had come in 1854, she continned her studies. In 1857 she commenced her career as a teacher, in Texas township. Here she tanght two , nestly and faithfully for the promotion of her Master's cause.
terms, alternating her teaching with attendance at school. Whilst attending school her nnele and his wife procured for her board and clothes. They were faithful friends and counsellors, ever encouraging, ever helping her. Soon after she attended a term of six months at Conover's Female Seminary at Blooming- ton, borrowing the money with which to defray expenses, and after- wards teaching to replace it. In 1867 she again became a pupil, this time in the Normal University, at Normal, Illinois, but owing to failing health had to abandon her studies before completing the course. Ill health prevented regular teaching. In 1873, through the influence of Judge J. R. Hall and others, her name was placed before the democratic and granger conventions as a candidate for the county Superintendency of Public Schools. In that conven- tion she was defeated, but a week later when the Republican con- ventiou assembled she was nominated, and in the succeeding No- vember was elected. In 1877 she was re-elected, and in Novem- ber 1880 she was appointed to the position for another year by the board of supervisors That she has made a most faithful and efficient Superintendent is attested by all familiar with her work. In 1864, after carefully and thoughtfully studying the creed of the Christian church, i. e. the Bible, she accepted it, as an all- sufficient rule of faith and practice and was baptized December 30, of that year. Since then her profession of the faith has been a constant inspiration in the labor of her life. In church and Sunday-school she takes a great deal of interest, working ear-
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FX
RESIDENCE & STOCK FARM OF M . S. HENDRICK SEC. 21, CLINTONIA TP. DE WITT CO.ILL.
RESIDENCE & OFFICE OF DR . C. GOODBRAKE, CLINTON. ILL.
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HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
DR. CHRISTOPHER GOODBRAKE.
FEW physicians in Central Illinois enjoy a wider or more honorable reputation in their profession than Dr. C. Goodbrake, or as his army comrades prefer to call him, Major Goodbrake, he having attained this rank as Surgeon in the army.
As his name would indicate, he is a native of Germany. His father, John Goodbrake, a citizen of Hemengen, near Stuttgard, in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, was of the number of those who learned to love the spirit of freedom prevailing throughout the United States, and eager to share in its blessings, determined to leave the " faderland " for a residence beyond the blue waters of the Atlantic. His home in Wurtemberg had lost its charms for him in the light of wondrons stories of Ameri- ca's undeveloped resources ; so in 1821 he obtained at Leonberg passports for self and family, in readiness to make the voyage thitber. So patriotic was he, that upon reaching Amsterdam he refused to take passage in any vessel above which the stars and stripes did not float, hence sojourned there for ten or twelve days, when the Northumberland set sail. The trip at that time, required from sixty to as many as one hundred and twenty days, but under the skilful guidance of Captain Otto, the vessel reached the port of Norfolk. in the unparalleled time of forty-four days-the quickest time ever made up to that date across the Atlantic, be- tween Amsterdam, Holland, and Norfolk, Virginia. From Nor- folk he went to Baltimore, and from that city he made his way by wagon to Columbiana county, Ohio, where he settled. His family consisted of wife and seven children ; three of whom were boys and four were girls. Of these, the subject of this sketch was the sixth in order of birth. He was born in Wurtemberg, June 14th, 1816, so that he was but five years of age when brought to this country. His earliest schooling was under the training of George Ritchey, his next under one of the most skilful teachers of eastern Obio, Samuel MeGrew. To him the doctor is largely indebted for the formation of studious habits and close applica- tion to whatever he assumes to do. His father, too, grand old patriot that he was, instilled into his mind a love for his country that has never forsaken him. A fine scholar himself, he greatly aided his son in the pursuit of his studies, so that by the time the subject of our sketch had attained his majority, he was in posses- sion of a good English education, with a fair knowledge of Latin grammar.
Early in life Christopher determined on becoming a practi- tioner of medicine, and in 1837 he left his home to enter the office of Dr. J. W. Whitaker, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with whom he remained as a student three years. Having acquired a fair knowledge of medicine, he commenced its practice in Ports- mouth, Ohio, where he remained for three years ; thence he went to Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1847, when be came to Clinton, where he has sinc> resided. Ambitious to excel in his profession, and determined on greater proficiency in its knowledge, he attended a course of lectures in Rush Medi- cal College, during the session of 1854-5, when he graduated. Upon the breaking ont of the war of the rebellion in 1861, he was among the first to offer his services to the government ; in fact to him must be accredited the honor of being the first in this county so to do. In response to Gov. Yates' call for volunteers, a number enlisted in Clinton on the 19th of April, 1861, who were organized as company E, 20tb Regiment, Illinois Volun- teers. The doctor's recognized skill secured for him the appoint- ment of Surgeon. In the first engagement participated in by this regiment at Fredericktown, Missouri, October 2Ist, 1861, the doctor was the only Surgeon on the field till after the enemy
retreated. After receiving its " baptism of fire" at Frederick- town, this regimeut was in the skirmish at Charlestown. the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh. Corinth. Britton's Lane, Jackson, Champion's Hill, siege of Vicksburg, and At- lanta, in each of which the doctor bore his part.
At La Grange, in the fall of 1862, the Seventeenth Army Corps was organized, with General MePherson as commander, and General John A. Logan as commander of the Third Division ; the doctor being the rauking Surgeon, was appointed to the posi- tion of Surgeon-in-chief of this Division. This honorable dis- tinction he most worthily held until his resignation was accepted. At the expiration of the term of service for which he had en- listed, June 13th, 1864, upon the earnest solicitation of General McPherson, and his Medical Director, coupled with a promise that his resignation would be accepted at the expiration of the Atlanta campaign, he re-enlisted, retaining his position. He remained until September 19th, 1864, when he tendered his re- signation. The doctor's horse, " Old Roan," was a great favorite with him, having been taken from home, and having carried him through more than three years' service. He was anxious to take him home. Transportation had to be secured, which at the time was a difficult thing to accomplish. General Sherman suggested that another horse would soon fill his place in the doctor's affec- . tions; but no, take him home he would, he declared, even though to do so he would have to put on a rebel uniform, and thus make his way through the country. After muuch effort be succeeded in obtaining the necessary papers, and brought his horse home with him. Since the war the doctor has given his attention to his profession, in which he takes high rank. His contributions to medical science have been well received and favorably commented upon by medical journals. Some of his surgical operations have awakened general interest, and elicited the highest encomiums of fellow-surgeons. The doctor is quite active in medical societies, anxious as he is to promote the inter- ests of the profession. IIe is a member of the American Medical Association, of the Illinois State Medical Society, of which he was President in 1857 ; of the Alumni Association of Rush Medi- cal College, of which he was chosen President in 1879; and of the De Witt county Medical Society. To him, in fact, physi- cians of his county are indebted for the organization of a local society, which was organized May 6th, 1856. In honor of his being the founder of the society, he was chosen its first presiding officer ; at present he is Secretary of the society.
He takes great interest in the cause of Education, and in everything calculated to advance the substantial interests of his adopted home. He held the office of Mayor of Clinton for a year, the duties of which he discharged with credit alike to him- self and constituents. He served five years on the Board of Edu- cation of the Clinton schools.
One of his especial delights is in the progress of Masonry. He was made a Mason in Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1842, in Aurora Lodge, No. 43. After coming to Clinton he took his member- ship, first to Bloomington, then in connection with others, he instituted the Lodge in Clinton. He took the chapter degree in Springfield, Illinois, and was made a Knight Templar in Apollo Commandery No. 1, at Chicago in 1857.
He was united in marriage with Charlotte Gleason, of Massa- chusetts, April, 1847, who died in March, 1872.
A skilful surgeon ; a physician who keeps abreast of the times ; the doctor lives in the enjoyment of a large practice. A true friend himself, of generous impulses, and cheerful disposition, he has hosts of well-wishers. Many good and true friends.
PHOTO. BY F 1, PEASF.
It-floalhoum
WAS born in Perry connty, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1844. His parents were John and Catharine Calhoun, nce Kiner. W. F. Cal- houn enlisted as a private in Co. H, 133d Penna. Vols. Infty. July, 1862, was in the second Bull Run fight, Sonth Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, after which he was mus- tered out by reason of expiration of term of service. Soon after he enlisted as a private in Co. K, 20th Penna. Vol. Cavalry, which regiment was sent to the Shenandoah valley in the winter of 1864, and participated in the battles fought by Siegel, Hunter and Sheridan. At the battle of Piedmont, near Harrisburg, Virginia, on the 6th day of June, 1864, the company to which he belonged and Co. E of the same regiment, in a charge on the enemy's rifle pits, captured five hundred men, and in an effort to recapture them, General Jones, commanding the rebel forces, was killed. In this charge Calhoun's horse was killed under him. After this battle the colonel appointed him orderly sergeant of his company. During the campaigns of Sheridan he was frequently detailed to carry orders across territory in posses- sion of the enemy, and at other times to do scouting service with small details of men He accompanied his regiment in Sheri- dan's last raid from Winchester to Petersburg, and from thence to Dinwiddie Court House and Five Forks, where the 5th U. S. Cavalry and the 20th Penna. Vols. opened the series of engage- ments that ended in the surrender of General Lee's army. An incident of the Doctor's army life is worthy of record. At the
battle of Fredericksburg, where his regiment before charging on the enemy at Mayre's Hill was ordered to unsling their knap- sacks, bis contained a Testament, the gift of his mother, whose name and place of residence was inscribed on the fly-leaf. Another regiment opened the knapsacks; one of the men carried the Tes- tament with him, and during the battle was killed. The party burying the dead, thinking the Testament bore the name of the person killed, inscribed that name on the grave-mark, and is so recorded in the national cemetery at Fredericksburg. The Testament was returned to his mother after the war, and by this means the facts were made known. The Doctor came to Illinois in October, 1865, locating in Ottawa, La Salle county, where he began the practice of dentistry in 1867. There be was married to Miss Blanche Derthick, who was born in Medina county, Ohio, February, 1852. In 1870 the Doctor moved to De Witt county, where he has since resided. For two years he was Mayor of Farmer City. In 1877 he was the Republican candidate for county clerk-made a gallant fight, but democrats and greenbackers having combined against him, he and the entire ticket were defeated. In 1880 he was chosen chairman of the Republican County Central Committee, and at the State Convention of that year was chosen a member of the State Central Committee. During the campaign he made a number of speeches.
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E. H. Palmeo
A prominent Attorney of Clinton, who died March 20, 1879. was the son of John and Arabella C. Palmer, of Madison coun- ty, Ohio, where he was born August 25th, 1825. His grand- father Palmer was a Kentuckian, who located in the Mad River valley country in Ohio in au early day, and preached as a " Chris- tian " minister until his death. His grandfather was possessed of a most remarkable memory : that of historical dates and facts, also of Seriptural passages being wonderful. The children and grand-children of this couple now constitute some of the most wealthy and substantial citizens of Madison county. E. II. Pal- mer started in life in comparative poverty. His father died when he was but thirteen years of age, whereupon he lived with an uncle and learned the carriage and wagon making trade. In his boyhood days he was very fond of books, and the great am- bition of his young life was to secure an education. While work- ing at his trade he spent his evenings in study, and without the aid of a teacher acquired a good English education. He then en- gaged in teaching, and by carefully hoarding every dollar he earn- ed above bare living expenses, saved enough to begin a college life. He entered as a student in Dennison University at Gran- ville, Ohio, and continued until the middle of the junior year, when he entered Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio. During his vacations he worked faithfully in order to secure the means required for board and tuition during the succeeding term. At Granville he found a friend in the president, who loaned him money sufficient to pay expenses and to enable him to graduate, which he did in 1851. Mr. Palmer never forgot his friend, and
the very first money he earned, after going out to fight the battles of life, was devoted to the payment of this debt. After gradu- ating he was chosen Professor of Mathematics and Languages in an Academy at Raymond, Mississippi, a position he filled accept- ably. While at Raymond he became converted to the Methodist faith. In his religions professions he was ever most active. Here, too, he commenced the study of law, and was admitted to prac- tice at the bar. In 1855 he returned to the North, soon after to Clinton, to visit an old friend, Lawrence Weldon, who introduced him to Abraham Lincoln. The welcome extended him by the large hearted Lincoln encouraged him to cast his lot in Illinois, which he did in 1857 by locating in Clinton. In the meantime he was married to Sarah M. Mitchell, of Springfield, Ohio, on the 19th of June, 1855. He was ambitious in his profession, and took a leading position at the bar in De Witt county. Politically he was an ardent active Democrat, an especial friend of Stephen A. Douglas; he made some stirring speeches in his behalf when a candidate for office. ITis great delight was in his children, in whose interest no pains or means were spared. Two of his sons, Frank M and Everett B. Palmer, graduated from the State Industrial University, and Illinois College, respectively; the first, in 1876; the second, in 1878; Frank was Valedictorian, and Everett B. enjoyed the distinction of being Salutatorian of his class. Frank M. studied law with his father, and was admitted to practice in 1880. Mr. E. H. Palmer was active, restless, ambitious and ge- nial. A kind friend, a devoted father, a conscientious Christian gentleman,
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PHOTO. BY F. O PEASF.
It. %. Listy
THE Lisenby family may be regarded as among the pioneer families of De Witt county. A. V. Lisenhy was born here Sept. 11, 1850. His parents were James and Martha Lisenhy, whose maiden name was Mckinley.
James Liseuby, the father of the subject of this sketch, came from Kentucky, where he was born, to Sangamon county, Ills., in 1828 ; thence to De Witt. in 1830; in 1833 returned to San- gamon to live with a brother ; thence to the lead mines in south- western Wisconsin ; and in 1846 to De Witt county, where he has since resided, and where he has held varions positions of honor and trust. (Which see in Civil Chapter ). The last year of his service as county clerk, he was stricken down with rheum- atism, from which he has suffered continuously, and which has necessitated, at times, change of climate.
A. V. Lisenby received a fair common-school education, chiefly
in the public schools of Clinton. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah McFarland, Sept. 17th, 1871, by the Rev. R. M. Barnes. His wife, an accomplished lady, is the musical life of the circle of friends with whom she associates. Politically, Mr. Lisenby is a democrat, and on the democratic ticket he was elected county clerk Nov. 1, 1877, an office he fills with general acceptance, and for discharging the duties of which his early training has well fitted him. Prior to his election to this office, he had been for three years treasurer of the city of Clinton, and also had been engaged in the hardware business. Mr. Lisenby is a member of the Masonic Order, in the work of which he takes great interest ; also, of the Knights of Pythias. The principles underlying these societies are his guiding stars, and by acting them out in life he is laying the foundation for that success always attendant upon integrity of character and energy.
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