History of Effingham county, Illinois, Part 49

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin & co.
Number of Pages: 650

USA > Illinois > Effingham County > History of Effingham county, Illinois > Part 49

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LEVI BUTLER, banker, Altamont, son of Levi and Julia A. (Grove) Butler, was born in Putnam County, Ohio, January 24, 1854. He came West in 1860 with his parents, who located near Toledo, Cumberland County, Ill., and our subject lived on a farm until fifteen years of age, when he began teaching, having, by personal effort obtained an edu- cation. He taught for five years, about eight months per year, and, during his spare time attended a private school at Loxa, Coles Co., Ill., taught by Prof. T. J. Lee, and, at the close of school work, spent an en- tire year there. On leaving school, he en- tered the employ of the Adams Express Com- pany as agent at Altamont, Ill., continuing in that capacity for about two and a half years, when he resigned, and opened a gen- eral store here, which he conducted one year with fair success. He formed a partnership with Dr. C. M. Wright January 1, 1879, and, under the firm name of C. M. Wright & Co., opened and have since conducted a private bank, in which Mr. Butler has acted as Cashier. He was married, November, 1879, to Miss Florence, oldest daughter of Dr. C. M. Wright. The father of our sub- ject was born in Pennsylvania, and came to

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Ohio about 1832, and lived in Putnam Coun- ty, that State, until 1860. He came to Cum- berland County, Ill., and bought a tract of 800 acres of mostly wild land, and died in 1861, leaving a widow with a family of six sons and two daughters, our subject being the youngest of the family. The mother kept the family together until all grew up except our subject, who appealed for an op- portunity to obtain an education, and she gave him his time, with the promise that, if he improved it well, she would not charge it to him in the final settlement of the estate.

WILLIAM J. E. BYERS, farmer, P. O. Altamont, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, February 3, 1830, to George and Bertha (Goodrich) Byers. His father was born in Jackson County, Ohio. March 3, 1806; emi- grated to Illinois and located in Effingham County in 1863, where he remained until 1880, when he removed to Shelby County, where he died November 10, 1881. He worked at the carpenter's trade during his younger days, and in his latter years followed the occupation of a farmer. He was a son of Edward Byers, a native of Virginia, who was drafted in the war of 1812, but did not have to serve. The mother of our subject was born in Connecticut in 1809, and died in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1837. She was the mother of four children, of whom our subject was the oldest child. He was edu- cated from the common schools of Jackson County, Ohio, and remained at home, assist- ing in tilling the soil of his father's farm, until he was twenty-two years of age. He then embarked upon his career in life, and engaged as a hired hand upon a farm, and then learned the blacksmith's trade with his brother-in-law, William J. Dixon, and after- ward worked at carpentering, shoe-making, and general employment as a laboring man. He was always a natural mechanic, and could

turn his hand and become jack-of-all-trades. In 1856, he removed to Muskingum County, where he farmed and ran a blacksmith shop. In 1858, he came to Illinois and settled in Effingham County, adjoining his present farm In 1863, he was drafted into the army, and served to the close of the war, in the Forty-second Illinois Infantry, under com- mand of Col. Swayne. He was in the fol- lowing battles: At Columbia, Tenn .. Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville. After the war, he returned to his farm, where he has since re- mained. When he came to the county it was thinly settled in this part, and he was among the first settlers of this portion of the conn- ty. He was here at first township election, and served two years as first Township Clerk, Collector, Road Overseer, School Trustee, Supervisor, and now holding office of Clerk of School Board. August 22, 1872, he mar- ried Christina Elizabeth Hamilton, a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, born February 14, 1840, to Samuel and Mary (Campbell) Hout, both natives of Ohio. They are the parents of one child, William Preston, born Decem- ber 12, 1874. He and wife 'are members of the Evangelical Brethren Church. An act- ive member of the order A., F. & A. M., Al- tamont Lodge, No. 533. He is holding office of Steward of the same. He is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Franklin Pierce. D. B. CADE, general business speculator, Altamont. Altamont has in its midst some excellent business men, among whom is D. B. Cade. He was born in September, 1838, in Alleghany County, Md. ; son of Mortimer Cade and Mary Boyer. He was left father- less at the age of ten, and subsequently moved to Virginia with his mother and step- father, with whom he lived until he began business upon his own account. He carried on business here in Monongalia County un- til 1872, when he came to this State, locat-

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ing here in Altamont, and has since lived. For five years he sold goods for Daniel Boy- er. In 1877, he engaged in the grain trade, which he continued until 1882, when, on ac- count of failing health, he had to relinquish his interests in this direction, and seek to re- cuperate the same by rest or a change of bus- iness. March 12, 1869, he was married to Paulina, who was born in Granville, Ohio, daughter of Edward Capen. Has four chil- dren-Clara, Gracie, Blanche and Maude. Member of the M. E. Church, and of the An- cient Order of United Workmen. Politics, Democratic.

WILLIAM S. COLEMAN, retired, Alta- mont, was born in Knox County, Ohio, Feb- ruary 24, 1811. He learned the tinner's trade in Mt. Vernon. He left Knox County in 1846, and settled in Lima, Allen Co., Ohio, where he manufactured tinware and sold stoves for about eight years, when he removed to Missouri in 1854, and lived in Holt and Andrew Counties until 1857, teach- ing school in those counties for three years. He went to La Fayette, Ind., in 1857, and lived there two years, coming to Effingham in 1859, where he formed a partnership with D. B. Alexander, his brother-in-law, and opened the first tin shop in the county, and counected with it a store for sale of hardware and stoves. The partnership of Alexander & Coleman lasted until 1861, when Mr. Cole- man entered the army; enlisted in the Fifth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and served until the winter of 1863, when he was discharged on account of continued sickness. He served over two years, and fought in siege of Vicks- burg, Jackson, Miss., Cotton Plant, Ark., and several other battles and skirmishes. On his · discharge, he was sick for over a year, and, in 1865, he was appointed Postmaster of Effingham by President. Johnson, and held it until 1869-over three years. Mr. Coleman

made a trip West in 1869, and remained un- til 1873, traveling as far west as Utah and taught in Colorado. Since his return, he has engaged in no active business pursuits. He was married, in Ohio, in 1833, to Matilda Alexander, of Knox County, that State. Ten children were born of this marriage-five sons and five daughters. Four daughters and two sons are living, as follows: Sarah E., wife of Michael Beem, of this place; Addie, wife of James Beck, of Green Castle, Ind .; Clara, wife of R. Walters, of Effing- ham; Emma, wife of J. M. Blythe, of De- catur County, Ill .; David B., of Effingham; and Charles F., see sketch.

CHARLES FRANKLIN COLEMAN, edi- tor Altamont News, was born near St. Jo- seph, Mo., February 13, 1856. He came with his parents to Effingham when about three years old, and, at the age of thirteen, entered the office of the Effingham Democrat to learn the business. He worked in that office as foreman until November 25. 1881, except five years, during which he was en- gaged on the Columbus Democrat at Colum- bus, Ind., where he was local editor of a daily paper. December 9, 1881, he became editor of the Altamont News. The firm of Coleman & Le Crone, consisting of subject and George M. Le Crone, started and have since published the paper weekly. (See press history.) Our subject is present Township Clerk of Mound Township.

SAMUEL COOPER, grain, Altamont. Among the business men of this town engaged in the grain trade is Mr. Cooper, who was born in 1833, June 14, in Marion County, Ohio; was the third son of a family of nine children born to Thomas Cooper and Ann Lock. He (Thomas) was a native of Ireland, near Dublin, and emigrated to America and located in Marion County, Ohio, when a young man, being a pioneer in that locality.

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His wife, Ann, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, daughter of John Lock. Subject eame West to this State, locating in Fayette Coun- ty, in the fall of 1838. Here his father set- tled and remained until his death, in June, 1848, his wife surviving him until Dec. 15, 1880. To them were born eight children, viz. : Euphemia, James, John W., Samuel, Mary A., William Thomas, Lucinda and Minerva. Euphemia died in Fayette County, wife of T. C. Chamberlain; James resides in New Mex- ico; John W., in Colorado; William, deceased, died in Indian Territory; Mary A., died, was the wife of David McGraw, of McDon- ough County; Thomas, died at Murfreesboro while in the army; Lucinda, resides in St. Elmo, wife of N. C. Fletcher; Minerva, died young. Samuel was raised in Fayette Coun- ty, and remained at home on the farm. At twenty-one, began farming and stock-dealing, and continued here until March, 1872, when he removed to St. Elmo, where he engaged in the grain and stock business, remaining here until Jaunary, 1875, when he came to Altamont, and has been engaged in stock- 1

trading, and, since 1878, been in the grain business. First associated with John Ensign. The partnership lasted two years. He then

associated with D. B. Cade. This lasted about six months. Then discontinued for some time. After this, was associated with Milton Young one year, then went out of the grain business, and, in August, 1882, began business again, with John Rhodes, since continued under firm name of Cooper & Rhodes. Married, 1860, May 3, first, Sarah Dunbar, born in Marion County, Ohio, daugh- ter of William; wife died November, 1863; by her, two children-William T. and James L. Last marriage was May 3, 1865, to Car- oline Dunbar, sister of first wife; by her has three children-Samuel J., George and John. Republican since the war. Mr. Cooper owns

over three hundred acres of land in this county, which he carries on.

ROBERT DAWSON, deceased. The sub- ject of this sketch came to this county in the spring or summer of 1865, and engaged in the lumber trade in Effingham. It is said by authority that the cause of his coming to Effingham was that he had too strong Demo- cratie proclivities to suit the war party of Polo, Ill., where he resided when President Lincoln was assassinated. Be this as it may, Effingham caught him. His capital was very limited, but he was economical, industrious and close at a trade, and, as times were flush, and money and building plenty, he did a large business and made a great deal of money. He was very determined and set in his ways, and very blunt in his manner, but withal very generous and good-natured. He was quite a politician and clung to the Dem- ocratic faith with unyielding grip in na- tional elections, but in local he chose rather the man than the party. He took a great interest in public affairs, both local 'and na- tional. He held the position of Alderman and School Director in the city, and proved a thorn in the side of defaulting or negligent officials. His odd style of dress, with his gray or white hair, and his quick, energetic step, made him a conspicuous figure on the street. and he was known far and wide. He died the 19th of March, 1881, at the age of seventy six years.

DR. HENRY N. DREWRY, physician, Altamont, son of Henry and Lydia (Bassett) Drewry, was born in Switzerland County. Ind., November 29, 1847. He lived on a farm there until the age of fifteen. His father, Henry Drewry, having moved to Mason, this county, in 1862, our subject went to a district school called the Claiborn Wright School, and afterward to the Mason School until 1868, attending school during the winter season.

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In the fall of 1868, he entered the Indns- trial University at Champaign, Ill., where he spent four years, graduating in the class of 1872, and, February 4, 1873, he married Miss Harriet A. W. Nunn, who died in No- vember, 1873. In the spring of 1874. he went to Urbana, Champaign Co., Ill., and entered the office of Dr. Samuel Birney, an old army surgeon, where he studied under his direction, and at the same time he at- tended two courses of lectures in the Chicago Medical College, from which he graduated March 21, 1876, and located for the practice of his profession at Altamont, as partner of Dr. J. N. Groves, for two years. He has since that time been in active practice alone up to September, 1882, when he formed a partnership with Dr. Edwin L. Yarletz, un- der the firm name of Drewry & Yarletz, locat- ed on Railroad and Main streets. He has built up a large and lucrative practice. He was married, October 29, 1882, to Miss Mari- etta Mann, of Newton, Ill.

WILLIAM DRYSDALE, farmer, P. O. Welton, was born in Switzerland County, Ind., November 4, 1833, to William and Margaret (Manford) Drysdale. His father was born in Scotland in 1793; emigrated to America in 1813, and followed the trade of a stone-cutter until he was thirty years. In his later years, followed the occupation of a farmer. In 1840, came to Effingham County and located in Mound Township, when the deer and wild turkey were plenty and among the first settlers of this part of the county. He died December 27, 1872. The mother of our subject was born in Kentucky, and died in 1834, aged about thirty years. She was the mother of four children, of whom Will- iam was the youngest child. His early life was spent at home, receiving a limited com- mon-school education and assisting in till- ing the soil of his father's farm. He re-

mained at home until he was eighteen years of age, when he embarked upon his career as hired hand on a farm. He was brought to Effingham County when about seven years of age. At twenty-seven, he commenced farming on his own account, upon a farm of 200 acres of unimproved land, which he has put under a high state of cultivation. He has remained on his present farm for twenty years. In 1862, he married Miss Mary A. Donnelly, a native of Ireland, who was brought to America by her parents in 1849. She was born in November, 1841. She is the mother of four living children, viz .: Mary A., Anna, William A., John Francis. In politics, is a Republican, but generally votes for the man. He is now the owner of 260 acres.

JOSEPH DUNSFORD, drugs and station- ery, Altamont, is the successor of Frank Wantling in the drug and stationery business of this town, and has had over ten years' ex- perience in the drug business. He began reading medicine in 1871, with his brother, Dr. W. H. Dunsford, at St. Elmo, and em- barked in the drug business with him, where he continued until 1878, when he removed to Rosemond, this State, where he continued in business until his location in this town. He was born in England, son of John and Tab- itha (Niblett) Dunsford. His father died in England. He emigrated to this country when a lad of six years, with his mother and step-father, James Mortimer, who now reside at Pana, this State. They first located at Cleveland, Ohio, remaining here about seven years, and removed with them to Gasconade County, Mo., where he lived six years, at which time he came to this State, and has since remained. June 22, 1873, he was united by marriage to Miss Clarilla, eldest daughter of Dr. John Wills, a well-known physician in the county, residing in Liberty

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Township. near Beecher City. He and wifo are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge at St. Elmo. In connection with his drugs and medicines, he keeps a stock of books and sta- tionery, as well as notions. The Doctor has one brother, John, who resides in Mc- Pherson County, Kan., a farmer-the only surviving brother he has; W. H. and Charles, both deceased; W. H. died in 1874; Charles died in 1878 at Rosemund. He was also a druggist, and served as Hospital Steward un- der Gen. Sherman's command through the entire war.

WILLIAM J. EYESTONE, harness, Alta- mont. Among the substantial business men of Altamont is William J. Eyestone, who was born in 1844, March 13, in Wheatland Town- ship, in Fayette County, the third son and sixth child of a family of ten children born to Martin and Nancy (Lock) Eyestone; he was born about the year 1808, in Baden, Ger- many; she was born about 1812, daughter of John Lock. Martin Eyestone emigrated to this country and located in Fayette County at an early day, about the year 1837, being one of the first settlers there. They are yet living. William was raised on the farm, and about the time he became of age, he enlisted in the army, in Company G, Seventh Illinois Cavalry; went in March, 1864, and served until December, 1865, and, upon his return to peaceful pursuits, he soon married, Jan- nary 26, 1866. to Elmira H., born in June, 1846, in Putnam County, Ind., daughter of Joah Yates and Mary Kennedy both natives of Kentucky, and removed to Indiana, re- mained for several years, and finally moved to this county, where they died. After his marriage, moved into Avena Township, where he purchased a farm and engaged in farming. Continued here until 1878, fall, when he en-

gaged in the stock trade; after this, engaged in the grain business, which he carried on some time. In 1880, about, he purchased the hardware of G. W. Gwin, and ran this about one year, then sold out, and for a time was retired, and in January, 1882, he started in the manufacture of harness, and is yet car- rying on his farm, which consists of 120 acres in Avena and 160 in this county, Mound Township. He has two children living- Cora and Lotta; one, Rosa Lee, died aged five years. in 1878. He has been a member of the M. E. Church for about twenty-five years, and Steward of the church. He cast his first vote for U. S. Grant, and has since been identified with the Republican party.

JOEL FINFROCK, farmer, P. O. Alta- mont, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, January 20, 1816, to Andrew and Susannah (Haines) Finfrock. His father was born in Lancaster County, Penn. He was a farmer, and in his younger days worked at coopering. He died in Ohio in 1864. Was drafted in Revolutionary war, but was not called on to serve. The mother of our subject was born in Maryland, and died in Effingham County, Ill., in about 1871. They were the parents of five children-three boys and two girls- of whom Joel is the second child. Cathe- rine, the oldest living child, is now living with her brother William, and youngest liv- ing child of his parents. Joel spent his boy- hood days at home, receiving such an educa- tion as could be obtained from the log school. houses of his day, and assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. He remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, and embarked on his career in life as a tiller of the soil in his native county, and continued the same until the fall of 1864, when he came to Effingham County, Ill., and settled on his present farm. He then bought sixty acres, and has added to it until now he

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is the owner of ninety acres of well-improved land. He commenced life a poor man, and, by his studied economy and business habits, he has succeeded in gaining a good property. Now, in the later years of his life, he is sur- rounded with those comforts and enjoying those pleasures that are ever the result of honesty, industry and economy. In Musk- ingum County, Ohio, in 1838, he married Miss Eliza Huffman, a native of Muskingum County, born in 1819, November 17, to Joseph and Sarah (Birkhimer) Huffman. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Mary- land. Mr. and Mrs Finfrock have had nine children, all of whom are living-Susannah, wife of John Birkhimer, a farmer of Jasper Connty, Ill .; Ellen, wife of James Defen- bangh, a farmer of Effingham County; Cath- arine, wife of Robert Ingram, a farmer of this county; John, married and living near the home farm; Agnes, wife of Frank Birkhimer, a farmer of this county; Julia, wife of Charles Collins, farmer of Jasper County, Ill .; George, at home; Charles, at home; Jane, wife of David Armstrong, a farmer of this county. Politically, Democrat. When they were married, they first settled in Bridge- ville, Ohio, where he worked out by the month and day on a farm, and from his earnings was soon able to buy one acre of land. When he came to this county, he was compelled to work out by the month, and his farm was un- improved. He took his earnings to build a log cabin, and he got timber to farm it, and continued to save until he was able to add the other thirty. Besides, he has helped his son to a forty-acre farm.

WILLIAM H. FINFROCK, farmer, P. O. Altamont, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, September 10, 1823, to Andrew and Susannah (Haines) Finfrock. His father was born in Pennsylvania, Lancaster Coun- ty, November 30, 1782. He was a cooper by

trade and worked at the same in Pennsylva- nia. In about 1813, he emigrated to Ohio and located in Muskingum County, where he principally engaged in farming until the time of his death, which occurred February 24, 1864. He was a son of Tewalt Finfrock, a native of Pennsylvania, of French descent. The mother of our subject was of English descent, born in Maryland May 17, 1788, and died in Effingham County, with our subject. April 2, 1869. She was the mother of five children, of whom three are now living, William being the youngest child. He was raised on a farm in his native county and educated from the subcription schools com- mon in his day. He remained with his par- ents to the time of their death. He engaged in farming in Muskingum County, and con- tinued the same until 1864, when he came to Illinois and located on his present farm in Mound Township, one and a half miles from Altamont, on the National road. In Musk- ingum County, Ohio, August 22, 1850, he married Miss Rebecca Jane Morrison, a na- tive of Muskingum County, Ohio, born De. cember 21, 1830. She is a daughter of John and Nancy (Dixon) Morrison. They were natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Finfrock have three children, viz .: Margaret, wife of Manuel Kepler, a farmer on Mr. Finfrock's farm; Mary, wife of Ephraim Thrasher, a farmer of Jackson Township; Sarah J., at home. Self and wife are members of the Methodist Church. Politically, a Democrat. He commenced life very poor, and worked hard to pay for his farm. He is now the owner of forty acres of prairie and ten acres of timber, and has been generally sucessful. He brought a valuable team with him from Ohio, that he had been offered $500 and re- fused the same. He found one dead in the stable, and the other was struck by light- ning.

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WILLIAM FLORIN, druggist, Altamont, son of Peter and Serena Florin, was born January 8, 1842, in Madison County, Ill., where he was raised on a farm until fifteen years of age, and received a common-school education. In 1859, he entered the State Normal University at Bloomington, Ill., and graduated in 1865. and began teaching in the fall of 1865, at Lebanon, St. Clair Co., Ill., and remained there one year as Principal of the German department of the public schools. He was next Principal of the Highland Schools for two years, when he returned to Lebanon, remaining four years as Principal of the public schools, and afterward one year at Highland. He next became Principal of the grammar department of the public schools at Belleville for two years, and was two years assistant teacher in the high school. He was Principal of Edwards Public Schools one year, and two years Principal of St. Ja- cobs Public Schools. In the summer of 1879, he came to Altamont, Ill., where, in partnership with Andrew Naegeli, he opened a drug store, and the business has been con- ducted by subject, under the firm name of Naegeli & Florin. They carry a full stock of drugs and medicines, on Railroad street. Our subject's parents were born in the town of Klosters, Canton Grumbuendten, Switzer- land, where they were also married. The fa- ther was a teacher in Switzerland, and came to the United States in 1841, and settled on a farm in Madison County, Ill., where he died about 1850, and the mother died in No- vember, 1SS1. They had five sons and one daughter, of whom three sous are deceased.

G. C. GOETTING, milling, Altamont, is a thorough and practical millwright, who learned the business in St. Louis, having served a thorough and long apprenticeship under some of the best workmen and first- class mechanics in the West, and is not only

thoroughly conversant with all kinds of mill machinery, but understands milling as it is now carried on by the largest and most suc- cessful mills in the West. He was born May 25, 1849, in Kur Hessia, Germany, son of Daniel Goetting. He received the advan- tages of the best schools in his native country, and emigrated to this country in 1866, locat- ing in St. Louis, Mo., where he commenced the trado of millwright, and, after its com- pletion, followed the business, and has been engaged in building some of the largest and best mills in the country. July 8, 1878. he associated in business with A. K. Halteman, which was subsequently changed to Isaac Q. Halteman & Co .. which yet exists. Mr. Goetting came to this town in the summer of 1882, and purchased the flouring.mill and good will of Henry Schlotterbeck, and has remodeled the entire mill, putting new ma- chinery of the latest and best approved kind. Has put in a set of rolls, and has a capacity of 200 barrels per day. His products find ready sale, and his mill runs day and night. He exchanges with the farmers, who will al- ways find Mr. Goetting ready to accommo- date them. He was married, October S, 1873. to Augusta Melville, by whom he has three children-Emma, Addie and Lucy. Albert, his only son, died June 11, 1881, aged five years.

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History of Effingham county, Illinois, Part 49

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin & co. Number of Pages: 650

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin & co.
Number of Pages: 650