USA > Illinois > Effingham County > History of Effingham county, Illinois > Part 69
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LUCIEN W. HAMMER, physician, Watson, was born in Clark County, Ky., November 12, 1819. Ile came to Sangamon County, Ill., in 1828, with his parents, where he grew up on a farm, and received a common school education. The parents first settled on what is now Lick Creek, and after a few years moved to what is now Christian County, Ill., and subject be- gan the study of medicine at Moweaqua, Shelby County, Ill .; first in a drug store, and he took up the study of books on medicine, and in time began a successful practice in 1855, and practiced there at Moweaqua for nine years, and was also engaged in other business until 1871, when he removed to this county, and for one year located in Funkhouser, and two years in Effingham. In May, 1874, he located in Watson, where he has since enjoyed a large practice, being the only resident physician. Ile was married, in 1852, to Miss Elizabeth H.
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Courtney, who died in 1874, leaving five chil- dren, four of whom are living-Bettie J., May B., Fred and Carrie. The eklest daughter- Annie, died in 1876.
WILLIAM T. JAYCOX, merchant, Watson, was born in Worthington, Franklin Co., Ohio, June 11, 1843. He left in 1851 with his par- ents for Illinois, where he settled in Jackson Township, Effingham County, where he lived until 1861. Ile enlisted in August, 1862, in Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served three years in the Sixteenth Army Corps under Gen. Logan. Fought in battles of Island No. 10 and Corinth, after which subject was transferred to the Reserve Corps, until the close of his term of service on account of ill-health. After the war, subject engaged in farming until 1868. In 1868, he bought a stock of goods of F. Lloyd & Co., at Watson, and has since been engaged in merchandising, keeping a well-se- lected, general stock. In 1875, he erected the present store fronting on Railroad street, two- story frame, 24x52 feet. Mr. Jaycox was the second Postmaster at Watson, Ill., and served ten years from July, 1872, to November, 1881. He built a grain warehouse on the I. C. R. R., July, 1882, and is at present buying grain. Politically, a Republican. Subject married, in 1868, to Miss Lenora E. Bail, of Watson; have two children-Anna, born October, 1869; Willa, born November, 1879. The father of our sub- ject was born in New York State May 3, 1817, and came to Ohio when a boy, and worked at coopering at Columbus and Worthington, Ohio. At the latter place he owned a shop. He farmed after coming here. lle was united in marriage with Mary Clark in August 20, 1840. To them were born eight children, respectively, Adelia, William T., Cynthia, Mary Ellen, Jer- aldine, Henriette, Richard C. and John M., December 27, 1841; June 11, 1843; May 7, 1845; January 1, 1848; December 22, 1848; May 14, 1852; May 6, 1854; January 1, 1857. . Mrs. Hammer was born at Rich-
mond, Ohio, March 25, 1822. Mary Ellen, died September, 1856; Adelia, died August, 1864; Jeraldine, October 26, 1869. Removed from Worthington, Ohio, to Effingham County, Ill., in the year 1851, and settled in Jackson Township, at which place he resided until his death in April, 1869.
J. A. McCALLEN, farmer, P. O. Effingham, was born in the month of December, 1837, in Harrison County, Ind. His father, Robert Mc- Callen, was one of the first settlers of Southern Indiana, having moved there from Kentucky in the year 1806. The boyhood of James was spent like that of most other farmer lads of that pioneer day; his summers, after he was old enough to work were given to labor on the farm, and during the winter season he attended public school. The schoolhouse in which he took his first lessons and where he was taught to read, write and "figer " was the conven-' tional "old log cabin." The fire-place reached half way across the room, the loading of which was the principal work of the " master," during the long, cold days of winter. For text books some brought Bibles, some old copies of news- papers, and others such books as they could obtain. James relates that one of his teachers made it a rule to hear his pupils recite in the order in which they arrived at school. The first who came was the first to recite, and in their endeavors to get there first, pupils would often be at the schoolhouse before sunrise. But, notwithstanding all their irregularity, and the inadequate facilities of the early schools which he attended, James obtained a fair education, more from his own exertion and aptness than from his teachers, the most of whom were illiterate themselves. In 1859, he was married to Miss Mary J. Ryan, of Harri- son County, Ind., and for five years afterward he was engaged in farming. In 1864, he en- tered the Forty-second Indiana Infantry, and marched with his regiment under Gen. Thomas through parts of Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky
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and Tennessee, and took part in the bloody fight of Nashville and the lively skirmishes be- fore Franklin, in both of which engagements he exhibited the courage and firmness of the true soldier. He remained with his regiment under Thomas until near the summer of 1865, when the Southern Confederacy having fallen, he, with his regiment, was marched to Louisville, Ky., and mustered out. He then, in partner- ship with his father, engaged in the dry goods and grocery business at Palmyra, Ind. In this business they built up a good trade and were very successful. running a peddling wagon to Louisville, Ky., weekly for goods, and to dis- pose of produce, etc. In about 1867, they sold out their store, together with their stock of goods and town property, and bought a farm of 100 acres north of town, where they farmed until 1868, then sold out to a Mr. Avery for $1,600. They then a second time bought a farm in partnership, which they farmed until the fall of 1871, when James, who had long entertained a desire to emigrate to Illinois, and having visited and looked out a location in Effingham County, sold his farm and, in com- pany with his father-in-law and two brothers- in-law, came to the " Sucker " State, settling in Watson Township. Here he bought lands of the Illinois Central Railroad, and engaged in farming. In March, 1874, he was called to monrn the loss of his wife, who died, after an illness of ten days, of pneumonia. She was a kind and affectionate wife and mother, and a true Christian, and her death was more than usually grievous to husband and children. Four children survive her, and one is dead. Those living are Florence, the wife of J. C. Loy ; Albert D., a young school teacher and law student ; Alonzo and Manson, school boys. James A. MeCallen is a man of good busi- ness qualifications, and is noted for his indus- try. Since coming to Illinois, in 1871, he has improved two farms, clearing up forty-five acres of timber land, and building one dwelling
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house and two barns. In the summer of 1881, he married Mrs. Charlotte L. Avery, a lady of means and in good social standing. Mr. Mc- Callen is at this writing (1882), living on his farm on Salt Creek, in Watson Township, en- gaged in farming and stock-raising.
CHARLES E. MILLER, farmer, P. O. Wat- son, III., son of Auson S. Miller, was born Feb- ruary 20, 1841. in Franklin, Delaware Co., N. J. He engaged in clerking at the age of tif- teen, for Edward Douglass Meredith, which he continued about four years, when he went to merchandising, which he followed with good success for several years in Franklin, N. J. Mr. Miller was married. October 26, 1803, to Miss N. Josephine Mann, daughter of Oliver Mann. In 1877, he sold out his store. busi- ness and removed to Effingham County, and settled on a farm of 100 acres, Sections 16, 17 and 21, erected a first class dwelling and is making farming a decided success. He has three children: Frank C., Lula J. and J. Stew- art. IIe is a member of the Episcopal Church, also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a typical Democrat. Subject's father, Anson S. Miller, was born in Delaware County, N. J., July 18, 1818. He was married, November 26, 1838, to Lucinda A. Chamberlain. The issue of his first marriage is one child, Charles E. Subject's wife died October 3, 1858.
WILLIAM PITKIN, deceased, was born at East Hartford, Conn .. May 9, 1790, and went to Albany, when a young man, and engaged in the drug trade. In 1820, he removed to Rochester, N. Y., and there commenced a trade in drugs and medicines, in a wooden building, which gave away in later years to a finer struct- ure known as the Pitkin Block. He prose- cuted his business till 1854, a period of thirty- four years. In 1839 and 1840, was an Alderman from the Fifthi Ward. In 18-15 and 1846, he was Mayor of the city. He was one of the Com- missioners appointed by State to erect the Western House of Refuge, and became a mana-
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ger of the institution. He was one of the founders and managers of the House of Truants. He was one of the founders and manager of the City Hospital. Was one of the first trustees of the Rochester Savings Bank, an office he held till his decease, and was for many years Presi- dent of that institution. He was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. He had four children, viz., Alfred H., James M., of Roches- ter, N. Y., Mrs. MeKnight and Sarah M. He died May 4, 1869. The father of subject, Sir William Pitkin, was a Governor of Conneetieut Colony. 1766. Alfred H. Pitkin, eldest son of subject, was born in Rochester, N. Y., Decem- ber 28, 1834. Went to Chicago in 1853, and engaged in hardware and general mercantile business in the firm name of Pitkin Brothers. Continued the business with fair success till 1866, closed out on account of the death of his brother, and the decline of his own health, and moved to Effingham County, Ill., and settled on a farm of 160 acres, in Section 29, Watson Township. In 1872, he sold and moved on a farm of 120 acres, in Section 16, Watson Town- ship, where he follows farming with good sue- cess. Subjeet was married in Bridgeport, Conn., December 4. 1855, to Miss Mary Louisa Thompson, daughter of John Thompson. Subject has four children living: William Theodore, was born August 26, 1838; Graee E., was born February 28, 1862; Alfred H., was born September 4, 1867; Sarah Ida, was born Jannary 12, 1873; Mr. Pitkin's wife, Mrs. Sarah L. Pitkin, died September 20, 1876; Fannie L., was born May 6, 1857, and was married to James M. Parkhurst September 24, 1877, died May 4, 1882.
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ELAM R. RINEHART, farmer, was born in Ewington. this county, May 17, 1849. He was fourteen years of age, when his father came to the place where our subjeet lives at present, who became owner of the old homestead at the death of his father January 9, 1877. Our subject has always been engaged in farming; the farm
consisting of one quarter section, all in cultiva- tion, and devoted principally to the raising of grain. He was married, March 16, 1876, to Miss Victoria Carpenter, of this county, and has three children-Daniel B., Walter I. and William B., twins. Our subjeet has served on the Board of Supervisors of this county ; his father, Daniel Rinehart, was born September 15, 1812, in Fairfield County, Ohio, where he re- ceived a common school education, and mar- ried, February 8, 1837, Barbara Kagay, of Fairfield County, Ohio. In June, 1841, he came by team to this county, and first settled in a cabin in what is now Watson Township, where Michael Sprinkle now lives, where he had entered a one quarter section previous to coming. He lived there until 1847, and opened up quite a farm, but the prevailing disease of chills and fever induced him to leave the farm and move to Ewington ; he had been elected County Clerk by the Democrats, and had served as County Assessor before this for two years. He served as County Clerk of Effingham County for eighteen years continu- ously, except an interim of two years, when the office was filled by Thomas Loy, in probably 1849-50. He retired in 1873 to his farm ; he was one of the best known men in the county ; he exerted a large political influence in the county and distriet. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years ; he had four sons and two daughters, as fol- lows: Jemima, was wife of W. C. Wright (de- ceased, see sketch) ; Emma E., Mrs. Edward Upton, of Watson Township ; Thomas Benton, farmer of this county ; William Allen, of Leeds City, D. T .; Erastus N., see sketch ; Elam R., subjeet.
CAPT. FIDELES B. SCHOOLEY, mer- chant, Watson, is a son of Palemon and Sarah Schooley, and was born in 1843, in Ciay County, Ill. He first engaged in millwrighting, a trade he learned under his father. In 1861, he en- listed in the war, Company G, Eleventh Illi-
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nois, being first in the three months' call, and re-enlisted in November, 1861, for a term of three years in Company D, Fifty-fourth Illinois. Mr. Schooley went out as a private, and was promoted as follows : First Sergeant, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and Captain, a position he held to the close of the war (or about twelve months). At first the command was stationed on duty to guard a railroad near Columbus, Ky. It was in the siege of Vieks- burg, afterward endured several marches in Gen. Steele's command in Arkansas ; was at bat- tle at Clarendon, another near Little Rock, and at the capture of the latter place August 24, 1864. Subject was taken prisoner in a fight at Jones Station, and was taken to Batesville, Ark .; was paroled and sent to the barracks at St. Louis, Mo., where he remained till in December, 1864, when he was exchanged, and was at Fort Smith, Ark, when the great peace conference was concluded with the Indians. Subject was discharged November 1, 1865, and returned home. He was married August 11, 1866, to Miss Pauline Thompson, daughter of Robert Thompson, and followed millwrighting till 1869 when he engaged in clerking in a store for A. J. Vance, in Watson. In 1871, began to clerk in the store of Barkley & Abraham in Watson. Mr. Schooley's wife died in June, 1875, and he was married to Miss Frank E. Claar, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Claar, December 25, 1875. In 1878, he purchased an interest in the store of Milton Abraham. In February, 1880, sold out in Watson and engaged in merchandising in Elli- ottstown, January 1, 1882, sold a half-interest of his store in Elliottstown, to Mr. Abraham, and bought a half-interest of Abraham's store at Watson, and the two stores were run under the firm name of Abraham & Schooley till October 1, 1882, when our subject sold out his interest in the store business to Mr. Abraham, and purchased a half-interest in a furniture store, and runs business under the firm name
of Schooley Bros. Subject has a family of three children-Elsworth B., Sarah B., Clara E. Subject's father, Palemon Schooley, was born February 17, 1821, near Salem, Ohio ; moved with his parents to Maysville, Clay County, Ill., and was married in that county, May 3, 1840, to Miss Sarah Sitler, daughter of Samuel and Christina Sitler. The father was a millwright ; moved from Clay County, Ill., in 1846, to Vermont, Fulton County, III., where he remained about six years, and after a few removals to secure work at his trade, he set- tled at Elliottstown, Effingham County. In 1861, he enlisted in the war in Company D, Fifty-fourth Illinois, in the same company with his son F. B. Schooley, and served till the spring of 1865, when he returned home, and moved to Watson, Ill., where he remained till his death, which occurred October 21, 1871, after which his widow, Mrs. Sarah (Sitler) Schooley, lived with her son F. B. Her chil- dren consists of two living, one of whom is the subject of this sketch, the other, Salathiel, who also served a long term in the war. Hle mar- ried, and runs a furniture store in partnership with his brother, under the firm name of Schooley Bros.
ELISHA W. SCOTT, farmer, son of Dr. John O. Scott, was born near Freemanton, this county, October 12, 1838, and was raised on a farm, and educated in public schools of this county. He began farming for himself in 1863, in which year he was married. He enlisted in the army in 1862, in the Seventy-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served three months, when his time expired. In 1863, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry for one hundred days, and served for about five months, on guard duty, under Gen. Rosecrans. He has farmed in this township since 1863. He, that year, married Miss Livo- na McCann, daughter of James McCann, of Jackson Township, and has four children living, Vista, Ella, Nora and Edward. Our subject has served his township as Assessor.
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W. F. SCOTT, farmer and teacher, P. O. Watson, is a son of Dr. John O. Scott, and was born in this county, April 20, 1841. In 1860, he began teaching. In 1862, he enlist- ed in the United States Army, Company E, Seventy-first Illinois Volunteers. His com- mand was forwarded to Columbus, Ky. Af- ter some time spent in the service, he was sent to the marine hospital, at Chicago, on account of disability for service. After his recovery, he was placed in charge of a Govern- ment corral, where he bought Government supplies, and was foreman of the men who took charge of horses brought in for service. After about six months of this kind of service, he returned home and resumed teaching. He was married in Jasper County, Ill., August 28, 1870, to Miss Melissa Blackford, daughter of I. M. Blackford. Since then, he has followed the avocation of farming, alternately teach- ing in winters and farming during the summer. He has gained a first-class reputation as a teacher, and proven a success at farming, and is the owner of a good farm. He is an ardent supporter of the principles of Democracy, has held the office of Justice of the Peace, is School Treasurer, and a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. He has five children-Lawly, Ninta, Emmett R., Ethie E. and Worley.
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IRWIN A. SPRINKLE, druggist, Watson, son of John Sprinkle, was born in this coun- ty July 17, 1859. He was raised on a farm. In 1876, he engaged in clerking in a dry goods and grocery store in Teutopolis, which he followed about seven months. August 22, 1879, he was matriculated in the Northern In- diana Normal, which he attended three terms. He returned home and engaged in clerking in Effingham a short time ; then purchased a drng store in Watson, and engaged in his present avocation. In this business, he has met with good success. He carried a first-class assort- ment of drugs and notions. Politically, Mr. Sprinkle is a stanch Republican. Is School
Treasurer of Watson Township. Mr. Sprinkle was married at Mason, Ill., February 26, 1881, to Miss Nelia Rankin, daughter of Robert and Mary Rankin. He has one child, Clyde Sprinkle, born March 26, 1882.
EDWARD N. UPTON, traveling salesman, was born in Auburn, N. Y., September 27, 1837, and learned the printer's trade in Columbus, Ohio. He came to St. Louis, Mo., in 1857, and in 1858 came to Ewington, this county, as a journeyman printer, and worked for Col. Filler a year and on the old Pioneer, and then went to Henderson, Ky., where he joined his brother-in-law in putting in gas works there, remaining six months, when he returned to Ewington and again worked in a printing office for six months, and went to St. Louis and worked as compositor till 1861, when he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he helped to raise a company and went out as First Lieutenant, mustered September 10, 1861, which was a part of the Forty-sixth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. He served until close of war, being mustered out in July, 1865, at Lonis- ville, Ky .; served three years nine months. He served in Fifteenth Army Corps of Gens. Sher- man and Logan, and fought in thirty-two battles. He was promoted to rank of Cap- tain, Company G, dated April 6, 1862. He was commissioned August 19, 1864, Major of the Forty-sixth Regiment. He was made Lieutenant Colonel of Regiment December 22, 1864, and rose to rank of Colonel July 16, 1865. He was married, March 21, 1864, to Miss Emma E., daughter of Daniel Rinehart, of Effingham County, Ill. After leaving the army in fall of 1865, he settled on present farm in Watson Township, where he has since resided, and followed farming for about ten years. In 1875, he entered the employ of Haydens & Allen, manufacturers of saddlery hardware, of St. Louis, and has for past seven years been traveling salesman for Southern Illinois. He has three sons and two daughters living-Hayden
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R., Mattie R., Edward N., Daniel N., Mary L. One died in infancy, Cotton Allen. Our sub- ject has served as Town Clerk of Watson, and Collector.
REV. DAVID WILLIAMSON, deceased, whose porfrait appears in this work, was not one of fortune's petted ones, "born with a sil- ver spoon in his mouth," but being one of seven children of a family in moderate circumstances, has known what it is to fight life's battles single- handed, only inspired by native ambition and a desire for usefulness and position among men. The rudiments of his education were received at the district schools. Was a very attentive student and became a deep thinker. He was born on the " Williamson plantation," near Ab- ingdon, Va., May 6, 1827. His father, George, was born in County Armagh, in the Province of Ulster, Ireland, and emigrated to Vir- ginia when quite young. ITis mother, Susan Myers, was born in Pennsylvania, and died near Gosport, Ind., in 1837. In the early part of his life, he united with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. At the age of sev- enteen, he entered the ministry, which he continued mostly the remainder of his useful life, and the result of his efforts will only be known in that day when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed. In 1846, he was with the In- diana Conference, and in 1853 he united with the Southern Illinois Conference, where he made known his strength until 1869, when he was superannuated at his own request, on ac- count of physical disability. He soon settled with his family on a farm a short distance east of Watson. Here he gained some strength, and applied himself to teaching. He was a man of serupulous integrity, generous impulses and boundless hospitality. As a minister, he preached strong doctrinal sermons, but his modesty led him to evade debate as much as possible. However, when pressed, he would accept, and his adversary found in him a strong
opponent. He was united in marriage, October 14, 1852, with Mary J. Brown, of Gosport, Ind. She was born February 5, 1829, near Gosport, Ind. Her parents, F. and Sarah (Manser) Brown, were natives of Kentucky. The former was born January 21, 1803, and the latter Feb- ruary 10, 1805. Mr. Williamson's marriage gave him six children, viz .: Frank, engaged in railroading in Mississippi; Sarah L. A., de- ceased; J. D. D., Mary E. E., Frederick T. B. and Rosa. The last four are efficient teachers. J. D. D. was born in MeLeansboro, Ill., Nov.14, 1858. He began early to improve his mind, and com- pleted a course in the Grayville and Southern Indiana Colleges, and attended other noted edu- cational institutions. He entered the school- room as a teacher early in his teens, and his services have become so desirable that he is pressed into actual labor aside from his regular employment as a general agent for a school fur- niture and supply establishment. In the latter avocation, he is as proficient as in the former. He was married at Marshall, Clark Co., III., March 11, 1881, to Libbie IIillis, a native of Watson, III., born September, 1859. He resides in Watson, is teaching, and at the close of the term he will devote his entire time in the em- ployment of the firm mentioned above. He is . a stanch Democrat, and a member of Watson Lodge, A., F. & A. M. The future is yet before him, and he promises to be a type of the old block. Rev. Williamson died September 30. 1878, from an attack of typhoid fever, which lasted only one week. He had often expressed himself as willing to meet death, and when he breathed his last it was in the full faith of his Savior. Ile was a kind father, a devoted. lov- ing husband, and commanded the highest es- teem of all who knew him. His widow, Mary J., resides with three of the younger children, on the farm where they located when first coming to this county. He was a life-long Democrat.
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MOCCASIN
JOSEPH P. CONDO, merchant, Moccasin, was born in 1848 in Penn Hall, Center Co., Penn., and lived there till he was twenty years of age, and then was married and came to this county, and has been in Effingham County ever since. He was married to Mary A. Motz. She was born in Center County. She is the daughter of Samuel Motz, who was born in Center County, Penn .; also her mother. Her mother is dead, but her father still lives in the same county. Mr. Condo's parents both were born in Center County, but his father, Jacob Condo, came West, and died here; also his moth-
er. The first four years after coming, Mr. Condo farmed, and in 1872 he went into the mercantile business in Moccasin, and has been in the same business ever since, and is at pres- ent the only merchant in the village. Mr.
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