USA > Illinois > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Illinois > Part 16
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His death occurred at his residence in Vandalia, after a brief illness, on the 19th of June, 1873; and the richest legacy he left to his family and friends was the record of a well-spent life, both public and private.
His only surviving child is Hon Frederick Remann, one of the leading merchants and business men of Vandalis. Mr. R. is also one of the Repre- sentatives of his district in the Legislature of Illinois.
He was married November 13th, 1873, to the accomplished Miss Julia Gordon, daughter of Rev. Joseph Gordon. One child has been born to them to bless their happy union-Frederick, Jr.
MATTHIAS FEHREN (DECEASED).
To the hardy and resolute Anglo-Saxon the United States owes its existence as a great and free nation. To them and their cousins german, the Teuton, it owes much of its prosperity and rapid ad- vance in material wealth and intellectual development. Matthias Feh- ren was a good representative of the latter class. He was born in Brainlingen Baden, Germany. Feb. 9th, 1815. His father, a man of con- siderable enterprise and means, managed a large hotel, ran a grocery store, and operated a brewery. In 1832, Matthias Fehren left his home and fatherland, going to France, where he remained about a year, when he came to America, having neither money nor friends. But he had the qualities that soon make both for their possessor, viz., good habits, sterling integrity, and an indomitable will. He married, May 31st, 1842, Catharine Wall, in Terre Haute, Indiana. Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Fehren re- moved to Van Burensburg. Montgomery, Illinois, where their only children,
Julia A. and Jennie R., were born. Here Mr. Fehren, who had been raised a Catholic, and his wife, who was a Lutheran, joined the Presbyterian church, the change in their religious convictions being brought about by home mis- sionary preaching. Mr. Fehren ever cherished the most grateful feelings towards, and lively interest in its work, and for a number of years prior to his death, gave several hundred dollars a year to further its usefulness, and at his death bequeathed $1000 to the Home Missionary Board. In 1850 he was counselled by the Rev. Joseph Gordon to take up his residence in Vandalia, which he did, and, for nearly a quarter of a century, he was closely identified with the commercial and religious interests of the city. To his zeal and liberality, more than any other one man, the Presbyterian denomi- nation owes its present commodious and handsome church edifice and par- sonage. His life and career was one that was most profitable to himself, gratifying to his family, and beneficial to his friends and the community. Through his efforts the Farmers' and Merchants' National Bank of Vanda- lia was organized and started on a successful and paying basis. He erected one of the finest and most substantial business blocks in the city. In 1867, in company with his wife, he visited the land of his birth. Returning home, he again devoted himself assiduously to both public duties and private offices, until his death, which occurred April 15, 1874. His loss was sincerely de- plored, and is still deeply felt, by a community for which he had done so much.
DR. RICHARD T. HIGGINS
CAN without the slightest departure from the truth, be called one of Fayette County's best citizens, both in regard to his moral character, busi- nees qualifications, and public spirit. He was born in Cass County, this State, June 9th, 1842 His parents, Martin F. and Mary A. (Edmon- stone) Higgins, were natives of Maryland and came to Illinois about 1840, settling in Cass County, where Mr. Higgins was engaged in farming. His wife died in 1847. He survived her a number of years, and died in 1854. Up to the time of his father's death Richard was employed on the farm and attended the common schools in the neighborhood. After his father's death he assisted a brother-in-law in his farming operations, attending school when- ever the opportunity occurred. In February, 1857, he came to Vandalia, (making his home with his brother-in-law, Dr. F. B. Haller,) where he attended school until the fall of 1858, when he went to Pennsylvania, where he took a full academic course in Tuscarora Academy, remaining there two years and a half. On his return to Vandalia he began the study of medicine under Dr. Haller. In the autumn of 1861 he went to Chicago, taking a full course of lectures at the Chicago Medical College, at the con-
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clusion of which he again returned to Vandalia. Anxious to serve his country, he applied for the position of Acting Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A., but being an under-graduate could not be so appointed. Nothing daunted by the disappointment, he immediately applied for the position of hospital steward, determined to win the desired position by application and merit, which he successfully accomplished. While stationed at Nashville he attended lectures at the Nashville University, where he graduated in 1864, in which year he resigned and returned to his home in Vandalis, and en- tered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Dr. Haller, which as- sociation continued until 1870. In 1866, however, wishing to acquire more light in his profession, he attended Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he graduated in the class of '66 and '67. After the dissolution he went to Chicago and remained until the spring of 1871. January 31st of that year he married Miss Jennie R. Fehren, daughter of Matthias and Catherine Fehren. By that union they have had two children, Clifford Fehren and Julia, aged respectively five and three years. Owing to the accumulation of business interests, Dr. Higgins has been compelled in a measure to abandon the practice of his pro- fession. In 1875 he was elected President of the Farmers' and Mer- chants' National Bank of Vandalia. His life has been one of marked success, and though he has but crossed the threshold of manhood, he is in the enjoyment of everything that men strive for through a long and labo- rious life, and even then too often fail in reaching the desired goal.
JUDGE DAVID GREGORY.
AMONG the number of prominent and influential men of Fayette County, and southern Illinois, none were more widely and favorably known than the subject of this history.
Judge Gregory was born in the State of New York, Jan. 12th, 1809. His parents were in good circumstances, and gave their children good opportu- nities for soquiring an education. His mother was a woman of refinement and culture, and her son's character bore the impress of her early training and example. In 1838, young Gregory emigrated to this state, and located at Shelbyville, where he continued to reside until 1846, when he was appointed Receiver of the Government Land Office, then located in Vandalia, where he removed to, and ever after resided.
He continued in the office until 1849, when he received the nomination from the Democratic party, for county judge. He was elected, and filled the position for two years, and was one of the most active and efficient officers
ever elected to that responsible position. In 1852, at the expiration of his term of office, he was re-appointed Receiver, and served until the office was removed to Springfield. In 1856, he was elected a member of the legisla- ture. He was an able lawyer, but owing to his business, which by a life of thrift and economy, was rapidly accumulating, he was compelled to aban- don the practice of his profession, and devote his time, almost exclusively, to the management of his estate. October 29th, 1837, he married Miss Julia A. Martin, by which union they had five children, Antoinette, who died in 1872, Josephine, Mary, who died in infancy. Julia and * Sarah. The survivors are still residing in Vandalia. Mrs. Gregory was a native of Todd County, Kentucky, but came to Illinois with her parents when a child. She died April 24th, 1852. It was during this long period from the death of his wife, until his own, which occurred September 14th, 1876, that some of the best traits of his character developed themselves. His ardent attachment to his orphan children and his duty to thery manifested itself in many ways. Their every comfort, wish and request was gratified. Their home was made the scene of social and friendly gatherings, to which their father's hospitable and kindly manner lent most of the enjoyment. Judge Gregory was a man of pecular temperament, cool, precise and calculating, but underneath a seeming cold exterior, was a great warm heart, whose every pulsation beat re- sponsive to the necessities and trials of his friends. Of rather a silent and reticent disposition, his friendships were not easily formed, but when once made, nothing short of a man's utter unworthiness, could alter or interrupt its harmony.
Cool in his deliberations, sound in his judgments, careful and economical in all his habits, he succeeded by his own unaided exertions in accumulating & large estate. His death occasioned deep and sincere regret in the community.
Resolutions of condolence and sympathy, were adopted by the members of the Fayette County Bar, and ordered to be spread upon the records of both the county and circuit courts. The following is an epitome of his character and life, as written by one for years intimately known to him.
"He was a man, who, tested by the severest standards, maintained during his whole life the highest reputation for integrity and honor.
" In all the relations of private life and in official position, he was always a true man, a faithful friend, a good neighbor and an upright citizen."
N. W. HOLLAND,
LATE of Shobonier, but now of Vandalia, is a native of Kentucky, where he was born April 4th, 1828, and is the third child of Jeremiah and Ann (Shemwell) Holland. His father, who was a native of Virginia, emi- grated at an early day to Kentucky, where he engaged in farming, and where he was married. His wife was a native of North Carolina. Their son, N. W., was raised on his father's farm, and had no educational advan- tages whatever. He had, however, the necessary grit to get knowledge, and succeeded in getting a fair practical education.
He married, December 4th, 1845, Miss Agnes E. Wimpey, who was born in Logan County, Kentucky. They have had eight children. Five are now living and three dead. From eldest to youngest in the following order : Nancy E., wife of J. T. Shelton; Rovesta M., now Mrs. Robert Wicker ; Permelia E., married J. P. Smith; Maluva P., now Mrs. Lemuel Nichols. Susan E., Lillie B., George T., and Franklin, the younger and unmarried children, are still living with their father. Mrs. Holland died February 26th, 1876, after a long and severe illness. She was a most excellent woman, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty years. After his marriage Mr. Holland turned his attention to farming, occasionally engaging in other kinds of business. Upon the breaking out of the rebellion he was appointed enrolling officer in his native State, which so incensed the Southern element against him that he was subject to all kinds of annoyances, and finally compelled to seek protection and safety within the Union lines. On one occasion his dwelling was surrounded by a guerrilla band, of considerable numbers, who threatened to burn the house if Mr. Holland did not come forth. During the parley he managed to escape. He is one of the Union men of the South who suffered for daring to maintain their principles. After the destruction of his home he determined to leave a State where liberty of conscience and speech were denied him. In the fall of 1864, he located in Illinois, and enlisted in the spring of 1865 in the Union army ; a step he would have taken sooner, had it not been that his family were not secure until their removal to this State.
He was elected Lieutenant of Company K, Fourteenth Illinois Infantry,
* Spelled Sarah or Sara.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
and was present with his command at the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston, at Raleigh, North Carolina.
After his return home he engaged in farming, which he followed about two years, when he engaged in business in Shobonier, and finally at Van- dalia. He is one of the good citizens of the county.
COL. ROB'T H. STURGESS.
DURING the late war no state in the Union showed more unswerving fidel- ity to the Old Flag and the free institutions sheltered under its capacious folds than did grand old Illinois. Her soldiers were among the first in the fray, and always proved themselves equal to any emergency, and her cap- tains and generals have won enduring fame for bravery and proficiency in their (to many of them) newly acquired profession. Col. Rob't Henry Stur- gess, of Vandalia, is prominently identified with the latter.
He was born January 23d, 1831, in Wabash County, Illinois, and was the second child of Rob't and Jane (Braden) Sturgess, who were both natives of Indiana. A short time before his son's birth Mr. Sturgess was killed by an accident. Almost from infancy Col. Sturgess was thrown upon his own resources. During his childhood he worked in a mill, and was deprived by stern necessity from enjoying any educational advantages. He acquired con- siderable practical information mainly by his own exertions and application. When eighteen years old he began to learn the trade of carpenter and builder, at which he worked until 1859. In that year he commenced the publication of the Fayette Observer. In 1861 he abandoned his new profession, and pro- ceeded to raise a company of troops for the Union army. He was elected lieutenant, and the company mustered in April 25th, 1861, in Col. R. J. Oglesby's regiment,-the 8th Illinois. They were sent to Cairo, where they remained until the battle of Fort Henry, in which the company participated, of which Lieutenant Sturgess had been elected captain. At Fort Donald- son his company lost thirty-four and the regiment two hundred and fifty-six men killed and disabled At Shiloh, one of the most bloody of the war, Capt. Sturgess was third in rank, and, owing to the death of the senior offi- cer and the wounding of the next in command, took charge of h's regiment. Immediately after the battle he was promoted Major. He was subsequently made Lieutenant Colonel, and was in command of the regiment during the campaign of Vicksburg. They participated in the battle of Thompson's Hill, Champion Hills and Raymond, which Col. Sturgess received the credit of having won. After the siege of Vicksburg, during which the regiment was constantly engaged, Col. Sturgess resigned, owing to his accumulated du- ties and his failing health, and returned to Fayette County, where he has since received marks of distinction at the hands of the administration. In 1853 he married Mary F., daughter of Col. F. B. Hickman. She died of consumption in 1855. He subsequently married the youngest daughter of Col. Hickman. By that union they have had nine children, all now living. Comment upon the character of such a man is needless. It is enough to say he is a patriot and a soldier.
HON. BEVERLY W. HENRY,
ONE of the prominent lawyers of Central Ill. and Fayette County ;- was born in Shelby County, Ill., May 28th, 1835, and is the youngest of five children of Bushrod W. and Elizabeth (Hudson) Henry, who were both natives of Culpepper Co., Va. They emigrated to Illinois in 1830, and located in Shelby County, where three of their children were born. Mr. Henry and family settled on Government lard. His advantages in early life were very meager ; his wife, who was an educated woman, taught him the rudiments of an education. He taught school for a short time in Shelby County. Mrs. Henry is deceased; he is still living a hale old gentleman in his seventy-fifth year, residing in Shelbyville.
Beverly W. Henry spent his childhood and youth on his father's farm near Shelbyville. Though the condition of the country was formative, yet through the enterprise of his father and some others, a good common school was established, in the neighborhood, which he attended. He remained on the farm until his 20th year, when the elder Henry changed his business and engaged in merchandising, in Sullivan, Moultrie County ; here Mr. Henry devoted his time for three years, principally in acquiring an educa- tion, the last year himself teaching in the academy, and also becoming more proficient by privately studying under the supervision of the principal. In 1856 he began reading law with Hon. John R. Eden; this in connection with teaching school, occupied his time until 1857, when he was admitted to practice, after which he attended the law school of Cumberland University
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at Lebanon, Tennessee, where he graduated in the spring of 1858. He re- turned to Sullivan and commenced practice, remained there only until Dec. 1858. In January 1859 he located in Vandalia. (His entire pecu- niary capital at that time was only seven dollars,) and that borrowed. He had sufficient capital however of a better sort, and the possession of which brings the former : that is, industry, ability, and application. In 1861 he enlisted in the 35th Ill. as adjutant, and shortly after was promoted to the captaincy of a company. He was in the campaign with Gen. Fremont through Missouri, and afterwards at the siege of Corinth; he resigned and returned home in August, 1862. On the 28th of August, 1862, he married Sarah M. Johnson, daughter of Duncan Johnson, one of the old settlers of the state, where he emigrated from Virginia. By that union they had four children, the two eldest dying in childhood, Carrie Bell and Waverly, agod respectively eight and four years. In politics Mr. Henry is a Democrat, and has several times been called upon to fill public positions. In 1863 he was elected superintendent of public instruction, and in 1869 elected a member of the constitutional convention, which framed the present con- stitution of the state. He represented the district composed of Fayette and Effingham counties. In March 1870 on account of ill health he was compelled to resign. He then took a trip on horseback through the Indian nation to Texas. In the autumn of the same year he returned home, invigorated and resumed his practice, in which he is now actively engaged. He is also interested in other enterprises. Is a director in the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank, a position which he has filled since its organization. He is also proprietor of the Johnson Mills, which are now operated by his brother, J. O. Henry. The life of Mr. Henry has been one of busy activity, and his success as a lawyer may be in a large degree attributed to the avoidance of politics, and a strict attention to the varied business of his profession, his opinion being that a young man to be success- ful in a professional capacity must ignore politics, that " Ignus Fatuus " that leads many brilliant and deserving men into the quagmire of mediocrity.
J. PVan Dorston
ONE of the leading lawyers of Central Illinois, was born in Centre County, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1837, and is the second child of the late Rudolph Van Dorston and Elizabeth his wife. Mrs. Van Dorston's maiden name was Packer. Rudolph Van Dorston was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and from German ancestry. His wife's parents were Quakers of English origin, whose ancestors were among the emigrants brought over by William Penn.
Rudolph Van Dorston moved with his family to Kendall County, Illinois, where he engaged in farming, and became one of the leading agriculturalists in the county. He died in February, 1873. His widow still resides on the old homestead, hale and hearty, at the age of sixty-three.
The subject of our sketch received his rudimentary education in common schools, afterwards attended and graduated from the Rock River Seminary at Mt. Morris, in the spring of 1858. Immediately after became a student of law in the law office of Helme & Crothers, and was admitted to practice in the fall of '59.
In the spring of 1860 he opened an office in Oswego, Kendall County.
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On the breaking out of the rebellion he enlisted in the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, commanded by Col. T. Lyle Dickey, now one of the Judges of the Supreme Court. He was Orderly Sergeant for a time, and afterward Adju- tant of the 1st Battalion, with the rank of Lieutenant.
The principal battles in which he participated were Fort Henry and Fort Donaldson. Here Adjutant Van Dorston had command of the picket- guards of what was known as the right wing of the army. He took part in several other minor engagements, principally in Western Tennessee, and was honorably discharged in the summer of 1863.
In November, 1863, he opened a law office in partnership with George R. Fitch, an able lawyer. Since his advent in the county, Judge Van Dorston has acquired a prominent position among the leading lawyers of Central Illinois. He has been engaged in a number of cases which have shed lustre on the bar of the State.
In the fall of 1865 he was elected County Judge by the Republican party, which was the first Republican ticket ever elected in the county.
In the fall of 1868, he was elected State Senator. The district then com- prised Perry. Washington, Clinton, Bond, Marion, and Fayette counties. He then resigned the judgeship, and took his seat in the Senate. Judge Van Dorston's influence was soon felt. He was a persistent worker, and his speeches were recognized as sound, forcible, and logical arguments. While in the Senate he was a member of the Judiciary Committee, and did much toward the formation of the present statutes pertaining to the administration of estates. Was also Chairman of the Committee on Revenue.
The Judge was appointed in June, 1874, United States District Attorney for Southern Illinois. His most noted case was the prosecution of the cele- brated Driggs' counterfeit case, in which many of the ablest lawyers of Springfield were his opponents. He resigned February, 1876, returning to his old practice in Vandalia.
In politics he has always been a Republican, whose influence is large in the ranks of his party in Illinois, and we bespeak for him a bright prospect in the future. His genial and courteous manners have won for him a host of friends wherever he is known.
He was married June 22, 1864, to Miss Alice M Coffin, the daughter of Frederick Coffin, one of the leading merchants of Oswego, Illinois.
TEVIS AND LUCIEN GREATHOUSE.
AMONG the prominent men of Southern Illinois both of the above were well and favorably known. Their father, John S. Greathouse, was at one time in the early history of the State, prosecuting attorney, and was the friend and associate of Judge Douglass, General Shields, and other promi- nent and gifted men, of which Illinois has reason to be proud. Tevis Greathouse was born in Shelbyville, Shelby County, Kentucky, where he enjoyed some early advantages. When seventeen years of age he came to Illinois, where he shortly after h's arrival enlisted in Capt. Lawlens' Company of Volunteers, at Shawneetown, and with them went to Mexico, where he faithfully served his country two years. He was in the battles of Che- pultepec, Rasaca de la Palma, and a number of minor ones, and was pro- moted for bravery and gallant conduct. At the conclusion of peace he returned to his adopted State, and engaged in the study of the law, a profes- sion in which he afterwards attained distinction. After his admission to the bar he located at Greenville, in Bond County, and established himself in practice. A few years subsequently he married Miss Julia Prentice, a most accomplished lady, and second daughter of Col. Charles Prentice.
Col. Prentice was one of the most active and prominent men of his time in this section of the State, and at one time one of its officers.
After their marriage Mr. Greathouse removed to Vandalia, where he remained until his death. He was a man of good endowments of mind and heart, possessed of a remarkable memory, and a facility for mastering the details and the technicalities of his profession.
Lucien, like his brother, was a man of rare attainments, and died just as a bright and most promising career was opening before him. During the civil war he won the distinction by his bravery of having no less a man than bis illustrious chief, General Wm. T. Sherman, pronounce " his example worth a thousand men."
He, with his brother, are buried in Vandalia.
Miss Adele Douglass Greathouse is the only survivor of the name, with the exception of three half-brothers. There are also living two sisters in Greenville, Bond County, of whom one is Mrs. Wm. Smith; the other Mrs. S. A. Blanchard.
AMONG the public men of Fayette County Judge Ross has long stood in the front rank. He was born June 12th, 1817, in Kentucky, and is the eldest child of Thomas B. and Sarah (Brown) Ross, who were natives of Georgia and Kentucky respectively. They came to Illinois in 1829 and located in Coles County.
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