USA > Illinois > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Illinois > Part 56
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ington, and there spent his first week walking the streets and asking for an apprenticeship at some trade, and at the expiration of the above- named time his ambition was rewarded by being taken as an apprentice to Harvey & Hay, house and sign painters. He was bound to this firm for a term of three years, and faithfully served it out, not losing a day, and even remained one month longer than his allotted time to benefit himself. He then bor- rowed $25, which enabled him to buy a small stock of brushes, paints, etc., for the purpose of opening a business of his own. He worked in this way diligently for ten years, from the first getting all the work he could do; in fact, very soon began to hire assistants and widen his business, and soon was enabled to take con- tracts, and rapidly rose to the position of chief workman and contractor in the eity, until he secured the work of painting the publie build- ings, and often had a hundred men in his employ. In this time, his untiring industry was rewarded with a net profit of $75,000, when he elosed up his business and turned his face westward and came to Illinois, arriving in Mt. Vernon, his present home, October 20, 1861. On his arrival here he completed his arrangements to study law, and immediately entered the office of Tanner & Casey. He was admitted to the bar subsequently, and after being engaged to defend two cases, and after having painted his own sign, which he never hung up, he became dissatisfied with his pro- fession and gave it up, determined to engage in a more active business that would be more adapted to his ambitious life. Ile engaged in mercantile pursuits in Mt. Vernon, which he continued for five years, and from its com- mencement began erecting some of the miost substantial buildings-business houses, mills, residences and manufacturing establishments, which now stand as a moment to his memory, showing how much he has done to beantify and improve the city. Among these edifices might
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be mentioned the large mill of Hobbs & Sons, and the Continental Hotel, which was built at a cost of $30,000. During the war, he also car- ried on mercantile establishments in Cairo and McLeansboro, and was also engaged in farming and conducted a large tannery. In the twenty years' stay in this county, he has bought several thousand acres of wild land, and, after making all modern improvements, would sell again, and it might be said to his honor that in this way he has undoubtedly done more to improve Jefferson County than any other one man. He now owns 600 acres of land. one of the model farms of the county, which is located within one mile from the limits of Mt. Vernon. At the time when the St. Louis & Southeastern Railroad was talked of intersecting this por- tion of Southern Illinois, he became one of the most active workers toward the enterprise. and besides using his money freely, he made many enthusiastie speeches at points between St. Louis and Shawneetown, which at once caused the people to wake up to the impor- tance of such an enterprise, and he was suc- cessful in his object. He has also been en- gaged extensively in the lumber and saw-mill business, and during the last ten years he has furnished different Western railroad companies with timbers and ties. During the summer months of 1882, he furnished over 2,000 car- loads of ties and timbers for railroad compa- nics ; being well experienced in this line of busi- ness, he has made it a financial success. For all he has been engaged so extensively in busi- ness, he has found time to serve his people in several different positions of trust. He was Trustee of Mt. Vernon for a number of years , a member of the Board of Supervisors; Super- intendent of the County Almshouse, and the manner in which this institution was con- dueted under his management brought to him great credit; Mayor of the city for four con- secutive terms, and, in 1882, was elected to his present oflice, to the General Assembly. He
has been President of different associations, one of which was the Jefferson County Fair Asso- ciation. He is now an active member of the orders, I. O. O. F., K. of H. and K. & L. of II. He is a liberal contributor to all charitable enterprises, and has donated largely to the building of many of the churches of the county. He was married, on the 18th of No- vember, 1852, to Miss Susan S. Bogan (see history of John S. Bogan). This union has been blessed with eleven children, of whom the following are now living : Mrs. Anna (Frank) Patton, born July 25, 1857; George L., born June 19, 1859; John G., born April 9, 1862; Mary Nellie, born June 7, 1865; Daisy, born March 3, 1874, and Elbert Leo, born December 15, 1877. In politics, he has been a consistent Democrat, yet he has never forfeited the respect nor confidence of even his most earnest politi- cal adversaries. His broad and just benevo- lence and liberal charity have shed their bless- ings upon his fellow-man, his prudent foresight and active, liberal business transactions have immeasurably benefitted the county, and his whole life work has helped mankind in that great human contest where fate is on one side and fortune on the other. He has won the goal, and the " well done thou faithful servant " is stained with no shadow of a dishonored life, is blistered with no tear of widow or orphan. An inactive or uneventful life may easily drift with the current and attract neither attention nor temptation, and to say of it when it is over that it was steered successfully between Scylla and Charybdis, is but a commonplace that is idle and means but little, but when we look back over a great and active life, one that has stood in the foreground, breasting life's rudest storms and attracting the attention of the most cunning tempter, and yet has never fallen, never faltered, but has gone onward and up- ward, carrying the feeble, sustaining the weary and faint-hearted, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and winning life's chiefest victories.
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We have a picture-a biographieal sketch, so to speak. worthy the study and contemplation of the youths of the country, where they may read the most valuable lesson of their lives. Such we esteem the story of the Hon. George H. Varnell's life, and we give it to the world, only too briefly, as a most valuable paragraph in the history of Jefferson County.
G. F. M. WARD, clothier and gents' fur- nisher, Mount Vernon. The successful man is he who chooses his life-work with ref- erence to his native ability and tastes. The men who fail in their calling are not men with- out ability ; often they are men of brilliant genins, but they are they who have turned the current of their life foree into a wrong channel. Mr. Ward is a sueeessful business man. His success has followed his work naturally as ef- fect follows cause. His early tastes inclined him toward a mercantile life. He cherished this feeling till it became inwrought in the very fiber of his being, so that when he began active life he had little to decide ; the atmos- phere of mereantile life has beeome his native element. Our subject was born in Harrington, Litchfield Co., Conn., on October 11, 1854, and is a son of Henry and Lucy A. (Todd) Ward. The father is a native of Waterbury, Conn., and is a farmer by oceupation. In 1858, he came to Illinois, and first settled near Carbon- dale. He is at present living near Duquoin- The mother was a native of Connecticut, and is still living. To her have been born six chil- dren, viz .: Elmira (deceased), Julius II., Will- iam D. (both in business in Duquoin, III.). George T. M., John N. (deceased), and Samuel (a merehant in Carbondale). The education of our subject was received principally in the schools of Carbondale. When young, he lent an assisting hand on his father's farm. On April 7, 1874, he commenced elerking for M. Goldman, at Carbondale. He remained with this gentleman until May 10, 1875, and then formed a partnership with John Ilayden, and
put in operation the Carbondale Marble Works. In August, 1875, he, however, sold out his in- terest in that concern and came to Duquoin, where he elerked for Joseph Solomon, until his arrival in Mount Vernon, on August 1, 1879. In this city he formed a partnership with his employer, and opened a clothing house under the firm name of Ward & Solomon. This firm continued in operation until January 1, 1883, when the firm dissolved by mutual agreement, and since then our subject has carried on the business alone, and at present has in stock one of the most complete assortments of gents' fur- nishing goods in the city. In Duquoin, Ill., on June 2, 1880, Mr. Ward was married to Miss Sarah E. Pope. This lady was born July 31, 1857, in Franklin County, Ill., and is a daughter of Dr. B. F. Pope, of Duquoin. Two children have blessed this union-Todd P., born February 16, 1881, and Leota, born September 4, 1882. Mrs. Ward is a member of the Chris- tian Church of Duquoin. Mr. Ward is a mem- ber of Marion Lodge, No. 13, I. O. O. F., and Jefferson Encampment, No. 91. He at present represents the Third Ward in the Mount Ver- non Common Council. In politics, he is a Democrat.
JOEL F. WATSON, capitalist, Mount Ver- non, was born in Pendleton County, Ky., on the 26th of March, 1821. His father, John W. Watson, was a native of Maryland, born in 1771. Ile was removed by his parents to Vir- ginia when a small boy, and was there reared. He studied medicine, and was a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College. He married in Virginia, and, in 1811, removed to Bourbon County, Ky., and soon after to Pendleton County of the same State. After about ten years, he turned his face Westward and came to Illinois, arriving in Mount Vernon in Novem- ber, 1821. His journey was made overland, with a two-horse wagon. which carried his family and all of his earthly possessions. Ile settled on a farm known as Mulberry Hill, and
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the following year (1822) bought land one-half mile north of Mount Vernon, on the Vandalia road, where he remained and managed his farm, in connection with the duties of his pro- fession, until he died, which sad event occurred Jnne 3, 1845. He was the first physician of the county, and his ride extended over a great por- tion of this part of the State. He often made rides of fifty and one hundred miles, on horse- back, in one day. In 1828, he was called on a professional visit to Williamson County, and, from the long ride, his horse became exhausted and died on his arrival at his journey's end, and he was obliged to borrow a horse to get back to his home. He was of Welsh descent, a Democrat politically, and a man of unswerving honesty and integrity. His wife, Frances (Pace) Watson, was born in Virginia in 1785, and died in this county on the 3d of March, 1845. She was the mother of nine children, of whom Joel F. Watson, our subject, is the only surviving child. He was brought to the county by his parents when an infant, and was here reared on his father's farm. His education was lim- ited to the subscription schools of that early day. supplemented by one term in the Mount Vernon Academy. In 1842, he engaged in teaching in the common schools of Franklin County, and, in 1843, was elected to the office of County Clerk of Jefferson County, and held the office for fourteen consecutive years. In 1849, in conjunction with his official duties, he engaged in merchandising in Mount Vernon on a small scale, as his capital at that time was small ; he was engaged in this business most of the time until 1876, when he retired from active business. He is the owner of large tracts of land, and, at the present day, is undoubtedly the wealthiest man of the county. He com- menced life a poor boy, and now, in the latter years of his life, he is surrounded with those comforts, and enjoys those pleasures that are ever the result of honesty, industry and econ- omy. He was married, on the 2d of January,
1849, to Sarah M. Taylor, a native of Pike County, Ill. She died in March, 1859, leaving four children as the result of their union. Of these, Walter, Howard and Albert are now living, and all enterprising young men. In De- cember, 1860, he married Mrs. Sarah E. Page. He and wife are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the or- der of A., F. & A. M., and a Democrat in poli- tics.
S. H. WATSON, dealer in agricultural im- plements, Mount Vernon. From one of the oldest families in this county the gentleman whose name heads this sketch is descended. He was born here November 5, 1838, and is a son of John H. and Elizabeth M. (Rankin) Watson. The grandfather of our subject, Dr. John W. Watson, was born in Maryland in 1791, and was removed to Virginia at an early day by his parents ; he was educated in that State, then read for a physician, graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, and practiced medicine the rest of his life. About 1803, he married Frances Pace, and to them the father of our subject was born in 1805. In 1811, the grandfather with his family moved to Bourbon County, Ky., but soon after moved to Pendle- ton County, same State, where the family lived until 1821, when he started to Jefferson Coun- ty, Ill. His journey was made overland in a two-horse wagon, which contained his family and all of his earthly possessions ; they camped ont nights, and experienced great fear from the wild animals. Arriving in this county, the Doctor first settled on a farm on what is called the " Mulberry Hill," where he resided one year and then removed to a farm on the Vandalia road, one and oue-half miles from Mt. Vernon. Here he resided for a number of years, and, in connection with the management of his farm, he followed his profession. He was the first physician in the county, and was kept very busy, his practice extending over this as well as adjoining counties, and he was obliged to
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MOUNT VERNON CITY AND TOWNSHIP.
make on horseback a trip of from 50 to 100 miles long. On June 3, 1845, he departed this life, and left an example worthy of imitation by the coming generation. He was of Welsh descent, and was a man of unswerving honesty and integrity. The father of our subject grew up to manhood in this county, receiving his ed- ucation in the subscription schools. In 1827, he was married to Elizabeth M. Rankin. In his youth, he learned the trade of a carpenter and made that his occupation through life. He served as Justice of the Peace in this county for twenty-four years in succession, and also served one term as County Treasurer. Ile was an upright member of the M. E. Church, and was one of the pillars of the organization in Mt. Vernon, having been one of the organizers of the church. In politics, he was a Democrat, as his father had been before him. He died September 26, 1860, and was buried by the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a member. The mother of our subject was a native of Ten- nessee, and to her were born nine children, of whom seven are now living. Our subject was educated partially in Mt. Vernon, and at the age of ten he went to St. Louis, and there clerked until he was eighteen ; he then came to Tamaroa, Ill., and there clerked until 1860, and then came to Mt. Vernon. Here he clerked until the summer of 1861, when he enlisted in the Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany G. Entering as private, he served first as Quartermaster Sergeant ; then, on April 1, 1862, was elected Second Lieutenant, and was next promoted to First Lieutenant. On Janu- ary 26, 1863, and while serving in that capacity, he was detailed to act as Aid on the staff of the General commanding. On March 5, 1864, he was promoted to the Captaincy, and afterward was appointed Inspector of the brigade, which position he held until the close of the war. He participated in many thrilling scenes and famous battles, among which were the battles of Shiloh, capture of Vicksburg, Knoxville, I
Mission Ridge, Jackson (Miss.), Atlanta cam- paign, and Sherman's march to the sea. After the war, he returned to Mt. Vernon, where he engaged in the drug business for a short time, and then embarked in the clothing business. He followed that for about a year and a half and then went to Ashley, Washington County, where he resided about eleven years. In that place, his principal business was dealing in stock, also running an agricultural implement store. In 1879, he returned to Mt. Vernon, and opened an implement store here. This he still carries on, having on hand besides a full stock of farm machinery, wagons, buggies, pianos and organs. Mr. Watson was married in Mt. Vernon, on October 1, 1860, to Anna A. Goetschius. This lady is a native of Massa - chusetts, and a daughter of Isaac D. and Eliz- abeth (Tucker) Goetschius, who were natives of New York. The result of this union was Fred P., born July 22, 1865, and Harry W., born December 16, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are both members of the M. E. Church. Subject is a member of the A., F. & A. M. fraternity of Mt. Vernon. In politics, he is a Republican, and is at present Chairman of the Republican County Central Committee.
WALTER WATSON, M. D., Mt. Vernon, was born on the 14th of May, 1851, in Mt. Vernon, Ill., and is the oldest of three chil- dren born to Joel F. and Sarah M. (Taylor) Watson. He waseducated in the High Schools of Mt. Vernon, supplemented by a four years' course in the MeKendree College, Lebanon, Ill., graduating from that institution with hon- ors in June, 1872. Beturning home, he imme- diately began reading medicine in the office of Dr. W. Duff Green, of Mt. Vernon, III., and in September of the same year entered Ohio Med- ical College at Cincinnati, and graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. in March, 1875. At this time he was successful in winning a prize of $50, which was offered for the one most successful in the examination
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in ophthalmology. After his examination, he entered a competitive examination for the po- sition of resident physician of the Good Samar- itan Hospital of Cincinnati. Being successful, he entered upon the practice of his profession in that position and continued the same for one year. In 1876, he was elected to fill the chair of Demonstrator of Anatomy in the col- lege where he graduated. In 1877, on account of the failing health of his father and the im- portance of being with him to attend to his business, he resigned his position and returned home to Mt. Vernon, where he has since re- mained engaged in the practice of his profes- sion. During 1877-78, he was practicing in partnership with Dr. Green, but since that time he has practiced by himself. He was married in September, 1880, to Miss Nettie Margaret Johnson, of Champaign, Ill., and a daughter of George W. and Margaret G. (Lawder) Johnson. This union has been blessed with one child, Margaret. Dr. Watson is a Democrat in poli- tics, a member of the A. F. & A. M. and K. of H., and is State Medical Examiner for the latter.
ALBERT WATSON, lawyer, Mt. Vernon, is the youngest of a family of three sons born to Joel F. and Sarah M. (Taylor) Watson, whose history appears elsewhere in this work. He was born in Mt. Vernon, Jefferson Co., Ill., on the 15th of April, 1857. He attended the schools of Mt. Vernon and the McKendree Col- lege at Lebanon, Ill., graduating from the lat- ter place with honors in 1876. He then began teaching school and continued the same for two years, when he began reading law under the perceptorship of C. H. Patton, Esq., and passed his examination in July, 1880, receiving his admittance to the bar in September of the same year. Since then he has been engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, in part- nership with Mr. C. II. Patton. Ile was mar- ried in Mt. Vernon on the 12th of August, 1880, to Miss Mary E. Way, a native of Washington
County, Ill., and a daughter of Newton E. and Lizzie II. (Heaton) Way, both natives of Ohio, the former deceased and the latter resides in Mt. Vernon. They have been blessed with one child, Marena.
T. E. WESTCOTT, dry goods merchant, MIt. Vernon. One of the most prominent dry goods merchants of Mt. Vernon is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Mr. Westcott is a native of this county, being born here March 4, 1846, and is a son of James and Teli- hat (Downer) Westcott. The grandfather of our subject, David Westcott, was a native of New Jersey, and came West when a young man and settled in Ohio. There he married Margaret S. Willis, who was a native of Maryland. To them the father of our subject was born, June 12, 1826. In 1838, the grandparents came to this county, and settled in the south part of it. There the father grew to manhood and married Telitha Downer, who was born August 22, 1827, in Vermont. The result of this union was seven children, four of whom are now liv- ing, viz .: Thomas E., Sarah M. (wife of a Mr. Dare), James and George. The father is at present following the trade of a carpenter. In his life he has held many responsible offices, among which are that of Sheriff, Treasurer. Assessor, and Commissioner of Highways. In politics, he has been a life-long Democrat. The common schools of Jefferson County afforded our subject his means of education, and when not in school when a youth he would assist his father in running the old homestead. He com- menced life for himself as a clerk in Ashley, and remained in that town twelve years, and finally he came to Mt. Vernon, and in this city he clerked for two years, and then in company with his uncle, W. B. Westcott, he opened a general store. At present, he carries a com- plete stock of dry goods, groceries, and boots and shoes. In MeLeansboro, Ill., Mr. Westcott was wedded to Miss Nannie Shoemaker. This lady was born April 1, 1847, and is a daughter
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MOUNT VERNON CITY AND TOWNSHIP.
of Joshua and Artimissa (Maulding) Shoe- maker. This marriage has resulted in six chil- dren, viz .: Freddie L., Bertram E., Robert L., Walter, Clarence and Thomas E. Mrs. West- cott is a member of the Mt. Vernon M. E. Church. Mr. Westcott is a member of the A., F. & A. M. fraternity and in politics is a Dem- ocrat.
W. N. WIIITE, State's Attorney, Mt. Vernon. It is an encouraging phase of our present age that the prizes of honest work and vigorons energy are open to all, and that the young man may win the highest emoluments equally with the man of long and varied experience. Mr. White, though but a young man, has risen to a high rank in his profession, and sustains a rep- utation worthy only of the truest ability. He was born on the 17th of October, 1856, near Mt. Vernon, in Jefferson County, Ill. His ear- ly life was passed on a farm. bnt, unlike many whose boyhood is thus spent, he so economized his time and improved his opportunities as to gain a knowledge of a wide range of studies. He began the study of law in 1876, with Green & Carpenter, of Mt. Vernon, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1879, having passed his examination before the Appellate Court. He immediately engaged in the practice of his pro- fession, and has continued the same with marked success. In November, 1880, he was elected to the office of State's Attorney, and is now filling the same oflice with the approval and satisfaction of all. In Mt. Vernon, May 26, 1881, he married Miss Laura Casey, daugh- ter of Samuel K. and Anna L. Casey, both de- ceased. Mr. White is an active member of the orders I. O. O. F. and " Iron Hall," and a Dem- ocrat in politics.
key Hill in St. Clair County. Being a practical surveyor, he was employed to survey lands in that county. In 1824, on account of being af- flicted with malarial chills in St. Clair County, he removed with his family to Jefferson Coun- ty, Ill., and settled in Moore's Prairie Town- ship. Our subject's father, R. A. D. Wilbanks, was born in South Carolina in 1805, and was there reared and educated. He came to Illi- nois with his parents, and while residing in St. Clair County was employed to carry the mail from Belleville to Metropolis, making the trip on horseback. Soon after coming to Jefferson County, he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and after the death of his father purchased most of the home farm, and subsequently he- came the largest land-owner of the county. In 1828, he married Miss Sarah Ham, who bore him the following children : Thomas J. (de- ceased), Naney, widow of Robert E. Yost, she resides in Cairo, Ill .; Judith Ann, who married William K. Parish, and is now the wife of Dr. Venson S. Benson, of McLeansboro; Mary, who married C. C. Campbell, a lawyer, both deceased. He married a second time, Madaline (Arington) Wilbanks, a native of Ballard Coun- ty, Ky., who died in Benton, Ill., April 13, 1849. This union was blessed with two chil- chen-Sarah Illinois, wife of Judge M. C. Crawford, of Jonesboro, Ill., and Robert, our subject. Mr. Wilbanks was an enterprising man, a kind, indulgent father, and his taking away by death July 7, 1847, was mourned by all. He had represented his district in the State Senate, and had held many of the county offices; was a Democrat in politics, though he took no active part.
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