History of Logan County, Illinois, Part 28

Author: Inter-State Publishing Co.
Publication date: 1886
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 989

USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan County, Illinois > Part 28

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

EDD E. M. COCHRAN, attorney at law, a member of the firm of Harts & Cochran, Lincoln, Illinois, was born near Piketon, Pike County, Ohio, September 9, 1857. When he was seven years of age his father, William T. Cochran, died, and from that time he was obliged to rely mainly on himself for maintenance. Until fifteen years of age he was variously employed, at- tending as he had opportunity the public schools. From his fif- teenth till his nineteenth year he was employed as bookkeeper in Chillicothe and Waverly, and in September, 1876, came to Il- linois and was employed in the abstract office of Randolph & Leutz six months. He then began to read law in the office of Harts & James. They paid him a small salary for his services to them and while there ho wrote up a set of abstract books for him-

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self, his time for study being nights. A part of the years 1879 and 1880 he was employed as bookkeeper by the Lincoln Coal Mining Company. June 11, 1881, he was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Springfield and began his practice at Lincoln. In November of the same year he became associated with his former preceptor, David H. Harts, forming the present law firm of Harts & Cochran. Politically, Mr. Cochran is a Democrat. He was married June 20, 1883, to Mattie E. Arnold, of Eminence, Henry County, Kentucky. They have two children-Laura Ed- wina and Lulu Arnold. Mr. Cochran is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

CHARLES H. CURTIS, attorney at law, was born March 15, 1862, in Laenna Township, Logan County, Ill., and was educated in the high school at Mount Pulaski. At the age of seventeen he began read- ing law with Beach & Hodnett, Lincoln, Ill. In 1882 he grad- uated from the law department of the State University of Iowa, and has since practiced law in Mount Pulaski. He is a Democrat in politics, and is town clerk. He was married in Mount Pulaski to Ora L., daughter or Dr. M. P. Phinney. She was born April 11, 1862, in Mason City, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have had two children. Their first-born, a son, Major L., died at the age of six months. They have one daughter, Ruby May, born in Mount Pulaski. Mr. Curtis is a son of Enoch Curtis, a native of Vir- ginia. He removed to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he lived sixteen years and married Polly Dunnuck. They came to Logan County in 1850. Four of their five children were born in Picka- way County, Ohio-Rebecca, the widow of J. P. Evans, residing in Dakota; William L., a Kansas farmer; Samuel T. and Hiram W. both farming in Logan County.

HON. STEPHEN ANDREW FOLEY, County Judge, and one of the prominent business men of Lincoln, Illinois, is a native of Logan County, born Aug. 27, 1840. His father, William Foley, was a native of Clarke County, Ohio, moved to Logan County in 1834, where he died in 1848. His mother, Sarah J. (Downey) Foley, was also a native of Ohio, and came with her father, James Downey, to Illinois in 1828, locating in what was then McLean County. She died at Atlanta in 1857. Our subject has spent his entire life in Logan County. He lived on a farm till fourteen years of age, receiving a common-school education. When seventeen years of age he began life for himself and for four years was em- ployed in the postoffice at Atlanta. In 1861 he came to Lincoln

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and made the first abstracts of title in Logan County, which he sold in 1865. He attended the law department of the University of Albany, New York, and in 1866 formed a law partnership with James T. Hoblit, which continued until each began to hold public positions when a dissolution was necessary. In 1877 he was elected county judge, a position he has since held. In July, 1877, he became interested in banking and was elected president of the Lincoln Saving, Loan and Trust Bank, which in 1885 was merged into the Lincoln National Bank, of which he was also chosen presi- dent. In 1878 he became proprietor of the Lincoln gas plant, which he owned until 1884, when the Lincoln Gas and Electric Light Company was organized and he became its president. In 1880 he became interested in the Citizen's Coal Shaft, of which he owns a large share and is one of its directors. In 1885 he built the Lincoln Roller Mills, which have the capacity of manufactur- ing 150 barrels of flour daily. He is also proprietor of the Mendota, Illinois, gas plant. He owns about 2,500 acres of farm- ing land in Logan County, all of which is occupied by tenants. Judge Foley's remarkable success in life has been wholly due to his clear judgment and natural business ability. He gives his numerous business interests his personal and untiring attention, and his integrity and honesty have gained for him a high rank in the opinion of the business men, who do not hesitate to place him in positions of honor and trust. He is one of the enterprising and self-made men to whom Lincoln owes its growth and present prosperity. Judge Foley was married Nov. 7, 1867. to Hannah Hahn, daughter of William B. and Sarah (Woodman) Hahn, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Foley died Sept. 23, 1880. She was an active member and one of the founders of Trinity Episcopal Church, of Lincoln, Judge Foley and his children be- ing members of the same organization. He has been one of the wardens since 1871, and is Chancellor of the Diocese of Springfield. Judge Foley has three children-William H., Edna and William. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, lodge, chapter and commandery at Lincoln.

D. H. HARTS came to Logan County in 1856. He was reared on a Logan County farm and studied in Chicago University Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1866 and has since prac- ticed in Lincoln. He formed a partnership with E. E. M. Cochran in 1882.

JOHN FREMONT HILSCHER, attorney at law, Lincoln, was born

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January 23, 1857, at Bethlehem, Hamilton County, Indiana. His parents, Joseph S. and Louise (Woland) Hilscher, were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. They came to Logan Connty and located in Eminence Township the same year our sub- ject was born. He lived there on the farm with his parents until his seventeenth year, when he left his home and went to La Salle, Illinois. Arriving there among total strangers, and without a cent, he sought and soon found work on a farm. In the following fall, 1874, he came to Lincoln, and entered the preparatory department of Lincoln University, which he attended two terms. He then returned to La Salle, and again worked on a farm till the next fall, after which he taught school for one year at Dimmick Station, in La Salle County. He then taught two terms in a district school, near Dimmick, and in the fall of 1878 entered Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois, and went through the Freshman and Sopho- more years, he, with his own earnings, paying the expenses of his tuition, etc., both at Lincoln and at Galesburg. In 1880 he taught a school at Hartsburg, and at the same time commenced the study of law. He continued to teach school and study law until June, 1883, when he made application and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Springfield, and immediately formed a part- nership with S. J. Woland at Lincoln, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of his chosen profession. In politics he is a Republican. On the 3d of December, 1884, Mr. Hilscher was married to Hetta Anderson, of Lincoln, daughter of William and Caroline (Martin) Anderson. He and his wife are both men- bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Lincoln.

J. T. HOBLIT was born near Atlanta, Illinois, and was reared in Logan County. He was admitted to the bar in 1865. Was in partnership with S. Beason a year. From 1867 to 1878 was with Stephen A. Foley; then formed a partnership with W. W. Stokes. He spent 1881 in California. The firm of Blinn & Hoblit was established in 1882.

JOSEPH HODNETT, junior member of the law firm of Beach & Hodnett, Lincoln, was born March 5, 1849, in County Limerick, Ireland, a son of Thomas P. and Elizabeth (Halliman) Hodnett. His father was a merchant by occupation, dying in his native country in December, 1848. Joseph Hodnett received his educa- tion first in the primary schools, and later attended the Catholic University at Ennis, Ireland, remaining in his native country till fifteen years of age. He then came to the United States in 1864,

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and first engaged in clerking in a store in New York for a few months. He then went to Washington, District of Columbia, and from there went to San Francisco, remaining on the Pacific coast five years. In 1870 he located at Lancaster, Wisconsin, and there entered the law office of Barber & Clementson as a student. He was admitted to the bar at Lancaster in 1872 when he came to Lincoln, Logan County, where he made his home with his brother, Rev. T. P. Hodnett, Rector of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. In 1875 he was admitted to the bar at Lincoln, and at once began the practice of his profession with T. T. Beach with whom he has since been associated. December 3, 1876, he was married at Lin- coln to Mary E. Shay, daughter of the late William Shay, an old settler of Logan County. They have four children-Thomas P., Elizabeth G., Joseph and William E. Mr. Hodnett and wife are members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church at Lincoln.

ROBERT HUMPHREY, attorney at law, Lincoln, Illinois, is a native of New York City, born July 10, 1853. His parents came to Illinois in 1855, and lived at Geneseo two years, and in 1857 moved to Lincoln where the father died in 1859. His mother marrying again in 1872 he went with her to Sangamon County and remained till 1875 when he returned to Lincoln. He acquired a good education and when eighteen years of age began teaching school in Sangamon County, and taught there four years, and sub- sequently taught four years in Logan County. In the spring of 1875 he began reading law and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court in the spring of 1878. He remained in the office of Beason & Blinn till the spring of 1880 when he began the practice of his profession at Lincoln. In the spring of 1883 he was elected city attorney of Lincoln and was re-elected in 1884. In the fall of 1884 he was elected on the Democratic ticket State's Attorney for Logan County. From June, 1879, till April 1, 1883, he was librarian of the Lincoln library. He is a member of Cook Lodge, No. 109, A. O. U. W.

JOHN JOHNSTON, attorney at law, Lincoln, Illinois, is a native of Scotland, born in Glasgow, March 14, 1850. His parents, John and Catherine (Brien) Johnston, were natives of Ireland, but of Scotch descent. When he was three years of age they came to America and lived eight years in Prescott County, Canada. In the spring of 1861 they came to Illinois and settled on a farm in the vicinity of Lincoln. Our subject after graduating from the classical department of Lincoln University in the class of 1877,

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entered the law department of Harvard College, from which he was called after a few months by the sickness and death of his father. He then went into the office of Beach & Hodnett and read law with them about two years. From 1879 till 1882 he was treasurer of Etna Township and at the same time was justice of the peace of the township. In the spring of 1882 he was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Springfield and immediately began to practice in Lincoln. In politics he is a Republican and in 1884 took an active part in the Presidential campaign. He has for several years been a member of the Logan County Re- publican Committee. He and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, of which he has been a local preacher three years and class-leader two years. He is treasurer of the Young Men's Christian Association, an organization in which he takes a great interest. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is senior warden of Logan Lodge, No. 480. Mr. Johnston was married February 28, 1878, to Dora Foster, of Vermont, Fulton County, Illinois. They have one child-Emma Alice.

HON. WM. B. JONES .- The following sketch of the life of Hon. Wm. B. Jones, who has resided in Lincoln since the year 1866, has been furnished by a gentleman who has been intimately acquainted with him, before and since his removal from Kentucky to Illinois.

During Mr. Jones's boyhood and youth he labored on a small farm, and obtained a good education, of the character afforded by such country schools as prevailed in Southern Kentucky, where he was born and reared, embracing only such branches as are taught in common schools. At the age of twenty-one years he seriously considered the question of selecting a line of work for life, and was much inclined to become a machinist. His love of books and thirst for knowledge, however, turned the scales, and he selected the legal profession. He studied law with Hon. Franklin Govin, a prominent attorney of Glasgow, Kentucky, his fellow-student being Hon. John G. Rogers, now one of the judges of the Circuit Court in Chicago. For the last forty-five years Mr. Jones has been engaged in the legal profession in Kentucky and Illinois, with occasional migrations into' the field of literature, and is a writer of more than ordinary ability. During the time that he practiced law in Kentucky the bar of that State was composed of men of more than ordinary ability, including Hon. F. Govin, Hon. Joseph R. Underwood, Hon. Wm. V. Loving, Hon. Henry Grider, Hon. F. M. Bristow, Hon. Elijah Hise, Hon. Wm. Sampson, and

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numerous other, who had filled high and honorable positions in the United States Senate, in the Lower House of Congress, and upon the bench of the Supreme and Circuit Courts of the State. With that class of men Mr. Jones, as an attorney, was in constant contact, and his ambition prompted the effort to reach the plane in his profession which they occupied. He was always a close stu- dent, and his mind being more logical and analytical than brilliant, his ascent to the head of his profession-which position he finally reached-was not suddenly attained. Prior to 1859 he engaged mostly in civil practice, and was specially partial to land suits and the preparation of business in the equity branch of the courts. Hav- ing no taste for politics he never sought any political office. In 1859, however, he permitted his friends to place him before a convention for congressional nomination. There being three other candidates, and the controversy becoming somewhat heated among their re- spective friends, the convention wisely refused to nominate either, and selected Hon. F. M. Bristow, the father of Hon. B. H. Bristow, late Secretary of the United States Treasury. During the same year, Mr. Jones was elected attorney for the commonwealth; in a large district, composed of ten counties; and in 1862 was without opposition re-elected to the same office. From 1859 to 1867 he discharged the duties of that office with signal ability and suc- cess, this period embracing the entire time of the war, when the politics of Southern Kentucky arose to fever heat, entered into the channels of private and social life, and crime became rampant. With a cool head and sound judgment he impartially and faith- fully discharged the duties of criminal prosecutor during that time in such manner as to never leave the law unvindicated, and yet never to procure an unjust conviction. In his impartiality as a prosecutor the people of the district had absolute confidence. Under a law of Kentucky, which authorized the bar to elect a judge pro tempore, in absence of the regular judge of the court, Mr. Jones was very frequently called to the bench, to preside in the trial of civil causes, and as judge gave universal satisfaction. In politics Mr. Jones adhered to the Whig party, so long as it existed, and in 1860 supported the Bell and Everett ticket. As early as 1859 and 1860, seeing, as he believed, the threatening clouds of secession looming up the political horizon, he made a number of speeches, not of a political character, but to impress upon the minds of the people a sentiment of patriotism and devotion to the Government, and perpetual union of the States. When in 1861 hostilities actu-

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ally commenced, he promptly connected himself with the Repub- lican party, as the only party in the South pledging itself to sustain the Government. During the entire war he boldly and publicly declared his uncompromising devotion to the union of the States, and opposition to disunion. He gave his entire influence and much of his means to promote the Union cause; attended his courts and transacted his official business, often under protection of a guard, furnished by the Federal military authorities; was once arrested by the order of a drunken General named Hindman, of the Con- federate army, promptly condemned to be hanged, and saved by the intercession of personal friends, who were secessionists, made to General Hardee who was Hindman's superior in command and rank, and during the latter part of the war, to avoid guerrilla arrest or assassination, frequently songht the protection afforded by a forest near his residence, where, wrapped in a blanket, with mother earth for his bed, he spent the night. His adventures, given in detail, many of them of a thrilling character, would read like a romance, and fili a volume. Mr. Jones has been an unswerving advocate of temperance and has delivered many lectures, in advocacy of the principles contended for by temperance workers. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and is a quiet, unosten- tations Christian gentleman, a social companion and true friend, kind, sympathetic and charitable. This sketch would not be complete without mention of his excellent wife-a kind, Christian woman, of rare good sense and diversified accomplishments, who has for nearly forty years been his companion through the vicissi- tudes of his checkered life, assisting him to build up a reputation, rejoicing with him in prosperity, and sympathizing with him in ad- versity. Together they have toiled up life's ascent, passed its summit, and, with affection undiminished, are descending the downward grade to their final rest.

EDMUND LYNCH, attorney at law, Lincoln, was born March 8, 1842, in East Constable, Franklin County, New York, a son of Edmund and Ellen (Dobbins)Lynch, natives of Ireland. He was reared in his native town, remaining with his parents till twenty years of age, and was educated in the public schools of Constable, and at Franklin Academy, Malone, New York. He left his home for Illinois in 1862 and worked on a farm in Kendall County till the following fall. He then came to Logan County where he taught in the public schools till 1866, when he began the study of law with Colonel W. D. Wyatt. He was admitted to the bar in 1867 and 20

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immediately entered upon the practice of his profession at Lincoln where he has since built up a good practice. He was married at Lincoln, June 21, 1866, to Jernsha Matthews, of Logan County. They have four children-William Edmund, Mary Ellen, Robert Emmet and Frances Ethel, all at home. In politics Mr. Lynch is a Democrat. In 1868 he was elected city attorney of Lincoln, holding that office during 1870 and 1871, by re-election. In 1876 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket to the office of Attorney General of the State of Illinois, but was defeated. Mr. Lynch is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church at Lincoln.

ROBERT CRUGTON MAXWELL, attorney at law, Lincoln, Illinois, is a native of Ohio, born in Uhrichsville, Tuscarawas County, August 6, 1849. His parents were Robert and Jemima (Keepers) Max- well, the former a native of Virginia, of Scotch descent, and the latter of Ohio, of Welsh descent. When he was five years of age his parents moved to Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, where the father died in 1855. His mother then returned to Ohio, where she is still living. After the father's death the family was broken up and our subject found a home with strangers. He mainly supported and educated himself, attending the school of Uhrichsville till seven- teen years of age. In 1866 he left Ohio and came to Illinois, and taught school in Logan County till 1872, with the exception of one term in the village of Williamsville, Sangamon County. From 1872 till the spring of 1877 he engaged in farming in the vicinity of Lin- coln, and in the meantime studied law under the preceptorship of W. B. Jones and T. T. Beach, and also attended the law department of the Lincoln University one term. He was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Springfield in January, 1877, and then went into the law office of Beason & Blinn of Lincoln. In the spring of 1878 he began the practice of his profession, and the same year was elected city attorney. In 1881 he was appointed by Governor Cullom public administrator of Logan County, a position he still holds. He has at different times held the office of township col- lector, justice of the peace and township clerk, and has always ful- filled the duties imposed on him faithfully and efficiently. In 1881 he was a member of the City Board of Education. December 25, 1868, Mr. Maxwell married Margaret E., daughter of Charles and Louisa (England)Turley, of Williamsville, Illinois. They have four children-Charles C., Mabel C., Bertha L. and William K. Mr. Maxwell is a member of Glendower Lodge, No. 45, K. P. He and his wife are members of the Christian church, of which he is

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an Elder. His political affiliations are with the Republican party.

L. C. SCHWERDTFEGER, attorney, Lincoln, Illinois, is a native of New York City, born July 30, 1856, but was reared in Jersey City, his parents having removed to that city when he was two years old. He received a common-school education in his youth, and at the age of nineteen years he entered the law department of Michigan State University, at Ann Arbor, from which he graduated in the class of 1879. He then came to Lincoln, Illinois, and was admit- ted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Ottawa, after which he engaged in the practice of law at Lincoln, which he followed till 1881. He then embarked in journalism, purchasing the Lincoln Daily Record, changing the name to the Lincoln Daily Journal, and in connection with this paper he in 1882 began to publish the Logan County Tribune, a weekly paper, both being still in exist- ence. In 1883 he retired from journalism, renting his office, of which he is still the owner, and again engaged in the practice of law. In October, 1884, he was appointed by the Board of Super- visors one of the examiners of the official accounts of county officers, which position he still holds. In 1883 he was one of the incorporators of the Lincoln Savings and Building Association, of which he has been secretary since its organization. In 1880 he helped re organize the Union Cemetery Association of Lincoln, a corporation controlling one of the most beautiful rural cemeteries in the State, Mr. Schwerdtfeger being secretary of this association. Mr. Schwerdtfeger has been Secretary of the Central Illinois Bee- keepers' Association since 1883. He takes a great interest in bee culture, and is the owner of a valuable apiary, having at much expense secured pure Italian bees. He has also a valuable apiarian library. November 18, 1880, he was married to Amalie Koehnle, daughter of Fred. C. W. Koehnle, of Lincoln. They have two children-Lucile and Albert H. Politically Mr. Schwerdtteger is a Republican. He has served as secretary of the Logan County Republican Central Committee since 1880. He is a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 210, A. F. & A. M .; Lincoln Chapter, No. 147, R. A. M., and of Constantine Commandery, No. 51, K. T., and has served several years as secretary of both lodge and chapter. Mr. Schwerdtfeger's parents, Henry and Pauline (Koehnle) Schwerdtfeger, were both natives of Germany. They came to America in 1851 and settled in New York City, thence to New Jersey, and in 1882 came to Lincoln, Illinois, where they have since made their home.

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S. L. WALLACE, a native of Ohio, came to Lincoln in 1870 from Indiana. He was adınitted to practice in 1875. Practiced five years in Mt. Pulaski, and since 1880 in Lincoln.

SOLOMON J. WOLAND, senior member of the law firm of Woland & Hilscher, of Lincoln, was born near Williamsport, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1845. When he was ten years old he came with his parents, Solomon and Catherine (Radle) Woland, to Logan County, Illinois, they locating in Eminence Township for a short time when they removed to Orvil Township, remaining there till the spring of 1864. Our subject then enlisted as a private in the 100-days service in Company D, One Hundred and Forty- fifth Illinois Infantry. He was soon promoted to Second Ser- geant, but before assuming the duties of that rank he was taken sick. He was discharged with his regiment at Camp Butler, Illi- nois, in the fall of 1864, having served about five months. He then returned to the homestead, and worked on the farm during the summers, attending the district schools during the winter months, and one spring term in 1866 in Eureka College, till 1866, and during the winter of 1866-'67 he taught his first term of school at Buckeye, on the Kickapoo. He then taught four terms in Logan County, and in the spring of 1871 he was employed as clerk in the store of Henry Ruhaak, at Hartsburg, Illinois, remaining with him two years, they together buying grain for Smith, Hippen & Co., of Pekin, Illinois. He then, in 1873, having lost through the treachery of his partner what he had previously made, was obliged to teach school again, and was so engaged till the spring of 1875. He then began the study of law in the office of Colonel Ed. Lyncb, at Lincoln, with whom he studied two years. He was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Mount Vernon in the spring of 1877, after which he practiced with his preceptor one year. In 1878 he became associated with O. C. Sharp with whom he practiced law at Lincoln till 1881, after which he continued alone till June, 1883, when J. F. Hilscher became his partner, thus forming the present law firm of Woland & Hilscher. Mr. Woland was married January 1, 1880, to Carrie Hall, daugh- ter of Timothy Hall, of Lincoln. They have two children-Frank R. and Maud May. Mrs. Woland is a member of the Baptist church at Lincoln. Mr. Woland is a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 204, I. O. O. F., of Lincoln. In politics he was formerly a Republican but is now a Prohibitionist, on which platform he has been twice elected city attorney of the city of Lincoln, and in the

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History of Logan County, Illinois, Part 28

Author: Inter-State Publishing Co. Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Number of Pages: 989

Author: Inter-State Publishing Co.
Publication date: 1886
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 989