History of Logan County, Illinois, Part 43

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

USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan County, Illinois > Part 43

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Ezra Nelson Davis, senior member of the firm of E. N. Davis & Sons, dealers in boots and shoes, Lincoln, was born near Sodus, Wayne County, New York, May 15, 1823, his parents, Nelson and Mercy Davis, being natives of the same State, the father being of Welsh descent and the mother of English ancestry. In 1827 his parents removed to Canada, living there till 1837, when they re- turned to New Yorkand settled in Gaines, Orleans County, where our subject attended the academy. When about fifteen years of age he began clerking in a dry-goods store at St. Catherines, Can- ada. He followed clerking till 1846, when he came to Illinois and located at Middletown, where he was engaged one year in farming. In 1847 he entered the store of Colbey Knapp, at Middletown, where he clerked till 1850. He then went to California, clerking in a dry-goods store in Sacramento about three months, when he rented a ranch and farmed one year. In 1852 he took a contract to build a turnpike road in Yolo County, California, on which he was engaged until 1855, and was supposed to be the first road of the kind built in that State. In January, 1856, he returned to Middletown, Illinois, and followed farming at Irish Grove, in the vicinity of Middletown, till 1868, when he sold his farm and came to Lincoln, where he was employed as a clerk in the store of Hiram Sherman, and afterward clerked for Boyd, Paisley & Co. about nine years. In 1881 he engaged in his present business at Lincoln, and is assisted by his sons, William and Edward, as partners, and his son Charles as clerk. He has been twice married. His first wife, whom he married October 16, 1846, at Queenstown, Canada, was Mary Ann Smith, and by this wife he had three children-Louisa, wife of E. B. Morhouse, of Quincy, Illinois; Augusta, who died at the age of three years, and Cassie, who died in infancy. His wife died at Middletown, September 13, 1852, and July 31, 1856, he was married to Mrs. Elmira Wheeler, widow of Aaron Wheeler.

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To this union have been born four children-Louisa, who died at Middletown; William Cass, Edward Everett and Charles Leonard. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Lincoln, of which Mr. Davis is treasurer, and also a deacon, having held both offices about fourteen years. He is now serving his fourth term as alderman of the city of Lincoln. He is a member of Logan Lodge, No. 480, A. F. & A. M.

Thomas 8. Davy, County Surveyor of Logan County, Illinois, was born in Menard County, near Middletown, March 5, 1859. His parents, Thomas and Elisabeth (Squire) Davy, were natives of England, and came directly to Lincoln, Illinois, in the year 1855, taking up their residence in the vicinity of Middletown and be- coming permanently located in Logan County in 1861. Thomas S. was reared on a farm and is acquainted with all kinds of farm labor. He received his common-school education in the public schools of Middletown, and in 1880 he entered Lincoln University, which he attended four terms. He then tanght school and was otherwise employed till June, 1883, when he entered the Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana, where he renewed his former relations with his old and honored teacher, Prof. John A. Steele, who was his instructor in the Middletown schools in 1870. He re- tained his connection with that institution until August, 1884, when he returned with two diplomas, having completed the com- mercial and scientific courses. Soon after his return from college he was nominated and elected to the office of county surveyor by the Democratic party in November, 1884, and assumed the duties of that office in the following December, and is now acting in that capacity.

Martin Denger, of the firm of Denger & Heckler, barbers, Lincoln, Illinois, is a native of Germany, born in Fr. Krumback, Hesse- Darmstadt, May 3, 1839. He attended the schools of his native town till fifteen years of age, when he came to the United States. He soon after his arrival began learning the trade of a barber in Baltimore, working under instruction three years. In 1857 he came West and located at Columbia, Monroe County, Illinois, work- ing as a journeyman till 1860, when he went to St. Louis and re- mained seven years. In October, 1867, he came to Logan County, Illinois, and opened a shop in Lincoln. Since 1884 he has been associated with Charles Heckler, forming the present firm of Den- ger & Heckler. Mr. Denger was married March 26, 1868, at St. Louis, Mo., to Miss Anna Kumpf, a native of New Orleans, La.

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They are members of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, lodge, chap- ter and commandery. In politics he is a Republican.

Ebenezer Duff was born near Raleigh, North Carolina, May 19, 1798, of Scotch-Irish descent. When fourteen years of age he went with his mother to near Bowling Green, Kentucky. October 27, 1817, he married Sallie McClure, of Bourbon County, Kentucky, and the following May moved to St. Louis County, Missouri. He was a practical and successful farmer. In 1825 he came to Sanga- mon County, Illinois, and took possession of a large farm, on which he lived till 1853, when he settled on a farm six miles east of Lin- coln, Logan County. At this time he had nine children, three of whom were born in Missouri and six in Sangamon County. The farm was divided with the children and thus was formed the "Duff settlement." From an individual fund he had a large school-house built, which also served as a house of worship. The school chil- dren at this time were all his grandchildren. In 1858 he retired from his farm and moved to Lincoln. Ten years later his wife died and he subsequently made his home with his daughter Jen- nie, till his death, March 29, 1884. In 1877 one eye was destroyed and for six years he was nearly blind, recognizing his friends by their voices. For two years he was unable to walk across the room without assistance. His last illness was of about a week's duration. He was expecting death and was prepared to meet his God. He had been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church since 1873. He had led a pure, upright life and, to his credit be it said, he never used liquor nor tobacco. He left four children-John E. Duff, of Kansas City ; A. J. Duff, of Sherman, Texas ; Jennie, of Lincoln, and W. D. Duff, living east of town. Mr. Duff's chief aim in life was to work hard to see that his children were well pro- vided for, and he did not give up until he had accomplished his purpose. He left a farm of 160 acres in Iroquois County and some city property. He was a staunch Republican from the organiza- tion of the party.

Henry Franklin Elliott came to Logan County, Illinois, in Sep- tember, 1862, and engaged in the lumber and grain business till 1880, when he gave his entire attention to grain and carrying on a flour mill till 1885. He was at one time associated with his brother, James F., in the ownership of the Elliott (now the Foley) Mills at Lincoln. He was successful in his pursuits and accumulated a handsome property. Mr. Elliott was born at Bombay, Franklin

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County, New York, November 27, 1831, a son of Moses and Mary B. (Washburn) Elliott, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Vermont. When he was six years of age his parents moved to Bloomingdale, Illinois, where he was reared, re- maining at home till manhood. From 1853 till 1858 he was en- gaged in the lumber business in Bloomington, Illinois. In 1859 he moved to Joliet, remaining there till his removal to Lincoln in 1862. Mr. Elliott has served as alderman of Lincoln three terms of two years each. He was married October 15, 1861, to Eunice Cagwin, daughter of Orville Cagwin, of Joliet. They have three children-Jennie, wife of Lester A. Rose, of Streator, Illinois; Lillian and Adel at home. In politics Mr. Elliott is a Democrat.

Michael Feuerbacher, deceased, was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, March 29, 1826. Before leaving his native country he served two years in the German army during the revolution of 1848. He came to America in the fall of 1853 and located at Springfield, Illinois, and about a year and a half later came to Logan County, settling in Postville, now a part of Lincoln, August 14, 1855, where he engaged in general blacksmithing and repair- ing, he having learned the blacksmith's trade in his native country. He added wagon-making to his business in 1860, and in 1865 he engaged in the grocery business, carrying on his shop at the same time. He was married at Wurtemberg, in April, 1852, to Rosa Feuerbacher, and to this union were born five children-Adam J., born in Germany; Mary, wife of John Feuerbacher; Charles W., Rosa and Emmalie, the last four born in Lincoln. Mr. Fenerbacher became a member of the Lutheran church in early life and always observed its rules and teachings, being at his death a member of Zion Evangelical Church at Lincoln. His death occurred Novem- ber 3, 1871, at the age of forty-five years. His sons, Adam J. and Charles W., and his son-in-law, John Feuerbacher, have succeeded to the business founded by him.

Feuerbacher Brothers, manufacturers of wagons, Lincoln, suc- cessors to Michael Feuerbacher. This firm consists of Adam J., Charles W., sons of Michael Feuerbacher, and a son-in-law, John Feuerbacher. Adam Feuerbacher was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, January 16, 1853, and in the following December his par- ents immigrated to America. They lived a short time in Springfield, Illinois, and in 1855 they came to Lincoln, Logan County, where he was reared, attending the public schools of this place till his sixteenth year. He then clerked in his father's grocery till his

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nineteenth year when, his father dying, the grocery was discon- tinned. He took charge of the wagon manufactory for his mother, to which he succeeded with his brother in 1883. November 10, 1881, he was married to Katy Schaffenacker, who resided near Mount Pulaski, Illinois. They have one child -- Albert J. F. He and his wife are members of the Zion Evangelical Church at Lincoln. His brother, Charles W., was born at Lincoln, June 22, 1858, where he was reared and educated in the public schools. At the age of four- teen years he began learning the carriage-painter's trade in the wagon shop then carried on by his mother, and as before mentioned became proprietor with his brother in 1883. Their brother-in- law, John Fenerbacher, is a native of Germany, where he lived till nineteen years of age. He came to this country in 1869, and in 1875 was married to Mary M. Feuerbacher, daughter of Michael and Rosa Feuerbacher. They have four children-Rosa, Emma, Lena and John. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church at Lincoln of which he acts as superintendent of the Sunday- school, and as church secretary.

Jeremiah Joseph Friend, of Lincoln, is a native of Allegheny County, Maryland, born in 1836. When about three years old he removed with his parents to Somerset County, Pennsylvania, where he lived with them till his twentieth year. His educational advantages were limited to three-months attendance at school during the winter terms. He immigrated to Missouri in the year 1856, and the same year began learning the jeweler's trade in Columbia, Boone County, serving an apprenticeship of three years. In 1860 he went to Linn County, Missouri, where he was engaged in farming till 1862. While engaged in farm- ing in Missouri his farm was invaded by Confederate soldiers, who drove away all of his horses and robbed him of his fire- arms. In 1862 he engaged in the jewelry business at La Clede, Linn County, remaining there till June, 1864, when his place was raided by a band of rebel guerrillas, his store stripped of everything, his show cases and clocks destroyed, and his jewelry carried off. He then left Missouri, and after leaving his family at Quincy, Illinois, he came to Logan County and concluded to locate at Lincoln, Illinois. He then established his present business, be- ginning on a small scale. He rented a window in a barber shop and with a few tools began working at his trade. In 1865 he rented a small room on Pulaski street, and purchased a small stock of watches, clocks and jewelry. Since then his business has steadily

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increased till he now owns the two-story brick building, 20 x 80 feet, located at 160 Broadway, in which he carries on his business, with a full stock of jeweler's supplies, watches, etc. He also owns his fine residence on Eighth street and another business room on Broadway, all his property having been accumulated since his mis- fortune in Missouri, in 1864. He has been twice married. His first wife was Mariam E. White, whom he married at La Clede, Mis- souri, in 1862. She died in 1871, leaving three children-Francis L. and William E., both living in Kansas, and Timothy C., who died in Kansas in 1879, aged nine years. He was again married at Lincoln in 1876 to Mary J. Boyden, of the same place. He and his wife are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Lincoln, of which he has held the office of steward for several years. He is a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 210, A. F. & A. M., of which he has served as secretary.

David Gilchrist, retired farmer, is a native of Scotland, born in Kirkcudbrightshire, December 21, 1815, a son of William and Jane (Clark) Gilchrist, with whom he lived till manhood, receiv- ing a common-school education. His parents were members of the Presbyterian church, the established church of Scotland, and in that faith he was reared. He is now a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church, in which he has served as ruling elder several years. After reaching his majority he was employed as a farmer till the spring of 1842, when he came to the United States and located in Bristol County, Rhode Island, where he lived three years. In 1845 he came to Illinois and settled in Logan County, buying a farm in Orvil Township, where he lived till January, 1881, when he rented his farm and moved to Lincoln, where he has a pleasant residence. His farm contains 1,100 acres of valu- able land all under cultivation. While living in Orvil Township he served several years as trustee, and as a member of the school board. Mr. Gilchrist has accumulated his property by energy and good management, being a poor man when he came to America. He has been twice married. His first wife was Helen McMath, to whom he was married in June, 1839. She died in Orvil Town- ship, in November, 1858, aged forty-five years, leaving seven chil- dren-William, of Nebraska; James, of Orvil Township; Margaret, wife of Henry C. Johnson, of Ford County, Illinois; Mary, wife of Benjamin Geddis, of Eminence Township; David J., of Eminence Township; Robert, of Nebraska; and Helen, wife of C. A. Ellis, of Missouri. A twin of Robert, Helen Mc Millan, died November 7,

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1852, aged fifteen months, and William died in infancy. Mr. Gil- christ's present wife was Mrs. Mary Marr, widow of Edward Marr, a native of Scotland, who came to America in 1860 and died in Lincoln in 1863. She was born in Roxburyshire, Scotland, Feb- ruary 12, 1832. She had six children by her first husband, four of whom are living-John E., of Aurora, Nebraska; William T., of Stratton, Nebraska; Mary Anna, Edward T., and Timothy P.'and Thomas Wallace died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Gilchrist have had two children-Lieffey Adelia and Joseph Abraham Lincoln Gilchrist. Lieffey died February 19, 1886, aged twenty years and six months.

Robert Gilchrist, an old resident of Logan County, is a native of Scotland, a son of William and Jane (Clark) Gilchrist. He was born at New Galloway, Kirkcudbrightshire, March 9, 1819. He was given a good education and in his youth learned the car- penter's trade at which he worked in his native borough about six years, when, in 1843, he came to the United States. Just prior to his emigration he was married, February 22, 1843, to Elizabeth Bennett, daughter of Robert and Ann (Johnston) Bennett, of the parish of Balmagee, Kirkcudbrightshire. He arrived in New York City, May 26, and from there went to Fall River, Massachu- setts, where he engaged in pattern making in a cotton manufactory about fourteen years. In May, 1857, he came to Illinois and located on a farm in Eminence Township, Logan County, where he lived twenty-two years. In January, 1880, he rented his farm and moved to Lincoln, where he now lives in the enjoyment of the accumulations of his many years of toil. While in Eminence Township he served as Road Commissioner six years and as School Director twelve years. In politics he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. They have had ten children; but five are living-William Robert, a merchant of Lincoln; Mary Ann, wife of Samuel Niswanger, of Chicago; Jennie Elizabeth, wife of James E. Gallaher, of Chicago; John James, a farmer on the old homestead in Eminence Township; and Maggie Bennett, wife of T. J. Morrison, of Chicago. The five deceased all died in infancy.

David Gillespie, senior member of the firm of Gillespie & Co., Lincoln, Illinois, is a native of Ireland, born in Derry Valley, October 7, 1832, a son of John and Mary A. (Schoffield) Gillespie, the former of Scotch and the latter of German descent. He was reared a farmer, and educated in the schools near his birthplace,

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under the control of the Presbyterian church. He remained at home till twenty-two years of age and in March, 1855, came to the United States and located at Camp Creek, Carroll County, Illinois, where he was employed as a farm hand till November, 1856, when he removed to Edwardsville, Madison County, and for a year worked in a flour-mill. He was then employed as a clerk about six years in Greenville, Bond County, and in March, 1864, came to Logan County, and became associated with J. M. Smith, in the mercantile business in Lincoln, the firm name being Smith & Gillespie. April 1, 1869, James Gillespie bought the interest of Mr. Smith and the brothers have since been in business together, with the exception of two years, 1879 and 1880. Mr. Gillespie has served six years as a member of the School Board of Lincoln. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Logan Lodge, No. 480; Lincoln Chapter, No. 147, and Constantine Commandery, No. 51. He has been master of his lodge nine years, high priest of his chapter, and commander of his commandery. He has repre- sented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State several times. Mr. Gillespie was married April 6, 1869, to Matilda Parker, of Jacksonville, Illinois. They have three children-Joseph, Hiram and David. A daughter, Imogene, died November 12, 1876, aged six years. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie are members of the First Pres- byterian Church, of Lincoln, of which he is a ruling elder.

James Gillespie, junior member of the mercantile firm Gil- lespie & Co., is a native of the north of Ireland, born in County Monaghan, March 12, 1839. He was educated in the common schools of his country, remaining there till twenty years of age, when, in 1859, he came to the United States and settled in Bond County, Illinois, near Greenville, where he worked at farming about five years. In 1864 he came to Lincoln and became associated with his brother David in the mercantile business. Mr. Gillespie was married January 11, 1872, to Anna E. Mickey, of Darlington, Wisconsin. They have four children-John D., Mary Jane, Samuel and Anna Louise. A daughter, Hattie E., died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie are members of the First Presbyterian Church, of which he is a ruling elder and trustee. He is also superin- tendent of the Sabbath-school. Mr. Gillespie is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Logan Lodge, No. 480; Lincoln Chapter, No. 147, and Constantine Commandery, No. 51. He is master of his lodge, master of the third vail of his chapter, and sword-bearer of his commandery.

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John D. Gillett, President of the First National Bank, Lincoln, Illinois, was born at Fair Haven, Connecticut, April 28, 1819. He is a descendant from a family of Huguenots which was driven from France by religious persecution and sought refuge in England and in 1631 immigrated to the United States and settled at Lebanon, in what was then the colony of Connecticut. His parents were Eliphaz and Amrilla (Sanford) Gillett. Both his grandfathers were soldiers in the war of the Revolution and both received pen- sions for meritorious conduct. His father died when he was three years old and he was reared by his widowed mother, receiv- ing his education in the Lancasterian school at New Haven. When he was seventeen years of age he went in the shir Thomas to Georgia and spent two years in the mercantile business, and afterward returned to New Haven and attended Pearl's Academy six months. In the fall of 1838 he started for Illinois, going by steamboat to St. Louis, by stage to Springfield, and thence on foot to Bald Knob, where an uncle resided. He immediately began to work on a farm, receiving at first $8 a month. With the first $50 thus earned he entered forty acres of land.' After spending two years at Bald Knob, in 1840 he came to Logan County, and im- proved a farm in Lake Fork Township, residing there twenty- eight years. In 1868 he moved to his present home in Elkhart. When he first came to Illinois nearly one-half the land was in the market at Government prices, and availing himself of the oppor- tunity he entered at different times about 12,000 acres, selling lots or sections as he found purchasers. In 1852 he with R. B. Latham entered about 7,000 acres. He is one of the most exten- sive farmers of Illinois, his home farm containing 9,000 acres. In addition to farming he has paid considerable attention to cattle dealing and real estate, and his vast accumulations are due to his good judgment, industry and strict attention to business. He raises the finest blooded stock cattle in the United States, as his exhibits at various stock shows demonstrate, he invariably re- ceiving first premiums. He is now engaged extensively in ship- ping fine stock to European markets. In 1873 he was one of the incorporators of the First National Bank of Lincoln and has since been its president. In politics he is a Republican, but gives no attention to public affairs. May 31, 1842, he was married to Miss Lemira Parke, whom he met in 1840, while crossing the Sangamon River, now at Clingman's Ferry, she being on her way to spend Christmas with friends at Springfield. Her father, Elisha

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Parke, settled in that part of Sangamon County now included in Logan County, in 1837, and built the first jail in Logan County. Mr. and Mrs. Gillett have eight children-Emma (wife of Hon. R. J. Oglesby, Governor of Illinois), Grace (wife of D. T. Littler, of Springfield), Nina, Amy, Kate (wife of James Hill, of Chester, Illinois), Jesse, John and Charlotte. The family are members of the Episcopal church at Springfield.

Oliver Goltra was born in Washington Valley, Somerset County, New Jersey, September 22, 1806, a son of Oliver and Phoebe (Comp- ton) Goltra, natives of New Jersey, the former of German and the latter of Scotch descent. He was reared in his native county, and the adjoining county of Middlesex. When seventeen years of age he began to learn the hatter's trade, serving an apprenticeship of nearly four years. He then worked at his trade in Washington Valley two years, and in 1829 moved his business to Greenbrook, Middlesex County, and bought out his employer's establishment, manufacturing hats till 1849, for several years combining the mer- cantile with his other business. In 1849, he sold out his factory and store and engaged in farming near New Brunswick till 1856, when he came to Illinois, and in the spring of 1857 settled on a farm in Chester Township, Logan County, where he lived till the spring of 1885, when he moved to Lincoln. His farm contains nearly a half section and is well improved. May 10, 1828, he was married to Ann Maria Harris, of Greenbrook, New Jersey, by whom he had twenty children, nine of whom are living-William H., of Oregon; John H., of Macon County, Illinois; Albert V., of Henry, Illinois; Joseph W., George W., and Abram H., of Kansas; Mary, wife of John D. Leslie; Catherine, wife of John Allison ; and Sarah, wife of William R. Allison, the three latter of Blooming- ton, Illinois. Of the deceased, nine died in early childhood; Nelson was killed May 25, 1859, by an explosion in his mill in Lynn County, Oregon, and Emily, wife of George Hall, died in Newark, New Jersey, May 2, 1869. Mrs. Goltra died March 18, 1853, aged forty one years. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church from her girlhood till her death. January 2, 1860, Mr. Goltra married at Newark, New Jersey, Jane O. Cottrell. They are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, although Mr. Goltra was formerly a member of the Old School church, in which he was ruling elder several years. Mr. Goltra's parents came to Illinois to spend their declining years with their children, and died aged, respectively, seventy and eighty-five years.

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History of Logan County, Illinois, Part 43

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