USA > Illinois > Macon County > History of Macon County, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 44
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with his books, until he was seventeen years old, when he entered an academy to prepare for college. After this, he entered Knox College, Galesburg, Ill., where he graduated in 1866, being with one exception the youngest member of the class. As a college stu- dent, and especially as an academy student, Mr. Bates was a lover of sport, as well as a lover of study, and was often chosen first in literary contests, and in athletic exercises as well.
After graduating, he studied law for a while, but finding this study too confining, he went south on an extended tour for his health. His classical and legal studies having pretty well exhausted his finances, he found himself in the city of Houston, Texas, in the winter of 1870, with only five cents in his pocket. Having spent this nickel to buy a paper, he looked it over, and chanced to find an advertisement for the principal of an academy. He at once without hesitation applied for the position, and was accepted.
While principal of this academy, rifles and bowie-knives gave
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
him several pretty close calls, still he quietly held his ground until his first term closed, when he returned north to prosecute his theo- logical studies. This he did by entering the General Theological Sem- inary of the Episcopal Church in New York City, in the fall of 1871.
About the time he graduated in this institution, the controversy between the high and low church parties ran high. Such contro- versy not being according to his tastes, and also not having a decided preference for a rigid ritual, he entered the Presbyterian Church.
Having received a call to the Presbyterian church of Empire City, Oregon, in 1873, he at once set out for the Pacific Coast. Having arrived at San Francisco, he found a small steamer ready to sail up the northern coast in a few hours. This vessel never having carried a clergyman before, the sailors looked upon the young person with a good deal of suspicion. Their worst suspi- cions were confirmed when about three hundred miles out of port, when the steam cylinder head broke, and the vessel was compelled to start back to port under sail.
After drifting at sea for several days with unfavorable winds, it occurred to the captain that, as things looked disastrously unfavor- able, he had better invite the clergyman to pray. This he did, and no sooner were prayers over, than a strong north-west gale arose and carried the vessel in safety back to port. It is enough to say that from that hour the tone and bearing of the sailors toward Mr. Bates changed entirely. The vessel being duly repaired, he again set out for Empire City, where he arrived in December, 1873.
Empire City being then the most western incorporated town in the United States, and being upon the wild Pacific coast, Mr. Bates was delighted with the strangeness of the situation, and entered upon his work with zest.
Many chapters could be written of his two years experience here as a preacher-climbing mountains, fording rivers, facing dangers of town, forest, and ocean. Contending with many dangers and difficulties, he yet gave a part of each day to study. His first attendance on the presbytery of his church was at Eugene City, over a hundred miles distant. This is the way he reached Eugene City-4 miles in a small skiff, 2 miles on foot, 16 miles in a wagon, 9 miles in a skiff, 18 miles in a small steamer, 6 miles on foot, 14 miles on horseback, 60 miles by rail.
Being friendly toward education, he began the erection of an academy on Coos Bay, but before the building was completed, the illness of his mother and sister in Illinois induced him to resign his entire work, and return to his native state.
Shortly after his return, he received a call to the Maroa Presby- terian Church, where he labored for four years and a-half.
In 1878 Mr. Bates spent his summer vacation in Europe, and most of his time in the art galleries of London, Paris, and other cities. Upon his return, he delivered a number of lectures on his trip abroad, which were eagerly listened to. Mr. Bates confesses that no two spots in Europe have greater fascination than Mr. Spurgeon's tabernacle in London, and the galleries of the Louvre in Paris.
In June, 1880, Mr. Bates was united in matrimony with Miss Lydia E. Parker, youngest daughter of the late James S. Parker, of Maroa. In July following he tendered his resignation as pastor of the Presbyterian church, being impelled thereto by a desire to take a vacation of several months, and also to carry forward several literary enterprises. His ministry was characterized by peace and good-will, and a good degree of prosperity, the church becoming at once self-sustaining, which it had not been before.
Mr. Batcs' manners are easy and unaffected, and he is socially distinguished for his love of life and good humor. His chief enjoy-
ment, however, is the quiet study of literature, especially the clas- sics. His success so far has been so decided that we are warranted in believing there is a brilliant future before him as a speaker and writer.
ANDREW J. THRIFT.
AMONG the prominent and substantial farmers of Maroa town- ship, stands the name of the subject of this sketch. He was born in Christian county, Kentucky, October 19th, 1815. Samuel Magruder Thrift, his father, was a native of Fairfax county, Vir- ginia. The Thrift family were originally from England, and came to America prior to the Revolutionary war. The grandfather, Charles Thrift, was a soldier in that memorable struggle for inde- pendence. Samuel M. Thrift moved to Kentucky in 1811, and settled in Christian county, where he remained till 1831, when he removed to Illinois, and settled in St. Clair county. He died in Washington county, Illinois, September 3d, 1872. He married Sarah (Fleming) Cowan. She was a native of South Carolina. By this marriage there were eight children; six daughters and two sons. Two of the children have survived the parents,-the subject. of this sketch, and Elvina D. Andrew J. spent his youthful days upon the farm, and in the winter seasons attended the subscription schools of his neighborhood. He acquired the rudiments of an education. To this, he has, in later years, added a fund of infor- mation by extensive reading, and close observation of men and in- cidents as they transpire ; and is to-day well posted on past and current events. Being of a modest disposition he makes no pre- tences to superior knowledge, but in a quiet, sensible way impresses his hearers with the idea that he is a man of more than ordinary intelligence. While a resident of St. Clair county he followed the occupation of a farmer. He remained there until March 1st, 1864, when he came to Macon connty, and purchased land in sec. 36, T. 18, R. 2 E. He first purchased a quarter-section, to which he has since added until now he has a large farm, and all under the best cultivation, and as well improved as any in the township. On the 8th of January, 1835, he was united in marriage to Minerva Jane Hawkins. She was a native of St. Clair county, and the daughter of Marshal B. and Elizabeth (Woods) Hawkins. Her parents were natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Thrift died, January 10th, 1851. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thrift seven children-three sons and four daughters. Five of them are yet living. Their names are, Isabel L., wife of Charles L. Marker ; Minerva Jane, wife of Gustavus M. Bower, William A., Samuel M., and James P. Thrift. Sarah E., wife of George B. Short, and Emily E. are dead. On the 4th of September, 1851, Mr. Traft married Anna C. Peter. She was born in Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pa., but was a resi- dent of St. Clair county at the time of her marriage. By the union there have been nine children-four boys and five girls. Five of the children are still living. Those deceased died in in- fancy. The names of those living are, Douglas A., Alonzo M., Charles A., Mary L., and Grace Truman. The last four are yet beneath the parental roof. All of the children, with one exception, are living in the neighborhood of the old homestead. Mrs. Thrift is a member of the Baptist Church. Politically Mr. Thrift is a Jeffersonian democrat, and a profound believer in the political principles as expounded by that eminent statesman. He cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson, and since that time has kept the faith, and remained true to the party of his first choice. He is not, however, a politician in the strict sense of the word, only so far as to express his sentiments and preferences through the right of suffrage. In his private life he is above reproach, and where- ever known is regarded as an upright and honorable gentleman.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Omery.
THE EMERY family are of Scotch and English ancestry. David and Mahala Emery, the parents of the subject of this sketch, were natives of New Hampshire, but subsequently removed and settled in Tioga county, New York. Charles F. is the eldest son in a family of five children-three sons and two daughters. He was born May twenty-sixth, 1833. He received a good education in the common schools of his native state. At the age of fourteen years he entered the printing office of the Ithaca Chronicle as " carrier " boy, where he remained two years. In the winter of 1849-50 he was appointed " messenger boy " in the New York Senate at Al- bany. In the summer of 1850 he made up his mind to go to Cali- fornia. His idea was to ship on board some vessel which would in time take him to the "Golden State." With this object in view he shipped from New Bedford on the "Stephania," a whaling vessel bound on a voyage to the Arctic Seas. After being out on her for one year, he left the ship at the Sandwich Islands, and in a steamer sailed for San Francisco. After his arrival in California he en- gaged in mining business, in which he continued for one year. He then shipped as second mate on the brig "Magdalena," which went down the coast of California on an expedition in search of guano. While stopping at an island in the Pacific Ocean, he assisted the captain of the brig in an attempt to kill a sea lion. During the struggle the monster seized Mr. Emery by the leg, crushing the knee joint, and so mangling and wounding him that he was taken to the Sandwich Islands, where he lay nearly two years before he entirely recovered from the terrible wound. After his recovery he went back to the island in the Pacific Ocean, where they had discovered guano, and remained there eight months in charge of a gang of men, superintending the loading and shipping of guano to Rich-
mond, Virginia He then returned to the Sandwich Islands, and from there went to San Francisco. From the latter place he sailed as second mate of a brig to Australia, and from thence to Callao, South America. From the latter port he sailed around Cape Horn in a Spanish vessel to Barbadoes, in the West India Islands, then to New Orleans, and from there to Liverpool, England, and then to New York city. After a long absence he returned home to visit his parents. They induced him to go west on a visit to his uncle, then living in Clinton, Illinois, who was engaged as a railroad con- tractor. His visit was lengthened out, and he was finally induced to stay. He then purchased land in Austin township, Macon county. One year later he went to Texas, and engaged in sheep- raising. The business not proving as profitable as was expected and the war of the rebellion coming on, and sentiment changing, and the people becoming hostile towards those entertaining Union sentiments,-all conspired to hasten his departure from that state.
He returned to Illinois and engaged in farming, in which he con- tinued until August 8th, 1862, when he enlisted as private in Co. " D," One Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers. When the regiment received its orders to join the army, he was made acting-quartermaster, although he did not receive his com- mission as regimental quartermaster until some time later. In De- cember, 1863, he was promoted Assistant Division Quartermaster U. S. Vols., with the rank of Captain. He returned home on the twenty-third of January, 1864, was married to Miss L. A. Ward, a native of New Hampshire, but a resident of Macon, Illinois, at the time of her marriage. In February following he reported for duty, and was assigned Assistant Chief Quartermaster of the Fif- teenth Army Corps of the Army of the Tennessee, General John A.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Logan commanding. In the Atlanta campaign he was appointed Chief Quartermaster of the Corps, and remained upon the staff of Gen. Logan until after the surrender of Atlanta. He was then granted a short leave of absence, and returned home, and while there was taken sick with pneumonia and confined to his home until February, 1865, when he recovered, sufficiently strong to join the army, which was then at Goldsboro, North Carolina. He there assumed the duties of Quartermaster of the Fourth Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, Gen. Giles A. Smith commanding, with the rank of Major. He remained in that position and in that com- mand until the close of the war, and participated in the grand re- view at Washington. The command of Gen. Smith, after the war, was ordered to Brownsville, Texas ; Major Emery remained upon his staff as Chief Quartermaster until September, 1865. The duties being light, and consequently irksome to an active mind and dispo- sition like Major Emery's, he asked to be relieved. His resignation was accepted, and he was honorably discharged the same month. His commissions date as Regimental Quartermaster, with rank as First Lieutenant, March 2, 1863 ; Assist. Division Quartermaster, with rank of Captain, December 5th, 1863; Division Quartermas- ter, with rank of Major, September 20th, 1865. After he was mnstered out he returned home to Austin township, cultivated his farm and engaged in real estate business as agent for non-residents. He remained on the farm until 1872, when he removed to Maroa, and commenced banking, bnying and shipping grain, and continued his real estate business.
Major Emery is the proprietor and owner of the largest elevator in Maroa, and handles large quantities of grain annually. In politics Major Emery is most soundly indoctrinated in the prin- ciples of the republican party. He early espoused the cause of freedom and human rights, and from his first vote through all snb- sequent elections, he has uniformly cast his ballot for the continu- ance of republican ideas and principles. He has always taken an active part in shaping the politics and assisting in the success that has for many years crowned that political organization. He has represented his township for several terms in the Board of Snper- visors, and while a member of that body sustained the reputation of a successful and prudent member. As a mark of respect, and in recognition of his worth as a man and a citizen, he received the nomination for the office of Member of the State Board of Equali- zation for the Fourteenth Congressional District upon the republi- can ticket, and, if elected, we have no donbt, he will discharge the dutics of the office in a manner creditable to himself and the party who will honor him with their suffrages. His long connection with real estate transactions and thorough knowledge of business apper- taining to the duties of his office, render him eminently qualified for the position. Major Emery is an active, wide-awake business man and liberal-minded citizen. All enterprises having for their object the increase of the national wealth or interests of his town or connty receive his hearty co-operation and substantial support. His marriage has been happily blessed with one child, a son, namcd Frank. Major Emery is a respected member of the Order of Frce Masonry.
EDWARD FOULKE.
THE ancestry of the Fonlke family on the paternal side are Welsh, and on the maternal, English. The ancestors came to America in 1698. They were Quakers, and came with Willian Penn when he made his second visit to this country. They settled near Philadelphia, and from these have grown the present family. John M. Foulke, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born
in Montgomery county, Pa. From there he removed to Baltimore, while in his twenty-seventh year. While a resident of Baltimore he married Ann Sinclair, who was a native of Baltimore. Soon after his marriage he came west, traveling over the mountains by stage-coach. He stopped in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained nntil 1840, when he returned to Baltimore and continued there until 1857, when he came to Illinois and located on section 26, T. 18, R. 2 E. Macon county, and herc he remained until his death, which occurred March 13th, 1874. His wife, and mother of Edward Foulke, died in Baltimore in 1844. Two children were born to John M., and Ann Foulke; Lydia A., and the subject of this sketch. The latter was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, July 31st, 1834. He received a good education in the common-schools, and when at the age of sixteen years he went to Norristown, Pa., where he entered the Freemonnt seminary, and remained there several years under the tutorship of Rev. Samuel Aaron, a Baptist minister. In that school he perfected his education, particularly in agricultural chemistry, which study he has, later in life, found very ยท useful. In 1856 he came west, and purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Maroa township, of the Illinois Central Rail- road company. He commenced its improvement, and there he has remained to the present. On the 15th of October, 1864. he was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide Colladay, a native of Phila- delphia. Five children are the fruits of this union; three sons and two daughters. Their names are Anna, John M., Edward, William Llewellyn and Caroline Edith Foulke. Politically he is a member of the republican party. Mr. Fonlke enjoys the confidence and esteem of his friends and neighbors.
JOHN S. PARKER.
THE subject of this sketch was born in Preble county, Ohio, March 1st, 1842. His father, Robert Parker, was born in Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, in 1810; came west with his parents to Ohio in 1834, and remained there until 1856, when he came to Illi- nois and settled in Maroa township, Macon county, and engaged in the real estate and loan business. He remained in Macon county until 1878, when he removed to De Witt county, Ill., where he at present resides. He married Lydia C. Hankerson, who was born in Warren connty, Ohio.
John S. Parker is the eldest child in the family, and came west with his parents in 1856; he received a fair education in the com- mon schools of the county, and when not at school his time was occupied in working on the farm, which, in short, has been his chief and only occupation since arriving at man's estate. On the 27th of January, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Pape. She was born in England, bnt came with her parents to America while she was yet in her infancy. She was a resident of Macon county at the time of her marriage. Two children have been born to bless and hallow this union-a son and daughter, named Robert Benjamin and Lydia Ann Parker, aged respectively nine and six years. Both Mr. Parker and his estimable wife are members of the Protestant Methodist Church. Politically he is a staunch democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for George B. McClellan for President in 1864, since which time he has remained true to the party of his first choice. There were four brothers in the family of Robert and Lydia C Parker, two of whom are living, viz., John S. and James B. Garrett, a younger brother, died Jan. 24th, 1865, while in the service during the late war. William T., another brother, dicd on the same day at home.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Jahr brocken
JOHN CROCKER, (deceased), the gentleman whose portrait heads this brief memoir, was a native of the New England states, born in New Hampshire August 2d, 1804.
In early manhood, fired with the glowing accounts of the richness of our young prairie state, Mr. Crocker determined to emigrate to Illinois, which he did in the year 1839. He settled first in Jacksonville, Morgan county, where he engaged in farming, and was subsequently an attache of the State Asylum for the Insane located at that place. Being tendered a more lucrative position by the Illinois Central Railroad Company, he accepted their proposi- tion, and in October, 1854, removed to what is now the town of Maroa, and became the station agent at that point. He continued to occupy this position until 1866, or for twelve years, during which time he engaged in buying and shipping grain and dealing in lum- ber. After this he associated himself with the banking business, in which he continued until his death, April 6th, 1879.
Mr. Crocker was married to Mary Neal Pillsbury, also a native of New Hampshire. By this union they were blessed with a family of five children-three sons and two daughters. Mrs. Crocker's
death occurred in 1873. Mr. Crocker was an active member of the Presbyterian Church.
Being one of the first to locate in Maroa, Mr. Crocker became early interested and identified with the improvements and progress of the place, and lived to become one of its leading business men and see it grow to a thriving and important town. As a man and a citizen he was universally respected. Of good parentage, he kept the parental shield bright, and the people of Macon county have known him and his family as among their best citizens. In youth his opportunities for culture were good, and he was a man of very general information. Pious, honest, and upright, he always en- deavored to obey the poet's admonition to " be just, and fear not." He has not acted upon the principle that-
"One crowded hour of glorious life Is worth an age without a name,"
but has sought rather to let the whole tenor of his life pass so that its memory may hereafter linger, the fit semblance of a beautiful dream.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
GEORGE B. SHORT.
THE subject of this sketch comes from a family of pioneers of the state of Illinois. His grandfather, Moses Short, was born in Kentucky, and was of the stock of those hardy men who made famous the " dark and bloody ground." His adventurous spirit would not permit him to stay in his native state, but he came to Illinois before the commencement of the present century, and here he found work which suited minds cast in an heroic and courageous mould.
He joined the Rangers, and was made a captain in the service. He is spoken of by Governor Reynolds, in his " History of Illinois," as being a man who rendered valuable services to the state, and one who knew no fear, or scorned to turn his back upon an enemy. He remained a captain for seven years. His brother, Jacob Short, was a major in the same service. Moses Short died in St. Clair county. His son, W. B., was born in the same county, in March 1803. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war of 1827, and also of 1832. He died on the 28th of October, 1869, while on a visit to Holden, Missouri. He married Nancy Hill. She was born in Pennsylvania. Her parents, Peter and Sarah Hill, emigrated to Illinois, and settled in St. Clair county in 1814. She died in 1859. There were eleven children born to W. B. and Nancy Short-four sons and seven daughters. Three of the children have survived the parents.
The subject of this sketch is the second in the family. He was born four miles south-east of Belleville, in St. Clair county, Illinois, August 12th, 1826. He remained at home until his twentieth year, when he enlisted in Company "G " (Capt. Wmn. Bissell's), and went as a soldier into the Mexican War. The company was made up from Belleville and vicinity. It was part of the command under General Wool in the army of the Rio Grande under the command of Gen. Zachary Taylor. Mr. Short participated in the battles fought by the latter officer, and remained in the service until dis- charged at Camp Crockett, San Antonia, Texas. He suffered from the malaria, and was siek the greater portion of the time he was out.
He returned home, and on the 19th of December, 1848, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Stookey. She died on March 22d, 1852. One child, named Barbara E., is the only fruit of that union.
In the spring of 1853, Mr. Short, in company with four others, made the trip to California by the overland route. They traveled in ox-teams, and were five months in reaching their destination. While in California, he engaged in farming, and in the winter sea- sons in mining. He remained in California from the fifth of No- vember, 1853, to the fifth of November, 1855, when he returned home by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York. After his arrival at home, he went to farming, in which he has continued till the present time.
On the thirtieth of September, 1856, he was married to Miss Sarah E. Thrift. She was born in St. Clair county, and died in Maroa township, Macon county, Illinois, September 30th, 1877. By this marriage there were six children born, three of whom are living. Their names are-Isolina, Henrietta, and Golda Short. All are yct beneath the parental roof. Mr. Short remained in St. Clair county until April 26th, 1863, when he removed to Maroa township, Macon county. He purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Sec. 36, T. 18, R. 2 E., and there he has remained quietly cultivating his farm to the present. He is a member of the Baptist church, as was also his esteemed wife.
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