USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 16
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JUDGE LEWIS P. PEEBLES.
Many of the best citizens of the country were soldiers in the Civil war and amidst the dangers and privations incident to four long years of bloody conflict acquired lessons that shaped their future lives. Returning home after the Re- bellion had been conquered, they bravely put their shoulders to the wheel and, although almost fifty years have elapsed since the clouds of war were removed, many of the participants are still prominently engaged in active pursuits. Judge Lewis P. Peebles, of Carlinville, who comes of good fighting ancestry, demon- strated his ability as a defender of the Union, and as a public official and prac- ticing attorney he years ago gained recognition as one of the most prominent men of Macoupin county. He is a native of Chesterfield, this county, and was born July 13, 1836, a son of Jesse and Margaret (Reader) Peebles. The father was born near Camden, South Carolina, and the mother in Overton county, Tennessee. They had six children who lived to maturity, David L., William B., Isham J., John D., Lewis P. and Martha, who married M. A. Cushing. All of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Peebles are now deceased except Lewis P.
Jesse Peebles, the father of our subject, left South Carolina with his father when a small boy and the family settled in Kentucky, near Montfordville. In 1833 the son came to Illinois and entered forty acres of government land in Chesterfield township, Macoupin county. He made a contract with a man to build a log cabin for him and returned the next year, taking up his residence in the cabin. He set about industriously to improve his farm and became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land. He died in September, 1864, being then about sixty-eight years of age. He was twice married, his first wife dying in Kentucky, and when he came to Illinois he was a widower. 'His second wife was the mother of our subject and her death occurred in 1840. She was a devout Methodist as was also her husband, who was a local preacher, being one of the first preachers in Macoupin county. He performed many mar-
JUDGE L. P. PEEBLES
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riage ceremonies in the early days and was a man of unimpeachable character whose influence was always exerted in behalf of the upbuilding of the com- munity. He never held any public office except that of postmaster, to which position he was appointed by President Jackson.
The grandfather of our subject on the paternal side was John Peebles. He was a native of South Carolina and of Scotch descent, being a blacksmith by trade. At the time of the Revolutionary war he served under General Marion and participated in the battles of Eutaw Springs and Cowpens, losing an eye in the service. After the war he removed to Hart county, Kentucky, and about 1840 came to Macoupin county, Illinois, with his second wife. He died in 1848, in his eighty-seventh year, his wife passing away several years prior to his death. Among his children were Abraham Bird, John, William, Jesse, Mary, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Cynthia and Lucinda. The grandfather on the ma- ternal side was Jeptha Reader, a native of Tennessee and of English descent. He and his wife were among the early pioneers of Macoupin county, taking up their home a few miles northeast of Chesterfield. He lived to be about eighty years old and his wife also lived to an advanced age. Winifred Harrison was the maiden name of his wife and she was a second cousin of President Harri- son. They were the parents of five children, Paschal L., Margaret, Sarah, Elizabeth and Lucinda.
Lewis P. Peebles was reared on his father's farm in Chesterfield township and secured his early education in the subscription schools that were conducted in an old-fashioned log cabin of the neighborhood. He continued on the home farm until the winter of 1861-62 when he began reading law and, just as he was fairly launched in the subject, the Civil war aroused the patriotism of tens of thousands of young men throughout the country and he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving as captain of the company for three years. He participated in the battle of Nash- ville, the siege and capture of Mobile, in the campaign against General Forrest at Tupelo. Mississippi, the battle of Parker's Cross Roads, Mississippi, and in many other engagements, also assisting in driving General Price out of the state of Missouri. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to Ma- coupin county and resumed the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1867 and has since continuously engaged in practice except from 1873 to 1890 when he filled the office of county judge, the duties of which position he dis- charged with a fairness and ability that met the hearty approval of voters. He has always been greatly interested in farming and is the owner of two hundred - and forty acres of good land in this county.
On the 18th of March, 1869, Judge Peebles was married to Miss Sarah E. Odell, a daughter of Enos P. and Susanna (Gibbon) Odell. To this union two children have been born, Jesse and Kathryn. Jesse Peebles was graduated from the Blackburn University and is' now engaged with his father in the practice of law. He married Miss Edmona McClure and they have three children, Martha Ellen, Don and Pauline. Kathryn Peebles married W. H. Castle and they reside in Anadarko, Oklahoma. She is the mother of two children, Clara- belle and Winifred Harrison. Mrs. Peebles is a native of Scottville, Macoupin county, and her parents were natives of Ohio. They were early settlers of this
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county and here passed the remainder of their lives. The mother died when she was about sixty-seven years of age, but the father passed away when he was comparatively a young man. They had four children: Rebecca, who mar- ried J. F. Cherry, of St. Louis, Missouri; Catharine M., who became the wife of Samuel B. Dugger and is now deceased; Annie P., now Mrs. Edwin Ste- phenson, of Colorado; and Sarah E., who married Lewis P. Peebles.
Judge Peebles is not connected with any religious denomination but his wife is a consistent member of the Methodist church. He belongs to Mount Nebo Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Dan Messick Post No. 339, G. A. R., and has served several terms as commander of the post. Politically he is a democrat. He occupied a chair for one term as member of the city council and has also been president of the board of education. Although seventy-five years of age he preserves much of the fire and vigor of younger manhood and is still engaged in practice, his long experience as attorney, counselor and judge making his advice especially valuable. He is honored wherever he is known and his record is one to which his family and friends may justly point with pride as his hon- esty, integrity and patriotism have never been questioned.
STEPHEN T. CARMODY.
Stephen T. Carmody, who occupies the responsible position of treasurer of Macoupin county, has from his infancy been identified with this section of the state. As a farmer and responsible man of business he gained favorable recog- nition through years of well directed industry previous to his election to his present office. He was born in Greene county, Illinois, December 25, 1861, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Malone) Carmody, both of whom were natives of County Clare, Ireland. In their family were seven children: Mar- garet, who is the wife of John Cavney, of South Otter township; Ellen, who died when she was about twenty years of age; Susan, who married Patrick Bloomfield, of Carlinville; Stephen T., the subject of this review; James E., who is now living in Seattle, Washington; and Elizabeth and Catharine, both of whom are of Carlinville.
The father of our subject was reared on the Emerald isle. He came to America in 1848 and took up his residence in Greene county, Illinois, where he engaged successfully in farming. In 1867 he removed with his family to South Otter township, Macoupin county, where he purchased two hundred acres of land, applying himself with such good results that he became the owner of seven hundred acres in this county. He died in March, 1890, at the age of seventy years, his wife's death occurring in 1907, when she also had arrived at the age of seventy. They were both consistent members of the Catholic church. Mr. Carmody was highly respected as an honorable and upright citizen. He held various township offices, including those of town clerk and assessor, and always displayed the same interest in the discharge of his duties as public officer that he evinced in the conduct of his own affairs. The grandfather and his wife came to America and passed the remainder of their lives in this country. In
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their family were Thomas, Michael, Cornelius, John, Mary and Margaret. The grandparents on the maternal side spent their entire lives in Ireland. In their family were several children, among whom were John and Margaret.
Stephen T. Carmody was reared on his father's farm in Macoupin county from the age of three years and in the district schools he gained the foundation of his education. He also attended Blackburn University for two terms. After leaving the university he returned to farming and is now the owner of the old homestead, which comprises eighty acres and is one of the most valuable farms of its size in the township. On the 7th of November, 1910, he was elected county treasurer and is now making his home in Carlinville.
In February, 1891, Mr. Carmody was married to Miss Alice Pocklington, a daughter of Martin and Mary (Brannon) Pocklington, and two children have been born to this union, Stephen E. and Catharine Madeline. Mrs. Carmody was born in Carlinville. Her father was a native of England and her mother of Ireland. He came to America with his parents at the age of two years and was one of the early settlers of Carlinville. He and his wife both lived to an advanced age and were the parents of three children, Alice, Frank and Edward. Mr. Pocklington was twice married and his first wife was the mother of the following children: Hannah, Sarah, George and James.
The greatest sorrow Mr. Carmody has known was occasioned by the death of his wife, who was called from earthly scenes January 11, 1910, she being then forty-nine years of age. She was a devout member of the Catholic. church and possessed many attractive qualities of character. Her memory is deeply revered by all who had the honor of her acquaintance. Religiously Mr. Car- mody is identified with the Catholic church, in which he was nurtured, and politically he gives his earnest support to the democratic party. He served as supervisor of South Otter township for fourteen years and by his business-like methods in public office demonstrated his ability for a larger field of activity. He is wide-awake, progressive and thoroughly capable in everything he under- takes.
PHILIP JACOBI.
For nearly twenty-five years past Philip Jacobi has been connected with farming in Western Mound township and, as the head of a large family and an industrious and patriotic citizen, he has won honorable standing among his fellowmen. He is a native of Germany and was born in the province of Nassau, April 19, 1844, being a son of Caspar and Elizabeth Catharine (Colon- ius) Jacobi. The parents were both born in Nassau and were of good old German stock. The father served for six years and two months in the German army, enlisting in 1835 and being discharged in 1841. In 1853 he emigrated with his family to America, locating on a farm south of Brighton in Macoupin county, Illinois. Here he continued until his death on the 6th of November, 1889, being then seventy-four years of age. His wife was called away nineteen days after the departure of her husband, at the age of seventy-one. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Philip, the subject of this review; Peter,
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who served for the Union in the Civil war and was living on a farm near Bunker Hill at the time of his death July 27, 1911; Fred, a farmer of Greene county, Illinois; Louis, of Denver, Colorado, who is employed in the factory of the Pullman Car Company; Mary Catharine, who became the wife of Henry Kramer, a farmer living near Brighton; Elizabeth, who died five years ago and was the wife of Arnold Tendick, a storekeeper of Rockbridge, Illinois; and Annie, who married Henry Tendick, a tinsmith of Jacksonville, Illinois.
Philip Jacobi came to Illinois with his parents at the age of nine years and has since made his home in this state. His early education was limited to attendance of three years and five months at the public schools of Germany. At the age of thirteen he began working for Henry Appel, one of the old settlers of the neighborhood, and while with him was given opportunity of attending school in the winter time. About 1860 he went to Alton, Illinois, and was employed for two years by a gardener but, not being especially attracted to this industry, he learned the blacksmith's trade under Jake Hartman, spend- ing four years in his shop. He then went to Carrollton, Greene county, Illinois, and later opened a shop at North Alton, which he conducted for three years. His next place of residence was Rockbridge, Greene county, where he bought out a shop, and he was for seventeen years a resident of that place, gaining a wide reputation for skill in his business. At the end of the time named he rented his shop and in 1887 came to Western Mound township, Macoupin county, and for three years cultivated rented land. Having acquired the neces- sary capital, he purchased one hundred and seventy acres, upon which he estab- lished his home, subsequently disposing of ten acres of timber. He still owns a valuable place of one hundred and sixty acres, which yields goodly returns each year.
On the 10th of May, 1868, Mr. Jacobi was married to Miss Annie Marie Emmons, a daughter of John and Catharine (Deitz) Emmons. The father was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and the mother in Bavaria. They emi- grated to Pennsylvania and were married in that state, removing to St. Louis in 1850. Mr. Emmons engaged in that city as a lumber and river man but four years later moved to Alton, Illinois, where he secured employment as a teamster. Subsequently he took up his residence with his family at Brighton, Macoupin county. After becoming established in this county he went south and was never heard from again. The mother died at Brighton on April 30, 1881. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Emmons were six daughters: Annie Marie, now Mrs. Philip Jacobi ; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Lawrence Hellrung, who operates a brick yard near Alton, Illinois; Catharine the wife of Peter Hellrung, who is also engaged in the manufacture of brick; Mary, the widow of Henry Niehaus, who conducts a boarding house at Alton; Emma, the widow of Fred Schleuter, formerly a merchant of Alton, where she now lives, being still owner of the store; and Christina, who married William Poor, of Rood- house, Illinois, a barber.
Mr. and Mrs. Jacobi are the parents of eleven children. Philip, Jr., of Gran- ite City, is engaged in the plumbing and steamfitting business. Louis married Nellie McPherson, of Virden, and engaged in business as a furniture dealer at that place. He died November 30, 1910, leaving three children, Raymond, Harry
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and Merle. William, a painter of Mattoon, Illinois, wedded Ida Scutt, of Chesterfield, and has one child, Freida. Annie married Louis Ohler, of Chicago, who is employed as engineer on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, and became the mother of four children: Lavilla, who died at the age of eleven years ; Florence, who died when nine months old; Philip; and Benjamin. Henry married Lillian Williams, of Chicago, and is a boiler maker of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, making his home in Chicago. At the time of the Spanish-American war he enlisted at Alton and served in the navy on board the battleship Cincinnati, later being transferred to other ships. Benjamin, engaged in the furniture business at Virden, married Dora Fisher, of that place, and has one child, Mor- rell. Ida became the wife of John Wilkinson, of Alton, who is employed by the Beall Manufacturing Company, and also has one child, Le Roy. Elizabeth makes her home with her parents. Albert is associated with his brother Ben at Virden. Fred, who also makes his home in Chicago, is a fireman on the Santa Fe Railroad. Chester, the youngest of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Jacobi, resides at home.
Mr. Jacobi is a stanch supporter of the republican party and an active worker in its behalf. He has been twice elected assessor of the township and is now serving in his second term. He has also effectively performed his duty as mem- ber of the school board for ten years and as school trustee for twelve years. His religious belief is indicated by membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Chesterfield, his wife being identified with the Roman Catholic church of Hagaman. He has through life maintained a high sense of honor and by his upright and useful spirit has set an example whose beneficial effects will be felt for many years to come. He is loyal in all matters of citizenship and his sterling qualities commend him to all he meets in business or social relations.
JAMES D. METCALF.
James D. Metcalf, cashier of the Shipman Banking Company of Shipman and prominently identified with the business interests of Macoupin county, is a native of Girard, born February 14, 1871. He is a son of James D. and Brunette (Mason) Metcalf, both of whom were born in Kentucky, the mother being a daughter of Dr. George B. Mason. The father was born in 1839 and was a son of William Metcalf, also a native of Kentucky. The grandfather was reared on his father's plantation and removed to Greene county, Illinois, with his family but in 1856 settled in Macoupin county.
James D. Metcalf, the father of our subject, was reared as a farmer's boy and secured his education in the district schools. He engaged in the drug and grocery business for many years at Girard and later organized the State Bank of Girard, becoming quite prominent in the development of that section. In his family were eight children, three of whom died in infancy, the others being: C. H., who is now living at Girard and is an ex-mayor of the city; Jesse M., cashier of the State Bank of Girard; E. Ballie, who married Jesse P. McKnight, of Los Angeles, California, and is now deceased; James D., Jr., the subject of
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this sketch; and 'Mabel, a resident of Los Angeles. The mother of these chil- dren having died, Mr. Metcalf was married to Mrs. Amy Lowe and to this union one son, Harold, was born. He is connected with the State Bank of Girard.
Mr. Metcalf whose name introduces this sketch was reared in Girard and attended the public schools of that place until fifteen years of age. He then became a student of the Western Normal College at Bushnell, Illinois, and in 1888 matriculated in the University of Illinois at Champaign, from which he was graduated in June, 1893, with the degree of B. S. In 1893 and 1894 he traveled in California, Arizona and Mexico. Upon his return to Girard he spent several months in the Bank of Girard and on May 15, 1895, came to Shipman and assisted in organizing the Shipman Banking Company, of which he has since been director and cashier. The bank is a private institution and has a capital stock of fifteen thousand dollars and a surplus of eight thousand dollars. It does an extensive business with stock-feeders, farmers and dairy- men, confining its operations entirely to commercial banking. Mr. Metcalf is also vice president and director of the State Bank of Girard and a member of the board of directors of the State Bank of Fieldon, Jersey county. In addition to his banking interests he is the owner of a highly improved farm near Girard.
On the 16th of October, 1897, Mr. Metcalf was married in Macoupin county to Miss Eugenia Wolfe, who was born November II, 1877, a daughter of Peyton Lisle and Medora (Young) Wolfe, the former of whom was born November 20, 1843, and the latter March 16, 1856. One child, Eugenia, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf. The Wolfe family is well known in Penn- sylvania, the grandfather of Mrs. Metcalf coming from that state to Macoupin county at an early day. He settled upon a farm west of Girard. In his family were seven sons, two of whom died in infancy, while James, John, Thomas and George died after arriving at manhood. Peyton Lisle Wolfe, the father of Mrs. Metcalf, was reared in Macoupin county and at the age of nineteen, the Civil war being then in progress, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty- second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving in this regiment until the close of the Rebellion. After returning home he took charge of the home place. On November 20, 1874, he was married to Miss Medora Young and shortly after- wards purchased a farm in this county. In 1881 he moved to Kenoma, Barton county, Missouri, and purchased land there but later disposed of it and went to Colorado, where he took up his homestead on government land. In 1888 he returned to Girard where he continued to reside until his death which occurred in 1904. In his family were three children: Geraldine, who is the wife of Ernest Menard Kenna, a wholesale lumber dealer of New York city; Eugenia, now Mrs. James D. Metcalf ; and Maude, who married Dr. John W. Kelly, of Springfield, Illinois.
Politically Mr. Metcalf is an adherent of the republican party but not through any desire to seek the honors or emoluments of public office, as his interest is concentrated upon his business affairs. He is a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity of the University of Illinois and also of Shipman Lodge, No. 212, 'A. F. & A. M. An energetic and progressive business man, he has won an enviable reputation in the financial circles of Macoupin county and his advice is sought by many who are desirous of making safe investments. Having been
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blessed with excellent advantages of education, he has accomplished with com- parative ease what often requires many years of labor and close application, and the possibilities in a rapidly developing country for a man of his ambition and energy are very great. In the opinion of his friends there is scarcely a doubt that as the years pass his field of activity and usefulness will be very largely increased.
WILLIAM J. SNEDEKER.
In the list of well known residents of Macoupin county should be named Will- iam J. Snedeker, who has made his home in this county for sixty years and is numbered among its honored pioneers. Like many of the brave settlers who sought to establish a home on the fertile prairies of Illinois, he is a native of New York state, born at Rochester, May 24, 1836. He is a son of Jacob and Ellen (Jay) Snedeker, both of whom were born at Trenton, New Jersey. The father was a farmer and engaged in his occupation in New York state for a number of years. Believing, however, that the great west offered more favor- able advantages than he perceived in the more thickly settled regions of the east, he started with his family for Illinois in 1841, the little party traveling in a covered wagon. On the way through Ohio he was attracted by the ap- pearance of the country in Champaign county and took up his residence there. After an experience of ten years in the Buckeye state he resumed his journey westward and spent one year in Jersey county, Illinois, at the end of which time he arrived in Macoupin county, purchasing land at a cost of five dollars per acre. He was one of the respected pioneers of this section and spent the remainder of his life in the county of his adoption. He was a brave man and served in the volunteer army during the war of 1812. His wife was one of the noble pioneer women. After coming to Illinois she met the Indians, who were still living in this section, and was personally acquainted with the cele- brated Indian chief, Black Hawk. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Snedeker were eight children, the subject of this review being the only one now living.
William J. Snedeker possessed limited advantages of education in the pub- lic schools and is, therefore, largely a self-educated man, having gained his knowledge in the great school of experience from which have graduated many of the noblest men and women America has known. His boyhood and youth were spent upon his father's farm but he early learned the great lesson of self- reliance. He has resided in Macoupin county most of the time since 1851, and during all the period indicated has been identified with the development of this region. He was for many years engaged in farming but his attention was at- tracted to the nursery business with which he became thoroughly acquainted. He successfully carried on the business in Macoupin, Jersey and Montgomery counties, and gained a wide reputation as a competent and reliable nurseryman. Having acquired a competence, he is now living in retirement.
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