USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 24
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died at Roodhouse, Illinois, in 1892, having reached his eighty-third year. He was a carriage and wagon manufacturer. In their family were ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity: Mary B., now Mrs. Samuel A. Rice; Sidney L .; Joseph Merrill; Martha, who married M. B. Smith; May L .; Minnie, who is the wife of R. C. Anderson; and Stanton. The grandparents of Mrs. Rice on the paternal side spent their entire lives near Rochester, New York. They had five children, Sylvester L., Lorenzo D., Harriet, Electa and Josiah. The Hovey ancestors of Mrs. Rice have traced the family back to Daniel Hovey, the emigrant ancestor of all American Hoveys, who was born in England in 1618. The name has also been found in Scotland, Ireland and Wales. The father of Mrs. Rice was a cousin of ex-Governor Alvin P. Hovey, of Indiana.
Mr. Rice is not a member of any religious denomination but his wife is identified with the Presbyterian church. By virtue of his services in the Civil war he holds membership in Jacob Fry Post, G. A. R., of Roodhouse, Illinois. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the republican party whose principles he believes to be essential to the prosperity and permanency of the country. A man of large experience, he has gained many lessons that are not found in books and having been courageous, self-reliant and energetic, he has acquired a competency. He has always willingly lent a hand to assist fellow creatures less fortunate than himself and in an important degree he has made a success of life. He can claim a host of friends in Carlinville and Macoupin county.
EDWARD H. BECKER.
Among the business men of Mount Olive Edward H. Becker occupies a prominent place, being known as one of the most successful funeral directors in this part of the country. He is also the owner of a flourishing livery estab- lishment and has shown an energy and capacity which give brilliant promise as to his future. Born in Staunton township September 10, 1883, he is a son of Christ and Geske (Arkebauer) Becker, both of whom were born in Illinois, their parents being natives of Germany and early settlers of the state. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Becker located on a farm in Staunton township where he continued until his death which occurred on Christmas day. 1890. when the subject of this review was seven years of age. Subsequently the mother was married to August Ruhlander, a merchant and undertaker of Mount Olive.
Edward H. Becker was reared under the favorable influences of a kindly home and possessed excellent advantages of education. He attended the public schools and the Mount Olive high school and then became a student of Bryant & Stratton Business College at St. Louis. After graduating with high credit from this institution he returned to Mount Olive and entered the employ of Mr. Ruhlander, being placed in charge of the undertaking business in which he showed a special adaptability. In 1902, desiring to become thoroughly qualified in this line, he went to Chicago and entered the Barnes School of Anatomy, Sanitary Science and Embalming. After taking the complete course he re- sumed his position under Mr. Ruhlander and continued with him until 1906.
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He then engaged in the undertaking and livery business upon his own account and during the years that have since passed he has built up an extensive pat- ronage. He has made a special study of the wants of the people in the branches which he represents and has provided every facility that is to be desired, his rep- utation steadily increasing with the passing years.
On the 16th of June, 1907, Mr. Becker was married to Miss Minnie Keune, a daughter of Charles Keune, a retired farmer living near Walshville, Illinois. One child, Dolores, has been born to this union. Mr. Becker and his estimable wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church and can claim many warm personal friends in that organization and also throughout this section. He is an earnest friend of education and is now serving as a member of the school board. Although a young man he has scored a success and his friends prophesy for him many additional victories in the years to come.
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A, W. MAXE.
Among the business men of Staunton A. W. Maxe occupies an honorable place, being recognized as an energetic and enterprising citizen, whose efforts have contributed in no small degree toward the upbuilding of the city. He was born in this city August 26, 1858, a son of Fritz and Johanna W. (Sievers) Maxe, both of whom were born in Germany. The father emigrated to this coun- try when a young man and located at Staunton, when it was a struggling settle- ment in the wilderness, consisting of three or four houses. He was a black- smith by trade and opened the first shop at Staunton. Later he purchased the general store of James Taylor and continued in the mercantile business until 1882. He then retired and is now living at Staunton, having reached the ad- vanced age of eighty-six years. The mother of our subject was born at New Brunswick, Germany, and came to America with her parents. She was mar- ried to Mr. Maxe at Staunton and died in this city in 1887. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Maxe were eight children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being: Lizzie, who now lives in St. Louis; Minnie, of Staunton; A. W., of this review; Hannah, who also lives in Staunton; and Frederick and Mollie, both of whom reside in St. Louis.
A. W. Maxe received his education in the common schools of Staunton and later became a student in a college at St. Louis. On May 15, 1883, being then twenty-five years of age, he began in the bakery and confectionery business, in this city and has ever since been connected with that line, applying himself with a discrimination and industry which have brought merited returns. His store is now one of the most popular of its kind in Staunton.
In 1882 Mr. Maxe was married to Miss Clara Brass, and to them four chil- dren have been born: Emma and A. W., Jr., both of whom are deceased; Clara L., who is living at home; and Oscar, who is also deceased. Mr. Maxe and his estimable wife are consistent members of the Lutheran church and are active workers in its behalf. In politics he adheres to the republican party, whose principles of protection he believes to be of great importance in maintaining the
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prosperity of the country. A native son of Illinois, he is justly proud of his state and of the place of his birth. By an honorable and upright course he has won the respect of the best citizens, who have always found him to be patriotic, progressive and reliable-a credit alike to his family and the community.
ROBERT JARVIS MITCHELL, M. D.
Dr. Robert Jarvis Mitchell, from point of service, is one of the oldest physi- cians in Macoupin county, having been engaged in the practice of his profession in Girard for a period of forty years. He was born in Schuyler county, Missouri, on the 30th of October, 1843, and is a son of Isaac and Sarah (Underwood) Mitchell. The father was a native of England and the mother of Kentucky but of English extraction, her father, Francis Underwood, having been a native of England.
in the acquirement of his education Dr. Mitchell attended the country schools, the course therein pursued being later supplemented by study at Shurtleff Col- lege at Upper Alton, from which institution he was graduated in 1869 with the degree of B. A. As he had already decided to adopt the medical profession for his life vocation, in the autumn following his graduation he matriculated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and two years afterward was awarded the degree of M. D. Immediately following he came to Girard, where he established an office and has ever since been engaged in practice. During the first few years of his professional career he devoted his attention to a general practice but subsequently specialized in diseases of the eye and ear. In 1862 Dr. Mitchell joined the Missouri Militia, which was organized in accordance with a procla- mation issued by President Lincoln, and was an influential factor in bringing about peace in the northeastern part of that state.
On the 23d of April, 1873, in Girard, Dr. Mitchell was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Bennion, a native of Wales and a daughter of Randall and Augusta (Lucas) Bennion. Her parents were born, reared and married in North Wales, where they continued to reside until 1849, which year witnessed their emigration to America. They were accompanied by their three children, including Mrs. Mitchell, who was then but six months old. On landing in New York they proceeded to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where Mr. Bennion purchased land and engaged in farming for eight years. He then came to Macoupin county, Illinois, and bought a farm near Girard, upon which he lived until his removal to the village in 1860. Here he engaged in the grain business for twenty years and then retired from active life. His death occurred in 1883 and his wife passed away in 1895. They attended the Baptist church and in politics he voted with the democratic party. Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell have two daughters, Mabel and Vinita.
The Doctor's fraternal relations are confined to his connection with the Masonic order, being a member of Girard Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M., and Girard Chapter, No. 132, R. 'A. M., while his wife is a member of the Eastern Star. He is also affiliated with the American Medical Association, the Illinois
DR. R. J. MITCHELL
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State Medical Association and the Macoupin County Medical Society, being a charter member of the last organization, of which he was at one time president. Politically he is an ardent democrat but has never cared for official honors although he has served as school director and president of the board of educa- tion of Girard. He filled the latter position for several years in a most efficient and creditable manner, the cause of education ever having found in him an enthusiastic and zealous supporter.
ALBERT W. NEWBY.
Albert W. Newby, who is successfully engaged in farming on section 3, Hil- yard township, was born on a farm north of Carlinville, August 7, 1877. He is a son of Charles W. and Alma J. (Lash) Newby, the former of whom was born in Morgan county, Illinois, October 9, 1848, and the latter in Macoupin county. The father came to Macoupin county when settlers were few and far apart and for more than fifty years has actively engaged in agriculture and stock-raising. His farm adjoins that of his son. Mr. and Mrs. Newby are the parents of eight children, seven sons and one daughter, all of whom are now living. Their names are as follows: Albert W., of this review; William C., who makes his home in Kansas City, Missouri; Clara A., who is living at home; Charles E., of Macoupin county ; Harry, of South Dakota ; and George, Roscoe and Frank, all of whom live at home.
In the district schools of Macoupin county Albert W. Newby received his early education. Later he possessed advantages of attendance at the public schools of Plainview. As he grew to manhood he assisted his father upon the home farm and continued so doing until after arriving at maturity. He now en- gages in farming on his own account and has made a success of it, being known as one of the wide-awake and progressive agriculturists of this section. He and his family occupy a comfortable home, provided with all the modern conveniences, and his farm is one of the attractive features of the landscape. It is kept in excellent order and through his industry and good management yields a hand- some annual income.
On the 5th of September, 1901, Mr. Newby was married, at Alton, Illinois, to Miss Mattie Kubecheck, who was born on a farm north of Carlinville .. Her father, Frank Kubecheck, was born in Bohemia, as was also her mother. They came to America seeking more favorable conditions than they found in their native land and made their home for a time at St. Louis. Later they located in Macoupin county, where the father engaged in farming. He was also a carpen- ter, having learned his trade in his native land. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Kubecheck were three children, one son and two daughters, and two of the children are now living. The parents are both deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Newby three children have been born, namely, Albert L., Howard W. and Al- pheus J.
Mr. Newby is an earnest member of the Methodist church and in politics adheres to the republican party. He has never sought the honors of office, as
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his time and energy have been devoted principally to his family and his farm. As an intelligent member of the community he performs each duty according to the best of his ability as it arises and in the discharge of his responsibilities rec- ognizes his obligations to his state and to his fellowmen. He possesses strong social instincts and is admired for his sturdy character and his unselfish devo- tion to the interests of those with whom he is associated.
JOHN D. WILSON.
John D. Wilson, a successful farmer of Shipman township, who as a young man offered his services to his country in its hour of peril and in later years has fully demonstrated his ability and integrity, is a native of Macoupin county. He was born on the farm where he now resides July 31, 1844, and is a son of Thomas Henry and Elizabeth (Bowman) Wilson. The father was born near Carlisle in Northumberland county, England, in March, 1803, and the mother near Penrith, Westmoreland county, England, December 12, 1802. The grandparents on both sides of the house were born respectively in Northumberland and Westmoreland counties. Thomas Henry Wilson grew to manhood in his native county and in 1830, three months after his marriage, came with his wife to America, cross- ing the ocean in a sailing vessel which required eight weeks to accomplish the voyage to New Orleans. They traveled by steamboat to St. Louis and rented a dwelling for a short time in that city, which stood on the site now occupied by the Planter's Hotel. They later removed to Alton, Illinois, and Mr. Wilson rented a farm on the Grafton road. In 1835 he located on government land on section 19 of Shipman township, Macoupin county, this being the same place now occupied by his son, John D. Wilson. The land was mostly covered with timber which the industrious pioneer cleared away, making many other improve- ments on the place. He possessed good business ability and became the owner of more than six hundred acres of productive land. He died in 1869 and his wife was called away in 1881, at the age of seventy-nine years. There were six children in their family, one of whom died in infancy. Thomas Henry is now engaged in farming north of Piasa. Charles B., who was a resident of Piasa, and is now deceased, was a soldier in the Civil war. He was a member of the Sixty-sixth Illinois Volunteers and fought at Shiloh and Chattanooga, also participating in the Atlanta campaign. Elizabeth is now living at Piasa. Mary is the widow of James Landreth and makes her home at Jacksonville. John D., the youngest of the children, is the subject of this review.
After completing his preliminary education in the public schools John D. Wilson applied himself to farming under his father and continued at home un- til twenty years of age. He then enlisted at Springfield in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was sent with his regi- ment to Rock Island, Illinois, to guard the United States arsenal and the Con- federate prisoners. After receiving his discharge he returned to the home place and rented land of his father. In 1880 he purchased two hundred and seven- teen acres on sections 19 and 30, Shipman township. He later acquired a portion
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of his father's farm by inheritance, and has since purchased one hundred and sixty acres in the same township and sixty acres in Jersey county, so that he now has five hundred and ninety acres. He has improved his farm by the erection of all the buildings except the family residence and has one of the best orchards in this vicinity. He engages in general farming and in dairying, and is known as one of the representative and substantial men of the county, whose name is synonymous with rectitude and progress.
On the 30th of October, 1873, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Augusta McCollister, who was born near Kemper, Jersey county, Illinois, September 10, 1848, a daughter of Isaac and Sylvia (North) McCollister. Mr. and Mrs. Wil- son are the parents of the following children: Arthur C., of Kansas City, Mis- souri, who married Mabel Williams and is the father of two sons, Paul R. and Arthur C .; Esther M., who lives near Scobey, Montana; Sylvia E., at home ; Edward Ernest, a hardware merchant of Rousseau, South Dakota; N. D., who married Anna C. Arvidson and has two daughters, Esther F. and Mabel R .; Charles H., who is married and is identified with a law firm at Houston, Texas; John D., Jr., residing near Morrisonville, Illinois, who married Cora Rich and has two sons, Stuart and Arthur D .; Frank N., also of Scobey, Montana ; Mary A., who married Charles P. Stapp, of Rushville, Illinois, and is the mother of two children, Sylvia Elizabeth and Charles P .; Thomas M., who is living at home; Sherman R., who resides near Scobey ; and Isaac C., who is also at home.
The McCollister family, of which Mrs. Wilson is a member, is of Scotch- Irish origin. John McCollister, her grandfather, was born in Lewis county, New York. He was married in his native state and came west with his wife and six children, traveling by boat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi river. In 1819 the family located in Morgan county, near Alton, Illinois, and the father and three sons died of a fever within a period of forty days, in the fall of the same year of their arrival. It may be proper to state here that a branch of the family spells the name McCallister. To this branch belonged Judge McCallister, of Chicago, and Captain McCallister, of McCallister's Battery, which became noted in the Civil war. These two men were cousins of Isaac McCollister, the father of Mrs. Wilson. In 1820, after the death of his father and three other members of the family, Isaac McCollister moved with his mother and the sur- viving members of the family to Apple Creek Prairie, near Whitehall, Greene county, Illinois. As he grew to manhood he worked by the month for farmers around Whitehall and also was employed in the lead mines at Galena. . After his marriage he purchased a farm near Kemper, Illinois, and about 1858 located at Fidelity, where he engaged in farming until his death, in 1890. He was mar- ried March 10, 1846, to Miss Sylvia North, a daughter of Ashrel and Prudence (Swallow) North. The progenitors of the Swallow family in America were Ambrose and Mary Swallow, who came to Chelmsford, Massachusetts, from England about 1666. Ambrose Swallow died October 25, 1684. Nahum Swal- low, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Wilson, was born in Dunstable, Massachu- setts, in 1771, and the descent has been traced in unbroken succession to the present time. To Isaac McCollister and his wife thirteen children were born, namely : Mary, who died in infancy; Augusta, now Mrs. J. D. Wilson; Lucy, who also died in infancy; William Henry, who died at the age of three years ;
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Edgar, twins and Charles H., all of whom died in infancy; Edward, who is now living at Fidelity, Illinois; Lizzie, the widow of A. B. Piggott, of Jersey- ville ; Albert Sherman, who makes his home at Fidelity; and Ira I. and Ida S., twins, the former of whom died at the age of five years, while the latter became the wife of W. K. Dodge, of Fidelity.
Mr. Wilson and his wife occupy one of the historic homes of the county, the residence having been built by his father sixty years ago. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and politically he adheres to the republican party. He has taken a great interest in the success of the party and has been active in its councils, having served as central committeeman for twenty-five years. He filled the office of school director for one term and then declined to serve further. His energies have been largely concentrated upon his business and his family. He is justly proud of his wife and children and has often ap- peared with his eight sons on the baseball field, thus making a team which has successfully coped with some of the picked "nines" of the county. As a native of this section, a man of unblemished character, and a citizen who has ably per- formed his part in advancing the permanent welfare of the community, he is greatly respected and no man is more worthy of a place in this record.
GEORGE WASHINGTON DRAKE.
A farmer by talent and inclination and a man of unusually clear business judgment, George Washington Drake, now deceased, of Brushy Mound town- ship, gained recognition as one of the thoroughly successful men of Macoupin county. Through unremitting industry he won a competence and by his fair dealing and interest in the welfare of others gained many friends, who will ever cherish his memory as of one deserving of profound respect and veneration. Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, February 22, 1850, he was a son of Edward and Mary C. (Walden) Drake, both of whom were born and reared in New Jersey. The father came west with his family in 1856 and located on a farm in Tazewell county, Illinois, where he died nineteen years ago. The mother continued liv- ing in the same county with her sons, David and Collins, until her death at an advanced age in 1908. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Drake were twelve chil- dren, four of whom are now living: Thomas, who was wounded while serving valiantly for the Union in the Civil war and now makes his home at St. Louis, Missouri; Judson and David, both of whom reside at Delavan, Illinois; and Emma, who married Percival Place, of California. The deceased children of Mr. and Mrs. Drake are: Hannah Allen, George Washington, Jonathan, Daniel and Collins; and three who died in infancy. Daniel was a missionary of the Baptist church and made three trips to India.
Mr. Drake, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, came to Illinois with his parents when he was six years old and in the common schools received his early education. He continued on the home farm until thirty-eight years of age, working for his parents and also at various times for neighboring farmers. He bought forty acres of land adjoining his father's farm, which he cultivated
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until after his marriage, but he then disposed of this place and came to Macou- pin county and acquired forty acres, which he purchased near Barnett, forty acres more being added by his father-in-law. In November, 1889, he moved to the eighty acres on section 12, Brushy Mound township, and lived there for six years. He then took up his residence with his family on the Brown farm in Shaws Point township, but six years later returned to Brushy Mound town- ship and purchased two hundred and forty acres on section 36, which became the family homestead. After the death of Mr. Drake his widow rented out a portion of the farm but since 1905 her sons have had charge and have been very successful in their work. They carry on general farming and stock- raising, feeding the grain which they raise to a good grade of stock. They have used sound judgment and are highly competent as agriculturists and stock- raisers.
On the 21st of March, 1888, Mr. Drake was married to Miss Mary Eliza- beth Carrico, the eldest daughter of Nathaniel and Milbury J. (Mitchell) Car- rico, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Drake: Nathaniel Edward, who attended the Gillespie high school two years and is now at home; George Carrico, also at home, who was graduated from the Gillespie high school in 1911 and is now teaching at the Hart school of Honey Point township; Leslie Virgil, who attended the high school at Gillespie one year and is now at home; and Foster Brown, who is at- tending district school No. 106 of Gillespie township and is also at home.
Mr. Drake died in the prime of his life and activity March 6, 1904, having attained the age of fifty-four years. In his death the community realized that it had lost one of its most valued citizens. He was an advocate of the princi- ples of the republican party and served as member of the school boards of dis- tricts 100 and 106, Brushy Mound township, being in the fifth year of his service at the time of his demise. For thirty-eight years he was a member of the Bap- tist church of Delavan, Illinois, his widow being a member of Honey Creek Bap- tist church of Gillespie township. The three elder sons are also identified with this organization. Mr. Drake was connected with the Mutual Protective League of Litchfield, Illinois. As the head of a promising family he was proud of his wife and children and willing at all times to make personal sacrifices for their comfort or happiness. Mrs. Drake is still living on the old homestead and can claim many friends in a county where she and her family have been long and favorably known.
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