USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 35
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On the 24th of December, 1904, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Sabina Wil- ton, who was born in England and came to America with her parents when two years of age. By this union one child, Beulah, was born May 9, 1911. Mrs. Brown is a daughter of George Wilton, who was the owner of a farm one-half mile east of Medora. He died five years ago and his wife passed away when the daughter Sabina was six years old. They were the parents of ten children : Flora, who is deceased : William, who makes his home in Wisconsin; John, who resides near Medora ; Edward and Charles, both of Chesterfield township; Sid- ney, who lives on the old home place near Medora ; Lillian, of Nebraska; Au- gusta, who lives near Medora; Richard, whose home is near Kemper, Illinois ; and Sabina, now Mrs. James R. Brown.
Mr. Brown is an earnest supporter of the republican party and socially is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Chesterfield. He is not connected with any religious denomination, but his wife is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Medora. He was early thrown upon his own resources, but he possessed the courage and endurance to meet and overcome all obstacles to his advancement and today is one of the substantial citizens of Macoupin county. His life has been characterized by enterprise and progress and to these excellent qualities may be attributed a large measure of his success.
M. SPENCER BROWN.
M. Spencer Brown, for thirteen years past postmaster of Brighton, is a native son of that city. He was born March 20, 1841, and has there made his home for more than seventy years, during a large part of which time he has been promi- nently identified with its development. His parents were Michael and Sarah E. (Peter) Brown, the former of whom was born near Mechanicsburg, Ohio, June 4. 1810. The father came to Upper Alton, Illinois, in 1825, and in 1830 arrived at Brighton and associated with his brother in locating eighty acres of govern- ment land in this region. He became one of the leading men of Macoupin county and acquired five hundred and fifty acres of valuable farm land, part of it being in McLean and Madison counties. He was married November 15, 1836, to Sarah E. Peter and to this union seven children were born, namely : James McKendrie.
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George A., M. Spencer, Emily J., Thomas C., Charles W. and Edward B. The mother of these children died July 15, 1851, and in March, 1853, Mr. Brown was married to Mrs. M. A. Sumner, who was a native of New York. By his second marriage he became the father of two children, William H. and Allen R. He took a prominent part in public affairs and gave his adherence to the republican party, being one of its most earnest supporters. He was also actively interested in the promotion of education and was a strong advocate of temperance. In religious faith he was a Methodist.
In the common schools M. Spencer Brown received his preliminary educa- tion and under his father he was made acquainted with the best known methods of agriculture and stock-raising. He arrived at manhood shortly after the Civil war opened and on August 10, 1862, responded to his country's call and enlisted under Captain L. P. Peebles in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Infantry. This was the Macoupin county regiment, which entered service under Colonel John I. Rinaker, who afterward became a brigadier general in the Union army. An interesting record of General Rinaker is presented else- where in this work. In December of the year following his enlistment Private Brown was transferred to the commissary department of the Fifteenth Division, Tenth Army Corps, and was made clerk in the department. He served in this capacity during the remainder of the war and participated in many important movements, among which was Sherman's march to the sea. After receiving his honorable discharge July 15, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky, he came to Blooming- ton, Illinois, and assisted in drawing up the official report of the department with which he had been connected and received one hundred dollars per month from July 15 to October I.
After his return home Mr. Brown reentered the store of Eleazer Butler, of Brighton, with which he had been identified as clerk before enlistment in the army. At the end of a year he purchased one-half interest in the business, the firm becoming Butler & Brown. Under competent management the patronage largely increased and later the firm opened a branch house at Medora. However, Mr. Brown found his health giving way on account of over application and con- finement within doors and he disposed of his interest and retired for a year or two to his farm in this vicinity. His usual strength being restored, he accepted a position with a dry-goods firm at Alton and continued with this house for eight years, during which time, however, he retained his residence in Brighton and traveled back and forth each day on the railway. After resigning from his posi- tion he assisted in organizing the Grain Dealers Association of Brighton for the purpose of diverting grain from the warehouses to the three large mills at Alton. He was made secretary of the association and in this capacity traveled widely throughout this part of the state for about eight years, being one of the largest producers of grain for home consumption. The association finally passed out of existence on account of changes in manner of conducting business and in 1898 Mr. Brown was appointed postmaster of Brighton, a position which he has since filled to the entire satisfaction of patrons and officials at Washington. He and his wife own about two hundred and thirty-five acres of land, which includes his undivided interest in the Brown estate, and he is recognized as one of the thor- oughly reliable and substantial business men of the community.
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On the 22d of October, 1867, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Mary Frances Gilson, a daughter of James W. Gilson, who was one of the pioneers of Macoupin county. Three children have been born to this union, two of whom survive. Leila Marion is the widow of F. J. Fritchie and makes her home with her parents. Spencer Gilson is a graduate of Blackburn College and Princeton University and received the degree of LL. B. from Yale University. He is now actively engaged in the practice of law at Brighton and has gained an enviable position as one of the most promising young attorneys in Macoupin county.
Politically Mr. Brown, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, adheres to the republican party and has served as member of the county board of super- visors. Fraternally he is connected with Hibbard Lodge, No. 249, A. F. & A. M .; Alton Chapter, No. 8, R. A. M .; and Belvidere Commandery, No. 2, K. T., this being the second oldest commandery in the state. He is one of the active work- ers in the Methodist Episcopal church and from 1876 to 1910 with the exception of one year served as superintendent of the Sunday school at Brighton. Mrs. Brown and the son and daughter are members of the Presbyterian church. By a life of unusual activity and effectiveness in promoting worthy undertakings Mr. Brown has earned the high regard in which he is held by the people of this city, and is recognized as one of its foremost citizens-a man whose greatest delight has been found in promoting the comfort and happiness of others.
PHILIP REDINGTON.
A native of Madison county, Illinois, Philip Redington became a resident of Macoupin county in his boyhood and has spent the greater part of his life in this county, gaining a position through his industry and good management as one of its highly prosperous citizens. The record of his birth was lost but he is now about fifty-three years of age and in the prime of his strength and usefulness. His parents were Michael and Honorah (Malloy) Redington, both of whom were born in Ireland, the former being a native of County Galway. The father came to the United States early in life and settled in Western Mound township, Macoupin county, about the close of the Civil war. The mother died when the son Philip was in his infancy, he being her only child. The father afterwards married Mrs. Mary Tuhey and to this union two children were born: Michael, deceased; and Julia, the wife of Terrence Mullen, of Chicago. Mr. Redington died about four years after locating in Macoupin county. He was a member of the Catholic church and his body was the first to be buried in the Catholic cemetery at Carlinville.
Being deprived of his father by death in boyhood Philip Redington took up his home with an uncle, John Redington, and continued in his family until about twenty years of age. He possessed advantages of attendance at the public schools of Western Mound township, and as he grew to manhood assisted his uncle in work about the farm. He secured employment with the Santa Fe Railway Company and was for six years connected with bridge construction on that line, the principal portion of the time being spent in Kansas. He advanced
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to the position of foreman of the construction gang but he came to the conclusion that more favorable opportunities were presented in agriculture and stock-raising than in the employment of the railway company. He, therefore, resigned his position and returned to Macoupin county and for three years rented the John Arnett place. At the end of this time, having acquired sufficient capital, he pur- chased one hundred acres of land in sections 22 and 27 of Western Mound township. He has made all the improvements on the place, including buildings, fences, drainage, and the setting out of an orchard and shade trees, making it a highly desirable property. Owing to his close application and good business judgment he has prospered in his chosen calling and has no reason to regret becoming permanently identified with Macoupin county.
On the 4th of October, 1887. Mr. Redington was married to Miss Anna McAleney, a daughter of John and Mary ( McGilligan) McAleney, both of whom were natives of Ireland but were married in Scotland and on coming to America in 1859 located in Portland, Maine. They subsequently removed to Madison county, Illinois, where Mr. McAleney followed farming until 1867, when they came to Macoupin county and settled in Bird township. Throughout his residence here Mr. McAleney continued to engage in agricultural pursuits but both he and his wife are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Redington have six children: John Lewis, who is now occupying the position of checkman in the freight office of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway at Chicago : and Philip William, Nora, Michael, Joseph and Augusta, all of whom are at home. Mr. Redington is a supporter of the democratic party and for three years past has served as highway commissioner. He has also filled other offices of responsibility, having discharged the duties of township trustee, assessor and school director. He is thoroughly efficient in whatever he undertakes and possesses the entire confidence of his neighbors, and of all with whom he has business or social relations. It is such men who reflect credit upon their state and who may be relied upon in every emergency to pursue the course that is right and just. In religious belief Mr. Redington and his wife are earnest adherents of the Catholic church.
ELMER E. DAY.
Elmer E. Day, who is successfully engaged in the grocery business in Medora and is one of its highly popular citizens, was born near Jerseyville, in Jersey county, Illinois, January 10, 1863. He is a son of Stephen and Susan (Bell) Day, the former of whom was born in Jersey county April 5, 1840, the latter being a native of Medora. The history of the Day family in America begins with Stephen Day, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, who was a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, and settled in Vermont many years ago. The great-grandfather of our subject was also named Stephen and was born in Vermont before the Revolutionary war. Ira E. Day, the grandfather, was also a native of Vermont and was born about 1790. He was reared in his native state and when a young man came west, settling in 1828 in Jersey county.
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Illinois, west of the present city of Jerseyville. Here he entered government land and made his home for twenty years. He then moved east of Jerseyville, where he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land which is still in possession of the family. He married Miss Martha Hudson who was born in Greene county about 1819 and was the first white child born in this section of the state. It is also thought by some that she was the first white child born in the state of Illinois. The Hudson family came from Kentucky and was among the very early settlers of Greene county. Ira E. Day died in 1862, being then more than seventy years of age. He was highly successful as a farmer and ranked as one of the leading citizens of the county.
Stephen E. Day, the father of our subject, was educated in the public schools and continued on the home farm until after he was married to Miss Susan Bell, the ceremony taking place March 1, 1861. He rented land on his own account for a number of years and in 1886 moved to Medora, where he has since been engaged in the livery business. Mrs. Day is a daughter of Harry and Nancy (Rockabaugh) Bell and comes from an oid Virginia family whose home was near Culpeper Courthouse. To Mr. and Mrs. Stephen E. Day have been born seven children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are: Elmer E., of this review ; William, who married Zoa Steed, of Medora, and now resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Chilton H., now in the dry-goods business in Medora, who married Nellie Steed and has two children; Ira Edwin, who married Ella Long and makes his home in Medora; and Herbert L., who mar- ried Nellie Winters and is a resident of Alton, Illinois.
Mr. Day of this review possessed advantages of education in the public schools of Jerseyville. He continued with his parents on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, and then rented land and farmed on his own account for two years. At the end of this time he purchased twenty acres in Jerseyville which he planted in fruit, and for nine years devoted his attention to the fruit business. In 1897 he disposed of his place and moved to Medora, where he purchased the livery barn of William Day and for eight years applied himself successfully to the livery business. He then entered the grocery business in which he has since been engaged.
On the 20th of January, 1885, Mr. Day was married to Miss Kate Pitts, a daughter of Richard and Clara (Pitts) Pitts, the former of whom was born at Sutton Crosses, Lincolnshire, England, in 1834. The grandparents of Mrs. Day on the paternal side were William and Sarah (Barton) Pitts, of North- amptonshire, England. The Pitts family has been known in England for many generations. The grandfather on the maternal side was Shadrach Pitts, also of Northamptonshire, and the maiden name of his wife was Eliza Humberstone. The grandfathers, paternal and maternal, were cousins. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Day, namely: Lola F., who married Herbert E. Ruyle. of Raymond, Illinois, and has one child, Elbert H .; and Gertrude Barton and Leita A., both of whom are living at home.
Mr. Day is well known in fraternal circles and holds membership in the Knights of Pythias and the Mutual Protective League. Politically he is an earnest supporter of the democratic party. He served as supervisor of Chester- field township and as chairman of the board of supervisors of Macoupin county
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for three terms out of four, his administration being highly satisfactory to tax- payers of the county. He was elected supervisor by a handsome majority in a township that is regarded as a republican stronghold. His name has been prominently mentioned in connection with other offices and he came within six votes of being nominated for county treasurer in 1910. Possessing a good address and being well acquainted with the people of Macoupin county, Mr. Day can claim a host of friends who admire him for his sterling traits of character. He has depended upon his own exertions for his advancement, and has accepted as a principle of his life, to make his word as good as his bond and to deal justly, let the consequences be what they may. The result proves that his principles are correct and it would be difficult to imagine a higher ideal.
JOSEPH BIRD.
For many years Joseph Bird has been identified with the progress of Macou- pin county and today, living retired at Carlinville, his mind reverts to the pioneer times before the advent of the telegraph, the railroad, the improved farm ma- chinery, the telephone or the automobile. He remembers distinctly the ox cart, the prairie schooner, the log cabin and the flintlock musket, and has lived to see the various stages of the mighty transformation by which the face of the country has been changed and modern civilization introduced until it now holds undisputed sway. Born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1828, Mr. Bird is a son of William and Mary (Steward) Bird, both of whom were na- tives of England. In their family were four children: Isabel, now deceased. who married a Mr. Pattingill and after his death married Adolphus Sloper ; Joseph, of this review; Mary Ann, who is the wife of David Deeds, of Carlin- ville; and William, who died when he was about nine years old.
The father of our subject engaged in farming in the Keystone state but, believing that more favorable conditions prevailed in the west, came to Illinois in 1836 and settled near Eldred, in Greene county, where he died the year fol- lowing. His wife survived him for many years, following him in 1863. She was a consistent member of the Church of England. The grandfather of our sub- ject on the paternal side spent his entire life in England and among his children were William and Annie, the wife of William Potter.
Joseph Bird came to Illinois with his parents when he was eight years of age and grew to maturity in Greene county. He lived with his mother until 1849, when he married, and two years later came with his wife to Macoupin county and located in Bird township, which was named in his honor. He be- came remarkably successful as a farmer and stock-raiser and acquired two hun- dred and ninety-seven acres of land, which he greatly improved. Subsequently he bought seven hundred and fifty-six acres and still later increased his holdings by two hundred acres, so that at one time he owned ten hundred and thirty-six acres in Bird township. He also owned three hundred and twenty acres in Car- linville township, which was known as the Gore farm, and he still retains pos- session of this place. He gives the use of the land to his children and all he
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MRS. JOSEPH BIRD
JOSEPH BIRD
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asks is that they shall pay the taxes. On September 12, 1879, he moved to Car- linville and has since made his home in this city. He erected a large residence here, which he gave to his daughter Mrs. Minton. This house was afterward destroyed by fire and a modern building now occupies the site. After giving the residence to his daughter he moved to another home on High street, where he lived until 1904.
On the 9th of January, 1849, Mr. Bird was married to Miss Eliza Ann Lasater, a daughter of Enoch and Charity (Hill) Lasater, and they became the parents of seven children : Ada Eugenia, who died in infancy ; Morris Edwin, who died when nearly twenty years of age; Amy C., who also died in infancy ; Carrie, who mar- ried Foster Gore and is the mother of six children, Bird, Victor, Joseph, Gladys, Hazel and Hugh; Ida Alice, who married Elza Childs and died at the age of twenty-two; Mary Ollie, who is now the wife of Coy Roach and lives in Girard ; and Daisy, who became the wife of Hugh Minton, a bridge builder of Carlin- ville. Mrs. Bird was born in Greene county and became acquainted with Mr. Bird when she was four or five years old. Then went to school together for a short time. Her parents were natives of Tennessee and were among the pioneers of Greene county. In their family were six children: Eliza Ann; Serena, who married George Arnett; Abner; Mary, who became the wife of William Fitz- gerald ; Almira, who married Joseph Casteel; and Jennie, who is now the wife of Horatio Peebles. The father of these children having died, Mrs. Lasater was again married, her second husband being John Coatney. Two children were born to this. union, Carl and Cyrus. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Bird was Abner Hill.
Mr. Bird was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, which occurred June 29, 1904, at the age of seventy-one years. She was a woman of many noble traits of character and her memory remains as a benediction to all with whom she was brought into contact. She was a Baptist, as is also Mr. Bird. They were among the early members of Charity Baptist church in Bird township. Politically Mr. Bird is a democrat. He was highway commissioner of Bird township for sev- eral years and for four years served as president of the Macoupin County Fair Association, assisting in organizing the association and putting it on a paying basis. He was alderman of the second ward for several years. He has always been a liberal contributor to worthy objects and no good work of charity or re- ligion has sought his aid in vain. In the various duties of life he has ever at- tempted to perform his part faithfully and is justly entitled to the highest respect of a generation which is enjoying the blessings that he assisted so ably in estab- lishing.
JESSE PEEBLES.
Earnest and persistent application to his chosen profession has made Jesse Peebles, of Carlinville, one of the successful attorneys of the Macoupin county bar, and his devotion to the interests of those he represents has gained for him the warm personal friendship of many of his clients. Born in Carlinville, March 31, 1870, he is a son of Lewis P. and Sarah E. (Odell) Peebles, extended record Vol. II-18
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of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The family on both sides of the house can claim ancestry extending back for many years in America. John Peebles, the great-grandfather of our subject, was of Scotch descent. He was born in South Carolina and served under General Marion in the Revolutionary war, later settling in Kentucky. Jeptha Reader, another of the ancestors, was a native of Tennessee and was of English descent. He came to Macoupin county in the early pioneer days. His wife was Winifred Harrison, a second cousin of Presi- dent William Henry Harrison of the United States. Jesse Peebles, the grand- father of our subject, was also a native of South Carolina. He came to Illinois in 1833 and settled in Macoupin county, where he was well known as a successful farmer and local preacher. For more than three-quarters of a century members of the family have been actively connected with the development of central Illinois and have nobly performed their part in a work which posterity will ever regard with pride.
Jesse Peebles, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was reared at Carlinville and received his preliminary education in the public schools. He later became a student of Blackburn University, from which he was graduated with the degree of A. B., in 1889. After leaving college he applied himself to the study of law under his father and Judge A. N. Yancey, and was admitted to the Illinois bar upon examination in the spring of 1892. He began practice in partnership with his father, but later D. E. Keefe was taken into the firm. At the end of four years Mr. Keefe was elected county judge of Macoupin county and after serving in that office again resumed practice with his former associates. At the end of three years he severed his relations with the firm and moved to East St. Louis, where he has since been located. Mr. Peebles of this review and Lewis Peebles, his father, have since continued as partners, their clientage being one of the largest of any firm in this section of the state. The junior member has from his early manhood been an earnest and conscientious student and keeps fully abreast of the times on all important questions affecting the interest of the county, state or nation. He is a valued member of the Illinois State Bar Associa- tion and can claim many friends in that organization.
In August, 1894. Mr. Peebles was married to Miss Edmonia McClure, a daughter of James A. and Ellen (Collins) McClure, both of whom were born in Kentucky. Mr. McClure came to Illinois and entered government land in Car- linville township, Macoupin county, which he cleared and improved. He spent his declining years at Carlinville and died in 1901, his wife being called away two years later. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Peebles : Martha Ellen, who is thirteen years of age: Don, aged ten years; and Pauline. seven years of age.
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