USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 49
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
Abraham C. Hulse was reared on his father's farm close to the line of Wash- ington and Sullivan counties, Tennessee, until eighteen years of age and received only limited advantages of education. In 1853 he came to Illinois and took up his residence at Old Cummington, now Palmyra, in Macoupin county, working at the trades of blacksmith and wagon making until twenty-seven years of age. He then enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and twenty-second Illinois Volun- teers, under General John I. Rinaker, record of whom appears elsewhere in this work, and served in this regiment until the close of the war, participating in many hard-fought battles and rigorous campaigns. He entered the army as second lieutenant and was promoted to captain on the battlefield at Parker's Cross Roads, Tennessee, for gallant and meritorious conduct. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to Macoupin county and engaged in black- smithing at Palmyra until 1882. He was then elected sheriff of the county and served to the general satisfaction of the people for four years. After retiring from office he turned his attention to breeding standard-bred horses and followed this occupation successfully for a number of years. On the Ist of April, 1911, he was elected city marshal of Carlinville, an office which he now fills.
In October, 1855, Captain Hulse was married to Miss Martha Ross, a daugh- ter of Robert and Mary (Hunt) Ross, and to this union five children were born. Rosella married Charles Davis and resides at Salem, Oregon. Catharine is the wife of Elijah Etter, an attorney of Waverly, Illinois, and the mother of one son, Robert. William R. is an abstractor and is engaged in the real-estate busi- ness at Carlinville. Robert S., a farmer of Oklahoma, married Alice Tappin and they have two children, Harry and Lee. Charles Abraham, the youngest of
508
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
the children of Captain and Mrs. Hulse, died in infancy. Captain Hulse's pres- ent wife was Mrs. Dora Baldwin, widow of Thomas J. Baldwin and the mother of five children by her first marriage, namely : Orville, deceased; Roy ; Roscoe, who married Lucy Mant, and is the father of three children, Daniel, R. C. and Lee; Maude, who married Isaac Van Zandt, of Fort Worth, Texas, by whom she has three children; and Lottie, who married Elmer Barrows, of Girard, Illinois, and has one son, Orville Edwin.
Captain Hulse and his wife are both members of the Christian church, of which he is a steward. Politically he gives his support to the democratic party and fraternally he holds membership in Mount Nebo Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A. M .; Macoupin Chapter, No. 187, R. A. M .; and is also a member of Dan Messick Post, G. A. R. The esteem in which he is held by his army comrades was shown by his election for two terms as commander of the post. Captain Hulse is greatly interested in the community in which he lives and has often demonstrated this interest by personal service in behalf of those less fortunate than himself. A true soldier when the life of the republic was imperiled, he is a patriotic, capable and progressive citizen, and it would be difficult to name a man in Macoupin county who stands higher in the respect of the people than the one whose name introduces this sketch.
BENJAMIN F. HALL.
For a period of nearly twenty years Benjamin F. Hall has been identified with the commercial activities of Carlinville. His birth occurred at Alton, Illinois, on the 7th of November, 1866, his parents being John and Mary Ann (Watts) Hall, the father a native of Durham county, England, and the mother of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. John Hall was reared and educated in his native land, where, when old enough, he entered the mines. Upon his arrival in the United States he first located in Alton, Illinois, again engaging in mining. Later he re- moved to Macoupin county, continuing in the same occupation until his demise on the 4th of September, 1903. The mother still survives at the age of sixty-nine years, but is in delicate health.
Benjamin F. Hall was reared in the town of his birth whose public schools he attended until the age of thirteen, when he discontinued his studies and entered the coal mines. He followed this occupation for thirteen years, but feeling con- vinced that there was no future in it and being desirous of improving his condi- tion, he accepted a clerkship in a grocery store. At the expiration of eighteen months he purchased the stock from his employer and engaged in business for himself. Despite his limited education and experience as a business man his venture proved successful from its inception, and today he is one of the pros- perous merchants of the town.
On the 12th of June, 1895, Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Anna W. Paul, a daughter of Henry and Caroline (Plumhoff) Paul, natives of Germany. Upon their arrival in America they located in St. Louis, where he followed the
509
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
trade of wagon making. They subsequently removed to Carlinville and for some years thereafter he operated a grist mill but later returned to his trade. The west attracted him and he went to Kansas, where he resided for a time, but later mak- ing his home again in Carlinville and succumbed here on the 4th of January, 1896. The mother survives at the venerable age of seventy-two years. To Mr. and Mrs. Hall have been born seven children: Adolph, Clara, Lydia, May, Alma, Lucille and Rose, May's twin sister, who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Hall and their family affiliate with the German Evangelical church, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In matters politic he is a republican, and is now representing his ward in the city council in which capacity he has served for two terms. Mr. Hall is a man well adapted to commercial activities as is attested by the success which has rewarded his efforts. He is reliable, conscientious and accommodating in his transactions, these qualities enabling him not only to win patrons but to retain them. His progress has not been phenomenal in any way, but it has been the steady advance which always assures permanency, and in addition to his fine store he owns two nice residences in Carlinville; his own home being located at 804 North Broad street.
GEORGE GROVES.
George Groves, who has long been connected with the agricultural interests of Macoupin county, is a self-made man, having had neither influence nor pecu- niary assistance in attaining the position he now holds among the farmers of Bunker Hill township.
He was born in Yorkshire, England, seventy years ago last June, being one of the eleven children born unto Richard and Elizabeth (Brewerton) Groves. The parents were also natives of the mother country and there they spent their entire lives.
George Groves was brought up at home and when old enough entered the com- mon schools which he attended until he had mastered the common branches. He was early trained in the work of the fields and in 1871 he determined to realize the ambition of his youth and become a citizen of the United States, so he took passage for America. He first located in the vicinity of Kansas City, Missouri, where he worked as a farm hand for a year, after which he farmed as a renter for a season; then he came to Macoupin county. Upon his arrival in this county he purchased the farm upon which he has ever since resided, consisting of eighty acres of most excellent land, in connection with which he operates an adjoining eight acre tract.
For his wife Mr. Groves chose Miss Agnes Govan and there have been five children born to them: Richard, Anna, Elizabeth, Margaret and William.
The family is affiliated with the Congregational church, while politically Mr. Groves exercses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. Mr. Groves has never been an extensive but an intensive farmer, possessing the ability to so thoroughly till and cultivate every acre of
510
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY .
his land that it yields the maximum amount, the quality of the product being fully equal to the quantity. He has met with success and is now one of the pros- perous and highly respected citizens of the community.
ADOLPH F. LOEHR.
For a period of more than fifty years the name of Loehr has been prominently and successfully identified with the business and commercial activities of Carlin- ville. Adolph F. Loehr, one of the capable representatives of the family, was born in this city on the 19th of August, 1860, and is a son of John C. and Fred- ericka (Knabner) Loehr. The parents are both natives of Germany, whence they emigrated to the United States locating in the vicinity of St. Louis in 1852. There the father, who has been a farmer in the old country, engaged in market gardening for several years. Coming to Carlinville he engaged in business, later establishnig a dry goods store which he conducted until his retirement. When he withdrew from commercial activities in 1908 he had been in business for fifty years. He is now living retired at the age of eighty-four while Mrs. Loehr is eighty-one.
Adolph F. Loehr was reared at home acquiring his early education in the schools of Carlinville after which he attended the Lutheran high school of St. Louis. After the completion of his education he entered his father's store and in 1886 was made a partner in the business. After the retirement of Mr. Loehr the son continued the business alone until June, 1910, when he disposed of it. For the past ten years he has been manager of the Macoupin County Telephone & Telegraph Co., to the interests of which he now devotes his entire time, as he also discharges the duties of secretary and treasurer. Mr. Loehr is identified with various enterprises of Carlinville, and is a stockholder and director of the Loan & Building Association. His various undertakings have netted him good returns and he is the owner of valuable business and residence property here.
Never having married Mr. Loehr continues to make his home with his par- ents. He votes with the democratic party, while fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order. Mr. Loehr is a public-spirited and progressive citizen and represented at one time his ward in the city council.
DAVID STEAD.
After faithfully discharging his duties as a citizen and head of a family until his children had grown to maturity and taken their places in the world, David Stead retired from active affairs and is now enjoying a well earned rest. He is now eighty-two years of age, and since 1839-a period of seventy-two years- has been a resident of Macoupin county, where he was engaged a large part of the time as a farmer and stock-raiser. He is a native of England, born Novem- ber 22, 1829, a son of Benjamin and Martha (Taylor) Stead, both of whom
511
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
were born in England. The parents came to America in 1839 and were among the early settlers of Macoupin county.
At the age of ten years, David Stead arrived in the United States which has since been his adopted country. He completed his school education in 1840, in a subscription school of Macoupin county, and then turned his attention to the home farm upon which he continued until 1852. He engaged in farming and stock-raising on his own account in Nilwood township for many years, gaining by his application and good judgment a high standing as one of the substantial men of the township. On account of the encroachments of age, he gave up ac- tive labor a few years ago and has since lived among his children. The home farm which is one of the valuable properties of this section is being cultivated by younger members of the family.
In 1851, Mr. Stead was married in Nilwood township to Miss Mary Ann Bos- ton, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Beverly Boston, of Virginia. To this union four children were born. Benjamin married Miss Angie Hicks and resides in Montgomery county. They have one son, Norman, who is the father of three children. George, who is now deceased, wedded Maggie Cheney. They lived in Nilwood township and were the parents of four children. John Henry, the third son of Mr. and Mrs. Stead, married Miss Alice McBride. They make their home in Nilwood township and are the parents of two children. James, of Mc- Vey, married Miss Mary Hamilton and they have a family of three children. Mr. Stead is proud of the fact that he has ten grandchildren and fourteen great- grandchildren.
Politically, David Stead is a supporter of the republican party. He has never cared for public office but has served as school trustee. Religiously, he is identi- fied with the Christian church and for many years has filled the office of elder in- that denomination. A firm believer in the efficacy of labor, he was diligent in his business and thus attained a competency. He can claim many stanch friends who know personally of his worth and recognize that he richly deserves the blessings with which his efforts have been crowned.
JOHN G. BLOOMER.
John G. Bloomer, vice president and superintendent of the United Monu -. ment & Construction Co., was born in Springfield, Illinois, on the 7th of July, 1871, a son of William J. and Sophia (Witkopp) Bloomer. The parents are both natives of Germany, the father having emigrated to the United States when a lad of five years with his people, who settled in Springfield. There Will- iam J. Bloomer was reared to manhood and educated, after which he learned the stone cutter's trade under Captain Adam Johnston. He continued to be identified with this vocation until his demise on the 20th of January, 1909. The mother passed away on the 18th of April, 1907.
The boyhood and youth of John G. Bloomer were passed in the Capital city, to whose public schools he is largely indebted for his education. The course pursued there having been supplemented by study in the Springfield Business
512
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
College. Having decided to adopt his father's trade at the age of fourteen he entered the shop of Captain Adam Johnston, where the father had spent the period of his apprenticeship. After the expiration of his service he traveled from place to place, not only gaining experience in his trade but acquiring a fuller knowledge of the world and a better understanding of human nature gen- erally. In April, 1909, he became associated with Charles M. Miller of Spring- field, and together they bought out Royal Hayes, who had been engaged in the monument business in Carlinville for forty-seven years, having the only estab- lishment of the kind in the town. On the 8th of February, 1910, they incor- porated under the name of the United Monument & Construction Co., with Mr. Bloomer as vice president and superintendent. He has practically the entire charge of the business, being the only active resident member of the company.
In Springfield on the 22d of August, 1906, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Bloomer and Miss Mary Maude Whipple, a daughter of Asbury and Ada (Jones) Whipple, natives of Indiana. Asbury Whipple, who is a wood turner, learned his trade in the furniture factory of his father at Madison, Indiana, in which state he continued to follow this occupation until 1882. He then removed to Springfield, having accepted a position with The Vredenburgh Lumber Co., by whom he is still employed. The mother, however, passed away in 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Bloomer three children have been born: John G., who is four years of age; Ada Sophia, who is two and a half; and Catharine, who is a babe of five weeks.
Mr. and Mrs. Bloomer are affiliated with the German Lutheran church, while fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. He is a democrat but has never sought any political prefer- ment.
DAVID CHARLES VANIMAN.
A well cultivated farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres in Girard town- ship annually nets a very comfortable income to the owner, David Charles Vani- man, who has been engaged in its cultivation for twenty-eight years. Mont- gomery county, Ohio, was the scene of the birth of Mr. Vaniman, his natal day being the 3d of January, 1857, and his parents were David and Elizabeth (Bowser) Vaniman, the father being a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Ohio. In 1863 together with his wife and family David Vaniman came to Illinois, purchasing a farm in the western part of Virden township. He cultivated this property for some years then bought another place nearer to Virden to which he removed, continuing to reside there until his death in 1898.
David Charles Vaniman was a little lad of only six years when the family located in Virden township, to whose district schools he is indebted for his education. From his early boyhood he devoted much time to assisting his father with the farm work and the care of the stock, his responsibilities increas- ing with the development of his strength and ability. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-two years old, during the last four years of
513
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
that time being associated with his father in operating the home farm. In 1879, he began farming independently upon the old homestead, west of Vir- den, his father having moved to his place near Virden. In the course of four years, having acquired sufficient capital to buy a farm, he invested in his present place in Girard township, and here he has ever since resided. In connection with the operation of his fields Mr. Vaniman has for many years run a thresh- ing machine with most excellent financial success. 'A man of progressive, prac- tical ideas, keen judgment and foresight his efforts have always been substan- tially rewarded and he owns, in addition to his farm, stock in various enterprises, among them being the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Co., and the Virden Grain Co., of which he is also a director.
In Girard township on the 3Ist of December, 1879, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Vaniman and Miss Elizabeth Brubaker, a native of Ohio. Mrs. Vaniman's parents were Jonathan and Susan (Frantz) Brubaker, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Jonathan Brubaker, was also a native of Virginia. Five children were born of the mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Vaniman: Alva T., a resident of Girard, who has one . daughter ; Pearl J., the wife of J. E. Bowman of Girard township, who also has one daughter; Ada May, the wife of E. S. Snell of Virden township and the mother of one daughter; and Arthur E. and Iva E., both of whom are still at home with their parents.
The family affiliate with the Church of the Brethren of which Mr. Vani- man has been a deacon for twenty years, and he is also a director and trustee of the Brethren Home of Girard. In matters politic he is ever loyal to republi- can principles in all state and national issues, but casts an independent ballot for county and township offices, giving his support to the men he deems best qualified to serve the people generally. He never takes a prominent part in local governmental affairs but has served for several terms as a school director. Mr. Vaniman is a man of high principles and strict integrity and is always found willing to support any movement that promises a higher standard either morally or intellectually in the community.
JAMES W. MORGAN.
James W. Morgan, who for the past year has been conducting a livery stable in Carlinville, was born in Hillyard township, this county, on the 14th of De- cember, 1882, being a son of C. S. and Mary (Boyle) Morgan, the former of whom is a native of Ohio, while the latter's natal state is Illinois. C. S. Mor- gan came to Macoupin county, Illinois, during the pioneer days, arriving here with a capital of one dollar and a quarter. He had been a cowboy on the plains and immediately sought work here as a farmhand, obtaining a position with William Dye. He remained in his service until his marriage, when he rented one of Mr. Dye's farms, which he cultivated for ten years. The endeavor proved to be so remunerative, that he was then able to buy the old Gulic farm, which was well improved and contained one hundred and eighty acres of land, one-half
514
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
mile east of Plainview. Success continued to attend his efforts and five years later he was able to purchase the Nelson Snyder farm of one hundred and sixty acres in a high state of cultivation. This farm subsequently became the property of his son, James W. In October, 1910, Mr. Morgan withdrew from active farm- ing and rented his land; however, he still resides upon his homestead. He is now sixty-five years of age, while his wife is sixty-two, both having in their early years thriftily provided for the ease and comfort they are now enjoying.
Until the last year James W. Morgan has always lived in the country, and in his very early youth began the training that later made of him a most success- ful agriculturist. For his education he is indebted to the district schools in the vicinity of his home. He remained at home with his parents until he had at- tained his majority, when he located upon one hundred and sixty acres of land, previously purchased. Agricultural pursuits engaged his energies until October, 1910, when he removed to Carlinville and purchased the livery stable of W. H. Pease on West Main street, which he has ever since then been conducting. He keeps a fine line of vehicles and good horses, and as a result has a most excel- lent patronage.
In April, 1906, Mr. Morgan was united in marriage to Miss Anna Snyder, a daughter of Nelson and Emily (Armour) Snyder, natives of Madison county, Illinois. During the later years of his life the father engaged in farming, but in the early sixties he bought and sold horses in St. Louis. After the war he re- moved to Madison county, subsequently coming to Macoupin county, buying a farm in the vicinity of Plainview. He improved and operated this land until his death which occurred in 1901. The mother is still living and makes her home with her daughter and son-in-law, our subject.
The Methodist Episcopal church counts Mr. and Mrs. Morgan among its members, while in matters politic he is a republican. Though an enthusiastic supporter of his party, he is not an office seeker. He is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, being identified with the local organizations of both fraternities. He still retains his farm, which is one of the well improved and valuable properties of the vicinity, its rental bringing him in a handsome income. Mr. Morgan's venture into busi- ness activities has proven quite successful, giving every promise of developing into a most lucrative enterprise.
JOHN P. HENDERSON.
John P. Henderson, president of the State Bank of Virden and one of the prominent and successful men of Macoupin county, was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, January 15, 1833, a son of James Harvey and Almira B. (Reid) Hen- derson. John Henderson, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Vir- ginia and removed to Kentucky, later taking up his residence with his family in Indiana, where he was living during the war of 1812. One of his brothers took part in the war but was never heard of again. In 1830 Mr. Henderson came to Illinois and spent the "winter of the deep snow" in Morgan county. Soon after-
A.P. Henderson
/ maxie of Henderson.
519
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
ward he located on a tract of timber and prairie land near Whitehall in Greene county, where he continued during the remainder of his life, passing away in 1849. The maiden name of his wife was Anna Provine. After the death of her husband she made her home with her son, James Harvey Henderson, but sur- vived her husband only about two years.
James H. Henderson, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia and very early in life accompanied his parents across the mountains to Kentucky. He re- moved with them to the territory of Indiana and at the age of seventeen years began to learn the blacksmith's trade, his training in this line including the mak- ing of chains, wedges, axes, hoes, horseshoes and horseshoe nails. He not only manufactured these various articles for use in the shop but devoted his time dur- ing the evenings to making them for sale, thus early giving evidence of thrift which became one of his prominent characteristics. 'After completing his appren- ticeship he returned to Kentucky and carried on his trade in that state. In the fall of 1837 he removed with his family to Carrollton, Greene county, Illinois, where his father had located a few years previous. He conducted a blacksmith shop for two years and then entered government land six miles east of White- hall. On this place he erected a log house, also a blacksmith shop and devoted a part of his time to his trade and the remainder to his farm. In the fall of 1853 he arrived in Macoupin county and settled on three hundred and thirty acres of land near Virden. The history of his life from that time forward is closely inter- woven with the history of the agricultural development of this section of the state. He was energetic, ambitious and resourceful and during the thirty years of his residence in Macoupin county he amassed a fortune. He died in the fall of 1883 and was buried in Virden cemetery. In Kenucky Mr. Henderson was married to Miss Almira Blaine Reid and they had three children : Samuel B., who died in 1849; John P., of this review; and Mary, who became the wife of John Woodson and died at St. Louis in 1880, leaving two children, Julia and Alma. The mother of these children died in Greene county in 1845 and Mr. Henderson was married to Miss Elizabeth Davis, who became the mother of two children, Leslie and Robert, both of whom are deceased. After the death of his second wife he married Miss Nancy Ann Wells. By this union two children were born, Lillian W. and James H., both of whom are now deceased. Nancy Ann Hender- son died February 21, 1906.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.