USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 54
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MR. AND MRS. HENRY GEHNER, SR.
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1866 he bought eighty acres of raw prairie land in Cahokia township, Macoupin county, and there established his home .. Two months after arriving here he purchased sixty acres additional and after ten or twelve years of successful application to agriculture and stock-raising he acquired a tract of one hundred and sixty acres adjoining, making in all three hundred acres of which he was the owner. He has, however, disposed of twenty-two acres and still holds two hundred and seventy-eight acres. He is recognized as a representative man who has nobly performed his part in the development of the resources of this region.
In 1857 Mr. Gehner was married to Miss Wilhelmina Mary Schweppe, who was born in Germany, and they have had eight children, seven of whom survive: Mary, the wife of Louis Eickmeyer, a farmer of Cahokia township; Henry and William, both of whom are engaged in farming in the same township; Fred, a merchant of Garrison, North Dakota; Charlotte, who married John Arkebauer, of Downs, Kansas; Herman, who is engaged in teaching in the schools of Shawano, Wisconsin; and Ludwig, who is now in charge of the home place. The mother of these children died in 1878 and in the year following Mr. Gehner was married to Miss Caroline Sophia Weisbrodt, also a native of Germany. By this union five children have been born, namely: Edward, a farmer of Ireton, Iowa; Minnie, the wife of Fred Miller, of Montgomery county, Illinois ; John, who is a teacher in the schools of Champaign, Illinois; Caroline, who married Edward Wrede, of Harcourt, Iowa; and Catherine, a resident of Alma, Missouri.
Mr. Gehner is justly proud of the fact that he cast his first vote after arriving in his adopted country for Abraham Lincoln as president of the United States and he has never wavered in support of the party with which the name of Lin- coln will ever be connected. In religious belief he adheres to the church of his parents-the Evangelical Lutheran-and his children were reared in this faith. When he arrived in America Mr. Gehner had about eight dollars in German money in his pocket. It represented his entire financial resources. He possessed, however, two strong arms and a courageous heart and through their aid he attained financial independence. He truly deserves the confidence and respect which is accorded him by all who have the honor of his acquaintance.
DANIEL DERR.
Daniel Derr, whose demise occurred at Virden on the 4th of March, 1886, was for a number of years actively and successfully identified with general agricul- tural pursuits in Macoupin county, owning and cultivating six hundred acres of land. His birth occurred in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of July, 1816, his parents being Daniel and Margaret (Greater) Derr, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. Unto them were born five children, namely : Charles G., and Samuel, both of whom are deceased; Eliza, the deceased wife of Daniel Landis; Daniel, of this review; and Leah, who has also passed away.
Vol. II-27
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Daniel Derr began learning the miller's trade when a boy and followed that occupation until 1868. In that year he came to Macoupin county, Illinois, pur- chasing and locating on a farm of six hundred acres in Macoupin and Mont- gomery counties, the county line dividing his farm. The further cultivation and improvement of that property claimed his attention until he put aside the active work of the fields in 1881 and took up his abode at Virden. There he lived re- tired throughout the remainder of his life, enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of his former toil. In connection with the tilling of the soil he had also devoted considerable attention to stock, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income.
On the 9th of January, 1842, Mr. Derr was united in marriage to Miss Lo- vina Ott, who was also a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, which was the birthplace of her parents, John and Elizabeth (Newcomer) Ott. She was born November 7, 1821, and was next to the youngest in a family of ten children. In early life she united with the German Reformed church, of which she was ever a faithful member until she joined the Presbyterian church at Virden. Mr. and Mrs. Derr became the parents of four children, as follows: Elmina, who owns the home place at Virden ; Emma, who is a resident of Springfield, Illinois ; Mary, the wife of John F. Huston, of Houston, Texas; and Alice, who is the wife of Dr. M. H. Farmer, of Virden. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 22d of August, 1894.
Mr. Derr gave his political allegiance to the democracy and was a Presby- terian in religious faith. His life was upright and honorable in all its relatons and he well merited the confidence and esteem which were uniformly accorded him.
CAPTAIN ARCHIBALD BURNS.
A valiant soldier when the republic was endangered in the great Rebellion, a useful citizen in times of peace and a true friend to his fellow men, Captain Archibald Burns, of Macoupin county, is remembered with deep respect by all who came within the circle of his influence. He was a native of Bath, County Down, Ireland, born July 12, 1837. His parents were George and Jane (Mc- Clellan) Burns, both of whom were born and spent their entire lives on the Emerald isle.
Captain Burns possessed limited advantages of education in his boyhood but he was through life of an observing nature and by reading and contact with the world overcame the disadvantages under which he labored in his earlier years. He left home when young and spent two years with an older brother, Thomas, in Scotland. At the age of thirteen he emigrated to America and first took up his residence in Pennsylvania where he secured employment in the coal mines. Subsequently he came to Illinois and for several years worked in the mines at Alton. He was a lover of the Union and when President Lincoln called for de- fenders of the flag, in the spring of 1861, he responded and for three months was a member of Company G, Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. At the close of this period of service he enlisted for three years in Company D, Tenth Illinois
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Volunteers, and after his term of service had expired once more enlisted in the same company and regiment. Beginning as a private he was advanced through various grades and was honorably mustered out July 10, 1865, as captain of his company. After laying aside the accouterments of war he applied himself to farming in Macoupin county and as he was a man of industry and good judg- ment he prospered in his calling and became the owner of nine hundred acres of land in this county, also gaining a position as one of its most respected citizens.
On February 7, 1871, Captain Burns was married to Miss Susan Ferguson, a native of Macoupin county and a sister of David Ferguson, record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Burns inherited one hundred and sixty acres of land from her parents, which was the old Ferguson homestead where her father located as a pioneer in 1839. This tract still remains in possession of the family. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Burns, Henry J., Sarah Jane, Robert, George, Susan and Mary. The children are all living except George, who died in childhood, and reside with their mother.
The death of Captain Burns occurred August 13, 1906, after he had arrived at the age of seventy-four years, and the general expression of regret indicated that the community had lost one of its most esteemed citizens. His memory will remain as a benediction to all with whom he came in contact. He was a sincere believer in the, Christian religion and was long a member of the Baptist church but in his later years attended the Methodist Episcopal church. He be- longed to the Camp of the Grand Army of the Republic at Staunton and was also identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he adhered to the republican party but not as an office seeker, the only public place he ever held being that of supervisor, which he filled with general acceptance for several terms. A descendant of a worthy race, he honestly discharged his responsibilities, and it may be said of him that he was an earnest, loyal and true-hearted man whose greatest desire it was to contribute to the happiness of those with whom he was associated. Mrs. Burns is a woman of many estimable characteristics and proved a worthy companion to her husband. She and her children are well known in Macoupin county and their home is a center of hospitality where friends are always assured of a cordial greeting.
CHARLES EDGAR BOSTON.
Charles Edgar Boston, one of the proprietors of the Girard Planing Mill, was born in Nilwood township, Macoupin county, Illinois, on the 6th of May, 1878. He is a son of Benjamin F. and Tabitha (Dalton) Boston, the father, also a native of this county, while the mother was born in Kansas. Benjamin F. Boston, the son of Reuben Boston. learned the carpenter's trade in his early manhood, following it in connection with the cultivation of his farm. He re- sided in Nilwood township and vicinity until 1905, when he removed to the southern portion of the state where he continues to live.
Reared on a farm Charles Edgar Boston obtained his education in the country schools of Nilwood township, after which he learned the carpenter's
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trade. Leaving home in 1893 he went to Arkansas, where he spent two years in a lumber camp. He then went west for a year, returning to Macoupin county in 1896 and devoting his energies to the cultivation of the home farm until 1898. In the latter year he went to Kansas where he remained for a time and went from there to North Dakota. He returned in 1899 and spent two years in agri- cultural pursuits, subsequently coming to Girard, where he and Charles Gates were associated in the carpentry trade for seven years. In 1908 he became associated with C. H. Corey and together they purchased the H. K. Young plan- ing mill, which they have ever since operated under the name of the Girard Planing Mill. This venture has proven to be very successful and they are doing a good business.
Nilwood township was the scene of the marriage of Mr. Boston and Miss Virginia L. Campbell on the 16th of April, 1902. Mrs. Boston is a daughter of Louis and Sarah (Hayward) Campbell, natives of Virginia. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Boston, Carroll Edwin and Stanley Dale Boston.
Mr. and Mrs. Boston affiliate with the Baptist church, and he also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of Girard Lodge, No. 192, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs and is now deputy. He is a member of Carpenter's Union, No. 1234 of Girard, of which organiza- tion he is financial and recording secretary. His political prerogatives he ex- ercises in support of the democratic party, and is now alderman from the first ward of Girard, to which office he was elected in 1910. The various official posi- tions to which he has been elected in both the municipality and private organiza- tions manifest the regard in which Mr. Boston is held generally in his community, among whose citizens he numbers many loyal friends.
HUGH WILSON.
Hugh Wilson, superintendent of Mine No. I, Staunton, Macoupin county, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, on the 26th of January, 1859, being a son of James and Margaret (Reid) Wilson. The parents were natives of the same portion of Scotland and there they spent their entire lives. They were residents of the vil- lage of Dreyhorn, where for forty-five years the father worked in the mines. He was a capable and trustworthy man and his abilities being recognized he was ad- vanced until he became superintendent. To Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson were born ten children, in order of birth they are as follows: John, who is deceased; Hugh, our subject ; James, who is also deceased; William, superintendent of the Streator Coal Company of Peoria, Illinois ; David, who is a resident of Roanoke, Minnesota ; and Thomas and Elizabeth, both of whom are deceased; Agnes, the wife of James MacDonald, of Scotland; Janet, the wife of James Henderson of Scotland, and Margaret, who is deceased.
Being one of the elder members of a family of ten, Hugh Wilson was not given the advantage of acquiring a very good education. In common with the majority of the lads in the mining districts of his native country he became a wage earner at eleven years of age. When he was seventeen years old he be-
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came a miner with a younger brother working under him as an apprentice. He continued in this vocation until he reached the age of nineteen when he went to Bradford, England, where for four years he worked in a woolen factory. Al- ways having been most desirous of becoming a citizen of the United States, he determined to realize his ambition and with this purpose in view carefully saved a portion of his meager earnings each month, until he had acquired the necessary passage money. Upon his arrival in this country he made his way westward to Illinois, following various occupations at different points. He subsequently worked in New Mexico, Kansas and Missouri, then went back to Scotland on a visit. Upon his return to this country he settled in Kinmundy, Illinois, where he worked for eleven years. At the expiration of that period he came to Staunton to take a position in the mines and, possessing more than average ability besides being steady and reliable, he was advanced to mine examiner and eventually made superintendent of Mine No. I, in which capacity he continues to serve. He has the supervision of three hundred and fifty workmen and has an output from his mine of seventeen hundred tons of coal per day. Thrifty and persevering Mr. Wilson has acquired a very comfortable residence and some other real estate in Staunton.
Mr. Wilson has been twice married, his first union being in 1886 with Miss Mary. Hamilton, who passed away in 1901. Unto them were born three children, two of whom are deceased : James, the first born; and Hugh, the youngest mem- ber of the family. Robert, the second son, is living and continues to make his home with his father. In 1905 Mr. Wilson married Miss Mary Anne Boyle, and they have become the parents of three children : Anna, David and Hugh, Jr.
In religious faith the family are Presbyterians, Mr. Wilson being a trustee of the church. He is affiliated with several fraternal orders, being a member of both the Knights of Pythias and Masonic orders of Staunton, and the Knights of Honor of Kinmundy, while both he and his wife hold membership in the Order of the Eastern Star. Ever since granted the right of suffrage by naturalization, he has cast his ballot for the republican party, and he is now a member of the town council.
JOHN H. BRUBAKER.
One of the fine homesteads of Virden township is the one hundred and sixty acre farm of John H. Brubaker, located on section 18. In addition to the cul- tivation of his farm Mr. Brubaker devotes a great deal of attention to religious work, having been pastor of the Church of the Brethren for the past sixteen years.
He was born in Clark county, Ohio, on the 15th of May, 1852, his parents being Jacob and Anna (Frantz) Brubaker, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio. In his early manhood Jacob Brubaker moved to the Buck- eye state, where he met the lady who subsequently became his wife. In the fall of 1863 they removed to Illinois. locating on a farm in Virden township, Macou- pin county, in the cultivation of which the father successfully engaged in con- nection with stock-raising for many years. He was one of the enterprising.
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public-spirited citizens of the community and took an active interest in advanc- ing the development of this section of the county. As a Christian man he was actively and earnestly interested in all religious matters, contributing liberally both of his time and money in promoting the church with which he affiliated. He passed away on the 12th of March, 1894, and was laid to rest in Pleasant Hill cemetery, the land for which had been contributed by himself and his son John H. The mother survived for many years thereafter, her death occurring on the 19th of December, 1906. To Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker were born nine children: Elizabeth, the deceased wife of the late George Shull, of Virden township; Nancy, the wife of James A. Shull, also of Virden; Sarah, who died when she was six years of age; Catherine, the deceased wife of Jacob Blicken- staff of Ottawa, Kansas; Phoebe, who was fifteen years old at the time of her death; John H., our subject ; Samuel S., a resident of Virden ; Ezra, who is liv- ing in Macoupin county ; and Martha, who died in infancy.
As he was a lad of eleven years when his parents settled in Macoupin county John H. Brubaker had been a pupil of the common schools of his native state for several years, the course there pursued being supplemented by further study after locating here. While attending the district school he was becoming ac- quainted with the best methods of cultivating the fields and caring for the stock, under the capable supervision of his father. He continued at home with his parents until his marriage at the age of twenty-three years, when he began his independent career as an agriculturist. For two years thereafter he cultivated ninety acres of rented land and then removed to a tract of one hundred and eighty-seven acres, which he leased for three years. At the expiration of that period he purchased his father's homestead, where he has ever since resided. Mr. Brubaker's agricultural efforts have proven very successful and he is now one of the substantial farmers of Virden township. In addition to the cultivation of his extensive fields he devotes much time and attention to stock-raising, both having proven to be very lucrative.
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Mr. Brubaker, who has married twice, was first united to Miss Lizzie Neher, their marriage being solemnized on the 7th of February, 1875. Mrs. Brubaker was a daughter of John and Lydia (Studebaker) Neher, by whose union were born four children, as follows: Eliza, who is deceased; Lizzie, who passed away on the 8th of August, 1903; David, a resident of Elcampo, Texas; Elma, the deceased wife of Jacob Shutt, of Girard. Both Mr. and Mrs. Neher had been previously married, his first union having been with a Miss Gharst, who bore him three children: Michael, who is deceased; Noah, who was a resident of Lordsburg, California, but is now deceased; and Susan, the wife of Charles C. Gibson, of Girard, Illinois. Mrs. Neher's first husband was a Mr. Wirt, by whom she had two sons, John, who is deceased; and James, who is living in Virden township.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker consisted of seven children: Vida Olive, who was born on the Ist of August, 1880, the wife of H. H. Masterson, of Virden; Irvin J., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Stella C., who was born on the 17th of July, 1884, and is living at home ; Herschel, who was born in February, 1887, and died in infancy ; D. Earl, who was born in August, 1888, and is at home ; Arthur, who was born in June, 1891, and died
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when a little over two years of age; and Ethel Mae, who was born April 2, 1895, and is also at home.
On the 26th of May, 1909, Mr. Brubaker was married the second time to Miss Elizabeth Howe. Her parents, William and Sarah (Mohler) Howe, were both natives of Pennsylvania and have now passed away. In their family were twelve children, namely: Sarah, the deceased wife of Noah Rudy, of Illinois; Joseph, also deceased ; Jacob, a resident of Pennsylvania ; Mary, deceased; Eliza- beth, now Mrs. Brubaker; Anna and John, both deceased; Emma Jane, the wife of C. S. Van Dyke, of North Dakota; Aramina Ellen, the wife of William Kinsey, of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania; William Mohler, a resident of Johns- town, that state; Edward Martin, who is also living in Pennsylvania ; and Roland L., of Philadelphia. Mrs. Brubaker was for some years a teacher in the public schools of Pennsylvania and Iowa, and for almost two years was matron in an orphanage in the former state. From 1884 until 1894 she was connected with Juniata College, where she was graduated in the teacher's course with the class of 1885. On resigning her position as teacher in that institution she spent seven years in a Chicago mission, studying for two years of that period at Moody Institute. Returning to Pennsylvania, she was engaged in Bible mission work for a year and then went to Brooklyn, New York, where she was con- nected with a city mission and also attended Dr. White's Bible Teachers Train- ing School in New York city. Since her marriage she has been associated with her husband in his work and they are now conducting a mission at Greenridge, near Girard.
During the long years of his residence in Virden township Mr. Brubaker's life has ever been such as to indicate that he is striving, as nearly as possible, to emulate the teachings of Him he has elected to follow, both his private and public relations being guided by those principles which he advocates.
IRVIN J. BRUBAKER.
Irvin J. Brubaker, the eldest son of John H. and Lizzie (Neher) Brubaker, was born on the 28th of December, 1882, in Virden township. He was reared on a farm, acquiring his early education in the district schools of the vicinity, after the completion of which he attended the Pleasant Hill high school. As is common with the majority of farmer lads while attending school, he assisted with the work of the fields, and thus, by the time he was ready to lay aside his text-books, he had acquired a very thorough understanding of practical agri- cultural methods. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty- five years old when he married and established a home of his own. For one year thereafter he engaged in the cultivation of an eighty acre tract of rented land, but at the expiration of that period he leased another eighty acre tract adjoining his father's farm and also rented a portion of the old homestead. Here he has ever since continued to reside devoting his attention to general farming and stock-raising with increasing success.
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Dayton, Ohio, was the scene of the marriage of Mr. Brubaker and Miss Bertha Mumma, the ceremony being performed on Christmas day, 1907. Mrs. Brubaker is a daughter of George F. and Lizzie (Denlinger) Mumma, natives of the Buckeye state, now residing in the vicinity of Dayton. Their family numbered five: Bertha, now Mrs. Brubaker; Ida, who is deceased; Melvin, who is a resident of Dayton, Ohio; Esta, who is also deceased; and one dying in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker are the proud parents of two daughters : Fern Elizabeth, who was born on the 19th of February, 1909; and Orpha Pearl, whose birth occurred on the 4th of April, 1910.
In matters religious they affiliate with the Church of the Brethren and, politically, Mr. Brubaker is a republican but has never been an office seeker. He is one of the progressive and energetic young agriculturists of Virden town- ship, whose efforts are being rewarded in a very substantial manner.
WILLIAM J. SOLOMON.
William J. Solomon is a representative of one of Macoupin county's very earliest pioneer families, his people having located here in 1825-the fourth family to settle in the county. He was born in North Palmyra township on the 3d of December, 1845, a son of Jesse J. and Nancy (Hollingsworth) Solomon.
The Solomons are of Welsh and English extraction. The first members of the family to locate in America settled in Maryland and North Carolina during the colonial period. They were ever loyal citizens, true to the principles of the colon- ists, the great-grandfather having fought in the Revolution under General Mar- ion. On one occasion while he was away fighting for independence the tories visited his home on a tour of pillage. His wife, recognizing the futility of resist- ance, quietly permitted them to confiscate whatsoever they desired until they started to take some valuable yarn. Realizing this could be of no possible use to them she quickly and most rightfully resented their conduct and immediately began to defend her property and rights as a citizen, and with the aid of a poker, quietly seized from before the open fire, succeeded in driving off the marauders.
Louis Solomon, the grandfather of our subject, was born in North Carolina in 1780, and there he was reared and educated. In 1798 he married Sarah Bow- den, a daughter of John Bowden. She was a representative of a well known family, her father having been a prominent and affluent citizen of Franklin county. In 1811 they removed with their family from North Carolina to Logan county, Kentucky, where they resided for ten years. At the expiration of that period they went to Muhlenberg county, that state, and there Jesse J. Solomon, the father of our subject, was born on the 17th of February, 1823. Louis Solo- mon was an agriculturist, but meeting with reverses through the failure of a bank, was forced to make a fresh start in business life, and, deciding that he preferred to do this in a new country, he came to Illinois in the fall of 1826. He hired a one-horse cart for ten dollars and in this vehicle the mother and three younger children rode, while the other members of the family, twelve in all, walked from their home in Kentucky to Illinois. That winter they lived in a sod house and in
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