USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 6
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While ever a faithful soldier, General Rinaker gladly resumed the practice of law with the return of peace and throughout the intervening years has re- mained a most prominent member of the Carlinville bar. He never seems to neglect a point which will bear upon his cause and at the same time he gives due relative emphasis to every point advanced. His gift of oratory is an element of his success and it is employed with equal force on the political hustings, for he has long been regarded as one of the effective speakers of the state. He has served as presidential elector for the district in which he resides and in 1876 was one of the presidential electors for the state at large. He voted with the democracy until 1858, when with the growth of new issues and the discus- sion of more vital problems, he joined the ranks of the republican party, which, however, at that time did not constitute a third of the voting population of Macoupin county nor of any county south of Springfield. General Rinaker felt, however, that the democratic party was used simply as the bulwark of slavery and that it no longer held to the tenets of Jefferson and Jackson but advanced the ideas of the slave propagandists and the advocates of nullifica- tion and secession. He, therefore, did not hesitate to sever his allegiance with the party which he had hitherto supported and joined forces with the organiza- tion formed to prevent the further extension of slavery and the suppression of the secession movement. In 1874 the republican party nominated him for Con-
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gress but he was defeated. However, his popularity was evidenced in the fact that he ran three hundred and fifty votes ahead of his ticket in Macoupin county. In 1894 he was more successful, as he was returned by his district as a member of Congress and served in that body with commendable zeal and credit.
On the 16th of October, 1855, General Rinaker was married to Miss Clarissa Keplinger, who was born in a log cabin on a farm near Franklin, Morgan county, Illinois, July 18, 1834. Her parents were Samuel and Permelia (Green) Keplinger, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Ohio. John Green, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Rinaker, left Virginia in order to get away from slavery influences. He was born in Virginia and was of English descent. He was both a farmer and preacher and filled the office of justice of the peace. He married Susanna Winter, whose father was of Holland Dutch descent. Susanna Winter was born in Maryland and was married in Rocking- ham county, Virginia, whence a removal was made to Knox county, Ohio, in 1805, occasioned by the opposition of John Green to slavery. In 1822 they became residents of Morgan county, Illinois, settling on a farm near Jackson- ville, where they built the first brick house in the county, it remaining their home until their death. They had ten children, including Permelia, who became the wife of Samuel Keplinger. He was a son of John Keplinger, who was born in Maryland and was both a farmer and miller, operating a mill in Maryland, Tennessee and Illinois. He hired a substitute for the war of 1812. He married Elizabeth Rubel and after rearing several children they passed away in Morgan county. Both the Keplingers and Rubels were of German descent. This couple were the paternal grandparents of Mrs. Rinaker. Her father, Samuel Kep- linger, was a blacksmith by trade and about 1828, when eighteen years of age, removed from Tennessee to Illinois. He purchased land near Franklin and followed farming and at the same time conducted a smithy, being an expert blacksmith. He eventually gave up the trade, however, to devote his undivided attention to agricultural pursuits. He was born June 22, 1809, and died on the old home place in 1886, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1811 and died on the home farm in Morgan county, Illinois, in July, 1884, at the age of seventy-three years. Both were members of the Methodist church. Of their family of twelve children eight lived to adult age and five still survive, namely: Mrs. Rinaker, who was the eldest; Hardin G., a banker of Franklin, Illinois; Lewis W., who practices law in Kan- sas City, Kansas ; Martin Luther, a lawyer of Carlinville; and Ella, the wife of John W. Smith, of Kidder, Missouri.
Mrs. Rinaker was reared in Morgan county, was a student in the Illinois Conference Female Academy and began teaching when not quite sixteen years of age. On the 16th of October, 1855, she became the wife of General Rinaker and unto them were born five children, of whom the eldest, Mary Virginia, died in infancy. Thomas, the second in order of birth, now in partnership with his father in the practice of law, married Fannie Kelly, of Kankakee, Illinois, and they have four children, Clarissa, Harriet, Thomas K. and Janet. Samuel Rinaker, also a lawyer now residing in Beatrice, Nebraska, married Carrie Mayo and has two children, Samuel M. and Carrie. John I., an architect of Spring-
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field, wedded Nellie Otwell and they have two children, Dorothy S. and John I. Lewis, a lawyer of Chicago, who for four years was county judge, married Olive M. Vancil and they had six children, of whom four are living, Virginia, Winifred, Isabel and Robert.
Throughout the period of his residence in Illinois General Rinaker has held a high position in the regard of his fellowmen. His political position has never made him social enemies and, although others have differed from him in opinion he has ever had high appreciation for the genuine worth of his fellowmen. He possesses fine conversational powers and above all his sense of justice and high principles have gained for him his present position in public regard-a position that any might well envy.
JAMES ALLEN MCCLURE.
James Allen McClure, the present mayor of Carlinville, has resided in that town for the past fifteen years and has devoted his attention to real estate and other interests. His birth occurred in Carlinville, Illinois, on the 7th of August, 1859, his parents being Milton and Martha K. (Neale) McClure. The father was born at Nicholasville, Jessamine county, Kentucky, in 1832, while the mother was a native of Springfield, Illinois. Although a native of the Blue Grass state, Milton McClure was descended from an old Virginia family and his ancestors were men of education and worth. His grandfather, the Rev. Allen McClure, united with the Presbyterian church and in early manhood became a minister of that denomination. He took up his abode among the early settlers of Kentucky and was one of the original members of the first synod of the Presbyterian church of that state. As a pioneer preacher of Paris, Bour- bon county, he did noble and effective work. His son, James Allen McClure, the father of Milton McClure, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, and was still quite young when the family removed to Kentucky. He was educated for the ministry but did not choose to follow that profession, preferring a mercan- tile life. In Jessamine county he wedded Miss Frances Dickerson, a native of that county and a daughter of Martin and Rebecca Dickerson. Some years later he removed to Shelbyville, Tennessee, and there engaged in merchandis- ing, also conducting branch stores at other places. Unfortunately, however, he lost his property and about 1828 returned to Kentucky, remaining in Jessamine county until 1834. In that year he came to Illinois, traveling via the Kentucky and Mississippi rivers to Columbiana, Greene county. He made his home in Carrollton for one year and then joined the pioneers of Macoupin county, en- tering government land in Carlinville township. Taking up 'a claim of one hun- dred and twenty acres, he erected thereon a double log house. His children im- proved the land and he remained thereon until after the death of his wife, which occurred in 1844. The same year he was appointed clerk in the land office at Washington, D. C., by President Polk and, being reappointed by President Tay- lor, served in that capacity until his demise in 1849. He acted as assessor of Macoupin county at an early day, visiting every family, and in 1840 took the
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county census. Unto him and his wife were born six sons and six daughters.
Milton McClure, the father of the gentleman whose name introduces this review, was brought to Macoupin county during his infancy and assisted in the work of the home farm as soon as his age and strength permitted. His primary education was acquired under the direction of his father and in an old-fashioned log schoolhouse where writing was done with a quill pen. The methods of in- struction were very primitive as compared to those of the present day. When a youth of fourteen he became a student at Carlinville and two years later en- tered Shurtleff College at Upper Alton, remaining in that institution for three years and receiving a recommendation from the faculty as a competent teacher. Instead, however, he became a clerk in the drug store of his brother-in-law, Dr. L. J. Woods, and studied medicine when his clerical duties would permit. A year later he became a dry-goods clerk, being employed in that capacity until 1856, when he was elected sheriff of Macoupin county. He held the office for two years and was afterward engaged in business as a merchant and live stock dealer until 1863. From that time until 1889 he carried on a successful enter- prise as the proprietor of a drug store, eventually selling out in order that he might enjoy more leisure. Agricultural interests always claimed his attention and he owned a farm of four hundred and eighty acres. In 1865 he was ap- pointed United States commissioner by President Johnson, serving in that capacity for a number of years. He acted as president of the First National Bank of Carlinville for twenty-five years and assisted in the organization of the Carlinville National Bank, of which institution he was a director. Milton Mc- Clure was a member of the village board of trustees and also acted as justice of the peace for about twelve years. In 1872 he was sent as a delegate to the democratic national convention at Baltimore, while in 1884 he was elected to the state board of equalization, remaining a member thereof for four years. During the last few years of his life he lived retired, passing away at Carlin- ville in January, 1903, in the faith of the Presbyterian church. The county thus lost one of its most prominent, influential and respected citizens-one who had promoted its various interests in no uncertain degree. In 1854 he had wedded Miss Martha K. Neale, a daughter of General Thomas M. Neale, who served as a general in the Black Hawk war and was at one time associated with Abraham Lincoln in the practice of law at Springfield, where his demise occurred in early manhood. Mrs. Martha K. McClure died at Hot Springs, Arkansas, on the 3d of March, 1908, when seventy-three years of age, passing away in the faith of the Baptist church. She was the mother of two children, namely : James Allen, of this review; and Harriet B., the deceased wife of Thomas Mellersh.
James Allen McClure was reared in Carlinville and obtained his early edu- cation in the public schools, later entering Blackburn University, of which in- stitution he is a graduate. After putting aside his text-books he worked in his father's drug store and later went to St. Louis, where he was the proprietor of a brokerage house for a number of years. Subsequently he went to San Fran- cisco and on leaving the western coast returned to St. Louis. For the past fifteen years, however, he has made his home in Carlinville, devoting his at- tention to real estate and other interests. He owns farm lands in Carlinville
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and Shaws Point township and also has extensive holdings in Texas and Min- nesota.
In 1905 Mr. McClure was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Agnes Davis, of Carthage, Missouri, her father being Landon Davis. Mr: McClure is a stanch democrat in politics and on the 17th of April, 1911, was elected mayor of Car- linville, in which capacity he is now serving, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many measures of reform and improvement. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to Orient Lodge. He is well known and highly esteemed throughout his native county and is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family.
WILLIAM A. TROUT, M. D.
Thirty years ago Dr. William A. Trout began the practice of medicine at Atwater, and he has ever since continued at the same place, acquiring a reputa- tion as a physician and surgeon seldom accorded to practitioners outside of the large cities. He has prospered financially and he and his family occupy the fin- est residence at Atwater.
He was born in St. Charles county, Missouri, June 14, 1853, a son of Elkanah D. and America C. (Anderson) Trout, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The father emigrated to Missouri and later came with his family to Macoupin county, arriving in this locality after the close of the Civil war, in 1865. He purchased forty acres of unimproved land in Shaws Point township, which he cleared and improved, later acquiring more land, until he became the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He continued on this place during the remainder of his life, being called away March 16, 1902, at the age of eighty- six years. Mrs. Trout survived her husband seven years and died October 23, 1909. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Trout were seven children, three of whom besides the subject of this review are now living, namely : Dr. A. L. Trout, who is engaged in active practice at Walsenburg, Colorado; Mrs. J. P. Enslow, who lives at Atwater; and Mrs. Harriet M. McIntyre, of Litchfield, Illinois.
William A. Trout was reared in Missouri the first twelve years of his life and has since made his home in Illinois. He received his preliminary educa- tion in the district schools, and applied himself to his studies with such diligence that he became a teacher and engaged in that vocation for one year. Not be- ing satisfied with the restraints of the schoolroom, he gave up the idea of being a schoolmaster and for four years devoted his attention to farming. In the meantime, however, he discovered that his inclinations pointed to a medical ca- reer and, having made the necessary preparations, he matriculated in the Mis- souri Medical College, which is now a department of Washington University at St. Louis, and, after completing the regular course at that institution, was grad- uated March 2, 1881, with the degree of M. D. He began practice at Atwater and has continued at this place without interruption. He is the only physician in the town and his services are in demand throughout a wide region in Macoupin
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and adjoining counties. He stands in high favor with other physicians and is often called into consultation on difficult and complicated cases. Professionally he holds membership in the American Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical Society and the Macoupin County Medical Society. Soon after tak- ing up his residence at Atwater he opened a drug store, and he has ever since been identified with that line of business. He is a regular pharmacist and his store is well patronized, as people know that they can here receive what they call for, and that the quality will be the best that can be found in the market. Dr. Trout owns the building in which the store is located, and is also the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of farm land in the state of Mississippi and four hun- dred and eighty acres in Kansas. He is a stockholder and director of the Bank of Atwater, which is capitalized at ten thousand, five hundred dollars and is a highly flourishing institution.
On the IIth of September, 1895, Dr. Trout was married to Miss Mary Thomas, a daughter of A. J. and Mary (McIntyre) Thomas, both of whom were born in Mississippi. The father was for many years engaged in farming in his native state and died at his old homestead in 1904, after reaching the age of seventy-two years. The mother is still living and resides on the home farm near Jackson, Mississippi. She is seventy-six years of age and is one of the highly honored members of the community.
Dr. Trout is prominent in the Masonic order, being a member of the blue lodge at Raymond and the Knights Templar lodge at Litchfield, Illinois. Polit- ically he has, ever since he cast his first ballot, been a supporter of the demo- cratic party and religiously, he and his wife, affiliate with the Christian church. His record is a striking illustration of the effect of energy and ability controlled by worthy ambition and applied to noble ends. Thoroughly trained as a young man for the duties of his profession, he has made a success of it and, as he also possesses the business instinct, he has accumulated valuable property and has gained high standing among the business men of the county. In all his dealings he has been thoroughly honest and upright, and thus he laid a secure founda- tion for the splendid reputation which he today enjoys.
ANDREW C. ROSENTRETER.
Andrew C. Rosentreter, a popular young business man of Carlinville, was born in this city February 10, 1885, and has become an acknowledged factor in commercial circles of a community where he has been known from his boyhood. He is a descendant of worthy German ancestry, his parents being Andrew and Rosa (Schultz) Rosentreter, both of whom were born in Germany. The father grew to maturity in the old country and engaged in farming; but believing that conditions were more favorable in America, he emigrated to this country and for two years rented land in Brushy Mound township, Macoupin county. He then moved to Carlinville township, where he now lives, in the successful pursuit of a calling with which he has been closely identified ever since his youth.
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Mr. Rosentreter of this sketch was reared in a family of ten children and was early taught lessons of industry and perseverance which assisted very ma- terially in the formation of his character. He attended the district schools and also the public schools of Carlinville and carried his studies further at Springfield, Illinois, where he pursued a course in the Illinois Business College. After re- turning from this institution he assisted his father for two years on the home farm and then came to Carlinville, associating with W. A. Green in the con- fectionery and ice cream business. They continued together until August 3, 19II, when Mr. Rosentreter purchased the interest of his partner, and has since conducted the business in his own name. He is a man of good taste and his establishment is one of the most attractive of the kind in the city. As the result of his careful attention to the wants of customers he enjoys a large and lucrative patronage.
Fraternally Mr. Rosentreter is a valued member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Columbus. Politically he is an earnest advocate of the principles of the democratic party and is now serving as tax collector of Carlinville township. His religious belief is indicated by membership in the Roman Catholic church. As a youth he was imbued with the worthy ambition to gain an honorable standing among his fellow men and, although he is now only twenty-six years of age, he finds himself at the head of a business which gives every promise of steady development. His many friends confidently prophesy for him continued progress.
AUSTIN LANDON.
For nearly thirty years Austin Landon, now deceased, was a resident of San- gamon and Macoupin counties, and few men in the community have been more highly respected. He was remarkably successful as a farmer and stock-raiser and in all his relations showed a breadth of spirit and an appreciation of the feel- ings and rights of others which marked him as a natural leader in the community. His death, which occurred July 21, 1910, when he was seventy years of age, occasioned profound regret among a wide circle of friends, and his memory will ever be sacredly cherished by those who had the honor of his acquaintance.
Born in Jersey county, Illinois, December 23, 1839, he was a son of William and Alvira (Cory) Landon. The parents were both natives of Vermont and came to Illinois at an early day. The mother was twice married, her first hus- band being a Mr. Cowan. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Landon, namely : Edward, deceased; Austin, of this review ; Oscar, also deceased ; Alice, who is the wife of B. F. Workman, of Auburn, Illinois; Horace, who also lives at Auburn; Mary, who married Marion Cowan, of Jersey county ; Emma, the wife of John Everts, of Missouri; Truman, deceased; William, a resident of Jersey county ; and Sarah, who married T. S. Chapman, of Jersey county.
Austin Landon was reared upon his father's farm and in the district schools secured the foundation of an education. After attaining his majority he took charge of a farm belonging to his father and later purchased one hundred and
MRS. AUSTIN LANDON
AUSTIN LANDON
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sixty acres of land in Sangamon county, applying himself with such judgment and ability that he became the owner of nineteen hundred acres of valuable land, three hundred and twenty acres of which constituted the old home place in Jersey county, the remainder of his land holdings being in Sangamon county. He en- gaged in general farming and made a specialty of raising shorthorn cattle, in which he was fairly successful. He became the owner of a beautiful home at Virden, to which he moved with his family in 1882, making his residence in this city during the remainder of his life.
On March 27, 1866, Mr. Landon was married to Miss Alma Argo, a daughter of William and Clarissa (Bigelow) Argo, both of whom were natives of Ver- mont. By this union one child was born, Clara, who is now the wife of George McNaught and resides upon the old home place in Sangamon county. The father of Mrs. Landon came to Illinois with his family and settled upon a farm in Fulton county, becoming one of the prominent men of the community. There were ten children in his family, two of whom died in infancy, the others being : Jerome, now deceased ; Alma, now Mrs. Austin Landon ; Adrian, deceased ; Alice, who is the wife of William Rush, of Arkansas; Emily J., who married Frank Vansell, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; Ernest, who is living in St. Louis; Loren, a resident of Kansas; and Lucius, who makes his home at Auburn, Illinois.
Mr. Landon of this review was a stanch believer in the Bible and was a mem- ber of the Methodist church, whose teachings had an important influence in shap- ing his life. He gave his support to the republican party and, being a man of earnest convictions, there was never any doubt as to where he stood on important matters affecting the community or the state. He was diligent in his business, a lover of his home and his country, and never hesitated to make any personal sacrifice if it added to the happiness of those with whom he was associated. No record of Macoupin county would be complete without adequate mention of Austin Landon and the part he performed in the development of this section of the state, with which he was closely identified during all the years of an active and useful life.
ADDISON H. ELDRED.
Addison H. Eldred, who dates his residence in Macoupin county from the spring of 1856, was actively identified with general agricultural pursuits through- out his entire business career but for the past two decades has lived retired at No. 405 Johnson street in Carlinville. His birth occurred in Greene county, Illinois, on the Ist of December, 1828, his parents being Moses S. and Clarissa (Brace) El- dred, both of whom were natives of Herkimer county, New York. The paternal grandfather, Moses Eldred, was a native of Massachusetts and a farmer by occupation. He manufactured nails in the winter and devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits during the summer months. Both he and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Alice Stuart, passed away in Herkimer county, New York. Their children were as follows: Rufus, Addison, Moses S., Myron, Augustus, Flora, Fidelia and Carsena. Moses Eldred belonged to the Home Vol. II-4
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Guard State Militia. Jeduthan Brace, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Litchfield, Connecticut. He came to Illinois in 1828, joined his daughter in Greene county and assisted in erecting the house in which they lived. His demise occurred in Greene county when he had attained the age of eighty-four years, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Clarissa Bush- nell, there passed away when about seventy years old. Their children were three in number: Leonard, who participated in the war of 1812 as a musician : Ruth; and Clarissa.
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