USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 61
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
years. He then removed to the village of Nilwood where he spent the remainder of his life, being one of the successful merchants of the town.
On the 3d of September, 1857, Mr. Wolfe was married to Miss Faustina M. Magoon, who was born in Canada, a daughter of Ezra and Betsy (Mack) Magoon, the former of whom was a native of Canada and the latter of New Hampshire. Mrs. Wolfe is a granddaughter of Asa Mack, of New Hampshire, and a great-granddaughter of Cyrus Mack, who was one of the soldiers of the patriot army at the time of the Revolutionary war. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe five are now living: Arthur L. and Mary E., both of Nil- wood; George E., who married Minnie E. Otwell and resides in Norman, Min- nesota; Mabel, who became the wife of John Murphy, of Nilwood, and has one daughter, Ruth; and Faustina E., who lives at Nilwood. A son of Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe, Loren E., married Ella B. Corrington and died in 1893, leav- ing one child, Roland C., who is now living in Minnesota.
Mr. Wolfe was a valued member of Girard Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M., and was for many years a member of the Masonic order, having been made a Mason in 1855. He was also identified with the Odd Fellows and had many warm personal friends in those organizations. He gave his support to the repub- lican party and, being an earnest friend of education, served as a member of the school board, the only political office he ever held being that of supervisor. He died December 19, 1908, and for many years had faithfully discharged his duties as a citizen and the head of a family, setting an example of industry, integrity and perseverance worthy of the highest commendation. His memory will ever be deeply revered by all with whom he came in contact either in busi- ness or social relations.
PETER JACOBI.
The cultivation of a fine farm of two hundred and seventy acres in Bunker Hill township absorbs the attention of Peter Jacobi, one of the prosperous farmers of Macoupin county. He was born in Germany on the 14th of January, 1846, being a son of Caspar and Elizabeth (Colonias) Jacobi, who emigrated to the United States in 1853, locating in Brighton, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacobi there were born seven chil- dren : Philip, who is a resident of Chesterfield, Illinois; Peter, our subject ; Mary, who is still living in Brighton; Fred, who makes his home in Fayette, Illinois ; Lizzie, who is deceased; Anna, who lives in Jacksonville; and Louis, a resident of Denver, Colorado.
As he was only a lad of seven years when his parents brought him to the United States, Peter Jacobi obtained his education in the district schools of Brighton township. Leaving his studies he continued at home, assisting in the work of the farm until he was eighteen years of age. He responded to the call for volunteers in 1864 and, enlisting in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, he went to the front where he re- mained for four months. After the expiration of his period of service he re-
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turned to Brighton where he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for six years. He subsequently located on a farm in Brighton township, con- tinuing its cultivation until 1885, when he purchased his homestead in Bunker Hill township. This contains two hundred and seventy acres of land, all of which is in a high state of cultivation and well improved.
In 1871 Mr. Jacobi married Miss Minnie Heyer, who was born in St. Charles, Missouri, and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Heyer. Of the fifteen children born to them eleven are still living, namely: Minnie, at home; Lydia, who holds a civil service position at Anaconda, Montana ; Peter, a railway mail clerk at Bunker Hill, Illinois; Arnold and Fred, both residents of El Reno, Okla- homa ; Alvin, Caspar, Dora, Van and Milton, all at home; and Frances, the wife of Chester Pennington, of Bunker Hill.
Mr. and Mrs. Jacobi hold membership in the German Methodist Episcopal church, and his political support he gives to the republican party. He takes an active interest in all township affairs, and though never an office seeker for monetary rewards, held some minor offices. Mr. Jacobi is one of the thrifty and enterprising citizens of Bunker Hill township, whose unremitting energy intelligently applied has enabled him to attain the success to which he aspired.
THOMAS GRAY.
Thomas Gray, who is cultivating his father's old homestead located on sec- tion 21, Hilyard township, was born in Madison county, Illinois, on the 30th of July, 1856. He is the son of James and Matilda (Janes) Gray, the father being born in Virginia, in 1806, and the mother in Ohio. James Gray came to Illinois when a youth of seventeen years, first settling in Sangamon county, where he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits to which he had been trained from his boyhood. From there he removed to Madison county, continuing to be iden- tified with the same activity for three years. He subsequently came to Macoupin county where he was connected with farming interests until his death in 1897, at the age of ninety-one years. The family of Mr. and Mrs. James Gray num- bered thirteen, eight sons and five daughters. Of these three are now living: Mrs. Oliver M. Beebe, of this county; Hillary, who is also a resident of this county ; and Thomas, our subject.
The common schools of Macoupin county provided Thomas Gray with such educational advantages as he enjoyed, while his preliminary agricultural knowl- edge he acquired under the supervision of his father. General farming and stock-raising have always engaged his activities, his efforts at all times having . been so intelligently directed that he has met with good financial returns and now owns one of the valuable farms of Hilyard township, originally the prop- erty of his father.
For his wife Mr. Gray chose Miss Mary Howerton, their marriage taking place in Macoupin county, on the 9th of February, 1882. Miss Howerton was born near Brighton, Illinois, on the 19th of July, 1860, and was the daughter of Robert and Sophia (King) Howerton, both natives of this county. To Mr. and
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Mrs. Gray were born two daughters: Fannie, the wife of S. J. Johnson, of Fosterburg ; and Irene, who keeps house for her father, the mother having passed away on the 17th of March, 1886.
In religious faith Mr. Gray is a Baptist, while politically he is an earnest advocate of the principles of the democratic party. He has never prominently figured in community affairs, always having led a somewhat retired life, but he can at all times be depended upon to give his support to every movement for the general welfare.
WILLIAM R. GRAHAM.
One of the oldest commercial vocations of Carlinville is the drug business now being conducted by William R. Graham. He represents the third generation of his family to have been identified with this enterprise, which was originally es- tablished by his grandfather, Milo Graham, sixty years ago.
William R. Graham was born in Carlinville in October, 1877, and is a son of the late William D. and Mary (Rice) Graham, also natives of Macoupin county, the father having for many years been identified with the business now conducted by the son. To Dr. and Mrs. William D. Graham were born three children, of whom our subject is the youngest, the others being Florence, who became the wife of Howard O. Tally, and Frank, who passed away on the 30th of January, 1905. Dr. Graham is also deceased, his death occurring on the 16th of November, 1906, but his wife is still living and continues to make her home in Carlinville.
Almost the entire period of the life of William R. Graham has been spent amid the scenes made familiar during the days of his boyhood and youth. He was reared in Carlinville and pursued his education in the public schools of this city. After completing his high-school course he went to the State University at Chicago and matriculated in the pharmacy department, being graduated from this institution in the class of 1900, two years subsequent to his entrance. Im- mediately thereafter he returned to Carlinville and engaged in business with his father, who had purchased the interest of his former partner, A. M. Boring, in order to create a place for his son. They were associated together until the father's death, since which time Mr. Graham has been conducting the business alone. He has a most attractive store, modern in all of its appointments and containing a large and well assorted stock of drugs and sundries. The policy inaugurated when the business was established and maintained throughout the period of its existence, has resulted in the firm having acquired a reputation for unqualified trustworthiness and reliability, that has enabled them to build up a large and permanent patronage among a most desirable class of people.
Mr. Graham was married in February, 1895, to Miss Louise J. Graves, a daughter of Edmund Decalvis and Amanda (Carrico) Graves. The parents were both natives of Kentucky, in which state Mrs. Graham's birth occurred in February, 1876. The father engaged in farming in the Blue Grass state until his death in 1885. Soon thereafter his widow and family came to Macoupin
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county, locating in Girard, where they remained for four years, when they re- moved to Springfield. There, the mother, who is now sixty-six still makes her home. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have two daughters: Irene, who is fifteen, and Susan Louise, who is eleven years of age. The family, very happy in their home life, live at 404 East Second South street, where Mr. Graham owns his own residence.
They attend the Baptist church, of which both Mr. and Mrs. Graham are members, and he fraternally is identified with the Knights of Pythias. His political rights he exercises in support of the men and measures of the repub- lican party, and is now serving as a member of the board of education of Car- linville. Mr. Graham has established a record for business integrity and per- sonal worth that fully entitles him to the esteem he is accorded in the community, where his family has been held in the highest respect for over sixty years.
LAFAYETTE P. SMITH.
Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in financial circles in North Palmyra township than Lafayette P. Smith, not alone by reason of the success achieved but also owing to the fact that his business methods have ever been straightforward and honorable. Born in this county, near Scottville, on the 2d of November, 1852, he is a son of Jesse and Celia (Roach) Smith, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee respectively. Arnton Smith, the grandfather, was a blacksmith by trade and came to Illinois at an early day, locating on a farm here which he operated throughout the remainder of his life. His son, Jesse Smith, whose lifelong occupation was that of farm- ing, removed with his family to Jackson county, Missouri, in 1870, and there he and his wife both passed away. his death occurring in 1895. His wife died in 1885.
Lafayette P. Smith acquired his education in the common schools of Illinois and Missouri, and after laying aside his text-books accepted a position as clerk in a store in the latter state, in which capacity he was employed for about two years. He then returned to Illinois and for a time worked at Nilwood, Macou- pin county, after which he went to Girard and there engaged in clerking for the R. J. Walker Grain Company for a few years. In 1881 he arrived in Pal- myra and for a time was employed as bookkeeper and manager for the Duncan, Richie and Mahan Lumber & Grain Company, continuing in that capacity until November, 1885, when he became cashier of the Bank of Palmyra, holding that position until 1892. In the latter year he was admitted to a partnership in the firm, having acquired a third interest in the bank, and in 1900 was elected to the presidency of that institution, following the death of D. N. Solomon. Since accepting that office his interests have been fully identified with those of the bank, which under his wise management has become one of the safe and popular moneyed institutions of this district, capably controlled along conservative lines, every means being employed to protect the depositors and at the same time give them the benefit of a progressive business policy.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Mr. Smith is also interested in farming pursuits, being the owner of a fine property of one hundred and eighty acres, under the supervision of an overseer, and is an extensive raiser and feeder of cattle and hogs, this branch of his business being a substantial and gratifying source of income.
Mr. Smith was married, February 26, 1879, in Girard, Illinois, to Miss Min- nie Duncan, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Kitzmiller) Duncan, both natives of East Tennessee. The father, now deceased, was a merchant by occupation. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born five children, as follows : J. A., assistant cashier of the Bank of Palmyra, who married Irene Grimmitt, a daughter of W. T. Grimmitt, assistant postmaster of that place, where Mrs. Smith served as her father's deputy for several years; Mabelle, the wife of L. A. Davidson, a merchant of Mount Auburn, Illinois, by whom she has two children, Dean and Dale; Laura, the wife of Robert B. James, a merchant of Belton, Texas; Ethel, the wife of L. C. Lakin, senior partner and manager of the Lakin-McKey Manufacturing Company of Fort Scott, Kansas ; and Byron, at home with his parents.
Mr. Smith is a valued and exemplary member of the Baptist church of Palmyra and also belongs to Palmyra Lodge, No. 463, A. F. & A. M .; Girard Chapter, No. 132, R. A. M .; and the Modern Woodmen of America, of Pal- myra. He gives stalwart support to the democratic party, although the honors and emoluments of office have held no attraction for him, preferring to con- centrate his attention upon the conduct of his business affairs .. He has ever utilized his opportunities to the best advantage and, making steady progress in the business world, has today reached a position of prominence and influence. A dependable man under all circumstances, the simple weight of his character and ability has carried him into important business relations, and his career is in contradistinction to the old adage that "A prophet is not without honor save in his own country."
E. J. MCINTYRE.
Four hundred and seventy-two acres of well tilled land pays tribute to the agricultural skill of E. J. McIntyre, who was born in Keokuk, Iowa, on the 15th of October, 1860. His parents were James and Sarah (Jones) McIntyre, the father a native of Ireland, the mother of England. James McIntyre emi- grated to the United States from the Emerald isle in the early years of his manhood. first locating in New York, where he worked at the mason's trade for a year. He subsequently became a resident of Keokuk, where he was residing at the breaking out of the Civil war. In response to the love of free- com and patriotism inherent in every Irishman he responded to the country's call and went to the front, where he served most valiantly for four years. After receiving his discharge he returned to Keokuk, again engaging at his trade which he followed for eight years. In 1873 he came to Macoupin county, buying a farm and turning his attention to agricultural pursuits from then until his demise in March, 1910. The mother had passed away five years previously.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
A youth of thirteen when his parents settled in Macoupin county, E. J. McIntyre completed his preliminary education in the public schools of Carlin- ville, after which he attended Blackburn University. After the completion of his education he gave his entire time and attention to farming under the capable direction of his father, who took him into partnership when he attained his majority. From then until the latter's death they were associated in operating the farm upon which Mr. McIntyre is now residing. In connection with the tilling of his extensive fields he raises considerable stock, always keeping about sixty cows and twenty-two horses and raising sixty hogs annually.
In December, 1893, Mr. McIntyre married Miss Carrie Winter, a daughter of the late Samuel and Jane (Jones) Winter. Her father was a native of Eng- land, while her mother was born in North Carolina. Upon his arrival in this country, Mr. Winter first located in Chicago, where he followed teaming, later engaging in the meat business. After two years' residence in Illinois' metropolis he went to Dubuque, Iowa, where he followed the same business for three years, then came to Macoupin county. Here he purchased a farm that he operated very successfully until 1882, when he disposed of it and removed to Missouri. He bought land in the latter state, continuing to follow agricultural pursuits until his demise on the 27th of November, 1889. His wife is still living at the age of seventy-nine years and continues to make her residence on the Missouri homestead. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre: Roy, Everett, Allen and Hugh. The latter died in 1904.
In matters of religion Mr. McIntyre holds to the Episcopalian faith of his parents, while Mrs. McIntyre affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a democrat, and is now serving as township commissioner while for fifteen years he was school director. He has spent the greater portion of his life in the immediate vicinity of his homestead, and is well known in the community among whose citizens he numbers many stanch friends.
WILLIAM WILLIS RHOADS.
A member of one of the best known families in Macoupin county, William W. Rhoads, of Brighton, has possessed excellent opportunities of becoming acquainted with business methods and has been highly successful in the conduct of financial affairs. He was born near Plainview, May 13, 1872, and is now entering upon the prime of life with prospects of advancement which point to large activities in years to come.
His parents are Isaiah and Mary A. (Meehan) Rhoads, the former of whom was born at Rhoads Point, now Medora, and the latter in Iowa. Josiah Rhoads, the great-grandfather of our subject and his brothers Rev. Jacob, John, Jesse, father of Colonel W. C. Rhoads, of Civil war fame, and Rev. Samuel Rhoads, were natives of Kentucky and the founders of the family in Macoupin county. They entered government land in Macoupin and Jersey counties, locating their homes across the line in Jersey county, and were the first settlers in that portion of the state now known as Jersey and Macoupin counties. The place of their
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
location was afterward named Rhoads Point in their honor. The family has for many years been noted for its religious faith and has contributed eleven ministers to the Baptist church. Edmund and John V. Rhoads, uncles of our subject, were very liberal in their contributions to worthy causes and contributed thousands of dollars to religious and charitable work. John V. Rhoads was especially noted for his liberality and at one time had as his guests the entire Apple Creek Baptist Association. which consisted of several hundred persons.
Isaiah Rhoads, the father of our subject, was born in 1844 on the old Chis- holm farm, just across the line separating Macoupin from Jersey county. This place was a part of the original Rhoads homestead. The family acquired many hundred acres of land just north of Rhoads Point and there established the family home, when Isaiah was in his early boyhood. The latter engaged in farming and about 1900 removed to Granite City in order to carry forward under more favorable conditions the education of his children. He and his wife are now living at that place. They are both members of the Baptist church and have been prominent factors in the erection of the new church built at Granite City.
Amidst the environment of country life William W. Rhoads spent his youth- ful days. His attendance at school was limited to about two years as the family. was not in flourishing financial circumstances and his services were needed upon the home farm as soon as he was tall enough to handle a hoe or guide a plow. Through an innate perseverance he has overcome the early obstacles to intel- lectual advancement and by reading and study has become one of the best in- formed men in the community. He received only a few lessons in grammar and physiology at school but he became a teacher and in the course of an experience of three years as a schoolmaster proved himself to be quite proficient in those two branches. He worked as a farm laborer at fourteen dollars per month, paying seventy-five cents per month for laundry. When it was necessary for him to practice rigid economy he did not hesitate to do so. and upon arriving at the age of twenty-nine years he entered the timber business, with which he has ever since been connected, being now one of the large operators in this line. In order to give an idea of the magnitude upon which he carries forward his work it may be stated that he has furnished mining timbers for seventy-five mines and recently sold one million square feet of lumber. He is the owner of extensive timber land in five counties of the state and also conducts sawmills. Since 1903 he has maintained his business headquarters at Brighton.
On February 14. 1910, Mr. Rhoads was married to Miss Alice T. Moores, a daughter of Frank and Mertie (Kelsey) Moores, the latter being the eldest daughter of John Kelsey, the pioneer settler of the Kelsey family in Brighton township. Mrs. Rhoads was christened in the Episcopal church but attends the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Rhoads is a stanch supporter of the democratic party and ever since he reached voting age has been very active in the advancement of its interests. He was elected clerk of Polk town- ship at the age of twenty-one and has frequently been reelected to the office. Since 1904 he has been a member of the county board of supervisors, with the exception of one term when he was defeated. This is the only defeat he has ever experienced in a political campaign, but at one time was given a tie vote
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
when a candidate for clerk of Polk township. He has served as a delegate or alternate to the county conventions of the party ever since he reached his majority and has been sent to the state convention as a delegate many times, having also occupied a chair as alternate at the national convention.
Although Mr. Rhoads is not a member of any religious denomination he is a teacher in a Sabbath school and has been connected with Sabbath school and church work for the past fifteen years. He is a sincere believer in fraternal organizations and is a member of Hibbard Lodge, No. 249, A. F. & A. M .; Brighton Lodge No. 366, I. O. O. F .; and of the Encampment, being also con- nected with Plainview Camp, No. 1365, M. W. A. He has passed through all the chairs in the latter organization and has also filled all the chairs in the subordinate lodge of Odd Fellows, being at the present time acting past grand and secretary of the lodge. He has through life exhibited the qualities of perseverance, integrity and adherence to principles of truth and justice which have been leading characteristics of the honored family of which he is a representative. He has made friends wherever his name is known and. judging by what he has accomplished, there are large possibilities before him in years to come. He is gifted with sound business judgment and as his methods are eminently sane and practical he has apparently built upon a safe and secure foundation. His friends, who are many, have the utmost confidence in his continued advancement.
DOUGLAS M. BATES.
A well known stockman and farmer of Carlinville township is Douglas M. Bates, who was born in Bird township, Macoupin county, Illinois, on the IIth . of May. 1861, a son of George and Agnes Ann (Adams) Bates, also natives of Illinois. The father was born and reared in this county, engaging in agricultural pursuits all of his life. The first property he owned was a tract of one hun- dred and twenty acres in Bird township, which he improved and cultivated for eight years. He then disposed of this land, buying a quarter section in Carlin- ville township that he operated until his death on the 4th of February, 1879. His wife had passed away about ten years previously. her demise occurring in December.
Douglas M. Bates was reared in Macoupin county, his early interests being very similar to those of other lads reared in the country at that period. He attended the district schools of the vicinity until he had acquired sufficient knowledge of the common branches to enable him to assume the heavier re- sponsibilities of life. Laying aside his school books he gave his entire attention to the work of the farm with which he had been assisting since his early boy- hood. He remained a member of the parental household until he had attained his majority, when he felt he was fully qualified to begin his independent career as an agriculturist. He rented some land in the cultivation of which he met with such gratifying success that at the expiration of six years he was able to buy his father's farm. This has ever since been his home and here he engages
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