USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 62
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in general farming, in addition to which he is a stock raiser and an extensive feeder. He feeds and ships from two to three loads of cattle every year, keeps twenty-five horses and raises from one hundred and fifty to two hundred hogs annually. His occupation has proven to be very lucrative and Mr. Bates has been able to add to his holdings from time to time until he now owns four hundred and forty-five acres in Carlinville and Bird townships, all of it under cultivation and well improved.
It was on the 5th of October, 1882, that Mr. Bates was joined in wedlock to Miss Mattie A. Wilson, a daughter of James and Rebecca (Barr) Wilson, natives of Ireland. The father emigrated to this country in his early manhood, first locating in Pennsylvania, where he worked in the iron mills for many years. From there he went to New York, then to New Jersey, thence to Iowa, having remained for several years in each of these states. He finally came to Macoupin county, buying a farm in Honey Point township that he improved and operated until his death. He passed away on the 2d of March, 1899, his wife having died on the same day twenty years previously. Of the seven chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Bates five are living, as follows: Morris, who is twenty-six years of age; Walter, who is twenty-four; Agnes, now a young woman of twenty-two; Byron, who is twenty; and Webster, a youth of thirteen years. The two deceased were Faun, who was born on the Ioth of November, 1892 and died five days later; and Harry, who was born on the 25th of July, 1899, and died in December, of the same year.
In religious faith the family are Baptists. His political allegiance Mr. Bates gives to the democratic party, and is now serving as assistant supervisor of Carlinville township, while for twenty-one years he was a school director. A capable business man as well as trustworthy and reliable, Mr. Bates is held in high esteem in his community, where both he and his family have many ยท friends.
WILLIAM P. WALL.
William P. Wall, who is prominently identified with financial circles of Staun- ton and Macoupin county, was born at Staunton April 18, 1870, and is a mem- ber of one of the best known families of this section. His parents were Hon. Hampton W. and Isabella (Roseberry) Wall. The father was for many years one of the most prominent men in the county and was widely known on account of his remarkable business and social qualities. He was born in this county, No- vember 10, 1831, a son of Richard and Lucinda (Camp) Wall. He was the younger of two sons, the name of his brother being Phram. He attended the district schools but his education was acquired principally by contact with the world, as he early was thrown upon his own resources. He engaged in farm- ing and became the owner of a farm in Madison county and also of a general store at New Hampton. At the time of the Civil war he purchased and shipped horses and mules upon an extensive scale and in this business mainly acquired the foundation of his fortune. After locating at Staunton he was identified with the milling business and also for a number of years with the implement business.
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W. P. WALL
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He entered into partnership with James Taylor in the private banking business under the title of Wall & Taylor. On account of failing health Mr. Taylor with- drew and J. C. Panhorst was admitted to partnership, this association continu- ing until the death of the senior partner from a murderous assault, August 16, 1898. Mr. Wall was an active worker in behalf of the democratic party and was twice elected to the lower house of the Illinois state legislature and also served four years in the state senate. He filled several local offices of honor and trust and at times appeared as attorney in justices courts.
Mr. Wall was three times married. His first wife was Ellen Roseberry, who died leaving a daughter, now Mrs. Alice M. Ferris, of Missouri. The second wife of Mr. Wall was Isabella Roseberry, a sister of his first wife. Six children were born to this union, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Godfrey, of Staunton; Charles R., who is a member of the banking firm of Wall & Quade, of Staunton; William P., of this review ; Mrs. Harriet Campbell, of St. Louis, Missouri; and two who died in infancy. After the death of the mother of these children Mr. Wall was married to Martha E. Scroggins, who survives her husband and is the mother of three children, Lillian M., Mabel E. and Hampton Grover.
In the public schools of Staunton William P. Wall received his preliminary education. At the age of seventeen he entered Blackburn University at Carlin- ville, where he pursued a course of study extending over a period of three years. He then returned to Staunton and was employed for a few months by the Staun- ton Milling Company, then becoming connected with the Consolidated Coal Com- pany of Staunton. After one year's experience at the general office he was sent to a branch office at Mount Olive, continuing there sixteen months. On the Ist of March, 1894, he became associated with his father in the firm of Wall & Pan- horst and so continued until after the death of his father when the firm was dis- solved. On September 3, 1898, the business was resumed upon a reorganized basis, Mr. Wall and his brother Charles R. being in charge. On December 13, 1901, he purchased his brother's interest and the title of the firm was changed to Wall & Company, Mr. Wall being sole proprietor. On March 1, 1902, he ad- mitted his brother-in-law, Cornelius Godfrey, to partnership and has since been president of the firm while Mr. Godfrey fills the office of cashier. They also own a branch bank at Worden, Illinois, and both of the institutions are in a flourish- ing condition. Mr. Wall had charge of his father's estate for three years, giving entire satisfaction to all interested. He has shown special adaptability to the banking business and occupies a position close to the front in financial affairs. A good executive officer, he possesses the power of initiative so important in meet- ing the demands in all departments of modern life, and each year witnesses fur- ther development in his field of operations.
On January 8, 1893, Mr. Wall was married to Miss Daisy D. Camp, who was born March 8, 1873, in Montgomery county, Illinois, a daughter of William E. and Mary E. (Shaffer) Camp. The father was born September 25, 1843, and the mother March 3, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Wall are the parents of three children, Harriet Edith, Helen Isabella and Grace Elizabeth.
Although Mr. Wall is an earnest supporter of the democratic party he has no desire for public office, preferring to devote his energies to business rather than to politics. He is greatly interested in the encouragement of enterprises Vol. 11-31
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that tend to advance the general welfare and promote the permanent interests of his native county and state. Through honorable effort he has gained a position of large responsibility and possesses the unqualified respect and confidence of those who know him. Fraternally he is connected with Staunton Lodge No. 177, A. F. & A. M.
J. P. JONES.
One of the capable and energetic citizens of Staunton is J. P. Jones. who in addition to the discharge of his duties as engineer in the mines is conducting the City House and supervising the cultivation of his one hundred acre farm in this township. He was born in Minstrelly, Shropshire, England, on the 29th of December, 1853, being a son of Richard and Hannah (Crowder) Jones. The parents were natives of the same county and there the father worked in the lead mines until his death in 1865. The mother continued to make her home in her native land until after the death of her son, J. P.'s, first wife when she came to this country to make her home with him. She is now living with her daughter in Girard, Illinois, having attained the venerable age of seventy- nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jones were the parents of four sons and two daughters, our subject being the eldest of the family. The other members according to birth are as follows: Martha, the wife of Albert Evans, of Glen Carbon, Illinois; William, who died in England; Thomas, who is also deceased : Sarah, the wife of Frank Naulty, of Girard, Illinois ; and Richard, who was killed in the mine at Lebanon, Illinois.
J. P. Jones was reared in the place of his birth, acquiring his education in the common schools. When old enough to begin working he learned to be a hoisting engineer, following this occupation in the mines of England until 1880. when he emigrated to the United States. He first located at Mount Carmel. Pennsylvania, where he remained for a year. At the expiration of that time he removed to Wadsworth, Summit county, Ohio, continuing the same occu- pation for three years. From there he came to Staunton, where he has ever since continuously worked in the mines. He has always been a thrifty, hard- working man and has acquired one hundred acres of fertile land in this town- ship, that he is cultivating. The place is kept in excellent condition and shows very good improvements, all of which he has brought about, with the exception of the house, which was remodeled.
Mr. Jones has been twice married, his first wife having been Miss Lizzie Davis, to whom he was united in 1876, while living in England, and who passed away sixteen years later. Four children were born to them: Joseph, now an engineer of Staunton; Thomas, who is engaged in farming in Staunton town- ship; Maud, who is living at home; and Mae, a local school teacher. In 1897 Mr. Jones was again married, his choice this time being Mrs. Susan ( Strawhun) Snell, the widow of James Snell, by whom she had two daughters: Truda. now Mrs. Anderson ; and Bessie, the wife of William Ackers. They are both residing in Staunton. Mrs. Jones is the owner of the City Hotel, which she is now conducting.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
The fraternal affiliations of Mr. Jones are confined to his membership in the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance he gives to the republican party and for the past three years he has been a member of the town committee and has been serving on the school board for two. Mr. Jones has many friends in Staunton, his kindly nature, cordial manner and practical ideas making him popular among the business men of the town.
THEODORE H. PREHN.
Theodore H. Prehn, a dealer in lumber and building materials, conducting a prosperous and growing business in Bunker Hill, has long been identified with industrial activities in this community, where he holds rank among the substan- tial and well known business men. He was born in this town on the 4th of Au- gust, 1870, a son of Henry and Rosina (Gehring) Prehn, both natives of Ger- many, the former of Holstein and the latter of Saxony. They were married, however, in the United States, the father arriving in this country about 1850. He established his first home in Bunker Hill township, Macoupin county, Illinois, and here continued to reside until 1883, in which year he removed to Carlton, Missouri, and there passed away in 1903. Ere leaving the fatherland he had learned the tailor's trade, which he followed until his arrival in America, after which he engaged in contracting and building. He was very successful in this line of activity, possessing much skill and ability, and at the time of his death was the owner of a valuable estate. His wife's death occurred in 1901. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: George, residing in Bunker Hill and serving as assessor of this township; Charles T., of Bosworth, Missouri ; Theo- dore H., of this review ; Rena, living in Bunker Hill ; Emma, now deceased ; and three who passed away in infancy.
No event of special importance came to vary the routine of life for Theodore H. Prehn during the period of his boyhood and youth, which was spent in the acquirement of an education, first in the common schools of Bunker Hill and later in the high school of Carrollton, Missouri. He remained at home until at- taining his majority and at the age of twenty-two years returned to Bunker Hill, here engaging in the contracting and building business for a number of years. About eight years ago, however, he opened a yard and began dealing in lumber and building materials, in which venture he has since proved most successful. He possesses good business sense, keeps thoroughly in touch with the lumber market so that he knows where and when to buy to the best advantage and has gained for his enterprise a representative patronage which is constantly increasing in volume and importance. He owns the block which contains his lumber yard and upon which he has a good dwelling, and is numbered among the substantial and prosperous business men of Bunker Hill.
It was on the 21st of November, 1894, that Mr. Prehn was united in marriage to Miss Anna Meinecke, a daughter of F. A. and Anna (Dusold) Meinecke, the former a native of Hanover and the latter of Lichtenfeldt, Germany. Her father
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came to the United States in the early '40s and made his way to California where he prospected for gold for a time. Later he came to Bunker Hill and here he passed away in 1890, his wife surviving him, however, until 1907. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Prehn have been born four children: Leslie Edward; Paul W., deceased ; Francis J., and Theodore O. All are at home.
Mr. Prehn gives his political support to the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have never held attraction for him, preferring rather to concentrate his energies and attention upon his business interests. He has made good use of opportunities that have arisen and in their wise utilization has met with a degree of prosperity which is at once creditable and substantial.
DERASTUS KING.
Derastus King, who has been operating the Sunny Home Stock Farm for the past ten years, was born in Dayton, Newton county, Missouri, on the 20th of February, 1873. His parents were James O. and Mary Eliza (Fones) King, the father a native of Macoupin county, Illinois, and the mother of New York. James O. King was reared in this county and at the age of twenty-one he enlisted for three months' service in the Union army. At the expiration of that period he re-enlisted in Company A, Eighty-first Illinois Regiment and served all during the Civil war. He had the msfortune to be wounded twice, being shot in the leg at one time and at another in the lungs. After the war he went to Missouri and worked in the lead mines for ten years. In 1879 he came to Macoupin county, settling on J. P. Cline's farm, which he cultivated for sixteen years, then he re- moved to another place, where he continued to follow agricultural pursuits until 1902, when he retired. From that time until his death on the 3d of December, 1904, he made his home in Carlinville. He was sixty-five years of age at the time of his demise; Mrs. King had preceded him, dying in 1891 at the young age of forty-two years.
Derastus King was reared in Macoupin county, attending Oak Hills school on the Bunker Hill road in the acquirement of his education. After obtaining a practical knowledge of the common branches, he gave his undivided attention to the work of the farm, remaining with his parents until he was twenty-two. After his marriage he farmed as a renter for a year, then went to Chicago and worked in a foundry for two years. Returning to Macoupin county he entered the em- ployment of C. A. Walker, editor of one of the papers, for whom he worked by the month for a year. He returned to Chicago and teamed for a year, following which he once more located on a farm in this county. At the end of a year he rented the Sunny Home Stock Farm of C. A. Walker and has ever since been engaged in its operation. Mr. King has met with very good success in his under- takings and has raised about fifty head of hogs per year and has kept twelve horses. He recently purchased property in Zion City, Illinois, to which he intends to move in the fall of 1911.
On the 20th of November, 1893, Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Davis, a native of Hancock county, Kentucky, in which state she was
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
reared and educated. Mrs. King is a daughter of Newton and Hulda (Morgan) Davis, also natives of the Blue Grass state, where the father spent his entire life, devoting his energies to the tobacco culture. The mother, now fifty-six years of age, is a resident of Zion City, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. King have been born two children : George Calvin, who is seven years of age ; and Sophia May, who is but thirteen months old.
Mr. and Mrs. King attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church, but are not affiliated with any denomination. Politically Mr. King is a republican, but has never been an aspirant to public office.
GEORGE O. GRAY.
George O. Gray, who has long been identified with the agricultural interests of Macoupin county, has for the past fourteen years been successfully conduct- ing a general store in Womac. He was born in Shaws Point township on the 7th of April, 1858, and is a son of John and Nancy (Quick) Gray, natives of Indiana. The father came to this county in the early days and entered some government land that he improved and cultivated. Later he disposed of this and bought an- other farm in Shaws Point township, that he was cultivating when he died in 1860. He was long survived by his wife who passed away in 1904.
Shaws Point township is endeared to George O. Gray not only by the asso- ciations of his boyhood and youth, but those of later life as well, always having been his home. The district schools provided him with a very good understand- ing of the common branches, while at the same time he was acquiring a knowledge of agricultural methods. As soon as he was old enough he became self-support- ing, his first business venture being the operation of a farm that he rented for two years. At the expiration of that period he removed to a place that had been left to him by his father and in the cultivation and improvement of which he has ever since been engaged. He has added. to this until now it contains one hundred and nine acres of land, that is under a good state of cultivation, always having been given careful attention and capable supervision. On the Ist of July, 1897, Mr. Gray opened a general store in Womac which he has ever since been conducting in connection with his agricultural operations. He has a large and well selected stock of merchandise and as his is the only establishment of the kind in the village, he enjoys a most excellent patronage.
For his wife and helpmate Mr. Gray chose Miss Rosie Jackson, to whom he was married on the 20th of February, 1883. Mrs. Gray is a daughter of Joel and Mollie (Glover) Jackson, natives of Tennessee whence they came to Illinois, locat- ing in Macoupin county during the pioneer period. Here the father engaged in farming until 1910, when he retired and is now making his home with his son, a farmer in Shaws Point township. He is now seventy years of age, as was also his wife, who passed away on the 28th of April, 1911. To Mr. and Mrs. Gray have been born three children: George Truman, who passed away on the 9th
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of October, 1903; Elvis, who died in infancy ; and Eva Pearl, who is eight years of age.
Mrs. Gray is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which Mr. Gray also attends. His political views accord with the principles of the republican party, for whose candidates he always casts his ballot. He has served as township as- sessor and for thirteen and one-half years was postmaster of Womac. The in- telligent direction and supervision of his various activities has enabled Mr. Gray to attain the plane of affluence on the ladder of success, and in addition to his fine homestead he owns the building in which he conducts his business and several residential properties in Womac.
WILLIAM E. P. ANDERSON.
A successful and influential member of the Macoupin county bar is William E. P. Anderson, who has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Carlin- ville for forty years. He was born at Shaws Point township, this county, on the 3Ist of May, 1850, being a son of Erasmus S. and Mary E. (Hogan) Anderson, natives of Kentucky. The Anderson family have been residents in America since 1744, when they located in Virginia to the interests of which colony they were ever loyal and stanch, valiantly participating in the war of the Revolution. The paternal grandfather, Colonel James Campbell Anderson, was a native of Vir- ginia, but was one of the pioneer settlers of Kentucky. The maternal grand- father, Isaac Hogan, was a native of the Blue Grass state.
Left an orphan at the age of fifteen months, William E. P. Anderson was reared by his uncle, Crittenden H. C. Anderson, who was also his guardian. His boyhood and youth were spent in the country, his elementary education being ob- tained in the district schools. He attended the public school of Carlinville, both Blackburn and Illinois Wesleyan Universities ; also a private school at Philadel- phia. Having decided to adopt the profession of law for his vocation, in 1870 he entered the office of John Mayo Palmer, where he assiduously applied himself to his studies preparatory to his examination for admission to the bar. In 1871 he went into the office of the Honorable W. R. Welch, who subsequently became a judge of the circuit court, where he continued his studies until admitted to the bar on the 31st of August, 1871. He remained in Mr. Welch's office until June of the following year when he opened an office of his own in the building where he is still located. Mr. Anderson has been very successful in his practice and has quite extensive realty interests, owning a couple of fine farms near Carlin- ville.
Bloomington, Illinois, was the scene of the marriage of Mr. Anderson on the 23d of October, 1873, to Miss Nellie Douglas Hamilton, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Pritchard) Hamilton, natives of Ohio. The Hamiltons are one of the old American families, having located here during colonial days, many of their members having participated in the Revolution. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born three children, namely: William Hamilton, a resident of Baltimore. Maryland, who married Miss Clarice Otwell and has two children, Frederick
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Otwell and Elinor ; Crittenden H. C., of Prairie Home, Texas, who married Miss Nellie Patchen and has two children, Walter E. P. and Crittenden H. C., Jr .; and Walter Stratton, a lieutenant in the United States navy, who married Miss Vir- ginia Ewing.
Mrs. Anderson holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally Mr. Anderson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his local affiliation being with Carlinville Lodge, No. 107, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs. He served ten years as its representative in the Grand Lodge and is at present, and has been for the past seven years, a member of the judiciary and appeals committee of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, being a member of Orient Lodge, No. 95, K. of P., having filled all of the chairs in this latter order, served two years as its rep- resentative in the Grand Lodge also. His connection with organizations of a more purely social nature is confined to his membership in the Sangamon Club of Springfield and the Rinaker Fishing & Pleasure Club. His political prerogatives Mr. Anderson exercises in support of the men and measures of the democratic party. He has always taken quite a prominent part in all municipal affairs, his first official connection with the local government being in the capacity of city attorney in 1874 and 1875. Two years later he was elected to the board of supervisors of which he was a member at the time of the courthouse litigation, when the proposi- tion to compromise the debt was accepted by bondholders and creditors. In 1887 Mr. Anderson was appointed master in chancery by Judge Welch, to which office he was reappointed by Judge Philips, Fouke, Creighton and Shirley, covering a period of twelve years in this connection. He has more than a local reputation both professionally and politically, and in 1884 represented his congressional dis- trict on the Democratic state central committee. Educational matters have al- ways enlisted the personal interest of Mr. Anderson and for ten years he was a most efficient member of the board of education, during one year of that time act- ing as president of the board. He was one of the organizers of the Carlinville Building Association, of which he has always been a director and stockholder, recognizing the great value of such an organization to the community. Mr. An- derson is one of the representative citizens of Carlinville in the progress and de- velopment of which he has been a prominent factor, ever having given his assist- ance and co-operation in promoting every movement that would in any way ad- vance the best interests of the community at large.
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