USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 7
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Moses S. Eldred, the father of Addison H. Eldred, was a farmer by occupa- tion and came west to Illinois in June, 1828, settling in Greene county, where he purchased land and improved a farm. There he died when thirty-three years of age, passing away in the faith of the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belonged. The latter was married a second time, becoming the wife of a Mr. Corbin, by whom she had one son, Lucius B. Corbin, who is now a resident of Polk township. Our subject was one of four sons who grew to maturity, the others being as follows: Moses S., who is a resident of Carlinville ; Julius Au- gustus, living in Polk township; and James L., who passed away when twenty-two years of age.
Addison H. Eldred was reared on the farm which his father purchased in Greene county and obtained his education in one of the old-fashioned schools, sitting on a slab seat. This was at a time when the teacher "boarded round" among the pupils. He remained with his mother until after he had attained man's estate, when he was married and started out as an agriculturist on his own account, his interest in the old home place being thirteen and a half acres of cleared land. Subsequently he purchased his mother's dower and began farming in association with his brother Moses, with whom he has always lived. In the spring of 1856 they sold out and came to Macoupin county, here owning a farm of four eighty-acre tracts. For five years they occupied a double log cabin which stood on the place and then erected a commodious and substantial brick building, which is also still standing. Addison H. Eldred was the first man in Macoupin county to put in tile. On the 14th of February, 1891, he and his brother disposed of their farming interests and took up their abode in Carlinville, where they have resided continuously since in a beautiful home which they erected.
On the 3d of March, 1851, Mr. Eldred was united in marriage to Miss Laura Woolley, who was born in Greene county, Illinois, on the 27th of September, 1829, her parents being Deacon David and Laura (Hodge) Woolley, natives of Wash- ington county, New York. Her paternal grandfather, Tilton Woolley, was a miller by trade. Unto him and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Deborah Slocum, were born six children, namely: David, Fitzgerald, Peter, Katie, Abigail and Nancy. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Eldred, Asahel and Sallie (Bull) Hodge had the following children: John, Epiphras, Horatio and Laura. The parents of Mrs. Eldred took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Greene county, Illinois, removing there in 1822. Deacon David Woolley there passed away in 1860, when seventy-four years of age, while the demise of his wife occurred in Polk township, Macoupin county, in 1877, when she had attained the age of eighty-one years. They had nine children who reached ma- turity and were married, namely : John, James, Norman, Edwin, Emeline, Maria,
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Laura, Julia, and Charles. Unto our subject and his wife were born two sons: Myron, who died when a youth of thirteen ; and Milton, who passed away when but three months old. Mr. Eldred gives his political allegiance to the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. He is now in the eighty-third year of his age and is well known throughout the community as one of its most respected and leading residents.
JONATHAN S. DAVIS.
Jonathan S. Davis is one of the well known farmers and land owners of Macoupin county, who by his thorough knowledge of agriculture and stock- raising and sound business methods has taken an advanced place among the men of the county. He was born in Shaws Point township March 7, 1868, be- ing the eldest of two sons of James F. and Laura M. (Morrison) Davis. The father was a native of Loami, Illinois, and the mother of Tiffin, Ohio. James F. Davis was brought to Macoupin county in his infancy by his parents and spent his entire life in this county, becoming the owner of a fine farm of four hundred acres in Shaws Point township. He died June 8, 1896, at the age of sixty-two years, but Mrs. Davis is still living and makes her home with her youngest son James Henry, a physician of Carlinville, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. She has for many years been an earnest member of the Christian church, as was also her husband.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Elijah Davis, who was born in Kentucky, June 23, 1787. He married Catherine Miller, also a native of Kentucky, born in October, 1790. Mr. Davis was opposed to slavery, and he and his wife were among the early settlers of Carlinville, Macoupin county, Illi- nois. In 1834 he entered land in Shaws Point township, which has ever since been in possession of the family. This land he cleared and improved, develop- ing it into one of the productive farms of the township. He died December 14, 1843, being survived by his wife until July 10, 1859. They were worthy repre- sentatives of the fearless spirits that braved the hardships of the frontier, and here established homes in what is now one of the most prosperous sections of the state. After the death of its original owner the farm was purchased by Jonathan Davis, an uncle of our subject. In 1890 it was willed to Jonathan S. and James Henry Davis.
Mr. Davis of this review has from his earliest recollection been identified with agricultural pursuits. He received his preliminary education in the public schools and later attended the University of Illinois and the college at Eureka, Illinois. He and his brother have been in charge of the home place continuously for many years, except for five years, when the former was engaged in settling up estates, and they are now the owners of over one thousand acres in this county. Mr. Davis raises two hundred head of hogs yearly, keeps from fifteen to thirty head of horses and also is extensively engaged in the cattle business. He has shown special aptitude for the calling to which he has devoted his best
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thought and energy, and ranks as one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of this section of the state.
On January 15, 1901, Mr. Davis was married to Miss Ida Pease, of Waverly, Illinois, a daughter of Epaphras and Abbigo (Perrime) Pease, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of four children, namely: Elizabeth Helen, who was born October 23, 1901 ; Jonathan E., born March 22, 1903; May C., born August 27, 1905; and Henry Franklin, born January 22, 1909.
Mr. Pease, the father of Mrs. Davis, was a son of Abram and Phoebe Pease. He came with his parents to Morgan county, Illinois, in the pioneer days. The father entered land, which he cleared and improved, spending the remainder of his life upon the farm. He died in 1878. Epaphras Pease purchased land at an early day when it was cheap and actively engaged in farming until 1901. He moved to Waverly, Illinois, however, in 1880, and still resides at that place, having arrived at the age of eighty-three years. The mother died July 12, 1880.
Politically Mr. Davis gives his allegiance to the republican party and in re- ligious belief he and his family are affiliated with the Christian church. He is a strong advocate of education, having been for many years a close observer of its benefits, and he is now serving as member of the school board. He has for many years been actively connected with the Masonic order. He is abreast of the times in the latest ideas relating to his calling, and brings to his work a careful and well trained mind. These qualifications have contributed in a marked degree to the gratifying success he has attained.
SAMUEL E. FRENCH.
As a young man of eighteen Samuel E. French came west from one of the long established states of the Atlantic coast and, having now arrived at the prime of life, finds himself in possession of a competency. He is the owner of one of the valuable farms of Macoupin county and he has no reason to regret locat- ing permanently in Illinois. He was born near Woodstown, in Salem county, New Jersey, June 1, 1861, a son of Hewlings and Mary Amanda (Summerill) French, both of whom were born in Salem county, New Jersey, the former in March, 1832. The name of the grandfather of our subject was Samuel E. French. He was born in 1799 near Gloucester in Gloucester county, New Jer- sey. He married Sarah Graff, of the same county, who was born about 1800. Mr. French died in 1874, his wife having been called away four years previous. The family came originally from Scotland, six brothers settling in Gloucester county, New Jersey, and from that center members of the family have gone forth to many parts of the Union. Samuel E. French was a farmer, as was also his father, and moved to Salem county, New Jersey, shortly after his marriage, and here he spent the remainder of his life. He had three children: Hewlings; Elizabeth, who married Frank Izard, of Gloucester county and is- now deceased; and Joseph G., a resident of Penn Grove, New Jersey.
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Hewlings French, the father of our subject, was reared on the paternal farm and after arriving at manhood purchased land and engaged in farming on his own account. In 1886 he came to Illinois with his family and took up his residence near Litchfield, in Macoupin county. Two years later he moved to Shipman township and purchased eighty acres in section 12, where he made his home until 1894. He then moved to Shipman and later disposed of his land in this state, returning to Salem county, New Jersey, where his death oc- curred October 28, 1906, at the age of seventy-four years. He was successful as a farmer and owned a valuable place in New Jersey. The mother of our subject, Mary Amanda Summerill, was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Allen) Summerill. Her father was a prominent farmer of Salem county, New Jersey, and the family was well known in New Jersey for many years. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Summerill, the eldest of whom, Mary Amanda, married Hewlings French. The others were: Joseph, who made his home in Salem county and is now deceased; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Benjamin Robinson, of Salem county, and is also deceased; Anna, deceased, who married Charles Sharp, of Salem county; James, who resides near Woods- town, in Salem county ; Robert, who lived in Salem county and is now deceased ; Rebecca, who married Edward Dickinson, of Salem county, and is deceased ; and Caroline, the wife of Jacob French, also of Salem county. To the union of Hewlings and Mary Amanda French four children were born: Joseph, who is now engaged in railroad work at Winchester, Illinois; Samuel E., of this re- view ; William S., who is identified with the mercantile business at Butte, Mon- tana; and Frank, who is a railroad conductor with headquarters at Seattle, Washington. The mother of these children died April 4, 1879, and Mr. French was married about 1881 to Miss Emma Jones, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They had one child, Emma, who married Edward Herron, of Salem county, New Jersey. Mr. French died October 28, 1906.
Samuel E. French was reared on his father's farm in Salem county, New Jersey, and in the public schools acquired the foundation of an education. At the age of eighteen, in 1879, he came west with his brother, William S., and stopped at Shipman, Illinois, where he engaged in farm work for about two years. He then returned to New Jersey and entered the employ of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company as telegraph operator at South Amboy. He con- tinued there for two years, at the end of which time he was married and came to Illinois, securing employment as telegraph operator on the Chicago & Alton Railway at Plainview, being the first operator at that station. In 1885 he be- gan farming near Litchfield, in Macoupin county, and two years later moved to Shipman township where he purchased eighty acres of land on section 12 which he cultivated for two years. In 1889 he went west and was appointed agent and operator on the Santa Fe Railway at Lamar, Colorado, a position which he held for nine months. He then entered the service of the Wells- Fargo Express Company as depot agent at Colorado Springs. The company sold out its business at that point to the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Com- pany in 1890 and Mr. French was transferred to Denver as express messenger for the Denver & Rio Grande Railway. He continued with this road for five years and then, in 1895, resigned and returned to Shipman township and set-
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tled upon his farm. In 1896 he purchased eighty acres adjoining his first tract and four years later acquired eighty acres more in section 7, Hilyard town- ship, thus becoming the owner of a beautiful farm of two hundred and forty acres, which he greatly improved by the erection and remodeling of buildings. He carried on general farming and dairying, and also engaged in feeding cattle. In 1909 he moved to Shipman and has since had charge of the Shipman Tele- phone Company, of which he is manager.
On June 4, 1883, Mr. French was married to Miss Ella Wildman, a daugh- ter of John and Narcissus (Barnett) Wildman, of Shipman. They have three children : Walter, now living on his father's farm, who married Lottie Shultz, a daughter of A. M. Shultz, record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Howard, who assists his brother upon the home farm; and Cecil, who died in infancy.
John Wildman, the father of Mrs. French, was born in England in 1827 and came to America when he was about twenty years of age, settling on a farm near Shipman. He was a carpenter and engaged in contracting and building. He joined the Union army at the outbreak of the Civil war, as a member of Company H, Eighty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served most effi- ciently for three years, his first important engagement being at Shiloh, under General Grant. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to Ship- man and later entered the general mercantile business at that place. He retired about 1896 and died in 1909, while on a visit to his son Colfax, in Van Buren, Arkansas. He was buried in the cemetery at Shipman. In his family were five children: Mary, who married Milton Dodson, of Shipman, and is now de- ·ceased; Ella, now Mrs. Samuel E. French; Robert, who is a railroad man and lives at. Van Buren, Arkansas; Minnie, who is the wife of William Baker, of Shipman township; and Colfax, a resident of Van Buren, Arkansas.
Politically Mr. French is an advocate of the platforms and candidates of the republican party. He served as supervisor of Shipman township and is now president of the village board of Shipman. He is a valued member of Ship- man Lodge, No. 212, A. F. & A. M., and also of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Order of the Eastern Star. Having displayed good judgment in his business affairs, he has been very successful financially and justly ranks as one of the leading men of Macoupin county.
EDWARD BOETTCHER.
Germany has contributed many of her most promising young men to America who, under the favoring influences of the republic, have gained honorable posi- tions and made themselves a blessing to the country. Among the number is Ed- ward Boettcher who is recognized as one of the most competent and practical miners of Macoupin county. He was born in Saxony, Germany, November 24, 1862, a son of William and Carolina Boettcher. The parents were both natives of Germany and spent their entire lives in the old country. The father engaged in mining and the son Edward seems to have inherited much of his ability as a
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
miner from the paternal side of the house. In the family were seven children, the subject of this review being the youngest. The others are: Wilhelmina, who is now living in Germany; Hannah and Ferdinand, both of whom are deceased ; Ernest, who came to America and is now engaged in farming in West Prairie township, Macoupin county ; Carolina, who is living in Germany ; and Herman, who is a carpenter and lives at St. Louis.
Edward Boettcher received his preliminary education in the excellent schools of his native land. He applied himself to the nursery business for several years, but in 1881, being then less than twenty-one years of age, he bade farewell to rela- tives and friends and started out to meet the world on his own account, having resolved to try his fortune on the western hemisphere. He came to Staunton, Illinois, and for two years worked in a flour-mill. He then went to St. Louis, where he was employed in the nursery business, continuing there only a short time when he returned to Staunton and became identified with mining, a business in which he has ever since been engaged. He is quite an expert in his calling and for twenty-two years past has run a mining machine. He has invested his savings judiciously and owns a comfortable and well furnished home at Staunton, which is located upon a half acre of ground. He is also interested in real estate in the city and has been successful in acquiring a competence for himself and family.
In 1888 Mr. Boettcher was married to Mrs. Elizabeth (Adler) Leonhard, widow of John Leonhard, and by her first marriage the mother of one child, who is now Mrs. Louisa Ficker of Staunton. To Mr. Boettcher and his wife four children have been born: Walter, at home; Adelie, deceased; and Herbert and Clemens, both of whom are living at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Boettcher were both reared in the Lutheran church, of which they are valued members. Politically he is in sympathy with the republican party, although he has independent proclivities and in local affairs often supports candidates irrespective of their party affiliation. He belongs to that growing class of men who think for themselves and have the intelligence and ability to think right when important issues are at stake. He is a stanch advocate of labor organizations when they are wisely directed and is one of the old and valued members of the Miners Union.
CHARLES MUHLENBECK.
On the roster of county officials in Macoupin county appears the name of Charles Muhlenbeck of Virden, who is now serving as supervisor for the third term. In business circles he has won success as the distributing agent of the Lemp Brewing Company of St. Louis. His birth occurred in Berlin, Prussia, on the 14th of September, 1846, his parents being August and Elizabeth (Linderman) Muhlenbeck. In 1856 they crossed the Atlantic to the United Sates, first settling at Saginaw, Michigan, and a year later removing to St. Louis, while in 1858 they took up their abode at Springfield. In 1865 they came to Carlinville, Macoupin county, where August Muhlenbeck, who was a miller by trade, operated the first mill. His demise there occurred in 1884, while his wife passed away at Chicago
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in 1891. Unto them were born five children, as follows: Bertha, who died in Germany ; Matilda, who passed away at the age of three years ; Emily, the wife of T. A. Gehrmann, of Chicago; Minnie, who gave her hand in marriage to C. 'A. Gehrmann of Springfield, and passed away in 1886; and Charles, of this re- view.
The last named attended the public schools until fourteen years of age and subsequently studied nights in a business college for ten years. He was identified with the dry-goods trade until 1888 and then became connected with the whole- sale brewing business, having since acted as distributing agent of the Lemp Brew- ing Company of St. Louis. Success has attended his undertakings and he is now quite an extensive owner of city property, including his business house and resi- dence.
On the 23d of October, 1888, Mr. Muhlenbeck wedded Miss Margaret Mur- phy, of Florence, New York, by whom he has two children : William L., who was born on the 16th of April, 1890, and is now associated in business with his father ; and Irene, whose natal day was March 26, 1892.
Mr. Muhlenbeck gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving as supervisor for the third term, capably discharging the duties de- volving upon him in this connection. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, while fraternally he is identified with the Red Men and the Eagles. He well deserves his position as one of the represen- tative citizens of the county, and all with whom he comes in contact accord him the highest respect and esteem.
ABEL STELL RANDOLPH.
The agricultural interests of both Macoupin and Montgomery counties found a worthy representative in Abel Steil Randolph, now deceased, who is remem- bered as a man of unimpeachable character and acknowledged ability in his chosen calling. He was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, August 5, 1831, and died at his home in Montgomery county, near the Macoupin county line, August 18, 1898. He was a son of Lewis and Mary (Compton) Randolph, both of whom were natives of New Jersey. In 1837 the father came west with his family and located in what is now Jersey county, Illinois. He engaged in agricultural pursuits and none appreciated more than he the value of the rich land of his section. He acquired the title to considerable property in Jersey county and also by means of a Mexican land warrant entered a section of gov- ernment land in Bois d'Arc township, Montgomery county, sending his son Abel in 1855 to his newly acquired holdings to plant a Bois d'Arc hedge around the place. In his family were the following children: Almira, deceased; Abel S., of this review; Harriet, the wife of T. Moore; Catherine, who married James Clapp; Ruth; and Peter; deceased. The father died at an advanced age, Oc- tober 8, 1892, and his death was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
MR. AND MRS. A. S. RANDOLPH
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Abel S. Randolph secured such education as was afforded by the country schools of Jersey county and as he grew to manhood became, under his father's guidance, thoroughly acquainted with all the details of farm work. He told a contemporary biographer how he cultivated the soil with a wooden plow drawn at times by as many as ten yoke of oxen, and it would be difficult to find a better tribute to the work thus accomplished or a more striking description as to the manner of its accomplishment than that written by Henry L. Kiner, of Geneseo, Illinois, under the title of "Ode to Glenn's Old Wooden Plow," which is as follows :
Three yoke of straining oxen toiled o'er the spangled sod; 'Twas springtime in the '30s and the land was fresh from God. In the rear the virgin furrow shone along the virgin soil- 'Twas the first of multi-millions to reward the yeoman's toil.
Old plow, thy wooden moldboard a statehouse dost adorn ; Thou art the antecedent of untold stores of corn;
The pioneer precursor of a golden gift of wealth,
The harbinger of happiness, of honor, homes and health.
O, origin of opulence, I bow my head to thee ! O, Glenn, you builded better than you knew, it seems to me ; For with this plow you only thought to open up a field, An Empire rose before you, with all its royal yield !
At the age of twenty-four years Mr. Randolph left his home in Jersey county and located on the section of land which his father had secured in Montgomery county. He worked upon this place for a time and during the next few years also assisted in work of the home farm. In 1860 he located permanently in Montgomery county, where he owned one hundred and sixty acres of land. Later he acquired forty acres adjoining his property, across the line in Sanga- mon county. He was closely identified with agricultural pursuits for nearly forty years, setting an example of industry and perseverance eminently worthy of imitation. He made steady progress in his business and gained recognition as one of the substantial men of the community.
On the 9th of June, 1869, Mr. Randolph was married to Miss Minerva Ed- wards, a native of Scioto county, Ohio, born October 27, 1838. Her parents were Andrew and Mary (Darlington) Edwards, the former a native of Penn- sylvania and the latter of Ohio. They came to Jersey county, Illinois; in 1838, and were among the pioneer settlers of that locality. Of their four children Henry, William and Minerva are now living. George, the youngest, was born November 15, 1844, and died March 24, 1900. The daughter Minerva was reared to womanhood in Jersey county and remained with her parents until her marriage to Mr. Randolph. This union was blessed by the birth of one son, Henry M., who is now living with his mother.
The success of Mr. Randolph was not due to luck or chance but rather to his unremitting energy, sound judgment and strict integrity. Politically he ad- hered to the republican party and religiously he affiliated with the Methodist
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Episcopal church. The property which he acquired is still owned by his widow who resides at Virden. She also owns the home in which she is living and two other residences. She devotes her time largely to benevolent and philanthropic work and is one of the prominent members and a liberal supporter of the Meth- odist Episcopal church of Virden.
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