USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 8
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GEORGE DUCKELS.
A valuable farm in Bird township is evidence of the ability of George Duck- els, who is known as a highly prosperous man and one who has contributed his share to the general growth of the county. He was born near Chesterfield, Illi- nois, November 22, 1845, a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Morris) Duckels. The father was born in Yorkshire, England, July 4, 1811, and emigrated to the United States in 1835, when he was twenty-four years of age. He spent a year at Jacksonville, Illinois, and then went to Alton where he clerked in a store for two years. After giving up this position he came to Macoupin county and lo- cated near Chesterfield, continuing in that vicinity until his death, which oc- curred at the advanced age of ninety-three years. He was a successful farmer and one of the public-spirited men of the community. Politically he was iden- tified with the republican party and religiously he affiliated with the Methodist church. The mother of our subject was also a native of Yorkshire, England. She came with her parents to this country in 1835, when eight years of age, and lived at Chesterfield, this county, until her marriage with Mr. Duckels. She died about 1897 and her body reposes beside that of her husband in the cemetery at Keller's schoolhouse. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Duckels were thirteen children, three of whom died in infancy, the others being: Matilda, who is now deceased; George, of this review; John, whose home is at Chesterfield; Henry, . who lives near Chesterfield; Oscar, also of Chesterfield; Anna, who married A. D. Loveless, of Carlinville; Grant and Laura, both of whom live near Chester- field; Roland, whose home is at Chesterfield; and Clara, the wife of Charles Wilton, of Chesterfield.
Mr. Duckels, the subject of this review, possessed advantages of attendance at the common schools and later became a student of Blackburn University at Carlinville. He assisted his father upon the farm until 1869, when he left home and located on the open prairie, in Bird township, where there were no improve- ments whatever. He has erected all the buildings and set out all the trees on the place and it is today one of the most attractive farms in this section of the county. He has prospered in his business and owns three hundred and forty- five acres located in section 28 of Bird township. He has devoted a great deal of time to agriculture but makes a specialty of raising shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. For twenty years he engaged extensively in buying and shipping stock to the markets at St. Louis and Chicago. Through undaunted energy and perseverance he has overcome many difficulties and attained a posi- tion as one of Macoupin county's most successful citizens. On the IIth of March, 1875, Mr. Duckels was married to Miss Mary J. Gleason and they have two
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children, Grace and Stanley S., both of whom are living at home. Stanley S. Duckels served as special deputy sheriff of the county for two years and for an equal length of time as regular deputy sheriff, also filling the office of game warden. He has taken an active interest in politics and is a stanch supporter of the republican party. In the fall of 1910 he was nominated for sheriff upon the republican ticket. He is well known in fraternal circles and is a member of the Masonic lodge of Carlinville.
Mr. Duckels of this review is also a supporter of the republican party and as an intelligent, progressive citizen has discharged the responsibilities of various public offices. He is now occupying the position of highway commissioner and was a member of the board of county supervisors for two years, also serving as tax collector and in other positions of public trust. He is not connected with any religious denomination but his wife is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is well known throughout this section as a man of genial nature and one who has through life been actuated by high principles and wor- thy ambitions. By the exercise of good business judgment he has gained a measure of success which places him among the substantial residents of the county.
CULLEN CURLEE GIBSON.
Cullen Curlee Gibson, now living retired, has for more than forty-five years been a resident of Macoupin county and for more than eighty-one years a resi- dent of Illinois. He is well known as a farmer and also as a minister of the gospel, and by a life of industry and earnest application in behalf of others has won a position accorded to few men in this section. Born in Tennessee Feb- ruary 1, 1823, he is a son of James and Hannah (Meredith) Gibson, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. The grandfather on the paternal side, James Gibson, was born in Maryland but removed to Tennessee, where he spent the remainder of his life.
Mr. Gibson of this sketch came with his parents to Morgan county, Illinois, in 1830 and in the pioneer schools secured his early education. At the age of fifteen he began devoting his entire time to the home farm and so continued until 1843, when he engaged in farming on his own account. In 1864 he ar- rived with his family in Girard township, Macoupin county, and located perma- nently, acquiring one hundred and ninety acres of good land which he brought under an excellent state of cultivation. He became one of the successful farm- ers of the township. In connection with general farming he kept a good grade of stock, both cattle and hogs, which he marketed in St. Louis and Chicago. He has lived retired since 1893 and his son-in-law, John J. Stowe, now has charge of the place.
In 1843 Mr. Gibson was married to Miss Nancy A. Daugherty, who was born in Kentucky, a daughter of John and Polly (Squires) Daugherty, both of whom were also natives of Kentucky. To this union fourteen children were born, eleven of whom survive, and Mr. Gibson can also claim seventy-four
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grandchildren and forty great-grandchildren. His children are: Serilda, who married F. W. Gates, of Girard; John, of Greene county, Illinois; Charles C., who also lives at Girard; Hannah, who married James Wirt, of Virden; Sarah, the wife of George Garst, of Girard; Rinda, who married Henry Showalter, of Kansas; George W., of Girard; Isaac, who lives in Christian county, Illinois ; Henry, of Girard; Cullen, whose home is at Springfield, Illinois; and Lizzie, the wife of John J. Stowe, who resides upon the home farm.
The greatest sorrow that Mr. Gibson has known was the death of his be- loved wife, which occurred in February, 1910, after they had been married more than sixty-six years. She was a woman possessing many rare qualities of mind and heart, and one who by her fidelity to high ideals gave indication of being a sincere follower of the Great Master. Mr. Gibson many years ago became converted to the Christian religion and for forty years labored in the ministry of the church of the Brethren. An earnest believer in the Bible, he has aimed to be guided in all his acts by its teachings, and his work in the ministry was productive of great good and attracted many to a life of righteousness. He has been a stanch supporter of prohibition and all movements for the relief of the ills of humanity. He has never held any public offices except those of school director of Girard township and school trustee in Morgan county. As a venera- ble pioneer of the state he is deeply respected and as a worker in behalf of others, he has earned the reverence and esteem due one who has willingly relin- quished personal advancement in a desire to promote the general good.
HENRY A. KILLAM.
It has often been demonstrated that the person gains a valuable experience who early in life is made acquainted with responsibility. The truth of this state- ment is exemplified in the life of Henry A. Killam, now one of the highly respected citizens of Macoupin county. Owing to the death of his father he was obliged to assume charge of the home farm when he was ten years of age, and he has ever since been actively and successfully engaged in agriculture and stock- raising. He was born in Carlinville township November 20, 1868, a son of Alfred and Elizabeth (Lee) Killam. The parents were both natives of Morgan county, Illinois, and were of English descent. The father was reared as a farmer and, after arriving at maturity, purchased seventy-one acres in Carlinville township, Macoupin county, and twenty acres in Palmyra township. He was an industrious man and applied himself with good judgment to the cultivation of his farm, acquiring a reputation as one of the progressive men of the township. He was killed in 1871 by a stroke of lightning, which destroyed his horses at the same time.
Henry A. Killam received limited advantages of education as his services were needed in the support of his mother and three sisters. He took charge of the home place and as the other heirs reached maturity he purchased their interest in the estate and has continued to reside on the farm upon which he was born. The mother made her home there until her death, which occurred November 1, 1892.
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He has greatly improved the place by the erection of buildings and fences, the setting out of fruit and shade and ornamental trees, and the proper rotation of crops, making it one of the most pleasing features in the landscape of this region. Since 1894 he has made a specialty of raising Poland China hogs and usually markets each year about one hundred and fifty head. He is widely known as one of the most successful hog breeders of the county. He keeps seven head of horses, and also raises cattle and engages extensively in the poultry business. His record shows what can be accomplished by persistent energy backed by courage and clear judgment.
On the 22d of June, 1892, Mr. Killam was married to Miss Nana Vaughn, a daughter of James and Mary (Moore) Vaughn, the former of whom was born in Tennessee and the latter in Macoupin county, Illinois. Mr. Vaughn came to this county at the age of thirteen years and learned the mason's trade at which he worked for several years. He then turned his attention to farming, which he followed successfully until 1892, when he moved to Carlinville and purchased the home in which he and his wife are now living. Since taking up his residence in town he has resumed the trade which he learned many years ago and, although he has reached the advanced age of seventy-nine years, he is still working at the mason's trade. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Killam : Ollie May, who is eighteen years of age; Truman Henry, aged sixteen ; Dorothy Irene, aged thirteen ; and James Oliver, aged eleven.
Mr. Killam is a friend of the public schools, which he regards as the bulwark of the nation, and is now serving as a member of the school board. From the time of reaching manhood he has voted in support of the republican party but not through expectation of being a candidate for office, as his interest is centered in his business affairs which are in a highly flourishing condition. He attends the Baptist church, of which his wife also is a member.
HARVEY MADISON.
It would be difficult indeed to find in Macoupin county a more worthy sub- ject for review in a historical work pertaining to this section than Harvey Madi- son. He has been a resident of the county since 1836 and, by a life of earnest and persistent industry, he many years ago became one of the most highly re- spected men in Nilwood township-a man whose integrity has never been ques- tioned, and whose acts have reflected credit upon himself and all with whom he has associated. He was born August II, 1824, a son of Henry and Mary (Smith) Madison, the former of whom was born in Vermont and the latter in New York state. He is also a grandson of Daniel Madison, a native of England, and David Smith, who was born in Germany.
In 1836 he came with his parents to Bird township, Macoupin county, and continued under the paternal roof until 1848. In the district schools of Sanga- mon and Macoupin counties he gained his preliminary education, but he was not satisfied with the limited training afforded in his youth and has greatly widened his knowledge by reading and observation. At the age of twenty-four he went
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to Montgomery county and engaged in farming on his own account, remaining there until 1855, when he returned to Macoupin county and for a short time en- gaged in selling merchandise in Nilwood township. Upon giving up this busi- ness, he resumed the occupation to which he had been reared and gave his close attention to agriculture and stock-raising for about forty years. In 1900 he took up his residence at Carlinville but moved to Chicago in 1908 in order to be near his children. He was not satisfied with life in a large city and, after a residence of one year at the great metropolis of the lakes, he returned to Gi- rard where he has since resided.
In 1848 Mr. Madison was married in Bird township to Miss Mary Waters, of Morgan county, Illinois, a daughter of Zachariah and Mary (Canady) waters, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Four sons were born to this union, two of whom, John R. and Peyton C., are living in Chicago. The other two, Zachariah and William, are deceased. The mother of these children died in 1882, and two years later Mr. Madison was married in Nilwood township to Miss Rebecca Paden, of Montgomery county, Illinois, a daughter of Leroy and Jane (Fletcher) Paden, the former of whom was born in South Carolina and the latter in Kentucky. Mrs. Madison has proved to her husband a sympathetic and helpful campanion and they now enjoy at ease the results of many years of patient application.
Mr. Madison gives his political support to the prohibition cause and has long been an earnest advocate of the abolition of the saloon, believing that it is the greatest evil with which the country is afflicted. He was for a number of years an active member of the Sons of Temperance and the Good Templars and assisted to the extent of his ability in advancing the interests of those organiza- tions. He served as highway commissioner and also for several terms as mem- ber of the school board. As a young man he became connected with the Meth- odist church and ever since 1850-a period of sixty-one years-he has been a steward in the church. This is a record that it would probably be impossible to parallel in the state of Illinois. Throughout life steadfast and outspoken in his views, he has been upright in his dealings and is, therefore, eminently worthy of the deep respect which is due to one who has ever heeded the voice of con- science and the call of duty.
JOHN WILLIAM CHALLACOMBE.
John William Challacombe, residing on section 21, Chesterfield township, is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land and devotes his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising with excellent results. He was born in Chesterfield township, near Challacombe Station, his natal day being May 11, 1855. The Challacombe family came originally from France with William the Conqueror. John Challacombe, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in West Down parish, Devonshire, England, in July, 1785, where the family resided for many generations. In April, 1833, he left England with his wife and children and after a long and stormy voyage on a sailing vessel,
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landed at New York in September. Settling first in Genesee county, New York, he there purchased land and engaged in farming. In 1840 he came west with his family, locating three miles southwest of Carlinville, Illinois, where he lived for a few years and then removed to Chesterfield township, Macoupin county. Here he continued to reside until called to his final rest in 1846, owning at that time a large tract of land.
Nicholas Challacombe, the father of John W. Challacombe, was the sixth in order of birth in a family of eight children and was born at Devonshire, Eng- land, on the 19th of June, 1824. He accompanied his parents on their emigra- tion to the United States and was sixteen years of age when his father settled in Illinois. He attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education and assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, which remained his place of residence until he passed away on the 3d of November, 1896. As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life he chose Miss Nancy Glorian Carson, a daughter of Harvey and Mary (Goff) Carson, of Tennessee. Har- vey Carson, a gentleman of Scotch descent, came to this county with his family in 1833, taking up government land in Chesterfield township. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Blackburn, was a member of the Blackburn family that founded Blackburn University of Carlinville, Illinois. Unto Nich- olas and Nancy G. (Carson) Challacombe were born eleven children, as fol- lows: Isabella Agnes, the deceased wife of Horace B. Warner, of Chesterfield township; Mary Elizabeth, the widow of Arthur Corey Hartwell, who served as captain of Company F, Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, fought through- out the Civil war and died from an accidental gunshot wound while hunting; Medora Jane, the wife of John K. Butler; John William, of this review; Fan- nie Grizzell, the wife of John Searles, of Medora, Illinois; Nicholas Bartle, who is married and resides at Everett, Washington; Joseph Emmons and Sophia Asenath, twins, who died in infancy; James Edwin, who likewise passed away in infancy ; Mabel Grace, the wife of Allen L. Birchard, of Everett, Washing- ton ; and Wesley Adams, living at Carlinville, Illinois, who is a professor in Blackburn University.
John William Challacombe, whose name introduces this review, obtained his early education in the public schools, subsequently attended Blackburn Uni- versity and also pursued a course of study in a business college at Jacksonville, Illinois. He has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits through- out his entire business career, first assisting in the operation of the home farm, which he continued to manage after his father passed away. His holdings now embrace two hundred and forty acres of highly productive and valuable land and most of the improvements thereon stand as monuments to his enterprise and industry. His house is situated on a high hill, and a fine grove of trees afford shade. Mr. Challacombe also has an excellent orchard of twenty acres and is extensively engaged in the raising and feeding of stock in connection with the tilling of the soil. In all of his business affairs he is alert and enter- prising, meeting with the measure of success which always rewards earnest, persistent and well directed labor.
Mr. Challacombe has been married twice. On the 22d of May, 1877, he wedded Rosalie Hartwell, whose birth. occurred on the 18th of May, 1856, her
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parents being James and Mary (Corey) Hartwell. The Hartwell family was represented in the Revolutionary war. James Hartwell was a native of Gro- ton, Massachusetts, where the family lived for some generations. He was an architect and carpenter contractor and came to Illinois from Massachusetts in 1845, purchasing land in Chesterfield township, Macoupin county, but set- tling in Carrollton. After residing there for two years he took up his abode on his farm, where his demise occurred in 1861. Unto him and his wife were born five children, namely: Arthur Corey, who is mentioned above; Mary, the wife of William B. Challacombe, of Sedalia, Missouri; Justin L., who is a resident of Blessing, Texas; Corrina, the wife of A. J. Darrah, of Medora, Illinois; and Rosalie Challacombe. John W. and Rosalie (Hartwell) Challacombe had one son, James Nicholas. The mother died on the 13th of May, 1878, a few days after the birth of the child. James Nicholas grew to manhood and married Georgia Miner, a daughter of George and Belle (Van Arsdale) Miner, of Jer- sey county, Illinois. By that union there were three children, two of whom died in infancy. The surviving child is Rosalie. The family live on their farm one-half mile east of Summerville, in Chesterfield township. On the 29th of August, 1883, John W. Challacombe was again married, his second union being with Mary Fenton, who was born on the 14th of August, 1861, of the marriage of George and Sarah (Thornton) Fenton. George Fenton came from Eng- land to Macoupin county and subsequently wedded Miss Sarah Thornton, a daughter of Richard Thornton, of Cincinnati, Ohio. By his second wife Mr. Challacombe had five children, as follows: Edith G., at home; Lorena May, who resides at Everett, Washington; Harvey E., who is still under the parental roof ; Annie Belle, who died in infancy ; and Clifford T., also at home.
In politics Mr. Challacombe is a republican but has never sought office as a reward for his party fealty. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as an elder. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Loyal Americans. He is a well read and highly intelligent man and has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of the substantial and respected citizens of his native county.
WILLIAM WHEELER.
William Wheeler, who is now in the seventy-ninth year of his age and has been a resident of Macoupin county since his infancy, was born in Rush county, Indiana, April 13, 1833. He is a son of John and Mary (Cameron) Wheeler, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, the former born in 1804 and the lat- ter in 1803. The father removed to Ohio with his parents at the age of six years and grew to maturity in the Buckeye state, where he was married to Miss Mary Cameron and in 1835 arrived with his family in Macoupin county, Illinois. He located on section 7, Bird township, and there continued during the remainder of his life, which covered a period of over sixty years. He died on the old homestead July 3, 1895, and his wife passed away May 25, 1898. Their re- mains were interred in Shiloh cemetery, Bird township. In the family of Mr.
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MRS. WILLIAM WHEELER
WILLIAM WHEELER
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
and Mrs. Wheeler were seven children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are: William, of this review; Barbara, the wife of Jonas Rebble, of Het- tick; F. M., who is now engaged in farming in Bird township; Calvin, a resident of Greenfield, Greene county, Illinois; and Huldah, who became the wife of John R. Stewart and who is now deceased.
In the pioneer schools of Macoupin county William Wheeler received his early education, his advantages being extremely limited as teachers were few, schoolhouses were far apart and the boys were needed at home to assist their fathers in redeeming the wilderness to the uses of man. He remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age and then located on the place where he has since resided, on section 8, Bird township. The land was originally raw prairie but he applied himself energetically and instituted many improvements, erecting a comfortable residence and developing the property to a substantial paying basis. He prospered in his work and is now the fortunate owner of three hundred and two acres in this county and three hundred acres in Coffey county, Kansas. Through his unremitting industry and careful management he years ago became recognized as one of the successful men of Macoupin county, a position which he has ever since retained.
In 1856 Mr. Wheeler was married to Miss Mary J. Lee and they have six children living: J. N., a farmer of Bird township; A. C., who is living at home ; John, who is engaged in farming near Clinton, Missouri; Alvin, also of Bird township; Elma, who married Allen Bear, of Clinton, Missouri; and Ollie, who is the wife of J. W. Parker, of Bird township. Madore died at the age of nine- teen years and Edgar died at the age of five. Mr. Wheeler is in thorough sym- pathy with the democratic party and as a patriotic and public-spirited citizen has filled various offices of responsibility in his township. He and his wife are members of the Shiloh Baptist church, in which he has long served as trustee and deacon. He rightfully belongs among the honored members of the com- munity and as he approaches the age of four score he looks back over a life of usefulness, in the course of which he has encouraged many by his just and hon- , orable course to persevere in the pursuit of worthy aims. He and his estimable wife have many friends and are numbered among the most respected residents of the county.
SAMUEL THEODORE MORSE.
Samuel Theodore Morse, consulting engineer, with an office in Carlinville and a clientage that is indicative of his capability and high standing in the profession, was born December 26, 1872, in the city which is still his home. He was graduated from the Carlinville high school with the class of 1889 and afterward spent three years as a student in Blackburn University. He then entered the University of Illinois wherein he pursued the civil engineering course and was graduated with the class of 1896. He has since practiced his profession and his course has been characterized by continuous progress. For several years he held a respnosible position with the Illinois Central Railroad and then resigned, locating in Carlin- Vol. II-5
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