History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 32

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 440

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gaged in general merchandizing, farming and hotel keeping. About one year after his wife and child were taken sick and died. He became dissatis- fied with the place, sold out and came to Carlinville. Soon after his arrival here, which was in 1836, he purchased the grocery store of Jefferson Weatherford, and engaged in retailing family groceries and supplies. He was only moderately successful in business here. He, however, made his presence felt, and had attained more or less prominence in his locality ; as we find that in the following year he was elected Major of a regiment of militia. From that date until his death, he was best known in this section of the country as " Major " Burke. In 1838 he was elected Sheriff of the county, which position ne held uninterruptedly for twelve years, and would probably have held it longer but for a provision in the State Constitution of 1848, which rendered him ineligible for re-election. The year after his retirement from the office of Sheriff he was elected a member of the State Legislature for two years, and at the expiration of his term of this office, was again elected Sheriff of the county. This was in 1852. In 1854, he was nominated by the democracy of his county for the Legislature, and by the same party was placed before the people for the office of State Senator. He accepted the latter nomination, but was defeated by John M. Palmer, by fourteen votes. In 1856 he was again the standard bearer of the Demo- cratic party for legislative honors, and was triumphantly elected. In 1858 he was offered the same candidacy by the Douglas wing of the democracy, but he found he could not represent his constituents without doing violence to his own convictions of right, and therefore refused a nomination at their hands. He was, however, subsequently nominated on the anti-Douglas

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

ticket, but owing to the split of the Democratic party was of course de- feated. In 1860 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, that met at Charleston, South Carolina, and in the autumn of the same year was nominated on the Breckenridge ticket for the position of Secretary of State, of Illinois, but was defeated with the balance of the ticket.

In the summer of 1868 he was, without any solicitations of his own, once more nominated to the lower house of the State Legislature. In 1871 he was elected to the State Senate for four years. In addition to these vari- ous offices, he also held other important trusts. In 1847 he was appointed public administrator of the county, by the Governor. In 1871 he was elected the first supervisor for his township, and held the office until his death in 1876. During the administration of James Buchanan he was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. In 1842 he was united in marriage to Miss Emily P. Keller, daughter of Samuel Keller, Esq. By this union there were five children ; two sons and three daughters. The survivors are Don A. Burke, who is still a resident of Carlinville, the place of his birth, and Ella M., the accomplished wife of John G. Shryer. Mrs. Emily P. Burke died in 1852. Eleven years later Mr. Burke married his third wife, whose name was Martha J. McGready, of Potosi, Missouri, by whom he had two children, a son and daughter. Their names are Bertie M., and Lucy S. Burke. Mr. Burke, after a long career of usefulness, de- parted this life July 30th, 1876, in the seventieth year of his age. This, in brief, is a sketch of one of the early settlers and prominent men of Macou- pin county. He came here at an early day, and from the very outstart took foremost rank as one of the county's able and most trustworthy men. The mere narration of the number of honorable positions to which Major Burke was elected, testify to his popularity, and show in what estimation he was held by his political party and fellow-citizens. His acts while in office in both the county and state are matters of public record, and a part of the history of the county and state. Not a breath of suspicion or personal dis- honor ever rested upon his name. His unswerving fidelity to trusts con- fided to him by a generous public is well-known to the people of Macoupin county. He regarded these as sacred, and he never directly or indirectly · suffered the moneys of the public to be diverted from their proper channels, or used for any other purpose than that for which they were intended. What was true of him in a public or official capacity was equally true in his private and personal relations with the people. To these correct and honest principles he attributed his great financial success in life. His open and avowed hostility to speculation and misdirection of the public moneys in the building of the Court House is well-known. He fought on the side of the people, and had his warnings been heeded the debt which has given Macoupin county an unenviable record would not have been created. In his private and domestic life he was a kind husband and an affectionate father, and among his relations, friends and citizens is remembered by all for his sterling virtues.

JOHN LOGAN, M. D.,

WAS born in Hamilton county, Ohio, December 30, 1809, and is the son of James and Mary, nee Cooper, Logan, the former a native of Monaghan county, Ireland, and came to America in 1793; the latter of English descent. His father settled at Ellicott's Mills, in Maryland. In 1815 he removed to Missouri, to what is now known as Perry county. He remained there until 1826, when he went to Jackson county, Ill, where he died in 1852. Mrs. Logan died in 1828. John had but few school privileges in his boyhood, but by his own efforts acquired a fair English education. In 1831, at the breaking out of the Indian troubles, he was elected Major of the 9th regiment, Illinois militia, and in 1832 served in the Black Hawk war. In September, 1836, he was elected Colonel of the 44th regiment, Illinois militia. In 1833 he came to Carlinville, and worked at the carpen- ter trade. He had, however, previous to this, read medicine, with a view of adopting it at some future time as a profession. He continued at the carpenter trade until 1836, after which he again went to reading medicine. He commenced the practice in 1838, in partnership with Dr. James, with whom he remained until 1841. He, in the winter of 1840, attended a course oflectures at Kemper College, St. Louis, and in 1841, at the St. Louis Hospital, under Professor Joseph N. McDowell, after which he began his practice again, continuing with growing success until 1861. At the break-

ing out of the late war he was one among the first to advise the immediate raising of troops to put down the rebellion. On the 31st of December, 1861, the 32d regiment, Illinois Volunteers, were mustered into service. Dr. Logan was elected Colonel. He first reported with his men to Gen. Grant, at Cairo, Illinois, in January of 1862. After the battles of Forts Henry and Donaldson, his regiment became a part of the Fourth Division of the Army of the Tennessee, under command of Gen. S. A. Hurlburt. The regiment made for itself a most honorable record, being continually at the front. At the battle of Shiloh, the regiment entered the fight with five hundred and forty men, and came out with two hundred and five killed and wounded. He was mustered out of service, December 30, 1864, but served on the court-martial of General Sweeney until the 22d of February, 1865. In 1866 he was appointed United States Marshall for Southern Illinois. He held the office until 1870. After retiring from his duties as Mar- shall he resumed his profession of medicine in Carlinville.

On the 31st of January, 1841, he was united in marriage with Miss Ann Eliza Banks, who is a native of Kentucky, but was a resident of St. Louis at the time of her marriage. Her parents were Virginians. Ten children have been born to them, five of whom are living. The eldest son, William C. C., was first lieutenant of Co. "C." 32d regiment, Illinois Volunteers. He contracted a disease from overwork and exposure, and died while in the service. In religious belief Dr. Logan is a Methodist, and has been since he was seventeen years of age. In politics he is a Republican, and was one of the original Abolitionists who voted for Birney, the Abolition candidate for president in 1844. He has been all his life an exceedingly temperate man. In his character he illustrates the most sterling qualities. Prompt and zealous, he is at the same time generous and warm-hearted. As a sol- dier his services were marked by an efficiency surpassed by none. As a civil officer he was honest, capable and popular, while in his professional career he is skilful, and in the performance of his work combines the noblest characteristics of a true Christian manhood.

F. TAGGART

Was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, April 6, 1812. Samuel Taggart, his father, was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, as was also his mother. There were six children in the family. His father died about 1818, when the subject of our sketch was about six years of age, His mother died in 1824. After the death of his parents, our subject lived with an older bro- ther, with whom he remained until he was eighteen years of age. He received in his youth and boyhood a fair common school education. At the age above spoken he went out into the world to carn his living. In 1830 he came to Greene county, Illinois, where he learned the trade of brick-mason, and brick making. In 1833 he came to Carlinville; here he followed his trade. He laid the brick upon some of the first houses built in the city, one of which is still standing on the north side of the public square. He was about the first brick manufacturer in the county. He was sub-contractor, and laid the brick of the old court-house that stood in the public square. In 1840 he quit his trade and engaged in mercantile pur- suits with Walker and Phelps, under the firm name of Walker, Phelps & Co. The firm was afterwards changed to Phelps & Taggart. He continued in the mercantile business until 1865, since which time he has lived a retired life. He married Ann Hesser, a native of Virginia, but who was a resident of Christian county at the time of her marriage. The marriage took place June 19th, 1845. One child, a daughter, was born to them ; she is now the wife of John W. McNeil, a resident of Carlinville. Ann Taggart died May 11th, 1850. He afterwards married Dorinda Renshaw, who died Oct. 16, 1853. His present wife was Miss T. V. Walker. Her parents were natives of Tennessee, and came to Macoupin county about 1830. Both he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. He is a Demo- crat in politics, but he was formerly a Henry Clay Whig. In 1840 he voted for Harrison and Tyler. He continued a member of that political organization up to the abandonment of the party, when he became a Demo- crat, and has ever since voted that ticket. He is not in any sense a poli- tician, nor takes part in politics except to vote his sentiments. Mr. Taggart is an old citizen of Macoupin county and Carlinville ; nearly half a cen- tury has passed since he came to the town, and in all these years he has stood high in the opinion of his fellow citizens and neighbors, as an honest and conscientious man.

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Charles A Hallen

Among the many prominent citizens of Macoupin county, none deserves better mention in a book of this character, than he whose name heads this biographical sketch. Mr. Walker may be regarded as one of the pioneers of the county, if an active life of nearly half a century within its borders entitles him to that honor. He was born in Nashville, Tenn., and emigra- ted to Illinois in 1830, with his father, Abram S. Walker, who was a black- smith by trade, but subsequently became engaged in active mercantile pursuits. He married Miss Rosina Phelphs, who was a native of North Carolina. Mr. Walker is of English and German extraction. The subject of our sketch spent his boyhood at work on his father's farm, attending the country schools during the winter months. Compared with the present, the educational facilities of those days were limited. To supply this deficiency, and qualify himself for business life, he, in 1848, entered Shurtleff College, at Upper Alton. When the gold fever of California broke out, Mr. Walker, becoming imbued with the popular excitement of the day, and being fitted by his vigorous constitution to enjoy the chances of an overland trip through a wild and unexplored country, in company with two others, set out with an ox team for the distant Colorado. There for two years he was engaged in mining and trading, when he returned to Carlinville. About two years after his return he married Permelia, daughter of Daniel and Susan Dick. He was engaged in general business from this time until he commenced the practice of law, which was in 1858, having studied in the law office of Judge S. S. Gilbert and Gen. John I. Rinaker. In the profession of law, Mr. Walker found his proper sphere and true field of usefulness, where he is still actively engaged. He is a man of fine natural endowments, which have been developed by thorough discipline and extensive research. He is a clear thinker, a logical reasoner, and a good judge of human nature. To these necessary requisites of a good lawyer, are untiring industry and a large share of common sense. In the possession of these qualities the pro- blem of success is easily solved, and it is no evidence of unusual foresight to predict for the possessor of them a successful career. Mr. Walker is a wide-awake, public-spirited citizen. He is fully imbued with Western push and enterprise. Every movement having for its object the increase of the material wealth and prosperity of his town or county, receives his cordial and substantial support, but he is the foe to everything that has not for its

object the greatest good to the greatest number ; this is notably so in his connection with the building of the new court-house. At the inception of the building he was in favor of the erection of a court-house that in size would meet the demands of the county, and be suitable for the wants of the people. No sooner did he discover the plans and purposes of the commis- sioners, and their determination to erect a building exceeding the wants of the people for many generations to come-creating a debt that would weigh them down with taxation, did he promptly declare his opposition, both publicly and privately, endeavoring by every possible means to defeat their plans, and compel them to pay attention to the voice of the people. By his outspoken views and prominent position, he became at once the leader in a fierce opposi- tion to the perpetration of that stupendous wrong, as he has always insisted it was. Having then defined his position, he has rigidly adhered to it to the present time. To him, perhaps, more than to any other man, have the people looked to have justice done them, and it is not too much for us to say, that in him they have found a faithful, honest, and competent leader and adviser. In politics Mr. Walker is the staunch supporter of the Demo- cratic party, and is most soundly indoctrinated in its political creeds, and has followed its varied fortunes through all the stirring campaigns of his manhood. He has done good service for his party, and his forcible and persuasive words, as delivered from the hustings, have inspired courage and hope in the hearts of its friends. In 1862 his services and fidelity to the principles of his party received recognition from an appreciative people. He was nominated and elected to the position of member of the legislature. In 1872 he was elected mayor of the city of Carlinville. In 1876 he was one of the democratic state electors, and canvassed his district in that capa- city. In these positions he discharged his trusts in a manner that justified the wisdom of the people who gave him their suffrages.

In his intercourse with men, Mr. Walker is a pleasant, affable and cour- teous gentleman, and is ever mindful of the wants of others. This, in brief, is an outline of the life of Chas. A. Walker-the sequel of his own history tells the story. Industry and indomitable will wins success, and success is the standard by which the world measures a man. It is the measure of Mr. Walker's ability as a lawyer and a man. It admirably illustrates the wisdom of the adage, " Man is the architect of his own fortune."

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Johnd Pwerken

WHEN we trace the history of our leading men, and search for the secret of their success, we find as a rule that they were men who were early thrown upon their own resources, and whose first experiences were in the face of adversity and opposition. Such was the case with the subject of our sketch, an outline of whose life may be found in what follows.

: i 1

He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1830. He was, by the death of his parents, thrown upon his own resources at a very early age. In 1837 he became a resident of Illinois, and lived in Sangamon county until 1840, after which he lived and labored on a farm until he was nineteen years old, near Franklin, in Morgan county, attending common school during a part of each winter. He attended school at Illinois College, Jacksonville, having pre- viously earned the money to pay for his tuition and board by labor on farm, and after entering college by teaching school at intervals. In 1850 he be- came a student at MeKendree College, Lebanon, Ill., taking the scientific course, and graduated in 1851. In the fall of 1852 he became a resident of Carlinville, and a student in the law office of John M. Palmer, and after he had made suitable proficiency in his studies was admitted to the bar in 1854, and to practice in all of the courts of Illinois, and immediately thereafter entered upon the practice of his profession, in which he continued uninter- ruptedly until the breaking out of the late civil war.

In 1862 he raised a regiment of men, which was organized in August, 1862, at Camp Palmer, Carlinville, and known as the 122d Regiment Illi- nois Infantry Volunteers. He was elected and commissioned Colonel. The regiment was mustered into the service September 4th, 1862, and was ordered to report for duty at Columbus, Ky., and from there was ordered to Trenton, Tenn. In December following the regiment, with other troops, moved to Jackson to defend that place against Forrest. The command marched in pursuit of the enemy to Lexington, Tenn., after which they returned to Jackson. On the 27th of December went in pursuit of Forrest, who had

attacked the hospitals at Trenton, and captured the sick and about sixty enlisted men of the regiment. At Parker's cross-roads they met the enemy, and a fight ensued, in which they, in connection with other troops, drove the enemy from the grounds, and captured seven pieces of artillery and five hundred prisoners. In this engagement Col. Rinaker was severely wounded. The command to which the regiment belonged moved in February, 1863, to Corinth, and from that time to the close of the war it constituted a part of the army of the Tennessee, and shared the fortunes of the 16th army corps, either with the right or left wing. In January, 1864, a part of the regiment was stationed at Paducah and a part at Cairo. Col. Rinaker was then assigned to the command of the post at Cairo, and remained there till June of 1864, when he was ordered with his regiment to Memphis and thence to Lagrange, where it joined the forces under Gen. A. J. Smith, who was then commanding two divisions of the 16th army corps, and became a part of the First Brigade, second division 16th army corps. Col. Rinaker commanded the regiment in the battle of Tupelo, Miss., 14th of July, 1864, where his regiment lost 9 killed and 24 wounded. His regiment held the most advanced and exposed part and centre of the Federal line, and held it suc- cessfully against repeated attacks of the rebel enemy under S. D. Lee and N. B. Forrest. The rebels were utterly defeated at Tupelo.

After the battle, he went with his regiment to Missouri, and took part in the hardships of the campaign against Price's command in the fall of 1864. After the campaign closed in Missouri the command returned to St. Louis, and embarked for Nashville, Tennessee, where they arrived November 24th. They were still a part of Gen. Smith's command, then known as a detach- ment of the army of the Tennessee. In December following fought and assisted in annihilating Hood's army ; they followed in pursuit of the enemy as far as Eastport, Miss. In February, 1865, he was placed in command of the First Brigade, second division, 16th army corps, and with his brigade

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

embarked for New Orleans, and then took part with the forces in the cam- paign against Mobile. In April they were a part of the command that stormed the works of Fort Blakely. And here it would be proper to state that the responsibility of making the assault on the works was thrown on Gen. Rinaker. As Canby, the General commanding, had given no order to assault, Gen. A. J. Smith, commanding 16th army corps, desired that Gen. Garrard's division should assault the enemy's works, yet was not in a posi- tion to issue an order to that effect ; so it was agreed that if that division would attack, Gen. Smith would back it up with Carr and McArthur's divi- sions if necessary ; and at Gen. Garrard's headquarters it was agreed that if Rinaker would make the attack with his brigade he should be supported by the rest of the division. Rinaker held a position nearest the enemy's works, so led the assault, and his brigade carried the works in its front, and broke the enemy's line, capturing 22 pieces of artillery and a large number of prisoners. When the movement was taken up by the rest of the line and Blakely fell, and a way was thus opened, so that, without firing another shot, our ships moved unvexed into the wharves of Mobile; and it was for this meritorious service that he was recommended for and received promo- tion. From Blakely the command was ordered to Montgomery, and thence to Mobile, where the 122d regiment was mustered out of the service July 15th, 1865, and was finally discharged at Springfield, Ill., August 4th, 1865. Gen. Rinaker was breveted and promoted Brigadier-General for gallant and meritorious conduct, to date from March 13th, 1865.

During his career in the army he made for himself an honorable record, being distinguished for that cool courage that always wins. Well may the soldiers of that war who bravely defended the Stars and Stripes look back on their military record with pleasure. They have done a noble self-sacri- ficing service ; and, living or dead, a grateful country will honor them.

After the war closed, Gen. Rinaker returned to Carlinville, and resumed the practice of the law. He has attained a prominent standing at the bar, and is recognized by members of the profession as a good lawyer and a man of ability, and is an effective speaker both before the court and juries. While he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, yet he is one of the best political speakers in the state. He has also been a Presiden- tial elector for the district in which he lives, and in 1876 was one of the Presidential electors for the state at large. In politics Gen. Rinaker was a democrat up to 1858, when he left the democratic party and united with the republican party. At that time the democratic party in Central and Southern Illinois was in a triumphant majority. The republicans did not constitute one-third of the voting population in the county of Macoupin, nor in any county south of Springfield.

But at that time it was evident to his mind that the democratic party was used simply as the bulwark of slavery, and that its principles no longer were those of Jefferson and Jackson, but were those held by the slave propagan- dists and the advocates of nullification and secession; and he did not hesitate to abandon the dominant party, and become a member of the party which regarded slavery as wrong and the doctrines of secession as tending to anarchy; that regarded both doctrines as the enemies of liberty and union. He has been frequently honored with offices of trust and honor in his locality and state, but has refused them. In 1874 he accepted the Republican nomination for Congress, but was defeated. It may be men- tioned as an evidence of his popularity, where he is best known, that he ran 750 votes ahead of his ticket in Macoupin county, a county that gives usually 400 for the democratic ticket.

Thus, in brief, have we sketched an outline of the life and public services of Gen. Rinaker. In his manners he is affable, full of anecdote, and pos- sessed of fine conversational powers.

He married Miss Clara Keplinger, October 16th, 1855. She was born in Morgan county, Ill. This union has been blessed by five children, one deceased. The eldest son, Thomas, is a graduate of Blackburn University and the law department of the University of Michigan, and is now practi- cing law in partnership with his father.

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History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 32

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages: 440

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 440