History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 34

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

USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois > Part 34

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Danville, Lexington and Shelby circuits. For the office of presiding Elder he was eminently qualified. We quote from the history of "Methodism in Kentucky," the author of which says : " His fine executive talents, his marked ability in the pulpit, whether in defending the doctrines and pe- culiarities of Methodism, or enforcing its practical and experimental truths, together with the kindness and gentleness showed toward the younger preachers in his district, rendered him a universal favorite as a presiding elder during his stay in Kentucky."

In the autumn of 1825 he was transferred to the Illinois Conference, and appointed to the Wabash district, on which he remained until the General Conference of 1828, when he was elected Book Agent at Cincinnati. In this relation he served the church until 1836, when he was appointed pre- siding elder of Lebanon district, Illinois Conference, and in 1838 we find him in charge of the Alton district, on which he remained for four years. Unable longer to perform the arduous duties of a presiding elder, yet un- willing to lay aside the harness, at the Conference of 1844 we find him on the Grafton circuit, and in 1845 on the Carlinville circuit. At the close of the year, unable longer to prosecute his labors as an "itinerant " he was placed on the superannuated roll, on which he continued until his death, which occurred in 1850. The last Conference that he attended was at Quincy, Illinois, September, 1849. On his way there he was taken sick from which he never fully recovered. His sufferings in his last illness were extreme and painful, but yet such was his confidence and perfect faith and hope in the goodness of God that he bore them without a murmur. He felt and saw that the time was nigh at hand when his labors and toil of years were about to be rewarded. He retained his reason to the last, and when the dread summons came to join that innumerable throng that is silently passing down to the realms of shade, he met it calmly and peacefully, and with a child-like simplicity and confidence in the mercies of Jesus Christ he passed over to the world beyond, where he received the just reward for a pure and blameless life while in this.

Four of the nine children, fruits of the first marriage of Mr. Holliday, are still living. Of the latter marriage, five children were born to them ; two of whom have survived the parents. Elizabeth Holliday, the latter wife of Mr. Holliday, died July 18th, 1863.

In the spring of 1836 Mr. Holliday removed to Chesterfield, in Macoupin county, and entered land in the township, and at the time of his death was possessed of considerable property. It was, while he was a resident of Chesterfield, that his death occurred, as above stated. He was a man of great energy and promptness, and allowed nothing to hinder him in any- thing that he undertook to do, and has completed all that he set out to do. The two surviving children of the last marriage of Mr. Holliday, are George H. Holliday and Nancy H., wife of Dr. W. H. Robertson, of Car- linville. George H., the son, was finely educated, and was, while a resident of this county, one of the most prominent and influential citizen. His scholarly attainments, and researches in the domain of science and litera- ture, together with his great store of knowledge accumulated from wide and extensive reading, made him a marked man in the community. During his stay in Cincinnati while his father had charge of the Methodist Book Agency, he had superior advantages for receiving an education. He soon became a good Latin, Greek and English scholar, and also acquired a fair knowledge of the Hebrew language. After his father came back to Illinois he entered Mckendree College, at Lebanon, Illinois, and graduated from that institution. He was for a number of years prominently identified in the politics of the county, and held important offices of trusts within the gift of the people.

In August, 1858, he was appointed by the county court to fill out the un- expired term of Enoch Wall, who died, and who had been county clerk. He held the position until 1866, when he was nominated by the Democratic party for the same position, and was elected in the following November. In 1864 he received the nomination again, and was re-elected and held the office until the expiration of the term in 1868.

He was in 1856 elected to represent this district in the General Assembly of the state. As surveyor of the county for many years, he was perhaps the best posted man in the county, and enjoyed a larger acquaintance and was more favorably known than any other. He married Cinderella Chism, who was born in Macoupin county. There were six children born to them, all of whom are living.

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ZACHARIAS HARRIS,

THE present treasurer of Macoupin county, was born in Bond county, Illinois, July 7th, 1830. His father, Pendle- ton Harris, was a native of Tennessee. The Harris's came from North Carolina, and were of English ancestry on the paternal side, and on the maternal, Irish. Mr. Harris emi- grated to Illinois about the year 1828. He soon after married Jane Mallard, who was a native of Kentucky. In 1840 he left Bond county and removed to Bunker Hill, in Macoupin county, where he remained until 1851, when he removed to Cahokia township, where he has since resided. The subject of our sketch spent his boyhood days at work

upon the farm, and attended the common schools in the winter months. When in his twenty-third year he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Duncan ; she is a native of Indiana. He continued farming until 1877, when he received the nomination for the office of county treasurer, and was elected in November of the same year, and at pre- sent discharges the duties of the office in a manner that is acceptable to his numerous friends who honored him with their suffrages. In his township he was frequently honored with offices of trust, and in all has proven himself an honest and upright man and a careful and prudent officer. In politics he is a democrat.

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

poim faulules

THE present efficient sheriff of Macoupin county, was born in Jersey county, Illinois, May 25th, 1840. The Sunderland family is of English ancestry, and emigrated from England to America at a period anterior to the revolution. Samuel, the father of the present sketch, was a native of Trenton, New Jersey. He was a soldier of the war of 1812. He was a wheel and mill-wright by trade. He, however, during the last fifteen years resi- ded in his native state, was toll-keeper on the bridge across the Delaware river, connecting New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In 1821 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Hutchison, who was a native of Geneseo county, New York. In 1839 Mr. Sunderland came west and settled in Jersey county, Illinois, which was then a part of Greene county. He engaged in farming, which occupation he continued until his death, which event occurred May 23d, 1875. Nine children were born to Samuel and Elizabeth Sunder- land, five of whom have survived the parents. The subject of our sketch spent his boyhood days at work upon the farm, and attended the common schools of his native place in the winter season. On the 9th of August, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. White, daughter of Robert H. and Christine White. Mr. White was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and his wife a native of the northern part of the same country. They emigrated to America in 1833, and settled in New York, and afterwards removed to 1 New Jersey, and subsequently came to Illinois and settled in Jersey county, where the family resided. Six children have been born to John F. and 1

Mary J. Sunderland, five boys and one girl; all are yet beneath the parental roof.

In 1861 he removed to and settled in Honey Point township, in Macou- pin county, and engaged in farming, at which he continued industriously engaged until 1878, when he was elected sheriff of the county, and re- moved with his family to Carlinville, and entered upon the duties of his office.

Such, in short, is a brief outline of the history of Mr. Sunderland. In politics he is a democrat, and his first vote in that organization was regis- tered for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860. He has been, from the casting of his first vote up to the present time, a true and consistent member of that political party. He has been more or less prominent and active in the local politics and affairs of his township, and has represented it in the supervisors' court for a number of years. He was nominated for sheriff dur- ing the time that he was supervisor. He received the unanimous support of his party in convention assembled, and at the ensuing election in November following, was elected by a handsome majority, and now fills the office with credit to himself and honor to all those who supported him. In his manners he is a genial gentleman. In the management of his office, and in the ca- pacity of a public servant, he is methodical and exact, and in the discharge of his duties, is prompt and determined. In short he is an able officer, and under his management the county's interests will be in no danger, and the laws will be faithfully executed so far as he is responsible.

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS

JOSEPH C. HOWELL

Is a native of New Jersey, born in Trenton, January 15th, 1815. His father, Henry B., was also a native of the same state. The family is of English and Welsh extraction. Henry B. Howell was engaged for the greater part of his life in merchandizing, and died in his native state at the advanced age of seventy-two years. He married Hannah Corlees, who was also a native of New Jersey. The family consisted of seven children, six of whom have survived the parents. The mother died aged eighty-one years. All of the children still remain in their native state except the youngest daughter, wife of Joseph A. Sawyer, of Worcester, Mass., and the subject of our sketch. Joseph, attended the schools of his native state and received a fair education. His time was divided between attending the school and assisting his father in the store. When he arrived at his sixteenth year, he left the parental roof and went to Philadelphia and entered a wholesale dry-goods store as shipping and general clerk. He re- mained so engaged until the fall of 1836, when, having heard glowing ac- counts of the great west and the opportunities that it offered a young man to make a fortune, provided he was stout of heart and had self-reliant qualities, he concluded to follow the stream that was then setting westward. His ac- tion was somewhat hastened by a situation being offered him to take charge of a stock of goods, as soon as he would arrive at Alton, Illinois. He accept- ed the offer and made immediate preparation to take up his abode and cast his fortunes among and with the people of the great west. He accordingly paid his family and friends a hasty visit, informed them of his intentions, packed his clothing in a valise, and on the 6th of September, 1836, bid adieu to home and the associations of his youth and started upon what has since proven the business journey of his life. He landed in Alton on the 27th of the same month and immediately commenced clerking for Messrs. Taylor, Davis & McAfee, with whom he remained until the following spring, when he came to Carlinville and took charge of a stock of goods for Isaac Great- house. At the end of seven or eight months Mr. Greathouse failed, and Howell was out of a job, with no prospects of getting one for some time in the future. This was in the panicky times of 1837, when financial distress was greater and more wide-spread than before or since. There was no money to be had, and all kinds of credit had been exhausted. The outlook was ex- tremely dark. About this time Mr. Howell was invited to make his home with Nicholas Boice, where he could remain free of cost until such time as he (Boice) could open up a stock of goods, when he would give Howell employment. He accepted the kindly offer in the same spirit in which it was made, and remained an inmate of his house and home until 1856. The friendship thus formed lasted through the life of one, and the other still re- members with gratitude the kindly act, and disinterested, noble friendship of his first tried and true friend, Nick Boice. Mr Howell took his place behind the counter in the employ of Mr. Boice, with whom he remained until 1856. On the 4th of June, 1841, he was appointed post-master, and held the office until October 1st, 1844. The office at that time was almost equivalent to being post-master of the entire county. The county was sparsely settled, and the revenues arising therefrom amounted yearly to the sum of one hundred and sixty dollars. But the duties of the post-master were nevertheless onerous and just as full of perplexities as at the present day. Letters would arrive for persons living long distances from the office to whom word would be sent, informing them of the arrival of a letter and the necessity of their calling and getting it, as there was from ten to twenty cents postage due on it. In those days the receiver of the letter usually paid the postage. Mr. Howell is kindly remembered by the old settlers for his activity and prompt- ness in getting letters to their destination. In 1847 he was elected justice of the peace, and afterwards constable, and held both offices, at different times, up until 1865. In 1850 he was appointed assistant United States marshal for taking the census of Macoupin county. On the 28th of June, 1852, the rail was laid to Carlinville, on the Chicago & Alton railroad, and the cars came through from Alton for the first time. The completion of the railroad gave a new impetus to business, and gave property of all kinds a fixed value. About this time Mr. Howell added real estate to his other business. He also dealt in agricultural implements, and was the first resi- dent agent for the sale of plows and McCormick reapers. He, about this time made some judicious and good investments in real estate for himself, and also became agent for non-residents and others who had tracts of land in the county. Since that time his principal occupation and business has been in the real estate line. At present he is closing up his business with a view of retiring from active life.

In 1867 he was honored by Governor Oglesby, who appointed him a mem- ber of the first State Board of Equalization. In 1865 he was appointed notary public, an office he has held up to the present time. In politics Mr. Howell is a sound republican, thoroughly indoctrinated in the principles of his party. He was originally an old line whig and cast his first vote for Harrison, for president, in 1840. After the abandonment of the whig organi- zation, he became a republican, and is still an active member of the party. He is not a member of any church organization, but from early associations and teachings is inclined to the Methodist church.

This in brief is a sketch of Mr. Howell. He may be regarded as one of the early settlers of Macoupin county, and particularly of Carlinville. His handiwork can yet be seen in the county map that he made in 1851, it being the first map of the county. Few men in the county are more widely or better known than he is, and wherever known all respect him for sterling qualities of both head and heart.

HON. S. S. GILBERT.

HE whose name appears at the head of this article was born in Essex county, Massachusetts, January 27, 1827. The Gilbert family are of English ancestry, and are an old one in their native state, as the history of Glouces- ter makes mention of John Gilbert, who was a settler of that place as early as 1710. Jonathan Gilbert, the father of S. S., was in early life a seafa- ring man.

In 1835, he abandoned the sea, and removed with his family to Illinois, and settled in Madison county, where he engaged in farming. He remained there but two years, when he removed to the town of Griggsville, in Pike county, Illinois, there remained until 1847, when he returned to Massa- chusetts, and lived there until 1853, then came to Carlinville, where he lived until his death, which occurred in February, 1869. He married Mary Sayward, a native of the same state. She died in April, 1869. Six children were born to them, three of whom are yet living. The subject of our sketch, is the eldest of the family. His boyhood days were spent upon the farm and going to school, until he reached his fifteenth year, when he entered Shurtleff College, at Upper Alton, where he remained for nearly five years. After he left college he taught school in Upper Alton, and in the spring of the following year, came to Carlinville, and entered the law office of John H. Chesnut, and read law, and in 1850 was admitted to the bar. After his admission he commenced the practice in connection with Mr. Chesnut, his preceptor. This partnership continued until Mr. Chesnut retired from the practice. He afterwards formed a partnership with Thomas Jayne, which continued a short time. In 1857 he formed a partnership with John I. Rinaker, which continued until October, 1862. From that time he continued the practice alone until 1876, when he formed a partnership with his son, E. A. Gilbert, which still continues.

In 1852 he was elected county judge under the old county court organi- zation of the county. He then filled out an unexpired term, and in 1853 was elected for a full term. In 1857 he was appointed Master in Chancery by Judge Rice, and held the office until 1861, and in 1870 he was appointed by Judge Vandever to the same position, and held the office until 1874. In 1874 he was elected a member of the 29th General Assembly of Illinois. In all these offices Judge Gilbert discharged his trusts with intelligence and fidelity which merited the respect and approbation of his constituents. In politics he is a democrat. He cast his first presidential vote for Lewis Cass, in 1848. He remained a democrat until the breaking out of the war, when he joined the republican party, and remained with it until 1872, when he became identified with the Liberal movement, and since that time has been a democrat. In 1851 he was united in marriage to Frances McClure, who was born in Kentucky, but was a resident of Macoupin county at the time of her marriage. Six children have been born to them. The eldest, Ed- ward A., is married, the rest are still at home.

In the practice of the law, Judge Gilbert has no specialities, but prefers the Chancery practice. He is regarded as a sound lawyer, and a good pleader. As a man and a citizen he is universally respected.

THOMAS M. METCALF

WAS born in Hopkins county, Kentucky, the 10th of November, 1828. William Metcalf, Jr., his father, was also a native of the same state. The

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FARM RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM A. DENBY. SECTION 6, CARLINVILLE TP. MACOUPIN CO., ILL

CITY BREWERY, CARLINVILLE, ILL. GEO . P. DEIBEL & BRO., PROPRS (BEER BREWED FROM THE CHOICEST MATERIALS ONLY) ORDERS FOR SHIPPING (IN KEGS OR BOTTLES , PROMPTLY FILLED . )

MAGNOLIA FLOUR AND SAW MILLS, CHESTERFIELD, ILL. THE PROPERTY OF THOMAS BIELBY & CHAS. BRAMLEY.

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Metcalf's are an old family, and were originally from Virginia, and settled in Kentucky at an early period. William Metcalf, Jr., emigrated to Illinois and settled in Macoupin county, on section six, in what is now known as Western Mound township, in April, 1835. He there remained engaged in cultivating the soil until 1858, when he removed to Girard in this county. In 1874 he removed to section one South Otter township, where he at present resides. He married Miss Huldah A. Davis, who is also a native of Kentucky. There were ten children born to them, six of whom are at present living, and all residents of the county except the wife of W. B. Michaels, who lives in Beardstown, Illinois. The subject of our sketch remained at home working upon the farm in the summer and at- tending the common schools in the winter, until his nineteenth year, when he taught school one session, after which he entered upon the study of medi- cine, intending to adopt that as his profession, but after one year's trial he abandoned it and entered a dry-goods store in Waverly, Morgan county, Illinois, as a clerk. He continued clerking for three years, at the end of which time he purchased a stock of dry-goods in Greenfield, Greene county, Illinois, and continued in that business until 1855, when he removed to Gi- rard, Macoupin county, where soon after his arrival he was elected justice of the peace. To this office he added that of a general collecting agent, and continued so engaged for eleven years, when he went into the lumber busi- ness, and also operated a planing-mill in connection therewith. A short time afterwards a fire broke out and consumed the mill and a large portion of the stock, entailing upon him considerable loss. He afterwards obtained an interest in a grocery and hardware store, in which he continued until 1869, when he received the nomination for the office of county clerk on the Re- publican ticket, and in the ensuing election was elected by a handsome majority. He discharged the duties of his office so acceptably, that in 1873 he was again the candidate both of the Republican and Farmers' organi- zations, and in the following election was elected by over fourteen hundred majority. He served his term of office, discharging the duties in a manner that gave satisfaction to his numerous friends. On the 29th of January, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma L. Thayer, who is a native of Massachusetts. Her parents came to Illinois in 1839, and settled in Chatham, Sangamon county. Both he and his estimable lady are members of the Baptist Church. He cast his first vote for Gen. Winfield Scott in 1852, and after the abandonment of the old-line Whig organization, he joined the republican party, and has been a staunch and consistent member ever since. In 1856 he was nominated by the republican party for the office of sheriff against Mr. McClure. The county was then overwhelmingly demo- cratic, and Mr. Metcalf was defeated by only eighty-four votes. Mr. Met- calf has practically retired from active business pursuits, and is enjoying the fruits of a well spent life.

JOSEPH B. LISTON

WAS born in Macoupin county, Illinois, August 19th, 1838. His father was a native of Marion county, Kentucky. The Listons were originally from Virginia, but emigrated to Kentucky at an early period in the history of that state. The family, on the paternal side, is of Irish ancestry, and, on the maternal, Scotch. Joseph Liston, the father, married Martha Bland, who was also a native of Marion county, Kentucky. Seven children were born to them, namely : George B., Sarah Ann, John T., Joseph B., William T., Susan M. and Albert M. Liston. But two are living : Albert M., who is a farmer and resident of North Palmyra, a township in this county, and the subject of our sketch. The father, in the earlier part of his life, learned the saddlery and harness-making trade, at which he worked while a resident of his native state. After his removal to Macoupin county, he continued at his trade and farming for perhaps five or six years, when he abandoned it, and engaged in farming entirely. In March, 1838, he left Kentucky, and arrived in Illinois on the 28th of the same month, and set- tled near Eagles Point, in North Palmyra township, where he remained until his death, which took place on the 31st of January, 1877. His wife died on the 25th of January, 1876. When Mr. Liston came to Illinois, he was like thousands of others who left their comfortable homes in the east or south to take up their abode in the great west. He was possessed of but little money and a few household goods, but he had industry, energy, and that kind of will necessary to brave the hardships and discomforts of pioneer life. He had confidence in his own powers, and his self-reliance gave him courage to meet and successfully combat all the ills and perils incident upon a life in Illinois a half a century ago. His cheerfulness led

him always to look on the bright side of things, and he never despaired of the future. By industry and the practice of economical habits he suc- ceeded in accumulating sufficient of this world's goods to render him com- fortable in his declining years. He is remembered as an exceedingly kind and generous-hearted man,-one who could not resist the appeals of a friend, and would frequently subject himself to great inconvenience in order that his friends might prosper. Among his neighbors and friends his honesty was proverbial. He was a man who enjoyed companionship, and therefore his acquaintance was extensive, and among all, he was regarded as a man actuated by the noblest of impulses. In his life he was a zealous mason. He participated in the formation, and was a charter member of several lodges of that ancient and honorable order in this and adjoining counties. The subject of our sketch spent his boyhood days at work upon the farm and in attending the common schools of his native place. At the age of seventeen years, he entered the academy at Virginia, Cass county, Illinois, where he remained two terms. On the 7th of November, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucretia, daughter of Daniel and Susan Dick. She is a native of Sangamon county, Illinois, but her parents were from Kentucky, and emigrated to Illinois in the year 1830. In 1859, Mr. Liston commenced riding as deputy under sheriff Plain. He continued as deputy until 1862, when he was a candidate for sheriff before the democratic convention, but was defeated by two votes. From 1862 until 1866, he was engaged in farming and general stock dealing. In 1866, he again offered himself as a candidate for the office of sheriff on the democratic ticket. He was nominated, and, at the ensuing election in November, was elected by a handsome majority. He discharged the duties of the office to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. In the fall of 1868, he retired from office, and since that time he has been extensively engaged in trading and dealing in live stock. In politics, it will be understood, Mr. Liston belongs to the democratic party. His first presidential vote was cast for Stephen A. Douglas, in 1860. Since that time, he has been a warm supporter of the principles of the party of his first choice. Like his father, he is also a mason, having passed to the degree of Knight Templar.

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History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 34

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

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