History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 90

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698

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In 1844, he was under the State militia law elected and commissioned Mayor. He, with Colonels Parker and Ferguson, held the military court couvened at Alton in 1847.

In 1846-7, after the failure of the banks and consequent great scarcity of money, the State being largely in debt from the unsuccessful attempt at railroad building, and the State warrants being at a heavy discount, repudiation of the State debt was openly advocated. Judge Dale earnestly de- nounced repudiation, insisting that wastefulness and extrava- gance consequent on an inflated currency had caused the debt, but that a system of retrenchment should be inaugu- rated by a constitutional convention, and that the debt could in time be honorably paid without serious inconvenience to the tax-payers. A State Constitutional Convention being called in 1847, he was elected a member of that body, and with the friends of reform worked indefatigably in incorporating into the constitution such a system of retrenchment and such provision for the future as assured the gradual reduc- tion of the public debt, and made the new constitution acceptable and welcome to the people of the State. By the convention journal it appears that he was at the organization of the convention appointed a member of the Legislative Committee, subsequently of the Committee of Internal Im- provements, and at the close of the convention one of the committee to prepare the address of the convention to the people of the State.

In 1853, Judge Dale resigned the office of county Judge of Bond county to accept the office of Register of United

States Land Office at Edwardsville, to which he was ap- pointed by President Pierce. On the removal of this office to Springfield he was elected county Judge of Madison county, which office he held for eight years. As county Judge of Madison county he manifested the same prudence and economy in the management of the county affairs, the same devotion to the interests of the county that had rendered his administration in Bond county successful and popular. After an interval of between eight or nine years he was again elected county Judge, and in 1877 and 1882 re-elected, and at present fills the office.

When Judge Breese was elected Judge of the circuit, he, unsolicited, appointed Judge Dale, Master in Chancery of Madison county ; he held the office during the succeeding administration of Judge Snyder.

In May 1849, at Vandalia, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret M. Ewing. Her grandfather, Finis Ewing, was one of the founders of the Cumberland Presby - terian Church. Her maternal grandfather was Col. E. C. Berry, the first Auditor of the State of Illinois. Her father, Gen. W. L. D. Ewing, had filled many public places. He had been Speaker of the House of Representatives of Illi- nois, had also represented this State in the United States Senate, and had been acting Governor of the State. Mr. Dale has four sons living. His eldest son (Erving), having died whilst in the practice of his profession (medicine) in Kansas. Those living are, James B., Charles S., Lee, and Samuel G.

Judge Dale was an early friend and advocate of free schools, believing that our government depended much for its strength on the intelligence and virtue of the people. He rejoices in the wonderful improvement he has witnessed in the school system of the State. He has been for nearly forty years an officer under the common school law of the State, and is now President of the Board of Education of the city of Edwardsville.

We have stated some facts in the life of Judge Dale from which the reader may infer that he has always possessed the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. He is known as a man of the strictest integrity ; indeed, throughout his long public life, no man has ever questioned the sincerity of his conduct or the purity of his motives.

He has been distinguished throughout his whole life for his industry. His life has been one of incessant application. IIis industry, coupled with a clear, practical mind, rendered him successful as judge, legislator and lawyer. Whatever he undertakes, is undertaken earnestly and accomplished with thoroughuess and correctness.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

JUDGE MATTHEW GILLESPIE .- (deceased.)

JUDGE MATTHEW GILLESPIE, was born in the city of New York on the 26th of November, 1807, and was the eldest son of David and Sarah Gillespie, there being but two children, Matthew and Joseph. The latter is yet a resident of Edwardsville, and one among its oldest and most honored citizens. They were of Scotch- Irish parentage, the family having emigrated from Mona- ghan, Ireland, to New York but a short time prior to Mat- thew's birth. In 1819, the family moved to Illinois when Matthew was bnt twelve years of age, and with his parents settled in Madison county, where he continued to reside to the time of his decease; and where the priva- tions and struggles incident to pioneer life tended to deve- lop those strong and leading traits of character, which mark- ed his after life. At that early day, the facilities for obtain- ing an education were very limited ; he therefore, received no more than a common school education, and even this was mainly due to the instructions of his mother. It was to her, more than all others, that he was indebted for that early training which made him so useful a man in after life.

With his love for hooks, he became familiar with modern history, and acquired much more than an ordinary know- ledge of law and theology.

In February, 1827, when he was twenty years of age, he, with his brother Joseph, proceeded to sthe Galena lead mines ; from which he returned in the fall of the same year, when he married Miss Nancy Gordon, a sister of the Rev. Joseph Gordon, late of Vandalia. Of this union there was but one child born who lived to maturity-the late Judge David Gillespie of Edwardsville. His wife dying, he again married March 10th, 1839, Mrs. Martha Hynes, nee Mc- Grew, a lady of Scotch parentage. Only three children of this marriage grew to man and womanhood ; Isabella J, wife of Moses B. Sherman; Nellie, wife of W. R. Brink, hoth residents of Edwardsville, and Joseph J. living in San Francisco.

Judge Gillespie was a man of sanguine temperament and positive qualities. He readily arrived at decided opinions on all subjects presented to his consideration, and ever main- tained what he deemed to be right with much ability and

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

zeal. His friendships were strong and enduring, and he was ever found a warm champion for those he loved. He was a good judge of human nature, and was rarely, if ever mis- taken in the character of men. His hospitality and charities were fully commensurate with his means. His social quali- ties were of the best order ; genial, lively, quick at repartee ; he threw around him a degree of animation that made it impossible to feel dejected in his company.

treat of listening to the fun-loving anecdotes so peculiar to Mr. Lincoln.

As a friend to youth, Mr. Gillespie had no superior. He was a zealous advocate of temperance, and by his pre- cepts and example, he labored hard to further the welfare and success of the young men of his time. But of all his excellent memories, his moral, religious, and domestic char- acter is the most pleasant. Early in life he made a profession of religion, and attached himself to the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church, of which body he continued a consistent and leading member during its organization in this vicinity. In 1836, he united with the Methodist Church, of which he continued a communicant to the time of his decease. His earnest liberality, zeal, and sound judgment made him a valuable member of the church and of society, and at the time of his death he was one of the trustees of Mckendree College. As a neighbor, he was obliging and generous to the last degree, and as a husband and father, he was all that affection could desire.

Mr. Gillespie was an able and efficient public officer ; his qualifications were of the first order, and his faithfulness worthy the example of all who are entrusted with public cares. In 1832, he was the elected Coroner of this county ; from 1836 to 1838, he was engaged in the Land Office; in 1839, was elected Judge of Probate, which office he honora- bly filled for four years. Was enrolling and engrossing clerk in the State Senate in 1839 and '40; was elected Treasurer and Assessor in 1844, for four years; was ap- pointed by Gen. Taylor, Register of the Land Office in 1849, for four years; was subsequently elected Police Magistrate of Edwardsville, which office he continued to fill to the time He passed to the unknown beyond, on the evening of the 24th of March, 1861. His last words were, " I am gone," and he instantly breathed his last. He was nearly 54 years of age, and had spent a large portion of his life in active, public service, and it can be truthfully said, that the world is hetter for his living. At this writing, his widow is yet living, and is a resident of Edwardsville. She is now in her sixty-eighth year of age, and is strong physically and mentally for one of her years .* of his decease. In all his official positions he performed his duties with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constitu- ency. He was strongly imbued with Whig proclivities, and was a great admirer of Henry Clay. After that party be- came disorganized he affiliated with the Republican party. He was an old and intimate acquaintance of President Lin- coln, and gave him the most ardent support for the office of the Chief Magistracy of the United States. The house of Mr. Gillespie, when Mr. Lincoln was stopping at Edwards- ville, was one of the latter's favorite places of "breaking * For much of the above we are indebted to an article published in bread," and where the family and friends enjoyed the rare | 1861 by Mr. E. M. West, who was a warm friend of Judge Gillespie.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

LITTLE

Eleanor Mccordgencery

Is of Irish descent, his grandfather being a native of Ire- land, and came to the United States in 1769, and settled near Philadelphia. When the clash of arms for right and liberty came, he was one of the first in the ranks, and served with distinction throughout the war. He lived to rear a large family, six daughters and four sons ; among whom was William, the father of Nelson. He was born November 20, 1786. As early as 1809, he braved the wilds of the frontier, and came as far west as St. Louis. In 1814, he married Sarah Rattan, and located permanently on Indiana Creek in Madison county, Illinois. By this union eleven children were born. Nelson, the eldest, was born August 1st, 1815. John was born February 7, 1817. William N. January 9, 1819, and died January 20, 1855. Nancy R., January 18, 1821. Thomas J., January 22, 1823. James, February 20, 1825. Paris, February 24, 1827. Matilda, January 10, 1819. Amanda F., June 11, 1830. Hampton, November 10, 1833. Ann, February 20, 1837, Eliza Jane, March 31, 1840. Of the daughters, four are yet liv-

ing : Nancy R., wife of Thomas J. Barnsback ; Amanda, wife of J. B. Job; and Eliza J., wife of Thomas Belk, are all residents of the county. Ann, wife of William Love- land, resides at Golden, Colorado. Besides Nelson, there are two other sons yet living, John and Hampton. The latter resides on the old homestead in section 13, Wood River township. John living in Macoupin county. Nelson was married to Eleanor, daughter of George Kinder, one of the earliest and most respectable citizens of Madison county. This union occurred March 22, 1838. By this marriage eight children have been born, six of whom are now living, the dates of their births being as follows: Ann M., born November 30, 1838 ; Nancy J., February 24, 1842; Mary M., August 2, 1844; William I., May 5, 1848, died near Papinsville, Mo., January 26, 1878; Sarah Isabel, born October 23, 1850, died February 21, 1851; Phebe E., Octo- ber 26, 1852; Zephaniah J., born July 20, 1855; Robert N., October 6, 1862. Ann M., and Francis M. Wood were married May 5, 1870, and reside in Christian county ;

A.L "ILL

MRS. ISABELLA KINDER.

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

365

Nancy J. and John F. Jarvis were married November 4, 1869 ; Mary M. was married to Henry C. Barnsback, Janu- ary 17, 1877, and lives in Coles county, Illinois; William T., now deceased, was married to Jane Kinder, August 30, 1871 ; Zephaniah married Lillie McKittrick, and now re- sides near the old homestead.

Mr. Montgomery is one of the staunch and wealthy meu of the county. His farm, consisting of 573 acres of very valuable and cultivated land, lies within four miles of the city of Edwardsville, besides other lands in the county, aggregating in all over one thousand acres. He is also the possessor of 320 acres in Coles county, 1,240 acres in Bates county, Mo., and 800 acres in the State of Iowa. His home- stead near Edwardsville is one of the finest in the county, and as a stock raiser Mr. Montgomery ranks among the first in this part of the State.

Among his many cares, he does not forget his friends, and delights to entertain all with a generous hand, his hos- pitality being well known among the large circle of his acquaintances. In politics he is a life-long Democrat, yet so reasonable in his political views, that he desires to give exact justice to all parties, and that political supremacy shall not be attained by intrigue or party machinations.

The name of Montgomery is pioneer in Madison county, and for generations yet to come, will maintain its prominent place as being among the first families of " Old Madison."

ANSEL L. BROWN,

THE present editor and proprietor of the Edwardsville Dem- ocrat, was born in Edwardsville, September 26th, 1847. 47

He is the son of Edward S. and Sarah J. (Lusk) Brown. His father was born in Upper Alton, Nov. 19, 1819, and his mother was born in Edwardsville, Nov. 10th, 1828. They were married April 10th, 1846. The issue of this union was Ansel L. and a daughter, Mary Lucretia, who was born November 14th, 1849, and died September '26th, 1850. The father was the son of Dr. Erastus and Brittania (Eas- ton) Brown, who settled at Upper Alton in 1818, the former being one of the original proprietors of that place. The mother is the eldest daughter of the late John T. and Lu- cretia (Gillbam) Lusk, who were among the early settlers of Illinois, having located where Edwardsville is now laid off and platted, about the beginning of the present century. At the time of the death of Edward S. Brown, which occurred July 9th, 1850, he occupied the position of assessor of Madi- son county, and had filled the position for several preceding terms. After the death of Mr. Brown, the widow intermar- ried with the late John R. Torrence in 1853, and the issue of this union was a son and daughter, Harry L. and Gillian L. Torrence. The subject of this notice obtained his cduca- tion in the schools of Edwardsville and at the City Univer- sity at St. Louis, Mo. His earliest business pursuits were in real estate, in which he continued until his purchase of the Edwardsville Times, May 1st, 1882. Immediately after the purchase of that paper, the name was changed to that first mentioned, the material was increased, and the capa- city of the office generally was added to; and under his vigorous management the journal has assumed a respectable and enviable standing.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Johor Stangenroth

Is a native of Berlin, Prussia. The date of his birth was February 13, 1831. His father, Charles S. Fangenroth, emigrated to America in 1843. He settled in Madison county, Illinois, and there bought an improved farm, in section 16, T. 4, R. 8, where he made his home until the present. He is now in his eighty-fourth ycar, and is still a vigorous and active man. His wife, Augusta Louise, died in 1854. There were two children born to them, viz: the subject of this sketch and Augusta Louise, who is the wife of Charles Gerting, a citizen of this county. Charles W. received a good educa- tion in the schools of his native city. His school-days ended with his coming to America. Here he learned the English language, which he acquired in a very short time, and now speaks it with as much purity as a native born citizen. 1n 1852 he commenced farming for himself, and has continued in that occupation until the present.

On the 6th of January, 1852, he was united in marriage to Miriam, daughter of Robert McKee. She died in 1854. On the 16th of April, 1862, he married Miss Frances Ann Richards, daughter of William Richards. She is of Eng- lish parentage, and was born in Luzerne county, Pennsyl- vania, August 21, 1841. By this union there have been cight

children, six of whom are living. Their names in the order of their births are: Alice Frances, born March 21, 1864; Robert Newton, boru July 29, 1865; Mary Louise, born February 7, 1867; Ann Jane, born May 14, 1868; Charles W., born August 19, 1873; Julia Clara, born August 10, 1875. Katy and Edith H. died in infancy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fangenroth are members of the Presbyterian church. Politically Mr. Fangenroth was originally a Democrat ; but in 1860 he joined the Republican party, and since that time has been a consistent member of that political organization.

Mr. Fangenroth has attained considerable prominence and notoriety throughout the county and state as an experi- mental farmer, and has been the means of adding much to the store of agricultural information. "He who makes two blades of grass grow where only one grew before is a public benefactor." Viewed in this light it may be truly said of Mr. Fangenroth that he has, through his many experiments, benefited his brother farmers throughout the State. He is an active member of the different agricultural societies which have for their object the advancement of the agricultural interests of the county.

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

367

With lotter

AMONG the representative and successful farmers of Madison county, is the subject of the following brief sketch. He was born in Green county, Iudiana, October 24th, 1821. His father, Abner Cotter, was a native of Tennessee, born near Nashville. He was a farmer by occupation. He re- moved to Indiana soon after it was admitted to the Union, and settled in Green county, bought a tract of land and commenced improving a farm. He died in March 1827. He married Sarah Kendall, a native of Ohio. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Cotter brought the family to Illinois, and settled in Edwardsville. The date of their arrival here was October 11th, 1827. The family then consisted of six children. She provided for their support until the fall of 1829, when she married Zadok Newman, by whom she had six children. She died in 1852. By the first marriage there are two sons living, John S. Cotter and the subject of this sketch. William H. had but slight opportunities for receiving an education in his youth. He was compelled to become self-supporting at an age when most youthis are in school. He remained at home at work on the farm until the summer of 1842. In 1840, the family removed to Lawrence county, Missouri, where subsequently his mother and step- father died. In 1842, Mr. Cotter returned from Missouri to this county, and commenced work for Mr. Joseph Burroughs. In 1845, he rented land of Mr. Estabrook. Soon after he purchased eighty acres of land of his stepfather. It was the tract now owned by and on which is situated the residence of C. P. Smith. In 1853, he bought a farm on Ridge Prairie, and lived there until 1866, then purchased his present farm in section 32, 5-8, and there remained until the spring of

1882, when he took up his residence in Edwardsville. On the 18th of February, 1846, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Harrison, a native of Kentucky. She died November 1846. One child was born to them; it however died in infancy. On the 13th of December, 1849, he mar- ried his present wife. Her maiden name was Miss Mary A. Kimball, daughter of Joseph K. Kimball. She is a native of Madison county. By this union there have been ten children, five of whom are living. Those that are deceased died in infancy. The names of the children living are Sarah E. wife of Warren C. Cushman ; Charles S. who mar- ried Rebecca, daughter of Wiley Prenitt ; John E. who married Anna, daughter of Rev. H. Delicate; Julia I. wife of John M. Livis and Fanny F. who is still bencath the pa- rental roof. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cotter are consistent and active members of the M. E. Church. He is a member of the order of A. F. and A. M., and also belongs to the chap- ter in Royal Arch Masonry. Politically he is a Republican, and has voted that ticket upon all state and national occa- sions since the organization of the party. He has represented his township in the Board of Supervisors for several terms. In his habits he is temperate, and in principle a prohibi- tionist. Such is a brief sketch of Mr. Cotter's life. He started in life poor, but by persistent energy and industry with the exercise of good common sense, he has succeeded in carving out for himself and those depending upon him a comfortable competency, and at the same time making and maintaining for himself a name for strict honor and integrity, which is a valuable heritage to leave to his posterity.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

A.LITTLE

John. J. Fahrestock

CAPTAIN JOHN T. FAHNESTOCK, is a native of Lyco- ming county Pennsylvania. The family is of German ances- try, and are the lineal descendants of Laborious Fahnestock, who was a native of Haarlem in the Province of Westphalia, Germany. Diedrick Fahnestock, an offspring of the family, emigrated to America in 1726, and settled in the colony of Pennsylvania. From him have sprung a numerous progeny. Abner Fahnestock, the father of John T., was born in Ly- coming county, Pennsylvania, and there resided until 1852, when he came west to Illinois, and stopped in Alton one year, then purchased a farm in Chouteau township and en- gaged in farming, in which he continued until his death, which occurred May 4th, 1866. He married Lavina Mc- Carty. She died March 1st, 1834, leaving two sons, William M. and Henry A. Fahnestock. He subsequently married Matilda Brewer, a native of the same county as himself in Pennsylvania. She still survives her husband, and at pres- ent is a resident of the county. By the latter marriage there were ten children, eight of whom are living. John T. is

the third in the family. He was born September 24th, 1838. He was reared upon the farm and received a fair education in the public schools of his neighborhood. He remained at home until the spring of 1859, when in company with four others, he went to Pike's Peak in search of gold. After a short sojourn there, he was convinced that a longer residence at the Peak would be unprofitable. He accordingly returned home the following fall, and there remained until the break- ing out of the late war, when with patriotic devotion to his country, whose liberties were threatened by armed force, he enlisted under the first call for 75,000 troops. He became a member of Co. I 9th Regt. Ills. Vols. The regiment was stationed at Cairo, Illinois, where it remained the greater portion of its time of enlistment. After the expiration of his term of service he returned home sick, the result of be- ing unused to camp life, and change of water and climate. After he had recovered from his illness, he enlisted for three years in Co. K of the 10th, Regt. He entered as a pri- vate, and passed through the different grades to Orderly

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Sergeant, a position he held for two years. In 1864, he was promoted and commissioned First Lieutenant of Co. K, and held that rank until mustered out of the service, the date of which was July 4th, 1865. He veteranized with the regi- ment, December 31st, 1863, while the army was in Camp near Rossville, Georgia. He was never absent from his company during its entire service except for a short time, when he was detailed as Provost Marshal, and at another time when he was acting Aid de Camp on the Staff of Gen. Tillson. He participated with his regiment in the battles of Island No. 10, and Fort Pillow. Took part in all the contests of Gen. Pope's Army in moving on Corinth, its capture and subsequent pursuit of the rebel forces to Booneville, the Atlanta Campaign, and then went with Sherman's forces in their memorable "March through Georgia to the Sea." He returned home at the close of the war, and engaged in different occupations until L. W. Moore, was elected Sheriff of Madison county, when he was appointed deputy, and held the position for two years. When James T. Cooper was

elected Sheriff he was appointed to a like position, which he held, for eight years. In 1880, he was nominated for the office of Sheriff by the Republican party in convention as- sembled, and in the ensuing election in November, was eleeted by a handsome majority, and is now serving the peo- ple in that capacity. In his administration he has been effi- cient and vigilant, and has faithfully executed the mandates and orders of the courts, and has labored to uphold the dignity of the laws he has sworn to execute and obey. On the 8th of November, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Angelica Boyd, danghter of James Boyd. She is a native of Edwardsville. Three children have been born to them. Their names are, Alvin E., Mattie L., and Nellie B. Fahnestock. Captain Fahnestock is an honorable member of the order of A. F. and A. M., member also of the K. of P. In politics he is a staunch and active Republican. His first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and from that time to the present he has not wavered in his support of that political organization.

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History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 90

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co. Number of Pages: 698

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698