USA > Illinois > Massac County > History of Massac County, Illinois with life sketches and portraits > Part 14
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His impaired health necessitated the open air of the farm during the latter part of '65 and the spring of '66. In the spring of '66 he sold his farm near Brooklyn, moved to that place and resided there until the spring of '67, when he moved to Metropolis to assume the duties of sheriff, to which he had been elected. In 1869 he was elected county clerk, serving two terms at the close of which, impaired health forced him to spend two months in Oregon and two years in Auburn, Cal., where he purchased a home. Disposing of his home he re- turned to Metropolis in 1881 to be elected county clerk for the third time in 1882, which office he has held continuously ever since, with perhaps the longest record of any county clerk in Illinois. Most of the time he has had no opposition for his party nomination and no opposition in the general election. He has always been a staunch Republican and a minister of the Baptist church, standing high in the councils of that large and influential body.
October 19, 1865, he was married to Miss Josephine Pell, who was born in Roseclare, Hardin county, Illinois. She was the daughter of Mitchell and Lethe (Badger) Pell. Six chil- dren have been born to them of whom three are living, George P., Lethe and William; three are dead, as follows: Samuel, died 1875; Lillian, wife of F. A. Gregory, Jan. 9, 1896, and Olive, wife of Fred Pfaus, Nov. 1, 1897.
The Captain and Mrs. Atwell reside in their pleasant home in Metropolis, respected by all.
SAMUEL ATWELL.
181
MASSAC COUNTY.
HON. D. W. HELM,
STATE'S ATTORNEY.
Douglas W. Helm was born in Grantsburg Township, Johnson county, Ill., July 23, 1860, the son of Robert A. and Mary J. Helm.
The Helin family landed at Plymouth Rock, drifted to Virginia, thence to Georgia, from there to Tennessee, and then successively to Kentucky and Illinois. Thomas, the brother of Robert, accompanied his father from Tennessee on several visits with the Kentucky branch of the family before he came to Illinois.
Prominence has been attained by members of the family. Captain Thomas Helm, great grandfather of Robert A. Helm, was slain at Guilford Court House during the Revolution; Captain Cowden, the maternal great grandfather of Robert .1 Helm, was killed in a cavalry charge during the Revolution; Thomas Helm is called the pioneer of Elizabethtown, and is the head of the Kentucky branch to which John L. Helm be- longed, and who was governor of Kentucky; Captain Leonard Helm was the trusted lieutenant of Colonel Clark on his fa- mous expedition to Kaskaskia, and was at the Fort Dearborn massacre.
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HISTORY OF
Mrs. Robert A. Helm was Miss Mary J. Rice, born in Tennessee, near Nashville. With her parents she came to Johnson county about 1840.
Douglas W. Helm attended the common schools, a sum- mer normal at Vienna, III., one year at the Southern Illinois Normai University, Carbondale; graduated in the Bloomington Law School, 1883, and stood first in the Junior and fourth in the Senior work. He taught several terms and was admitted to the bar in 1883, forming a partnership with J. C. Courtney, his preceptor, April, 1884.
Hr has been twice elected city attorney, three times state's attorney of Massac county, and was appointed trustee of the Southern Illinois Normal University by Governor J. R. Tan- ner, which commission he now holds.
April 13, 1884, he and Miss Mary, daughter of Henry C. Howell of Johnson county, were married. Their family is composed of Roy R., born Sept. 25, 1886; Lloyd L., born Sept. 27, 1890; Herbert, born Aug. 13th, 1894.
Fraternally, Mr. Helm has served as Noble Grand of Mas- sac Lodge No. 442, 1. O. O. F .; Chancellor Commander of Ores- tes Lodge No. 268, K. P .; Worshipful Master of Metropolis Lodge No. 91, A. F. & A. M .; and Generalissimo of Gethsemane Commandery No. 41, Knights Templar. He has many friends and his future is bright. Politically he is intensely Republi- can.
JOHN W. EVERS,
SHERIFF.
John A. Evers, the father, was of Pennsylvania, moved to Kentucky, taught school, farmed, bought fully 500 acres near Boaz Station, sold the same and came to Massac, 1858, bought the Barfield farm, and died October, 1868. Miss Cynthia Brookshire was of North Carolina, moved to Kentucky, eloped on horseback with John A. Evers to Captain Williamson's, Massac county, and was married, but returned to Graves coun- ty, Kentucky. She died Sept. 30th, 1865.
Eleven children, three boys and eight girls, were born,
JOHN W. EVERS AND FAMILY,
185
MASSAC COUNTY.
John W., being the tenth, and all reached maturity. Our sub- ject was born Dec. 3, 1848 in Graves county, Ky., attended the common schools, enlisted, 1863 in Fifty-eighth Illinois, but father claimed him, and enlisted in August, 1864, Company C, First Kentucky Cavalry, being mustered out March 20, 1865.
He returned home, gave his father the money and labored on the farm till his father died, and a single sister could be educated to teach. He went west and for two years was a "cowboy." Returning home he hauled the lumber with an ox- team to build the first house in New Grand Chain, Ill. He also clerked for J. W. Gaunt of that place and for him was overseer of the construction force, building the "Big Four" Railroad near there.
On July 5, 1874, he married Miss Quinnie E., daughter of Robert Jett. She was born March S, 1858, near Woodville, Ky. His health failing, they moved on the farm purchased by Mr. Evers, and he sold it to Dr. H. Y. Mangum, went to Woodville, Ky., raised two large tobacco crops, moved to Fay. etteville, Ark., opened a grocery and queensware store, sold out and clerked for purchaser until he went to Eureka Springs, Ark. Here he built the first hotel, "The Mountain House," and prospered. He went to Scligman, Mo., and opened the "Trim House." From here he went to Carthage, Mo., and 1883 he came to Metropolis, but soon returned to Missouri. The next year he located in Metropolis, teaming for seven years.
Mayor Rankin appointed him marshal of Metropolis, 1886, and he was elected constable. R. C. Barham, sheriff of Massac county, appointed him deputy, and Green W. Smith, Barham's successor, retained him for his efficiency. In 1898 the Repub- licans nominated and elected him sheriff, which office he now holds, administering its functions with competency, and sat- isfaction to the public. He is a Methodist and a Mason.
Four children compose their family, three girls: Mrs. Myr- tle Davis, wife of Albert Davis, born Sept. 13, 1876, McCracken county, Ky .; Carrie, born April, 1878, and deceased; Robbie, born March 8, 1880, Fayetteville, Ark .; one son, Morris Jett, born Dec. 20, 1895, Metropolis, Ill., and a favorite with the father.
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HISTORY OF
COLFAX MORRIS,
CIRCUIT CLERK.
Colfax Morris, circuit clerk of Massac county, was born in this county, April 16, 1866, and attended the common schools, spending his early life on the farm.
His father, James H. Morris, Sr., is a native of Kentucky, born in Livingston county, March 11, 1824. His grandfather was a friend of Daniel Boone during the "dark and bloody days," and the family came to what is now Massac county in 1833. June the 8th, 1843, his father married Miss Lucinda Little, a native of Massac county, born Jan. 22, 1825, and both parents are yet living in Metropolis.
On the 1st day of August, 1888, Mr. Morris married Miss Fannie R. Oakes, daughter of John W. Oakes, a leading far- mer of the county. She was born April 24, 1871. They have two children living-Leonard Seward and Cleo-two bright children, full of sunshine for the home.
As a member of the state militia, Mr. Morris was also a member of the "Illinois Rifle Team," which annually contest- ed on the rifle range with the "crack teams" of four other states for the medal to be given for the highest average score. Illinois always won and Mr. Morris always excelled. In a two- days' shoot at Fort Sheridan, he easily won the Chicago Her- ald's $100 medal over every competitor from the militia and regulars. Of this medal he is very proud.
Always a Republican and active, he has wielded his influ- ence, and was appointed deputy circuit clerk by Captain S. B. Kerr in 1892. Although young, he learned to readily do the work rapidly and efficiently, so that he was elected clerk in 1896. Under his administration the office for the first time in its history, is not only paying its way, but returning a hand- some balance into the county treasury. He has made an ex- cellent official and his friends are many. March 17th, 1900, he was renominated without opposition and elected by an in- creased majority, Nov. 6, 1900.
COLFAX MORRIS.
MRS. COLFAX MORRIS.
189
MASSAC COUNTY.
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JOSHUA M. REYNOLDS,
:COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.
Mr. Reynolds was born in Massac county, April 1, 1856. His father, John Reynolds, came from Virginia, and his moth- er, Annie Yates, was an Ohioan. They were married after meeting in Massac county and their lives were spent on a farm in Washington precinct.
Joshua attended the common schools, in youth, labored on the farm and spent two years in the log camp in Perry county, Tenn. He attended the National Normal University, Leba- non, Ohio, in 1878, and began teaching, conducting his two first schools in Union county, since which time he has been inti- mately associated with the educational interests of his native county. In 1890 the Republican party nominated and elected him county superintendent and re-elected him in 1898. He is now conscientiously and ably performing the duties of his office.
Miss Mary C. Noble, daughter of William and Sarah Noble, became his wife April 20, 1879. They have five bright
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HISTORY OF
boys, William J., Orval J., Harold, Rohama L., and Leonard Earle; one sweet girl, Cornelia Alma, also has blessed their union. Mr. Reynolds and wife are both members of the Bap- tist church and model citizens.
JUDGE GEORGE SAWYER.
Amos Sawyer, George's grandfather, was Irish, born in England. He emigrated to New Hampshire, where William Sawyer, father of George, was born, 1827. He came to Illinois while young and learned the blacksmith trade. He enlisted in the Sixth Illinois Cavalry, Company G, in 1861, did good service, and was discharged on account of disability contracted in line of duty, 1862, returned home, entered business and ac- cumulated a competency. He married Theodosia Monroe of Pope county, who was a Virginian of Irish blood. They had but one child, George, born in Metropolis, Sept. 1, 1861, bear- ing the strong personality of his mother. January, 1864, Mr. Sawyer died, leaving the widow and son with plenty, which was all lost through a faulty title, leaving them penniless. December 18th, 1865, his mother died.
For three months' labor during his ninth year he received $8.20; during the tenth year he earned $9.00 and labored six successive years for Mr. Woolbridge. Ten months in the com- mon schools and three months at the Metropolis Seminary covers his actual attendance on school. During spare moments he read grammar, logic, and moral science in the field. He walked five miles to borrow a history of Rome. At nineteen he began teaching, which he continued for four terms. From 1884 to 1890 he read law as opportunity afforded, being ad- mitted in the latter year. The judge gave him his first case -- the defense of a man indicted for burglary, who was acquitted. Today he ranks with the best lawyers.
He was married to Lydia Barham Jan. 31, 1892, who is the daughter of ex-Sheriff R. C. Barham, born Dec. 24, 1871. To them was born one son, Robert James, Nov. 14, 1892, who
GEORGE SAWYER.
MRS. GEORGE SAWYER.
193
MASSAC COUNTY.
died Jan. 5, 1894. They own an elegant cottage home on Sixth street.
Judge Sawyer was elected city attorney of Metropolis, 1891, and 1893, compiled and supervised the publication of the city ordinances. In 1894 he was elected county judge and re- elected without opposition. He loves the bench and a mer- ited promotion awaits him. Republicanism is his creed and he ably defends it in each campaign.
PROF. WILLIAM M. PRIESTLY.
Prof. Wm. M. Priestly, "the father of the public schools of Massac county," was born in New Jersey, 1816, apprenticed for a term to a coachmaker of Philadelphia, who early dis- covered the lad's eageruess for mathematics and elocutionary talent, and sent him to a night school and added a half day at free school. At twenty he had mastered his trade and also bookkeeping, being called to manage his uncle's extensive wholesale cotton and merchandise establishment in Missis- sippi.
Later a partner, he was stationed at an Indian reservation in Mississippi, learned their dialects and was induced to mas- ter Latin, which he did without assistance. In 1839, he mar- ried Mary Virginia Walker, favorite niece of Gen. Winfield T. Scott. Revolting at the foulness of slavery, accompanied by his father-in-law, David Walker, moved to "Egypt," and settled in Massac county-Walker settling in Johnson county. After one year he removed to Johnson county, 1854, built the court house and several other buildings still standing in Vienna.
In 1865 he was chosen superintendent of the Metropolis city schools, serving until 1870; was postmaster until 1874, and was elected county superintendent of Massac county for several terms, virtually founding the public schools, and de- veloping such wonderful talent that his annual institutes drew educators from distant counties, and left an impress upon our
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HISTORY OF
school system never to be erased. Not only a leader of teach- ers, he was a thorough master of the profession.
He was master of the art of reading, and the mother tongue; fair-minded, kind-hearted and firm. He was a perfect disciplinarian, who won by the rule of duty and honor and im- pressed both pupil and parent, that he was their friend, and his school a workshop for "now" and "eternity." He was an earnest Methodist and an honored and exalted Mason. In 1887, his health failing, he moved to Lane county, Kan., dying Oct. 18, 1895, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Cur- tis, Trigo county, Kan. Many of our citizens cherish his mem- ory, and "to know him was to count a friend."
ROBERT GREEN B. McKEE.
In the wilds of Johnson county, amid the redmen, the parents of Robert Green B. McKee settled in an early day. Here their son was born Jan. 22, 1819, twenty-three years before Massac county was formed.
The lad farmed and attended subscription schools, early developed a business talent, worked on a flat-boat and trading boat, clerked in Metropolis, purchased a flat-boat, made two trips down the river, purchased a stock of goods and sold them. and in every transaction made money.
In 1879 he retired for some time from a long business life in general merchandising, but later re-entered a successful like career, amassing a fortune. He always participated in every effort to build up the city and was a charter member of the First National Banking firm, being one of its first directors.
Mr. McKee was twice married, his first wife being Miss Sarah Sheets of Metropolis, after whose death he was united in marriage Aug. 24, 1879, to Miss Henrietta Delavan, amiable daughter of Judge Delavan, an able lawyer, born in Virginia. who for eight years was county judge of Massac county, and who died in 1881. Her aged and respected mother still lives at Metropolis. Mr. McKee and wife, Henrietta, had two bright children, the older a daughter, Effie Myrtle, now a graduate
WM. M. PRIESTLEY.
1
R. G. B. MCKEE.
197
MASSAC COUNTY.
from the Department of Music of the Southern Illinois Col- legiate Institute, is an accomplished pianist. The younger, a son, named in honor of his lamented father, Robert Green B., is budding into youth, a bright lad of brilliant prospects.
Not until late in life did our subject unite with any church. Warring creeds always kept him aloof until he be- came a charter member and prime mover in the organization of the Congregationalist church in Metropolis, which received his prayers and most careful consideration during its early life until his death, Nov. 9, 1892. Although a self-made man, Mr. McKee was broad-minded, talented, industrious, honest, devout and prosperous.
JAMES E. GOWAN, M. D.
James E. Gowan, M. D., was born in Madison county, Tenn., Oct. 31, 1841. His father William, was of South Car- olina, and his grandfather was a Scotchman of Edinburg. Wil- liam, a hatter, and John, his brother, early emigrated to South Carolina. William Gowan married Judith Adkisson, a na- tive Scotch lady, who had come to America. They, in a col- ony, moved to Madison county, Tenn., cleared a farm and lived upon it till their death, he at the age of 115 years, and she at 97. Their son, William Granville, was born in South Carolina. He inherited a large farm on which he yet lives. He married Miss Eveline Wood of Scotch-Irish ancestry.
Dr. Gowan attended subscription schools and Jackson, Tenn., academy, graduating from McKendree (Tenn.) College. He next Graduated from the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, 1860, and practiced medicine at Metropolis awhile. He graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1866, re- sumed the practice of medicine in Massac county, superintend- ed his farm, later moved to Metropolis and opened a drug store in 1880, which he sold in 1892 to better serve his many pa- tients ..
In 1863 he married Miss Harriet, daughter of John and Elizabeth Yates, of Ohio. They have three daughters, Eva-
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HISTORY OF
line E., wife of Captain S. B. Kerr, Metropolis, Ill .; Anna, wife of Dr. Edwin Corlis, Point Pleasant, Mo., and Nettie, unmar- ried; also three sons, John G., James E., Jr., and Charles G.
The Doctor was Hospital Stewart of the Eighth Regiment Illinois National Guards, a constant and valued member of the Massac County Medical Society, a member of Gethsemane Commandery No. 41, K. T., and of Massac Lodge No. 442 I. O. O. F., and Egypt Encampment No. 45, and Orestes Lodge No. 268, K. P. For a number of years he ably represented his ward in the city council. After suffering for quite a while with cancer of the stomach, he died Oct. 27, 1899, at his home surrounded by his relatives and many friends.
SAMUEL D. POOR.
Samuel Poor, the father, was a native of North Carolina, who in an early day, with his wife emigrated to Fentriss coun- ty, Tenn., and in 1836 moved to Johnson county, Ill., entering forty acres of land when only five houses were between Grants- burg and Vienna. Twenty acres were cleared and fenced, and a house built the first year, when Mr. Poor died. For three years the mother struggled to make a living, when she sold the farm and found homes for the children.
Samuel D. Poor was born April 8, 1827, in their Tennessee home. Was eight years old when brought to Johnson county, and at sixteen years of age went to work for Joseph McCorkle until he was twenty-one, for a horse, saddle, bridle, and winter schooling. At twenty he left McCorkle be- cause of a misunderstanding. About this time his mother died and the boy had gone to school eight months. He re- ceived six dollars a month to carry the mail from Vienna to Caledonia, then eight dollars a month as a farm hand, and went down the Mississippi river to cut cord wood. While on this trip he had the cholera, returned, went to Missouri on a "rail-splitting" expedition. At twenty-four he made enough cropping for A. D. Howell, his brother-in-law, at one-fourth, to purchase a horse, saddle and bridle.
SAMUEL D. POOR.
20I
MASSAC COUNTY.
At twenty-seven he married, traded his horse for the im- provement on a land entry and purchased a warrant for the land. To this he added other land until at the beginning of the war he owned, clear of debt, 200 acres. He built a store room at Grantsburg, but did not have enough money to stock it, so he rented the room to another, who was to give an option on the goods to Mr. Poor. Within six months the merchant died and the stock was sold to Mr. Poor by Thomas Morgan, admin- istrator, at $600. In the stock was five barrels of "Bourbon whisky," which was immediately sold for $400 and paid on the $600 debt. The stock was gradually increased and rapid- ly turned at war-values, realizing large profits. He purchased the Howell farm, on which he had "cropped" years before, moved to his store in 1867, had a post office established at Grantsburg and became postmaster. He sold out to Simp- son & Kieth and after a rest re-entered merchandising until 1882, when he again retired for two years. In 1884, he formed the S. D. Poor & Co .- L. H. Frizzell and L. G. Simmons com- posing the company. When the railroad was built to Metrop- olis he and Mr. Simmons opened a store there. He opened another store with J. T. Hamilton as partner and sold his in- terest with Mr. Simmons to L. H. Frizzell. The Hamilton store interest he sold to Roskemer and later bought out Friz- zell, which interest he sold to C. E. Hilgeman, who later pur- chased Simmon's interest. In April, 1896, Poor & Simmons opened their present business in the Poor block, and are pros- pering.
In May, 1854, Mr. Poor married Miss Sarah J., daughter of William and Nancy Mounts, estimable people of Johnson coun- ty. They are the parents of ten children. Two sons died in infancy; G. W. died, 1864, and B. F., 1867; six reached ma- turity ; Cora A. died, 1872; Ida M., 1876, and Mary, wife of P. G. Burris, in 1892. Their only son, J. N.,at 22, was started in business by his father in Vienna, and died in 1890; Mrs. Jane Fern is the wife of Dr. J. W. Fern, Tunnel Hill, Ill .; Mrs. Sid- ney Frizzell, the wife of L. H. Frizzell, Vienna, Ill .; Mrs. Lizzie Simmons, wife of L. G. Simmons of Metropolis, Ill., where Mr.
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HISTORY OF
and Mrs. Poor also now reside, in the enjoyment of a life well A. A. spent. He is 73 years old and his wife 70.
When a youth Mr. Poor was converted at Vienna, Ill., and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church, in which he lived for forty-four years. In Metropolis they united with the Con- gregational church ten years ago. In politics, Mr. Poor is an ardent Prohibitionist and has contributed a number of strong temperance articles to the press. He is also the author of an "Autobiography," "A Night in Dreamland," and "A Practical Talk on Christianity and Politics."
JUDGE BENJAMIN J. DELAVAN.
Benjamin J. Delavan was of French descent, born about 1815, in Rochester, Va., and in 1843, with his father came to Paducah, there editing and publishing the first newspaper of that city.
After his father's death, the young man came to Massac county, and taught school. He was both a Greek and Latin scholar, an exceptional attainment in that day. For years he was school treasurer aud justice of the peace. His admis- sion to practice in the circuit court of Massac county is the first on record, although pulmonary trouble prevented an ex- tensive practice.
In 1861 he was elected county judge of Massac county, which office he retained for two terms. His death, precipitat- ed by pneumonia, occurred Jan. 7th, 1883, at his home uear Brooklyn. He left a widow, yet living, a son, and two daugh- ters- Mrs. Henrietta McKee, and Mrs. Fannie Williamson.
COLONEL W. R. BROWN.
William Robert Brown, youngest child of William and Catherine (Anderson) Brown, was born in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 19, 1832. His father, only son of Robert Brown, an Irish emi- grant, who settled in Baltimore, 1762, was born 1792; married
BENJAMIN J. DELAVAN.
1
COL. W. R. BROWN.
205
MASSAC COUNTY.
Catherine Anderson, 1812, who was born in Fairfax county Va., 1793. She was highly educated and accomplished, and her an- cestors accompanied Lord Fairfax to America. The father aided in the defense of Washington City, saw it burned, as did also the wife, from their home in Georgetown, and participated in the battle of Blandensburg. In 1816 they moved to Louis- ville, Ky., residing there until 1846.
At fourteen the son had a good common school education, and was a trained cooper, the father pursuing that trade for years. In 1846 the family came to Metropolis, where within three weeks the mother died. Determined upon an independ- ent course, young W. R. returned to Louisville, worked as apprentice one year for a blacksmith, gained needed muscle, returned to Illinois, and was sent one year to the Beach and Chapman Academy, Louisville.
In 1849 he was his father's bookkeeper, and in 1852 he be- came a successful merchant, until 1861. An ardent patriot, in 1861, he enlisted as private under Captain Carmichael, in the first company from Massac county, which formed a com- pany of the Twenty-ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, of which he was tendered lieutenant colonel, but refused because he felt ignorant of military tactics. He was made Regiment- al quartermaster, being the first one in the state to draw sup- plies at Camp Butler on his own requisition. After forty days at Cairo he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and aided by Colonel Robert Kirkham of Shawneetown, organized the Sixth Illinois Cavalry, and the Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry, in Egypt, being commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the latter, and 1862, was promoted to Colonel. The regiment was one of the best, saw hard service in driving back General Forrest from Western Kentucky, fought at Farmington, and had many skirmishes. Four of his five children having suddenly and almost simul- taneously died, he resigned his commission and came home, promoted enlistments and organized the Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, and recommended G. W. Neeley for Colonel and R. A. Peter for Lieutenant-Colonel, making the third regiment which he organized in Southern Illinois.
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