USA > Illinois > Massac County > History of Massac County, Illinois with life sketches and portraits > Part 15
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HISTORY OF
On July 3, 1863, he reported to General Logan at Vicks- burg, who directed the Colonel to join liis old comrades-the Fifty-sixth, and by them was given an ovation, although clothed as a citizen. He was forced by them to don an impro- vised Colonel's uniform and led the charge next day when Vicksburg surrendered. After the surrender in a neat little speech he bade the regiment adieu and it supported Sherman in his march to the sea.
Always an unflinching Republican, he was a prime mover in the organization of that party in Southern Illinois. He was an influential member of the XXVIIth General Assembly, the session following the adoption of the constitution, the most important session in the history of the state, and enacted the re-districting measure which made the state reliable Republi- can, and the minority report on the Chicago fire; he was the author of both. Under his direction our school laws were also generalized and simplified. Returning home he was solicited to accept the nomination for Congress in 1872, but refused.
Locally, he was a member of the Board of Education for ten years, proposed the beautiful High School building, furnished the money to complete it, and always maintained that our teachers should be the most proficient the Normal Schools afforded, by which means our city schools hold an enviable rank. By his efforts mainly, the colored citizens were furnished their High School; amicably adjusting the vexing race question. He furnished the money to extend the Western Union Telegraphı from Vienna-the first line, and was a lead- ing spirit in bringing the first railroad, while the electric lights, water works and beautiful streets are mute witnesses of his public spirit. Once the owner of a large amount of property, Colonel Brown was interested in the establishment of the private bank of M. Mayfield & Co., owning and man- aging the same from 1872 until the organization of the Brown & Bruner bank in 1883, which prospered until 1893. Many leading factories were practically being maintained by this bank and hundreds of men had steady employment at good wages. In 1895 the tariff laws were altered and a panic en-
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sued, prostrating busy industries and all connected therewith. These factories became useless and Brown & Bruner were forced to make an assignment, forsaken by friends and pressed by enemies, the Colonel surrendered everything to aid his creditors, believing that manhood and integrity only were worth preserving to the end.
Colonel Brown has still living five daughters and two sons. They are all to him that a good father could hope for. He could not and would not improve them if he could, in their kindness and generosity to him .. He has two wives dead. When living they were a part of his soul and dead he will never fail to love them or cease to remember their virtues, their chaste and graceful goodness and deep and generous love. The Colonel does not belong to any church society, but is a high Mason, a Knight Templar, and was for many years Eminent Commander of Gethsemane Commandery No. 41 of Metropolis, Illinois. He is also a comrade of the G. A. R., and was formerly commander of the Tom Smith Post of this city.
JESSE A. ORR, M. D.
Hughey Orr, an Irish saddler, early emigrated to Virginia, and thence to the wilds of the Kentucky frontier with his wife, where both died. William M. Orr, their son, was born in Cald. well county, Ky., 1811, and had two brothers and a sister. William farmed and learned the carpenter's trade. His par- ents being poor, at twenty-one, he began life on his own ac- count, married Miss Nancy M. Adams, a native Kentuckian. purchased a timber tract, built a log cabin, improved it amid the wilds of early days, and died thereon Aug. 22, 1888. He left a widow, who died in February, 1899, at the home of her youngest son in Mayfield, Ky., at the ripe age of 84 years. They were most estimable people, the parents of eleven chil- dren, three of whom died in infancy, and the living are highly respected; two sons have attained prominence as Methodist ministers, and our subject, an excellent reputation as a phy- sician.
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Jesse A. Orr was born in Graves county, Ky., March 28, 1845, on the old homestead, attended the primitive schools in winter, and farmed in summer until his 17th year, when he enlisted in the Fifteenth Kentucky Cavalry, Company E, saw hard service, was disabled in the shoulder by the fall of his horse, and in poor health was mustered out at Paducah. Re- turning home he attended school one year, and determined to study medicine. His father was not able to pay his way, and our young soldier must now fight the battles attendant upon the struggle for an education. Not discouraged, he worked at the carpenter's trade, and under the direction of Dr. J. A. Ryburn purchased a set of medical works, pursuing his studies alone until 1872, when he entered the office of Dr. Ryburn, as a student and probation practitioner.
In 1877, he came to Pellonia, Massac county, Ill. Here he prospered, and graduated in January, 1878, from the Eclec- tic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, one of the leading col- leges of the country. Until October, 1892, Dr. Orr success- fully practiced his profession at Pellonia and Fairplay, both in Massac county, when he moved to Metropolis, where he now resides.
In his chosen profession Dr. Orr has taken a marked in- terest, several times serving as county physician, and for five years president of the County Medical Association. He is a prominent member of the Methodist church, a Mason, and Past Commander of "Tom Smith" Post G. A. R.
Always a Republican-even while in Kentucky-he has held the confidence and esteem of his party, and the counsels of which he has exercised a marked influence. President Har- rison appointed him a member of the Board of United States Pension Examining Surgeons, as did also President Mckinley. For three terms he has been president of the Board of Edu- cation of Metropolis, making a capable officer. He was mar- ried March 11, 1875, to Miss Mary Henderson of Massac coun- ty. They have an elegant home on Fourth street.
DR. J. A. ORR.
14
WILLIAM WRIGHT.
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MASSAC COUNTY.
WILLIAM WRIGHT.
William Wright was born in Missouri, 1846, farmed while young, and attended the public school. When the civil war broke out he volunteered in the Twenty-eighth Illinois Infan- try, served three years and passed through hard service at Shilolı, Corinth and Vicksburg, sacrificing the strength of youth upon the altar of his country.
Sixteen years were spent at saw-milling and in 1889 he came to Metropolis to operate a circular saw in the Loud mills, which he did efficiently until by failing health he was forced to retire in 1885.
In this year he was elected a justice of the peace in and for Metropolis, which position he has contiuously held, being now the senior justice of the county. In 1890, he was chosen a member of the Board of Education, serving as its secretary. For a number of years he has been a notary public. Formerly a warm friend and associate of R. A. Davidson, deceased, pen- sion attorney, he now conducts the large and important busi- ness in his own name successfully.
Politically "Squire" Wright is a Republican, and relig- iously an elder in the Christian church. Fraternally he is a Knights Templar, Patriarch Militant, Knight of Pythias, and member Tom Smith Post Grand Army of the Republic. As proof of his clerical ability he has served as secretary and treasurer of the first three named.
He married Miss Ellen Adams of Alexander county, Illi- nois, and they have only one son, William Herschel, a grad- uate of the city High School, and Georgia Robinson Christian College, Scientific course. He is connected with the extensive firm of Harris & Cole Brothers as their bookkeeper.
JAMES A. HELM, M. D.
Dr. James A. Helm, son of James G. and Susan A. Helm, was born in Massac county, Ill., Dec. 25, 1857. His parents re- moved from Marshall county, Tenn., to Illinois about 1840, and
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HISTORY OF
located on a farm in Johnson county, afterwards moved to Massac county, near New Columbia. His father, James G. Ilelm, a veteran of the War of the Rebellion, was second lieu- tenant in Company K, First Illinois Light Artillery, and is at this writing, the only commissioned officer of his company living. Dr. Helm spent the first twenty-three years of his life on a farm, and obtained his literary education in the rural schools of Johnson and Massac counties. He began the study of medicine in the spring of 1881 and attended his first course of lectures at the University of Tennessee, Medical Depart- ment, Nashville, during the following winter, and received the degree of M. D., Feb. 24, 1885. In the following April he locat- ed at Bado, Mo., and entered upon his professional career. He was married to Miss Mary E. Edgar of Mountain Grove, Mo .. in September, 1887, removed to Illinois in the fall of 1888, and located at Ganntown, Johnson county. In the fall of 1891 he took a post graduate course in the Baltimore Medical College, Baltimore, Md., and received his addendum degree from that college in April, 1892. Removed to Metropolis, Ill., in Janu- ary, 1895, and formed a co-partnership in the practice of medi- cine with Dr. John H. Norris, which existed until the death of the latter in August, 1896.
In 1897, during President McKinley's administration, he received an appointment on the Board of United States Pen- sion Examining Surgeons, and was made secretary of that body during their term of service.
He is a member of the M. E. church of Metropolis; also a member of Metropolis Lodge No. 91, A. F. & A. M., of Massac Lodge No. 446, I. O. O. F., and of Orestes Lodge No. 268, K. P.
WILLIAM HERMAN KRAPER.
W. F. Kraper, the father, was born in Germany in 1832. came to Cincinnati, Ohio, 1845, and to Metropolis, Ill., 1866. He died Jan. 9, 1871. In Cincinnati, Ohio, he married Miss Wilhelmina Wilke, also born in Germany, and was brought to America at the age of ten.
W. H. Kraper, their son, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio,
J. A, HELM, M. D.
MRS. J. A. HELM.
1
WILLIAM HERMAN KRAPER.
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Sept. 19, 1859. At the age of five he fell into the cellar and displaced the patella of the left knee, which kept him in bed for thirteen long months and two years on crutches. When six, he was brought to Metropolis and attended school until fourteen, when by the death of his father he was forced to aid, as a boy could, in making a living.
He began work in the shipping department of Yost, Bige- low & Co.'s spoke works, tying up bundles of spokes at 50 cents a day, which he continued for three years. The next two years he clerked for Henry Johnson at $13.00 a month, and the succeeding year got $16.00 a month of H. Quante & Broth- er for clerking. He boarded himself. He then went to Cin- cinnati to act as city salesman for the Rampendahl company, doing a general milling and brokers' business. In this field he succeeded, becoming a partner, but later it was dissolved. Re- turning to Metropolis, 1884, he put his money into the cigar factory, formerly operated by his brother. The firm was W. H. Kraper & Bro. Mr. Kraper took the road to sell their prod- uct, which was made by his brother and one assistant; today he owns the business and steadily employs about thirty hands. He owns besides this, various business interests and is director of the First National Bank.
Politically, Mr. Kraper is a Republican, and a hard party worker. He was elected to the city council the year saloons were voted out and although favorable to saloons he voted against them because of the voice of the people in the election. He has been chairman of the county central committee, dele- gate to the various local and state conventions and member of the congressional committee. He served several terms on the Board of Education, ably and acceptably, has been frequently urged to run for mayor of Metropolis, and was appointed post- master by President Mckinley, 1897.
Mr. Kraper is a Mason, and Odd Fellow, and was a charter member of Orestes Lodge No. 268 Knights of Pythias. On Sept. 27, 1883, he married Miss Carrie Baumbusch, a native of Cincinnati, and they have one son, W. H. Kraper, Jr., born
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HISTORY OF
June 29th, 1884, now of great assistance to his father in his business.
A. C. RAGSDALE, M. D.
Dr. A. C. Ragsdale was born in the old "Harvey Craig" farm near Goreville in Johnson county, Ill. His grandfather, Joel Ragsdale, was a North Carolinian, who moved to Ken- tucky. His father, Thomas H. Ragsdale, a native Kentuckian, located in Johnson county and married Miss Nancy Askew. Of four boys and seven girls our subject is the third child.
"Happy Hollow" school house with puncheon floor, stick chimney and slab seats, near his home, was the fountain of education for young Ragsdale during the winter, until 18 years of age. In the summer he farmed. Between 18 and 20 he labored for a firm in Marion, returned to Johnson county, pur- chased a photographer's outfit, learned the trade, fell in love with chemistry, and thus determined to study medicine. He studied that science for two years until 11 o'clock each night and on Sundays. He would arise at 5 o'clock in the morning and start fires in the mill furnaces of which he was engineer. He entered a medical school in Keokuk, Iowa, 1886, and graduated from the College of Physicians and Sur- geons of St. Louis, March, 1889, locating at Massac creek, Massac county, Ill., for five years. In 1894 he moved to Me- tropolis, Ill., where he now resides, enjoying an extensive prac- tice.
He has determined to master the dreaded cancer and has made a special study of this disease which he successfully treated in connection with his general practice for three years. He agitated a Sanitarium in which to treat all chronic troubles and perform surgical operations, but "hard times" prevented it's erection until Dr. C. E. Trovillion, now of the "Faculty," joined with him. He alone crected an elegant building, cor- ner Sixth and Metropolis streets, which they jointly have well equipped for the highest professional treatment of its many patients, with which it is continuously crowded. Although
DR.TA. C. RAGSDALE.
(
C. E. TROVILLION, M. D,
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MASSAC COUNTY.
confronted with discouragenients, an unconquerable will has enabled him to attain the chief ambition of his life. The new building was opened Nov. 1, 1899, with many patients. One year of successful labor had preceded this in rented, though well equipped apartments, which soon passed the experimental stage, and "The Metropolis Sanitarium" is now a fixture.
As examiner for the Mutual Life of New York, North- western Mutual of Milwaukee, Penn. Mutual, Western Mutual, and Prudential insurance companies he has examined over two thousand applicants, has been an active member of the Massac County Medical Society for five years, acting secretary for four of them.
In August, 1900, he and Dr. Trovillion began the publica- tion of "The Southern Illinois Journal of Medicine and Sur- gery," which was adopted in November as the official organ of the Southern Illinois Medical Association.
When twenty-two years of age he married Miss Sarah A. Dennison, and to them three children have been born, as fol- lows: Ida Myrtle, Charles Robbie, and John Logan. The family has an elegant home on the ground floor of the Sani- tarium building, filled with life's comforts.
CHARLES EDWARD TROVILLION, M. D.
Carles E. Trovillion was born rear Columbus, Pope coun- ty, Ill., April 17, 1868. His father, Daniel P., with the grand- father, James Y. Trovillion, came from Tennessee, being orig- inally French Huguenots who had fled to Virginia. His moth- er, Elizabeth Trovillion, nee Lewis, was early left an orphan, she became a strong, impressive Christian character.
Of the family, four brothers survive-one Baptist minis- ter, one farmer, and two other physicians; two sisters are also living. Young Trovillion farmed and attended the rural schools in youth, but early turned to the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. J. A. Trovillion, in 1887, whom he accom- panied to Nashville, that fall, to attend a course of lectures in
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HISTORY OF
the Medical Department of the University of Tennessee, and graduated at the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons March, 1891.
He immediately formed a partnership with his brother, Dr. J. A., which continued three years, and then he and his brother, M. H., became co-partners. To further his knowledge and skill, he took an addendum degree at the Barnes Medical College, St. Louis, and also the St. Louis Baptist Hospital, ac- quiring a diploma from each institution.
Cognizant of his ability and ambitious he came to Metrop- olis and associated himself with Dr. A. C. Ragsdale to open and operate a Sanitarium for the treatment of disease under the immediate care of skilled physicians. The Sanitarium, de- scribed in another place, was operated so successfully in rent- ed quarters the first year that it now occupies its own building, anl enjoys a liberal patronage. In this Sanitarium Dr. Trovil- lion is professor of surgery and Gynecology, of which he has marle special study.
The doctor is medical examiner for the Aetna Life Insur- ance Company, the Court of Honor and Supreme Examiner of the Knights of Massac. He is secretary of the Massac County Medical Society, and by President Mckinley was appointed on the Pension Examining Board of Pope county. Politically he is a stalwart Republican.
Our subject was first married to Miss Millie Abbott, May 21, 1891, and they bad one son, Russell. Mrs. Trovillion died Aug. 15th, 1894, and Aug. 18, 1895, he married Miss Rilla Wa- ters, to whom have been born two children, Trois and Howard. The family have a beautiful home on Metropolis street.
CAPT. E. W. HILLIARD.
Joseph Hilliard, great grandfather of our subject, was a Revolutionary soldier; Edward Hilliard, the grandfather, was a soldier of the war of 1812; Jonathan S., the father, was a volunteer in the Mexican war; and Captain Hilliard served throughout the bloody civil war, patriotic record unsurpassed.
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MASSAC COUNTY.
January 22nd, 1844, Edward W., son of Jonathan S. and Amanda Hilliard, was born in New Albany, Ohio, attended the common schools, high school of Salem, Ohio; entered Mt. Un- ion College, near Alliance, Ohio, but soon enlisted in the pres- ident's call for 75,000 volunteers. At the expiration of the 90 days, he re-enlisted in the Forty-third Ohio, and later in the veteran corps. He participated in the first battle, Rich Mountain, and the last one also, Bentonville, N. C. During the battles around Vieksburg, 5,000 rebel prisoners were taken and a detachment of eight companies including Mr. Hilliard's, was ordered to take them to the Federal prison at Indianap- olis, Ind., which was found so crowded upon their arrival that they were taken to Ft. Delaware, near Philadelphia. When the eight companies reached Harrisburg, Pa., on their return they were pressed into the provisional serviee for the fearful battle of Gettysburg and were then allowed to return, joining the Brigade at Memphis, which was coming from Vieksburg; seeing serviee in the "March to the Sea," fought the day Me- Pherson fell, and was at the capture and burning of Colum- bia. His regiment also participated in the battle of Shiloh, while it supported "Battery Robinette" at Corinth with 582 men, only 186 of whom answered the roll call the following morning; although present, Veteran Hilliard was wounded in the hip. During his service, the eoneussion of a shell burst- ing near his head, injured his ear drum. July 25th, 1865, our hero was mustered out of service and returned home with honors.
In his early years he learned the trade of carriage build- ing, in which he is an expert. From 1866 to 1891 he followed his trade in Kansas and Missouri, coming to Metropolis April 15, 1891, and has built up a large and paying business. Mareh 7. 1893, he and Miss Drusilla, daughter of A. C. and Martha May, of Metropolis, were married. Mrs. Hilliard was born in Massac county, Ill., February 18th, 1871. She is a talented violinist. They have one little daughter, Laura Martha, who was born July 20, 1894. Captain Hilliard and wife are members of the Christian church, he being a trustee,
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HISTORY OF
and he has been elected commander of Tom Smith Post No. 345 from December, 1895, every year since.
COL. R. A. PETER.
The maternal grandfather and grandmother of Colonel R. A. Peter were Irish. The paternal grandfather's record is strictly American. The father and mother lived in Simpson county, Ky., where Richard Asbury Peter was born April 17, 1818. He came with his wife to Massac county, Ill., Oct. 14, 1842, having married Miss Amanda C., daughter of David Proffett, Nov. 11, 1841. She was born March 12th, 1825. They have long since passed their golden wedding anniversary and are yet living.
Colonel Peter opened up a farm three miles from Metrop- olis and later moved to the city. His first vote was for Wil- liam Henry Harrison and from the birth of the party has been an ardent Republican. He has many times been a justice of the peace and served for two terms as Police Magistrate of Metropolis.
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MASSAC COUNTY.
October, 1862, he enlisted in the 131st Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was commisisoned Lieutenant-Colo- nel. The regiment was stationed for sometime at Fort Mas- sac and did good service. Colonel Peter has always been a strict temperance advocate. When in his thirteenth year he was converted in Calloway county, Ky., and joined the Meth- odist church, of which both are life-long members. They had twelve children.
JAMES A. PETER.
J. A., eldest son of Colonel R. A. Peter, was born on the Custom House lot, Paducah, Ky., Sept. 13th, 1842, attended the Metropolis schools, and enlisted in Company A, afterward Company B, First Illinois Cavalry, May 20, 1861, being trans- ferred to Carmichael's company. In August, 1862, he aided in organizing the 131st Illinois and Grant commissioned him to raise a company, which he did. August 12, 1862, in his 19th year, he was chosen second lieutenant, and served with honor throughout the war.
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HISTORY OF
For twenty years he engaged in the livery business, oper- ated a saw-mill, and farmed. He has served two terms as con- stable and five terins in the city council, where his usefulness cannot be measured. He was the first captain of the local company of State Guards, and for ten days was ranking officer at East St. Louis, during the riots and creditably controlled a serious situation.
January 1, 1867, he married Angelina Bacus, daughter of a leading Massac county farmer, and to them have been born three children, Mrs. Louis Paust, James Edward, special fire officer for the city, and Mrs. Fritz Roskemmer, of the firm of Bunger & Roskemmer, leading merchants.
Mr. Peter is a loyal Grand Army man, an Odd Fellow for twenty four years, a Knight of Pythias, a strict Republican, and hearty good citizen.
HIRAM C. FISHER, M. D.
Dr. H. C. Fisher was born March 24, 1838, on a farm in Union township, Vanderburg county, Ind., attended the dis- trict school about three months each year until 16 years of age, when he entered and afterward graduated from a Commercial College, returned to the farm and in 1865 began the study of medicine, graduating March 4, 1868, from the Ohio Medical College.
He practiced his profession for three years at his old home, then moved to New Liberty, Pope county, and in the year 1882 he came to Metropolis. Today he is still actively and successfully prosecuting an extensive practice, although 62 years of age.
The Doctor was a Republican from Lincoln's time until in 1896, he became an ardent "Silver Republican." He never joined any religious society, is a Mason, and has belonged ac- tively, to both the Pope and Massac County Medical Societies. He is the author of two novels of much merit, which will be soon published. He has been married three times. Miss Ad- elaide Moss of Indiana, was his first wife. After her death
H. C. FISHER, M. D.
15
SYLVESTER SHOEMAKER.
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MASSAC COUNTY.
he married Amanda McElevey of Cincinnati, Ohio, who is the mother of his two children, Hodge T., Metropolis, Ill., and Mrs. Grace C. Winter, Bozeman, Mont. His present wife was Miss Grace A. Slater of Metropolis.
SYLVESTER S. SHOEMAKER.
George G. Shoemaker, the father, was a moulder, born in Adams county, Ohio, moved to Stewart county, Tenn., and there married Miss Malinda Griffin, a native of South Carolina.
To them was born Sylvester S., August 3rd, 1849, who was taken, when six months old, by his parents, to Trigg county, Ky., where his parents died. When a boy he attended school and came to Metropolis, December, 1864, with his sister. He attended the city schools, and clerked for Jones & Farrow several years.
In 1883 he conducted a grocery store and later farmed. For two years beginning 1888, he was with Blitz & Co., and HI. Ringold & Bro. From 1892-4 he was clerk and paymaster for the Towle Lumber Company.
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