USA > Illinois > Massac County > History of Massac County, Illinois with life sketches and portraits > Part 22
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CHARLES W. BRINNEN.
The father of onr subject was originally from Germany, came to St. Louis, Mo., and married Miss Henrietta Summers. Charles W., their oldest child, was born Sept. 26th, 1848, in St. Louis, attended the public schools and later left home with the 12th Illinois regiment. At Memphis, Tenn., he transferred to the 29th Illinois, was examined and sworn but not mustered in. March 30, 1872, he married Miss Tlitha Waggoner of Mas- sac county.
He came to Johnson county in 1862 from Memphis and in 1882 settled at Samoth. In 1884 the republicans elected him justice of the peace. For 13 years he was a notary and in 1895 was elected county commissioner for Massac county. During June, 1900, he enumerated the census of his precinct.
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Under Harrison he served as postmaster of Samoth, Ill., five years.
Mr. Brinnen is a member of New Colombia lodge No. 336, A. F. & A. M., and of 617, I. O. O. F. He is also a member of the encampment and Patriotic Sons of America.
A. F. NUTTY.
Albert Franklin Nutty was born Dec. 24, 1862, in George's Creek precinct, Massac county. His father, Gale Nutty, was a native of Tennessee, and of German extraction. His moth- er's maiden name was Miss Sarah Dunn, a native of Massac county.
There were three boys, John J., A. F. and Gale Richard. Also one girl, now Mrs. Alice Ragland. Our subject attended the common schools and spent two terms at the normal school, Danville, Ind.
He spent his early life on the farm. At 19 years of age he began to clerk for Samuel Stern, New Colombia, Ill., and continued in his employ 18 months. Again he attended school and engaged in farming. In 1889 he purchased McRichard- son's general store, New Colombia, William Teague becom- ing co-partner with him. In 1899 he became sole proprietor of the large general store of Samoth and the Samoth flouring mill and also owner of the general store of New Colombia, all of which he conducts at present most successfully.
During Harrison's administration he was the efficient postmaster of New Colombia. Mr. Nutty has for 8 years been township treasurer and is a member of Hurricane lodge 617, I. O. O. F. He is intensely republican.
ELDER W. A. SPENCE.
A. C. Spence, the father, came from North Carolina about 1850 and died Jan. 26th, 1886. He was an early respected pioneer of Masasc county. Nancy J. Nutty, born in North Carolina, early moved to Tennessee and was the wife of A. C.
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Spence. She died when Alfred, the subject of our sketcli, was quite small. There are four living children.
William Alfred was born Nov. 20, 1873, in George's Creek precinct, Massac Co. Although early without a mother's tender care he eagerly pursued the studies of the rural schools and private summer schools, went to Danville, Ind., and extended his course at the Central Indiana Normal School and has at- tended the Southern Illinois Normal University, Carbondale, Ill. He is now teaching his eleventh term, which is his second term as principal of the Belknap village schools, Johnson coun- ty, Illinois.
Besides teaching, Mr. Spence was licensed to preach by the Missionary Baptist church in 1890 and ordained in 1893. For three years he was pastor of the church at Vienna, Ill., and elected during that time to a position in the city schools. He is an Odd Fellow, member of the encampment and Rebecca lodges.
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HISTORY OF
JOHNSON COUNTY.
Johnson county was established by proclamation of the territorial governor Sept. 14, 1812, formerly a part of Randolph county. It included all the country south of the Big Muddy river.
Elvira was the first county seat. July 14th, 1813, at the house of John Bradshaw was held the first court of common pleas, near Lick Creek, now in Union county, Hamlet Fergu- son and Jesse Briggs, justices. The first case was Harry Hat- ton vs. Harry Skinner. The first grand jury was impaneled March 14, 1814, James Finney, clerk; Jesse Eads, foreman, and the first indictment returned was "The United States vs. John Borin, assault and battery." Sarah Brunts was the first person indicted for illegal liquor selling. The first conviction was for "assault and battery," the People vs. Barnhart, fine $20 and costs.
The first circuit court convened at Elvira on the fourth Monday of October, 1815, William Spriggs, judge; James Fin- ney, clerk; Thomas C. Patterson, sheriff; James Conway, dep- uty attorney general; Jonathan Ramsey was the attor- ney admitted.
March 16, 1818, J. D. Wilcox and James Bain were ap- pointed to locate the new site for the county seat and selected s. e. quarter, sec. 5, tp. 13, r. 3. The last meeting in Elvira was the third Monday in July, 1818, and the county seat was called Vienna. The first meeting in Vienna was Nov. 10, 1818.
The first case taken to the supreme court was Lewis Pan- key, vs. The People, writ of error, charge, perjury. The case came from Pope county in 1833 on a change of venue. Sept. 1st, 1818, the plat of Vienna was ordered recorded and the first lot sold, No. 44.
"Ordered that James Finney be authorized to have the following repairs to be made on the house at present occu- pied as a court house, to-wit: A floor laid on the same punch-
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con, a chimney of wood and a common door of boards, and the house to be chunked and daubed, seats for jurors and a small half-faced cabin to be built adjoining the same and chinked and daubed with partition of logs for the purpose of jury rooms, provided the repairs do not cost to exceed $18.00." At the same date Erwin Morris, the sheriff, was ordered to let the contract to build a log jail. A highway was ordered built from Vienna to the Big Muddy and intersect the old Kaskas- kia road. A tax was levied 50 cents for a horse and $1.00 on each wagon.
Johnson county was made less in 1816 by the organization of Pope and Jackson counties, Union 1818, and Massac and Pulaski in 1843.
The first school was taught by an Irish dude in what is now the north part of Alexander county, his name unknown. The old rude log school house prevailed. School was held in early fall and late spring, the winters being too cold for the school house accommodations and the clothing worn. Spell- ing was the principal branch and the schools studied out 'loud. The free schools date from 1825.
HON. PLEASANT THOMAS CHAPMAN,
SENATOR FIFTY-FIRST DISTRICT.
Senator P. T. Chapman's father, grandfather and great grand father was successively named Daniel. The two latter came to Bloomfield township, Johnson county, from New York, their native state, in 1818. His great grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier. His father was born in Johnson county in July, 1828, and married Miss Mary E., daughter of Pleasant Rose, of Johnson county. She was born in 1837, and still lives in Illinois. The Chapman family is one of the oldest in the county. Daniel C. Chapman, the senator's father, died Sept. 8, 1888, and three generations sleep in one township in Johnson county. The father was an extensive farmer, polit- ically he was a republican, and was three times elected sheriff of Johnson county.
Pleasant T. Chapman was born on a farm eight miles from Vienna, Oct. 8, 1854. He attended the rural schools and graduated in the classical course of MeKendree college, Leban-
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P. T. CHAPMAN,
on, Ill., June, 1876, and taught school, served five years as county superintendent of schools of Johnson county, Illinois, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1878, served two terms as county judge of Johnson county, was twice a member of the republican state central committee, was al- ternate delegate at large to the republican national convention in 1896 from Illinois, was elected state senator from the 51st senatorial district in 1890, and re-elected in 1894 and 1898. He is an ardent republican and has a strong hold on the affairs of his party. In the Senate he wields a decided influence, be- ing chairman of the appropriation committee in the 41st gen- eral assembly, the most important committee in the senate.
He is an extensive farmer and stock raiser, merchant and banker. Is president of the Vienna Mercantile Company. President of the Vienna Lumber Co. and president of the First National bank of Vienna, which he built up from a private bank. He is vice president of the bank of Jonesboro, Ill., and the Bank of Anna, Anna, Ill. Religiously Mr. Chapman is a Methodist and fraternally a Mason, being a member of lodge No. 150, Vienna chapter No. 60, Vienna, and Gethsemane
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commandery No. 63, Metropolis, Ill. He is also district deputy grand master of the thirtieth Masonic district, and is serving his fourth term in that office.
December 20th, 1881, he was married to Miss May Cope. land. She was born in Pulaski county, Ill. They have three children, a son, Daniel Ward, 17 years old. A daughter, Mar- ion, 11 years old, and a younger son, Dwyer Clinton, 7 years old. Mrs. Chapman is a member of the Eastern Star, and has enjoyed the distinction of being grand matron of Illinois for 1899. They have an elegant home in Vienna and are among the most influential families in southern Illinois.
ALONZO K. VICKERS,
CIRCUIT JUDGE.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was a pioneer of Warren county, Kentucky, from whence he came, at an early date, to Massac county, Illinois, bringing with him his son, James Vickers, who was quite young. The grandfather en- tered land, opened an extensive farm which he sold and moved to Metropolis, where he died.
The son, James Vickers, also entered land and farmed. He married the mother of our subject, Miss Celia Smith, born March 3, 1812, near Tuscumbia, Alabama, where her father William Smith, died. She came to Illinois in 1840. After farming several years they came to Metropolis and engaged in the mercantile business and he died in 1861. Mrs. Vickers was industrious, frugal and possessed of indomitable will and christian fortitude. Left with an encumbered farm of forty acres, unimproved, she died May 10, 1875, in good circum- stances in Metropolis.
Alonzo K. was born on the farm in the Powers neigh- borhood, Massac county, Illinois, Sept. 25, 1853, was reared on the farm, attended the rural schools and took an elaborate course at the Metropolis high school. In 1874 he entered the law office of Judge R. W. McCartney, pursuing his studies and was admitted in 1877, practicing for two years. In 1879 he purchased and edited the Vienna Times for one year, when he sold it and again actively engaged in the practice of law.
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From 1886-1888 he was a member of the thirty-fifth General Assembly from the 51st senatorial district. In 1891 he was nominated and elected one of the circuit judges of this, the ninth judicial circuit, and was re-elected in 1897. He has proved to be an able judge and has won a meritorious reputa- tion in the conduct of the noted "miners' trials" at Vienna, during Dec. 1899, and January, February and March, 1900. As a public speaker and campaigner he excels and will, un- doubtedly, some day represent his district in congress.
Mr. Vickers is also connected with important business interests; he buys stock, extensively farms, organized the Drovers' State Bank of Vienna in 1899, of which he is presi- dent, and is president of the St. Louis, Paducah & Southeast- ern railroad company, organized in 1899 and is now proposing to build a line from a point in Johnson county to Paducah, Ky.
In 1880 he married Miss Leora Armstrong, daughter of William Armstrong of Metropolis. They have three children, Jay Frank, Hazel U. and Louisa Edna. They have an elegant home in Vienna. Mr. Vickers is a Methodist, Mason, Odd Fel- low and stalwart republican.
MARCUS N. McCARTNEY.
Marcus N. McCartney, second child and eldest son of Cap- tain John F. McCartney, was born Dec. 2, 1862, in Metropolis, while his father was engaged in the service of the nation in the campaign around Vicksburg.
Was educated in the Metropolis public schools, work- ing as printer during vacations on the Metropolis Times. At 16 his father severed his connection with the Times and Mar- cus then began spending his summer months on one of his father's farms as general farmer, living part of the time with a tenant and part with the family of his father, which at that time resided in Metropolis.
At 17 he began teaching, his first effort being in the dis- trict school known as Kincaid school, near the line between Pope and Massac counties. He received $25 per month. During a part of the summer following this term he attended the Illinois State Normal School at Normal, Ill., thus employ- ing the money saved during the winter.
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M. N. MCCARTNEY.
The winter following ('81 and '82) he taught the school at the village of Unionville at a salary of $40. While thus en- gaged for the winter months he continued to devote his vaca- tion time to his father's farm.
During the winter of '83 and '84 he attended the little normal school, Christian Collegiate Institute, in Metropolis.
The following winter he taught as principal of the public schools of New Grand Chain, Ill., at $60 per month, with one as- sistant.
During the next year he was a student in the National Normal University of Lebanon, Ohio, being a pupil of that dis- tinguished educator, Professor Alfred Holbrook. He received the degree B. S. at the close of this school year.
His health, at this point slightly failing, he decided not to enter the school room as teacher at once, but contracted to work for a publishing and school supply company, in whose interest he traveled in the Southwest for nearly two years. This gave him an opportunity for business experience.
Next he was asked to assume the duties and responsibility
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of superintendent of the Mount City public schools at a sal- ary of $80 per month, with six assistant teachers. He had now reached 24 years.
While traveling he had paid off all his school indebtedness incurred while in college in Ohio, and started upon his new du- ties full of vigor and professional ambition.
He graded the schools, preparing a complete detailed syl- labus of study including a regular high school according to the Illinois plan.
After teaching in Mound City three years, graduating three classes from his new high school and assisting the board of education in forming a school sentiment and building a new, large brick school house he returned to Lebanon, Ohio, and entered the classic or literature and arts department of his alma mater. The following August he received the de- gree B. A. and soon after was elected president of the southern Illinois Teachers' Association and the next year presided over the meeting at East St. Louis.
Even before the close of his classic year ('90 and '91) in the Holbrook University, he was tendered the chair of rhetoric and literature of the same school. He accepted but before beginning his labors in this capacity he resigned to accept his old position at the head of the Mound City schools at a salary of $100 per month. Here he worked for three more years with eleven assistant teachers. The Mound City high school was now accredited by the University of Illinois. An- other brick school house was erected and used for colored pu- pils in whose advancement our subject took great interest and started for them a high school. At his request the school for white pupils was named the Lowell and that for colored pupils the Lovejoy.
In 1894 M. N. McCartney severed his connection with the Mound City schools to accept a similar position in Vienna, a neighboring county seat. Here he graded the schools, con- structing a course of study for twelve grades and became the planner and promoter of another high school which is recog- mized on the accredited list of the State University. The Vien- na school board has raised his salary and retained him for seven consecutive years. He enjoys the satisfaction of having
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organized two high schools in Egypt. He longs to see scholar- ship universal in the lower counties.
In 1895 he married Ida Huckeberry, who for seven years previously taught with him as primary teacher. To this union two children have been born, the youngest, Marcia May, only survives.
In addition to school work, he does an extensive institute work in the southern counties of Illinois. Mrs. McCartney is at present proprietress of the Vienna Electric light plant.
WILLIAM H. GILLIAM.
Thomas H. Gilliam, the father, was a native of Virginia, where his father passed bis entire life. He was born in Din- widdie county, Va., grew up and married there. His wife was Sarah E., daughter of Thomas Hill. While young he emi- grated to Gibson county, then Henry county, and afterward Weakley county, Tennessee. Here they lived for several years moving to Calloway county, Ky., and 1862 to Johnson county, Ill. They purchased and improved a farm in Burn- side township, now the site of Ozark. Here his faithful wife died in January, 1889, and he followed on November 18th, 1892, at the age of 62 years.
William H. Gilliam, their son, was born in Weakley county, Tenn., Dec. 1, 1856, was 6 years old when brought to Illinois, where he attended the district schools, subsequently continuing his studies at Ewing college. At 19 he began teaching in winter and farmed or attended school in summer. He spent several months as clerk of the postoffice at New Burnside and in the circuit clerk's office. In 1882 he was ap- pointed deputy sheriff and continued in that office and in the circuit clerk's office until 1885, gaining much experience.
During 1885 he bought a half interest in the "Weekly Times" with George W. Balance, who sold his half interest to Mr. Gilliam in October, 1886. The name of the paper is "The Vienna Weekly Times," still owned, and edited in an able way by Mr. Gilliam. He also conducts a first-class job printing office.
In June, 1890, he married Miss Dimple, daughter of Henry Stewart Perkins, and a native of Howard county, Mo. They
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have one child, Frank. Fraternally Mr. Gilliam is an Odd Fel- low, also a member of the Encampment. Politically he is a most zealous and influential republican, wielding considerable influence with his excellent newspaper. He is the present ef- ficient postmaster of Vienna.
DAVID JACKSON COWAN.
David Cowan, grandfather, was a native of North Caro- lina. Mary Gray Cowan was from the same state. The Cow- ans and Grays emigrated to Henry and Stewart counties, Ten- nessee. The Grays owned over 300 slaves. David Cowan was a steamboatman on the Mississippi. Thomas J. Cowan, the father of our sketch, was born to David and Mary Cowan July 13th, 1833, at Sulphur Mill, Henry county, Tennessee.
Isaac Worley, maternal grandfather, came to Johnson county from Tennessee, as early as 1808. He viewed the pub- lic road from Elvira, then the county seat, to the Mississippi river in 1809. His son, Hiram J. Worley, was born in Johnson county, Illinois, 1814. He married Vernila Graves and their daughter, Mary J. Worley, born March 9, 1842, became the wife of Thomas J. Cowan.
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David Jackson Cowan, son of Thomas J. and Mary J. Cow- an was born Aug. 27th, 1865, on the old homestead two and one-half miles from Vienna, Ill. He had four sisters, Nancy, Lucinda, wife of W. H. V. Waters, near Bloomfield, and Mar- tha Ann, wife of William Nobles, near Buncombe, Ill., and Mary V., wife of Dr. R. A. Hale, Bloomfield, Ill., who died May 24, 1899; and Miss Gertrude Cowan, living at home. He also has two brothers, Thomas J., living three and one-half miles from Vienna, and John O., living at home.
David attended the public schools, the Vienna High School, and graduated in the Latin-English course of the Southern Normal University, Carbondale, Illinois, June, 1887. He taught his first term in the Rhidenhouer district, principal of the Vienna school for the year 1887-88, taught the next year near Walla-Walla, Washington, and near Ferndale, the same state, the following year. From 1889 he taught four terms near Sacramento, Cal. He engaged in the rush for land in the Cherokee strip Sept. 16, 1893, but was not favorably im. pressed. He was appointed to organize the public schools of Newkirk, county seat of Kay county, Ok., 1893-95. This was his last teaching.
While at Sacramento, Cal., he was admitted by the su- preme court to the practice of law Aug. 8, 1893, and was also admitted at Guthrie, Ok. In the spring of 1895 he formed a partnership with W. A. Spann at Vienna, Ill., and has been actively practicing since. He has been twice chosen city at- torney of Vienna and March 24, 1900, he was nominated by the republicans as candidate for state's attorney of Johnson county, and elected Nov. 6, 1900.
While attending the normal he was commissioned cap- tain of the cadets by Professor, now Major General, J. F. Bell, in the Philippines, and in the war with Spain raised company A of Robart's Provisional Regiment, known as the 11th United States Volunteers, and was commissioned captain. He is an Odd Fellow and a member of the Rebeccas. He is a Mason, member of the Vienna chapter and worthy patron of the East- ern Star lodge.
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THOMAS M. GORE.
The Gores are Kentuckians. John Gore early came to Johnson county, bringing his family. Among them was Wal- ton Gore, who was the father of John Gore, born near Vienna, Illinois, in 1827.
John Gore, the father, was reared on the farm, but early turned his attention to mercantile pursuits. He purchased a tract of land in Johnson county in a division of the county afterwards named in his honor, Goreville township, while he built up considerable of a village which also took his name, Goreville, and through which the late Chicago & Eastern Illi. nois railroad passes. He was industrious, frugal, judicious and kind hearted. He conducted a store of general merchan- dise and during the war dealt extensively in tobacco, then grown in that section. His death, in the prime of manhood, was a public calamity. His wife was Mary J. Bruff, born near Lick Creek, Union county, daughter of James Bruff.
Thomas M. Gore was born May 28, 1858, at Goreville, Johnson county, Ill. His father, John Gore, died when his son was only 7 years old. A large estate was left, but declared in- solvent by the administrator. When Thomas was ten years old he began to make his own way in a tobacco factory for his uncle at prizing and shipping tobacco. Later he clerked in a country store and attended school at intervals, going one and one-half miles to the school house. In 1880 he became a part- ner with his brother, James W., in the milling business at Vienna, but returned to the farm near Goreville in 1882.
His official career began in 1888 when he was appointed deputy county clerk, succeeding as county clerk in 1894, and was re-elected in 1898 by the republican party of which he is an ardent and capable member. He is also a member of the congressional committee. He is an expert official.
December 24, 1879, he married Miss Elizabeth M. Parish, who died December 30, 1896, and on May 30th, 1898, he wedded Mrs. Genevra E., widow of Ollie Sheppard, Metropolis, Ill. They have one child, Thomas Tellis, born May 29th, 1899. Mr. Gore is a Baptist and secretary of the local order of Modern Woodmen.
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MARTIN A. HANKINS.
Cheston Hankins and wife were early emigrants from Kentucky into Massac county, Illinois, where they passed their lives upon a farm. Mr. Hankins died in 1865 and Mrs. Hank- ins in 1885.
Martin A., the third of ten children, was born Feb. 7, 1845, iu Kentucky, and came with his parents to Illinois, where he mastered agriculture and also gained a fair education in the common schools of his neighborhood.
When a boy of 17 he left home to enlist in the service of his country, for which he has always had a boundless admira- tion. He enlisted in company A, Twenty-ninth Illinois Infan- try, but unfortunately contracted the measles soon after and was so seriously affected that he was discharged. Although he almost looked into his own grave, he re-enlisted in the cavalry service immediately upon recovery, and fought bravely until the close of the war.
When mustered out he returned to Massac county and engaged in farming quite extensively. In early years he de- veloped a rare ability as a trader in stock, especially horses,
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and he engaged in this occupation for several years in various places.
Later he became the owner of a fine, fertile farm in Vien- na township, Johnson county, which has been his home for a number of years, and under his direction has been extensive- ly improved and brought to a high degree of cultivation.
In March following his return from the army he married Miss Sarah Leech, daughter of David Leech, a pioneer and es- teemed citizen of Massac county. Mrs. Hankins has proven herself an ideal wife, revealing not only high capabilities in the management of her home, but also in a business way. They are the parents of Laura K., James, Mertie, Charles, Es- sie and Alice C.
In 1898 Mr. Hankins was elected by the republicans as sheriff of Johnson county, which responsible position he now occupies, and ably administers. During his term he has de- veloped strong characteristics which go to make up a keen de- tective in his ability to unravel a crime and bring the guilty to trial. A brave soldier, a successful business man, an effi- cient officer, a loyal republican, and of affable disposition, Mr. Hankins has many friends.
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