History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens, Part 47

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens > Part 47

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William M. Huston, M. D., one of the most popular and experienced medical practitioners of McDonough county, was born August 6, 1829, near the city of Jacksonville, in Morgan county, Illinois. In 1830 his parents removed to this county and located on a farm. William remained at home, engaged in working upon the farm and attending the district school until he reached the age of 18 years. He was then sent to school in Macomb one year and subsequently, in Galesburg two years. In 1850 he com- menced studying medicine and after-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

wards attended the Eclectic medical col- lege at Cincinnati, taking two courses of lectures. In 1853 he went to Monmouth, Warren county, Illinois, and there began his career as a physician, thence to Mex- ico, Missouri, where he remained 18 months, then returned to Illinois and located in Rushville. He continued there practicing his profession, from 1857 till 1861, then removed to Hender- son county, where he engaged in farm- ing in connection with his medical prac- tice, remaining there until 1870, when he came to McDonough county and located at Blandinsville. He has been a resi- dent here since that time ¿during which he has won a wide and enviable reputa- tion for skill in his profession and has had, and is still in the enjoyment of an extensive and remunerative practice. He was married June 19, 1855, to Sarah Coleman, a native of Hopkinsville, Christian county, Kentucky. They are the parents of three children, all of whom are living at home. Doctor Huston is a member of the Masonic fraternity and politically a democrat.

J. M. Duncan, physician in Blandins- ville, was born in this county, three miles northwest from the village, April 8, 1859. His parents were John and Margaret (Wright) Duncan. The for- mer died March 4, 1873, in this county, and was buried in "Old Liberty" ceme- tery. The latter died in 1856 and was buried in the same place. J. M. re- mained at home with his parents until he was 21 years of age. He was educated in the common schools of the county, and has taught school in this state and Iowa and Missouri. In 1862 he enlisted. in Captain Hume's company, 78th Illi-

nois volunteers, and served until the close of the war. He was among those of his company who were captured at Muldrose's Hill, Kentucky, was paroled, and spent nearly a year at Benton Bar- racks, St. Louis, before being exchanged. During his service he was for nearly one year hospital steward at Nashville, Ten- nessee. He also served for a time as quartermaster's clerk on Gen. Sherman's staff. At the close of the war he was married to Mary J. Cranshaw, of Hen- derson county. In February, 1866, he went to Texas and engaged in the prac- tice of medicine, and returned in Novem- ber, 1868, and was with Dr. Butler, of LaHarpe, for one year. He then entered a medical college at Keokuk, and gradu- ated February 21, 1870. He then com- menced the practice of medicine in Ad- ams county, this state, and in 1871 and 1872 he attended a full course of medical lectures in St. Louis, and graduated with the highest degree. He continued to practice in Adams county until October, 1879, when he located in Blandinsville, where he has remained. In connection ' with his practice he has a drug store. Five children have been born to his fam- ily, four of whom are living. Arthur Q. was born August 14, 1866; Alta Belle, July 30, 1872; James Melvin, June 7, 1880; Sura Wilmerth, December 10, 1882. Ruby Mary, died July 25, 1871, at Mar- celline, Adams county. The father of J. M., John Duncan, was one of the pio- neers of the county, having emigrated from White county, Tennessee, in 1832, and settled in Blandinsville township, and followed farming until the day of his death. The family consisted of eleven children, nine boys and two girls: Mary

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Jane, born October 5, 1825; Thomas B., born June 18, 1828; Elizabeth, born July 20, 1830; Charles, born February 5, 1832; William, born December 27, 1833; Joel, born October 6, 1835; John, born Sep- tember 15, 1837; James M., born April 8, 1839; Benjamin F., born July 15, 1841; Harrison H., born December 11, 1844; Samuel B., May 6, 1846. Of these, eight are now living. Charles died in the mines of California, May 27, 1853; Joel died in this county June 20, 1857; Eliza- beth died in June, 1879. James M. is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Dr. B. A. Duncan, well known through- out the county as an able physician, came to McDonough county in 1849, and lo- cated on the site of the present village of Industry, where he remained in full practice for 28 years, with the exception of the few months spent in the service of the general government,. as private and hospital steward in the 128th Illinois in- fantry, a 100-day regiment. Dr. Dun- can was born in Frankfort, Washington county, Pennsylvania, April 6, 1825. He at first studied medicine under the cele- brated 'Dr. Alexander McCandless, of Pittsburg, and later at the medical col- lege, of the same city, and of which he was a gradute. He was married in 1845, to Julia Standard, who died November 1, 1863. The doctor on the 8th of No- vember, 1864, married Martha Merrick. On the 31st of March, 1877, Dr. Duncan left this world of trouble, for a better one, leaving a mourning family.

Dr. Sylvester Thompson, practicing physician, came to this county in 1867. He was born in Hancock county, March 27th, 1845. His parents were Nathaniel

and Rebecca (Spangler) Thompson. Sylvester remained at home working upon a farm until he was about 17 years of age, when he went to Abingdon col- lege, where he remained some three years. He studied medicine with Dr. Reece, of Abingdon, for a time,then went to a medical school at Ann Arbor, Mich- igan, and then to Rush medical college, Chicago, graduating from that institu- tion February 3d, 1869. After receiving his diploma he went to Missouri, prac- ticed medicine some four years, and then took another course of lectures at the Missouri medical college, and returned to Blandinsville, where he has since re- sided. He was married September 17th, 1878, to Olive A. Alexander. They have four children.

Dr. John R. Gamble is a native of Ohio, born in Knox county, March 26, 1837. He came to this county in De- cember, 1876. His parents are John R. and Lavina (Collins) Gamble. He lived with his parents upon a farm until 16 years of age, when he came to Douglas county, in this state, where he remained, farming, trading, etc., until 1860, when he commenced the study of medicine in the university of Michigan, and after- wards at Bellevue hospital, New York. He practiced medicine at first in Ohio, but since 1876 he has practiced in this county. He was married May 24, 1866. to Martha J. McVey. They have had six children, four now livlng, and all at home.

OTHER PHYSICIANS IN THE COUNTY.

Throughout the county, both in the smaller towns and villages and in some entirely rural districts, are located phy-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

sicians, some of most excellent ability, and all of them able to cope with disease and death. Among these may be men- tioned, Drs. E. N. Campbell, Abraham Hull, James R. Hull and S. F. Sanders, of Good Hope; Dr. V. Stookey, of Fan- don; Dr. B. F. Irish, of Hire township; Drs. J. B. Knapp and H. B. Sikes, of Bardolph; Drs. D. M. Creel and G. G. Shannon, of Industry; Dr. J. B. Le- Matty, of New Philadelphia; Drs. Henry and W. L. Kreider and A. M. Westfall, of Prairie City: and Dr. W. R. Pittman.

Ebenezer N. Campbell, M. D., a prac- ticing physician at Good Hope, is a son of David Campbell, and was born Janu- ary 8, 1849, in Walnut Grove township. He was reared upon a farm, the farm of his birth, and attended the district schools. At the age of 19 he went to Macomb and attended the Branch col- lege, after which he spent one year at home. He then went to Good Hope and spent a year studying and teaching music, after which he went to South Bend, Indiana, and attended the National normal school, then returned to Good Hope and engaged in teaching. The following summer he attended another normal school at Binghamton, New York, then returned to Good Hope and followed teaching. Two years later he formed a partnership with his father and engaged in the mercantile business, which he continued two years, then sold out. He soon after began the study of medicine in the office of Drs. Wright & Hull, at Good Hope. During the win- ter of 1877-78 he attended his first course of lectures at the college of Physicians and Surgeons in Keokuk, Iowa, continu- ing his studies at Good Hope the follow-

ing summer. He returned to Keokuk in the fall of 1878, and graduated Feb- ruary 25, 1879. He began the practice of medicine April 17, 1879, at Walnut Grove station, McDonough county,where he remained until September, 1880. At that date he removed to Good Hope, where he has since been practicing his profession. Doctor Campbell has been very successful in his practice, and has already won an enviable reputa- tion for his skill in battling with dis- eases. He has an extensive and increas- ing business. He was married Septem- ber 11, 1873, to Sidney Monger, a native 'of Ohio, who was born September 11, 1855, and died April 7, 1875. Novem- ber 5, 1879, Dr. Campbell was married to Emily F. Armstrong, a native of Kentucky, who was born August 3, 1852. By this latter union there are two chil- dren, vix: Homer M. and Winnifred F. Dr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Presbyterian church at Good Hope. He is a republican politically and has held the office of postmaster and other local offices. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Milan lodge, No. 617, and as a gentleman and citizen is popular and much esteemed.

Dr. Samuel F. Sanders, located in the village of Good Hope, is a native of Fulton county, Illinois, born April 16, 1845, and is a son of J. T. Sanders, a native of Pennsylvania, who now resides in Bushnell, this county. The doctor is the second of four children, and received his literary education at Abingdon, Illi- nois, at the Hedding college. He grad- uated from the college of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk, Iowa, in 1868, when he came to McDonough county,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

settling at Good. Hope, where he is still engaged in active practice. He also graduated from the Missouri medical college in 1872, and took a post-graduate course at Rush medical college, Chicago, in the spring of 1881. Dr. Sanders was married, in May, 1871, to Matilda A. Morris, a daughter of Thomas Morris, an old settler of Good Hope. They have been blessed in the birth of three children: Ula M., Frederick M. and Roy A.

Abraham Hull, M. D., also of Good Hope, was born in Licking county, Ohio, April 2, 1815, where he received his edu- cation, and attended the Granville college about two years. He began the study of medicine in 1839, with Dr. Green, now a resident of Decorah, Iowa, and Dr. Flow- ers, of Perry county, that state, remain- ing with each about a year. In 1842 he began practice in Fulton county, Illinois, and two years later entered the medical department of Kemper college, gradu- ating from that institution in the spring of 1844. He then returned to Fulton county, and later went to Kansas City, Missouri, returning to Fulton county again in 1875, where he remained two years, when he came to McDonough county, locating at Good Hope, where he has since engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. Hull was married on December 25, 1858, to Caroline Hezlep. Two children have been born to them- James R. and Libbie C.

Doctor James R. Hull, a resident of Good Hope, was born in Peoria county, Illinois, May 3, 1860. He entered the office of his father for the study of med- icine, and in 1877 attended to courses of lectures at the Keokuk, Iowa, medical

college, from which he graduated in 1880. He settled in the village of Sciota, this county, where he practiced three years, when he went to Good Hope and engaged in practice with his father, where he still resides. He was married, September 9, 1880, to Chloe B. Warner. They are the parents ot two children -. Carrie B. and Fred W.

D. V. Stookey, M. D., Fandon, is a native of Lamoine township, this county, born August 19, 1851. He is a son of Benjamin Stookey, and was reared on his father's farm. He attended com- mon school at Plymouth and business college at Quincy. He also attended the South Abingdon college for a short time. He began the study of medicine under Dr. D. J. Fugate, and attended the col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons at Keo- kuk in 1881 and 1882, graduating there in 1883. He was a partner of Dr. Fu- gate for 18 months after returning from school. He was married in 1878 to Sarah Cecil. They have three children.

Benjamin F. Irish came to McDon- ough county in 1853, and settled near Fandon, and practiced medicine for three years, after which he removed to Colchester, where he engaged in farm- ing four years, but lived about Colches- ter from 1856 to 1872. He now lives on the farm of Ebenezer Hicks and con- trols about 470 acres. His farm lies in Bethel township, where he owns one- half section of land. 4 B. F. Irish was born and raised in Michigan and studied medicine with his father, Thomas Irish, who was then a practicing physician in Ann Arbor. He studied in the eclectic schools and has always practiced under that form of practice. At present he

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

does not do much in this line, only go- ing on occasional visits among the neigh- bors as necessity compels. Mr. Irish has been twice married, the latter union being with Mary F. Hicks, a daughter of E. N. Hicks, of Hire township.

Dr. James B. Knapp was born in Cam- eron, Steuben county, New York, Feb- ruary 15, 1836, and is the son of Wil- iam and Ann E. (Osborn) Knapp. His father was a farmer in Steuben county; he died in 1875. His mother died in 1865. His early life was spent in his native state, where he was educated. In 1857 he went to Shelby county, Ken- tucky, where he taught school for about two years, when he returned to his old home and commenced the study of med- icine, with Dr. S. Mitchell, who was then a practicing physician at Cameron Mills, teaching school, however, during the first two years, he prosecuted his studies. In July, 1862, he came to Knox county, Illinois, and in August, 1862, he entered the army, enlisting as a private in the 102d Illinois infantry. In Jan- uary, 1864, at Gallatin, Tennessee, he was inade hospital steward, and while engaged in front of Atlanta in carrying the wounded of his regiment off the field, he was wounded in the right thigh by a piece of shell, which he still keeps as a : memento. After receiving his wound, he was sent to hospital No. 2, at Nash- ville, Tennessee, where, when he became convalescent, he was assigned to the dis- pensary and acted as pharmacist. There were 5000 sick and wounded receiving at- tention at the hospital at this time. Upon the surrender of Lee, he secured his discharge, and returned to the state of New York. He had previously vis-

ited his old home while on furlough, and, in February, 1864, was married to Nancy J. Cronkrite, a native of Tyrone, Schuy- ler county, New York, daughter of Henry and Catherine (McDowell) Cronkrite. In the fall of 1865 he entered the medi- cal department of the university of Buf- falo, where he prosecuted his studies for five months, and in the spring of 1866 he commenced the practice of medicine at Townsend, Schuyler county, New York. He remained there but six months, when he went to Odessa, in the same county, and while residing there he continued his medical studies at Buf- falo, graduating February 22, 1870. He continued the practice of his profession at Odessa until 1872, when he came to McDonough county, settling in Bar- dolph, where he has since continued in practice. In 1876, though having a large practice, ill-health compelled him to relinquish his profession in part, and with S. W. Dallum he bought out Gard- ner & Porter. In 1882 Dallum sold his interest to George Curry, and the firm became Curry & Co. They carry a stock of about $2,000, consisting of drugs, groceries, and a small amount of hard- ware. He is a member of the Masonic order, A. O. U. W., and G. A. R. He has four children: Melville C., Char- lotte S., James B. and George B .; the latter are twins.

W. L. Kreider, M. D., practicing phy- sician at Prairie City, is a son of George and Barbara (Brown) Kreider, natives of Pennsylvania. George Kreider was a son of Christian Kreider, also a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1849, aged 92 years. W. L. Kreider was born Jan- uary 31, 1832, in Washington county, of

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

the same state, and removed with his parents to Fulton county, Illinois in 1835. They located on section 25, Union township. In the spring of 1856, Dr. Kreider came to McDonough county, and settled in Prairie City. He was married May 14, 1857, to Louisa C. Weaver, daughter of Jonathan Weaver, of Prairie City. Five children have been born to them, three of whom are living-Carrie L., wife of Edward John- son, of Ohio; Nettie M. and O. Winnie, living with their parents. The two others are dead. Mrs. Kreider and her daughters are members of the Presby- terian church. Dr. Kreider is a gradu- ate of Rush medical college, at Chicago; and is well qualified, both by nature and education, for his responsible duties as a physician. He is popular and suc- cessful, and has an extensive practice. He is liberal in politics.

Henry W. Kreider, M. D., an early settler and prominent citizen of McDon- ough county, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, October 24, 1818. He came to this state with his parents, George and Barbara (Brown) Kreider, in October, 1835, and settled in Fulton county, where he remained until March, 1856. At that date he removed to Mc- Donough county, and located at Prairie City, and engaged in the practice of medicine. He was married January 20, 1848, to Abigail C. Chatterton, daughter of Cornelius Chatterton, of Ohio, and by this union had one child, Ella M., now the wife of L. C. Hamilton, of Clarinda, Iowa. Dr. Kreider was the first physi- cian to locate in Prairie City, and is yet in the enjoyment of an entensive prac- tice. He is a graduate of Rush medi-

cal college, at Chicago. He has been for many years a leading citizen of Prai- rie City, and also of McDonough county. He was instrumental in raising the sub- scription for building the Prairie City academy, of which he was a trustee, and also a member of the executive commit- tee having that institution in charge. He was at one time president of the Pekin & Mississippi railroad company. He held that office two years, and dur- ing that time raised $260,000, local aid, to carry on the building of said road; also secured the right of way for 60 miles, and contracted for its construc- tion, but on account of the panic of 1872, the enterprise had to be abandoned. He was president of the First National bank of Prairie City two years. He also established the first bank in this place. Thus has he ever been foremost in enterprise and public spirit, and has done much toward building up the edu- cational and business interests, not only of Prairie City, but of this portion of McDonough county, a fact which is duly appreciated by all. .

Joseph B. LeMatty, practicing physi- cian in New Philadelphia, is a native of New Jersey, born August 18, in the year 1846. His mother died in New Jersey, but his father, Joseph LeMatty, is now living at Nauvoo. In early life he worked upon a farm; in 1867 he came to Bushnell and established himself in the business of a barber. While pursu- ing this business, he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. A. L. Hoover, and in 1875, went to St. Louis and attended the Missouri medical col- lege, and graduated in all the branches of surgery and medicine. He com-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

menced practice in New Philadelphia, in the summer of 1877, and has ever since continued to receive good patronage. He married Mary B. Clark, a daughter of John A. Clark, a well known citizen of the county. They have three chil- dren-Minnie M., Annie and Daisy. Dr. LeMatty is a member of the Masonic lodge at Vermont, Fulton county, where for a brief period he resided.

George G. Shannon, M. D., practicing physician at Industry, was born in that town, October 26, 1850. His parents were William and Mary (Miller) Shan- non, natives of Tennessee. William Shannon died in the spring of 1866, in this township. His widow still survives him. George G., remained with his parents and worked upon the farm until 23 years old. He then entered the medical department of the university at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he was a student three years, graduating from that institution in the spring of 1875, after which he located in Youngstown, Warren county, Illinois, and commenced the practice of his profession. He con- tinued there 18 months, then removed to his native town where he has since remained, with the exception of a few months in 1880, which he spent in at- tending lectures at the Chicago medical college. In 1879 he opened a drug store in Industry, which business he still car- ried on in connection with his medical practice. Although still young, Dr. Shannon has won an enviable reputa- tion as a physician, and has an exten- sive and remunerative practice. He was married in December, 1875, to Ella Beaver, and has by this union, two chil- dren-Maud A. and Frankie.

D. M. Creel, M. D., is a son of Dur- ham and Mary (Smith) Creel, native Kentuckians, who formed an attachment for each other while schoolmates in their native state. That mutual feeling of regard soon ripened into love, and at age of 19 years they united their desti- nies by marriage. Ten children blessed the union, seven sons and three daugh- ters-Charles, Malinda, James, Marta- tie F. Cager, Silas, D. M., John, John and Sarah J. The doctor lived with his parents until of age-then attended school until 23 years old at Cherry Grove seminary, Knox county, and then taught school for six years. He was married in 1850 to Mary E. Standard of Industry township. He there engaged in farming and was thus occupied until May, 1855, when his wife died leaving two children. He then commenced reading medicine with Dr. B. A. Dun- can, and subsequently attended medical lectures at Keokuk, Iowa. He was the second time married July 4, 1857, to Mary C. Adkinson, and in 1858 com- menced the practice of medicine in In- dustry-where he is now engaged in his chosen profession.

A. M. Westfall, M. D., was born Aug- ust 29, 1844, in the state of Iowa. The following year, his parents, Fielding L., and Malinda (Stapleton) Westfall, came to McDonough county and settled in Macomb where they resided until 1857, In that year they removed to Prairie City. The subject of this sketch was was reared and educated in this county. He studied medicine with his father who was a physician. In 1864, he was married to Mary A. Murray, a daughter of William Murray, of Fulton county,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

They have three children-Minnie A., Willard L., and Frank K. Dr. West- fall is a member of the Masonic fratern- ity and of the I. O. O. F.

Dr. William R. Pittman was born in Morgan county, this state, March 15th, 1832. He taught school and studied medicine at intervals until 1856, when he commenced the practice of his profes- sion which he has continued ever since. March 12, 1857, he was married to Mar- tha E. Bacon, who died May 10, 1876,

and June 12, 1877, he was married to Sadie Gridley. The doctor is the father of six children, Alice, who died in in- fancy; William, died at the age of seven years; James P. and Larkin B., both liv- ing; Edith and Maud, by the last mar- riage, both living at home.

A sketch of Dr. H. B. Sikes; of Bar- dolph, will be found in the history of that town, it not having been returned to us in time for insertion in this chapter.

CHAPTER XX ..

ECCLESIASTICAL.

"You raised these hallowed walls, the desert smiled, And Paradise was opened in the wild."

In touching upon the religious his- tory, whether the field of the chronicler be extended to the broad expanse of the universe, or confined to the narrow lim- its of a state or county, there stands out on every page, predominant, the fact that the religion of any nation, of any people, of any age, is the foundation of its institutions, the source of its customs, and the one thing nearest the popular heart.

Let us go back no further than the dawn of the christian era-though the same conditions appear as clearly be- fore as after that date; we find that for many generations after the birth of Christ, the records of religion comprise

the history of the times; later on, we find the religious wars of the crusades upsetting the equilibrium of the whole civilized world. Later still, we find the people of the old world, fleeing from re- ligious persecution, flocking to Amer- ica's gladsome shores, the one object urging them on to the casting of their lots in unexplored climes, being the de- sire and firm determination to worship God according to their own belief.

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History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens, Part 47

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1150

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150