History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 120

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 120

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Lyman Sherwood, deceased, Springfield, Illi- nois, was born in the State of Vermont, Novem- ber 17, 1815; is the son of Josiah Sherwood, a

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

native of Vermont State. Mr. Sherwood was quite young when his father moved to Auburn, New York, in which place the subject of this biography was raised, and received his education in the common schools. He remained at home until he was twenty years old, and then went to Buffalo, New York, and then to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at the trade of cabinet- maker. Afterward he went to St. Louis and en- gaged in the foundry business, and the firm was known as Sherwood & Graham. In this busi- ness he remained for twenty-seven years, after which he went to Marine, Illinois, and purchased a farm, on which he stayed nine years, and then moved to Springfield, Illinois, in the fall of 1865, in which city he made improvements on agricul- tural implements, viz: the corn cultivator and sulky plow, which was a success. Mr. Sher- wood had some of his implements manufactured in Belleville, Illinois, and he manufactured in Springfield, Illinois. He was inventing a spad- ing plow, which was not completed before his death; however, he gave it a test. He was still engaged in the manufacture of the plows to his death, on January 3, 1873, which was too soon for him to reap the full benefit of his labors. Mr. Sherwood's first marriage took place in St. Louis, Missouri, in the year 1848, to Mary Fox, a native of Rochester, New York, and by this union were blessed with three children, two of whom are living, Maria A. and Mary E. Sher- wood. Mr. Sherwood's second marriage was in Auburn, New York, and celebrated on the 26th day of March, 1853, to Mrs. J. E. Fowler, a widow, daughter of Mr. John and Mrs. Eva Hoff, natives of New York, in which State Mrs. Sherwood was born. Mrs. Sherwood's education was in the common schools at Arcadia, New York, and subsequently in the graded schools in Elbridge, New York. She is a mem- ber of the Second Presbyterian church in Spring- field, Illinois. Mr. Sherwood united with the Baptist Church in his early life; he was a mem- ber of the City Council when he died.

William W. Shrader, boot and shoe merchant, 518 Adams street, south side of the square, has been engaged in that branch of merchandising exclusively in Springfield, ten years, over eight years at the above number. His business occu- pies two floors of the building twenty by one hundred and fifty-four feet in dimensions. He makes a special feature of standard goods in medium and low priced honest work, of which he carries an average stock of $20,000 to $25,- 000, and sells $60,000 a year, his trade having increased forty per cent. in the past two years.

Mr. Shrader was born near Fostoria, Wood county, Ohio, in 1837, and was partly reared there. John Shrader, his father was a farmer, ex- cept the last few years of his life. In 1849 he moved with his family to Knox county, Illino's, and settling in Abingdon, engaged in the mer- cantile business and pursued it until his death, in 1857. William began his commercial career in his father's store in the autumn of 1854. In July, 1862, he entered the army; recruited Com- pany I, of the Eighty-third Illinois Infantry, and was chosen its Second Lieutenant, which office he held until discharged, in July, 1865. The last year and a half he served as Assistant Adjutaht General, on the staff of General A. A. Smith. He came to Springfield in February, 1866, and was employed as a salesman until he started as proprietor, in April, 1871, in the firm of Sims, Smith & Co. Two years later he bought the interest of both partners, and has since been sole owner. Mr. Shrader started with very little capital and lim ted experience in this branch of trade, succeeding a firm who had failed, and on the eve of the general financial depression which followed. He now owns a home worth $10,000, and a half interest in the store building he occupies, together with his stock of goods and $5,000 in bank. He married Miss Lute Sims, of Springfield, and daughter of A. M. Sims, his former partner, in 1870. She was born in Kentucky. A son and daughter con- stitute their family.

Frank Simmons, bookseller and stationer, 124 South Sixth street, was born in 1849, in IIamil- ton county, Ohio; is the son of Moses Simmons and Ann Riggs. His father was a native of New York; mother, of Ohio. They moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, when Frank was four years old, and settled about three and one-half miles east of Springfield. During the late civil war, they removed to the city, where his father died soon after, leaving his widowed mother and a younger brother in straightened circumstances. Frank began mercantile life at thirteen years of age, as a bundle boy in a book store in the city, being hired on trial for one week. He remained in that store seven years. Upon the death of his father he was obliged to assume the posi- tion of the head of the family, and provide for the household. He commenced business on his own account in 1873, with about $50 capital, on the northeast corner of Monroe and Sixth streets. From there he moved to the Central Hotel block. In August, 1876, bought the stock of Patterson & Co., at assignee's sale, and in May, 1880, removed into his present fine, commodious store.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

His is the only exclusive book and stationery store in Springfield; he carries the largest stock in Central Illinois, and his annual sales, which are rapidly increasing, aggregate between $45,- 000 and $50,000. He does considerable jobbing in stationery and picture frames. Mr. Simmons married the daughter of Judge William P. Robinson, of Harrison county, Missouri, in the spring of 1875. Two sons and a daughter com- pr ise their family.

Clark M. Smith, merchant, corner Adams and Sixth streets, was born in Clarksville, Tennessee, May 10, 1820. In November, 1835, he located in Carrollton, Illinois, and the following year began selling goods as clerk; in 1840, embarked in general merchandising on his own account; later, his brother Stephen became a partner. In 1852, they came to Springfield, and formed a partnership with William Yates, as Yates, Smith & Co. C. M. Smith became sole proprietor Jan- uary 1, 1864, and the latter part of the same year Mr. John S. Condell, Senior, purchased an interest in the business. The concern embraces five departments, dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, groceries and drugs, each occupying a separate room. They employ twenty hands, and conduct a trade of over $150,000 a year. Mr. Smith was one of the projectors and prime actors in the improvements of Oak Ridge Cemetery. He married Ann M., daughter of Robert S. Todd, of Lexington, Kentucky, October 26, 1846. They have two daughters and two sons.

Smith & Brother, fancy bazar, No. 405, south side of the square, is owned and conducted by William F., and Fred Smith, natives of Massa- chusetts, where William was born in April, 1833, and Fred in November, 1835. The former came to Illinois and settled in McHenry county, near Galena, until he entered the army, in the fall of 1861. He was two years in the service as a member of the Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry, and being disabled by sickness, was discharged in the fall of 1863. William began his mercantile life in Boston at the age of twelve, and after re- covering his health sufficiently, formed a part- nership with his brother Fred who had come West in 1863, and entered into business in Spring- field, in October, 1863, with a stock of fancy goods and notions to which has been added druggist's sundries. The firm moved into their present splendid store in April, 1880. They ocenpy two stories of the building, twenty by one hundred and fifty feet in area, and do a large wholesale and retail business in the lines of goods above noted, ranging from $50,000 to $80,000 a year. In 1880, they established a school of de-

signing and decorative needle-work, in which a lady superintendent and assistants are employed to give instructions in all kinds of ornamental handiwork with a needle. All orders for stamp- ing and for this decorative needle-work are care- fully and promptly executed in this school. This new enterprise is meeting with very encouraging success.

William Smith is a member of the Masonic order, and the G. A. R., Stevenson Post, and is a staff officer of the Second Brigade, I. N. G. Ile has been twice married, first in 1857 to Electa J. Loomis, in MeHenry county. She was born in Pennsylvania and died in Springfield, Illinois, in 1872, leaving four children. In April, 1881, he married Ada Richardson, of Springfield, born in Connecticut.

Thomas C. Smith, undertaker and dealer in funeral requisites, South Fifth street, has been in the business at that point since 1864, and erected the building he now occupies in 1870. It is a brick structure, 20x154 feet in area, three stories high. The first floor and the rear part of the second story are devoted to his business, and admirably adapted to the purpose. The store is furnished with elegant walnut cabinets, used as depositories for caskets, coffins, and funeral goods. These cabinets are the climax of perfection in beauty and convenience for pre- serving and exhibiting this class of goods. They were made to his order and under his personal supervision, and are the conception of Mr. Smith after visiting the finest undertaking establish- ments in many of the Eastern cities. Combin- ing the choice features of all, his place is the completeness of harmony, and the embodiment of good taste, in the adaptation of means to ends. The stock of goods kept is very large, and embodies every grade.

J. Taylor Smith, Vice President of the Ridgely National Bank, was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1825 ; is the son of Joseph Smith, who was a native of Loudon county, Virginia, moved, when a boy, to Kentucky, and engaged in the dry goods business in Frankfort, where he married Miss Sallie, daughter of Rev. John Taylor, a Baptist clergyman of renown in that State. They moved to Illinois and settled in Sangamon county, on a farm, in 1834. A few years later, Mr. Smith embarked in the dry goods trade in Springfield, but resided on the farm. He was elected to the legislature, and served in the session of 1844-5, and died in August, 1853. The subject of this sketch re- turned to Woodford county, Kentucky, and took a course in the High School. In February,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

1844, he entered the employ of Hawley & Ed- wards, of Springfield, as store-boy in their dry goods house. At the end of a year, he went into his father's store, remaining two years ; then became the junior partner in the store, where he was first employed, in company with Ninian Edwards, the firm title being N. W. Edwards & Co. After several changes of partners, Mr. Smith sold out the business to Messrs Kimber & Co. He was appointed Post- master of Springfield, by Andrew Johnson, without solicitation, and served during the year 1868, till General Grant's accession to office, when, being a Democrat, Mr. Smith retired. In March, 1870, he succeeded E. B. Pease, deceased, in the hardware business, as a partner of O. W. Mckinstry, continuing until the death of the latter, in February, 1874, soon after which the stock was sold to S. Hudson, and Mr. Smith retired. In October of that year he was made Vice President of the Ridgely National Bank, having been one of its directors since its organi- zation, October 1, 1866. In 1872, he was elected one of the directors of the Springfield Iron Company, a position he still holds. In 1850, Mr. Smith married Sophia N., the second daughter of N. H. Ridgely, President of the Ridgely National Bank. Four children have been born to them, two living-Frederick E., an attorney, in Springfield, who graduated from West Point Military School in 1876, and Miss Jessie Taylor Smith, at home.

Lafayette Smith, of Smith & Hay, wholesale grocers, East Washington street. is a native of Sangamon county, Illinois, born in Springfield township in 1834. His parents, Greenbery B. Smith and Nancy Killen, were born and reared in Kentucky. After marriage, they came to Illi- nois, and settled in Sangamon county in 1831. They both died in Springfield, he aged seventy- eight and she seventy-three years. Lafayette left his father's farm and located in the city in the fall of 1858, and embarked in business as a grocer. At twenty-two years of age, he married Harriet A. Buchanan, who was also born in San- gamon county. Her mother, now aged sixty- nine, came to the county when eight years old. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have a family of three sons and one daughter. The eldest Frank B., aged twenty-two years, is a graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago; Edwin F., eighteen years old, having graduated from the City High School at sixteen, is collector for the Ridgely National Bank; Harry L. Smith is eleven, and Eloise Iona Smith is two years of age. Besides these, they have had several children, now deceased. Mr.

Smith has been, for many years a member and trustee of the Central Baptist Church of the city.

Ethan A. Snively, Clerk of the Supreme Court of Illinois, is a native of this State, born in Fulton county in 1845. After a limited at- tendance in the common schools, he went to the printer's trade, at sixteen years of age, in the city of Havana, Mason county, Illinois, in the office of the Squatter Sovereign. He spent about a year and a half there, and the same length of time in the Ledger office, at Canton, Fulton county; sold goods as clerk a short time; was employed as foreman in the printing office at Lewiston, and in January, 1866, became pro- prietor of the Rushville, Schuyler county, Times, which he published as a Democratic journal two years and a half, and sold it. He then started the Galesburg Times, which continued nearly a year, and suspended. Soon after, Mr. Snively became city editor of the Peoria National Dem- ocrat, retaining that position during 1869 to 1871, in the fall of which year he took charge of the Carlinville Enquirer, published it for the company and as proprietor until the spring of 1877, when he sold it. He then spent a year as traveling salesman for the Springfield Manufac- turing Company. In the spring of 1879, Sam- uel Reed, his present partner, issued the first number of the Macoupin County Herald, and employed Mr. Snively to edit it. January 1, 1880, they purchased the Enquirer, and discon- tinued the Herald. Under their joint manage- ment, the Carlinville Enquirer is one of the live Democratic journals of the State. In 1878, Mr. Snively was elected Clerk of the Supreme Court of Illinois for the term of six years, and entered upon the duties of the office in Decem- ber of that year. He is a member of the Execu- tive Committee of the Illinois Press Associa- tion, and was the President of that society for the years 1879 and 1880. Mr. Snively married Miss Kate Dubois, a native of Carlinville, Illi- nois, in February, 1876.

Charles Smorowski, Secretary of the Illinois Watch Company, was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1846; was reared and educated in the Royal College, in his native city, from which he gradu- ated in 1863. In 1867, he crossed the Atlantic, and locating in Chicago, he entered the employ of R. G. Dunn & Company, in connection with their commercial agency. Severing that relation at the end of two years, he came to Springfield in 1870. January 1, 1878, he engaged as clerk for the Illinois Watch Company, and six months | later was promoted to his present position.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

Mr. Smorowski united in marriage with Miss Christina Moore, in 1874, in Springfield, Illinois. He is a member of the American Legion of Honor, Amity Council, No. 409, Springfield.

Joseph H. Spear, of the firm of Spear & Loose, lumber merchants, Washington street, be- tween Ninth and Tenth streets, is a native of Springfield, Illinois, born in April, 1853. His father, David Spear, was born in Ireland; emi- grated to the United States, and after living some years in Kentucky, settled in Springfield prior to 1840, and was engaged in the dry goods business in the city about a quarter of a century. He died a number of years ago. Joseph oper- ated in hard-wood lumber quite extensively in Springfield for about four years, before forming the present partnership, wnich occurred in the early part of 1880, and their yard was opened in March of that year. Their stock comprises a large assortment of building and finishing lum- ber, soft and hard woods, and sash, doors, blinds, nails, and builder's material generally, in which they already have a heavy trade, their sales for the fraction of the year 1880 reaching $60,000, with a considerable increase in the correspond- ing months of 1881.

Phil M. Springer was born in Springfield, Illinois, July 15, 1840. Owing to ill health, after twelve years old he was unable to attend school. His education was therefore gathered from his father's library at home, during the eight years following. A good portion of this time was de- voted to the study of natural history and the making of collections, chiefly in entomology and conchology. Pencil drawings and water-color paintings were also favorite pastimes with him in those days. After he was twenty years of age, improved health enabled him to engage in the active pursuits of life, and his education was continued in the school of practical business ex- perience.

In 1864, he rendered some assistance with his pencil in illustrating the first two volumes of the Illinois Geological Survey. The next year he was engaged at the Chicago Academy of Science, in similar work. Indoor confinement and lake breezes proving injurious to his health, he re- turned to Springfield, in the summer of 1865. In November of that year he and his younger brother Frank began the improvement of a tract of land on the North Fork of the Sangamon, eight miles east of Springfield. This land had been entered by their father, many years before. They commenced by erecting a small frame house in the midst of what was then a wild for- est. With a pair of yearling mules, a light

wagon, a cow, and a few pigs and chickens, and the hope usual to beginners, of speedily acquir- ing wealth, they were as happy here and worked with as hearty a good-will as ever two young men did anywhere. Thus originated the well known firm of Springer Brothers, and the place since known among breeders and stockmen as "Haw Hill." The breeding of Berkshire pigs, Cotswold sheep and Light Brahma fowls has en- gaged the attention of the firm ever since. The circuit of their shipments has extended from Massachusetts to Colorado, and from Minnesota to Louisiana and Texas.

"Phil." as he is usually called by all who know him, resided on the farm until the fall of 1875, when his business relations with the American Berkshire Association required his re- turn to Springfield, thus leaving the farm to the immediate care of his brother; it being still con ducted however, by Springer Brothers, as form- erly. Since February, 1875, he has served as Treasurer or Secretary of the American Berk- shire Association-part of the time in both capacities. He is now Secretary of the Associa- tion, and editor of the Record, four volumes of which have been issued under his care. From 1875 to 1881, he served continuously as Assist- ant Secretary of the Sangamon County Agri- cultural Board. In 1881 he was elected Secre- tary, by the Board. He has been for many years, and is still Secretary of the Sangamon County Bible Society.

Besides the interests above mentioned, which have engaged his attention, he has devoted con- siderable time to newspaper work, writing chiefly far the agricultural press. During the last twenty years he has been the statistical correspondent and reporter of Sangamon county, for the De- partment of Agriculture at Washington. His residence in Springfield, is on Governor street, between Lincoln and Baker Avennes.

Joshua B. Sprague, M. D., Springfield, Illi- nois, was born in Washington county, Ohio, January 14, 1826, fourteen miles above Marietta, on the right bank of the Muskingum river. His first occupation was working on a farm, and was afterwards flat-boating, steam-boating, peddling books, and merchandising, until he was twenty years of age. Desiring more education, he at- tended College, at Beverly, Ohio. He was mar- ried at twenty-three years of age, to Miss V. F. Martin, of Coal Run, Washington county, Ohio. In 1848, went to Elizabethtown, Indiana, where he was engaged in the drug business, and re- mained about four years; on account of the fail- ing health of his wife, he returned to Beverly,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

where he read medicine with Dr. Ross. In 1866, he went to Marietta, Ohio, where he continued the reading of medicine; in the years of 1862-3, attended lectures at the Cincinnati Medical Col- lege. The Doctor practiced in various parts of Pike and Christian counties previous to coming to Springfield, and during the years of 1868-9, he attended the Rush Medical College, at Chicago, Illinois, where he graduated; and in 1872, he went to Monticello, Piatt county, where he prac- ticed previous to coming to Sangamon county, Illinois, where he is now engaged in the practice of medicine. The Doctor makes a specialty of chronic diseases, and warrants a cure in all cases of epilepsy.

Warfield Staley, Springfield, Illinois, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, May 7, 1815; was the son of Peter and Edna (Todd) Staley; father of German descent and mother of English. In 1835, he married Miss Mary A. Horn, daughter of John and Christina Horn; she was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1817. The fruits of this marriage were six children, four of whom are living, viz: William H , born August 17, 1838; Margaret S., December 22, 1842; Charley E., September 26, 1845; John W .. April 27, 1850. Mrs. Staley died April 8, 1880, a sincere Christian and a kind mother, loved and respected by all who knew her; she is mourned by a large circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Staley lived together over forty years.

Hon. Alexander Starne, was born in Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1813. His parents were Maurice and Mary Stone. Alexan- der attended school until he was sixteen years old, then entered the drug store of T. W. Dyott, as clerk, where he remained until 1836. Leav- ing Philadelphia, he arrived at Alton, Illinois, on the first day of May of that year. He con- tinned his journey to Griggsville, Pike county, where he commenced as a general merchant. September 23, 1840, he was married to Miss Re- becca Hatch, by whom he had one daughter, Lucy Ann. Mrs. Starne died March 1, 1846, loved and respected by a large circle of friends. In 1847, Mr. Starne was married to his present wife, Mrs. Elvira S. Swetland, and by this mar- riage there are three sons and one daughter. In 1839, Mr. S. was elected Commissioner of Pike county and served three years. In 1842, he was elected to the House of Representatives and served until 1845. In the meantime he had sold out his stock of merchandise and removed to Pittsfield, Pike county, here he was appointed by Judge Purple, Clerk of the Circuit Court, and when subsequently this office was made elective,

he was elected for four years. In 1852, having been elected Secretary of the State, he removed to Springfield, and at the close of his term, in 1856, he was chosen President of the Hannibal and Naples Railway, and again removed to Griggsville for the purpose of giving personal supervision. This road is now an important link to the Wabash and Western Railway, and was completed under the successors of Mr. Starne in 1864. In 1861, from the district com- posed of Pike and Brown counties, he was elec- ted a member of the Constitutional Convention, and in 1862, was elected State Treasurer. He again removed his family to Springfield, where he has since continued to reside. In 1872, he was chosen Senator from the county of Sanga- mon.

Out of public life he has conducted an exten- sive business, being owner of the West End Coal Mines in which his sons, Maurice and Charles, are associated under the firm name of Starne & Sons. The life of Mr. Starne has been one of great activity. His public services have been highly appreciated. He has a cheerful dis- position, makes friends everywhere. Although he has taken an active part in public affairs, he makes no pretentions to oratory; but his good sense and plain manners of forcibly presenting facts, has sometimes staggered his opponents of more pretention. In his domestic life he is kind and affectionate. He loves his home and family and there he is always to be found when not en- gaged in business duties.

Oscar F. Stebbins, hardware merchant, northeast corner Fifth and Washington streets, has been conducting the same branch of merchandising since the spring of 1863, in the same location. From that date until January 1, 1870, as a partner with J. T. Warne, and since, alone. He carries a stock of legitimate hardware and house-fur- nishings of $15,000, and does a business of $30,- 000 to $35,000 a year. Mr. Stebbins was born in Franklin county, Mass., in 1832; was brought up there ; began mercantile life at fifteen years of age, passed the first six years in a country store, then two years as an apprentice in a store in Northampton, Massachusetts. In 1854, he came west to St. Louis, and was en- gaged nine years with Plant Brothers, dealers in hardware and agricultural inplements, at the close of which he located in Springfield. Mr. Stebbins has for ten years been an active mem- ber of the order of Odd Fellows; in 1880 was chosen delegate to the Grand Lodge of the State. He married Miss Sarah E Warne, a native of New York City, in St. Louis, in June,

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History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 120

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084