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 143

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 143

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

Neal was born, July 31, 1809; then moved to Bourbon county, Kentucky, where five children were born; then moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, and located in Chatham township No- vember 10, 1828. Daniel Neal died August 26, 1838; Mrs. Polly Neal died in 1854. Stephen B. Neal, father of Fielding M. Neal, was born in Virginia, December 25, 1807; came to Chatham township with his father, November 10 1828; married Julia A. Wyckoff. Fielding M. was born in Chatham township, October 29, 1832; married Leah M. Greenwood, January 25, 1855, she was born in Chatham township, September 18, 1836, was a daughter of John Greenwood, who was born in West Virginia, January 3, 1810, and came with his father to Sangamon county, in 1824. (See James W. Greenwood.) Mr. Neal's brothers were among the first to re- spond to the call for troops for our civil war. Samuel M. enlisted in 1862, in company B, Eleventh Missouri Infantry, for three years, served faithfully till close of war, was honorably discharged; married and lives in Missouri. William A. enlisted in Fourteenth Illinois In- fantry, for three years, in 1861; served his time; re-enlisted as a veteran in 1864; saw the last rebel lay down his arms, and was honorably discharged. He now lives near Chatham. Henry C. enlisted in company B, Thirtieth Illinois Infantry, for three years, August 9, 1861; was captured at the battle of Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864; was thrown into the Andersonville prison pen, where he died one month later, adding another victim to the never to be written horrors of that southern prison. Mr. F. M. Neal lived on the farm with his father until his mar- riage (1855); then worked the farm one year on shares; he then moved to Loami township, where he lived two years; in 1858, he bought and moved upon the eastern part of present farm. In 1873, he purchased an adjoining farm on which he now lives, giving him a farm of two hundred and forty acres Ilis opportunities for education were confined to the rude log school house, with slab seats, but nevertheless, with such appliances and his own energy, he acquired sufficient education to conduct his interests in such a manner that the balance sheet shows largely in his favor. His children are: Wil- liam A., born March 26, 1856; Julia A., born January 24, 1858, died 1860; John F., born June 10, 1860; Eliza Ann, born March 23, 1862, mar- ried Geo. Works, February 11, 1881; Ruthy Jane, born in October 24, 1864; Henry E., born May 2, 1867; Cora Louvania, born July 10, 1870.

Warren Phinny .- At a date prior to the Rev- olutionary War, three "Brothers Phinny " came from England to Rhode Island; one of them was lost track of; the other two had families. We find one of them able to bear arms in active service in the Revolutionary War. Their fami- lies were burned out, and much property de- stroyed by the British and Tories, during their absence

His father, Benjamin Phinny, was born in Warren, Rhode Island, in 1770; married Betsy Stephens; born at same place, about 1795; soon after they moved to Montpelier, Vermont, where he bought a heavily timbered farm, and began life in earnest. Soon he had felled the timber and converted his wilderness into fruittul fields. Was in the War of 1812, at Plattsburg. The subject of this sketch was born September 6, 1816. His father dying when he was fourteen years of age (1830), he was apprenticed to the blacksmiths' trade, where he remained until he became an expert workman. He journeyed in the Northeastern States, plying his trade, and also in some of the Western States. Located in Cartwright township, Sangamon county, in 1849. He had married in Rhode Island, February 28, 1840, Caroline M. Arnold, born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, September 16, 1824. She died in Sangamon county, May, 1870, leaving three children. Mr. Phinny married Mrs. Elizabeth Gear, whose maiden name was Good, May 31, 1880, by whom he has one child. He rented his farm in Cartwright township and moved to Chatham, in August, 1880, where he has a vil- lage residence, living easily after many years of very active life. In 1861, he went to Idaho, where he mined for gold one year with good success. Then went to Portland, Oregon, where he spent a few weeks prospecting; thence to San Francisco, when, having seen the sights, he returned home by way of the Isthmus, reaching home in the fall of 1863.

Edwin B. Smith, was born at Summers Hill, Cayuga county, New York, March, 1824; son of John and Margaret (Cooper) Smith. Ilis father being an extensive farmer, his sons usually spent their minority at home on the farm, receiving at the same time a good, thorough business education. After arriving at his majority in 1845, he wasemployed at general farming until 1855, when he came to Chatham, Illinois, where he continued farm work two years longer. In 1857, he formed a mercantile association with his two brothers, who had preceded him, under the name of "Smith Bros."

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

Although the silver money of 1857 proved so fatal to the interests of so many, in the then new State, these enterprising Smith Bros., were equal to the occasion, and by strict business in- tegrity and honesty they rode out the financial storm without disaster.

In 1863 or 1864, he assumed the entire busi- ness, his brothers retiring. Since E. B., has as- sumed the entire business, he has been steadily and successfully prosecuting it, and at present writing (1881) he is occupying his fine brick block, which has two large sales-rooms, well stocked with choicest selections of all grades of goods.

His plan of business will compare very favor- bly with those of much greater pretentions in our cities, in point of general direction and amount of stock. During the many years of active mercantile life, he has schooled and drilled many young men into his present system of business, who are now occupying places of trust. Beside his extensive business interests, he has found time to give a helping hand to the affairs of the {village-was postmaster four years, and for several years served on the board of trustees.

In December, 1861, he married Betsey Tichnor, a lady from Rockford, Illinois. They have had two children. Charles, born September, 1862, was drowned by falling in a cistern, August 21, 1864; Frank, born June, 1865, died at an early age. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are now occupying their beautiful home in Chatham, surrounded by luxuriant groves and gardens, which they have brought from the barren prairie.

Dr. Jesse Henderson Smith was born in Warren county, Kentucky, August 19, 1825. His parents were David and Jane Smith. The subject of this sketch was brought up under Presbyterian influence and united with that church when four- teen years old and continued with them until 1852, when he voluntarily withdrew from that church and was immersed by Elder John N. Mulkey and took membership in the Mount Zion Congregation of Disciples, four miles from his birthplace. He preached while a Presby- terian about seven years. On uniting with the Church of Christ, he continued to sound out the word of life, and has continued in the work ever since. During his first year of labor in the Church of Christ, he assisted Elder T. G. Mar- shall, of Kentucky, in the baptism of his aged father, then seventy-four years of age. His mother made a profession of faith in Christ about the same time, but died of paralysis a few months afterward. His preaching was chiefly

done in Kentucky, Warren and adjoining coun- ties, till the year 1865, when he removed to Car- linville, Illinois, and the next year to Girard in the same county, remaining three and a half years, preaching to that church and practicing medicine. He then removed to Chatham, Illi- nois, his present home, and has practiced his profession there ever since.

While residing in Kentucky he had two oral discussions with Timothy C. Frogge, a presiding elder of the Methodist Church, embracing to- gether, ten days, and covering the ground of difference between the two churches.

His education is fair, consisting of a good English education and a few years study of the Greek and Latin languages. He began his study of medicine in 1846, and attended lectures in the E. M. Institute, at Cincinnati, Ohio, in the winter of 1847-8, and has practiced medicine in con- nection with preaching ever since, except four years that he served the Kentucky Christian Missionary Society as an Evangelist.

He was married to Miss Eliza J. Norman, of Cromwell, Kentucky, November 7, 1854, and eight children were the fruit of this marriage, four sons and fourdaughters. During the spring of 1873, he suffered a sore affliction in the loss of his wife and two daughters, within a few days, three of his children having been called away previously, while three yet remain on earth with him-one daughter and two sons. Heart and home were greatly desolated by this sad bereave- ment, but the hope of a better life beyond the cold river, sustained him.

He was again married on June 27, 1876, to Mrs. Margaret A. Taylor, of Carlinville, Illinois. He is to-day in the enjoyment of health and vigor, a good home, and is surrounded with a multitude of friends and comforts for which he is truly thankful to "the giver of all good and perfect gifts."

William Powell Thayer .- The effort to obtain and arrange the geneology of the Thayer family has been attended with great labor and research. The work was assigned to General B. Thayer, of Mexico, New York, and his labors have resulted in almost complete success. While we can only treat directly with the family in question, we will give a hasty sketch of the brothers Thayer, who first landed on our American shores, and to whom all bearing the name, as far as is known, owe their origin. There were two brothers- Richard and Thomas, who settled in Massa- chusetts. The exact time of their arrival is not known, but supposed to be about 1630. Thomas was found to have lands in 1636, and Richard

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

in 1640. William Powell Thayer, Sr., to whom we propose directly to confine our attention, was born in Petersburg, Virginia, March 15, 1815. Ilis father, Martin Thayer, was a native of Am- herst, Massachusetts, and when a young man, located in Petersburg, Virginia, when, August 4, 1814, he married Mrs. Mary C. Mason, whose maiden name was Russell. Mrs. Thayer died January 17, 1821. Mr Thayer closed his busi- ness and returned to Amhurst, where William, when of suitable age, was placed in a classical school, where he remained until 1830. He was then placed as clerk in a dry goods store, in New York.

In the year 1831, he engaged, with his father, in a dry goods business, in Philadelphia. In 1835, he went to Newville, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and began his first business for himself. He was then married, January 4, 1837 to Miss Mary Houston, she then being twenty years of age. Mr. Thayer closed out his busi- ness then, and on January 31, 1838, with his wife, an infant son, a few months old, and a servant girl, he set out for Illinois. He had fitted up a two-horse wagon, with close top, with windows on sides, and a stove. Thus they were enabled to keep warm, and to see the country as they passed. The season selected for the journey was, perhaps, the most inclem- ent of the year. After six weeks' tedious travel, with many narrow escapes, from icy roads, and rapid streams, they reached Springfield, March 13, 1838. The roads were so bad that they came near sticking fast, near the southeast corner of Court House Square, the wheels of their wagon sinking to the axles in the mud. He imme- diately settled on his farm of three hundred and twenty acres, near the present village of Chatham. A few years of privations sufficed to place them in fine circumstances. He soon entered upon sheep raising, often having three thousand at a time. This business he followed, most successfully, for nearly twenty-five years. During this time, he gave his children a good business education, and fitted them for any business of life. In 1863, he retired from his farm to his pleasant home in the village of Chatham, where he has since engaged in no active business, only looking after his large interests, many of which are very efficiently managed by his sons.

Mrs. M. H. Thayer, after some years of ill health, died June 10, 1872. On December 31, 1873, Mr. Thayer married Elizabeth Dresser, daughter of Rev. Charles Dresser, D.D., of Springfield.

Of children, James H. was born September 19, 1837, in Pennsylvania, and died July 25, 1861, in Springfield, Illinois; Sarah F., born September 2, 1839, married October 14, 1857, Thomas P. Boone, of Kentucky, a relative of Daniel Boone, of early Kentucky history, lives in Springfield; Martin R., born February 27, 1842, married Hattie Melvin, a lady from Penn- sylvania, September 19, 1867. Martin R. is now managing proprietor of Chatham Flouring Mills, of which his father and himself are proprietors.

William P., Jr., born January 10, 1846, mar- ried Mollie E. Patton, of Paris, Illinois, June 26, 1873. He is proprietor of a flouring mill at Springfield.

Archie T., born October 17, 1849, married Maggie Ricks, May 1, 1878; drug business at Lovington, Moultrie county, Illinois.

Edward R., born September 21, 1850, is in very successful drug business at Chatham. Ed. is at present member of the Board of Super- visors, on his second term.

Dollie, born March 23, 1853, married Joseph Hudson, Agent of C. & A. Railroad at Lin- coln, September, 1873.

Bertha, born January 21, 1855, married Lee Ilickox, a farmer near Springfield, November 30, 18 76.

Cyrus W. Van Deren, the oldest of nine chil- dren, (five sons and four daughters) of Bernard and (Eliza McKee) Van Deren. Was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, May 6, 1815. He was brought up on a farm, and early learned to labor thereon. He was educated in the common schools of his native State, attending the last three months of his school days when nearly grown, a select school kept in Millerburg, Ken- tucky, by T. Lyle Dickey, the present Chief Justice of Illinois, and who was not much older than himself. Mr. Van Deren's first trip to Illi- nois was made in the fall of 1834, leaving the old home in Kentucky the 17th of September. He was twenty-four days on the road, driving a four-horse team to an old Kentucky wagon, laden with the household goods of an uncle, who afterwards settled in Morgan county, Illi- nois. He remained here until the latter part of November, assisting his father, (who had come through in advance on horse-back), in finishing and completing the house on the farm, now owned by Nathan Dennis, and to where he moved with the balance of the family the follow- ing spring, 1835. (See Old Settlers' book.) He returned with his father to the old home in Ken- tucky. He concluded a pre-determined contract, and on the 2d day of April, 1835, was united in

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

marriage with Margaret, the youngest and only daughter and child of John Patten, (also of Bour- bon county, Kentucky), by his second wife, Mar- garet McClintock Patton. His father and the balance of the family having removed to Illinois in the spring, as stated, arriving in June, and his father dying in July, only one month later. He, at the earnest request of his mother, who was so soon left a widow in a land among strangers, came on from Kentucky, and assisted her in the preliminary settlement of the estate, remaining until after the sale of personal property. And in connection with that sale, Mr. Van Deren gave us an incident that at this day is worthy of mention as an example to others. At the sale of the personal property of the estate, he, con- trary to hitherto universal custom and usage of the country, refused to provide, or have pro- vided, any spirituous liquor or beverage of any kind, except water, for those in attendance, and although the auctioneer intimated his refusal to cry the sale, and some of his friends warned him it was very likely to cause the property to sell very low. He still persisted, and backed up by his mother, and admonished by the death of his recently deceased father, who had only within a year held his sale in Kentucky without liquor of any kind. He said there should be no liquor on the grounds, if the stock did not sell at all. That a man that would not bid because there were no drinks of that kind, was one that he did not want to have anything to do with, for neither him nor his note would be worth the paper it was written on. The sale was held without liquor, and to the surprise of all, aggregated in amount handsomely over the appraisement bill, and every note given at the sale was collected at maturity, one year later. Mr. Van Deren in- forms us he took the pledge forty-six years ago to abstain from the use of all distilled or intoxi- cating liquors, and also the use of tobacco in any way or form, and that he has sacredly kept it up to the present day, and is now president of the temperance organization in Chatham. The early decease of Mr. Van Deren's father after his arrival at their new home, leaving his mother with six younger brothers and sisters, (the brother next in age to him and second sister having died in Kentucky, when young), strang- ers in a strange land. He, in 1838, also con- cluded to remove to Illinois, and on the 14th day of May, of that year, he settled on the farın in Woodside township, which he still owns, and where he remained thirty-two years, or until he removed to Chatham. For three years after his settlement Mr. Van Deren and family were very

much afflicted with fever and ague, and realized to the fullest extent the many discomforts at- tending those numerous visitations of the accli- mating diseases.

In 1841, the quadrennial election for justice of the precinct occurring, Mr. Van Deren was strongly urged, both by Whigs and Democrats, to become a candidate, and consenting, he was elected and re-elected for four terms in succes- sion, serving sixteen years; and during the entire term of service, he never had a party to any suit commenced before him to apply for change of venue to another magistrate, nor but one appeal taken from his decision in any case, and that single case never reached the Circuit Court, the party appealing, by advice of counsel, settling as decided by him. And during those years, while acting as justice of the peace in his pre- cinct, as they were termed at that day, he was also elected one of the Associate Judges of the County Court, being associated with the late Thomas Moffet, as the County Judge, and the late Colwin F. Elkin as the other Associate, and constituting the County Court, with the late N. W. Matheny as Clerk (all now deceased), in which all probate and other business of the county was transacted, and taking the place of one Probate Court Judge and three County Com- missioners, as under the former Constitution.

Mr. Van Deren took an active part in all mat- ters of public interest-public schools and rail- roads-and was, from the first organization of the schools in his district, either director or trustee the larger portion of the time he resided on his farm in Woodside township; also in rail- roads; and when he was really hardly able to risk or bear the loss (as it proved), he became one of the original stockholders in the now Chi- cago, Alton & St. Lonis Railroad, and now holds a five-huudred-dollar certificate of stock, which, at the usual interest then and since paid, would amount to several thousand dollars that he has invested in that road; and, while he says the road has advanced his interests, it has also much more the interest of others more able at that time to take stock than himself.

Mr. Van Deren, politically, was identified with the Whig party during its organized existance. But in 1356, he was nominated by the Ameri- can, or Fillmore, party, as their candidate for State Senator in the district composed of San- gamon and Morgan counties, and, being accepted by the Republicans as their candidate also, he was elected, and faithfully served out his term of four years, and which, with the exception of school trustee, and one year as president of

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

the village board of trustees of Chatham, closed his official civil service, and ever since he has been identified with the Republican party.

In early life, or soon after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Van Deren united with the church of their parents (Presbyterian), in Millersburg, Kentucky, and have maintained that relation up to this time, and since 1844, he has been one of the rul- ing elders of the church at Chatham, filling the same office as his father, who was an elder in the church at Millersburg, Kentucky, for eighteen years before his death. Mr. and Mrs. Van Deren have had four children born to them, all daugh- ters, to-wit: Eliza I., Margaret E., Martha S., and Mary Luella Van Deren. Eliza I., born in Kentucky, and Jesse F. Taylor, also born in Kentucky, were married at the homestead, in Woodside, November 21, 1855; they had three children, all boys, viz: Cyrus W., Litchfield, and Jesse F. Taylor, the oldest being born in Jackson county, Mississippi, and the two youngest in Helena, Montana Territory. Margaret E., born in Illinois, died in infancy. Martha S., the third daughter, and John M. Taylor, born in Kentucky, were married November 11, 1869; they have three children, to-wit: George W., Fred V., and Luella Taylor. Mary L., the youngest, is still single, and living with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Van Deren are also tenderly caring for and raising the two younger and motherless children of Jesse F. and Eliza I. Taylor, their mother having died in Helena, Montana Territory, Octo- ber 31, 1874. Since 1872, Mr. Van Deren has resided in Chatham, where he owns a comfortable and pleasantly located house and grounds, and, we presume, financially independent, as he in- forms us that to-day, with the exception of a store bill and the taxes assessed for this year, $75 would pay every debt he owed in the world, and have some left.

Nehemiah Wright, M. D .- In 1641, we find one Samuel Wright located in Springfield, Mass- achusetts, and from him all bearing the name have originated. Said Samuel Wright was a deacon in the early Puritan Church, at Spring- field. Their first minister, Rev. William Maxon, returned to England, and Deacon Wright con- ducted the services, and was allowed fifty shil- lings per month. He was one of the first set- tlers of Northampton, Massachusetts, in 1656. Died in his chair, October 17, 1665. The great grandfather of Dr. N. Wright, was Rev. Job Wright; was born October 15, 1737; graduated at Yale College in 1775. He was immediately called to the charge of the Congregational Church at Bernardstown, Massachusetts, where

he remained as a pastor forty years, enjoying the undivided love of an united people -- discord among them was not known. He died January 7, 1823. The grandfather was Nehemiah Wright, a substantial farmer, settled at Derby, Vermont, about 1800. The father was Samuel Wright, M. D., a very efficient surgeon and physician, at Holderness, now Ashland, New Hampshire, for over thirty years, mostly within the limits of that section of country, although his consulta- tion cases extended from over a much larger ter- ritory. He died September 20, 1854, aged fifty- nine. The direct subject of our sketch, Dr. Ne- hemiah Wright, was born at Ashland, New Hampshire, February 20, 1824. His early life was passed at home and in the common school, until eighteen years of age, when he came to Springfield, Illinois, and fitted for college in the classical school of Professor Beaumont Parks, who made a specialty of fitting students for col- lege. In 1844, Mr. Wright entered Jacksonville College, at Jacksonville, Illinois; his excellent preparation and personal effort enabled him to complete his four years' course in three years. Having completed his studies, he left college without taking his degrees, and immediately en- tered upon his medical course. He first went through the Harvard (Mass.) school, and received his finishing course at Rush College, Chicago. Having completed that course, he returned to Jacksonville, in 1849, and received his A. M. Degree. On January 10, 1850, he located at Chatham, Sangamon county, where he has since been in most successful practice. In connection with his general practice of medicine, he has been eminently succesful in surgery. For more than twenty years he has been an active member and officer in the State Medical Society; also a member of the American Medical Association. Dr. Wright was one of the seven charter mem- bers of the Phi-Alpha Society, at Jacksonville, in 1845 (all now living-1881). The society now numbers five hundred. The poetical pro- duction of Dr. Wright, read before that society in May, 1876, awards him an enviable reputation as a literary writer.

His children -- M. Fannie, born June 23, 1851, married Z. T. McGinnis, November 25, 1870; Mr. McG. is Superintendent of B. F. Caldwell's mercantile interest in Chatham; Jesse F., born November 29, 1853, married Benjamin J. Det- rich, May 23, 1878; salesman for Van Duyn & Co., Springfield; Charles D., born February 20, 1857, married December 30, 1880, Lizzie Felch. Dr. W. read medicine with his father, attended Rush Medical College, and is now practicing.

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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 143

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