USA > Illinois > Washington County > History of Washington County, Illinois > Part 18
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
sin. He continued in the ministry for eight years, at the end of which time he commenced reading medicine. After the necessary study he entered for. a course in the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis. After completing the course be entered the Homeopathic Medical College of Missouri, and grad- uated from that institution in 1862. He then commenced the practice, and has been so engaged up to the present time. In 1859 Dr. Bernreuter re- moved to Nashville, Illinois, where he remained and practiced until 1863, when he located in Fosterburg, Madison county, Ills., where he continued his profession until 1872. He then returned to Nashville, and as before intimated has continued the practice with great success.
He married Catherine Stullken. She was a resident of Madison county, Ills. Nine children have been born to them, seven of whom are living, viz .: four girls and three boys. Lydia, the eldest daughter, is married to Jacob -, and is a resident of Clay county, Illinois. The Doctor as stated be- fore has been very successful in the practice of medicine. His business is large and lucrative, and is increasing in proportion as his professional skill becomes known. He has not been a resident of the county for a long num- ber of years, but in the short time he has been here he has succeeded in building up a practice that is enviable, and numbers among his patrons the leading citizens of both town and county. If these facts are any criterion by which to judge of a professional man's ability or fitness for his calling, then the Doctor is richly entitled to, and deserves the high esteem in which he is held by the community as a physician. In his professional life he is courteous, quiet, and dignified, and in his private life an honest and Chris- tian gentleman.
JOHN HENRY DUECKER
WAS born in Prussia on the 9th of January, 1833. Conrod Duecker, his father, emigrated to America in 1852 and settled in St. Louis, Mo., where he remained until 1855, when he removed to Nashville, Washington county, Illinois, where he remained until his death, which occurred on the 8th of December, 1874. John Henry spent his boyhood days in the schools of his native country, until he arrived at the age of 14, when he was apprenticed to the trade of carpenter and wood worker. When he came to America he
stopped in St. Louis and remained there for fourteen years working at his trade. While there he married Miss Charlotte Hanrichs, a native of Min- don, in Prussia, but a resident of St. Louis at the time of her marriage. This event occurred on the 22d of May, 1857. This union has been blessed by four children now living. In 1866 he left St. Louis and removed to Nash- ville, Ill., where he has since resided. Soon after his arrival in the latter place he commenced the manufacture and repairing of all kinds of farm machinery. Two years ago he added blacksmithing and general repair shop for iron work, and at the present time is busily engaged manufacturing plows, harrows, wagons, and in fact all kinds of implements in general use among the farmers. As a workman he is skillful and honest, and all work turned out by him bears evidence of thorough workmanship and the em- ployment of the very best material.
EDWARD HUFF
WAS born in Bellville, St. Clair county, Illinois, on the 11th of November, 1855. William Huff, his father, is at present a resident of the same place, and has been for a period of over forty years. He was one of the first boot and shoe dealers in the place, and is still largely engaged in the same busi- ness. The subject of our sketch is the fourth of a family of six children, four boys and two girls. He attended the schools of his native town until he attained the age of fifteen years, when he entered his father's store and learned the business of shoe dealer. He remained so engaged until 1878, when he removed to Nashville, Illinois, and, in connection with his brother, opened a shoe store, and is at present still engaged in the business. He is yet young, but he is thoroughly imbued with western push and enterprise, and with his careful, prudent, habits and good business tact, the problem of success is easily solved. On the 11th of February, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Vetter, a native and resident of Bellville, Illinois. Mr. Huff has a large store in Nashville, and it is well stocked with every description of fine goods, as well as the more ordinary kinds, and his man- ner of introducing his goods and honorable and fair dealing with his cus- tomers, makes his place the resort of all those desiring anything in the boot and shoe line.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN AND PRECINCT OF ASHLEY.
HIS precinct is bounded on the north by Richview, on the east by Jefferson county, on the south by Dubois, and on the west by Nashville precinct.
FIRST SETTLERS.
The Woodromes were the first settlers of this precinct ; they came in 1825. In the autumn following William and Burton Nichols, from the State of Georgia, came and settled on section (23) twenty-three in this pre- cinct. Soon after these followed Elijah Smith, Thomas Howell ; and the widow McMillian. She had a very large family, who have all long since passed from earth, except one daughter, the widow I. T. Wheelis, who yet resides in the township.
The following were the persons who settled in the precinct previous to 1828 :
James Veach, William Green, Stephen Mckenzie, David Mckenzie, John Steele, John Woodrome, William Woodrome, Joel Woodrome, David Wood- rome and Jordan Woodrome, all sons of James Woodrome, the first settler in the precinct. They all settled in the same locality, and it was known as the "Woodrome Settlement." About that time, 1827, or soon after, James Lock, and the widow Smith, mother of James Smith, Esq., came. Mrs. Smith settled on the farm where James Smith now lives, and where
he has lived for more than fifty years. This precinct was formerly called Beaucoup, and the village of Old Beaucoup was for a long time the voting place for the citizens. At that time there were but three voting places in the county. The name of the precinct was afterwards changed to Hickory Mound. The voting place was then near the centre of the precinct, at the residence of C. Ball. The next change in the voting place was made to the old town of Richview, and afterwards to Ashley, where it has since re- mained.
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The Central railroad was built through the precinct in 1854. The St. Louis and South-eastern was built in 1870.
The first preaching was by the Methodist Episcopal denomination, at the house of James Woodrome, in 1826 or 1827. The first regular preaching was by the same society, at the residence of James Jackson.
FIRST SCHOOL.
The first school taught in the precinct was in a log building that had been occupied by James Woodrome as a residence. Upon the death of his wife, he lived with his sons, and his home was converted into a school-house. This was in 1829. The first teacher was Jarvis Jackson. School was taught in this building by various teachers until 1836, when the Woodrome sons con- verted the house into a stable, and from that time until 1840 school was
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
taught in the residences of various citizens of the precinct, and in the horse mill owned by Benjamin Heyerman. In 1840 the settlers " clubbed " to- gether and erected a small log school-house on the site of the present town of Ashley. The lumber used in the building was sawed by hand with a " whip- saw," and its roof was covered with clap-boards.
William H. Blair was the first teacher in this building. This house was also used for religious services by the members of the M. E. Church.
THE FIRST CHURCH HOUSE
Built in the precinct was a log-house on section (24) twenty-four, in about the year 1840. It was burned down, and in 1846 the citizens replaced it with a brick structure.
THE TOWN OF ASHLEY,
Situated at the crossing of the Ill. Central and the St. Louis & South-Eastern railroads, was laid out on the west half of the north-east quarter of section (27) twenty-seven, in township (2) two, south range (1) one west, on the 10th day of May, 1854, by Darius Greenup, county surveyor. The plat of said town was recorded on the 27th day of May, 1854. The original proprietor was Dr. J. M. Lucas. Additions were made by J. Condit Smith, James Smith, and the Duckermann heirs. Dr. Lucas opened and run a small drug store on the place before it was legally and formally laid out as a town in 1853.
FIRST STORES.
The first goods were sold in Ashley by Truman Gilbert, in 1854. He was followed by E. Mansfield, who opened a general store in the spring of 1855. Later in the same year T. H. Hobbs & Co. opened a general store; and some time during the same year Elias Gilbert opened a general stock or goods.
MILLS.
In the year 1854, P. M. and E. McNail built the first mill in the town of Ashley. It was at first only a saw mill, but in 1855 a small grist-mill was attached, and later they erected a regular flouring-mill of two run of burrs. They also attached a woolen card-mill. These mills were afterwards sold out and removed to Pinkneyville, this state.
In 1866 Coffey, Brown & Harrison erected a large mill of four run of burrs. These mills do an extensive business, shipping large quantities of flour an- nually.
In 1873 L. Post erected a mill of two run of burrs, and in connection with, it a fruit-drying establishment.
BLACKSMITH SHOP. The first blacksmith shop was kept by A. M. Cundiff, in 1850.
CHURCH BUILDINGS.
The first church built in the town was in 1856, by the Methodists. A more detailed account of the churches will be found elsewhere in this book.
HOTELS.
The first boarding-house was kept by L. B. Morrow, in 1855. The first regular hotel was opened in 1856, by W. J. Stevenson. The present hotels are the Pacific Hotel and the Ashley House.
BANKS.
In July, 1877, a bank was opened by Pace Bros. The firm is composed of W. C. Pace, E. C. Pace and C. E. Hammond. W. C. Pace is president, and E. C. Pace is the cashier.
SOUTHERN REFUGEES.
During the war of the Rebellion there was an order that all persons whose fortunes had been destroyed by the contending armies, and who desired to leave their desolated homes in the South, and make their homes in the North, would be furnished free transportation for one hundred miles, into a free state. This town, being situated ninety-eight miles above Cairo, they were put off at this place in great numbers. This taxed the benevolence of the citizens; but on all occasions they proved themselves equal to the emer- gency, and notwithstanding it was regarded a great drawback to the place, all was done that was possible to relieve their suffering condition. "Old John Robinson," of circus fame, upon one occasion while in the place " showing," gave the refugees $200.00.
A. J. Hosmer, who fell in the war of the rebellion at the battle of Stone River, was the first lawyer who resided in the town. A more extended
mention of the lawyers is found in the chapter on the Bench and Bar of Washington county.
NEWSPAPERS.
First, the Ashley Gazette, by Hosmer & Pace, established in 1857; next, the Experiment, by Robert Fleming; the next, the Ashley Herald, by David Benton ; and then came the present Ashley Gazette, by J. W. O'Bryant. See `History of the Press in another chapter.
SCHOOLS OF ASHLEY.
Mention has already been made of the log school-house, the first in town, and of the first teacher, Mr. Blair. He and John M. Hunter taught alter- nately in this building for a number of years, when a frame-building, with three rooms, was built on a lot near the present residence of Dr. Welch. Among the teachers who taught in this building as principals were : Mr. Lewis Newton, E. Way, Peter A. Smith, James H. Craig, T. W. Bates, and J. W. Hudson. Assistants-Miss Mattie B. Hamilton, Miss Jenkins, Miss T. R. Haynes, Miss Amanda J. Marten, Miss Mattie Marten, Mrs. Charles, Misses Sallie and Alice Erwin, Mrs. E. M. Stearns, and Mr. Hugh Mc- Caughn.
The present school building is a two-story brick building, and was erected in 1866. It has five departments. Edwin A. Hoyt was the first principal in this building; and the first who officiated as assistants were Misses Lydia A. Carter, Siddie, Nance and Cynthia C. Lacey. Since then the principals have been : Rev. Mr. Cole, C. W. Anderson, D. B. Van Syckle, Will L. Martin, J. S. Dervey, Hiram Force, C. H. Tatman, David Logan, and J. W. Hudson. Among the assistants who have taught in this building are : Mises Belle Troutt, Sallie C. Welch, Lizzie Welch, Pamelia Lacey, Alice Baugh, Lucy Anderson, Sophia Thon, and Messrs. John F. Showalter, George French, Charles McCubben, John W. White, G. W. Stotsenburg, and Richard Thatcher.
The present (1879)-Frank M. Harris, principal. Assistants : Miss Nan- nie C. Anderson, Mrs. R. W. Ridgeway, Miss F. C. Chase, and Miss Ella McCourtney.
Present Board of Education-Col. E. C. Pace, Dr. E. Welch and E. C. Clark, Esq.
PRESENT COMMERCIAL INTERESTS. Below mention is made of the business interests of the town of Ashley.
DRY GOODS AND GENERAL STORES.
Harry Smith ; G. E. Anglen; Skuer & Tuttle; N. R. Wheat; Monroe Kustim, who also makes the trade in custom-made clothing a specialty ; Jonas Thon, also dealer in boots and shoes ; Hiram Campbell, and W. L. Alden.
DRUG STORES.
The following firms are engaged in the drug and book business : Dr. W. C. Pace, Dr. G. W. Thompson and A. D. Welch & Co.
FAMILY GROCERIES.
Thomas H. Benton & Co. ; J. H. Ferguson & Co., and S. T. Martin & Co.
MILLINERY STORE.
.Wicks & Hoefle; Mrs. G. E. Anglen; Mrs. Frank Smith . Mrs. L. J. Williamson.
The Furniture interests are represented by Mr. C. J. Geiger.
C. E. Hammond & Co. are the Hardware men of the town.
D. A. Carson is the Jeweler of the place.
The Meat Markets are owned by the firms of A. M. Nichols, and Crewes & Flanans.
Manufactory of Agricultural Implements and Blacksmithing : Seibert .Bros. ; G. W. Shreve; M. T. Murray and E. C. Clark.
MILLS.
Egypt Mills, by Coffey, Harrison & Co .; Ashley Mills, by P. W. Mc- Nail ; Pearl Mills, by Smith & Post.
A. T. Coleman ; James Bell represent the Lumber trade.
The Coopering business is carried on by John Key.
RESTAURANTS
are kept by J. M. Burghardt, J. W. Mitchell, and S. Staffan.
Manufacturers of Boots and Shoes : Jonas Thon ; George Hilsweck, and Peter Wagner.
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FARM RESIDENCE OF E.S.BABB, SEC. 2,T.2, R.2, WASHINGTON CO. ILL.
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THE FARM RESIDENCE OF THE LATE J.D.CARTER, SEC.I, T.3, R.I, WASHINGTON CO. ILL.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
LIVERY AND FEED STABLES
are kept by R. J. Lee, D. W. Johnson, and A. J. McNail.
GRAIN DEALERS.
S. H. Watson ; C. E. Hammond ; J. J. Chase; H. Smith; the Egypt Mills Co. ; Ashley Mills and the Pearl Mills.
CHURCHES.
The M. E. Church ; M. E. Church South ; Baptists; Christians, and Universalists.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
E. A. Mesler, Mayor. Aldermen : R. T. Coffey, W. H. Brooks, W. S. Gore, D. Berry, James Smith and George Siebert.
Treasurer : C. E. Anglen. Clerk : C. E. Hammond. Marshal : A. J. McNail. Attorneys : S. E. Catteslin, J. W. Hudson and T. M. Robinson.
Physicians .- Drs. W. C. Pace, D. Berry, E. Welch, G. W. Thompson, C. Van Orman and C. L. Fancher.
The Post Office is kept by Miss C. C. Lacey, P. M.
We append a history of the Beneficial Societies of Ashley.
CLAY LODGE NO. 153, A. F. * A. M. *
At a meeting of Master Masons of Richview and vicinity, on the 31st day of July, 1854, Dr. J. M. Lucas presented a dispensation empowering them to work as a Lodge of Master Masons, under the name of Clay Lodge, No. 153. J. W. Lucas was W. M .; George T. Hoke, S. W .; Dr. H. B. Lucas, J. W. Soon after a charter was granted to the following chartered members : Dr. J. M. Lucas, Judge Geo. T. Hoke, Dr. H. B. Lucas, Ed. C. Dew, James P. Haynes, Judge W. M. Phillips and Dr. G. W. Hotchkiss.
The following persons became members during the first year of the Lodge's existence : John L. Post, Philip Dorr, Dr. Hiram Barber, R. C. Hagerman, R. S. House, H. G. W. Whittenberg, M. B. Thurman, J. A. Cox, Dr. J. W. Cameron and Judge W. J. Stephenson.
In the fall of 1857 the lodge was removed to Ashley, and its meetings have been held there since. Dr. J. M. Lucas, the first W. M., served con- tinuously in that capacity until 1860. Those that have been elected since that time are here given in the order of their election : A. M. Cundiff, James P. Haynes, Ed. C. Pace, James W. Hudson, Gen. C. Houghtaling, J. P. M. Harrison, W. M. Walker, Jonas Thon and Dr. David Berry.
Grant Lodge, at Richview, and Dubois Lodge, at Dubois, have been or- ganized, and are composed largely of a membership taken from Clay Lodge and of territory formerly belonging thereto.
Clay Lodge has in the past few years been called to plant the " sprig of Acacia " over the last resting-place of some of her prominent members; among them, Judge W. J. Stephenson, Dr. E. T. Ridgeway, John L. Post, John L. McBride, and William Goodaker.
The Lodge communications are held in Coffey's Hall, on Monday nights, on or before the full moon in each month.
The present (1879) officers are :
James W. Hudson, W. M .; John B. Kelley, S. W .; N. R. Wheat, J. W .; M. Kernstine, Treas. ; C. E. Hammond, Sec .; J. P. M. Harrison, S. D .; John Spear, J. D. ; W. R. Tabb, S. S .; J. S. Foulks, J. S. ; D. T. Hill, Tyler; J. L. Seargeant, Chaplain.
ASHLEY CHAPTER 141 ROYAL ARCH MASONS.
Ashley Chapter was instituted April 20, 1870, under dispensation from
* Data from J W. Hudson, W. M.
Grand Chapter of Illinois, granted to Companions M. D. Brown, C. E. Hammond, E. C. Pace, J. P. Watson, Charles Houghtaling, Hiram Camp- bell, W. J. Stephenson, S. E. Catterlin, E. T. Ridgeway, A. H. Brown, W. W. Coffey, William M. Walker, N. R. Wheat, Joel D. Carter, J. D. De Witt and J. J. Chase ; also authorized Comp. E. C. Pace to act as M. E. H. P., Comp. M. D. Brown as King, and Comp. J. P. Watson as Scribe. J. J. Chase, C. H; W. W. Coffey, P. S .; W. M. Walker, R. A. C .; E. T. Ridge- way, Treas. ; C. E. Hammond, Sec. Comp. J. D. DeWitt appointed M. 3 V .; Comp. H. Campbell, M. 2 V. ; Comp. N. R. Wheat, M. 1 V.
On the 7th day of October, 1870, charter granted to Companions E. C. Pace, A. H. Brown, H. Campbell, John J. Chase, J. P. Watson, J. P. M. Harrison, R. L. Caldwell, J. D. Carter, W. B. Westcott, John Coulter, Wm. M. Walker, N. R. Wheat, W. W Coffey, Charles Houghtaling, C. E. Ham- mond, S. E. Catterlin. Dated at Chicago and St. Louis; signed Jno. M. Pear- Bon, G. H. Priest and others ; attested by Jas. H. Miles, G. Sec., and the officers were regularly installed and Ashley Chapter No. 141 proclaimed duly installed. No change being made in officers, they stood same as under dis- pensation.
The Chapter has a pleasant hall ; they occupy the same hall as the Blue Lodge, and are now in a flour ishing condition. Being out of debt and with little expenses, there is no reason why Ashley Chapter should not become the leading chapter in this part of the State.
The present officers are : E. C. Pace, H. P .; N. R. Wheat. K .; G. E. Anglen, S. ; Comp. J. P. Harrison, C. H .; Comp. E. A. Wesler, P. S .; Comp. S. H. Watson, R. A .; Comp. S. E. Catterlin, Treas. ; Comp. C. E. Ham- mond, Sec. ; Comp. H. Campbell, M. 3V. ; Comp. J. H. Offill ; M. 2 V .; Comp. H. Smith; M. 1 V .; Comp. Samuel Johnson, Tyler.
ASHLEY LODGE NO. 302 I. O. O. F.
was instituted on the 25th of March, 1862. Charter members are : G. M. Alden, W. D. Mitchell, W. L. Alden, L. J. Martin, J. Thon, W. D. Frost and R. Wheelis, all of whom are living.
The first officers were : W. D. Mitchell, N. G .; E. C. Clark, V. G .; G. M. Alden, R. Sec .; W. Alden, Treas.
Present officers are : E. C. Clark, N. G. ; H. Peck, V. G .; J. Skillman, R. Sec .; J. Thon, Treas.
ASHLEY ENCAMPMENT NO. 107 I. O. O. F.
was organized October 18th, 1870. The charter members were : W. L. Al- den, E. C. Clark, J. Thon, E. Welch. H. Rhudoff, J. M. Dawson, G. W. Shreeve.
The first officers were : W. L. Alden, C. P. ; G. W. Shreeve, S. W .; E. C. Clark, Treas. ; E. Welch, Scribe. :
The present officers are: J. Thon, C. P. ; W. R. Key, S. W .; G. W. Shreve, Treas. ; J. Skillman, Scribe.
THE VILLAGE OF BEAUCOUP.
Is situated on the line of the St. Louis and South-eastern railroad, east of Nashville, in Ashley precinct. It was laid out in 1870 by James Garvin and Daniel Hay, proprietors.
It contains at the present (1879) a Post Office, one store, by E. Patterson, and a saw-mill, by Logan Livesay.
Major J. White, one of the oldest settlers of Washington county, lives in the vicinity. He came and settled in what was Washington county, near the present town of Carlyle, in 1818. He removed to the Beaucoup settle- ment in 1821, where he has since resided.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JAMES H. HUDSON
WAS born in Maury county, Tennessee, July 23d, 1839. Eldest of three brothers, son of Rev. C. Y. and Mary M. Hudson. Educational advantages in early life limited to the common schools and private instructions of his father. His father removed to Hardin county on the Tennessee river when the subject of our sketch was about twelve years of age. He assisted on his father's farm during the summer months and attended school during the winter months. He entered Clifton Masonic Academy and completed an irregular scientific course. He afterwards taught several terms in the com- mon schools. In 1860 he commenced the study of medicine, teaching during the day and reading evenings, but at the breaking out of the late civil war was compelled to abandon reading medicine and never resumed. Emigrated to Illinois with his father's family in 1862, stopped temporarily at Du Quoin, Perry county, came to Ashley in the spring of 1863, was soon after engaged as a clerk in the mustering and disbursing office under Cap- tain B. G. Daniels, 13th United States Infantry, on whose recommendation he wasappointed sergeant-major of the 136th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and and was discharged in October, 1864. On his return to Ashley was elected principal of the public schools, a position which he has acceptably filled sev- eral times since. He was united in marriage May 7th, 1867, to Miss Lydia A. Carter, daughter of R. P. Carter, who are among the oldest citizens of Washing- ton county. They have had born to them a family of five children, four living, viz. : Anna May, Freddie Logan (dead), Chesley Young, James Meharry, and Martha Eleanor.
Mr. Hudson attended and graduated at the St. Louis Law and Business University in 1869, was book-keeper for the firm of Coffey, Brown & Co. nearly two years. In 1869 was appointed deputy and acting collector of Internal Revenue for the Sixth District of Tennessee, composed of twelve counties, and assigned to duty at Columbia, Tennessee. In the latter part of 1870 he resigned this position and accepted a Professorship in McGee College, near Macon, Missouri, which he filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people, for three years. He then resigned and returned to Ashley, and having in 1869 been admitted to the bar, commenced the practice of law in partnership with Judge S. E. Catterlin, of Ashley. This partnership continued about five years, after which he opened an office alone, and is doing a large share of the legal business in the east part of the county. Mr. Hudson is politically a strong republican, and though reared in the south was always anti-slavery in sentiment; he is never boisterous or pro- scriptive politically, and has a host of personal friends who are democrats. He received the republican nomination for county superintendent of schools in Washington county in 1878, and was elected by a large majority, receiv- ing a large share of democratic votes. Accustomed to attend upon the services of the sanctuary fromn a child, the subject of our sketch received in early life strong religious impressions leading to such convictions of trust and duty that at an early age he made a public confession of his faith in Christ and united with the Presbyterian church. He is very liberal toward all Christians. Has been a member and ruling elder of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for about twenty years. He is a zealous Mason, and has been five years Master of his lodge. He lives quietly on his little farm in the suburbs of Ashley, surrounded by a pleasant family. He spends most of his time in his law office, giving in the meantime necessary attention to the office of county superintendent. In official as well as in private life, his character and bearing has been that of an honest, conscientious, Christian gentleman. In his habits plain, temperate, and unostentatious.
JAMES SMITH
WAS born in Cumberland county, Kentucky, on the 1st of November, 1806. He is of Irish ancestry on the paternal side, and Scotch and Welsh on the maternal. His father, John Smith, was a native of North Carolina. He at an early age removed to Bedford county, Tennessee, and from there to Ala- bama, then to Kentucky, and back again to Tennessee. He died in 1828. The subject of our sketch is the eldest in a family of seven children, and is the only surviving member. He in company with his mother emigrated to Illinois, arriving in Washington county on the 15th of September, 1828. He squatted on a piece of land, a part of which the town of Ashley now stands. He still remains on the same quarter section on which he settled nearly a half century ago. On the 22d of January, 1833, he married a Miss Taylor. She was a native of Kentucky, but a resident of Kaskaskia, Illinois,' at the time of her marriage. This union has been blessed with ten children, seven of whom are still living, and all married except two, who still remain beneath the parental roof.
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