History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 70

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 704

USA > Illinois > Clay County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 70
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 70

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CALEB W. REID, physician and farmer, P. O. Cisne, is a native of Fayette County, Ky., born April 30, 1815, the eldest child of Benjamin and Mary (Prall) Reid, the father a native of Maryland, the mother of New Jersey. The father was a shoe-maker by trade, but in later years engaged in farming. He served in the war of 1812. The parents had eight children, of whom there are living Caleb W., Benjamin, Charlton and Will. iam. Our subject first came to Illinois in 1836, and after a year's residence in Sanga- mon County removed to Edwards County, where for several years he engaged in farm- ing. and here also he began the study of medicine. His next move was to Wabash County, where he married his first wife- Elizabeth Gunn, a daughter of Havilla Gunn. She died in 1879, the mother of seven chil- dren, of whom four survive-Henry W., George W .. Nellie E. and John C. Having attended the Physio-Medical College at Cincinnati, the Doctor thereafter devoted his time almost exclusively to the practice of his profession, and during the subsequent part of his life he has been thus engaged in vari- ous parts of the State. Articles from his pen upon agricultural as well as medical topics have always elicited favorable com- ment, as they possessed a large amount of original argument. Since taking up his res- idence in Wayne County, the Doctor has given his attention to his practice, and aiso

to his farming interests. He has farm prop- erty to the extent of 330 acres, which is given to the raising of stock, and to farming in its general branches. His eldest son. Henry W .. married Caroline Elliott, a daughter of Jo- seph Elliott, of this township, and is a thriv- ing farmer of Bedford Township. George W. takes up his father's profession, and is taking his second course of lectures at the Physio-Medical College at Cincinnati. Sub- jeet and his present wife, née Ellen (Har- ris) Harmon. are members of the Christian Church, and politically he is a Republican.

GEORGE W. SPAULDING, farmer, P. O. Cisne, was born in Belmont County, Ohio. September 20, 1827, a son of William and Mary Spanlding, both of whom were natives of Maryland. The father was a cooper by trade, but in later years engaged in farming pursuits. He was a son of Daniel Spaulding. who served seven years in the Revolutionary war. The parents of our subject were blessed with twelve children, of whom five are now living -- Mary Sutton, George W., Joseph, Henry and Aaron. The two latter were members of the Thirty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in the late war. Our subject was engaged principally at carpenter- ing in Ohio. until coming to Wayne County in 1864, having previously purchased some land here. His present farm consists of 232 acres. He engages in general farming, but gives special attention to the making of hay crops. Mr. Spaulding married Lydia Gates, a daughter of Valentine Gates, who was an old settler in Ohio. Subject and wife are the parents of eleven children, of whom there are nine living-David L., Mary E., Marilda, William, Ollie B., George A., Dillon G., Lin- nie and Harper. Mr. Spaulding is the pres- ent Supervisor of Bedford Township, and has filled other offices in the township. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church.

BEDFORD TOWNSHIP.

and in political affairs he casts his vote for the Republican party.

GEORGE W. STATES, farmer, P. O. Cisne, was born in Monroe County, Ohio, October 14, 1851. He has been a resident of Wayne County for several years. August 8, 1878. he married his second and present wife. Agnes A. (Brown) Deselnes, born Au- gust 14. 1845, a daughter of Elihu and Ruthana (Gregg) Brown, and widow of John Deselues, whom she married September 8, 1867. He died January 28, 1874. He came from Ohio, his native State, to Indiana, and thence to Wayne County. He served four years in the late war, in the First Missouri Engineer Corps, but was a member of an Illinois company. He also filled the office of Township Clerk and Colleetor. By him, Mrs. States has three children-William D., horn June 8, 1868; Alice N., November 30, 1870, and Mary E., February 17, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. States are the parents of two children-Sylvia D., born January 28, 1880, and Jennie B., April 10, 1882. Subject and wife are members of the Christian Church, and in polities, he is a Republican. Their farm consists of eighty aeres, which is de. voted to general farming.

JAMES P. WALTERS, physician and surgeon, Cisne, is a native of Washington County, Ohio, where he was born April 1, 1848, a son of John and Julia (Evans) Wal- ters, who are natives respectively of Ohio and Virginia. The father is a carpenter by trade, but is now engaged in agricultural pursuits in Perry County, Ind., where he has a 320-aere farm. llis wife is also living, as is also his father, William Walters, aged eighty-six years, and it is a remarkable inci- dent in the lives of the ancestors of our subject that they have generally lived to be from eighty-five to one hundred years old. Our subject's grandfather, John W. Evans,

served in the war of 1812, in which his father was also a Colonel. The latter, Col. Dudley Evans, was a member of the Virginia Legislature for a period of fourteen years. The Evanses came from the aristo- eratic families of Ohl Virginia, and were prominent in the wars of the Revolution and that of 1812. The parents of our subject were blessed with eight children, of whom six are now living -- William T., James P., Francis M., Anna M. (wife of Jesse Harding, of Perry County, Ind.), Dudley E. and Flora V. James P. worked on the farm in early life, and attended the common sehools. At the age of twenty-three, he attended the State Normal School at West Liberty, W. Va., and remained there during two terms. In the summer of 1864, he sneceeded, after the fourth attempt, in enlisting in the service. He joined Company F. One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. H. H. Sage, and served till the close of the war. In the summer of 1872, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. G. A. Way, of Caldwell, Ohio. After taking his first course of study in the Miami Medical Col. lege, he went to Indiana and there prosecuted his studies under the supervision of Dr. Stephenson, of Cannelton. In the fall of 1875, he returned to the Miami College, and graduated with the Centennial class the fol- lowing spring, carrying off the first honors, a prize consisting of a piece of white mar- ble, broken off from the temple erected in honor of Esenlapins in the River Tiber, about twelve miles below the city of Rome. Upon one side of the marble are marks in the form of XI or IX, the precise meaning of which is obscure. In April, 1876, Dr. Walters located in Cisne, where he has since remained engaged in the practice of his pro- fession. Although comparatively a young man, his skill as a physician and surgeon is

BIOGRAPHICAL:

undoubted, which, with his many genial qualities, renders him a great favorite with the people. September 30. 1875, he was united in marriage to Kate Cisne, a daughter of Emanuel and Sarah (Garrett) Cisne, and the union has been blessed with four chil- dren, of whom three are living-De Forest E., Luna D. and Charles E. The Doctor is a member of the County Medical Board, of which he has been President two years, and also the State and the Centennial Medical Societies, of which latter he was for two years Secretary. With his wife he is a mem- ber of the Christian Church, and is the Su- perintendent of the Sunday school. Politi- cally, the Doctor is a Democrat.

ROSWELL L. WILCOX, general rail- road agent and merchant, Rinard, came from Ohio, Licking County, that State, being his native county. He was born October 27, 1845, to Josiah C. and Mary (Beecher) Wil- cox; the father is a native of Ohio, and the mother of New York. The parents are farm- ers, and are now living in Ohio. Six of their seven children are now living-George C., Emily A., R. L., Susan, Charles and Zina. Our subject obtained a fair education, and in early life he assisted his father on the home farm. In March, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty - fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. In 1868, he came to Wayne County, and has since remained here. He was engaged in the preliminary surveying, etc., preparatory to the construction of the branch of the O. & M. Railroad, running through this county, and in 1870 the com- pany sent him to Rinard as their agent, which position he has retained to the present time. In 1871, Mr. Wilcox purchased the interest of B. J. Chaney, of the firm of Chaney & Chaney, and the new partnership lasted for several years, when a brother of

Mr. Wilcox bought out the interest of Mr. Chaney, and two years later sold the same to our subject, who has since run it on his own account, carrying a general line of goods. Mr. Wilcox married Mary L. Wilson, a daughter of John Wilson, a citizen of Fair- field, this county. The union has given five children, of whom four are living-Joseph C., Arthur L., Bessie and Maggie. Mr. Wil- cox has been the Postmaster at Rinard ever since the office was first started, and he has also been Notary Public for about six years. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox are members of the Methodist Church. In politics, Mr. W. is a Republican.

AARON S. YARNALL, farmer, P. O. Cisne, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Novem- ber 21, 1831, to Joseph and Asenath (Slack) Yarnall, natives of Pennsylvania. The fa. ther is a son of Thomas, who was a son of George Yarnall, both of whom were from Pennsylvania. The parents of our subject are both living in this county. They were blessed with eight children, of whom there are four now living-Drusilla, A. S., Maria and John. Our subject received but a limit- ed education; during his residence in Ohio, he was engaged principally in farming pur- suits. March 28, 1853, he landed in Bed- ford Township, and located where his father now lives. His' present farm property con- sists of eighty acres, and he gives his atten- tion to farming in its various branches. No- vember 3, 1864, he married Sarah J. Moore, a daughter of Alexander and Jane (Quinn) Moore, who came to Wayne County in 1860. The latter were the parents of nine children, four sons of whom were in the army-Samson C .. in the Eighty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry; John Q., Sixty-second Illinois; Martin W., first in Sixth Missouri, and after- ward in Thirteenth Missouri Cavalry, and Robert T., in Sixty-tirst Illinois. Samson,

BIG MOUND TOWNSHIP.

Robert, and possibly a third child, are now liv- ing. Mr. Alexander Moore died Angust 19. 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Yarnall are the parents of five children, four of whom survive -Jes. sie M .. Asenath J., Joseph M. and William H. Mr. Yarnall is a Republican in politics, and with his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

SOLOMON YATES, farmer, P. O. Rinard, is one of the more substantial farmers of Bedford Township. He is a native of Law- rence County, Ohio, and was born Septem- ber 22, 1835, the eldest child of George Yates, who died as did his wife also, when Solomon was small. The latter was taken and raised by an uncle, Joseph Yates, with

whom he remained until coming to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1855. With the exception of a short period of time, Mr. Yates has been a resident here ever since. He has a farm of 400 aeres, which is devoted to stock raising and general farming. He made all the improvements upon the place himself, and they include a substantial and commodi- ons residence. Mr. Yates married Sarah E. Summers, a daughter of Marens Summers, a farmer in Clay County, Ind. This union has given three children-James F., Martin L. and Luella B. Mr. Yates and family are members of the Baptist Church. Politically, he is a Democrat, but votes for the man rather than for party.

BIG MOUND TOWNSHIP.

MICHAEL BOOK, farmer, P. O. Boyleston, , built a pirogue, and came up the Little Wabash is one of the oldest native born citizens in the as far as Mount Erie Township, where they settled. In 1822, Mr. Book went to Shawnee- town, Ill., where he married, and then returned to Mount Erie Township, where he resided for fifteen years, and then came to Big Mound Township, where he died in October, 1858 ; his wife died in 1835. Our subject was the oldest of five children, of whom three are now living. His education was received entirely in the sub- scription schools of his county. but since his growth to manhood he has added quite a good deal to his information. He helped on the home farm until he was twenty-four, and then, on December 26, 1819, he came to the tarm where he has since resided. He now owns 280 acres, eighty of which are in Section 17, forty in Section 16, and eighty in Section 21, of Town 2 south, Range 7 east, and eighty acres in Arrington Township. Of the whole, there are about eighty aeres in cultivation. In Big Mound Township, Wayne County, on Decem- county. IIe was born in Mount Erie Township on October 15, 1823, and is a son of Michael and Sibby (Franks) Book. The parents were born in Fincastle, Botetourt Co., Va., and were of German deseent. The ancestors came from that country some time prior to the Revo- lution, and the great-grandfather of our subject was killed in that conflict, and up until a few years ago, the musket used by the grandfather, who was also a soldier there, was kept in sub- jeet's family. It is said that the grandfather was one of the guard that took charge of Maj. Andre after his capture, and was with him up until his execution. After the war had closed, this Revolutionary hero came to Henderson County, Ky., with his family, and there died at a good old age. The father of our subjeet grew to manhood in Kentucky, and then came to White County, Ill. In 1821, he, in connec- tion with the Ramseys, Nisbits, and Streets,

BIOGRAPHICAL:

ber 6, 1849, Mr. Book was married to Elizabeth Gaston, a daughter of Cyrus and Margaret (Clark) Gaston, natives of South Carolina. This lady was born in this township on May 28, 1828, and was the mother of seven chil- dren, five of whom are now living-Sibby, Nancy (wife of Wilson Sager), Mary J. (wife of William E. Cable), George W. and Ira O). Mrs. Book died on March 10, 1876. Mr. Book is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He has served as Justice of the Peace, Supervisor, School Trustee and Director and Township Treasurer. Is independent in polities.

SAMUEL H. BOOK, SR., farmer, P. O. Fair- field. From one of the first families of this county the gentleman whose name heads this sketch is descended. He was born in Hender- son County, Ky., nine miles from the Red Banks, on September 15, 1825, and is a son of Henry and Sarah (Miller) Book. The father was born in Fincastle, Botetourt Co., Va., and at the age of fifteen he commenced to learn the trade of a hatter, from a man by the name of Rudi- zell. This trade he afterward followed for some years. At first leading a roving life up and down the Mississippi, but finally in Chris- tian County, Ky., he married his wife, and set- tled down. Ile lived in Kentucky until Oeto- ber. 1831, when he came to Wayne County, Ill., and settled in Lamard Township. There he followed the hatter's trade for one year, and afterward turned his attention to farming, and followed it until his death, on February 28, 1853. The grandfather was a native of Ger- many, and died in Virginia on March 27, 1815. Subject was the seventh of nine children, of whom only four are living-Harriet, wife of James Keen, of Hickory Hill Township; Mi- chael, in Lamard Township; William, in Texas, and S. H., Sr., our subject. His education was received in the subscription schools of ye olden time, and he lent a helping hand on the home farm until about twenty-five. He then settled

on the farm where he has since resided. Here he now owns 200 acres, 120 of which are in Sec- tion 4, and eighty in Section 29, of Township 2 south, Range 7 east. About all the land is in eultivation, and about two acres in orchard. In this county, on April 18, 1850, Mr. Book was married to Mary Book, his cousin, and a daughter of Michael and Sibby (Franks) Book, who were also settlers of this county, and were natives of Virginia, being descended from old German stock. This lady was born in this county on February 21, 1829, and to her have been born three daughters, viz .: Sibby F., wife of Samuel Sager, of Big Mound Township ; Louisa, wife of A. R. Johnson (noticed in an- other place), and Mary, who still remains at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Book are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Book has kept aloof from political strife and office- seeking, giving most of his time to his own affairs, but as far as his support has gone it has been given to the Democratic party.

D. G. BUIS. merchant and farmer, P. O. Boyleston. Few men have done more in im- proving Wayne County in the last twenty years than the gentleman whose name heads this sketeh. He was born in Putnam County, Ind., on September 19, 1831, and is a son of Caleb and Margaret (Hurst) Buis, the father being born in North Carolina, but raised principally in Tennessee, and of German descent; the mother, coming from Tennessee, was originally of English descent. Subject is the eighth of fourteen children, of whom six are now living. The subscription schools of his county fur- nished his early education. But he is more truly what might be called a self-made man, having, since attaining manhood's estate, added greatly to his knowledge. He has always been a painstaking and careful reader, and has tried to become acquainted with the many questions and subjects that agitate mankind. Among other things, he has mastered in a degree the science of medicine, and is enabled to practice

BIG MOUND TOWNSHIP.

in his own and the families of the surrounding neighborhood. He rendered what assistance he could on the home farm, until about twenty, and then commenced teaching, and followed this occupation for upward of ten years. In Andrews County, Mo., he commenced merchan- dising in the year 1858, and at that point did business for three years. He then came to Moultrie County. Ill., and there farmed for eighteen months. He next came to Wayne County, and first settled in the eastern portion of Arrington Township. There he farmed in the summer, and taught school in the winter for about four years. He then opened a gen- eral store in the village of Cincinnati, in that township. where he sold goods for seven years. In 1878, he sold ont, and commenced farming in the eastern part of that township. In 1882, soon after the Air-Line Railroad was put in operation, he came to Big Mound Township, and was the first to settle in the village of Boyleston, upon land laid out by a Mr. Morris. There he opened a store, and is at present car- rying a stock of about 82,500. He is also act- ing as Postmaster, Railroad and Express agent, and Notary Public. Besides his other business pursuits, he finds quite a good deal of time to devote to farming. Ile now owns 200 acres in Sections 22 and 36, of Arrington Township, 120 acres in Sections 22 and 27 of Four-Mile Township, and seventy- ve acres in Clay County. Of the whole, there are about 150 acres in cultivation. Mr. Buis was married in Putnam County, Ind., on April 1, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Wallace, a daughter of Enoch and Winnie (Norton) Wallace, who were natives of Tennessee and of Scotch-Irish descent. This lady was born on January 18. 1830, and is the mother of eleven children, five of whom are now living-Winnie Jane (wife of James E. Sons, of Four-Mile Township), Rebecca Cath- erine (wife of R. Findley, of the same town- ship), Walter Scott. Sarah Melissa and Vir- ginia Anu. During part of the war, onr sub-

ject served for eighteen months in Company H, of the Forty-first Enrolled Missouri Militia, which was used as a home guard, being never called into action. Since Mr. Buis' arrival in this county, he has occupied numerous offices of trust and profit, and while a resident of Ar- rington Township he served as Trustee for some time. Is a member of the Christian Church, and in politics is a Republican.

A. M. CABLE, farmer, P. O. Boyleston, born in Athens County, Ohio, on November 22, 1829, and is a son of George and Susannah (John- son) Cable; the father is a native of New York, and the mother of Pennsylvania. He is the oldest of five children, of whom all are liv- ing. His education was received in the free schools of his county, and at the age of eight- een he commenced learning the wagon-maker's trade. At that business, however, he only worked about two years, and then commenced selling goods at Wilkesville, Ohio, for Dr. W. C. Kline. After being engaged in that bnsi- ness for a number of years, he tanght school for about four years, and then in 1865 came to Wayne County, Ill. Here he first settled at Fairfield, but only remained a short time, and then purchased a farm in Jasper Township. On that place he lived five years, and in 1870 he came to his present farm, where he now has 290 acres. It is located in Sections 16 and 30, of Township 2 south, Range 7 east, and of the whole there are about 170 acres in cultivation, and about six acres in orchard. He also does something in stock-raising, handling the Dur- ham breed mostly. Mr. Cable was married, in Meigs County, Ohio, on May 3, 1857, to Aman- da Lasley. She was the daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Ifiekle) Lasley. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Vir- ginia. This lady was born June 13, 1837, and is the mother of three living children-William E., born April 28, 1858; Frank L., born Octo- ber 30. 1860 ; Jonathan B., Angust 23, 1866. Subject was a soldier in the late war. Ife en-

BIOGRAPHICAL:

listed in Company MI, of Eleventh Pennsylva- nia Cavalry, on August 9, 1862, and was out until June 20, 1865. Among the battles in which he participated were Newport News, Lee's Mill, siege of Suffolk, Franklin, Va., Mangohiek Church, Va., Jackson, N. C., and Ream's Station, Va., besides many other smaller skirmishes. Mr. Cable has served in many offices of trust in his county and township. From 1873 to 1877, be served two terms as County Treasurer. While a resident of Jasper Township, he served as Township Trustee and Clerk, and since he has been a citizen of Big Mound Township has served as School Trustee and Highway Commissioner. Mr. Cable is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in polities is identified with the National party.

A. CUNNINGHAM, farmer, P. O. Boyleston, was born in what is now Lawrence County, then Beaver County, Penn., on February 20, 1840, and was a son of Thomas and Hannah (Beer) Cunningham, natives of that State, the father being of Irish deseent and the mother probably of German. Subject was the young- est of six children, of whom five are now liv- ing. Ilis education was received in the free schools of his native county, but he lent an assisting hand on his father's farm whenever it was necessary. In 1859, he came to Wayne County, Ill., and at first worked around for some of the farmers who were then residing here. He afterward commenced life for him- self on a farm adjoining the one he now occu- pies in Big Mound Township. On that farm he resided until 1871, and then came to his present farm, where he now owns 180 acres, situated in Sections 4, 5 and 33, of Township 2 south, Range 7 east. Mr. Cunningham was married, in Lamard Township, Wayne County, on October 18, 1860, to Mary J. King, a daugh- ter of Thomas and Sarah Ann (MeLung) King. The parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to this county about 1840, where they

resided until their deaths, that of the mother occurring on August 14, 1864, and the father's on May 15, 1868. Mrs. Cunningham was born in Lamard Township, Wayne County, on Feb- ruary 28, 1843, and is the mother of four ehil- dren, all of whom are now living, viz .: Edward S., born March 24, 1862 ; Jessie M., born Jan- uary 11, 1864 ; Cora L., born August 16, 1868 ; and Mary E., born July 13, 1880. She is a member of the Jeffersonville Methodist Episco- pal Church. In politics, our subjeet is a Dem- ocrat. On June, 1861, Thomas Cunningham, the father of subject, eame to Wayne County and lived with his son until his death, on May 2, 1864.

JOSHUA DAVIS, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Fairfield. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Logan County, Ohio, on May 6, 1821, and is a son of William and Mary (Johnson) Davis. The father was born in Maryland, and was descended from old Welsh stoek. He was raised principally in Delaware, and came to Ohio in an early day. The mother was a native of Delaware, and her grandfather was one of the early Methodist preachers of that State. Subject was the sec- ond of eleven children, of whom seven are now living. The subscription schools of his native county furnished his means of eduea- tion. As soon as possible, he began to assist on the home farm, and remained with his father until twenty-three. At that age he started out in life for himself, and, as Ohio was in its primitive state, his first work was the clearing of a space sufficient for his first erop. He re- mained in that State until 1870, and then eame to Wayne County, purchasing immediately his present farm. He now owns 680 acres, all in Town 2 south, Range 7 east, and has about 500 acres in cultivation. He also trades in stock considerably, handling in a season about 1,200 head of cattle and 200 head of sheep. Mr. Davis was married in Marion County, Ohio, on December 3, 1843, to Elizabeth W.

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History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 70

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 704

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 704