History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 82

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 82
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 82

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He first engaged at milling in Chester, Ind., in 1866, and then went to Xenia, Ohio, in the grain business. In 1877, he came to Xenia, Ill., where he has since been engaged in his present business occupations. His stock of merchandise invoices abont $4,000. At Cedarville, Ohio, in December, 1863, he was married to Miss Mary E. Taylor, a daughter of William and Martha (Michener) Taylor. Mrs. Taylor is a member of the Stanton family, being a cousin to Benjamin Stanton. Mr. Taylor having died, his widow married Allen Williams, and now resides in Lawrence, Kan. Mr. and Mrs. Strain have eight children, viz., Chester, Minnie, Fred, May, Lillie, Maud, Lois and Lulu. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Xenia, Ill., but was made an Odd Fellow in Xenia, Ohio. He is also a member of the G. A. R. Post of Xenia. In politics, he is strongly Republic- an, and at present is serving on the County Board, being Supervisor of this township, elected on Republican ticket.

HON. J. W. WESTCOTT, merchant, etc., Xenia, was born in Hamilton Coun- ty, Ohio, March 1, 1828, and is the son of John D. and Margaret (Willes) Westcott. John D. Westcott was born in New Jersey September 12, 1803. February 22, 1823, he was married to Margaret E. Willes, who was born in Worcester County, Md., in 1840. In 1837, they removed to Illinois, and settled in Rushville, Schuyler County, then to Pike County soon afterward. In 1840, they settled in Jefferson County, Ill., where he died September 29, 1850. She was united in marriage, March 1, 1852, to James E. Fergerson, of Mt. Vernon, and died November 30, 1858. Our subject had made the various moves of his parents till reaching Jefferson County, where, Septem- ber 1, 1850, he was married to Miss Martha Holtsclaw, of Jefferson County. He then

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XENIA TOWNSHIP.

followed farming and school teaching till 1854, when he came to Xenia. In spring of 1855, he commenced the mercantile busi- ness, and has ever since been interested in that pursuit, and is now the oldest merchant of Xenia. The first. goods ever shipped over the O. & M. R. R., to this station, was the stock with which he began business. Till a recent date, he kept a general stock; now, however, he gives his attention mostly to clothing, boots and shoes and gents' furnish- ing goods, but also has agricultural imple- ments. He carries a stock of goods averag- ing about $10,000. His attention, however, has not been confined alone to the mercan- tile business, as he is also engaged in the buying of grain, fruit, etc., and in the mill- ing business, aud also farming. Mr. West- cott's life as a business man has been an active one, but that has not occupied all of his attention. In 1857, he was licensed as a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1864, he was the leader of the Methodist Episcopal Church South in this section of the State, as it separated from the opposite branch of the church; and so prominent was the part which he took that for some years it was known as "Westcott's" Church in this

part of Illinois. He has continually been connected with the conference since 1857, and for twelve years of the time was Presid- ing Elder. In 1862, he was elected to the State Legislature from the counties of Clay and Richland, and served for two years. In 1864, he was elected to the State Senate front his Senatorial district, and served his term through with credit; then voluntarily retired from political life. On three different occa- sions, however, the delegates of Clay County were unanimously instructed to vote in the convention for his nomination for Congress. In 1880, he was Democratic Elector for this district, and has always taken an active part in every leading political campaign. His wife died Jannary 6, 1870, and January 10, 1871, he was married to Maria D. Onstott, grand-daughter of Maj. John Onstott, one of the first and most prominent settlers in Clay County. This marriage has been blessed with the following-named children: John W., Flora E., Estella May. Freddie H., Clela Orpha, and William F., deceased. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. of Xenia, and is Master of the lodge. He has been a Mas- ter Mason for twenty-eight years. having been made a Mason in Mt. Vernon, Ill.

CLAY CITY TOWNSHIP.

J. D. ALLENDER, merchant, Clay City, was born in Richland County, Ill., August 4, 1837, and is a son of L. L. and Mary Ann (McCawley) Allender. The father was a native of Shepherdsville, Ky., and came to the State about 1830. He was a farmer by occupation, and his death oc- curred in February, 1847. The mother was a daughter of John McCawley, a sketch of

wbose life appears in the history of Clay City Township. Subject was the second of seven children, four of whom are living, viz., John D. (our subject), Martha (wife of M. Crackles, of Pixley Township), Margaret (wife of Scott Moats, of Mt. Erie Township) and Elizabeth (wife of James Bradshaw, of the same township). The father died when subject was about eight years old. The

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latter, however, remained at home with his mother until fifteen. He then came to Mays- ville, this township. and here he worked on a farm for about three years. He then went to McDonough County, this State, where he worked for about fifteen months. He came to Clay City about 1857, and began life here by teaming. He only worked at that one year and then opened a saloon. He carried on this business until 1866, and then em- barked in the provision business. In 1868, he formed a partnership with Richard F. Duff, under the firm name of Allender & Duff. This firm continued in the provision business for about seven years, and then opened a general store, in which business they have been engaged ever since. The firm erected their present brick block in 1872, at a cost of about $4,500. At present the firm carry a stock of about $6,000. They also handle considerable produce of all kinds, making a specialty of game, pelts and hides. Mr. Allender was married in Clay City, III., December 23, 1875, to Miss Faunie Sage, a daughter of Mrs. Caroline Ullum. Mrs. A]- lender was born in Ross County, Ohio, and is the mother of three children, viz., John Scott, Daniel Beecher and Jessie Mell. Mr. and Mrs. Allender are both members of the Methodist Church South. Mr. Allender is a member of Clay City Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A. M. In politics, he has given his sup- port to the Democratic party. He has served as one of the members of the Town Board.

J. K. BOTHIWELL, merchant, Clay City, was born in what is now Vinton, then Athens, County, Ohio, April 20, 1815, and is a son of James and Charlotte (Potter) Bothwell. The father was born in Ireland, his parents being of Scotch-Irish descent, and came to this country in 1792. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania. Subject was the fifth of nine children, of whom 'six are now

living. The subscription schools of his na- tive county furnished subject his means of education. He helped on the home farm until twenty-two years of age, and then in 1840 he came to Clay County, settling in the old town of Maysville, on Section 19. Here he first turned his attention to farming, but in 1846 he embarked in business with Morris Brissenden. In 1862, he came to Clay City, and began business for himself. In 1880, he associated with him his son N. C. Both- well. The firm now carry a stock of about $8,000. In this county, February 22, 1846, Mr. Bothwell was married to Miss Mary Ann Brissenden, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Brissenden. Both parents were natives of England and early settlers in this county. Mrs. Bothwell was born in August, 1820, and is the mother of seven children. of whom four are now living-H. C., J. H .. J. K. and Florence. In politics, he gives his support to the Republican party.

DR. E. W. BOYLES, physician, Clay City, was born in Du Bois County, Ind .. May 16, 1836, and is a son of James C. and Catherine (Goodman) Boyles. John Boyles, the grandfather of our subject, was born in North Carolina, his father having come from Ireland in a very early day, and was a sol- dier in the Revolution. The grandfather came to Kentucky and settled in Logan County, where he married. In that county the father was born November 21, 1813. About 1820, the grandfather emigrated to Indiana with his family and settled in Du Bois County, where he died in 1856 at the age of seventy five. The father grew to manhood in that county, and at an early period of his life turned his attention to the practice of law, and made that the vocation of his life. He, however, found time for farming, and engaged in that quite exten- sively. He was married, March 28, 1833, to

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Miss Catherine Goodman. This lady was born in Kentucky in 1815, and came from that State to Indiana with her parents, William and Tearby (Jones) Goodman, when quite young. The father died September 27, 1859. The mother is still living with her son. To her were born eleven children, of whom seven are now living, viz., E. W., our subject; S. A., in Nebraska; Mary E., wife of T. A. Chaney, of Rinard, Wayne County; M. M., in Dakota; J. C., in same State; Eva, widow of J. C. Kennedy, deceased; Amy J., wife of C. C. Valentine, of Yankton, Dakota. The education of our subject was received in the pioneer schools of his native county. In 1854, he commenced to study medicine with Dr. R. M. Williams, of Jas- per. Ind. He read with him for about two years, and then, in January, 1857, he removed to Georgetown, Clay Co., Ill. There he began the practice of medicine. In September, 1861, he went to Chicago and attended lectures at the Rush Medical Col- lege. From that institution he graduated February 4, 1862. From there he came di- rectly to Clay City, where he has since re- sided. He has a very extensive practice extending over considerable portions of Wayne, Clay and Richland Counties. The Doctor is a member of the Centennial Medi- cal Society of Southeastern Illinois, also of the Tri-State Medical Society. In 1880, he took a subsequent course of lectures at Chicago, and at that time he spent most of his time in hospital work. At present he is also serving as United States Pension Ex- aminer, and has held that office since 1867. Dr. Boyles was married in Du Bois County, Ind., March 14, 1859, to Miss Mary Ann Mahin, a daughter of William and Eveline (Johnson) Mahin, natives of Orange County, Ind. Mrs. Boyles was the mother of five children, of whom three are now living, viz.,

Herbert H., born January 12, 1863; James W., born September 26, 1866, and Horace B., born May 9, 1868. Mrs. Boyles died July 11, 1874, and the Doctor was married the second time, September 20, 1875, in Olney Ill., to Mrs. C.C. Reaugh, nee Cambly. a daughter of Judge R. S. Cambly, of Olney, Ill. Two children have been the result of this union, one of whom is now living. Vivian W., born December 5, 1881. In poli- tics, subject has always been connected with the Republican party. Since his advent in this county, he has held many offices of trust and profit, among which are Township Clerk, Township Collector and School Di- rector. He is a member of Clay City Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A. M.

JOHN W. CULTER, druggist, Clay City, was born in Brown County, Ohio, January 19, 1841, and is a son of Irwin and Cordelia (Williams) Culter. Both parents were na- tives of Ohio. Subject was the third of five children, and of that number three are now living-Milton B., in Daviess County, Ind. ; John W. (subject), and William H. (in Marion County, Ill.). The free schools of his native county furnished subject his means of education. At the age of seventeen, he commenced farming, and followed that until October, 1860, when he came West. The first | year of his residence here he taught school in Wayne County, but afterward settling in Stanford Township ; then taught school until 1875. He then came to Clay City and purchased a stock of drugs belonging to C. D. Pennybacker, and has since been en- gaged in that business. In the spring of 1881, he sold an interest in the store to Dr. Block, but in the fall of that year Mr. A. Doherty bought out Dr. Block's interest and the business has since been continued under the firm name of Culter & Doherty. Mr. Culter was married, September 14, 1865, to

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Miss Lizzie Hawkins, a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Shields) Hawkins. The father was born in Yorkshire, England, May 26, 1801, and came to Canada with his parents in 1827. The mother was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, August 15, 1803, and was of Scotch parentage ; she came to Canada with her parents in 1825. They were mar- ried in Canada December 27, 1832, and emigrated to Illinois in 1846, and after a number of years came to this county, where the father died October 15, 1859, aged eighty years. The mother is still living with her son-in-law at an advanced age. Mrs. Culter was born in Canada March 27, 1843, and is the mother of four children-Henry E., born November 23, 1866; Edith M., born May 14, 1868 ; Mary C., born February 20, 1870 ; Mattie, born April 14, 1872. Mr. Culter has been a strong Republican all his life ; he has held some offices of importance, among which are Collector and Assessor of Stanford Township, and Justice of the Peace of this township since 1880. Is a member of Clay City Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A. M., and is con- nected with the Christian Church. In the time of the war, he was a member of the Union League, and served as Secretary of the Clay County organization.

WILLIAM DAVIS, merchant, Clay City, was born in Roane County, Tenn., on July 26, 1826, and is a son of John and Nancy (Jenkins) Davis. The father was a native of East Tennessee, and his father, George Da- vis, came to this country from Wales when a young man. The mother was born in Vir- ginia. Subject was the eldest of ten chil- dren, five of whom are now living, viz .: Will- iam (our subject), Sherwell (in Sheridan County, Mo.). Thomas (in Sedalia, Mo.), Mrs. A. J. Miller (in Kenton, Greenwood Co., Kan.), and Mrs. Rebecca Summers (of Green-

wood Co., Kan.). When subject was about two years old, his parents came to Illinois and first settled in Shelby County, but after living there a short time they came to Lawrence County, where the mother died in 1862. The father then moved to Kansas, where he died in 1865. Subject's education was received in the subscription schools of Lawrence County. At the age of fifteen, he commenced to learn the trade of a wagon- maker, but remained at home until about twenty-one, and then worked as a journey- man at bis trade in a shop near Sumner, Lawrence County, for about five years. He then purchased a farm in that county, and farmed, and worked at his trade occasionally, until November, 1865, when he came to this county. He settled in Stanford Township, where he now owns 164 acres in Sections 2 and 3 of Township 2 north, Range 7 east. He resided there until 1882, and then came to Clay City. Here he first embarked in the implement?business, and followed that until March, 1883, when he began merchandising. He now carries a stock of about $1,200 of general provisions. Mr. Davis was married, on October 16, 1851, in Richland County, to Miss Mary Jane Bunn, a daughter of See- ley and Densey Bunn. This lady was born in Richland County on November 3, 1831, and is the mother of five living children, viz .: Densey J. (wife of B. L. Marshall, of Coles County, Ill.), Seeley B. (in Stanford Town- ship), Emma J. (wife of Henry C. Evans, of Clay City), H. L. (in business with his father), and Ida E. Mr. Davis was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in Richland County on February 4. 1864, and was discharged on September 4 following. Mr. Davis is a member of the Clay City Christian Church, and Mrs. Davis is connected with the Method- ist Episcopal Church. In politics, our sub- ject gives his support to the Republican

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CLAY CITY TOWNSHIP.

party, and while a resident of Stanford Township served as Collector for three terms. He is a member of the Clay City Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A. M., and Clay City Post, No. 262, G. A. R.

R. F. DUFF, merchant, Clay City. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a native of this county, and is descended from one of its pioneer families. The great- grandfather of our subject, Samuel Duff, came to this country some time prior to the Revolution. He brought with him his wife Barbara, and the twain settled in Pennsyl- vania. To them were born two sons, John and William. When John was but a youth, his parents moved to Washington County, Va., where the father died in 1818, the mother in 1812. John grew to manhood in Washington County, and there married a Miss Mary Dryden, a daughter of David and Barbara Dryden, who had come from En- gland in an early day. Nine children blessed this union -- Samuel (who remained in Vir- ginia), David (came to this county, and set- tled in Maysville, in 1829, and afterward be- came one of the leading merchants of that place), Jane (married a Mr. Hopper, and moved to Ohio, where she died), Barbara (married John McConnell, and settled and died in that county), John N. (is yet living in Washington County, Va., at the hale old age of seventy eight), Nathaniel H. (our sub- ject's father), Mary (still living in Virginia), Stephen B. (settled and died in that county), and Alexander (who died when a boy). Judge N. H. Duff's education was but meager, and was received in the subscription schools of his native county. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, and at the age of twenty-one helped his brother David move to this county. After arriving here, he helped on the latter's farm for a short time, and after spending a year here he again returned to his home in

Virginia, where he worked on his father's farm. In 1831, he again came back here, this time accompanied by James Lethco and William T. Duff, a cousin, who made one of the first settlements in Stanford Township. This time Judge Duff settled in Maysville, and, buying a small farm, tilled that, and worked at his trade of blacksmithing, but his health failing him he was compelled to give up the latter occupation. After about two years' residence in Maysville, he moved into what is now Stanford Township and settled on the farm now owned by J. M. Chaffin; he first entered eighty acres, and afterward in- creased the tract to 120 acres. He remained on that farm until 1843, and then selling out to John L. Apperson, moved to another farm about two miles northwest of his former place. (It is now owned by subject.) In 1848, he again returned to Maysville, and purchased David Duff's store, who went from there to Tennessee. The Judge continued in business there until the laying-out of Clay City. He then came to the latter point and embarked in business with Robert E. Duff. This partnership continued for some years, and the former turned his attention to stock- raising. For the last few years, he has lived a quiet and retired life, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Naomi Figg. Judge Duff has been much before the people of this county, in one way or another. In 1851, he was first elected to the office of Associate Justice. These officers were elected for the purpose of attending to the county business. His Associates were J. W. P. Davis and a Mr. Loofboro. He held this office until 1862, when the plan of township organiza- tion was adopted. He was then elected the first Justice of the Peace of Clay City Township, and served in that capacity for a number of years. He also served as Township Supervisor for one or two

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BIOGRAPHICAL:

terms. Judge Duff has been twice married. The first time in old Maysville Precinct, on September 25, 1832, to Miss Margaret Apper- son, a daughter of Richard and Mary (Aikin) Apperson. The parents were among the very earliest settlers of Stanford Township. Mrs. Duff was born in September, 1809, and was the mother of nine children, but two of whom are now living-Richard F. (our sub- ject), and Mrs. Naomi C. Figg. This lady died on April 2, 1857, and the Judge was married the second time, on October 20, 1872, to Miss Sarah Babbs, a daughter of Alexan- der Babbs. But one child resulted from this union-Albert H. (now at home with his father). This lady died in the winter of 1877. The schools of this and Stanford Township furnished our subject his means of educa- tion, and he assisted his father on the home farm until about twenty-one. He began learning telegraphy under W. C. Roach, who was station agent at this point. From here he went to Cincinnati, where he worked for three months, and then for two years acted as operator in different points on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. He then went to Xenia, and was appointed station agent and operator. After serving at different stations in this capacity for three years along the line of the O. & M., he accepted a similar posi- tion on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Rail- road, and worked at both Bunker Hill and Hillsboro. In 1867, he returned to Clay City and embarked with J. D. Allender in the provision business. The firm afterward opened a general store, and have since been one of the leading houses of Clay City. Mr. Duff was married October 28, 1868, to Miss Mary E. Manker, a daughter of Jenkins and Sarah (Rogers) Manker, of Clay City. Three children have blessed this union-Charles L., Effie M. and Carey E. Mr. Duff is a strong Democrat, and is at present serving

as Township Supervisor. Mr. and Mrs. Duff are both members of the Clay City Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Duff is a member of Clay City Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A. M.

J. T. EVANS, merchant, Clay City, was born in Johnson County, Ind., Jan. 7, 1835. He is a son of Joseph and Matilda (Driscoll) Evans. The father was a native of Brown County, Ohio. Edward Evans, the grandfather, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was a solider in the Revolution. Among the battles in that conflict in which he participated was the battle of Brandywine. His people were of Welsh decent. The father is still living in Johnson County, Ind., at the age of eighty-eight, on the same farm he entered fifty- four years ago, and he still has in his possession the letters patent for the land, bearing the signature of Andrew Jackson. The mother was born in Mason County, Ky., her father being a native of Maryland, and of Scotch descent. Our subject was the sixth of seven children, and of this number three are now living, viz .: Mrs. Julia Ann Jolliffe, of Johnson County, Ind .; J. T., subject, and J. E., in Clay City Township. The common schools of his native county furnished Mr. Evans his means of education. At the age of eighteen, he commenced teaching, but fol- lowed that profession only two years. He then commenced reading medicine with Drs. Marshall & Ream, of Williamsburg, Ind. After studying with them two years, he came to Clay City, Ill., arriving here in April, 1859, and began the practice of medicine. Not liking the profession however, he gave it up after about two years. In December, 1860, he turned his attention to merchandising, and opened a general store. In this business, he has been engaged ever since, aud now carries a stock of about $8,000. He also does a great deal in the grain and commission busi-

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CLAY CITY TOWNSHIP.

ness, having built a large warehouse, and now handles on an average about 50,000 bushels of grain a year, besides considerable flax and grass seed. In the old town of Maysville, Clay County, Mr. Evans was mar- ried, November 17, 1859, to Miss Amanda E. Bagwell, a daughter of Thomas J. and Cina E. (Whiteman) Bagwell. The father was a native of Kentucky, and came to the old town of Maysville in 1842, where he ran a hotel for many years. He died in 1877. The mother was a native of Tennessee, and is still living in Clay City, at the advanced age of seventy-two. Mrs. Evans was born in March, 1842, and is the mother of four chil- dren, three of whom are now living: Henry, born November 18, 1860; Ella, October 2. 1863, and now the wife of Charles D. Duff; and Charles, February 19, 1874. Subject is a member of the Clay City Christian Church. He has been identified with that denomina- tion since March, 1868, and is at present one of the Elders and Sunday School Superin . tendent of the church at this point. Mr. Evans is a member of the Clay City Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A. M., and Gorin Command- ery. No. 14, Knights Templar. Casting his first vote for John C. Fremont, Mr. Evans has ever since been a strong Republican.

SAMUEL HOLMAN, merchant, Clay City, was born in Ross County, Ohio, Janu- ary 22, 1839, and is a son of John and Mary (Hussleton) Holman, natives of Pennsylva- nia. Subject was the eighth of ten children, of whom seven are now living, viz. : John, in Clay County, Ill .; Mrs. Barbara Tilly, in Clay County; Jacob, and Mrs. Mary Davis, in Columbia, Ill .; Mrs. Elizabeth Erghen- bright, in Coffeyville, Kan .; Mrs. Sarah Wallor, in Rich Hill, Mo .; and Samuel, our subject. When the latter was about six months old, his parents moved to this' coun- ty and settled about six miles south of Clay

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History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 82

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