USA > Illinois > White County > History of White County Illinois > Part 37
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Mrs. Anna C. Bair was born in Germany, July 3, 1842, and came to America with her father, Joseph Schinutter, when twelve
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years of age. Her mother died in Germany when she was eleven years old. She had four brothers and two sisters who grew to ma- turity. Her father staid near Philadelphia three years working on' a farm, and she was in Philadelphia making artificial flowers and cigars. They then went to Chicago, Ill., and remained there three years, Anna keeping house for her father. Her brothers and sister remained in Philadelphia. She went to Cairo, Memphis, Paducah, St. Louis, and in 1874 came to Carmi, where she has since resided. She has had a bakery and restaurant, and the past four years an ice-house also. In March, 1882, she added family groceries to her stock, and is doing a good business. She owns two houses and lots in Carmi. She was married March 5, 1865, to Samuel Bair, a native of Holmes County, O., born Aug. 1, 1843. He died Ang. 25, 1880. They were the parents of six children-Louis H., born Jan. 25, 1866; Charles E., Jan. 15, 1868; Lillie M., Jan. 23, 1870; Rudolph S., March 16, 1872; Adolph J., Jan. 12, 1875; August F., Nov. 8, 1876. Mrs. Bair visited her brothers and sister in Philadelphia during the Centennial, and remained five weeks.
Magdalena Barth was born in Germany, July 14, 1835, and came to America, and to White County, with her father in 1845. She remained at home till her marriage to Mark Barth, April 17, 1854. He was a native of Germany, born June 22, 1832, and came to America in 1848. He died Oct. 11, 1881. They have no children. Mrs. Barth has 120 acres of good, well-improved land in White County, and six houses and lots in Carmi, in one of which, on the corner of Main and Walnut streets, she resides. A niece, Christina E. Bachmann, is a member of her family. She was born in White County, June 15, 1867. Her mother, Mrs. Wender, also makes her home with her daughter. She was seventy-six years old, July 24, 1882. Her father died April 15, 1858, aged fifty- eight years. Mrs. Barth is a member of the Presbyterian church, as was also her husband.
William Marx Barth was born in the State of Baden, Germany, May 16, 1834, and came to America, Oct. 1, 1846, landing in New York. He went through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and down the Ohio River to Shawneetown; from Shawneetown came to Carmi and settled on a farm four miles north of Carmi, in Burnt Prairie Township. His father, Christopher Barth, left Illi- nois in 1850 and has never been heard of since. His mother, Dolla Barth, died in March, 1879, and his brother, Christopher, died in September, 1879. William M. was married in 1857, to Catherine
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Speck, also a native of Baden, Germany, born in 1840. They have no children. Mr. Barth has ninety-two acres of good land in Phil- lips Township, and also good town property, north of the Wabash Railroad, consisting of eight lots and a story and a half house, where he now lives. He is a member of Carini Lodge, No. 272, A. F. & A. M. Politically he is a Democrat. He served three years in the late war, in Company F, Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry, Nineteenth Army Corps, under General Grant, and later under General Banks. He was at the siege of Vicksburg; was discharged July 4, 1865.
E. C. Beard, born in Indiana, Nov. 11, 1851, is a son of Jona- than and Mary Ann (Crain) Beard, natives of Indiana, the former born in 1819, and the latter in 1829. They had three children- John C., S. C., and E. C. E. C. was reared and educated in Spen- cer County, Ind. He was married Dec. 16, 1873, to Mattie J., daughter of 'Squire William Harter, of Spencer County, Ind., born in June, 1856. They have two children-Clara E., born Oet. 1, 1874, and Myrtle, Oct. 29, 1877. Mr. Beard is a member of the Mutual Aid Society of Carmi, Ill.
William Beck was born in Jeffersonville, Ind., Nov. 16, 1845, and when he was eighteen months old his father came to White County, and settled on a farm four miles north of Carmi, in Burnt Prairie Township, where they lived eighteen years. William worked on the farm with his father, and learned the carpenter's trade in Carmi. He went to Evansville, Ind., and worked eight months; afterward returned to Carmi and worked at his trade there and in Grayville, where he bought a livery stable of Tom Sheridan. In eight months he sold out and returned to Carmi, and worked at his trade till 1879. IIe then clerked for his brother George six months, when he bought a half interest, and at the expiration of a year bought the entire stock. He now has a nice stock of dry goods, groceries, queen's-ware, etc., on First street, between Fack- ney and Sycamore, Carmi. He is a member of the Evangelical German church. Politically he has always been a Democrat.
C. F. Becker was born in Germany in 1834. He was a son of John Becker, who came to this country and State in 1837, with his family of wife and three sons, C. F. Becker being the youngest. When C. F. was fourteen years of age he learned the cooper's trade, and worked at it till the year of 1861, when he enlisted in Com- pany C, Sixtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; served his country two years and ten months when he was discharged on account of
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disability caused by a wound received at Caron Crow Bridge, La., by breaking his right foot while crossing a ravine on a retreat. At the same battle they lost over half their men, captured and killed. He returned home and engaged in the hotel business at Evansville, at the Farmers' House, for his brother John, as clerk. He remained with him till 1868, when he came to Carmi and built the stave factory and formed the company known as Becker, Rinewald & Co. This firm continued six years. In 1871 Mr. Becker met with the great misfortune of the loss of his right hand in culling staves. The fall of 1871 fire swept their property worth $8,000 clean from their hands without a cent of insurance. They at once rebuilt even more extensively than before, and to-day their factory stands as an active monument to the enterprise of Mr. Becker, and is one of the great drive-wheels to the business of Carmi. In 1874 Mr. Becker sold his interest in the factory to Mr. Geo. Siegler. During the years 1871-'72, Mr. Becker was a member of the Council and was a strong advocator of railroad enterprise and was a strong supporter of extending the funds. In 1871 he built the first boat ever built on the Little Wabash. It was called T. W. Stone. This he ran from Carmi to Scottsville three years, and acted as captain and pilot himself. This is the first and only boat that ever traversed these waters by steam. After quitting the stave factory he embarked in the saloon business, and to-day we find him the gentlemanly proprietor of a well-regulated saloon and a fine bill- iard parlor. Mr. Becker was married Nov. 3, 1856, it being the day after Buchanan's election. They have five children, one son and four daughters. He has been a member of the Order of Odd Fellows for the past fourteen years.
Thomas E. Boor, engineer of the Wabash & St. Louis R. R., was born in Marion County, W. Va., Jan. 7, 1844, and came to Carmi in July, 1877, where he has since resided. His parents, B. F. and Margaret (Mason) Boor, were natives of West Virginia, and died there, the father when Thomas was four years old, and the mother in 1869. He has five sisters living, he being next to the youngest child. He was married June 9, 1866, to Harriet Wilson, a native of Monongalia County, W. Va., born March 29, 1845. They have four children-Ida G., born April 1, 1867; Sarah Edith, Nov. 18, 1869; Benjamin F., March 6, 1877; John W., April, 1879. Mr. Boor is a member of Lodge 272, A. F. & A. M .; Lodge 121, A. O. U. W., and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers in Carmi. He owns the house and lot where he resides, north of the Wabash Railroad, Carmi.
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Frank Bowman was born in Durham, Feb. 27, 1824, and came to America in 1852, landing in New York and going to Cincin- nati, where he arrived July 15, 1852. He remained in Cincinnati five years, working at the blacksmith's trade. He then went to Madison, Ind., and remained two years. In 1858 he went to Vin- cennes, Ind., and worked at his trade in the machine shops till 1873, when he came to Carmi, where he has since resided, working in the Wabash Railroad shops. He was married in 1848 to Jane Hudson. They have six children-Robert, Jane, Ellen, Frank, Emma and Allie. He is a member of the Church of England.
Alexander K. Boyer, was born in White County, Ill., Feb. 22, 1842. His father, John Boyer, came from Cincinnati, O., to Shawneetown, Ill., in 1804, where he lived many years. He died near Enfield in 1864. His mother, Lidney (McCoy) Boyer, was born in Kentucky and died near Enfield in 1866. They have eleven children living-Sallie, Lillie, Lizzie, Catherine, Abner, Eliza, Julia, A. K., John H., Zachariah, Madeline, Margery. Alexan- der K. was a farmer till he was nineteen years old, when he en- listed in the Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and served two years and eleven months. He was in the siege of Vicksburg, Jackson and New Orleans. After his return home, he learned the blacksmith's trade, and has since that sime been working at it. He was married to Josephine Hebenthall, Dec. 25, 1869, a native of Louisville, Ky., born in June, 1851. They have one child- Harry, born July 29, 1873. Politically, he is a Republican.
J. H. Boyer was born in White County, Ill., July 19, 1845. He was a son of John Boyer, a native of Ohio, who came to Illinois in 1804, locating in Shawneetown. When he grew to manhood he chose farming for his life's avocation. J. H. Boyer made his home with his father till his death, which occurred in 1864. After this event he remained on the farm a short time, and then went to teaching school, at which he was employed principally for six or seven years. He then engaged as a clerk in a dry-goods store for B. L. Patrick, with whom he remained four or five years. At the expiration of this time he engaged in the harness and saddlery business one year. At this date, March, 1880, he entered into a partnership with T. M. Kerney, and bought a new stock of gro- ceries and located on the corner of {Main and Church streets. The firm name remained as Kerney & Boyer till May 1, 1882, when Mr. Boyer bought his partner's interest; he ran it alone only a few weeks, when he sold a half interest to his present partner, G.
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W. Harrison. This firm have a nice, fresh-looking store, filled with fine groceries and are doing a fine business. Mr. Boyer was mar- ried April 7, 1867, to Miss Mary J. Patrick, daughter of B. L. Patrick, of this city. They have three children-Willie, Daniel, Mary, ages twelve, seven and four, respectively. Mr. Boyer is a member of the order of United Workmen.
Z. T. Boyer was born in White County, Ill., in 1848. He was a son of Michael Boyer, a blacksmith by trade, a native of this county, who was born in 1828, and died here in 1854. His family consisted of four children, Z. T. being the oldest. He made his home at Enfield till he was twenty-eight years of age, with the exception of four years spent with his grandfather, after his fa- ther's death. Mr. Boyer began working at his trade when about ten years of age, but his time was occupied much of the time in school till he was eighteen, when he turned his whole attention to his trade. At the age of twenty-one he engaged in the harness- making business in company with W. M. Goudy, of Enfield, and remained in business till 1878, when he came to Carmi and opened a shop and ran it about one year when he shipped his stock to Lafayette, Ind., and staid three years. He returned to Carmi in January, 1881, and again resumed his business. He has a fine trade of about $8,000 yearly. Mr. Boyer was married in 1875, to Miss Fannie Dickinson, of this county. They have four children -Wesley G., Florence, John C., and Mary, the oldest being six years of age.
James R. Bozeman, of the firm of Malone & Bozeman, propri- etors of Ionia Mills, was born in White County, Ill., March 27, 1853. His father was also a native of this county, born in 1826, and died in Carmi in November, 1874. James R. is the oldest of six children. He was reared and educated in Carmi. He has worked in a mill for the past sixteen years, and is now one of the proprietors of the Ionia Mills, Carmi. He was married Oct. 4, 1876, to Mary I. Graham, a native of White County, born in 1852. Her father, S. Graham, is a native of Ohio, and came to White County in an early day. He is living in Carmi Township. Mr. and Mrs. Bozeman are members of the United Presbyterian church. Politically he is a Republican.
Henry Brandt was born in Holstein, Germany, Oct. 7, 1833, and came to America in 1867, landing in New York. He came to Parkersburg, Richland Co., Ill., and remained there four and a half years making wagons. In the spring of 1871 he came to
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Carmi, where he has since resided. He manufactures wagons, plows, and everything in the blacksmith line. He was married Jan. 10, 1858, to Catherine Hon, a native of Holstein, Germany, born June 4, 1833. They have six children-Mary, August, Min- nie, Frederick, Eliza, Louisa. Mr. Brandt is a member of the Presbyterian church. Politically he is a Democrat. He owns two houses and lots in Carmi, and also property in Parkersburg, Ill.
Gilbert M. Brown, butcher, pork-packer, and dealer in live- stock, Carmi, Ill., is a native of Edgar County, Ill., born May 18, 1854. His father, James H. Brown, born in 1819, was the first white child born in Edgar County. He is now living in Marshall, Clark Co., Ill. His mother, Catherine Bodine, was born in Ken- tucky in 1818. They had a family of ten children-Emeline, Alexander, Frank A., Anna, Josephine M., Maria, Gilbert M., Thomas W., James A. and Angelina. Alexander and Angelina are dead. They left Edgar County in 1861, and went to Terre Haute, Ind., and lived a year. Mr. J. H. Brown traded his farm near Terre Haute, known as the old Westbrook farm, and went to Greencastle, Ind., and engaged in the butcher and pork-packing business, which he continued eight years and then went into part- nership with Wm. Jarboe, at Brazil, Ind., in the grocery, butcher and pork-packing business on a large scale, and soon after moved his family there. Four years later Mr. Jarboe bought his part ner's interest, and Mr. Brown went to Knightsville, two miles east of Brazil, and engaged in the same business alone. Gilbert Brown went to Notre Dame University two years, 1872 and 1873, and then took a partnership with his father, and started a place in Bra- zil. He continued there three years, and then went to Marshall, Clark Co., Ill., in the fall of 1878, and went into partnership with his brother Frank, in the same business. He remained there till the winter of 1879-'80. From the spring to the fall of 1880, he acted as Marshal of the city of Marshall. In the fall of 1880 he went into business with Edward Bruce, of Terre Haute. In the winter of 1880 he came to Carmi and commenced to put up ice for the coming season, and not being able to get a suitable place, he built himself an ice-house, where he and his brother, Thomas W., are now located, the firm name being Brown & Brown. He is a member of the Catholic church. He is a descendant of Lord Baltimore. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Knights of Honor in Carmi, and is also leader of the brass band in Carmi, Ill.
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Samuel Chapman was born near Herald's Prairie, White Co., Ill., March 22, 1840. His father, John Chapman, was also a na- tive of White County. His grandparents were natives of Tennes- see, and came to this country in 1810. Samuel is the only son, but has three sisters-Mary, Sarah, now Mrs. Thomas Blackerel, and Nancy, now Mrs. Thomas Keeling. His father died when he was quite small. He was married in 1864, to Mrs. Elizabeth Trousdale, a native of Tennessee. They have two children-Will- iam L., born in October, 1865, and R. A. Gertrude, born in March, 1873. He has one step-daughter, Nancy B. Trousdale, born in 1862, the daughter of Felix Trousdale, who died in 1864. Mr. Chapman is a member of Carmi Lodge, No. 121, A. O. U. W. Politically he is a Democrat.
William R. Cochran, was born in White County, April 28, 1842, and was a son of Capt. Sanford Cochran. Mr. Cochran upon leaving school went to New Orleans, and was there when Fort Sumter fell. He returned from New Orleans and enlisted in the First Illinois Cav- alry, Company I, Captain O. Burrill commanding -- it being the first company that was organized in White County, the enrollment taking place May 11, 1861. This regiment were captured and cut to pieces at Lexington, Mo., excepting Companies H and I, that were doing scouting duty. In fact, they were never a part of the regi- ment, not having reached it. These two companies served as scouts for one year, and were discharged by a special order (No. 270, dated at the headquarters of the Department of the Mississippi. July 1), July 5. Upon his coming to Carmi, he attended school and clerked it at intervals, and attended school at Bartlett's Com- mercial College, and graduated in May, 1864, after which he taught school in the Cushman district for two years; after this accepted the position of bookkeeper for B. L. Patrick, which he has since held. Mr. Cochran married, Dec. 1, 1872, Miss Lydia A. Parker, daugh- ter of Jacob T. and Amelia (Tanquary) Parker. They have two children-Herman and Don.
Christian Cook was born in White County, Jan. 24, 1848, and was son of Charles and Rose (Geiger) Cook, both natives of War- temburg, Germany. They emigrated to White County, Ill- inois, 1847. Their family consisted of eight children; but four are living-Louisa (Mrs. Fred Winner), Laura (Mrs. Luther McHenry), Caroline (Mrs. Shelley Vaughn), Christian. Christian Cook com- menced studying physics in 1865, at the Eclectic Medical Institute
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Cincinnati, when but seventeen years of age, taking two courses, and graduated in 1869 from Humboldt Medical Institute, St. Louis. After his return from Cincinnati Mr. Cook came to Carmi, and com- menced practice, which he followed until the death of his father in 1867, when he finished his studies at St. Louis and began active practice in Carmi, where he has since been located as one of the leading physicians. Mr. Cook married Mary E. Kline, May 1, 1872. Their children born-Charles, Nellie and Hattie (deceased).
H. E. Craver was born at West Salem, Edwards Co., Ill., June 23, 1841. He was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Craver, formerly of North Carolina. Mr. Craver made his home with his father at the farm till he was twenty-two years of age, attending school in the winter. At this age he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry. He served his country six months, when the war closed and his sevices were use - less. After his return from the army he engaged to teach school three months, which he commenced the next day after his return. The Monday morning after his school closed, which was on Satur- day, he hired with N. McDowell, of West Salem, in the mercantile business, and remained with him seven years without being dis- counted a day. At the expiration of that time he took a short Western trip, after which he went to Carmi and hired to Mr. Viskniskki, in the grocery business. With him he remained about five months, when he took a position in J. C. Seminnom & Co.'s dry goods house He had been with them about five months, when the cholera broke out in Carmi, which caused a gen- eral stampede, and he, with the rest, vacated the place, return- ing home, where he remained but a short time, when he and J. C. Hunter engaged in the dry-goods business in Owaneco, Christian Co., Ill. Here he remained two years, when he sold out and came to Carmi. To illustrate a principle of Mr. Craver's life we will here make mention of another of his close connec- tions. He sold his interest to his partner, Mr. Hunter, at nine o'clock in the morning and came to Carmi and purchased a large grocery store before he went to bed. In this business he had for a partner Edwin E. Crebs, which partnership existed about four years, when, by mutual consent, they dissolved, and divided the stock. Mr. Craver conducted the business alone for ten months, when he was burnt out in January, 1881. Though meeting with a heavy loss, he was pushing business on Wilson's corner in a few days. Nov. 20, 1881, he moved into his present pleasant quarter,
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where we find him doing a fine business and enjoying the confi- dence of the people. Mr. Craver was married April 23, 1866, to Miss Martha Ann Lapp, of West Salem. They had one child- Lillie E. now fourteen years of age. Mrs. Craver died in 1867. Mr. Craver married Carrie Weirauch Sept. 29, 1875. They have two children-Harry W. and Howard H., aged seven and four, respectively. Both Mr. and Mrs. Craver are members of the Presbyterian church. Politically he is a sound Republican, though his father and five brothers and five brothers-in-law were strong Democrats.
James R. Crowder was born in Edwards County, Ill., May 22, 1844. His father, John H. Crowder, was a native of North Caro- lina and came to Illinois in 1829, settling in Edwards County. He came to White County and made Carmi his home till his death in 1870. During his life in Carmi he was Deputy Sheriff a num- ber of years. James R. was reared in Carmi. He enlisted in Company H, Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry, in the early part of the war, and served four years. He was in the Fifteenth Army Corps. The first battle he was in was Fort Donelson. He was in thirty-eight hard-fought battles besides a great many skirmishes. He was never wounded in battle, but while out foraging one of his comrades shot at a hog, the ball hitting it in the head, and pass- ing hit Mr. Crowder in the hip. When he came from the army he had $1,300 which he spent in an education, finishing at McKen- dree College, Lebanon, Ill. After he finished his literary course he attended a commercial college at Evansville, Ind. He then taught in White County for about ten years. In 1879 and part of 1880 he was bookkeeper for Gravett and Johnson. He then traveled selling tobacco and cigars. Aug. 21, 1882, he commenced keeping books for Geo. S. Staley and Ivey. He was married Aug. 30, 1872,to Amelia Gaston, a native of White County, born in 1854. They have three children -- Ervie G., born July 13, 1873; Cora G., August, 1875; Annie, Oct. 4, 1877. Mrs. Crowder is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Crowder is a Methodist in belief. He is a member of Lodge No. 230, A. F. & A. M., New Haven. Politically he is a Democrat.
Calvin Cushman was born in Maine, Aug. 15, 1808. He went to St. Louis, Mo., and from there to Lebanon, Ill., where he remained one year. He came to Carmi in 1838, and made his home with Wilson about three years. He learned the trade of a painter in the East, and after he came here carried on that business, having
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a number of hands under him; for about twenty years, at the same time was engaged in farming. In 1858 he was Deputy Sheriff, which position he held five years. Was Constable seven years, being Constable and Deputy Sheriff at the same time. Since that time has again been engaged in farming and painting. He owned at one time 320 acres, but now has only 240 acres on sections 17 and 20. The village of Trumbull is laid out on part of his land. He was married Oct. 25, 1842, to Julia A. Downs, a native of White County, born Oct. 20, 1822. They have four children- Lucius Downs, born Feb. 16, 1847; Mary A., now Mrs. F. B. Binghanı, boin June 18, 1850; Albert S., born Aug. 5, 1852; Vesta, A., born June 17, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Cushman are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he has always been a Republican. Both the boys are living at home with their parents. Lucius is engaged in farming and is also Constable of White County. Mr Cushman is engaged in raising grain of all kinds and also stock.
William Davis, born in Ohio, July 26, 1836, is a son of William and Jane (Harper) Davis, both natives of Ireland. The family moved to Indiana in 1848, where the mother died in 1855; the father died in 1874. They have six children living-James H., John, Harper, B. T., William and Sarah, the wife of Henry Martin, of Worthington, Greene Co., Ind. William is the third son. He was reared principally in Indiana. The most of his life he has been a carpenter. For the past fifteen years he has been railroad- ing; is at present foreman of the Cairo Division of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific R. R., the shops being in Carmi. He is a mem- ber of Lodge 323, I. O. O. F., at Spencer, Ind. He was married Aug. 16, 1855, to Nellie Giney, a native of Ohio, born June 26, 1837. They have three children -- Mary, Laura and John M. Mary is now the wife of R. A. Huff, of Spencer, Ind. Mr. Davis served three years in the late war, enlisting Oct. 26, 1862, in Company H, Ninety-seventh Indiana Infantry, Fifteenth Army Corps, and be- ing mustered out at Indianapolis, Aug. 26, 1865. He was in the engagement at Jackson, Miss., and the siege of Vicksburg.
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