USA > Illinois > White County > History of White County Illinois > Part 56
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John Brechner, born Aug. 14, 1848, in Dearborn County, Ind., is a son of John and Margaret (Smith) Brechner, natives of Ger- many. They came to the United States with a family of two chil-
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dren and located in Dearborn County, Ind., in 1843, settling on a farm. His father died there in 1852. His mother lived in Dear- born County until 1868, when she came to Grayville, White County, and died here in 1869, leaving four children, two sons and two daughters, all still living with the exception of one daughter. Johu Brechner lived on his father's farm till he was fourteen years of age, after the death of his father. IIe then went to Harrison, Hamilton Co., Ohio, and began the tailor's trade, where he re- mained until 1870. He was married in Harrison, Feb. 22, 1870, to Lizzie Theobald, a native of New York City and a resident of Franklin County, Ind. They have four children, one son and three daughters, all at home. March 1, 1870, Mr. Brechner landed in Grayville, and opened a tailor's shop, which he ran about a year; then was with Bulkley & Benedict one year. In 1873 he, together with J. E. Whitson, bought the tailoring and clothing department of the establishment and ran it successfully for between two and three years. These gentlemen dissolved partnership and Mr. Brech- ner and his brother Henry ran a clothing and tailoring establish- ment together till 1879. They dissolved partnership and Mr. Brechner and David Thornham opened a dry-goods and grocery store, which house is now doing a good and profitable business. They have a fine stock of goods, and the tailoring department, run by Mr. Brechner, adds a very important feature to their business. Politically Mr. Brechner is a strong Republican, and served on the Board of Council of Grayville during the year 1879-'80.
Daniel Bulkley, born April 5, 1814, in Westchester County, N. Y., was a son of William and Maria (Osbone) Bulkley. He was married Sept. 19, 1837, to Caroline Benedict, and in 1839 they came to Illinois and settled in Edwards County, on a farm. In 1841 he came to White County, where he afterward made his home. He was an active business man, and not only managed a large farm but did an extensive business in commission and mer- cantile trade In 1870 he came into the house which was under the firm name of Bulkley & Benedict. In 1872 it was changed to D. Bulkley & Son, and in 1877, to E. J. Bulkley & Co., which firm name still continues. He was also interested in a saw and grist mill, which he ran at different intervals. He died Jan. 30, 1882, leaving his large mercantile store to his son, E. J. Bulkley, who continues in the business so well established by his father.
Loron Burdick, M. D., born Oct. 8, 1828, in Norwich, Che- nango Co., N. Y., is a son of Wm. D. and Clarissa (Parks) Bur-
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dick, both natives of New York State. They moved in 1840 to North East, Erie Co., Penn., and lived twenty years. His father's life was largely devoted to practice of law, until he retired from business. He died in 1880, at Geneva, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, where he had moved from North East and had lived a retired life. Loron Burdick attended Alleghany College, at Meadville, Crawford Co., Penn., and from there to Cleveland, to the Western Reserve College of Medicine, and graduated from this institution in Feb- ruary, 1851. IIe then went into the marine hospital at Cleveland and remained two years in the United States' service. He came to Grayville, Feb. 14, 1857, commenced the practice of medicine, and has been in active practice ever since. He has been connected with the Republican party ever since its organization, and has acted with the party in political matters. He has been a member of the Town Council for three terms. He was married in 1860 to Sarah (Earl) Garrick, widow of P. E. Garrick, and a native of Vanderburgh County, Ind. In 1878 Dr. Burdick lost his wife, leaving him two children, Willie and Mary, both grown. He was married again Oct. 22, 1879, to Mary W. Meadlow, of Evansville, Ind. Dr. Bur- dick has been successful in his business, having a general practice, embracing surgery. He has a fine office fitted up, near his resi- dence, and takes great pride in keeping everything in order. He has paid special attention to surgery, and has been called many miles to attend to difficult cases. He has acquired a reputation, not only in this part of the country, but that extends all over Southern Illinois.
Caleb Butler, born in the county of Kent, England, Feb. 22, 1806, came to America with his parents, Isaac and Elizabeth But- ler. They settled in Edwards County, Ill., two and a half miles from Grayville, on land entered from the Government. He moved to Kentucky and remained a short time, but came back. In 1829 he married Lucy, daughter of Laban and Lucy Payne, who lived at Bonpas, about a mile from Grayville. Mrs. Butler was born in Kentucky, and came here with her parents. The Paynes were originally from Virginia. After Mr. and Mrs. Butler were first married they lived a short time on the homestead and then moved to Kentucky and remained a short time, then came back to this county. They lived in Albion a short time, and in 1839 came to Grayville. Mr. Butler now lives in Edwards County, about a mile from Grayville, where he has a small farm. Mrs. Butler died in July, 1882, in her seventy-sixth year. She left six children. Hers
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is the only death that has occurred in the family. Mr. Butler was Justice of the Peace from 1848 to 1876. He at one time took the census of Edwards County. He has always been a prominent man in the community, and his judgment greatly valned in legal and political matters.
Thomas P. Butler, born in Elkton, Todd Co., Ky., Sept. 1, 1833, is a son of Caleb and Lucy Butler. He was educated in the com- mon schools at and in the vicinity of Grayville. April 3, 1857, in IIancock County, Ky., he married Sarah Baldauf, a native of Pittsburg, Penn .. of German descent. Her parents came from Germany and lived in Pittsburg awhile, and then came down the river and located in Kentucky. Mr. Butler first learned the sad- dle and harness making trade, and worked at it till 1872. He then took a course of medical lectures in Kentucky, and afterward prac- ticed medicine in Mill Shoals, White Co., Ill., nearly two years, his family residing in Grayville. He then returned home and practiced a short time here, then abandoned his profession. For a number of years he has been practicing law in the smaller courts, and in April, 1881, was elected Justice of the Peace. Mr. and Mrs. Butler are the parents of eight children. Lucy, the eldest daughter, is the wife of George Smith, of Edwards County. The rest of the children are residing at home.
Abner Curey, born in Delaware County, O., Nov. 16, 1825, is a son of Stephen and Maria (Denton) Carey, natives of New York. Abner lived in Delaware County, Ohio, until he was nineteen years old, when he left for Martin County, Ind., and engaged in the manufacture of wheat fans; resided there about two years, and then went through Kentucky and the southern part of Illinois and settled in White County, at Grayville, in 1847, where he has since resided. IIe was in Georgia three years in the manufacture of wheat fans; went there partly for his health. Manufactured these fans in Grayville for the first year, and then went into a saw- mill; remained in this about three years, then in a flouring mill for twenty-two years, the firm being Carey, Stewart & Lanterman. Mr. Carey built the mill in 1855. In 1875 he bought the mill where he is now doing business. The mill burned in 1879; loss about $5,000; no insurance. He re-built and enlarged the mill, putting in new machinery, etc., and is now doing a good business. Mr. Carey was married September, 1852, to Emma Stewart, of Albion, Edwards County. They have five children, all grown- Saralı M., Chas. S., James A., Edwin D., Alice. Politically he is
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a Republican. Has served 'four terms on Town Council. Mr. Carey is a man that never dabbles in political matters, except al- ways putting in a vote for a party.
William Carothers, born Jan. 7, 1839, in County Donegal, Ire- land, is a son of Samuel and Rebecca (McMonagle) Carothers. IIis mother died in 1847, and his father came to America with his second wife and children in 1850 and settled in Grayville. Will- iam Carothers with a brother and sister came in 1854. His father died the same year. He went to New Orleans to meet his children, thinking he would be of some assistance to them, and was taken sick and died there. William Carothers worked at manual labor as he could find it up to the time the war broke out. He enlisted in Company G, Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry, Oct. 21, 1861, and joined the regiment at Hannibal, Mo. He was with the regiment in all its campaigns up to the time he was wounded. Was at the battles of Farmington, Corinth, Iuka, Miss., siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., Missionary Ridge. Tenn. This is a memorable day to Mr. Carothers, being wounded in this battle, which caused the loss of his right arm. About a month after the battle he was stationed in the field hospital at Missionary Ridge, and from there to Nashville. He then went in the reserve corps and was about eleven months in this and served his time out. He was dis- charged Oct. 24, 1864. He then came back to Grayville where he has resided since. In 1873 he made a visit to the old country, remaining away about four months. He was married March 4, 1869, to Eliza Stone, a native of Edwards County, near Albion. They have four children-Mary, Willie, Eliza and Samuel, living at home. Politically he has been voting the Republican ticket generally, but in county matters votes for the man of his choice.
J. M. G. Carter, M. D., was born in Johnson County, Ill., April 15, 1843. His father, Wm. B. Carter, a native of Ken- tucky, was a minister in the Methodist church, of the Southern Illinois Conference, and at the time of his death, in 1851, was at Nashville, Ill. His mother, Mary A. W. (Deans) Carter, is a native of Illinois, and is now living at Council Grove, Kan. In his young days he lived principally in Johnson and Williamson counties. He received his education at the Illinois State Nor- mal School, Bloomington, Ill., and at St. John's College, Little Rock, Ark., where, in 1873, he received the degree of . B. A. He commenced the study of medicine under Prof. J. S. Jewell, Chi- cago, and remained with him three years. He then attended
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Chicago Medical College two years, graduating in March, 1880, and was elected permanent Secretary of his class of forty mem- bers. He is to write a history of the class and their work every five years. He received # State teacher's diploma in 1872 which enables him to teach in any part of the State. During the first three years of his studies in Chicago he was teaching. He received the degree of M. A. from Mckendree College in 1881. He com- menced practicing in Chicago, but in the summer of 1880 came to Grayville, where he has built up a large practice. In the sum- mer of 1882 he built a fine residence in the city and has his office adjoining. He is a member of the White County Medical Soci- ety. He was married in 1873 to Eunice R. Northrop, of Fairfield, Vt. They have two daughters and one son. He enlisted in Oc- tober, 1861, in Company K, Sixtieth Illinois. IIe was at the bombardment of Island Number Ten. The company to which he belonged was sent to Mound City, Ill., and he was detailed hospital nurse. He was taken sick shortly after and was sent home on a thirty days' furlough. He then returned to his regi- ment at camp Big Springs, Miss., and from there was ordered to Tuscumbia, Ala. After a seventy-five-mile march they went into camp July 26. Aug. 28 they left Tuscumbia and marched to Nashville, via Athens, a distance of 175 miles, in ten days. During the last 100 miles they were annoyed by rebel cavalry and guerrillas, but met with no serious loss. From Nashville they were ordered to join Sherman at Chattanooga, just before the bat- tle of Lookout Mountain. He was with Sherman through Geor- gia and South Carolina to Fayetteville, N. C. Just as the regiment reached North Carolina at Rockingham he was captured and con- fined in Libby Prison twenty-two days, till the battle of Peters- burg, when he was paroled and sent to St. Louis, and from there home. He was discharged May 22, and mustered out at Spring- field.
Francis M. Charles was born Jan. 17, 1844, in White County, in what is now Phillips Township. His father was Daniel Charles, a native of Mecklenburg County, N. C. He was a descendant of Henry Charles, who emigrated to the United States and settled in North Carolina. In 1816 Henry Charles left North Carolina and moved to Illinois and settled in White County, in what is now Phillips Township, and died a few years after- ward. He caine in advance and looked at the country, and then went back to North Carolina and sent his family here.
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He stayed there about a year and then followed his family to their home in a new country. He only lived a short time after he came back. He was married to his second wife when he came here. Daniel Charles was the eldest son of Henry Charles by his second wife. Daniel Charles was married in 1827 to Hixey Stan- ley, a daughter of Needham Stanley. The Stanleys were early settlers of White County, having made their appearance here about 1811. They are also from North Carolina, and settled on adjoining tracts of land. Daniel always lived in this neighborhood till his death; in June, 1870, was thrown from a spring wagon and re- ceived an injury, which resulted in his death. His wife was born in May, 1806, in Posey County, Ind., and died in 1863. It seems that when the Stanleys came from North Carolina they intended to have come directly through to White County, but having reached Posey County, Ind., stopped there, owing to the Indians, who were in possession of this country, being hostile, and afterward completed their journey to this county. It was while they were in Posey County, Ind., that Hixey Stanley was born. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Charles were the parents of three sons, two of whom are now living. Francis M. lived on the old homestead until he was eighteen years old. He entered the Government service Feb. 1, 1862, in Com- pany H, Eighteenth Indiana Infantry. He was in the battle of Pea Ridge, and numerous skirmishes through Missouri and Ar- kansas, and was discharged Feb. 28, 1863, after serving thirteen months, on account of a lung trouble. He attended the Blooming- ton University, at Bloomington, Ind., in 1863, and studied dentis- try in Grayville with the late C. R. Smith in 1864. The same year he went East with his brother, Wm. Stanley Charles, who had com- mand of the Eighteenth Indiana Infantry, and participated with the regiment in Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, in the battle of Opequan, also at the battle of Fisher's Hill and at Cedar Creek. In this last engagement his brother, Brevet-Colonel Charles, was mortally wounded and was carried off the field by his brother Francis, who brought him home, where he died shortly after. In 1865 he resumed the study of dentistry again with his old preceptor. In 1880-'81 he took a partial course of lectures at the Ohio College of Dental Surgery at Cincinnati, and went back again in 1881-'82. IIe is registered under the State law and now practicing at Grayville. He was married Jan. 1, 1866, to Mary II. Gilbert, a native of White County, and daughter of Geo. Gilbert. They have seven children, five sons and two daughters, at home.
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A. Angelo B. Clarke, born in Posey County, Ind., July 25, 1843, is a son of J. Edward and Angeline (Harrison) Clarke. His father was a native of Portland, Me., born Sept. 29, 1826, and died in Grayville, April 19, 1877. His mother is still living in Gray- ville. He came to White County with his parents in 1854, and has since resided here. In September, 1857, he commenced to learn the trade of a miller and millwright in the Empire Mills. He remained there eight years, and in August, 1865, accepted a position in the Eagle Mills. In March, 1871, he went into partner- ship in the mill with J. B. Orange, but it being too small for their business, in February, 1873, they leased the old mill known as the Eureka Mills, and refitted it, putting in new machinery. This was run successfully till it was burned down. In July, 1879, he drew out his interest and accepted a position in the Empire Mills, which he still retains. Politically he is a Republican, though in local matters he does not confine himself to party principles. He en- listed in 1861 in Company E, Seventh Illinois Cavalry. While at Camp Butler a band of musicians was formed, and he was trans- ferred from the company to the band. He remained a member of it till the Government dispensed with regimental bands. After being in the service eleven months, he was discharged and returned to Gray- ville. IIe was married Jan. 23, 1864, to Anna Phelps, a native of Fairfield, Wayne Co., Iil., born April 1, 1843, and daughter of Hosea Phelps, an old settler of Wayne County. They have two chil. dren -- Mettie, born Dec. 10, 1864, and Carrie, July 20, 1867. Mr Clarke has been a member of the Presbyterian church seventeen years. His wife was a member before her marriage, and their daughters are brought up in that faith. Mr. Clarke commenced to work for himself when a small lad, at 75 cents a week. His early educational advantages were very limited, but having a great de- sire for an education, he applied himself to study in his spare moments, and has acquired a liberal education. He has a good library, embracing many costly volumes, which he adds to from time to time.
James F. Coles, born Jan. 29, 1828, in Emma Township, White County, is a son of William H. and Rachel (Garrison) Coles. His father was born in England, in 1804, and came to America in 1812; settled in Edwards County, and lived there all his life, with the exception of two years in Emma Township. He died in Edwards County, May 12, 1852. ITis mother, now living in Edwards County, was born in 1S06. There were nine children in their family that
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lived to be grown, eight of them now living. James F., the eldest child, lived on the homestead until he was twenty-six years old. He was married in 1855 to Jane Lucas, a native of White County, Phillipstown Precinct, daughter of David Lucas, deceased. He has been a farmer a good share of his life; kept a mercantile store at Elm Grove, Emma Township, for two years. In the spring of 1855 he built a livery stable in connection with his brother, Albert G. Coles. They ran the stable till 1860, when Mr. Coles had the stable alone for three years, and then took in Henry Butler. They continued in business four years, when Mr. Coles sold out to John Morey. He then with his sons continued in the same business, which they manage. He has seven children, three sons and four daughters, all residing in Grayville. On one occasion, when Mr. Coles was out hunting with Zekiel Russell, an old settler (now de- ceased) of Phillipstown, they killed sixteen deer in one day, and brought them home with them. This and similar exploits mark the early life of Mr. Coles, as in common with the early day of the county.
Robert H. Cooke, M. D., was born May 30, 1832, at Portsmouth, Ohio. His father, Hugh Cooke, was a native of Virginia, and died at Portsmouth in 1858, in his seventy-fifth year. His mother was Mercy (Stratton) Cooke, a native of Ohio, of French descent. Her parents were born in this country, of French descent. She died at the age of eighty-two years, in 1879, at Portsmouth, O. Robert Cooke was reared in Portsmouth, attended Marietta College prin- cipally: began the study of medicine in Portsmouth with Dr. II. G. Jones, now of Evansville, Ind .; was with him three years, and graduated at the Columbus Medical College, of Columbus, O., in March, 1858. His father died in August, the same year. He then moved to Evansville, and continued practice of medicine with Dr. Jones, who moved to that city a short time before; continued with Dr. Jones until 1861. Ile then received an appointment from the Gov- ernment to act in the marine hospital at Evansville, and remained there till the fall of 1863. During the war the hospital was turned into a soldiers' hospital. In 1863 he went to New York, and gradu- ated at the Bellevue Medical College of that city. In March, 1864, he received an appointment from President Lincoln to take charge of Camp Berry, at Washington City, and remained there till the close of the war. He then went to Carmi, and was married June, 1866, to Susan E. Webb, daughter of John Webb, and moved to Grayville and went into the hardware business, which he has been
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engaged in ever since. In 1SS1 he erected a fine business house, and transferred his stock, and increased it nearly one-half, and has one of the largest stocks of goods in the hardware line in White County. He is the proprietor of Cooke's Opera House, which is in the second story of his building, and is a model affair of this kind, and a large improvement to Grayville. The Doctor is a genial, active man; has always been used to hard work, being very ambi- tions, which is the cause of his success in life, and is one of the substantial citizens of Grayville. Dr. and Mrs. Cooke have three children, daughters. In 1875 the Doctor put up a fine brick resi- dence in a most desirable part of the city, which cost $6,000. The inside is beautifully and heavily finished, and is a residence that will compare favorably with any in the larger cities. It is arranged with hot and cold water through the house, and all heated by steam. It is the finest honse in the county.
James S. Coulter was born in Grayville Township, Oct. 31, 1822. His parents were Robert and Patsey (Roach) Coulter. Ilis father was a native of Delaware, and was a carpenter by trade. He came to White County in 1819, and was the first carpenter in Grayville. IIe was married here in Grayville Township in the spring of 1821, to Patsey Roach, a native of Tennessee. James S. was the eldest of their ten children. He first attended school in a little log school-house. He remained with his father, learning the carpen- ter's trade, until he was twenty-one, then went to St. Louis and worked at his trade two years; then returned to Grayville and mar- ried Margaret Covington, Jan. 2, 1846. She was born in Phillips Township, and was a daughter of Edmond and Elizabeth (Davis) Covington. Mr. and Mrs. Coulter had a family of three children, all dead. Mrs. Coulter died in April, 1851. Mr. Coulter then married Louisa Guthre, July 8, 1852. She was born in Posey County, Ind., and was a daughter of Peter Guthre. Mr. and Mrs. Coulter have had a family of eleven children, seven living-Thomas J., a carpenter in Grayville; E. E. F., an engineer at Little Rock, Ark .; Margaret C., Earnest, Hattie A., Edith and Mary. Mr. Coulter, after his marriage in 1846, settled in Grayville, where he has since resided. He owns a residence in the south part of Gray- ville, where he and family reside. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. She has been a member of this church thirty-eight and he thirty years. Mr. Coulter helped build some of the first frame houses in the county, and since that time has built stores, churches and residences all over the county. In
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politics he was first an old-line Whig, but since the organization of the Republican party has been one of its strong supporters. Mr. Coulter's father was in the war of 1812; was one of the first to enlist, and remained in the service until the close of the war under old Hickory Jackson.
Francis M. Coulter, born Aug. 7, 1833, near Grayville, White County, is a son of Robert and Patsey ( Roach) Coulter. His father was a native of Delaware and his mother of Tennessee. Robert died in 1846, and his wife, Patsey, in 1848. Mr. Coulter lived on a farm until he was fifteen years old, when he began at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for fifteen years. He enlisted, in 1862, in Company B, Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry. He held the rank of First Lieutenant, Oct. 4, 1864, and acted as Quartermaster of the regiment up to his discharge. He left Shawneetown with the regiment to the front, in Feb- ruary, 1863, and was with the regiment in all its campaigne up to the close of the war. He was mustered out of service in June, 1865. He was at the siege of Vicksburg, the siege of Jack- son, and was in the Red River expedition under General Banks; afterward was stationed at different posts till the close of war. After he came home he engaged at the carpenter's trade for a short time, when, in 1872, he entered the employ of the Cairo & Vincennes Railroad, which, in October, 1881, passed into the control of the Wabash. Ile is the station master, and has filled this position for ten years. He was married in October, 1866, to Julia, daughter of Dr. Archibald Spring. She was born in Albion, Edwards County, November, 1836. Mr. Coulter is a member of the Masonic society, Sheba Lodge, No. 200.
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