Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 137

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1058

USA > Illinois > Crawford County > Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical > Part 137

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In 1871 Mr. Athey married Euphemia Kirk, daughter of James and Keziah (Patterson) Kirk, and after marriage moved onto the farm where William Wood now lives. A year later he came back to the homestead where he remained two years, when he and his wife went to live on her mother's farm, her father then being deceased. Mr. Athey took charge of this farm and after operating it two years, bought 68 acres near his present farm. They remained on the farm of his mother-in-law until he built a home on his own farm. Mr. Athey has added to his hold- ings until he now owns 159 acres.

Mr. and Mrs. Athey have had the following children : William Herbert, born September 20, 1872; James Thomas, born January 26, 1876. November 11, 1901, William married Ella Lamb, a daughter of Isaac and Scisly (Ryan) Lamb. Isaac Lamb is a farmer of Prairie Township. James Thomas married, June 5, 1900, Mabel [. Condon, a daughter of Louis Henry and Nancy E. (Brace) Condon, her father being born April

11, 1836, and her mother May 2, 1837. They were married April 7, 1856, and became the parents of the following .family : George Steph- ens, born June 26, 1859 ; Edgar Elias, born April 3, 1860; Isaac Newton, born July 27, 1862; Carrie A., born September 13, 1864; Ada Libbie, born April 11, 1868; Louis Kinnie, born June 2, 1874; Mabel Iva, born February 5, 1879, and Nancy. The three older boys are in Butte, Mont., engaged in general merchandising busi- ness. Louis served for one term in the United States Navy, and is now a painter. The rest of the family live on Princeton Avenue, Chicago.

James Thomas Athey attended school until he was fourteen years old, when he went to Robinson High School for a year. He then at- tended the U. C. College at Merom, Ind., for a year, after which he taught school, beginning at eighteen years of age and continuing until he was twenty-one. He then went to Chicago and worked for the Union Traction Company for five years, later married in Chicago, and brought his family home.

Mr. Athey has three wells on his property producing 50 barrels per day. He belongs to Crawford Lodge No. 666 A. F. and A. M., and has been a Master Mason for fifteen years. In politics he is a Democrat, although lie is not an office-seeker. For many years he has been a member of the Christian Church, and is liberal in his support of it. Mr. Athey is a prosperous, self-made man, and has many friends through- out tlie county.

ATHEY, William F. (deceased), formerly a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Hutson- ville Township, was born in Licking County, Ohio, July 17, 1833, a son of Robert Athey, born in Fauquier County, Va., April 23, 1801. In 1830 Robert Athey moved to Licking County, Ohio. and in the fall of 1850 located in Crawford County, Ill., finally retiring to a farm of 200 acres in Hutsonville Township. His father was Elijah Athey, who was also born in Virginia and came of Scotch descent. The death of Elijah Athey occurred in Ohio in 1836 at the age of eighty-four years. The mother of William F. Athey was a Miss Eliza Smith before marriage, who was born in Virginia and died in 1835, aged thirty, having borne her husband three children, of whom William F. Athey was the second. The early life of William F. Athey was spent on his father's farm, and he secured a common school education in his neighborbood. When he was twenty-one years old he began working as a hired man, but in 1859 bought 80 acres of land which he later increased to 960 acres. all in one body. He raised considerable stock and dealt extensively in that line. In 1859 he mar- ried Adeline Newlin, a native of Crawford County. In politics he was a Democrat.

BAILEY, Samuel .- A very prominent figure in Crawford County oil fields, and a man of influ- ence in his own community, is Samuel Bailey, of Section 28, Martin Township, who was born

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in Clay County, Ind., November 7, 1843, a son of William Bailey. The latter was the son of Abram Bailey, who owned a large plantation in Alabama. Until he was thirty years old William Bailey remained with his father, but was then married to Rachel Littlejohn, daughter of Samuel Littlejohn, a farmer. Seven children were born of this marriage: Polly, Henry, John, Samuel, Thomas David, Susan and Sarah. At the time of his marriage William Bailey went to Crab Orchard, Ky., and from there moved to Clay County, Ind. From Clay County he came to Crawford County iu August, 1847, and for the following winter rented a home in Robinson Township. He then moved to Martin Township, and bought about an acre on which to build a home. Here he lived until about 1852, when his death occurred in March of that year. His wife survived him for several years.

Samuel Bailey was brought by his parents to Crawford County when he was four years old, and his first school experience was obtained at Hardinsville where there was a log school house. He had to walk about three miles to school. The next school was called the Templetou School and was supported by subscription. On account of lack of money he was not able to attend school very much, but he carefully remembered all he learned, and when in 1858 the free schools were established, he eagerly embraced the opportunity then offered, and attended until he was twenty. although all the time he was attending school he helped his mother aud remained with her until his marriage at twenty-six. This occurred January 31, 1869, when he was married to Emily E. Carter, a daughter of Joseph Carter, a farmer. She was born and reared and educated in Honey Creek Township, Crawford County. The maiden name of her mother was Susan Dunlap, a daugh- ter of William Dunlap, who lived in Honey Creek Township, where he died. William Dunlap was an early settler of La Motte Township. At the time he came to Crawford County Indians were numerous in the county.

Although Mr. Bailey wanted to prove his pa- triotism and go into the war, he yielded to ad- vice and remained at home to look after his mother. Prior to his marriage he bought ten acres of land, and he and his bride began their married life there in a log cabin, which he soon replaced with a better dwelling. Iu 1879 he bought his present property of 80 acres, and ever since has been adding to his holdings. He pur- chased the interests of the other heirs in the old home, and bought 40 acres adjoining it. He has 160 acres in Claremont Township. Richland County, three miles west of Sumner, and 120 acres near Bridgeport. At one time he owned. 480 acres. In 1907 oil was discovered on his property and he now has eight wells in active operation.

Mr. Bailey has always voted the Democratic ticket, and has taken an active part in local af- fairs. He served as Constable of Martin Town- ship for twelve years, and for eight years was Bailiff of the Court for the Grand Jury at Robin-

son, and for six years served as Township Com- missioner. Like his father before him, he is a consistent member of the Baptist Church, in which he is a deacon. His wife is also a member of and active worker in the church, and both are very popular in it and in the community gen- erally.

BAILEY, Thomas David .- The generation of to- day has no conception of what those who pre- pared the way for them endured of privation, lack of comforts and sometimes even of necessi- ties, in order to accomplish great ends, and de- velop this wonderful Middle West. Thomas D. Bailey, of Section 31, Martin Township, is a native of Crawford County, and passed through many experiences that his children cannot now realize. He was born in Robinson Township, No- vember 1, 1849, a son of William Bailey, who was a native of Alabama, where he owned a plantation, and was there married to Rachel Lit- tlejohn, daughter of Samuel Littlejohn. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bailey came to Crawford County in wagons drawn by horses. stopping first for a short time in Indiana. They located in Martin Township, and there the pa- rents died, the father about 1855 and the mother in 1886.

Like many young men of his day. he was reared on the farm and received his education in various subscription schools. Remaining at home until twenty-four years old. he was then married to Sarah Jane Carter, daughter of Joseph and Susan (Dunlap) Carter. Mrs. Bailey was born in Crawford County, and here reared. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have children as follows : William Frank, Rachel Ann, Samuel, Thomas Henry, John, Joseph, Sarah Emily, Della. Archie and Bessie H. Mrs. Bailey is a member of the Baptist Church, to which Mr. Bailey is a very liberal contributor. In politics he is a Democrat, and has served as Township Commissioner for three years. Brought up to hard work and strict discipline on the farm, Mr. Bailey developed into a sturdy farmer of remarkable force of char- acter, an upright man, and one who holds the confidence and esteem of his neighbors. He owns a farm of 132 acres. which he has lived on for over twenty years.

BAKER, Edward Sheridan, attorney-at-law, Robinson, Ill. Of commanding presence and lofty character. always maintaining the highest conception of his profession. and marked by an intensiveness of purpose and of serene integrity, Edward Sheridan Baker. Postmaster of Robin- son. Crawford County, Ill., is a man who, for a long period, has exerted an influence on public men and public measures for the ultimate good of both. Mr. Baker was born in Fountain County, Ind., December 25, 1872, a son of Allen and Melvina (McMasters) Baker, the father, Allen Timberman Baker, also being born in Fountain County, October 31. 1826. The grand- father, Andrew Baker, came from Virginia to Indiana, in 1825, and his father, Christopher

Mary H. Jones.

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Baker, came from Germany. The mother was born in Parke County, Ind., April 15, 1837, a daughter of Andy and Julia ( Jones) McMasters. The grandfather McMasters was from North Carolina.

Edward S. Baker attended the common and high schools of Robinson, being graduated from the latter with honor May 17, 1894, as valedic- torian of his class, and later served as a teacher of public schools for some years throughout the county. In those days the young people were willing to undergo some hardships to secure an education. While attending school in Robin- son, Mr. Baker walked three and a half miles to and from school each way daily, no matter what was the weather, and he believes the exertion did him good. Deciding upon the law as a pro- fession, Mr. Baker entered the office of Calla- han, Jones & Lowe, as a student, and for two years read law in that connection, October 15, 1897, being admitted to the Bar. In May of the following year he began practice, and a year later became the junior member of the firm of Jones, Eagleton & Baker. When Judge Jones retired a year later, the firm became Eagleton & Baker, and thus continued until February 20, 1907, when President Roosevelt appointed him Postmaster of the city of Robinson, a position which he still fills. Mr. Baker was honored by the people of Robinson by election to the office of City Attorney, which he occupied two years, has also served as Deputy Circuit Clerk, and was Secretary of the Commercial Club of Rob- inson. Fraternally he is a member of the A. F. & A. M. He affiliates with the Baptist Church, in which he has been deacon since 1892, as well as a member of the Board of Trustees. He is Superintendent of the Sunday School and leads the singing in that body.

On September 1, 1897, at Hutsonville, Ill., Mr. Baker was married to Miss Ida Everingham, daughter of George B. and Anna (Musgrave) Everingham, a prosperous farmer living near Hutsonville. Mr. Everingham served during the Civil War as Captain of Company F, Sixty- second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as did Mr. Baker's father, the latter being a member of Company H, Sixty-third Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, and both are members of the G. A. R. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have children as follows: Dorothy, born June 8. 1898; Bertram Raymond, born February 22, 1900; Andrew Everingham, born September 10, 1901; George Allen, born October 31, 1903; Clarence Edward, born No- vember 11, 1905, and Helen Theodora, born March 17, 1908.

The Baker home is on West Main Street, one mile outside of the city of Robinson, and is a handsome residence which is modern in every respect and can be seen for miles around, stand- ing in the midst of a 60-acre farm which has been brought up to a high state of cultivation. By his honorable professional career as a pub- lic official, his thoughtful interest in other per- sons and things, and by his genial social quali- ties, Mr. Baker has well earned the confidence

and esteem of his fellow townsmen and all who know him.

BAKER, Joseph S .- When Crawford County. Ill., was still almost undeveloped prairie and timber land, and while wild game was plentiful. was born in Knox County, Ky., on October 11, 1842, Joseph S. Baker, who was later destined to make Crawford County his home. He is a son of Andrew Jackson Baker, now deceased, who was born in North Carolina, but following the westward stream of emigration, came to Ken- tucky when a young man, and was there married to Nancy Sutherland. She was born in Clai- bourne County, Tenn, and died in Arkansas, while the father died in Kentucky. Joseph S. Baker is the third child in the family of seven children-three sons and four daughters-born to his parents.

Joseph had barely finished his education in the district schools when war was declared, and fired with patriotism, he enlisted in Company G, Fifteenth Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, and served for twelve months, participating in the Siege of Vicksburg, where he was taken prisoner. Later he was paroled, and returned home, and from there came to Illinois, but in 1863 re-en- · listed in the Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry and served until the close of the war, when he returned to Illinois and was mustered out at Springfield. His brother Solomon also served in the Civil War. Liking the locality, Joseph settled on his present farm in Honey Creek Township. and on November 27, 1865, was married to Virginia Updike, a native of Craw- ford County, where she was reared. Mrs. Baker is a daughter of John and Mary ( Warner) Up- dike, now deceased, who were of the pioneers of Honey Creek Township. Coming from Virginia at an early day, Mr. Updike entered land from the Government. Although he then had six sons, all are now deceased. Mrs. Baker, like her hus- band, was educated in the early schools of the township, and there they became acquainted and the friendship thus formed later ripened into love.

When Mr. and Mrs. Baker first settled on their property it consisted of 90 acres, but Mr. Baker has gradually added to it until he now owns 471 acres, the greater part of which he has cleared and added all the improvements, including a comfortable residence and good barn. For forty- three years he has carried on general farming and stock-raising with gratifying results, and he is justly regarded as one of the representative farmers of his locality.

Mrs. and Mrs. Baker have had the following family : Cornelia Calvin, Charles Millard, Sa- mantha Elzora, Roselia, John Everett, Elmer. and Alvin (deceased), all born in the township. Mr. Baker is a Democrat, and a member of the Methodist Church. He has been a hard worker all his life, and is now living retired from active labors, enjoying the prosperity that is his. Al- though he has never sought public preferment, he has always taken an interest in township af-

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fairs, and has been willing to bear his part in whatever promised to prove beneficial to the com- munity.

BAKER, W. C .- The more thorough training of the schools and the more rigorous preparation demanded for business life have assisted in quali- fying the young men of the present day for work that awaits them, and the enterprises controlled by them are not only those that handle the largest amount of trade but they are the ones that have the most influence upon the commercial activity of the community in which they are lo- cated. W. C. Baker, of the real-estate firm of Finley & Baker, of Robinson, Crawford County, Ill., is one of the progressive young business men of this part of the State, .his long association with the several oil-producing concerns, with which he has been identified, having given him a very valuable experience and especially fitted him for his present undertaking, which although a young one, shows a healthy and remarkable increase. Mr. Baker was born in the village of Rynd Farm, Pa., February 4, 1882. a son of Will- iam and Sarah (Groser) Baker, and comes of good old Pennsylvania stock, on both sides of the house. William Baker is one of the leading con- tractors and oil-producers of Oil City, Pa.

Mr. Baker was given a good education and, after completing his school course, engaged as clerk in Oil City on August 15, 1900, for the Ohio Oil Company, and for the next seven years con- tinued in the employ of this company, in the meantime having been stationed in four different States. Two years were spent in Findlay, Ohio; one year in Montpelier, Ind., and in 1906 he was sent to Marshall, Ill., to take charge of the pro- ducing department there. On June 1, 1907, he resigned to come to Robinson, Ill., to take charge of the Mahutska Oil Company's office under D. T. Finley. Mr. Finley and Mr. Baker formed a friendship which resulted in their both resigning March 1, 1908, to form a new real-estate firm under the name of the Finley & Baker Realty Company. Mr. Baker is also treasurer and a stockholder in the Mitchell Oil Company.

Mr. Baker was married in Muncie, Ind., on August 7, 1907, to Miss Emma Elliott, of Mont- pelier, Ind. In religious belief he is an Episco- palian.

BARLOW, Dr. Columbus, son of Jesse and Re- becca (Biggs) Barlow, was born near Eaton, Ill., April 27, 1847, and was the fourth in a direct line of physicians, his father and mother both practicing in an early day. His father at one time had a large herb garden, and his knowledge of herbs and their uses was marvel- ous and known far and near. In the remoter line, these doctors are of a family which has achieved things professionally, for there stand out among them such men as John Marshall, the great Chief Justice, and Joel Barlow, poet and statesman.

Columbus was the youngest of fourteen chil- dren. When seven years old he was afflicted with

white swelling, which left him a cripple for life. During this illness his father died, leaving the request that the boy should have the benefit of a medical education. As a child he was delicate and was favored by every one. All through life the fact that he was a cripple was a drawback, but it seemed to strengthen his de- termination to accomplish great mental things. When able he attended the country school, con- tinuing until he had completed its course. After his school days he worked in a wagon and car- riage shop for six years to raise money for his professional education, reading several hours a day, and for the last two years, devoting eight hours a day to medical study (with Dr. Samuel J. Griffith directing his studies), and eight hours to manual labor. He was now twenty-four years old, and during that year married Miss Maria Athey, who died three years later, as did their two children. After three years alone he married Mrs. Sarah Smith Price, and it need not be said that a marriage was ever more felicitous.

Dr. Barlow attended two courses of lectures at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Sur- gery, but during this time was compelled to economize while in school, having not more than one suit of clothes at a time and often doing his own cooking. He graduated June 27, 1877, and on July 4th, following, entered upon the practice of medicine at Eaton. This was a small town and his practice was that of the country doctor. His office was small and poorly equipped, all of the furniture being made by his own hands. He made his chairs, bookcase and operat- ing table. The latter had all the movements of the more modern tables. The first box of drugs he received was emptied and nailed up again, using it for a stool. It was in almost constant use during his practice at Eaton, which con- tinued until 1895. The box is still in existence, and carved upon its sides are the names of men who studied under him, a dozen names, all a credit to the profession. At one time his office was called the Medical College, and all these students became workers in medical societies and members of some one or the other of the churches. All of his life he was helping boys to obtain an education, both by encouragement and by furnishing means. His practice at Eaton was a strenuous and laborious one. He treated men, women and children for miles around, going through all weathers and at all hours. Often he visited a patient when he was the sicker of the two. He treated rich and poor alike, and often left money instead of collecting it. Among his papers was found a slip with a number of Bible references written and, at the top, "Bible authority for helping the poor." He believed in this and lived up to it. He was not only the people's doctor, but he helped them and sympathized with them in every way, and was always using every effort to build up and better the little community in which he lived.

In 1881, Dr. Barlow took a postgraduate course at Rush Medical College, Chicago ; did some post-

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graduate work in 1893, and in 1894 took the general course at the Postgraduate Medical School, Chicago. In 1895 he moved with his family to Robinson. Here he formed a partner- ship with Dr. Firebaugh which lasted for eight years. Soon after removing there he was made an elder in the Christian Church, and was always useful and active in every good work.

Dr. Barlow took an active interest in medical societies and instilled that interest in all of his students. These societies came next to his God and his family in his affections. In an article on the importance of medical societies he says in part: "Through the influence of medical socie- ties human existence has been prolonged, and the splendid homes all over the country maintained in their present sanitary condition; and, more than that, it cements the doctors together in one great fraternity, which is monumental to strength and efficiency when its forces are prop- erly harmonized." From 1883 to 1906 he missed but four of the bimonthly meetings of the Craw- ford County Medical Society and during his residence at Eaton he had to drive nine miles to attend them.

Dr. Barlow was President of the Crawford County Medical Society in 1883, and its Secre- tary 1892-93 ; a member of the Esculapian So- ciety of the Wabash Valley, and held the office of President in the latter society ; a member of the Illinois Medical Society and serving as a mem- ber of the Board of Councilors and of the Amer- ican Medical Association; Vice-President of the National Tuberculosis Commission ; was an aux- iliary committeeman of the first Pan-American Medical Congress, and had been twice appointed United States Pension Examining Surgeon.

To medical literature he contributed many papers. His paper on "Personal Hygiene" was the most elaborate and written more in detail than any of the others. He also published a book entitled, "Day Dreams of a Doctor," which deserves more than a passing notice. It was reviewed by the press all over the country with much praise and he received many personal let- ters in regard to it from other authors and friends, among them Donald G. Mitchell, Dr. Matthews and one from Miss Marie C. Brehm.

Dr. Barlow had been ailing for several years before his death, and it was only by constant pleading on the part of his family that he was persuaded to leave his practice and take a trip to Colorado. He was always loyal to his pro- fession, and his perseverance was remarkable. He attended meetings almost to the last and took part in them just as long as his strength would permit. He had an indomitable will, and it is to that will, perhaps, more than to any- thing else, that he owed his success. He was a deep thinker, a careful reasoner, and sound in his judgment, which with a pleasant disposition, made him a factor long to be remembered.

Through all of his sufferings he seldom grew discouraged and always talked about opening a new office. He took a course of treatment at Hot Springs a few weeks before his death, and

not until that failed to help him did he begin to give up. He wanted to live for his family and his profession, but -the thoughts of death were not even unpleasant to him. He had per- fect faith and always said it was just a little chauge in his life-a little journey and then wait a while until he would see his friends again. All through his sickness, his stepson, Dr. Price, was a help and a comfort. The Doctor was confined to his bed only a little more than two weeks, during which time he seemed to suffer but little. He passed away October 8, 1907, entering into a sleep as peaceful and serene as his life had been.

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Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 137

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1058

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1058