Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 152

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 152

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KINCAID, Stewart (deceased) .- Called away from an active career in the very prime of life, Stewart Kincaid naturally left much undone, but he left behind in the hearts of his family the memory of a kindly, Christian gentleman, oue whose purpose was to make of his life some- thing worthy to be remembered, and to increase the happiness of those about him. He was pos- sessed of many excelleut qualities which those who knew and loved him best fully appreciated, and, although more thau a quarter of a century has now passed since his demise, he is still affectionately recalled, uot only in his immediate circle, but by those who were his neighbors. Mr. Kincaid was born in Fountain County, Ind., Au- gust 31, 1841, a son of Alexauder Kincaid, who came to Crawford County in 1841, bringing his family with him in a wagon. The household goods were shipped by boat dowu the Wabash River. Arriving iu Crawford County, Alexauder Kincaid settled six miles south of Palestine, Ill., where he bought 80 acres of timber land, iuclud- ing a small two-room log house. With charac- teristic personal energy and with the help of hired labor, he cleared off his land and improved it. His wife, Luciuda Jennie, was born in Ver- mont, and they were married on November 29, 1840, and became the parents of six children.

Stewart Kincaid was brought by his parents to Illinois while an infant, and was reared in Crawford County, attending what was then called

the Logan school. When he became old enough he assisted his father on the farm, and remained with him until he attained his majority. At that time he bought property of his own, and there his family still resides.

On May 21, 1865, Mr. Kincaid married Lydia Ann Fuller, a daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Shaw) Fuller, the latter being a daughter of Joseph and Narcissa Shaw. Mr. and Mrs. Kin- caid became the parents of six children: George P., born May 15, 1866 ; Samuel T., born July 17, 1867; Nelson R., born March 14, 1870, died July 5, 1895; Charles E., boru October 3, 1871; The- rou Rush, born March 29, 1873, and Stewart W., born October 12, 1875. -

Mr. Kincaid was killed by a horse on August 26, 1875. He went into the barn to unharuess his horses, but some hours haviug passed without his return to the house, Mrs. Kincaid became alarmed and went to look for him. The shock can well be imagined when she found him lying dead with the prints of the horse's hoofs on his chest. Iu his death the ueighborhood lost a most worthy citizen aud his family a devoted husband and father. During his active manhood, Mr. Kiucaid was a farmer and stockman on Section 25, Montgomery Township.

George P. Kincaid married Mattie Self, daugh- ter of Thomas Self, a farmer of Crawford County, Indiana, and is a blacksmith at Heath- ville, Ill. Samuel T., after attending the same school as his parents, now known as the Wheeler School, married Eliza Jane Browniug, daughter of Elias and Ellen (Keut) Browning. She also attended the Wheeler School, and their childish affection matured into a love that resulted in their marriage, October 1, 1888. They are the pareuts of these children : Harold B., born April 22, 1890; Graydou E., born September 5, 1892; Tura E., born August 12, 1895 ; Tressa A., born January 24, 1898; Stewart Miles, born March 10, 1902; and Marshall, born December 7, 1905. Harold is attendiug college at Merom, Iud., while the rest are at school at home. Charles E. mar- ried Floreuce Cawthorn, June 6, 1897, at Brad- ford, White County, Ark., and they are the par- ents of two children: Ethel Alma, born Febru- ary 11, 1899; Oscar W., born June 23, 1904. Charles E. now resides in Wayne County, Ill., near Johnsonville. Theron Rush married Flora Belle Seaney, daughter of Leauder Seaney, Sep- tember 18, 1898. They live in Wayne County, Ill., and are the parents of children as follows : Clem, born June 23, 1899; Frauces 'May, born May 2, 1901 ; Nelson Bryan, born September 2S, 1903; Hazel A., born September 3, 1905, aud a boy, boru December 4, 1907. Stewart W. mar- ried Leuora Mann, August 29, 1904. She is the daughter of Allen Mann of Robinson, Ill. They have two children: Myrtle Rochelle, born Oc- tober 25, 1901, aud Stewart Alleu, born April 19, 1907. Stewart W. is a lawyer, and resides at Paris, Ill.

KINCAID, Willoughby .- The farming interests of Crawford County occupy the time and atten-

J'ai Stifler and

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tion of many of the most representative citizens of their locality, whose energy and thrift have played so important a part in the development and advancement of their locality. Probably no section of the State is more richly endowed by . nature for the successful prosecution of agricul- tural pursuits than this locality, and intelligent men have not been slow to grasp the opportuni- ties offered. Among those who have made farm- ing pay well upon their investment is Willoughby Kincaid of Section 25, Montgomery Township, a farmer and stockman. He was born in the township in which he now resides, October 16, 1866, a son of Edward Kincaid, also a native of Crawford County.

Willoughby Kincaid was reared and educated in his native township, and when not in school worked on his father's farm. On May 4, 1887, he married Alice Shaw, a daughter of Joseph and Lydia E. Shaw. Mrs. Kincaid was born and reared in the county. The children born to them are: Leona, born February 5, 1888; Virgil, born February 21, 1891, died December 18, 1907 ; Jos- eph Edward, born June 10, 1894; Amy, born March 2, 1896; Homer, born November 18, 1897, and Grace, born December 12, 1902.

Immediately after his marriage Mr. Kincaid moved to his own farm, and his family still re- side there. Their first dwelling contained two rooms, and the farm consisted of 50 acres, which Mr. Kincaid improved. He afterwards bought the old homestead, and moved the house to his original farm, and also made additions to it. He purchased 40 acres of the homestead farm, and now owns 921/2 acres, all in excellent condition, and devotes his attention to general farming and stock-raising.

Mr. Kincaid has voted the Democratic ticket since reaching manhood, and is a member of the Union Christian Church, as also are his family, and of which he is a Trustee. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Heathville, Ill., and is now Treasurer of liis lodge. Mr. Kincaid has a blacksmith shop on his property and for twelve years has followed the trade of blacksmithing, making a specialty of horse-shoeing. Owing to their superior grade, his Jersey cattle and French coach-horses meet with a ready sale at fancy prices wherever of- fered.

KING, Henry W., for many years a farmer of Robinson Township, was born at Mount Vernon, N. Y., December 31, 1815, a son of Joel and Lulu (Loy) King, he born January 22, 1774, in Mas- sachusetts, and she in New York. They were married May 4, 1797. Joel King was a farmer and later a shoemaker. He and his wife had ten children, of whom Henry W. was the youngest. The marriage of Henry W. King occurred at Lex- ington, Ky., when he was united to a Miss Utley, daughter of John Utley. After marriage he en- gaged in merchandising in Cincinnati, under the firm name of King, Shipley & Co., which house later became King, Corwin & Co. Selling his in- terests in 1860, for the following nine years Mr.

King clerked in Cincinnati, and then in the latter year came to Robinson Township, where he bought property and later made investments in Casey Township, Clark County, and in Jasper County, and when he died left a large estate. Mr. King was a Democrat in political falth.

KING, Ira (deceased), for many years a pros- perous farmer of Robinson Township, Crawford County, was born in New York State, January 22, 1822. His parents brought him to Illinois when he was a child, and they settled in Edgar County, where his father died. Later, in 1829, his mother brought her family to Crawford County, which was his home until his death. The family settle- ment was made seven miles west of Robinson. Mr. King became possessed of considerable prop- erty, owning at one time 120 acres in one farm and 80 acres In another in Robinson Township ; 400 acres in Oblong Township; 3,000 acres of un- cultivated land in the Embarras River bottom, as well as a $10,000 residence in Robinson. In June, 1846, Mr. King married Caroline Beck- with, of Crawford County, who bore him three children : Eliza, Mary and Horace F., who lived to maturity, and Sophla E. and Annis, who died earlier in life.

KIRK, David W .- Proper credit will scarcely be given to the bravery, the persistence and the endurance of the pioneers until what they ac- complished is fully appreciated. They not only made long and dangerous journeys to reach their backwoods homes, but located upon land which. if not covered with timber or under water, was unbroken, and every foot of sod had to be turned over before seed could be planted. On the land they secured through so much hardship, they erected cabins of logs in which they often spent the remainder of their lives without many of the conveniences which those of a later generation now regard as actual necessities. However, their labors were not in vain. Close upon their trail came railroads, factories, towns and cities. Where once stood their little log houses are now either flourishing towns or well cultivated farms, with substantial houses, expensive barns and neat fences. The pioneer established schools to educate his children; he founded churches to minister to his spiritual needs, and died as he lived, an honest, hard-working, thrifty man, who sowed that others might reap.

Of such stock comes David W. Kirk, who re- sides on his well planned farm of 253 acres in Robinson Township, Crawford County. He was born in Licking County, Ohlo, March 6, 1833, a son of William and Anna (Swisher) Kirk, both of whom were born in Licking County, Ohio, the former on November 3, 1807, and the latter, Feb- ruary 21, 1809. The family emigrated to Illinois, and on September 1. 1851, settled In Crawford County, purchasing 600 acres of land which were subsequently developed.

Attending district school in the winter and working on the farm in the summer, Davld W. Kirk passed his boyhood and, as he merged Into

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manhood, continued farming. He was past eight- een when he came with his parents to Crawford County, and there he lived at home and worked on the farm until his marriage, when his father gave him 89 acres of land. On this land he built a frame house into which he moved with his wife in the fall of 1856, and which has since been his home. His father later gave him 40 acres more, and he has since added to this property from time to time until he now owns 253 acres of the best land in the township. He belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry, and for sixty-five years has been a member of the Methodist Church and for many years a class-leader. In politics he is a Democrat.

On March 6, 1856, Mr. Kirk was married to Malinda Eaton, daughter of John and Nancy Eaton, who had been residents of Hutsonville Township from 1818. Mrs. Kirk died March 1, 1906, and, had she lived five days longer, her married life would have extended over a period of fifty years. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirk were: Harvey B., born March 27, 1857; Mary Belle, born October 15, 1860; Anna Sivilla, born April 29, 1862, died Febru- ary 28, 1866 ; Harry Allen, born August 14, 1865, died April 3, 1866; Nannie Ora, born August 27, 1867, died June 15, 1871; John William, born May 31, 1870 ; and Cora Almeda, born November 15, 1872.

KIRK, Mrs. Emily .- Among the very estimable residents of Robinson Township, Crawford County, and one who is possessed of a consider- able amount of the richest farming land in Crawford County, is Mrs. Emily Kirk, widow of the late James S. Kirk, one of the representative farmers of this locality. Mrs. Kirk was born in Hancock County, Ohio, June 10, 1848, a daughter of James Madison Doty, who was born in Fair- field County, Ohio, November 28, 1821, and Fran- ces Holmes Doty, born in Virginia, August 16, 1824. Mr. Doty died in Crawford County, Oc- tober 2, 1859, and about four years afterward his widow married Jonah Price, her death oc- curring in Crawford County, January 21, 1886. The Doty family came to Oblong Township, Crawford County, from Ohio, when Mrs. Kirk was about three years old, and the father com- menced farming as soon as he arrived. About 1855 he built a saw-mill near Annapolis, but about a year before he died sold his mill and re- tired to a farm.

Mrs. Kirk was educated in the district schools of her neighborhood and reared on the home farm. She joined the Methodist Church in 1869 and has been one of its most faithful members ever since. On January 12, 1869, Miss Doty be- came the wife of James S. Kirk, near Oblong, Crawford County. The children born to them were : Anna Frances, born January 27, 1870, married Orlin Leggitt, April 3, 1895, and they have three children-Otho J. S., Cecil DeLoss and Kitty Lucile; Araminta Alma, born May 22, 1871, married Clement V. Leggitt, December 18, 1895, and they had these children-Blanche

Emily, Irene Amanda, Lola Opal and a baby boy, while three children (Gladys M., Laurel Estol and an unnamed boy) are deceased; Oriel W., born March 24, 1873, married, September 17, 1904, Laura Inez Smith, and they have two girls -Aldah Lorie and Hazel Margaret; Alice Luella, born March 1, 1875, married February 4, 1894, Dr. W. C. Faught (deceased), and they had five children-Joyce, Carroll Kirk, A. Newlin, Wil- liam Burns and Alice; Martha Almeda, born March 25, 1877, unmarried; Lola Acme, born January 15, 1879, unmarried; Otho J. D., born October 13, 1881, died November 28, 1884; Mary Ethel, born June 25, 1883, married September 17, 1907, Herman A. Tobin, and they have one son- Wendell Rolland; Orlin H., born July 27, 1885, married January 23, 1906, Alma Madge York, and they have two boys-Ward Belden and Gray- don Lansford; and Mabel Fay, born October 12, 1887, unmarried.

Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Kirk moved to the four-room frame house situated on the farm which is now the Kirk home. The place, originally embracing 80 acres, was a part of the land entered from the Govern- ment by Mr. Kirk's father and later given to James S. Kirk, and to this land the latter added from time to time until at the time of his death he was the owner of 240 acres. He also replaced the original house with a large, modern frame residence, and also erected a substantial barn and outbuildings.

James S. Kirk, a son of William and Anna Kirk, was born in Licking County, Ohio, December 18, 1838, and died at his home October 31, 1907. In 1850 he was brought to Crawford County by his parents, and there resided until his death. During the Civil War (1861-64) he served in the Union Army, having enlisted in Company H, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, while attending school at Marshall, Ill. Mr. Kirk was a member of a family of nine children, the only surviving member of which is David W. Kirk. Like his wife, he early joined the Methodist Church, and he was a very sincere believer in its faith, and fully lived up to it in his life and died firm in it. His children were carefully trained in the Christian faith and they have proved themselves worthy his teaching. The funeral services were held in Kirk Chapel by the Rev. Van Treese, who delivered a touching ser- mon from the appropriate text: "Be thou faith- ful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life." Rev. 2:10. The body is interred in Kirk Cemetery.

Mr. Kirk was an excellent farmer, a good busi- ness man, and an excellent neighbor. A man of high principles, absolute integrity and true Chris- tian charity, he is a character not to be for- gotten, but to be held in affectionate remem- brance for his real worth to mankind. Though gone, his life and example remain as the heri- tage of his children and his neighbors.

KIRK, John W., M. D .- The medical men of to- day are among the most learned in the world, the

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requirements of their profession being such that they are compelled to be intelligent, well edu- cated and thoroughly versed in the lore of their calling. Among those who have been successful practitioners of Crawford County for a number of years is Dr. John W. Kirk of Oblong, who was born at Robinson, May 31, 1870, a son of David W. Kirk, who was born in Licking County, Ohio, and is now a farmer who owns good oil-producing property north of Robinson.

Dr. Kirk first attended the common school in Robinson Township, and then took a course at the Union Christian College at Merom, Ind., whence he went to the Central Normal School at Danville, Ind. His medical studies were begun at Louisville Hospital Medical College, where he spent three years, being graduated with degree of M. D., in 1897. Following this he took a post- graduate course at the Chicago Polyclinic and in July, 1897, he began practicing at Oblong, where he has since continued, firmly establishing himself in the confidence of the people here.

On January 15, 1902, Dr. Kirk married in Ob- long. Valeria Leggett, daughter of one of Craw- ford County's most respected citizens. Dr. and Mrs. Kirk have two children : Florence, born No- vember 1, 1902, and Harold, born August 15. 1904. Dr. Kirk has been a Methodist since boyhood. In politics he is a Democrat, although too much oc- cupied with his profession to take a very active part in civic affairs. He is earnest, conscientious and unremitting in his studies, and his patients have learned to depend upon him and to trust to his judgment. While much younger than many of his associates, Dr. Kirk is recognized as one of the leading men of his profession in the county, and bis success has certainly been gained through hard work and vigorous endeavor.

KIRK, Oriel William .- While Crawford County is the home of many farmers, since the discovery of oil there, a new interest has been developed and the value of property has been greatly en- hanced. Not only are the people of the county interested in the production of the crude oil, but in the many other industries connected with the oil business, and new capital and blood have been infused here that have aided greatly in the ad- vancement of the county. Oriel William Kirk is olle of the farmers and oil producers of Robinson Township. He was born here March 24, 1873. a son of James S. Kirk. James S. Kirk was born in Licking County, Ohio, December 18, 1838, and died October 31, 1907. He was a veteran_ of the Civil War. His wife was Emily Doty, from Han- cock County, Ohio, a daughter of James Madison Doty, and they had ten children, of whom Oriel William Kirk was the third in order of birth. Nine of these ten children are still living.

Mr. Kirk attended district school, then high school in Robinson, and still later he went to the Gem City Business College at Quincy, from which he was graduated with diploma, May 16, 1895. Upon leaving school he began farming, and bas since been engaged in that line of work. On September 17, 1904, he was married at St. Elmo,

Fayette County, Ill., by the Rev. B. S. Smith, to Laura Inez Smith, daughter of Azariah and Mary (Padgett) Smith. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirk : Aldah Laura, born March 28, 1906, and Hazel Margaret, born June 7, 1908.

Mr. Kirk owns 80 acres of land, and bas four producing wells, one with a capacity of 110 bar- rels every twenty-four hours, which has been kept up for the past ten months. Mr. Kirk owns property in Porum, Oklahoma. He is a Republi- can in politics, and has always taken an active interest in township affairs. He has been a member of the Methodist Church for sixteen years, while his wife has been a member of the same for nine years. Fraternally Mr, Kirk is a member of the Modern Woodmen.

The history of Mrs. Kirk's family is as fol- lows: Her father, Azariah Robert Smith, was born in Richland County, Ill., June 1, 1859. His wife, Mary Padgett, was born in Crawford County, Ill., March 4, 1859. The children born to them were: Laura Inez, born August 30, 1884, in Crawford County near Hardinville; Maudie Ellen, born July 26, 1886. died July 3, 1888 ; Minnie Edith, born October 15, 1888; Lester Sher- man, born February 7, 1890 ; Oden Franklin, born August 21, 1894; Elma Lavonia, born May 16, 1899 ; and Victor L., born September 15, 1905.

KIRTLAND, Orlando B., who with his brother D. P. Kirtland has been associated with the grain and milling interests of Crawford County, under the firm style of Kirtland Bros., for many years, is one of the reliable and responsible business men of Oblong. He was born in New York State, June 20, 1853, and was educated in the graded schools of his native State. In 1877, being am- bitious to try his luck in a new country, he went to Kansas and there engaged in farming and stock dealing, but in 1879 returned to New York. In 1881 he located in Oblong, aud founded the firm of Kirtland Bros., wbich at one time did a very extensive business.

KITCHELL, J., for many years a merchant of Palestine. Crawford County, was born in that city, January 2, 1839, a son of James H. and Nancy (Gill) Kitchell, the latter born February 3, 1802, and died in 1879. They were the par- ents of thirteen children. Mr. Kitchell was edu- cated in Palestine, and began his business life as a clerk. In 1857 he went to Washington, D. C., and was a clerk in the House of Repre- sentatives, and when he returned in 1859, lie formed a partnership with Judge Allen in a geu- eral store. This association continued thirteen years, when they sold out and founded a hard- ware and agricultural implement business. This was continued until 1877 when Mr. Kitchell went out of business and gave his attention to the duties of Township Assessor, holding that office for three successive terms. In the spring of 1881 he entered the employ of J. L. Woodworth, a hardware merchant. Mr. Kitchell married in Palestine, December 5, 1872, Mrs. R. M. Wilson, who was born March 29, 1844, and she bore him

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two children, Anna and Bessie. Mrs. Kitchell was a daughter of Presley O. and Maria (Kitch- ell) Wilson. Mr. Kitchell is a Democrat in poli- tics, and a Presbyterian in religious faith.

KRAMER, Martin .- Germauy has given to this country many of its most representative and substantial citizens, including those who have at- tained to greatness in public, military and civil life. The vigorous traiuing given Germans in every branch of learning or industry fits them for almost any position in life, and it is very seldom that a native of the Fatherland becomes a charge upon his adopted community. A prom- inent feature of their character is illustrated in their habits of thrift and industry, and they sel- dom fail to become important factors in what- ever locality they select as an abiding place.

Crawford County is fortunate in being the home of a number of native born Germans who served their adopted couutry as soldiers during the Civil War, among these beiug Martin Kra- mer, who was born in Germany, July 28, 1842, a a son of Frank Kramer. When Martin was two years old, the family came to America, first locating in Galveston, Texas, whence they moved to New Orleans, then to St. Louis and finally to Cincinnati.

The early education of Martin Kramer was ob- tained in Galveston, Texas, but when the family went to Cincinnati, he obtained work as a gold- melter in the manufacturing jewelry plant of Duehme & Co. Still later, he learned the trade of a clothing cutter and commanded liberal wages in Cincinnatl. In April, 1903, he came to Crawford County, aud located on his present farm in La Motte Township. This property had been purchased twenty years before by Mr. Kra- mer, from the heirs of his father-in-law, Johu Hughes, who settled on the farm in 1859 and died in 1879.

At the age of nineteen, on April 19, 1861, Mr. Kramer enlisted as a private at Cincinnati, iu Company K, Ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. Robert L. McCook commanding, and after serv- ing three years, was mustered out at Camp Den- nison, Cincinnati, in April, 1864. On February 6, 1865, he reenlisted for one year in Hancock's Veteran Reserve Corps. During his periods of enlistment he had the privilege of serving under some of the greatest generals of the war, includ- ing Gens. McClellan, Rosecrans, George H. Thomas-popularly known as "Pap" Thomas --- and participated in the following engagements : Missionary Ridge, Mill Springs, aud many of the battles waged in Kentucky aud Virginia; then was sent to Pittsburg Landiug, was in the battle of Corinth, and was oue of the many who made the celebrated March to the Sea. Reenlisting at Columbus, Ohio, he was sent to Camp Stone- man, Washington, D. C., thence to Winchester, in Eastern Virginia, and was on his way to join the army in Richmond, when he heard the terri- ble news of the assassination of the President. He was one of those who participated in the Grand Review at Washington, and was mustered out at Harper's Ferry. For three months after

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Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 152

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