Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 157

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 157

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He owns two strings of tools and a set of hy- draulic jacks.

On December 16, 1894, Mr. McCrory married Miss Flora Newlin, daughter of J. T. Newlin, a farmer. She was born February 25, 1876, and died March 12, 1899. Three children were born of this marriage: Eugene, born October 5, 1895; Velma Catherine, born October 28, 1896. and Zylphia Glenora, born May 22, 1898. On July 25, 1900, Mr. McCrory married in Hutsonville, Elsle M. Correll, a widowed daughter of M. T. and Emma (Newlin) Riegel. The father is a black- smith of Hutsonville. One child. Arthur, was born April 9, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. McCrory oc- cupy a handsome modern residence of twelve rooms, surrounded with spacious verandas, set in the midst of a lovely lawn and dotted with flowers and great trees. This home place covers two acres and is fully supplied with every modern convenience, including large stables and abundant water.

In politics, Mr. McCrory is a Democrat, as is his father who lives with him. As Mr. MeCrory is so busy with his own affairs, he has never had time to respond to any demands of his fellow citizens that he occupy public office. Mr. and Mrs. McCrory. with the elder Mr. MeCrory are genial entertainers, and hosts of friends gladly avail themselves of their open-handed hospitallty, sure of a warm welcome.

MCGAHEY, Charles Allen .- England is not alone in Its pride of family. Americans are just as proud of being descended from upright, in- dustrious parents, whose names are honored and whose acts have made the history of the com- munities with which they have been associated, as are any inheritors of foreign titles. Partlcu- larly in Crawford County, Ill., are there families which trace their lineage back several genera- tions in the county, and have on their genealogi- cal trees names connected with the learned pro. fessions and various lines of industrial and com- mercial enterprise. Charles Allen McGahey is a member of just such a family, and his forebears, for several generations on both sides, have been located in Crawford County. Mr. McGahey was born in La Motte Township, January 10, 1857, a son of James Allen and Dorcas ( Walters) Mc- Gahey, the former born in Palestine. Ill., March 15, 1830, became a farmer during his business life, and died on the home farm December 21. 1871. He was a son of Allen and Harriet Mlc- Gahey, and grandson of David McGahey, who cine to Crawford County from Tennessee li 1810. Mrs. McGahey was born two and a half mies northwest of Palestine. August 21. 1838, a daughter of Ethan and Margaret ( Brinberry ) Walters. A sketch of the Walters family will be found in commection with that of Mrs. Dorcas McGahey.

Charles Allen McGahey attended the distriet school of his neighborhood and learned farming thoroughly. He also had the advantage of one term in the Palestine school, but at the death of his father, he left school to help his mother upon the farm. On June 30. 1SS0. Mr. MeGahey

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was married by Rev. Mr. McHatton, of the Pres- byterian Church, to Isabel Wesner, born March 26, 1855, a daughter of Enoch and Eliza R. (Alli- son) Wesner. Mrs. McGahey's parents were both born in Crawford County and they still re- side in Montgomery Township. They had seven children, of whom Mrs. McGahey is the eldest, the others being: Mary Alice, who died in ill- fancy ; Samuel Douglas, William Franklin, Nancy Catherine, Charles Madison and Ira Otis.

Mr. and Mrs. McGahey have had children as follows : Claudie, born May 7, 1881, married R. N. Kent of Montgomery Township, and died March 23, 1905, leaving one child,-Claudie Ger- trude, born February 14, 1904, who lives with Mr. McGahey; Cleo, born January 13, 1883; June, born June 15, 1888; David Eldon, born June 24, 1890; Esther Louisa, born April 25, 1893 ; Glenn, born October 3, 1895, and Lester E., born March 22, 1899-all living but the eldest.

In politics Mr. McGahey is a Democrat and fraternally belongs to the Modern Woodmen. His well cultivated farm consists of 185 acres, and he also owns valuable property in Palestine. The home residence is a comfortable one. The family is not only one of the oldest in the county, but also one of the most highly honored and Mr. McGahey has many friends in this part of the State.

MCGAHEY, Mrs. Dorcas .- In looking over the records of any community, one thing is sure to strike the thoughtful person, and that is how little space is devoted to recounting the noble work of the women. Even in the biograpbies of the men whose names are intimately associated with the development and advancement of that particular section, no space is given to their wives ; and yet how little any of them could have accomplished without the sustaining aid of wife and mother. Crawford County, Ill., has a his- tory that is a result of the efforts of its brave men and women who, from the first settlement until the present, have ever labored to advance this locality to a foremost position, and the part which its women have played is not by any means a small one. Among the energetic and resolute women connected with its earlier days, is Mrs. Dorcas McGahey, widow of James Allen McGahey, who was born two and a half miles northwest of Palestine, August 21, 1838, a daugh- ter of Ethan and Margaret ( Brinberry) Walters.

Ethan Walters was a son of Isaac and Dorcas Walters, the latter being born in Crawford County. Her father, Joseph Brinberry, owned the east half of Palestine where Fort La Motte stood, and also owned a farm in what is now called Rich Woods; was a builder of flat-boats and made many trips on the Wabash, Ohio and Mis- sissippi Rivers to New Orleans, but from the last trip he made never returned. The grandfather of Mrs. McGahey was Isaac Walters, who came from one of the Eastern States in 1812 to Craw- ford County, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising and there died in 1859. Nine chil- dren were born to Etban and Margaret Walters, of whom Mrs. McGahey was the eldest, and she

and a sister, Mrs. Ellen Marberry of Robinson, and another sister, Mrs. Amanda Lewis, a widow of Sullivan, Ind., are the only survivors.

The girlhood of Mrs. Dorcas McGahey was spent upon the farm and she attended the Pales- tine public schools. On March 22, 1855, she was married by the Rev. Mr. Lilly, a Presbyterian minister, to James Allen McGahey, son of Allen and Harriet McGahey. Mr. McGahey was born in Palestine, Ill., March 15, 1830, and died De- cember 21, 1871, on the old home place, his life having been spent in farming. David McGahey, the grandfather of James A. McGahey, came to Crawford County from Tennessee in 1810, and - became a prominent citizen of Southern Illinois, filling a number of important offices, including that of Representative in the Third and Fourth General Assemblies and Senator in the Ninth. Others of the family also served in the Legisla- " ture. He and George Bathe took up 640 acres of Government land on Section 9, La Motte Townl- ship, which was divided by them, Mr. McGahey taking the south half, and on this place the Mc- Gahey family burial ground was established, which has been in use for nearly 100 years, aud with one or two exceptions, no one outside of the family has ever been buried there. The log portion of the barn now standing on Mrs. McGahey's farm, was a part of the old mill which was owned and operated by George Bathe in the very early days. When in operation, it stood on Section 9, La Motte Township, but in 1859 was moved to Section 4, La Motte Town- ship, by James McGahey, and since that time to the present has been used as a barn.

Mr. and Mrs. McGahey had the following chil- dren : Charles Allen, born January 10, 1857. married Isabel Wesner, daughter of Enoch and Eliza Wesner of Montgomery Township, and they have had five daughters and two sons, the eldest daughter, Claudie, being deceased; Fred- erick Edgar, born October 30, 1859; Lucy Ellen, born October 4, 1861; Margaret Angeline, born August 28, 1864, and died July 30, 1869, less than five years old; and James Osman, born April 27, 1872. James Osman married Faytie Alexander, daughter of James and Adeline Alexander, of Palestine, and they had three daughters; Bertha, born November 8, 1894; Adeline, born July 7, 1896, and an infant daughter, born Feb- ruary 21, 1898, who died a week later. After the death of his first wife he married Frances I. Brown, daughter of William and Ruth Brown, and they have two children : Beatrice, born January 29, 1902, and James William, born June 27, 1907.

After the death of her husband, Mrs. McGahey took charge of the farm and managed her affairs very successfully and ably. She has brought up her children to be honorable, God-fearing men and women, and the debt they owe their aged mother can never be discharged. As a mother, a wife and neighbor, Mrs. McGahey has carried out in her life the faith of her church, and there are many who render her love and respect, not alone in her immediate family but throughout the community where she is so well and favor-

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ably known. Mrs. McGahey has been a member of the Methodist Church since she was seventeen years old, her husband being a member of the same denomination, both attending the Swear- ingen Chapel.

McGOVERN, Philip .- The debt which the ua- tion owes the veterans of the Civil War can never be repaid. It is one of those obligations that must coutinue as long as any of the descend- ants of the heroes of 1861-65 live and the flag which they fought for with such bravery floats over the heads of Americans. Without the ser- vices of the men who did not hesitate to risk life and limb in defense of the Union, there would be no country, no flag, no honorable pres- tige. The people of the country do not forget this debt, but take every opportunity of demon- strating their appreciation of it and give all honor to the survivors of the boys in blue. Philip Mc- Govern, of Robiuson Township, Crawford County, enlisted in the spring of 1862, although then a mere lad, in Martin County, Ind., in the Thir- teenth Indiana Battery, Light Artillery. Capt. Nicklaw commanding. He was in many danger- ous positious during his service against bands of bushwhackers, who were very numerous and troublesome in Keutucky. Two of the regi- meut's guns were captured at Mumford, Ky. (Green River Bridge). They had been sent on ahead to Castilliau Springs, Tenn .. where Morgan captured them after a fiercely contested fight. Mr. McGovern was with the two guns not captured at Castillian Springs, and from there he was sent to Gallatin, Tenn., to guard the hospital, and while there was engaged in building a yard fort of logs, being detained there eighteen months. He was then sent to Chatta- nooga, where he was kept until the close of the war, and theu sent back to Indianapolis and mus- tered out, July 11, 1865. He was in the hospi- tal at Bowling Green, Ky., for some time. He was a brave and gallant soldier and is now as good a citizen as he was a soldier.

Philip McGovern was born in Martin County, Ind., February 3, 1847, and was educated in the subscription schools of his vicinity, which when only fifteen years old, he left to enlist. After he was mustered out, still a boy iu years, he re- turned to Martin County, Ind., but soon there- after left that State for Illinois, and on August 11, 1866, located in Crawford County. On Decem- ber 26, 1866, he was married to Louisa Morris, daughter of Riehard and Hannah (Johnson) Morris, natives of Louisa County. Va., and of Indiana. Mr. Morris died in Crawford County, slx miles north of Robinson, in 1856, when Mrs. McGovern was six years old. He was a very prominent mau, having served Crawford County as County Judge, as member of the State Legis- lature for several terms, as Sheriff, aud also filled a uumber of other important offices. Mrs. Morris died December 25, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Morris had two children : Louisa and Emily, the latter of whom married Elias Broadstone, a farmer of Crawford County, who was born April 23, 1853.

Mr. and Mrs. McGovern have had children as follows: Dr. J. H. McGovern, born September 25, 1868, is married, lives at Annapolis, Prairle Township, Crawford County, and has a son and daughter; Emily I., born September 23, 1870, married T. M. White, and had one child still living, herself dying June 18, 1907; Luella M., born September 22, 1872, married Arthur A. Hale, a traveling mau, and they have three sons and one daughter, live in Portland, Ore. ; Innis, born January 13, 1876; married H. M. Wiman, a farmer of Robinson Township. and have a daughter; Oris A., born March 1, 1883, married May Norton, daughter of Charles and Hannah Norton, farmers of Crawford Couuty, and they have two boys. In politics, Mr. McGovern is an Independent, and belongs to the United Brethren Church, of which he is trustee, steward and has held all the offices within the gift of the de- nomination. He has never aspired to public office, being too much occupied with his own affairs. He owns 250 acres of fine farming land. all but 40 acres being under cultivation, and has eight producing oil-wells on his property. His home is an excellent one and his barn commodious. The premises are well kept, and he has good stock aud the latest improved machinery to assist in his farming, for he is thoroughly up-to-date in his farm work.

McKAMY, Charles Sumner .- The future of Rob- inson, Crawford County, Ill., is in the hands of progressive, enterprising men whose force of character and determination to overeome all ob- stacles have already advanced them far to the front. Among those deserving of special mention is Charles Sumner McKamy, born at Flat Rock, Crawford County, Ill., August 2. 1878, a son of William and Mary Ann ( Maxwell ) McKamuy. William McKamy came from Marysville, Tenn., in 1860, and was a son of William McKamy. In addition to his farming, William McKamy owned and operated a saw-mill, and at the outbreak of the Civil War was a prosperous and responsible man, but this did not deter himu from enlisting in Company E, Ninety-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, and after participating in a num- ber of other battles, during three years of service. he was mustered out at Springfield.

After attending the common schools of his vi- einity, Charles S. McKamy had the further ad- vantage of a course at the Robinson High School. then a year at the Danville ( Ind.) State Normal School, and one year at the Normal School at Valparaiso, Iud. Having concluded his course at the latter school he became private stenographer to Judge W. C. Jones of Robinson, and served him faithfully and capably until 1SOS, when Judge Jones was appointed by Governor Tanner Judge of the Court of Claims, aud Mr. McKamy accompanied Judge Jones to Springfield, receiv- ing there the appointment of officlal stenographer. After filling this position for three years. he re- turned to Robinson and embarked on hls own ac- count in the abstracting, loan and insurance busi- ess, at the same time being elected Justice of

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the Peace in April, 1901, and re-elected to the same office in April, 1905. During this time, he filled this important office to the satisfaction of his constituents. For three years he served as Assistant Postmaster under S. T. Lindsey, and then for a little more than one year was engaged in the abstract, loan and insurance business in partnership with X. F. Siler, under the firm name of Siler & McKamy, after which he was again appointed Assistant Postmaster, under Ed- ward S. Baker. in March, 1907, and has acted in that capacity to the present time. In politics, Mr. McKamy is a Republican and is very en- thusiastic in party work.

By reason of his father's services during the war, he is a member of the Sons of Veterans, and has been a member of Company D, State Militia of Robinson. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Tribe of Ben Hur, Modern Woodmen and the Redmen, and has served as clerk of the Modern Woodmen for two years. For a number of years he has been a member of the Presbyterian Church.

On March 30, 1901, Mr. McKamy was married at Marion. Ill., to Miss Maud Estella Berry, of Crawford County, and they have one child, Frances Estella, born August 10, 1905. Although but thirty years of age, Mr. McKamy has filled several positions which have required tact and a wide knowledge of men and affairs, and his success is largely due to his keen, shrewd adapta- bility and his genial, accommodating manner.

MEFFORD, Leonidas D., who is widely and favorably known as an industrious and pros- perous farmer and noted stockraiser, is the pro- prietor of the Mefford Stables, which are known from one end of the country to the other. Mr. Mefford was born in Scott County, Ky., Septem- ber 27, 1832, a son of David F. and Patsy (Sam- uels) Mefford. David F. Mefford was born in 1800. in Fayette County, Ky., a son of David and Lottie (Taylor) Mefford. The father of Mrs. David Mefford was a cousin of Zachary Taylor, a former President of the United States. David Mefford came from Germany to Virginia, where he met and married Miss Taylor. David F. Mefford's wife was born in Virginia, Novem- ber 4, 1800, and her mother, whose maiden name was Gabrella Harrison, was a daughter of John Harrison of Virginia, so it can be readily seen that Mr. Mefford comes from distinguished an- cestry on both sides of the family. His maternal grandfather, John Samuels, was a Virginian by birth who moved to Bryan Station, Ky., in 1808, and later to Scott County, that State, where his death occurred at the age of ninety-two years.

Combining attendance at the subscription schools with hard work on the farm. Leonidas D. Mef- ford gradually developed into one of the sturdy, hard-working farmers of Scott County, Ky., where he remained until 1890, when he came to Robinson, Crawford County, Ill., purchasing 190 acres adjoining Robinson on the north side and within the corporate limits. For thirty years he raised the finest of livestock, shipping car

lots to Cincinnati, Baltimore and Buffalo, and he also became noted as the owner and breeder of trotting stock, a large number of his horses becoming celebrated and establishing records. Among them may be mentioned Greenleaf. by Simmons, by George Wilkes, dam, Nellie Monroe. While the family homestead is comfortable, extensive plans are being made to build a commo- dious, modern home on the present site, which will be equipped with all the conveniences and improvements that add so much to the comfort of country as well as city dwellers. Mr. Mefford is a member of Robinson Chapter, A. F. & A. M., and Gorin Commandery of Olney, and has long been a member of the Crawford Lodge of Odd Fellows. In politics, he is a Republican.

On November 27, 1851, Mr. Mefford married Patsy Jane Griffith, born in 1834, daughter of Thomas Griffith, a farmer of Scott County, Ky., and his wife Nancy L. (Rollins) Griffith, both pioneers of Kentucky. Of this marriage four children were born, two of whom are now living : Dr. W. T. Mefford, a practicing physician of Chi- cago, and David Alonzo, who is a druggist of Robinson. Mrs. Mefford died March 25, 1900. On July 1, 1901. Mr. Mefford married Miss Mary Jane Firebaugh, daughter of David and Mary Firebaugh, the latter born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, May 4, 1855. Her father died at the pres- ent home of the Meffords, in 1887, at the age of seventy-six years, while his widow also passed away there, March 10, 1901. The maiden name of Mrs. Mefford's mother was Mary Ludwig, and she and her husband came from Bellefontaine, Ohio, to Crawford County, Ill., in 1855, when Mr. Firebaugh purchased a farm in Robinson Township, on which was located a saw-mill, which he operated in conjunction with his farm- ing until 1882, and then moved to Robinson and purchased the property where Mr. and Mrs. Mef- ford now reside. Here he and his wife resided until their deaths. Mrs. Mefford was one of the following list of children : Samuel L., now liv- ing on the old Firebaugh homestead, aged seventy ; William H., lives in Austin, Texas ; David, deceased; Henry C., also deceased, was a lawyer in San Francisco; Isaac, died in infancy ; Dr. I. L., of Robinson ; Charles W., lives in New York City; Joseph, a banker of San Francisco ; Mary Jane (Mrs. Mefford), and Chester, who is practicing law in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Mefford have one child-Joseph Isaac, born April 8, 1902, a bright, happy, little boy and the apple of his father's eyes.

Mr. Mefford has the satisfaction of looking back upon a well-spent life, having established a reputation as an honest man, a kind and gen- erous neighbor and a devoted husband and father, presenting an example for ambitious young farmers to emulate.

MESERVE, Stephen D., M. D. (deceased), who for many years was one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Robinson, Ill., was born in New Hampshire. August 9, 1818. He spent four years in Fryeburg Academy, and then began reading medicine under Dr. Barrows of that place. After

MRS. JOHN WALL

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spending a year there he came to Ohio and con- tinuing his studies, eventually entered into active practice. Five years later he attended Miami College, from which he was graduated in 1855, and later he took the addendum degree in the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. In 1848, he had come to Clark County, Ill., and in 1850 lo- cated in Hutsonville. In 1856 he established himself in Robinson, where he built up a large and very gratifying practice. Dr. Meserve was married October 23, 1850, to Martha Barlow, daughter of E. Barlow, who bore him. four chil- dren who grew to maturity : Ashbel G., Mattie H., Maud and Blanche.

MEYER, John B. (deceased), for a number of years a tailor of Robinson, Ill., was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 9, 1824, and came to America in 1849, settling in Philadelphia, where he followed his trade of a tailor. From there he went to Madison, Ind., and thence to Edin- burg. In 1853 he established himself in Robin- son, and began working at his trade. In 1862 he disposed of his business and enlisted in the Ninety-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry tor three years, and was attached to the Army of the Cumberland. Among other battles in which he participated may be mentioned, Hoover's Gap, Kingston, Atlanta, Chancellorsville, Selma, etc. Mr. Meyer was discharged July 3, 1865. The year following he went to Germany on a visit. but returning to Robinson, re-established himself in his trade and built up a large and flourishing business.

MIDGETT, Joseph Elmer, M. D .- The medical profession is becoming more and more exacting. and the physician of to-day not only is obliged to be a college-bred man, but he also has to keep abreast of the times and thoroughly understand the great strides that are constantly being made in medical science. Crawford County is the home of some of our most skillful physicians and surgeons, and of this class is Dr. Joseph Elmer Midgett, of Flat Rock, Ill. Dr. Midgett was born east of Flat Rock, September 17, 1875, a son of John Addison and Elizabeth (Due) Midgett. The father was born southeast of Flat Rock, a son of Joseph A. Midgett, who was a private in the Civil War and served from the beginning to the close of the war. He was a farmer, as was his son John.

Dr. Midgett first attended school at the La Motte School, near Duncanville, then for two years he was in Danville, Ill., and finishing there, began teaching to earn money to enter upon his medical studies. For seven years he taught in a country school, and then entered the Illinois Med- ical College at Chicago, studying during the sum- mer and continuing his teaching in the winter. In 1903 he was graduated and entered upon ac- tive practice in Flat Rock, in December, 1903. Here he purchased five acres of land on which was a residence, barn and store building, but he has disposed of half of his property at a good figure and now occupies an office in his own building. In addition, he has various interests

in Bokoshe, Indian Territory (now Okla.), owns 40 acres in Arkansas, and has an interest in 160 acres of oil property containing seven producing wells, with prospects of others. He also owns five shares in the Illinois State Zoo and Amuse- ment Company of Springfield, Ill. Since locating in Flat Rock, Dr. Midgett has firmly established himself in the confidence of the community and enjoys a large and constantly increasing practice. He is a man of ready sympathy, wide experience and cheerful manner, and his patients feel the excellent effect of his presence as soon as he arrives. Dr. Midgett belongs to the Esculapian Medical Society, the Crawford County Medical Society, the State Medical Association and thie American Medical Association. For fourteen years, Dr. Midgett has been a member of the Methodist Church, of which he is Trustee. He was Superintendent of the Sunday School for two years, and is now teaching a class of young men, and is making his influence felt among them.

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Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 157

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