Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 158

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 158

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On December 31, 1899, Dr. Midgett was mar- ried to Amy Miller Kent at the Wesley Chapel, Methodist Church, northeast of Flat Rock, by the Rev. L. W. Porter. Mrs. Midgett is a daughter of the late Joseph and Elizabeth Kent. Mr. Kent was a farmer who died of what was sup- posed to be rupture, when he was still a young man. Mrs. Kent died about ten years ago. Dr. and Mrs. Midgett have two children : John Kent, born July 27, 1902, and Katy Elizabeth, born September 12, 1904.

MIDKIFF, Samuel (deceased), for a number of years a member of the firm of Midkiff & Carey, lumber dealers of Robinson, Ill., was born in Granger County, Tenn., April 8, 1824, and when about six years old. was brought to Shelby County, Ind. Mr. Midkeff married February 14, 1848, Mary J. Keck. The following year he lo- cated in Wisconsin, but four years later came to Illinois and bought 300 acres within two miles of Robinson. This property he cultivated and improved, operating it as a stock and grain farm until December 6, 1882. when he bought a partnership interest in a Iminber business at Robinson. Before his marriage Mr. Midkiff served in the Mexican War as a meniber of Com- pany H. Third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in Gen. Taylor's army, participating in the battle of Buena Vista and returning after one year's service. Mr. Midkiff had these children: Heul- riette P., Alphons J., William H., Daniel K., Benjamin F .. Lucinda J. and Samuel P .. all of whom married. Fraternally, Mr. Midkiff was a Mason.

MILLER, Emanuel (deceased) .- The account of the simple, kindly life of Emanuel Miller strongly demonstrates the power exerted by a. good man. imbued by the sense of duty and perfect faith in the creed he has adopted. The late Emannel Miller was a farmer by occupa- tion, and of necessity never entered publle life. but by his own good deeds and example. he left his impress upon his neighborhood, and not only

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his devoted wife, the nephew and niece whom he reared as his own and his other relatives, but the community at large, mourn his loss.

Mr. Miller was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 15, 1852, and died March 9, 1904. In early life he came with his father to Crawford County, Ill., becoming one of the prosperous farmers of Martin Township. On December 5, 1874, he married Elinor Connett, of which there was no issue. Their home, however, was gladdened by the orphan nephew and niece whom they adopted, and who grew up to be a comfort and solace to their foster parents. They are now married and have families of their own.

Mr. Miller's religious experience was very profound, he having been converted about 1891, and from that time on was able to bear up under affliction, sustained as he was by his faith in the wisdom of his Maker. In December, 1903, at a cottage meeting in his own home. he gained such strength and help from the service, that he was able to pass through all the trying phases of his last illness without once fearing for the future, or being shaken in his belief.

Mrs. Miller is a daughter of Hethcoate J. Con- nett, born May 17, 1817, who married on June 24. 1838, Annie Jane Clark. The latter was born May 17. 1820. They had children as fol- lows: Jo Connett, born June 11, 1839; Amos, Connett, born July 4. 1841; Isaac Connett, born August 3, 1843, deceased ; Temperance Connett. born September 26, 1845; Rachel Connett, born October 1, 1848; Ruth Connett, born November 6. 1850 ; Julia Ann Connett, born November 20. 1852; Woodrough Connett. born March 8. 1855 ; Elinor Connett, born March 28. 1858; and Finly J. Connett, born June 14, 1862.

MILLER, Israel (deceased) .- Descended from a race of farmers. Israel Miller exemplified that Self-reliant spirit of the early pioneer that never hesitated to attempt what needed to be done. Mr. Miller was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 4, 1846, a son of David Miller, also a native of Ohio. Here Mr. Miller was reared and educated, and on March 7, 1867, married Lydia Ann Ickes. who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, Jan- uary 27, 1850, and was reared and educated in her native State. Her father, William Ickes. was a native of Pennsylvania, but was taken to Ohio when about ten years of age. By trade he was a mason but followed farming the greater part of his life. Mrs. Miller was of a family of twelve children, three of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had these children : Ma- lissa. Lucinda, Grace. Cora, Crone, two infants who died unnamed. Fred and D. W., the first three born in Ohio and the remainder in Illinois. They were all well educated. and the boys all be- came farmers, except one who is a carpenter.

In 1864 Mr. Miller enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and served until the close of the war. although becoming dangerously ill on account of exposure while in the service. After returning home he began working in the coal mines in Stark County, Ohio, after his honorable dis-

charge. In 1875 he moved with his family to Robinson Township, Crawford County, where he bought thirteen acres of land which he cultivated. About a year after his marriage he had bought 120 acres in Oblong Township and, at the time of his death on June 26, 1905, was the owner of 140 acres, which he had improved and which had been his home up to that period. Mr. Miller had been a life-long Republican, and served very acceptably as School Director for years. Prior to his deatlı he had leased his land to the oil company, but died before oil was located, which it was in 1906, and there are now eight wells in operation on it. Mr. Miller was a member of the G. A. R. and was a man widely known and much respected. During his life he was a hard worker and a kindly, intelligent man, beloved in his family and neighboorhood.

MILLS, William Morton .- As a rule the man who grow's up in a community naturally feels more interest in it than another who has come to it later in life. Especially is this true of those who inherit property that is handed down to them by fathers who have wrested it from the wilderness. William Morton Mills, of Sec- tion 2, Prairie Township, was born on the prop- erty on which he now lives, January 15, 1862, a son of Elihu Mills.

Elihu Mills was born November 15, 1823, in Wayne County, Ind., and early in life was com- pelled to go out and earn his own way in the world, his father having died when he was but three months old. He earned his first hat by picking brush at 121/2 cents per day, and did not have shoes until when ten years old, and often was accustomed to relate how, with his feet bundled up in rags, he would chop wood until his feet grew numb with the cold and he was compelled to go inside the house to warm them. When about twelve years of age he came from Indiana to Vermilion County, Ill., and there worked for his brother Seth, until he was old enough to hire out, receiving $12 per month for his labor. For a few years he worked as a farm hand and then came to Prairie Township, Craw- ford County, settling on the present farm of William Morton Mills. He entered 160 acres of land, about one-half of which was timber, and built a log house of one room, 18 x20 feet. At the time of the death of his mother at this place, Mr. Mills was sick, and after his recovery he returned to Wayne County. Ind., and worked at the carpenter's trade for about six years, when he again came to Illinois, settling in Clark County at the home of his widowed sister. Char- ity Canada, whose farm he operated for. four years. At this time his sister went to Parke County, Ind., and Mr. Mills came to Prairie Township again, renting his farm to a family with whom he lived. He was drafted into the army in 1864, but being a member of the Friends, or Quaker denomination, he did not believe in war, and as a subsequence hired a substitute to take his place. After his marriage he returned to his first farm, and there continued to live for the remainder of his life. Mr. Mills was a hardy,

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industrious man, and during the winter months otten drove six miles to some timberland that he owned, split rails and hauled them to his farm. He cleared his property, on which he dug six wells, and made many improvements. His six children were all born on this farm and all attended the district school of the vicinity, his eldest daughter also having the advantage of a select school education in Clark County. His children were: Thomas Elwood, born October 25, 1862; Mary Catherine, born February 20, 1864; William Morton; Edward Everett, born December 1, 1866, died November 23, 1884; an infant son, born Mareh 6, 1873, died March 7, 1873; and Sarah Frances, born December 22, 1874.

William Morton Mills attended school in Prai- rie Township, attending the Muddy Creek School regularly summers and winters until fourteen years old, and from that time until he was twenty-one years of age in the winters only. When not at school he helped in work on the farm, and on completing his education began farming in conjunction with his father. After his father's death, he took full charge of the home place, which he has since continued to conduct and has made many improvements on it, among which was the clearing up of twenty acres of timberland. He is known throughout the township as a skilled agriculturist and a man of honor and integrity. Since sixteen years of age he has been a member of the Friends Church, taking a neutral stand in local politics, but in national matters is a stanch Republican.

Mr. Mills was married April 16, 1895, to Lu- cetta Catherine Spraker, the daughter of Sylves- ter and Frances (Bell) Spraker, whose grand- father came to Illinois as a pioneer and pur- chased a large tract of land, which he divided among his children. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have become the parents of two children: Emeline, born January 27, 1894; and Allen Francis, born April 26, 1895, but died August 28, 1908.

MONTGOMERY, Samuel C., for many years as- sociated with the agricultural interests of Mont- gomery Township, Crawford County, and a mem- ber of the pioneer family of that name, was born in Crawford County, March 25, 1849, a grandson of the pioneers, Andrew and Elizabeth (Colwell) Montgomery, who had a large family. Among these was Andrew, who married twice, his first wife being Sarah Carter who bore him five chil- dren. His second wife was Martha J. High- smith, and she bore him eight children, of whom Samuel C. was one. The father died September 27, 1880, and the mother passed away December 9, 1872. The history of the Montgomery family is very interesting, members of the family having been in the various conflicts of this country, and they are still to be found ever conserving the best interests of their communities wherever they may be.

MONTGOMERY, Wiley (deceased), who for many years was prominently identified with the best farming interests of Montgomery Township,

Crawford County, was born in the Township named after his family, which has been con- nected with the history of Crawford County since a very early day. Members of this family are to be found throughout this section of the State. Mr. Montgomery was married in that Township to Hazael Lindsay, who bore his ten children : Abner, Hazael L., William E., John, Dewitt C., Lafayette E., Sarah R., Amos, Char- ley, and Effie. Mr. Montgomery was a Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 447, Birds Station. He became the owner of 320 acres of land, and farmed upon an extensive scale.

MOORE, John Elmer .- A great deal has been said and written relative to the great work ae- complished by the pioneers of all communities, and so very often what is being accomplished by the farmers of to-day is overlooked. It is not a small item in the history of agricultural life, for each season brings out something new, some advanced method of doing work that simplifies the task and produces greater results by the ex- penditure of much less labor. The farmer of to- day is not content with merely earning a living, but he expects his land to yield him a good profit just as any business man looks for results from any other investment. For this and other reasons, men of intelligence and much executive ability are confining themselves to farming, and they ap- pear satisfied with what they are accomplishing, as they have every reason to be.

John Elmer Moore, one of the progressive farmers of La Motte Township, Crawford County, Iil,, is one of the leading men of his community, born in the village of Hutsonville, April 13, 1869, a son of John Alexander Moore, a pioneer of Crawford County, Ill., who died Mareh 1, 1896. on his homestead, about a mile southeast of his son's residence. He was a soldier in the Civil War, and served for four years with dis- tinguished honor. His first wife was Emma Houtz, who died about 1871, leaving two ehil- dren: Lena Ota, born August 14, 1867, and John Elmer, born April 13, 1869. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Moore married Amanda Newbold, and they had four children : Levi, born February 8, 1873; Eldo, born October 12, 1875; Elma, born October 12, 1877, and Alma, born November 6, 1SSO.

John Elmer was educated in the Cauliflower and Moore Schools, attending in the winter time until he was eighteen years old, and assisting his father during the summer months. On March 10, 1897, he married Sarah Edith Jordan, daugh- ter of William F. and Chloe (Stoner) Jordon, the ceremony being performed by the Rev M. V. Hathaway of the Christian Church. Mrs. Jordon was a daughter of Daniel Stoner. Mr. Jordon died February 14, 1892, but his widow survives and lives on the old home farm in La Motte Township. Mr. and Mrs. Jordon had children as follows: Sarah Edith, born October 29, 1867; Ira R .. born December 9, 1860: William Lee, bosn October 27. 1871; Daniel Henry, born Aprii 7. 1874, Mary Esther, born September 22, 1878; Nellie Mande, born May 6, 1881 : Samuei P., born

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August 17, 1883 ; Leslie Emerson, born December 7, 1885, died October 8, 1886; Gladys Edna, born March 13, 1889. All these children are married.

Mr, and Mrs. Moore have had two children : Orpha Jordon, born December 24, 1897, and John Byron, born May 26, 1903. In politics Mr. Moore is a Republican, but has never aspired to public office. He is a member of the Christian Church, which he joined eighteen years ago. His wife having been a member of the same church for twenty-seven years. In 1897 Mr. Moore bought his present farm of 150 acres, nearly all of which is under cultivation. The family home is a pleas- ant one, and the Moores are among the leading citizens of their locality.

MOUSER, William .- The discovery of oil in Crawford County has revolutionized realty values, and the men fortunate enough to own oil- producing property are accounted among the for- tunate ones of earth. William Mouser, farmer, stock-raiser and oil-producer of Section 19, Ob- long Township, Crawford County, owns 240 acres of as fine property as can be found in the county, and is one of the prosperous men of his com- munity. Mr. Mouser was born in Licking County, Ohio. July 15, 1841, a son of Samuel Mouser, now deceased, who was one of the pioneer farmers of Oblong Township. He was born in Virginia, October 25, 1815, but reared in Ohio, where he learned the trade of mill-stone making, which he there followed in connection with his farming operations. He was married in Ohio to Elizabeth Maiden, who was born in Virginia, September 25, 1816, but reared in Ohio. Of their five children, William was the eldest; Thomas B., resides in Tennessee; Salina, is the widow of Nehemiah Bottenfield; Henry, resides in Ob- long Township, Crawford County; and Eliza is the widow of David Reed.

William Mouser came with his father to Crawford County in 1842, and can well remember having seen large herds of deer and shooting many turkeys. He also remembers that in the early days most of the trading was done at Palestine and Hutsonville, and can well remem- ber when the present town of Robinson was noth- ing but a wild rolling prairie. His father Sam- uel Mouser entered land in Licking Township, Crawford County, which he improved into a farm and then sold to a Mr. Coulter, later purchas- ing the home in Oblong Township where his son William now lives, which he also improved, mean- while carrying on general farming and stock- raising until his death. He was a lifelong Demo- crat, and in religious affiliations he was a member of the United Brethren Church. His death occurred May 20, 1873, at the age of fifty- seven years, and, although taken away in the prime of life, he had accomplished much and was well and favorably known. His wife died March 7, 1895.

William Mouser was educated in his district and assisted his father on the home place. On June 14, 1883, he married Melissa Tuel, a daugh- ter of Martin and Katerine (Krise) Tuel, of German descent, but a native of Virginia, where

she was reared and educated. Mr. Tuel was a carpenter by trade and died in Virginia, and after his death his wife and family came to Illinois, and located in Robinson, where Mrs. Mouser resided until her marriage. The mother married again, her second husband being Solo- mon Biggs, a farmer of Robinson Township, where Mrs. Biggs died, August 30, 1899.

After his marriage, Mr. Mouser bought out the other heirs and has made many improvements, his property of 240 acres being exceedingly valu- able. In May, 1906, oil was located on his farm, and he now has ten wells drilled, from which he derives a good income. The land upon which his father settled in Licking Township was pur- chased from the Government, as was also a part of the Oblong Township land, and on the for- mer he built a log house in which he resided until selling the place. For some time the family lived in a log house on the Oblong Township property. which they later weatherboarded, but eventually, about 1860, Mr. Mouser built a frame house. This, in turn, has been replaced by a more modern structure by the son, William Mouser.

Mr. and Mrs. Mouser have these children : Emma, who married Ernest Reedy, a farmer of Oklahoma ; Nora and Cora, all born on the pres- ent farm. In politics, Mr. Mouser is a Democrat, although he has never sought public office.

MUCHMORE, John Benjamin .-- Coming of old and honored stock, a son of a veteran of the Civil War, and himself an important factor in the business life of Oblong, Crawford County, where for twenty years he has been actively engaged in conducting a large drug and painters' supply house, John Benjamin Muchmore is justly ad- mitted to be one of the representative men of the county. Mr. Muchmore was born at Oblong, October 31, 1868, a son of Theodore Napoleon and Eliza Matilda (Redman) Muchmore. The father was born near Rushville. Ind., March 11, 1844, while the mother was born in Knox County, Ohio, November 25, 1842. The grandfather Ben- jamin Park Muchmore was born at Plainville, Hamilton County, Ohio, February 29, 1812, while his wife, Ruth L., was born in the vicinity of Robinson, Ill., near a place called Onion Hill, June 22, 1818. On August 9, 1862, Theodore N. Muchmore enlisted in General Wilder's cele- brated brigade and participated in many of the bloodiest battles of the war, including Chicka- mauga, Siege of Atlanta, Selma, Ringgold, Knox- ville, Mission Ridge and Nashville, and was mustered out at the last named city, in 1865, at the close of the struggle, after a long and honorable term of service. He is widely known throughout his county, and is a member of Al- bert Wood Post, G. A. R.

John Benjamin Muchmore received a common school education, and twenty years ago he and his father founded their big supply house, oc- cupying the double store building which the firm owns. in addition to other valuable realty, in- cluding their homes in Oblong, The elder Mr. Muchmore is a Republican, while his son is a Democrat, but the latter is too much occupied

J.g. Wilkin

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to take a very active part in politics, although from 1898 to 1902 he served as Justice of the Peace. Fraternally he is a member of Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen, and is very popular in both orders, as well as socially. In 1893 Mr. Muchmore married Miss Allie Hill, daughter of Barton Hill, a pioneer of Crawford County, but they have had no issue. Mr. Much- more is one of the enterprising, progressive young business men of Oblong, and his business shows a gratifying and healthy increase with each year, the firm controlling a large trade, not only in Oblong, but throughout a wide-spread con- tiguous territory.

MURPHY, E. E. (deceased), formerly one of the leading merchants of Robinson, was born February 18, 1834, in Licking County, Ohio, but was taken in childhood to Michigan by his par- ents. In 1854 he came to Palestine, Ill., and for three years clerked and then embarked in a mer- cantile business of his own. In 1875 he removed to Robinson, and established his mercantile house here, which became so well known. He built his own store, and carried a large stock, aggre- gating $20,000.00 in annual sales. Mr. Murphy married Eliza Alexander of Palestine, June 11, 1857, and she bore him two children : Jeannette and Mary B. Mrs. Murphy died in 1867, and in February, 1872, married Sallie C. Swearingen, who died in October, 1875. He married in July, 1878, Frances Davis of Greenville, 'Ill.

MUSGRAVE, William (deceased), who was one of the distinguished pioneers of Crawford County, was born in Wayne County, N. C., February 8, 1816, a son of John and Charity (Cox) Musgrave, the father born in North Carolina in 1758 and died in April, 1824, while the mother, also a native of North Carolina was born in 1774, and died in June, 1824. The youngest son and sixth of his parents' seven children, William, was left an orphan at eight years old, and was brought to Union County, Ill., by his brothers Josiah and John. Another brother, Caleb, had come to Union County four years earlier and William made his home with him until 1833, when he came to Crawford County with his brother John, and the two worked together as carpenters. In 1834 occurred the marriage of William Musgrave and Eliza Ann Cox, who was a native of Greene County, N. C., born January 17, 1816. They became the parents of nine children, five of whom grew to maturity : Sally Ann, Anna M., Jonathan K., George A. and Herriet. After mar- riage Mr. Musgrave began farming upon what was his hometsead, which had been improved by John Snipes, and in time he became possessed of 500 acres of desirable farm land, but he later divided the greater portion of it among his chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Musgrave for years were consistent members of the Universalist Church.

NEELEY, James .- Farming is no longer car- ried on simply to obtain a living, but is as much a business as any other line of work. The farmer of to-day has to be enterprising, thrifty

and progressive, or he discovers that others are crowding him into the background, and that Is something none of the farmers of Illinols are willing to stand, so independent have they be- come since they have realized how important is their calling to the welfare of the nation. James Neeley of Section 19, Martin Townshlp, Craw- ford County, is one of the successful farmers and stock-raisers of this locality. His father, Edward Neely, was born in Ohio, where he was educated and for some time was a farmer there. In 1853 he came with his family to Martin Town- ship, he and his brother James driving a wagon. Edward Neeley entered from the Government, 160 acres of raw prairie and timber land, which he cleared and transformed into a good farm. Later he bought 40 acres adjoining that was al- ready under cultivation. Still later he bought 80 acres more, 30 acres of which was cultivated. He cleared a portion of the remaining 50 acres, which was in brush and timber. He then bought 40 acres more of timber, which has since been cleared by his son, James Neeley. Edward Neeley died on his homestead after a long and useful life.

James Neeley secured his early education in Martin Township, but when only sixteen years old he ran away and joined the army, enlisting at Centralia, Ill., in Company D, Ninety-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Captain Wood com- manding, in July, 1862. A short time afterwards Captain Wood was discharged on account of lli- ness, and Captain Young had charge of the Com- pany. Mr. Neeley served under Captain Young until the promotion of the latter to the rank of Colonel, when he was succeeded by Captain Brown. Mr. Neeley was honorably discharged at Louisville, Ky., and was sent with his regl- ment to Springfield, Ill., to be mustered out. Then at nineteen years of age returning home, he settled down to assist his father in clearing the land.

Mr. Neeley remained thus employed for three years, when he was married to Emily Enlow, daughter of David Enlow, a farmer of Martin Township. After his marriage be moved onto a farm of 120 acres in Section 19, which he cleared and fenced, afterwards adding thereto 40 acres, 20 acres of which was cultivated, the remainder being timber. Mr. and Mrs. Neeley have had one child, Arley, who married Flora Harris, daughter of Nicholas Harris, a farmer of the same township. Although not a meniber of any church, Mr. Neeley Is very generous in his donations to religious organizations, and believes in their work. He is a 'Republican In hls poll- tical relations.

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Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 158

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