Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 165

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 165

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Mr. Shanks has always been a Democrat, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica at Annapolis. Mrs. Shanks is a member of the New Light Christian Church, and Mr. Shanks has been liberal in his donations to church work.

SHIPMAN, Daniel, one of the oldest residents of Martin Township, and a man who for many years has been prominently identified with the agricultural and stock interests of Crawford County, was born near his present home Feb- ruary 7, 1837, a son of William Shipman, now deceased, who was a pioneer of Martin Town- ship, and a native of Indiana, from whence he came to Crawford County, Ill., when a boy, with his father, Stephen Shipman, about 1830. The family located in Martin Township, near the present site of Hardinville. The land on which the schoolhouse now stands was also given by this family. Stephen Shipman cleared his land, placing it under cultivation, and brought up his family upon it. William Shipman was the sec- ond in a family of eight children, and was edu- cated in a little log-house subscription school. He married Jennie Martin, who was born in Kentucky, but married in Martin Township. She was the daughter of Daniel Martin, for whom the township was named. Mr. Martin married in Kentucky Bettie Gray and came to the county at a date earlier even than the Shipman's and donated the ground for the cemetery at Hardin- ville.

At the time of his marriage William Shipman, who had remained until then at home, bought 40 acres near Hardinville and this he cleared off and placed under cultivation. Later he sold this tract and entered 120 acres, which he cultivated with the aid of his son Daniel, and lived upon it until his death. Of the family of nine chil- dren, Daniel was the eldest, the others being Stephen, James. William, Jack. Eliza, and three

who died early in life. All his life he had been a Democrat and he died firm in the faith of the Christian Church.

Daniel Shipman was reared on the home- stead, and there remained until his marriage May 11, 1856, to Nancy Purcell, born February 23, 1836, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Jefferson Purcell, now deceased, a farmer of Martin Township, who entered and cleared off a fine farm. Mr. and Mrs. Shipman had four children, William and Stephen (both deceased), Carrie and James. Mrs. Shipman died March 29, 1872. In 1872 he was married to Mary Sap- enfield, born in Crawford County, the daughter of Henry Sapenfield, now deceased, who was a farmer of Martin Township. Four children were born of this marriage : Calvin, Louise, Elizabeth and Henry, all born in Martin Township except Louisa, who was born in Texas. The second Mrs. Shipman died February 27, 1901.

In 1861 Mr. Shipman enlisted in the Sixtleth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served three years, participating in the battle of Murfrees- boro, and other engagements, including Chicka- mauga, being there in Thomas' Division and de- tailed for skirmish duty, and later participated in the Sherman's famous march to the sea. When he was honorably discharged, Mr. Ship- man returned to Illinois, and for four years lived in Lawrence County, where he bought SO acres of land, but later sold this and bought the tract on which he now resides, having now 100 acres. In 1876 Mr. Shipman and his family went to Collins County, Texas, and bought two sec- tions of land. He remained there less than a year, when he sold out and returned to Craw- ford County. In addition to placing his present property in fine condition, Mr. Shipman has 80 acres of clearing to his account in Lawrence County. He has ever been ready to lend a hand to any measure tending to the advance- ment of the county. Since the formuation of the Republican Party, Mr. Shipman has been one of its zealous members, as would be indicated by his war record. He is very prominent in the G. A. R., belonging to Oblong Post. His religious affilia- tions are with the Christian Church, in which he is an active worker and liberal contributor. Re- cently oil was discovered on his property, and this has greatly increased Its value. Mr. Shlp- man has three wells in active operation, and without doubt others will soon be drilled. He Is a patriotic, honorable, and thrifty cltizen, a kind neighbor, and an excellent Christian gentleman who has many friends throughout his own and Lawrence counties.

SHIPMAN, Everett M., M. D., physlclan and surgeon. The physiclans and surgeons of to-day are improving to the utmost in original research and progressive experiments, constantly adding to exact knowledge in therapeutics and surgery, until the marvels they accomplish seem almost miraculous. Dr. Everett M. Shipman, of Hard- Inville, Martin Townshlp. Crawford County, Ill .. belongs to the most advanced representatives of his profession, and is thoroughly versed in all

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pertaining to his practice. He was born in the township where he now resides, March 16, 1874, a son of John Shipman, now deceased, but who was a prosperous farmer of Martin Township, where he also was born in 1850, was a son of William and Jane (Martin) Shipman, now de- ceased, pioneers of the township. The latter also were the parents of James, A. J., William, Daniel, Stephen, Lida, Jessie and George, who are deceased.

John Shipman was educated in the early log schoolhouse of Martin Township, and there grew to maturity, marrying in the township, Frances McNeece, a native of Crawford County, Ill., and daughter of Lawson McNeece, now deceased, a farmer of Lawrence County, who with his wife, died when Mrs. John Shipman was still a child. Mr. and Mrs. Shipman had but one child, Dr. Shipman. In politics John Shipman was a Democrat.

Like the majority of farmer boys, Dr. Shipman attended district school, but early showing su- perior talent, was sent to the Robinson school, and returning home, taught school for four years in Martin Township, and one year in Hardin- ville, all the time cherishing the hope of fit- ting himself for the medical profession, although he did not begin the study of medicine until 1898, when he entered the university at Louis- ville, Ky., and was graduated in 1900. Imme- diately beginning practice, he located in Landes, Ill., in Southwest Township, remaining there until August 12, 1906, when he moved to Hard- inville, where he has since remained, building up a large and satisfactory practice, being the only physician in Hardinville and the surround- ing country.

December 26. 1894, Dr. Shipman was married to Clara Hurlbert, born in Kosciusko County, Ind., a daughter of William and Jane ( Hall) Hurlbert. of Robinson. Mr. Hurlbert came from Indiana to Martin Township in 1881, and en- gaged in farming for some years. Mrs. Shipman attended the district schools of Martin Township and at Robinson, and is a very well educated and charming lady. Dr. and Mrs. Shipman have two children : Pansy and Fresco, both born in Crawford County. In politics Dr. Ship- man is a Democrat and fraternally he is a Mason. He has firmly established himself in the confi- dence of the people of his neighborhood, who ad- mire and respect him, and his success in his practice is something of which he may well be proud.

SHIPMAN, James .- Thriftily engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising on his well-developed farm, on Section 34, Martin Township, Crawford County, James Shipman is one of the representa- tive men of his neighborhood, having been born in Martin Township April 8, 1841. His father, William Shipman, was one of the pioneers of Martin Township, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work. James Shipman, the fourth born child and third son in a family of twelve children, was educated in the early subscription schools, and as soon as old enough began work- ing, remaining with his father until he attained

his majority. Prior to this he had enjoyed the advantage of a course at the high school at OI- ney, Ill., and had thus been qualified to become a teacher. For about four years he taught school successfully in Crawford County, but his inclina- tion turned his attention to farming, and he re- turned to the farm and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits.

On November 3, 1865, he married Maria A. Fritz, who was born in Indiana, the daughter of Adam Fritz, a farmer, and one of the early settlers of Martin Township, but now deceased. Mrs. Shipman was about eight years old when she came to Martin Township with her parents who settled on wild land, and she was there educated in the district schools. Mr. and Mrs. Shipman have become the parents of the fol- lowing children : George, deceased ; Mary Kather- ine, is the wife of Peter Greggs; Sarah Jane, deceased ; Ira E .; Ezra Edward; Orley, de- ceased-all born in Martin Township.

For some years Mr. Shipman operated a saw- mill and also farmed on rented land for a time, when he bought 40 acres which he later sold and bought 120 acres. This he improved, but six years later bought another farm of 160 acres upon which he moved in 1882. Mr. Shipman also improved this farm, but in 1908 removed to the village of Hardinville. On this property is one oil well and plenty of gas. Mr. Shipman has been a life-long Democrat and has been active in local affairs. For four years he was Justice of the Peace; for one year held the office of Supervisor of the township, and has held many other offices, being an efficient and conscientious public official. Fraternally he is a Mason. His life tells the story of a man whose years have been well spent, whose industry has been well rewarded, and whose public deeds, like his pri- vate ones, reflect the character of the man.

SHIPMAN, James Newton, one of the repre- sentative and prosperous farmers of Hardin- ville, Martin Township, Crawford County, Ill., is a native of that township. being born Feb- ruary 25, 1853, a son of Savilla D. Shipman, de- ceased, who was a pioneer of Martin Township, born in Jackson County, Ind., February 5, 1824. He came to Crawford County with Stephen Ship- man, his father, and attended the early sub- scription schools held in log schoolhouses, and grew to maturity on the homestead, helping to cultivate and improve the land, and transform it into the fine property it is to-day. now owned by Savilla Shipman, Jr. The father was mar- ried in Martin Township to Mary Doyle, who was born in that township, January 1, 1826, a daughter of William Doyle, now deceased, who was also a pioneer of the township. A native of Indiana, William Doyle came to Crawford County when still young, and settling in Martin Township, bought 40 acres of raw land and made improvements upon it. He married Rebecca Hicks, a member of another pioneer family, and they had five children, of whom Mrs. Savilla Shipman was the third in order of birth. To his first 40 acres, Mr. Doyle added another 40

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acres, and still later another 40, and made a fine homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Shipman had seven children, of whom James Newton Ship- man is the third child and second son. The mother died October 9, 1874. Later the father married Frances Sears, a native of Indiana, who was bronght to the county when about sixteen. She was the widow at different periods of Daniel Martin and Hngh Doyle and James Myers. By her first husband she had four children, and five by her second, all of them being born in Martin Township. In politics Mr. Shipman was a Democrat, and was active in local affairs, holding the office of highway commissioner for years. He was a member of the Christian Church, and died firm in its faith, Angnst 12, 1905. deeply lamented by all who appreciated his sterling traits of character.

James Newton Shipman was educated in the district schools, and worked on the farm. On November 30, 1903, he married Nancy Ellen (Sanders) Hicks, a widow of G. B. Hicks, and born in Martin Township, a danghter of Robert Sanders, a farmer of the township. After his marriage, Mr. Shipman farmed on the home- stead nntil 1897, when he moved to Hardinville. where he has since resided. Mrs. Shipman is the mother of children by her first husband, as follows : Bettie, Louis C., William E .. Robert (deceased), and Francis (deceased), all born in Martin Township. Like his father, Mr. Ship- man has been a lifelong Democrat, and he is also a member of the Christian Church. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Modern Wood- men and a Modern American, and is very popu- lar in these orders, as he is in his neighborhood.

SHIPMAN, Savilla .- The agricultural interests of any community are ganged by the character of those conserving them, and Crawford County is fortunate in that it has men of intelligence, acumen and enterprise as its farmers. Savilla Shipman, a farmer and stock-raiser of Martin Township, is one of the largest property owners in Crawford County, his farm consisting of 800 acres of as good land as can be found in this part of the State. He was born on what is now his farm September 12, 1859, a son of Savilla Shipman, Sr., a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work. Savilla Shipman, Jr. was the youngest in his father's family, and was edu- cated in the district schools of the township, and brought np to hard work on the farm. He and his brother Jesse bought the farm from their father after the mother's death, and later Mr. Shipman purchased his brother's interest. The farm then consisted of 80 acres, but he added to it until it now comprises 800 acres. He has im- proved this property, and placed it under culti- vation. It had a log house on it when he pur- chased it, but he has replaced this with a com- modions modern residence, and built large barns and other ontbuildings, and his premises com- pare favorably with any in the township. Mr. Shipman has made a specialty of stock-raising, and his Poland-China hogs command fancy prices anywhere. Oil was located on his property Au-

gust 19, 1907, and he has thirty-two wells on his land in active operation.

On November 27, 1891, Mr. Sbipman married Alice McCarty, wbo was born in Fairfield Coun- ty, Ohio, July 11, 1860, the eldest child of Alex- ander McCarty, and was brought to Crawford Connty by her parents in 1867. A sketch of her father will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Shipman attended the district schools of Martin Township and a normal school, after which she entered Merom College and took a two-years course. In 1876 she began teaching and thus continned for fifteen years, becoming one of the most popular teachers Crawford Coun- ty has ever had. Her business sagacity is shown by the fact that she purchased and paid for 120 acres of land from her earnings while teaching school. This land, situated three-fourths of a mile west of Hardinville, was purchased July 10, 1886, and was leased November 9, 1907, for $6,000. To her Mr. Shipman gives credit for the greatest snccess achieved in connection with bis business interests.

Politically Mr. Shipman is a Democrat, and his services to his party have been recognized by his election to the offices of township Assessor and Supervisor. He has also been township commit- teeman for a number of years ; at present is Presi- dent of the Fair Board and has rendered it valuable assistance. He is a director in tbe elec- tric road which is to run from Oblong to Casey. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Americans, the Grangers, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 967, Hardinville. He and his family are members of the Christian Church.

SHIPMAN, William J .- The rich black acres of farm land in Illinois demonstrate convinc- ingly that the prosperity of its farmers is not an unproved proposition. Crawford County, for instance, can point to many men within its con- fines who own farms as fertile as any in the country, whose bank accounts are large, and whose investments are many outside of their farming property. Among the successful farmers of Martin Township, Crawford County. is Will- iam J. Shipman, a farmer and stockraiser of Section 10, who was born in Hardinville. Feb- ruary 11, 1846, a son of William Shipman, Sr., deceased, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

The younger William J. Shipman was edu- cated in the schools of his time and neighbor- hood, which were conducted in primitive log schoolhouses. His youth was spent on the home place, and he continued to help his father until the land was cleared, and then worked for the neighbors for a year. His marriage occurred September 11, 1870. to Cella Jones, the daughter of John Jones, now deceased, who was a farmer of Martin Township, and who was born in Obio, where he was reared and married a Miss Baker. They came to Crawford County at an early day, settling in Martin Township. Here Mr. Jones entered land from the Government, con- sisting of 160 acres, cleared and placed it under

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cultivation, and there reared their five children and the two children of Mr. Jones by a former marriage, and there the parents died highly respected.

Mr. and Mrs. Shipman have been the parents of children as follows: Charley (deceased), Palmer, William, Edwin, George; Jessie May, who is the wife of William Milam, and one daughter who died in infancy. About three years after his marriage, Mr. Shipman moved to Texas, and engaged in farming for about seven years, but about 1SS2 returned to Martin Township and settled on his present property of 120 acres, to which he added 80 acres. The greater part of this was cleared by his own labor or wonder- ful supervision, and he has made all the improve- ments. He devotes his property to farming and stock-raising. and has been very successful in both. During the time they have lived in the township, Mr. Shipman has taken an active part in local affairs and as a Democrat, has served acceptably as Assessor, Township Clerk, and School Trustee, and has held other township offices. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen, and the religious affiliations of himself and wife are with the Christian Church.

SHIRE, Edward T .- Some men are born or- ganizers, possessing in marked degree that ex- ecutive ability that enables them to control others and carry out to successful conclusions plans that they have matured. Edward T. Shire of Oblong, contractor, editor and publisher, pro- moter and public man, is one of those fortunates of earth who can command success at every turn. Mr. Shire was born on a farm near Hard- inville, Martin Township, June 22, 1864, a son of Christian and Martha (Fletcher) Shire. Christian Shire was born in Eastern Pennsyl- vania, February 13, 1833, of German descent, while his wife was born of English parents, on a farm, near Richmond, Va. When nine years old Christian Shire was brought to Ohio, when twenty-one he married in Darke County, that State, and in 1861 came to Crawford County, Ill .. where he purchased 80 acres of land, nearly all of which was in timber, cleared it off and placed it under cultivation. Although now seventy-five, Mr. Shire is still in active life, hap- pily working as a carpenter, and looks fully ten years younger than his years. He and his wife had children as follows: Jacob L., who lives at Los Angeles, Cal., is a housemover, is married and has three girls and two boys; Sarah, who lives in Indianapolis, is married and has two girls and three boys; Samuel Thomas was killed by lightning when twenty; John W. lives in Jasper County, Ill., and has large holdings of the first oil land discovered in Crawford County, called the Shire Pool ; Robert F. lives in Robin- son and is a carpenter and builder, and Edward T. Shire.

Edward T. Shire was educated in the district school of his neighborhood, and the County In- stitute, and for the following five years taught school, two years being spent in Kansas, and

after that learned the carpenter trade. Success- fully following that for some time, he eventually published the "Oblong Leader," a weekly paper, which he continued successfully for four years, when it was merged with the "Oblong Oracle," and his connection with it ceased. His next venture was the promotion of an independent telephone company, known as the Oblong Tele- phone Company, which he succeeded in having merged with other lines. Mr. Shire then em- barked in a furniture business at Oblong and successfully conducted it until March, 1908, when he sold it to D. C. Brubaker, who is now con- ducting it. He then turned his attention to- wards the erection of the fine two-story brick block known as the Shire and York Block, which when completed will have a frontage of 142 feet by a depth of 90 feet. In addition to this busi- ness block, Mr. Shire owns his handsome resi- dence on North Second street, his lot there being 62 by 120 feet.

On May 22, 1892, Mr. Shire was married in Robinson to Miss Mecie Bashears, a daughter of Winfield and Martha Bashears, formerly of Harper's Ferry, Va. One child, Kenneth E., was born on February 20, 1893, to Mr. and Mrs. Shire, a very bright young fellow, now attend- ing school. In politics Mr. Shire is a Republi- can, and he has held the office of school direc- tor, has been village clerk and is now in his last year as village trustee. Fraternally he be- longs to Oblong Lodge, No. 850 of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. His church home is with the Christian Church, and for many years he has been one of its deacons. Mr. and Mrs. Shire are noted for their hospitality. and their pleasant home always holds a warm welcome for their friends of whom they have many, not only in their immediate neighborhood but throughout this portion of the State.

SILER, Charles E .- The rapid development that has been in progress in Crawford County has scarcely been fully realized by many of those who have been the prime factors in the movement. Not only is the soil, climate and general location excellent for agricultural pur- poses, but within the past few years the dis- covery of oil in great quantities has brought into the county many men interested in its pro- duction or in other lines connected with it. Charles E. Siler is one of the prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of Honey Creek Township, residing on his excellent farm in Section 5. and born on Section 4 of the same township, July . 15, 1869. His father, Josiah Siler, a retired farmer and carpenter of this township, was born in Ohio. March 20, 1841, and came to Illinois about 1851, with his father, Daniel Siler, who located in Honey Creek Township, Crawford County, and there entered land. Daniel Siler cleared off this raw land and also worked at his trade as a stone and brick mason and plasterer. He erected the old brick bank build- ing in Robinson, and the excellence of his work is shown in its construction. He married in Ohio, Catherine Reinoehl. Josiah Siler was one

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of eleven children born to his parents, namely : Barbara Ann, Philip, Jonah, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Priscilla, George Henry, Mathias and Daniel (twins), William and Angeline. Daniel Siler was a soldier in the Civil War, serving in Company D, Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and died in Washington County, Kan.

Josiah Siler, like many others, was educated in the log schoolhouse of the neighborhood, at the same time learning to be a carpenter, fol- lowing this trade for many years in conjunction with farming. He bought 40 acres of timbered land, which he cleared and cultivated. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, Ninety-eighth Illi- nois Volunteer Mounted Infantry, and served until the close of the war, participating in some of the most important engagements, including Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Siege of Atlanta, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Deckard, and many others of less im- portance, as well as various skirmishes. In July, 1865, Mr. Siler was mustered out at Edge- field, Tenn., and was discharged at Springfield, Il1.

On November 10, 1864, Josiah Siler was mar- ried in Honey Creek Township to Isabelle Jane Wright, a native of Indiana, who came to Craw- ford County about 1847 with her parents, Josiah and Martha ( Hamilton) Wright, pioneer farmers of the county, and natives of North Carolina and Indiana, respectively. Locating in Honey Creek Township, Mr. Wright took up and im- proved 80 acres of land. By trade he was a tanner, and had a tannery in connection with his farm. He added to his property until he had 100 acres, and cleared it all. The Siler family was as follows: John; Charles E .; Dora, who married Charles Richart; Joe and two others; Clara and Addison who died in child- hood. Josiah Siler is a Republican, and is a member of the United Brethren Church, of which his wife was also a member. Mrs. Siler died April 24, 1898.

Charles E. Siler was educated in the district schools of Honey Creek Township. and was reared to manhood on the home place. He mar- ried October 4, 1891, Rutha Goff, who was born, reared and educated at Duncanville, Ill., and in Honey Creek Township. She was a daughter of George W. and Laura Goff. Six children were born to Charles E. Siler and wife: Inis, Lloyd, Earl, Carl, Herschel (deceased), and Laura, all born in Honey Creek Township. Mr. Siler moved on his present farm of 50 acres at the time of his marriage. but has added to his property holdings until he now owns 220 acres, and has made the present improvements. He has a comfortable residence, substantial barns and excellent outbuildings. Mrs. Siler died September 9, 1904. Mr. Siler is a Republican, and is widely and favorably known throughout the neighborhood.

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Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 165

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