Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 166

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 166

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

SMITH, Guy W .- At this late day it is almost impossible for the present generation to fully appreciate all the dangers and hardships encoun- tered by those daring souls who were the pio-

neers in this great State, and to whose untiring devotion to duty the State owes so much of its prosperity and its rank among the common- wealths. In the list of those who deserve spe- cial mention in connection with the pioneer his- tory of Crawford County, is the Hon. Guy W. Smith, now deceased. Mr. Smith was born in Kentucky, and came to Illinois about 1815, while it was still a territory and he a young man. He went first to Kaskaskia, but located soon there- after at Palestine, Ill.

Always a inan of prominence in public affairs, after coming to Illinois he served as the first Receiver of the Government Land Office at Pales- tine, and it was his duty to take his money to Louisville. Ky., whence it was transmitted to Washington, D. C., and more than once he was delegated to carry it all of the way. In politles an ardent Whig, he was chosen to represent his county as Senator in the First General Assembly and as Representative in the Thirteenth, serving with distinction and to the general benefit of the State.

In the early '50s Mr. Smith, always possessed of the pioneer spirit, moved to the vicinity of Burlington, Iowa, afterwards locating in the neighborhood of Davenport, Iowa, where he bought a farm and died. The first wife of. Mr. Smith was a Miss Brown, who died about 1821, having borne him one daughter, Mary Eliza, who was born March, 1821, and died April, 1893, having married first Robert C. Smith, by whom she had four children, two of whom died in childhood, the others being: Mrs. Barlow, widow of Dr. C. Barlow, and Robert P. Smith, of Los Angeles, Cal. Later she married James D. Price, by whom she had eight children. The sec- ond wife of the Hon. Guy W. Smith was Jeretta Wilson.

Mr. Smith has passed away, but the good that he accomplished remains as a lasting monument to his memory, illustrating his devotion to duty, his patriotism, and his enterprising spirit which delighted in conquering the wilderness and bringing peace and plenty out of chaos.

SMITH, James D .- Intelligence. willingness to work, and a thorough understanding of his call- ing, have enabled Mr. James D. Smith to cope successfully with the various problems which have been presented to him in the course of lils agricultural life. He was born in Wells County, Ind., October 12, 1844, a son of John W. and Mary Smith. the former born October 18. 1819, and the latter October 17, 1819. They were the parents of children as follows: Hannah Ann, born July 9, 1843, deceased; James D. ; Mar- garet Ellen and Martha Jane, twins, born Jan- uary 21, 1848; Anthony, born August 2, 1847; Jacob, born July 4, 1849; Mary Jane, born Oc- tober 19, 1853; Silas W., born October 8, 1855. John W. Smith was educated in Virginla and for a time was in charge as overseer of the slaves on a plantation, but in 1842 went to Ohio, and a year later to Kosclusko County, Ind., making the trip in a wagon with his family. In that county he bought 40 acres and was helped in

810

CRAWFORD COUNTY

clearing it by James D. and his brothers. As time went on he added 80 acres more, then 160, and finally 100, having thus become the owner of 380 acres, retired to North Manchester, where he lived until his death in 1891, his wife having died in 1863.

Being the eldest of his father's boys, James D. Smith did not obtain very much schooling, and when he did attend school he had to walk three miles both ways. The young man worked hard, remained at home with his father until he was twenty-six, and then came to Martin Township, Crawford County, where for a time he worked as a farm hand until he saved suffi- cient to buy 40 acres of land. On that he built a log house, but within two months had an op- portunity to trade this off for seventeen acres in a better locality. On this he built another log house, and once more traded, giving his seventeen acres, log house and $800 for the property which is now his home, consisting of 80 acres. He also has 42 acres which came from Mrs. Smith's father. Oil was first discovered on his property in 1905, and he now has fourteen oil wells in active operation.

February 22, 1864, Mr. Smith enlisted in Com- pany G, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth In- diana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged August 29, 1865, being mustered out at Charlotte, N. C. While in the service he took part in the following engagements : Buzzard's Roost, Kene- saw Mountain, Marietta and the Siege of At- lanta, at the latter place being wounded and for eight months in hospital at Chattanooga and Nashville.

On August 7, 1873, Mr. Smith married Lu- cinda Weirich, daughter of Isaac and Eliza (Farmer) Weirich, farmers and stock-raisers of Crawford County. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have children as follows : Thomas I, Smith, born June 9, 1874; Eliza Ann, born December 31, 1877; Cora Ethel, born October 8, 1886; James A., born January 29, 1889; and Orely, born December 31, 1880, and died March 12, 1881. Mr. Smith has always been a Republican and at one time ran on the Republican ticket for Commissioner, and was beaten by only sixteen votes in a township that had 100 Democratic majority. He is a member of the New Light Christian Church. with which he has been con- nected thirty years, and for the same length of time has been trustee of the church, as well as deacon, and is extremely active in church work. He is reliable, honorable, strictly honest in all his dealing, and a man upon whom every dependence can be placed.

SMITH, Samuel Alva, M.D .- The medical pro- fession offers so many opportunities for scientific advancement that it has attracted to it men of deep learning and profound thought, whose in- vestigations have resulted in valuable contribu- tions to the literature of their calling. The phy- sician is a man who leads a singularly self-sac- rificing life, for not only are unlimited demands made upon his time, his energy and his nervous vitality, but in many cases he gives his services

without compensation, his large-hearted gener- osity forbidding him to stop to ask remunera- tion when a life is in danger.

Among the men who are devoted to their pro- fession in Crawford County, Ill., is Samuel Alva Smith, who was born in Robinson Township March 6, 1868, a son of J. H. D. and Louisa (Burner) Smith.' Guy W. Smith, the paternal grandfather of the doctor, was born in Ken- tucky, and at a very early day came to Illinois and entered land from the Government in Craw- ford County, where he became the first Receiver of the United States Land Office at Palestine. Later he moved to the vicinity of Des Moines, Iowa, and died in that State when nearly ninety years of age. He had a family of six children : Mary, J. H. D., Rankin, Fry, Speed and Nancy. The maternal grandparents of Dr. Smith, Abra- ham Burner and his wife, came from Ohio to Crawford County, Ill., about 1845, and pur- chased a large tract of government land. Mr. Burner died near Porterville, Prairie Township, in 1882, leaving nine children, five sons and four daughters. J. H. D. Smith, the father of Dr. Samuel A., was born in Palestine, and died at Porterville, Prairie Township, February 14, 1893, having been for forty years a prominent agri- culturist. His wife, whose maiden name was Louisa Burner, was born in Licking County, Ohio, October 9, 1830, and died in September, 1907, having been the mother of twelve children : Wooster L., Bakewell, Eoline G., Burner B., Margaret, Guy W., Samuel Alva, and Orrin H., and four who died in infancy.

Samuel Alva Smith received his preliminary education in the district schools of Licking (now Prairie Township) in N. N. U. of Lebanon, Ohio, Township, and began his medical educa- tion at the Illinois Medical College, from which he was graduated September 29, 1904, having taken a full four years' course and a full course in surgery. Since that time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Annapolis, Crawford County, where he has gained the con- fidence and respect of the community and his practice has become extensive. He is connected with the county, State and national medical bod- ies, and keeps himself well informed as to the progress of his profession by subscribing to va- rious medical journals. His fraternal connec- tion is with the Modern Woodmen and Tribe of Ben Hur. In political matters he is a Repub- lican. Dr. Smith owns a handsome residence at Annapolis, as well as other residence and busi- ness property.

On March 25, 1903, Dr. Smith was married by the Rev. Mr. Nidy, of the Christian Church, to Augusta Holmes, at the home of the bride's father in Prairie Township, and to this union one child, Wilbur Holmes Smith, was born Oc- tober 29, 1907. Mrs. Smith was born November 30, 1872, a daughter of Andrew J. and Melissa (Newlin) Holmes, the latter born in Crawford County, and the former in Licking County, Ohio, whence he removed to Crawford County, Ill., a number of years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes were the parents of six children, of whom five

811

CRAWFORD COUNTY

survive, namely : Orlin G., born in 1866; Eve- line, born in 1868; Augusta; Laura, born in 1883, and Ralph, born in 1888.

SPONSLER, Albert .- To have faithfuily car- ried out any plan in life, and reaped success from honest effort, is something of which any man may well be proud. Albert Sponsler of Honey Creek Township, Crawford County, Iil., early learned the trade of a plasterer, and for forty years has been engaged in this vocation, until he is now a contractor and has a large trade in the township where his excellent work and honest methods have won him many friends. Mr. Sponsler was born in Stark County, Ohio, August 26, 1851, a son of Alexander and Mary (Gratz) Sponsler, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania and came of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock.

Alexander Sponsler came to Crawford County in 1866, and buying 300 acres cleared it off and made a good farm out of what had been a forest. While the family were still in Stark County, Ohio, Albert Sponsier received a district school education, and worked on the farm, although he began to learn his trade at fourteen years of age.

In April, 1871, Mr. Sponsler was married in Crawford County. Ill., to Matilda Seaney, daugh- ter of John Seaney. The following children were born of this marriage: Harlau, Charles, Paimer, Ora, Essie and John, of whom Harlan, Ora and John are deceased. Palmer married Amanda Shannon, daughter of John Shannon and they have one daughter and they live in Palestine, where Paimer is a plasterer ; Charles married Julia Geesaman, daughter of George Geesaman, and they have three children and live near New Hebron, where he is a plasterer; Essie is unmarried and lives at Danville. Mrs. Sponsler died in 1881. In 1888 Mr. Sponsler was mar- ried iu Crawford County, to Mrs. Rebecca Bald- win, widow of Jesse Baldwin. from which there has been no issue. On November 30, 1898, Mr. Sponsler married Dora E. Roberts, widow of Ross Roberts, but there is no issue. Mr. Spons- ler is a Republican. He has inherited from his parents the sterling traits of character so closely associated with the Pennsylvania-Dutch, and has always been industrious, hard-working and thrifty, and naturally has prospered. He is the owner of 30 acres of land in Sections 24 and 6 and 12 iu Honey Creek Township.

SPONSLER, William .- Taken as a whole the farmers of Crawford County are a fine class of men, industrious, thrifty, successful, owning well-cultivated farms, stocked with high-grade cattie, and supplied with comfortable house, and barns. They thoroughly understand farming, and carry on their business profitably and much more easily than in former years, owing to im- proved methods and machinery. Among those thus engaged is William Sponsler of Honey Creek Township, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, near Massillon, in 1856. He is a son of Alexander and Mary (Gratz) Sponsler, the

former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, as also was his wife. Alexander Sponsler came to Crawford County, Ill., purchased 320 acres of land, and there died in 1883. His wife survived until August 24, 1904, when she too, passed away.

After completing his district school course, Mr. Sponsler attended Wabash College at Craw- fordsville, Ind., but returned to the farm, and has made farming his business. For about twelve years he has been a member of the Pres- byterian Church, and is one of its trustees. In politics he is a Republican. On December 19, 1879, Mr. Sponsler was married near Palestine, in La Motte Township, to Sarah L. Mills, a daugh- ter of Wyatt and Emily (Fesler) Mills, the former of Crawford County. the latter a native of North Carolina. Representatives of the Mills family are among some of the most prosperous of this locality.

Mr. and Mrs. Sponsler have had the following children : Clara, born July 19, 1SS1; Mildred, born September 21, 1884; Elsie. born June 4, 1888, and Arthur, born May 10, 1807. Clara married Bosworth Mills, a farmer of Crawford County, no issue. Mildred married Floyd E. Snedeker, no issue. They reside near Amarillo, Texas.

Mr. Sponsler owns 182 acres in Honey Creek Township, where he resides, and 160 acres in Robinson Township.

STEEL, Davidson .- In business life Davidson Steel is one of the best known financiers of Rob- inson, and is widely esteemed by his business associates for his shrewdness of character and his energetic methods of action. Mr. Steel was born on a farin near Robinson, January 10, 1857, a son of William and Adeline (Trlmbie) Steel, the former born iu Philadelphia, and the lat- ter in Trimble. Crawford County, Ill. William Steel was a farmer, and his son was brought up to farmi life, and attended the district school, but later he went to Merom College in Sullivan County, Ind., and then took a commercial course at Terre Haute, Ind. Deciding upon becoming a lawyer, he read law in the office of Callahan and Jones for three years, and was admitted to the Kansas bar in 1SSS, having been elected Justice of the Peace, however, in Robinson be- fore going to Kansas. Still later, in 18SS he went to Pratt, Kan., but after a short time went to Oklahoma, where he remained four years, during one year of that time serving as Jus- tice of the Peace which office he resigned upon leaving the Territory. . While Justice of the Peace he had the satisfaction of making an honorable record by his decisions, not one of them being reversed by a higher court, in fact, no appeal being taken. While in Wichita, Kan. in 1887-SS. he passed through the panic which beggared so iuany, but without letting this dis- courage him, began over again, and now Is num- bered as one of the substantial business men of Robinson, and he owns 600 acres of fine farming land in Missouri on which he is cultivating ai- faifa, which produces $30 per acre.

812

CRAWFORD COUNTY

Mr. Steel is a very public-spirited man and can always be depended upon to support any measure calculated to prove beneficial to the city or county. He has served Robinson as City Clerk and Collector two terms. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and a Modern American. While not connected with any church, he is liberal in his religious views, and in politics is a Republican.

On July 14, 1885, Mr. Steel was married to Miss Belle Wilson, daughter of Joseph J. Wil- son, a farmer residing near Robinson. Two chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Steel, namely: Methyl and Imo. The former was born September 30, 1886, and has been care- fully educated, first attending the common school, then Holland ( Virginia ) Seminary for one year, followed by two years at St. Mary's Academic Institution at St. Mary's, Ind., after which she took a commercial course at Dixon, Ill. She is a very accomplished young lady. Upon one occa- sion when the Deed Record of the county re- quired copying, she accomplished it in a most skillful manner. She married February 18, 1908, Carl White, engaged in an oil business with his father, at Sheffield. Pa., where the young couple now reside. The second daughter was born August 12, 1891, and is in her senior year at the Robinson high school.

STEEL, Edward H., D. D. S .- Dr Edward H. Steel, dentist, is one of the young practitioners of his profession located at Robinson, Ill., hav- ing been born on a farm near Robinson, Decem- ber 1, 1872, a son of the late Edward and Ma- hala (Knight ) Steel, the former of whom was born in Philadelphia in 1843 and died on the home farm in Crawford County, in 1899. Mrs. Steel also came from Philadelphia, and both the Steels and the Knights were of good, old Quaker stock. An ancestor on the paternal side in the seventeenth century fought under Oliver Cromwell, and he and five brothers later emi- grated to Philadelphia. The grandfather, Will- iam J. Steel, came from Philadelphia to Terre Haute, Ind., and established a general merchan- dise store there, and later one at Hutsonville. William J. Steel had children as follows: Will- iam C., James H., Mrs. James F. Jacques, Mrs. Catherine S. Rea, Mrs. T. C. Buntin, Edward and Annie.

Edward Steel, father of Dr. Steel, remained on the home place, and he and his wife had chil- dren as follows: John K. and Homer, both farmers ; Edward H .; Bruce. farmer ; Mrs. Lizzie Ault; Mrs. James Simpson, and Mrs. Mary Trimble. The maiden name of the grandmother was Mary McMullen, and she too was a Quaker- ess, and her family like that of the Steel family is one of the oldest in the Keystone State.

Dr. Edward H. Steel attended the common and district schools in Crawford County, and then entered upon a dental course in the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, where he remained for three years (from 1896 to 1899), when he received his diploma as a D. D. S. He then came to Robinson and began the practice of his pro-

fession, building up a very large business, and firmly establishing himself in the confidence of the community. Dr. Steel is a very pleasant gentleman and a patient, conscientious worker. In politics he is a Republican.

On May 24, 1899, Dr. Steel was married at Terre Haute, Ind., to Miss Florette Newlin, born February 21, 1871, a daughter of Eli M. Newlin, of Crawford County, Ill., and Maria (Kettle) Newlin of New York State. One child, Edward Newlin Steel, was born to Dr. and Mrs. Steel on January 15, 1906. Dr. Steel has very nicely appointed operating rooms at No. 1 South Side of the court house square.

STEEL, Harry .- The business life of Robin- son is influenced largely by the enterprising and progressive spirit of its leading men, who, in enlarging the scope of their private undertak- ings, prove public benefactors. If the business men of any community fail to take a proper in- terest in their town, the fact soon manifests itself, and those in the outlying districts who have been coming to it for supplies, recognize the fact that it lacks the progressive spirit so necessary to command success and seek else- where for what they need. Harry Steel has long recognized this fact and has tried to bear his part in maintaining the prestige of Robin- son, Ill., by carrying on a large and constantly increasing business in hay, feed, grain and simi- lar commodities, and by his courtesy, his strictly honorable methods and the superiority of his supplies, has built up a very enviable patronage. Mr. Steel was born near Robinson, February 7, 1868, a son of William C. and Adeline (Trimble) Steel, the foriner, a prosperous farmer of Craw- ford County, and the latter, born near Trimble, that county.

Harry Steel was brought up on his father's farm and in 1906 engaged in his present busi- ness, occupying commodious quarters near the postoffice where he is most conveniently located. While not an office-seeker Mr. Steel has served very acceptably as township Collector for two terms and has also been Town Clerk, being elected on the Republican ticket, to which party he has always belonged. On March 21, 1900, Mr. Steel married Miss Lily M. Hunt, daughter of John Hunt. They have no children.

STEEL, James H. (deceased), was born in Philadelphia, Pa., June 23, 1823, of English, Scotch and Irish descent. In childhood his father located in Terre Haute, Ind., and he grew up in western towns, as soon as he was old enough engaging as a clerk. In 1849 he settled in Robinson, Ill., having previously been elected County Clerk of Crawford. For nine years he held this office, a portiou of the time being ap- pointed to fill a vacancy. While in office he read law, and July 13, 1857, was licensed to prac- tice, and was successfully engaged in that pro- fession alone until 1865, when he and Hon. Ethelbert Callahan formed a partnership which lasted fourteen months, when Mr. Steel was forced to withdraw on account of poor health.

813

CRAWFORD COUNTY

After that he practiced alone for several years, taking only those cases suited to his inclinations and strength. A strong Republican, he was very loyal during the Civil War, and was one of the founders of his party in Illinois. On February 4, 1847, he married Emily J. Otey, daughter of the late James S. Otey, of Craw- ford County. Mrs. Steel was born in Palestine, and she and her husband had children as fol- lows : Mrs. William C. Jones, James O. Steel, Charles H. Steel and Frank O. Steel. Mr. Steel's death occurred December 2, 1872.

STENTZ, Andrew Jackson .- Brought up to hard work and strict discipline on the farm, the farmers of Crawford County lead whole- some lives and are imbued with habits of self- restraint which enable them to thoroughly mas- ter their calling, and to not only bring out of their land all there is in it, but to thriftily save their earnings and wisely invest tbem. Andrew Jackson Stentz, of Section 16, Oblong Township, is one of the successful agriculturists of tbis locality, born in Coshocton County, Ohio, Feb- ruary 20, 1850, a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Ikemier ) Stentz. When Mr. Stentz was three years old his parents came to Crawford County, and settled in Oblong Township, where he was reared and educated in the district schools and worked hard upon his father's farm.

When twenty-two he left home and married 'Theresa Randolph, a daughter of William Ran- dolph, an old settler of the township. At the time of his marriage Mr. Stentz bought twenty acres, which he improved. To this he added twenty acres more, and still later twenty more, and has made this property his home. Six oil wells are in active operation on this property. and it is now very valuable. In politics Mr. Stentz is a Democrat and he has served as post- master eight years. Since young manhood he he has been a member of the Methodist Church, of which he has been trustee for many years and been president of the board for the past four years. He served as steward of the church for fourteen years, and is very liberal in his donations. Mr. and Mrs. Stentz are the parents of the following children : Alameda (deceased), Elizabeth, Irene, Stella, Earl, Allie, Homer and Myrta, all born in Oblong Township. During an industrious life Mr. Stentz has gained a strong position in his community by the ability with which he has conducted both his private affairs and the duties of public office, and is highly respected.

STENTZ, John .- The development of Crawford County has been largely due to the efforts of tbe farmers of this locality, who have stead- fastly labored. contending with the various dis- advantages incident to the improvement of raw land, and their success is well merited, since because of it this part of Illinois has become prosperous and favorably known. John Stentz is one of the industrious and prosperous farmers of the county, residing on Section 15, Oblong Township, but was born in Coshocton County,

Ohio, September 6, 1851, a son of Michael Stentz, a native of the same State, born August G. 1813. The latter came to Crawford County, Ill., in 1854, and bought land near the present home of liis son, John Stentz. This property he cleared and developed. In addition to being a farmer, he was a physician and became very well known and highly respected. Ile was a member of the Methodist Church and died firm in its faith at the venerable age of eighty-five years. John Stentz is the second in the family of four chil- dren born to his parents, viz: Andrew J., John, Sarah Sophia (deceased) and Marion.

John Stentz was educated in the early sub- scription schools, meanwhile working hard on the farm helping his father In his clearing off of the land. He remained at home until his marriage, which took place in Marion Town- ship, Owen County, Ind., in 1876, when he was united with Hannah Strahla, a daughter of Johu Strahla, of that county. After marriage Mr. Stentz bonght 80 acres of land and inherited 40 from his father, and he now owns 80 acres In Jasper County in addition to his home property. Eight oil wells have been opened on his prop- erty, which are in active operation. Mr. and Mrs. Stentz have the following children : Marion MI., Sarah Ellen, Clare May, Josephine, Verda, Trecie D. and Marion M. M. When life has been busiest and most demanding. Mr. Stentz has always found time to look carefully after his children and to discharge his neighborly duty, and conse- quently he enjoys to the fullest extent the re- spect and confidence of his community. In politics he is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Church, as are his wife and other members of the family.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 166

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