Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 167

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 167

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STEPHENS, Dr. Lewis E .- Experience, knowl- edge, learning, all go into the make-up of the true physician or dental surgeon. Among the dental surgeons of Crawford County, Dr. Lewis E. Stephens, of Robinson, Ill., is a worthy ex- ample. He was born in Loudon County, Va., September 8, 1845, a son of John Henry and Ann S. (Padgett) Stephens. John Henry Steph- ens, the father, who was born in Virginia In 1820, was also a dental surgeon of considerable promi- nence. Ile had six sous and one daughter, and four of his sons followed his profession, all hav- ing been successful. The elder Dr. Stephens came to Robinson at an early day and estab- lished a fine practice, but met with an untimely death, his horses becoming frightened and back- ing off the bridge near Robinson, while Dr. Stephens was in the vehicle attached. His wife was a daughter of Eli Padgett, a native of Mary- land, and a descendant of an old and honored family of the South.

Dr. Lewis E. Stephens attended the country school and worked on a farm in his boyhood, but later had the advantage of a course at West- field College, and after studying with his father, began practice when twenty-four years of age as his father's partner, and for years was the leading dentist of Robinson. He was not en- tirely satisfied with practicing, however, but was

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ever studying and finally perfected a suction plate which is now in use by all advanced mem- bers of his profession. For some years he has been retired, his sons, Arthur G., John M. and Earl Stephens, having succeeded him, although the sign still reads, "Dr. Stephens & Sons." Al- though practically retired, Dr. Stephens is often called upon for advice, and at all the dental meetings he is slated for a talk, his practical ex- perience proving of inestimable value to younger members of the profession. For some years he has been admittedly the dean of the profession in Crawford County.

On July 29, 1873, Dr. Stephens was married to Mary G. Trimble, of Crawford County, daughter of James Trimble, who was noted for his ser- vice as Associate Judge of Crawford County. He was a pioneer of the county and an extensive farmer, having come from Kentucky. The chil- dren born to Dr. and Mrs. Stephens were as follows : Arthur G., born July 8, 1874, and was a student in the Northwestern Dental College, Chicago; Frank A., born December 28, 1875, and graduated from the high school ; John Murray, born October 3, 1877, graduated from the high school, and from the Northwestern Dental Col- lege; Fred E. and Earl are twins, born Sep- tember 10, 1879, and Earl graduated from high school and the Northwestern Dental College; Mabel A .; Hazel, and Roger Lewis, born No- vember 11, 1890, who is a graduate of the high school and his father's companion.

Since his retirement Dr. Stephens has entered extensively into the business of importing high- grade stock with his sons, Fred and Frank. He makes annual trips to Canada and imports only the best varieties, making a specialty of heavy horses and sheep, and through his efforts the breed of both has been materially bettered in Crawford and surrounding counties. He imported

the first horse into Crawford County; also the first registered and imported stallion and mare, and was the first to bring to Crawford County imported Shropshire sheep and Holstein cattle. Dr. Stephens has exhibited at county fairs for many years, and his fine stock has secured many blue ribbons. Dr. Stephens was President of the Crawford County Fair Association for seven years. He has also the distinction of being the only man of Crawford County who shipped a carload of his horses from his barns to London, England, in sound condition.

Fraternally, Dr. Stephens belongs to the Mod- ern Woodmen, and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. In politics he has always been an adherent of the Democratic party, and has ably represented the Third Ward in the Robinson City Council. His pleasant home on Locust street, Robinson, is one of the most hospitable places in Crawford County, and sur- rounded by its trees, is one of the most de- lightful in warm weather. Dr. Stephens owns several fine farms in the county, as well as sev- eral of the finest orchards in this part of the State, and devotes much of his time to agricul- ture and horticulture. He has always been warmly interested in the prosperity and future of

Robinson, and strives to offer strong inducements to attract new capital to that city. It is char- acteristic of the man to discharge with con- scientious fidelity every trust reposed in him, and being blessed with a cheerful disposition, he has made himself the friend of all with whom he has been associated.

STEPHENSON, Cornelius (deceased) .- After a short illness, the late Cornelius Stephenson, one of the representative men of Crawford County, Ill., died of pneumonia at his home at 7:30 Wednesday morning, February 27, 1901. The funeral services were conducted by his pastor, the Rev. Mr. Fink, of the United Brethren Church, and the immense concourse that attended came to pay tribute to one who was ever a friend to those who needed him, and a public-spirited, . enterprising man. A touching tribute is paid to his memory in the following lines written by his daughter Emma :

"A precious one from us has gone, A voice we loved is stilled,

A place is vacant in our home Which never can be filled. God in his wisdom has recalled The boon His love hath given, And though the body slumbers here, The soul is safe in heaven."

Mr. Stephenson was born in Butler County, Ohio, November 20, 1829, and was married July 8, 1855, to Mary Huls. At his death he left four children, seven grandchildren, his widow and a host of warm personal friends to mourn his loss.

Mrs. Mary Stephenson was born in Indiana, November 8, 1834, but when one year old her parents moved to Butler County, Ohio, and she was there reared on a farm near the town of Pisgah in the vicinity of Cincinnati, her educa- tion being obtained in the schools of her neigh- borhood. Her parents were Joseph and Amanda M. (Kennedy) Huls. Mrs. Stephenson is a mem- ber of the United Brethren Church, and the Rev. N. B. Ellsworth of that church officiated at her marriage to Cornelius Stephenson. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson had the following children : Emma T., born December 10, 1860, married Andrew Wakefield, a farmer of Robinson Towil- ship, and they have two children, Ernest and Oliver; Joseph Cornelius, born April 15, 1866, married Amanda Buskirk, daughter of Ralph Buskirk, a farmer, and they have a daughter ; Benjamin F., married Catherine Henderson, and they have a son, Harry W .; Cornelius H., mar- ried Emma A., the only daughter of R. D. and Sarah J. (Wilson) Johnson, and they have three sons and one daughter-Arthur R., born April 11, 1895; Ione L., born September 27, 1896; Everett C., born November 20, 1898, and Allen G., born March 3, 1906.

Mrs. Stephenson owns a fine farm property of 160 acres in Robinson Township, where she makes her home. She is a pleasant companion, a kind neighbor, and a good worker in the

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church, and the respect she commands is well merited.

STIFLE, Charles M .- One of the most im- portant phases of commercial activity in Craw -. ford County is that presented by the oil business of that locality. and there are many land owners on whose property oil has been discovered. Charles M. Stifle, of Section 8, Oblong Township, is one of those thus fortunate. Born in Athens County, Ohio, in 1848, he is the youngest son of ten children born to his parents, Stephen and Mary (Misner) Stifle, who in 1848 came to Crawford County, and were pioneers of Oblong Township. When they came to the township there were only about five other families in the school district. Stephen P. Stifle was the first man to suggest building a school house, which was made of logs. He purchased considerable of his land directly from the Government. The trip of the family was made from Indiana in a covered wagon, and after they were settled here, for a long time wild game was plentiful, including deer and wild turkey. In time Stephen Stifle became the owner of 1,000 acres of land. his death finally occurring in the town- ship when he was eighty-two years old. He was a steadfast Methodist.

Charles M. Stifle went to school in the primi- tive log schoolhouse his father helped to erect, and was brought up on his present farm, learn- ing early the details of agricultural life. In 1869 he married Belle Lancaster, who was born in Hutsonville, and reared in Crawford County. Her father dying when she was small, her mother later married a man by the name of Jones, a traveling preacher. Mr. and Mrs. Stifle have had two children : Rexa and Robert. Mrs. Stifle died March 17, 1873. Mr. Stifle later mar- ried Mary Jane Potts, born in Lima County, Ohio, and by this second marriage there were three children: Dora, Cora (deceased), and Edwin, all five of the children being born on the home farm. Mrs. Stifle the second, was reared in Lima County, Ohio, and she died in 1878.

Before his father's death, Charles M. Stifle secured 190 acres, as his father divided his property. He has added 20 acres more to it, and also owns 60 acres west of the county line, his total holdings amounting to 270 acres, a portion of which he has cleared. He has eight wells in operation, and is a man of independent means; is a member of the Grange, and deserv- edly popular in the neighborhood. Where now exists a highly civilized community. when Mr. Stifle first came to Crawford County, there were but a few log cabins, and in view of this ex- traordinary progress, it is impossible to award too much credit to those whose intelligence, enterprise and perseverance have brought about these results.

STIFLE, Stephen Jasper .- The discovery of oil in Crawford County worked a complete revolu- tion in land values, and developed wealthy men in a very short period. Among those fortunate

enough to own such land is Stephen Jasper Stifle, a farmer and oil-producer on Section 7, Oblong Township, who was born in Athens County, Ohio, January 19, 1838, a son of Stephen Stlfle, also a native of Ohio. The father was reared in his native State and there married Mary Misner, also a native of Ohio, and they had ten children, of whom the younger, Stephen, was the sixth in order of birth. Coming to Crawford County in 1848, Stephen Stifle, Sr., located on 40 acres in Oblong Township, adding to his holdings until at one time he owned 1,000 acres, the greater part of which he cleared and placed under cultivation. Although he had no schooling, he was a well- informed man, and for his time was very wealthy. A devout member of the Methodist Church, he died firm in its faith at the age of eighty-two years.

Stephen Jasper Stifle attended one of the early schools of Crawford County, which his father helped to build. The lad worked to assist his father clear the property, and remained with him until his marriage. His father's land was partly obtained from the Government, and the remainder bought at second hand. There was an old log house on the first 40 acres, with its puncheon floor, and also an old barn on the place. He later built a hewed log house, two stories high, and weatherboarded on the outside and ceiled and plastered on the inside. They went to West York for the weatherboards. This house is still occupied by Stephen Jasper's young- est brother. Of the ten children born to the elder Stephen Stifle and wife, four are living : Stephen Jasper ; Mary, wife of Chalon Headley. of Licking Township; George, of Oblong, and Charles M., who is on the old home farm. It was on this farm that the elder Stephen Stifle finally died.

On March 31, 1859, Stephen Jasper Stifle was married to Deiadamia Headley, born In Licking County, Ohio, in 1841, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Smith) Headley, who were married in Ohio. Mr. Headley came to Crawford County in 1850, first locating in Robinson Township, where he bought land but soon afterwards sold it and bought In Oblong Township. He Ilved there for about eight years, when he made his home with his children, dying at the residence of Mr. Stifle when about seventy-two. His first wife died when the children were small, and hls second wife when the family were living in Ohlo.

Mrs. Stifle was reared and educated in Craw- ford County. Mr. and Mrs. Stifle are the parents of eight children, all born in Oblong Townshlp: John Marion, deceased; Mary Jane, deceased ; Elmira Ellen, deceased; George P .; Alma Ar- minda ; William; Eva, and Lucy, deccased. Mr. Stifle began life for himself on 40 acres of land which he cleared off and improved, adding to his acreage until he now owns 130 acres con- stituting his home farm. and 260 acres in Jasper County. In 1905 he leased his property to the Benednum Trees Oll Company. later re-leased to the Parker and Edwards Oil Company, and now has on it eighteen drilled wells, fifteen producing ones and three dry ones. In politics he is a

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Democrat, and for several terms has served as school director. Like his father, he is a Metho- dist and is liberal in the support of the church. Many of his kind and generous acts are hidden from the public, and while shrewd, alert, careful in looking after his own interests, no man has a better record or stands higher in the confi- dence of his community.

STILES, Edward Ellsworth .- With the won- derful stimulus given to realty values by the opening of oil lands in Crawford County, the business of handling real estate is attracting to it some of the very best men of this locality, who find in it an excellent outlet for their abili- ties and a profitable investment of both time and money. Edward Ellsworth Stiles has proven this to be true to his own satisfaction and the benefit of his many customers, while conduct- ing a large real estate business in Robinson, Crawford County. Mr. Stiles was born at Hut- sonville, Ill., February 9, 1873, a son of Silas N. and Emily E. (Bradbury) Stiles, their fami- lies originating in Virginia and North Carolina. After going through the grammar and high schools of Robinson, Ill., Mr. Stiles taught for five years in the country, and one year at Ob- long and two years in Robinson, holding at all times first-grade county certificates. About 1895 he began the study of law with Jones, Eagleton & Newlin, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1899. He opened his office for the practice of his profession in Robinson. May 30, 1900, but later decided to embark in the real estate business, and results have proven the wisdom of his choice.

Mr. Stiles has become a very important factor in the business life of the city and is a member of the People's Exchange, the leading real estate exchange of Crawford County, and has agents in the oil fields in Crawford, Clark and Lawrence Counties, and does a large business in sending emigrants to Texas and the Dakotas. He is now serving a second term as Police Magistrate of Robinson. In 1906 he ran for the office of. County Judge on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated. Fraternally he is Noble Grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Past Chancellor of Robert Bruce Lodge, No. 191, Knights of Pythias; was Junior Warden of Rob- inson Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Clerk of the Modern Woodmen of America for about two years, and secretary of the Robinson Club. In religious connections he is a member of the First Chris- tian Church of Robinson, and for a number of years was Superintendent of the Sunday school. In politics he is a Democrat, and for several years has served as Treasurer of the County Central Committee.

On March 1, 1908, Mr. Stiles was married to Miss Anna E. Fox, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Fox, Sr. She was born in Michigan, and married at Louisville, Ky., the Rev. John Moody, formerly pastor of the First Christian Church of Robinson, officiating. Mrs. Stiles' brother, Howard Fox, is a noted singer. but is now employed in the Pure Food office of the

State, in the city of Chicago. Another brother, John, was killed by an electric wire in the streets of Robinson, in May, 1908. A man of scholarly tastes and able to throw light upon many sub- jects, drawing from a fund of rich experience and years of association with people of all classes, Mr. Stiles is also a man of executive ability and highly practical ideas.

STONER, Jesse Corwin .- A veteran of the Civil War, being one of those who enlisted when the country was most in need of his services, a sub- stantial farmer who has honestly earned all that he possesses and a good, Christian man and devoted husband and father, is the record of the life of Jesse Corwin Stoner, of La Motte Township, Crawford County. Mr. Stoner was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, nine miles from Dayton, July 19, 1844, a son of Daniel Stoner. The latter was born January 1, 1810, in Maryland. By trade he was a weaver, but when about thirty he took up a farm in Mont- gomery County, Ohio, consisting of 146 acres, but in 1871 moved to Crawford County, Ill., and died in La Motte Township, August 20, 1898. His wife's maiden name was Esther Pfoutz, and she was born December 10, 1809, in Mary- land, and died in Crawford County, June 25, 1891, in the same township as her husband.

Jesse Corwin Stoner attended the public schools in Montgomery County, Ohio, and has always worked on a farm, early learning how to properly conduct one, On November 15. 1866, he marricd in Dayton, Ohio, Mary M. Book- walter, of Montgomery County, that State, who was born on a farm in February, 1848, a daugh- ter of Jacob and Katherine (Stover) Book- walter. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stoner: Amy Alice, born Sep- tember 26, 1867, in Montgomery County, Ohio, married William J. Fitzpatrick, a farmer of La Motte Township. Crawford' County, Ill .; Minnie Catherine, born May 22, 1869, in Mont- gomery County, Ohio, married Harvey Royer, a farmer in Ohio on December 21, 1892, and they have two children, a boy and a girl; Lizzie E., born December 1, 1871, in Montgomery County, Ohio. married William Swinger of La Motte Township, on December 20, 1893, and died July 23, 1894, no issue; Iletta, born March 22, 1873, in La Motte Township, Crawford County, as were the rest of the children, married N. F. Goodwin, of La Motte Township, September 30, 1896, at Montpelier, Ind., and they have four boys: Chloe, born August 28, 1875. married William J. Fitzpatrick of La Motte Township, and died November 29, 1899, in La Motte Town- ship; Gertie, born June 16. 1878, married Howard Garber, an optician of Lawrence County, Ill., and they now live in Paris, Ill., and have a boy and a girl ; Edith Rebecca, born February 25, 1879, married J. C. Fitzpatrick, brother of William J. Fitzpatrick, on March 14, 1900, they live in La Motte Township and have one child ; Ruth. born March 14, 1883, died at the age of six years and six months, October 1, 1889, on the homestead ; Orlando W., born September 2.

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1885, married Mertie Staten of La Motte Town- ship, June 5, 1906, no issue; Ethel, born August 3, 1889, unmarried, living at home. and Daniel Glenn, born January 1, 1891, and died November 21, 1895.

With his brother, William H., Mr. Stoner came to Crawford County, Ill., in October, 1854, and after remaining there about eighteen months. returned to his native State of Ohio. In Feb- ruary, 1871, accompanied by his wife and family, he again came to Crawford County, locating in La Motte Township, where he remained until · 1873, occupying rented land. In June of that year he purchased 140 acres on Sections 25 and 26, La Motte Township, and was engaged in farming upon it for seven years, when he re- moved to his present location on Section 15, which he rented for three years, when he bought 120 acres of it. About 1888 he sold 40 acres of the eastern portion of this tract and bought 140 acres on the south. About the same time he sold his original purchase on Sections 25 and 26, and then bought 50 acres on Section 20. He now owns 270 acres, of which 220 are improved.

Mr. Stoner has been a member of the Church of the United Brethren for thirty-seven years. in which he is an elder and local preacher, hold- ing services in the church at La Motte. He is beloved by his people and has accomplished a great deal of good, not only in the church but by his excellent example and kindly words of advice.

In May, 1864, Mr. Stoner enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, Col. John G. Lowe commanding, and was honorably discharged in August, 1864, at Camp Chase, Ohio, and there mustered out of the service. He has been a school director of his township four terms, has been school trustee for five terms, and is a very conscientious public official.

SWARIN, William, was born in Frankfort, Germany. February 8, 1833. His father's name was Jacob Von Schwerin, and his mother Eliza Deveraux, who was born near Paris, France. His father was a Major-General in the German Army and fought against Napoleon at the Bat- tle of Waterloo.

William Swarin was educated in the common schools of Germany and at the University of Vienna, Austria, and came to this country at the age of sixteen years on a sailing vessel, be- ing on the sea fifty-three days, and landing in New York, August 8, 1849. He entered the store of Tyler, Davidson & Company at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1850, and remained there for about a year. He then entered the store of James Van Hise where he remained two years.

In 1854 Mr. Swarin was married to Martha Burch. and of this union three children were born : Albert W., Julia E. and Lillie S. He emigrated to Illinois in the year 1865 and en- gaged in farming. Mr. Swarin was for twenty- one years secretary of the Crawford County Agricultural Society, serving longer consecutively in that office than any other Agricultural So- ciety secretary in the State. He was elected

County Treasurer of Crawford County in 1890, and served four years. He is a member of the Methodist Church and affiliated with the Ro- publican party.

SWEARINGEN, Christiana Amanda .- The farms of La Motte Township, Crawford County, Ill., are models, and their fertile acres reflect the prosperity of the owners. Comfortable farm- houses, spacious barns, well-kept premises, broad fields filled with grain or sleek cattle, are usual sights in this part of the State, and among the well-known farmers of this locality is Mrs. Christiana Amanda Swearingen, who was born near Wesley Chapel, Palestine, IN., April 15. 1830, a daughter of Johnson and Amelia (Sprag- gins) Crews. Mr. Crews, a native of Tennessee, born in 1802, and died on the old homestead near Wesley Chapel, in 1885. Mrs. Crews was born in Kentucky in 1810, and died in La Motte Township in 1882. By occupation Mr. Crews was a farmer and Mrs. Swearingen, while living on a farm, was educated in the district school. The Spraggins family came to Crawford County In 1816.

In June, 1850, Christiana Amanda Crews was married in Wesley Chapel, Palestine, to Thomas Jefferson Cunningham, a farmer, and their chil- dren were: Thomas Hooper, born August 7, 1851, married Carrie Pifer, and they have one daugh- ter ; William Owen, born April 3, 1853, married Mary Otey, and they have two daughters and one son ; Charles Augustus, born January 27, 1855, married Rose Seaney, and they have a son and a daughter. Mr. Cunningham died in 1859.

On November 27, 1872, Mrs. Cunningham mar- ried Samuel Goodale Swearingen, but of this marriage there is no issue. Mr. Swearingen was born in Ohio, January 8, 1806, and died Sep- tember 3, 1900, and is buried in Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Palestine. He was ninety-four years of age at the time of his death. In addition to owning a fine farm of 360 acres, the present property of his widow, Mr. Swearingen was vice- president of the First National Bank of Robin- son. Ile was a Mason and prominent in the order. Mrs. Swearingen has been a member of the Methodist Church for sixty years, and Mr. Swearingen was also a member of the same de- nomination. Mr. Swearingen was one of the early settlers of Crawford County, having come from Ohio with his father in 1851, and this was his home until his death. Mrs. Swearingen has made Crawford County her home with the ex- ception of some time she spent in Morgan Coun- ty, Ill., during the life of her first husband, hay- ing moved there soon after their marriage, but within a year after his death she returned to Crawford County, and is now living in Palestine. Since the death of Mr. Swearingen, Mrs. Swear- ingen has rented her farm to three persons, di- viding it into three parts of 120 acres each. While for a number of years prior to his death, owing to his age and infirmities. Mr. SwearIngen took no part in public affairs, in younger years he was always interested In local matters, and was closely identified with the best measures of

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his community. He was a son of Thomas V. Swearingen, born December 19, 1779, in Virginia, and died in Crawford County, September 29, 1863. The mother of Mr. Swearingen bore the maiden name of Theodosia Goodale, who was born February 25, 1785, and died April 6, 1832, probably in Ohio, before the family came to Crawford County. Mr. Swearingen cleared off a large amount of land, and was numbered among the representative pioneers of Crawford County. Mrs. Swearingen is highly esteemed, not only among her church people, but by all who know her, and she has always been an excellent mother, a devoted wife and kind neighbor, and a credit to her sex and community.

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Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 167

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